U.O.T.W. Chapter 302 Possessed


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    Before “Mr. Wolf”, Aela’s pet name for Sotek’s groin, even had the chance to feel Aela’s hot breath, the sounds of horses could be heard from across the plains. Aela turned her head around and groaned as she saw Vilkas riding towards them. He was still at least a good few thousand yards away, so she stood up and leaned down to her side and pretended to start playing with the straps on her boots. Sotek straightened himself out while he growled at the disturbance. He frowned as he glanced across to Aela who smirked back at him.
    “Mr. Wolf will have to wait… And so will you!”

     

    With everything that had gone on during the last few hours, Sotek found his emotions hard to control and settle. His frustrations were pent up along with the need to find some release. At this point he would have settled bashing Vilkas over the head with a large stick. For the briefest of moments, he wondered what Vilkas would say if he just snapped and threw Aela on the ground where she was and took her there and then. He knew this was just a fantasy playing out due to his wanton desire to take his mate, so he consoled himself with the knowledge that he would have his way later on. Such was his emotional state that he couldn’t contain his silence and he made his position, and Aela’s quite clear.
    “Walk while you can. You’re on your knees later”.

     

    Aela had hardly gasped at Sotek’s statement when a booming voice called out to them.
    “You can cut that out, the Harbinger wants you back pronto. She’s doing everyone’s nut in”.

     

    Aela turned around and cursed at the Companion. Sotek’s words still rang in her ears and she was, up to now, enjoying his desperation.
    “Cut what out? And why are you here?”

     

    “I know what you were doing, Aela. I’ve seen enough girls on their knees to guess. Pack up, you’re coming back with me”.

     

    A low growl from the direction of Aela caused Sotek to gulp. He knew she was feeling the same as him, yet all their opportunities were lost. At least for the time being which was little compensation. This was further added by a groan when Sotek saw the reins of two other horses, both obviously meant for them.
    “You’re kidding me? Now?”

     

    He nodded in response.
    “Yes, right away”.

     

    Aela snatched her pack, wrenching it off the ground in frustration and partially due to embarrassment at Vilkas’s comment. She attached it to the back of the horse and climbed on its back. Sotek was still toying with his backpack when he glanced over to Aela. Casting a strange look at Vilkas, Sotek enquired about the urgency.
    “Ermm, Aela’s with me. So, who’s doing everyone’s head in?”

     

    “Oi, lizard! I resent that”. Aela said in her usual snappy self.

     

    “No Aela, you represent that. But seriously Vilkas, what’s going on?”

     

    Vilkas didn’t bother to dismount. He just rode the horse closer to them both.
    “It’s Kul-et. She turned up in Jorrvaskr yesterday. She keeps on about when you’re getting back. Obviously, there’s something’s wrong. Veezara’s with her, but even he has no idea what it’s all about. She’s stroppy, agitated, and damn well hostile. All she goes on about is you”.

     

    “Huinzi?” Aela asked. She shot Sotek a look and her hand lightly slipped along the shaft of her bow.

     

    “Nope, she said it’s nothing about them. She needs Sotek. That is all I know. That is all the Harbinger knows and that is all we’re going to know unless you two loved up animals speed up your pace and get a bloody move on! I’m hungry. I haven’t eaten yet. Yes Aela, I know…” He started laughing as he turned his horse around. “You already have. I saw!”

     

    Aela’s bow slid off her back but before she could get an arrow, Sotek moved his horse between them, blocking her view.
    “Cut it out. Vilkas, you too. Nothing happened, so stop winding her up”.

     

    Vilkas smirked then looked down at Sotek’s tail. It was straight and yet it still lifted and thumped down. Knowing Sotek was telling the truth, and he was getting angry, Vilkas shrugged his shoulders and chuckled as he spurred his horse on.

    Aela nudged her horse’s side lightly with her heels, egging it forwards so she was close to Sotek. He groaned as she punched him in the arm.
    “Now what the hell have you done? If this is anything to do with Bruma, Hircine help you”.

     

    Vilkas looked across at them, curious to what she had meant.
    “What happened in Bruma?”

     

    As one both Sotek and Aela suspiciously answered.
    “Nothing”.

     

    Aela had hardly rode her horse a hundred yards towards Whiterun when a thought ran like a pack of wolves through her mind. She looked back at Sotek and grinned.
    “You know, since Red and Scarface had been granted freedom, we haven’t or rather… They haven’t, once made use of it”.

     

    Sotek brought his stallion to a stop and peered curiously at the She-Wolf. He didn’t quite get her meaning but from he could gather, he liked the thought of it. Especially as she was literally beaming back at him.
    “What about it?”

     

    “Well… Scarface is so much quicker than a horse, isn’t he? And the Harbinger did say it was urgent”. Without even waiting for him, Aela dismounted then led her horse to Vilkas. She handed him the reins of the animal then tapped her foot as she waited for Sotek to dismount.

     

    Sotek slid off his horse then shook his head.
    “There’s no way I’m getting out of this, is there?” Without further ado, Sotek gave Vikas the reins to his horse as well. He moved several feet away from the horses then started transforming.

     

    Vilkas steadied his horse as the beast started to panic but being a seasoned rider, he soon brought the animal under control. Within a few moments, Scarface dropped down on all fours then Aela climbed on him. She held on tightly as she prepared for them to transverse the plains. Vilkas had already set off and was rapidly exploiting the head start.
    “Yes, run Vilkas! We’ll catch you soon enough. Giddy up”. She dug her heels in Scarface’s side, but he just turned towards her and growled.

     

    “Oh Hircine, you’re stroppy, aren’t you? Look! There! Please move? He’s getting away”. A second later Scarface’s hind legs kicked out, propelling them both forwards at speed. Within a few minutes Vilkas heard the thunderous pounding of Scarface’s paws as he closed the gap rapidly. He shot past Vilkas then kicked up some dust which made Aela laugh as she waved Vilkas goodbye. Seconds later Scarface ran faster still, and very soon Whiterun came in sight.

     

    Aela ruffled Scarface’s fur, slowing him down to allow Vilkas to catch up. When he had finally been able to ride his horse alongside her, Aela called out to him as she laughed at his expense.
    “So, what kept ya?”

     

    He just yelled back at her, dismissing her comment all together.
    “Aww, go fall off”.

     

    As they approached Whiterun, Vilkas broke away and started heading towards the stables while Aela expected Scarface to stop and allow her to dismount. As he neared the city walls, he seemed to comply with her command and slowed right down but then something took hold of him. For some unbeknown reason, he had different ideas. He turned sharply towards the gate and almost trotted towards it, making Aela shriek and she quickly grabbed hold of more fur. Then her eyes went wide, and she screamed out a second time as Scarface barged the gate with the side of his head, forcing the large doors to open.

     

    He stealthily entered the city, sniffing at the air as if he was searching for something while Aela yelled out a third time in her attempt at getting him to stop.
    “Scarface? What the hell in Oblivion is up with you? Stop damn it!”

     

    Adrianne was too engrossed in her work and with her back to the gate, she hadn’t realised Scarface had entered the city. She first knew of his presence when he breathed down the nape of her neck. Adrianne turned around in surprise then screamed and threw her hammer at him on pure reflex. Scarface turned to her as the hammer bounced off him, then he dismissed her as she was of no interest. Instead, he glanced down the street towards the market, all the while Aela was tugging the fur around his neck, trying to make him stop.
    “Stop you moron. Sorry Adrianne… He’s not listening. Scarface! You bastard, halt! Stop! Look out!”. Everyone from the market ran for cover from the horrendous behemoth but he pranced through the market, causing the crowd to scatter like pigeons being chased by a cat. All Aela could do was to close her eyes and listen to the screams and yells of anger. Ignoring Aela’s protests altogether, Scarface changed direction and headed up the steps to the Wind’s District. Every few prowling steps he took, he breathed heavily and snorted as he followed a scent.

     

    It was then that one of Aela’s worst nightmares came true.

     

    Walking across the Wind’s District was the Jarl. The pure black bulking mass of Scarface couldn’t be missed by Jarl Balgruuf, who held his hand up to stop the werewolf. Scarface was too preoccupied with a scent he was busy following. That was until a pair of shoes stepped in front of him. Aela cringed as Scarface lifted his head up away from the ground and peered at the Jarl. He snorted in the Jarl’s face and nudged him out of his way with the tip of his nose then he carried on following the invisible trail. Aela shouted and struck him on the top of the head but it made no difference. She held her fists up despairingly and called back to the Jarl, knowing full well that he would have words with her and Sotek later.
    “Sorry, he’s still in training. Stop you idiot!”

     

    Scarface bound up the steps, causing Aela to shriek as she wasn’t expecting it. She tightened her grip on two massive clumps of fur, so she wouldn’t fall off his back. When he reached the top of the steps, Scarface stood up on his hind legs, ignoring Aela altogether. She screamed as she fell back, and a loud ‘thump’, marked with several curses, echoed across the districts as Aela landed on her backside. She growled and snarled as she looked down the steps to see a rather angry yet bemused Jarl looking back at her.

     

    After Sotek transformed, he held his hand to the door. Everything seemed misty and surreal, even the Huntress who was cursing at him. Her voice seemed distant like she was shouting from behind a large, thick invisible piece of glass.
    “You stupid bastard! That was the Jarl! What the hell was that all about?”

     

    Sotek didn’t bother to turn to look at her, instead he tilted his head towards her. His actions were so wolf like and yet they weren’t. The way he moved his head reminded her of something else they had fought. He reminded her of a dragon. his voice was unusually deep and heavy and as he spoke, his voice seemed to back up Aela’s observation.
    “Nahlot”.

     

    Her jaw dropped at his response. It wasn’t what he had said as she never knew its meaning but she never heard him speak like that before. She thought she knew it from the times they killed dragons. It was the dragon language.
    “What the fuck? Sotek?”

     

    Blanking her, the Argonian pushed open both doors and stepped inside.

     

    No-one knew what it was about the Argonian as he walked inside Jorrvaskr, but his persona immediately dominated the hall. Sotek cast a quick look at the Harbinger and hissed at him before sniffing at the very air. He saw the Companions and Whelps sitting around the table as he scanned the room, but he blanked them just as quickly. Instead, his attention focused on Kul-et who was sitting by herself at a small table, staring back at him nervously. He slowly yet deliberately walked towards her and every step he took seemed to echo around the hall. A slow steady beat of clumping boots while every pair of eyes watched him in total silence.

     

    He leaned over Kul-et and sniffed loudly before tapping his clawed finger on the table.
    “What warrants my immediate attention?”

     

    Kul-et looked up at him but she lost her nerve. She never seen him stare at her with that intensity.
    “I ermm, I need your help”.

     

    Sotek’s gaze slowly shifted from her to her pack which was on the floor beside her. He picked it up and sniffed it, like a dog searching for something. With a heavy bang, he dumped it in the middle of the table and started opening it up. Moments later he emptied Kul-et’s pack onto the table. From her pack dropped various potions, some of which fell on the floor and smashed but Sotek was quite oblivious to the fact. One item drew his attention. A silver orb which sat there amongst some items which Kul-et had collected. Sotek’s hand hovered above the melon sized orb for several seconds, as if he was daring himself to touch it then he threw Kul-et a hostile glance. With an almost accusing tone, he spoke.
    “You found this? You? Nid!”

     

    A fist formed in his hand and the sudden yet inexplicable urge to smash Kul-et’s face into a pulp flowed through Sotek’s body. He didn’t want to yet with each passing second, he felt his will wain and falter and with it, his fist came closer and closer to Kul-et’s jaw.

     

    Fighting back a will which was equal to his own was a shock. Sotek never encountered that situation before. If he stood steadfast then he wouldn’t budge, not for nothing and yet he found himself floundering against the dragon’s will, his own will, the Dragonborn.

     

    He almost screamed and the energy he burned caused him to collapse to his knees. Anger rose inside as two forces fought for control. A single voice ran through his mind, giving the Dragonborn the much-needed ground to take over.
    “It’s mine. I am worthy, not her! Look at the miserable creature! She’s scared? Of what? Meridia? Haa! It’s mine. I alone hold the power to wield such a weapon. It’s…”

     

    Deep within him a single spirit howled out. Sotek tried to concentrate on it, using it as a focus point for his mind. The howl seemed so distant, quiet, like a murmur. A faraway cry, insignificant.

     

    Scarface was a lot of things, not all good either but one thing he wasn’t going to take was to be ignored. The wolf spirit showed just how much will he really had. While he was still on his knees, Sotek’s head was thrown back and he howled out as loudly as he could. With each second the howling, chilling cry seemed to become louder and louder until Scarface had control. Sotek didn’t know if he wanted to or not, but he transformed.

     

    Scarface climbed up to his hind legs and tipped back his head and howled out, along drawn out call, fortifying his hold and diminishing the dragon’s own voice until it was nothing but a whisper. With a second terrifying howl, the Dragonborn’s voice was no more.

     

    Scarface dropped to all fours and looked around the room with fresh eyes. His vision was clear and sharp. Ignoring everyone, he trotted to the table and shoved his head into a plate of chicken. Greedily he chomped and ground the cooked bird, crunching bones and all as he greedily fed. Smacking his lips together, desperate for a drink, he sniffed around the room while the Companions, Kodlak and now even the Jarl who had just entered the hall watched with concern.

     

    Ignorant to everyone’s emotions, Scarface moved to the side where Tilma’s mop and bucket was. He nudged the mop and began drinking the water, but it tasted foul and soapy, causing him to cough.
    Aela ran over to him and pulled his head away from the bucket. She directed him to the firepit and told him to sit.
    “No! Not that. That’s no good for you. You thirsty? Hey, you’re my boy, come on. Sit here… Sit! Stay”.

     

    Her next task was to provide him with water but the Whelp she asked to help seemed to be in a daze.
    “Ebony, bowl… The bowl? Ebony, you dumb bitch, pass me the blasted bowl! Thanks”.

     

    She snatched the bowl and placed it in front of Scarface who looked on with expectant eyes. The sound of fresh water pouring into it proved too much and Scarface dug his head into the bowl while Aela was still filling it. He lapped up the much-needed drink then whined as he fell to his side and he blankly stared at the wall.

     

    The whole room fell quiet once more, giving the Jarl an opportunity to talk. He pointed at Aela and beckoned her towards him.
    “What is going on? I know he’s allowed in the city, but I would have thought he’d take a bit of care doing so. Outside he ignored me! I should be thankful he budged me aside else I would have been trampled. What’s with all this attitude of his?”

     

    Al Aela could do was flap her arms and shrug.
    “I don’t know. He was fine until we arrived here. None of this started until we hit the stables!”

     

    “Hit the stables?” Kodlak asked. “What in Oblivion has he done to the stables?” As the Harbinger asked his question, he covered his face and groaned. He had visions of horses running around scattered to the four winds. He stayed with that thought for the worst scenario he envisioned was Scarface eating them.

     

    “Hit them?” Aela despairingly cried. “We did nothing to them. Hit them? As in Arrived? We passed the bloody stables and no… They are not bloody! I don’t know what’s going on. Ok?”

     

    “Enough!” Jarl Balgruuf cried. He looked down at Scarface who seemed to be like an overgrown cub. The werewolf rolled on his back and looked up at him with a goofy expression on his face. His tongue dropped out of the side of his mouth and lazily hung there as saliva dripped onto the floor.

     

    His head lifted up and he howled out once more as Sotek changed back. He stayed on his back so he could stare at the ceiling. For the first time since he came back to Whiterun, he felt in control. Even so, he kept his gaze on the rafters of the roof to aid in his focus.

     

    A single hand lifted up by his side and he called out to the hall.
    “Hi Tilma, Harbinger! We’re back”.

     

    “Hi Tilma, we’re back?” Aela shouted. She stormed towards him and lifted her foot to kick him, but the Jarl grabbed hold of her arm. A rather unsettling growl caused him to quickly release her, but he never moved out of her path.

     

    Kodlak took over command and called out to Sotek, demanding his undivided attention.
    “Aela, quiet! Sotek, look at me!”

     

    Sotek slightly tilted his head but his eyes stayed fixed on the roof supports. He murmured almost like he wasn’t interested in what the Harbinger had to say.
    “Can I get up first?”

     

    “By all means”. Kodlak stated as he watched the uncouth Argonian.

     

    Kodlak waited for a few moments then he began to silently count. By the time he reached ten, Sotek still hadn’t moved.
    “Well?”

     

    “Well what?” Sotek asked as he lay there.

     

    “Are you getting up?” Kodlak felt a rise in his own anger. Jarl Balgruuf was watching him and Kul-et seemed terrified. The cause to all of this was laying on his back ignoring the whole episode.

     

    “Not yet. I’m not ready”. Sotek calmly stated as if he had all the time in the world.

     

    “Get up on your feet, you miserable creature and stand to attention!” Kodlak’s hollering shout caused Aela, Tilma and the Jarl to jump but not half as much as Sotek did. He scrambled to his feet, standing at attention with his hands by his sides and his eyes looking straight forwards in a second.

     

    He slowly turned his head around to the Jarl and softly greeted him.
    “Hello Jarl. I didn’t see you there”.

     

    Moments later Sotek fell to his knees as he held his head in the cups of his hands.
    “Ahhggrr! Room’s spinning… Knew I wasn’t ready”. He stumbled to his step and sat down, resting his head on his knees. A feint memory stirred in his head and he slowly resumed standing up. Now he was steadier on his feet, he re-approached Kul-et and gazed down at the orb.
    “What is this?”

     

    Aela ignored him. Instead she reproached him for his actions lest the Jarl or even Kodlak did it first.
    “What the hell’s got into you? You cannot go through Whiterun like...”

     

    Sotek leaned his body to the side so he could look past her. He glanced at the Jarl and said in a calm voice.
    “I don’t suppose Farengar is available, is he? I would like a word about this… thing here”.

     

    The next thing Aela was aware of was Sotek gripping her waste tightly and slumping his head in her chest.
    “You’re shaking? What the hell is it? You’re scaring me. Tell me what’s wrong”.

     

    After a few seconds Soteks arms relaxed, then he looked up at her.
    “He didn’t mean to scare you, he’s sorry”. He let her go then sat alongside Kul-et while he waited for a guard to fetch Farengar.

     

    Kodlak went to speak but Sotek turned towards him and with pleading eyes asked him to wait. He knew he had somethings to explain and it wasn’t fair to keep everyone waiting but he wasn’t sure of things so he wanted to wait until he could speak to someone who could answer his questions first.

     

    A few minutes later a rather exited Farengar entered the hall and almost screamed for joy as he saw the sphere sitting on the table. Sotek looked at him and shook his head as he spoke.
    “Farengar’s happy. This doesn’t bode well. Not good, not good at all!”

     

    He pulled out a spare chair and directed the ecstatic man to the seat.
    “Sit down and calm down. I need you to listen and focus”.

     

    Farengar sat down but he was too exited to keep calm. He kept pointing to the sphere and spoke in a rushed haphazardly manner.
    “The Sphere! You found it? It’s Meridia’s Beacon! She has a shrine you know? In Solitude. Not in the city par se, but close by, in the mountains”.

     

    Sotek leaned back I his chair, crossed his legs by the ankles and folded his arms across his chest wile he waited for the mage to shut up. The man kept talking though until Sotek’s tail had enough. It whipped round, slashing Farengar’s sin. Causing him to jump.
    “Thank you”. Sotek said as his tail flumped down angrily. It seemed to twitch back in response almost like it had a life of its own.

     

    Now that Farengar was quiet, Sotek spoke, clarifying everything that had happened.
    “When we approached Whiterun, I felt an uncontrollable desire to enter the hall. Then I was directed, or rather pulled to Kul-et. Now Kul-et somehow found this orb… Beacon… Thing. Everyone happy so far?”

     

    Kodlak cleared his throat taking Soteks attention for a few seconds.
    “I am far from happy”.

     

    Sotek found himself growling once again, but then he held the tiny scrap of armour tightly in his hand.
    “Kodlak, sorry Harbinger, I had an near uncontrollable urge to grab Kul-et by the throat, throw her across the room and take the orb for myself. There was this voice in my head, shouting at me. It’s mine, not hers. Mine. It’s my right, I’m the Dragonborn. She’ll give it to me or I’ll damn well take it. At least that’s how I felt. A part of me felt”.

     

    He sat back then drew a deep breath.
    “And the real funny thing is, I don’t even know why, or what it is for that matter. Why do I feel like that?”

     

    Kodlak, gave a sigh then leaned forwards. His voice was heavy, and everyone could see he was more than a bit concerned with what Sotek had told him.
    “It sounds like you said it yourself. You’re the Dragonborn, it sounds like it’s that which feels the need for it”.

     

    Farengar who was closest to the beacon nervously spoke.
    “You’re drawn to power, and dominance. This is Meridia’s beacon. She’s a Daedric prince, she would have, I guess, given Kul-et a task, and no doubt you are aware that if she completes it then she’ll probably get a reward”.

     

    “What reward, who’s Meridia?”

     

    “Meridia is a Daedric prince who by Daedric standards isn’t actually considered evil. She abodes undead, her artefact is ermm, oh yes. Dawnbreaker! A sword, it hurts undead”.

     

    Sotek’s face screwed right up.
    “I hate swords, can’t use them. Hell, I don’t want to use them. So why should I care if she gets it?”

     

    The Harbinger got up from his chair then walked over to Sotek, he rested his hand on Soteks shoulder as he spoke quietly to him.
    “Because of its power. Leave Kul-et to me. I’ll sort her out”.

     

    Sotek shook his head stubbornly.
    “No. Kul-et wanted my help, so that’s what I’ll do. I’m no bloody slave, not to Hircine and by the divines certainly not to the Dragonborn. He’ll have to sit in the corner and sulk. It’s Kul-et’s task not mine to take from her. Jarl, I‘m sorry about earlier, it’s kind of odd, but I feel more in control now. Jarl, I hope you accept my apologies, I truly am sorry for my ermm, attitude over the last half hour. And I assure you that Scarface won’t go running around Whiterun again with so much disregard to the other residents”.

     

    It was this last statement which caused Aela to smirk as she thought of everyone scattering in the market place. She tried to hide it, but it hadn’t escaped the Jarl’s notice.

     

    The Jarl approached her and shook his head.
    “You needn’t laugh”.

     

    She gasped as she turned to him.
    “What? I wasn’t laughing”.

     

    “Yes, well. I’m satisfied that you both wasn’t taking liberties but do try to control him. Someone could have got hurt”. Jarl Balgruuf said as he pointed at Sotek.

     

    “Hey, trust me, I know. I had a hard-enough time hanging on”. Aela adamantly stated, thinking it would help her cause.

     

    “Yes, anyway… What happened with the Greybeards?”

     

    “He hasn’t seen them for ages. Oh, crap! They sent him somewhere to get a horn. He hasn’t been there yet”.

     

    The Jarl didn’t look impressed, he tutted loudly then waved his finger at Aela.
    “Get him up that bloody mountain, he needs help controlling this, or someone’s going to get hurt”. With that he left the matter in the hands of the Harbinger.

     

    Aela grumbled as she seethed in anger at being blamed for Sotek’s lack of activity regarding the Greybeard’s task.
    “He’s sitting right there! Look! Blame him…”

     

    The Argonian in question, Sotek, then turned to Kodlak. He sat there watching him for a few seconds then nodded his head to himself. “Harbinger, I’ll like a word in private if possible. We have much to discuss, you and I. Kul-et, he is sorry for causing you undue worry. Fret not, he will help you to sort this out. It’ll be ok”.

     

    Sotek left his chair and headed off towards the Undercroft where he slowly walked to the Harbinger’s study. Once there, he sat at the small table and waited for Kodlak to join him. The Harbinger was only a few seconds behind and as soon as the door to his study was shut, Sotek began to start talking.
    “Before you say anything, he’s going to say what’s going on in his mind. Then we’ll talk about his attitude and everything else”.

     

    “What happened in Bruma?” Kodlak asked. He had no idea what went on, but he wondered if their trip and these events were related.

     

    Sotek looked across at the Harbinger and glared at him.
    “Harbinger with all due respect, this isn’t about Bruma, it’s about me”. He then pulled out the piece of armour and played with it in his hands. “Sorry. Oh, Hircine this is hard. Why is it so hard? The orb thingy… The beacon. Kul-et needs to do the task she has been given. Has she said what it is?”

     

    “Ermm, no. She hasn’t spoken. She won’t with any of us. She, it seems, is dependent on you”. Kodlak sighed. “You need to make her realize that she can come to me as well. After all, it is my duty to look after everyone, not yours”.

     

    “Yess… You are right. Allow me to deal with this. I know my actions doesn’t install confidence, but I need to do this as much as Kul-et does”. Sotek asked pleadingly.



    Now that the Harbinger and Sotek were downstairs, Aela decided to approach Kul-et who was sitting with Veezara. Inside, she was equally as nervous as Kul-et was.
    “Kul-et, ermm, yea. Sotek’s sorry about how he acted, he went a bit power crazy. The Harbinger feels it’s the Dragonborn in him. You need to understand, it’s not you. It’s him being a bloody moron, a somewhat bigger moron than usual I might add”.

     

    Kul-et drew a deep breath then half smiled at her.
    “And I thought you had a temper, you're scary but he’s...”

     

    Aela cast a quick glare at her, but then she turned to the stairwell.
    “He’s something else”.

     

    What seemed like hours later, the Harbinger and Sotek came upstairs. Sotek’s first task was to see Kul-et and Veezara.
    “Sorry about earlier, you need to know that wasn’t your fault, it was mine, of sorts. Let’s start again. That is, if you want to?”

     

    Kul-et gulped then nodded. She got up and headed towards a small table but Sotek called her back.
    “If it’s all the same to you, I’ll sit on the steps, come on”.

     

    The pair of them sat down then she told him what had happened, including what task she had been given. Veezara looked a bit shocked as he sat beside her and gave her some support.
    “Why didn’t you say?”

     

    “Sotek, he said if I’ve a problem I’m to see him”.

     

    “Yes, I did, but you can talk to the Harbinger as well”.

     

    “You deal with Hircine. By the Companions accounts you’ve had a lot to do with Sheogorath as well though. I felt it’s better with you. All that business that happened with Aela and Sheogorath, it was you that sorted it out. I didn’t want the others involved”.

     

    Sotek nodded in deep thought. He pointed to the Harbinger, making it clear that he was also an option for Kul-et or any of them.
    “Well I discussed it with the Harbinger and he’s somewhat grudgingly allowed me to deal with it. Although I will point out that it is he who is the Harbinger. If anyone has any problems, then it should be him you go to. I am sure if he feels it necessary then he will call upon me, or Danica or even the librarian Orc in Winterhold. I however, am a stubborn wolf and I won’t. So, he is your better option. Anyhow, here’s what’s going to happen. Kul-et, tomorrow you’ll go with Aela, she’s your shield sister. Get the carriage to Solitude, from there follow the coastal road west. The shrines on a secondary path. Aela knows the way, if not speak with Vilkas, he certainly does. Once there, Kul-et, you’re to go in alone, inside you will be on your own. Veezara, you stay the hell away. Aela, you wait outside, do not follow her in. She’s to do it alone. Kul-et, I’m going to make this your trial. I warn you all, if anyone of you interferes, then Kul-et will fail it. Tomorrow, check your gear and take extra potions. Get some rest. Good luck”.

     

    Kodlak looked hard at Kul-et then protested.
    “Aela’s to follow her inside”.

     

    “No. Remember you gave me absolute authority on this Harbinger. Kul-et’s had far better training than the other Whelps, she goes alone. This is not up for debate. If any of you go inside, she’ll fail”. He then got up and headed downstairs to the Undercroft leaving everyone in the hall to talk.

     

    Throughout the evening, everyone was discussing the trial which Sotek had placed squarely on Kul-et’s shoulders. Everyone disagreed with him, Companions, Whelps, the Harbinger and even Tilma. Aela sat on the step watching the stairway for Sotek’s return but Sotek didn’t come back.

     

    The Harbinger sighed as he sat at one of the small tables. Long after the others went downstairs, he pushed out the second chair with his foot and requested that Aela sat with him. He could see she was troubled and for all his faults, he was as well. Aela beat him to the punch though and began talking even before she reached the seat.
    “Sotek’s wrong about this. Harbinger, you know he is”.

     

    “Yes, but we must do what we feel is right. Do you feel it’s right to let her go in alone?”

     

    Aela snapped at him suddenly.
    “No, of course I bloody don’t”.

     

    “Then you must do what you feel is right”.

     

    She stared at the stairs for a few more seconds then stood up, as Kodlak’s meaning seeped inside her soul.
    “Yes, I will, don’t you worry about that”. She gave him a kiss on the cheek then headed off downstairs.

     

    When she entered her room, she found her bed already occupied. Sotek was asleep, sprawled out on it. All he was wearing was a half-torn shirt and his trousers. Forgiving him for the transgression, Aela left him sleeping and she quickly got undressed before sliding in alongside him. He seemed to stir as he felt her body brush against him. With weary eyes, he peered at her and lazily smiled, caught in the magical place between sleep and conscious thought.
    “Hi, my mate”.

     

    “Hello sleepy head”. As Aela cuddled into him, two words plagued her. “Sotek, hey… Sotek? You said somethings which were a little odd”.

     

    “A lot of things are odd”. He mumbled as he started drifting back asleep.

     

    “You said Nahlot and Nid. Are they dragon words?” She asked as she elbowed him to wake him up more.

     

    Sotek chuckled and rubbed his cheek carefully against Aela’s breast as he rested his head on her chest. His eyes were fully closed, and his mouth barely moved as he murmured to her.
    “Don’t be daft… You silly She-Wolf. Ma used to say it. She’d say Nahlot to my sisters. Not sisters as such, but my sisters. It means silence. She would say it when they were arguing. She’d say Nid to me when I was being a pain in the tail. Nid means no. It’s not dragon speech, it was mother”.

     

    “You don’t talk about your family. How many sisters do you have? Sotek? Sotek?” She looked down at him, but he was too far gone, drifting away in the realm of dreams.

     

    Upstairs, sat Kodlak, the Harbinger, deep in thought. His only company was the soft orange glow of the embers in the fire pit. The weak flames flickered, barely keeping back the shadows, casting an ominous look on the old warrior. He stared at the dying embers, his eyes no longer stoic and clear but clouded, like his thoughts. What transpired earlier made Kodlak wonder, or fear, who truly was in control of Sotek. The Argonian, the wolf, the dragon... His brow was wrinkled with age and concern. Concern over which one would finally win the battle that raged inside the Argonian.

     

     

     

     

Comments

3 Comments   |   Meli and 6 others like this.
  • Ebonslayer
    Ebonslayer   ·  August 3, 2018
    [All] Aela could do was flap her arms and shrug.


    He knew he had [some things] to explain and it wasn’t fair to keep everyone waiting


    Sotek leaned back [in] his chair,


    slashing Farengar’s [s...  more
  • Karver the Lorc
    Karver the Lorc   ·  August 1, 2018
    So they eventually did bring Farengar. Eventually. For me it would personally make more sense to talk with Farengar first and then talk with Sotek, but I see that you needed to establish the dragon. Dragon who is quite... hoardy I would say, hehehe. "My p...  more
  • The Long-Chapper
    The Long-Chapper   ·  July 31, 2018
    Let's see where you take this arc, because this is one of those where the decisions you make now, how you resolve this power struggle, are going to establish precedents for your narrative later. It could potentially introduce a predictability into your na...  more