It was late evening when Sotek awoke from a gentle shake. Aela sat next to him and passed him a flask of water.
“Here drink up, it will do you good. Afterwards you can damn well eat something”. Then she passed him a plate. On it was a few apples she had cut up and cored along with a small block of cheese which was stuffed in a roll. He took the plate gratefully then placed it on the step.
As she watched him eat, Aela talked about the evening’s activities in the city.
“I still can’t believe what happened here. The guards have been collecting the dead. There’s so much blood; Ulfric’s ransacked Whiterun”.
“Yes but he will pay for this. Don’t worry yourself about it”. It was then that Sotek had a look around at the Whelps. He watched the young Imperial girl who seemed so out of place. She weakly smiled at him which he acknowledged with a wink. The young Nord man who was never too far from a flask of mead was there next to his counterpart, a Dunmer man who had a shining for daggers yet of the other three Whelps there was no sign. Half their numbers were missing. “Where are the others?”
The Huntress glanced over at the few Whelps still sitting at the table.
“The others have left. We lost three of them, these three decided to stay just for the moment and see how things play out. I can’t help but feel we won our freedom but at the cost of the Companions. No one’s going to join up now; we have more empty beds than ever before. If they decide to leave then we are finished”.
Sotek laughed out loudly and pointed at the Whelps.
“Five Companions, six Whelps and a hand full of guards with a garrison of troops fought off over a hundred Stormcloaks, and won. Aela, we won; all of us. Don’t tell me we are finished, hell after what Ulfric has done I haven’t even started. I promised the Jarl a head and I intent to keep that promise”.
Once he finished his meal, Sotek headed to the door and beckoned Aela to follow him.
“Will you walk with me? I’m struggling to take it all in”.
The Huntress nodded although she didn’t seem overly eager to venture outside.
“Sure. Just prepare yourself; the city’s in ruins”.
The moment they stepped out into the street Sotek saw firsthand the aftermath from the battle. The wooden framing around the Gildergreen tree in the centre was torn down whilst various houses were damaged; some beyond repair. As they walked along the streets, Sotek looked at the wall. A few of the defences still stood while others were nothing but piles of scrap wood and rubble. He then counted the guards who were patrolling the streets and manning the walls. Their numbers had dropped by nearly two thirds.
The two Companions made their way up the guard’s platform by the main gate to look out across the farmlands. At the top stood a single guard where there would usually be two. The fire brazier was nothing but a dim glow; it hardly gave out any warmth or light.
“What’s up with your fire?” Aela asked as she peered in it.
The guard looked down at the brazier and the few sparse pieces of wood he had for the fire. Feeling somewhat dismayed, he rubbed his hands together over the burner to try and restore some warmth to his fingertips.
“I can’t keep heading to the wood pile to stock up for it”.
Aela looked across the market area to the wood pile which was just outside Belathor’s shop; one of the few buildings which escaped any damage. With no hesitation she gave Sotek a slight shove, guiding him towards the stairs.
“Let’s get some logs. It won’t take us long”. With that, the pair of them played the role of the Good Samaritan for over an hour as they stocked up various wood piles for the guards.
Unbeknown to the two Companions, the Jarl was also wandering the streets. He discretely watched them distribute the firewood between those guards unlucky enough to be on duty before he came over to them as they filled a brazier with logs. The Jarl shivered as he warmed his hands near the flames, fortifying his statement.
“It’s a cold night tonight but the moons are bright”.
Aela smiled at him then looked out beyond Whiterun’s walls.
“You want to see them from the plains where there’s no other light around, especially on a double full moon. It’s almost magical”.
“Yes I expect it is”. Jarl Balgruuf replied as he watched the far away stare in the Huntress’s eyes.
Aela’s mood seemed to change. She turned back around and studied the layout of Whiterun, surveying the carnage. Solemnly she looked at the Jarl, or rather at his feet and gravely spoke.
“Can I ask you something?”
The Jarl was taken back a bit by Aela’s sudden mood change but he held his composure and replied.
“Yes, what is it?”
“Have you ever been in a big battle before? I haven’t, it feels wrong; all that blood, those lives, for what?” She looked up at him with puppy eyes, desperately wanting someone to explain why so much death had been necessary.
Sotek gave a slight laugh, causing Aela to glare at him. Ignoring the fact that the Jarl was standing next to her, she snapped back at the Argonian.
“What’s so funny? There’s nothing here to laugh about you bastard!”
He took her hand and kissed the back of it as he smiled.
“No? How about you; suffering with survivor’s guilt. Let me ask you a question. Why did you fight? You could have ran, or hid, but you didn’t; why? I left you with the Jarl, but you followed. Why was that?”
Aela almost screamed out her answer. She quickly calmed down though when she almost let a word slip past her lips. Once she spoke she slapped her thigh, disciplining herself.
“Why? You thick bastard! I followed you because I lov... care about you. I needed to know you were safe, that the others were safe; our home”.
The Jarl gave a slight laugh as he watched Aela almost trip herself up. He was torn between Sotek’s face when the Huntress refused to say that she loved him despite everyone knowing that was the case and Aela’s face when she nearly said it. The Jarl bemused over the games youngsters played and decided it must be a ‘younger generation’ thing although he readily admitted to himself that in his youth such games as the one the two Companions were playing was above most people’s understanding. Instead he replied with a smirk and eased Aela’s troubled mind.
“There is your reason. That is why you fought; friends, family and our homes”.
The Jarl climbed up on a rampart then looked across to the south where the Meadery was situated. Both doors were pulled off and thrown to the wayside along with empty barrels and tankards. He was glad he had ordered the place to be well stocked as drunken Stormcloaks were easier to kill. The next thing to take his attention was the farmlands. He couldn’t help but chuckle as he noticed something which in itself wasn’t funny but he just couldn’t stop himself.
“Well that’s an amusing first”. He stated with a cheeky grin.
Aela and Sotek joined him. Sotek looked across the farms trying to see what the Jarl was looking at but he could see little which amused him
“What is? All I see is ruin!”
Aela blankly looked to the south but she was at a loss as well. It was only when the Jarl explained what he had seen that the Huntress burst out laughing, lightening her mood.
“Three whole fields of crops have been burnt to the ground and this time Sotek was nowhere near them at the time”.
When the Huntress saw Sotek’s scowling face, she promptly creased up, almost doubling over in hysterics. All Sotek could do was remain silent as he scrutinised the farms.
The Jarl checked behind him to see if anyone was about. As the area was almost clear of bystanders except for the odd guard who was stationed near Dragonsreach, he changed the subject of Aela’s merriment to one which was far closer to home.
“Earlier you referred to a ‘Scarface’. Who is that?”
The Huntress’s jovial mood sobered up in an instant. She eyed the Jarl suspiciously until Sotek nudged her with his elbow. He took a step back, allowing his mate to explain. Aela jumped up on a wall and sat on it. With the backs of her heels lightly tapping the stonework, she began explaining about whom Red and Scarface were.
“Scarface is Sotek or rather Scarface is his werewolf form. It’s a bit complicated but basically we have two forms, the werewolf form and us. The beast form is a lot more ‘animalistic’. I like that word, animalistic..... Anyway, we can’t or rather they can’t hold keys, open boxes and the like. Their communication is a lot more basic as well, but we understand when someone talks to us... them... although, talking to us as you would a child helps; it gets kinda fuzzy”.
Jarl Balgruuf rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he pondered over what Aela had said. Some things made sense but a few things still remained unclear.
“So if I understand this right, what is your werewolf form called?”
Aela smiled back at him and eagerly replied. It felt good to finally be able to talk openly about herself and her counterpart; something she had been ‘dissuaded’ from doing all her life.
“She’s called Red due to her red fur”.
Sotek gave a laugh and joined in, earning a glare from Aela for his troubles.
“If she’s misbehaving then we call her the bit…”
The she-wolf immediately gave Sotek a kick, cutting him off yet also unwittingly leaving herself as a target.
“Don’t swear in front of the Jarl”.
“At least he didn’t call me an ‘a-hole’. So it was Scarface who rescued us then. It was him who got us out of there?” The Jarl said with a grin.
Aela buried her face in the palms of her hands as she relived shouting at the Jarl. Knowing she was too busy hoping for the ground to swallow her up, Sotek replied to the Jarls question.
“Yes, but he’s not your average werewolf. Look at Scarface as a... he’s one of a kind; there are no others like him. Werewolves are all around six and a half, seven feet high, males and females. A chosen few are seven and a half feet”.
The Jarl looked back at Aela and tried to picture her smothered in fur. It was an easy image as he had already seen Red for himself when they fought against the few Stormcloaks together. He rested his hands on the wall and looked out over the top of it and pondered on Aela’s ‘second’ form.
“Has Red ever stood here on the ramparts looking out across the plains?”
Aela looked out beyond the walls. In the distance she could see the trees near their ‘home’. Sadly she shook her head in dismay.
“No, never. I’d love to one day be able to let Red walk about just like I can. Have her see Whiterun, Jorrvaskr, and Dragonsreach like we do. Let her take in the sights and sounds; the smells”. She gave a little laugh as she glanced down at the Warmaidens. “Even stand in the stream there and feel the water flowing over her paws. Have her stand here on the ramparts feeling the evening air on her face; and most defiantly yes, howl out as loud as she could at the climbing moons”.
Jarl Balgruuf listened intently as he watched her face. She seemed so full of life and wonder; an unquenchable spirit. He looked around once more to double check if the area was clear before giving her a gentle nudge with the back of his hand. The last thing he wanted was to cause a panic yet he couldn’t help himself. There was so many questions and he knew Farengar was running round ecstatic in the hope of ‘examining’ a werewolf close up.
“She could you know, stand here while the moons climbing; just this once mind you”.
Aela shook her head and screwed her face up as if she was in pain. If the truth was told she was in pain. The moment was lost to her and it hurt. Her heart ached so badly she almost threw up.
With a shake of her head she turned down the Jarl’s offer, knowing such a feat was impossible.
“No, I would love to but I can’t. We can only change once a day. I’ve changed already”.
This revelation was like a spark of light to the Jarl yet it also raised more questions. The Jarl turned to Sotek and singled him out.
“But he changed several times”.
Aela almost glaringly looked at Sotek, a part of her felt angry with him. Not because of what he had done, but rather because she felt some jealousy in the fact that she couldn’t change more than once. She knew he had in fact changed several times. Such thoughts planted a dark seed deep within her which would slowly fester and taint her spirit over the next coming weeks and months. Unaware of the growing darkness, Aela snapped out a response, almost blaming Sotek for his ’unique’ ability.
“Yes but then he’s different”.
Aela looked across the plains once more and felt a single tear run down her face. Unable to talk any more on the subject, she turned away and started heading off towards Jorrvaskr.
“This is tormenting me. Sorry, I need to go”.
Before she could reach the edge of the platform Sotek held her arm then pulled her back to him. He could tell she was tired and drained; the signs were there for all to see in her eyes and her face which looked pale in the moonlight.
“What if you could change now, with the Jarl here, and feel the wind in Reds face? If I could arrange it that she could stand there in the stream just as you wished for, would you want to?”
Her eyes moved across his face, switching from one eye to the other in rapid succession. She had no idea what he was on about; all she knew is that she wanted it so badly yet such a thing was impossible. Aela nodded, knowing such things were nothing but mere fairytales.
“Yes I would”.
“Now answer very carefully”. Sotek said with a slight trace of a smirk on his face. He watched her intently as he baited his trap.
“If I could arrange it, just this once, what would you do for me?”
Aela replied without thinking. Words were cheap anyway as such a thing was beyond his control. Or at least she thought it was.
“I’d do anything for you”.
Sotek held her hand then spoke quietly to her.
“Close your eyes and don’t open them”.
“Don’t play with me like this; please”. She wiped a second tear from her face, but then Sotek moved his hand above her eyes and closed them.
She then felt him open her hand then something slide on her finger. She was three seconds out from punching him full in the face for messing about with her emotions when he leaned towards her ear and in a hushed whisper, he spoke.
“Change”.
She tried to change knowing it wouldn’t work but moments later to her surprise she transformed. Red found herself standing on the platform looking at Sotek and the Jarl on the battlements of Whiterun, within the city walls.
Such a thing was unheard of, to have a werewolf stand on the ramparts of the city yet here Red was. The smell of blood was almost overwhelming and she growled as she glanced down at the ground where she and her mate had fought alongside together, swiping, biting and feeding off enemy soldiers; Stormcloaks. Her head tilted to the side as he looked across the city to Jorrvaskr. Feint hazy memories of when she was younger, smaller seemed to dwell in the back of her mind when she was naught but a pup. She knew that building had been her prison earlier in the year when the scent of flowers started to fill the air.
Red then shuffled around so she could look out at the plains. Her sense of smell and the yellow eyes in her skull were heightened beyond any person. All too easily she could see the overhang, her den. The air was still thick with the scent of blood, of her and her mate. She turned to Sotek who calmly stood alongside her and almost pitifully growled at him, asking him to let her be with her mate.
Sotek was indeed close to Red but he had little idea what she was actually asking him. He presumed all too readily that she was growling because she wanted to run; to hunt.
“No! You’ve been out today girl. You stay here, behave”.
She fell silent and looked across the plains below her. It looked so different from where she was, way above the ground. The open landscape stretched out as far as she could see. She lifted up her head to full height and felt for the first time the wind blow on her face as she stood on the battlements. She turned around and looked across Whiterun looking at the streets tilting her head she heard the stream running down the hill.
The Jarl looked at her in astonishment; completely forgetting the fact that he had already seen her. He also forgot who she was and he mistakenly called her the wrong name.
“By the Nines! Aela? Aela can you hear me?”
Red turned to him and stepped a bit closer, making the Jarl nervous. His fear and vulnerability was furthered by the low growl Red made as she leaned towards him and sniffed.
“Aela is in control isn’t she?”
Sotek laughed and held her by the arm. He held on to a hand full of red fur and gently tugged her, moving the beast away from the Jarl.
“No, Aela’s not there. She’s inside yes, but this is Red. Everyone calls her Red, unless it’s me of course. When I‘m talking to her then she’s my girl. Hey Red, back off; you’re scaring him. Come on, give him space. Back, back...”
She turned to Sotek then stepped back a few paces, earning a slight slap on the shoulder as Sotek praised her.
“That’s my girl”.
The Jarl stepped up to her and looked at her right in the face. He grinned with a strange twisted interest as he peered into her bright yellow eyes.
“I feel terrified right now”. He gave a slight laugh and pointed to the small bridge by the entrance gate. “Take her to the stream. Will she follow you?”
Sotek never answered. He decided to show the Jarl instead. With a simple hand command he waved Red forwards and led her to the stream which ran below them. Within a few moments, icy cold water was trickling over Red’s paws as she stood there in the middle of the stream.
The female werewolf dropped down to all four paws and started swiping at the water, making it splash. The two moons reflection caught her eye and she looked up where Masseur and Secunda were slowly traversing the night sky then Red gave a low howl at the climbing moons. Sotek came over and tapped her on the chest, quietly reprimanding her.
“No, that’s a no-no”.
Jarl Balgruuf looked on in amazement and wonder at the amount of control Sotek seemed to have on the creature. This beast was a long way away from the rampaging monster who slaughtered men and women within the city walls. Curiosity grew within the Jarl, leading to further questions about Sotek’s and Aela’s werewolves; one such question being based upon their beastly calls.
“How loud can she howl?”
Sotek glanced at the Jarl and wondered where he was going with his questions. The whole thing seemed somewhat odd that the Jarl so readily accepted their way of life; especially within the walls. The Jarl had made things clear though; they were welcome so Sotek answered as honestly as he could.
“Very loud”.
“Show me” The Jarl said. “Go on; get her to howl as loud as she can”.
Red looked at him then back at the moons, she stood up to full height and howled out as loud as she dared.
The Jarl walked over to Sotek and shook his head disappointedly.
“That can’t be the loudest she can howl is it? I expected her to be louder than that”.
Red looked at them both, while Sotek wondered about what the Jarl was up to. Knowing just how loud Red could be, he asked for confirmation.
“I don’t understand why we are doing this. What are you up to Jarl?”
Jarl Balgruuf smiled back at him and pointed to the various houses.
“Everyone has seen you both and your werewolf forms. There’s no hiding this Sotek. I hope that when the people of Whiterun see me alongside you both that they won’t be so afraid. Don’t forget I make no promises for the people of Whiterun. They will have to make up their own minds. I fear that not all will like it. Now, if you please, make her howl”.
Sotek just shrugged his shoulders and nodded.
“Very well Jarl Balgruuf. Don’t come to me with complaints. Hey, Red! Make them answer, call out to them”.
The Jarl turned to Sotek with a puzzled expression on his face. He looked beyond the walls as Red drew a deep breath.
“Make who answer?”
“Oh you’ll see! Listen”. Sotek then lifted his head up so he could hear clearer just as the werewolf let loose her cry.
Red howled out as loud as she could, holding the pitch for several seconds. Four guards came running over to them but the Jarl just held his hand up to them, stopping them in their tracks. Irileth looked down from Dragonsreach and started coming over as well and was quickly joined by several of the townsfolk. All the while Red howled out for all she was worth.
When she stopped, Sotek held up his hand, asking for everyone to be quiet.
“Listen; wait for it...”
Moments later a chorus of howling echoed out from the plains as various packs answered Red’s call. “That’s wolves, several packs in fact; out there on the plains”.
“Really?” The Jarl said. “Wow, and they answer her call? Incredible”.
Aela changed back, she stood there looking at the Jarl then threw herself at him, holding him tight.
“Thank you”.
He glanced at Sotek, unsure as to what to do. The Argonian rescued him by peeling off Aela’s arms freeing the Jarl.
From across the street, Adriane who never seemed to be fazed at anything, called out from her bedroom window.
“I hope you’re not going to make that racket every night”.
Aela looked up at her and giggled an apology.
“Sorry, no that was a one off. Honest”.
The Huntress wondered how such a thing was possible for she knew it to be a long way from midnight. She glanced down at her hand and carefully pulled off the ring so she could examine it. She recognised it instantly despite never seeing the Ring of Hircine before. Questions flooded her mind and she incoherently garbled out her thoughts.
“Where did you get this? I mean I know where but how? What did you do to get it? What happened?”
Sotek pulled both Aela and the Jarl aside, giving Irileth ample space to join them. There was a small matter which he had yet to mention and now seemed a good a time as any.
“It would seem that Ulfric knows about the Companions. He knows we are werewolves. I’m afraid he sent the Silverhands after me. They tried to intercept me from delivering your axe. I ermm earned the ring during that encounter. It was an ermm, reward?”
Irileth shrugged her shoulders and put Sotek’s mind at ease, or rather put his nerves on edge.
“I wouldn’t worry. By this time tomorrow everyone in Skyrim will know. The cats... the cubs out of the bag; so to speak”.
Aela ignored the comment altogether. She was too busy staring at the ring with envious eyes. With it she could change at will and hold Red’s form for as long as she wanted. She felt more than a trace of hate towards Sotek and she hated herself for feeling that way. Swallowing such thoughts she held it out to him.
“Take it, it’s yours”.
Sotek took it from her and placed it on his finger, unaware of the feelings Aela held when it was taken from her grasp. Instead, he turned to another matter.
“Now you said you would do anything for me”.
Aela looked at him and smiled, laying aside those feelings which she despised for having.
“Yes, yes I will”.
The Argonian looked at her hard as he spoke.
“Good; tell me you love me”.
On reflex, upon hearing such a blatant blackmail, she slapped him straight across the face and adding further salt to the wound, she shouted at him.
“That’s not fair”.
He just shook it off although he felt more than a little dazed. He stayed adamant though and he refused to back down.
“No it isn’t but then a deal is a deal. You’ve never told me that; not directly”.
She turned around and looked over at Jorrvaskr. An old distant memory of when she was a young girl sitting on her mother’s knee filled her head with vivid images. Her ma was crying; she remembered a tear falling onto her knee. She could hear the little girl, the little Aela swear an oath to her mum as she held her hand to her heart.
Reality came back with a bang; quelling Aela’s mood. She stood up and straightened out her clothing before looking at Sotek.
“No, no I haven’t. Sotek, you are right. It’s time. The training grounds, be there nine am sharp. Don’t be late”.
With no further words of explanation she said goodnight to everyone and thanked the Jarl a second time for allowing Red the honor of seeing Whiterun then she headed home to Jorrvaskr.
Sotek followed her and caught her up just before she entered the hall. He seemed apologetic yet he was also confused.
“Hey, I didn’t mean to upset you”.
She turned to him and smiled, dismissing his words.
“Oh you didn’t. You are right Sotek. This is long overdue. You are in your own bed tonight. I will see you in the morning. Please, don’t be late”. She then gave him a passionate kiss on the lips which lasted several seconds then she went inside and went straight to her room without speaking to anyone. She even ignored the Harbinger who called her back three times.
Sotek entered the hall and sat on his step just to catch the Harbinger’s wrath.
The Jarl however was smiling. He turned to his housecarl and spoke; confident that no one could hear them discuss the two Companions.
“You know, this might just work out after all. Let them be tomorrow but ask her the day after. I expect she would be happy to help with that problem”.
Irileth turned around so she could face Jorrvaskr. She had her own eyes fixed on Scarface.
“Yes I expect he could be a useful ally as well”.
“Indeed” Said the Jarl. “For the moment though, let’s get everyone used to her”.
“As you wish”. Irileth stated as they started making their way back to Dragonsreach.
Back inside Jorrvaskr, the Harbinger angrily called over to Sotek; demanding an explanation.
“I presume that racket was Red! When the Jarl finds out there will be repercussions! Just what the hell were you thinking?”
Sotek smiled at him and brushed his rant aside.
“Actually it was the Jarl that told her to change and to howl out as loud as she could. We just spent the last fifteen minutes with him. Aela and I, along with Red, were with Jarl Balgruuf on the ramparts. It was quite odd really”.
“We? The Jarl told her to?” Kodlak stared at the Argonian with wide eyes. Above all else this was the last thing he expected to hear.
“Yes” Sotek flatly replied. “He gave Aela permission to change on the battlements and to let Red have a splash in the stream. He then asked me to get her to howl out as loud as she could. Afterwards though...”
Sotek’s confused face was not lost on Kodlak. He still feared repercussions so he pushed further in the quest to find out what had happened.
“Afterwards though what?”
“I ‘sort of’ tricked Aela into saying that she loved me but she didn’t say it”. Sotek stated. He scratched the top of his head as a bemused expression filled his face, giving him the appearance of a snarling reptile.
Farkas laughed at him and added yet more confusion on the matter.
“Well of course she didn’t; you two haven’t...”
Sotek slowly turned to him and replied in a slow yet threatening manner.
“We haven’t...?”
The Harbinger came over to him in earnest and pressed Sotek further. He guessed where this was heading but even he didn’t quite know what to expect. None of them did.
“What did she say exactly?”
Sotek shrugged and repeated Aela’s words or at the very least what he could remember.
“She said that I was right. She stated that ‘it’ whatever ‘it’ was, it was well over due and I’m to meet her in the training area tomorrow morning at nine am”.
Vilkas cried out excitedly. They all knew what was happening; all of them except for Sotek who was left in the dark.
“Bloody hell Harbinger; she’s really going to do it”.
“Ok do what?” Sotek demanded.
Farkas went to answer but Vilkas stopped him before he could say a single word.
“No, don’t tell him. You will ruin the surprise. Besides, we owe him. All the times he chucked us in the water? That mud pit? Swapping the broken bed over? No dear brother, he can find out the hard way”.
Farkas looked at Vilkas and grinned from ear to ear.
“Yes you’re right. Sotek, you will find out tomorrow”.
Sotek looked around the hall then he approached the Harbinger but he stopped Sotek in his tracks and sent him away.
“No don’t come to me. This is your doing, you got her to like you and then you got involved with her so it’s your own fault. I am not interfering; she will have my head on a pole. What I will say is this. You had best get some sleep; you’re going to need it”.
No matter who he went to he was faced with the same response. The one person who treated him differently was Tilma; she just picked up her mop and threatened him with it. Having no other choice, Sotek went off to his room and tried to work out just what he had gotten himself into.
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