U.O.T.W. Chapter 75 Argonian Down

• Posted by Sotek August 30, 2015 - Filed in TSC: CB Story - 967 views

  

   

  Aela spent the next few days living in her own personal hell. Despite the Harbinger's best efforts, she kept mentally torturing herself. She hated having to go down the stairs to the Under Croft. Just the thought of the corridor made her go pale and her forehead glisten from the cold sweat which would rapidly coat her brow. Aela was no different when she went outside. She would walk around as if she was in a daze even in the training yard, or she would sit on the steps outside Jorrvaskr and just stare for hours at the temple where Sotek still lay deep in a coma.

   

  Sotek’s skin had started to turn pale from malnutrition. Although the priestess Danica Pure-Spring did her best to keep the body fed with magic’s, there was only so much she could do. Sotek’s shoulder wound had healed up but it showed excessive scarring. The priestess had already spoke to the Harbinger about his condition over the course of the last few days. She prepared herself yet again to inform Kodlak about the lack of Sotek’s progress.

  "He will wake up when he's ready, it’s that simple. Some take longer than others, Sotek is no exception. My concern however, is his shoulder. The joint's damaged, quite badly in fact. He was lucky the sabre cat didn't get a better grip".

   

  The Harbinger looked at the pitiful form of Sotek lying there on the stone slab bed.

  "How bad is it actually? Will he be able to use it?"

   

  Danica sadly shook her head as she dabbed Sotek’s brow with a damp linen cloth.

  "It's impossible to tell for sure, but I've seen injuries like this before. So have you... He'll be lucky to hold a shield let alone take a blow holding it. You know this, we’ve seen enough soldiers from the rebellion... As a Companion, he's finished".

   

  The Harbinger turned around as he suddenly became aware that someone was behind him. Vilkas, who had just entered the temple, called out as he walked over towards the Harbinger.

  "He should be awake. He's a fighter, why isn't he awake yet?"

   

  "How’s Aela?" The priestess tactfully asked to change the subject away from Sotek’s situation. "She was really upset about him from what I’ve heard".

   

  "She's worse than what he was when she got hurt". Vilkas answered with a heavy voice. Over the years the three Companions have grown close. He hated it when he saw her like this, trapped in her own torment. "She blames herself. Wait!!! With all due respect, what do you mean by what you heard? You must have seen her for yourself..." His eyes studied the priestess for a few seconds before flicking across the great marbled hall towards his Harbinger. Kodlak’s face told Vilkas all he needed to know. All the sympathy he felt for Aela disintegrated leaving only a bitter taste in his mouth, and anger. “That bitch hasn’t been here once? She’s the one....”

   

  Kodlak quickly slapped Vilkas on the back of his head, silencing him. He swiftly added a reprimand as well.

  “She blames herself for his condition. You know this Vilkas... It’s her guilt keeping her away. Do you think she wants to stay away from him? Every day she sits out there and watches the temple... She certainly don’t need your blatant misguided involvement”.

   

  Danica nodded in agreement as she turned towards Vilkas as if to back up the Harbinger.

  “I’ve seen her out there. Even when it was raining yesterday until Tilma called her in. I tried to talk to her but she wouldn’t listen... She smelt of a wet dog...” At that singular thought the priestess chuckled quietly for a moment until the smile faded leaving a sorrowful look upon her face. “The poor child must have sat in the rain for hours. Tell me Harbinger, why does she blame herself?”

   

  The stress over the last few days started to show as Kodlak felt the strain on his nerves. Without even thinking he just blurted out his reply.

  “Because she was out of control”. Only then did he realise what he had said. Vilkas stared at him with wide eyes as his jaw nearly fell to the floor.

   

  Danica approached the Harbinger quietly and tugged on his arm like a small child would if they had a question; almost with a child like tendency.

  “What do you mean, out of control?”

   

  Kodlak felt a lump disappear down his throat as he thought back the rapid panicky sensation.

  "Well, she blames herself as she had no control of the situation. She wasn’t here so it was out of her control... Anyway, we’re doing no good here. As it happens I have an assignment for her. Vilkas, you and Farkas can go with her. It's nothing major, a large wolf harassing some farms near Ivarstead. Gather her and Farkas together in the hall and wait for me. I’ll be there in a few minutes”. The Harbinger dismissed Vilkas then turned his attention back to the Priestess. "That'll keep her busy for the next few days... Vilkas is right though, Sotek should have woken up by now".

   

  Danica smiled as she held Kodlak’s hand in empathy of his situation.

  "Sometimes the fighters are the hardest to get up. Once they are down, they don't listen. They refuse to face the fact they are down to begin with". She rested her hand on Soteks good shoulder as she gave him her last words of encouragement. "He'll wake up when he's ready, no one’s going to rush him".

   

  When the Harbinger arrived at Jorrvaskr, Vilkas, Aela and Farkas were there sitting in the main hall. Aela was by herself on Soteks step as it was now called due to the fact that he spent most of his time on it. Even when he had his main meals. Kodlak couldn’t help but notice she had lost her usual shine. She was in a right state as her hair was all matted and dirty. Her face was tired, and he knew she had hardly eaten since the attack in the under croft. Despondently he called across to her.

  "Aela get yourself cleaned up, you got ten minutes". She got up then slowly headed off towards the stairs. When she got to the top, she just stared blankly down the steps to the door at the bottom. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before she finally descended the stairway.

   

  The moment she entered the corridor she froze and just stood there looking at the carnage she had wrought. Although the Blood had been cleaned off the wall and floor, she still knew exactly where it had been spilled almost as if the patches still lined the walls where Red and Sotek fought. She felt a hand on her arm. Aela turned around in surprise to find herself staring at Tilma.

  "I... I'm sorry... I couldn't" Her eyes started to water as the emotions tore through her soul.

   

  Tilma gave her a much needed and desperately wanted hug.

  "Red couldn't help it, and we all know she wouldn't if she had a choice. What I would like to know is, why did Sotek try to tackle you? What was he thinking?" As she spoke, she tutted softly as if she was letting Aela know she wasn’t angry with either of them.

   

  Aela slumped down on a chair heavily. Her eyes moved slowly along the wall. "That’s my fault, we had a deal. If I lost control he would stop me. He did, and it cost him. It was a stupid bloody deal"

  "He didn't think it was stupid. If he did, then he wouldn't have come down to help the Harbinger" Tilma spoke sympathetically as she tried to reassure Aela.

   

  Aela allowed herself a slight smile as she thought back to all the times when Sotek had stood his ground when withdraw would be a far more wiser option.

  "Yes he would have, he would come down regardless".

   

  Tilma tapped her on the shoulder as she spoke sternly but at the same time, somewhat softly so she wouldn’t add to Aela’s anguish.

  "So why did you lose control?"

   

  Aela felt a bit surprised at Tilma’s response. She felt her anger rise so she briefly closed her eyes as she mentally asserted control of her temper.

  "You know why, you all do".

   

  "Yes. But why did you let it go that far?" She sat down next to Aela and held her hand in sympathy. "Why when you knew it was him, didn't you stop?"

   

  Aela cried out desperately.

  "I can’t stop it. She had no control, she... She couldn’t do anything".

   

  Tilma lightly laughed at her while she shook her head in amusement.

  "My, you’re a silly one. So you couldn't control it, and he came down regardless of the deal". She then looked at Aela gently turning Aela's head towards herself so they could face each other. "So despite the fact that you could have done nothing about it, and you know he would have came down anyway, you still blame yourself and you won't see him. Especially when he needs you the most. That don't sound fair does it".

   

  Aela glanced up at Tilma with desperate pleading eyes.

  "I've tried, I just can’t look at him; to see him like that. They think he'll lose his arm, or he won't be able to use it properly... How the hell do I look at him, knowing I caused it".

   

  She gave Aela a sympathetic smile as she rose to her feet.

  "Well I got bad news, I've been told to run you a bath and I have. Get washed then we'll sort out your hair. You got clean clothes in your room. Off you go".

   

  Half an hour later Aela headed upstairs to the hall where the Harbinger was patiently waiting for her.

  "Well that’s a funny ten minutes". Kodlak stated. "How are you feeling now?"

   

  Aela snapped at him straight away. She felt stressed and angry with herself and everyone pussyfooting around her wasn’t helping. She wanted someone to blame her, she needed to have someone shout at her just so she knew it wasn’t some terrible nightmare.

  "How do you want me to feel? I feel bloody terrible. I can't be the cause of this... Red, she nearly killed him, she nearly killed you. I can’t live like this knowing what she done, what she could do... I want a cure". She sat down on the step, instantly her eyes started watering as she felt ripped in all directions by her emotions.

   

  Farkas completely disregarded the mood of the hall and just openly laughed at her.

  "Aela, there's no way you want to be cured. You’re just saying it because you feel guilty".

   

  The Harbinger intervened as he saw Aela’s fists tighten. He walked over to her and lent against the large roof support as he spoke.

  "I can't give you the cure Aela even if at this time I had it to give. Your too emotional. Farkas is right for all his faults... You’re feeling guilty, that’s what this is about. Have you been to see him yet?"

   

  She shook her head as she stared at the Harbingers feet.

  "How can I".

   

  "Well you have to go see him sometime... But for now there is a task which needs urgent attention. Aela, take Vilkas and Farkas with you. Your all going to Ivarstead".

   

  She shook her head adamantly although she refused to make eye contact with any of them.

  "I'm not going, and they don't need my help".

   

  The Harbinger gave her one of his infamous ‘owl’ like stares. The tone in his voice gave her no illusion that she had any sort of choice.

  "You are going and they are going with you... And furthermore, you will stay together. We’ve had reports concerning a large black wolf which has been disturbing livestock. Find it, kill it, then come back home. Now all of you go gear up, you leave in ten minutes".

   

  Nearly half an hour later they boarded the Carriage then headed to Ivarstead. All the way there Aela never said a single word.

   

  Sotek opened his eyes... At least he thought he did as everything was pitch black. Out from nowhere a high pitch squeaky excitable voice called out to him.

  "Hey sleepy head!!! Time to wake up, it's starting".

   

  "Huh what is?" Sotek blinked a few times just to make sure that his eyes were actually open. "Oh hell, I feel funny... What happened?"

   

  The same deluded voice whispered out to him like it was carried on the wind.

  "And the god’s replied, ‘You were a dumb fool who tackled a werewolf but your alive so congratulations’ "

   

  Sotek’s face screwed up as his tail slammed down. At least it would have if there was something to slam down on to. Instead it just flapped about wildly.

  "What? Who the hell are you, and why are you in my head" Sotek hurt all over, he felt confused and his shoulder was killing him.

   

  "My name is mine, you got yours so use your own. And besides, you’re in my head. At least you were, now though your here, outside Ivarstead. You certainly get about".

   

  "Sheogorath" Sotek sighed openly with a sense of annoyance.

  "What the hell do you want this time? Haven't you had enough from us?"

   

  Sheogorath tutted as he lightly prodded himself in the chest.

  "Oh but I’m on your side”. He paused as if he was thinking on something then he held up his hand as if he wanted Sotek to wait. “At least I think I'm on your side... Hang on"

   

  Sotek found himself surrounded in silence. There wasn’t a single sound he could hear. Even his very own breathing was quiet. He tried to look around but he couldn't see anything, not even himself. It was like his mind was in a void.

   

  Once again the same high pitched excitable voice rang out from what seemed to be a multitude of different directions.

  "Hey sleepy head! Time to wake up, its starting".

   

  Sotek hissed loudly as he looked around however all he could see was darkness. He gave up trying to spot Sheogorath and decided upon answering him instead.

  "You've already ssaid that bit..." Inside Sotek groaned as he had enough already. The hour was late and his patience was rapidly running out.

   

  "Oh yea? Oh yea, so I have. Well I got good news for you... I am on your side, I just checked. Look it says right here!” A parchment appeared in front of Sotek but before he could even focus on it, it had disappeared.

   

  Sotek thought he had a drop of fortune as Sheogorath had started reading from the parchment however that turned out to be a bit of a mixed blessing as Sheogorath had started questioning himself.

  “Help Aela and Sotek defeat Hircine. Or is it help Hircine defeat Aela and Sotek? Ermm, don’t go away".

   

  Sotek just waited... under the situation that was all he could do. Moments later Sheogorath called out to him.

  "Hey sleepy head! Time to wake up, it's starting".

   

  The very instant Sotek heard the Daedra lord, he yelled out loudly as his frustration exceeded all control.

  "Ahhhrrrggg!"

   

  Sheogorath screamed in direct response to Sotek’s outburst.

  "Eeeeekkkkk. Don’t do that! You’re making me nervous, now I need a lay down". A large blue bed appeared with Sheogorath lying in the middle of it. He was dressed head to foot in a bright pink outfit. "I am on your side, of sorts. But however there are things you have to do. So stop your yelling and start paying attention... You’re doing so well my little mortal minion hound... Now however you need to prove that she loves you".

   

  Sotek glanced at Sheogorath with a confused look on his face.

  "She needs to prove she loves me? Aela?"

   

  Sheogorath shook his head at the very idea.

  "No. No. No, yes... Shut up your confusing me it’s hard enough for a deranged Daedric lord without having to contend with you two... You need to prove she loves you".

   

  Sotek blankly looked at him as he scratched his head.

  "So I say 'Aela do you love me' then she says 'Yes I love you' and we are done?..."

   

  Sheogorath’s face filled with surprise. He stared back at Sotek for a few moments then held his hands out like he was weighing things in his palms.

  "Well yes, I suppose, but now you mention it... No, That’s too easy and no fun. How about sending a message on the back of an Argonian concubine? No, maybe not... Shame, they are my favourite ones, so much fun... Ok you can't talk to her... Yes, that should do it".

   

  Sotek snapped at him angrily.

  "What do you mean I can't talk to her".

   

  Sheogorath laughed out loud as he pointed to the ground which had only just appeared with an exceptionally large cane.

  "Oh look, a puddle".

   

  The ‘puddle’ materialized in front of Sotek. He found himself just outside Ivarstead. looking in the puddle he saw a wolf, a large black wolf looking straight back at him.

  "Ohh crap".

   

  The next second an arrow flew past him and slammed into a bridge wall. He turned around in surprise at the direction which the arrow had come from. There opposite the bridge was Aela, Farkas and Vilkas. Aela shouted out to the others angrily as her shot had only just missed her target.

  "Kill the beast! Get it”.

   

  "You should run now. They’re here to... What she said, kill the beast. A wolf, a large black wolf that happens to be... You! Don't forget she has to say she loves you, good luck."

   

  The wolf ran, at this point he didn't care which way as another arrow flew past him, just missing his side.