*


Chapter 140: Memories Lost



The clock ceased ticking, everything was so silent I doubted if I screamed it would even make a sound. The dome felt like a vacuum, freezing that moment in our positions and expressions as if the gods were recording it while the void rent the sky and spilled its blackness around us till the pitch of it covered all but our faces, the only light an odd reflection off the tears glistening on Nissy‘s cheeks.

In the snatch of a moment I was hovering outside the dome window looking in…at myself, the three of us naught but glowing faces in the darkened dome. The sound of roaring wind was deafening in my ears but the air was dead still, a vacuum or airless pocket that had my hair billowing weightlessly around my face.

Below me I could see Jak circling over the crowds of fighting vampires, that terrible scream of panicked desperation echoing off the buildings on all sides. The piles of bodies shifted in a united slow motion...why were they moving? As if on cue the darkened windows opened with a silence that was so tangible I knew what was about to happen before it did.

“JAAAAK!” My scream sounded isolated in dead air, as if the rushing wind stopped its roar to hear it. His head raised toward me…had he heard?

Jak’s wings spread and thrust with tremendous force just as the barrage of flames shot from both the piles of bodies and the windows, sending him flying in an upward arch directly toward me…fire exploding all around him the whole way.

Had he not flown upward when he did Jak would be dead. It was just a bird, I don’t know why I felt so relieved he had escaped. Despite several hits finding their mark he continued rising toward me; but now with his talons pushing forward and opening, his neck fully extended…his beak was widening to show a gaping maw as he raced toward me…dear gods, did he think me a rabbit dangling here?

I pounded on the dome window screaming just as another loud click echoed over the roaring void around me, the claws on Nissy’s other hand unsheathed and were beginning to move upward in slow motion…dear gods, no…

“Nissy! NO!” I pounded on the dome window screaming it over and over again, could see myself inside the dome beside her frozen like a statue. Why wasn’t I stopping her? Was I even really still in there? Why wasn’t Sir Damien protecting Uriel, where was he?

Jak pushed by me as if I were dangling on a string outside the dome, his terrible scream an echo of my own. His eyes were piercing in at the three of us. He crashed into the dome as if he intended to go through it.






***


My fists looked so small pounding against the glass, the size of a child’s hands; then suddenly I realized it wasn’t the dome window I was pounding on anymore, but an old squared metal frame with heavy glass panes. It looked oddly familiar, like I’d looked through it many times…but now I was outside looking in.

I rubbed my breath vapor from the glass with my arm and peered in…an attic room with small children’s beds. The pattern on the bed quilts suffocated the air in my lungs…I knew that pattern, knew every inch of this room. This was the window into my room at the orphanage! But…hadn’t the orphanage been closed over a decade ago? Why were there children in it?

A tall Altmer man in nice clothes was dwarfing the small childish furniture in the room, towering over two really filthy little Khajiit girls…it was nighttime, what were they doing awake? They were clinging to each other, terrified. Their fur was spiked like only a very young kit’s can, what was scaring them? Why wasn’t the man comforting them? Instead he was arguing with a Legion Captain…Audens Avidius.

I felt my stomach tense…someone else was coming, I don’t know why I knew that. The tall man came to the window, staring right through me as if he couldn’t see me outside the glass. A scream rose up and strangled in my throat…it was Seridur, that vampire the ‘Hero of the People’ warned me about at the music festival…I screamed for help, for the girls to run…it was as if I wasn’t there, no one heard me.

Behind him the girls were crying soundlessly, raising hands with spit gleaming…swearing a vow together. The glistening tears on their cheeks…

A shock went through me…it was me and Nissy. What was Seridur doing in our room at the orphanage? How did he get in? Why weren’t the girls screaming for help?

A draft blew behind me, the roosting pigeons surged up and Seridur started cranking the window open. A bird was circling above, much larger than the pigeons. Seridur leaned out and waved his arm at the bird. I tried to club him with my fist, tried to push past him into the room…but couldn’t do either. My hands went through him, like he was a ghost…or I was. Even with the window open now, something was blocking me from being able to go in. Dear gods I wanted to save the girls, stop what was happening. Why didn’t they scream?

I screamed for help again, but this time no sound came out, only the rushing sound of the void as the large bird landed on the dormer above me…Jak.






***


Audens and Seridur argued in whispers, why wasn’t Audens shouting for the guards? And where were all the guards in the outer yard? …Audens had to have arranged for Seridur to be there, had to have pulled the guards…

As if I was meant to see it, my eyes were drawn to my bed, and there was my mother’s pack right by my pillow. I got that on my home visit with Alix and S’Jirra, Alix gave it to me. The voices reached me then.

“Then pay us half the gold back.”

“I don’t have it, that was spent already paying off the guards.”

“We paid you for these two, you can’t wait till we are here and suddenly back out.”

“I knew nothing about it…something Phillida is pushing through. We’ve never had a beast adopted before, how was I to know this would happen? The paperwork was on his desk when I was pulling their files, look at the names.” Audens handed him a parchment.

“Alix Lencolia…and Fathis Aren? What interest could they have in a Khajiit orphan?”

“Who knows, but anything happens to that white one and they’ll tear the city down. Here’s the documents for the other one, you can take her. Those are the last Khajiit we’ve got, when your partner gets here he can choose another.“

“He is outside now. Let him have the Khajiit, I can’t stand the furry beasts. Show me what else you’ve got then, and hurry.”

“It’ll cost more if you want human or elf, cash up front.”

“Lead on.”

Audens slipped out through the door and Seridur signaled out the window, then followed. The bird hopped down to the sill, then evaporated into a vapor that seemed to roll out from where it had been standing. When it cleared a man stepped out, moving briskly to the door and locking it. When he turned back toward the girls I screamed, it was a Chimer…it was Malan!






***


His bronze colored skin was bared except for an ornamental silk loin cloth and shoulder plates trimmed in gold. On one arm was an armband with the symbol of House Dagoth, looking more like two beetles about to devour each other than anything else. On the other arm dangled gold bracelets encrusted with jewels like I had never imagined existed.

He was more than well muscled, his arms and thighs practically bulged with taut strength and his chest was toned up like a high ranking fighter at the Arena.

Scarier than that was his head, which was a showcase for disproportions as if the gods had argued in creating him.

Huge pointed ears with numerous piercings framed overly large maniacal eyes…or maybe that impression was just a trick of the thick bushy dark brows echoing the eye’s shape and making them appear bulging.

As if to accentuate that impression his forehead was far too short and completely bald, his mouth was excessively wide with full thick lips. His nose was so long it looked like an arrow pointing to the ridiculously short chin.

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/File:MW-creature-Vivec.jpg

His head was a mass of shapes that never should have been on the same face, scary to me at my age…he must have been terrifying to those little girls. Why didn’t I remember this?

Malan cast a spell on one of the little girls, then scooped her sleeping form up and placed it on one of the beds. He picked up the other girl, cradling her in his arms like a babe and as if she wasn’t covered in filth. He was looking down at her face, crooning softly…and then he started singing to her, rocking her gently in his arms. He turned toward me and I gasped, it was as if he could see me outside the window…and it was then that I recognized the song. He was singing the ‘Jack be nimble‘ song.

My throat felt paralyzed, the screams frozen inside. Suddenly I was in there, I was in his arms looking up into his face…terrified. But the song, or something about his voice softly singing…my fear was slowly fading, even to the point that his bulging eyes and huge ears stopped frightening. I saw a tiny child’s hand reach up and tweak at the eyebrows, play with the row of earrings dangling…my hand.






***


I couldn’t be sure if it was my child’s mind realizing he was sifting through my memories or that now watching was when the knowing came, but he was scanning my mind and somehow easing memories out as if they never were…sometimes asking about them in a deep voice, and in Khajiit.

“Such a terrible memory for a young thing like you to carry, I’ll make sure you never have that nightmare again. You don‘t want to remember that horror, now do you?“ I could feel my head shaking no, and suddenly the memories of my mother’s death came in a rush as real as if it was happening right now.

A feral screaming of terror was rising from deep inside me and melding with the word “Momma” over and over again as I huddled beside her bloodied and crumpled form, dear gods the cold glassiness of the yellow eyes that stared at me unseeing…the terrible stench as the minotaur roared heated breath that hung heavily in the air around my face. It had come back for her.

My fists only reached his shins when I stood up, straddling over her to beat against them trying to shield my mother from any more hurt…even that young knowing it was already too late. Suddenly the minotaur crashed forward across her body, I barely got out of the way in time to keep from being crushed by it. As I stumbled backwards I fell onto a bloody mass that turned out to be another dead Khajiit with the darkest colored fur I’d ever seen. A Legionnaire was standing with his weapon raised, but he lowered it when he saw me. He pulled his helmet off, his expression sickened and sad. I crawled back beside my mother, tugging at her shredded bloody shirt…just crying and screaming, “Momma” over and over.

He reached down and picked me up. “Come along, little Lassie.”

I tried to cling to the memory of his face, hoping I’d remember it so I could find him…I guess to thank him for saving me. But even as I was thinking that I could feel the memories of it being cleansed from me, fading away as if they never existed.

As the memory faded I found instead of me crying in the Legionnaire’s arms as he carried me away from the sight of my dead mother, it became Malan’s arms. My two tiny arms were wrapped tightly around his neck, and he was consoling the child me just as the Legionnaire had…but then suddenly he was talking as if to me now.

“You don‘t want to remember that horror now, let it go Maxical…let it go. You don‘t want that terrible scene to be the only memory of your mother. Better have none than that.“

“Why don’t I remember her before then, the happy times. Did you take those memories too?” I felt like I was screaming at him but no sound came out. He answered as if he‘d heard me.

“Shh now. Those were taken from you by that attack, not by me. I only took the pain of that day from you, Lass.”

“Can you bring them back for me? Memories of my mother…”

“No child. What nature takes away I don’t have the power to give.”

He cupped my chin, lifting my face to his and wafting my whiskers with his breath when he spoke. “Tell Dagoth-Malan what you wish done, Lass. Should I take the horror and nightmares from you again? I’ll need your trust to do it.”

Inside me was a confusion, childhood memories from all those years ago were mixing with my feelings and thoughts now. I nodded, and it felt like a circle was closing within me. When I spoke I heard an echo from the void, the child’s voice saying the same words in unison. A chill shivered over me. “I trust you.”



*

Begun, the vamp-wars have.

Geez, Jack created some havoc whilst flying around. It would make for a good action scene, the part where fire exploded behind him! Epico!

Seridur, the hero of the people, impervious to angry fists trying to punch him. Buahaha. Love that scene. I love the comparison to the "child hands".

Crazy scene, where the birds turned into mist(or vapor) and then Maelan popped up! My badass fiend! Woot! It was a bit creepy when he scooped up the girl and began singing the song(Which I recognized as a homage to Jakben, right?). I can totally imagine him doing that. For some reason, vampires have always had a connection to children. Seriously. In Daggerfall, there is even a children's day where townspeople celebrate a day where many children were kidnapped by vampires. And don't get me started on Lamae and the children's eyes or Laelette and the girl.

But I like what you wrote here. It truly does make sense that he would be rocking a child on his arms for whatever reason. Though most likely it's food.

Vaermina sure had some influence in this one. Creepy. The mamma and the minatour, all gruesome!

“No child. What nature takes away I don’t have the power to give.”

I approve. This is an interesting line in so many ways, and it's true, even in our world. Strange and macabre flashbacks/dream/vision. Truly a good chapter. I'll be lurking around for more.

Mystical. That’s the word. From beautifully painted start to mysterious finish as you blur the lines between dream and reality.

I want to hate Malan, but you keep making it hard – what complexity you weave into these villains!

Just as it was dawning on me that the two Khajiiti girls may have been Maxical and Nissy, you confirmed it for me!

“It’ll cost more if you want human or elf, cash up front.”
A brilliantly inserted commentary. The story of our poor little albino kitty’s life.

The good news is how fantastic your description of Malan was. The bad news is that the picture you included could not do justice to what your prose so eloquently created. I like your word picture much better.

That was beautiful!!...

Loved it!!...Dreaming?...Memories?...Visions?...Bad cheese before bed?... ... ...

Amazingly done...So brilliantly done that...

Loved the way it flowed between scenes...

Many things were quotable that I loved...May as well copy and paste the whole thing...But I shan't... ...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

Did Seridur ‘adopt’ Nissy when she was young? A vow to never forget each other? Oh I see. Jak got the ‘furry beast,’ or I should say Malan impersonating Jak.

That was a very chilling way to end the chapter. "I trust you." To Malan.

Alix must have been the Legionnaire. What a terrible last memory of her mother. I hope Maxical’s able to connect some dots after this…

Great chapter!

This was a beautifully chapter, mALX, powerful and moving. The whole thing was gripping, and the images you created were so vivid they played out like a movie. The glass panes and glistening tears linked the two different scenes, and I love that it was seeing her mother’s pack that jarred Maxical into hearing the memory somehow.

Audens and Seridur’s callous talk about the girls being Khajiit made me fume.

Wooo, Maxical saw Malan transform from being a bird!!


Finally, the answers to so many mysteries. The memory of her mother’s death was wrenching, and I’m guessing it must have been Alix that she can’t quite remember rescuing her.


Wha… Nooo! Malan is so good at this! Argh!

This was a hugely important chapter!! Tremendous!

This reminds me of a movie called Idiocracy, in which Luke Wilson is asked to state his name and he says "not sure", so they call him Not Sure for the rest of the movie.

Anyways, just started reading this, it's making me want to try a cat-person. I've never done any beasts or orcs. I like the way Maxical is being portrayed in this, all the confusion and stuff over a white khajiit. Seems exactly like the way Imperials would handle this "situation".

Chapter 138



And yet- your Emperorship- you are also still alive to feel that stress because of her...



AHA- the rat begins to smell!



Yep- one gigantic rodent- in need of a bath.

And Uriel begins to see the cracks in Malan’s ruse- but then… is deluded once more.


Chapter 139



Hooray for Maxical!



A side of the brave Captain we had not seen before….



Hold on to that thought!



Uh-oh!



URK! Now THAT was a cliff-hanger beyond ccmpare!

Chapter 140



Wow!

And then- you go beyond even that opening- it is just a taste of what is to come. I cannot begin isolate bits and pieces; to take anything out would be to lessen the impact of the whole. I am awe-struck by the memories and by her memory of losing them, as well.

Damnnit, I'm still catching up! But no morries, I'm at page 51 now. This makes me resent my fade-in-and-out tendencies and the recent schedule! You just wait, mALXie, and fear not. The time when I will quip in smart comments is near!

Yeah. So many things to say, compliment, praise, worship about the chapters I've read, I don't think I can type 'em all! I had to start from the beginning, you know. Because starting out in chapter 31~32 (thereabouts is where I last left off) was very confusing. I lost the plot, me's ashamed to admit.

But fear not! Even now, as I'm writing this, I'm reading my way to the present pages!

Lots to read, lots to read, lots to read... but what the heck! This story looks very promising and I'll try and catch up as much as I can. Maxical is very interesting... YEEEEAAH! I love interesting characters! Especially ones as bubbly and charming as yours

It may take a while, but I am reading! However long it may take I WILL catch up! Haha

Hey! Where's the update? Chop-chop!

Are you alright, mALX?

And now I come to it, finally.

It would be nice to have that you know, the choice to lose some of the memories that we'd rather not have...but I think in this Max is allowing the pain to obscure who is showing her the pain and asking if he should take it again...

Manipulative b**s*urd....just my thoughts....

The writing was quite wonderful, I not only saw what she saw but I also felt it, excellent. Your ability to draw these pictorals always stuns me...

Did I read that right? A Dagoth? I'm glad to see you finally got Morrowind, but put it down and write more

*

@ Darkness Eternal - You caught a lot of what I was hoping would come across in your comment! Malan has been impersonating Jakben, Earl of Imbel for centuries (has him locked in a cell near where Fathis is being held. Given Malan's twisted sense of humor, that song he sings to the children to hypnotize them is exactly that - homage to Jakben Imbel (plus probably throwing the blame for all onto him, since Malan can then disappear and toss Jak out to be arrested for it all, lol).

Also, the "Children's Day" from Daggerfall that celebrates the day children were kidnapped by vampires - I read about it, and that was the whole inspiration for my having Malan kidnapping children. You are up on your lore, and it tickles me when you catch these references I use in the story!

Thank you so much Darkness!! (and thanks for your patience while I'm catching back up with your stories)!

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@ Acadian - Thank you so much Acadian !! I couldn't find a picture of a Chimer till after I'd used Vivec, ROFL !! But that picture was the role model for the description of him. Thank you for your comment on Malan, that makes me feel good - I wanted him to be complex because Maxical is torn between knowing what he is capable of and seeing something completely different. Thank you again, Acadian !!! You ROCK !!

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@ McBadgere - Thank you so very much McB!! And thank you for your patience while I caught up with your stories !!

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@ King Coin - Thank you so much KC !!! I'm really sorry, KC. It is all my fault if the story isn't coming through as clearly as it should, and you aren't the only one that had questions.

I will answer them here, but they are for everyone that didn't catch what was going on there - (and later will have to go edit that chapter so it comes across more clearly to the reader).

Seridur and Malan were not there adopting children, they were kidnapping the children they thought no one would miss. (the orphanage for un-adoptable children). Audens pulls the children's records so there will be no trace the children were ever there.

Malan is not impersonating Jak here, any one of his vampire line have the ability to transform into large predatory birds. - Maxical just doesn't know that yet. She thinks every large bird she sees is "Jak."

The Legionnaire can't be Alix, because he has never been a Legionnaire and would have remembered saving Maxical. Whoever the Legionnaire is, Malan erased Maxical's memory of it again - probably so he can plant an image of his choosing later, lol.

Thank you again, KC - and thank you for letting me know when what I'm trying to say isn't coming across as it should !!! You Rock !!

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@ Grits - Thank you so much Grits! That is exactly what I was hoping the feel of it would be !!

(all except the Legionnaire being Alix - that part was off. Alix has never been a Legionnaire, and he would have remembered saving Maxical. Whoever the Legionnaire is, Malan erased Maxical's memory of it again - probably so he can plant an image of his choosing later)

- somehow I must have messed up the telling about the Legionnaire to have given that impression, you are not the only one that thought that. I'll have to figure out where I went wrong on that and edit the chapter, sorry !!

I so appreciate you Grits, Thank you so much !!!

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@ Lady Saga - Thank you so much Lady S !!! I appreciate so much that you are starting it from the beginning !! I know it looks like a lot of reading, but I hope you like it and find it worthwhile.

The beginning three or so chapters breeze over her most of her childhood, her real story begins as soon as she graduates from the Arcane at age 17 - just a typical girl getting out on her own for the first time in Cyrodiil and the things that happen to her. (more or less a diary, but not written as one).

I hate to admit it, but all these chapters later she still hasn't turned eighteen yet, I guess it was a long year, lol. Thank you again Lady S !!!

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@ Treydoggie - Thank you, Thank You !!! Oh yeah, Malan did something Foxy never would have right there, Uriel either has to suspect or may wonder if there is a side to his assassin friend he never realized, lol. The last three quotes and your comments to them - That means a lot to hear, Thank You so much for your kind words !!! You are very appreciated !!!!

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@ Uleni Athram - WOO HOO !!! You have been missed !! You are right where the vampires start coming into the story, too !! Thank you so much Uleni !!! (and so glad to see you here, you are always missed !!)

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@ Andrea - I am so excited to see you reading my story, and I hope you will like it !! I absolutely love your character Jessika, and can tell you are a character driven writer. I attempt to be that with Maxical, (but I have very few writing skills, which you most definitely do have) - I really hope you will like it and keep reading, Thank you so much, Andrea !!!

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@ Athynae - You nailed it right, in both ways. Facing painful memories can build strength and character - in wiping them out as if they never existed she is weakening herself. The other thing you are right about is the danger in who she is turning to for the aid.

One of Maxical's (many) flaws has always been trusting everything to be at face value, and she is stepping into a whole different realm now with the caliber of those she is trusting and shouldn't. Your thoughts are exactly right.

Thank you so very much for your kind words, that means a lot to hear !!!

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@ Zalphon - Dagoth-Malan is the arch bad guy of the story. He has been just talked about in the story till now - but now he is out and acting and a true picture of what he is capable of is about to emerge as he climbs into center stage in the story. I hope you like my bad guy as much as I've liked yours all these years, lol. Thank you so much Z !!


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Chapter 141: Where Were You When The Dragon Broke Time?


It was a relief when Malan took the memory of my mother‘s death from me again…he was right, I would rather have no memory of her than see her like that. It was better just to know it happened without the horror of visualizing it, no doubt that would have brought nightmares…no doubt.

“Now, Lassie…we have something to discuss, you and I. We have a promise together, a vow made in this very room eleven years ago. Do you remember it?” Even as he asked the memories flooded into my mind.

“I’m to come to you when I turn twenty? Malan, I was but seven when the vow was made…I thought you were a god from another realm come to save us from Seridur. My vow was given thinking you meant us to marry, not drink my blood. You can’t hold me to a vow that will kill me!”

“Tch, Ease your worry, Lass. You freed yourself from that promise tonight when you saved my life. Centuries on Nirn…none ever saved Dagoth-Malan before you did. Consider that promise paid now. If you come to me after this it must be of your own free will.”

Inside me the fear didn’t dissipate from his release. If he’d erased my memory of the vow, how would he have expected me to keep it? Did he implant some kind of hypnotic suggestion? And if so, how many other young girls did he make vows with? Dear gods, he could have every girl coming of age seeking him out with their virgin blood!

“Maxical, I’ve got something crucial to say now. Mythic Dawn sleeper agents sent word to Camoran to send his full army en force. You taunted them by the effigy and dressing those corpses in their robes. They took your mockery as the insult you meant it, but you put Uriel in danger by it.”

“Dear gods, that’s not what I meant to happen! What do I…how can I stop it? Please…is there a way I can fix this?”

“Aye, Lass. You pass this message to Uriel…tell him Dagoth-Malan’s army withdraws from this war immediately. We stand ready to fight his enemies, to serve him. ‘Tis not his approval we seek, but our honor in defending him.“

And then suddenly it was over. Malan was laying the child that was me on one of the beds, just as he must have done so many years ago when he took Nissy…but this time I wasn’t asleep, this time my memories of Nissy were intact. I remembered her, our friendship…our vow.






***


Malan scooped the sleeping Nissy up and leaped like an agile cat onto the ledge, shutting the window magically before the rolling mist engulfed him and the bird emerged from it with Nissy in his clutches.

I ran to the window, so short I had to climb up on the chest below to see out of it. My tiny fists banged the glass as the bird rose in the sky and I watched Nissy leaving my life for what would be the next eleven years. One second I was pounding on the glass of the orphanage window screaming, “Nissy, no!“ and a second later was banging on the dome glass again and I was grown…still pounding and screaming “Nissy, no!” over and over.

The clock pendulum whirred back into motion, the gongs beginning their chimes as the arm settled into its place with a loud click. In that split second the void receded and I found myself in a sprawling dive inside the dome, still screaming “Nissy, No!“ I knocked her to the floor and the claws meant for Uriel raked across me, gouging a trail of flesh and blood wherever they landed.

There was nothing I could do but hold her down and keep taking the blows she was able to land, because had I lifted a hand to cast calming spells it would have released her to attack Uriel. Her claws were razor sharp, she was wiry and strong. Had it not been for my Arena training I couldn’t have held her.

The whole time I had her pinned I tried to sooth and distract her mind from what Uriel had done by talking, but could barely gasp out what I was trying to tell her between shouts of pain each time her claws struck.

“Nissy, I remember everything now YEEOOW, our friendship and the vow. I couldn’t remember it before YEEOOOW because the night he took you, Malan erased all my memories of everything GAAARG…you, the vow…even my mother‘s death. We were best friends, Nissy…I remember our vow now, GAAAAUURK…I couldn‘t save you, Nissy. He held the memory of my promise to you.”

The bird Jak crashed into the dome, his shrieking louder than my own screams of pain. Jak’s eyes were piercing directly in at us…no, at Nissy. Without knowing how I knew, I understood he was ordering her off from attacking Uriel.

I waited till her claws sheathed and she was sobbing in my arms to release her, by then I was a bloody mess. Uriel was in a rage at being attacked. His sword was drawn and he was not sheathing it.

Jak crashing the dome…it was the same I’d seen from outside, but now I was inside seeing it. As if that time with Malan never happened. Did I dream it all?




***


“This is intolerable!” Uriel was fuming.

“I told you, Sire.” I crawled off Nissy. “These women love you and will die for you...but they will kill to protect their mate.”

“Nisaba, return to your quarters.” Uriel pointed his sword at the door. She ran out crying. I locked the door behind her for safety’s sake.

“Sire, I can’t heal myself…” I stood fighting the tears he hated and dripping blood on his rug, but he was in a rage and ignored my request. My own anger began growing as he continued to let his out.

“This is outrageous!”

“Why did you ask her to watch you kill her mate? How could you? I‘m not even bound to Fathis, but watch me attack anyone that tries to hurt him in front of me!”

“He is a monster, what he did to those children…”

“But in front of her? You invoke the wrath of Azura when you go after a Khajiit’s mate, Sire. These women aren’t just sealed to Malan, Azura seals us to her as well and we are bound by it. What Azura has bound together, none must put asunder. Nissy can’t help what she did, it is as primal as breathing.”

“Malan cannot be allowed to live, to continue in these attacks on children!”

“I understand, and agree…but you can’t be the one to do it, Sire. These women are your protectors and you are theirs.”

“Not after this they are not. Where is Foxy? His men must return immediately.”

“I don’t know…but what about Nisaba? Her destiny is still bound into yours.”

“She can’t stay here after attacking me!”

“But you attacked her first! Sire, I need to tell you something imperative. Malan spoke to me tonight. I don’t know how, but he did. The clock struck the hour just as Nissy unsheathed the claws on one hand, and then it was like the void spilled into this dome. Everything went black and I found myself outside the dome looking in…but I could still see myself in here. I don’t know how to explain it.”






***


“Akatosh stopped time, Maxical. That was a ‘Dragon Break’. He froze it that I be warned of the danger I stood in.”

“He didn’t think you could figure it out with claws coming at you?”

“I will caution you against blaspheme. One warning he gave has been given me twice before. Two will stand true, one is my enemy. His warnings have always interrupted dreams before, this stopping of time has never occurred prior to this night.”

“Did you even sleep? Maybe he couldn’t reach you because you were…busy.”

“Need I remind you to whom you are speaking?”

“I’m sorry, Sire…but my temper equals yours, and it is ignited. I’m in pain and bleeding…“ I stopped and took a deep breath. “I do apologize, Sire. But…if Akatosh spoke to you, and Malan to me…was anyone speaking to Nissy? And if so, who?”

Uriel surprised me with an approving look. “That is something we need to find out.”

“Sire, Akatosh showed my face to you, and came to Nissy’s dreams. Her destiny has to be bound up in yours.”

“She attacked me!”

“But you attacked first…Sire, if anyone here can’t be trusted it is the assassin!”

“He didn’t attack me. Now, continue with what you were saying.”

“Assassins can never be considered trustworthy…”

“Cease! Continue on Malan, Maxical!“

“Oh. Malan said something he called ‘Sleeper Agents’ carried a message demanding all out war to Camoran. Malan vows to withdraw his troops from this war immediately, and stand them at the ready to defend the throne. He seeks no approval from you, but considers it an honor. He also ordered Nissy to stop attacking just now, I heard him do it.”

“What ruse is this? How would Malan know of the Mythic Dawn and their plans…and why swear his army to my defense?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. He sounded sincere, if that means anything.”

Uriel turned toward the window and stared down at the war raging below. “It doesn’t, he does nothing that is not in his own interest. I knew this move would draw Malan in, seeing his troops killing themselves off would push him to take that risk. When Malan escaped the trap tonight, he must have made immediate plans to withdraw his troops before he loses any more of them. By having you carry this message he hopes to make it sound he is doing this to help the Palace instead of himself.”

Uriel suddenly popped his hand down on the corner of the desk beside him. “That’s it! He not only conserves his troops and hopes to garner my favor, but causes the elimination of the Crimson Scars. Greywyn Blenwyth and the Crimson Scars are a tremendous power, and a competitive clan. If Malan withdraws without telling Blenwyth, the Crimson Scars will destroy themselves, and they will no longer have an army. But what is this about a declaration of war from the Mythic Dawn? Why would they do that?“






***


“It is all my fault, Sire. He said I taunted them into a rage by dressing the corpses and hanging the effigy. I guess the Mythic Dawn felt insulted.”

“An effigy too? I ordered you to do nothing! Wait, were those his words? How did he know you were responsible for it? The women must be carrying information to him.”

“I…don’t know. I am so sorry, Sire. When daylight comes I‘ll personally remove them all.”

“You can’t now, the insult has been sent. Removing them now would be an act of cowardice. Where is Foxy? His men must replace the Khajiit women immediately, they have compromised the security of my Palace.”

“I never saw him leave, Sire. Maybe he is dallying with the women, they seem to really like him.”

Uriel grabbed both my shoulders, his eyes piercing mine so intensely that I thought he was going to start shaking me. Instead he began questioning me.

“I need to know everything about this seal from Azura. Every way Malan can use these women against me, and any way I can use them against him.”

“The seal binds us to protect our mate against anything, that includes betrayal, exposure…anything. He can lie and we must back it. We must obey the mate even if the order goes against our inclination, like Malan ordering Nissy to stop attacking you.”

“He has eight mates in my Royal Quarters, that is a small army that can be turned on me at will. The women must be removed from the Palace immediately. I can’t have a threat like that live under my roof. Tell me this, Malan is known to usurp other’s identities, would it be possible they may give him away unintentionally when he is in one of these disguises?”

“Actually, yes. When he is near it brings moonsugar to their tongues, which is a highly addictive feeling of pleasure. That brings on a loud purring, much louder than normal. Also, Malan uses some form of hypnotism. They all sing the song ‘Jack be nimble‘ if he is near while they sleep. I do too, he hypnotized me that night he kidnapped Nissy when I was a child.”

“Why did Malan send his message through you, why not the women?”

“He said I saved his life tonight when I screamed. He brought me back to the night that he kidnapped Nissy from the orphanage, he had erased my memories of it and of Nissy so I couldn‘t alert anyone to save her. That’s why I couldn‘t remember her, or our vow.”

Uriel started healing me. “Go on.”



*

Malan's mist powers never cease to impress.

"But in front of her? You invoke the wrath of Azura when you go after a Khajiit’s mate, Sire."
Yep. Azura sure would do something, wouldn't she?

The intrigue in this tale is growing! I like how Uriel gets mad briefly by slamming his fist, and staring out the window to see a war below . I also liked Greywyn's mention and the internal struggle between the Crimson Scars.

Sucks that I can't read much clearly, since my laptop is now officially broken with half of the screen multicolored -_-. I had to scroll down and read 1/3 of the page which was clear. But I did get to the end of the chapter.

Another wonderfully mysterious and mystical scene with Maxical and Malan as you manipulate time, memories and reality so smoothly! I loved the touch of the clock and then later learning about ‘Dragon Breaks’.

In the scenes with Uriel, both he and Maxical are so very true to their characters. Maxical has stumbled into plenty of facts but doesn’t realize it or what to do with the knowledge, while Uriel exudes the wisdom and deductive skills taught by decades of rule. I wonder how close Uriel’s reasoning regarding Malan is correct. I began to salivate as he seems closer to solving the fact that his Foxy is an imposter.

I must confess, I don’t think I would fancy being a Khajiit woman.

Oooooh!!...*Does dance of joy*...He's getting there!!...Oh yeah!!... ...

Brilliant stuff...

Loving the Patrick Stewart...Love it...

Bless Maxical, even when she tries to do right... ...

Excellent story...Loving this build up to unfortunateness...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

Malan. What is he doing now? I doubt he’s honest. What is he trying to accomplish with a promise such as that?

Yes! I was worried before the time stop thing that Maxical wouldn’t get Nissy before she attacked the emperor.

I can hear the emperor perfectly with every line you write for him. Also I’m surprised that Maxical didn’t realize that having Khajiit bound to Malan in close proximity to the emperor was a Bad Idea. I feel like the emperor is on the verge of figuring out that Foxy isn’t Foxy.

Can I jump up and down yet? Uriel's about to figure it out isn't he? Can't wait for more!!!

The entire dream/memory sequence was riveting, poor Max, everything from realizing Malan took the memory and then giving it back and I am sure she is torn asunder by the thought of trusting him but not wanting the memory more and then having to allow herself to be torn up while she is just trying to hold Nissy back.

BUT, now it is all coming together...yes it is, I can see a light at the end of the tunnel....and I am so anxious to see where it goes from here.

Great write mALX, just fabulous...MORE! SOON! PRETTY PLEASE!!!

Oops! I have no idea where I got the idea that Alix was ex-Legion. When I’m wrong, I’m really wrong!!

The end of the Dragon Break was beautifully done, I loved the symmetry.

Maxical and Uriel were a delight here, both of them angry and firing off questions and answers, it was great! I love that Maxical was the one who wondered who was speaking to Nissy during the Break.

“What ruse is this? How would Malan know of the Mythic Dawn and their plans…and why swear his army to my defense?”

Did I mention that you write Uriel so well that I hear all of his lines in Patrick Stewart’s voice? Awesome, mALX!!

I was wondering why this episode was making sense to me. When it's all Maxical, making sense means I've missed something! But it's Uriel's explanations that are bring it together at last. (And his "voice" is just perfect).

But I'm still not sure if Uriel knows "Damien" was Malan, or if he just saw Jak at that point, so I still need the next episode to help.

*

@ Darkness Eternal - Thank you so much Darkness!! I studied Azura carefully for her role in both the Khajiit and Dunmer aspects of my story, kind of balanced what lore had of her and her personality with my ideas for what that could be. (example her "gifts to the Chimer" I turned to the Chimer/Dunmer mysteries in my story, etc.) - but I tried to make everything I did fit with what she would have done, so I'm glad to hear you say that !! Urk, sorry about your laptop. I hope you can get that fixed !!! Thanks again, DE !!

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@ Acadian - That is so nice to hear, thank you so much Acadian !!! I'm especially glad to hear Uriel is coming through well, you know I have a terrible time writing strong men, ROFL !!! Thank you so much again, Acadian !!

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@ McBadgere - Thank you so much McB !!! It tickles me so much when people say they can hear Patrick Stewart saying the lines !!! I have a youtube vid of the opening where Patrick Stewart says the opening words for the game - play it when I am writing his lines and try to think those words with that voice to see if it fits. It means sos much to hear you say that !! Thanks again McB !!!

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@ King Coin - Thank you so very much KC !!! You couldn't have said a nicer complement, that means tons to hear - Thank You !! You are right about everything you said - Maxical will have to wake up a bit to be good at Uriel's protection, that is for sure, lol.

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@ Athynae - Your kind words mean a LOT to me, Athynae !! Thank you so very much !! And you are right, I'm sure Malan will find ways to make Maxical sorry she trusted him, lol. Thanks again, Athynae !!!

*
@ Grits - You couldn't have said a nicer complement than you did, that means tons to hear !! I do listen to a youtube vid of him speaking when I write his lines, but it means so much to hear that others can hear his voice saying those lines - thank you so very much Grits !!! You ROCK !!

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@ Ghastley - Thank you so much Ghastley !! Now that really makes me feel good, I am tickled the Emperor is coming across well !!! Thanks again Ghastley !!


*

*


Chapter 142: Scenes of Understandings



“These scratches are deep, you did well to hold Nissy. This would have been considered a treasonous attack punishable by death had she succeeded in reaching me.“ Uriel flushed the gash with healing magic with a precision that matched Hannibal or Owyn. “What happened next with Malan?”

“Seridur and Malan were working as partners. Audens Avidius was selling orphans to Seridur. Audens would pull the orphan’s paperwork so there’d be no trace they existed, then bribe the guards to clear the yard.”

“Seridur was kidnapping children? He is dead, but I will order his name be posted at the executions and a seizure of his assets immediately. Audens Avidius will be arrested as well, he and Gemellus Axius can be executed the same day. Your time would have been better served today training with the Palace Executioner instead of starting another war.”

“Yes, Sire. Oh…please don’t forget that Audens Avidius’s assets were embezzled from Fathis Aren, that fund was supposed to be used for better housing and skills training for the orphans.”

“I’ll have the records for that fund audited, but it will be up to you to appoint someone you trust to oversee it.”

“Will you advise me, Sire? It must be someone…like Fathis or yourself, whose compassion reaches beyond race.”

Uriel nodded his head approvingly at me. “I‘ll take that into consideration when I review the choices to recommend.”

It wouldn’t last, I knew that…but for this brief moment I was in Uriel‘s good graces. I breathed in relief.






***


“Seridur and Audens left, then Malan came in and cast a sleep spell on Nissy. He picked me up and sang that song to me, ‘Jack be nimble’. As he sang, it took my memories away. Tonight it brought them back though, and I remembered everything…my vow with Nissy, even my mother’s death. Then after that he reminded me of a vow I’d made to come to him when I was of age, and I remembered it.”

“Virgin hunting. Malan is known for planting memories of his own making, Maxical. All ancients have that ability, but Malan has it perfected.”

“Maybe, but if he really is planting post hypnotic suggestions in little girls minds to come to him when they are of age…virgins coming to his door at a consensual age without having to farm them, maybe that’s why the cave was empty when you found it.”

“Possibly. Maxical, you must learn to incorporate everything you know of an enemy into every aspect of your dealings with them. With the enemies you face now the battle is not drawn in matches, every action is integral to an ongoing war. You must be able to discern his true motives as they occur and counter them with plans of your own to stay ahead of his next move.”

“You mean even when he is doing a kindness I should suspect his motives and be sizing him up like I would if we were in combat?”

“Exactly. There are no breaks from battle anymore, Maxical. Your mind must never relax or take anything at face value. Any naivety in you could mean death for me, you must think at all times. Malan does nothing unless it avails him. He is an uncanny con.”

“I don’t…understand, Sire.”

“Why would he have shown you that night he kidnapped Nisaba? In doing that he has created a witness to his crime where there were none. Unless you find a reason that benefits him and outweighs the risks of opening your memories, don’t believe him. It is much more likely Akatosh revealed them, so you would know the enemy you face.”

“He said he did it because I saved his life tonight, that in centuries I was the only one that ever had. In return he released me from that promise.”

Uriel paced to the window and back. “Traven once mentioned something about saving an ancient’s life having some extreme importance to them, but…this is Malan, his motives must always be suspect. Ancients are obsessed with promises, Maxical. There is nothing they take more seriously. What was Malan’s share of the vow you remembered?”

“I never recalled his part.”

“This isn’t good, Maxical. I suspect it’s a trick.”

“I don’t understand…”

Uriel turned me to face him. “What could he have vowed that would make you promise to come to him?”

“Probably that he wouldn’t hurt Nissy.”

“Exactly, I am positive that was his vow. But he did hurt Nissy, he imprisoned her in a cave, drank her blood and forced himself on her. He erased his vow from your mind so you would think he was doing something nice by forgiving the promise. He released you from a debt you didn’t owe anymore, Maxical. It was a trick.”






***


“Oh…OH! I’m sure you’re right! And to think I was stupid enough to tell him that I trusted him!”

Uriel’s look was of deep concern. “You told him that you trusted him? Maxical, you must be very careful how you talk to these ancients. Things you or I may say in passing and mean nothing by, to them can be making a promise they will consider a legal binding contract.”

“Oh. Well, I think I’m still safe. He said that if I come to him now it must be of my own free will. I certainly won‘t.“

“Malan isn’t going to let a virgin go, Maxical. There is something he isn’t telling you, some trick. He is a master of impersonation. He could make himself appear to be someone you trust explicitly; me, Traven, your father. You would go to him willingly without realizing it was him. He is the greatest con imaginable, Maxical.”

Uriel gripped my arm uncomfortably tightly. “This is deadly serious, Maxical. You can make promises to ancients without even realizing it, they read your mind and consider your thoughts to be your true feelings. You living here and saying you trust him…to him that could be considered an open invitation to access the Palace, and we know he is after the throne. This has become a very dangerous situation.”

He looked at me, perplexed. “We need Traven here, he is the foremost expert on ancient vampires in Tamriel. He’ll know how to counter anything you’ve said or done. There is a protocol used when dealing with ancients, even your thoughts must be controlled. There are also some personal questions I must ask that may be more comfortable coming from your physician.”

“If it’s what I think you want to know, I’ll answer. Gils is my bound mate, somehow accomplished without breeding. We wed without witnesses but never mated because Fathis held a promise over me that Gils honored. Fathis wed me the night before war broke out, but never attended our wedding night.“

“He was here with Sir Damien, setting the trap for Malan and the Immortal.”

“Oh…oh?” So, the Immortal had lied about Fathis being with another women he was in love with on our wedding night…why? Relief that it was untrue warred with rage at the Immortal for lying to me. I wondered if he would mistake slapping or choking him as some subliminal message.

“Sire, if Malan is virgin hunting that can be resolved…Gils is with your army since this war began.”

“Yes, I know. He is at the Arena working with the Blades. I sent orders for him to attend me when you first arrived, but Captain Renault said they are overwhelmed and unable to spare even one man.”

“Sire, that is ridiculous! How can one man who has no magic be indispensable? Ocato returns nightly, why could Gils not have been with him?”

“You are not to go there seeking him, I‘ll order he be reassigned to the Palace immediately. Maxical, listen to me. Malan can never be trusted. Everything he does has a purpose, he is an uncanny con. Foxy is an expert on him, as soon as he returns we need to hear his take on all this.”






***


“I’ve bled quite a bit on your rug, Sire. If we could contain it some way, it could be used in a trap to catch Malan.”

“You may be onto something…” Uriel stopped healing me and broke off mid-sentence, staring hard at me. “Traven has bloodletting equipment, does he not?”

“Of course, he‘s a physician…but…Sire, I don‘t like where this is going. You‘re not planning to have bowls of my blood laying around in your chambers…are you?”

“Of course not. But Traven could get a few vials of it, have them on hand for setting traps. Would you allow it?”

“Aw geez, Sire. I hate bloodletting, it‘s gross. I gave enough on your carpet already.”

“You won’t be forced to do anything against your inclination, Maxical. But I hope you will agree to do this for the sake of the Empire.”

“You sound like my father, guilting me into doing stuff I don’t want to. I guess, but…if something comes up I want to do, don’t think I won’t throw this in your face when I ask.”

“It will depend on what you ask whether it bears weight in the argument.” Uriel gave a brief enigmatic smile, one I’d seen both Alix and S’Jirra give when saying much the same thing in dealing with me.

“Wait a minute, I know that smile…and those words, too! You’re saying it will never bear weight in any argument! My parents have pulled that trick on me before. No doubt one of the Princes taught you to be wary of allowing leverage to children, I wonder which?”

“Prince Ebel. As a youth his spirit could not be contained, nor his temper. He was the bane of all his tutors …” Uriel ground to a halt mid-sentence, raising one eyebrow at me before continuing. “Much as I myself was.”

“That look you just gave doesn’t bode well for me, like a plotting parent. Why do I get the feeling you’ve just realized something that is going to make me miserable?”

“You exaggerate…however, I do believe I may have discovered a way in which we will not grate on each other as we have been and may bring about some growth and maturity as well.”

“In other words, you are going to do whatever it was your father did to you, and you did to Prince Ebel? Somehow I’m sure whatever it is, you will derive much more pleasure in doing it than I will in receiving the lesson.”

Uriel’s brief humorless smile all but confirmed I was right.






***


“What is it I’m supposed to learn from it?“

“A number of things. According to your dossier you think better when angry. Learn to bottle your rage and tap it at will, you will be thinking at your top capacity without needing rage fueling it. This should give you a measure of control over your temper as well.“

I grabbed my pony-tail and waved it at him. “My temper is biologically driven by red hair. Whatever this process of yours is, it can’t work very well. Your temper is as bad as mine.“

“You may find this difficult to believe, but what you see now is a vast improvement.”

“Dear gods!” I gaped at him.

“It’s truth. The Septim temper is well known for marking the warriors in our family history. My father claims I inherited a triple dose of it. What you see now is mellowed considerably in comparison.”

“I remember reading of Uriel Septim the fifth’s temper, it was legendary. They said his reputation as a great warrior was founded on people bending to his will in advance of his visits in fear of witnessing a display of it. Are you saying yours was worse?”

“In my youth it was much worse, even after my father’s efforts. The biggest change to it came during the Imperial Simulacrum. Ten years of imprisonment in a realm your worst nightmares could never bring to mind. A decade of breathing sulfuric fumes without relief, heat so intense it withers the soul…monsters no imagination would dare dream up. Our cells were in cave vents over a volcanic sea.”

“Ten years in a cave, just like Nissy and the sisters…that‘s why it struck you so powerfully that you sought to vanquish her tormentor in her sight…I’m sorry I yelled at you for it Sire. I understand why now. You had no way of knowing the extent of force Azura’s seal is on Khajiit.”

“It took much more than temper from me, my health was destroyed…my youth gone, hair turned this white you see now. Had my friend Warhaft not been entombed with me, there is no doubt I’d have succumbed before Fathis arrived.”






***



“…FATHIS? My Fathis? Are you saying my Fathis was the Eternal Champion?”

“He is the Eternal Champion, his death won’t diminish the honor of that. The ceremonial sheath and sword he always wore, that was given in tribute for his service to Tamriel…his dedication and bravery.”

“I never saw him that he didn’t wear it, it was one of the ways I knew that was an imposter at the Arena…the sheath was gone. Fathis had given me his sword to fight with, but still wore the sheath the last time I saw him. When Malan impersonated Fathis, he left off the sheath, I guess because there was no sword to place in it.”

“Your young man Gils received a twin to it for his actions the day war broke out. Unarmed he tried to rescue Fathis’s remains from Malan’s army and took quite a beating from them for it. He came through them and my own security to warn the Palace.”

Fathis’s remains…




There could be no more devastatingly graphic confirmation of Fathis’s fate than those words. Inside me that gnawing pain that had been constant since that day at the Arena rose to my throat and shattered the air with a keening that may never stop now it was released.

My knees buckled beneath me, but before I hit the floor I felt myself lifted up and shaken roughly.

“STOP! There is no time for grieving with the fate of Cyrodiil in jeopardy! Suck that up and push beyond it, or it will sink you . Your grief can come when your task for Akatosh is completed.”

Rage throttled the keening, but my full body was quaking from the effort. I pointed one badly shaking finger at him, my voice was raw with agony. “Don’t you EVER say those words ‘Fathis’s remains’ in my presence again, EVER.”


*

'It wouldn’t last, I knew that…but for this brief moment I was in Uriel‘s good graces. I breathed in relief.'
This is so very Maxical!

“You are not to go there seeking him, I‘ll order he be reassigned to the Palace immediately. Maxical, listen to me. Malan can never be trusted. Everything he does has a purpose, he is an uncanny con. Foxy is an expert on him, as soon as he returns we need to hear his take on all this.”
Uh oh. Uriel still hasn’t twigged onto Foxy yet. . . .

That’s it, Maxical – blame your temper on the red hair.

Here's hoping that Maxical soon discovers Fathis' confirmed death may not be so confirmed after all.

Heh, a little healing to prompt Maxical into talking. Lol. And Maxical does it right back with a compliment!

I’m happy Uriel is the one helping her figure out Malan. He’s been dealing with schemers all his life, he knows what Malan would be up to.

Getting to know Uriel more, that’s awesome! I hope they can get Traven BEFORE Foxy/Malan makes another appearance. I’m not holding a ton of hope though. Ten years imprisoned! Now I too understand why the caves for the orphans affected him so powerfully.

Poor Maxical! She now believes Fathis is dead! Is this some part of Uriel’s plot to toughen her up, or was it a slip? I believe Fathis is still alive, but we shall see.

OOooh!!...You tease you!!...I thought we were on for a revelation then!!...

Oh hell... ...All that stuff that Uriel promises to do afterwards...*Lip trembles*...

I really felt for Max with the Fathis stuff...And the Gils thing...Bless...

As for the red-head temper...As the husband of a red-head...*Looks over shoulder*...Yes...They are truly terrifying... ...

Brilliant writing, as ever...

Most excellent stuff...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

Even when the subject is very serious, Maxical’s way of thinking makes me smile.



Yikes!! I love the conversation that followed. Maxical got to see the paternal side of Uriel, as well as learn about some of the pain he carries. And then this part:


Was awesome and heartbreaking in the same sentence. Especially since moments before she was scheming a hot date with Gils. Poor Maxical!

Remind us. Fathis and Damien are in the same prison? And if they are, does each know the other is there?

I'm worried about the idea of bringing Gils to the palace just as Malan's impersonation of Damien is wearing thin. That might give him (Malan) an opportunity to switch to a new identity. Though maybe one that's easier for Maxical to see through.

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@ Acadian - Thank you so much Acadian !! Putting Maxical and Uriel Septim in the same room is like putting out fire with gasoline, their tempers are so equally matched, lol. Uriel has a tendency to keep what he is thinking to himself, he may be starting to pick up on something not being right with Foxy yet, lol. Thanks again Acadian !!

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@ King Coin - Thank you so much KC !!! The only one that knows Fathis is still alive is the real Foxy, (Sir Damien) - and he is being held in the same prison so can't tell anyone. Uriel and Maxical have a few kinks to work out between them before they will have a smooth friendship, lol. Thanks again KC !!!

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@ McBadgere - Thank you so very much McB!!!


ROFL !!! This had me rolling !!! Thanks again McB !!

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@ Grits - Thank you so much Grits !! Maxical is slowly finding out how things really work outside the schoolroom, when this is over she won't be half as naive, lol. Thank you so much Grits !!!

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@ Ghastley - Fathis and Sir Damien (Foxy) are both being held in the same prison - they know each other is there, but no one else does...yet. And you are absolutely right, his Damien impression has about hit the finish line. The overpowering scent of Maxical's virgin blood is making it impossible for him to concentrate on keeping up the right personality and accent, lol. Thank you so much Ghastley !!!


*

*


Chapter 143: Playthings of the Gods


Uriel gripped my shoulder apologetically. “That was badly done. I feel the loss of Fathis as well, Maxical. For over sixty years he has been my closest friend. We must force ourselves to think of him in moments only, lest it overtake us.”

“I don’t know how to live without him, Sire. He was always there if I was scared or in trouble, always. Just being beside him brought comfort and protection. I never had to dream him a superhero, he already was one without the greatcloaks and capes. This war, the things that I face ahead…now when I have the greatest need of him, he is not here to turn to. I am lost without him.”

“That struck me earlier today as well, realizing for the first time that when my end comes it will be without my friend beside me. These months I’ve known what was ahead, it was never doubted that my last sight on this realm would be that of Fathis and Sir Damien battling the enemy beside me. Now…” Uriel trailed off without finishing the thought.

“Now Sir Damien seeks the throne.”

Uriel didn’t answer, or ask how I knew…but his flash of doubt was a good sign coming after Akatosh‘s warning. The traitor wasn’t me, that much I knew. Once Malan was dead, I was almost positive Nissy could be trusted…well, unless Uriel killed him.

“Fathis sought only to serve you, Sire. He said none could motivate the heart and soul to service as you could, that he would have followed you into Oblivion. I never knew he actually did it.”

“In peacetime, people don’t want to hear of heroes or champions. Fathis was both. He slew Jagar Tharn, the most powerful Battlemage known…saved both myself and Warhaft. He saved Tamriel, Maxical. He was a Child of the Empire, just as you are expected to be.”

“He had something special within, Sire. I don’t…have that.”

“Earlier today you said it will be on the head of all Khajiit if you fail me, but your responsibility is much greater than that. You are the wife of Fathis Aren, and the ‘Eternal Champion‘ is how he will be memorialized. If you fail, you will bring shame to his name. I expect you to fill his rightful place at my side just as he would. You must act on his behalf as he would if he were here.“






***


“Dear gods…I can’t, Sire! No one can be equal to Fathis, most certainly not me. How can I even hope to be worthy of the spit that shined his boots?”

“By using what you know of him to guide your steps. If a task I give is greater than your ability, you must imagine him receiving the same task and how he would have dealt with it. You have already begun doing this with his financial affairs, Maxical. There is a change in you each time you act on his behalf, you approach these with a seriousness and forethought beyond anything you’ve shown otherwise. You’ve seen Fathis prepare for battle, the steps he took to protect Bravil. No matter if he had seconds or months to plan he used the same approach. Practice his methods till they became second nature to you.”

“When the minotaur attacked us he was dismounted and throwing a Shield spell over both the horse and me before I could blink, he killed the beast mid-step toward us and then healed and rallied us from our fright when it was over. I‘m not fast thinking, Sire. Nor can I heal myself or another.”

“Then assign yourself a healer who can, and is with you at all times. You need to grow up quickly, I need you toughened before we face Dagon, and time races now. There may come a time when the responsibility of a platoon is put on your shoulders, men that rely on you to get them safely through battle.”

“How? I have no training other than combat, Sire.”

“We have no time for you to train, Maxical. I realize the pressure I’m bringing to bear on you, but there is no time left in which to prepare. Every bit of rage and pain you have inside needs to become a resource you can tap at will to push you beyond your own strength and do whatever is needed. You think better angry, funnel that rage and pain into thought and action. You know as much of Fathis as I learned of him these 65 years. Use it. Practice till the actions come automatically and without need for thought.”

Uriel finished my healing and followed up with a Rally spell to boost my spirits. I needed a lot more than that to lose the feeling of a crushing weight pressing on me.

Acting on Fathis’s behalf with the finances was realms apart from imitating his decisions on the battlefield. I’d assumed that when it came to battle, Uriel would give orders and I would obey them. Fathis was a born leader of men. To try and imitate that…without a doubt I would fail Uriel and besmirch Fathis’s name.

Uriel went back to the dome window to watch the war. He seemed tireless, did he never feel the effects of days without real rest? He was all but turned 87 years old, yet bounded around with little or no sleep.

His mind showed no exhaustion either, while mine…it felt inert, numb. I was more than exhausted from the past few days, and not just from emotional strain. Palace life moved at a pace beyond anything I’d ever seen before. Even at the Arena we found more time to rest. Here nothing stopped long enough to take a breath.






***


With his back still to me, Uriel spoke so quietly I wasn’t sure he meant me to answer. “What do you know about Dream-Catching?”

“I know it’s dangerous, why?“

“What do you mean by dangerous?“ He spun around, watching my face so intensely it made me nervous.

“A Dream-Catcher is something you send to your enemies when you want to take over their kingdom. Sire? Are you okay?“ He looked like I’d floored him.

He waved his hand for me to continue. “Go on.”

“Well, it’s addictive like a drug. The more they are used, the more they are needed. It weakens the recipient and eventually drives them mad. Pelagius and Helseth both used piles of them in the bed, both lost their minds from them.”

“I was told the Dream-Catchers kept their madness at bay so they could rule as long as they did.”

“Whoever said that lied, Sire. Dream-Catching makes you feel marvelous while your rule is crumbling beneath you. Generals have lost all their troops in easy battles because they sent armies of men out repeatedly without rest, all because the Khajiit on their feet made them feel rejuvenated and they thought they could keep fighting.” I paused because Uriel was clearly stunned.

He waved his hand for me to continue.

“Your ability to handle stress decreases with each session so you need them more and more frequently. Sire, if you are thinking about using Dream-Catching against Malan, it won’t work. Ancient vampires are immune to it, in fact they are more prone to be the ones using them against their enemies.”

“Why would they be more prone to use them?”

“Because it opens an access to the recipient’s mind. Ancients can read minds. They use it to discern secrets or manipulate the person by using mind control. Sire? Are you okay?”






***


Uriel paced quickly to the window and stared out. I don‘t know if he even realized he spoke aloud, his voice was barely audible even to my sensitive Khajiit hearing.

“That is how Malan learned of the Mythic Dawn’s plot. He was here in the Palace.”

For the second time in the past two days I felt a profound disappointment in my Emperor. He had commanded those two women come to him under threat of throwing them into the streets, he was that bent on seeking unknown pleasure without even bothering to find out how unsafe it may be.

My temper flared at the inconsistency of him, preaching accountability to me for my actions when it was his own that caused his predicament. I whispered the words of his own motto under my breath.

“It matters not how charged with punishments the scroll, you are the master of your fate, the captain of your soul.”

Somehow he heard it. I could see the reddening of anger staining his cheeks and the glittering rage in his eyes before he had even turned fully to face me.

“You dare use my own words to you as a sword? Exactly what meant you by quoting that?”

“Humans that choose to dabble with beasts would do well to remember we were created by a Daedric Lord. Since Akatosh has seen fit to align you with Khajiit you should learn all you can about our race through research instead of experimentation. Hannibal has a tome on Khajiit that has an entire section devoted to the odd connections between Khajiit and ancient vampires through history, which delves deeply into Dream-Catching. He also has one that is considered the most thorough tome on ancient vampires available.”

“I will caution you again on the tone you use when addressing me, Maxical. You may not revere the throne, but must show it due respect. Is that understood?”






***


“I apologize for not knowing the proper protocol required to speak to an Emperor, where did you expect I would have learned it? I came to you straight from the Arena Bloodworks, spent my childhood in a prison yard…dirt and filth so real you smell and taste it, and it is as familiar as your own name.”

“Pull yourself together Maxical.”

“How should I do that? In two weeks I’ve lost everyone and everything I know, been thrown into a life where intrigue and double agents abound and assassins are trusted bodyguards. Suddenly Dagon and Camoran Usurper are not just chapters in a text, and ancient vampires are stepping out of history to stalk me like I’m a chicken dinner…“ I clenched my fists to smother the sob rising in my throat. “I’ve learned altruism comes at cost, and sometimes our heroes aren’t what we thought them.”

Uriel had one eyebrow cocked in my direction and an angry grimace. He turned back to the window before speaking. “Are you done feeling sorry for yourself? There isn’t time to wallow in self pity, don’t expect to be babied for your tantrums here.”

“Yes, Sire…but it would help if you were not your own security’s worst enemy. How could you even think of exposing your dreams in a city full of ancient vampires and Akatosh sending messages through…“ Suddenly pieces began falling into place in my mind, realizing another possibility that left me with a sinking, sickening feeling in my stomach. “Dear gods…”

“Finish what you were saying.“

“You said Akatosh has never frozen time to warn you of danger before. But your dreams were being caught, he couldn’t securely speak to you through them anymore. Sire, not just ancients, but the Daedric Lords can access your mind while a Dream-Catcher is with you. Dagon, Sire. Dagon could have intercepted any dreams Akatosh sent you and now has that information.”

Uriel spun around at that, and almost barked, “How!”

“Your Dragonblood must somehow protect information Akatosh sends you, but you allowed the Khajiit access and she has no such protection. Those assassins entered your chambers at the exact time you were with both Nissy and her sister, and at your most vulnerable.”

Uriel held up his hand. “I need silence, time to think…don’t leave yet.”






***


I went to the opposite side of the dome and watched the war continuing below. Jak the bird could still be seen circling over the different districts, but high out of the range of the mage’s fire and too far away for me to hear his cries.

Uriel was right when he said Jak the bird was really Malan. I never would have believed it had I not seen Malan transform with my own eyes tonight. At the Arena I had even touched his soft feathers…oh dear gods, I stroked him…on what must be his private areas! No wonder Janus accused me of fondling him! How embarrassing! Oh, I hope that isn’t one of those things ancient vampires take wrong.

I learned one thing from all of this, ancient vampires will say or do anything to get virgin blood. It feels like being covered in bait, luring sharks in to eat me. Hannibal and Uriel were both right, the safest thing I could do would be to lose that which was drawing any of the ancient’s interest.


*

Uriel really hit Maxical with a lot of pressure.

“That struck me earlier today as well, realizing for the first time that when my end comes it will be without my friend beside me.

I really liked that line.

I just mentally saw Uriel having an aneurism after Maxical started revealing what she knew of Dream Catching. Didn’t Foxy tell him it was safe? And Maxical said Foxy seeks the throne… Will it be enough?

Maxical is really letting Uriel have it… for something Foxy/Malan did. Still enjoying the fireworks though! Interesting idea that Dagon could have been privy to Uriel’s dreams. I don’t know how long Maxical and Uriel will be together, but I’m going to love the conflict between the two for however long it lasts!

Uriel was right when he said Jak the bird was really Malan. I never would have believed it had I not seen Malan transform with my own eyes tonight. At the Arena I had even touched his soft feathers…oh dear gods, I stroked him…on what must be his private areas! No wonder Janus accused me of fondling him! How embarrassing! Oh, I hope that isn’t one of those things ancient vampires take wrong.

Oh my goodness, I think that anything Maxical did could be taken wrong! I remember that scene at the Arena. I nearly hurt myself laughing.

These two are really figuring some things out, in between wanting to throttle each other. Their relationship is somehow touching, funny, and noble all at the same time. I’m sure their shared grief over Fathis is a big part of that.

It’s also funny and sad that at the same time Uriel is telling her to live up to her dead Eternal Campion husband’s memory, she has a pressing reason to sleep with Gils. As convoluted as ever, I love it!!

The depth of emotional connection between Max and Uriel continues to build. At times it reminds me of two that have been friends forever, who know each other intimately, bickering; then in the next moment they are strangers knowing they are connected and trying to figure each other out. You do quite the job with this mALX, the complexity is very well done.

Keeping us just on the edge of our seat while each of them puts pieces into the puzzle, seemingly on opposite sides of the board, I can hardly wait until the picture comes into focus for them both.

Great write again, as always. I am anxiously awaiting the next part.

So Maxical now understands that Malan can transform himself into a bird, but have either of them noticed that he can do other party tricks?

If she does figure it out, she's going to have to be really careful about solving her virginity problem, as she won't be able to trust her eyes. That could get really silly, as she decides what she can trust, and how to check that she's right about it.

Wow, Maxical just got promoted to Mrs Eternal Champion! Uriel’s inspirational words to Maxical were awesome. No wonder he is the damn Emperor! Seriously, the interactions you write between Maxical and her Emperor are wonderful.

I loved the shock Maxical revealed regarding Dream Catchers. A wonderful forehead-smacking moment for me. All the more delicious because we know MalaFoxian has been ‘helping’ Uriel with Dream Catchers. This creates such a perfect Maxical moment:
”Sire? Are you okay?”

”…ancient vampires are stepping out of history to stalk me like I’m a chicken dinner…“
I love this line!

I remember Maxical feeling empathy for Jak. Sad, as she realizes he really is Malan.

Poor kitty. Married to two mer and still a virgin. Isn’t there anyone in Cyrodill who can cure her of the condition?

Gritty. Virgin hunting. What better place than to kidnap kiddies at an Orphanage? Funny you mentioned Orphanage and kids in this chapter, since I was planning to make a brief reference and add a scene of such things. Though I fear it may be a bit...too much. Too macabre. Anyways, it was interesting to see more of Seridur and Malan's interest in children here. It just shows how vampires like anything young and pure . No wonder Molag Bal chose a virgin to do his...stuff.

Character development between Maxical and Uriel keeps growing. I wonder how terrible his fate will be to her

"In peacetime, people don’t want to hear of heroes or champions."
Yeah, that's for damn sure!! The plot thickens! Dun..Dun...Dun!

OOoh, an excellently intense chapter...

Love the way all that info about Fathis and the Dreamcatching stuff got put out without it dragging the story down...That was sooo amazingly done...

I'm loving these two-handers between Uriel and Maxical...You really do them so incredibly well...

Such beautiful writing...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

*

@ King Coin - Thank you so much KC !!! If they don't start getting along soon, Uriel may kill her in her sleep, ROFL !! But you pointed out something really important, Malan/Sir Damien has been putting a spin on facts every time he talks to Uriel - there are two ways to look at anything, and he has been playing Devil's Advocate with everything Uriel thinks or believes (like the day he was pretending to stand up for Maxical, just twisting wording so it sounds better).

Maxical proved she was eavesdropping on that conversation when she mentioned Sir Damien was seeking the throne - if there is one thing she picks up quickly it is ways to defend herself, lol. Thanks again, KC !!!

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@ Grits - Thank you so very much Grits! That line you quoted was the first thing I thought of when Maxical realized the birds were really vampires - dear gods! ROFL !! I am so glad you caught that, and remembered that scene at the Arena too (hard to believe it was just weeks ago in the story, lol) Thank you again, Grits. You always make my day with your comments!!!

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@ Athynae - Thank you so very much Athynae! Your kind words are so appreciated, that made my day !!!

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@ Ghastley - Thank you so much Ghastley! You had me rolling with visions of exactly how Maxical can check to see who is Malan in disguise, ROFL !! Thanks again, Ghastley !!

*
@ Acadian - Thank you so very much Acadian! You got me so tickled with crying out to Cyrodiil to help Maxical (reminded me of a Blazing Saddles line, "Isn't anyone going to help that poor man?") Maxical may not be good for much, but I thought it fitting she should be the one to clue the Emperor in on the Dream Catchers, now Uriel has some deep thinking to do. Thanks again, Acadian !!

*
@ Darkness Eternal - Thank you so much DE!! I love getting insights from you on the vampire stuff, and like you said - was very hesitant to take it there. If Bethesda hadn't done it first I def would not have, although the farming was something I pictured vampires doing long before I came across that Daggerfall story, lol. Thanks again DE!!!

*
@ McBadgere - Thank you so much McB! I was worried it may be an info dump on that, so was glad to hear it didn't come across that way! I appreciate so much your words on the fights between Maxical and Uriel, it was bound to happen, lol. Thanks again !!!


*

*


Chapter 144: Hawks and Hooks



In the past two days it felt like I’d learned too many things that were beyond my ken, things I doubt I’d understand in a lifetime. Vampires were complex masters of subterfuge…why did the Arcane only teach that they had fangs and carried disease?

Everything we learned at the Arcane was abstract, no one would expect to leave there and face Daedric Lords and historic figures like Malan and Camoran Usurper‘s son…or do tasks for gods even. It felt like a powerful current had carried me to depths too deep for my ability to swim in them.

Uriel needed someone with brains, a quick thinker…something I would never be. Everything that had happened in the last few days was too far over my head to sort out, it was overwhelming me. I just wanted to go home and be treated like a child again, where I could cry and not be shaken for it…where someone was always strong for you because you couldn‘t be…weren‘t expected or required to be.

For a second tonight I’d been reminded of that feeling when Malan cradled me in his arms and rocked me, singing away the painful memory of my mother’s death for the second time. One minute the ache inside me was excruciating…the next I couldn’t pull up the image in my mind anymore, never to relive it in nightmares.

It felt really odd to consider any moment with him as good, especially in light of what he was doing there that night and the horrible things he did to those children. A shiver moved down my spine as if to shake off his memory, and just then he flew closely past the dome toward the Temple District. His piercing eyes seemed to be looking in as he flew by, and I had a tingle of fear that my thinking of him had drawn him in. Had he eavesdropped on my thoughts?

I needed Gils to end this for me, needed the protection our relationship would give me from all of this. Uriel said he would send for Gils…I couldn’t stand the thought of my first time being in this Palace. Uriel and Sir Damien listening through one wall and the Khajiit women through the other, probably giggling. Ocato’s shrill shrieks possibly interrupting everything in the middle. Evangeline popping in to hide Alix the Mouse from Ocato…no. Not here.

With or without Uriel’s permission I would find Gils on my own. Maybe we could go to our spot on the Rumare, or even if we just locked ourselves in the bathing room of the Bloodworks. Anywhere but here.









***



An odd scratching kept repeating on the glass of the dome above me. I glanced up expecting to see that the effigy we’d hung had fallen…and had the air smothered in my lungs in a gasp. Jak the bird…Malan was staring down in through the glass, his eyes glittering tiny reflections of myself back at me. With a chill I knew beyond a doubt he had been eavesdropping on my thoughts.

“SIRE!” I pointed up at the large bird on top of the dome.

“Blank your mind!” Uriel ordered.

“I…I can’t…” I tried, but couldn’t. My mind chattered worse the harder I tried. It was like I’d swallowed Skooma, my mind raced a million thoughts at once, colliding with each other in a jumble. Somewhere in that collage of thought flashed something Hannibal had told me once, that my singing would bring an enemy to its knees. Instead of blanking my mind, maybe I could just imagine myself singing…but what song?


In Daggerfall,
they hold a ball
And all of society indulges in a variety
Of scandal, they can handle -- A lot.
The Captain of the Guard
Has to search very hard
For a bean that the Queen
Has in her pants.

And the Court Sorceress
Will grant you a wish
To cause the King
to fling
About his lance


Oh what a bad choice of songs to think of singing! The last thing I want to do is sing a bawdy song and get him thinking randy thoughts about my virgin blood! I tried to think of a better one quickly, and came up with one Owyn used to sing when he was drunk.


"You think you mixed silver, blue diamonds, and yellow grass!"
The King laughed, "Look up, Faer, up to the ceiling glass.
The light falling makes the ingredients you choose
Quite different hues."
"What do you get," asked the floating voice, bold,
"Of a potion of red diamonds, blue grass, and gold?"
"By God," said Faer, his face in a wince,
"I've made a potion to fortify my own intelligence."


I really needed some intelligence potion right about now. Then I remembered one of Gils’ songs that was especially apropos for the situation.


So I try to get through to you,
in my own special way,
as the barriers crumble,
at the end of the day.
Do not take for granted,
powers out there,
don't step into the demon's lair.








***



I was still trying to think of the best song to sing when Uriel caught my attention.

“What is happening? Has he been hit by something? Look, he’s staggering around in circles…what is he doing with his wings?” Uriel’s pointing finger followed the bird as it was stumbling across the top of the dome.

It looked like Jak was stunned, and alternating between covering his ears and clutching his stomach with his wings as if he was in pain. And then suddenly there were two birds!

“GAAAAH! There‘s another one!” I shrieked. The new bird dove at the dome in what looked almost like an attack. When it landed it seemed to be challenging the other bird in a territorial way. Then they started pacing back and forth, flapping their wings and squawking at each other. I got a sinking feeling that my blood was the territory they were fighting over, like I was a fat worm to be devoured.

“One would almost think they were arguing…” Uriel observed aloud.

“Sire, one of those birds must be Jak, and the other one Malan. How will we know which?”

“Malan and one of his bloodline.“ Uriel spoke as if to himself, his eyes riveted on the birds.

“Jak is one of Malan’s? How do you know?”

“Transforming to large predatory birds. That clan was from High Rock, and was extinguished ages ago. Their line only exists today in Malan‘s cocktail vampires. Traven retrieved all Malan’s logs from the Crystal Tower, they pinpoint every ancient line that went into the mixture used to create both Malan and the Immortal. He is the foremost authority in Tamriel on them.”

After some angry sounding chattering, one of the birds stepped off onto the ledge and went into a skid on the grease and soap Nissy had coated the ledge with. The bird on the dome looked like it was pointing at the other bird with one wing, and made a squawking sound almost like it was laughing.

“He’s trying to get in the window! Oh Sire, it is a very good thing we booby-trapped your windows. Did I warn you of that? Don’t open one by accident.”








***



The bird from the top of the dome took off and flew in a wide circle, dipping low over the Talos Plaza and disappearing. The other one hesitated, looking in at us before following the first bird. When the second bird passed the district wall Uriel seemed galvanized by their departure. He hurried to his desk, scribbling and sealing parchments rapidly.

“I want you to find out immediately if Nisaba was contacted while Akatosh had time frozen.”

“I will ask, but if it was Malan she won’t tell me anything. The seal will keep her from exposing him.”

“Then don’t ask, just tell her what happened to you and see if she is forthcoming on her own. Akatosh said two would stand true, and one be my enemy. It is imperative I know…”

“Oh! So the first place you look for the rotten apple is to the beasts, regardless of the fact that the third person is an assassin!“

“Whom I have known to be trustworthy for well over thirty years. And you forget she attacked me tonight.”

After taking a deep breath my temper dissipated as quickly as it had flashed, and my tone was contrite when I spoke.

“I didn’t forget it, just hoped you may have.” To my shock Uriel gave a brief smile.

“Let us not come to blows again tonight, it should ease your mind that you are not among the suspected.”

“I’m not? That does relieve me.” It actually did.

“We are equally matched in temper, my father would have called this my ’just deserts’.”

“I get that a lot, if true I must be everyone’s bad karma coming to bite them.” I grinned, but it disappeared at his next words.








***



“I’ll be sending Ocato with a message for Traven in the morning, I want him to bring those tomes you mentioned and the bloodletting equipment.”

I gaped at him. “OCATO! But I want to…er…” Uriel was already saying no before I could finish.

“I doubt Traven is up to another of your greetings, he was with the healers for hours and still walks with a limp.”

I gasped. Uriel was obviously baiting me deliberately, I refused to pick up on it. “Ocato has a broken leg from what Evangeline said, he‘s limping too. I promise to walk carefully...”

“Do so. I want you fully armed and armored, and while you are out I have two errands for you. I want you to carry a message to someone at the Tiber Septim Hotel, and then stop by that mansion we lay siege on the other day. I will give you a message with my official seal ordering those men to the palace immediately. This is not to be discussed with anyone, is that understood? Not Nisaba, not Sir Damien or Evangeline…no one. From now on I don‘t want even your left hand knowing what your right hand is doing.“

I gaped at him. “Sire! I don’t…I’ve read about women that do that in one of Casta Scribonia’s novels, but I’ve never…”

Uriel gave a short cough. “I’m saying that from now on when I give you orders no one is to know what you are doing, why or when. We must determine who knows what they shouldn‘t.” He handed me the missives and I startled when I saw the name on the top one.

“Eyja…how odd. That was the name of my father’s first girlfriend. He sometimes teases S’Jirra that Eyja is still first place in his heart…well, when he is trying to make her mad he does.”

“Does she have a temper like yours?”

“Not quite as bad, but she doesn’t have red hair. That fuels mine, I can feel my hair get hot a split second before I do. S’Jirra’s you can see coming and run before it blows. Alix has no temper unless someone messes with his own.”

Uriel held up his hand to silence me, then handed me another sealed parchment. “Listen to me carefully so there is no error. This one with the official seal goes to Foxy’s men in the mansion we lay siege on. These two for the Tiber Septim have explicit handling instructions, so listen carefully.” He then gave me some very odd instructions for how to deliver those messages.

“You want me to hire a prostitute? Won’t they think that odd coming from a female?”

“You will tip the publican, Augusta Calidia very well. She will assume you are but an emissary for a wealthy man and send you to a room. You are not to speak. Hand her this missive first, it has an identifying code. She will give you her code in return. It is crucial this be done correctly, Maxical. Malan can read minds. You must remember the code to verify it is correct, but it must be done without it being held in your mind. Do you understand?”

“Huh? Er…hey, wait a minute! How come your code can be written and carried but not the prostitute’s? You’re tricking me! I’m not the brightest candle in the sconce, but even I can see through that.”

“I’m testing your memory and how well you follow directives. Just do it. Glimpse at this code and immediately blank your mind of the information till she gives her code. If she gives you the correct code, you will then hand her this second missive.”

“And then what?”

“And then you leave. You walk straight across the square and deliver these official orders to the man in the entry room of the mansion. Return here immediately when done. I’ll work on trying to get young Gils released in the meantime, but you must realize it is not a sure thing that we‘ll be able to get him.”

“NOT A SURE THING? Why not? Gils has no magic, surely one man for a few hours won’t crush the war effort!”

“If he is in the sewers, it can be days before they can reach him.”

“Oh…Yes, Sire.”


*

Heck, I should just quote the whole opening segment. I absolutely reveled in Maxical’s ruminations. She was at her lovable, bewildered, swirling uncertain very best here. A most perfect example of why I love our kit.

In fact this whole episode was right up there among your very best.

“Blank your mind!” Uriel ordered.'
By Mara, Uriel, you know not what you ask! You may as well ask a big bear not to crap in the woods. Even worse, because asking Maxical to blank her mind will absolutely guarantee a wild flood of racing thoughts! Give her a book and tell her to read it or something! Her idea of singing a song was brilliant, but predictably doomed to failure.

Maxical the fat little worm!

“I didn’t forget it, just hoped you may have.” To my shock Uriel gave a brief smile.'
Brief smile? Heck, this gave me a big grin!

“I get that a lot, if true I must be everyone’s bad karma coming to bite them.”

And we come full circle in this episode. We both open and close with consideration given to getting Maxical ‘Gils'd’.

What a delightful episode this was!

why did the Arcane only teach that they had fangs and carried disease?
Because that’s what most people need to know about them!

Maxical singing! Don’t stop, you had him stunned!

Maxical’s running errands now? Is it safe for her to do so until she's met with Gils somewhere? She's going to mess this up somehow.

Some singers can break glass with a sustained pitch. It's probably a good thing that Maxical can't, with the two "birds" outside the window!

Looking forward to all the extra complications that I'm sure are coming!

The first several paragraphs where Maxical is thinking that she is inadequate made me want to give her a hug. Until the Gils part where she was imagining the antics that would surround their hot session at the palace. That made me laugh.


Oh, that can’t be good! Maxical’s idea to sing was pure genius. How funny that she then had to debate which was the best song!


OMG, I was laughing so much that I almost forgot to worry about Maxical wafting her virgin blood around while she’s on those errands. And uh oh, complicated instructions and prostitutes might be a bad combination.

Now there’s also the possibility of Gils popping up somewhere if Uriel commands him to get busy with his wife and the orders manage to reach him. And then will it really be Gils? I love it!

Ah!, alas the Septim still does not suspect... ...*Sigh*...*Goes back to waiting*... ...

Brilliant stuff...Loved the songs...The last one was really nice...

Laughed at the response to the left hand/right hand thing... ...

I hope she has a better memory than me... ...I'd have absolutely no chance with that one... ...

Amazing stuff...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

"Vampires were complex masters of subterfuge…why did the Arcane only teach that they had fangs and carried disease?"
Because the Arcane is limited to the mundane and the natural?

So, singing albino khajiits? She can play instruments and sing, very talented! And I thought Uriel wouldn't need someone with brains, considering he was pretty smart

And yes, I watched the video too where Maxical was at the inn playing the lute(?)....shirtless...

*

@ Acadian - LOVED your comments on this chapter, you had me rolling! Thank you so much Acadian !!

*
@ King Coin - Lol, well she is going in daylight hours, hopefully the sunlight will protect her, lol. Thank you so much KC !!!

*
@ Ghastley - ROFL !!! Now why didn't I think of that? ROFL!! Thank you so much, Ghastley !!

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@ Grits - Gils is probably the only person Malan could NOT impersonate without Maxical knowing instantly something was up - the moonsugar wouldn't come to her tongue, lol. It is killing me not to include my original Eyja in this story, but the war made it impossible. The first Eyja took on the Dark Brotherhood - it was the most fun write of my life, lol. Thank you so much Grits !!!

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@ McBadgere - ROFL !! Thank you so much McB !!!

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@ Darkness Eternal - I nearly choked to death laughing at your comment, I had completely forgotten about that vid - Maxical as the 'Topless Troubadour' ROFL !!! That must happen in the future as she goes downhill after the "Champion of Cyrodiil" role wears thin, ROFL !!! Thank you so much DE !!!!

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Chapter 145: The Facts of Life



Uriel grabbed my arm none too gently. “This situation has become dangerous, not just your own safety but the security of the Palace is at risk. The ancients have become bold now, it is imperative you lose that which is drawing them.”

“I’m not against it, Sire…but does it have to be here at the Palace? I dreamed my first time would be romantic. Why can’t I just meet Gils at the Bloodworks instead of him coming here?”

“You think the Bloodworks would be more romantic than this Palace?”

“Infinitely.”

“That place you described as so filthy it called your name?”

“There are not vampire birds looking down at you through the glass ceiling, nor eight Khajiit in the next room with super hearing. Ocato isn’t shrieking, assassins aren‘t skulking about…not to mention an Emperor whose hearing is remarkably acute. I want privacy.”

“I see. Maxical, right now the Bloodworks is a highly active military base. It has been taken over by my Imperial Army as well as the Blades. The privacy you seek will not be found there. My runner can check the inns to see if any have a room available, but you must return here before nightfall.”

“Okay, but not Luther Broads. They have fleas in the beds, and Luther has peepholes drilled into all the rooms. They don’t even have a public bath, either…”

“I suppose you want dinner and a bottle of fine wine provided?”

“Brandy, please. I’ll write down the brand label…oh, were you being sarcastic?”

Uriel took the half scribbled note on the brandy from me and crumpled it. “You may take a bottle of brandy from my cabinet with you if you would like.”

“And some scented soap as well?”






***


Uriel exhaled loudly. “Mayhap the Smithy can shred a rose pathway leading to the room or shape horseshoes into a heart to place over the headboard between armor repairs.”

Was he baiting me again? “With my luck, one of the horseshoes would come loose and knock Gils in the head…” Uriel cut me off, his face reddened in anger.

“Enough! The time has come to put away childish notions of romance, Maxical. You are compromising the security of this throne, we are at war and the timing is critical. I will attempt to get Gils released and find a more suitable spot, but if unable you will have to forgo the childish dreams and seize the day.”

“S…seize the day? I don’t understand…”

“There is a tremendous battle ongoing at the Arena both day and night, nothing like you have seen here. We have been driving the vampires through the sewers during the daylight hours and sealing each sewer off to trap them directly beneath the Arena. If Gils is working the sewers they may not be able to get hold of him for days. Regardless you are putting this Palace at risk.”

“What? I don’t understand, what are you saying?“

“How much clearer must I say it? Whether Gils or any one of the seven hundred Legion below floors, you must rid yourself of that which is drawing danger to this Palace. Either you resolve this immediately or orders will be given Ocato…”

“OCATO!”

“If necessary. This matter is crucial to my security and must be resolved without further delay. With luck young Gils will be released so no extreme measures will be necessary. You are dismissed to rest, I want those errands run at daybreak.” Uriel waved me out.






***


How Uriel expected me to sleep after that, I don‘t know. I couldn’t face Nissy and the sisters, not now. I did understand Uriel’s point, especially after Malan and Jak fighting on the dome and trying to get in.

Understanding was one thing, but doing what he suggested…no. I couldn’t just bed some stranger. Maybe I’d have to give up my dream of it being perfect and romantic, but it had to be with Gils…it had to.

Without knowing why, I found myself running to Evangeline…literally running. I shot through the gauntlet of traps almost setting them off, heard the sisters guarding it mewl but ignored them. My eyes were blurred so badly with tears I could barely see where I was going, but Evangeline caught me just outside Ocato’s door. Her arms were surprisingly strong when she wrapped them around me and pulled me to a stop.

“Shhh…Maxical, what is wrong? Oh my dear, come to my room and tell me what is going on.”

She pushed a fancy leather pram out of the way and stripped off my armor before bundling me onto her bed and wrapping a thick quilt around me.

“Let me warm some milk for you dearest. Now you tell me what has you so upset.” Evangeline alternated coddling me with some sage wisdom.

“Uriel is right about the danger, Maxical. It will be no time at all before they breach the Palace. The city is filled with ancient vampires and your scent is going out like a beacon calling them in. With assassins plotting attacks and traitors in his midst, he can’t be worried about vampires staging a siege on the Palace.”

“I know, Evangeline. But according to Uriel, I’m to hop on Puny Ancus like a hungry leopard while he sleeps.”

“Bwaahaa! You‘d catch a load of yellow ticks in your fur if you did. Maxical, if Uriel can’t get your man here, you’ll have to do your duty for the security of the throne.”






***


”Evangeline, is there any way you know of that girls can lose that without being with a man?”

“Well, I’ve heard in Skyrim that the women attach leather straps to Horker tusks and tie them down onto another woman…”

I gaped at her. “Those giant beasts? That is the grossest thing I ever heard of! Won’t the Horker crush the other woman? And what is she even there for? Are Horkers tame? Just never mind, I don’t want to know any more about it.”

“But I… that‘s not what I meant…”

“Forget it, Evangeline. I’d do it with a strange man before a giant beast, not to mention some innocent woman getting mauled in the process. Isn‘t there some other way you know of?”

“Well, I’ve heard some girls lose it riding horses…”

“That’s disgusting! That’s just plain sick!”

“Maxical…never mind. Just drink this warm milk, I’ve mixed a little restorative in it.”

“It’s bad enough I have to give up the romance, but I can’t stand the thought of being with a stranger, Evangeline.”

“Well, there is Arch Mage Traven. You and he are close, and he is quite a handsome man.”

“He is, but he’s kind of more like a father figure to me.”

“Chef likes you.”

“No, he’s nice and everything, but…no.”

“Sir Damien…”

“NO! Although had I not stopped him he was seconds away from taking it from me by accident yesterday.”

“By accident? Do tell.” Evangeline’s eyes lit up, she loves to hear gossip

“The sisters seem to be quite taken with him, so much that they are teaming up to bed him. They invited him while in my room, I’m guessing he assumed it to be theirs. When he showed up I had snuffed the candles and was sleeping. He climbed on like he was mounting a horse and was almost at the finish line before I knew what was happening.”

“Now see how quick it could be over for you?”

“Not that finish line, Evangeline. I was talking about mine. I kneed him at least three times, and despite that…if you had heard how long he dallied with those women in the next room you may have erected a monument to him.”

“Maybe he uses that ‘Stallion Potion’ the alchemy shops have been shipping in from Skyrim lately.”

“Or maybe he is the stallion making the potions to sell.”

“Bwaahaa! Now see? You‘ve got your humor back. Are you feeling a little better?”

“No. Evangeline, can it be here in your room? I don’t want to be in my room where everyone can hear.”

“Of course you can, and I’ll make it nice and romantic for you here.”

“Thank you, Evangeline.”









******* Uriel Septim


“Where have you been for the last eight hours, Foxy? You took no leave of me, and left my protection in the singular hands of Maxical. It has become a state of emergency the way she is drawing vampires in, they will breach this Palace in no time if something isn‘t done.”

“I nearly captured Malan, but he escaped at the last minute…” Uriel cut him off.

“Since when do you take it upon yourself to leave my side in wartime? Your duty is here at my defense, not joining in the battle. We had vampires fighting on the dome, trying to pry the windows!”

“I apologize, Sire. When I saw him escaping the trap I followed him, may have found another nest of his. They tried to enter the dome?”

Uriel nodded briefly. “Write the location in your report. It is crucial Maxical act immediately. I’ve given her orders to that effect. If she can’t find the gumption to breed her husband then I’ll appoint someone to do the job. She endangers the security of this Palace, not to mention her own safety.”

“Is she against it?”

“No, just shows no initiative to solve this problem on her own. My hope is that her reticence was due to not knowing where young Gils has been stationed. We’ll see, I informed her where to find him. This is one task she should be able to handle without assistance, instead she tried to place the burden of it onto the throne. I gave her the ultimatum, now to sit back and see if she runs with it.”

“Did she take the bait?”

“She gave no indication of doing so. She’s been overly coddled, still sits back and waits to be hand fed. This is important to her as well, not just the security of the Palace. If she shows no initiative for this task then she‘ll be useless to me. I believe she thinks only to be an additional sword by my side, what need has the throne of that?”

“To be fair, you ordered her not to use any more Khajiit measures; that you wanted things done your way from now on.”

Uriel‘s brows raised in surprise. “Did she tell you that? It had no effect at the time, Foxy. She hung an effigy and dressed bodies in robes immediately afterward.”

“She may feel chastised that in doing so it endangered you. If you don’t mind my asking, what threat did you use to…goad her?”

Uriel’s brows fluttered between raised and lowered briefly. Maxical had been told not to discuss any of this with anyone, obviously she had discussed it with Foxy…but when could she have? Had Foxy stopped in her room on the way to his chambers?

“Ocato.”

“HA! If that doesn‘t motivate her to act, nothing will.”






***


“Based on what she’s shown so far in obeying my orders, I forbade her from going to the Arena before giving her a mission that will send her out alone. Follow in chameleon. Ensure her safety from any vampires of course, otherwise stay hidden. I want to see if she acts. If she returns straight from her assignment she‘ll have earned my disappointment.”

“Perhaps she should know of Captain Renault’s…interest.”

“Enraging her may be just what she needs, according to her dossier she thinks better when angered. I haven’t seen that yet, and I‘ve seen plenty of her temper. You‘ll have to follow closely if you tell her that, we don‘t know how disciplined she is yet. This can’t end in a murder.”

“If it comes to that, I’ll step in. A few stumbling blocks after baiting her may help as well, see how she overcomes them.” Damien suggested.

“Do it. I want her followed, and a detailed report on how she handles herself. Make sure to keep a close watch on her at that Arena, they are driving vampires out during daylight hours there and she could be at serious risk. If my Imperial Army or Blades act on her I want you to stay out of it. They are disciplined soldiers, she may take a beating but won‘t be killed.”

“She may give them a beating.”

“Ha! We‘ll see.”


*

YAY!Caught up again...

What in Oblivion??? Uriel tells her not to discuss it but he did...I know M-Damien knows anyway but, well phooey...
I'm worried that something worse than just embarassment is going to happen...Uriel needs to have another dream or something before Max is harmed irreparably.

I will go back to pacing like a nervous parent while I wait for more. Great stuff mALX!