U.O.T.W. Chapter 191 Two Heads, One Crown

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    Once they were outside Solitude’s walls, the three Companions headed straight to the stables. A stable hand had already brought out the courier horses which he and a soldier had saddled. The horses snorted and trod around in a restless state, eager to let loose all their fury and speed. Sotek took the reins of the stallion, leaving the mares for the girls as they were naturally lighter than himself.

     

    The stable hand looked on with eyes that burned with the need for adventure and excitement and he seemed just as restless as the horses, even when he spoke.

    “Here you go; three courier horses. They are the fastest we got; like the wind they are! Is Ulfric really going to take Whiterun?”

     

    Sotek shook his head and snarled as he kicked his heels into the horse’s side, galloping off away from the stables and farm.

    “No, but he’s bloody welcome to try”.

     

    He turned his horse to the pathway leading back to Whiterun then slowed the stallion down a fraction so the other two Companions could catch him up. He needn’t have worried though because Aela was a seasoned rider and she soon caught up with Sotek’s horse then threatened to overtake it. The Whelp was riding somewhat slower. Her sword and shield bounced around as her horse galloped along the road.

     

    Evening was fast upon them by the time Whiterun came into view. Dragonsreach’s grand hall and towers dominated the skyline along with the temple. It was only when Aela saw the unique and tell-tale sign of Jorrvaskr’s roof that she sighed with welcome relief. With just a single word she summed up all their thoughts.

    “Home”.

     

    Sotek couldn’t escape one thought that kept burning in his mind.

    ‘Yess; but for how much longer?’

     

    As the welcomed sight of Whiterun’s gates opened before them, Aela, Sotek and the Whelp split up into two groups.

     

    Sotek headed straight to Dragonsreach and demanded an audience with Jarl Balgruuf so he could forewarn him about the imminent attack. This left the duty of informing their Harbinger, Kodlak to fall upon Aela and the Whelp.

     

    The Argonian burst into the great hall and headed straight for the Jarl, ignoring Irileth’s protests as he blatantly disregarded any protocol. She called out three times to him and ended up having to almost run alongside him as he hastily climbed the steps inside the hall. All the while he called out to their ruler.

    “Jarl Balgruuf, I must speak with you! The situation we are in is dire and I need you to listen to what I have to say. Irileth! Shut up! Jarl, I’ve been to see General Tullius. Ulfric is planning an attack against Whiterun. He’s coming to take your city and subdue your people; unless he is stopped!”

     

    The Jarl left his throne and approached Sotek, while calling his aid, Proventus, to his side. Proventus went to speak but the Jarl held the flat of his hand up, demanding silence.

    “It’s not often you visit my hall these days Sotek; and rarely in such a manner; Dragonborn. Yes we heard from General Tullius about it. He’s been saying it for weeks but our scouts aren’t reporting any such plans. I didn’t think he would send you here to do his war mongering and I am surprised you did so with such bluster”.

     

    “Warmowhat? With all due respect Jarl, I have also been to Dawnstar as well. Are you aware that the Jarl of Dawnstar has already sent a detachment of fifty warriors to join in the attack on Whiterun? This isn’t from the General or from any scouts. This is from me! I have spoken to the Jarl of Dawnstar. War is coming, Ulfric is coming and his eyes are fixed on this hall”.

     

    His advisor couldn’t help but show contempt at Sotek’s words. He argued the case with his Jarl, openly dismissing the Dawnstar report.

    “Jarl Skald wouldn’t act so foolhardily. It would be blatant provocation with Solitude’s forces. You’re mistaken… as usual”.

     

    Sotek tilted his head to the side and coldly stared straight at Proventus like a snake preparing to strike. He argued back, cutting down Proventus’s words in a blinding flash.

    “Ok, forget the respect. Shut the hell up you pompous oaf!”

     

    Jarl Balgruuf groaned and stepped between the two of them as closed in upon one another. He shooed Proventus away in the hope of quelling the situation. Pulling Sotek’s arm, he forced the Argonian to break eye contact from the aid so Sotek would be more willing to talk rather than react.

    “Sotek, how did you get to know of this information?”

     

    “Ermm...” Sotek looked at the Jarl’s face. Although the Jarl wasn’t sure, he hoped the Argonian was smiling. “I went looking for the Dawnstar’s carriage”.

     

    “See!” Proventus exclaimed. “Blatant lies; there is no carriage at Dawnstar”.

     

    “I never said there was! I said I went looking for it! Aw screw this!” He could have screamed. He certainly felt like it. He just hoped Aela would have more luck with their Harbinger but then Kodlak always knew when they were being serious and he was far more open to what they had to say.

     

    At that time Aela had already entered Jorrvaskr. Everyone in the hall jumped as she burst in like a hurricane, throwing open the doors as she yelled.

    “Harbinger, Harbinger!!”

     

    “Aela? Whatever is the matter? Has Sotek been to Solitude yet? Please tell me he’s on his way there and he’s not gone off somewhere else!” Kodlak asked as he held his hand against his chest as he tried to quell the rapid beating of his heart.

     

    Aela headed straight to where he was sitting and lifted herself up so she could sit her haunches on the table beside him. Her feet rested on the back of an empty chair which she pushed back with her feet, balancing it on its hind legs.

    “We’ve been to Solitude already! That general? Tullias? Or whatever his bloody name is?”

     

    “Tullius”. The Harbinger replied as he waited for Aela to speak. He would have rushed the others to get straight to the point but that never worked with her. Kodlak knew she would get there and it was always best if she did so under her own steam.

     

    “What bloody ever!” She said gruffly. “He informed us that Ulfric is going to attack Whiterun. He’s coming any day now. Dawnstar is sending fifty warriors to help him. We can’t fight that many! What are we going to do?”

     

    The Harbinger’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. He fell silent and blinked several times as he took in the information. Calling Aela to his side, he headed straight for the door.

    “Does the Jarl know?”

     

    “Sotek is telling him now”. Aela explained as she skipped down the steps of Jorrvaskr, tackling them two at a time. “The general said that the Jarl refuses aid. We can’t win this without help”.

     

    Kodlak watched Aela’s feet as she darted down the stairway. He felt his age as the young eager Huntress tackled the steps with the same energy as she did anything else while he had take each individual step. When it came to the long stairway outside Dragonsreach, Aela bound up them, leaving him way behind.

     

    She waited for the Harbinger at the end of the wooden walkway so they could enter Dragonsreach together. Aela panted a few times, catching her breath while Kodlak who seemed no worse for the wear, slyly grinned at her.

    “Pace yourself young pup”.

     

    Once inside, they found both the Jarl and Sotek in a deep discussion. Wasting no time, Kodlak interrupted them by adding his considerable weight into the debate.

    “Jarl Balgruuf, you must accept the generals help”.

     

    “Ah, Harbinger, I’m glad you’ve come”. Jarl Balgruuf said. He openly approved of Kodlak’s presence; silently he was thankful for the opportunity of having the Nord’s counsel. “Yes I know. This act, it’s beyond a rebellion. If he does this then it’s all out war. Proventus, send out three riders to the general. Let him know we accept his aid”.

     

    The corner of Sotek’s face screwed up while his tail flapped about. Apprehensively he raised his index finger in the air, and mumbled.

    “Excusse me… Ermm… you don’t have to ssend messengerss. The general’s sending his men to aid in our defensse”.

     

    The Jarl, who was somewhat surprised with Sotek’s hissy remark, turned towards the Argonian and replied.

    “Really? What made General Tullius so sure I would accept Imperial help?”

     

    Sotek’s stomach felt tight and he looked at Aela for support. Her face was pale and she seemed just as nervous as what he felt. Silently she shook her head and mimed back at him.

    “No. Don’t do it”.

     

    “Because ermm”. Sotek paused for a few seconds then walked right up to the Jarl and looked him in the face. He sighed as his eyes fell upon the Jarl’s medallion; his badge of office. “The general didn’t know you would accept his help. Whether you accepted it or not was irrelevant. The fact of the matter is this; I would accept help”.

     

    “You?” Harbinger asked along with the Jarl. Kodlak egged Sotek on for he knew the Argonian was holding back, of that he was certain.

     

    Sotek glanced at the Harbinger and enthusiastically nodded.

    “Oh yes Harbinger. I stated that if Jarl Balgruuf wouldn’t accept aid then I would overthrow him, claim Dragonsreach for myself and, as Jarl, accept Imperial help on Whiterun’s behalf… so to speak”.

     

    Proventus singled out Sotek by pointing at him as he screamed at the guards in a high pitched voice.

    “That’s treason! Arrest him”.

     

    “That isn’t treason you idiot”. Sotek stated. He was far calmer than what the Jarl’s aid was. He lent back against one of the large carved supports and lazily folded his arms across his chest while he explained his actions; not that he felt he needed to.

    “That is only what I considered to have been necessary to protect Whiterun. The men we have can’t hold off the attack Ulfric is planning. Jarl Balgruuf, understand this, even if you did send for aid now it might be too late. Like it or not, we need help”.

     

    The Jarl disengaged himself from the conversation and sat down on his throne. He leaned to one side as he rested against the armrest while he thought about everything Sotek had said.

    “Tell me; if you would Dragonborn. If you did indeed succeed in your coup-de-tat and if you had the guile and nerve to defeat Ufric’s forces, then what would you do with Whiterun?”

     

    “Then I would have stood down and let you resume your post as Jarl. I was Harbinger for a few days, I hated it”. Sotek turned to Kodlak and shrugged before he resumed speaking. “I don’t want power, you know this Harbinger. Jarl, all I want is for my home to be left standing, if removing you helped with that then so be it”.

     

    Jarl Balgruuf looked at Kodlak for a few moments then burst out laughing.

    “Well Sotek, you’re certainly forthcoming in your proposal to take away my throne. I have to admit not many would have the nerve to think about overthrowing their Jarl let alone stand in front of him and tell him about it”.

     

    Kodlak’s face was buried in the palms of his hands. He owlishly stared at Sotek until he realized the Jarl was actually smiling. The Harbinger tutted at his sibling Sotek and shook his head.

    “You really don’t give a damn, do you?”

     

    Sotek cheekily smiled at him and shrugged.

    “No, I just do what I feel is right”.

     

    The Jarl breathed heavily and solemnly replied.

    “And so must we all. I need to be certain of Ulfric’s intentions. I must to know whether he does really intend to attack or if it’s just a front. I require someone to do something and it is most likely to be highly dangerous; if not suicidal”.

     

    Sotek sighed. He averted Aela’s cold eyes for he knew what they were saying. It didn’t take a telepath to know she was thinking ‘don’t do it’. Aela’s eyes closed tightly and her stomach filled with dread as she heard Sotek speak.

    “What is it you need me to do?”

     

    “Simple really”. Jarl Balgruuf said as he unfastened his axe from the sheaf on his belt so he could hand it over to Sotek. “Take my axe to Windhelm. Offer it to Ulfric then he will give you an answer”.

     

    Sotek took the axe and examined it. The handle had fancy woven laced leather straps which he knew to be Adrianne’s work. The axe head itself had the silvery sheen of Skyforge Steel. Feeling confused over the Jarl’s request, he looked around the hall of Dragonsreach at everyone.

    “I’m sorry; I don’t understand”.

     

    “Oh forgive me Dragonborn”. The Jarl said. He seemed sincere and apologised for not explaining the significance of such an act.

    “You’ve fought for us so many times and walked these streets within the city’s walls. It’s hard not to think of you as a Nord; even if you are green and have a tail. You certainly fight and love like one; hey Aela”.

     

    The cheeks on the Huntress's face glowed bright red. Despite her concerns, Aela couldn’t help but smile as she looked back at Sotek. He had no idea what the importance of the axe was but he always looked so confident. She bashfully turned away from everyone and replied.

    “Yes Jarl, he does”.

     

    The Harbinger approached Sotek and pointed to the Jarl’s axe.

    “It’s a tradition; a matter of honor if you will. Present the axe to Jarl Ulfric. If he keeps the axe then he has no dispute with Jarl Balgruuf. But… if he refuses to accept it then I’m afraid his intentions are clear. Aela, I know you aren’t happy with this but I feel Sotek could take it to Ulfric without fear of repercussions. If anything, Ulfric would want the dragonborn to be on his side”.

     

    Sotek blanked everyone out. He took Aela’s hand and led her to the steps so they could talk in private while everyone else looked on.

    “I’m not the best choice Huntress”.

     

    “I know”. Aela said as she leaned into him. “You’re the only choice. Promise me something”. The way she asked told Sotek, indeed the tone in her voice told everyone who bore witness to her actions in the hall that it wasn’t a request; Aela had asked but it was a blatant demand.

    “Stay safe and come back to me. Don’t let… Don’t leave me so she has to hunt alone…”

     

    Sotek nodded back at her. He didn’t answer; he felt he couldn’t lest the worst happened and he broke his word. Instead he turned to the Jarl and accepted the task laid out before him.

    “I’ll do it. I’ll deliver your axe and get his answer”.

     

    He walked over to Aela and gave her a kiss on the forehead but just as he was about to leave Aela called him back.

    “Sotek?”

     

    “Yes?”

     

    Aela moved right in front of him. Kodlak and even the Jarl thought she would kiss Sotek but she didn’t. With everyone watching her, she slapped Sotek across the face as hard as she could muster.

    “That’s so you don’t forget your promise”.

     

    Sotek held his stinging cheek and groaned.

    “I won’t”.

     

    He left Dragonsreach without a word and headed straight to the stables, leaving Kodlak to inform Tilma of his exit. When the doors of Dragonsreach shut, Aela ran to one of tapestries hanging down from the first floor banisters. She scrunched it together and climbed up it as quickly as a monkey could so she was able to look outside the window and watch her mate as he headed through the market.

     

    Jarl Balgruuf pointed behind him and called out to her in the hope of lightening the somewhat somber atmosphere.

    “We have stairs around the back! Nice wooden ones which go all the way up to the top”.

     

    When Sotek disappeared from sight Aela leapt off the balcony and somersaulted as she jumped down to land near Kodlak in a perfect crouched position. She stood up and spoke to her Harbinger.

    “What do we do in the meantime?”

     

    The Jarl turned to Kodlak and answered on his behalf.

    “Harbinger, may I suggest you keep the Huntress busy? My guards will have enough to do without her ermmm… disruptiveness. Aela; now we prepare for war”.

     

     

Comments

9 Comments   |   The Sunflower Manual and 10 others like this.
  • Ebonslayer
    Ebonslayer   ·  August 14, 2017
    I have a feeling he'll find getting into Windhelm quite difficult, getting to the Palace without being killed or incapacitated even more so.
    • Sotek
      Sotek
      Ebonslayer
      Ebonslayer
      Ebonslayer
      I have a feeling he'll find getting into Windhelm quite difficult, getting to the Palace without being killed or incapacitated even more so.
        ·  August 16, 2017
      Windhelm... Well his initial visit won't be too bad. Should the Imperials cast their might against Windhelm's walls, it will be a different scenario.
  • Valierus
    Valierus   ·  January 28, 2017
    See, now I'm worried about the poor Lizard. :(
    • Sotek
      Sotek
      Valierus
      Valierus
      Valierus
      See, now I'm worried about the poor Lizard. :(
        ·  January 28, 2017
      Ahh no need to worry Valierus Sotek can take care of himself. Kodlak would disagree though, and Tilma, Farkas, Vilkas, Aela definitely does.... Adrianne from the Warmaiden's. Arcadia... yea maybe we should all be worried...  :S
      • Valierus
        Valierus
        Sotek
        Sotek
        Sotek
        Ahh no need to worry Valierus Sotek can take care of himself. Kodlak would disagree though, and Tilma, Farkas, Vilkas, Aela definitely does.... Adrianne from the Warmaiden's. Arcadia... yea maybe we should all be worried...  :S
          ·  January 29, 2017
        Thanks. Real reassuring. :^)
  • A-Pocky-Hah!
    A-Pocky-Hah!   ·  January 28, 2017
    Most knights usually receive a kiss from their beloved before they go to war.
    Sotek is a different case... :P
    • Sotek
      Sotek
      A-Pocky-Hah!
      A-Pocky-Hah!
      A-Pocky-Hah!
      Most knights usually receive a kiss from their beloved before they go to war.
      Sotek is a different case... :P
        ·  January 28, 2017
      So is Aela. At least she never stabbed him with an arrow. 
  • The Long-Chapper
    The Long-Chapper   ·  January 27, 2017
    I have a feeling that the special delivery will not go so well. 
  • The Sunflower Manual
    The Sunflower Manual   ·  January 27, 2017
    Well. Ouch. That's certainly a reminder he won't soon forget.