U.O.T.W. Chapter 151 Taken for a ride

  • Aela slowly woke up to the cold, crisp morning air’s touch against her naked body. She lazily stretched out spreading her arms and legs as far as her body would allow so she could commandeer as much of the bedding as possible until she took up every inch of available space.

     

    Once that was accomplished, she laid there on her back and gazed up at the roof of the overhang, taking in the various scents which drifted towards her from the plains.

     

    Sotek, who was only wearing a loin cloth, was, as usual, cooking pieces of venison which he managed to salvage from Red’s and Scarface’s kills the evening before. Aela slowly glanced over towards him with a big silly smirk on her face.

    “There’s blood on the wind. We’ll have a good hunt today”.

     

    Sotek couldn’t help but chuckle at her. Often in Jorrvaskr Aela would have a bit of a mood when she first woke up, like the very air of Jorrvaskr dampened her spirits but out here she was different. She was far more alive out on the plains than any other time. Everyone noticed it; the difference in her mood was unmistakable.

    “There’s she is, the ‘typical’ Aela. Most would say morning or just a simple hello. Hell, some would just nod or even say hi... but Aela, oh no... Her morning greeting is, ‘There’s blood on the wind. Yes, I’m going to get to kill something’”.

     

    Aela laughed at his assessment and chuckled softly while she wrapped a fur around herself and joined him by the fire.

    “I am what I am”.

     

     “And what are you?” Sotek asked while he was finishing off cooking their breakfast.

     

    She stretched her hand out from beneath the fur and snatched at nothing but air.

    “I’m bloody starving, that’s what. That will do, I’ll have it how it is thanks”.

     

    He picked out a particularly large piece of venison and placed it on a wooden plate then surrendered it to an eager hand. As he watched Aela tear into it, he felt some satisfaction in knowing his toils were appreciated.

    “You’re welcome”.

     

    “Red was a bit of a tease last night, wasn’t she?” As he spoke, he had a wild glint in his eyes.

     

    “Yep, I think she likes it when he’s desperate; he’s a bit rough and eager with his claws”. Aela’s eyes flashed at Sotek as her mind drifted back to the night before.

     

    Sotek found himself frowning slightly from embarrassment due to his failure at controlling Scarface’s needs. His tail reacted in a similar way and coiled around between his feet.

    “Sorry about that. I’ll try to keep him in check more”

     

    Aela smiled to herself as she saw him show off his vulnerability. She moved alongside him and made a point of flexing her fingers as if they were claws.

    “She lowered her head didn’t she? Well then; if she’s submissive then it’s not a problem. As long as he does it again”.

     

    Sotek sat in silence as he chewed on a piece of venison. He loudly swallowed while Aela’s words played around in his head.

    “Do you mean don’t?

     

    Aela threw the empty plate by his feet and stood up, allowing the fur to drop to the ground.

    “I meant what I said. Now, where are our bloody clothes?”

     

    The Argonian called out as Aela ran across the green pasture; her bare feet kicking their way through the tall dense grass.

    “Is there anything you can talk to me about without actually threatening me?”

     

    Aela only stopped when she found her clothes and armor. As she proceeded to get dressed where she was, she replied.

    “No, I like threatening you. I can have fun and mould you like a piece of clay”.

     

    Sotek was heading towards her to retrieve his own armor but her words caused him to fret and stop where he was so he was a safe distance away from the she-wolf.

    “Ermm mould me into what?”

     

    “A better hunter, a better werewolf. Oh don’t worry, I’m not out to change who you are, I don’t want to change that so you’re safe. Speaking of hunting, how many furs do we have?”

     

    Sotek glanced at the pile he stacked up earlier and replied to her without giving it any thought.

    “Four”.

     

    Aela shot him a hateful look before stomping towards him with one of his boots held aloft in her hand.

    “Four? How come? We only killed two last night? You bastard, we are supposed to hunt together”.

     

    “Put my boot down. Put it down, don’t throw it! I was up early so I had a wander around. I only killed two for mercy sake”.

     

    “Who did? You or Scarface? If you’re telling me Scarface did then I am not going to be happy. They were supposed to hunt together. You know this Sotek!”

     

    He gently pulled her hand down and unarmed her by taking his boot away. He held her by the cheek and smiled in the hope of calming the situation down before someone got hurt; namely himself.

    “I killed them. Just the two deer”.

     

    “That’s alright then. Get dressed; you can watch me until I caught up”.

    Within a space of ten minutes, the two Companions were heading across the plains on the trail of some deer.

    During all this time, Farkas, Vilkas and the Harbinger were busy preparing for whatever lay ahead. They had moved back to the area where they could watch over Sotek and Aela just before dawn which did little to sooth the two Companions’ attitudes to their night on the mountainside. However before they could even consider setting off on their journey back to Whiterun, certain obstacles revealed themselves and demanded the Harbinger’s attention.

     

    First in line was Farkas. His stomach rumbled in its effort to get him to take action, forcing him to eat. He looked down with envious eyes at Aela while she was eating her breakfast and he started to feel somewhat bitter towards her.

    “See! I told you he cooks up venison. Every morning they are out here, its bloody venison... I’m starving, I suffer with hunger. You know that god damn it, and what do we have... I’ve eaten nothing but maggoty bread for three stinking days”. In disgust he threw one to the ground and stamped on it in frustration.

     

    Vilkas, who had been sitting down on the cold half frozen ground, struggled to get up. His knee cracked as he bent it, the pain adding to his list of ailments.

    “Damn it, I ache. I hate camping out with nofire. Look at it; he kept it going all damn night. He keeps her warm, and we’re stuck here freezing our nuts off... What the hell”.

     

    The Harbinger shook his head at the two of them and groaned bitterly.

    “Well I haven’t got it easy either; I’m suffering as well you know”.

     

    Farkas came over to him and voiced some concern over the Harbinger’s welfare. He quickly wished he hadn’t had bothered.

    “What are you suffering with?”

     

    “You two! Stop your whining. No wonder the whelps complain so much; they are just copying you two”. As he spoke he looked down the hillside silently wishing he was with Aela and Sotek. “Next time I’m going with them; her howling is a lot easier to live with than you both whining all night. At least in the morning she’s happy. Get the gear together”.

     

    A single groan marking a cry of despair gave away Farkas’s opinion on returning to the mountainside. He voiced his objections openly, earning himself a slap on the back of the head.

    “What! You mean we got to do this again?”

     

    It was Vilkas who dished out the punishment. His nerves were in tatters and his temper teetered on a knife’s edge giving him cause to take out his own mood on his brother. He gave a swift retort using the palm of his hand.

    “Shut up ice brain”.

     

    That was the final straw. The Harbinger couldn’t bear any more. He snapped at the pair of them, ordering them to clear up the camp.

    “Pack everything up, we’re head back. I’ve seen enough, and I don’t think I can take any more”.

     

    Soon after, but not soon enough for Kodlak, the three Companions were mounted up on their horses and were galloping along an old trail which ran almost parallel with the plains. In the distance, the Harbinger could see Aela and Sotek as they tracked down a pack of wolves. He couldn’t help but feel relieved that Aela had found someone she was happy with. Inside he felt far more settled knowing she wouldn’t be alone once they were cured of Hircine’s curse. ‘A curse’ he thought to himself. ‘Let Aela hear you call it a curse and feel her wrath’.

     

    His mind then wandered to his own life and death. Soon, he hoped, he wouldn’t have to worry. Once they found the final pieces of the puzzle, he would be able to rest easy knowing in his death he would go to Sovngarde and with Sotek to lead them, the Companions would be ok.

     

    This however posed another problem. Sotek had shown keenness with leadership and he had qualities which would put him in good stead but in the hall he would often act like a delinquent and happily egg Aela to follow his lead.

    Somehow Kodlak knew he would have to curb the antics and prepare the young Argonian; for one day Kodlak knew he would have to stand aside.

     

    Out of nowhere came a deafening roar as a dragon flew overhead. It blotted out the sun, casting the three riders in its shadow as a gust of wind startled the horses just as much as it’s piercing cry; causing them to stagger and whine in fear of the reptilian creature who now hunted them. The dragon looked down at the three riders as it shot past them from overhead and decided they would suffice for its next meal.

     

    With a chilling screech, it turned around in a wide arc as it prepared to come swooping down upon its hapless foes. Its talons reached down greedily; each claw a razor sharp knife.

    Aela was on the hunt. She had been following a wolf’s trail for twenty minutes, tracking it across the rugged terrain and through streams of icy water. Both the huntress and Sotek froze when they heard the dragon’s cries and they broke cover, giving away their position so they could systematically scan the horizon.

     

    The wolf broke cover itself and took the opportunity to escape from those who hunted it. Wearily it disappeared amongst the rocks to hunt another day.

     

    Sotek was the first to see the dragon and he eagerly pointed it out to Aela. She nearly dropped her bow in shock as she watched it plunge down in a long dive, roaring out as a sheet of flame smothered everything below it.

    Her face turned white as she watched the dragon blast the road with its fiery breath.

    “Oh Hircine no! That’s the Harbinger! The dragons after him! We got to help”.

     

    The tone in Aela’s voice was full of desperation. She shouted at Sotek while she slung her bow over her shoulder.

    “Change, Red and Scarface can get there in a few minutes”.

     

    Sotek shook his head, knowing any attempt from Red to reach them would be futile.

    “No, it will be over in a few minutes. Red isn’t fast enough; damn it”.

     

    Aela nearly screamed at him and she grabbed him by the arm, swinging him around to face her.

    “We got to help; Red has to try!!”

     

    Sotek watched the dragon for a few seconds while he weighed up their options. He could only come up with one conclusion.

    “No! She won’t make it and I need you to bring it down. I don’t believe I’m saying this. Get on!!! Grab as much fur as you can and hold on”. Within moments, Scarface stood in front of Aela. He howled out and dropped down to all fours and growled. His fangs dripped with saliva as he impatiently waited for her.

     

    Aela just stood there for a second not entirely sure what he wanted her to do. It was only when Scarface lowered one shoulder and smiled wolfishly that she realized his intentions. With bated breath, she climbed up on his back.

     

    She grasped two handfuls of fur from the sides of Scarface’s neck and held on as tightly as she could. The moment Scarface felt Aela’s heels dig into his sides, he ran as hard as he could along the plains, kicking up dust as his paws pounded across the tundra. To Aela, it sounded like a thunderstorm; each paw crushing shrubs and earth underfoot. Four storms raging alongside each other.

     

    The Huntress felt a strange sense of power and excitement when she looked at the ground as they ran. The very earth swept past them, faster than she had ever seen. Red would sometimes run as hard as she could and watch the ground. She liked seeing just how fast she could go, but even with her two boons of speed she was no way near as fast as this.

     

    As Aela looked towards the front, she saw a large rock formation in their path. She tucked herself tight into Scarface in preparation for whichever way he would turn. With every tread of his paws they closed in upon the small cliff face. Closer and closer they came yet Scarface still neither slowed down nor did he start to turn. Aela closed her eyes and braced herself for any change in direction but it never came.

     

    A howling cry made her jump with fright. She expected them to collide with the rocks and the mere thought made her cringe. She was just about to let go and face the prospect of hitting the ground when Scarface made his move.

     

    To her horror and surprise he didn’t turn at all. Instead, he leaped up at the rock face and tackled it head on. Aela screamed out expecting him to fall like Omega did but his dagger like claws tore at the rock, tearing out gashes and stone as he scrambled up the small cliff face. All the while Aela hung on for dear life while she screamed out as her knuckles turned white and her legs tucked in as best as she could lest she fell off his back and plunged down to the rocks eagerly calling to her from below.

    “You bloody moron!” She shouted and screamed at him as he pulled himself over the edge to solid ground.

     

    Scarface smiled to himself as he listened to her screaming rage. Without pausing even for breath, he was off again running as hard as he could towards the other Companions while the screaming she-wolf thumped him in the back.

    The two brothers rode their horses either side of the Harbinger in a vain attempt to protect him. Kodlak knew that any act of fighting back was a futile gesture; nothing they could bring to bear against such a foe would change the outcome. All they could do, all they could hope for was to ride as fast as their horses would allow and hope they reached safety in time.

     

    Even though both Farkas and Vilkas had tried to shield the Harbinger, the dragon still came at him. It swooped low overhead from behind and bellowed a shout of flames as it past them, catching the three riders in the ensuing inferno. Both brothers were thrown to the ground by their horses amidst burning foliage and flame cracked earth.

     

    The Harbinger’s horse took the blunt of it and collapsed spectacularly. The steed toppled sideways, crushing Kodlak’s leg underneath it. He screamed out from a burning sensation which engulfed his leg. Thinking it was on fire, he pulled at the horse to get to it but as soon as he moved he was flung backwards in agony. That was when he knew his leg was broken. All he could do was to hold the reins of the horse and try to calm it down. Burning hair filled his nostrils and loud whines and dreadful cries from his horse drowned out his own yells.

     

    Vilkas and Farkas tried to form a defensive circle around him, but the dragon came on undeterred. It knew they were no threat for no arrow or fireball had been used against it. Such prey was easy to kill, to destroy. All it had to do was stay in the air, which it endeavoured to do so.

     

    Flames once again engulfed the Harbinger and his horse. He tucked himself behind it as much as he could, using it as a shield but the attack was too much and the beast fell limp as it succumbed to its terrible wounds. Kodlak screamed out even louder as the dead weight of the horse pressed down on his leg which was still trapped underneath it.

     

    A shadow loomed overhead, causing the Harbinger to look up. His eyes opened wide in fear as the hovering titan of a beast screeched down at him as it prepared to smother him in flames.

    Farkas snatched a rock and threw it at the dragon’s head. It tilted sideways and mockingly grinned as the improvised missile bounced off and fell harmlessly to the ground. Its chest seemed to expand as it drew in a deep breath in preparation for a devastating attack and it’s large, evil, pitiless eyes fixed upon Kodlak. All Farkas could do was yell back and watch.

     

    From out of nowhere, an arrow slammed into the side of the dragon’s head. The blow knocked it to the side as fire and ice exploded; temporarily blinding it in the one eye. Its wings flapped downwards, lifting the creature up away from the new threat.

     

    Farkas turned around in equal surprise and shock to see Scarface running along the plains towards them with Aela riding him like he was some strange mount. The Huntress had already loaded a second arrow and took aim while they closed in on their beloved Harbinger.

     

    The arrow flew up towards the dragon and struck it right in the belly but the arrow failed to penetrate such armor and bounced off. The dragon’s scales were tough and Aela knew she was now out of effective range.

     

    Spurring Scarface on, she grabbed hold of his fur and kicked her heels in, causing him to increase his speed. Vilkas had to look twice as he saw Aela riding Scarface as he ran full bore towards them. With a cry of relief he called out to Kodlak, letting him know help was on the way.

    “Harbinger! Aela and Scarface, they’re here”.

     

    Vilkas turned around again and dropped to the floor in reflex as Scarface leaped over the top of him. He looked up in awe to see Aela readying another arrow whilst Scarface was still in the air.

    “What the hell?”

     

    The Harbinger heard their approach way before he could see them. Scarface ground to a halt, his claws tearing up the path as he gripped into the dirt. As soon as he slowed down significantly enough, Aela slid off and landed on her feet. She moved towards the Harbinger and released a projectile at the dragon as it flew past them, the missile disrupting the dragon’s fiery breath.

    “Did anyone call for an archer and her trusted steed?” She blurted out as she took aim once more.

     

    Within seconds the dragon burst into flames as her arrows struck the dragons side. One Dragonbone arrow pierced its scaled hide, punching through the scales and igniting flesh whilst causing agonizing ice damage.

     

    Scarface once again bolted along the pathway and turned towards the top of the mountain out of sight. Aela cursed at him as she was hoping Sotek’s flame spells would help turn the tide.

    “Where you going? You stupid bastard!”

     

    The dragon seized its chance and swooped down at the one enemy who could do it any harm. It was intent on revenge for the arrow which still dug in its belly. Blind by an infuriating rage, the dragon dived down with its claws extended; fully intent on snatching its prey so it could climb high in the air and watch with a morbid satisfaction as Aela fell in a death plunge.

     

    The biggest threat however wasn’t Aela. Although she was the one person there who could down the dragon, the biggest threat was currently charging along a narrow ledge thirty feet above them. As the dragon’s flight path took it along the mountainside, Scarface leapt off the walkway to collide into the dragon’s side in mid air.

     

    Fangs bit into the dragons wing, tearing off scales and shredding the thick membrane while claws tougher than daedric daggers ripped into scales, tearing them away as if they were nothing but fur.

     

    Both dragon and beast fell to the ground and landed with an almighty bang, shaking the surrounding area from the impact. The dragon screeched out and flapped it wounded wing in an attempt to take off. It started running away from the archer who fired off arrow after arrow. With each and every second the dragon speeded up, aiding the wing’s ability to catch air beneath it.

     

    Finally it kicked out with its legs and took off, flying higher and higher until it was out of reach. It looked behind at the horse rider who was still trapped under his steed and cursed. Such prey was behind it now. It was wounded and needed time to heal. Turning towards the north, the dragon kept beating its wings and continued to climb until it was over the mountains, out of sight.

     

    From her position, Aela couldn’t see if Scarface was alive or dead. She certainly didn’t see him moving. He was just lying there, over a hundred yards away on his side; lifeless. Dropping her bow, she ran towards him screaming out.

    “Scarface? Sotek? Move you bastard! Get up!”

     

    Fearfully she slowed down as she neared him, dreading to see what she would find. Scarface rolled on his back and howled out. A feral, pain stricken howling cry, chilling Aela to the bone. She knelt beside him and soothed the side of his head, gently stroking him, calming him down. In his chest, stuck in his side, jammed between two ribs was a large red lump of bone. Aela feared the worst and gently parted the fur from the wound. Initially she thought it was one of his ribs, but when she realised what it actually was, she gasped in disbelief.

     

    She moved around him and rested against his chest so she could pull out the foreign body. Scarface cried out, his painful hollow yell caused deer and the like to scatter from a thousand yards. Slowly the black object slid free, allowing blood to run freely from the wound. Aela pushed the fur together trying to prevent the thick red blood from escaping but she needn’t have worried for once the wound was clear, Scarface’s flesh stared to bind and heal over.

     

    Once the blood came to a stop, Aela picked up the blood smothered object and examined it closer. A second gasp escaped from her lips as she recognised what she held in her hand; a complete and intact claw. The claw of a dragon.

     

    Vilkas called out to her, gaining her attention as he waved at her.

    “Is he ok? He’s howling enough! Bring him over, quickly now. We need help to move the horse off the Harbinger”.

     

    While he waited for Scarface’s and Aela’s return, Vilkas sat by the Harbinger and comforted him. He rested his hand on Kodlak’s shoulder and tried to ease the man’s concerns.

    “The dragon’s gone. We’ll soon have you out from there, old man. You sit tight”.

     

    Kodlak yelled back at him. Vilkas took his words with a light heartedness as he knew they were tainted with pain.

    “Old man? I’ll give you old man! And where the hell do you expect me to go with a bloody dead horse on me?”

     

    Farkas grinned at the scornful telling off his brother had received. As Aela and Scarface drew near, Farkas smiled at Vilkas and chuckled.

    “The Harbinger’s fine. Anyone who can yell like that is alive and kicking”.

     

    He quickly stepped backwards just as Kodlak tried to punch him in the leg. Such an action caused Vilkas to join in.

    “Alive at any rate”.

     

     

Comments

2 Comments   |   Aela The Huntress and 1 other like this.
  • Hasir
    Hasir   ·  July 20, 2020
    Nice Lord of the rings reference, Sotek
  • Aela The Huntress
    Aela The Huntress   ·  October 13, 2016
    I can really see Kodlak throwing a punch here. Nice chapter.