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| comment | | "parent_author":"",<br>"parent_permlink":"story",<br>"author":"uceph",<br>"permlink":"union-of-the-wolf-chapter-27-the-pact",<br>"title":"Union of the Wolf - Chapter 27 - The Pact",<br>"body":"<center><img src=\"https:\/\/i.imgsafe.org\/39676e2f53.jpg\"\/><\/center>\n***\n**Have you missed the previous chapter ?**\n\n**Chapter 26:** https:\/\/goo.gl\/D3PmJA\n\n**New to \"the union of the wolf\"?**\n\n**Chapter Index:** https:\/\/goo.gl\/4vCpWG\n***\n<center><img src=\"https:\/\/i.imgsafe.org\/39682e3cd0.jpg\"\/><\/center>\nA while later the harbinger entered the hall to find Aela wasn\u2019t there.\n\n\u201cVilkas,<br> where\u2019s Aela?\u201d.\n\nVilkas paused as he glanced over to Sotek who was now sitting on his step by the fire pit. Sotek answered on Aela\u2019s behalf.\n\n\u201cShe wasn\u2019t feeling too good so she went to lay down for a while. She seemed upset since she followed you three downstairs. What happened down there?\u201d As he spoke his eyes fixed on the Harbinger causing a slight shudder to shoot down Kodlak\u2019s back. Sotek suspected his relationship with Aela had been found out but he wanted to see what was actually known before stating anything about it.\n\nThe Harbinger blanked Soteks question by pointing towards the stairwell.\n\n\u201cSotek,<br> can you check on her please\u201d.\n\nSotek just nodded then headed across the room. When he reached the steps he paused as he studied the Harbinger for a few seconds before making his way to Aela\u2019s room. The first thing he noticed amiss was the simple fact that Aela\u2019s door was ajar. He knew that in itself was odd because she would always close it. Whether she was in her room or not. As he pushed on the door,<br> it met resistance from something blocking it. He stuck his head around the doorway to see her there lying on the floor in a crumpled heap. Her breathing was fast and heavy,<br> while her heart hammered like a drum. He tried to wake her up but she just lay there,<br> motionless except for her rapid breathing. He called out for help,<br> in the few seconds he yelled,<br> a whelp came running in.\n***\n<center><img src=\"https:\/\/i.imgsafe.org\/3980bc1093.jpg\"\/><\/center>\n***\n\n\u201cGet the Harbinger. Now damn you!!!\u201d The whelp froze for a few seconds before she went running upstairs.\n\nWithin moments Sotek could hear the heavy footsteps of the Harbinger,<br> Farkas and Vilkas as they ran down the corridor towards Aela\u2019s room. Kodlak was the first to pass through the doorway but stopped abruptly due to Sotek still kneeling down just inside the room besides Aela\u2019s body. He was still cradling her in is arms as he turned towards the Harbinger.\n\n\u201cWhat the hell\u2019ss up with her?\u201d.\n\nThe Harbinger only needed the one look at her to know that particular answer. He spoke with a steady authoritative voice in the vain hope of calming the situation down.\n\n\u201cSotek,<br> take her to the temple. The priestess might be able to help\u201d. Although he sounded confident,<br> inside he knew it was an entirely different matter. Within seconds Sotek was up off the floor and heading along the passageway with Aela in his arms. He hurriedly carried her over to the temple,<br> pushing past anyone too slow to move out of his way. Upon entering the main section of the sanctuary he gently laid her down on one of the stone slab beds. She flumped down like a corpse apart from her breathing which echoed around the vast shrine\u2019s hall. As she rested on the block of stone everyone could see her heart pounding in her chest like it was going to burst at any moment. It was almost like she was actually running\u2026 Running for her very life.\n***\n<center><img src=\"https:\/\/i.imgsafe.org\/3988e96999.jpg\"\/><\/center>\n***\nThe priestess came over to Aela and felt her check with the back of her hand. She mumbled under her breath as she chanted various prayers of the nines. She tried to explain the situation in the best way she could while she sympathetically rested her hand on Aela\u2019s temple.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m sorry\u2026 We can\u2019t help!!!\u201d She stood there shaking her head,<br> feeling useless.\n\nSotek went up to her face,<br> inches away from her demanding an immediate answer.\n\n\u201cWhhat the hell do you mean you can\u2019t hhelp,<br> iff not you then whho?\u201d Due to his throat and mouth feeling dry,<br> his voice sounded like it came from an angry frog. However what was perfectly clear was his anger and blatant disregard to the Temple as a place of worship. The priestess tried to back away but she quickly found herself hemmed in.\n\nShe gave up trying to move away from Sotek and decided to change tact. Instead of any attempt at avoiding his anger she met it face on. Her eyes shone with empathy at Sotek\u2019s and Aela\u2019s plight as she slowly but reassuringly rested a hand on Sotek\u2019s shoulder. She looked at him right in the eyes as she calmly spoke to the group who stood before her.\n\n\u201cSotek,<br> its Daedra\u201d. Her voice full of sympathy.\n\nSotek just stared blankly at Aela as he cupped his hand around her cheek.\n\nLosing any and all restraint,<br> Sotek snapped back at her angrily as if he was fully prepared to tackle the very gods themselves. His eyes narrowed as he leaned in towards the priestess.\n\n\u201cWho?\u201d\n\n\u201cSotek!!!\u201d The Harbinger yelled at the top of his voice as a means of distracting him so the priestess could move around the stone bed where Aela lay as if she used it as a barrier between her and Sotek\u2019s wrath. \u201cWhat you going to do? Go to every Daedra shrine demanding to know who did this? Calm down... That won\u2019t help\u201d.\n\nSotek stood over Aela as he shouted out to vent his frustration at Kodlak.\n\n\u201cWhat the hell happened downstairs earlier!!!\u201d. Both Vilkas and Farkas jumped. They took a step back away from him,<br> both equally relieved that they didn\u2019t cause this. The one picture they both couldn\u2019t get out of their heads was of the target dummy. As one the two Companions found themselves staring straight at Sotek\u2019s axe.\n\nThe Harbinger spoke solemnly as he pulled Sotek aside away from the Priestess\u2019s ears.\n\n\u201cWe need to speak with him. Come with us\u201d.\n\nAs he lead Sotek away from the temple,<br> Farkas reached out a hand blocking Soteks path.\n\n\u201cHarbinger?\u201d He turned to face Sotek glaring at him,<br> and instantly lowered it as he stepped back out of Sotek\u2019s way.\n\nThe Harbinger cursed under his breath.\n\n\u201cOh,<br> he isn\u2019t one of us Farkas,<br> but surely even you can see he\u2019s going to be\u201d. With that they headed to Jorrvaskr. Sotek threw open the doors which slammed into the sidewalls with a crash. The Harbinger quietly muttered at him,<br> but he himself decided not to chance saying anything. Tilma started pacing towards the Argonian but Kodlak held his hand up to her effectively stopping her in her tracks.\n\nOblivious to everyone staring at him,<br> Sotek drew out his axe as he walked over to a chair and tossed his axe on the table. It landed with a loud \u2018crash\u2019 which was fortunate as the noise hid everyone\u2019s sigh of relief that Sotek threw it instead of slamming it down. After the destruction of the target dummy,<br> the last thing Kodlak wanted to do was replace a table as well. Sotek then sat down on a step with his shoulders hunched over. He stared at the fire pit for a few moments before for the fleetest of moments glancing up at the Harbinger.\n\n\u201cI feel so bloody useless\u201d\u2026With his hand resting in his pocket he turned back to the fire pit despairingly.\n\n\u201cOk,<br> we\u2019re here!!! Now what are we ssupossed to do? You ssaid we need to sse someone... Ssee who?\u201d\n\nHis voice was a lot calmer but it was still tainted with the frustration which was clear to everyone as they all knew he hissed when he was under pressure and stressed.\n\n\u201cNow we wait until the whelps are down,<br> and the moon is up\u201d. The Harbinger replied. As he spoke he pointed to Sotek for emphasis. \u201cGet some rest\u201d. Sotek sat there watching the fire pit staring at it. Inside,<br> his heart tore at him like it was trying to escape his chest. All the energy he spent took its toll and over the next fifteen minutes,<br> without even realizing it was happening,<br> he fell asleep.\n\nWhile he lay against a pillar by the steps,<br> Farkas spoke quietly to the Harbinger and Vilkas.\n\n\u201cI get the fact that everyone\u2019s worried,<br> but isn\u2019t he acting way over the top of this? Is he going to be able to handle it?\u201d.\n\nVilkas joined in.\n\n\u201cYea,<br> hell a few weeks ago he nearly kills her. Before that she wages her private war against him\u2026 And now this?\u201d.\n\nKodlak gave a sigh as he signaled at them to be quieter.\n\n\u201cSince the incident,<br> and especially since that night on the plains,<br> they have become quite close. Argonians defend their friends with their lives if necessary. He\u2019s just upset he can\u2019t help that\u2019s all\u201d.\n\nTilma tugged on his arm and led him away from the others.\n\n\u201cAre you going to bullshit me like you did them?\u201d\n\nKodlak smiled as he shook his head.\n\n\"Would there be any point if I did?\u201d\n\nTilma nodded slightly in response.\n\n\u201cOnly my broom handle. Here,<br> you were right. Red hairs\u2026 Aela\u2019s\u201d. Tilma discretely held her hand open to show the Harbinger what she had found. In the palm of her hand she held several long thin strands of hair.\n\nKodlak nodded as he secretly glanced over to Sotek. \u201cAnd where did you find them?\u201d.\n\nTilma huffed slightly as she started walking away from him. \u201cYou know where\u2026 Sotek\u2019s room\u2026 His bed\u201d.\n\nLater that night Vilkas shook Sotek,<br> waking him up.\n***\n<center><img src=\"https:\/\/i.imgsafe.org\/396d3a2005.jpg\"\/><\/center>\n***\n\u201cIt\u2019s time\u201d. The Harbinger lead them all outside to the rock face underneath the Skyforge. In the rock wall there was a glowing symbol but Sotek never noticed it before. The Harbinger rested his hand on it then a secret door opened revealing a dark chamber. When they entered Sotek looked around,<br> there were three empty circular shrine bases surrounding a stone bowl carved out of the rock. In front of it stood a small statue of a Daedra. Sotek recognized it instantly. \n\nHe walked up to it angrily and hissed his defiance. \u201cHircine\u2026What the hell have you done to her? You basstard,<br> Hsss\u201d.\n\nEveryone stopped dead in their tracks,<br> not one of them thinking he knew of the Daedra,<br> let alone what he really knew.\n\nA voice boomed out from nowhere as a white stag appeared before them all. \u201cYou dare come here!!! To my very shrine!!!\u201d.\n\n\u201cOh I dare,<br> I dare like my forefather dared... I know you... I\u2019ve known you all my life\u201d. Sotek then turned to the others standing there,<br> not even the Harbinger knew what to think. \u201cMany moons ago my forefather joined his great hunt at the time of the blood moon\u201d. He then pointed an accusing finger at Hircine. \u201cHe granted three boons to my forefather,<br> making him faster,<br> stronger. Claws that cut through armor like it was paper\u201d.\n\nHe leaned towards the stag almost thretengly as he snarled in hateful anger. \u201cBut you wanted the greatest hunt of all,<br> so you called your great hunt and went after him. He killed them,<br> then he came for you!!! He beat you,<br> banished you and laid to waste your great hunt\u201d.\n\n\u201cGive her back,<br> or I swear on my ancestors. I\u2019ll kill \u2018em... I\u2019ll kill them all\u201d.\n\nSotek then turned to the others and shouted out at anyone who would listen.\n\n\u201cHe knows I speak the truth. He cursed my family for generations. We would all feel the need for the hunt,<br> but because of his fear,<br> we could never be turned. His fear for what my ancestor did,<br> what we could do stops us from joining with the beast\u201d. Sotek then slumped down next to the carved pillar unable to carry on.\n\nHe sat there with his eyes closed,<br> then his voice which was now a whisper,<br> hissed out quietly.\n\n\u201cJust\u2026 Give\u2026 Her\u2026 Back\u2026 Hsss\u201d.\n\nHircine\u2019s voice boomed once more around the cave.\n\n\u201cShe\u2018s mine!!! She always was\u201d. Then Hircine spoke quieter,<br> like he was almost afraid other Daedra could hear him. \u201cShe has been taken from the hunt,<br> by another. Find her,<br> return her to her rightful place...\u201d\n\nSotek started to speak but the Harbinger held his hand up to him,<br> stopping him in his tracks. Kodlak then spoke to Hircine directly. \u201cWho has her? Where\u2019s her rightful place?\u201d.\n\n\u201cSheogorath has taken her\u201d.\n\nHircine whispered softly,<br> almost like he didn\u2019t want Sheogorath to know he was sending agents of his own. \u201cThere is a spell,<br> an illusion cast by Sheogorath himself on his agents. They are all Aela,<br> her scent,<br> her mind ,<br> her very soul. All are perfect clones,<br> perfect copies. Prove you\u2019re worthy of the hunt,<br> return her to me and kill the defilers\u201d.\n\nHe moved like a ghost walking through the stone bowl in the middle of the cave and stood right in front of Farkas,<br> Vilkas and Sotek. \u201cI will grant each of you three hunters a boon. What is the greatest gift for a hunter stalking in the night?\u201d.\n\nFarkas looked up at the stag,<br> after giving it the most basic of thought he answered.\n\n\u201cSpeed\u201d Slowly green tendrils floated up from the ground surrounding him until they were absorbed by his body.\n\nVilkas turned to his brother Farkas,<br> and replied.\n\n\u201cStrength\u201d. A red mist appeared from nowhere smothering him. With every breath he took,<br> the red vapor poured down his throat.\n\nSotek walked right up to Hircine as defiantly as he was earlier. His eyes shone full of anger and fury.\n\n\u201cYou know what I want\u201d.\n\nHircine laughed and stood an inch closer to Sotek. \u201cYou ask for what you can\u2019t have. Just as you take what isn\u2019t yours to take hmmm? But perhaps you may yet prove your worth,<br> perhaps\u2026 You will have the boon of the blood,<br> hunter. Let\u2019s see if you can indeed be useful,<br> let\u2019s see if you can be trusted\u2026 Find her\u201d.\n***\n<center><img src=\"https:\/\/i.imgsafe.org\/396bfbc5e3.jpg\"\/><\/center>\n***\nThe next moment a near black spectral wolf appeared and savagely bit Sotek on the hand,<br> making him yell out although it was more so from surprise and shock than actual pain. Within moments the wolf had vanished completely,<br> leaving Soteks blood dripping on the floor as the only indication that the spectral beast was ever there.\n\nSotek flexed his hand,<br> the wound was still clearly visible but it had stopped bleeding. He glared at Hircine as he hissed viciously. \u201cHow the hell are we ssupposed to find her? Hsss\u201d\n\nHircine stared at Sotek. His eyes cut into him making him shudder. \u201cYou track her,<br> follow her scent as a wolf does his prey. After all she is your prey is she not,<br> hunter? And you know her scent oh,<br> so very well\u2026\u201d\n\nBoth Farkas and Vilkas looked oddly at each other,<br> while the Harbinger covered his face with his hands. Farkas tugged on Sotek\u2019s arm for the simplest of explanations.\n\n\u201cWhat on earth does he mean by that\u201d.\n\nSotek and Hircine however both stood there facing each other,<br> Hircine gave Sotek a knowing smile then he vanished leaving them alone once more.\n\nFarkas repeated himself.\n\n\u201cWell has anyone got any idea as to what Hircine was on about? Sotek? Harbinger?\u201d.\n\nBoth Kodak and Vilkas shook their heads,<br> but Sotek just stared at him. Seconds later a white mist filled the cave,<br> swallowing the three of them. The walls disappeared as a blue sky broke through the mist. Lush tall pine trees appeared where the cave walls once were.\n***\n **if you have any suggestions feel free to mention them in the comments and upvotes are appreciated.**",<br>"json_metadata":" \"tags\":[\"story\",<br>\"writing\",<br>\"skyrim\",<br>\"\" ,<br>\"image\":[\"https:\/\/i.imgsafe.org\/39676e2f53.jpg\",<br>\"https:\/\/i.imgsafe.org\/39682e3cd0.jpg\",<br>\"https:\/\/i.imgsafe.org\/3980bc1093.jpg\",<br>\"https:\/\/i.imgsafe.org\/3988e96999.jpg\",<br>\"https:\/\/i.imgsafe.org\/396d3a2005.jpg\",<br>\"https:\/\/i.imgsafe.org\/396bfbc5e3.jpg\" ,<br>\"links\":[\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/D3PmJA\",<br>\"https:\/\/goo.gl\/4vCpWG\" " | | vote | "voter":"uceph",
"author":"uceph",
"permlink":"union-of-the-wolf-chapter-27-the-pact",
"weight":10000 |
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