U.O.T.W. Chapter 48 Defiance

  • On exiting the cave, the suns glare shrank the pupils in Aela’s eyes to mere pinpricks not that the others could tell because she squished her eyelids together. The vast contrasting difference from the dark confines which she was kept in for the two days before compared to the bright evening sun catching her full in the face made her eyes feel like they were burning. She even held her hand up to try to block out the sun just to limit the stinging sensation which she felt.

     

    Sotek was the first to notice she was temporarily blind from the sun so he helped her up on his horse. He sat behind her but he held the reins of the horse while Aela’s hands rested on to the sides of his legs so her arms were out of his way. Once both Farkas and Vilkas were mounted up on their horses, the four Companions made their way past the mountain range. Vilkas expected Sotek to lead them south towards the plains, instead however he stayed to the north of the mountains, working his way to the east. Not once did he give any reason as to why.

     

    Evening started to set in which was marked by the sun disappearing behind the ‘Throat of the World’ so Sotek took it upon himself to make the decision to stop for the night. His train of thought was fueled by the fact that he knew Aela was struggling to stay awake as he had felt her drift off a few times as they rode only to awaken suddenly from the motion of the horse as they traversed the rough track.

     

    “Farkas, can you ssee to the horssess. Vilkass, we’ll need wood for the fire”. Both of the companions knew by the strain in Sotek’s voice that he was under pressure. It was easily distinguished due to the tiredness in his words complimented by the hissing which rolled off his tongue. They just nodded, then set about their tasks.

     

    “What about me?” Aela asked. She could see Sotek was angry or rather hear as his tail slammed down every few seconds with a loud ‘thump’ as it slammed into the ground.

     

    Sotek had already started to sort out the bedrolls a few minutes before. He was now sitting at the campfire opposite Aela. He barely contained the anger which he felt as he blatantly replied to her.

    “He don’t know what to ssay to you, you’re tired, hurt, but damn it”. Sotek tried to hold back his feelings as he sat there, looking at her. The next few minutes past slowly but with each passing second he felt the anger rise inside himself until he couldn’t hold it in any longer. He ended up shouting at her despite his best efforts at dissipating any hostility which he felt. “What the hell’s up with you? What the hell were you thinking, going off like that?”

     

    The slaves of Morrowind flashed through Soteks mind as he watched Aela stare into the flames. She had that same desolate vacant stare like she knew there was no hope, no reprieve almost as if her spirit which burned so brightly was shattered from the previous events.

    “I didn’t know that…”

     

    Sotek just interrupted her cutting her off.

    “Right now he don’t want to hear it. You had everyone worried. No one knew where you bloody were. You just went off by your bloody self. It took a whole day and a half to find you”.

     

    At that point Vilkas tried to step in. He called out to Aela as he waved at her.

    "Aela, come over here and help with the wood for the fire".

     

    Aela scoured at him as her eyes narrowed before turning back to Sotek.

    “I’m not a bloody child”. Aela snapped back, hard. She didn’t like the fact that Sotek was trying to control her.

     

    Sotek shouted right back at her, voicing his fears. His rebuke was swift and decisive. The trouble was though it was also destructive, very destructive.

    “No, you’re not. Right now you would be a bloody corpsse, raped to death. Your bloody sskin hanging on their god damn wall”. The very instant he shouted it, he was filled with regret.

     

    Aela broke down in tears, and ran through a copse of trees. Vilkas upon seeing her plight quickly followed her while Farkas sat on the ground opposite Sotek.

    “She’s scared”.

     

    “He knows sshe’ss bloody sscared. He don’t need you to tell him, he can see it for himsself!” The moment Sotek scorned Farkas he regretted that as well. Sotek sat there for a minute with his eyes closed tightly as he attempted to calm himself down. His scales felt dry and his throat was sore. Everything touching him seemed prickly and demanded relief like a rash spreading across his entire body. He drew his flask and drank a solitary mouthful before tipping the remaining contents over himself. As he did so he slowly rolled his head around to enjoy the cooling sensation which was ultimately responsible in calming himself down.

     

    When his flask was empty he replaced the stopper and threw the leather flask towards his pack which laid alongside a single bed roll. He watched the burning wood for a few seconds before regaining his composure and glanced up apologetically to Farkas.

    “Sorry, I didn’t mean to snap. Can you please get the others, Aela needs to rest”.

     

    As Farkas got to his feet he spoke softly but his voice was solid as he laid out a small but truthful fact.

    “We didn’t cause this. You need to get a grip on things”. While Farkas went to retrieve Aela and Vilkas, Sotek reset the bedrolls. The moment they returned to the camp, Sotek’s eyes glared at Aela despite Farkas trying to calm him down.

     

    Vilkas nudged Farkas and slightly nodded to him to follow. he blatantly approached Sotek and pulled his axe away from his side.

    "You don't mind if I take this do you? I remember what happened last time. Here catch". Before Sotek could even answer Vilkas lightly threw Farkas the axe. He deftly caught it and tucked it in his belt.

     

    Vilkas stood between both Aela and Sotek to interrupt their bickering.

    "That’s enough! You're both hurting and you’re both upset. We get it. Quit it the pair of you, your fighting like a pair of dogs".

     

    Aela yelled back at him as she pointed to Sotek.

    "I am a bloody dog you stupid ape! He's... Well he's a bloody reptile isn't he?"

     

    Sotek went to respond but Farkas pulled his arm turning his attention away from Aela. Sotek’s eyes fixed on Farkas’s finger which was just a few inches from the tip of his nose.

    "Leave it... Let it go!"

     

    Sotek growled at him or a few seconds before turning to Vilkas who was staring straight back at him. Sotek hissed softly before calling out to Aela.

    “I’m angry with you, but now’s not the time. Get some sleep. We’ll talk when everything’s calmed down”.

     

    Aela just nodded, deciding it would be better just to leave everything until the morning. She looked around but couldn’t see the fourth bedroll set up.

    Where am I sleeping?” She spoke quietly as she was too tired to fight anymore.

     

    “There’s a spot the other side of the fire, or you can sleep next to me. It’s… up to you”. His voice trailed off to a whisper as he sat there with his eyes shut trying to dislodge the anger he was feeling.

     

    “Do you hate me?” She stared at her feet as she spoke, waiting for the blow that would finish her.

     

    He slowly rose to his feet then wrapped her up in his arms as he whispered in her ear.

    “I’m angry with you, I don’t hate you”. He tugged at her arm and led her to the bedroll. Once she laid down he threw over her a couple of furs, then laid next to her. “Get some sleep”.

     

    She spent the next hour crying softly, as the last few days plagued her mind. Sotek spent the whole hour listening to her, trying to work out what to do to put it right.

     

    After Aela finally went to sleep, Sotek got up and went for a walk to clear his head. He followed an old track on the mountainside by a few hundred feet using only the light of the two moons before resting on a large boulder where he sat to watch the moons slowly drift across the sky. He was gone for a good hour or so before he returned back to the camp.

    “Farkas! Vilkas! Wake up”. He stood there shaking them both in turn with his foot.

     

    “What is it?” Farkas was the first to respond, although he found it hard snapping out of his deep slumber.

     

    “I can’t do this not right now. You two take Aela back, I’ll meet you there in a day or so”.

     

    “Now? But she’s asleep” Farkas replied as he tried to take in what Sotek was saying.

     

    Sotek went up to Aela and bluntly shook her. 

    “Urr what? what is it?”

     

    “Get up!” Then he glanced back to Farkas and almost sneered at him. “She’s awake now”. He stated bluntly.

     

    “What’s going on?” Vilkas was now awake upon hearing the uproar though the camp.

     

    “You two are taking her back... Right now! I don’t want her around me at the moment”. Sotek demanded as he pointed at Aela almost like she was a naughty pup who was being cast aside.

     

    Aela’s eyes swelled up from the intense anger she felt from Sotek. It was so strong that she could almost taste it’s vile poison in the very air.

    “Sotek please! Can we talk?” For one of the few times in her life Aela was begging. She pleaded with him to calm down and listen to her but he had none of it. If anything he became more angry and forceful.

     

    Sotek snapped at her catching the three of them in surprise.

    “I’m not talking to you now! When we’re all back we’ll talk. Farkas damn you, take her back. Now damn it!”

     

    All three of them tried to get Sotek to open up, but he refused point blank to discuss anything. Instead of talking he grabbed Aela’s arm and dragged her to the horses.

    “Get her the hell away from me, right bloody now or I swear I’ll say something we’ll all regret”.

     

    Aela burst into tears as she screamed at him for all she was worth.

    “Say it, you bastard… Go on, what you waiting for? I’m a bloody bitchy good for nothing freak?” She launched herself at him hammering his chest with her fists until Farkas pulled her away from Sotek who did nothing to defend himself except puff his chest out to absorb the blows. Aela screeched out at him as tears fell from her face. “Why the hell did you stay? I was happy before you came along, why damn you? Why did I fall for you? I didn’t want you, I didn’t want anyone… I…” With that Farkas took her in his arms and led her to the horses. He helped her up on his ride while Vilkas came alongside him to lead them back towards Whiterun, leaving Sotek behind.

     

    As soon as they were out of sight, Sotek slumped down at the fireside where he rested his head in the palms of his hands. A finger traced across his cheek to wipe away a few tears which escaped the confides of his eyes. He held his finger up with the tear resting on the tip of it as if to study it like a strange bug he had found. Moments later he flicked the tear into the flames and breathed in deeply fortifying his resolve. His eyes switched to the trail which Vilkas had used to lead Aela and Farkas back to Whiterun to make sure they were finally gone. Only when he was convinced that he was alone did he climb to his feet.  Around him the camp was still laid out as he never gave them time to pack anything away. His hand rested on his chest where Aela had pummeled his torso.

     

    He spoke loudly to himself as if to vent his thoughts.

    “Sotek, just so you know. You’re a god damn bastard at times and this is a bad idea...”

     

    He glanced around the camp for a few moments before answering himself with a single word.

    “Yep”.

     

    Over the course of the next five minutes the camp became a hive of activity as Sotek systematically made changes to it, readjusting  the layout rapidly and efficiently until he was satisfied with his handy work. He then climbed around 50 yards up the side of the mountain so he could scan the trail a second time. There by a tree, he sat down and waited.

     

    After about ten minutes riding Vilkas bought the group to a stop. He looked harshly at Aela who he still knew to be upset. He tried to have sympathy for her but for all his love for his ‘sister’ he couldn’t understand why she started with Sotek. Not once realizing that it was Sotek who started on her.

    “Why didn’t you leave it till the morning? We could have sorted it out then”.

     

    Aela spoke softly, inside her heart felt broken.

    “I didn’t say anything, I was asleep. He started on me. He hates me, hates what I am”. she tried to fight it but her tears returned with a vengeance. “He promised he wouldn’t”.

     

    Vilkas held her trying to comfort her but despite his best efforts he ended up making her worse.

    “He’s just angry. He was worried about you”.

     

    Aela verbally lashed out at him as she pushed herself away from his arms.

    “What, so worried that he sent us off in the middle of the night? He hates me, he promised he would never hate me”. Aela fell to her knees crying.

     

    Vilkas knelt alongside her as he held her in his arm. He gently kissed her forehead as he tried to comfort her.

    “He knew you were a werewolf when we came to find you. He’s the one that figured out where you had gone”.

     

    Vilkas then heard something in the distance which stopped him in mid sentence, ‘Fus ro’. He looked over at Farkas with a bewildered expression plastered across his face.

    “That was a Dragon shout. Why is he shouting?”

     

    With that simple comment Farkas froze momentarily before he responded by reminding Vilkas about what Sotek had told the Harbinger as they left to find Aela. As he spoke he kneeled down in front of Aela.

    “He told the Harbinger he was going to get you and bring you home… So what changed?”

     

    “I’m a bloody werewolf!” Aela screamed at him.

     

    Vilkas gave her a hug to try to calm her down.

    “Yes but he knew that before he came to get you”.

     

    Then they heard it again.

    Fus ro”. Moments later there was a muffled explosion causing all three of them to turn towards the path which they had travelled along.

     

    Vilkas made an immediate decision and spurred the others into action.

    “Nothing’s changed. He knew you were a werewolf before we went in. There’s no reason for him to be like this with Aela. Not unless… Something isn’t right. Mount up were heading back, this feels wrong. That bastards played us. The stupid son of a bitch”.

     

    In the few minutes they got back, they could see four figures around the campsite, three corpses lay dead on the ground smoldering. Sotek however was tied against a post. He rested on his knees with his hands tied behind his back. Blood trickled from two blows to his head leaving him disorientated and confused.

    One Nord was shouting at him as he held a bone spike in his hand shaking Sotek’s head by pulling it to the side.

    “Where are they? Don’t waste my bloody time”.

     

    Sotek sneered at him despite the effort it took him to focus on the man.

    Your too late, they left hours ago. Theyre gone”. Sotek spat out a mouthful of blood caused by the battering he received in the face. As the Nord stepped back in disgust, Sotek started laughing.

     

    The three Companions prepared to attack as Aela closed her eyes to blind herself as two Nords started savagely kicking Sotek. The Nord raised his hand to stop them then approached him once more.

    “What was she after?”

     

    Soteks entire body ached with the kicks and hits, but he held on trying to give the others more time. Every minute which he held out meant that Aela got further away.  He tried to spit a second time just to clear his throat but he lacked the strength to. Blood dribbled from the side of his mouth as he hissed out.

    Go…Sscrew…Yoursself”.

     

    The Nord bent down then punched Sotek in the face and repeated his question.

    “Let’s try again what was she after?”

     

    Sotek finally cracked from the pain.

    A dag…Dagger”.

     

    The Nord grabbed Soteks chin and leaned into his face and proceeded with the interrogation.

    “What dagger?”

     

    Hircines tooth”.

     

    “Where is it? Has she got it?” the Nord demanded.

     

    Sotek slowly shook his head.

     

    “Who has it?”. The Nord slapped Sotek a few times across the face as he tried to sharpen his concentration.

     

    Her Ma…Mate”.

     

    “Her Mate? Who is it?”

     

    Soteks eyes closed. He tried to talk his voice became a feint whisper “M…

     

    The Nord leaned up close giving Sotek a light slap.

    “Who is her Mate?”

     

    His eyes shot open, instantly locking onto the Nords neck.

    “Me!!!” His head darted forwards biting savagely into the Nords throat. Sotek’s sharp teeth penetrated the soft flesh, then Sotek wrenched his head sideways ripping out a chunk of skin and tissue, tearing the Nords throat open.

     

    The Nord fell to his knees, both hands gripped his throat as blood poured from between his fingers. With a sickening gurgle he collapsed to the ground. The other Nords draw their weapons and ran over to Sotek, he spitted out the flesh at them then gave one last gesture of defiance through clenched bloody teeth. “Hissssss”.

     

    One Nord attempted to thrust his sword into Soteks chest, but suddenly an arrow shot past punching through the Nords armor, hitting him right in the heart. The other two turned to where the arrow came from, just to see two werewolves, both mixed black and grey burst out from the tree line. Claws and razor sharp teeth tore at flesh and armor before anyone could even raise their sword.

     

    Aela stepped out from the shadows while Farkas and Vilkas’s werewolf forms finished off their prey. She went behind Sotek and cut his bonds. He fell to his hands and knees, barely supporting himself before he fell to his side. His eyes shut as he tried to focus his healing spell but the effort was too great as his mind still reeled with the beating he had received.

     

    Aela was just about to shout at him when her eyes darted around the camp. Realism struck her hard causing her to see Sotek’s actions in a different light.

    “Oh you stupid bastard!” She knelt down to his side and gently lifted his head up to rest it on her lap. Her hand gently wiped the blood from his eyes so he could see her gazing down at him. “Farkas, healing potions from my pack. Two of them”.

     

    Farkas changed back to his Nord form and opened Aela’s pack while it was still on Aela’s back. He pulled out the two vials and handed them over to her.

    “What’s going on? I’ve missed something haven’t I”. He stated as he watched Vilkas and Aela nod to each other.

     

    Aela slowly poured the contents of the two vials in the side of Sotek’s mouth. He grimaced as he started to swallow the warm liquid however within a few moments his wounds healed over and his strength returned. He rolled over to his hands and feet then stood up to his full height. Golden light smothered him as he cast his healing spell on himself.

     

    This time Vilkas who had changed back the same time Farkas did, snapped at Sotek as he pulled the Argonian by the arm.

    “You stupid bloody bastard, you sent us off knowing they were there”.

     

    Sotek denied any knowledge of their existence, although he just stared at Aela’s waist so they couldn’t make eye contact.

    “Nope, I didn’t have a clue”.

     

    Aela went up to the bedrolls and pulled a fur off her bedroll.

    “Then why are they packed out to look like someone was there? You have a go at me for going off then pull this bloody stunt”. As she shouted at him she prodded him in the chest. All three Companions saw Sotek step back, but every time he did so Aela stepped towards him. “Stand still damn you. Everything you said, when you sent us off… Why?”

     

    Sotek hissed at her but as she stepped towards him again he moved away giving up ground.

    “You know why. You’re not up to a big fight, it was too risky”. With that Sotek sat by the fire as he tried to explain. “A few hours ago I had a walk up the mountainside, checking our backs. I saw them. They were tracking us so I had to get you away. Someone had to stay behind to delay them. I chose me”.

     

    “I’m capable of fighting” Aela stated.

     

    Sotek slammed down his hand on the log angrily as he shouted back at her.

     

    “Right now, no you’re not!” He stopped almost as instantly as he started then he continued speaking except this time he had far more control. “We can all see it in you. You’re tired, you’re slow. You’re not up to it. If you were here, then they would have got you. Well the bastards got a bloody shock instead”.

     

    Sotek stood up and walked up to Aela, he held some of her hair in his hand, then breathed in deeply reveling in her scent.

    “I was angry at you going off, nearly getting yourself killed”. Then he wrapped his arms around her and whispered to her. “Dont you ever say I hate you again. Im still angry with you, but that’s because I love you”.

     

    She threw her arms around him, holding him tight.

    “I thought you didn’t want to know. I really thought you hated me, what I am”.

     

    Sotek pushed her back slightly so he could see her eyes. His finger tapped her on the nose making her blink.

    “You’re not a what, you’re you. That’s all I care about. Cause now, definitely not letting you bite me anymore that just don’t bear thinking about”. With that Aela smiled at him.

     

    Farkas gently kicked the side of the dead Nord whom Sotek had tore out the throat of with his teeth.

    “What’s Hircine’s Tooth?”

     

    Sotek just shrugged at him.

    “No bloody idea”. Then he laughed loudly. He gave Aela a quick hug before addressing the group as a whole.

     

    “We need to talk, me, you three, the Harbinger. Things are going to  be a bit complicated when we hit Whiterun, what with you four being Werewolves. I don’t want to face everything in one go, things are hard enough”.

     

    He turned Aela to face him so he could speak to her directly.

    “Are you up for a night at the lake, south of the plains? We could stay there for a night. Maybe have a chill out and patch up our ‘emotional scars’ then head to Whiterun in the morning”.

     

    Aela smiled as she rested her head against his chest.

    “A chill out sounds good”.

     

    Sotek then turned to both Farkas and Vilkas.

    “I have a favour to ask of you. Can you ride to Whiterun and let Kodlak know Aela’s ok. If you guys want to, you can meet us at the lake. I reckon we’ll get there about the same time”

     

    They all agreed on a meeting point by the lake then they set off. For the first few hours they all rode together before Aela, who was now holding the reins of Soteks horse headed off towards the southwest with Sotek sitting behind her, while the other Companions headed south.

     

     

Comments

9 Comments   |   Aela The Huntress likes this.
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  March 31, 2016
     
    I'm really pleased you feel the two moments stand out when Sotek reverts to third person. It is a typical trait shared by most Argonian characters but I do like making mine a bit different. I do need to keep an eye on his stress levels and make su...  more
  • Relycs
    Relycs   ·  March 30, 2016
    Very emotional, well written.



    I should have read this chapter before pm-ing you about third person and stuff^^. Now, after reading it, it doesn't feel like it should've been used more often in the past. Those 2 times really stand out.
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  July 5, 2015
    Fixed and fixed
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  July 5, 2015
    He had little choice as he saw it. His priority was to get Aela away. His first response was out of fear for her. You know when a kid runs off? Your first scared but then angry. I'm not saying he was right, but he done what he thought he had to. He even s...  more
  • Exuro
    Exuro   ·  July 5, 2015
    Good job capturing the raw emotions, although I still think Sotek was a complete jerk about it in this chapter.
  • Exuro
    Exuro   ·  July 5, 2015
    Typo Nazi time!
    Someone had to s[t]ay behind to delay them. I chose me”.
    That’s all I care about. Cause now, I’m defiantly not
  • The Long-Chapper
    The Long-Chapper   ·  July 4, 2015
    No problem. I think that for me, personally, I've earned another power nap. 
    *gives Sotek a pat on the back for a job well done*
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  July 4, 2015
     
    Thanks Lissette and I appreciate your feed back with the last few chapters.
    During the editing I added over 600 words. Chapters 45-47 were hard work. A lot of emotions and some tough decisions to slog through. Sotek's had some shocks and Ael...  more
  • The Long-Chapper
    The Long-Chapper   ·  July 4, 2015
    Party at the lake. OMGERD, I also have a party at the lake, sort of. A hard entry to put together, Sotek, because of the emotion and the action, but well done.