They made it through the night. Are they ‘safe’ now that the sun’s out?

What? Maxical was foolish for turning to Malan for comfort, but this ended up being a promise of some sort? Crazy damn vampires! Also, what the heck is with Maxical losing her clothing all the time? Just about everyone in the story’s seen her naked I think!

“Did Uriel really order you to mate me?”
NO! She listened to Foxy-Malan!! Wait, does she not know?

He can’t enter without my permission, no vampire can.
Ha! He’s got a signed invitation!

Well, we know what Malan was intending, reliving his own honeymoon at the mansion. Holy crap Maxical’s almost put it together herself. Janus finally told her. Why the heck did Uriel not tell her again? She would have been trapped if Janus wasn’t around.

Let the games begin! This is going to be good. I am so ready!


By playing Oblivion a lot, I saw that Janus was in touch with his vampire side. Did you know that he knew the Pale Lady lived in his Castle? Mina(the Pale Lady), collected blood from the prisoners to not only feed herself, but also the "mistress" or "the lady", as she says it. Which means Janus deliberately has criminals in his dungeons fed on to help his wife! She refused, so I guess he himself nibbles on them from time to time as he "embraced the changes" within himself. ! I love Janus!

Onto the chapter:

It is a race through danger with Janus helping out Maxical! Reading through, this part stood out to me:


He didn't enthrall her using his hypnotic vampiro powers? . This was interesting because it shows how sneaky Malan is. He took advantage of societies' prejudice against Betmeri people to get closer to Maxical. A true vampire, right there!


Children are a rare delicacy! Free from the sourness of life!
So, we get to see Malan's Vampire Lair? I think I've seen it before! I remember! Woo, Playboy Malan's Mansion. That has a ring to it, too! The plan to bring back Amiela is on! Let us see if he can succeed, poor loverboy!

There was a lot of romantic dialogue in this chapter, and once again you surprise me with good ol lore. Generally, vampires of Tamriel are ugly, gnarled creatures who run around as the boogeymen of the provinces. Except of course, Cyrodiil!

This is a little quote from Morrowind itself, which hinted at the vampires we would be seeing in Oblivion.





King Coin: Khajiit don't need clothes! Fur is enough!

“Geez, you vampires really lock down your victims, I was a seven year old child!“
I should say so!

“He won’t see it that way.”
“Well I do. Listen Janus, ..."
Stupid vampires. Stupid pedantic fine print promissory nonsense! Stuffing yer dead wife into a poor little seven year old white furball! You tell ‘em, Maxical!

Poor Janus, darting between patches of shade to avoid the sun.

Yay! Janus finally clued our kit in to the FoxMalan mystery! I see he underestimates Uriel in assuming our Emperor did not know of the deception.

That vamp barrier at Castle Skingrad just might be enough to justify the trip. Otherwise getting rid of Maxical’s. . . problem is likely to be fatal to her and her choice of mate. Hmm, have to see what Uriel says about all this. Maxical is right: she is his Champion.

This was wonderful, mALX!

Warning: quotefest imminent. I couldn't help myself.


They may not have spoken the whole night, but surviving that kind of ordeal together has to make a bond that’s truer than Malan’s tricks and cuddling. It felt like Janus and Maxical became a pair that night, even if not in one of the many technical or accidental ways that Maxical gets herself hitched to men.


Janus was a hero here! He showed the kind of commanding presence that Maxical can respect while he questioned her, and didn’t even tease about her terminal nakedness.


Even in the middle of the drama I had to smile at this very Maxical way of saying it!


I love how he took care with his words rather than getting drawn into another squabble when Maxical poked him. Janus was awesome throughout this chapter!


Quoted for being beautiful and heartbreaking, and also funny.


At last!!! I loved this chapeter!!

*

@ King Coin - ROFL !!! Your comment had me rolling! I am in awe that you remembered the signed invitation! Yeah, “Jak” can get in the castle and now we can assume Malan can just enter at will when he isn’t impersonating Jak. Malan gave himself a back-up plan just in case.

Uriel didn’t tell her because she can’t blank her mind and Malan has been hanging around her. He didn’t want Malan finding out they were onto his impersonation of Foxy. And you are right, Maxical would have absolutely been kidnapped if Janus wasn’t there, that was Malan/Sir Damien’s intention.

Thank you so very much KC!

*
@ Darkness Eternal - If I’m not mistaken, I have found a wine bottle filled with blood in Janus’s chambers. I have seen him in combat calling for the blood of his opponents and saying he needs their blood - both in the vanilla game. Freaked me out! Lol.

Malan has an abundance of natural charm that helps him con people, and you are right - he did not use charm on Maxical as a child. He used his Vampire Charm on Janus earlier in the story, and probably used it on Maxical that night at the Bloodworks. He used it quite a bit in his impersonation as Sir Damien, but Maxical wore that ring that blocked it from effecting her.

I have some tremendous screenshots of the inside of Malan’s lair, some with Maxical inside it - it is a gorgeous place!

Thank you so very much Darkness!

*
@ Acadian - I love that you caught that about the vampires seeing every normal interaction between themselves and mortals as “promises.” I guess if you don’t come at them with sword drawn they take it as a “come on” and consider that a legally binding contract to mate with them - all without the person’s knowledge and even when the vampire is impersonating mortals. ROFL!

Janus’s castle is no good as a protection against Malan - Janus just learned he could enter Malan’s lair. (It follows that Malan can enter Janus’s too). They are split-aparts, Malan planned this out a lot longer ago than anyone is looking.

Thank you so very much Acadian!

*
@ Grits - Thank you so very much Grits! I agree, sharing a life threatening situation does develop a bond of trust between them. Still, Janus has a lot to overcome with Maxical since his putting Fathis under spells seems to have caused everything that is happening.

I’m glad you caught that line about Gils. Maxical more or less admits she felt romantic about him without his doing anything overt to cause it - she thinks he dumped her for another woman, and that is leaving her doubting what they had between them was real on his part. She is heartbroken, you said it right. It always tickles me that you pick up on these nuances that are undercurrents in what Maxical says and does! Thank you so very much again, Grits!


*

** This chapter has a cameo screenshot of Crassius Curio with one of his lifelike statues - screenshot and modded characters by the famous AlienSlof - we love you Slof!



Chapter 175: Discerning Malan’s Motives



“Sir Damien attacked me once, and actually did suck hard on my neck. It hurt like crazy, but when I checked my neck in the looking glass he hadn’t even broke the skin or left a love mark.”

“He drank your blood and healed the wound. Jak said once they’ve tasted any virgin they become obsessed by her scent till they get it all, they‘ll guard that blood as theirs. It’s Malan, Maxical. But after what he did tonight, he won’t remove his wife.“

“Malan knows I fight Dagon next year, no way he’d endanger her. His plan can’t be to use me permanently, I‘ve got to be just a diversionary tactic. He‘s famous for those, Janus.”

“His actions sent signals to our kind. Breaking in when I was with you was challenging me for you. His full army guarded all night, armies won’t guard a blood hunt. They only stand guard if he’s claiming a chosen. He’s warned all other ancients that he’s claimed you, they can’t approach you now without challenging and besting him in combat. No one dares challenge Malan, not even Jak. But Malan can‘t back down once he‘s put those signals out. He‘ll have to keep you, meaning he‘ll keep her inside you since she is really the chosen he’s claiming.”

“But then he let me leave with you! What’s the deal, vampires don’t think people can mate during daylight hours?”

“He was supposed to kill me for you, but being immortal he can‘t. We are creatures of the night, that’s when signals are given to our kind.”

“Immortal or not, Malan could have killed you if he wanted to. His army could shred you into pieces. He needs you alive, you’re his only hope for that immortal army he wants. There’s some other reason he’s picked me for this, Uriel says he does nothing without a reason.”

“An immortal wife, that‘s the reason! Didn’t you say he vowed to keep her alive forever this time? The only way he can keep that promise is for me to share my Dark Gift with you! Any other ancient left alive after a challenge like that would have kidnapped you to their lair, take and make you immediately before Malan could get there to stop it. I fought my nature, it was driving me to do it! Usually no vampire will take another‘s leavings, but if Malan and I share the same nature…and I’ll bet he can enter my lair to kidnap you back, since I was able to go into his!”






***


“But he was enraged at the thought of you touching me while she’s inside me! He couldn‘t want that! And what about him being obsessed with my blood?”

“He wants her immortal, and I’m the only way he’ll get that. But you’re right, I think he’d want her removed from you first. Maybe we caught him by surprise, forced his hand before he was ready.“

“Why me, Janus? Aren’t chosen selected by your nature specifically to be perfect for you? Why poach?”

“It actually happens quite often. Poaching outside one’s ancient line is usually for someone very desirable or to revenge an enemy. Jak said that Malan’s wife was actually poached from Greywyn Blenwyth for revenge. She was Blenwyth’s chosen by his nature, and still a virgin. Blenwyth hunted them for decades, but she and Malan seemed to have disappeared off the face of Nirn. The next time Malan was seen was when he attacked me, fifty years after her death. No one knows where either of them were in that interim.”

“The one inside me was Blenwyth‘s?”

“She was. Jak said that Malan’s wife was the equal of Malan himself in ambition and hunger for power, and ruthless with anyone or anything that stood in her way.”

“Dear gods, I hope she has weaknesses! I’ve got to be stronger than her or she and Malan will take over my body for their use. But why me, Janus?”

“If he put her in you recently, he poached within his line. Only upline ancients can do it, and there is a strict protocol for it so wars don’t erupt within the line.”

“Poached me from who, Fathis?”

“Our laws forbid us from disclosing any information on chosen, or even if you are one.”

“But you just did! If it’s about me, I should know it!”

“I can’t.”

“Never mind, I’ll find out somehow on my own.”






***


“By the way, just for the record I think you kiss good, Janus. I can‘t imagine what Eyja‘s complaint is.”

“What?” Janus’s cowl gaped at me.

“Nothing, I can’t repeat what was said in confidence.”

“Maxical! Is this a ploy to get even with me for not telling you?”

I shrugged and strove for an innocent look.

“My nature was out with you, I’ve never let my nature out with Eyja or anyone before.”

“I know.” ,

“What?” The cowl gaped again.

“That’s what she said. She said some ancients keep them out all the time, and that they are better than even Dunmer to mate.”

“HMPH!”

“What?”

“Nothing. It’s just…my friend Jak said the same thing.“

“If you’re thinking of clearing up your last impression with her, you can’t for a while. Eyja is at the Palace, the last place you can be letting your nature out. She and I share a room.”

“I know, I saw you and her…what I mean is, I knew she was…er…”

“It was you, wasn’t it! The fainting bird that ogled us as we bathed?”

“No! I had a touch of sunstroke and fell from the sky…”

I interrupted. “While watching Eyja washing her breasts. You may as well say it, I saw the look on your beak.”






***


“It was just…quite a shocking sight to fly over and witness women bathing together. Like the drawings in magazines one orders from Skyrim, nothing you’d ever imagine seeing in the flesh.”

“’The Bathing Beauties of Skyrim‘ magazines? Gils has a stack of those. I wondered if I went to Skyrim would anyone be clothed.”

“Had either of you been soaping the other it may have put test to my immortality.”

“I would have thought your crash landing did that. But that’s an exploitable weakness, if we ever swear enemies I could have you in little immortal pieces in no time if I just get two women to soap each other on the sidelines.”

“If they kissed while they soaped, I may fall into pieces without the blade touching me.”

“Gils saw a statue like that once in Balmora, he said it looked so real he almost talked to them. Some famous sculpture by an artist called Curio.”

“Crassius Curio? I’ve heard his art is very lifelike, he’s said to be the best in his field. You’ve just given me an inspiration! I’m going to commission him to sculpt a fountain for my courtyard!”


Crassius Curio with one of his lifelike statues:

http://www.slofslair.co.uk/content/art/lookdonttouch.jpg



Janus turned to me and took my hand. “I really can‘t tell you anything about being chosen, Maxical.”

“Okay, I guess.”






***


“Janus, you owe me no special consideration, I know you and Eyja have a longstanding arrangement. Once we’re finished you’re free to do as you please. Also, if Malan can enter your lair, Uriel may order me to be with another instead of you. I have to obey him.”

“He won’t when he hears what I have to say. You’re safest bet is at my castle, where I have the home advantage. I know every inch of that place like the hairs on my head, my staff around me…”

I interrupted. “Is Hal-Liurz going to bounce Malan out with her breasts? We have the Imperial Army here. You might better listen to what Uriel has to say, Janus.”

“We‘ll see. That day you escaped Malan, how did you do it?”

“I don’t know, you vampires are always squirting juices into women’s mouths when you are attacking us. I did something with his juices to escape, the same thing I used on Vicente to stop him from attacking me. I don’t know how it works, but it does.”

“What do you do, spit the juices in his eyes or something? What does it do?”

“Something like that. It does the same thing that kiss did to you, only quicker.”

“Quicker? Holy Psijic [censored]! How did you learn these things?”

“That one I learned just trying to live when Vicente was attacking me. It worked on Malan too. The kiss…if you must know, the truth is that was a Dunmer mystery. I’m married to two Dunmer, remember?”

“That‘s what a Dunmer mystery is? My friend Jak told me about them, I never knew what they were. He said he’d never marry again without some certain ones.”

“Jak is Dunmer?”

“No, Breton. His wife had some mysteries, but none he liked. She was Breton too. He had a long running affair with Llathasa Indarys, who had the ones he wanted. Gifts, he called them.”

“That’s what Gils has, the Gifts. Didn’t Llathasa die just over a year ago?”






***


“Almost a year and a half ago, and under really mysterious circumstances. The Count caught her and Jak together, and very shortly thereafter she supposedly broke her neck from a fall down the steps. Jak thinks the Count murdered Llathasa for the infidelity. Indarys is a hypocrite if he did, he has a reputation for laying everything that moves.”

“This is the best gossip I‘ve ever heard! Do you know any more?”

“I know things about Cyrodiil’s Nobility that would curl your hair.”

“You’re better than a Casta Scribonia novel! I can’t wait to tell Evangeline, she loves gossip! Tell me another, please?”

Janus laughed. “Another time, that way I‘ll ensure you‘re happy to see me again. That kiss, was that one of those Gifts that Jak was talking about?”

I nodded. “Yeah, I didn’t think about them being too strong for Imperials. They’re made specifically for Dunmer, who are never pleased without them.”

“That’s what Jak said, that since Llathasa died nothing has been the same. He seeks that sensation and is dissatisfied with anything less.“

“That’s the point of them. Dunmer live exceptionally long lives and can only teach the secrets to their first wife. Azura gave the mysteries to keep divorce out of their culture. Jak’s wife must have been married previously to a Dunmer.”

“No, Jak was her only husband.”

“Well, that’s a mystery in itself! How do two Bretons get Dunmer mysteries when the wife wasn’t previously married?”

“Jak must have bought the secrets. He tried to buy Gils‘ mysteries a little over a year ago, not long after Llathasa died. Somehow Jak found out Gils had the ones he wanted. Jak is extremely wealthy and the offer went quite high, but Gils wouldn‘t sell for any amount. Then Jak tried to use mind control and steal the secrets. He couldn’t get them, said they were protected somehow.”






***


“Azura guards the mysteries from theft, and keeps them locked till the man marries. Then they’re sealed to the couple’s souls, if one dies the other owns the mysteries. They can use them on another, but not share the sacred secrets. It’s punishable by death to share those with anyone. Gils wasn’t married a year ago, Jak couldn’t have gotten them then regardless.”

“Hmmm.”

“What?”

“Just wondering if Jak knows you’re married to Gils. It would explain his sudden interest in you. After Llathasa died, Jak said he’d do anything to get hold of those Gifts. And if Malan knows about them, it may be why he chose you to implant his wife in…”

Janus stopped dead in his tracks, regardless of the sun burning him.

“His wife…implanted in you. [Censored]! If split-aparts share a chosen, is it…could the chosen I‘m following be Malan‘s dead wife?”

“That’s a good question, Janus. If you look at it scientifically, the nature you share isn’t actually yours. It has to be Malan’s since he didn’t create you till centuries later. Come into the shade, Janus.”

I had to pull Janus under the nearest tree. He leaned against it, healing himself.

“A month ago you said you were here following your chosen, who have you been following all this time? If it suddenly changed to me the night before last, then you are most definitely following his dead wife. And whether Malan just put her in me recently or when I was a child, where was she before then? She‘s been dead a century now.”

“I can’t tell you. I have to talk to Traven about this.”

“What will you do if it is?“

Janus shrugged. “I don’t know. I need time to think. There has to be a reason Malan chose you for this, Maxical. I need to know when he did, and why you.“

“It can’t be for the mysteries. Malan is the Vvardenfell Arbiter. Arbiters are given all the mysteries, he’d not need mine.“


*

Interesting plan Malan has, get Maxical immortal via Janus and then have his wife take over Maxical’s body. I wonder what Akatosh thinks of that? Maxical’s already reserved for kicking Dagon off of the Nirn!

HA! Maxical trying to drag the info out of Janus by telling him about Eyja.

“It was you, wasn’t it! …
…While watching Eyja washing her breasts. You may as well say it, I saw the look on your beak.”
So funny! And then they talk all about bathing, soaping and kissing, and all things Skyrim. I wonder what kind of statue Janus has in mind? A Khajiit and a Nord soaping and kissing? I hope we are treated to another bath.

If split-aparts share a chosen, is it…could the chosen I‘m following be Malan‘s dead wife
Weird. But I think that is not the case. Wasn’t Maxical his chosen before the wife was ‘planted?’ I thought Malan did it inside of the Bloodworks when Maxical woke and couldn’t move. Maybe I’m wrong about the time.

the plot thickens once again! so now pretty much everyone knows that foxy isn't foxy, correct? and now we sort of know what Malan is up to, although this whole vampire lore thing you've created is so deep and rich I keep having to re-read chapters for it to sink in, not that it's a bad thing of course

Okay, well, damn. I hate this laptop for freezing up on me when I gave a review of the episode, and all my words were deleted! AH!

I will be back later on today with a fresh one, as I have to get ready to go somewhere. But rest assured, I shall return!

‘I shrugged and strove for an innocent look.’
I could picture this perfectly and was rolling as Maxical’s manipulative intent became apparent. Although the effort failed, it was a magnificent attempt to push Janus’ buttons!

Mysteries and motives indeed!

Huh, really? I never found any blood. Better recheck once I get the chance.

Wow, what a crazy, "convoluted" plot Malan has going on.



Ah, Mr.Blenwyth of the Scars! I didn't know the latter part of him chasing Malan and his lover.




You know, mALX, you never cease to amaze me and make me laugh with these lines.

Haha, what? P0rn? Morrowind has naked male Nords, I wonder what Skyrim has . . .

Eyja and her plumpy bewbs has returned!! Though mentioned, it still brought back good memories! Janus truly remembered it, too. Ahahaha. Malan's plan is further revealed somewhat. He wants his woman back, and through Maxical, he can get her! This is pretty awesome, I will admit. I will love to see what he is up to next.

Oops! Janus almost told!


Oh my gosh, this was hilarious. The soaping discussion might not have been what Maxical was trying to pry out of Janus, but I was rolling over it! Bathing Beauties of Skyrim, ROFL!

Crassius Curio and his statues, I love it! I’m sure that Janus will want to see life-like drawings of the fountain plans right away!

I’m curious to learn what Janus makes of the whole Dunmer Mysteries mystery, with Gils having the Gifts that Malan wants, and Maxical already having some of his (Gils’). Also I guess she owns all of them now, but doesn’t know it because she doesn’t know of his death? If Janus figures out the Arbiter business, that should make things easier for Maxical.

*

@ EVERYONE: Last chapter dumped a lot of info on Malan’s plots, (sorry about that). I thought it might help to post a review of what it revealed just in case anyone had questions - mainly because a lot of the info is based on things brought out in previous chapters that were well long enough ago to be forgotten. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask!




*
@ King Coin - Thank you so very much KC! You had me rolling with your comment, lol! Bath = next chapter after the one below, lol. You made my day with this one, I love hearing about the things that get you laughing!

On your question: I’ve quoted the answer above, since last chapter dumped a lot of info on Malan’s plots and there may be others who wondered , lol. Thank you so much again KC!


*
@ Hazmick - Thank you so much Hazmick! You are right, Malan will no longer be impersonating Foxy. I know I info-dumped that last chapter, so tried to cover what I was hoping to get across in the (large) quote above, lol. Thank you so much for your kind words about the vampire lore, and if you ever have any questions - please feel free to ask anytime!!!!

*
@ Acadian - Thank you so very much Acadian! ROFL !!! Maxical’s “subtle” manipulation? Thanks again, Acadian!

*
@ Darkness Eternal - Thank you so very much Darkness! I’ve had that happen to me so many times, usually when posting something on an internet contact slot for a company - lost long descriptions of why/how X is broken and not working properly, lol. Stuff I worked hard on and wanted to scream when it disappeared! I so appreciate you coming back and letting me know what you thought!!!!!

On the bottle of blood: Go into Janus Hassildor’s bedroom. Turn Right. On the right side at the end of the room is a small round table with a bottle of what looks like wine on it. Mouse over it and see if it is blood. If it isn’t blood, then I probably stuck that blood on the table in my mod of his quarters and don’t remember doing it.

On the naked male Nords in Morrowind - go to the Inn of Ill Omen and step behind the counter - get a good look at Manheim’s backside. Under that apron he is a nude Nord, (loincloth in the vanilla game), ROFL !!!

You also made my day with your comment, (especially since you had to do it twice) and had me rolling laughing! Eyja and her plumpy bewbs will return next chapter in another bath scene. (not the chapter below).

Your kind words meant a LOT to hear, Thank you so very much again Darkness!

*
@ Grits - Thank you so very much Grits! You haven’t seen the last of Crassius Curio, that was just his first intro into the story. He is def coming to the Palace. I’m so glad you “suggested” him, because I have been looking for a TES artist to fill this role for a month! I had settled on a smithy finally, but “Uncle Crassius” is SO much better for this! What a character !!! I’ve been studying him for the role, he will be AWESOME in it !!!

You really tickled me with your comment - yes, a closeness and trust may have developed between them, but they still can’t be together any amount of time without squabbling, lol.

On your question - Janus doesn’t know Jak is Malan yet. Jak is his best friend, when he finds out Jak is Malan the S will hit the F.

You are absolutely right, Maxical owns those mysteries now because Gils is dead - but she doesn’t know he’s dead.

Maxical is still missing the 7 marital mysteries (since she’s still a virgin), she may own them but doesn‘t know them.

Also - any Dunmer Arbiter can take those Gift mysteries away from her by declaring her marriage to Gils invalid. (which would mean Maxical could be killed for having them, unless the Arbiter takes her himself like Fathis did and Malan is trying to do).

** The only higher authority than the Arbiters is Divayth Fyr.

Janus won’t be able to figure out the Arbiter thing, the Dunmer keep these as sacred secrets. The Arbiter is never supposed to be known except by those under their jurisdiction. Because they know all the secrets, it would place them in danger. Maxical made a big mistake telling Malan that Fathis was the Arbiter.

Thank you so very much again, Grits! You ROCK!


*

*


Chapter 176: Discerning Malan’s Plans


“If Malan really is into that depth of necromancy, Fathis is worse than dead. Malan tried to get your blood, if he gets access to it he’ll make Fathis drink it.”

“Fathis wouldn’t do it!”

“He’s a fledgling vampire now, Maxical. The strongest will in the world can’t fight the power that scent and taste has over an ancient, the bloodlust is utterly uncontrollable for the first century. That’s why I’ve stayed isolated. If Malan gets any virgin’s blood under Fathis’s nose the man you know and love won’t be there anymore. Malan will make sure Fathis knows it‘s yours too, to shame him when he can’t stop himself. Psychological warfare, it‘s Malan’s way to do the most harm he can with any act.”

“Why doesn’t the scent bother you?”

“Finding my chosen completely removed the bloodlust.”

“Didn’t you say Malan was obsessed with drinking my blood since he’s tasted it?“

“He can do both, blood replenishes. Once he had Fathis under his thumb Malan would heal you, then take you himself. Whatever Fathis is refusing to do, tasting your blood will break him. Men like Fathis can’t live with what the vampire is, what it does. They’d kill themselves if they could, but the nature protects itself and stops them.”

“Sir Damien said that Malan felt that way early on! But…what are you saying?”

“They’ll give up their souls rather than face what they are, what they’ve done. Fathis is an extraordinary mage, his soul would hold tremendous power. He has access to the Palace, and Uriel trusts him. Malan probably plans to send Fathis in as his minion.“

“Take Fathis’s soul? Make him a thrall?” I felt a sickening knot in my stomach and didn’t know if my legs would hold me up. Any elation I’d felt that Fathis might be alive was soured in the acid filling my stomach.

“I need your help, Janus. I can’t be the weapon Malan uses against Fathis! Please help me rescue him, and take this virgin blood from me now so it can never be used against him! He can’t take Fathis’s soul, I can‘t let that happen! Uriel needs to be told this right away!” I ran, cutting directly from the District Gate to the Palace regardless of Janus burning in the sunlight as he followed.






***


The Palace entrance looked odd…empty. It took a full second to realize there was no guard on it.

“Where’s the guard? There’s always a guard at the Palace entrance!” My voice broke on a squeak.

“Arm a fire spell. Malan is probably making his move on the Palace right now.”

“Uriel! I have to get to him!” I loaded my ‘Enemies Explode’ spell, then cast chameleon instinctively as I ran up the steps.

“If they engage us, divert them from me so I can keep moving to Uriel.”

Janus went completely invisible. “Just go, I’ll follow. My line has thermal imagery, I see you clearly.”

As soon as we entered the lobby area, Janus yanked me to a stop. “There are ancients here, a lot of them. Most coming from the floor below us, he must have a nest there. But there are a lot upstairs too.” His voice was so deep that without looking I knew he’d changed to giant form.

“If they’re around us in vapor form even your thermal imagery won‘t detect them. My seal detects them, but can’t with you beside me.”

Janus grabbed my arm. “Just in case blast ahead of us to clear our route. Aim toward the stairwell.”

“I can’t aim, Janus, just blow up places.”

“Just do it!”

BOOOOOOOM! ... KAAAAAPPPPOOOOOOOWWWWW! ... RUMBLE RUMBLE …BOOOOOOOOM!






***


“What in the living hell was that [censored] [censored]? You‘ll knock the whole Palace off its foundation with that [censored] thing!”

“I told you it would blow up! And anyway, I killed a bunch! See the bodies?”

“You probably hit Uriel on the top floor, or flung him out a window.”

“I can’t very well kill Malan’s army with a little fireball!”

“You’ll kill us all wielding that thing!”

“When you can’t aim, you compensate by using area spells! That one covers twenty feet in circumference!“

“Don’t get in a snit…”

“I’m not in a snit!”

“Let me try it, maybe having aim will keep it from being so destructive.”

“Fine! Let’s just see if you can do better!”

BOOOM! “Hey, this is a handy spell! Damn, your destruction must be off the charts!”

“Hmph! It is, remember? That’s part of my disorder.“

Janus fired volleys of my spell in front of us as we climbed the inner loop corridors to the upper floors. My ring detected nothing, but repeatedly the air burst in an explosion of flames that hissed as they dissipated into bodies.

“Maxical, there’s a large nest of ancients in that room.” He pointed toward a barred door.

“That room is sealed off because Malan broke the glass in it and with the war on we couldn’t get it repaired.”

“But Malan can unbar the door and let them into the Palace.”

“Seal it with that tamperproof spell.”

“Done.” Janus cast and the door glowed with an orange aura.

“Don’t you have to search through your spells?”

“No, my nature loads whatever is needed instantly with no more than a thought.”

“That’s handy!”






***


“Through that door is the Battlemages quarters, they’ll attack us if we come through blasting. Don’t cast unless you know it‘s a vampire.”

“Let me go through first. Stand clear so I can shoot if needed.”

I eased the door open and held it as Janus moved through. In spite of his giant size he actually was much quieter than me.

“All I detect are humans and...an extremely large rodent?”

“I’ll explain later.”

When we got to the Royal Quarters Janus put his head through the door, then drew it back surprised. “Unless I can’t detect the vapor form it’s clean too, just humans.”

I slid the bolt, sealing the upper floor so no one could follow even with a key. Uriel’s door was locked. We both dispelled the chameleon and I pounded, screaming. “SIRE! SIRE, ARE YOU SAFE?

I heard the bolt slide back and pushed it open, calling loudly, “SIRE! It’s me and Janus Hassildor.”

Three people shouted in my face. “WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!” It was a command from Uriel, a demand from Eyja and Hannibal. Eyja bolted the door behind me.

“The Palace is filled with vampires. We got what we could, but there is a lot more…nests of them everywhere.”

Relief of finding Uriel safe was followed immediately by a feeling of helplessness to keep him that way. I was in way over my head. How could I protect Uriel when Malan had as much as taken over the Palace?

“Malan cornered us in a standoff at the Temple of the One till daybreak. Drawing a sword would have been suicide, his entire army surrounded us in giant form. I held a dagger to my throat all night threatening to kill his wife. You can look at the stains on my greaves to see how terrorized I’ve been, I wet my pants. Sir Damien gave me directions and a key to Malan‘s lair, said you’d ordered me to meet a man in the Temple and go there to mate him.”

Uriel glanced at Eyja with eyebrows raised, then took the directions and key from Janus. “We believe Malan holds Foxy there, he’s just provided the means to rescue him!“

“Fathis is there too, but he‘s a vampire. Janus, can you…?”

Uriel looked devastated and enraged simultaneously as Janus unfolded Malan’s possible plans for Fathis. I felt his commiseration as Uriel gripped my shoulder.

“We must begin a rescue mission immediately, but Fathis can no longer hold his position of trust in the Palace.”






***


“Sire, Malan promised his wife he’d keep her safe forever this time. The only way she’ll be immortal is for Janus to share his Dark Gift with me, that has to be Malan’s plan. Janus was able to enter Malan’s lair, proving they share one nature. Now Janus thinks the chosen he’s been following might be Malan’s dead wife.”

Uriel answered. “It is, Malan planned that he would. Hassildor’s attack was fifty years after she died. We think during the interim Malan learned the secrets of transferring souls. Malan wouldn’t tolerate another vampire’s nature near her, and he’d need to access the lair to retrieve her afterward. It was no accident Hassildor was made his split-apart, Malan wanted an immortal version of himself.”

“But the original blood cocktail was made over three centuries ago! Even kept in cold storage, wouldn’t the blood be horribly degraded?” I glanced at Janus in apology.

“It would! As a scientist Malan knew that! The fact that he used the same mixture alerted me instantly to a plot in Hassildor’s attack, I predicted it!” Hannibal waved his notes. “If an immortal army was his only goal he’d never have used compromised blood.”

“Shouldn’t I have been forewarned?” Janus demanded.

“Until two days ago we had no idea what his plot for you was, just that in using the degraded blood he had ensured your immortality would never outmatch him in combat. It could have merely been a security measure.” Uriel answered.

“I always wondered why he didn’t use fresh blood.” I whispered it, giving Janus another apologetic look and touching his hand. It couldn’t be comfortable for him to be discussed like this.

“Janus said Malan is acting precipitously on his plans.”

Eyja nodded. “He’s right. Malan alerted everyone she was inside you, really stupid when he was so close to finally achieving his dream of the Palace.”

“I’m positive the scent of Maxical’s blood was driving him to madness, obsession. He’d need to get rid of that distraction before it cost him everything.” Janus interjected.

“I think he was too close to having his wife back again, got impatient and couldn’t wait to be with her. I could feel the love in both of them.”

“I don’t believe he planned to awaken her till everything was in place. Malan’s folly is his impatience. In his haste he made crucial errors, he is off balance now.” Uriel nodded.

“Malan obviously planned I’d never return when he gave me the key to his lair, or thought his wife would be controlling me when I did. He tried to call her forth, my rage smothered her back.”

“How many vampires did you kill coming up?”

Janus answered. “Probably thirty coming up, all below the Battlemage floors. There‘s more in the lobby I didn‘t count.”

“We must burn the corpses right away, Malan could bring them to life to fight us. Hassildor and I can do that now, I can answer his questions.” Hannibal volunteered.






***


When they left, Uriel patted my shoulder. “You did well, Maxical. I want to hear everything that was said with Malan.”

“I threatened everything I could think of to feel him out for weaknesses. His eyes showed fear at anything involving harming Amiela; also Daedric Lords and gods, especially Akatosh. He is superstitious, threatening eternal retribution or the marking of souls makes him drop back and regroup. All other threats just brought rage.”

“What other threats?”

“While I held the knife to my throat I threatened to mate everyone from Greywyn Blenwyth to putting her to work at Luther Broads as a hooker. I told him I’d do whatever it took to get even with him if he pushed me to it. I’m known for having a temper, so banked on him not being able to tell how far I’m capable of going.”

Eyja looked stunned. “Weren’t you afraid he’d lose his temper and kill you anyway?”

“I’ve never been more terrified in my life, but Janus and I were alone against him and that giant army. If I’d shown any weakness he would have kidnapped me and I’d be in his lair right now. I had to believe that he went through too much to bring his wife back, he wasn’t going to let anything happen to her.”

Uriel sat down on his desk and exhaled loudly, exchanging glances with Eyja.

“She doesn’t do anything halfway, does she?” Eyja smiled, petting me.

“No she doesn’t. It is why Akatosh chose her.” He gave me an approving glance that didn’t last even a minute. “How did Hassildor get involved?”

“I thought Janus was who you sent for me to mate. I…er…we were stuck in the Temple anyway…“

Uriel‘s eyebrows raised in surprise. “Well? Has that worry been relieved?”

“Well…er…not exactly. I kissed him to get things started, but then suddenly it was all over. Neither of us had even got a stitch of clothes off yet. He was trying again when Malan showed up.”

“You were mating In the Temple of the One?” Uriel’s aghast voice thundered over Eyja‘s shrieking laughter.

“Trying to…”


*

Ok I’ve started hearing the wicked witch laugh every time you have Eyja laugh in your story. Does not fit what she looks like at all!

With Maxical and Janus storming the palace, I visualized Janus leading Maxical by the arm and pointing it like a gun. Even funnier, why not just have her slung over his shoulder like a rocket launcher?

And the serious stuff: she thinks Gils ran off with some other woman, and that Fathis is a vampire. No wonder she’s eager to just lose her virginity to anyone now. (Well… not a certain high elf or someone that may or may not be related to him.) I can see a bond forming between Maxical and Uriel over the possible loss of Fathis. I am glad Uriel saw his error and didn’t get too upset over Maxical’s departure from the palace. Keeping the information from Maxical about Foxy was a mistake and he’s not placing that on her.

The quick-paced argument over Enemies Explode was priceless and I could picture it all! In a snit indeed! I barely recovered from that when you sprang this on me:
‘I eased the door open and held it as Janus moved through. In spite of his giant size he actually was much quieter than me.
“All I detect are humans and...an extremely large rodent?”
“I’ll explain later.”


“She doesn’t do anything halfway, does she?” Eyja smiled, petting me.
Priceless, simply priceless.

This episode was enlightening, moved your story along at a nice clip and was just darn fun to read!

“She doesn’t do anything halfway, does she?” Well, there is that one thing...

I think they all need a nice soapy bath - something's bound to happen!

Thanks for the explanation, Maxical! I appreciate the clearing up of the info! . It must be a mod . . .or maybe I haven't checked his room. When my PS3 is fixed, I will check it out. Yay, future Eyja and twin melons!

The race through the palace is on! I like many of the things given in this chapter. One of them is this:

"Men like Fathis can’t live with what the vampire is, what it does. They’d kill themselves if they could, but the nature protects itself and stops them."

Well, that is unfortunate! Eternally damned is the correct word for it. Some like, most of them don't.

Poor Maxical is eager to lose her V card now! I wonder if Janus will oblige!

Thank you so much for the reminders on Malan’s plots! Tremendous help!!


What a chilling vision of Fathis as his own prison, and also an insight into Janus’ own struggle.


I love this image of the two of them clearing a path to Uriel as a team, bickering and complimenting each other all the way!


This was the standout moment for me in the whole chapter, even though there was a lot of excitement and hilarity throughout. (Especially Hannibal waving his notes and yelling, “I predicted it!” Love that guy.)


And here is another one. Maxical’s heart has been torn out by what’s happened to Fathis and stomped on by what she thinks Gils did, and she just blew up half of the palace still wearing the pants she peed in mortal terror. Yet she has such tenderness and compassion. What a fun, wonderful chapter!!

Beautifully written mALX. There is such a sense of wonder in your writing. How I love to read about Maxical, virginity and vampires....they merge like fine wine and a warm fireplace.

Storming the building....thermal imagery.....and Eyja....

Magnificent.

“No! I had a touch of sunstroke and fell from the sky…”



“All I detect are humans and...an extremely large rodent?”

*

@ King Coin - ROFL !!! She isn’t cackling like a witch, find some really crummy sleazy bar and go in, listen for the female that laughs loudest and you’ve got Eyja’s BWAAHAA laugh, lol. She brays and howls - that is the loud laughs. Her tinkling laugh is a pretty sound. In a few chapters she will break out a new laugh that sounds like one of those BAAAYOOOGAA horns on old cars.

Uriel couldn’t share information with Maxical because she is a sieve. Throughout the story, she pretty much spouts out (everything she ever overheard or was said to her whether in confidence or not), and her mind babbles worse than she does. She needs to learn how to keep things to herself and know when and how to blank her mind around these ancients before she can be given classified information unless Uriel just wants it spread to his enemies. She’s already given Malan critical information twice (that Fathis was Arbiter and that Uriel was onto his impersonation - something Uriel told her he didn’t want Malan knowing). She’ll learn, but she‘s not there yet.

You are absolutely right, Uriel and Maxical are finally beginning to develop a bond between them. She is doing less wrong to irritate him now, that helps. But he’s also seen a few signs of why Akatosh chose her.

Your comment had me in stitches! Thank you so very much KC!

*
@ Acadian - Thank you so very much Acadian! Your kind words made my day! (especially this: “was just darn fun” - that tickled me! I was really hoping their squabbling as they fought through the Palace would be well received, so I’m really glad you picked that out! Thank you so very much again, Acadian!

*
@ Ghastley - Your wish is my command - one bath coming right up! And you are absolutely right about that, there is one thing she sure can’t seem to accomplish, lol. Thank you so much Ghastley, Loved your comment!

*
@ Darkness Eternal - Thank you so very much Darkness! Eternally damned - what a great phrase! I may steal it in the future, lol. If I do, I’ll ask first. Yeah, that V card is on the line next chapter. (not below, the one after that.

If you find out about that wine bottle of blood in Janus’s quarters, can you let me know? My game is crashed right now, but I am curious about that. I could put my mod up in the TES4 Edit and look up the changes to Janus’s private quarters. It was my first mod ever, it’s dirty as hell (not sexy dirty - it has a lot of errors in it. Example, sticking out of Castle Skingrad is an overly large door. I have tried to remove it a dozen times and can’t. The Lost Chamber has a huge crack in it, and Janus’s outer room has an even bigger crack in it. The Colovian Traders looks like an earthquake struck, and I never even touched it - I only went in there to fix Eyja up and make her pretty, really not sure how it happened, ROFL !!!)

Thank you so very much again, Darkness!

*
@ Grits - This absolutely made my day, Thank you so very much Grits! Every nuance I hoped would come across in that chapter, you pegged in your comment. You ROCK! Thank you so very much again Grits!

*
@ WINTER WOLF !!!!!!!!!!! - GAAAAAAAH !!!! Where have you been, you have been so missed! For coming back I will send you a vid of a wolf howling, as soon as I can find a really good one! I hope you are well, and thank you so very much for coming by and reading !!!!


*

*


Chapter 177: Bathing With Assassins


“Sire, I’ve got to lose this virgin blood immediately so it can never be used against Fathis. While we‘re locked up here, can Janus…you know, end this?”

“I need some assurances from Traven and Hassildor first. Eyja, take Maxical to the room and guard her well.”

“I need a bath anyway.” As I was getting up to leave Uriel glanced at the stains on my greaves. He gripped my shoulder and shook it briefly, but gently.

“I’m glad you made it back safely. It would serve Malan a lesson if I let him have you to live with a while. Go clean up get some rest while we talk.”

Hannibal passed us in the doorway, his expression staring at Eyja was like a lovesick schoolboy. He was watching her instead of where he was walking and trod on Janus’s heel.

“OW!”

Eyja’s tinkling laughter followed us to the room. That was my favorite of her many laughs, the braying and howling ones I could do without. She heated the bathwater and removed both our clothing with her spell. I pulled off my rings and amulet and laid them on the ornate stand next to the tub.

“I meant to tell Uriel, I think Malan spent a lot of time with Evangeline when he was impersonating Sir Damien. I noticed he entered her room without waiting for a response after his tap.”

“I’ll warn Uriel of that. Now, tell me about you and Janus.”

“First I’ll tell you about that bird that ogled us and fell from the sky. It was Janus, he said the sight of two women together in the bathtub nearly killed him. He only survived it because we weren’t soaping each other or kissing.”

“BWAAHAA! Let me tell you something about men, Maxical. They’ll pay anything for the sight of two women doing anything together nude.” Eyja soaped up a sponge and handed it to me as I climbed in the tub.

I soaped my neck, then started on my chest. “Next time you’re at Castle Skingrad, look around. Janus is commissioning a fountain statue of us in a tub.”

“BWAAHAA!” Eyja cut her hand across the top of the water, flooding all the soap off my front.

“Hey! Now I’ve got to soap up again!”

I handed my sponge to Eyja with an innocent look. “It needs soaped again.”






***


As Eyja reached for the soap I knocked it into the water with my tail, splashing a couple drips of water on her face. She squealed loudly as she kept trying to grab the soap bar off the bottom of the tub while I kept scooting it around with my tail.

“Stop!“ Eyja curled her arm across the water, drenching me completely before snatching the bar up. She soaped the sponge and handed it back.

“I don’t know how you remained a virgin married to two Dunmer, but you’re hopeless if you can‘t get Janus. He’d lay a mudcrab just tripping over it.” She splashed me again, then started soaping herself up.

“Really? He said he’s not like those ancients that are driven by lust. I‘ve only met him three times, but he‘s always been a gentleman around me.”

“He‘s as bad as any of them, just doesn’t see himself as he really is.“

“He said if I ever need him, he’s but a thought away. I’m not sure what that means.”

“All ancients say that, it’s like their calling card. It means, ‘don’t call me if you need anything’.”

I cupped my hand across the water in an arc that splashed the soap off her. “Geez, it sounded so believable when he said it!”

“Well don’t fall for it. They all talk romantic, it’s nothing but talk. Just need help sometime and watch how fast they disappear.”

I opened my mouth to answer and Eyja smacked her hand down hard on top of the water, choking me with the spray. I sputtered and splashed her back, then held up my hand quickly to stop the play.

“Shh.” Raised voices were coming from Uriel’s chambers, very loud and angry. “They’re all shouting at once, I can’t understand a word!” I called to Eyja.

“Good, then I can do this!” She splashed me.

“Ew, what is that?” I put both my hands under the water and pretended I‘d found something. When Eyja leaned over to look I clapped my hands together hard so the water shot up and drenched her. She shrieked loudly.






***


“Oh, you’ve asked for it now.” She splashed me repeatedly till half the water from the tub was in my face.

“Mustn’t drown the cat!” I choked out, lolling my head back on the tub as if I‘d died. Her giggling continued echoing loudly around the room, but she stopped splashing. I sat back up.

“Watch this, Eyja. I thought of it while you were drowning me. I’ll make a slaughterfish jumping from the water with my tail.” I made my tail leap out of the water the way the slaughterfish do, but then made it fly over and bite her on the neck.

“SKREEEEEEK! GAAAH! Your tail tickles! It‘s dripping on me!”

“Are you dry?” I started chasing her with my tail, making it jump out of the water at her neck from all different directions till she shrieked continuously.

“SKREEEEEK! It tickles! STOP! SKREEEEEEEK!”

When I stopped she leaped across the tub to wrestle me. A huge wake of water curled up and out of the tub when she landed laughing on top of me, and just as it did there was a deafening bang at the window beside us.

We both shrieked as a man in a crimson robe blew backward from the trap Nissy had set on the now gaping window. His screams were bone chilling echoing his descent. Another Mythic Dawn assassin was sliding toward the window on the ledge.

Uriel’s shout could be heard through the wall, then the sound of boots stomping toward the room. The door flew open and I glimpsed Janus’s stunned face gaping at Eyja and I clinging to each other.

“Holy Psijic [censored]!”

Hannibal followed, looking like an owl as he admired Eyja‘s naked form. The fact that we were in peril obviously couldn’t overcome the sight for either of them.

There was no time to wait for them to save us, that was sure. I pushed Eyja off me and scrambled up, sticking my hand out the window and casting the Enemies Explode spell toward the approaching assassin.






***


The delay seemed interminable, the assassin was already clinging to the window and another was coming up behind him when the impact of the spell hit. The dome started quaking a split second before the blast thundered with a huge roar.

RUMBLE RUMBLE…BOOOOOOOOM! KAAABOOOM!

The entire window blew off and shattered with the two assassins in pieces flying with it. It went so far and so fast that nothing could be seen in seconds.

The grease on the ledge was ablaze, the flames instantly shot around the entire dome. Immediately we heard shouting coming from the opposite side, and more of those horrible long screams that made my blood feel like ice.

Then chaos erupted. Uriel was shouting orders; men were running everywhere, I even heard footsteps up on the dome. A regiment of Imperial Army troops was ordered up to guard from the Battlemages Quarters up. Janus was assigned to check everyone coming into the Royal Quarters since he could verify they weren’t vampires.

A crew was called up immediately to board the window before the vampires emerged for the evening. Hannibal got towels around us and shuffled Eyja and me into Uriel’s chambers just as the troops arrived. The sound of hammering pounded above all the shouting, my ears hurt from it.

“Where’s Uriel?“ I squeaked, glancing around quickly. With a shock I realized I’d left Uriel! He wasn’t in his chambers! I ran to the door, but just then Uriel’s vault door opened. Uriel, thank the gods. I breathed in relief.

He signaled Eyja and Hannibal out, then stood in front of me for what seemed like an entire minute before speaking. I didn’t know whether I was in trouble or not by his expression.

“Foxy is alive, or Malan couldn’t impersonate him. We now know he has Fathis as well. We need them. Taking down Malan is a top priority.”








***


“Maxical, you have to lose the power Malan has to turn Fathis into a minion immediately. You are needed here, not closed up in Hassildor’s castle. I refused his request, you must stay here.”

“I tried to talk him out of that myself.”

“Hassildor is needed till we clear the Palace of Malan’s army, but when Malan is taken down I want him gone. And Maxical, if he can’t get this business done right away then I will order someone else in to do the job. If he fails again, you are to inform me immediately so I can appoint another.”

“Well, he did just see Eyja and I together in the bathtub, that could either help or hinder our case if you know what I mean.“

Uriel made a grimace. “You’ll have all the time and privacy you need if the deed is taking place. Don‘t kiss him, and make sure his clothes are removed before starting this time.”

“Remember you promised I could take a bottle of your brandy.“ I grabbed a bottle of his best brandy and walked out holding it up and waggling it so he could see I had it.

Janus was waiting in the room. He’d pushed the boarded window open and was leaning over the tub, watching the ring of grease burning around the dome I guess. I locked all the access doors and the main door behind me. The workmen had left the room, but I could still hear banging coming from above. Were they working outside the dome? What if they could see in?

“Janus, the order is in. I have to…er…you know. Uriel said I must stay right here. I‘m sorry to put you on the spot this way, are you sure…I mean do you still want to do this with me? Uriel said he‘ll appoint another if you‘ve changed your mind.”

“I do, but Uriel gave you choice. Is it me you want? I need your promise.”

“You have my promise, Janus, I want to give myself to you.”

Without a word Janus pulled me into his arms and kissed me. The air became thick with him, a scent so powerful and aromatic I was sure I could have eaten a whole horse if someone cooked it.

The testosterone was suffocating even with the gaped window nearby. It was strangling in my throat, choking me. My legs felt planted or I would have run to the window for air.






***


My nerves were ragged edged from all that had happened last night and just minutes ago. An uneasy feeling kept sending shivers down my spine. I wished suddenly that I was dressed, regardless if it defeated my purpose.

My arm holding the bottle of brandy was wedged between us. I pulled back from him and shoved the brandy at him, tightening the towel around me.

“A gift from Uriel, will you drink some? I don‘t drink, but I like the taste and smell of it. Haha, I probably sound like I‘m on Skooma or something, haha. I wish I would shut up now, haha.” I was chattering like a damned magpie.

Uriel expected people’s libido to just rise regardless of the person or situation, rebound and be ready immediately after assassin attacks and giant vampires frightening one half to death. I don’t know how men could get aroused in the worst situations, but remembered Gils at Crowhaven trying me with skeletons attacking us and arrows whizzing by our heads.

“What are you thinking about?” His voice was close to my ear, something about his breath made me feel lightheaded and woozy.

“I…I was wishing I was a man. I might need air or something. I think my head is swimming.”

“You’re wanting the banks of the Rumare, is that it?”

“Yes, how did you know?” His breath left me feeling strange inside, a sensation like something was recognizing him…communicating with him. Like a memory replicating and sharing itself with him.

“I know what’s in your heart, I was there with you.”

I tittered nervously and took a step toward the window. My bare foot crunched on something hard, I looked down surprised. It was my ring from Hannibal. My jewelry, where was Fathis’s ring?

“My ring is gone, I need my wedding ring from Fathis…”

“Shh now, there you go.” There was an overwhelming feeling of heaviness, and then of falling endlessly in a pitch black chasm. I felt him pulling me against him as darkness closed over me.


*

How fun to get some splash time with silly and sultry Eyja. It would not surprise me to learn that her antics were to keep Maxical from hearing what the others were shouting about.


The Emperor advising Maxical on how to get it on was priceless.


Oh, poor nervous Maxical!


Wait, what?! Did Malan come through the window and is pretending to be Janus? He could have heard Maxical whispering all of her memories to the dying Gils! I KNOW it was Janus in the other room when he said “Holy Psijic [censored]!” Am I just being twitchy and paranoid?! Wait, maybe Janus read it in her mind when he was ogling them in the bath as a bird. I’m on pins and needles!!


Oh CRAP! This does not sound normal. If it’s Azura yanking Maxical back to the primal jungle again, I hope Maxical gives her a piece of her mind. What’s going to happen next?!

I’m going to get another cup of coffee and read this again!!

Hee! Grits already quoted so many of the great parts of this!

There goes Maxical using the ‘P’ word with an ancient again. I remember what it means to them.

Oh my. The end here was unnerving. Perhaps I am perceiving danger where there is none but I was strongly reminded that Janus and Malan are related by blood. . . split aparts to use Maxical’s words. Regardless, I could really feel Maxical’s sense of falling into darkness at the end.

Bath time! Uriel’s warming up to her. That gesture was nice.

That was so funny with the soap! And to think Eyja’s an assassin! For once Maxical’s curiosity is trumped by something, splashing Eyja!

Holy crap! As soon as Eyja jumped Maxical, I knew something was going to happen! Maxical of course responds to the danger by destroying the entire palace.

What the… Is Janus, Janus? This really doesn’t sound right. Something is up, and I don't like it.

When the next chapter is posted, you have my permittion to steal it

Into the bath! I suppose I must feel like a lovesick schoolboy after this one, haha. This chapter is as you promised. Full of our Eyja and our Maxical!


Eyja knows what she's talking about. That's for sure.



This strikes me as curious as well. Glad this was questioned in the story, after I found myself wondering this all too much. If she doesn't get Janus, then I don't know what will.

I liked Maxical's slaughterfish tail trick. At least it wasn't a trout, huh. Hahaha.



I always knew there was something else about Janus. Something . . .secret. I knew it! Or maybe I'm wrong. I suppose this portrayal of Janus is different.

Speaking of Janus not being himself . . .is that conniving Malan impersonating people again? Grits had a good eye for this one. The end left me wondering . . . the lust, the testosterone . . . .hmm. The end left me wandering . . . .what the hell is going to happen to Maxical!!

Struth! I have certainly come back at the right point in the story. I have no idea what is going on and I love it. mALX, how dare you tease us with this cliffhanger. I agree with the others, the ending could mean nothing or mean everything. Damn you!

You have fired me up to wonder how we could have got to this point. The part about the Rumare threw me completely. That will teach me to leave the scene of a crime. Lol.

Thanks for wolfy vids. You must have spent some time hunting those down for me. Thank you. How I would love to have those animals here in Australia. It would be awesome to do my astronomy and hear them at 2am. Children of the night, what sweet music they make!

I just had to come back to Chorrol. Maxical will always mean the world to me. She symbolizes the wonderment of youth, that time when we are young and healthy and see life as an inexhaustible well, not the dross we see today. We love to share her triumph and tragedy (oh we know what those are....) and marvel at the way that she interacts with the world around her.

The use of her tail in this story meant that Maxical was all business while Eyja just wanted to play. Just when you think that you have her she always gains the upper paw. The useless men just wanted to ogle while Maxical was the one casting the spell. To contrast that with the male strength at the end was delightful. And devious. And talented story writing.

I'm with King Coin in thinking something's not as it seems, which usually means Malan's involved. But now I expect Uriel to be playing the game of telling Maxical what he wants Malan to believe. So now they've both got me as confused as she is.

I'm expecting a trap, but I'm not sure who's being trapped.

...What's that sound? That is the sound of everything hitting the fan. Good chapter, Malx. I am eager to read the next one.

*

@ Grits - Thank you so very much Grits! You are spot on for why Eyja is so noisy. Maxical's eavesdropping, lol. Maxical's hearing is acute, she can actually hear the quieter voices better than the loud ones (which I got from my cat pinning back its ears when it heard loud sounds, but can hear a mouse in the kitchen from the other side of the house).

I posted an update a chapter or two ago that tells who knew about the Rumare. The person that used mind control to make Gils marry Maxical did it.

I won't answer the questions here, the chapter below answers most. Thank you so very much again, Grits!!!

*
@ Acadian - Thank you so very much Acadian! Yeah, Maxical has not learned her lesson well on that P word - really glad it is Janus she is using it on and not another! Lol. This is it, you know what I've gone through on this one. Thank you so very much again, Acadian!

*
@ King Coin - Thank you so very much KC! Maxical's trick of scooting the soap around with her tail is totally new, lol. Eyja will drown it out of her, lol. Thank you so very much again, KC!

*
@ Darkness Eternal - Thank you so very much Darkness! And thanks for letting me steal that, I'll have to find someway to work it in! It will be a while, lol. You are right, Eyja is on top of what men like, ROFL !!!

Maxical's virginity: Maxical promised her virginity to Fathis because she loved him and her family owed him a ton of gold. But as soon as Maxical graduated, Janus Hassildor put spells on Fathis that made him stay away from Maxical (and made him impotent).

Maxical met Gils and fell in love with him. (we are just finding out Malan used mind control to make Gils marry Maxical). Gils and Maxical married in a country swearing ceremony with no witnesses (not considered legal). Both Fathis and Gils are Dunmer, Fathis is the Arbiter over Dunmer in Cyrodiil (the law) - so Gils honors the promise Maxical made to him. Even though they are ...active, it is doing things that retain her virginity. (the story didn't mention anything specific like sword polishing or anything).

Fathis forced a public marriage ceremony on Maxical to save her from Janus Hassildor, but then never made it to the wedding night because he was setting up a trap for Hassildor (the trap that started this vampire war)

Maxical was so upset by what Fathis did, and loved Gils - she went back home with Gils, and when Fathis didn't show up for her - Gils and Maxical made out big time. They went a bit too far and Maxical ended up "started" (Khajiit terms on page 1) - but they didn't go far enough for her to lose her virginity.

She tried with Hassildor, he had issues with things happening too quick to get his clothes off.

Other than Vicente and Malan trying to force themselves on her (in which she escaped using their juices against them) - that is the total of Maxical's experience so far. That ends today.

Thank you so very much again, Darkness!

*
@ Winter Wolf - Thank you so much my Wolfy friend !!! The Rumare = Maxical's first kiss was on the banks of it, her country swearing marriage took place on the banks too. Her wedding ring is "The Jewel of the Rumare." It is Maxical's "special place" where every memory is a good one.

When I was working a few towns over, I rented an apartment in a wolf sanctuary. There is no greater feel than to sleep and hear them howling to each other. No greater sound than that in the world. I don't think the videos can actually capture the magic of them. Thank you so very much for your kind words Wolf !!!!

*
@ Ghastley - You are spot on again, Ghastley! (not about Uriel, but everything else, lol) Thank you so much Ghastley !!!

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@ Zalphon - Wow, Z !!! You shocked me! Thank you so much for those kind words, and boy are you right!

@ Everyone - This is it.

*

*


Chapter 178: The Last Of The Innocents


The sound of a snarling and growling dog was echoing in the eddying blackness of my mind, and the sense of mortal danger near was overpowering. I had to force my eyes open, the lids felt like twenty pound weights.

A tiny slit that was all I was able to muster, and could barely see through a blurry haze then. It felt like I’d been heavily drugged, both my senses and vision took too long to clear. When they did, all I saw was bars…a jail cell?

Through the bars I saw a naked Breton vampire shackled to the wall. He was snarling and roaring, his eyes looked enraged and demonic like Malan‘s had last night.

Behind me a voice was screaming, praying and pleading for death over and over again…begging for it between screams of “HELP ME FOXY! FOXY!”

It took pure will to turn, my limbs felt like weighted jelly. What I saw…I nearly fainted and vomited simultaneously. A vampire snarling and growling, naked and chained like a wild animal…screaming as if something was giving him so much pain he had reverted to a feral state. His eyes glowed a horrible red, but the expression in them was tortured. It was Fathis.

“FATHIS!” I couldn’t breathe through wrenching sobs, tried to crawl to him on arms and legs too wobbly to function.

He kicked me back with force, screaming. “GET AWAY FROM ME! FOXY HELP ME!”

“Fathis, it’s me Maxical!”

“GET OUT OF HERE, GET OUT!”

This wasn’t Fathis, it was a creature…

Suddenly Janus’s words came back to me, ‘If Malan gets virgin blood under Fathis’s nose the man you know and love will be gone‘…my blood was the torture in Fathis‘s eyes! Malan was going to make him drink my blood and steal his soul!

“Fathis, mate me! Hurry, do it now! You have to! My blood will change as soon as we mate, let me close!” I pushed myself up on my hands and knees and forced them to crawl toward Fathis.

“NO! STAY BACK! I can‘t stop myself if you get close, GET BACK!”






***


“You have to mate me! Malan wants you to drink my blood, he’ll take your soul!” I pulled myself up partway on one of his legs and then turned my back to him, bent to keep away from his hand reach the chains allowed.

There was a loud clanking sound, I saw the cell door was closing and two bare legs walking toward me…legs I recognized.

“Get out of here, Malan! Hurry Fathis! Malan leave! I‘m with my husband!”

“Not yet, Fathis has something he must do for me first.”

“NO! Uriel has been warned not to trust Fathis, we are one step ahead of you Malan! Now leave so we can have the honeymoon you shorted us out of on our wedding day.”

“You’ll have that honeymoon, as soon as Fathis gives me what I require.”

“Take me now, Fathis! Just do it while he‘s talking! Don‘t you see any power he has over you is in my blood?”

“Any virgin blood would do, yours has the benefit of psychological warfare; something you particularly love, am I right?” Malan grabbed my arm, yanking me from Fathis. He pulled a jeweled dagger out of the waist of his loincloth.

I twisted and writhed to get free, claws unsheathed and hitting anything I could with them and trying to kick up into his loincloth. I couldn’t reach it, so lunged to him and bit his thigh, raking my claws as deeply as I could on the tree trunk sized limbs.

He never even flinched, but the dagger flew from his hand and hit the bars. Crimson blood dribbled from his legs where my claws had raked across.

“You drew first blood, I should make you drink it. Maybe I’ll give you that choice later on.”

“No you won’t, yours isn’t immortal! You want Janus‘s blood in me, I‘m not stupid!”

“Right you are.“ Malan dragged me to the dagger, picking it up and raking it across the wrist of the arm he was gripping.






***


I screamed and heard Fathis bellowing, “LET HER GO! You can have what you want!”

“NO! Don‘t give in, Fathis! He doesn’t kill virgins, let him drink my blood. Let Fathis go, Malan! You can have me if you let him go, I‘ll give you my promise.”

“I can have you both. Neither one of you are in a place to bargain, you’re in my lair now.”

Every bit of damage I could do with my claws I did then, but he ignored it as if he felt nothing. He wiped his hand in the blood from my wrist, his eyes glittering maniacally; glowing like a force of energy that was about to explode. His fangs jutted from his mouth dribbling trails of wine colored liquid down his chest and onto the ornate loincloth that did little to hide the erection beneath it.

Dragging me beside him, he pushed Fathis against the wall with the force of his own body, pinning him there by his greater size and weight. Fathis twisted and turned his head, but the shackles held him tightly. Malan managed to shove the hand he had rubbed in my blood into Fathis’s mouth, cramming it as a wedge so Fathis couldn’t bite down on it.

Fathis was screaming and growling, but even I could see the sudden lust appear in his eyes...hear the change in tone of his guttural sounds.

“FATHIS NO! FIGHT IT FATHIS!” I shrieked.

“You want more of your wife’s blood? Give me your show of good faith. I‘ll take your mysteries, Arbiter. Maxical was kind enough to share that information with me. I’ll use them on her later when I take her. Oh yes, she’ll live. I‘ll make sure you don‘t drink enough to kill her.”

Fathis’s scream was horrible, an anguished mixture of feral beast and pain. Malan crammed my bleeding wrist into his open mouth, for a moment I felt him struggling not to…then suddenly he was like a wild animal scavenging it. When Malan pulled my wrist away Fathis roared like a beast in the jungle for more.

“You want more? Give me your vow, Fathis Aren!”

Janus predicted it, the blood was turning Fathis to one of them. His eyes showed the battle raging within him, the man he was being devoured by the beast taking over. Then his only screams were for my blood.






***


Malan lifted me, pinning my head against him so my neck was exposed and shoving close enough to Fathis that he could reach it. Fathis lunged, tearing into the vein in my neck like a wild animal and growling like a dog guarding a bone.

Malan pulled back from Fathis, dumping me on the floor of the cell. “I already took the Gift mysteries from the other husband when I took his soul, now it‘s your turn. Give me your vow.”

Gils? What was he saying about Gils?

Malan rubbed his bloody hand under Fathis’s nose till he was roaring. To my shock, Fathis raised his hand to vow. He couldn’t pound his chest with it, the chains kept him from it…but he raised his hand, the bloodlust in his eyes overwhelming any other thought.

“I’LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU FOR THIS! I’ll never forgive you for this. I’ll never forgive you…”

My screaming turned to uncontrollable sobs as Malan clasped Fathis’s hand with his free one, the bareness of his own massive chest pressing Fathis against the stone wall behind him. His loincloth covered Fathis’s nakedness as he pinned him against the wall speaking in a language I didn’t understand. And then he kissed him full on the mouth, cramming Fathis’s head backwards with the force of it.

Baurus’s words suddenly roared into my mind with sickening clarity. Gils swearing a vow, that Elf had his head rammed back…Malan was the Elf Baurus saw. Malan took Gils’ soul. That's why Azura never came to me! Then Gils really was injured, Baurus didn't lie about that. Dear gods, was Gils dead?

Through my own scream I heard Malan’s booming voice. “Now I have your soul and your mysteries, Fathis Aren.”






***


Shock took over after I’d screamed till I was hoarse from it, and then suddenly it was over. I was laying in a clean bed, a bedroom I didn’t recognize. Janus Hassildor was beside me and looked like he was sleeping. I jerked up to sitting like I’d been burned, screaming Fathis’s name and feeling around on my neck and wrist. There was nothing there.

My mind was numb with horror, but I couldn’t remember why. I must have had a nightmare, one so bad that it left me feeling more ill than I‘d ever felt in my life.

“Did you have a bad dream? What is it Maxical? Come here, let me hold you. You’re shaking.”

“Where are we?”

“Uriel said the Palace wasn’t safe, this is his summer estate. I flew you here so we’d reach safety before nightfall, you’ve been ill since.”

“I don’t remember any of that, he insisted I stay at the Palace! What is going on? I’m scared, Janus.”

“Shhh. Just lay back, let my aura comfort you. I think the flight disagreed with you.”

I felt overly weak and exhausted, feverish and chilled at the same time. Maybe he was right about the travel not suiting me, I felt very ill.

“Will you heal me? I don’t feel so good…”

The cold waves of his healing magic chilled against the clamminess of me, I was shivering so badly that he finally pulled me against his warmth while he continued casting over me. I was too weak to snuggle any closer to him or would have, inside me felt cold as a grave. The rhythmic sounds of his casting continued to echo through my dreams as I fell back asleep.

When I woke it felt like I’d slept days. I remembered feeling really sick and having a nightmare, feeling my wrist and neck. Had I screamed Fathis’s name? I couldn’t remember what the nightmare was, something about wild dogs attacking me. The illness and horror that remained in the wake of the nightmare felt realms away now, I felt stupid for making such a scene over a bad dream.






***


“This place is beautiful! Is it Ayleid?”

“It is. This is the way all those ruins you see once looked. Theryon was kept in its original condition.“

“Uriel said we could take our time, but how long have we been gone?”

“You’ve slept quite long. We should be getting back soon. He’ll be upset if you’re intact when we return, but if you’d rather we can wait till we’re back in the Palace.”

“No…no. Will you drink some of that brandy? I think it will make me feel better if I smell it. I‘m sorry to put you on the spot this way, Janus.”

The smell of the brandy on his breath was like a coming home. I could close my eyes and envision the Bloodworks, Owyn and Andronicus in the next room…that it was Gils in the bed beside me. As long as I kept my eyes shut everything was the way I wanted my first time to be. That‘s what I did throughout, opening them may shatter that vision and with it my ability to go through with this.

Janus surprised me. He didn’t take his time with long and lingering lovemaking, he was an inferno with skills every bit as good as Fathis’s mysteries when he kissed me. They were searing.

The taste of the brandy filled my mouth, so familiar on my tongue. I responded with the hunger the aroma of that brandy brought, the memories of all the times that taste had been Gils. In my mind it was him. I gave the mysteries without thought, but Janus handled them readily this time.

Surprisingly I felt no fear till he stopped, cupping my chin gently. “This will only hurt for a second, I’ll go easy.“

He did take care, but…I wished he hadn’t warned me. Suddenly I felt unsure and scared, especially when he began to enter me. That brief moment of pressure and pain when he first took me, I didn‘t know…didn’t expect, and breathed deeply in relief when the discomfort eased. Still, I didn’t stop him.






***


And that was it, that which I had been saving so long was gone. Everyone says you always remember your first time, but as numb as I felt inside I doubted I would. I couldn’t describe how it felt, and the only emotion I felt overpoweringly was relief.

The timing wasn’t right and the person I loved and wanted wasn’t here with me, but I needed to be rid of the burden that virgin blood had become. I would be safe now, the relief I felt from that was tremendous.

Truthfully, I’d needed this day. For that brief moment to close my eyes and pretend Gils hadn’t abandoned our marriage. To taste that brandy, to kiss and feel him wanting me again. I’d needed this day.

He took me again almost immediately, this time he moved his lips down on my neck and then suddenly he was sucking it with such pressure that I cried out, struggling to push him off. Then the pressure slowly eased and we finished with him sucking my neck the whole time. I guessed he was giving me a love mark to ward off other men. Gils was famous for doing that, but was a lot gentler.

I felt really weak and tired afterward and fell asleep in his arms. In my dreams I heard a child’s voice singing that ‘Jack be nimble’ song, then a deep voice whispered in my ear.

“You kept your promise to me, your choice. Never forget, you belong to me forever now Lass.” Then there was the feeling of something moving inside me, like a circle closing within me.


*

Powerful closing to the chapter, Malx. Well-written overall, but very nice ending.

Gosh, this was so well done!

I could feel Maxical’s torment as she steeled herself to be rid of that which had become a curse, motivated by love for Fathis. The mysteriousness throughout – dream, not dream, nightmare, reality - was really well done. You led us to fully understand her choices and decisions. I could understand the memory power of the brandy, associating it with Gils, as well as keeping her eyes closed.

How chilling at the end. That the Septim Emperor of Tamriel would maintain a summer palace consisting of a pristine Ayleid Ruin, along with Janus’ odd behavior, triggered alarms that likely escaped notice by the troubled Maxical. With a slip of the word ‘Lass’, however, ‘Janus’ reveals all is not as Maxical believes. Malan is indeed a villain not to be underestimated. I fear I might know what who is moving inside Maxical.

Malan’s destroyed both men that Maxical’s come to love. That scene in the cell with Malan, Fathis, and Maxical was huge!

…And then we have a clean room? That was real, it was not a dream. That’s not Janus, or if it is, he’s with Malan. Absolutely not Janus. I thought that Maxical losing her virginity would have been a relief. Now what… is she as good as Malan’s possession now? What does this mean?

Like Acadian said, you brought everything together so that the thoughts behind Maxical’s choices were crystal clear. And even while I was caught up in that moment of pure understanding, you had placed the clues that led to “Lass,” and Malan, and Amiela stirring.

This chapter was so beautifully done, I had Maxical right in my mind telling me the story like she knows me. It’s hard to do in the length of a single post, but you made me completely forget where I was while I was reading. I mean completely. And I should clarify that I have a full house right now, and it is not quiet.

I have a lot of favorite Maxical chapters, but this one tops them all! Brilliantly done, mALX!!

The Jewel of the Rumare. Ah, yes, that does ring a bell within my clouded mind. I can hear the cogs slowly beginning to grind inside me...lol.

I loved the chapter, mALX. The ending of that last post worked very well with the strange land that we found ourselves in. I could feel the pain and anger that threatened to consume our kitty. Claws unsheathed. Very frightening.

But, in another unsettling moment, the second part of the chapter was even more primal than the start. The surroundings seemed too right, too pristine and too perfect for our Maxical. The relief of the dream gave way to grounds that are (perhaps) far worse. You have left me feeling very concerned for Maxical.

I just hope you havent been watching Aliens....

Oh, by the way, great job on writing the 'scene.' That is very tough to do considering all the ban hammers poised above us. A beautiful level of detail. Bravo!

*

@ Zalphon - Thank you so much Zalphon! I appreciate it!

*
@ Acadian - Thank you so very much Acadian! Your kind words are always appreciated! It means a lot that you understood how that taste could help her through what she had to do. You ROCK!

*
@ King Coin - Thank you so very much KC! You caught the big picture in this, Malan did destroy both men that Maxical loved. You are exactly right, that was no dream. What Janus predicted Malan would do, he did - then erased Maxical's memory of it. Malan is relentless when he wants something. Thanks again, KC!

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@ Grits - I couldn't ask for a nicer comment, your kind words meant so much to hear! Thank you so very much Grits!

*
@ Winter Wolf - That was no dream in that jail cell. That bedroom - I love the way you described that, I may borrow your words! The mating scene - I sweated that out something awful. ("is this too much detail? GAAAAH!"), lol. Aliens? Uh oh, is that the one that had something popping from Sigourney Weaver's stomach? Urk! Thank you so very much Winter Wolf!

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@ McB - Thank you so much for your kind words, that was the hardest I've sweated out a chapter! hope you'll be back soon!

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@ EVERYONE - I know the plot is getting complex right now because Malan's plots are unfolding and he is not the average bad guy. If there is ever any questions, please ask. I never mind answering and hopefully clearing anything up. I'll try to post brief chapter reviews just in case.









I am posting some screenshots here for anyone interested.


The infamous bathtub:

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...eenShot1041.jpg


Eyja:

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...eenShot1051.jpg

Sharing the bed:

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...eenShot1073.jpg


Janus Hassildor:

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma.../Janushuman.jpg



Maxical's suite at the Palace:

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...eenShot1043.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...eenShot1039.jpg



Sir Damien feeding on Evangeline while she sleeps:

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...ire_Feeding.jpg



Theryon - for this one you may want to click on "View as Slideshow" :

http://s434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...0Rises/Theryon/


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*


Chapter 179: Tricks and Traps


My neck was sore and sticky feeling. It ached. The odor of dirty Khajiit hung in the air Was it me…did I stink? When I tried to lift my arm to sniff, it barely moved and the effort made me feel weak and dizzy. The sound of pounding was coming from somewhere, it throbbed inside my head in surges of pain.

Dear gods I’ll never mate again if this is the way it makes you feel, it’s a miracle anyone ever does it twice. My eyelids felt like they weighed pounds. When I forced them open, I was back in my room at the Palace…alone. Where was Janus?

I must have drifted back off to sleep, because a loud crash woke me. I heard Janus’s voice behind me but couldn’t roll over when I tried. I heard him slide the door bolt yelling.

“TRAVEN! TRAVEN, HURRY!”

“What the hell did you do, Hassildor?”

“Do you think I’d call anyone if I did that?”

I tried to move my arm again and couldn’t, then Hannibal leaned over me and I heard him cursing and casting magic. Hannibal never cursed, something must be really wrong.

Cold white mists of healing bathed me in rhythmic showers. Somewhere in the background I heard loud shouting and Janus’s voice yelling that he didn’t do something.






***


The large soft mound cushioning my head felt like it moved. My eyes opened to a distorted blur of pink. Was this the dreamsleeve? No…Eyja’s breasts. Had I dreamed it all?

“Hannibal…”

Eyja got up and hurried out. I heard her yelling, “She’s awake” to someone. Then she was back beside me, stroking my hair. “Are you okay Maxical?”

“I don’t feel so good, Eyja…really tired and ache all over. Is this how it always feels afterward?”

“No sweetie. Hassildor drained your blood. The [censored] is locked up, swears he didn’t do this.”

“I think I need to pee.”

“Come on, I‘ll help you to the urn.” Eyja all but carried me and set me down carefully atop it, holding me propped against her so I wouldn‘t topple off.

“Gaaah! I’m bleeding…you know where. Get Hannibal, hurry.”

“That always happens the first time, Maxical.”

“It does? I want Hannibal to check me just in case.”

“He will. He’s mixing up something that will build your blood back up.”

“I hope it’s not that peanut paste again, I hate it.”

“It is, and juice of carrots, beets, and dandelions.”

“Dandelions! Better bring me a bucket to puke in, then…I gotta lay down, Eyja. I don‘t feel good at all.”

She helped me back to the bed and wedged a folded towel under me before pulling the sheet up.

“Uriel is in a rage.”

“At me?”

“Not this time, Maxical.”

“Mmkay…I’m going back to sleep now.” The sound of my own whisper seemed to hang in the air. The feeling of weakness and exhaustion was suddenly overwhelming, and I found myself welcoming the darkness closing over me that would bring me back to that realm where I couldn’t feel it anymore. Somewhere in the distance I heard Eyja shriek for Hannibal and the sound of magic being cast.






***


For what seemed hours the lines were blurred between sleeping and waking and my mind felt like it was stuffed with that spun sugar they sold at the music festival. Where dreams stopped and became disjointed images that faded before I could grasp them and voices came and went around me in a timeless blur.

The only dream I do remember was right before I woke, of laying on the healing fount at the Bloodworks and feeling its power running through me. Something in me felt like it was coming back from somewhere far away, then my eyes opened. Eyja was sleeping sideways in a chair across from me. Within minutes Hannibal slid quietly through the door. He jumped a mile when I spoke.

“Did I wet the bed?”

Hannibal came as close to tears as I’ve ever seen him. He said I‘d been days between this realm and the next.

Eyja woke immediately. She cried, nearly suffocating me with her breasts in a hug. “Hannibal and I never left your side, we’ve been keeping a continuous healing vigil over you.”

Hannibal immediately blinded me by holding a light spell in my eyes. “Ow! Stop, I feel fine.” I pushed his hand away, then pointed to my jewelry on the dresser behind him.

“Is my ring from Fathis there? It was missing earlier.“

“Maxical! We told you not to remove it!”

Hannibal tested the enchantment on it and handed to me. “NEVER remove it again!” Being able to holler at me again seemed to restore Hannibal.

“What happened to Janus, Hannibal? What’s he saying?”

“He says he was knocked out with some sleeping spell that would render a horse unconscious. When he came to he said his clothes were gone and he was on the dome, he had to break in through that boarded window. He swears he found you like that. He was standing over you nude when we came in, his clothes were on the floor by the bed and he showed no assault from any spell.”

“Evangeline created a spell exactly like that to use on Ocato. It’s of the healing discipline, so actually isn’t an assault. Evangeline would give anything she had to someone she likes, she may have given it to Sir Damien. I think Malan did this to me, I think he impersonated Janus.”

“Don’t make excuses for him Maxical! When Hassildor called me in here you were all but dead, for days none of us had hope you’d pull through! Your neck had been ravaged before he drained you, clearly done by a vampire new to feeding. You’d only been healed enough to barely cover the savagery. Malan is a master healer, he‘d not have left you like that. If Hassildor wasn‘t immortal he‘d have met the executioner already!”






***


“Why would he call for help after attacking me? Hannibal, if I thought he did this I‘d be the first to holler.”

“Wait till Uriel gets here to talk about it, Maxical. I’ll warn you in advance, he is livid.”

Uriel was. He was so angry it felt like I had done something wrong, even if his anger wasn’t directed at me. Finally he patted me on the shoulder, and I felt the relief of it.

“My rage is not at you, Maxical. When you showed up with Hassildor I should have put an immediate stop to it, but Traven assured me he’d lost his bloodlust.”

“He has no bloodlust, Sire. We were together a full night and day, it would have shown in that time. There was none. I think Malan did this, left me to die and set Janus up to be blamed. He got even with both of us for that confrontation. Did anyone measure the bite marks against Janus’s fangs? The span of these feels huge, I think Janus has a smaller fangspread.”

“I’ll do that now.” Hannibal gently pushed my head to one side.

“What in…these were raw wounds less than thirty minutes ago, they’re nearly healed now! They are quite wide.”

Uriel exhaled loudly. “Get Hassildor’s fang measurement.”

“What makes you think it wasn’t Janus, Maxical?” Eyja looked skeptical.

“Janus was in the doorway ogling us naked in the tub, then he just disappeared. I assumed he’d gone off somewhere to…uh…pleasure himself.” I waited till Eyja’s braying stopped.

“When I came in to mate with him he was acting different, talking weird. Not like himself at all.”

“What do you mean?”

“Janus never even talked romantic when we were attempting to mate, suddenly he was all sappy gooey. Overplayed, if you know what I mean.”

Eyja snorted. “She’s not lying, his idea of a romantic warm-up to mating is discussing rats breeding.”

“It isn’t rats breeding, but an insight into their libido.” I corrected her. “Don’t forget crop rotations and the Blasphemes.”

Eyja rolled her eyes. “Don’t remind me!”

Uriel had a strained look, I wasn’t sure if he was struggling not to laugh or about to blow his temper.

“Rat libido! Not that ridiculous experiment!” Hannibal’s expression was a cross between ire and embarrassment. I suddenly wondered if it was his version of romantic wooing as well.

The image of Hannibal nuzzling some old woman’s neck while spouting scientific theories nearly choked me. The last thing I wanted to envision was Hannibal in the throws of passion, especially not now that I knew firsthand what went on in bedrooms.






***


“Yes, that one. He tried to impress me with it at the Arena. I repeated your argument word for word…except…er…”

“What?”

“At the time I couldn’t remember how to get the male rat’s libido back onto rat A. I said he needed to dye her hair blonde, put makeup and a dab of perfume on her.”

Uriel and Hannibal were both choking. Eyja was doubled over screaming with laughter.

“Also, I felt a spell being put on me. Janus never did that the whole time we were together. I noticed a big difference in the mating too.”

“Now we’re talking!” Eyja leaned in eagerly.

“He was just…er…much more skilled this time.”

“BWAAHAA” Eyja grinned. “First time and already a critic, huh?”

“Janus kissed good, but this time it was like kissing Fathis. He had mysteries.”

“Wait, Malan isn‘t Dunmer.” Eyja looked confused.

“He’s Chimer.” I shrugged.

Hannibal explained. “Azura actually gave these mysteries to the Chimer. When she cursed their entire race after the ‘Battle of Red Mountain’ they became the Dunmer you see today. Malan was already undead, he escaped the curse and remained golden skinned.”

“I was already suspicious something wasn’t right because we were at Theryon, and you said we had to stay here. Then after he took me I heard the ‘Jack be nimble’ song and he called me ‘Lass’ like Malan and Sir Damien always did. Janus never called me that.”

I turned to Hannibal. “Theryon is Ayleid, but in the original condition. It is beautiful, Hannibal. You would have loved it.”

Uriel had a troubled look on his face. “Theryon! Caula sold Theryon before you were born!” He stared hard at me. “Maxical, we heard you mating in here for days.”






***


“Days! What do you mean days? We only did it twice on the same day! I was sick beforehand, but that was at Theryon too. When I woke up I was back here alone, then Janus came in.”

“There was absolutely someone in this room having a passionate time!” Eyja’s cheeks reddened, she obviously didn’t believe me.

“Who was in here mating then? I heard it too.” Hannibal had the decency to blush.

I gaped. “This is the privacy you promised? I knew that would happen here! Eavesdroppers, all of you! Hannibal, you said I was nearly dead; how could I mate for days drained of blood?”

Hannibal looked owlishly thoughtful. Then suddenly I remembered smelling that strong Khajiit scent when I first woke. I sniffed my fur to be sure it wasn‘t me, it smelled fine.

“I smelled un-bathed Khajiit in here before Janus came in. I’ll bet Malan had the Khajiit sisters here, that‘s probably why he opened that window. They’d sit in here and moan like wildebeests if Malan asked them to. Malan had to be here in vapor form already, waiting. Janus said it was clear of vampires up here, that means he can‘t detect the vapor form.”

Uriel signaled Eyja. “Give your men orders, those Khajiit women are considered enemies to the throne if caught in the Palace. They‘re to be taken to the Imperial Prison and held there. While we were in chaos during that Mythic Dawn attack, Malan could have been moving a whole crew into position.”

“More.“ I pulled myself up to sitting. “The attack itself could have been staged as a diversionary tactic, Malan knew about those crimson robes. Were those assassin’s bodies checked or just counted? Because their screams didn‘t sound human to me, I think they were vampires.”

Uriel shot me an approving glance. “Now you’re thinking like a warrior.“

Eyja gave Hannibal a wicked grin. “I thought she was just being funny in that Black Horse Courier, but she really does think better when impaled on a man’s longsword. BWAAHAA!”

Hannibal gave her a lopsided smile, but answered seriously. “They struck me as reminiscent of a vampire’s death scream as well.“

Uriel gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze. “They just counted. I’ll see it gets checked. Military strategic tactics and maneuvers. Malan’s specialty. He is making his stand now, coming out in the open and demonstrating how vulnerable we are. He has come too close to his dream, we won’t be rid of him until he is dead now.”


*

Thanks for the review and fabulous screens. What a posh room at the Palace! I can imagine Eyja playing that grand piano while Maxical sings. . . er, um, well maybe not (I’ve heard her sing). Oh, and Malan’s fully restored Ayleid Ruin is neat as can be!

“Uriel is in a rage.”
“At me?”
“Not this time, Maxical.”

“I think Malan did this to me, I think he impersonated Janus.”
Finally! Maxical has figured it out – only to be then second-guessed by Hannibal and Eyja!

Eyja snorted. “She’s not lying, his idea of a romantic warm-up to mating is discussing rats breeding.”
But clever Eyja is beginning to see Maxical’s logic.

What a wonderful job you did here of bringing out so many things in such a ‘Maxical’ way.

Malan's library and scheming room were fun to see. I love the swimming pool and Arboratum! Eyja is quite the hottie. I really enjoyed those screeens, and your great review got me right back on track!

(I'm on my kindle, so I can't do the quotes. Also the darn thing keeps changing my words. Hopefully I 'll catch all of the "corrections.")

I loved seeing Maxical work through the clues and figure it out. Eyja was funny. It's a true friend who holds you over the urn.

Hilarious when they had to admit they'd been eavesdropping!

It was great to see Maxical clarifyijg it was rat libido in Janus' pickup line, not just rat mating. That was so Maxical, it really made me smile!

Wow, Maxical’s recovery from the mating/attack was great! Malan set up Janus too take the blame for it all too. The description of her fading in and out, catching little bits of what the people around her were saying.

Was this the dreamsleeve? No…Eyja’s breasts.


I appreciated her being there to help Maxical though, and to answer Maxical’s questions.

Maxical’s first words to Hannibal were hilarious!

I’m surprised Maxical remembers as much as she does about the whole encounter. Malan forget to wipe her memory again? Janus’ idea of sweet talking! Uriel isn't even mad at the end either. Amazing!

At last! About time! Finally! Goodness gracious! It is done! The moment we've all been waiting for!

178:I loved this chapter. Loved it. Just a thing . . .if Fathis kept crying out for Maxical to get away from him, and she wanted him to mate her, wouldn't that techically be rape? Ahaha. Sorry, I just like to poke at buttons here.

Quite the horrific things Malan did here. Especially making Fathis take a chunk off Max. Maxical shined in this episode, especially here. You gave us a true personal issue and an emotional turmoil our young kitten faced!

For some reason I expected you to be graphic with the loss of her V card, but you weren't. Hehe. I suppose it is for the sake of some of the weak-stomach readers. It is still romantic, nonetheless. I am happy!!! You should have some "deleted scenes," though

179: I love the additional screenies! And my, Eyja and Maxical ARE cute. No, fetching! Poor Maxical, the first time is never usually all that amazing. So I've heard. Haha. Checkout Malan's pimped out crib. He's got style, that he does. The Mythic Dawn problem goes on, and Uriel is pissed off, thankfuly not at Max.



Haha, this hurt my stomach.

Now let us see how the tale takes a drastic change now that her viginity is gone!

“First time and already a critic, huh?”

That line just rang so true.

Everyone else has quoted the other bits .

*

@ Acadian - Thank you so very much - and hurry home, you are missed! Lol. I love Maxical's suite at the Palace too, and you are right, she will NOT be singing to her piano playing (and Eyja requested she stay off the piano, lol). Thank you so much again, Acadian. Can't wait till you get back here, Chorrol is a lonely place when Acadian and Jerric are MIA, lol.

*
@ Grits - Thank you so very much Grits! The things you brought out in your comment are the things I loved bringing out in the story and hoped they would come across - nothing is secret in that Palace. Maxical gets in a rage when anyone eavedrops on her, but she is the worst for eavesdropping on everyone else. Janus would never be able to hold his head up in public again if he knew all the things revealed about his private moments, lol. I'm so glad you liked the screens! Thank you so very much again, Grits!

*
@ King Coin - Thank you so very much KC! Your first statement answered your question at the end - Malan wanted her to remember it was Janus, that's why he didn't wipe her memory. He messed up, though - using the word "Lass," not realizing she would know it was Malan when he did. Malan's other mistake was mentioning Theryon by name. I was so tickled by the parts you laughed at in this episode, you caught so many things I hoped would bring a laugh! And you are right, Eyja makes a great big sister to Maxical! Thank you so very much again, KC!

*
@ Darkness Eternal - You had me rolling with this - Maxical's inability to lose her virginity, can't even get the job done trying to rape her own husband - ROFL !!! You are right about that, the first time is always so full of nerves, inexperience and unknowns - it can't be amazing regardless. Loved your coments on the screens!

I really hoped someone would catch that line about Hannibal - because since he's fallen into this passion for Eyja he has been doing exactly that - dramatic gesturing, clearing his throat before answering, trying to talk scholarly - just like Janus did at the Arena when he was trying to impress Maxical that first day he met her. Eyja just gave him a hint that wasn't a turn-on to her, hopefully he'll get the message, lol.

Drastic changes? Oh yeah. Thank you so very much, Darkness - and so glad to see you back on here posting! I was about to jump all over your internet carrier for you, ROFL !!!

*
@ Ghastley - ROFL !!! Doesn't it just? Lol. Thank you so much Ghastley!





*

*


Chapter 180: Past Meets Present


Uriel signaled Eyja. “Find out who Theryon is deeded to, the sale was just after the Imperial Simulacrum …”

I interrupted. “Who deeded it to you originally? Sir Damien said he and his wife honeymooned there when he gave me that key. When I repeated his words to Janus, he knew instantly it was Malan talking about his wife. Malan‘s marriage was centuries ago.”

Uriel slammed his fist on the dresser. “My suspicions were right! I never guessed Malan’s connection, but knew something was off. An Ayleid structure with all the furnishings and in the original condition; it could only have been passed down within one family. As young as I was at the time I thought it odd, not even for an Emperor do you bestow your family’s inheritance as a wedding gift!“

Eyja paused her quill. “I’ll bet Malan planned entombing you in the dungeons there, then impersonating you. How did he miss that opportunity?”

“I deeded it to Caula’s family for her Bride’s Price, never even visited there. During the Imperial Simulacrum, Jagar Tharn forced Caula and the Princes to live there. He magically sealed the exits so they were virtual prisoners in it. Lady Benoch finally discovered their true whereabouts and rescued them. Caula insisted on selling Theryon immediately after their rescue.”

“Lady Benoch! I…” Hannibal drew his flatted hand across his neck and I clamped my mouth shut. He was right, I needed to stifle my mouth when I was in Uriel’s good graces for a change.

Uriel glanced from Hannibal to me with raised brows before turning to Eyja. “I need every deed transaction for Theryon and the builders records. We must begin planning the rescues, and they may reveal Malan’s other impersonations. If Theryon has been his lair for centuries those records will provide a wealth of information on him.”

“His lair! Is it…did I mate in Malan’s lair? Is that what you are saying? Dear gods, doesn’t that make me his chosen? He whispered never to forget that I belonged to him forever now, then he did something inside me. I felt it happen, like a circle closing in me.“

“Traven?” Uriel waited while Hannibal cleared his throat.






***


“I’ve read of this phenomenon, the sensation of a circle closing occurs in both the ancient and their chosen when the Steps of Promise are completed and the mating has taken place. He made her his chosen.”

“Those Steps are a load of crap, if you even glance at ancients in passing they consider it a promise to mate them and hand over your blood! And why make me his chosen and then leave me to die? He’s a physician, he had to know the condition I was in…dear gods, he’d never risk killing me with Amiela inside me. I’ll bet he removed her in case I did. There goes our leverage against him.”

Eyja grimaced. “Janus should be able to tell whether Amiela is there or not, he‘s been following her as his chosen.”

Uriel raised his hand for silence. “Eyja, send your men for Hassildor and then I want those corridor traps set back up. Traven, be ready to measure his fangs.”

Eyja nodded, popping just her head out the door to give the order.

“I’ll bet that’s what that strange spell was, him taking her out. It felt like memories were connecting to him and replicating, like they recognized him or were communicating with him somehow.”

“I need to look this up in my tomes.”

“Hurry, Hannibal. My life depends on knowing whether she’s in me or not, and I can‘t tell unless she makes herself known.”

“The best way to discern and stay ahead of an enemy’s plots is to begin thinking like them. Know your opponent.” Uriel prompted.

“Oh, like at the Arena! Well, he knows we realize the power Amiela is in our hands because I threatened to do horrible things to her. And Malan would definitely remove her in case I died. But Malan is obsessed with his plans, he never discards them. He’s also famous for his diversionary tactics, though…and I could be one. If I’m not, he’d put her back in me. We‘d think she was gone and that we were powerless against him. He‘d have a safe place to store her without me threatening harm to her.”

Uriel nodded. “Now you’re catching on. Nothing with Malan is as it seems.”






***


Hannibal snapped his fingers. “Maxical’s neck wounds healed in the short time I was out of the room. If his healing is comparable to the fount, that is entirely possible. He most certainly would heal her before replanting Amiela.”

“I did have a dream of being healed on the fount at the Bloodworks, then woke feeling fine.”

Uriel had a troubled look. “There is another worry. She‘s been back three days.” He stared hard at me, then at Hannibal. “Is there a way to know if he made her?”

“He did, Sire. Twice. My eyes were shut, but I’m sure it was him. I’m not intact anymore, I‘m positive this time.”

Hannibal rolled his eyes. “I treated for that immediately, but the timing was risky since three days had passed.”

“Huh? Three days? I was sick before we mated, but surely I wasn’t gone a full day!”

Uriel looked concerned. “From the time you left my chambers till Hassildor called Traven was a full three days.”

“You thought I was mating continuously for three days? I’m not a rabbit! But…why don’t I remember the other days? Eyja, can you do that mind control thing again? I may need it done daily with Malan skulking around.”

“You’ve been near dead for days, Maxical.” Eyja eased onto the bed and put her arms around me.

“It’s more than that, I’ve lost time and memories again. And I’ve got an ill feeling something dire happened at Theryon, just like I did after that night at the Bloodworks.”

Hannibal hurried over and held a light spell close to my eyes, going from one eye to the other and peering at me; whatever that would tell him. I held up my hand between my eyes and that light Hannibal was blinding me with. He dispelled it.






***


“Have you had any nightmares?” Hannibal looked like a frightened owl. Then it struck me what he meant.

“GAAAAH! You mean he might have made me a vampire? GAAAAH! I did have a nightmare at Theryon! But wait, didn’t Malan want Janus to make me immortal?”

Hannibal glanced at Uriel. “Malan held Hassildor for days, he could have pulled some blood and injected it into her. Twice she’s shown aversion to light in her eyes, we need to send for Jeelius.”

“Dear gods, Hannibal! That light spell of yours would blind a blind monk! Would Janus show bloodletting marks?”

A man popped his head in the door “Hassildor is here.”

“Can’t Janus tell if I’m a vampire?”

Uriel raised his hand to shush me. “Traven, examine him in one of these other rooms first. I want the report on the fangspread immediately, then check him for signs of bloodletting. When you‘re done bring him to my chambers.”

“Malan is a master healer, he would leave no traces unless he wanted us to find them.” Hannibal said on his way out.

“Then can he check me for being a vampire? Sire, is he staying till this crisis is over? I may need his help. I’d like to talk to him privately when you’re through please.”

Eyja left with Uriel and Hannibal. I climbed out of bed and yanked every bit of bedding off the bed and opened the boarded window to air the room. I hoped Eyja knew how to make the bed back up, I didn‘t.

I needed a bath if Janus was coming. I barely heated the water before jumping in, and hurriedly scrubbed myself with scented soap to take the smell of sickness from me.






***


Azura’s seal wasn’t burning, Malan was close by. I debated letting loose a barrage of fireballs, but settled for giving him an earful of my temper instead.

“I thought Dagoth-Malan didn’t kill virgins, or doesn‘t it count if you’re deliberately murdering one to set someone up for arrest? What did you do those three days, perform more necromancy on me? Why’d you make me your chosen, Malan? You got my virgin blood, there’s nothing more you’ll get from me. I warned you to find someone else for your game. And if you’ve made me a vampire, I’ll use the powers to hunt you down like a dog…”

Eyja burst back into the room, then ground to a halt. “Who are you talking to?”

“Malan. I figure since he’s eavesdropping I should give him something to hear.”

“What happened to the bed?”

“I stripped it, but didn’t know how to make it back up. I can call Evangeline up to do it.”

“No, I’ll do it. Evangeline gives me a look every time she sees me.“

“She thinks you’ll wear down the Legion and we’ll lose the war.”

“BWAAHAA!”

“There’s clean linens in the dresser.”

Eyja talked while she made up the bed. “Janus was cleared of the attack on you. His fangspread was a fourth under the size of the bite pattern. Hannibal is examining him for bloodletting marks now, then they‘ll go talk to Uriel. Now I want to hear everything about your first time.”

I was debating whether I should say it was terrible just to rile Malan, but just then I heard Janus and Hannibal going into Uriel’s chambers.

“Shhh! I want to hear what is said.” I grabbed a towel and clamored out of the tub, hurrying to the wall. Before I could even press my ear against it the voices began to raise, then quickly escalated to angry shouting.

“I can’t understand a word to eavesdrop when they shout like that. Janus’s temper matches mine and Uriel’s. Hannibal isn’t mad, he’s just trying to inject reason but has to yell so they’ll hear him over themselves.“ I called loudly to Eyja.

She nodded and yelled back, “I know.”






***


My seal suddenly burned an agonizing fire on my tongue, Malan had left. I shut the window and locked the makeshift bolt on it, just in case he‘d left by it. The raised voices were making me feel tense, and a little ill. Eyja barely finished making the bed before I crawled into it, pulling the sheet up.

“Are you feeling bad again? Should I get Hannibal?”

“No. It’s just…the shouting makes me tense. That and…can you make me look pretty, Eyja? Janus will probably never forgive being jailed over me, but I’m hoping he does. He promised he would rescue Fathis that day at the Arena, and he said vampires are obsessed with promises being kept.”

“Obsessed with promises made to them being kept, you mean. They aren’t big on keeping promises they’ve made, you’ll find that out soon enough. Maybe we should get in the tub together.”

“He’d probably forget he was ever imprisoned.”

Eyja dug through a stack of dresses laying over the back of a chair and yanked a soft looking emerald green dress out. “Put this on, it’ll go well with your eyes.”

She paused before handing me the dress. “Maxical, don’t forget that Janus brought all this on himself. You’re thinking of trouble you caused him, well think about what he cost you. Fathis, Gils…this war, everything that’s happened started because Janus put Fathis under spells.”

It suddenly hit me, she was right. “I’d forgotten that, thanks Eyja.”

Eyja bade Janus come in when she answered Hannibal’s tap on the door.

“Uriel wants you both in his chambers, but said to take a moment and talk privately first.” Hannibal said as he escorted Eyja out. I waited till the door closed behind them before talking.

“I can’t tell how upset you are with the cowl on, will you take it off? Janus, I’m so sorry for what happened. Are you okay?” He came and sat beside me on the bed. I pushed the cowl back and looked into his eyes, somewhat relieved they were pink and not glowing red.

“Janus, you stood by me when I had no one. Thank you. I don’t blame you at all for being mad, you were incarcerated over me. Will you forgive me?“


*

LOL! I love Maxical’s fiery reply to Traven’s explanation of ‘the circle closing.’ I have to agree with her.

Whoa. Maxical was turning into a vampire? Yikes. And now her seal is acting as a Malan detector. Why isn’t Janus’ presence in the other room soothing it?

Maybe we should get in the tub together.”

“He’d probably forget he was ever imprisoned.”
Do it!

Janus is acting weird. Does this have anything to do with Malan mating with Maxical, or (possibly) extracting his wife’s soul from Maxical?

179-
The waking-up sequence was a treat! Lovely use of word description that made me spin in dizzy circles. I really enjoyed watching Maxical work out the whole Mythic Dawn- Vampire- Chimer thing. Who would have thought that Eyja would be there at that pivotal moment in history? It leaves me speechless....

“BWAAHAA” Eyja grinned. “First time and already a critic, huh?”
Priceless!!

180-
"Nothing with Malan is as it seems.”
Now that is an understatement....

"Malan. I figure since he’s eavesdropping I should give him something to hear.”
I love the irony of this comment, considering the wall of people lined up outside the bed chamber in the last chapter. Maxical has unknowingly caught Eyja out again!

Great finish to the chapter. I sense a brooding vampire, weighed down by the despair of the moment. I cannot wait for the reply.....providing it is who we think it is.....

“Traven, be ready to measure his fangs.”
Oooh! CSI, Imperial City! I was glad to see Janus cleared of kitty biting.

‘I climbed out of bed and yanked every bit of bedding off the bed and opened the boarded window to air the room. I hoped Eyja knew how to make the bed back up, I didn‘t.’
Wow! Maxical must be quite domestically untrainable if S’jirra was unable to teach her how to make up a bed as a young kit. And no barracks bed inspections at the University? This was a surprise but we know how stubborn Maxical can be.

I see Maxical being sweet to Janus at the end. I guess she’s gonna save the ammo on him putting spells on Fathis till she needs some leverage with him.

Another wonderful episode, mALX!

Oops, now I get the circle closing.


I love this! Is Maxical infected or isn’t she, I can't wait to find out! We’ve gone from one V blood drama to another! Also is Amiela stashed in her again, or somewhere else? Each answer leads to more questions! I’m fascinated, and I just love having all of these characters walking back and forth between the rooms and yelling at each other.

Maxical getting prettied up for Janus and getting jabs in at the eavesdropping Malan made me smile.

Eyja and Maxical playing hide the soap might cheer up Janus (and the readers ), but Hannibal would lose it completely just when he needs to focus!!

I can’t wait to see what happens with Janus. His chosen radar for Amiela and Maxical’s moonsugar tongue sensor could be important tools for Team Uriel, if they don’t somehow interfere with each other.

Awesome chapter! This story just keeps getting better!

Malan is getting reckless. Something's up! He needs some of that red nectar to clear his mind, otherwise Maxical will always be ready for his schemes. Always. For this chapter, I loved the lore you weaved into the story:

“I deeded it to Caula’s family for her Bride’s Price, never even visited there. During the Imperial Simulacrum, Jagar Tharn forced Caula and the Princes to live there. He magically sealed the exits so they were virtual prisoners in it".

Love that mention of Jarag Tharn, the old antagonist of Arena. And wow, Maxical having restorative dreams in fountains of blood? YES! She has the Gift! Or maybe she doesn't. If she doesn't, then nooo!

I love the fact that they went through the checklist of her being a vampire or not. The Arcane University would know wouldn't they? I reckon no one there bothered to cast a "detect dead" spell. Hehe, not until vampires became a nuisance.

This was a wonderful, comical chapter!