There was nobody here in chameleon but us! And I�d know Foxy in any disguise!

So Eyja's almost caught on, and Maxical's come close too many times to mention. It's looking like Malan's disguise is getting very thin.

I'll admit to being surprised that Fathis and the real Damien haven't found some way to escape yet. Are they together?

Oh this was great, as you continue to show the slimy charm that oozes from Malan. The dream and ultimate resolution to Maxical�s question was perfectly done.

Closer and closer she comes to unraveling Malan�s disguise.

What a pleasant surprise to see Uriel, and that he has acted on Maxical�s list.

So very dangerous. Maxical is a mouse and Malan�s a snake. It was so easy for him to slip off the ring that protected her, and then after that, he was free to do whatever magic he wanted. He even got an invitation into her mind yet again.

Maxical�s waking was very creepy� We know it isn�t Gils and Maxical doesn�t realize it isn�t until� after what?

Uriel finally took it upon himself to figure out where the heck they�d gone.

Eyja grinned at me while she helped me find my armor. �Owyn said you were so dumb you could lose your virginity and never know. I didn�t believe him.�


We end with Uriel mildly impressed with Maxical, until he finds out the rest. He is going to flip!

Blimey... ...

Almost but not quite...In several ways...As it were... ...

Fantastic stuff...Love it!!!...



I agree actually...But, I have no doubt that their return will be mighty and triumphant... ...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

Argh, I wish Maxical was thinking out loud and Eyja could hear her!! She�s just not putting the pieces together yet.



What an entrance!! Uriel�s interrogation was funny. Awesome that he already had a list of things to change. Including more training for Maxical! Her head is in such a fog now, but her emotions were even harder for her to deal with. Now Uriel is back on the subject of relieving her of that virginal condition, and Maxical has run out of husbands! Maybe the real Damian and Fathis have been busy with a lockpick!!

What a relief that Uriel was pleased with her, but I guess there might be some yelling soon. At least Maxical will be armored up to deal with it!

I thought Maxical's dreamy state and then awakening was great. Her confusion came through very well, with the sense that something had been lost but now she doesn't know what.

Interesting what you said. So this goes beyond Maxical's blood in a much more convoluted plot, I see. Yes! Conspiracies within conspiracies.

So Maxical questions her own virginity? Oh lawd, the mind games continue

What the hell, Malan! He even seeps into Maxical's steamy dreams! The man is everywhere and anywhere! . I loved the flash memory of the orphanage, a throwback to Maxical's history.




Oh yes! Uriel(at last he returns) has something planned! . Trouts anyone?

*

@ Zalphon - ROFL !! I�ll bet he thinks of it that way, too! Lol. Thanks so much Zalphon!

*
@ Ghastley - Maxical didn�t know Foxy before this but that one day, so she has no frame of reference. Eyja would def be able to, but she hasn�t seen the imposter yet, lol.

There have been many chapters since Damien was captured, but it has been less than a week in story time that has passed.

Fathis and the real Damien are not jailed together, but they are both in the same prison. Even if Damien escapes his cell, he can�t return to Cyrodiil for this SPOILER reason:

This is where they are being held:

http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/images/...-1277979579.jpg


Damien can�t fly. Fathis may be able to if he has been turned into a vampire, but he is shackled and in a cell. Damien would not release Fathis if he is a vampire.

Thank you so much Ghastley!

*
@ Acadian - Thank you so very much Acadian! Love your description of Malan, you had me choking, lol. Hope you come back soon, GAAAAH! It is TOO quiet without you!

*
@ King Coin - I loved your comment, you pegged it so well! Thank you so very much KC!

*
@ McBadgere - The worst part about keeping chapter length down to readable chunks is that it takes numerous chapters to cover a few days, lol.

I keep inserting time references in each chapter so you�ll know only a few days has passed - Damien was captured less than a week ago. The war broke out under two weeks ago.

It seems a lot longer than that to me too, but a lot has happened since Maxical came to the Palace - and getting it all in there before Damien/Fathis escapes took a LOT of chapters, lol.

Thank you so much McB!


*
@ Grits - Thank you so very much Grits! You always make my day with your comments! I appreciate you so much, you see the things only another female would notice (the parts that mean the most to me, lol). <3

*
@ Darkness Eternal - Ah, you caught that! Yes, Malan would have just taken her down if all he wanted was her blood, he has had ample opportunities. Everything he does is integral to a plot he is hatching, and there is a reason he has chosen Maxical for his plot that has nothing to do with her. Two chapters from now (or less) you will find out what that plot is, lol.

That was not a dream Maxical was having, it was something Malan was up to. I hoped that would come across, but didn�t do a good enough job making it clear, lol. Sorry about that.

Thank you so very much Darkness!


*

*

Chapter 165: Of Testing And Trout


�Foxy wagered you would best my army, his faith in your ability was greater than my own. I was both surprised and pleased by your success.�

�You wagered against me? Your Champion?�

�You were untested till now. What I�ve learned has given me confidence in your capabilities.�

Had I fought cleanly like his army did, I may have strutted around like a banty rooster. Instead I couldn�t look him in the eye I was so ashamed.

�I�m still untested, Sire. I cheated, used filthy tricks. I felt terrible doing that against your men, they fought clean and hard. I was backed in a corner, it was me or them. I knew I�d take a beating, so took as many as I could down first.�

�I don�t condone your use of those techniques in battle against men, but there are some wars that cannot be won using gentlemen�s rules of engagement. We�ve been raising up dead enemies to fight for us against these vampires, these are tactics I would never consider against mortals. We do what we must in defense of the Empire, and with creatures such as these vampires or the Daedra to come we must fight dirt with dirt. My troops began training under Owyn in those irregular fighting techniques this morning.�

�Will the Blades be trained in them as well, Sire? Because if you place your life in their hands right now, you will surely die. The least trained of your Imperial Army would avail you better. Renault and Glenroy are unskilled with their weapons and undisciplined. Captain Renault is downright dangerous, and Glenroy has personality issues that are counterproductive to any team.�

�You have made a statement, now must follow through with an action. What disciplinary measures would you recommend?�

�Huh? Me?�

Uriel nodded. �I must know what your leadership abilities are. Make your determination, and tell me what course of action you would advise for disciplining Captain Renault.�

�Oh no, is this a test? Oh dear gods! Er�uh�well, she could be executed for the treason�no, better not. She�s young and pretty, people would be offended and your public image would suffer. There�s prison�wait, no. They�d walk by her cell to see the traitor�she would look like a victim and gain their sympathy. You almost have to extend your grace to her�Dishonorable Discharge, I guess.�

�I was sure you would press for Renault�s execution.�

�If it was just me, I would have. I�m Khajiit and albino, people hate me already just on sight. But everyone loves you, you have an image to protect.�






***


Uriel paused as if considering what he was going to say next. I held my breath because his expression was serious. He placed his hand on my shoulder, then firmly gripped it for a brief second as he began speaking.

�Despite my earlier misgivings, I�m beginning to believe Akatosh chose well. You have surpassed my expectations on this assignment.�

He handed me an official scroll. �This is Renault�s Dishonorable Discharge from the Blades. She is being stripped of all rank, and can never rejoin in any capacity with this on her permanent record. I expect you to serve this on her. Eyja, you are to confiscate her Blade armor and Katana; then remove her from this base and the Palace. Do either of you know where she is? She did not show this morning when I addressed the troops.�

A sickening sensation knotted in my stomach that had something to do with Renault. It felt like I should be remembering something about her. I looked over at Eyja, she was crimson and looked too innocent to not be guilty of something.

Uriel glanced between both of our faces. �One of you knows. Now, where is Captain Renault?�

Eyja gave me an odd look before she spoke. �She stepped out for air sometime after midnight. I locked the door behind her to keep vampires from getting into the Bloodworks. She never knocked to get back in.�

I gasped, remembering Eyja saying I needed to surround myself with witnesses. Had she shoved her out into the vampires?

Uriel�s face reddened into a suspicious expression that honed in on Eyja, watching her closely as she answered his next question.

�Were there any witnesses to this midnight excursion?�

Eyja nodded. �The whole barracks. I�ve nothing to confess, Sire.�

Uriel�s expression was relieved. �See that you don�t while under my employ.�






***


Uriel relaxed, giving me a bland look I should have known to be wary of.

�That wasn�t a superhero you didn�t bed last night, was it? Haven�t I seen a greatcloak of similar fineness hanging in Ocato�s chambers?�

�OCATO! OH!�� I sputtered, then caught the twinkle of amusement in his eyes. He was baiting me.

�You may think it an improvement when you find who it really was, Sire. She slept with Malan.� Eyja blurted, ending Uriel�s humor abruptly.

�MALAN! CONSORTING WITH AN ENEMY TO THE THRONE?�

Uriel�s towering rage was as quick as mine, but there was nothing amusing about it. I hurriedly tried to retrieve his good opinion of me.

�We didn�t consort, Sire! I must have fallen asleep and just cuddled for warmth or something, but I didn�t�er�� Uriel cut me off mid sentence.

�YOU LET MALAN IN WITH MY TROOPS SO YOU COULD CUDDLE FOR HIS WARMTH?�

�NO! I didn�t let him in here Sire, I swear! He was already here, he was�uh�healing me and I fell asleep. He just�er�felt warm. And it wasn�t really cuddling anyway, my back was to him�� I thought Uriel�s head would blow off his neck. He gripped my shoulder uncomfortably this time, shaking it to emphasize his words.

�Malan cannot be trusted, Maxical. Everything he does is means to an end that benefits him or he wouldn�t do it. Every action is integral to a plot he is hatching. When he is most charming your suspicion should be at its highest! You must remember who you deal with constantly and look for the motive behind every action to stay ahead of his next move. Never take him at face value, because naivety in you could mean death for me!�

Eyja interjected, saving me. �Sire, this Bloodworks was sealed up tighter than a drum. Malan and his army just suddenly appeared inside, I saw it happen.�

�His army too?� I gaped at her.

�Maxical, what is going on with you? You don�t remember?�






***


Azura�s seal was burning my tongue nearly in two, but I couldn�t very well sip on vampire juices with Uriel�s piercing glare on me. It suddenly struck me that this morning was the first time the seal pained me since I�d come to the Bloodworks. Had Malan been in here the whole time yesterday? Maybe he was, but in that vapor form that can�t be detected.

�I only remember seeing Malan, but I know how they do it, Sire. They transform into some kind of invisible vapor. Malan said in that form they are completely undetectable through Life Detect or thermal imagery, but�er�� I ground to a halt.

If I admitted my seal burned now, would he realize I�d been drinking vampire juices at the Palace all this time to keep the pain down?

�Go on!� Uriel ordered.

�I think it may be possible for me to detect their presence with Azura�s seal, though not pinpoint their position.�

�How?�

�My tongue burns painfully unless an ancient is nearby. It is burning now, but didn�t at all yesterday or last night. Malan must have been in this Bloodworks the whole time. Eyja and I both wore Life Detect and neither of us saw anyone using invisibility.�

�No one was invisible, or I�d have seen Foxy. I don�t know how he heard and saw everything, we were all over this place.� Eyja grumbled under her breath.

Uriel glanced at Eyja, then suddenly stared hard at her with an almost glazed expression. He raised his hand as if to silence us, his face nearly as white as me; but his stunned expression showed he was thinking rapidly. When he finally spoke it sent chills through me.

�Malan has begun moving on the Palace. This war was more than a diversionary tactic, my forces were deployed and dissipated nearly beyond repair. I know exactly who the trout is now, but can�t land him or even let him know I�m onto him till I can move in enough forces to take him down. My Elite Guard is gone now, he has cleared away all my defenses and hogtied me in under a week.�






***


Eyja swelled up like a blowfish, cuffing her lacy sleeves like she was readying to fight. �Who is it?�

Uriel gave her a signal that caused her mouth to clamp shut. She glanced over at me and then back at Uriel.

�HEY! I know what that signal means, �don�t talk in front of the kit�! My parents used it all the time when they didn�t want me to know something!�

�Eyja is a highly trained operative and her mind has protection against access, something we must see about having done for you since you can find no one better to sleep with than enemies to the throne.�

�I didn�t invite him to my bed, Sire! He crawled in while I slept!�

�Yet didn�t drink your blood, as anyone would have expected him to do. We know his ultimate plan is the throne, but what plot is he hatching with you? We must find out how he thinks you can avail him. My guess is mind control, pit my own Champion against me.�

�Sire, you can�t think I would�and anyway, wouldn�t Akatosh guard my mind since he appointed me?�

�It is possible, but even that can be tampered with. Akatosh protects mine, but if I voluntarily give access to it as I did with Malan�s Dream Catchers the protection is lost.�

�Oh.�

I�d removed Fathis�s ring that protects me from spells so Malan could heal me last night, and yesterday he had taken it off to cast calming spells on me when I saw Fathis�s blood. Was that allowing Malan access to my mind?

Dear gods, he had to have accessed it when he erased the trauma of my mother�s death three nights ago while Akatosh stopped time to warn Uriel!

�I must know everything Malan said. If your seal stops burning tell me immediately.�

Both he and Eyja pulled out their notepads and began scribbling while I told them everything I remembered that Malan said or did.






***


�Are you sure that is all?� Uriel tucked his quill into the notepad.

�Wait, Sire. Yesterday I did something to Malan when he was kissing me. Whatever I did, it immobilized him for at least three minutes, and made him so weak that I was able to escape him. I couldn�t tell if he could hear or think while he was incapacitated, but he couldn�t respond. He looked drugged. Last night he repeatedly tried to make me tell him how I did it.�

Uriel and Eyja were both gaping at me.

�You kissed him?� Eyja squawked.

�No, of course not! He was kissing me! Anyway, last night he said I was safe sleeping with him because that thing I did completely drained his ability to mate temporarily, and he couldn�t drink my blood without killing me.�

�Now there�s a pick-up line I�ve never heard before.� Eyja rolled her eyes.

Uriel�s eyebrows shot up and then snapped down into a straight line. �Why didn�t you kill him while he was disabled?�

�His army stood guard, they weren�t incapacitated.�

�If you can reproduce that it may be a way to set a trap for him. Did he say anything else?�

�Just about me. He said I was under his protection, that we were bonded centuries ago�whatever that means. He said if anyone else touched me they�d be dead.�

Uriel snapped his brows down. �What is he up to? Eyja, stay with Maxical. Escort her back to the Palace, I�m going on ahead of you.� Uriel strode out.

�Hey, did you notice Uriel was wearing the Katana and sheath I gave him for his birthday?�

�Yeah. He loves that sword, Maxical. Come on, let�s get out of here. I need a bath, I think I�ve got fleas.�

�Don�t get them in our room at the Palace! Er�I need to do something before we go.�

�Oh no you don�t. You get into trouble when you�re alone, I�m coming with you. What are you up to?�



*

...

*Does dance of joy*...

Could it be?...



*Starts chewing nails in anticipation!*... ...

Oooh, loved this chapter...Your Uriel is definately my fave character in your story...All the others are brilliant, but your Uriel is something special...

I also loved the fact that Maxical went for dismissal with Renault, rather than execution...For Uriel's sake...Nicely done that...

Absolutely brilliant stuff...Loved it...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

I love Maxical�s decision about Captain Renault! Putting Uriel�s needs above her own desire for justice was a huge step. Since Uriel had the scroll ready, I guess he really was testing her. Yay Maxical!


Uh oh� Now Captain Renault is in the wind. I don�t think we�ve heard the last from her yet!


Uh oh again! You have made Uriel�s character so vivid, I knew there was a big GOTCHA coming for Maxical!! Of course the joke was over pretty quickly once Eyja blurted out the news. The whole cuddling/warmth/whose back was turned toward what discussion was hilarious. Thank goodness she didn�t elaborate on where her tail might have been during all of this.

Maxical�s burning tongue Ancient radar will be handy, but her poor tongue! It is such a relief to have Uriel�s mind at work on what Malan is planning for Maxical. Also a relief that Eyja will tag along on Maxical�s errand, whatever she�s up to. What a great chapter, I loved it!!

Oh no, not more trout!

Tricks are exactly what Maxical needs to use if she is to succeed.

Glenroy has personality issues that are counterproductive to any team.
Maxical hasn�t exactly been a fantastic team player either. She�s learning though.

Wow� Renault�s been dealt with.

Maxical�s a terrible liar.

My guess is mind control, pit my own Champion against me.�

�Sire, you can�t think I would�
Yes you would. Thanks goodness she�s finally realizing what is happening.

�Oh no you don�t. You get into trouble when you�re alone, I�m coming with you. What are you up to?�
Sometimes she gets help too!

Uriel just doesn't understand how charming Dagoth-Malan is. It's a miracle that every woman (and some of the men) in Tamriel doesn't want in his bed.

just thought i'd let you know that I've returned after all this time to the comfort of Chorrol and wonderful stories. I'll be catching up on the story of my favourite Khajiit within the next week or so and plan to stick around for the foreseeable future

Not a dream? *Goes back and reads*. Oh damn, I feel a fool now. I should be the one apologizing, not you. So, in two chapters the secret will unravel before our very eyes! Oh yes, my hands are rubbing together in anticipation.

Love the title, I just had to mentioned trout, didn't I? I knew we would see more of it. .

Zalphon: Hey, a man as charming as him does get some booty from time to time, I am sure. He just wants Maxical! I am still waiting for a scene between the two . . .another one.

As others have mentioned, Uriel is certainly fleshed out in this chapter. I particularly love the words he said to Maxical about not condoning her battle tactics, but also understanding that the rules of engagement sometimes are void in different circumstances. He's a classy guy.



This translates to: "I hate your stinking guts, Renault."Haha, this was pure win! The captain will be very upset with the dishonorable discharge, I suspect the revenge of the captain soon! She won't take her stripping of rank well at all. Maxical did show some uncertainy of her leadership qualities, but I know deep inside she can be a good example of one. Just maybe

So, Maxical cuddled or was it an illusion? Did they . . .*makes same gesture Owyn did*. I need to go back and read that part once more, just for giggles and reassurance.

I love the new lore you woven later on in the chapters, with the undetection to life detecting spells, etc. The vampires are a bigger threat I believed!

Next bath scene? Scented oil please! This was a fun chapter, and very interesting to read. Maxical was encouraged to fight dirty against dirty people. Let the fun continue!

I loved how Uriel forced Maxical to �sentence� Renault. That command and Maxical�s pronouncement spoke volumes about both of them. With fits and halts, she is growing into a Champion. Then she and I both remembered that she had already set Renault�s fate via the hand of Malan.

What a wonderful job here with Uriel, Maxical and Eyja. You painted what Maxical was feeling while under Malan�s spell so well when it was actually happening. . . but � Eeep! � it does sound pretty awkward as she describes it to Uriel! Eyja is wise not to let mischievous and calamity-prone Maxical out of her sight!

All caught up, good gracious me, I may be lost for words! The way you've brought this war to life is pure genius on your part, the vampire lore you've crafted is wonderful! Your ability to bring to life familiar and unfamiliar characters never fails to amaze me.

Maxical is quickly turning into the champion Uriel needs bravo mALX! woo hoo!

*

@ McBadgere - Thank you so much McB! I appreciate that a lot, because Uriel�s character took a ton of research to write. He is in game for such a short time, lol. I studied all the game lore on him, then studied the great Generals from RL and tried to strike a balance between the two. Thanks again McB!

*
@ Grits - Thank you so very much Grits! Malan erased Maxical�s memory of both Gils� and Renault�s fate, and supposedly erased the memories of everyone in the Bloodworks too - but as Uriel mentioned, Eyja�s mind is protected against tampering. Eyja is the only one that knows now. Thank you so much again, Grits!

*
@ King Coin - ROFL !! I loved your play-by-play! Thank you so much KC!

*
@ Zalphon - Malan gets plenty of women, they just don�t remember it afterward because he erases their memories of it, ROFL !! Thank you so much Z!

*
@ Hazmick - WOO HOO! Hazmick, you have been very missed! It is so good to see you back! Thank you so very much for those kind words, that made my day!

*
@ Darkness Eternal - Captain Renault is laying dead in the tunnel system beneath the Imperial Prison - there are two armored skeletons in there, hers is the first one the Player finds after leaving that jail cell. That doesn�t mean some relative of Renault�s may not come seeking retribution though, lol.

No, they didn�t *makes same gesture Owyn did*. - ROFL !!! You had me in hysterics with that! The cuddling was real, but what Maxical thinks was a dream (was not being able to move of her own free will). It was no dream, Malan did something to her. (what he did will be revealed next chapter).

Not all the vampires in Tamriel can transform to birds/vapor/wolves - just Malan�s makes. He created his own vampire line by combining blood from the most powerful vampire lines available (AKA �Immortal Blood) - That�s why Malan�s vampire line is referred to as �Cocktail Vampires.� He used lines whose attributes would make his �makes� unstoppable - like growing to giant size, being undetectable, the ability to fly, etc.

Calling for another bath scene - SPEW !!! (Actually, there probably will be more soon, lol)

I loved your comment, you had me in stitches! Thank you so very much Darkness!

*
@ Acadian - You are right again, Malan did seal Renault�s fate already - and about what you said a couple chapters ago, your prediction was spot on (as will be revealed in this chapter below!) I am tickled you foresaw this coming, Acadian! Thank you so very much Acadian - and GAAAAAH! Don�t leave for another week without hopping online a few times to let us know you didn�t tumble into the Grand Canyon or something !!!! Lol, you were very missed!


*

*


** There is a cameo mention of D. Foxy�s character �Sneakers� in this chapter. Thanks Foxy!



Chapter 166: Friendships Forged Through Fire


�I�ve wondered if Gils has been staying up in Owyn�s office. Renault didn�t slip out in the night to fight vampires, I think she went out to be with him. I need to know.�

�Maxical, are you alright? She can�t be up there with Gils, dear.� Eyja stroked my arm gently.

�What do you mean? Eyja, you know something. Guilt was written all over your face when Uriel asked.�

�I made myself look guilty deliberately to get Uriel�s attention off you, Maxical. You looked like you may croak up all over his boots.�

�But then�what really happened?�

�You don�t know? Malan�s army dragged Captain Renault out, Maxical. It was really weird, everyone in the barracks was paralyzed while they took her. Afterward when I questioned them they all said she just walked out, so that�s what I told Uriel. Malan probably erased their memories and planted that, but my mind is protected from tampering.�

Something echoed in my mind about his army dragging someone out. Had I seen it? Why didn�t I remember?

�Why would Malan�s army attack her? She sure isn�t a virgin.�

�I think Malan did it for someone he slept with last night.�

�...You mean me? Oh geez, it will look like I asked him to! Do you think they�re going to kill her?�

�I�d bet on it. She won�t be back, just give her Discharge papers back to Uriel. Come on, let�s get out of here.�

�Eyja, did Gils come last night? Was he here?�

Eyja stared at me oddly. �Maxical, are you all right? Don�t you remember what happened last night? I�m going to let Traven check you over thoroughly before I say another word, I think the strain and shock has gotten to you. Come on��

She took my arm, but I pulled back from her grasp. �No. I�m checking Owyn�s office, Eyja.�






***


As soon as I entered Owyn�s office I knew this was where Gils had been sleeping, his mat was stretched out under the window. I threw myself down on it and breathed in deeply, the scent of him filling my nostrils with pleasure�and relief. Renault�s scent wasn�t here. If he did succumb to her, it wasn�t on our marriage bed.

A clump of hair flew up in my face, my own that I�d cut and rolled into Gils� drawing earlier. How did it get here? I stood up and glanced around the office, feeling like there was something I should be seeing.

Another clump of my hair lay near the safe. When I reached down to get it something moved in the darkened corner of the office.

�Gils?� I cast night vision just as a man in Blade armor stepped toward me.

�Baurus! What are you doing trespassing in private offices and popping out of dark corners? More robbery? I know you stole Gils� stuff from behind the mirror.�

�I didn�t steal them, I moved them up here where he�s been staying.�

�In the middle of a melee? Why didn�t you fight?�

�You cheated in that fight, I wouldn�t have been on your side. There were enough against you already, and you had good cause. Fifty-fifty, so I stayed out of it.�

�That doesn�t explain why you�re skulking up here now. Why didn�t you announce your presence instead of watching me surreptitiously and then surging out like an assassin? You nearly scared me into wetting myself.�

�I knew you wouldn�t leave till you found Gils� things, they�re in the safe. I needed to talk to you away from that Bloodworks, too many ears in there and none I trust.�

�Talk then.�

�It�s about Captain Renault. She�s always been ambitious and dumb, but never done anything like she did here. She started seeing this Elf guy, and it was like something snapped in her. He had some hold over her. I�m not saying she was a prize before, but the person I knew wouldn�t have done some of the things I know she did.�

�You�re concerned Renault gets a fair hearing despite the fact that Uriel�s security was compromised by her?�

�Listen, this man had her under some kind of spell or mind control. I know he was behind what she did here, I think he wanted Uriel�s defenses dissipated worse than Ocato did. But this guy had some interest in Gils too.�






***


�Interest in Gils! What do you mean?�

�I think he wanted information or something from Gils. Listen, I can�t prove any of this; but I think he was behind her hounding Gils so hard. She�s not a complete idiot, she�d never risk her career over any man.�

�Yet she did.�

�Listen, four nights ago he cornered Gils in this office so I watched through the window. He and Gils argued at first. But then they clasped hands and swore a vow, even kissed on the mouth to seal it. Not some little kiss either, that Elf was down Gils� throat�had his head all rammed back, turned my stomach.�

�Vowing for what? What are you saying?�

�Look, I�m just telling you what I saw. The Elf left right after they vowed. Then Gils walks out of the office and heads straight out of the Arena. It was after dark, I tried to stop him. He pushed past me like I wasn�t there. I�m telling you, Gils was like a zombie and I ain�t exaggerating. Staring, but like he wasn�t seeing anything. No way he could defend himself like that!�

Dear gods let Gils be safe. I took a deep breath and strangled the impulse to panic at what he was saying, suffocating his words in my mind.

�Where is Gils! What happened to him!� It sounded like a command at an inquisition.

�It was days before he returned, and how the hell he made it back here is beyond me. He was bad off, Maxical.�

�Gils was hurt?�

�Yeah, real bad. Some Orc kin of his had attacked him. He looked like hell, barely made it in the door. Owyn had to carry him to the fount. Almost immediately that Elf guy shows up. You could see it in his face he was shocked Gils was still alive, and angry.�

�You mean like he didn�t want Gils to be alive?�

�I guarantee he didn�t. Next thing I know Renault is insisting on treating Gils. Her and Owyn got in a big row over it till she threatened to have him hung for treason.�






***


Rage choked my throat. �She can�t even heal herself, why would she do that!�

�That Elf used mind control to make her, I�m sure of it. Just lucky Gils lived through it.�

The relief Gils was alive released my temper. I cut him off. ��What Elf? Give me his name!�

�Beats me, that�s just it. He just shows up out of nowhere each time. I couldn�t get his name from Renault. The ugliest Elf I�ve ever seen is all I can tell you, but he could charm birds from the trees in the romance department from what I overheard.�

�So you think we should divert the Emperor�s resources to search for a man whose only descriptors are a charming but hideous Elf that made Renault tweet like a bird? And do it to clear the name of a traitor to the throne?�

As soon as the word hideous left my mouth, it suddenly struck me where I had seen someone who exactly fit that description. I knew instantly who he must be talking about!


SNEAKERS! It had to be him, no one is uglier! Charm birds from trees? That grimy little weasel couldn�t charm a cockroach if he was covered in food scraps!


There is no way Sneakers was some mastermind plotting the downfall of the Empire and using mind control on the Blades to seduce my husband, the cretin couldn�t even find a toothbrush!

What was Baurus really doing here other than trying to excuse Renault�s actions, pleading mercy for her? He saw all this going on, why didn�t he immediately report it to Uriel? My opinion of him nosedived. Sir Damien was right about these Blades being useless, Uriel had no one.





***


My hair felt like it was on fire, and I couldn�t hear what he was saying for the blood roaring in my ears. I lost the struggle to control my rage before it blew all over him, ended cutting him off in the middle of a word.

�The man you�ve just described is Ocato�s natural son, I�ve seen him in the Palace. He most certainly cannot exert mind control or put people under spells. She�s on Skooma if she thinks his leering is charming, an asp could out-charm him and is less slimy. Gils has no information that would avail him unless he was seeking some tips on personal hygiene. Your theory fails, but if you thought it then why didn�t you report it immediately? Why was he allowed to run tame in a secured military base?�

Baurus�s temper jumped as quickly as mine. �Didn�t report it? I�m the one that warned Uriel about Renault, ask him!�

�When, two weeks later? Uriel�s life is entrusted to you, if he died because you didn�t immediately warn him his security was compromised you�d be just as responsible as Renault.�

�I had no proof, and she�s my commander. The Blades are a brotherhood, sworn to a strict code of protocol�� I cut him off, slamming my hand on the desk.

�[Censored] protocol! Your commitment has to be to Uriel Septim, not the Blades! Your only loyalty should be to keeping him alive at all costs! Why was a threat like that Elf allowed free run where battle plans were being made? You report every breach you even suspect, then look for proof! If even one of us fails him, we all fail.�

Baurus loomed forward, slamming his fist on the desk. �You can�t possibly suspect my loyalty! I would defend the Emperor with my life!�

�When? After the assassin�s blade is at his throat? You Blades have forgotten what your only mission is! Ten years Uriel rotted in Oblivion during the Imperial Simulacrum, where were his Blades? If Fathis Aren hadn�t crawled through the deadlands to save him he�d still be there! Akatosh appointed me to protect Uriel, do you wonder why? Look at what you Blades spent the past two weeks doing for an answer.�

�You don�t back down, do you?�

�I can�t, and neither should you. That is what being his Elite Guard has to be, one slip-up could mean his death.�

�You can be damn sure it won�t happen again.�






***


The anger was gone in both of us. �Baurus, the Blades� only protocol must be the security of the throne. You can�t protect him if you�re covering each other�s butts first. He�s doing a shakedown of your Blades starting at the top. Heads will be rolling, make sure yours isn�t one of them. Uriel has faith that you are a cut above the rest, prove to him he is right.�

�He said that?�

�Yes, he did.�

�Man, that stings. Renault just trained us to be the sword at his side, that�s the truth.�

�He has the whole Imperial Army as swords at his side, why would he need more?�

�Akatosh really appointed you? To do what?�

�He had to, Baurus. Uriel had no one, even you failed him. The Blades, Sir Damien, and now me as Akatosh�s Champion; we�re his Elite Forces. We�re his shield. It�s imperative we stop every threat before it can reach him, and inform him immediately so he can plan before the danger strikes. We�ve got to be his detectives, spies, double agents, and sometimes his assassins. We�re to do whatever it takes to ensure he�s safe, that is our job. We�re his Dragonguard, but if the Blades can�t step up they�ll be cut from that honor and dismantled. From what I saw his Army would serve him better.�

�That�s some serious threat! The Blades can�t be cut, we�ve been the sole Dragonguard since the first Era!�

�They can and will if you can�t do whatever it takes to rouse them from their slumber. Big trouble is coming fast, Baurus. Uriel needs protection, or Akatosh wouldn�t have sent him a Champion. Being a Blade isn�t a title, it�s a duty.�

�Man, no wonder the Imperial Army nicknamed you �The Carving Khajiit�, you cut deep.�

�Huh?�

�They were all calling you that after the Emperor spoke this morning because you showed up and heads rolled.�

�HA! That�s better than �Ape Woman�. Wait till they see me doing the executions.�


*

yeah! Go Maxical! She definitely needs to be in charge of the blades, heck, she should be Empress!

The plot thickens with Baurus' new information, I'm excited to see what happens next!

Hmmmm,

Something tells me Sneakers wasn't really Sneakers, if the behavior doesn't fit. Either that, or Baurus isn't Baurus when he's telling her, or I'm not me when I'm reading this.

Even Maxical's changed. She's a lot more confident these days, must be the combat.

Oh? For a second I thought she was knocked out, then I remembered Maxical broke her jaw then everything else followed after. I had to go back and reread many of the scenes. Herp.

Yeah, I know not all vamps can morph into creatures. I read about Malan in the dramatis personae in the start of the first page , and the message you sent me about him sometime ago. And yay, more baths scenes!

Oh, we're doing cameos!? Sweet!

Gils attacked by Orcs, or at least Baurus said. I liked seeing Maxical lose her tempory for a quick moment.



This part was awesome .



And this part as well had some pretty good foreshadowing on Uriel's demise and the Blade's incompetence(yeah yeah, I know they tried, but c'mon!). Maxical is also toughening up a bit as Ghastley said, especially in maturity and her fine points about the Blades. We got to see some leadership qualities and also promise of executions at the end! Good read, loved it! Let us see some good ol boat kickery soon with Malan and Maxical!

Also, what about the necro's?

�Eyja, did Gils come last night?�
Egads! This should have certainly brought Foxy around for a comment.

�So you think we should divert the Emperor�s resources to search for a man whose only descriptors are a charming but hideous Elf that made Renault tweet like a bird? And do it to clear the name of a traitor to the throne?�
Oh. Well, if you put it that way. . .

When Baurus was describing the �elf�, I envisioned that it was Malan. When you revealed it was Sneakers, I got a tiny bit sick. You know, remembering his brown teeth and all.

Oh, this episode was wonderful! I knew somehow Malan was behind much of this, including Gils� downfall, but it never occurred to me that he magically augmented Renault�s faulty character to such lofty levels of incompetence. That explains much and really shows the stunning reach that Malan has!

It was Malan (is Malan), Maxical is guessing wrong (as usual). Sneakers is locked in Malan's jail with Foxy and Fathis.

I just figured anyone that knows Maxical would know she was wrong, since Baurus so obviously described Malan, lol. Urk.


*

Whew! I should have trusted my first instinct! That makes perfect sense! Thanks for popping in to clarify for me!

�...You mean me? Oh geez, it will look like I asked him to! Do you think they�re going to kill her?�
That�s really creepy, knowing that she did, but her memories being tampered so she doesn�t.

she jumps on Baurus for trespassing, and yet she�s doing the same thing! I guess a good offence is the best defense! I suspected Renault was �under the influence.� Maxical had her drug off and killed. Arrgh, Maxical�s not thinking straight still, no surprise since she let Malan do some redecorating.

Whew! I always liked Baurus, so it�s good that the chapter didn�t end with Maxical and him angry at each other.

�Man, no wonder the Imperial Army nicknamed you �The Carving Khajiit�, you cut deep.�

�Huh?�

�They were all calling you that after the Emperor spoke this morning because you showed up and heads rolled.�

�HA! That�s better than �Ape Woman�. Wait till they see me doing the executions.�

I really liked the nickname, mALX. I know it's not a key aspect of the story (but the things I comment on seldom are). It kind of enriches the story through giving Maxical more roots within the world. I do apologize for not commenting on something more major, but I felt that this should definitely be noted.

Oh my gosh, I love to see Eyja being sweet to Maxical, even though I also love it when she brays like a mule.


Sadly, no. You still have that little enticing blood problem, Maxical!!

Wow, Baurus sounds like a decent guy. I like that his honor would demand he side against the cheaters. OK, now I see why Renault was acting so nuts. Malan! (I had to read through a couple of times to get it, but the appearing out of nowhere made the lightbulb come on!)


Oh no, Maxical is going to go through all of that grief all over again!


Oh no again! Baurus and Maxical had an excellent fight! I love her words to him about the duty of being Uriel’s Dragonguard. She spoke beautifully without even any swearing! I wish Uriel could have seen her just then.

I'm relieved that the air is clear between Maxical and Baurus. At least for now!

Excellent stuff!!...

I like Baurus...He's cool... ...

An excellent lesson in Blades history and their duties...

Loved it!...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

*

@ Hazmick - Thank you so much Hazmick! It is so great to see you on here again! Maxical as Empress - poor Uriel !!! Lol. Thank you so much Hazmick!

*
@ Ghastley - Uriel Septim and Akatosh are shaping Maxical up as quickly as possible. Now that Akatosh is taking direct action with Maxical she will improve much quicker. Unfortunately, she still jumps to the wrong conclusions. Baurus said "Elf" - but he was talking about Malan. Maxical guessed wrong, as is usual for her, lol. Thank you so much Ghastley!

*
@ Darkness Eternal - Thank you so very much Darkness! Maxical losing her temper with Baurus was tough, he is one of my favorite characters in the game, lol. Her reputation for having a terrible temper and cutting people's heads off continues, lol. Ah, and you caught the necromancer hint! WOO HOO, that was a sharp catch! Awesome, Darkness! Thanks again!

*
@ Acadian - Thank you so very much Acadian! You quoted my favorite line in that chapter, lol. And you called it two chapters before it happened too! Malan was behind Gils' death. He ordered it in the beginning of the war, then took matters into his own hands when things didn't progress quickly enough. Seems his army isn't as competant as they are powerful, lol. Thanks again Acadian!

*
@ King Coin - Thank you so much KC! Baurus is one of my favorites too, he and Maxical will form a strong friendship. He is not slated for being "skewered" as Destri used to call it, lol. Thanks again, KC - and my deepest sympathy for you and your family in what you are going through.

*
@ Zalphon - That nickname actually comes from the former head of the TVA, who as soon as he was hired in began a shakedown that ended in a series of firings. Marvin Runyon (the former Postmaster General) was given the nickname "Carvin' Marvin" because when he showed up at TVA, heads rolled. He also was the first to institute random drug testing in East Tennessee followed by instant firings for anyone who didn't pass the test. Some smart person began making T-Shirts that read: "I pissed, I passed!" and selling them to employees of the TVA. Thank you so much Zalphon!

*
@ Grits - Thank you so very much Grits! I must have really screwed up that section where Baurus was describing Malan and Maxical jumped to the wrong conclusion on who it was, lol. I am sorry to everyone who had trouble with that section, I'll try to find some way to fix it. Baurus said "Elf" which threw Maxical off, lol.

Maxical's mind was its usual muddled self till she got mad, and she does think better when her temper is up - clear and concise. Akatosh is going to help her with keeping that side of her available more often, lol. Thank you so very much again, Grits!

*
@ McBadgere - Thank you so much McB! I appreciate that a lot, and I did research their history for that section, lol. I like Baurus too, he and Maxical are destined to be good friends! Thanks again, McB!


*

*


Chapter 167: Uriel Plays Cat And Mouse With Malan


Gils� pack was wedged tightly in the safe along with his bow, quiver, and sheathed sword. A note was pinned to the outside of the pack.

�Hey, did you write this note and pin it on the pack? This isn�t Gils� handwriting.� I showed the note to Baurus.


Maxical -

Take this pack to the Palace. Do not open it till two full days have passed since the war�s end has been declared.


�I didn�t write that, his pack and weapons weren�t even in this office when I stuck his books in the safe. But someone put the books in his pack, see the squared shape? Look inside.�

�No, the note says not to open it. Gils is very private about his pack, even since our marriage. But who could have written this note? Gils doesn�t write like that at all.�

�That�s his personal weapons? No way he�s out there without them!�

�I ordered enchanted weapons for the troops, maybe he got one and left these behind. Say Baurus, I want to be alone in here for a minute. Would you mind going on ahead?�

Baurus pulled the door shut behind him. I waited till I saw him pass the window before laying back down on Gils� mat and breathing in deeply his scent�dear gods I missed him.

Before leaving I braided the clumps of my hair into a heart shape and left it on his pillow with a note that I was at the Palace. I glanced around quickly one last time before taking Gils� pack and weapons and was hurrying back down the mezzanine toward the Bloodworks when something grabbed my arm.

�GAAAAH!�






***


�SHHH!�

�Eyja?�

�It�s me. Man, you reamed Baurus a new one!�

�Dear gods, were you eavesdropping?�

�Yeah, I thought my ear would poke a hole through the door when the shouting started. I only did it for you, making sure Malan hadn�t cornered you again.�

�How altruistic you make invading my privacy sound.�

�BWAAHAA!� She jabbed me in the rib with her elbow. �Come on, you ready to go now?�

We stopped in the storage room of the Bloodworks for my pack. Before leaving I started rolling up my mat, then stopped. It was sopping wet! Had I wet the bed? Wait, I didn�t sleep on this mat. Who had wet it?

A sickening feeling welled up in my stomach as I stared down at the wet mat. What happened here? Why couldn�t I remember? I had a horrible feeling that there was something I should be remembering about last night�about this mat.

Why hadn�t I slept on it? That weird dream I had, so vivid that I could remember every second of it�but not why I was over there with Malan instead of here. Did Malan pee on my mat? I leaned over the mat and sniffed, expecting the smell of urine. That wasn�t what it smelled like, the odor was faint but gross enough that my stomach heaved.

I backed away from the mat, then hurried to the wall and hefted my pack along with Gils� weapons and Malan�s cloak. �Come on, Eyja. I want to get back to the Palace and lay down. I feel sick.�






***


Eyja and I crossed into the Palace district, she was walking at a hurried pace. I found my feet dragging. Inside me was a sinking feeling in my stomach, like I may be ill. I had a terrible sensation that there was something dire I should be remembering but wasn�t.

Every time I glanced at Gils� pack it came over me like a wave of nausea. Why couldn�t I remember last night? Where was Gils? Why did every thought of him feel severed and juggled, out of order? I slowed to a stop by a bench in the Greenway and sank down onto it.

The note said to wait two days past the war�s end to open Gils� pack. Why? Part of me felt impelled to open it now, but something in me dreaded it. There was a twisting knot in my stomach. That feeling of being ill had something to do with Gils, that much I was sure of.

Eyja had reached halfway to the Palace before she turned and noticed I�d stopped. She hurried back and plunked down beside me on the bench, feeling my forehead with her hand like S�Jirra used to when she thought I was ailing.

�What is wrong, Maxical? Something doesn�t feel right about you since you got up this morning. Are you sick?�

�I�I think so. Something feels terrible inside me. Eyja, did Gils ever come last night?�

Eyja stood up, staring at me oddly. �Maxical, are you having problems with your memory? I�m getting worried.�

�Maybe. Since I woke up this morning it feels like I�m forgetting something important, something dire. I think it has to do with Gils. Baurus said the Orc attacked Gils, but he was lying. Gils couldn�t have been attacked or Azura�s seal would have burned me alive and Azura would appear to guide me to Gils� aid. She hasn�t come...but something just doesn�t feel right.�

�Come on, I think we need you to see Traven right away. You�re either in shock or took too hard a blow to the head in that fight.�









******* Uriel Septim


Uriel paused in the doorway of his chambers. His silent entrance had gone unnoticed by Sir Damien, who was kneeling and bent over the carpet where Maxical had bled so heavily protecting him from Nisaba. Maxical had been right in thinking it would reveal Malan in his disguise.

�Carpet munching, Foxy? You were supposed to await me in the Council Room. Why are you on the floor of my chambers instead?�

Sir Damien leaped up quickly. �Sire, you are safe! I worried the Mythic Dawn had taken you in my absence, there is quite a bit of blood on your carpet. I��

Sir Damien broke off, his mouth gaped and his eyes bulged in a stunned look behind the slits of the full face mask. �Where did you get that sword?�

�Nice, isn�t it? Maxical gave me that for my birthday.� Uriel pulled it from the sheath to show the blade, using it to point at the bloodstain as he continued.

�That is her blood on the carpet, she lost it in my defense when Nisaba attacked. Evangeline just gave me this pair of slippers lined with rabbit fur as I was passing her chambers.� Uriel pulled one soft doeskin slipper off to show the fur within as he continued.

�They are overly warm, but enchanted to be completely soundless. I was able to surprise you while making no attempt to be silent. I still await my gift from you.� Uriel hinted brazenly, raising his eyebrows when Foxy shook his head.

�It completely slipped my mind with this war on, Sire. But that sword, where could she have found or even afforded such as that? It is an Akaviri artifact!�

�She is having me deduct an unspecified amount from her salary and donate to the Lost Children�s fund. Maxical pilfered this sword from the same man she slept beside last night. Malan.�

�She told you she slept with Malan?� Genuine shock was evident in Foxy�s voice.

Uriel�s eyebrows raised in feigned surprise. �Of course she did, to hide it would have appeared treasonous.�

�Did she worm any secrets out of him?�

Uriel�s suspicion that Malan fed information to Maxical hoping it would be passed to himself was as much as confirmed by Foxy�s question. It must be something Malan hopes will avail him in seizing the Palace. Uriel stalled Foxy while he glimpsed over his notes to determine how they would benefit Malan.

�Stay, aren�t you curious as to whether the deed was completed?�






***


�Well? Was it?�

�Oddly no, nor did he take her blood. According to Maxical, he was unable to mate so she merely cuddled in his warmth.�

�As we�re on the subject of her mating, you should know that Maxical�s husband Gils and Captain Renault both deserted last night. They fled together, he has abandoned his marriage to Maxical.�

Uriel paused, watching Foxy�s face carefully. Could this be true? Eyja did say the whole barracks witnessed Renault leaving in the night.

Sir Damien prompted him again. �No secrets were let fall?�

�Malan didn�t make it as far as he has by dumping secrets without provocation. Nothing he said would be to his detriment.�

�If he talked at all it is a good sign.� Foxy reached for the notes in Uriel�s hand and skimmed them. �Maxical must have established a rapport with him. We can use her to gather information from him, feed her false information to pass to him.�

Uriel cocked one eyebrow. �Use a na�ve virgin to garner information from an ancient, a con of Malan�s magnitude? I won�t risk the throne for Malan�s mind games, nor believe his words to be anything but an attempt to set us up for him to take over.�

�You believe all his information is false? What of this grave of girls that Seridur killed?�

�That will be true. Malan probably thinks his crimes seem lesser in comparison because he didn�t kill his victims.�

�You don�t agree?�

�No. Malan knew Seridur was killing young girls and did nothing to stop it. An anonymous report could have saved them. Malan is guilty of being coconspirator in their deaths, I�m adding those charges to his warrant.�

Foxy gave the list a bleak glance, then looked up suddenly. �Wait! Malan said Maxical is under his protection, that they were bonded centuries ago? He�s saying she is his chosen!�

�A lie, she is Hassildor�s accepted chosen. He still had no bloodlust when he saw Maxical just yesterday morning. Two ancients can�t have the same chosen.�

�Hassildor and Maxical squabbled and name-called like children yesterday, as they have every time they�ve met. He probably swore his rights to her away, possibly unknowingly to Malan in one of his disguises.�

�I�ve sent for Hassildor, we�ll ask.�






***


Foxy�s eyes narrowed under the mask slits. �You already sent for him?�

Uriel nodded. Foxy hesitated, then almost shrugged before he spoke.

�We don�t need him. Malan and Hassildor were both made from the same batch of blood cocktail, they are true �split-aparts� and share but one nature. The nature gives only one chosen between them. The first to ask gets the hunt instinct. If he accepts her, he loses the bloodlust instantly. Malan would have to poach her, although she is actually his own chosen.�

�What happens then?�

�May the best man win.�

�Maxical starts wars just trying to get bedded. Well maybe Hassildor will get some gumption and take down his maker finally.� Uriel scanned the files in front of him.

�Why is there nothing about this in their files?�

�This information has come out only recently, I�ve not had time to inform you.� He pointed to an item on Uriel�s notes. �Aha, the location of the Orc�s lair! That tunnel access to the Palace needs to be investigated.�

�Don�t you recognize Malan�s diversionary tactics by now? He wants us deploying manpower into tunnels to dissipate my protection, and I�m sure he hopes in doing so we�ll release the Orc in here. The Orc kills me and Malan gets to the throne without waiting for Dagon.�

�He didn�t realize what a worthy opponent he dealt with.� Foxy chewed his lip, scanning the notes. �He admits having his lair set up in the Palace? Invisible vapor that can�t be detected? He could have the Palace filled and we�d never know it! He could be in your chambers, hearing all your plans against him!�

Uriel leaned back in his chair watching Foxy�s eyes widen through the slits of his mask as he answered.

�There was a vampire line in Wayrest that turned to vapor, Malan used their blood in his cocktail. They are extinct now, all combusted by a simple fire spell. They can�t be detected, but they can be destroyed easily if someone casts fire spells indiscriminately. Let Malan hear this if he listens then. Incidental damages are Maxical�s specialty. She can single-handedly clear this Palace of them with her exploding fire spell, just as she cleared out the entire sewer system blowing doors out all the way through. It is why Akatosh chose her as his Champion. He will keep me safe from it, and glory in the death of enemies that dared breach the Palace He guards.�


*

Poor Uriel. He thinks he's finally got a one-up on Malan, but I doubt it. Malan's always three steps ahead

An alternate chapter title I�d like to suggest: �Uriel Plays Alix and Sweetroll with Malan�

Before leaving I braided the clumps of my hair into a heart shape and left it on his pillow with a note that I was at the Palace.
Awww� When she send Baurus out of the room, I wondered if she was going to go through the pack anyways. The mat was� awful, knowing what happened to Gils on it. Could she get infected from touching that mat?

Uriel demanding birthday gifts from not-Foxy!

Uriel�s playing a dangerous game. Loved him talking away with not-Foxy knowing full well who it actually it.

another brilliant chapter mALX I sort of feel sorry for Malan, the poor guy has gone from being feared by everyone as a mysterious vampire lord to being well and truly played by an old man and a Khajiit! Then there's the problem of Maxical's memory malfunction to deal with, phew, it's all kicking off.

I'm now expecting to find that Malan is impersonating Uriel, and Damien is Foxy again. Eyja is really Agronak in disguise, and Maxical is really Alix the mouse (or is that the other way round?)

No wait, Phintias was really Agonak when he stomped Seridur, and Ocato is really a Khajiit to be named later.

And the Akaviri katana is really a warhammer on a diet.

Oh man, more impersonations? Sir Damien Foxy, why aren't you in Uriel's room? Because your Malan! I think. . But . . .does Uriel have an edge on him as he believes or . . .nah! Malan is old as hell, he won't be so stupid! But even oldest of men fall under the heel of their hubris. There will be plotting and there will be treachery, I forsee it!


Bahaha, but he's no werewolf! Of course, we find out that the smell isn't really vampire piss.


Nits: Gils� pack was wedged tightly in the safe along with his bow and quiver, and his sheathed sword was behind the pack. A note was pinned to the outside of the pack.

I am not sure if it is wise to use the same word in such proximity. :shrug:

By having the memory of Gils� death wiped clean by Malan, Maxical is doomed to suffer that heartbreak all over again. Poor thing - my heart aches for her.

�Maxical starts wars just trying to get bedded.�

And Uriel really shows why he�s the Emperor. I so enjoyed his last paragraph! I imagine Sir DaMalan did not.

This is one of those beautiful moments where things just come together! I love the image of Uriel watching Malan without him knowing it. It's such a reversal.


It was great fun to see Uriel in his element and Malan having to react to a surprise. I was rolling at the �Where�s my present?� from the Emperor! How awkward for the faux Foxy.


I love it! The last paragraph was pure awesome. That was fun to see, but I�m sure Malan has more tricks up his sleeve. Or as Acadian called him, Sir DaMalan!!

It�s hard to think of Maxical collapsed on a park bench and about to have her world shattered again. I�m glad Eyja�s with her.

Oooh yes!!... ...

I don't care if Malan really is three steps ahead...Right now, that was a beautiful chapter...*Sighs contentedly*... ...

Bless Maxical though...She's really having a hard time with the memory loss isn't she?... ...

Brilliant chapter...

Loved it!...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

*

@ Zalphon - Thank you so much Zalphon! Uriel�s got it going on, in a battle of wits they may be tied. Uriel studies his enemies and knows them well, but beating Malan in combat is another story.

*
@ King Coin - Thank you so much KC! You know, I never thought of Maxical getting infected from the mat, and you�re right because vampirism is bloodborn and transferred through bodily fluids! It won�t happen in the story, but that was quick thinking on your part! I loved your enjoyment of Uriel hounding faux-Foxy for presents, lol. Thanks again, KC!

*
@ Hazmick - Thank you so much Hazmick! Malan still has the upper hand, don�t worry, lol. Thanks again Hazmick!

*
@ Ghastley - Lol, even I got confused after reading your comment! Don�t worry, Malan�s impersonation days as Sir Damien are about over. Thank you so much, Ghastley!

*
@ Darkness Eternal - Fixed that nit, you were right. Thank you so much for pointing that out, I so appreciate that! Malan may get tagged by Uriel, but he�ll come up with a new plot in no time, lol. Thanks so very much Darkness!

*
@ Acadian - Thank you so very much Acadian! Uriel said a few things to tick off Malan, knowing he couldn�t reveal it, lol. (like adding Seridur�s murders onto his charges). But you are right, placing Maxical as the one that could take him down and reminding him that Akatosh protects his Palace did put a big bee in Malan�s bonnet, lol. Thank you so much again, Acadian!

*
@ Grits - Thank you so very much Grits! I appreciated so much what you said about Uriel being proactive and in his element. He may be 87, but I pictured he�d have his own inner cunning to tap after ruling for 65 years. Thank you so very much again, Grits!

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@ McBadgere - Like you, I very much love Uriel Septim in the game - and not just because he is Jean-Luc Picard, lol. He will never take a beating in my story, you can be sure of that. Thank you so much McB!


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Chapter 168: Carrying Souls For The Damned



******* Uriel Septim


Sir Damien poured himself a glass of wine, speaking between sips. Uriel ground his teeth, frustrated he�d missed noticing this till now. Foxy did not partake of alcohol.

�We have a big problem now that Gils has abandoned Maxical. Her blood is still drawing vampires. Malan�s threat won�t make this easy.�

�I won�t risk any of my Legion on the chance Malan is bluffing.�

�They couldn�t succeed anyway, no mortal can mate with her. Azura�s seal will cause her to attack anyone but Gils who touches her. Ancient vampires are her only option, their aura blocks the seal.�

�She mentioned that earlier, there must be some way around that.�

�Only by the drinking of vampire juices, which your own law made illegal in Cyrodiil.�

�Laws are made in peacetime to maintain, we are at war. We�ll do what we must to protect the security of this Palace, and she places it at risk. Hassildor has been summoned, Traven can obtain a sample from him.�

�If Malan has his lair set up in this Palace, Hassildor won�t be able to enter. Vampires protect their lairs against other ancients by an invisible barrier��

Uriel cut him off. �If they are split-aparts sharing one nature, the barrier should be no impediment to Hassildor. It is certainly a way to test that information.�

�Split-apart or not, Hassildor entering his lair is a declaration of war.�

�This Palace is not his lair, he�s a usurper!� Uriel grappled with his temper trying to forcibly rein it in before continuing. �Malan won�t kill his only hope for immortality. It is time for Hassildor to begin earning his Diplomatic Immunity.�

Eyja interrupted, bursting through the door. �Where is Hannibal? Something is wrong with Maxical.�

�Shock. She must have learned that Gils defected with Renault last night.� Uriel signaled Damien. �Traven is in the Battlemages Quarters.�









************ Maxical


My legs begged to crumple beneath me, but I fought collapsing for fear Uriel would shake me again. Gils left me for Renault? Didn�t Eyja say Malan�s army dragged her out? But wait, she told Uriel that Renault walked out�and that�s what everyone in the barracks saw. Had she lied to me?

Eyja shoved me into a chair and pulled Uriel to the opposite side of the room, whispering in his ear the whole way. Snatches of �Gils,� �Malan,� �memory,� and �Azura�s seal� wafted back to me, but that was all I could catch of her end of the conversation. Eyja was a very adept whisperer.

Uriel glanced over at me with an oddly compassionate look as Eyja talked, then suddenly everything seemed to be moving in slowed motion. There was a loud rushing sound, like the roaring the void made that night Akatosh was warning Uriel. Wait, didn�t I hear that last night? But�when?

Malan�s cloak started sliding off my lap to the floor, and somewhere in my mind a vision flashed.

Fathis�s wedding ring tumbling down onto Malan�s cloak when I sat up this morning.

Fathis�s ring, my protection. I took it off with Malan so he could heal me from the fight�but from something else, too. What?

I twisted Fathis�s ring on my finger, my eyes catching Uriel�s again.

�Sire�I think I�ve allowed Malan access to my mind, let him erase memories that were too painful to bear. I have complete vulnerability to magic, and twice he�s had my wedding ring from Fathis off when he was with me; yesterday and last night. That ring completely protects me from magic. But I don�t know what memories I�ve asked him to erase, or what else he may have done while there.�

The sound of the void receded.






***


My eyes opened to see a bright light with Eyja behind it. �Talk to me, Maxical. Tell me something about last night.� She moved the light out of my eyes and closed her hand to dispel the magic making it.

�The enchantment on your ring hasn�t been tampered with; but it does no good if you remove it with ancient vampires, the very enemy Fathis made it to protect you from. Put it on immediately, and don�t remove it again.� Hannibal handed me the ring, giving a more than approvingly eye at Eyja...he was like a starving puppy looking in a meat store window.

�Malan had you under mind control, Maxical. Hannibal is right, don�t you ever again remove that ring for any reason. You never know who Malan is impersonating, you can�t trust anyone anymore.� Eyja sounded nothing like the playgirl she had appeared to be till now. She kneeled down and took my hand.

�Maxical, I lost a sister that was so much like you it was uncanny. The pain is great, but you can�t run from it. Face it, because hiding from it weakens you.�

�I don�t know if I can, Eyja. There�s too much to face, it�s all happening at once. I can�t endure it, not and be there for Uriel.�

�Was yesterday the first time Malan accessed your mind?�

�No. The first time was when I was seven years old at the orphanage, he erased memories of my mother�s death. Somehow he knew I�d had nightmares of it. Yesterday when I found the place where Fathis died, Malan just suddenly appeared. I was beyond fear, the pain was beyond bearing. I begged him to take it away. He slid my ring off and sang old country songs. I remember realizing the songs were carrying spells, but not caring as long as the pain stopped.�

Uriel held up his hand. �Didn�t he sing that �Jack be nimble� song both times at the orphanage? And Nissy and the Khajiit women sang it as well?�

�Yes, Sire. But this time he sang songs from Morrowind, Daggerfall, and Vvardenfell.�

�Why change the song he uses to carry spells? And songs from his homeland?� Uriel glanced from Hannibal to Eyja.

Hannibal began digging through one of his tomes like he was possessed with finding something. Eyja answered.

�Maybe he�s establishing himself as Malan again, giving up whatever impersonation he�s hidden behind these decades when Foxy sought him but he couldn�t be found.�






***


�Sire, every time I�ve needed solace he just appears from nowhere, as if he knows or senses it. There�s a strong feeling of comfort that comes from him, even with my ring blocking spells I feel it. Maybe it�s a post hypnotic suggestion he implanted in me when I was seven, or some natural connection between us; but it is there. I feel it strongly within me when he is near. Sort of like we shared a close bond in a past life or something.�

Uriel slammed his fist down on the desk. �That proves it. Malan and Hassildor are split-aparts, they share one nature due to using the same cocktail mixture divided in two.�

�Huh? I don�t understand��

Hannibal looked up from his tome, intrigued. �I�ve wondered if that would occur. The implications if they sought their chosen at the same time would be phenomenal, can you imagine those two in battle against each other?�

Uriel gave Hannibal an enigmatic look. �You may get to see that Traven.�

�Oh�OH!� Hannibal�s expression when he glanced over at me was like he expected to see me squawk and lay an egg or something.

�What did I do?� I felt put on the spot and didn�t know why.

Eyja took my hand. �Nothing, Maxical dear. If it was post hypnotic suggestion, it is gone now. Finish what you were saying.�

�Last night Malan was healing me. His healing magic was more powerful than the healing fount at the Bloodworks. Sire, that fount is like a god healing you. Malan�s magic was stronger. He healed me exactly like Hannibal does, not one single errant or lingering touch. I eventually relaxed under the professionalism of his healing and fell asleep.�

Hannibal broke in. �What could account for his magic being that strong?�

�What accounts for mine in destruction? Maybe he has the same disorder I have, but with him the healing is the powerful one.�

�How coincidental would that be.� Hannibal grabbed up a sheath of notes and started digging through them. �That would explain his original turn into the medical field before all this began.�






***


Only the scratching of quills filled the silence as they busied themselves furiously scribbling notes. I leaned back and shut my eyes, trying to remember why Malan was singing to me last night. What painful memory was he taking from me? Eyja asked.

�I don�t know, Eyja. Everything about last night is a blur. I had a really weird dream about him, then woke up in his greatcloak.�

Eyja looked over at Uriel with an odd expression. �I cleared the mind control from her, I don�t understand.�

Uriel signaled Hannibal. �Give Maxical a full medical exam in her room, and check for head wounds.�

�She took numerous blows to her head, but there was nothing wrong with her mind till after she slept with Malan.� Eyja insisted.

Uriel stopped me as I was leaving his chambers. �Maxical, are you calling Malan to you?�

�I couldn�t be, he just�appears.�

�She did! She was screaming his name last night, she just isn�t remembering.� Eyja and Uriel exchanged glances.

�I feel like I�m home with my parents, all these meaningful glances around me. You may as well signal like flagmen on bridges. What�s going on?�

�We�ll talk amongst ourselves, and when we decide what it is we�ll tell you. And don�t eavesdrop!� Eyja flagged us out.






***


�Nothing of what you told me is to be mentioned to her before I find the cause of this memory loss. I�ll petition Akatosh tonight. We must know if�� Uriel�s voice was muffled by Hannibal�s hand as he tugged my ear from the wall.

�What are you doing?�

�Eavesdropping, I always do. It�s the only way to learn anything around here.�

�Well stop it.�

For the first time since I�d known him, I was relieved when Hannibal started packing his medical bag to leave. My eyes burned from his light spells in them, and I was sore from all the poking�but stronger than that was a feeling of anticipation inside me, like I was waiting for something�no, someone. As if I knew he�d be there.

A hand slipped into mine and without even looking to see who it was, I knew. I tugged the hand toward me and felt him climbing over me, wrapping the warmth of himself around me.

�Amiela, my Lass. You�re almost back. I�ll keep you safe forever this time, you�ll see. Remember my promise to you? We�re almost there.�

�I knew you�d come back for me.� I heard myself whisper as I rolled over to face him, moving into his arms and feeling the strength of them...so familiar. The feel of his lips against mine felt strangely like coming home from a long journey. And then we were kissing with a hunger of centuries parted.

I sat up with a jerk in the bed, still feeling the heat of that kiss. What was going on? Was this one of those dreams Evangeline was talking about? It had to be�but why wouldn�t I dream of myself? Who was Amiela?

�HANNIBAL!� I screamed it.

The door flung open. Eyja was the first in, then Hannibal. Uriel stopped in the doorway. In the corridor behind him was Sir Damien, his eyes glowing fire.

�Hannibal, check me and see if I�m still intact. I feel�funny. Shut the door, I don�t want Sir Damien seeing. Eyja, I need you to find out who someone named Amiela is. It�ll be a century or more ago, in connection with Malan or whoever he was impersonating then. I think he is trying to use me to bring back his first chosen.�

�Necromancy?� Hannibal gasped, standing up quickly and staring at me with startled eyes. I waved him back down to my nether regions.

�Just hurry up and check me, Hannibal. I want Uriel back in here. I just remembered something Malan said last night that I need to tell him.�

�That name sounds familiar, I�ve seen it in one of our files. I don�t think it was connected to Malan, though.� Eyja hunched over with her chin in her hand, scanning her memory.

�Still intact. You�ve probably just had an erotic dream, Maxical.�

�Ew, isn�t that a dirty word? And why would I dream of Malan with another woman I never heard of before? I�m sure it was his first chosen.�


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Oo-er!... ...

Fantastic chapter!!...

Oh yeah! Go Uriel!!... ...Loving his making Malan squirm... ...

Brilliant ensemble piece...Nicely done...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

It's finally making sense. You're solving the Amelia Earhart mystery!

So Malan is now disguised as Capt Harry Manning, is he? It's probably safer, as Uriel doesn't know him.

What I'm not understanding is why Uriel is letting Malan stay around as Damien, unless he feels it's better to keep him visible than let him go and come back in a different disguise.

hmmmm the plot thickens. So now Malan's intentions are somewhat clearer.

Let's hope Hassildor can be of use when he arrives at the palace, as Uriel said, time for him to earn his diplomatic immunity.

I�m happy Maxical�s told them that Malan�s had access to her mind� And Eyja�s being careful to keep Maxical in the dark on some things.

So Malan thinks he can use Maxical to bring back his own chosen? That would explain why he�s being so careful around Maxical then. With Maxical, we can�t be sure this is what it is though. We also learned why Eyja�s taken to Maxical so much, she had a sister like our Khajiit!

I just have to point this out; I got such a laugh out of it:
�Necromancy?� Hannibal gasped, standing up quickly and staring at me with startled eyes. I waved him back down to my nether regions.
And then she�s concerned about possible dirty words!

Maxical taking off her ring around Malan wasn't the wisest thing she could've done and I think we're about to see the beginning of the consequences of it.

Good chapter, mALX I am eager for the next one.

I love this moment between Uriel and Hannibal as described by Maxical!! It was an absolute delight to see those two together with Eyja and Maxical.


ROFL! Of course she was eavesdropping. Hilarious!

Whoa, the part where Maxical was Amiela! I can�t wait to see what Uriel makes of this. What a great chapter!!

�Sir Damien poured himself a glass of wine, speaking between sips. Uriel ground his teeth, frustrated he�d missed noticing this till now. Foxy did not partake of alcohol.�
Bam! FoxMelon steps into the trap! Every word Uriel utters in Sir Damien�s presence now will be crafted with that in mind I�ll wager. How does the old saying go? �Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.�

�Uriel�s voice was muffled by Hannibal�s hand as he tugged my ear from the wall.�
Like Grits did, I found this to be so very Maxical - and expertly worded for its effect.

I loved Maxical being Maxical in this episode, struggling to figure things out and feeling that things are happening just a little bit faster than her mind works at the moment.

The dream/vision where Malan comes to her and she feels and responds with the spirit of Amiela was both masterfully and magically done. It opens yet another window into Malan and his intentions regarding Maxical.

You know me, I am a sucker for lore! And you added some interesting things here, aside from the cocktails and spit-parts which was explained before, I understand there are some cool new beans. I simply adore the fact that you weaved your own lore with an additional ingame lore into one big tale! You have tons of galons of vampire imagination juices. Kudos for you.

Malan's plot, some of it, is put to light! No wonder Maxical is unharmed all this time, he needs her.

Amiela? Jakben's long dead chosen sneaks into Maxical's erotic(excuse my french) dream!

�Necromancy?� Hannibal gasped, standing up quickly and staring at me with startled eyes. I waved him back down to my nether regions.This part was great and hilarious, but yes! Necromancers!! At least a mention! I cannot wait until we see some third party forces enter the mix. Helluva conflict right there!!

P.S, Hannibal has a dirty mouth. Erotic is not a good word!

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@ McBadgere - Thank you so much McB! I like to see Uriel on top too, lol.

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@ Ghastley - Thank you so much Ghastley! You are very right that Uriel would rather know which disguise Malan is using.

Also, Uriel can�t confront Malan without the resources to protect himself when he does. Uriel doesn�t know whether Malan has replaced the Palace Guards (etc) with (Malan�s own men).

Thanks again, Ghastley!

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@ Hazmick - Thank you so very much Hazmick! I agree, Hassildor can be of some use, but Uriel will def need more than him to take down Malan and his army. You ROCK! Thank you so much Hazmick!

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@ King Coin - I always love seeing the things you pick up on in the chapters. For as wild as Eyja is, she developed a protective attitude over Maxical - and that is why. Maxical reminds her of her younger sister that died. That story will come out eventually, but it is a ways off. You also had me rolling with picking up on Hannibal�s exam - ROFL !!!

Thanks again, KC !!!

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@ Zalphon - You nailed it, Zalphon! We are about to see the consequences of it bust wide open! Thank you so much, Z!

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@ Grits - Thank you so very much Grits! One of my children could sleep through anything when they were toddling - ANYTHING! You could blow up the house without waking them. But go into another room and whisper anything, and they�d know it. I kind of think of that when writing Maxical, all these conversations going on right in the same room, and she is like, �Huh?� - but put her in the next room and she eavesdrops and can repeat verbatim what she heard, lol.

You nailed it exactly, Maxical was Amiela. At least now she�ll know what Malan is up to where she is concerned.

Thank you so much again, Grits!

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@ Acadian - Thank you so much, Acadian! Uriel actually does believe in keeping an eye on his enemies, you pegged him well on that - but Malan isn�t one he wants to keep close at all. He just needs to build up some trustworthy manpower to take Malan down, and the two men he trusts most are in Malan�s dungeons.

That was no dream or vision, Maxical finally realized (correctly) what was going on. (and she now knows it wasn�t a dream in the Bloodworks last night either, but Malan doing something to her). This chapter will (hopefully) explain clearly what exactly Malan has been up to regarding Maxical. Malan�s true colors are about to start showing after this chapter below.

Thank you so very much again, Acadian!

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@ Darkness Eternal - Thank you so very much, Darkness! HA! You recognized Amiela�s name! Now if Eyja can remember it they can figure out who Malan has been impersonating for the last three centuries (and hopefully rescue the real Jakben Imbel), lol. That was no dream, as the below chapter should (hopefully) reveal. For once Maxical guessed right, lol.

You had me rolling with your comment, Thank you so very much again, Darkness!


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Chapter 169: I Am The Master Of My Fate, The Captain Of My Soul


�Sire, Malan said that humans only see the bodies people wear for brief moments in time; but ancients see the souls within and remember them forever. I think he�s done some kind of necromancy on me to bring back his dead wife. That weird dream I had at the Bloodworks was the same as tonight, I could see and hear everything, but couldn�t move of my own will. But tonight Amiela was controlling me.�

�Maxical, you are talking about a depth of necromancy found only in ancient tomes that no longer exist. The probability is strongly against it being anything more than vivid dreams.� Hannibal interjected.

�This was no dream, Hannibal. I could feel the centuries of love between them, and Malan said he�d keep her safe forever this time. Then he said, �We�re almost there�. Sire, he was here, and she was me. These were not dreams. I think Malan stuck her soul inside me, and it�s gaining in strength.�

Uriel stepped between us and confronted Hannibal, the tension in his voice predicting the restraint on his temper was about to give.

�There are no odds of probability when it comes to Malan, Traven; you must never underestimate him. His own creation of this cocktail line proved him a necromancer of no small order, as did the making of Hassildor. That was no vampire attack, it was scientific experimentation on a living human. That places him amongst the higher echelon of necromancers. Just tell me if this implanting of souls is possible.�

Hannibal looked like a ghost he�d turned so pale. �Possible, yes. Not much is known about the transferring of souls into the living, but from what I understand it is more complicated than merely implanting them into a host body. There is an extended process in which the soul becomes active and gains in strength. They begin as parasitic, but can eventually take over the host�s body permanently.�

�What would happen to me?� My voice broke on a squeak.

Uriel raised his hand for silence. �Can? What do you mean, Traven?�

�The soul with the greatest willpower would be predominant over the other, force itself to take precedence. For that reason the subjects chosen as hosts would ideally be weak of character or under stress to the degree they are weakened by it. Once the parasite soul gains precedence, it rarely loses it.�

�Dear gods, are you saying Amiela is gaining strength through my weakness?�

The past two weeks flashed through my mind in glimpses, from losing Fathis to Uriel saying Gils defected with Renault.

�I�ve never been so stressed in my life as I have these past two weeks, and Malan knew it because he popped up each time I needed solace.�






***


Eyja stopped stroking my hair and emphasized her words with pokes in my back.

�Stress that Malan caused, Maxical. He started this war which not only took both your husbands who would have been in his way, but created a fertile place for Amiela to strengthen in the process. He�s planned this whole thing out, I�d bet on it!�

Uriel waved her to silence, I watched his eyes and facial expressions as he mulled Eyja�s words over in his mind�so much like Fathis�s had when he was thinking rapidly.

�Nothing is by chance with Malan. Everything he does has multiple consequences, that is his trademark.� Uriel barely whispered, as if thinking aloud.

�But why me?�

�You�re in this Palace.� Eyja resumed petting me.

�But he couldn�t have known I�d be here when this war started.�

�Hannibal predicted this vampire war, and that Malan would use it to deplete Uriel�s defenses before he lay siege on the Palace. But I think Hassildor leaving his lair and Foxy�s trap caught him by surprise and forced him to act earlier than planned. You are just in the perfect position to be used. Your room directly abuts Uriel�s chambers, which you come and go from at will. Fathis�s death made you vulnerable, Malan is still the cause of that whether it was planned or not.�

Uriel interrupted Eyja. �I agree that trap set Malan in motion precipitously, but we mustn�t overlook that he accessed Maxical�s mind when she was a child and implanted control so she would seek him when she turned twenty years old. That is the age of sexual maturity in Khajiit.�

�But I�m only seventeen, I matured early��

Uriel spun around and stared as if seeing right through me. �Three years early�just as Akatosh�s predictions were! Malan planned this war for three years from now. Think why Hassildor left his lair, Eyja.�

�Split-aparts! I�ll bet that was no coincidence!� Eyja sat up.

�I don�t believe in coincidence, particularly where Malan is involved. He�s a master of manipulation. Traven, I want everything you have on split-aparts by tonight at the latest.�






***


They were talking faster than I could think, or grasp their meanings. Uriel startled me by gripping my shoulders tightly and bellowing. He all but shook me like a ragdoll again.

�It is imperative you lose this vulnerability immediately! Suck it up! In your own defense you must stop seeking solace! You are the master of your fate, the captain of your soul!� Uriel took a deep breath before continuing.

�Suffocate these painful memories, bury them within yourself until they can no longer weaken you. Turn them to rage you can tap at will, funnel them into thought and action. Use it to push yourself beyond your own strength to do whatever is needed.


I am the captain of my soul.


What Uriel said struck a chord in me. Rage was too mild a word for what I was feeling. Malan was just taking me for his own use, regardless of my life�just as he had with Nisaba and the Lost Children. His solace was deliberate sabotage, feeding my weakness to end my life and bring Amiela back. Rage couldn�t begin to describe what I was feeling. I brushed Eyja�s stroking hand away firmly and stood up.

�You have my vow, Sire. Whatever it takes, I�ll do it. Malan will regret that he chose me for his necromancy subject.�

�Sire, the secrets of soul transference were highly guarded by the Psijic order. Throughout history only one has ever been connected with that depth of necromancy, the King of Worms. He�s been gone since the Second Era, well before Malan�s birth. How could Malan have access to this knowledge?� Hannibal tried to intercede with logic and perspective. Instead he blew the discussion wide open.

�Mannimarco?� Eyja blurted, stunned.

�Huh? What about the �Warp in the West�?� I strained to remember class lessons I probably slept through.

Uriel raised his hand to silence us, then pointed at Hannibal �Go on about Mannimarco.�

�Mannimarco supposedly transferred his own soul somehow to become a lich. It is a known fact he created full armies of �Worm Thralls� by stealing men�s souls while the person continued to live. A thrall will defend to their death the one that holds their soul. Commands can be given them with no more than a thought, and the thrall must obey. His army was said to be unbelievably disciplined. Mannimarco was almost completely immortal due to the strength and power given him by the thousands of souls he held within him.�

A sickening vision of Malan�s army flooding across the Palace district like an unending mudslide made me gasp.

�Dear gods, Hannibal�you just described Malan�s army!�






***


Uriel rammed his fist down on the dresser with a loud bang. �Traven, I want any tomes and notes you have on this form of necromancy. We may have just discovered the secret to Malan�s power.�

�You are talking about an extreme level of necromancy that isn�t likely to exist anymore.�

�Traven, you have been predicting trouble with necromancers rising to power for decades. If Malan gets into this Palace and takes the throne, you will see that come to pass. Malan is obsessed with power, and this depth of necromancy is exactly what would give it to him.�

�That would explain why his army doesn�t smell my virgin blood, and why it moves as one unit. It would if only one mind was running it. And you yourself wondered who was funding the rise in necromancy here in Cyrodiil, Hannibal. Malan is enormously wealthy, and since Amiela�s death his motivation has been to bring her back. You can hear it in his voice and feel it in his aura when he talks about losing her. He would pay any amount to bring her back. She is his weakest point, and we may have it in our possession.�

Uriel nodded. �It does give us a measure of power over him, the first we�ve had. I believe the change of songs he uses to pass spells is significant as well. He is establishing himself as Malan, because when he takes power here he wants it in his name.�

�This could help us get him out of the Palace too, Sire. If I hold Amiela�s soul, I could go to Skingrad Castle and Malan would have to follow and bring her back to his lair. It would get him out of the Palace temporarily at any given time to set traps. Sir Damien said Malan�s army is always with him whenever he leaves his lair, but inside it he is alone.�

Uriel shot me one of his rare approving glances. �That�s thinking like a warrior.�

�Malan�s wife was a centuries old ancient vampire! She�ll have power over Maxical, she has already proven that!� Hannibal bleated.

�But I know she�s there now, Hannibal. And whatever �sucking it up� it takes, I�ll do it. She won�t get control of me again.�

�This will be thought out carefully before any action is taken, Traven. I don�t seek to endanger Maxical any more than necessary, but getting Malan out of this Palace has got to be our top priority right now.�

�Surely he won�t kill or harm me no matter what I do to him as long as she�s inside me, right? I need to know what steps are required to remove her, make sure he can�t do it quickly or without my knowledge. We can plan this to our advantage.�






***


�The size of his army is in the thousands! Alone Malan is a massive enemy, but with thousands of souls empowering him he�d be all but immortal! Won�t we need to use Soul Trap spells to kill him?� I should have known better. Hannibal flew into a rage.

�THAT�S NECROMANCY!�

�Tell Malan that, Hannibal. Uriel says we have to fight dirt with dirt.�

Uriel broke in. �These are undead creatures, not humans Traven. We�ve been raising up dead enemies to fight them, that is necromancy as well. It saved you more than once out there on the battlefield. We do what we must in defense of the Empire.�

�A whole army couldn�t take him down with all those souls packed in him, Hannibal. I�ve sized him up without knowing this and admitted I couldn�t take him. We only know of two weaknesses he has, virgin blood and this Amiela. We�ll need a black soul gem the size of Baurus�s sword.�

�SKREEEK! BWAAHAA!�

Uriel spoke to the room, but looked at me. �For the time being, none of you are to discuss this or any other official business with each other or anyone else, including Sir Damien. Your right hand cannot know what the left is doing. From this point forward and until further notice, you will all be expected to repeat to me verbatim anything that is said to you by anyone in or outside this Palace. That also includes Sir Damien. Eyja, you and your men are to take orders directly from me now.�

�HA! Finally, someone other than me having their private conversations repeated.� I did a little victory dance.

�We don�t gloat, Maxical.� Uriel�s eyes didn�t reflect the harshness of his words, I was in his good graces for a change.

Eyja looked stunned. �Why can�t I talk to Foxy?�

�Malan is in this Palace, and we never know whom he will be impersonating at any given time.� Uriel signaled Hannibal out. �I want those tomes, go now while it is daylight and bring them immediately.�

�What about her virgin blood? What will you do now that�� Eyja drifted off without finishing her thought, turning to me with contrite compassion and touching my arm.

Suck it up. I steeled myself against feeling anything. The pain of Gils leaving me for Renault would destroy me if I let it. I am the master of my fate, the captain of my soul. If I�m weak, I�ll die. Amiela will own my body.

I pushed Eyja�s consoling hand off me. With my head raised high and shoulders back, I looked Uriel in the eye and spoke without wavering.

�Sire, send someone you choose to me and I�ll do what is needed�er, not Ocato please.�



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