Er...actually no - but Vivec was the only picture of a male Chimer I could find. Dagoth-Ur was also Chimer, but every screenie of him hid his face with that giant mask. There are no screenies I could find of him as Voryn Dagoth, but I figured if he was Chimer he should look about the same as Vivec.

(she was climbing through those tunnels to the Bloodworks door, climbing out of the pit and up onto the roof of the Arena - and at the end when Jak flies back to the Arena and is walking up the Administrative ramp - Maxical sees him and begins signaling "Illegal Substitution")

Great chapter! It seems Jak will be taking the express route out of the Palace lol.

Uriel really underestimated the powers of Jak! He should have been dead!

I know, I was making a funny.

ROFL !!! ... whew !!! I was hoping no one would recognize Vivec in that screenie, lol.

You don't know the half of it. I would recognize some obscure beat-boxing rhythm if you played it for me three decades after it went out of style. I am also capable of word-for-word recitations of my favorite films after only a few viewings. For me to recognize a figure like Vivec is child's play.

A word to the wise: never bank on someone not recognizing something from a game, especially a TES game... because I will.

I wanted to say: ‘No you are not, but you take it upon yourself to call the Emperor’s adviser and Bravil Court Mage by his first name! Well, at least until a ‘huge wad’ of Septims weighs down his hand!’

Speaking of which:

He pulled out a huge wad of Septim notes and was staring at them as he spoke.
I wonder how this was able to pass under ol’ Dhertee’s nose without even a comment!

Apparently Jak/Fathis was telling the truth when he said that the vampire attacks had left him disoriented. I am sure that Ocato and the Battlemages would have stepped in the second Jak formed the spell, but I am a little surprised that Jak never thought to lift the code from Uriel’s mind . . . if there truly was an authorization code. I’ll be interested to see what Jak does now that the plan is shot to Oblivion!

Wow! This was exciting, expertly written and a joy to read!

You have me well-oriented here (quite the challenge, lol) and very comfortable with what is going on. That allowed me to really enjoy this segment which provided Jak's piece of things. Your portrayal of him as a vampire was chillingly effective.

Always a pleasure to see Uriel! I could just see old Jean Luc calling down, "What's the authorization code, Number One? How do I know you're not a Borg?" Seriously, that was a brilliant way to trip up Jak.

Argh! Just when we think Fathis is our hero, up steps the Gilster in all his silver-bladed glory. This is all very, very neat!

Brilliant, using one of the mages as a shield and escaping by literally taking flight. I'll second Grits that Jak's transformation to bird was a magically powerful moment that only you can bring to us.

You all are on triple digit chapters and I am still on single digit ones.

Ch. 5 - Graduation Day and Maxical's feelings for Fathis rise to the occasion. I loved the anecdotes about her inability to aim. What a shame about the armor...

Ch. 6 - The shame about the armor is compounded, first when Fathis see's it, then Maxical can't quite explain how it got there, and finally when she can't afford to purchase it back. Very nicely written sequence of events there. Time to work for the coins in the Arena.

Ch. 7 - Starting the scene in Ch. 6 and finishing here....what an exciting read. Maxical's antics with her tail to string the crowd along was inspired, and funny to boot. The propeller tail was hilarious to picture!

Great writing! Looking forward to reading more! I need to win the lottery just so I can stay home and read...

@ Foxy - Thank you so much Foxy !!! And for stopping in from your AWOL-TDY!!! You are always missed when you disappear like this !!

***
@ TK - I have known only a few people that can do that, that is a real gift. On my fave movies I can as well (but I've seen them a billion times probably, lol). If I ever get a repeat invitation to one of the backstage parties in Gatlinburg (I don't usually get invited anywhere twice, lol - once is normally enough damage to cover for anyone) - I will have to rope you into going too. They have competitions - shouting out the title of a movie and everyone starts calling out the dialogue - drinking wine and laughing at those that mess up or say one out of order - but all in good fun, no one gets hurt feelings. Don't get them started on the show tunes either - I did, and by the time the party was wrapping up it had deteriorated to songs from "The Wizard of Oz" and "Willy Wonka." Thank you so much TK !!

***
@ Grits - That particular Palace personnel has been seen in a previous chapter ... (chapter 67 at the very end of the Ocato scene, page 29). He has just a cameo mention in Chapter 70 (page 30) - it is Sneakers, he works for Damien "Foxy" Reynard - that should come out in two chapters. Foxy's character Damien doesn't do anything halfway - and when that chapter posts you will get to see some great additions Foxy himself made to that chapter that I can't wait to see hit the thread !! I am so glad the headings are a help for keeping thing straight time-wise - Thank You so much Grits !!

***
@ King Coin - Thank you so much KC!!!



ROFL !!!

Uriel didn't know for a fact it wasn't really Fathis - but wasn't taking any chances either, not with a city full of vampires marauding. Also, I wasn't able to get across the speed everything happened at the end there - that has to be my own lack as a writer, I was trying to get it across that everything happened in split second timing.

Jak's vampire line has tremendous speed of movement, I need to make sure that comes across for moments like this - but probably faltered the ball on it this time. Sorry about that

***
@ Destri - Thank you so much Destri !!! It is so great that you are back !!! WOO HOO !!!!

I fixed it so he says "Fathis Aren" and "The Emperor" - you were right on those two nits - I wrote that chapter on a miserable piece of 1000 year old junk PC with a rounded screen monitor, lol.

As I tried to explain to KC above, everything in that end part was happening in split second timing. It obviously didn't come across that way to the reader, and that is my fault.

Jak's vampire line has incredible speed of movement. He transformed into a giant vampire in that split second as he threw the chair at the window. His reach would have been tremendous, and he snatched the mage instantly.

Up till then Jak looked like Fathis Aren, which was why everyone was frozen against acting to attack him. Fathis was known and trusted by the Palace personnel - they were hesitant to act against him. (Jak never cast any spell, not sure what you referred to there).

As far as Uriel not "thinking the code in his mind while waiting for Fathis to give it" - He has too much military savvy for that. Uriel is not dumb by any means. He has ruled for 64 years at this point in the story - that is too long a reign to make stupid mistakes. As any great leader, he would have learned the tricks of his enemies. (like the ability for vampires to read minds or have super-hearing).

The Imperial City is on the brink of war, vampires running rampant - and suddenly Fathis Aren comes in acting strangely. And standing by Uriel's side is Gils, who just fought by Fathis's side and knows he was taken by the vampires - and who just escaped from the vampires himself. Gils would have told him something as well.

Then too, remember Uriel's past. Jagar Tharn, another imposter infiltrating his Palace. Uriel had trusted Jagar Tharn just like he now trusts Fathis Aren - He isn't about to make the same mistake again, if it is even just a possibility that someone could use illusion to impersonate Fathis Aren and access the Palace - what would stop them from deciding to impersonate Uriel next. That is why when Fathis couldn't produce the code, Uriel left the room and sealed it off from the rest of the Palace. Thank you so much, Destri !! It is great to have you back !!!

***
@ Acadian - Thank You so much Acadian !!! WOO HOO !!! That means a lot to hear, thank you, thank you !!!! You ROCK !!!!

***
@ Rick - Thank you so much, Rick !!! I have been going back over the chapters as you read them (and have seen a lot of edits I need to make, lol) - You are greatly appreciated for reading and letting me know what you think about it !!! Thank you !!

Who can take the sunrise?
Sprinkle it with dew?
Cover it with chocolate and the miracle or two?

The candyman!
The candyman can!
The candyman can 'cause he mixes it with love and makes the world taste good!

Who can take a rainbow?
Wrap it in a sigh?
Soak it in the sun and make the strawberry lemon pie?

The candyman?

The candyman!
The candyman can!
The candyman can 'cause he mixes it with love and makes the world taste good!

Willy Wonka makes... everything he bakes
Satisfying and delicious!
Talk about your childhood wishes!
You can even eat the dishes!

Who can take tomorrow?
Dip it in a dream?
Separate the sorrow and collect up all the cream?
The candyman.

Willy Wonka can.

The candyman can.
The candyman can 'cause he mixes it with love and makes the world taste good.

And the world tastes good 'cause the candyman thinks it should.

We are the makers of music and we are the dreamers of dreams.
-Willy Wonka

*

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.





*

** Foxy has graciously allowed the use of his characters Damien “Foxy” Reynard (The Black Fox), an un-named agent, and Sneakers in this chapter. Foxy has co-written Sneakers’ scenes.

** There is a cameo mention of Mrs. Treydog in this chapter - Thank you Treydog, and Thank you Mrs. Treydog !!

** There is also a nod toward Rachel the Breton for her portrayal of Jauffre in her story “Edward the Imperial”




Chapter 101: Faction Update: Gils / Sneakers (Damien Reynard’s Agent In The Palace)


******* Gils - From the time he tried to save Fathis till he appeared at Uriel’s side when Uriel set the trap for Jak.


By the time Gils got to Fathis’s side to help him it was too late; if he lived still, it was by a bare thread. Although other bodies were left strewn where they fell all throughout the Arena, Fathis’s was being dragged up the ramp…why?

The sickening thought struck Gils that they planned to hang Fathis in effigy…or pike his head atop one of the spires like that strange monk Jauffre of the Priory Weynon did with his enemies and some cooks that displeased him…or so it was rumored.

Without a second thought Gils jumped in the fray, if for naught but to preserve Fathis’s dignity in death. The battle Gils started turned in seconds from the two hauling Fathis to full out melee and swarms of the giant beasts arriving as if by an unheard signal. Unarmed, and worn from his rank match in the Arena earlier, Gils realized quickly he was outmatched. The sight of a massive fist slamming into his eye was the last thing he saw before blackness took over.

Voices…men talking…Gils opened his eyes the barest slit. His wrists were clutched tightly, nearly pulling the arms from their sockets as they dragged him. The rough concrete floor chewed into his back through what was left of his thin shirt.

How was he still alive? He had been well outnumbered by powerful giant vampires that could easily have finished him…but they hadn’t. They were keeping him alive for some reason…why?

Gils tried to get his bearings, but there were too many of the giants moving about here…moving with precision, as if they had orders…like an army headquarters. A chill ran down his spine at the thought.

Then suddenly Gils caught a glimpse of Fathis being dragged into a room. He strained to see without alerting his attackers that he was awake. Gils had to bite his lip to keep from yelling out in shock…one of the gods was descending from the void for Fathis! A golden being coming…no! It was the Mrs. Treydog exhibit! There were the double doors and guards posted…then this was the Clubhouse mezzanine.

With a sickening lurch in his stomach Gils saw the vampires hail the guards like old friends. Gils knew both those guards. They weren’t acting afraid of the giant vampires, or shocked to see them carry in Fathis’s body…and they both knew who Fathis was. They had to be in on this…working with the vampires.






***


Gils was dumped in one of the offices, followed by the sound of a key turning in the lock. The guards had to have given them those keys, they were in on it all right. Gils had to get out of the Arena somehow, get to the Palace and warn them what was going on here.

Gils cranked the window till it gapped just enough to squeeze his slender frame through, then pulled himself up to the ledge above using the crank as a foothold. He wormed on his belly across the ledge, not standing till he was at the nearest point to the rooftop. With a running leap he accessed the roof and hurried across the slanted boards as gracefully as a cat.

Maxical’s yowling scream brought him to a jerking halt. She was running toward the mezzanine…to the vampires! Gils turned back the way he had come and ran as fast as the sloped roof would safely let him, only slowing to squeeze past the intermittent stone pillars.

When the vampires pulled her up into their midst Gils froze…dear gods no. And then suddenly the vampires parted as if to let someone of importance through…Fathis! No, it couldn‘t be…Fathis was dead. This man wasn’t injured…walking amongst them without being attacked. Dear gods, they were going to impersonate Fathis! Access to court…to the Palace…to Uriel Septim in his Chambers!

As the phony Fathis leaped off the balcony carrying Maxical, Gils realized he could not save her…he’d never even reach her through those hundreds of giant vampires. The Emperor had to be warned before he let that imposter past his guard.

Forcing himself to turn away from the sight of Maxical being carried across the Arena, Gils pushed himself to the outside rail and looked for a place to climb down. The Administrative ramp was the highest structure near the outer wall…the drop was too steep. He’d easily shatter both legs on landing. An awning jutted out over the entrance to Jack’s office but there was no way to climb over to it.

Gils pulled his shirt off and wadded it into a ball, shoving it tightly into his own mouth before carefully lowering himself till he hung over the ramp there. He began swinging himself to and fro to build up some momentum. With a final heave he swung hard, releasing his hold and dropping.

“Ghuuuum!” Gils was grateful he’d had the foresight to stuff his mouth with the shirt. He landed back first on the metal poles that held the awning taut instead of the soft awning he was aiming for.

The force of the impact bent the pole and jerked the mountings from the stone. The awning creaked and swayed, sagging noticeably where he lay. There was no time for the pain in his back and leg to settle. Gils rolled across the awning and grabbed a support pole, shimmying down to the ramp below…and then he ran, every footstep sending jolts of pain shooting through him and more screams into the shirt still stuffed in his mouth.






***


Gils was stunned at the sight of the city under siege by these giants…bodies in the streets he had walked earlier today. Would he make it to the Palace? The sewers…if the vampires were up here, the sewers should be safe. Gils found the manhole and got his bearings before slipping down into the darkness below.

The entrance from the sewers opened into the prison holding cell area. Gils found a corridor leading up that ended at the darkened hearing rooms. Wedging a chair under the doorknob in the first of these, Gils jerked down one of the heavy drapes for light and glanced around.

Behind the large roundtable was another door...bolted from the other side. The glass vent at the top was latched as well.

Gils tugged the roundtable to the door and pulled a chair up onto the table. He hoisted it and swung, shattering the glass of the vent. The sound was deafening in the still quiet of the room. He wrapped the drape over his fist and punched the glass pieces sticking out from the molding, then pushed the heavy drapery through along the bottom frame of the window. Balancing on the chair, he heaved himself through the opening.

Small shards of glass still stuck down from the top, cutting across his back as he wormed through the hole. Halfway through, gravity pulled at the imbalance of his weight. He turned his head the split second before hitting the floor, his ear and head slamming hard onto it. For almost a full minute he could see nothing but stars flashing, his ear stung and burned. A hand reached up came back bloody.

When he tried to pull himself up, his boots slid in the pooling blood flowing from the cuts on his back. Gils rolled to a dry spot and pulled himself up using a bookshelf filled with ancient tomes…ancient scrolls and tomes, row after row of shelves filled with them…the Elder Scrolls Library! He was in the private quarters!

Gils left a trail of blood on the white spiral staircase leading up to the next floor. He slid past a dorm room full of half dressed women giggling and chattering…Battlemages. The echoes of their laughter dimmed to dead silence as the corridor wound around and up. He could hear his own movements amplified back to him by the shape of the corridor.

“Who goes there!” A burly monk stepped into the corridor, his eyes showed milky-white…he was blind!

With a swift movement Gils shot around him. The monk took up the chase bellowing like a minotaur, surprisingly fast in spite of the gray of the curly locks that crowned his head. Gils shot around the arched corridor, nearly crashing into a minute Bosmer scrubbing the floor where the corridor ended at a solid door.

Gils pushed the Bosmer aside and grabbed the handle, jerking hard on it. It held steady…locked.

With relief Gils felt the knob turning in his hand, someone was opening it from the inside. In spite of the fists now raining down on him from the massive blind monk, Gils held steadily to the door knob and gave it a hard jerk. Ocato was yanked through the door by the suddenness of the movement, falling face first into the blind monk's pounding fists.

“GUARDS!” Ocato screamed shrilly.

Gils pushed past him, clutching tightly to Uriel’s robe with what strength he had left. Spitting the shirt out of his mouth he gasped out, “The vampires have taken over the Arena! They’ve killed Fathis Aren, one of them is impersonating him now! It looks just like him…but it can’t be. I saw Fathis dead with my own eyes…and they have Maxical too, the white Khajiit.”









******* Foxy’s agent Sneakers (see page 29, chapter 67 at the very end of the Ocato scene; and Cameo mention on page 30, Chapter 70) - Spying in Palace for Foxy.


The Bosmer scrubbing the floor scrambled out of Gils’ way, watching bug eyed as the blind monk pounded him with his fists. When Ocato was jerked through the doorway and punched, a snaggle-toothed grin split the Bosmer’s ugly face.

Gils' words to Uriel Septim stilled the grin instantly. Damien needed to know about this. Sneakers left his scrubbing and slid rapidly down the corridor.

As he entered the lobby Fathis was just stepping through the outer door…rather, the imposter was. Sneakers ground to a halt. Should he follow the impersonator first? Acting more on impulse than plan, Sneakers approached him as a runner would.

The Dunmer had been right, this was definitely not Fathis…and he was obviously loathe to be brought to the guards notice. Sneakers closed his gaping mouth at the wad of Septim notes on the fake’s palm…and snatched it before the man could think what he was doing.

It was too easy. Sneakers laughed inwardly, fingering the figurine of a black fox in his pocket. Damien’s calling card…Boss’d understand if he came back without it…for this.

Sneakers pretended to hurry ahead of him, but cast chameleon as soon as he broke sight with the fake. He circled back around behind, following him.

With the deft hands of a trained thief, Sneakers slipped a tiny statuette of a black fox into the pocketed folds of his loin cloth. He wouldn’t feel it…till he tried to sit down.

The imposter headed up one of the stairwells. Just as Sneakers was about to follow, another of Damien’s agents stepped into the rotunda. Still in chameleon, Sneakers signaled needing assistance to him and gave his personal code sign. Damien required his agents wear a detect life enchantment so they could communicate without exposing their positions. The agent slid unobtrusively over. When the rotunda emptied, Sneakers dispelled his chameleon.

“Sneakers! What are you doing down here?”

“That Dunmer called Gils told the Emperor that a vampire killed Fathis Aren and is impersonating him. I need to get to Boss and tell him…but then the fake showed up. I knew Boss’d want him followed. He just went up there.” Sneakers pointed at the stairwell.

“You say the Emperor knows he’s an imposter? Then before you go to Boss, tell the Emperor that Fathis Aren is here…demanding to see him. I’ll get the fake into the upstairs lock-up. He can’t escape from there.”

“I hope he don’t sit down before he’s sealed tight in there…” Sneakers face split with his toothy grin.

“What’d you do, stick something in his pants?”

Sneakers nodded. “You got another calling card? I need to replace it.” Sneakers held out his hand and the other agent dropped a figurine into it.

Sneakers nearly barreled into Ocato as he was exiting the Battlemages quarters. “High Chancellor Ocato Sir, Fathis Aren has arrived below, and is demanding to see the Emperor right away! Er…I knew he had someone with him, so had Fathis brought to the holding cell up here.”









******* Gils (cont.)


“Fathis Aren, dead?” Uriel’s face reflected the stress he felt at the news.

“Aye, Sire. An army of giant vampires have taken over the Arena, made it their headquarters. They took Fathis’s body to the room that holds the Mrs. Treydog painting of the Golden Armor…”

“The Mrs. Treydog!” Ocato gasped shrilly, clutching his hand to his heart.

Gils continued. “I think that is where their leader has set up his command post. When he emerged impersonating Fathis…the vampires parted a path for him as if he was someone of importance. He is the one that has Maxical.”

“The white Khajiit? I remember you now; you’re the lad that offered yourself in her stead, are you not?”

“Yes Sire. I’m unarmed, and don’t have magic training. I had no chance of rescuing her. There are hundreds of them Sire, each ten feet tall. They are communicating with some form of mental telepathy, and the Arena guards are in cahoots with them. Her only chance would be if I came to you…that and Fathis having access to your quarters I thought it best.”

“I don’t know how you made it through my guard, but you would have made a great information officer for me. You have no magic?” Uriel signaled Ocato. “Heal this man.”

Ocato eyed Gils youthful bare chest with what could only be considered lust, his grasping hands reaching towards Gils‘ muscles. Gils jerked back from him.

“No need Sire…I think I’d rather stay injured.”

Uriel glanced at Gils for a second, then turned to Ocato. “Leave us, Ocato. Send the War Counsel up to the planning room, have the Battlemages and troops set to readiness. I will need maps of all access to the Arena set out as well.”

“But Sire, can you trust this man? Yes Sire.”

When the door closed behind him Uriel healed and rallied Gils quickly. “You need their disease cured as well...I will do it for you. I have healed and rallied many of the men that served under me in battles, and I will need your help. You will need to show my Commander where the troops are amassed, where this command post is located…and where you last saw any hostages, including the Khajiit.“

A rap sounded on the door and it flew open without waiting for a response. Ocato’s shrill voice pierced the quiet of the room. “Fathis Aren is below! He said he must see you right away…he is waiting in the upper holding cell.”

Uriel glanced at Gils before pulling an ornamental sheath and silver longsword from a cabinet. “I gave one of these to Fathis ages ago. He never told anyone of this…but he vanquished Jagar Tharn and rescued me from the deadlands of Oblivion. He was just a lad then. He‘s been a most loyal friend since, both to me and to the throne. As you are here on his behalf, I think it fitting you have this…the twin to the one I gave him. Can you handle a longsword?“

“Sire? Yes…yes, Sire.“

“Come with me, then. You stand outside the cell when I go in. If I come out alone, you are to go in and finish him. My Battlemages and Ocato will be there as well. They are trained in dealing with these ancients and their special powers. You can‘t whisper…you can‘t even think, or they‘ll hear it.”

“Yes, Sire. I know, Maxical told me that.” Gils stomach churned sickeningly at the thought that he had walked away from her in danger to come here.

“We’ll rescue her yet, lad. You forget, Akatosh has shown me her alive at twenty-one years old.” Uriel gripped Gils’ shoulder reassuringly. “Lets now for battle, we must clear our heads of anything but the fight ahead.”


*

So neat to get Gils' perspective and backfill on how he got up there with Uriel. Leaving Maxical to the arms of a fake Fathis had to be worse for Gils than even leaving her to the arms of a real Fathis. He made the right choice though.

And Uriel fills in much here as well! Fathis and he go way back it seems. He reminds us that the Khajiit will live (despite her own propensity to attract danger) to at least the age of 21. And finally, he displays what a lifetime of command, experience and wisdom can provide - he knows much of vampire capabilities. How to heal their disease, the necessity to control his thoughts.

Somehow, this episode seems all the richer for knowing what comes next during the confrontation with the fake Fathis.

And reference to the lovely work of Mrs Treydog! Oh, and Sneakers too - be careful or he'll stick a little fox in your pants.

Wow! I couldn't pull my attention away! I love your portrayal of Ocato

Nobody likes Ocato.

I'm sure Jauffre would be thrilled to know that his fame had spread so far (no, seriously...he really would be delighted to know that he'd struck fear into so many hearts).



LOL. High Chancellor and...sexual predator... This is actually a characterization that fits perfectly (in my mind, anyway) ... Ocato has always seemed ... slimy. I can see him too busy wanting to feel his "patient" up to do his job, LOL. And Gils' reaction... Awesome stuff, as always.

Not just this part, but the whole thing -- very exciting and well done. I can't wait for that son of a b...unny (will the forum sensor be as unforgiving as my Mom when we'd try that in her hearing? Let's hope not ) Jak to get what he deserves.

Faced with the prospect of losing Maxical, Gils puts the Empire first. That couldn't have been easy.


And

Ocato really gets the business in Maxical's world. Now, like Vicente, Janus, and especially Eyja before him, I can never look at him the same!


I have a question of continuity here: How could Sneakers signal the other agent if he were still hidden by chameleon?

I loved seeing Gils’ point of view! Maybe losing the first fight helped him make the decision to go warn the Emperor instead of jumping into the fray, part 2. Gils’ blood-trailing infiltration of the private quarters was gripping, and then the sudden pummeling monk/almost tripping over Sneakers/ monk and Ocato briefly making a Gils sandwich/catching himself on Uriel’s robe, gasp! Ocato, hilarious! I would have to quote back his every action and word.

Now, I know that Akatosh showed Maxical alive at twenty-one, but isn’t there some confusion about her real age? I’m a little worried about that, could she already be twenty-one and not know it? Was she holding a dated copy of the Black Horse Courier in Uriel’s vision?!

Love it!

@ Acadian -


ROFL !!! Thank you so much Acadian !! Your kind words mean a lot to hear !!!

***
@ King Coin - Thank you so much KC !!! You made my day saying that !! Oh, I can't stand Ocato, lol.

***
@ Rachel the Breton - After reading your story, Jauffre will always be a homicidal maniac to me, and the Adoring Fan will forever be Docada !! Merric will always be a male prostitute ... lets see, who else? Lol. Thank you so much Rachel, for reading - and for being such an AWESOME inspiration !!!

***
@ Destri - WOO HOO !!! Now that I love to hear !!! Thank you so much Destri !!! Nits fixed !!

***
@ Grits - Thank you so much Grits !!! Your kind words mean a lot to hear!! - You are right about Maxical's age being off. The clues were Uriel's age (or the number of years he reigned as Emperor). When her birthday comes on the 1st of Morning Star she will be turning 21. (Great catch on that!) Thank you again for reading !!!

*


*** D. Foxy has graciously agreed to the use of his characters Damien "Foxy" Reynard in this episode. Foxy has either approved or written all scenes for his characters.




Chapter 102: Faction Updates: Jak, Maxical, The Legion



******* Jak - Back at the Arena, impersonating Fathis - (Maxical in chameleon watching from rooftop. She is wedged against one of the stone pillars, and had just given the Arena signal for "Illegal Substitution" before Jak stepped out on the deck below her)


Jak took a deep breath before stepping out onto the deck. One last trial to get past. Getting Janus safely away was the only thing important now. Even Janus’s position as Count Skingrad mattered naught anymore. All would be lost if he was imprisoned for eternity…it was crucial to ensure that didn’t happen.

Traven, Azzan…even Janus would be fooled easily enough…but Damien Reynard was like a hawk, and Jak had to speak directly to him. The slightest slip-up would be noticed…evaluated, and acted on instantly. Jak was not immortal, and Damien had an army of mage-assassins that would act with split-second accuracy.

Sweat was beading heavily on Jak’s brow as he swaggered across the deck trying to imitate Fathis’s particular walk. That he had overdone the act was made clear by Traven’s bulging eyes. Jak quickly turned it into a limp…why hadn’t he thought of that in the first place?

“We have to move quickly on this, the Arena is swarming with vampires. I will personally escort him back to his castle and return to aid the Legion in clearing the city of these vampires. We can work out the details of sanctions after the city is made stable for the citizens.” Jak tried to take charge of the situation.

Damien was staring hard at him, his eyes glittering coldly through the slits of his full face mask. “Fathis Aren, that is a breach of our mission as planned. I must demand you give me your code immediately.”

Jak blanched, the sweat began to pour in rivulets down his neck and back. “Yes…I know it is a breach. But our plans didn’t include this army of vampires marauding on the city. We have to change our priorities for the safety of the citizens.”

Damien’s icy stare never wavered or blinked. “The code, Fathis Aren.”

“I…you’ll have to give me another way to identify myself. I was attacked below, my mind has been preoccupied with the possibility that I have contracted their disease, of the city under siege by these vampires…and of getting Maxical to safety…” That he had made a mistake was clear to Jak, both Janus and Traven’s heads swiveled towards him. He hurried to cover his gaff…whatever it had been. “She is safely in the Bloodworks now. It was imperative she be removed, the scent of her blood…these are ancients.”

Traven was staring hard at his hand. “Your ring…remember we made a mark in it as an identifier, only you and I know of the placement of that mark.”

Relief flooded over Jak. The ring he wore was Fathis’s actual ring, it would prove who he was easily. He slid it off and held it out. “See for yourself, Hannibal.” Another gaff, Janus had spun and was facing him now. What had he said wrong?

Damien’s mind was blanked, that was to be expected…but Traven’s was as well, and that came as a complete surprise to Jak. Traven didn’t give the impression of being a quick thinker. The final surprise was that Janus’s mind was giving nothing on this occasion…of all times.

Jak tried to send his thoughts to Janus.

I’m here to take you to safety…open your mind, we need to communicate…

Janus's cowled head was trained on Jak’s face, his stance wary. Who are you? He sent the thought back.






***


Traven took the ring from him and was inspecting it carefully. He turned away from Jak as if to catch better light onto it. Jak caught the flicker of his hands…what was he doing?

There was an odd feeling of time standing still. Did Damien’s hands move just now? Suddenly Traven’s hand shot out toward him with fire blazing from his palm. A pair of the magic inhibiting shackles came glowing out of the center and seem to hang suspended in mid air. Something struck his ear, searing his skin and setting it on fire…the mage-assassins on the musicians deck had let loose a volley of flaming balls the size of melons.

In the act of leaping to avoid the shackles Jak dove directly into the storm of fire, the incendiary balls bursting to a searing liquid as they struck. His full vampire released instantly, the taut bronzed flesh fully engulfed in flames. One of the overly-large Chimer ears dangled, barely hanging by a shred of bloodied skin; the piercings now becoming molten rivers of gold that dribbled from the pointed ear end down onto his massive shoulder. The fire ate into him like an acid, his own snarling and hissing echoed back to him from the rounded walls of the Arena.

Over the sound of his own screams he heard a ferocious rumbling, louder than any thunder he’d ever heard. Jak’s arm was stretched to cast chameleon when the floor suddenly jerked from beneath him. Without knowing how he got there, he was on his back, blood oozing from his head. He heard the horrified screams of the assassins as they tumbled from the musician’s deck. The sound of a melon smashing was immediately followed by a body landing on him with enough force to take the wind from his lungs. The half of its head that remained drained a heavy flow of blood and brains onto Jak’s bare chest.

“Traven!“ Janus was on the ground rolling toward Traven, who lay in a heap…blood streaming from his head.

Damien was still standing upright clutching the back of a chair, his eyes glittering through that mask like a snake…focused on Jak through it all, and then he spoke. “So we meet again, Dagoth-Malan.”

A roar came from Janus. He struggled back around, trying to pull himself up despite the shackles. “DAGOTH-MALAN! SOMEONE SET ME FREE! I’ll kill you for what you did to me, Malan! SET ME FREE!“

Another loud rumble and the ground beneath the Arena shook with tremendous force, jerking the massive structure…a loud CRACK and a seam made a rapid trail down one wall. The spire above the fissure toppled, smashing onto the mezzanine and crushing the amassed vampires that were shoved against the railing trying to jump down to the safety of the center Arena floor.

The spire of the Palace was the only structure Dagoth-Malan could see, it was shaking…a large crack split down the middle of it. From above him Malan heard screams of terror...it was the chosen! How could she be up there? Was she on the roof? Good gods, what more could go wrong!

“MAXICAL!” Janus roared. "SET ME FREE DAMIEN!"









******* Itius Hayn


“Carry the critically wounded to the Arcane for treatment. Pilus, send some men to get the healers from the Arcane’s tent in the Market District…bring them here to patch up the non-critical injuries so they can get back out on the street.”

“Yes, sir.”

A Legion guard hurried in the door. “Captain Hayn, sir! The evacuation of woman and children has begun, sir. The men were contained and given armor and weapons, sir.”

“Cut to it, man! How many men did you contain, and are they fighting?”

“Thirty at best. We caught a few sneaking out with the evacuees wearing shawls over their heads. They were dragged back and ordered to fight.”

“I wonder how many weren’t caught. We have no choice, release the prisoners below the Palace and arm them.”

“We’ve already done that.”

“Then get over to the Imperial compound and empty it as well! If the guards there have no prisoners to watch they can be out here helping! We need boots on the ground!”

Pilus returned, his face reflecting bad news. “Captain Hayn…the mages at that tent were just healers. Those that weren’t killed in the initial attack have run back to the Arcane. I was told Raminus Polus has bolted the gates there.”

Itius slammed his fist down on the desk. “Raminus Polus was supposed to be leading a contingent of Battlemages that specialized in destruction magic and attacking these vampires! Why is he hiding inside the Arcane?“

“He said until Arch Mage Traven returned it was his duty to ensure the safety of the minor children…er…sir?“ Pilus stammered to a halt, Itius’s face had taken on a purple hue.

“What minor children? I ordered the evacuation of all the children, did I not?”

“Yes, sir...but...we thought they had the protection of the structure…”

Itius cut his speech off. “Evacuate the children and tell Polus to get his [censored] out here NOW! We need every able-bodied mage in that University that is over eighteen, male or female as long as the females are not virginal. The healers need to set up a triage and be treating these wounded, not hiding behind the gates! And where is Traven?”

“No one knows, sir.”

“What information did you get from that courier?” Itius paused in the act of rising.

“She just rode up here from Leyawiin. She said what looked like an army of men in crimson armor was marching north on the eastern road.”

“Good gods, the Crimson Scars! Traven was right…”

“Sir?”

“I need to get to the Palace right away, Ocato has to enact the Imperial Army, or at least let us use some of their Guard. I need several of your best to run flank on me, make sure I get there in one piece. Take over here till I return.”

“Yes, sir. I’ve got three in the building right now…”

“I’ll take them.”






***


Itius stepped out onto the flagstone walk, the three guards forming a V pattern behind and to each side of him. Swords drawn, they moved in step as a unit past the first housing complex. Before they could cross to the second building a loud rumbling was heard and the ground began shaking violently, knocking the men to the ground. The clay roofing tiles above them cracked and shattered, shards of razor-sharp pieces showered down on Itius and the men.

“What the…” Itius began. His speech was cut off as a massive explosion of fire blew the manhole cover from the area sewer system high into the air. It crashed onto the roof of the building he had just passed. Fire shot up well past the rooftops of the buildings as if propelled by force.

As Itius watched horrified, charred people began scrambling up from the opened sewer. A bone chilling hissing and screaming sound was emitting from them...and from the manhole itself. Itius felt frozen in place, witnessing Hannibal’s omen come true as the horror of what was happening sunk in…"Even the feral will climb up from the sewers and join their forces." These weren’t people…they were the feral vampires Hannibal had predicted.

Itius jerked the men by the arms, tugging them from the sight. He cut quickly into the next district and found it the same, flames shooting above the rooftops and feral vampires climbing out of the manholes.

With a sickening lurch in his heart Itius saw the huge hulking form of an Orc pulling himself up out of the sewer by the palace. Good gods…Agronak.


*

I am on the edge of my seat! What the heck happened at the arena? It's falling apart! The palace has a crack down the side!!! what did that?! I can't wait for the next update!

Wow, that didn't take long! Face it, Jak, you are already boned!

No helping from the audience, Hannibal!


WHAT???!!!!


I just loved this! Itius really doesn't have a clue, does he?


Wow!! Cliff is officially hung!

Why say that?

It is known in Maxical's world that vampires are drawn to virgins. Captain Hayn's rationale may have been for one or a combination of reasons. Perhaps there is an element of chivalry involved in trying to protect those most vulnerable. Perhaps he does not want these 'come get me' beacons distracting from his efforts, as vampires can detect their presence from some range. I'm sure mALX can answer this much better than I, but that is my humble impression.

*

mALX, what fantastic imagery! The magnitude of fire, Nirn-moving and buildings shaking is awesome. And finally, feral vampires, almost like zombies, crawling above ground to add to the city's infestation!

Malan finally and fully removes the Fathis glove from one hand and the Jak glove from the other and stands, well-bloodied now before us fully revealed.

And just when things couldn't get any worse, out climbs a very dangerous orc. Gulp.

Maxical, run!

In my story, the smell of a virgin's blood drives the vampires crazy to drink their blood. They can't stop themselves.

Virgin's blood drives vampires crazy? Hmmm... *Gets a crucifix carved into a stake and dips it into a vat of blessed virgin blood* Come get me vampires!

Sorry I'm late, I was a bit tied up. It appears Jauffre is not particularly partial to foreign food, and I ended up having to extricate myself from the super-secret priory dungeons. I'm back now, and I'm (mostly) unharmed. I may have had to give an ear in the process, and maybe a couple of toes.

Anyways...

Chapter 101:

Good show, Gils. I am sorry to hear of Fathis' passing, but hey, look on the bright side. You get to keep your bride.

I am so looking forward to Jak's reaction when he discovers that he got played by Sneakers.

Chapter 102:

Wait, scratch that. seems Jak might not live long enough to realize how much of an utter fool he is. So much effort and time put into an overly-elaborate plan that fell apart at the seams the very second it was enacted? I've never seen such diabolical evil before (but you do it so well I can't possibly complain about it)!

And now the Immortal shows his true face.

*dramatic pause*

*bleep* just got real...

And Agronak the Dismembered is back! Some get Maxical a message, we need booms and we need them NOW!

Awesome...Jak's plan seems to be coming apart piece by piece. Really, it couldn't happen to a nastier guy...
And we see Agronak again at last, eh? Was his emergence from the sewer deliberate, or did it just work for the story? Either way, so fitting for one as renowned for cleanliness as that orc...

On the roof of the Arena - (Before the blast) :


http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...reenShot901.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...reenShot900.jpg







On the roof of the Arena - (Quake just before the blast) :


http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...reenShot902.jpg







On the roof - (After the blast) :


http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...reenShot899.jpg





On the roof - (After the blast) - seeing big bird coming :


http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...reenShot897.jpg






On the roof - (After the blast) - seeing big bird near :


http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...reenShot898.jpg







Home - told Alix and S'Jirra what was happening in the IC :


http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...reenShot925.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...reenShot926.jpg







Women being sent to the refuge camp :


http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...reenShot923.jpg







The refuge camp on the City Isle :


http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...reenShot921.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...reenShot919.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...reenShot922.jpg







The refuge camp on the City Isle. Vampires attacked, arming the women to fight :


http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...reenShot920.jpg









Being sent back into the city to fight :


http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...reenShot910.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...reenShot904.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...reenShot907.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...reenShot906.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...reenShot905.jpg







Hearing about some of the losses :


http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...reenShot909.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...reenShot908.jpg




*

Oh, you really capture the IC before and after your Nirnquake! Well done! Gotta get that kitty a blouse soon though!

Loved the screens! I think the explosion in the Imperial City broke your shaders lol

So, uhh... is there any particular reason Maxical is flashing everyone and their dogs, or is it simply her devious kitty-power ways?

If the latter, I'll be happy to draft up some T-shirts.

This is so exciting!!! Oh my gosh, the imagery as Itius tries to reach the Palace is breathtaking! I have to agree with him about one thing:

Good gods…Agronak.

@ Everyone - thank you so much for the well wishes!! I probably could have been up and about sooner if I would take some of the pain meds they forced on me at the hospital...just can't stand taking pills, lol. Just hoping to kick it without them.

Won't hear the doctor's interpretation of the CT scan till next week, so wish me luck on that, lol.





@ King Coin - Thank you so much, KC !!! I think we can blame Maxical for the damage to the Arena and the Palace, she opened up the natural gas line into the sewers and caused that explosion. I'd say most of the sewers have been cleared of living creatures now, except what few feral vampires escaped. (that would include the Mythic Dawn headquarters down there too!) You may be right about the explosion destroying my shaders, lol. I'm glad you liked the screens !!! Thanks again KC !!!

***
@ Destri - WOO HOO !!! Your comment made my day, Thank you, Thank You !!! And yes, Dagoth-Malan was the one impersonating Fathis (and now the readers know he has also been impersonating Jak - but none in the story know that yet, including Janus). You ROCK !!!

***
@ Helper Unknown - Thank you so much HU !!! I based the vampires in my story mostly on a mod, some on a feral cat colony I feed, and the rest on vampire lore. I hope you don't mind the liberties I took with the game version of the vampires !!! Thanks again !!

***
@ Acadian - Thank you so much Acadian !!! I am tickled that the explosion and tremors came across well, that was really hard to figure out how to get across. It really meant a lot to hear you liked it !!! Malan - now we see why Jak is so devious, lol. And I'm so glad you liked the screenies too !!!! Thanks again, Acadian !!!

***
@ Zalphon - WOO HOO, Zalphon !!! Now you're talking !!! I'll get Zalphon in to fight off the vampires in the IC with that idea !!! Thank you so much Zalphon !!!

***
@ TK - WOO HOO! Thank you so much TK !!! Dagoth-Malan is a terribly hard character (for me), so I really appreciate so much your kind words !!! "...Flashing everyone and their dogs..." ROFL !!! I actually went digging through the screens looking for dogs, ROFL !!!! Actually, Maxical took everything off to crawl around the roof of the Arena - afraid the vampires would hear the distinctive sound of her armor and catch her escaping. I couldn't post nude screens, so someone is going to give her some pants to wear before she is sent to the refuge camp. Thank goodness they get her armor back to her when it is time for her to go fight in the IC, lol. Thank you so much again, TK !!!!

***
@ Rachel - ROFL !!!! Your comment about Agronak and the sewers had me rolling !!!! Now I see where Edward gets it from !!! Thank you so much Rachel !!!

***
@ Grits - Thank you so much Grits !!! That was really hard to get across, so your kind words mean tons to hear, Thank You so much !!!!

*


Chapter 103: Jak Is Back


******* Janus


“GO!” Damien yelled. He cast and the shackles dropped from Janus’s wrists and ankles.

Janus’s only thought was the roof. Without knowing how he accomplished it, a tingling sensation ran rapidly through him and a vapor filled his nostrils. In a split second he had transformed into a large bird and was soaring toward the last spot he had seen Maxical.

She was dangling half off the roof, bleeding from a head wound and clinging to the slanted boards with fully extended arms. Janus alit, instantly feeling the tingling transformation back to man without knowing how it had happened. He grabbed her from the waist and pulled her onto the board, then clutched her tightly into his arms as she lost consciousness.

Janus glanced quickly down to the deck where Traven still lay bleeding, Damien was bent over him casting healing. Acting on instinct rather than conscious decision, Janus hurried the opposite direction carrying Maxical. At the main entrance to the Bloodworks, once again his desires were interpreted efficiently to action by his vampire nature. He found himself landing lightly in front of the gapped door to the Bloodworks.

Not even the air stirred in the darkened rooms, giving the feel of entering an abandoned morgue. Janus bolted the door behind him and glanced around, finding the healing fount to be the cleanest spot. A powerful sensation began rising up inside him as he stretched her across it, his mouth filled with juices he instinctively knew how to use for healing.

How right Jak’s advice had been; letting the vampire free to guide him. His nature knew what was needed, provided instantly the knowledge of how to use it. Janus leaned over, drizzling the burning juices into her mouth and over the wound on her head. Where they landed on the gash on the side of her head, the trail of blood flowing from it ceased. Even the crimson bloodstains disappeared as the juices dribbled over them, leaving behind only pristine white fur.

Janus hovered over her; his breath igniting the juices on contact into erupting waves of heat as it wove a pattern in the air around her face. The wound on her head healed before his eyes, the skin knitting together without scar as if it had never been damaged.

Maxical came to suddenly with a scream, scrambling to clutch the edge of the fount as if she thought she was still hanging from the roof. Janus leaned over her and breathed into her face gently. He tangibly felt the memory of that trauma being carried away on his breath, and she seemed to calm almost instantly.

“Something happened to Fathis.” She said, struggling to sit up. “They've done something to him, there was blood. I think Fathis is..." Maxical’s voice cracked, her face contorted.

“Shhh.“ Janus felt calming magic mingling with his breath, could see it swirling around her head. "He's not dead, Maxical...I have a connection with him, can feel his life force. He was...injured, that‘s all.”

“That can’t be, there was too much blood for just an injury…and a vampire was wearing his armor, impersonating him.”

“I know…but someone was healing him the whole time, I could feel it…I would know if he was gone, Maxical.”

The expression of panic faded, but her voice still held desperation. “Then…you must be able to find him, right? If you can feel things happening to him and sense his life force, then you can bring me to him?”






***


“No, you can’t go back out there Maxical. They’re ancients, drawn to your blood.”

“But they’ll listen to you, they have to! They’re Malan’s army; you are their hope, are you not? ‘The One’ they have waited for?”

“I’ll not bring you into danger to find out. You have to stay inside here, doors locked. I don‘t want you to open them for anyone.”

“Where is everybody? I can’t stay in here alone! Where are Owyn and Andronicus?”

“I don’t know where anyone is, the Bloodworks was empty…”

“Empty! Where could they all be? I can’t stay in here all alone…I won’t!” The fear in Maxical’s voice and expression changed to reflecting a stubbornness that gave Janus an uneasy feeling.

She must not have realized this was not negotiable. Janus tried again, sure she wouldn’t disobey a direct order. This time the command was clear in his voice.

“Maxical, this is the safest place for you to be. The smell of your blood is an overpowering draw to ancients. It is not a request; you must stay here…I order it.”

She gaped at him, obviously not comprehending his authority. “If you leave me here alone, I won’t stay! I’ll search the mezzanine by myself if I have to, it is the last place I saw both Fathis and Gils. I have to find them, whether you help me or not…but the danger can’t be as great if you are there with me. Please, Lord Umbranox…I need your help.”

Janus stared aghast at her rigidly set jaw and jutting chin. For over fifty years his orders had been obeyed without question, it was incomprehensible that she would defy him! There was no doubt she meant it though…and he couldn’t see a way to compel her obedience. He hesitated, unsure what to do. Where was Jak when he needed him, he would know how to handle this situation…and may help him hunt down Malan. Janus sent his plea for Jak’s help with his thoughts while he sought to delay Maxical, who had begun climbing down from the fount.






***


“Maxical, we need to clear this up if I’m going to help you. I am not Umbranox.”

“Huh? But…you’re a member of the Imperial Court of Cyrodiil! No other Counts have been missing…“

“You were sleeping on your recent visit; missed meeting me. I am Count Skingrad.”

“Janus Hassildor? But…OH! Subject A/JH! JH…it must be the truth!“

“Does that surprise you? I am quite honest in general. I will strike a bargain with you. If you give your word to stay here in safety, I’ll give mine to find them…bring them here.”

“Yes…wait, no! You were mad at Fathis, meant to hurt him…I felt it. I don’t trust you to go without me. Besides, you don’t know Gils.”

“Gils is the Dunmer that was standing beside Vicente earlier. As for my anger at Aren…it was temporary. Of course I was irate, being tricked that way. My freedom…gaaah!” Janus had launched into speech, but was cut off mid sentence by an angry gasp from Maxical.

“ARGH!“ Her ears pinned themselves flat against her head. “You merited that trick when you assaulted him with spells and paralysis! He was forced by his position to endure your attacks without recourse to defend himself. I know Fathis well enough to swear he did naught to deserve your enmity, and in spite of your unprovoked assaults he still risked his life to protect you. You dast not ever impugn his actions in my presence."

Maxical’s tail had begun swishing rapidly, her fur spiking out as her anger rose. Janus sought quickly to calm her.

“Enmity…of course not! Nothing like that. It was naught; a simple spell to obtain his trust, garner a closer friendship…”

“Trust and friendship are earned, not brought about with spells! And what of the paralysis? Did you seek his stillness to pat his back perhaps? Is this what ’quite honest in general’ means? Unlike you, Fathis does not ever lie. I can’t trust in your word if your make-up is in deceit.” Her eyes were blazing and icily cold at the same time.






***


With a huge sense of relief Janus felt Jak sending his thoughts on how best to handle this situation and get everything back on an even footing with Maxical. There was no doubt in Janus’s mind that Jak’s advice was dead-on correct.


You must be truthful with Maxical now, her mistrust is raised too high and she’ll sense the slightest deception…but truth can only be told to a point before it causes even greater damage. You must walk a very fine line.

It is imperative you not reveal to Maxical that she is the chosen. The ’Steps of Promise’ must be made without that knowledge, and she has already begun them. Do not risk…

Speak, lad! Hurry before she explodes! Must I take over the conversation myself?


One quick glance at Maxical let Janus know her rage had not dwindled while waiting for a response from him. Her tail was swishing with such force it was smacking the wall behind her.

After fifty years of dealing with none but staff and prostitutes, Janus knew he lacked the delicate balance of social skills needed here… skills that Jak had in abundance. He gratefully leaped on Jak’s offer to handle it.


“What? [Censored]! I‘ll probably have to [censored] her for you when the time comes as well, [censored] [censored]!”


Jak didn’t hide his displeasure, but to Janus’s short-lived relief he did begin speaking through him. That relief was quickly followed by shock, as Jak instead used Janus's voice to rouse her to an even greater rage.

“Maxical…this misunderstanding between Aren and myself…the truth is we really were friends before this started. I have always thought highly of him, respected and admired him.”

“So your perception of what constitutes respect and friendship is paralysis, spells, and subterfuge. I need hear no more, my only interest is in saving Fathis.”

“I never wanted to do those things…but I had to. Shortly after your graduation Aren visited. My nature had chosen someone for me. Aren stood against me being with her, you yourself saw how violently he reacted not an hour ago when Traven told him I had come for her...he literally spat on you.”

Maxical was glaring hard at his cowl. “An accident, I took no offence from that. What’s your point?“

“I can think of no other way to say this…he had his own interest perked there.”









******* Maxical


I won’t deny I felt punched in the stomach. Right after graduation…that was when Fathis suddenly quit having anything to do with me.

“So? Fathis has had his interest perked by the thousands. We had no understanding back then, in fact were broken till just recently. He obviously doesn’t stand in your way now, his marriage to me was quite public yesterday. So again, your point?”

“One would assume marriage would end it, would they not? Yet…with whom did he spend his wedding night? His marital duties to you were left unattended, the smell of your blood broadcasts that. His reputation with women…yet you remain untouched?”

I had a sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach. All those times I tried to get Fathis to mate with me and he couldn’t…was he in love with another all this time? Then why marry me?

“I…I cannot believe it to be true. What gain could he find in marrying me if that were the case?“

“Aren has pride, too much to sit idly while another takes something he considers his property. To snatch you from the Dunmer after he had already shared his mysteries and could never offer them to another was a coup…that is if the lad lives, now that Aren has seen your blue show has turned purple.”

My cheeks flushed a deep scarlet as I sought a subtle way to cover my forehead and nose bridge.

Gils had said the same, that Fathis was like a dog urinating on a bone he didn‘t desire…to keep another dog from having it. The sickening truth was, Count Skingrad was right. Regardless of anything Fathis did, I was guilty of worse. I was already married to Gils when I swore vows with Fathis. Fathis’s wedding night I spent with Gils. Had Azura not intervened I would not be intact now.

It hurt to think Fathis may have been duplicitous, but when faced with my own behavior…I had no right to that pain. With a tremendous effort I pushed the conjecture from my mind and swallowed the ache that felt like a rock in my stomach. If anything, Count Skingrad’s revelations made me angrier at him…whether there was any sense in that or not.

“Wherever Fathis was on our wedding night, it is not my concern. I don’t discuss either my marriages or intimate life with anyone, least of all a stranger. None of this matters now anyway…Fathis still has to be rescued while you stand here gossiping about a man who is supposedly your ‘good friend’.”

“The blows you struck Aren go much deeper, at least mine were to his face…and with cause. Dismount that high horse you are riding and I‘ll help you save both your husbands.” Count Skingrad's words and icy voice cut through me, leaving me feeling humbled and ashamed that I had attacked his motives...and sickened by my own.


*

Jak is brutal, he knows all the nasty buttons to push. I can't wait till he gets his (hopefully at the hands of Maxical).

I kind of like Jak.

Maxical seems to be dangerously close to hanging herself upon the noose she built with her own toil and tears. It now becomes clear to her that Fathis's love fer her was in fact a sham, and she does what anyone would do.. deny it completely.

Looks like Dere isn't the only one here who needs a nice lecture on the natures of heroism and honor... Maxical fell into the same trap he did. She doesn't want to admit to herself that she is wrong, so she has taken to blaming the bearer of the bad news for everything that has gone wrong with her life. Of course she carefully skirts the fact that everything that has happened here is her fault, and this is something she will have to come to grips with sooner or later. Otherwise, she will likely find herself abandoned by everyone she has come to know and love.

Glad to see she finally figured out the Count Hassildor really is Count Hassildor, though.

As for Fathis, I do hope he doesn't die off, but i'm afraid I've just had my visions of him shattered; if Hassildor is telling the truth, that is (and he has no reason to lie at this point). Seeking a trophy wife? Uh-uh.

'once again his desires were interpreted efficiently to action by his vampire nature.'
This is MAGNIFICENT prose!!!

Your depiction of Maxical when angry is equally brilliant, from her pinned ears to her thumping tail.

Jak, speaking through Janus, does indeed know which buttons to push. He is quick to point out flaws in both Fathis and Maxical. If I know our kit however, she may feel convicted, but she will not abandon Fathis based upon the word of a vampire with dubious motive.

'Count Skingrad's words and icy voice cut through me, leaving me feeling humbled and ashamed that I had attacked his motives...and sickened by my own. '
And here, my heart aches for Maxical.

Thomas, I think what Hassildor says is actually Jak speaking through him, and I think Jak is just lying to get Maxical mad, then defensive, then defeated. Consider his reference to Janus' chosen, for instance -- Maxical IS his chosen, so while Aren was technically also interested in her (that much was true), he is presenting it in such a way as to make Maxical think that they are talking about someone OTHER than her. So I think this is all just a way to manipulate Maxical and make her compliant.

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mALX, this chapter is awesome. I love your writing, and, with each new installment, I am wanting Jak to meet his end even more. I love, too, how Maxical and Hassildor are, for all of their intelligence, so naive as well ... all this time, she thinks he is Umbranox; all this time, he thinks Jak is his friend while he's trying to defeat Malan. Awesome naivete, in the midst of clever thinking and quick action, that so captures their personalities!

In either case, they share a common goal: to bring Maxical under their wings (perhaps literally). You are not going to do that by telling her lies that would push her away, and that Fathis was seeking her as a trophy wife would be a considerable bombshell for her. We can see that she clearly loves Fathis, but why would they lie to her that Fathis does not share her feelings if they are clearly trying to win her trust? There is truly no reason for them to lie about this here, and even Jak knows this. I quote:

"You must be truthful with Maxical now, her mistrust is raised too high and she’ll sense the slightest deception…but truth can only be told to a point before it causes even greater damage. You must walk a very fine line."

Hassildor has read Fathis's mind on this matter, so he knows better than anyone about Fathis's (lack of) feelings for Maxical. Sure, his intentions were good, but the way he carried out his plans (again, if Hassildor is to be believed, as I am fully willing to admit I may be wrong here) are, quite frankly, abhorrent. Taking advantage of Maxical like that, building her expectations, and then ditching her to the sidelines once the courtship is complete is despicable (and American! ).

Also, Maxical clearly knows that Hassildor is talking about her, just look at the way she reacts. Everything Hassildor reveals to her hits her like a punch in the stomach. She knows that what he says is true, she just refuses to believe it, and desperately tries to make her ideas more sensible by attacking Hassildor's character (Argumentum Ad Hominem), which is even further proof that the high horse she has built for herself has vanished. It is not crumbling, it's completely gone now. It is time for her to 'fess up to herself and accept the consequences of her actions. She has made several grave mistakes over the course of her life, all of which are attributable to her having to grow up too fast.

**

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.

** I have separated the “Explanation of Terms” and the “History of the Players” from the “Faction Updates.” I can re-post them periodically if desired.





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@ King Coin - Thank you so much KC!! You are right, Jak is a great con, and definitely knows exactly which buttons to push - what a great way to phrase it !!!

***
@ Zalphon - I have to agree with you, I kind of like Jak too - mostly because in spite of all his plans of dominating Cyrodiil, he has a humorous side (and is slightly inept), lol. Thank you so much Zalphon !!

***
@ Chef TK - Thank you so very much TK !!! Jak is a master manipulator because he uses truth to seduce and garner trust. (all the while running his own agenda in the background.). He just puts his own slants on the truth to bend it to his own benefit.

Jak knew Janus put a spell on Fathis to stay away from Maxical right after her graduation - and he knew that Maxical had wondered and been bothered by his absence in her life.

By Jak (talking through Janus) intimating that Fathis was interested in another woman during that time, he knew it would strike home with Maxical that it was possible. He was planting seeds of doubt that he knew would take root.

Maxical feeling punched was pain at the thought of Fathis being in love with another - any woman would feel that (which Jak knew).

Jak was telling the truth about Fathis standing between Janus and his chosen (because Maxical is his chosen) - but the slant he put on it led Maxical to think he was talking about another woman.

Then Jak played on Maxical's own guilt over having been with Gils, made her face the fact that - no matter what Fathis did, she was guilty of worse. (when technically, she really has NOT done worse at all - but he knew she felt guilty and played on it hard).

His whole ploy was to break her down, undermine her love for Fathis, make her feel that she had no chance to ever right things between herself and Fathis - and it worked. She will be much more compliant for his plans now.

Maxical is only 17 years old, and has been the pawn of Gils (who has a lot of experience), and Fathis (who was being manipulated by vampires).

Maxical would never have been with Gils had Fathis not abandoned her (due to the spells on him).

She married Gils and felt the marriage to be valid. (so anything she has done with him would not be wrong anyway - but she has done little more than kiss, since she is still a virgin).

Maxical tried to end it with Fathis, but he knew she was going to and didn't show up. Then Fathis sprang that marriage in the middle of a public place because he KNEW she could not refuse him during a promotion which included the Arcane.

Since Fathis's marriage came second, it was technically invalid anyway - except for the fact that there were no witnesses to her marriage to Gils. - So her sleeping with Gils that night was not as bad as Jak (through Janus) was trying to make her think it was.

Maxical may have made some mistakes, and like you said she had to grow up too fast in a place like the Bloodworks after leading such a sheltered life - but sharing a few kisses with two men (both of whom she loved) in her lifetime is not as dark as Jak tried to make it sound.

Thanks again, TK !!!

***
@ Acadian - Thank you so much Acadian !!! You are so right, even if she does feel there is no hope of them anymore, she won't abandon Fathis to die. He's always been there for her, she will repay that as best as possible. I am so glad you quoted that line, my heart ached for her just writing it !!! Thank you so much Acadian !!!

***
@ Rachel - You nailed it Rachel !!! Every single bit of the plot and Jak's warping of facts to manipulate her - and you are dead on correct about his motives as well !!! And catching that Janus is still going after Malan to kill him - thinking Jak may help him do it, lol.

I agree with you, I think it is really funny that his "chosen" and he are so much alike that they fight like cats and dogs - and as you pointed out, both are dumb as bricks about everything except academics, lol - what a pair !!! ROFL !!!

Thank you so much Rachel, you are AWESOME !!!!!!


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Chapter 104: Promises And Vows



“Maxical you have to know I would never say those things to you, it was Jak! He was trying to sabotage me, I should never have trusted him…I apologize for any pain he caused you.” Janus babbled.

“You are blaming that poor bird again? There isn’t enough healers in Nirn for what you need. You can save your apologies, I don’t care what you think of me. The only thing I do care about is…did you mean what you said about helping me save Fathis and Gils?”

“No! Yes! Maxical, there is nothing wrong with my mind, I assure you. I just let Jak get into my head and talk through me and he abused the privilege! Okay, look…I know that doesn’t sound good, but I assure you I am as sane as…look, the point is that I don’t think badly of you at all. If there was just some way to convince you…just hear me out, please. Jak wants you for himself and will stop at nothing! He’s not a bird, you don’t understand…he is a man, diabolical and ingenious…” Janus’s speech ground to a choking halt, his cowl gawking at the expression on my face.

Janus held up his hand as if to erase his previous words. “Er…never mind. I will help you, I promise it; and I’ll not harm Aren either, you have my word on that. That vow you made of going to your grave as my sworn enemy…I’ll not see that happen, Maxical.”

I gasped. “But…I only thought that, you couldn’t have heard!” I suddenly remembered just after making that vow getting a strong feeling he had somehow honed in on me…then nearly falling off the roof as if I was pushed. “AHA! You tried to shove me off the roof!“

“I did not! You fell of your own clumsiness. I had to save you…“ He took a step back from my reddening face. “Oh no, not again! You’re not going to fall into another of your snits again, are you? That’s the reason I let Jak speak through me to begin with. I really wish you’d find a way to control your temper so we could communicate…”

“CLUMSY! Control my temper! OH!” I fumed, but my mind was churning rapidly.

That oath had stayed in the confines of my own mind…yet somehow he had heard it. It shouldn’t matter to him that I swore hatred against him, why had it? I could feel it tangibly in his aura even now, he struggled within himself for his next action. Why?






***


The cowled head snapped toward me. Without consciously planning it, I found myself moving to stand in front of him, raising my right hand with the palm facing him.

“Swear it. Vow you’ll rescue Fathis, and see he takes no harm from anyone, including yourself.”

“I don’t understand what you want…”

“Yes you do. I don’t know what’s going on here, or between you and Fathis…but you do. Swear to me that you will not let any harm befall Fathis…or I‘ll hold you responsible...here.” I pounded my chest twice and held my hand back up.

“Not let any…you want me to protect him?”

“He risked his life to protect you. You are immortal and can lose nothing in doing the same for him.”

“I could lose my freedom! I can’t babysit the man, this is ridiculous!”

“Just get him back to me alive, heal him if needed. You are a god to Malan’s army, order them to release him.”

“But you’re asking me to swear to something out of my control, I don’t even know where he is…”

“Then find out where he is and make it within your control, they are your army…and they have him.”

Janus stood as if struggling within himself, but I felt the acquiescence in his aura before he raised his right hand.

“Wait…I must see the truth in your eyes, take your cowl off for the swearing…GAAAAH!” My hand flew to the hilt of my sword instinctively.

“Do you want me to put it back on?”

“Yes! Er…no…er…I don’t know. I guess leave it off, just give me a second to stop wanting to bury my blade…I‘m sorry, that was rude.”






***


“You may as well say it aloud, I can hear your thoughts.”

“Hear my thoughts! How? You mean…like up on the roof when I swore vengeance on you…you really heard it?”

“I heard all your thoughts, and your promises…not just that one.“

I wondered suddenly what other things I may have thought that he could have heard. What did he mean by promises?

His pink eyes were looking miffed and his full lips were drawn into a thin tight line over the fangs. “I must say, I find this hatred for my appearance to be quite inconsistent in you. You knew I was a vampire and sat beside me talking as if it didn’t bother you. Did you think I would have to wear the cowl if there were not fangs and pink eyes to be hid?”

“I don’t know what I thought…your Colovian accent confused me. I thought you must be extraordinarily handsome…like Vicente or something…I don’t know.”

“Vicente! That is naught but an illusion, underneath it the man looks like a dried up turd!”

“I know. But before he attacked me, he stood not feet from me. I saw nothing that spoke of his nature, only a very handsome youth. I guess I thought…it was the same with all ancients.”

“Not all ancients have that power. Immortals didn’t need to camouflage their appearance, we were the gods of the night once. It is Uriel’s Law that has made us have to hide. This is my real image, and in spite of the vampire traits…I have been told I am quite handsome.”

“By whom, Hal-Liurz?”

“…Among others! Maxical, I don’t relish this task, I do this for you. I could be making good my escape, so decide whether we swear this vow or not.”






***


“I’m sorry, it’s probably just that hairstyle that accentuates…er…perpetuates the image from the storybooks…I guess. You know, because it is so outdated. I mean, I’m sure you must be…uh…(cough)…er…uh…well, let’s just do this if we‘re going to.” I removed my hand from the sword hilt and raised it, palm facing him.

“I have been much isolated for fifty years…had no way of knowing fashions had changed.”

I gaped. “You thought fashions wouldn’t have changed in fifty years? Well, since you stay well hidden under that cowl and cloak…your appearance matters little…I guess.“

He raised his hand, palm facing me. “Let’s just get this over with. I swear within my utmost ability to keep harm from befalling Fathis Aren.” He pounded his fist to his chest twice, then clasped my raised hand.

I squinched my eyes shut and stood on my toes, straining to reach his face while our hands were raised in the vow. He leaned down to me, I felt warm breath wafting my whiskers a second before the hot moisture of his mouth covered mine. Our hands stayed raised and clasped throughout, the vow was sealed.

There was an instant feeling of relief when he pulled his lips from mine. Still, I did feel he meant what he said. Fathis would be safe, he would bring him back to me.

“Wait for me here then, and don‘t open the door till I get back.”

“Thank you, Count Skingrad…wait! Don‘t bring me the imposter!”

“I’ll know if it’s the imposter, I was able to discern the differences.”

Count Skingrad raised his cowl back up and stepped out the main door. “Seal it behind me.”

I slid the bolt, feeling the nervousness of being alone in the Bloodworks with everything going on outside these walls…everything that may be happening with Fathis and Gils…GILS! Count Skingrad hadn’t mentioned saving Gils! Had he forgotten about saving him?

I lurched at the door and threw the bolt back open. “Count Ski…GAAAAAH!” The door was shoved open with force, knocking me back against the wall as a mass of armored people pushed into the Bloodworks shouting.


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I'm new here, so I'm starting at the beginning of your story. I just read through Chapter One, and I have to say it is very well written. The way you describe Maxical's love of swords is exceptional, and the way you describe her makes us able to identify with her and to feel for her. It's beautiful. I like it already, and I look forward to reading more.

From Chapter 103

“GO!” Damien yelled. He cast and the shackles dropped from Janus’s wrists and ankles.

And a big WOO HOOOO!! Right at the start! Janus letting his vampire nature take over was impressive. Maxical seemed so small and vulnerable, for about two seconds – and then she had Janus confounded again!! The scenes where Maxical and Janus are together have to be my favorites. Although sometimes I want to crack their genius/thick heads together!!

“The blows you struck Aren go much deeper, at least mine were to his face…and with cause. Dismount that high horse you are riding and I‘ll help you save both your husbands.” Count Skingrad's words and icy voice cut through me, leaving me feeling humbled and ashamed that I had attacked his motives...and sickened by my own.

Oh, Maxical. Now go save the husbands!!

Your Faction Updates help ME so much, especially how you bold the new parts. Thank you, thank you for doing them!!

From Chapter 104

“No! Yes! Maxical, there is nothing wrong with my mind, I assure you.

To borrow a phrase, SPEW!! Janus is just getting better.

All right, I’d have to just quote the whole chapter. The vow was quite serious, in the middle of absolute hilarity. You’ve done it again, YAY!!!!

Now THAT is what I like! This is absolutely Maxical at her finest. Or more accurately, at her Maxicalest!

Every bit of this was quote worthy, the way you wove Maxical's thoughts, words and emotions into such a delightful to read exchange with Janus. Maxical's style when you let her loose with her own perspective is simply a joy to read. She knows what she wants and got Janus to promise to it!

Chapter 103:

More juice-oozing vampire goodness on offer here mALX! Sometimes I think I need a raincoat whenever your vampires decide to act on their nature!

I love the way she still refers to Janus as ‘Lord Umbranox’. That, even more than your wonderfully detailed character sheets, brought me back up to speed and gave me a perfect reminder of their day spent together in the Arena.


I absolutely loved this! Maxical wakes up with Janus healing juices still dripping off her, demands his help, and then questions his relationship to the man she wants him to save. Were it not for Jak’s lying attempts to poison Maxical’s mind toward Fathis he would have been my hero in this chapter. How sadly typical of Maxical that it never once crosses her mind the she might be the ‘Chosen’, especially given everything that Hassildor has done to try to keep her and Fathis apart. It seems so much easier for her to constantly believe the worse about Fathis.

Chapter 104:

Only Maxical could elicit a vow from Janus while insulting him at the same time! Worse, the vow does nothing whatsoever to benefit Janus, and yet you still leave it with Maxical in a panic because the ancient vampire she is extorting didn’t promise to save ‘both’ her husbands!

I laughed all the way through this chapter, mALX!

Well, looks like Maxical got some progress despite Janus' and Jak's efforts. Janus really is clueless lol. And who just ran over Maxical?! Love the chapter! Keep it up!