SFS Chapter 120 25
Chapter 120 25
Leah left me in a room and left alone. She didn't explain what she was doing, nor did she mention anything about Madeline, which made me nervous. According to the style of the Companions, they shouldn't abandon disabled teammates, but for the once powerful Green Axe Wolf Girl, becoming a burden might be more painful than death, and there was also the blow brought by Sko Yue's death.
The waiting time was extremely long. I was bored and worried. I was restless, so I went to the yard for a walk. I saw Riya sparring with Torva. This unlucky girl left me alone in the house while she was free and easy. If I didn't think I was not as good as her, I would have rushed up to her and had a good argument with her.
While I was secretly sulking, someone tapped me on the shoulder. The other person obviously used less force, but I was still frightened and almost fell to the ground.
"Locke, come with me."
The person who came was the huntress Ella, a member of the circle of the Companions, who had taught me some archery and hunting skills, so she was considered an acquaintance. She didn't seem to notice my poor performance, and after avoiding everyone, she asked me why I came to see Madeline.
"I came to check on her mental state and to tell her that I was going to pick up her father."
Ella sighed.
"I can take you to see her, but there are some things I need to make clear to you first. Not everyone can go to the place I'm taking you to, not to mention that you are not my shield brother. Out of trust in Eric and you, I hope you can keep your mouth shut to others."
"Do you need me to become a child of the full moon first?"
Ella stared at me closely, like a she-wolf ready to pounce on her prey at any time.
"It seems that Eric has talked to you too much."
"The situation was critical. Simply put, if it weren't for Eric's bloodline, I would definitely not have the chance to stand here."
The she-wolf smiled, revealing her white teeth.
"That bloodline is an honor, and with all due respect, you have yet to prove yourself worthy of it."
I leaned forward slightly, acquiescing to Ella's words. The female hunter was quite satisfied with my attitude and immediately took me to the underground furnace.
The underground furnace in the other world is not a narrow stone cave like in the game. It is not only the ritual site for high-ranking members of the Companions to receive werewolf blood, but also the tomb of every child of the full moon. Ella took a torch from the wall near the entrance and led me through the long and narrow passage. The two sides of the passage were connected to deep caves. The swaying firelight struggled to fight against the surging darkness. I don't remember how many times I turned, I could only try my best to follow the dying light until it hovered in the air.
"Madeline, Eric's friend Locker is here to visit you."
My heartbeat sank into the endless darkness along with Ella's voice, without causing a ripple.
Damn it! Am I still too late after all?
I took two steps forward, trying to identify Madeleine's coffin, but was grabbed by Ella. She pointed to the ground in front of her, and I noticed that there was a person kneeling there.
"Madeline?"
There was no answer.
"I... I don't know how to comfort you. I can only tell you that I am going to Hafengar Territory and have asked Sebastian to come see you. I hope you can take care of yourself. In addition, I would like to ask you if you have any letters or other tokens that can prove my identity to your father."
Still no answer. Just when I wanted to check Madeline's breath to make sure she was still alive, Ella reminded me that there were not many torches left and we should go back. I had no choice but to turn around and prepare to leave. At this moment, a cold, skinny hand grabbed me. My hair stood on end and my thighs were hot and wet. Even if I was caught by a ghoul, it would be no more than this.
"Thank you for your hard work. I will wait for you to come back."
I had a necklace in my hand, and the pendant should be a few round coins of different sizes. Although it was pitch black, I still bowed in her direction.
"Please grief."
Ella's footsteps were so brisk that they seemed to be gliding on the ground. If she hadn't stopped and waited at every corner, I would have thought she had intentionally abandoned me in this forbidden place. It was not until I was bathed in the sunlight again that I breathed a sigh of relief and opened my hand to look at the necklace that Madeline had given me.
It was a Mara amulet that looked quite old. The delicate patterns carved on the pendant had been worn out a lot, and the small light blue gem in the center was also dirty and dull.
"You did it! Locke, oh my god! You made Madeline talk!"
The huntress made no effort to conceal her excitement, and I think she might have even given me a big hug if Wilkas and the others hadn't heard her shout and gathered around.
"You don't know, Scoyue's accident was a big blow to her. She didn't say a word for so many days and ate very little. Krako and we were worried to death. Listen to me, I didn't treat you well before, I apologize. I can't make any promises on behalf of the Companions, but I personally owe you a favor."
Ella exaggerated my achievements to others. In her mouth, I became an eloquent speaker. I broke Madeline's defense with a few words and got her assurance that she would live bravely. After hearing this, everyone thanked me, but I just wanted to find a place where no one was around to change my pants.
"I didn't do anything, I just happened to hit the nail on the head. By the way, Madeline needs to pay attention to her diet during this period. Please take me to the kitchen. Also, please send someone to Graymane's house to pick up my sister Helgi."
Although I couldn't see Madeline clearly in the dark, from Ella's description, her health condition was not optimistic. The lavish meals of the comrades' regiment, coupled with everyone's excessive concern for her, could easily lead to something bad. There were a lot of ingredients in the kitchen of Yuehuaska, but not many varieties. I found a few tomatoes and an egg and made a bowl of hot soup noodles, ready for Ella to give to Madeline to taste. While I was looking for Ella with the bowl of noodles, I saw Erlund leading Helgi to Yuehuaska, and Ria followed them with an unhappy look on her face.
"You are such a good sister. You refused to go with me no matter what. In the end, Erlund sent her out."
Helgi stuck out her tongue, and Erlund rubbed her head lovingly.
"I just happened to be heading to Skyforge to get some stuff for the little girl."
We stayed in Yuehuaska that day. Ella was in a good mood after feeding Madeline, and introduced me to Krako, the prophet of the Companions. The old man was kind and thanked me first, and invited me to stay for a few more days after picking up Sebastian. I suddenly remembered that Eric had mentioned that the Companions had obtained some documents from the Gurich tribe, and Helgi happened to be collecting such information, so I asked to borrow them. Krako was slightly stunned, and then readily agreed, but also said that only a very small number of members had access to the relevant documents, and even not everyone in the circle knew the details, so we couldn't take or copy them, let alone leak them.
I went to carefully instruct Tilma to prepare liquid food that is easy to digest first, then slowly add minced meat, and gradually resume normal diet after Madeline's health improves. Helgi was left in Krako. I don't know how long the girl worked hard, but the next morning, she was already practicing archery under Ella's guidance.
"Your little sister is amazing. I didn't have such skills when I was her age."
"Yes, she is indeed very talented."
Helgi was practicing the run-and-gun tactic. She quickly ran sideways past the target while pulling the short bow and shooting three arrows in a row, and then shot two more arrows while running back the same way. It was awkward to shoot arrows on the side of the hand that pulled the bowstring, and Helgi's last two arrows were very reluctant and missed the target. Ella came down to demonstrate and give some instructions, then returned to my side.
"She is your biological sister?"
"Um...ah? No, cousin. My uncle's daughter."
Ella frowned at me.
"You have something on your mind."
I looked around and it was too early, and there were only three of us on the training ground.
"If it's convenient, could you tell me about Madeline and Scoyue? I'm going to meet Sebastian, but I know nothing about him and his daughter. As far as I know, this old man is not a good-tempered person. It would be bad if he said something wrong."
Ella smiled wryly.
"I don't know much. The Companions won't inquire about a person's past. Scoyue and Madeline joined together, and they were already husband and wife at the time. As for whether they eloped or not, no one cares about that. They are both powerful warriors and trustworthy partners, and that's enough."
I certainly couldn't agree with this slightly childish statement, but I still showed a resigned expression. According to Ella's speculation, Madeline's werewolf blood was probably obtained from Scorpion Moon, and Sebastian knew that his daughter was a werewolf, and even asked the demon for a huge battle axe, and the father and daughter almost fought each other. It is conceivable what he would think of Scorpion Moon.
This is not just a matter of a wild boar of unknown origin eating up one's own cabbage.
I think if I tell Aunt Annis the truth that I want to take Helgi away and never let her transform into a crow hag, and never go back to the Snake Cliff Tribe to live that bloody and barbaric life, she will definitely fight me to the death. What Sko Yue did to Madeline is similar, or even more excessive. At least I don't have any improper thoughts about Helgi. So even if they love each other, Sebastian, as Madeline's father, can hardly accept such a reality.
But he had no choice but to not kill his daughter. So, there might be room for change. I'm afraid that -
Sebastian took action at that time, but failed to kill his daughter...
No... No. If that were the case, Madeline would not have asked to see her father when she was seriously injured.
"Brother, what are you thinking about?"
Helgi stretched out a hand and waved it in front of me. A few strands of flaxen hair were soaked with sweat and stuck to his little face, which was flushed after exercise.
"Sister Ella taught me several tricks. She said that when I grow up, I can join the Companions."
The comrades are great! Aunt Annis shouldn't dare to come to Yuevaska to ask for someone, right? Even if she dares to come, she can't take anyone away. She doesn't have the ability to do that, right?
"Do you want to join them?"
Helgi held a handkerchief over his face, waiting for it to absorb the sweat.
"If my brother doesn't join, I won't join."
I smiled noncommittally. Although this was helpful, it was too childish. People have to grow up. With a talent like Helgi, she will definitely have her own career and achievements in the future. How can people like me compare? However, joining the Companions is indeed a waste of her talent in magic. If there is a chance, I will take her to the Mage Academy in Winterhold to broaden her horizons.
Leaving Helgi in Yuevaska, I set out to do the most important thing of the day - to meet Lord Balgruuf. It was impossible to hide the news of my arrival in Whiterun from him. As the baron of Loristed, I was at least nominally his subordinate, and it would be inappropriate not to go to Dragonsreach.
"Ah, Baron Locke, how are Lord Sidger and Lord Danger? I have seen the head of the Imperial officer you killed. I never thought that Tullius would raise such a ferocious beast."
After the greetings, Balgruuf invited me to have dinner with him. A bard who called himself the Wanderer Telsgar sang a song he had just composed, but I soon heard something wrong.
"The wolves opened their bloody mouths, and their huge teeth emitted a cold light."
"Skuna chews the flesh of innocents, and the ground he walks on is ablaze with fire."
"Men trembled, women screamed, and the peaceful city of Falkreath was burned."
"Helpless people knelt in a pool of blood, begging for salvation from the Holy Spirit."
"Four brave heroes stepped forward:"
"Baron Loristede Locke and his loyal and brave squire Lydia."
"Eric, the bloodthirsty Companions, and his beautiful wife Angie."
"We are here to defeat the evil werewolves under the orders of Balgruuf the Great, the Lord of Whiterun."
"But Tullius sent a hundred wolves!"
"That's why the Dragon Slayer sent four of us instead of two."
"The hideous and ferocious face of a werewolf cannot scare a true warrior."
"Four heroes attacking a hundred wolves."
"Charge! For the glory of Sovngarde!"
"Sharp claws, fangs, and a shrill roar!"
"Blood, sweat, and a furious war song!"
"Ancestors, please judge for sure!"
"The bodies of the evil wolves are piled up like a mountain!"
……
Is this what they mean: This work is adapted from real events?
The poet's performance reached its climax when Baron Locke fought the werewolf alone. It is said that I stabbed Skuna's mouth with a broken blade, ending his life. Finally, the people of Falkreath shouted "Long live the dragon slayer" and paid tribute to the lord of Whiterun.
"So, you really killed a hundred wolves and that werewolf?"
Sitting next to me was Balgruuf's youngest son, Narkiel. While the little guy was applauding Telsgar's wonderful performance, he secretly asked me to verify the authenticity of the story.
"That's about it. We killed the werewolf and his followers. The guy's head should have been sent to your father for review a while ago."
"Yes, yes! I saw it too! That werewolf is as powerful as the poets sang about, right?"
"In fact, the process of killing him is even more dangerous."
"I knew it! You must have killed more than a hundred wolves, right?"
Nelkiel's blue eyes sparkled. Looking at his clear eyes that seemed to have never been tainted by wisdom, I nodded heavily.
"Two hundred and fifty, my dear. Two hundred and fifty, no more, no less."