mALX...in case Gils needs any visual hints as to what may befall him, compliments of the Good Friar, if he hurts our beloved Khajiit:






Yes, I know, I'm insane...but the idea sort of stuck w/me after I wrote it, plus I'm planning my Halloween party...so ...that's my excuse.

SPEW!!!!! It's the piked heads at the Priory !!!! SPEW !!!!! Awesome Rachel !!!!!!

@ Acadian - Thank you so much Acadian!! That really meant a lot to hear, and I appreciate it tons!! You really summed a whole lot up in this one sentence:



That is what I was going for, I am so glad it came across to the reader!!!

***
@ FOXY - YEAH !!!!! You have been missed!!! I have to write dirty in-you-end-oh to lure you in !!!! Thank you so much Foxy !!!!

***
@ Hazmick - That guard is actually in game, too. If you come in the main gate in Anvil, the guard to your left on certain shifts hates Khajiit - he actually hates all cats, not just Khajiit. He calls Maxical 'furlicker'. If you go to Leyawiin there is an Argonian there that hates Khajiit, and he will ask you what butt tastes like or something similar - I have it written down and will look up the exact wording.

When I say this guard hates cats - I mean if you get that 'Cats and Rats' mod and go to Anvil, it will be the funniest thing you have ever seen in your life!

He chases these little housecats with his sword drawn yelling out things like "For the Emperor!" or "I've fought mud crabs more fierce-some than you!" or "Why don't you just fall down and bleed to death!" - meanwhile, the cats are running around in a zig-zag pattern, the guard in hot pursuit, and if he nicks them with his sword they go "Merrrooooow!" I have never laughed so hard in my life !!!!

Thank you so very much Hazmick !!!!

***
@ Treydog - You had me in tears with that, thank you so much Treydog !!!! You ROCK !!!!! Bruce Campbell? I wondered who that man was that kept showing up when my husband went to work! JUST KIDDING !!! (By the way, did you notice two chapters back the inset of odd type? That was me taking your tips on a Black Horse Courier article !!!)

***
@ Destri - Thank you so very much Destri!! That guard is actually in game (see @ Hazmick above) - I was shocked and dismayed the first time he said it to Maxical, but then I found out I could use his prejudice against him for my own entertainment, lol.

The line "Whoa! That could never get old!" is a direct quote from Todd Howard himself (playing Fallout 3, using VATS. It was followed by a fit of giggles and Wooots as he watched the head rolling - I took the scene of them watching the skull roll from that) - Thank you so much for what you said, that made my day !!!!!

***
@ Rachel - You predicted it, you'll see in the next chapter! I LOVE the sketch of the piked head !!!!! You are AWESOME !!!!!!!

***

*


Chapter 49: Old Habits Die Hard


The contrast between the bright sunshine outside and the inky blackness had purple spots dancing in front of my eyes for a few minutes. I hung in the doorway till they went away, grateful for the excuse. Casting the ‘detect life’ showed nothing. My heart was pounding and my throat had closed off till I thought I might strangle.

We crept back down the corridor. I cast ‘detect life’ again, still nothing. My night vision showed a large lump was blocking the adjacent corridor. When I got closer to the lump, I could see it was a man…wasn‘t it? He was dead…no. He was undead. Without ever having smelled it before I instinctively knew that was what it was, and he reeked of it.

I cast an ‘illumination’ spell and was faced with the ugliest man I had ever seen in my life. His face looked like an inside out butt hole, wrinkled badly. His eyes were open in a frozen stare, the iris was a pinkish red. With the tip of my sword I pushed back his upper lip to reveal fangs sticking down. My first actual vampire sighting, not in a textbook.

“These aren’t conjurors Gils, it‘s vampires. This one is a feral, see how his fangs are fixed?� I pried them with my blade. “They’ll attack on sight…or smell. This place is huge, it could be filled with them. Are you willing to take a chance? Because you need silver or fire to kill them, that axe you got will do nothing. My sword is useless too. If even one drop of their blood gets in any open wound on you it can turn you into one like them, their disease is spread by blood. What do you want to do?� I knelt down and carefully searched the body.

“Can’t you just keep using that spell?� Gils asked, looking down at the ugly sight below him.

“It uses a ton of magicka. Hannibal says I have a high level of magicka, but using a spell like this I could run out. We could be in the middle of this place with no way to defend ourselves. You know I can’t heal.�

“Let me think for a minute.�

“Well, this guy is only a little taller than you, look at this armor. You should take it and put it on now for better protection.�

“I could take it and sell it.�

“You can wear it, just pull it on over your scrubs you work out in. You need all the protection you can get in this place.�

“What are you doing?�

“You have to incinerate the undead so their corpses don‘t reanimate or spread disease. And with vampires, the ashes left over are worth a fortune. Help me get this armor off him.�

“Let’s go in a little further and see how bad it is. This could be the only one.�

“Okay, grab onto me so you don’t get hit with this by accident.�

After I incinerated the vampire I started to gather up the ashes. “Gils, see that sack over there? Can you get it for me to put these in?�

“It’s got some plants in it.�

“Let me see them…oh thank the gods, mandrake root. We may need this. Give me a second to think…kill with fire or silver, Mandrake root and…garlic I think. I wish Hannibal was here to advise us, he is a real expert.�

“You’re kidding!�

“No, he does his own research and testing on ancient vampires, drawing fluids from them and everything.�

“Fluids? BWAAHAAA!�

“Not that kind of fluids! Er…at least I don’t think it is. He was working on a cure for vampirism. It’s like he lead a double life, creeping about drawing fluids from ancient vampires at night. I dreamed of being his assistant, but could never behave long enough for him to even think about it. But getting in trouble is how I found out about it. He confined me to his quarters, and I got tired of short-sheeting his bed and switching out his salt and sugar. I started reading his tome, ‘Researching The Ancient Lines, Vampires And What You Should Know About Them’. It has everything about them, even spells they might use or that you can use on them. Hannibal kept his secret research notes in the back of that tome.�

“EW! Creeping around dungeons draining fluids from vampires? I would never have imagined…I may insist he wash his hands before examining me from now on.�






***

With my aim the only chance we had was to keep using the ‘Enemies Explode’, even if it used a lot more magicka. It covered a large area with fire instead of a concentrated fireball in which I might miss my target repeatedly. But in my hands it was also more dangerous to Gils. He had to attach himself to my back till we looked like two dogs mating going through Crowhaven.

The rest of the horrible place went about the same as that first vampire, and every time I heard that hissing, snarling scream my blood curdled in my veins. I ended up with a sack full of vampire dust and couldn’t wait to see Hannibal’s face when I brought it to him.

We were both laden down with armor and weapons to sell in Anvil when we got out of here.

By casting Enemies Explode, I was killing them before we got close enough to be bitten. I checked my magicka after each kill, keeping a close eye on it. If I ran out at a crucial time, we would be dead or worse.

Finally we came to a locked door. “This must be it.� I pulled out the key Agronak had given me. It fit the lock.

“I guess I should thank you two for clearing the path for me. I’ll just take that key.�

A chill went through me at the voice…Agronak. I spun around, my hand automatically going to the hilt of my sword. Gils was looking wary. Agronak pushed by me and entered the room in front of us. I hung back, but Gils started following him. I grabbed his arm and whispered.

“It’s a sealed vault, nothing could be alive in there. Let’s get out of here. He has his proof, I don’t feel safe with him here.�

“I have to know Maxical. Something Owyn said. You stay with me and I’ll make sure you’re safe.�

“Stay back from him so he has to run to you. That gives you time to get your defenses up.�

With a shock I realized candles were lit in the vault. If it had been sealed all this time, who was lighting the candles?

Gils and I stayed way back, keeping Agronak in sight. My ears caught a rapid pacing sound, movement from somewhere. I froze, grabbing Gils’ arm and casting a detect life. To my horror there was two pink glows. One was Agronak’s huge form, the other a shorter, slender figure on the balcony above him. Oh crap. If I warned Gils he may charge out to save Agronak and get us all killed. If I tossed my ‘Enemies Explode’ I could kill Agronak.

“What is it?� Gils whispered.

Before I could respond we heard a voice.

“Who goes there? Who has entered my private chamber? Luktuv? Is that you? You’re not Luctuv! Who are you?�

“Luktuv was my mother’s name. She told me to come here and find my father. I’ve wanted to meet you all my life! I’m Agronak, your son.�

“You are not alone. Where is she? You’ve brought me a virgin to feed on? Where is she, damn you?�

I heard myself gasp, wishing I had known it was coming to stop it in time.

“Don’t you hear what I’m saying? I am your son.�

“You dare call yourself the son of Lord Lovidicus, the son of that lying harlot? That foul traitorous tramp, I should have killed her while I had the chance! She betrayed me, do you think I’ll fall for your tricks? You bring me a virgin when I need blood, well where is she? Bring her here now! I need to feed...I smell her! Bring her here or I’ll kill you, foul son of that dog! You loathsome turd! You bring me nothing but the temptation of a smell you knew would drive me mad, I’ll kill you for this!�

“I need proof of my heritage, if you give it to me I’ll leave.�

Gils pushed me back through the door and shut it behind us. “Where’s the key?�

“Agronak took it.�

“His father is crazy.�

“You aren’t kidding. He has to be an ancient, he could smell my virginity. The feral ones can‘t. Gils, ancients don’t just feed on virgins, he’ll drain my blood till I’m dead. They have super hearing too, he’ll be able to hear us out here.�

“What are you saying, that his father is a vampire?�

“Well, duh! Anyone else you know wanting to drink blood? He‘s from an ancient line too. They have honed skills passed down to them. They are very powerful Gils, I won’t be able to fight him if he attacks me, and he will. He can smell my virgin blood.�

“Come on, I’m taking you to Anvil.�

“So I won’t be a virgin anymore?� I was just joking.

Gils paused. “That wasn’t what I was talking about but…it would be a solution.�

“Solution to what? Agronak is getting his own proofs now, our job here is done here.�

“Well he won’t attack you if aren’t a virgin, right?�

“Give up my virginity to help Agronak get proof of his heritage? Do you hear what you just said? I’m not a sacrifice for your Orc Gils. He is a grown man asking his father for proof of his birth. He doesn’t need your help now, we did the hard part for him.�

“Agronak may need help.�

“Gils, you need to cut the apron strings. Agronak is a man, not a boy. He is meeting his real father for the first time, he doesn’t need your help to do it.�

“His father is insane.�

“So is Agronak, Gils. Can’t you see that?� I pulled him around so I could see his eyes, but nothing was registering there except protecting Agronak. Oh dear gods…please...no…

“Gils, I can‘t fight an ancient, neither can you. He may attack us, but surely he won‘t attack his own son.�

“Agronak may attack him and enrage him.�

“You can‘t help him, you don’t have any way to fight an ancient Gils. Agronak has his blood, that’s where his super strength comes from. He must have his powers too. If you or I go against him we will die, Agronak is the only one strong enough to do this. He has to do it alone.�

“What do you think we should do?�

“Go to the library in Anvil and look up the history of Lord Lovidicus.�

“Lets do it then.�






***

“This explains why Agronak’s mother hoped he‘d never find out about his father. Lord Lovidicus was over 200 years old when he created Agronak. Look here Gils, the gro-Malog family lived on his estate in the servant housing. Here is Agronak’s mother, Luctuv gro-Malog indentured as a servant…she was just a little girl then. What a life that poor woman had.�

“Owyn always said his other half wasn’t human.� Gils voice sounded like his thoughts were far away.

“Owyn is smarter than a lot of people give him credit for. What now, shall we go back to the Imperial City?�

“Let’s wait.�

“You are not suggesting…Gils, I am not walking back to the Imperial City with Agronak. He made it all the way to Crowhaven by himself, and doesn‘t need our escort home.�

“Well you want to get a hotel room now?�

If we had gotten a room on the way in I would have made love to Gils, what a mistake that would have been. Everyone was right, the Orc was his baby, and would always come first. I really hoped I would remember this lesson next time he turned his charm on me.

“Gils, when I give myself it will be to someone who loves me over anyone and anything else. If this trip has proven anything to me at all it is that Agronak comes first in your mind and heart. All that is charming about you disappeared the minute Agronak showed up. When you should have been thinking of my protection you were thinking of his. I got to see what my life with you would really be like.“

“It’s just habit, I’ve always protected him.�

“I don’t know when the last time you opened your eyes was Gils, but he is not a sickly baby anymore. He is a fully grown Orc over 500 pounds who can and does kill at will. He doesn’t need your protection, I do. I’m a seventeen year old girl, don’t weigh a hundred pounds and can’t heal.�

Gils' expression was that of a deer startled by the light of a torch, or maybe that of someone caught between a rock and a hard place. Oh dear gods, everyone was right…


*

This post has been edited by mALX: Aug 4 2016, 03:40 AM

I have never used Enemies Explode before. It must be truly powerful if it would kill Gils despite his racial resistance.

Agronak must have used some of that vampire speed to beat Fathis to Crowhaven. I was hoping to see him back in Anvil, asking the bigoted guard where the white khajiit went. And at long last Gils shows his true colors. Damn! I was sort of rooting for him.


To borrow from you . . . OOOOOH! Foreshadowing!!!

I stopped reading and laughed myself silly for five minutes upon reading this!

You better not use the excuse/sentence "Maxical is dumb" anymore.... not after this last chapter.

Much is revealed in this chapter, and the groundwork is set for more revelations in the future. And this was one of those perfect mALX chapters- with humor, emotion, action, and intrigue. No one can manage that the way you do!



I loved the fact that, just when it looked like Maxical had actually paid attention in class, it turns out she was really just snooping during detention.



Now there's an image that will surely conjure a certain (dog) fox...

And then the sudden appearance of the Green Weenie- um, Grey Prince. The scene with his “father” was very well-written; lots of creepiness and personality in those lines. We get a real sense of Lord Lovidicus’ arrogance and anger (characteristic of ancient vampires, I believe?) from his sneering speech.



That one made me want to stand up and cheer.

It seems that Gils is Agronak's Renfield... Although minus the bug-eating (as far as we know). But the idea that the Grey-Green Prince of Weenies may have inherited some of Lovidicus' powers makes me wonder....

[deleted spoilerish speculation]

MAGNIFICENT!!!

I agree that this was mALX at her very best. You drew forth Gils' true colors in a wonderful way.

Now, I always am looking for a bright side. . . Maxical has a back up bf whose initials are Fathis!

I don't know which is worse. Smelling like a virgin to an ancient or smelling like a nightshade flower to all vamps. At least the virgin bit can be cured. Lol.

Wow! I'll head down to Anvil later to find this guard, I've spoken to the Argonian in Leyawiin and his butt jokes.

Agronak has found them! and Maxical has finally realised the truth about Gils and Aggie's relationship. Get away from them both Maxical!

Great chapter, more soon I hope!

Poor Maxical! At least she found out before she made choices she would have regretted later on.

I'm beginning to think I see how the Arena chapter of Maxical's journey is going to end...that is, provided you intend to follow it to the point of Maxical becoming Grand Champion. Noting the suspicious circumstances of Agronak's mother's death...and the inherited powers (madness?) from his father...I can't shake the feeling that Gils may be risking more than his chance for happiness...but I had best leave off here, ere I go off on a totally divergent path...or (less likely, no doubt ) wind up giving away what you had in mind...

Hmm....

Oh, and needless to say, this was supremely written!

Picture of Gils:









This post has been edited by mALX: Aug 4 2016, 03:49 AM

More androgyny in Tamriel! It's an EPIDEMIC!!

*Destri dons a surgical mask and runs for his life!*

Whad'ya expect? He's an ELF!

Yeah? Well HE is too, and so are THEY! Not to mention, HIM!

Maxical refuses to date any of the elves you have linked to. Androgyny is a good thing...no furry backs...

I am just dying to know what the surgical mask is for though !!!! ROFL !!!!

This post has been edited by mALX: Sep 24 2010, 11:58 PM

Oh, and Destri, you'll need something better than a wimpy surgical mask to fend off the epidemic of androgyny!

Something more on the order of, oh, say, an antiradiation suit complete with its own life support system . . .

Oh, is THAT what the surgical mask was for? To ward it off like a germ spreading ??? ROFL !!!!

This post has been edited by mALX: Sep 25 2010, 12:02 AM

Cute. I like his looks a lot more than the regular game character.
Ahem. Rachel keeps telling me I have to read your story, and I will get around to it as soon as life stops getting so darn busy. :'( But when she showed me this pic, i just had to find it again and tell you that I liked it.

This post has been edited by sford564: Sep 25 2010, 04:39 AM

Okay, so I’m starting from the beginning, and I’ll try to post responses to all chapters – don’t hold me to it, though.
I’m still reading after chapter one, so that should tell you that I like it; I’m a very finicky reader who usually doesn’t read long stories.

These were some of the quotes I found really funny.

So I am a bad tempered, red headed albino. Sometimes the Gods just don't know when to quit.
Commander Phillida probably dreamed nightly of my adoption, or maybe even my demise after a few particular incidents. Then Hieronymus Lex removed himself to the South Watch Tower after being embarrassed and maybe a few other pranks. He refused to return while I remained. Then too, quite a few repairs needed were due to me. I have a tendency toward clumsiness. Yes, they were anxious for me to be adopted.

I found I have problems with aiming.

LOLOLOLOLOL – that poor guy.


Alix said Commander Phillida wouldn’t sleep nights if he knew I was armed.


“I can’t behave, no matter how hard I try.” My voice was raw.

“Then I guess our lives will be that much more exciting for you being with us.“

Okay, you have cats, it’s easy to know.

This post has been edited by sford564: Sep 25 2010, 05:51 AM

@ Destri - Never used "Enemies Explode?" Watch this vid:

Enemies Explode


Thank you so much Destri !!!!!

PS:

...and...er... I...er... won't show any more...er...androgynisticly enhanced men ... (promises with fingers crossed behind back)

and PSS: SPEW !!! Surgical Mask !!!! BWAAAHAAA !!!!!

***
@ Remko - Thank you so much Remko !!! Uh oh, if she is smartening up Gils is in trouble !!!

***
@ Treydog - Thank you so very much Treydog !!!!!



GAAAH !!! You don't miss a thing !!! Lol. Great pick up !!!!

The creepy father is ALMOST word for word of Lord Lovidicus's journal - of course I had to change certain words or he would have called Luktuv an honoured user or boat or something similar !! I used it as a guide and didn't stray far.

& Renfield... bug-eating - GAAAH !!! I remember that scene! What a funny movie !!!

***
@ Acadian - Thank you so very much Acadian !!!



SPEW !!!!!! ROFL !!!! You had me dying laughing with that, great subtle joke !!!!

***
@ Hazmick - Thank you so much Hazmick !! One can only get just so far away from someone in the Bloodworks, but we'll see !!!!!

***
@ Rachel - Thank you so very much Rachel ...(spoiler) = AHA !!! You ROCK !!!!

***
@ Nauty Hauty - Thank you so very much Haute!!!!! I hope you noticed the title of that chapter !!!! That was in your honor, it fit so well with the chapter content !!!



SPEW !!! ROFL !!!!!

***
@ sford564 - Hey everyone, this is the author of "Four Ears," if you haven't had a chance to look at it yet, you will love it !!!!

Thank you so much !!! I love that pic !!! He is a companion, and I am scrounging the TESNexus site to download him to my game !!!! (why didn't they use him for that Stoker Wolf mod? ROFL !!!!!)

I love those lines you chose too, all of them except one are from the original story.

Yes, I actually do have cats, lol. I could tell some stories, my one indoor cat beats up our dog, literally. Chases him through the house, attacks him in his sleep by boxing his ears - they hated each other till I got the new puppy, then suddenly they could be seen sitting side by side staring into the puppy kennel (or guest bathroom if you want accuracy) - now you know they were plotting the take-down of that puppy !!! It didn't work, the new pup is a female, and when her scent came in the dog found her more interesting than the tenuous truce with the cat. If the cat asks for a "Pounce" treat and you don't give it to him, he makes his tail bush and runs through the house making a wild noise!! They keep me rolling !!