This was very tense and loaded with suspense and emotion. You really depicted everyone very well!

When you do something, you certainly do it on a big scale!

How cute to see Maxical still thinking that Janus is the missing husband of Ivana Humpanox.

Very stirring to see Fathis' display of what a priority Maxical is to him, and equally so to see our kitty jump to his defense. One couldn't help but be proud of both of them.

And finally, Damien's long gathered big bag of dirt on Janus begins to prove its value.

This was great fun to read, mALX!

Ohhhh, now that is sheer genius.

Hmm....The Old Bat's plan falls to bits as it springs Fox's trap and the Mage struggles to set it free, while the now ex-Diplomat guards his cheating Cat from the hoards of blood-crazed Giant Bats... and may die protecting her... Well, I'm having fun!

“Umbranox! What?” Hannibal was staring at me like an owl.

“It’s okay…I know…I figured it out.” I shrugged apologetically at Hannibal.

A Maxical moment in the middle of a shouting match, poised on the edge of a battlefront!!

Damien, ice-cold and masterful!! *shiver* Fathis and Maxical blowing up everything!! I love Maxical’s catly leaps down to the Arena floor with a sword in her hand!!

And now as I wander about my business here in Grits World, I have to keep wondering… WHAT’S HAPPENING TO FATHIS??!!

@ Thomas Kaira - Thank you so much TK !!!

Traven in game always did the right thing in the end, but he would be paralyzed by fear first for a few days - totally freaking out and unable to act - he looked like he may pass out cold (in game) when you tell him the KOW is back. - when it comes down to it he'll get hold of himself, it isn't in him to turn on friends.

Foxy just put it to him, he has to make a choice and realize he's making it now. No doubt he'll do the right thing.

Foxy just handled it the way Traven should have the instant he knew the Immortal was acting on his nature - after all, Traven had Fathis and the might of the whole Mages Guild behind him, he could easily have staged this coup himself . When he didn't, he backed Fathis into a corner.

Unfortunately, neither Fathis or Foxy knew Malan's army would get in on the act.

***
@ King Coin - Thank you so much - and for not going after Maxical, lol !!!

***
@ Rachel - It's funny you should say that - (I wondered myself - if Janus is immortal - what would happen if the Orc shredded him, lol). Thank you so much Rachel !!! -

I totally agree with you, I may have to PM Ghastley next time I'm looking for a great idea on "Ways to make a vampire wish they'd never messed with you!"

***
@ Ghastley - Oh, I love how your wicked mind thinks !!! AWESOME IDEA !!! WOO HOO !!! Thank you so much Ghastley !!!

***
@ Acadian - Thank you so much Acadian !!! You mean Iwana Humpanox? - ROFL !!!! You ROCK, Acadian !!! WOO HOO !!

***
@ Arcry - I need you to write all my Black Horse Courier articles from now on - I LOVE your quick summary of events !!! Thank you so much Arcry !!!

***
@ Grits - ROFL !!! Maxical displaying her ignorance has no right timing, lol. Damien is "Foxy" in more ways than one, lol. I am so tickled Foxy let me keep him in this story - I loved him in the original too!! Thank you so much Grits !!!

Me? Write for the Courier? I'd have to think about that one.

*



** There is a special cameo mention of Mrs. Treydog in this chapter. Thanks Treydog, Mrs. Treydog!!!

** There is a special cameo mention of Foxy’s character, Damien Reynard - AKA “The Black Fox� (AKA “Foxy�). Thank you Foxy !!!




@ EVERYONE - For this and the upcoming chapters, I will be trying to give a breakdown of everything that is happening within the factions as the countdown to war is rapidly drawing to an explosion. Each faction will be listed in its own segment or chapter. To do this on a correct timeline would require way too much switching back and forth between factions, so I have presented each faction's actions in whole form - that means some things may occur with Maxical, but when you read Jak's part it actually starts AT THE SAME TIME OR BEFORE the update on Maxical ended. That happens in this chapter. I hope it doesn't become too confusing, let me know.



Chapter 97: Death Or Discovery



“Yooew!� The place on my tongue where Azura’s seal bound me to Gils began a painful burn by the time I was getting close to the center of the Arena. Instinctively I knew that was from being distant from Gils…but why would it have just now started hurting when I had been far from him all day in Jack‘s box?

As soon as my foot touched the grating over the pit I spun around and scanned the mezzanine for Fathis. My stomach twisted sickeningly. He was no longer standing near the ledge where I had last seen him. A vapor seemed to shimmer against the ancient stone wall, distorting my view till even distinguishing the forms moving became impossible as they melted into a blur.

“FATHIS!� I screamed as loud as I could, but my voice hung ineffectually in the air around me, not even echoing off the stone walls of the Arena. It was like standing in a vacuum alone out here, a void…dead silence, not even the sounds from the seething mass of giants milling on the mezzanine.

When time and space meet it leaves a pocket of nothing where they touch…for the second time today I felt wedged in that fold where even the blackness of the void doesn’t reach and the gods make wagers on the outcome of lives caught in the ‘tween.

“FAARRROOWGGAATHARRRROOOWIISSS!“ The feeling of being helpless and alone strangled in my throat as an unbidden feral cry of fear rose up from deep inside me and melded with the words as if a beast were trying to talk for the first time.

Through the blur of my tears I caught the glimmer of sunlight reflecting off Fathis’s sword in my hand. Abstractly I noticed the hilt was cold against my skin…why hadn’t it warmed to my touch? Dear gods…“NOOOOOOOOOOO!� I screamed, stumbling as I ran blindly back toward the spot I had last seen Fathis.






***


The sound of Fathis’s sword clattering against the gate rails below me was the first realization that I had dropped it in the climb. My toes tipped and swayed trying to hold my balance as I stretched my arm as far as it would to catch the railing of the mezzanine, the glass armor Fathis gave me grating against the stone of the wall.

It was too far, the center of gravity lost and I felt myself tipping in slow motion; heard the stones gouging the breastplate of my cuirass as I slid sideways across it, grabbing wildly to hold on.

With relief I felt my arm grabbed and held firmly, someone had caught me and was pulling me up. I grasped the arm back with my hand and clung for dear life, scrambling to grab the rail with my other hand as soon as I was level with it.

It felt like many arms pulling me over the railing, too many arms…I knew before I looked up as my feet touched the deck and my legs crumbled beneath me, knew what I would see. Vampire faces, a sea of them mutely staring at me.

There is no way of knowing how to discern intent when eyes are glowing red and pink, and silent. Fear…it reaches a point where it has no where to go, and just goes away. It didn’t really matter what they were going to do, because I had no way to stop them.

Through the gaps of legs I sought the gloss of Fathis’s armor where he had last stood, even if he was down…I had to know. It wasn’t his armor that caught my eye, but blood pooled and spattered where Fathis had been standing fighting when I last saw him.

A keening rose from deep within me, choking my throat till I couldn’t breath as I crawled toward it bumping between the massive legs that surrounded me. Before I reached it, as if suddenly by miracle the sea of legs parted. The vampires seemed to stand aside and make a corridor…and at the end of it Fathis emerged from the midst, unhindered by the creatures around him…sunlight gleaming off his armor like a halo. Was it a vision? His ghost?

“Fathis?�

My eyes darted back to the massive amount of blood where I had last seen him…it was still there…yet here he was, walking toward me uninjured; not being attacked. Neither was I. Was I dead too?






***


“Come, what’s wrong then?“

His hand was stretched down to me. I poked at the hand with one finger…sure it would go right through. It didn‘t. When I pinched the skin, he didn’t react, but when I bent his finger backward he said “OW� …and his hand felt warm.

“FATHIS!� I tried to scramble up but couldn’t stand, my legs trembled and shook with weakness. He lifted me into his arms and carried me while I hugged him and plastered his face and neck with kisses.

“You were supposed to be in the pit, what do you do up here then?�

“Fathis, I couldn’t stand it if you were gone…you’ve always been there. I love you Fathis, I always have…always will.� I was crying, couldn’t stop.

“You stop those tears, Maxical. You see I am fine…� He leaped down to the gate carrying me in his arms and balanced easily and gracefully on the top of the gate…lithe and athletic like a cat.

A sickening feeling lurched and churned in my stomach, my mind flashed to the pools of blood where Fathis had been…the lack of injuries anywhere on him now…the vampires clearing a path for him…as if he was their leader. This was not Fathis. Fathis has never called me Maxical…never. Where was he…who was this, and why would he impersonate Fathis? There was no doubt he was wearing Fathis’s armor, it carried his scent…but where Fathis’s neck smelled of it, this man’s did not.

We had reached the pit where the seal on my tongue that bound me to Gils had burned so badly such a short while ago. There was no moon sugar on the seal like there would be if Gils was near, but the seal didn’t burn from his absence this time.

It struck me earlier…I had sat with the Immortal all day, Gils no where near us…and my tongue had not once burned from his absence. Both times I was in the mezzanine it hadn’t burned either…a mezzanine filled with vampires.

I may not know who this was carrying me…but I knew what. Without a shadow of doubt, this was a vampire. I don’t know how or why, but the presence of them seems to effect Azura’s seal.

Fathis’s last words to me kept echoing in my mind…“THEY’RE ANCIENTS! THEY SMELL YOUR BLOOD� And now one was impersonating Fathis and carrying me into the pit…the pit that had access to the sewers beneath the Imperial City where Hannibal said nests of vampires lived. Dear gods…Akatosh help me…help me and Fathis.









******* Jakben Imbel - Begins when Maxical parts from Fathis and heads for the center of the Arena



It was too late to react by the time Jak realized a trap had been set against Janus. Fathis must be kept alive at all costs now…Jak couldn’t even impersonate him if he were dead. All hope would be lost if ‘The One’ was imprisoned in a dungeon for eternity. Jak spread his wings and swooped rapidly down to the mezzanine, shimmering into human form as he landed.

“STOP! Don’t kill him! We need him alive! Take him to the Clubhouse mezzanine and send a healer up…the room with the Mrs. Treydog painting. Send my Chief Minions up to me there.�

“The guards?�

“Take their places, both in appearance and uniform.�

“Impersonate them?�

“Yes, lock them in one of the storerooms. I want it to appear as if that room hasn’t been breached…and it must be sealed, no one in or out without my signal.�

“Yes, Lord High Councilor.�






***


There was a collective gasp as the double doors to the display room opened. The light pouring in the open windows created a halo effect around the painting of the Golden Armor. It was hung to give the appearance of coming out of the sky, a breathtaking vision that left the impression one was stepping into sacred grounds or kneeling before a god. Jak paused at the threshold, rooted in awe.

“Good gods…“ Jak came to a quick decision. “Select a contingent of our best…I want that painting brought to Skingrad. Give orders that it be hung over the throne in the great hall. It must not be damaged, have it wrapped well so their claws don‘t tear it.�

“I’ll order it, Lord High Councilor.� He stepped to the door in answer to a coded tap. “They are here with Aren, My Lord.�

“What took so long? Don’t place him near the windows, and I want him shackled. We can’t afford for him to escape.�

“He’s not going anywhere in this shape…� The man began, but Jak cut him off.

“He can’t be allowed to perish, we need him. Find out what the hold-up is on that healer.“ Jak snapped his fingers at the man guarding the door, then turned back to the men dragging Fathis. “I need everything he is wearing, jewelry and all. Quickly!�

“I thought with his reputation with women he’d be hung like a Daedroth, but it ain’t no bigger’n…� The man’s musing was cut off by Jak.

““He’s Dunmer, don’t make the mistake of underestimating him. That man is sly as…� Jak had turned away as he spoke to pull the greaves on, but suddenly spun around and stared hard at the bloodied inert form of Fathis. “Sly as a…FOX! It couldn’t be…but who else could have devised a scheme like this?�

“My Lord?�

“Nothing…for now. I have just discovered my opponent to be a more worthy one than I had anticipated. It means we will have to be extraordinarily cautious that our plan is not hindered. This war will be an excellent blind for our activities, order them to continue the attacks until I give word to stop.� Jak calculated rapidly in his mind how best to counter the trap Fathis had led Janus into. “Contact our operative in the Crimson Scars, we need them to act now.�






***


“Vicente is Crimson Scar, and right here at the Arena. You wanted him out of the Imperial City anyway, maybe a hint would send him to warn them…�

Jak gaped and scowled simultaneously at the man. “The only thing Vicente is capable of handling is his [censored]. This has to reach Greywyn Blenwyth‘s ears immediately, not be whispered into every female patch between here and Leyawiin. Do as you are bid and only contact our own.�

“Yes, Lord High Councilor, I apologize…�

“While we’re on the subject, I’d like to know why Vicente is here at the Arena and I had to learn it by sighting him.�

“Er…I started to bring you the information, but…the Khajiit was…er…stroking your belly. We felt it best not to…er…disturb, My Lord.�

Jak made an exasperated sound and opened his mouth to speak, but a tap on the door interrupted.

“It’s the healer, My Lord.�

Jak waved for him to come in, then pointed him over to Fathis. He signaled his minion.

“Choose someone of trust to bring me reports on our losses in each sector right away.� Jak buckled the cuirass and slid Fathis’s ring on.

“We lost quite a number in the Arena just now. That Khajiit used some kind of exploding fire. And that one…� He pointed at Fathis’s prostrate body. “I’ve never seen anyone cast as fast as him.�

“I saw that too. I’m still debating whether we should cure him of our disease or let it ride. We could use someone like him.� Jak paused, watching the healer work on Fathis. “Don’t cure it till I give the word…I’ll let you know when I decide.�



*

It felt like many arms pulling me over the railing, too many arms…I knew before I looked up as my feet touched the deck and my legs crumbled beneath me, knew what I would see. Vampire faces, a sea of them mutely staring at me.

There is no way of knowing how to discern intent when eyes are glowing red and pink, and silent. Fear…it reaches a point where it has no where to go, and just goes away. It didn’t really matter what they were going to do, because I had no way to stop them.

Eeeeeeeeeeeee! I will be sleeping with my eyes open tonight! My mind is awhirl with possibilities. A portable silver lava fountain so Maxical can bring Janus everywhere and be with Fathis without a burning tongue?! *Grits’ brain explodes*

And then after the terror and drama on the mezzanine, Jak and his minions, hilarious! And still scary!! Yay, mALX!!!

I'm starting to really dislike Jaken Imbel

And I'm trying to remember does Maxical still carry her special silver dagger?

Awesome chapter!

This was very much like a heart pounding movie, replete with special effects, time-stop filming and all! It felt more like an experience than a read. Wow! Some amazingly powerful imagery here.

I absolulety loved the part where Fathis came to Maxical, then she gradually realized to her and our horror, it was not Fathis at all. Wow again!

Dear, god, Maxical... could you please kill that idiot Jak?! Slowly, if you don't mind, he needs to suffer for this.

As I expected, Fathis's life is now in jeopardy, and Jak be Nimble with the Candlestick is now impersonating him for his own dastardly deeds. What they are, nobody knows, but Maxical is obviously central to his plans. Now he needs to figure out a way to get Umbranox Hassildor back on his side before Damien and Traven ruin everything. Can they get him out of Jak's reach in time, though?

Let us hope his plans for Maxical do not involve her dying any time soon.

I'm beginning to lose track of who's on what side, how many sides there are, and whether Corvus Umbranox is really Agronak's daughter.

Just don't reveal Maxical as the villain all along! (she's really Caranya in disguise, right? or does she just think she is?)

*


@ Grits - Thank you so much Grits !! - Carrying Hassildor around in a silver fountain - ROFL !!! Can you imagine?

"What is that thing you are dragging behind you?"

"Just an immortal vampire..."

"Turn your head, Janus! Fathis and I would like some privacy now..."

ROFL !!!

Oh, well...he is immortal, maybe she could just cut off his pinky toe and it would survive - she could carry just that part around, ROFL !!!

Thank you again, Grits !!!

***
@ King Coin - Thank you so much, King Coin !! You are right, she does always carry the silver dagger. I didn't bring it out in the chapter because of the situation (so many enemies) - I am tickled you remembered that about her though !!! You ROCK !!! Thank you again, King Coin !!!

***
@ Acadian - Thank you, Acadian. I am about speechless from your kind words, Thank you so very much !!! That means A LOT to hear !!! ** mALX died with a smile on her face **

***
@ Thomas Kaira - GAAAAH !!! I made the mistake of killing off Maxical in the original story, lol. Thank you so much TK !!!!

***
@ Ghastley - I am so glad you brought that up !!! Several people have mentioned that to me too, so the below inset will hopefully help some. Maxical...a villian? GAAAAH !!! NEVER !!! ROFL !!!! She might be dumb as a brick, but she is never evil or mean, lol. Thank you so much Ghastley !!!








*

Be nice to Jackben! I like him!

*

Here is an update of all that is going on. Each time I add a chapter I will try to update it if this will help anyone - I know with the chaos of the friction between the different factions it is hard to keep up with, I've been having trouble myself, lol.





*

Typical male!

NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ohhh, mALX, I loved the faction update list. I must have laughed hard for over a minute.
That is sooooo you!!

I see that I am going to have get myself up to date with this mega story.
I shall be back!!

This is very helpful, mALX! Especially the Malan and giant stuff.

This really helps fill in lots of rich detail. What a neat web you are weaving!

I know! You could hire Wes to do a running commentary and link to audio while we read!

@ Arcry - Thank you so much Arcry !! I will hint really hard when for tips when I have one coming up, lol. That summary you did was Awesome !!!

***
@ Zalphon - Thank you so much Zalphon!!! I have to agree with you, Jakben keeps me laughing. He has that fun side, but I see a dark side coming...er...did I say that?

***
@ Haute - Thank you so much Haute !!! And I thought Foxy would have pulled that line out, lol.

***
@ King Coin - GAAAAH !!! Too late, he's gone. I like him too, but the first time he popped out of his alcove at Maxical I screamed bloody murder, lol. Thank you so much King Coin !!!

***
@ WINTER WOLF - WOOOOOOOOOOOT !!!!!!!!!! AWESOME !!!!! You've got me howling and whooping !!! Thank You Wolfy !!!!

***
@ Acadian - Oh, I saw a pic of Wes on that page for Skyrim !!! Now I wonder what voices he will be doing there !!! Didn't he do like Lucien Lachance too or something? ROFL !!! Thank You so much Acadian!!!!

***
@ - EVERYONE - Thank you to everyone who let me know - now if the playlist of factions isn't working let me know that too !!! Thank you so much

*


** Foxy has graciously agreed to employ his character Damien "Foxy" Reynard (The Black Fox) in this chapter. Foxy writes or approves all the parts for Damien Reynard.




Chapter 98: Of Mice, Men, and Mousetraps



******* Jakben Imbel (continued)


Jak held up Fathis‘s empty sheath. “Where’s the sword? The man didn‘t walk around with an empty sheath!�

“I never saw one…he was casting spells with both hands.�

“I can’t wear it like this…or would they notice it gone? Drat!� Jak hesitated before dropping the sheath on the table. He turned back to the men. “What was the delay in getting Aren up here?�

“That Dunmer that’s involved with the Khajiit tried to come to Aren’s aid, stop us from removing him. With him being connected we didn’t want to kill him without orders first. He’s knocked out good, locked in one of the offices.� The man held a ring of keys up.

“Drat, now we‘ll have to move on him too! Hassildor will never come into his own at this rate! How can I push him into releasing his powers if I keep having to remove every stumbling block from his path for him! As it is I‘ve had to all but shovel the girl into his lap for him even with her scent right under his nose! Will I have to stand in the bedroom and call instructions to him as well?� Jak slammed his fist down on the table in frustration. “That first shack off the bridge on the waterfront, the one that Orc has been hiding in…take him there.�

“But…that Orc will kill him, he’s a nut! He shredded his own father, that bear…they can’t even identify that one man he killed last week. Yesterday Shady Sam took offense to the Orc’s odor and before Vicente knew what was happening the guy was in pieces. Scared Vicente into pissing himself, he hasn’t run that fast since he was twenty.�

“Exactly. That Dunmer had to be taken out anyway, and if the Orc kills him Hassildor cannot be blamed in his death. Everyone knows the Orc is nuts. That was always my plan before this trap was sprung on Janus.�






***


“Your plan? You mean he’s not protecting his chosen of his own nature?�

Jak paused, scowling. “Not yet. I was sure his instincts would have kicked in by now, nothing equals that hunt for realizing one’s full nature…instead he squabbled with his chosen like they were schoolchildren. He refuses to act on his nature…but let him live with a chosen and face the reality that she will die one day and end his bliss. The desire to share his gift with her should grow within him till it can’t be denied…“ Jak’s voice reverberated with emotion and his words came to a choking halt suddenly, his own memories suffocating even the thought of the other‘s presence. He spoke softly, as if to himself. “Ah Amiela, would that the gift I shared with you had been an immortal one…�

His chief minion shifted uncomfortably at being privy to Jak’s private moment. “My Lord?�

Jak dropped his hand to his side and spoke again in his normal tones. “When Hassildor does make her, we will have them both. I have already placed my spell within her to obey me, and where she goes he will seek her out using all his vampire senses. We will finally get to see the magnificent creation he is…as he was meant to be.�

“I read about her in the Courier, between her temper and affairs, she should build an immortal army in no time.�

“All our plans could amount to nothing if we can’t counter this coup Fathis Aren staged. Both the Khajiit and Aren have to be seen here and in good health after Hassildor returns to his castle or he’ll be stripped of his title and locked in a dungeon for eternity.�

“The chosen! But he must carry her to his lair!�

“Yes…if his vampire nature accepted her, that is. He should have been driven to, but from what I saw the only thing he was driven to do with her was argue.�

“Not accept…can that be done? What will you do? We waited over fifty years for him to leave his lair, it’s our only chance…he may isolate himself again!�

“Ah, but he can’t keep me out of his lair this time. I got him to write me an invitation guaranteeing me entry, sealed officially with his signet ring.�

“But without a chosen…“

“We just need him to make anyone, it doesn’t matter who. I happened across a Dunmer widow and cultivated a friendship in case we needed an alternative plan. If Hassildor rejects the Khajiit I’ll forego my own enjoyment with Malvulis. She could easily entice him into sharing his gift…with me controlling her mind.






***


“A Dunmer widow? The mysteries? That lucky bas…er…I mean, what a rare treasure to find!�

“Yes, I agree. The mysteries are as addictive as Skooma, Hassildor would follow her and we’d still have two. I may thank Vicente for murdering her husband and leading me to her. Speaking of which, I need that report on Vicente’s movements up till now, and make it fast.� Jak rapped his finger on the table loudly as the man shuffled in his pockets.

“We intercepted one letter Vicente sent from the Merchants…I spoke to the Publican, a man named Velus. He said Vicente bribed him to silence…with only two Septims.�

“Two Septims! Was he deliberately trying to insult the man? Velus will tell all he knows and point the finger at him!�

“Velus was pretty mad over it, said the Septims cried as they left Vicente’s hand he was squeezing them so tightly. He hasn’t had the opportunity to point the finger yet, but did tell me all he knows. I gave him a goodly bribe in thanks, well more than legitimate. My thinking was that we may need him later.�

“Good thinking. What did you learn?�

“Vicente sent out several letters, all exact duplicates of the one I had. The Publican said Vicente was adamant that these letters never be traced back to him…Ah, here’s the letter.� He held the parchment out to Jak. “Velus said Vicente signed off on all the letters the same way, ’An anonymous friend‘ …now look what Velus did to each before he handed them to the courier, see the outside of the seal?“

Jak flipped the parchment over and read aloud. “Reply to Vicente Valtieri, Suite 202; The Merchants Inn, Imperial City Market District…BWAAHAA!�

Jak scanned it quickly. “To the attention of Raynil Dralas, Vampire Hunter, Skingrad…blah, blah…four ancient vampires…Jakben, Earl of Imbel and an unknown living in his home have been stalking a young virgin Khajiit! The Gray Prince, a murdering lunatic…Seridur! Has he gone mad? He has named us all, even gave directions to the Orc’s house! There can be only one explanation, Vicente is clearing a path to take over here. That smarmy [censored] has signed his own death warrant for this. Make sure the Hero of the People gets an anonymous tip with Vicente's information and where to find him. Also, that Velus has no love for our kind…an anonymous tip needs to be dropped to him about Vicente’s real nature as well.�







***


Jack pocketed the letter. “Vicente sent several of these out? Who were the others for?�

“One went to The Order of the Virtuous Blood…�

“BWAAHAA! Seridur should get a kick out of that, he‘s named in it. Go on.�

“Eridor, General Delivery, Skingrad.�

“That’s not good, he has a team and I‘ve heard they are pretty good. They could be trouble.� Jak motioned him to continue.

“The other two were addressed to the Hero of the People and someone named ‘Damien’. That one was accompanied by a hundred Septims.�

“Damien! That’s what they called the character in the black velvet mask…I’ve not heard of a vampire hunter by that name…� Jak tapped his finger rapidly on the table thinking aloud. “There was something familiar…the way he wore his sword…had to be a Blademaster…too tall to be Lencolia…� Jak suddenly froze. “Damien Reynard…the Black Fox! But not in disguise, why? It was deliberate…he wanted me to know it was him!�

“The Black Fox…isn’t that just a myth, My Lord?�

Jak held his hand up to silence the man, thinking rapidly. It was too complete a coup to be anyone else, it had to be Reynard. Then those mages on the upper deck were…good gods, assassins!

“DAMN!� Jak slammed his fist on the table. “If it’s Reynard, he won’t stop till the mission is complete! Vicente couldn’t possibly have hired him for such a low amount…wait! That one called Damien said Fathis hired him. Then what did Vicente send the 100 Septims for?�






***


“Can the trap be countered?�

“I’m impersonating Fathis Aren, I can insist on being the one to escort Hassildor to the castle. I just realized…some good did come of this trap. Fathis Aren was a wild card, he proved that today. My plan to have the Orc kill him was flawed. In keeping him alive and impersonating him…his face will get me into anywhere I desire, even Septim’s chambers…“ Jak choked, his speech grinding to a stop.

BAM! Jak slammed his fist on the table, his face suddenly lit up. “Septim’s chambers where that agent of Damien’s is holding that document ready to reveal it! I have just figured out how to thwart the trap! I‘m going straight to the Palace. Once I have that document, I’ll give the signal. I want the lot of them killed; Traven, Azzan, especially the one in the black velvet mask …and his troop of mage-assassins. Wipe the slate clean, no one will ever know what went on here today!�

“Not Aren?�

“No…I may have use of his face for some time to come. As soon as the healer says he can be moved, take him to Skingrad…the healer must accompany him to be sure he doesn’t succumb on the way. I can’t impersonate a dead body, it is imperative he be kept alive at all costs. The last thing I need is for my real face to suddenly show through, too much has gone wrong already.� Jak grabbed the minion’s arm to make sure he was attending. “No one is to see Aren being removed from here! Everything depends on people believing I am he. Take whatever precautions needed.�

“It will be done, My Lord. What about Seridur, we have no orders on him. He pounded on the door of Imbel Manor several times today, then tacked a note under your knocker that said, ‘Remember your promise‘.�

“Probably with a very large puddle below him. Did he go to Memorial Cave?�

“Yes, My Lord. Clothing was sticking out of his pack and his eyes looked like saucers.�

“You can see to him, or send an anonymous note to the Hero.� Jak glanced down at his ancient wedding ring, then raised it to his lips. “That one is for you, Amiela.�

“I’ll see who’s knocking…�

“My Lord, the Dunmer has escaped, he must have revived and climbed out the window!�

“You put him in an office with windows…and didn’t shackle him?�

“I…it was such a steep drop from the windows! No one in their right mind would climb from them!�

“Did you check the Arena floor to see if he fell trying to escape?�

“Yes…My Lord. There was no body.�

“Then it sounds like his mind was more active than yours.�

“Yes, My Lord.�

“Find him! And this time use shackles. Better bring him up here so I can see what he knows and wipe his mind myself…DRAT! See who that is knocking!�

“My Lord! The Khajiit is climbing back up to the balcony!�

“WHAT? Why would she do that? Will nothing go right this day? Get out there quickly and make sure no one harms her! I’m coming now.�




*

Wait wha-what? I thought the Khajiit was in the Arena still! I'm missing something

I couldn't write both things happening at once, so I wrote what was happening to Maxical first (in the last chapter). This is what Jak was doing while Maxical was going to the center of the Arena, looking for Fathis, then coming back and trying to climb up on the mezzanine (where the vampires were) to find Fathis. (kind of a background peek into what Jak was up to while she did all that).

I know what's going on now, for some reason I had the idea that we were back at Jak's house. I don't know why, don't ask.

I almost feel sorry for Jakben... he put so much effort into that plan only to have his disguise broken wide open in but five seconds. He really is killing himself trying to get Janus's immortal demon to show itself.

Can't he just recognize that this Albino Khajiit is too much trouble for him?

So, Viciente the smarmy [very very very censored] is bribing Reynard? I wonder what for...

And now Gils escaped due to still more general incompetence. I will be seriously disappointed if Jak does not physically explode within the next few episodes.

“I read about her in the Courier, between her temper and affairs, she should build an immortal army in no time.”
Ahah! So it seems part of Jak's plan is to breed Janus special abilities. Since he figures Maxical is Janus' chosen, she is his mark to become the mother of a bunch of baby Janus super vampire little monsters.

This chapter really blows knowledge into a lot of areas that have remained shrouded in mystery for some time. I love it!

I pegged the missing 'Dunmer' that escaped as Gils just like TK did. Are we right? After all, Jak and his dudes may not have known Gils' name.

What a magnificent job you are doing with Jak! We hate him, yet we can't help but feel some of what he feels and the tragedy of his past. A very complex villain. I'm in awe.

Your recap is great!! I will refer back to it whenever I get confused, thank you so much!! It also answered my questions about Maxical’s seal to Gils. That darn Azura! Haute caught the quote about Azzan that made me giggle – now I know why I liked that guy!

”As it is I‘ve had to all but shovel the girl into his lap for him even with her scent right under his nose! Will I have to stand in the bedroom and call instructions to him as well?”

Well, we know that Janus is well versed in rat libido…

“That Dunmer that’s involved with the Khajiit tried to come to Aren’s aid, stop us from removing him. With him being connected we didn’t want to kill him without orders first. He’s knocked out good, locked in one of the offices.” The man held a ring of keys up.

That’s the Dunmer that revived and escaped, right? I think it’s Gils. Woo hoo, what a ride!!!

@ King Coin - WHEW !! Thought I was going to have to rewrite something !!! ROFL - Thank you so much King Coin !!!

***
@ Thomas Kaira -




ROFL !!!! He might be able to if he was looking any further than his own plans to build an immortal army and take over Cyrodiil, lol.

I think you are correct about Jak exploding, lol. He may have lived hundreds of years, but that was before he tried to meddle in Maxical's life.

He may end up wishing he'd just used the back-up plan of Malvulis all along, lol. Thank you so much TK !!!!

***
@ Acadian - Can you imagine Tamriel with a bunch of baby Maxical/Janus's running around? ROFL !!! NOOOOOO !!!! (the voices of Cyrodiilians everywhere)

No, he wants Maxical and Janus to "share their dark gift" and then those people can do the same, then so on and so on ... like a pyramid scheme of sharing the dark gift till there are armies of immortal vampires ready to take over Cyrodiil. - GAAAAAH!! I may have cut that explanation out in order to save word count! OH NOES !!!!

You and TK (and Grits) are both (all) right about that Dunmer that aided Fathis then escaped being Gils - and right about the reasons they didn't use his name.

Thank you for your insights into Jak. I wanted him to be likable, I'm glad that came through - and there is his great love for his deceased wife as well.

It was clear he was a manipulator, but till this point had been kind of a likeable one. The undertone that he had more power than he was letting on was touched on only lightly a few times. That he seemed to have a plan that involved Janus, and later Maxical - that was the hardest part to get across without it either coming out too soon or not showing clearly enough.

I struggle with still liking him in spite of his power-hungry desire to rule Nirn - the image of that round-bellied bird squawking pops up each time I type his name, lol.

Thank you so very much Acadian - and I am so glad you liked it, knowing that chapter was more plot than character - thank you !!!!!

***
@ Grits - Thank you so much !!! That recap took one full night to do, and I've probably still missed a bunch that should be on there - and put at least one thing in that hadn't happened yet, Shady Sam being killed.

King Coin's comment was the first realization that I had given something away by accident. It was too late to take it down, so I wormed it into today's chapter, lol.

ROFL !!! Rat Libido !!! - I had two fave lines in the chapter and you pegged one of them, lol.

Yes, that was Gils!

Thank you so much Grits !!!!

***

@ EVERYONE - By the way, not sure if I said it on here or in a PM to someone - the vampires in my story are a mod I use.

They can shape-shift or transform into a bat and fly (I used bird in my story for the humor, nothing funny about bats) - they just can't battle while flying (no weapons, no magic) and have to revert to human form to fight.

They can transform into a wolf (really pretty one, too) - they can bite or claw as wolves, but not use weapons or magic.

They can also transform into a vapor and fly - again, they cannot fight in this form.

They can control the minds of any NPC in the game (Including the Legion!) - unless that NPC is resistant to magic or the vampire's magicka or training is low.

They have a scripted neck biting that is awesome, and can choose to feed or share their dark gift. If you share the dark gift, the NPC becomes a follower.

They also have an illusion spell that hides their vampire nature - but you have to reach a certain level to use that. (that is why only certain vampires in my story can do it).

When the illusion spell is not being used, the vampire's eyes glow red - that is why the giant vampires of Malan's army's eyes glowed red in the story (instead of the pink that the vanilla game uses).

I come to you today with a screenshot: Agronak Go-Malog before the fall.

Face courtesy of Tamriel NPCs Revamped.

I really like what they did for him in this mod, he looks so much more charismatic now. A look befitting of the Grand Champion, no doubt.

I love the Agronak with the red eyes - he looks ... vampiric, ROFL !!! Thank you so much TK, this is Awesome !!! You ROCK !!!

Maxical, in the eternal words of one of my best, half-insane, half-khajiit friends :wink: "You ROCK!"

I am still trying to get up to speed with the story. Ha! That will teach me to walk away for a few months.
You have certainly given Jak a major role. It does add to the story.

The update faction list helps a lot and I was surprised to see what happened to SS (Shady Sam).
Do you have something about men in black that needs to be dealt with?
Poor old Vicente was treated the same way!! Despite what the rest think of my teacher, us DB brothers must stick together!! It is us against the world.

You had beautiful pacing within the chapter, and

that is a classic!

*


@ Zalphon - You are Awesome - and missed !! Thank you so much Zalphon, what a nice thing to say !!!

***
@ Winter Wolf - Thank you so much Wolfy !!! I have really come to like Jak ... in spite of the fact that he is evil and bent on domination of Nirn - ROFL !!!



ROFL !!! Oh, I remember us going round and round in Skingrad over Vicente, the Dark Brotherhood ... and Eyja howling like a she-wolf when she laughed - Er ... I swear it is not the men in black ... it is a problem between Vicente and my keyboard. I even tried to write him as an evil character in this, womanizing, etc. - but something always happens when I go to write his parts ... I am totally innocent, and blame him !!! ROFL !!!

Thank you so very much Wolfy, you have been so missed !!!


*

*

Here is an update of all that is going on. Each time I add a chapter I will try to update it if this will help anyone - I know with the chaos of the friction between the different factions it is hard to keep up with, I've been having trouble myself, lol.





*

That's great! Thanks for putting the new bits in bold so we can quickly see them.

@ Acadian - Thank you so much for the feedback on that!!! I hope the changes I made in it will make it more "user friendly!" - You ROCK !!!

*


Chapter 99: The Final Countdown




******* Maxical (continued from Chapter 97)


The fake Fathis set me down to crank the grate over the pit open. As few times as I had seen Fathis stooping, I still noticed the difference in the way this one accomplished the movement. Fathis has an elegant flourish in everything he does, his movements are distinctive. Even stooping to inspect a body looks like he’s bowing to the Emperor, he sweeps his sheath clear…where is his sheath?

The image of him moving toward me through that parted sea of vampires…something hadn’t seemed right about him…not just seeing him alive and unhurt after the sight of all that blood. Fathis is never seen without his sheath, why hadn’t I noticed it before?

My first thought was to run, but down here on the floor of the Arena I was virtually trapped. Through the tunnel to the Bloodworks or wading down into the sewers was the only way out of the Arena when it was locked up…either that or climb up, but the mezzanine was swarming with vampires, no way to reach an exit ramp.

When I was a Pit Dog we all used to climb onto the Bloodworks chutes and shimmy up onto the roof to cheer on Agronak in his matches…back when we thought so highly of him. Maybe there was a tree close by the outer wall I could jump to.

The quick lithe movements of the vampire impersonating Fathis held me in place. He would catch me before I could even reach the chutes. I had to get to the Palace and get help for Fathis…but how?

My sword was not silver…Fathis’s was, but it was across the Arena. I may be able to kill him with Delphine’s ‘Enemies Explode’ spell…but his followers would come after me, and there were hundreds of them. Alone I couldn’t fight off all of them, even with Delphine‘s spell.

“I have to get to the Palace right away. You’ll have to go into the Bloodworks and seal yourself in, make sure every door is bolted. Don’t let anyone in till I come for you. Even a well-trained army like that may revolt with the smell of your blood so near.� The fake Fathis pointed for me to climb down into the pit.

It was hard to hold back a sigh of surprise and relief that he wasn’t going to drag me down into the sewers. Everything in me wanted to scream “liar� in his face…but I suffocated the urge. Instead I leaned my head close to his neck and took a deep whiff of Fathis’s scent that clung to his armor.

“I love you, Fathis.“ It was just a whisper, but my voice rang true. Those words were sent to the real Fathis…wherever he was. I would have given anything to rip his armor off the imposter and bring it with me.

As I started climbing down the rung ladder into the pit housing I saw him reaching down to crank the grating closed.

“Please…just leave the grating as it is, I can seal the pit off after I pass through this section of it. It is dark enough down there with the grating open…there are dead bodies…and it is haunted. That day I blew up the Arena, I heard the screams myself…it is what made me blow it up.�

“I must go, but if you wish I will wait till you have passed to the tunnel.�

“No need. If I hear the screams again…you’ll see the explosion.� I barked a laugh and hoped it sounded realistic.






***


Without even descending more than three rungs I cast chameleon and headed back up to peep out…the Fake Fathis was striding back toward the gate we had descended. I struggled against the urge to run get Fathis’s sword, they would smell me…he was right about that.

Even with the grate open I had to cast night vision as I hurried back down the rung ladder to the bottom. Vomit rose in my throat with every step over the oddly contorted bodies on the floor of the pit.

The wheel to open the tunnel door made a horrible metallic screech that made my teeth hurt and sent chills down my back with each pull on it. There was no sense shutting it back, anyone coming through that way could just crank it open again from the other side. I cast my night vision again and just ran up the tunnel, pounding on the thick steel door to the Bloodworks like a maniac when I got to the top.

“LET ME IN! ANDRONICUS!�

It was latched solidly. I pounded and pounded, shrieking my head off…I could barely hear the sound of my fists myself, there was no way they would hear it on the other side. I tried taking off one of my boots and pounding, but it was barely a click against the thickness of the steel door.

No one came to this end of the Bloodworks when there were no matches in progress, I could be here banging for hours…Fathis needed help now. The roof…I’d try that before going down into the sewers.

Just as I was sliding my boots back on I remembered…Fathis said these others were ancients…they would have super-hearing. I slid them back off, then hesitated before stripping off my armor too. Armor makes a distinctive sound if it brushes against anything, even itself. I wasn’t taking any chances.

The thought of walking barefoot back through the dead bodies was sickening, but so was sitting here in this tunnel doing nothing while Fathis may be in danger…or worse. I couldn’t think about that possibility, not now…or I’d be hysterical while trying to sneak past the wall of vampires.






***


Before sliding out the tunnel door into the pit itself I cast night vision and chameleon one last time…just in case the ancients may recognize the sound of magic and wonder why I was coming back out.

My tongue was burning and aching again. Azura’s gift…as beautiful as it had been to receive at the time, there was no doubt it would be a curse when I broke with Gils now, a constant reminder of a mistake in judgment that I could never take back.

A naked bloodied body was sprawled in my path almost as soon as I stepped out of the tunnel. I silently thanked Azura for the blessing of night vision and myself for having the good sense to use it before stepping out. I moved to the wall and edged around him, cringing as my toes touched the stickiness of blood that had seeped from him. To avoid another body I had to cut to the center of the pit floor, and had just started across the grate to the sewers when a sound came up from below me…sloshing water and a voice, one I would never forget…Agronak.

As filthy as my hand was, I still clapped it tightly over my mouth to hold back the scream that rose in my throat. Even if voices echoed down in the sewers, there was no doubt he was close…coming here. I don’t know how I knew that, but I did. He was coming here.

Fear grips you like a massive hand constricting your breathing so at the time you should be the most silent your gasping fills the air; it ceases the function of your legs…your bladder.

Fear was taking over; rooting me to the spot. Ragged rasping breaths echoed back to me from the rounded walls of the pit in spite of my hand pressed tightly against my mouth. The hot trickle of pee on my legs, splashing off my feet and the grate below me…every sound was amplified by the shape of the pit…Agronak was an ancient vampire now, he’d smell it, he’d smell me…and I couldn’t move.

The visions of Lord Lovidicus in pieces, of the bear Agronak shredded…my brain was beginning to feel numb. Gils said once not to think about fear or it would take me over...it was. Stop thinking or be next…stop thinking…

Agronak’s sloshing footsteps and mumbling was becoming clearer, he was getting closer. Somewhere deep inside me a voice was ordering me to move in a rich Colovian accent…the Immortal‘s voice. I could feel its strength releasing the numbness of my limbs, pushing me toward the rung ladder.

The pit had become a study of varying shadows and indiscernible shapes. Just as I stretched my arm up to cast night vision I stumbled over a body, pitching forward and clutching whatever I could grab to keep from falling onto the bloody floor.

My hand grasped one of the many wheels in the room, my full weight pulling against it till it spun downward with a grating rumble. A movement in my peripheral vision sent a shock of ice down my back, I jerked myself to a stand and spun to face it. Something was moving across the grating to the sewers…a heavy slab of steel pulled by a chain, rolling on tracks over the sewer access…sealing it off!

With a cry of relief I grabbed the wheel and yanked it down again, and a third time till I heard the massive steel slab clunk off the tracks and into position completely covering the sewer access. Raised bolts stood on either side. With every bit of strength I had left I tugged the bolts down and latched them with the tie-downs.






***



Somehow, it wasn’t enough just to be safe for now. He’d be back, no doubt he’d be back. As long as Gils was here, Agronak would keep coming back. The natural gas that was used to burn the pit came up through that grate. With the pit sealed off, would it fill up in that section of the sewer and suffocate Agronak? It was worth a try. I ducked back into the tunnel and spun the massive wheel to release the gas, opening it to the fullest. I cast chameleon again and then scaled the rung ladder out of the pit.

Either Bloodworks would access the roof, but the wind was blowing toward the Blue Team chute. Where the chute connected to the main wall of the Arena, time and weather had etched uneven places in the stone slabs that formed the arch of the chute. It was how we climbed up to the reservoir on the roof to watch the matches.

Khajiit are supposed to have the stealth of their leopard ancestry, I didn’t inherit it. I am clumsy as an ox and stomp like a draft horse. The roof itself was angled at a steep slant toward the sheer drop of the outside wall. Cat or not, I had a problem being this high up and edging just inches away from it. I fought dizziness that made it hard to balance, fearing any second I would pitch backward off the steep wall.

When I had almost reached the administrative entrance and Jack’s box I forced myself to look over the edge of the wall. Even though I was fully covered by chameleon the Immortal’s cowl was pointed toward me as if he had followed my progress. I was torn between gratefulness that his voice had reached through my fears and pushed me into action in the pit…and a deep hatred of him for the harm that had befallen Fathis. If Fathis was dead my rage against the Immortal would never be quelled, it would be as eternal as he is...I would become his sworn enemy forever.

A sudden tangible sensation of his mind being honed onto me, hearing my thoughts…and then suddenly I was wavering toward the sheer drop of the outer wall. I reached up to steady myself by grabbing the wooden rail above me and my hand slid on the rotted mushy wood and accumulated slime on it.

With a scream I clutched the edge of the slanted boards below me and pulled myself up to the nearest of the intermittent stone pillars, hugging myself to it and hyperventilating till I almost became dizzy.

My eye was caught by the sun glinting off something on the Administrative ramp…the fake Fathis! Everyone below was staring up from my scream. I dispelled the chameleon and gave the Arena signal for "Illegal Substitution" over and over again.

"That's the signal for 'Illegal Substitution'...but how did she get up there, and where are her clothes?" Hannibal asked, just as I cast chameleon again and the fake Fathis stepped out onto the deck.



*

I am loving this chapter! I can't wait for the next update!

First, I love the title. The Final Countdown is a great movie.

This was Maxical at her finest. The clumsy, scared kitty with a big heart who underestimates her own perceptiveness. Powerful, raw, real. Wow! You capture and portray Maxical's emotions beautifully.

She demonstrated that she loves Fathis several times over here, and I would submit that she has made her choice. Of course, she has been known to use that feminine feline prerogative of changing her mind.

Hannibal has the information he needs. I wonder if he will act on it?

EDIT: King Coin has an excellent point below. Whether Hannibal realizes he has the info is indeed a better question.

will/does he realize he has the information he needs?

On the run let me text this: WHAT A CLIFFHANGER!!!!

er...


or should thqt be 'roofhanger'???


Well, regardless of how it hangs, mALXigirl's the thang!!!

My heart was in my throat the whole way through the tunnels, both times! Maxical keeping her composure when she was trying to get out of the fake Fathis’s trap was wonderful to see. The part where she gets the real Fathis’s scent from the armor and pulls herself together is so sad and sweet. Her terror when she heard Agronak’s voice was very real. They way she was frozen with fear even while thinking about the fact it was happening really captured how the mind seems to speed up and offer all kinds of unhelpful tidbits in stressful situations. Even though it was Janus who got her moving, she came up with the Agronak avoidance plan on her own, go Maxical! Although whether filling a substructure with natural gas while thinking about a devastating fire spell is a good idea remains to be seen.

"That's the signal for 'Illegal Substitution'...but how did she get up there?" Hannibal asked, just as I cast chameleon again and the fake Fathis stepped out onto the deck.

I can’t help but think of massive, powerful gears moving very, very slowly when I imagine Hannibal’s thought process. What a chapter, I love it!!!

Indeed, Hannibal... what illegal substitution may be afoot here? I do sorely want to believe he will make the connection, but given Hannibal's mind is rather creaky, it might take a few centuries before he finally realizes Jak is impersonating Fathis.

Umm, Maxical? Vampires don't breathe.

(I'm sorry, I probably shouldn't have said that.)

Alrighty then. After discussing the subject of proper posting etiquette briefly with the author, my fellow readers will have to deal with comments about stuff that happened a long time ago in a post far, far away...

It might not be all bad though. You can reminisce about adventures past and perhaps chuckle a bit.

You all are on Chapter 99....well...I just finished Chapter 4. But I have to comment...

mALX...the pigeons and the letters to home had me ROLLING! Maxical is such fun to read. I am going to try to knock down at least a chapter per night, but real life does kick in and I won't always be able to. I would go for more than that, but there are sooooo many other stories too! So as long as it's cool to post comments so far behind the times, then that's what I'll do.

PS - Acadian, SubRosa, h.e.rider, and Grits...I'm gonna be doin the same on y'all's stories as well. The rest of the stories I'm pretty much caught up on.

I loved the line about not inheriting khajiiti dexterity

I'm back.

- First I would like to say that Maxical’s meeting with Janus in Jack’s box (yeah, I said it!) was absolutely adorable. See! I told you that Janus is a better match for Maxical than Fathis. Ancient clothing, impeccable manners, and that manly scent (are you sure that it wasn’t Old Spice?). It seems to me that Fathis is sowing the seeds of his own demise where our kitty is concerned.

- You should really sit Maxical down and tell her what curiosity did to the cat. Mora’s realm may be a place of riches beyond measure, but what good is it all if you can never leave?

- By the end of their conversation it became apparent what you were trying to do. I love how you were even able to work ‘crop rotation’ back in there. Maxical truly is one in a million! I know you want to avoid giving any indication of Maxical’s interest in Janus, but I don’t think you should worry about it. Despite your protestations, it’s already apparent in the way she responds and opens up to him, even if she is only being driven by her hormones. What you have done (remarkably well, given that it seems that it was unintentional) is prove that the lure of the chosen is stronger than their (and your) feeble attempts to deny it.

** Don’t believe me? Allow me to draw your attention to Maxical’s anger with Janus in Chapter 93. She would not get that angry with someone to whom she was indifferent. Plus the anger itself was provoked by her own desire to ‘roll on the floor’ when Janus started rubbing her hand, something which even she later acknowledges. **

- The Beginnings of War was superb. Despite all I have said about him, I must admit that Fathis acquitted himself extremely well in this chapter. For the first time I could feel the love that he has for Maxical. Maybe it is his diplomatic training that makes him try to manipulate her, which is understandable while not being excusable. In any event, well done!

- In the midst of all the shouting, threats, and tension that laced Jack’s box with Malan’s Horde descending upon them do you know what stood out to me? Maxical coming to Fathis ‘aid’ by ratting out the fact that he did not consummate the marriage! That is so very Maxical!! I loved it!

- I thought it was brilliant the way that you clued us in to the fact that Jak/Fathis wasn’t really Fathis at all by the fact that he called her Maxical, something that Fathis would never do.

High Councilors, Greywyn and the Crimson Scars, and Malan’s Giants! You are indeed pulling all the stops for this one, mALX! I half expect Sheogorath himself to walk out of the mouth in the Niben and start strangling people with their own intestines! Cheese for everyone!!

** A quick observation about the Dunmer Mysteries:
Since they are not called the ‘Chimer Mysteries’, is it safe to assume that this marks a sense of remorse on Azura’s part? After all, she/he/it cursed them to be Dunmer in the first place, and she/he/it didn’t seem all that concerned with their alleged promiscuity when they were still Chimer. **

And finally, is that our esteemed kitty tiptoeing barefoot and NEKKID amongst the dead bodies??!!

I guess I did do a chapter by chapter breakdown after all. Thank you for this rich bounty of goodness, mALX. My cup runneth over.

More, please?

@ King Coin - Thank you so much King Coin !! I appreciate hearing you say that a LOT !!

***
@ Acadian - You can't imagine how much your kind words mean, Acadian !!! You caught every nuance of Maxical, of what I was trying to show in that chapter!!! Thank you so much !!!

***
@ Foxy - Now hearing THAT from YOU is Awesome !!! You made my day, Foxy !!! (as you always do when you manage to break free from RL long enough to drop in and see us !!!) Thank You, Thank You Foxy !!!

***
@ Grits - I have always gotten the same feeling from Traven - gears moving slowly. When he hears Manimarco is coming to attack his guild, he needs three days to come up with a plan. His plan is brilliant, but it takes him a while to get there. Not meant to be a military mind, just an alchemist and healer, I guess. Thank you so much, Grits !!!! Hearing any kind words from someone of your capabilities - it is huge. You ROCK !!!

***
@ Thomas Kaira - ROFL !!! Maxical won't think of that, that is sure !!! I'm glad I'm not the only one that saw Traven as a tad slow on the pick-up - nice enough man, intelligent, just not fast, lol. But that said, he does know Fathis better than anyone, so hopefully... Thank you so much TK !!!

***
@ Rick - Thank you so much Rick !!! I do love hearing what parts of the story tickled people - remembering the earlier chapters. Feel free to chime in with the early stuff anytime !! I appreciate you reading, and hope you continue to enjoy it !!!

***
@ Zalphon - Thank you so much Zalphon !!! ROFL !!! Like her clumsy nature,huh? She has been WAY too coordinated in this story (IMHO), lol. Thank you Zalphon, and for bringing your crew of characters back to us - you have been missed !!!!

***
@ Destri - YEAH !!!! DESTRI IS BACK !!!!!! WOOO HOOO !!!!!!

Er, wait...Old Spice? NEVER !!!! It has to be some manly scent, like the original English Leather, or Ralph Lauren's original Polo, or Drakkar ... ROFL !!!!!






ROFL !!! In a crowd of interested onlookers too, ROFL !!! If it had been any other time with less going on, I really would have enjoyed writing descriptions of the onlookers facial reactions to that, ROFL !!!

The "Dunmer Mysteries" were originally the "Chimer Mysteries" - when Azura turned the Chimer's skin to ash she didn't take the gifts from them - I'll have to look up the chapter when I have my PC back again and can actually see the screen - Gils explains it to Maxical at one point.




Er...did I write that? ROFL !!! Yes, you caught that subtle clue. Janus did not figure it out, but if he ever gets a chance, I'm sure Jak will explain that to him, lol.

Thank you so very much Destri - you have been SOOOO missed !!!

YEAH !!!! DESTRI IS BACK !!!!!! WOOO HOOO !!!!!!

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@ EVERYONE - For these upcoming chapters, I will be trying to give a breakdown of everything that is happening within the factions as the countdown to war is rapidly drawing to an explosion. Each faction will be listed in its own segment or chapter. To do this on a correct timeline would require way too much switching back and forth between factions, so I have presented each faction's actions in whole form - that means some things may occur with Maxical, but when you read Jak's part it actually occurs AT THE SAME TIME OR BEFORE the update on Maxical ended. That happens in this chapter. I will post in the headings where this segment occurred to (hopefully) keep it from becoming confusing - let me know if this is workable for you, please.




Chapter 100: Faction Update: Jak



Jak - (Impersonating Fathis) - Left Maxical At The Pit To Go To The Palace (Trying To Get Document That Incriminates Janus Hassildor) - (From: Chapter 97, Page 46)


One of the Palace runners hurried up. "Fathis Aren, thank goodness you have come! The Emperor will not be attending the throne today with vampires attacking the city, but he had hoped you would show. He requested you sit in on his war counsel. You know the routine, for security's sake I cannot give the location the meeting will be held, whatever you have prearranged with the Emperor himself."

"Yes, of course. Er...I recall him giving me two different locations, do you know in which this particular meeting will be held?"

"We underlings aren't given secret information!" The runner rolled his eyes.

Jak reached in the pocket of Fathis's greaves to tip the man, hoping it would smooth the way to getting more information and with a better attitude. He was shocked at the amount of Septim notes Fathis carried on his person. The man could buy a city while out on a stroll! He pulled out a huge wad of Septim notes and was staring at them as he spoke.

"Say lad, a person is holding some documents for me. He was to give them to the Emperor if I didn't return. I am here for them, and must see this person immediately."

The runner reached forward and snatched the entire wad, pocketing it. "THANK YOU SIR! I know exactly who you are referring to. I'll fetch the personage to you immediately, sir! It will be my pleasure to serve you!"

"Not the whole thing, lad! I'll need something to give the others..."

"Sir?"

"Give that back, I will choose the amount to tip you from it..." Jak held out his hand.

The runner scowled, then reached in his other pocket. He pulled out a grimy one-Septim note and handed it back.

"What's this, lad? You snatched a whole stack of clean notes out of my hand, and put them in the other pocket! Now give it here!"

"How do I know which you gave me? Once it's in my pockets, it mixes with the rest. I think you have back the tip you gave."






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"Here, here! There was enough to buy my own Palace in that stack! Now give it over before I take it from you by force!"

"Lay hands on me and I'll summon the Palace guards! You held the notes out in your hand to me, they were mine to take. I did nothing wrong, but you will be if you try to wrest them from me. I guess your reputation as a diplomat and great tipper has been greatly exagerated." Under his breath he whispered, "Scoundrel."

Jak froze at the mention of the guards. As he was impersonating Fathis, he'd best act as if the Septim loss was nothing.

"NO! No, lad. It is these vampires, they have me...in an odd frame."

"Fine then. I'll send the person to you. You'll have to wait in the Emperor's antechamber, there may be a slight delay. I'll let the Emperor know you are here as well...no need to tip me again for that."

"I should say not, you could retire on what I've given you!" Jak made a mental note to follow this lad when he left the Palace tonight, but in his real form as a vampire. He would get those Septims back.

Jak continued in a more pleasant tone. "Er...yes, I'll do that. With this turmoil I seem to have...can you point the way?"

The runner gaped, then shook his head and pointed a finger upward. He spun on his heel and stomped off. Jak followed at a slower pace. Impersonating Fathis would not be easy as anticipated here inside the Palace, where he was expected to know the layout of the most secured areas...but he must get those documents!






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Jak meandered carefully back beyond the throne room to a large round interior room that was rife with exits, all leading up. He chose one randomly and mounted the stairs. It led into another rotunda filled with Elders.

"Fathis Aren! Come to annul your marriage so soon? By the gods, not even the vampires could stop you! It hasn't been even a full day, man!" It was followed by raucus laughter and several voices saying, "Told you so, now pay up!"

Jak couldn't have planned such a coup himself had he tried! How fortuitous to have stumbled into this office...just what was needed. "Exactly why I am here. Arch Mage Hannibal Traven and the Hero of the People are my witnesses that the marriage was not consumated...at least not by me. However, since our marriage last night the bride's blue show mysteriously turned purple. I demand an annulment to it immediately!"

The Elders stood in shock, frozen into varied positions with all sets of bulging eyes riveted on him.

"Well come on! I don't have all day, Uriel is expecting me to chase these vampires from the city!"

"Yuh...yes, Sir. Er...we didn't realize you were...yes, Sir."

Jak glanced over the scroll quickly when it was handed to him, then carefully signed "The Right, Fathis Aren." on the line waiting for his signature. The Imperial Seal was affixed, and the Elder rolled it carefully up. He tied it with a blue ribbon at one end, then reached for another blue ribbon for the other end. Jak stopped him.

"Use purple at the other end. I wish to make it clear why she is receiving this." Jak's eyes gleamed as he slid the scroll into his inner pocket when they finished. "Er...I am to meet a personage that was supposed to bring some documents to the Emperor if I did not show. As I am here I can collect them myself..." One of the Elders that had just entered cut him off mid speech.

"That must be who's up with him now in his chambers. Such a ruckus you wouldn't believe!"

Jak paled, was he too late then? "Er...I don't recall...is there a shortcut to Uriel's chambers from here?"

Several sets of eyes stared at him, stunned.

"This raid on the city by the vampires...this business with my marriage...has me disoriented." Jak explained. Good gods, did they expect Fathis to remember every detail of the Palace in a crisis?

"I can well imagine. I'll escort you up." The Elder that had just arrived stepped forward and offered his arm.

"Good gods, man! I'm not decrepit! Just lead the way!"






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Jak was led up several successive ramps and winding corridors, then into another rotunda. The Elder wished him well and then backed out of the room, closing the heavy steel door behind him. Alone in the room, Jak glanced around. It was surprisingly spartan for what one would expect the Emperor's antechamber to be.

After what seemed an extended wait, Jak began pacing the room. A feeling of disquiet began to settle over him, instincts of self preservation. The Emperor's palace was a dangerous place for a vampire...he was not immortal. Surely no one could see through his disguise...still...something didn't feel right.

Jak went back to the door he had entered and gave a stout tug on it. It was sealed from the outside and would not budge.

This could be usual practice...or it could be a trap. Jak quickly checked the rest of the room for entrances, there were none. Two spiral staircases led up to an upper balcony with one central door, again made of heavy steel. Like the door below, it was sealed from the outside.

This may be the way things were always done when meeting the Emperor...but what if it wasn't? Jak quickly checked the row of tall windows along one wall...all sealed tightly.

A feeling of claustrophobia was suddenly overwhelming. Sweat beaded on his brow, the droplets stinging his eyes as they dripped down. A chilling ran down his spine and the hair on his neck stood up in spite of its dampness from the sweat.

The windows...the only escape would be to smash a window. Jak picked up one of the heavy oak chairs and was rapidly moving toward them when he heard the steel clang of the door on the balcony being unbolted. With a sigh of relief, Jak saw Uriel Septim step out onto the balcony flanked by Ocato.






***


Uriel paused at the center point of the balcony, directly opposite the steel door he had just entered through. In seconds a contingent of battlemages moved from behind him and lined up on each of the spiral staircases, blocking access to the upper balcony.

"Fathis Aren. I know you are used to these security measures. The code please, and then we will discuss the reason for your visit. I understand you seek an individual with some documents as well as offering your aid in this attack on the Imperial City." Uriel Septim's quiet tones floated down from the balcony.

"Yes, Sire. I sent an individual with some documents to be released to you if something happened to me before I was able to return. As you see, I made it back in one piece. My sword is at your service against these..."

"You are wearing no sword, Fathis Aren. Where is the sheath I gifted you?" Uriel's voice gave no hint of suspicion.

"It was lost in an attack by the vampires on the way over here. I plan to seek the one who took it, get it back when I leave here. As I was saying, the individual I sent with those documents is no longer required. Those documents contain highly classified information..."

"Yes, we will discuss those documents as soon as you have given your security authorization code."

Jak hesitated. Discuss the documents? Does that mean he has already seen them? "Well, if you've already viewed the documents...the point of my visit here is moot. I can be on my way and begin clearing the city of these vampires..."

"If you are Fathis Aren, you will give the code. If you are not...you will not be leaving." Uriel stepped back as he spoke.

"I've forgotten the code in all this turmoil in the city...Sire?"

A young Dunmer stepped forward in Uriel's place. As he did, Jak heard the clang of the steel door closing and the bolts fall.

"Speak or die under Uriel's Law!" Ocato's shrill voice pierced down from the balcony.

Jak's hands gripped the chair he had been carrying to the windows when the Emperor arrived. In the quick motion of heaving the chair at the nearest glass window his full vampire emerged. The glass didn't break. A long crack made a jagged path down the center of it.






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A thick vapor curled around Jak as the illusion of Fathis's features fell away. In seconds his body shot to massive proportions, towering over and dwarfing the others in the lower sections of the stairwells...over even the room furnishings.

Fathis's armor faded into the mist, replaced by the bronzed skin of a well muscled chest and powerful legs...naked with the exception of a highly ornamental loin cloth like the gods of old wore. On one arm was a golden band encircling that bore strange markings. His ears were huge and pointed, covered in numerous piercings. His eyes were cold and hard, huge and bulging...maniacal. He drew the thin lips back from his wide mouth to reveal long fangs that dripped red fluids in rivulets down his neck.

He glided toward the windows in deceptively slow motion, as if his feet never touched the floor...cat-like.

"Uriel's Law! Uriel's Law!" The Dunmer shouted, breaking through the shock that held the others frozen in place. He leaped agily over the balcony, landing atop the heavy oak table below and drew a long silver sword out from a sheath too fancy for the clothing he wore.

Jak realized instantly that It matched the sheath Fathis had worn...a gift from Uriel Septim. There was no time now to dwell on what this Dunmer could have done as a service to earn such a gift, but Jak's instincts screamed that it had to do with this trap that was laid for him. Who could he be?

The Battlemages had begun pouring down the staircases towards him and Ocato poised himself ready to cast from the central point of the balcony. With a roar Jak grabbed the readied casting hand of the mage nearest him and jerked her to him, closing his other hand around her throat and lifting her up in front of him so if the Battlemages cast any spells they would be absorbed by the girl instead of himself.

She struggled, clawing at the hand clutching her neck. A low moan sounded from her upper chest, and gutteral stranglings came from her lips parted in a silent scream. Jak stared down at her as if he could snap her in two and not think twice about it, his breath blew her hair up around the hand that held her throat. Her struggles ceased with a whimpering sound. Jak angled his hostage carefully to shield himself from spells as he moved backward toward the windows.

The Dunmer with the silver sword was trying to flank him, the sword holding easily in his hands like a pro in the Arena...like a pro in the Arena! The sickening realization hit Jak suddenly...it was he, the Dunmer that had escaped from him not more than an hour ago. The one who was having the affair with Maxical, that should have been laying dead at the hands of his brother by now.

An overwhelming rage filled Jak; decades of planning and the end result so near it could be seen visibly, tangibly felt...to come this close and watch it all crumbling to dust in the incompetance of his minions...and the sheer luck of his enemies.

When Jak spoke his voice rumbled like deep thunder in the room. "Gils, is it not? You have just cost your brother his life. Live with that on your conscience if you can, or do you think yourself good enough to save him from what we'll do to him?"

He phrased it as a challenge, knowing it would spur Gils into trying to prove Jak wrong...send him flying to the aid of his brother, and to Gils' sure death by the Orc. A hot white anger rose up inside Jak that yet again he was having to perform tasks his minions should have completed had they the sense of a stone.

In one swift movement Jak shoved the mage hard into Gils and then threw himself against the window, shattering the glass that the chair had already cracked. He plummeted toward the ground too rapidly to be hit by any of the fireballs the Battlemages were casting through the opening.

Jak stretched out his arms and the vapor filled his nostrils as he plummeted through them a second before his transformation into a large bird. He quickly flew back to the Arena. His only hope now was to get Janus out of here quickly. That Dunmer Gils may have Uriel rousing his army to the Arena...time was crucial in getting out of here now. When Jak landed at the Administrative entrance he cast his illusion spell, once more taking on the appearance and armor of Fathis Aren. He hurried up the ramp to Jack's office.


** Jak Returned To The Arena (Chapter 99, page 47)



Jak In Full Vampire - No Illusion Spell (As His True Self)








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AND YET ANOTHER CLIFFHANGER!!!!

WOO HOO HOO TO THE RICHTER SCALE 8.9!!!!!

Bombshell!!!

Jakben of Imbel is actually OUR LORD VIVEC?!?!?!

Oh noes, Morrowind is sure in trouble now!

The whole part where Jak is trying to get the cash back from the runner had me rolling! He’s on an urgent mission infiltrating the palace, and he’s stymied by the first underling he meets. That kid is destined for greatness! Or a messy end, if Jak tracks him down tonight.

"Use purple at the other end. I wish to make it clear why she is receiving this." Jak's eyes gleamed as he slid the scroll into his inner pocket when they finished.
Uh oh. Could be a very unhappy moment coming up.

"You are wearing no sword, Fathis Aren. Where is the sheath I gifted you?" Uriel's voice gave no hint of suspicion.
Uriel, cool and commanding throughout. I love the description of his quiet voice floating down.

Gils going after the fully vampire Jak, woo hoo!! And the part where Jak falls through the air, turning into a giant bird while the fireballs explode all around him was so exciting!!!

I keep asking myself Where is Maxical during this to keep the times straight. I think the headings will work great! I love it, mALX!!!