Mental Storms
Sotek grimly studied the map once more before turning to the pack.
“Look, I’ll tell you what, we’ll put it to the vote. Those in favor of the plains with a night crossing raise your hands”.
Kul-et’s hand shot up rapidly followed by Sasha. A second or so later Aela raised her hand as well.
“Sorry, but it’s safer”.
Sotek warmly smiled at her.
“I agree”. Then he also put his hand up, much to the others surprise. “Right, now all those in favor of the mountain trail with the added bonus of a night decent?” All three of the girls looked at each other. Kul-et was almost ecstatic as not one single hand was raised. “Right then; we all agree, the mountain route is out of the question”.
Sotek rested against the cave wall. As Aela looked at him she couldn’t help but wonder why he had such a big grin on his face.
“You seem happy that everyone is against your idea. A little too happy for my liking”.
“Yes, well… I listened to all of you and your views. Not one of you thinks it’s a viable option. You see Aela, a good leader should never be afraid of asking his, or her’s for that matter, their advisors for council or advice or even ideas”.
Aela sat right next to him and held his hand. She sat there playing with his fingers while they talked.
“Even if they all say he’s wrong?” It was more of a statement than a question but Sotek answered it anyway.
“Especially if they say he’s wrong”.
Kul-et looked over at them.
“Well I think you’re doing a wonderful job Sotek”.
Sotek gazed at the others and grimly shook his head.
“No, I’m not, else you three wouldn’t have been involved”.
Aela slapped his leg hard.
“Oi! Cut that out. I’ll tell you something! I’d rather be here with you than anywhere else”.
Sotek flinched from the slap.
“Oww”. He cast a hard glare at Aela while he rubbed his leg.
Sotek retaliated by digging his finger into Aela’s side which made her squeal. The other two girls laughed as Aela slapped him on the leg a second time.
“Quit it”.
Leaving the two Companions to their games, Sasha looked outside. Towards the south, clouds were forming around the mountain.
“Weathers on the turn. When are we leaving for the plains?”
Sotek grimly shook his head at her.
“We’re not”.
Aela groaned loudly while the other two looked on confused.
“You fucking bastard”.
Kul-et looked at the pair of them. Sotek was hiding behind his hand while Aela was glaring heavily at him.
“What’s going on?”
“This slimy no good bloody lizard is what’s going on, you bloody reptile”. Aela said as she snapped out her reply.
Sotek got up then walked over to the entrance and looked at the clouds which Sasha pointed out a few minutes earlier.
“You see Kul-et, a good leader also, after taking advice, forms his own mind. I’m sorry but the mountains still our best chance”.
Kul-et kicked out at a rock and sent it scuttling across the ground.
“Oh, for fuck sake”.
“Enough already! I know none of you are happy, but that’s the route. Like it or lump it. We all think it’s a bad idea, but then so will everyone else”.
“Fine, we’ll go your way. But just so you know we’re finished. I’m splitting up with you. Sasha he’s all yours”. Aela stated as she pointed to the Shadowscale.
“Oh no, you’re not passing that over to me. Kul-et can have him”. As Sasha spoke she held up her hands, forming a barrier between her and Sotek.
“What? Why? What the hell have I done to deserve him? No sorry Aela you're stuck with him”. Kul-et replied with a horrified look on her face. As she spoke she played with her wedding ring which up to a few hours ago remained hidden. Now it took pride of place on her finger.
Aela growled, knowing she was stuck with her mate.
“Fine, but just so you know Sotek. Every day I’m gonna put you through hell for this. Especially if we die”.
Sasha added her final word on the matter.
“If we do die, I’ll fucking kill you”.
“Fair enough. Kul-et any threat you wish to add?” Sotek asked, willingly accepting his fate.
“No, but do you really think that’s our best chance?”
“Yep. I’m afraid I do, yes”.
Surprisingly Kul-et then smiled broadly.
“Ok. If you die and by some miracle I survive, can I have you bow, Axes and your spear?”
Sotek thought about it for a second then shrugged his shoulders.
“Sure, why not”.
Sasha stood next to Sotek and glanced at the clouds once more.
“Great, it’s a blizzard. When are we leaving?”
Sotek thought for a few seconds.
“This evening. Kul-et, you and Sasha, get hunting; we need furs, we can’t go with you three like this”.
“What about me?”
Sotek threw across to Aela a bundle of leather he had in his pack.
“You? Start cutting some leather straps”.
Over the next few hours with Aela’s assistance Sotek managed to craft four rough fur cloaks. He also fashioned four fur pieces which loosely resembled aprons. Starting with Aela, he attached a cloak and apron to each of them.
“They’re not perfect but they will help with the cold”.
Aela tried to move her arms but found it somewhat awkward.
“We can’t fight like this”.
“It’s not perfect that I grant you. But… it will help and I’m hoping we won’t have to fight. But you're more than welcome to ditch them if you don’t want them”.
Aela looked up at the mountain, by now the blizzard was in full strength. Inside she groaned as she watched the snow and wind hammer and roar against the mountainside.
“Ermm, no I’m happy thank you”.
For the rest of the day they mentally prepared themselves as best as they could. Sotek walked to the cave entrance and looked out across the small pond. Darkshade cave was blessed in a few respects. It was well hidden and had a good supply of food from the nearby forest, let alone the pond as a water source. The pond was formed by a small stream that was forced to split from the main river because of the rocky domain they had found themselves to be in.
From here Sotek quietly watched the other three group members. The main concern he had with them all now was morale. Sasha didn’t feel that she belonged to the group, she was still undecided as to whether she had been betrayed by the Shadowscales, or if in fact she had betrayed them.
Kul-et no doubt felt alone. Her father was actively seeking her out for an arranged marriage she didn’t want. Her friends were now in danger because of her. He wondered whether she felt ashamed due to the havoc she had brought down upon them or even selfishness by disregarding her father's wishes. No doubt the two clans would benefit immensely from her union with the other clan’s son.
As for Aela, she was missing her family or ‘pack’ as she would call them. Her fellow Companions. She felt the call of the plains. They both did. She had been hunted like a rabid dog for far too long; her nerves were starting to crack. He could see it in her, hear it in her voice. She needed to run free just for a day. Red had been caged up far too long.
As for himself, he was exhausted. The mental strain on trying to stay on top of everyone was immense. On one side there were the Shadowscales forcing his hand. The Imperial army were doing the same, using him like a puppet. He knew once they had got what they needed he would be thrown in the trash like a broken toy. General Tullius himself had used Sotek on more than a few occasions, but despite their mutual dislike, Sotek couldn’t see the General throwing him away. The other bastard though, the Penitus officer, he was trouble. Sotek however had some warmth from the fact that Odaren was on his side. No doubt Odaren was under the command of the Emperor himself.
He found himself talking loudly.
“Oh Sotek, what the hell are you doing?”
All three of the others turned to face him but it was Aela who walked over and slid her arm around his waist.
“Hey, are you ok?”
He looked at her for a few seconds, then smiled.
“Yes, I’m good. What about you though?”
Aela quickly glanced behind him, his tail snaked all the way to the tip. She leaned in to him with a big grin on her face and whispered.
“You’re lying”.
Sotek groaned quietly then cast a look at the others.
“Sasha told you?”
“Yep”.
“I’ll bloody kill her”.
Aela laughed.
“That I wouldn’t necessarily mind, but no… You won’t. You’d protect her, like you do with everyone. Steady your storm Sotek, you can’t lose control, we need you in control. Everyone’s depending on you, but you know that already. All eyes are on one person right now, you”.
“I feel so much better, thanks for the prep talk. You’re really bad at this, you know that?”
“Oh yes, I’m bloody hopeless at it. Then again, I don’t need to be good at it. I’ve got you, and if anyone can get us through this you can. Or you can just lay down and die, like a worthless dog”.
Sotek smirked as he replied.
“I never lay down, you know that”.
“That’s why I know you’ll get us out of this. You won’t stop until you’re done. Yes, I know there’s a plan in that spiky head of yours, I can feel your mind turning. Snap out of it, stand up and do what you do best”.
“What is it I do best?” Every word he spoke seemed weary and tired. If they formed shapes they would fall apart in the breeze.
Aela snarled at him as she poked him in the chest hard.
“Fight, with everything you got. Prep talks over, it’s time you made a stand”.
Despite feeling mentally drained he knew his She-wolf was right. Sotek closed his eyes as he breathed deeply. When he exhaled he pushed out every possible drop of air from his lungs, then took another deep breath. Deep inside he shoved Scarface, awaking the beast within. Using the werewolf’s own energy, Sotek growled menacingly, discarding all the self-doubt and fear.
“Feel better?” Aela knew she didn’t have to ask. She could see the fire in his eyes, the will buried deep within his emerald green eyes which seemed to burn with new life.
Sotek’s eyes instantly fixed onto Aela’s as he snapped at her.
“What the hell are you standing there for? Get with the others. Kit inspection, all of you. Grab your packs”.
As the three of them stood in a line, Aela opened her pack. Kul-et and Sasha stood there feeling somewhat confused, but more so because Aela was standing there with a massive grin on her face.
Once Sotek checked everyone’s packs for supplies and divided out the remaining potions as evenly as he could. Kul-et, feeling something was amiss, stuck her hand up.
“Ermm Sotek I can heal. Now I know I’m not as potent as you but, shouldn’t they have more potions than us?”
Sotek smiled at her, but his smile was extremely sadistic.
“Why yes, Kul-et. But ermm tell me. What would you do up on the mountain if you were… say attacked by a wolf? And let’s say it bit Aela’s arm badly. But nothing your restoration couldn’t handle. What would you do? Would you use your magic or a potion?”
Kul-et answered the question easily, but she felt that she was missing something. The trouble was, as usual with Sotek, she never knew what she was missing.
“Magic, you told me that. Save the potions for when there’s no other option”.
Sotek quietly clapped at her.
“Yes, that’s right. Now, cast a spell. Any spell”.
“Any spell?” She asked nervously.
“Yes, go on”. Sotek said, egging her on.
Kul-et cast her healing spell on Aela, however the moment she did, the light from the casting of the spell lit up the cave. At that moment she realized what she had done.
“Oh crap”.
“Exactly!” Sotek said as he clapped. “Any casting of spells will light us up. Even silent casting. Basically Kul-et we can’t use magic else we’ll be spotted. So, healing spells can’t be used. Or torches for that matter”.
Sasha’s jaw dropped as the whole situation became overwhelmingly apparent.
“You mean we really have to go in complete darkness? Up that bloody mountain?”
“Yes, I’m afraid so. Speaking of which, the suns going down. Grab your packs, it’s time to move”.
As one, the three girls picked up their backpacks then secured them and headed outside. Sotek gave the cave one last look around then he took point and made his way past the pond. Heading east, they walked along the bank leading to the mountain road then made their way south, following the course of the river.
Kul-et looked behind her as Sotek led them off.
“You do know that the plains are that way, don’t you?” She stated. She was hoping, in fact they all were vainly hoping Sotek would change his mind, but each one knew he wouldn’t.
He smirked at Kul-et’s comment then headed east once again.
“Come on. At least we’ll get a beautiful view from the top”.
Sasha whined quietly.
“Oh, what a lovely view, the blizzard looks so real from up here. Oh, hang on a sec it is real, my mistake”.
Sotek laughed at her.
“Yes, that’s the spirit”.
Comments