Very nice right there. I can just imagine the pressure. It's like cocaine for a drug addict. Skooma for a Khajiit.



Ha yes! I bet it tastes completely revolting. I like this very much. We share the same views on that matter. And I dare say you wrote better than I did regarding the musty blood.



I never thought of that. I always wondered whether or not people in ES woke up noticing the pin-pricks on their necks. In Oblivion at least for the quest "Darkness Eternal" someone notices it.



An ambitious one, isn't he? And did I see a mention of the Crimson Scar? *Goes back and reads*.

Got me interested, mALX. That much is certain.

Uriel's safe then, Maxical's not going try and do it herself.

Oh I really enjoyed this! So many carefully built pieces all coming together. What a fabulous vampiric display, laced with just the right erotic seasoning and humor as Malan had a taste of Evangeline.

I really enjoyed being inside Malan’s mind, and cringed as he revealed that he could count on Nissy as a sealed ally. Yikes!

Now I’m biting my nails to see whether Nissy and her sisters end up as Malan dreams - or as the vampire’s worst nightmare. Catch that dream of Malin’s and smash it, Nissy - your destiny is tied to that of Sire and Maxical!

Oh my, the vampiric imagery was quite amazing, a wonderful look into the mind of so driven by his blood-lust. That was one of the best depictions I have ever read (that's no small number, just sayin)

Poor Max, she knows there's something not quite right but she has no idea what it is. I do wonder though if she will be able to tell the difference between the scent of Damien and that of Malan...hhmm I sure hope so, or that Nissy somehow finds a way to get out from under his hold on her...

Great write mALX just fabulous, I do believe for imagery and depth this is at the top of the list.

More more more...please!

I thought it was very interesting that Evangeline, possibly routinely, went into Ocato’s royal quarters with the intent/fantasy of killing him. Then Malan had his way with her. Ugh. Great job showing him and his thoughts as a vampire though.

Now I’m apprehensive for Nissy!

I like how you ended it with Maxical, Evangeline, and the other Khajiit. Malan seems to have made an error with his feeding. You surprised me as well with the Khajiit’s reaction.

As noted by others, the look into the inner workings of Malan's mind is incredibly well-written. You again excel at your descriptions of vampirism as practiced in TES.

Poor Evangeline...

And I fear for so many of our protagonists now- Uriel, even though I know his fate; Nisaba, who against her will may become a weapon against the Emperor; Evangeline; and of course- Maxical herself.

This is yet another powerful, gripping installment in a story that has had many of them.

Hassildor had been his greatest error, but this…this would be his greatest triumph.

Oh, this feels like a big turning point. The vampire imagery in this chapter was astonishing. Malan showed us so much of his nature through his treatment of Evangeline. The image of her standing over Ocato night after night just haunts the imagination.

Things are very dark right now! Malan is a fascinating villain! And now I'm starting to wonder, what's going on with Giles? I'm on the edge of my seat again, mALX!!

You shouldn't be, you're not allowed to sit!




Couldn't resist. I definitely agree with Grits, feels like a turning point!

Excellently written chapter...Exceptionally creepy vampire...

Loved the section at the end with Maxical...*Applauds*....

Nice one... ...

*Applauds heartily*...

HEY! My first comment! Haha.

First of all, I am still trying to catch up on your story (almost halfway through now ) and i just wanted to say how wonderful it is!

Your narrative flow is rather inspirational, manageing to write for a different characters, most in the same character, whilst giving versatility makes for an exciting read!

Also, I love, love, LOVE Maxical! I love her. Great character and great story!

Just thought i'd let you know!

Now back to catching up...

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@ Darkness Eternal - Welcome, and GAAAH !!! You did it again !! I'm coming to you every time I'm struggling to describe something vampirish from now on !!



That is exactly what I was trying to get across, but you said it so clearly here by comparing it to the cocaine addict !!! You have a knack for describing/comparing things that is amazing!

I read one paragraph from your story that reminded me strongly of how grossed out I was in Deepscorn Hollow by the cattle, and those cold bottles of blood laying around in Vicente's lair - Urk! That paragraph of yours inspired that description in mine, lol.

Thank you so much, Darkness Eternal !!! (for both the inspiration and for reading!)

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@ Ghastley - ROFL !! This cracked me up, Thank You so much, Ghastley !!

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@ Acadian - Thank you so much, Acadian !!


Good thing to remember (and worry about). Those women’s first loyalty will always be to their mate, glad you caught that. Thanks again, Acadian!

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@ Athynae - Thank you, Thank You, Athynae !!! What a nice thing to say, I appreciate you a lot !!

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@ King Coin - I’m glad you caught that! Evangeline’s secret is about to become known in the next couple chapters (in case the clues were obscure, lol. I think Treydog called part of it already, though).

These Khajiit women have been taking care of themselves from childhood, and most especially after being tossed out in the streets with no one sliding rotten fruit in to them. They have their own way of doing things that is quite effective and has kept them alive so far in some of the most dangerous places in Cyrodiil. Watch out Foxy, and see how these cats protect Uriel, ROFL !!

Thank you so much, KC !!!!!

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@ Treydoggie - Thank you so very much Treydog !! Yeah, I have always had a lot of trouble believing in 65 years only two attempts were made on Uriel and that both succeeded completely. (Jagar Tharn and Mankar Camoran via the Mythic Dawn).

I figure either many more attempts were made that failed, or his security was so lax it wasn’t funny. Well, he had great security till Malan kidnapped Foxy, so now we’ll see what he has, lol. Urk !! Thank you so much for your kind words, Treydoggie !!!!

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@ Grits - It is, in a way. Everything that has been happening has been fulfilling the prophecy of Uriel’s dreams that Akatosh has been providing, but he really doesn‘t have a good idea of who the players are now that Damien is being impersonated by Malan.

Malan spent his lifetime trying to get that throne via Hassildor, he will stop at nothing now that it is within his grasp.

Gils is working with Uriel’s Imperial Army still, I probably should do one of those faction update sheets, lol.

Thank you so much, Grits !! What a nice thing to say, I appreciate that so much !!

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@ McBadgere - Thank you so much, McB !!! I know from what you said on Darkness Eternal’s thread that you are not big on reading about vampires, and so appreciate you sticking it out through this section where the worst of them is going to have to be shown. You ROCK !!!

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@ Tábrasa - YEAH !!! Thank you so much for reading, Tábrasa !!!


This made my day Big Time !!! Thank you so much (I love her too, lol) !! It means a lot that you are taking the time to go through the story, I know it is a long one, lol. Thanks so much Tábrasa !!!


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Chapter 131: Uriel’s Nightmare




******* Uriel Septim


Uriel tossed uneasily on his bed. Despite being both physically exhausted and mentally drained, his eyes remained open and his mind churned. Something didn’t feel right, something he couldn’t quite put his finger on.

What was to come was imminent, of that he was sure. The time and the destiny he could see unfolding before him; Maxical and Nisaba here together. All Cyrodiil would be relying on Maxical, and she was unready…she was unfit. Nisaba…that had yet to be seen.

The Prince of Destruction was awake and on the move, he could feel it in his bones. Maxical confirmed that as well, she herself had felt the gods were moving into place for battle. Akatosh gave predictions of trials before the end, they were happening now…this war…there will be blood and death before the end.

Everything was coming together too soon, why now? Akatosh wasn’t wrong, he couldn‘t be. Maxical’s age was off on those documents, it must be…but by how much?

Uriel surged up from the bed as sudden thought struck. Was she already of age?

A chill shivered down his spine. “Gods give me strength…”

Uriel touched the heavy amulet on his neck, fingering the large ‘Chim-el Adabal’ in the center. Could the souls of former reigning Emperors within the stone have given him guidance he would have welcomed it. He did draw a measure of strength and determination from the action, but no answers.

Uriel paced across the room, tugging the curtains back open as he passed each to fill the room with daylight. Where was Foxy’s man with that report? What was taking so long? He must ready Maxical immediately…was it already too late to send her with Foxy?

Uriel stopped in the window facing to the northeast and fingered the stone again. The northeast, where Camoran’s main base lay…and oddly enough, where both Maxical and Nisaba entered Cyrodiil together. Cheydinhal rested dead-center between the two.






***


The significance of that remained obscured, but Uriel did not believe in coincidence. Everything had a symmetry and purpose, nothing was synchronistic accidentally. Certainly in this case he was proven right in that.

Four freed slaves, all from Hlormaren…no Dunmer stronghold would ever have freed four healthy adult slaves at the same time, especially when the two men were both high-ranking. All left the Bitter Coast together, crossed the Septim’s Gate Pass and entered the Shadowgate Pass together. Both of the women with child when they crossed the most dangerous passages in Tamriel and delivered the infants en route. What could have been important enough to undertake such a journey in that condition? There must be some significance in the timing of that journey…time and destiny.

Both girls were dropped at the Imperial Compound Orphanage in spite of the parents parting company in Cheydinhal, both left the orphanage at the same time. Their paths couldn’t have been more different then, yet they crossed again just as both were called into service by Akatosh. There were no coincidences here, they were ordained to live parallel lives.

There couldn’t be but a month or two between their births, but being delivered in those mountain passes had no proper documentation. The travel papers Maxical’s parents carried were destroyed in the attack that killed them, but what of Nisaba’s? If she came to the orphanage with any paperwork the Elder Council would have it on file right here in the Palace records…but he couldn‘t ask for it without revealing her importance…not even to Foxy. Akatosh had been clear on that, commanded it.

Of all, that order was hardest to follow. He trusted Foxy above anyone. If he could just find proof of Nisaba’s age it would give him some measure of the time he had left. Was it his destiny to not know the hour or day? Time had become an intangible uneasiness that gnawed at his mind, eroding his sleep and health…eroding his sanity. Knowing what was to come but not knowing when was a corrosive acid eating through him.

“Gods give me strength…”














***


Uriel paced to the window with the western view. The sight of the sun gleaming off the Rumare was usually calming, but not today. What ailed Foxy this morning, unable to remember plans made yesterday? He fidgeted with the heavy drape to open it even further. Why had he never mentioned raising Alix Lencolia, even when recommending Alix for the post training Blade to the Legion? What else did he not know of the man?

What did he really know about him? Uriel sank down on the bed, suddenly feeling vulnerable. Nothing. Foxy knew everything about him, but he knew nothing of Foxy…literally nothing, except that he‘d been by his side over thirty years handling security for him.

Uriel eased back down onto the pillows slowly. Foxy never gave cause to doubt his loyalty or honesty. There was no one Uriel trusted more, the man held Uriel‘s life in his hands…………held his life in his hands…

A chill went down Uriel’s spine at those words. Akatosh predicted two would stand true, and one would be found to be his enemy. For months he’d assumed the latter was Ocato. But now…now there were three, and Ocato was not one of them. Foxy, Maxical, and Nisaba.

Foxy was both the most famous and infamous assassin in all Tamriel. How had such a trust developed between them? But no, the trust wasn’t between them. Uriel had assumed it was mutual till now, but was it really? When had he gone from realizing what Foxy was…to placing his protection and security into his hands?

Uriel pounded his pillow in frustration. This doubt was brought about by Maxical, inferring not to count Foxy as friend lest he find instead he was his mark. The child was ridiculous, what assassin waits over thirty years for his kill? Foxy had more than proved his loyalty.

Feeling satisfied that could be laid to rest, Uriel stretched across the bed, adjusting his pillows for comfort and forcing his eyes to close. But like an unseen buzzing gnat he felt it, something niggling against his nerves just barely out of grasp.

Uriel’s eyes flew open and he surged up from the bed. That was it!

Foxy had followed Malan’s trail into the caves. Uriel instructed the agents at the mansion to contact him immediately if anyone came into that house from any direction…no matter who they appeared to be.

How had Damien returned without Uriel getting notice of his arrival? Was there another route back, or had the men not followed orders? If they had breached security, Uriel needed to know.









***



Several times while thinking Uriel had become aware of an odd humming noise. It had become quite loud now, what was it?

“FOXY!” Within too few seconds the door gapped slightly. What had he been doing so close to his chamber door?

“Sire?”

“What is that sound, do you hear it? My head pounds, I can‘t sleep…”

“That sound is Khajiit purring. They must be in the room opposite your wall.”

“How can you say it is a soothing sound if it irritates through a wall? Gods give me strength…my head aches with tension, I‘ll not sleep a drop.”

“Let me go move them to a room farther from yours.” Damien pulled the heavy drapes back across the windows, throwing the room into pitch darkness. “This should help some.”

“When you return, I have some questions I need to ask you.”

Damien paused in the light coming in the door and nodded, pulling the door to behind him. If anything, the sound got louder when Foxy went in to move the women. Then it slowly eased off. Laying there in the pitch blackness of the room, his tension higher than he ever remembered it being…and suddenly Uriel felt vulnerable.

Akatosh had shown him his end, it was not here in this bed…but something was not right, he could feel it in his bones. What had Foxy been doing listening at his door while he slept?

He slipped from the bed and mounded the quilts into facsimile of a man sleeping, then felt along the wall till he found the chair he’d draped his armor on. Uriel slid the silver blade from the sheath and then pushed himself into the corner of the wall behind the chair, grasping the chair itself to use as a shield. He gapped the drape slightly so a thin beam of sunlight cut across the room toward the door, then waited. His heart pounded loudly in the silence of the room, his armpits and forehead began dampening with trickles of sweat.






***


The stress of waiting had become unbearable. Better to armor up and go face the enemy than lay in wait this way. Even as he released the chair the door eased open without a sound. Damien slid in quietly, then gapped the door slightly wider. Two Khajiit women stepped in.

Uriel gripped the chair, ready to raise it as a shield if needed. “What are they doing here in my room?”

“I told them you had the headache, that they must move elsewhere to give you peace. They all offered to cure it for you…all but your Champion, that is. Any of them can cure your tension, all Khajiit are Dream-Catchers. I chose these two because they were the cleanest.”

“Have you lost your senses, bringing me guests of the Palace to breed? You yourself know what these women endured, why they were offered this haven. Do you think I would treat them no better than the monster who did this to them?”

Damien blinked looking stunned. “Monst…er…what? They are not here for breeding, Sire. Had I thought that is what you sought I would have chosen the oldest three that have been prostituting. Dream-Catching is a form of healing unique to Khajiit because they are able to purr. It is done all through Tamriel in many of the Royal houses. Helseth and Pelagius both slept with piles of Khajiit in their bed.”

“They both went stark mad!“ Uriel signaled the women. “You may both return to your room.”

“The Khajiit kept their madness at bay long enough so they could rule.” Damien said pointedly, indicating Uriel hiding naked behind a chair.

Uriel saw his chance. He pointed at Nisaba, obviously the younger of the two women.

“She can’t even be of legal age, Foxy. She can’t be in my quarters. Take them back to their room immediately, then return. I must speak with you privately.”

“I’ve seen her documents myself, she is fully twenty-one.”

A trembling started in Uriel’s legs. That was it then. Maxical was twenty one. The end was here. His head throbbed with tension, the pressure of blood pounding in his temples was so great he thought he may have a stroke.

Uriel raised his hand to touch his temple, but it brushed the ‘Chim-el Adabal’ and he paused in mid action. The souls of his predecessors. He would not face his apportioned fate with any less dignity than they had in their time.

He took a deep breath and planted his feet to steady himself, turning it over in his mind. Knowing it was now, in this he was blessed. The relief…rid of that worry, the wondering. Must act immediately with the time left; strategy and action, strike the enemy down at every turn…and prepare within for the hour, that he throw no shame on the Septim name.

His hand clasped the ‘Chim-el Adabal’ briefly. Give me the strength to fall as an Emperor should…armored and armed, the enemy falling at my feet to the second of my last breath.

Despite his naked state, Uriel pulled himself up to his full height, raising his head high and forcing his shoulders back.

Damien was framed in the doorway, the light from the room beyond illuminating his face. His eyes looked startled behind the face mask, he stared at Uriel and sputtered. “Sire…Sire, I…I’ll…not let it…happen.”

The Khajiit standing beside Damien was gaping at him, slack-jawed. Nisaba’s tiny face was raised up toward his, her eyes shining across the darkened room in a look that would have taken a younger man’s breath away.

“This is Sire...from Nisaba's dream.” She whispered.



*

My mALX senses were tingling

This is an excellent chapter. It brings more mystery to Nisaba and Maxical, though at the same time it brings some sort of explanation to their bond. I love it! ♥

OK, I'm just shaking with anticipation now, that was intense. (But somewhere in the shadows I kept expecting something to accidentally explode or at least catch fire because Max dropped a torch or something, lol)

This was great, seeing inside a mind tortured with the knowledge that death is at hand but knowing there is still much to be done, trying to put all the pieces together. Incredible stuff here mALX!!

I can hardly wait for more, soon please.....

I could quote the entire thing but you've already done that so, I say 'ditto', with one addition, I'd highlight the entire last segment....

I really like the beginning with the emperor. He knows something isn’t right (beyond the vampire invasion), he just can’t figure out what it is at this point. The bit about Nissy’s and Maxical’s parents was very good. Even though we knew that already, I’m glad you went over it again.

I knew Uriel would figure it out eventually. He just needed some time to think things over. Uriel’s way of getting Nissy’s and Maxical’s age was great!

“This is Sire...from my dream.” She whispered.
Loved this! I cannot wait for the next chapter! What an excellent way to end this one though.

Awesome. Uriel's infamous vision/dream has happened. The fate of Cyrodiil begins! Woot. I am anticipating the vampire attack too.

Oh, well done, mALX!

You quite opened up the Powerwagon of prose as we journeyed into Uriel’s restless mind:
'Time had become an intangible uneasiness that gnawed at his mind, eroding his sleep and health…eroding his sanity.'

But, as ever, you also administered a traditional dose of mALXish wit:
“They both went stark mad!“ Uriel signaled the women. “You may both return to your room.”
“The Khajiit kept their madness at bay long enough so they could rule.” Damien said pointedly, indicating Uriel hiding naked behind a chair.'

So time waits for no man, fox or cat and it is upon us!

This whole chapter gave me goose bumps. First you showed us Uriel tormented by what he doesn’t know, trying to put the pieces together. Then when the worst comes true and he realizes that he is out of time, he pulls himself together to face it. Naked Uriel was majestic here finding his strength. With phrases like “apportioned fate” in his mind, those thoughts were so clearly him.

Then Nisaba at the end, that was a shiver inducing moment!!

If I ever need to write Uriel Septim, I’ll look to this chapter for inspiration. This is one of my very favorites!

At least this Emperor knows he needs new clothes... ...

...

...

An excellent chapter, told from a brilliantly realised character...

It's horrible knowing that unfortunatness is coming soon...It has been a pleasure reading your version of Uriel...It so has...

The Malan/Damien is sooo creepy...

Just don't leave us in suspense too long about the real one though... ...(Yeah, like I can talk... )...

Aaamywho...I believe the internet ate my previous answer and I'm sorry I never checked... ...

Most excellent chapter...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

This looks like it's coming to a climax ... unless Uriel is really Agronak, and Nisaba is really an Argonian.



It appears that it's not just premonitions, there's some actual logic behind his concerns, but it's not clear to me yet if he's decided who to believe.

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@ Jacki Dice - Spidey senses? Lol. The intricate bond between Maxical and Nisaba runs deep, they've only uncovered a few of its layers so far. Thank you so much Jacki !!!

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@ Athynae - Thank you so very much Athynae !!!! How nice of you to say, I so appreciate your kind words !!! It means a lot to hear that Uriel's struggle came across exactly as you described it, because that was exactly what I was trying to show - so Thank You again !!! That made my day !!!

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@ King Coin - Thank you so much KC !!! It was so long ago that information came in that I was concerned it would not be remembered - should have known better !! It all goes back to a little clear jar of yellow Nordish Whiskey in my first story that I thought everyone would remember - and no one did. So when I mentioned it again, for some reason everyone thought it was a jar of Maxical's pee being passed around all over Cyrodiil, ROFL !!! Since then I've tried to remember if it's been a while since something was brought up, to refresh the info, lol. Thank you so much KC !!!

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@ Darkness Eternal - It's coming soon !! Lol. And yeah, Uriel's timeclock is ticking down now. Thank you so very much Darkness !!!

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@ Acadian - You picked out my two favorite places, lol. Malan is great against smaller opponents like Janus Hassildor, but is completely out of his league around the real Damien, around Uriel Septim...and hopefully around Fathis. I'm so glad you caught that one line, it was probably the only place I laughed writing that chapter. You ROCK !!! Thank you so much Acadian !!!

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@ Grits - Oh Grits, what a nice thing to say !!! Thank you so much !! And yes, the "apportioned fate" was pulled directly from his game dialogue. Uriel is harder to write for than even Damien, because there are samples of Uriel's wording in game that are kind of "floral" - meaning I have to try and keep with that theme in his thinking and speech. I find myself writing his lines to get across the point and then editing them fifty times to make them sound "old man" type speech, lol. Hearing that from you made all that extra work worthwhile, Thank You so much Grits !!!

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@ McBadgere - My mom used to read that story to me when I was little, lol. (The Emperor's New Clothes). Thank you so much, McB !!!

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@ Ghastley - He wasn't having premonitions, just an unsettled feeling that he should be remembering something that wasn't sitting right with him, I'm really glad you caught that line! He's been warned by Akatosh that two will stand true and one will end being his enemy - and no, he hasn't figured out which one is the enemy yet. He is kind of paranoid now, but with good reason, lol. Thank you so much Ghastley !!!

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*** There is a cameo of Treydog in this chapter as the Palace Smithy. (His position prior to becoming a reporter at the Black Horse Courier).




Chapter 132: When Time And Destiny Meet


******* Uriel Septim


Nisaba took a step toward Uriel. “Sire did kindness for Nisaba and sisters. Khajiit owe kindness back…but have nothing.” She held up her two hands, turning them from side to side as if showing they were empty. “Sir says we give Sire no headache from tension or must leave.”

“Sir says?” Uriel darted a glance at Damien. He gave an extended shrug, Uriel gathered to indicate he wasn’t sure what she meant.

Nisaba looked up at Damien and tugged his arm. “Tell Sire.“

Damien shifted his weight from one foot to the other and cleared his throat before answering.

“In the Khajiit culture, a kindness must be repaid. They have nothing to offer but their healing. If you reject their kindness, they cannot accept yours.” Damien spoke quietly, his eyes watching Uriel’s face intensely through the slits in the mask.

Uriel was made tangibly uncomfortable by the stare. Why was Foxy pushing this situation on him?

“There must be some other task they can perform.” Uriel scoffed. Damien shook his head no.

“They will have to leave if you refuse them.”

Nisaba nodded. “It honors Nisaba to heal Sire’s head. Sister honored to warm his feet.” She pointed at the other Khajiit standing beside Damien, who nodded vigorously and stepped forward.

“Nisaba catch dreams for Sire. Khajiit sisters warm Sire’s feet. Enjoy Sire’s kindness…stay in Palace.”

Uriel didn’t like being forced into the position of being trapped by another’s cultural demands. In his reign he had been well known for his ability to deal diplomatically in any situation where culture differences presented, but in truth he had always sent Fathis in to handle any really touchy negotiations.

Fathis would never have brought these women to his chambers and discussed anything in their presence, the situation would have been completely handled satisfactorily before Uriel himself even became aware of it.

For decades Uriel had attributed the same discreet diplomacy to Foxy as well, in all this time the man had never put him in such an uncomfortable position…until today. That Khajiit had their own very different culture, Uriel had no doubt. But hadn’t Foxy spent an hour this morning proving he was nearly an expert on them?

As angry as Uriel was for being put on the spot this way, this situation must be handled with extreme care. Was it possible Nisaba would really leave the Palace? He couldn’t risk that, chance something happening to her. Nisaba was as bound up in his destiny as Maxical was.






***


The enemies were well aware of the role Maxical was to play for Akatosh, yet made no attempts to remove her. From what Damien discovered, they considered her high visibility would make tracking her movements extremely easy…and thought her so inept as to be no threat. Uriel needed them to keep thinking that.

The high visibility was truth. She drew attention everywhere she went, whether due to her penchant for getting into trouble or her appearance. She was the only known albino Khajiit in Tamriel, and the contrast of that red hair and white fur was noticeable even from distances.

Nisaba had no unique features to distinguish her from any other Khajiit, drew no attention to herself…and no one knew of her existence or calling. While the enemy’s eyes were trained on Maxical, Nisaba would slip quietly by…his secret weapon.

But Nisaba couldn’t do this alone, they were both needed. While Nisaba worked the covert operations, he had to shape Maxical into a devastating force.

The Khajiit’s presence would inhibit him from questioning Foxy, at least for now…but their words made the decision for him. He could not risk Nisaba leaving.

Uriel signaled Damien to go. “Guard the chambers.”

When the door was closed behind Damien, Uriel grabbed his robe off the dresser top for cover and stepped from behind the chair. He went to the door first, sliding the bolt across and turning the key in the lock. Back on the windowed side of the room he leaned his sword up against the nightstand, lighting the candle there and tugging the gapped curtain shut.

When he turned back Nisaba’s sister had disrobed and positioned herself across the foot of the bed.

“Stop! There will be no breeding, Sir Damien assured me this was merely a healing technique.”

“No breeding. We heal from fur to skin, no clothes.” Nisaba gently tugged at his unfastened robe and pointed to the bed.

Akatosh’s prediction rolled through his mind…two would stand true, one would be his enemy. If Nisaba was the one, he was completely vulnerable in here! Why had Foxy brought these women to his chambers rather than discuss the situation with him? Had he even searched them for weapons?

Uriel’s head throbbed, the pulse in his temple pounded. Should he keep the sword handy for his own quick access or secure it against theirs? He carefully slipped out of his robe and eased onto the bed, keeping his hand on the hilt of his sword throughout.

“Visitors are not allowed in my chambers, Sir Damien knows this. I cannot relax this way…Nisaba, wait in that chair by the window where I can see you.” He felt foolish gripping his sword in bed, but better the fool than dead. He waved the woman at the foot of the bed to begin.

The Khajiit pressed her stomach against the bottoms of his feet and began purring against them, kneading his ankles gently.






***


Uriel’s feet had always stayed overly warm in bed, he normally slept with the covers pulled off them. The Khajiit felt uncomfortably hot against them. He stayed tensed, both from the worry for his safety and in stifling the instinctive urge to kick the covers off whenever his feet were hot.

Aside from that, the purring against the bottoms of his feet felt…glorious. A foot massage that through some magic extended up his entire leg, easing strained and cramped muscles he hadn‘t realized were there.

The feel of his feet being too hot faded into the pleasure of the massage, even when sweat began trickling along his inner thighs. The bones and muscles of his legs felt rejuvenated…young. A foot soldier receiving this treatment could easily leap from the bed and run, even after a long hard day’s battle. They would be unstoppable, could not lose.

Uriel signaled Nisaba. She slid the dress from her shoulders and let it fall slowly to the floor, then blew the candle out before easing down on the bed beside him.

The massage of Nisaba purring on his back had an opposite effect. Instead of rejuvenating it relaxed, eased tensions. He felt his hand slackening on the sword hilt as she pressed close against his back, her velvety fur a fiery warmth against his skin. The purring rolled waves of vibrations through him, tingling even the hairs of his head. The pressure in his temples began easing, then was gone…he couldn’t even say when it stopped. His eyelids began to droop, his mind lulled into drowsiness. This was exquisite luxury. The sword lay loosely in his slackened hand.

Uriel couldn’t be sure when it started, he may have dozed. Maybe she’d been doing it throughout and he’d not noticed till now. Nisaba was curling her tail gently along his inner leg. Her silken arm moved softly up his side, tingling him awake.

“Gods give me strength…” Uriel whispered, fighting the response that was already there.

Nisaba moved her mouth slowly up his neck till it reached his ear, then whispered softly into it, “If Sire want pleasure, Nisaba’s sister leave.”

Uriel waved his hand at the foot of the bed. Nisaba kicked her sister. The sound of the bolt sliding and key turning was followed by the door gaping quickly and then closing again.






***


“Nisaba lock door for Sire?”

“You don’t have to do this, Nisaba. If you stay with me, it is by your choice.”

“Nisaba choose. Lock door?”

“Nisaba, you must understand this…there can be nothing between us but the time we share in here. When we leave this room, there can be no indication. I offer no promises, do you understand?”

“Nisaba understands time and destiny. Sire is destiny, he has no time for love.” She took his hand and pressed it over her heart. “Nisaba has time for love, share pleasure with Sire now. Nisaba will remember time with Sire when she becomes destiny.”

Uriel took her hand and pressed it to his mouth, nodding. “You may lock the door now.”

Nisaba leaned into his ear when she came back and whispered, “Now Sire see Nisaba’s other dream.”






***


Uriel awoke from a surprisingly dreamless sleep, and with an energy he hadn‘t felt since the nightmares first began disrupting his sleep…longer, he hadn’t felt this way in decades.

He lay with his eyes closed listening to Nisaba’s purring against his back, the vibrations of it still waving all the tension from his mind. He heard her sigh softly and rolled over to face her, resting his chin on her breast.

“The purring does relieve the stress and tension.”

“Sire’s headache gone?” Nisaba whispered. She lifted a handful of his hair and tickled her own cheek with it.

“Nisaba, did you understand the rest of the dream, what it meant? Do you know what you will be asked to do?”

She pulled his hand and rested it over her mouth, then nodded.

“It will be dangerous. Are you afraid?”

She nodded, rubbing a handful of his hair on her cheek.

“You don’t have to do this, Nisaba. I need you, your help…but it is your choice.”

“Nisaba do what Sire ask. Sire will die soon? Sire has no time?”

Uriel rolled over on his back, staring up into the blackness above him. “That is right, Nisaba. Sire has no time.”

“Maxical knows this too.”

“Maxical can’t know this, Nisaba. None of it. No one can. This is just for us to know.”

She nodded. “Maxical knows. She saw Sire’s eyes and cried.”

He rolled back over to face her, rubbing the velvet of her neck gently. “My father said I inherited the Septim temper in triples. It frightened you today, you shouldn’t have been witness to that. You’ll see it again, there is no denying it. Rest easy though, it will never be against you. You have my word on that, and what I said to you in greeting. Do you remember?” Nisaba nodded her head against his cheek.

“That was no prepared speech. In that cave, holding the dresses of all those children…I made a vow here.“ He took her hand and pounded his chest with his own and hers clasped.

“To you, your sisters…to all the children of that cave whose lives were stolen from them. Before my time is over, I will see those responsible in their grave. No other children will live as you had to, you have my word on that. I carried the clothing back with me and gave them over to my smithy, Treydog. He is making a glass covered board where they will be displayed at every execution. We may never find all those children, but in this way they will be present.”

Nisaba’s purring had ground to a halt as he talked. Without her moving, Uriel had the impression she had withdrawn from him, was tense. His words were meant to reassure her, instead they were a reminder of what she had been through. A gaffe, and one he’d rectify before they arose.

He cupped his hand under her chin and raised her face to his.

“I can’t see your eyes in this blasted darkness. If the candles were lit, would I see love as I did last night?” Nisaba nodded.

“We won’t talk of this again, Nisaba. My intention is not to bring you pain. My hope is to free you of it, and the memories. Now come to me. We‘ll find pleasure again and put this behind us.”


*

Ohh I hope this means Nissy's not bound to Malan anymore.

Uriel didn't resist Nissy very much. Not that I blame him. Dream catchers sound wonderful though. Great chapter!

Wow...That was indeed...Warming... ...

Fair dues...These...Grown up, shall we say?...Chapters do make for an interesting dinnertime... ...

Excellently written chapter...Loved it muchly...

So well done!!... ...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily!!*... ...

’and thought her so inept as to be no threat.’
Oooh! Big mistake! Maxical is a threat, even in her sleep. Just ask Falanu or anyone in the Bloodworks or Arcane University! Monkeys, fire, mice and sweetrolls. Seriously though, I loved Uriel's thinking here.

This was a wonderful episode that shows more of Uriel’s paranoid, yet at the same time sound, thinking and the wonderful geisha-like abilities of Khajiit. By pointing out that Maxical was also aware of Uriel’s destiny, you once again demonstrate how tightly these three destinies are linked.

It was fascinating to watch Uriel deal with a delicate situation without his crew to handle it for him.

The whole part with naked Uriel worried about gripping his sword in bed had me rolling, even though his concern was very real. A Khajiit massage sounds awesome.

“Gods give me strength…” Uriel whispered, fighting the response that was already there.

That was perfect! I could HEAR him saying that line! Uriel has got it going on. Perhaps it’s the Dragon Blood that flows through the veins of every Septim. It makes them… more than lesser men.

Also the part where Nisaba was so smooth and sexy with Uriel and then kicked her sister made me laugh. She must have had some dream about him!!

I’m a little worried about the end, where Uriel reminded her about Malan and she got tense. What would he really see in her eyes? Hmm. As always, I can’t wait to find out!

Uriel's discomfort was tangible almost but THAT didn't last long....his connection to Nisaba and hers to him cannot be denied but I do hope that means good will come instead of ill. I do believe though that Uriel is definitely putting the pieces together where the Damien imposter is concerned, sure would be cool if he could escape his bonds and sneak up on Malan...

This was a very touching scene to me, the dialog between Uriel and Nisaba gives the aethereal quality of their relationship such a lovely touch.

Can't wait for more, PLEASE!!

An albino street-urchin to meeting the Emperor of Tamriel--I'm so proud

But in all seriousness, I like where this is going.

*

@ King Coin - Thank you so much KC !! Nissy is still bound to Malan, but she's been on vampire juices. They interfere with Azura's seal. (as does the presence of vampires, so Malan himself being there would have the same effect). I'm really glad you asked that, it was probably a good time to refresh that info in the story and it won't come up till Nissy and Maxical can talk again. Thanks KC !!

*
@ McBadgere - Thank you so much McB !! I just hope I don't write stuff that ruins your appetite if you read it while eating, lol. Thank you McB !!

*
@ Acadian - You caught a lot in your comment. I did think of the Geisha when writing about the Dream-Catchers part !! That you picked up on that is Awesome! The mysterious healing they practice is exactly what I was hoping would come across here, you nailed it! Also, Uriel's battling that paranoia and stress, but his mind is still brilliant. Also, him thinking he can keep stuff from Maxical - he doesn't know Khajiit, lol. Thank you so very much Acadian !!!

*
@ Grits - You recognized another Uriel line, lol. That is one of Uriel's actual lines from the game. And Emperor or not, facing what he is...I thought in reality he'd struggle with paranoia and stress even with the Septim blood that makes him more than most men. My fave line was Nissy kicking the sister, so I'm really glad you liked that !! Now I'm sending two Khajiit women to your house to heal your back up!! Lol. Thank you so very much Grits !!

*
@ Athynae - Thank you so much Athynae !! That dialogue was hard to do, how do you write an Emperor in an intimate moment? I hope I did okay with that, because I was worried as hell it wouldn't come out right, lol. Thank you so much Athynae !!

*
@ Zalphon - Thank you Zalphon !! And for popping in to see me, it has been a long time since you've popped in to see us all !!! You are missed !!

*

*


Chapter 133: The Day Of The Khajiit



******* Maxical (From Page 65, Chapter 130 *** Maxical Section):


Nissy and the sisters sat down with Evangeline immediately and got a quick rundown on how the security of the Palace worked; who had keys, and who had permission to be in the Royal Quarters. Evangeline took Alix the Mouse to her room for the day so he wouldn’t be left unwatched while we worked.

The sisters worked silently and rapidly. By the time we were finished there wasn’t a spot in the Palace they hadn’t stolen something from to secure Uriel’s quarters. When they finished they had completely sealed off all entrances to the Royal quarters except by the main corridor door, which someone had stolen Evangeline’s key to. We jammed up the keyhole and tumblers to make it very hard to turn or pick.

The sisters set up a series of traps in that corridor and stationed three Khajiit at a time to guard it, working in shifts. Communicating was to be done only in Khajiit, and orders given only by the tiny mewls that defied human detection.

“What happens to trespassers?” I put several bottles of the duplicated vampire juices into a sack and handed it to her.

“We’ve got that under control. What are these for?” The oldest Khajiit took the sack.

“We need to divide up, fill all the rooms so no windows are left unguarded. Each room will need its own supply of the juices, let me know when you need more. Nissy and I are taking the room closest to Uriel’s chambers.”

She nodded and signaled the sisters, assigning them to the other two rooms. Nissy and I went in to stake claim on our room and tumble into bed, we were both exhausted. I threw my clothes in a chair and got in first, taking the side against the wall. Nissy followed, but climbed over me and squeezed herself between me and the wall. She started purring loudly.

“Okay Nissy, you can have the wall.” I snuggled up against her back. It was curiously relaxing to feel her purring against me, soothing. I must have fallen into a deep sleep almost immediately, because I remember nothing beyond that.






***


I don’t know how long I’d slept before a loud humming sound interrupted a dream that disappeared from memory as soon as it was broken. I lifted my head, looking around to find the source of the racket.

It was easy to find. For some reason the sisters had piled into our room and were having some kind of purr-fest against the wall. Why weren’t they in their assigned rooms?

Before I could decide if I should wake Nissy, she suddenly pulled out from my arms, trying to scramble over me and out of the tangle of sheets around us. The other sisters stood up and started hurrying toward the door. It opened before they reached it.

“What is it?” I blinked as a dark figure slid into the room. Sir Damien? What was he doing in our bed chambers?

“What are you doing in here? Ever hear of knocking?” I yanked the covers back over me that Nissy had dumped when she climbed out.

The sisters began curling around Sir Damien in what seemed an overly friendly way, purring loudly. Did they think him the Emperor? Nissy knew he wasn‘t, and was all over him too. Were they all just…man hungry? Dear gods…

I was obviously the only one angry at the intrusion. Sir Damien stared at me over the tops of the sister’s heads, his eyes seemed to be boring into mine through the slits of his facemask. As if he transmitted some hostility toward me through them, three sisters glanced back at me with defensive expressions. An involuntary shiver moved down my spine…what was going on?

Suddenly I felt like an outsider, somehow intangibly separated from them. Like a wall of conspiracy had developed between the sisters and Sir Damien that not even I was allowed into.

“Your purring is disturbing the Emperor’s sleep. You women must all move to the other rooms.” He indicated the connecting door, still looking pointedly at me. His eyes glittered strangely through the slits in the mask. Was he on Skooma? Maybe I should alert the Emperor.

“I wasn’t purring, there’s no reason I should have to move.” I pretended to fluff the pillow and lay back down, situating myself comfortably on my side as if I was going back to sleep. Dear gods, my voice sounded like a petulant child even to my own ears. I glanced back up at him to see if the bluff worked.


His eyes were gleaming red behind the mask, and he appeared to be swallowing hard. A bit of drool glistened on the corner of his mouth and he swiped it with his sleeve. Had I riled his temper? Good. He riled mine by appearing in my bedchamber without knocking, or waiting for permission to enter…although obviously I was the only one upset by that.






***


Sir Damien hadn’t moved from the doorway, but somehow gave the impression of closing in on me. I sat back up quickly. Without taking his eyes off me he began speaking again. What he said next floored me.

“The Emperor has commanded two of you attend him in his chambers, he is having trouble relaxing. Anyone unwilling to perform their duty will find themselves in the street, war or no.”

I gasped in shock. “I refuse! Emperor or not! I’ll leave right now, no one can order me to forntifake…er…fornketate!“ Had I been dressed I would have leaped from the bed right then.

An amused look flashed in Sir Damien’s eyes and his mouth twisted briefly. One eyebrow cocked in my direction. I pulled the sheet higher to my neck.

“I’m going…er, I can’t get up till you leave the room.”

He gave a low laugh. “You can rest easy, he specifically requested you not be one of the two.”

“They’ll refuse too…“

He cut me off and proved me wrong. “Who volunteers?”

“This one stay in Palace!“ “No, choose this one! No live in street!”

“What is this…fornkiflake?” One sister asked.

“She said fornkeflate…er, don’t know, it Cyrodiilic.” Nisaba shrugged, then looked at me. “What is meaning?”

“It’s fornectate.” I corrected. With the fingers on one hand I made a circle and ran one finger from the other hand through it. They all held their hands up and imitated what I’d done. I waved my hand to stop them.

“No-no, not that! He wants pleasure.”

Sir Damien gave a genuine laugh. “Ah, nothin’ entertains like Khajiit Lassies.” His voice, his accent…for that second he sounded so different…but there was something familiar in it. I leaned forward and stared at him, trying to place a face with that voice…trying to look below the mask. Where had I heard that voice before?






***


An argument between the three oldest sisters broke out. It turns out they had been prostituting for little more than meals, nothing as good as they had received here. They began comparing their qualifications.

Sir Damien held his hand up and silenced them. “One must warm his feet. The other…”

Nissy broke in hissing, “Sisters only warm Sire’s feet. Nisaba only one pleasure Sire.“

Sir Damien glanced stunned at Nissy, but he pointed at her and one sister. You two, get dressed and I’ll brief you on what is expected.

I was obviously alone in feeling offended…again. The sisters…of course they would do anything it took to stay in the comfort and protection of the Palace, I don’t blame them for that. Three had been prostitutes anyway, and for a lot less than they’d eaten here already. Nissy…I knew why she was willing. Hopeless love.

Overall, I was disgusted. Was this why he invited all these women to stay in his family quarters? Sure, he had a reputation for dropping bastards all over Cyrodiil…maybe I shouldn’t have been shocked, but I was…and sickeningly disappointed. He wasn’t the man I thought him to be. I lost all respect for Uriel at that moment.

After everyone left I felt alone, lonely like I hadn’t felt for a long time. I yanked the heavy drapes closed and blew out the candles, but couldn’t fall sleep. How could he do that to these women? My image of Uriel Septim was shattered. It made me want to cry…I did cry.






***



It must have been hours later when I was awakened by the sounds of passion coming from Uriel’s suite. I pulled the pillow over my head, clamping it tightly against my ears to block it out. I had barely gotten back to sleep when I felt someone climbing into the bed. Nissy must have finished her duties very quickly.

Before I could remove my hands from the pillow over my ears and roll over I felt an intense heat stroking over me. Was this an apology? Though why she should apologize to me…it wasn’t her fault. The gentle caressing was beginning to take a turn.

“Nissy don‘t, what are you doing?“ I whispered, lowering my hands and pushing the pillow down from my ears. The sounds of passion were still coming from Uriel’s chambers.

Before I could blink the air became chokingly thick, it was impossible to breath suddenly. I clawed at my throat, wondering if I would strangle before I could reach a window to throw it open.

Something sharp pierced my neck, then immediately lips closed down with such force I let out a strangled scream from the pressure of it. My face was being pushed down into the pillow and I struggled to turn around…who was doing this? By now there was no doubt it was a man. He held me crushed against him, and it was obvious I wouldn’t be intact if I didn’t get free now.

My claws unsheathed and I raked anything and everything I could reach. I shredded his arm but it barely loosed its hold. In one hard twist I managed to reach his face, clawing frantically with everything I had. They hit the thick padding of a face mask.

“S…Damen…” Was all I could choke out.

His hand covered my mouth, pushing my head to the side while his lips covered the aching spot on my neck. I saw the green light of a spell being cast over and over again. Illusion…was he trying to paralyze…or just calm me? I bit down on the hand over my mouth and heard a curse against my neck.

That split second was the chance I needed. I spun and rammed my knee as hard as I could twice, the second time it hit what I was aiming for. My claws dug into his chest, ripping his velvet vest to shreds.


“Shiiiiigaaah Lass….[censored] mistake…urk!“ He groaned as my knee found its mark again.

“Get off me you [censored] [censored] [censored]!” Not even Gils had ever touched me the way he had tried to.

His curses matched mine. “Ye wrong me, Lassie…thought ye were ta other, argh urk [censored] [censored] [censored]!”

“Next time I’ll be armed!” I threatened, sure he was lying.






***


The connecting door opened and two of the sisters started into the room, their fur fully bushed. Sir Damien jumped up quickly and moved toward them, throwing an apology over his shoulder.

“My apologies, Maxical. I had no idea that was you in the pitch dark, thought you were one of the women. They were expecting me to ‘visit’ with them. Come girls, I meant to join you in your room…took a wrong turn.”

They hesitated, staring at me…but when he passed through the doorway, they followed him. As the door was closing I heard him say “Traven should have a statue erected…ha! Too bad I can‘t repeat that.”

What was that about? And…twice tonight his accent changed…his voice so familiar, why?

My hands trembled trying to light the candelabra on the dressing table. I took a deep breath before leaning over to check my neck in the looking glass. Somehow I thought it would be bruised…maybe even bloody. I lowered the candle, slowly setting it down. There was nothing, no mark…nothing.

Within very few minutes of Sir Damien entering the other room the sounds of passion began emitting loudly through the closed connecting door. Obviously my knee hadn’t incapacitated him…and obviously he wasn’t lying about having an assignation to mate with those women.

I sank down in the chair, staring unseeing at the looking glass. Was it all a mistake? It had been pitch dark in my room, he could very well have mistaken one Khajiit for another in the blackness. It probably was just a calming spell he was casting…and probably all an honest mistake.

It suddenly struck me how frail my friendship with the women really was. They were bonded to each other, but not to me. Nissy was the only one that I could count on…I hoped I could at least. As if conjured by thoughts of her, the sounds of passion began starting back up from Uriel’s suite. Dear gods.

I swiveled Fathis’s wedding ring on my finger. That was why Sir Damien’s spells failed. Fathis must have enchanted his family ring with total resistance to magic because of my disorder. Had I known that, I may have been wearing it all this time. I had only just slid it on last night, watching the war…realizing…facing that Fathis was dead. I kissed the ring, vowing never to remove it again…and thanking Fathis for protecting me even after his death.

Dear gods I felt so alone.



*

Why did Nissy take the wall? I found it funny that she climbed over Maxical for it. More dream catching!

Damn it is confirmed then. They are still bound to Malan.

AHH! Poor Maxical was being fed upon!! I’m so relieved that she got him off of her!

Jeez he must have scrambled her mind if she doesn’t know what had just happened.

Dear gods I felt so alone
Powerful line.

Come on Maxical! You know that isn’t Damien, you need to say something! I can't say that even though I want to!

*Applauds!*...

Excellent... ...

So powerful and moving and funny all at the same time...

All the censoreds had me in stitches... ...

Brilliantly done...

Looking forward to more...

Nice one!!... ...

*Applauds heartily*...

Wonderful image there.



The entire inner monologue of Uriel as he tries to find the way to hold the Empire together- to see to Dagon’s defeat- even as he knows he will not survive to see it- just incredibly well written.

And Uriel again nearly catches the false Fox out- when he refers to him as a “monster.” But- not yet. The tension is getting to me as well, sitting safe in my chair.



Wow. Just... wow.

The scene with Nisaba was handled with wonderful tact and skill. There is so much tied up in there that it takes the breath away. Beautifully done.



Proving once more that Maxical has good instincts.

And- if I had not wanted to cause Malan a slow, lingering death for all the other evils he has perpetrated, what he tried to do to Maxical would have sealed his fate.



And that, unfortunately, is often the fate of the hero- the one who must stand alone.

These are some brilliant chapters here, mALX. Simply stunning.

UGH!!!! Another one of those horror movie things, like KC I wanted to yell at Max. Now I am deeply concerned though, what does Nisaba's sisters still being attached to Malan mean for Max? And what will Nissy's attachment to Uriel mean for her and Max? And where is Damien, surely the foxy fox is talented enough to escape his bonds?

What are we to do? How can we save Max?

Sign in and find out same vamp time same vamp channel....

Sorry, had a childhood flash back....I did love this one as much as the others. Poor Max the truth is right there on the tip of her brain she just doesn't quite see it yet...

MORE MORE MORE

SOOON!!!!!!!!

Fascinating and poignant to watch as Maxical struggles to sort it all out. So close. . . .

You did a magical job of showing how she does indeed not quite fit in with her sisters Khajiit.

Ever the optimist, I shall take comfort in seeing that Sir Malen in disguise is inept enough that given just a bit more time, he will be revealed to Uriel and/or Maxical as the foul beast that he is. The real nail biter for me here is what will the sisters do?

I know Maxical believes Fathis is dead. . . but, can it be? We have not seen a body to prove loss of the powerful battlemage. Should we accept Maxical’s opinion, or hold onto hope? Are you torturing us?

EDIT: Oh thank you for answering that so quickly below! I feel much better now - validated as an optimist!

I should have cleared this up before when you asked, I am so sorry. Down at the end of the chapter quoted you find this tiny sentence that may have been easy to miss or forget:

I love this display of loyalty, inventiveness, and casual disregard for the concept of ownership shown by the Khajiit women.



How sad and confusing for Maxical. I blame her emotional state for missing the significance that “Sir Damien” was red-eyed and drooling at her. Which by the way, I found just the right amount of creepy and disturbing.

Malan’s attempt on Maxical was even more infuriating since you just showed us how he used Evangeline. Her thoughts about losing Fathis must have been especially painful right as she lost respect for Uriel and felt separated from Nisaba. As bad as I feel for her , I think this is making her stronger.

This was another powerful, moving chapter! Maxical’s internal journey is so compelling.

*

@ King Coin - Thank you so much KC !!! It has been a long time since the chapter that explains Nissy's and the sister's actions, I should have written something in to clarify that - my fault.

Nissy and the sisters getting up against that wall and purring loudly - They are doing what they did in that cave, getting as near to Malan as possible because they are drawn by Azura's seal to him (moonsugar on their tongue).

Malan was hugged up against Uriel's bedchamber door listening to Uriel's thoughts, very close to that spot on the other side of that wall. When he came to the door the women ran toward the door before he ever opened it.

This is actually still the first Dream-Catching, you are just hearing if from Maxical's perspective.

Whenever I'm writing about something that is overlapping like that, I'll write something like this at the top of the chapter :



to let you know that (this is the same incident). That chapter was finding out what really happened when Damien/Malan brought Nissy and the sister to Uriel, and what happened to Maxical while Nissy was in with the Emperor.

- It also tells that the women were threatened to be evicted if they didn't comply, which explains Nissy's statement to Uriel in chapter 132:



Malan/Damien lied to both Uriel and the women. Uriel never ordered the women come, he was mad that Damien/Malan brought them. Malan/Damien told the women Uriel ordered this or they'd be thrown out of the Palace.

Malan was manipulating both trying to get Uriel addicted to Dream-Catching so he could access his mind.

I know a lot of chapters have passed since Maxical met Damien, but it has actually only been a little over one day - she doesn't know him at all, could not determine it is an imposter. She just knows sometimes his accent fails (and when it does she recognizes the voice).

I know any confusion with the plot is my fault, I'll try to be a bit more clear - sorry about that Everyone !!!

And thank you so very much KC !!!!

*
@ McBadgere - Thank you so much McB !!! I'm glad I'm not the only one who likes a string of [censored] on the page !!! Lol, Thanks McB !!

*
@ Treydog - That was well worth waiting for, I could not have asked for kinder words from our resident canine !!! Thank you so very much, Treydog !!!

*
@ Athynae - Lol, you got me tickled with your comment !!! Nissy's attachment to the Emperor won't bring harm to anyone, but her attachment to Malan/Damien might, urk !! Thank you so much Athynae !!!

*
@ Acadian - You caught the gist of the problems here, what will Nissy and the sisters do. Malan is being more inept than usual, you will find out why his cunning is suffering in this upcoming chapter. Thank you so very much Acadian !!!

*
@ Grits - You picked up on every nuance of emotion in that chapter, it was wonderful (and a relief) that it came through just as I hoped it would - Thank you so very much for your kind words, Grits - You ROCK !!!!

*
@ EVERYONE - The last two chapters and this one are tied together - all the same incident, but as seen through the eyes of the three major players in them. In Chapter 132 we saw Uriel's POV, in Chapter 133 we saw what happened to Maxical while Nissy and Uriel were together (and about Malan's manipulation of both the women and Uriel). In this chapter below we see what was going on in Malan's mind, and glimpse a bit more of his trickery.

*

*

Chapter 134: Within Malan’s Mind


******* Malan impersonating Damien “Foxy” Reynard (From Page 65, Chapter 130)


Malan ground his teeth in frustration. With everything within a hand’s grasp from being his, close enough to smell and taste the throne…there had to be a way to overcome this situation Uriel was in, had to be.

He needed time to think, but thinking was nearly impossible because of that damned white Khajiit. She had to be taken care of, the sooner the better. Taking this Palace over required his entire focus, intricate maneuvers and the ability to plan on the fly. She was more than a distraction, she was sapping his senses and draining his thoughts of anything but the aroma of her blood.

There was no escaping the undertone of it…no, it was no undertone. It was enslaving, demanding his attention over every thought or action. Staying fed would not be enough now, not with her this close for such an extended period. It had only been half a day and already it was driving him to madness…calling to him through the walls, taunting and begging him to taste its sweetness. It was a command, and as necessary to obey as breathing. No other blood would sate his nature till hers was silenced.

That thin wall between Uriel’s suite and her room couldn’t obscure her. The vampire in him saw every movement, every sound was amplified and honed with feral intensity. She became a thermal image in a sea of blackness, he watched her climbing into bed…the rising and falling of her chest with each breath…every pulse of that vein in her neck.

Massive willpower turned him from the sight, but the sound of her followed his every move. The need to silence her was driving him mad. The purity of her blood shouted to him in the earsplitting booms of her heartbeat and the deafening roaring of blood through her veins. Every sound not of her was fading into non-existence, he struggled to hear Uriel speaking.

Deep inside him a vibration started, a humming and buzzing that increased in intensity as minutes passed and the need to drink her went un-sated. His heart pounded and the blood in his own veins was rushing in anticipation of tasting it. She was forcing his nature out with Uriel not feet from him.






***


With all the stars or gods working in his favor he could not afford to let her destroy this opportunity for him. He’d discovered all eight Khajiit women living in the Royal Quarters were sealed to him by Azura, there could be no greater sign than this that another realm was smoothing his path to this throne.

Azura’s Seal…one of the greatest gifts of the Daedric realm, but not for the Khajiit herself. They only receive its curse, the gift of it is for her mate. These women are bound by that seal to obey him, anything he asks of them they must do. They will keep his secrets, never expose him. They‘ll fight to their death to defend him. The women…they get nothing from the seal but pleasure in his presence and pain on his departure.

Azura must have loved men and hated the beautiful beasts she’d created, Malan could only count himself very grateful for her. These woman would assure his success in gaining the throne. Malan vowed to erect a shrine to Azura once the Palace was his.

His first order was for them to Dream-Catch each other so they not give his presence away in their sleep. Nisaba would take Maxical’s dreams and keep him informed of them. Everything would be perfect once Uriel became addicted to having the Dream-Catchers. The state he was in, that should take no time at all.

Everything seemed to be going his way…till he discovered what Uriel was facing. The Dream-Catching revealed visions of Uriel’s future that shook the foundation of his plans. Impersonating Uriel Septim would be fine against the numerous assassins aiming at him…but Mehrunes Dagon?

That was a shock, and left him struggling to determine the best way to handle this situation. Impersonating Uriel, Mehrunes Dagon would be attacking him. Controlling his mind wouldn‘t stop the forces coming against him. The only option left would be to kill Ocato and force Uriel to name himself for the position of second-in-command…and stay safe while Dagon fulfilled Uriel’s destiny.

Letting Uriel perish would be a terrible waste, he was probably the greatest mortal Malan had ever met. Lying to him about Nisaba’s age had been a spur of the moment cover. That was before he knew what Uriel was facing. The impact of that lie showed more about the man than anything he’d learned of him in a lifetime.

He knew now he had nearly a year before all Uriel’s visions would come to pass. Uriel would have to be kept alive at all costs till then, the possibility was great that he would need to impersonate him at some point.






***


The sound of a key turning in the lock of Uriel’s bedchamber startled him. Only one Khajiit emerged. Malan raised his eyebrows at her. She made one hand into a circle and ran one finger from her other hand through the center of it grinning.

If Uriel and Nisaba were mating, there would be no more Dream-Catching done. It would be the perfect time to take Maxical down. Uriel would be distracted, and the noise of their own pleasuring would cover any sounds coming from the next room.

It had taken massive strength and willpower not to do it earlier when he stood not feet from Maxical in that room. His fangs had dropped and flooded his mouth with juices, nearly giving him away in the first minutes.

The words had hung on his lips to order the women out, but opening his mouth would have exposed his fangs. With Uriel waiting in the silence of his room, he would have easily heard had he done anything then. But now, now would be perfect. Maxical was sleeping and Uriel was busy.

Malan signaled the Khajiit woman to the room furthest from Maxical‘s. His nature was chaffing for release before he reached the door to her room, a river of juices were already pouring into his mouth in impatient anticipation of the taste to come.

The vibration inside him intensified with a rush, the noise of it deafening now. His heart pounded against his chest and the blood in his veins sounded like thunder roaring in his ears.

In case she woke, he cast a heavy dose of calming over her before easing himself into the bed. The aroma of virgin blood rose up from deep inside her, surrounding Malan like a luring embrace. He inhaled deeply, arousing the vampire to near frenzy. The tremendous pressure to act released like a steam valve as he sank his fangs deeply into that pulsing vein in her neck and drank in the nectar like a man dying of thirst.

An intense pleasure reeled through him, smothering thought of anything but that ambrosia on his tongue. The taste instantly burned a consuming need for more even as each drop was swallowed. There is no stopping, not with virgin blood. It’s an addiction that drives one beyond sanity from the first drop…even before that, the first scenting.

Somehow the spells had failed, Maxical was fighting him like a wildcat. Worse, she realized it was Damien. He badly needed a reason for his attack on her. Thankfully the room was in such pitch darkness that, if worked right it could all be passed off as a mistake. He mentally called the Khajiit in the next room to stand ready and enter on his command.

It was a major battle to heal the wound on her neck. The urge to pierce her again instead was a physical pain, his mouth was right there on the vein and his nature was screaming for more...just one more taste. He strangled back the vampire with every bit of willpower he had, it was crucial no marks be left behind to incriminate him…not now, not with everything within seconds of his grasp.






***


Malan realized he’d made a slight error when the women crashed in to defend him against Maxical’s assault on him. They were fully bushed, and she would have instantly realized he was their mate if they fought to protect him. He hurried to them, signaling them not to engage her. Hopefully she’d think they were defending her against him.

Khajiit could see in the dark, and Malan’s fangs were visibly protruding from his mouth. He exited the room quickly, keeping his back to Maxical. As soon as the door closed he doubled over in pain, not even sure how he had made it across the room. He barely waddled to the bed, casting healing continuously over the wounds she had inflicted on him. The pain was excruciating, damn her.

Damn her! She had nearly cost him everything. She must be wearing some protection against spells, the amulet or one of those rings. Next time he’d remove them first…or better, take her away from the Palace and just wipe her memory afterward.

Malan’s nature was still fully aroused and would not recede with Maxical’s scent in his nose. He needed to feed heavily, sate it well for it the fangs to soften and fold back into their sheaths.

The women allowed him feed on them, but the vampire fought hard against calming. The aroma of Maxical was too strong, too near. The taste of virgin blood was on his tongue now, calling him back with a demanding need that was consuming him. The women’s blood soured in his mouth, he nearly gagged it back out.

Malan breathed in relief when Maxical finally left the Royal Quarters, the pressure eased and his fangs slowly softened and folded into their pockets.


The Khajiit women had saved him from what could have been disaster. Once again he gave grateful thanks to Azura for them. He vowed they’d remain here when the throne was his.

They had put on a good act that covered the sounds of him healing himself, been vocal enough that Maxical could have no doubt what was taking place.

She had to believe it was all a case of mistaken identity. If not, she may run to Uriel with the tale, and Uriel had already shown suspicion of him. It was imperative nothing upset the balance that was already tipped against him.

Although the women would back his story, Uriel would wonder why Damien left him unprotected to dally with women. He would have to outright deny everything, his word against Maxical’s. Right now that was risky odds. The last thing he wanted was to be pushed into the corner, forced to act against Uriel.

Best to be prepared for battle where none exists then find oneself entrapped by it. There could be not a shred of evidence backing her story should she carry it. Other than his tattered vest there would be none, once the wounds she gave him were fully healed.

That vest was tossed to burn in the fireplace, and soon all that remained of it was a charred ash. A similar black velvet vest was retrieved from Uriel’s own family storage chest to replace it. Without a mark on either him or her, she would look the fool if she ran her tale to Uriel now.


*

That presumably means that he does have an accurate account of her/Maxical's age, and I'm confused (as always, or you're not doing your job) about how he got that. But now we have a whole year to figure it out!

I'm probably not doing my job, lol. Sorry about that.

Malan knows Nisaba's real age, not Maxical's. In eavesdropping on Uriel's thoughts he learned that Nisaba and Maxical were born just months apart.

Throughout my story ancient vampires have had the ability to read other's minds, that is why for security sake when dealing with them (everyone blanks their minds of thought).

Uriel is not blanking his mind because he doesn't know there is a vampire there. Malan has been reading Uriel's mind, that is how he learned Uriel is facing his death by the Mythic Dawn and Mehrunes Dagon.

This scene in chapter 131 shows how Malan found out that Nisaba's and Maxical's age being 21 would signal the end for Uriel:




I really need to do a better job of showing where everyone's thought processes are I guess, I apologize everyone.

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I'd missed the point that Malan had acquired his Khajiits as babies, so he knew Nissy's age that way. I'd been thinking he'd collected them later, and wouldn't have that detail.

I will get to this as soon as I am able. I promise!

This guy has a taste for virgin blood, doesn't he? And a taste in women, I've noticed!



Ah, the will to act. I always wondered how intense the thirst would be. He is indeed one of strong mind. What youve wrote about him so far explains this much. A creepy fellow, though. Although how much power can one have?

"But remember this: Sooner or later, the thirst always wins."

… but thinking was nearly impossible because of that damned white Khajiit.
For once Maxical’s disastrous nature is doing some good!

I kind of agree with Malan on Azura.

How does Malan know what Uriel dreams? Can he see it through the Khajiit?
Oh I see you answered that already. Never mind then. More!

So, we get Malan’s perspective. I was fascinated by his take that Azura certainly didn’t do Khajiit women any favors! Thanks a lot, Azura! Not!

If Malan could keep his fangs in his pants mouth, he would have a chance of succeeding. But since he can’t, I am confident he won’t. I’m just curious as to whether it will be Uriel or Maxical that fully clues up first. Uriel would be more likely to put all the pieces together, but Maxical has a Nirn-famous habit of being able to naturally derail things even when she doesn’t understand all the pieces.

Oooh, that's just another juicy part right there that is...

Brilliantly done as ever...

Being a vampire must be damned irratating, that's all I can say... ...

Loves me Maxical I do...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

I agree about Azura. Argh! The Khajiit women really get a raw deal.

Malan’s perspective was very interesting, and it confirmed my guesses from what you have shown in other parts. Which is to say that you’re getting through my usual fog of confusion.

Malan is so close to his goal, and I love that his nature that makes him powerful is also undermining him. Ha!! Take that, you blood sucking… ahem. I was also fascinated by his fear of Mehrunes Dagon and his respect for Uriel. And that led me to concern for what Maxical and Nisaba will eventually face.

But mostly I was pleased that Maxical’s knee really did some damage.

And ANOTHER brilliant installment! The first passage from Malan's perspective draws us skillfully- whether we wish it or not- into the mind of the monster.

There is no way for me to pull out particular quotes from this one- I would just have to copy and paste the entire post. Wonderful.

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@ Ghastley - You were correct in your second posting. Malan got Nissy from the orphanage, so knew her age. In eavesdropping on Uriel's thoughts he discovered how close Nissy's age was to Maxical's. As soon as Malan saw Uriel's reaction, he knew almost the exact timing of Uriel's death (within 2 months depending on whether Maxical is 2 months older or younger than Nissy)

In my story it is mid-October right now. According to the game, Uriel turns 87 on October 30 (30th of Frostfall). He dies August 27 (27th of Last Seed) of his 87th year - so Malan just figured out approximately when Uriel will die (so he'll know not to be impersonating him around that time, lol).

I've been trying to keep the information out there without too much repetitive info, but maybe I need to do a better job, lol. Thank you so much Ghastley !!!

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@ Darkness Eternal - Thank you so much !! It means a lot to get approval for my vampire scenes from you, the resident vampire expert !!!

Malan made a mixture of the most powerful ancient lines combined into a cocktail and injected it into himself. That is how power-mad he is, lol. As for the virgin blood - it is like Kryptonite to only the ancient vampires in my story - a powerful force that even the strongest willpower can't overcome for long.

I would love to read what info you found on the different tastes from the Illac region clans !!! Thanks again Darkness !!

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@ King Coin - The ancient vampires can read thoughts in my story, but Malan is also using Dream-Catchers because with them he can not just read the thoughts, but implant thoughts. Thank you so much KC !!!!

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@ Acadian - I love what you wrote here, this was AWESOME !! :

"Maxical has a Nirn-famous habit of being able to naturally derail things even when she doesn't understand all the pieces."

Thank you so very much Acadian !!!

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@ McBadgere - Thank you so much McB !!! ROFL, irritating being a vampire - you had me rolling with that !!! Thanks again McB !!

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@ Grits - Even with a back ache you managed to glean every nuance of the chapter I hoped would come across, Thank You so very much Grits !!! You ROCK !!!

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@ Treydog - Thank you so very much Treydog !!! Yeah, I hate going there with Malan too, but he tends to be overloaded with charm sometimes and has to show why he is such a creep every now and then, lol. Thanks again, Treydoggie !!

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