@ Foxy - Thank you so very much Foxy !!!! And you are correct, it is because she is Khajiit that she is able to pick up scents where a human could not, I'm playing on the cat having something like 200 million olfactory senses (compared to human's 20), lol. You ROCK !!!

***
@ Naughty Haute - Thank you so much Haute!!! I'm so glad you caught that I was using that testosterone level for the smell emitting from the vampires! And you are right, it is not a pleasant smell when the vampire comes out - but a strong odor.

I based my vampire on physiological alterations that take place when the vampire nature is released to act:

The first thing that happens is extremely high amounts of adrenalin and testosterone flood his system. (explaining their tremendous speed and strength)

Being a cat, I knew she would pick up on a different scent between a regular person and a vampire (who was fully activated) - even if she didn't know the reason for the change in their aura or scent.

As a basis, I used a study they did with large cats. They put urine from three cats in different rooms: a female, a neutered male, and a full (stud - Tom) male. Then they brought a female cat into the rooms, turned her loose and observed. She showed no overt behavior changes in the rooms with the neutered male or female urine - but in the room with the full (stud - Tom) male urine: she rolled on the floor purring, then got into the mating position.

They measured the testosterone of the males, and tried some with low testosterone. The low testosterone level got no response from the female cat.

Everything I read about neutering cats agreed with what you said: that the strong scent in the male's urine is based on their testosterone level and goes away as their testosterone decreases after neutering.

(and also agreed with what you said regarding sweaty human men - the higher the testosterone, the more pungent the body odor and the stronger the odor of their sweat)

Her being a cat, she would definately smell the difference, she just doesn't know it is because they are a vampire.

You ROCK !!!!! And thank you for validating my theory on that, I studied and researched a lot on that because I wanted to get just the right physiological changes that were tangible in the vampires !!! Awesome !!!

***
@ Destri - Thank you so much Destri !!!


ROFL !!! And I agree, between Gils and Maxical, it was a toss up as to who was having the worst day, lol.

I did play with the idea of having the monkeys roaming the Imperial City and popping out every now and then to frighten people - but since I'm gearing up to get her out of the Arena - thought it best to tie up that loose end right in that chapter, lol. Thank you again, Destri !!!! I appreciate your support a lot !!!

***
@ Acadian - Thank you so very much Acadian !!! Yes, I am keeping it in there (from the original story) that Vicente uses illusion to revert to his appearance as "The Man" that he was before becoming a vampire - also, Jakben Imbel can do that too. Janus did not inherit that ability with his line, maybe because he is immortal he doesn't need to hide, lol.

Thank you so much for the nit, I fixed that !!! You ROCK !!!! And are so appreciated !!!

This post has been edited by mALX: Dec 4 2010, 02:28 PM

A last quick note on the whole sexy/smelly/stinky business: it is not always necessarily true that human males with the largest amount of testosterone are the stinkiest.

Testosterone secretions, as I have stated above, are not directly detectable by the human nose: which is why they have to be bound with musk (as indeed all perfumes are bound) so that their smell will be amplified and persist.

(The reason why musk stinks is simple - it is also bacteria feast food, and when unwashed it rapidly becomes a bacteria farm!)

And that is why human females love to sniff male sweat - when it is fresh and yet unspoiled by bacteria - and hate its stink when it is stale.

However, to continue, not all racial types of human have the same amount of musk glands in their skin. I shall (to avoid charges of racism) not mention the racial types that have the LARGEST amount of musk glands in the skins of males, but I can mention that research has found that Asians in General, and Koreans in particular, have the LEAST amount of musk glands.

So why do some Asian males still stink? Well, human scent is a cocktail (ahem, cough, cough, no Foxy jokes please) of over twenty different chemicals, and these chemicals change according to what you eat, drink, or smoke, or even where you live - in a smog-laden city or in the fresh country, for instance.

Here endeth Foxy's smelly sayings.

Is this to say that you won't be charged with racism by Asians in general, and Koreans in particular?

Don't worry, Foxy . . . you can't be a 'racist' until you can keep me from getting a job!

GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAK !!!! ** mALX just puked her guts up **

Here is what I originally posted on Acadian's thread:

Ode To Gaspar

Now that I am old and gray, and time is running out
What used to be my sex appeal, is now my water spout...


All this talk of stench...I felt the wording needed changing...


Ode To Foxy

By farming bacteria feast food...or should that have read yeast?
According to Foxy, by eating certain foods - I will smell like a beast !!!!

Oh wait...I'm female! There goes the whole premise of this poem,
For being she instead of he...I have no testosterone !!!

This post has been edited by mALX: Oct 25 2012, 06:52 AM

Dang it mALX don't make me laugh until I cry.... how many, how MANY times have I had to clean my nose of food and beverages I have inadvertently snorted (snotted?) due to your dagger-like wit...


REVENGE! I noticed that you haven't been over to Ole Andy lately. He's posted some (cough cough) boring chapters....why don't you (innocent look on face) stroll over there, if you have some spare time and read....(even more innocent look) ...and you might feel hungry...pack some sandwiches and coffee for reading..

I will! And by the way...what you eat effects how you taste as well. (but you didn't hear that from me) So if you stumble across any cannibals next time you're AWOL from here ... DON'T EAT THE JALEPENOS !!! Let them enjoy their tasty Foxy stew without heartburn afterward...GAAAAAH !!!!

This is actually true. They were feeding chickens (ground up fish bones) in Florida - the chicken tasted like fish.

They fed (ground fishy chicken bones mixed with ground fish bones) to the cattle in Florida - the beef tasted just like fishy chicken and fish ... etc. etc.

This post has been edited by mALX: Dec 6 2010, 02:28 AM

So, if I grind up little cats and feed them to chickens....will that become an inexpensive way to eat pooohsee?

Er...and by "inexpensive" you meant...?????? Does this mean you pay to....eat... ... .... .... BWAAAAHAAA!!!!!!!

This post has been edited by mALX: Dec 6 2010, 03:36 AM

mALX, though I have not been posting on the board for awhile, I have still been checking back to read this story...and I love what you've done with it. Your first Vicente was interesting and evil...but this rendition is so much better. His evil is just so much more...realistic (I know, I'm talking about a vampire and "realistic", right? But it just feels more like this is a real character than a story...if that makes any sense?) Janus is a far more complex character (I honestly like him [not your writing!!] a lot less this time around, but he's a fantastic character). And the whole bit with the attack on Maxical before her cage match...did not see that coming! This story is incredible...awesome...epic...fantastic...stupendous...unbelievable...amazing...I could go on!!

Also, allow me to reiterate what others have said -- you have a gift for depicting vampires!

Thank you so much Rachel - You just can have no idea how missed you've been !!!!!! When I saw your story at the top of the page, I whooped and jumped up and down like an ape !!!!! ROFL You have def been missed !!! Thank you so much for the kind words - from someone who is an AWESOME inspiration to me !!!!

*


D. Foxy has graciously agreed to co-write this chapter, employing his character Damien "Foxy" Reynard. Foxy has written or approved all the parts for Damien Reynard and his agents. I hope you enjoy it as much as we have writing it.




Chapter 82: Of Men And War



******* Fathis - Just After Swearing Vows


Fathis turned from challenging Gils, his face still contorted by the deadly glare. Several people backed away quickly from his fierce visage, clearing a path of sight through the crowd that gave him a clean view of a man in a dark cloak and cowl annoying a woman. Good gods, Hassildor is here in the city!

All plans to beard him in his castle with the full might of the Mages Guild dwindled into shock at seeing him here. The attack on Maxical must be going down right now! …No time to waste hunting for Traven…

With Count Skingrad having diplomatic immunity, Fathis's hands were tied. As liaison, he was forbidden from taking any action unless attacked with deadly force. Hassildor could even assault him. As long as he didn't use a destruction spell on him...Fathis could do nothing.

The frustration of being limited to observing and reporting in his position as liaison...surely there was some way to get around that. Protocol forbid any overtly aggressive acts to initiate battle…but it didn’t specifically say he couldn’t pick a fight…as long as he was careful not to do it aggressively.

Hassildor was proud, merely being less than respectful would anger him enough to fight. Push him beyond that and the vampire may emerge…hopefully enraged enough to use a destruction spell.

If Hassildor didn’t attack…all Fathis could hope for was that Janus would believe that ring he tampered with was still useless. He’d have to pretend to be under Hassildor’s spell…and hope he fell for it.

Fathis loaded spells for battle as he barreled directly toward Janus, not wanting to give him time to prepare himself for the confrontation.






***


A glance at Hassildor’s hands showed he wore only his signet ring denoting him as Count, they couldn‘t be enchanted…good, no protection against spells.

The wearing of weapons was banned for the festival...that gave Fathis a distinct advantage if Janus attacked in earnest. Immortal or not, he could be rendered unconscious and carried to a dungeon while knocked out.

Fathis deliberately bearded Hassildor with less tact than his position as Count demanded, expecting exactly the reaction he got. The manipulation worked, his temper flared.

Fathis continued needling till Hassildor challenged him…then pushed his last button, knowing if backed in a corner the vampire nature would come out in full and attack. It was a calculated risk in hopes that, out of control Hassildor would cast a destruction spell. He didn’t.

Guessing the spell to be paralysis, Fathis held still and kept his mind blanked while Janus tried to pick his brain for information…then after several minutes visualized images of himself going into the Palace and the Arcane so Hassildor would believe all authorities had been informed.

The most important points were made; that should anything happen to Maxical or Fathis, they would be looking directly at Hassildor to blame...that people knew he was acting on his nature, and sanctions had already been enacted. If that didn’t stop him, nothing would.






***


Keeping well back; Fathis cast chameleon and followed Janus as he melted through the crowds, then finally entered a mansion in the Talos Plaza district. Fathis quietly lifted the door knocker to read the nameplate. Imbel! Jakben, Earl of Imbel? Good gods! He can't know Hassildor’s nature…or does he…?

Of course Imbel caught Fathis's attention tonight at the festival, flirting with Maxical that way...and Fathis had been struck by how little he'd changed through the years. Odd he had stayed so young looking, Bretons usually show their age. But now it struck Fathis forcibly. It had been fifty years...Imbel in his thirties then. He should be doddering, decrepit...or in his grave. Fathis hurried to the Merchants to find Traven.

Josey answered the door to the suite. “Hannibal stayed at the music festival. He wants to watch the fireworks tonight.�

“Can you have him come to my suite immediately on his return? I don’t care the hour, it is an emergency.�

“Oh, did you eat those pork sausages covered in corn flour too? Todd ate three, he’s been puking up a storm!�

“Nae lad. I don't eat sausages. This is official business. If you don’t mind, I’d like to leave him a message as well, just in case our paths don’t cross.�

Josey nodded, holding the door open. Fathis grabbed several parchments from the Inn’s stationary desk and scribbled a coded message to Traven on each, handing one to Josey.�

“It is imperative he see me as soon as possible, will you be sure he gets the message?�

“Sure, I’ll tell him. Er…congratulations, Sir.�

“Thank you very much, Josey.�

Alix would be the perfect one to help him, but when Fathis entered his suite it was dark and empty. Alix and S'Jirra were packed and gone. Drat his luck! He had to make sure word got to Traven, every minute that passed could be his last before Hassildor discovered he'd been duped!

Fathis stopped at the front desk and handed one of the coded parchments to Velus. “It is imperative Traven get that message, Velus.�








******* Damien “Foxy� Reynard


Hannibal burst into speech before getting fully through the door. “Foxy, we’ve got trouble. Vicente is here in the city! He’s already attacked a young girl, a patient of mine. He was using force on her to accept his Dark Gift. I cleared her of spells, but he uses hypnosis, as you know. You are much more experienced with removing the effects of that than I am. I hoped you could help her…and may have some idea how to neutralize Vicente.�

“This patient…are we talking about Maxical?“ Damien held a file up that had an obscure code where the name should be, his eyes glittering with suppressed anger. How had the agent let Vicente slip by him?

“Yes, I’m glad you already have some history on her. She has a rare healing disorder, can’t heal herself...“

Damien held up his hand while he flipped through the pages of the file. “Complete vulnerability to magic and poison, can’t heal or aim? The conjuring of hostile Daedra?�

“That’s it.�

Damien pointed at Hannibal as if singling him out in a crowd. “Go ahead.�

“I had quite a time bringing her back, she was almost gone. She will be easy prey to every single ancient out there until that hypnotic suggestion is removed...and she is intact, they will be drawn to her.�






***


A silence fell into the room. Damien leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes to think. He sat back up suddenly, looking directly at Hannibal.

“They are already here. Three new ancients arrived this past week. Vicente; one that is believed to be the Gray Prince… and Hassildor. Did you know he left his castle?�

Hannibal looked stunned. “In over fifty years I’ve never known him to leave it! Good gods, those others can be killed…Janus cannot, he is immortal!�

“He traveled west when he first left the castle, we now believe it was to bring the Gray Prince back here with him…possibly as a decoy.�

Hannibal broke in. “A decoy?�

“If a girl turns up dead, or vampire hunters show up…the decoy is shoved out into the public eye to be hunted and killed. Everyone relaxes thinking the vampire has been vanquished.�

Hannibal surged from his chair and began pacing rapidly. “This is terrible, I have to research this and figure out how to proceed…I’ve heard that, in some cases they form a pack…the whole city could be at risk!�

“Five are competing for meals, it is doubtful they will join forces and share. More likely they will turn on each other and we will begin to find dead ancients dotting the city.� Damien’s attempt to calm had the opposite effect.

“I hope that’s the case…five? I thought you said three…�

“This city has its own residents. It is not commonly known, but Jakben Imbel is over 300 years old…�

“The Noble? Good gods, I didn’t know…Wait! Maxical said that childhood poem ‘Jack be nimble‘ was repeating itself in her mind when she came awake after Vicente attacked her!�

“The wars may have already begun then. This is Imbel’s and Seridur’s territory, Vicente would have been considered a poacher…� Damien was cut off mid-sentence.

“Seridur! But he witnessed Jenseric killing that girl last week! He is…good gods! He is an Altmer! Maxical said that the ‘Hero of the People‘ told her the man the Legion is seeking in that girl’s death is no vampire, that the true vampire was an Altmer that wears his hair in a buff!�

“Which Seridur does. What better way to keep his nature hidden, then to point the finger elsewhere. He is known for ridding anyone that gets in his way…by calling them vampires and having the Legion kill them. As he runs an organization of so-called vampire hunters…the Legion asks no questions.�

“Good gods, this problem is much bigger than I originally thought.� Hannibal's face paled visibly.







***


“They won’t go after Hassildor, they know he’s immortal. They will try to kill Vicente…he is a master of illusion, quite wily…but the scent of virgin blood is in his nose now, he won’t be able to make himself leave till it‘s gone…he’ll take risks he normally wouldn’t. Now that he’s fed it won’t be easy for him to get another, but with Maxical under his power…she is an easy meal ticket till she dies. …Wait. You said Maxical only remembers Vicente attacking her…yet the rhyme was stuck in her subconscious?�

“Yes. She had no idea why.�

“Vicente must have been interrupted in the act, had to escape and didn’t have time to wipe her memory. Imbel must have caught him poaching in his territory. But Imbel has to have been with her as well though, if that poem…� Damien’s lips closed in a tight line, one finger tapped rapidly on his desk.

“What?�

“Imbel hasn’t killed a virgin in years. He mates with them. After some time of drinking the blood…the taste will change and no longer drive him to a frenzy. If he was with her, and she’s still alive…�

“Our problem of all these ancients sniffing around her may be over?�

“Correct. You are her physician, I’ll leave it up to you to determine that…she won‘t remember the event, it will require an examination. …Now; the fact that none of the other four have killed the Gray Prince when he trespassed tells me they all have the idea to use him as their decoy.�






***


“There is something else.� Damien watched for Hannibal’s reaction.

“More?�

“Yes. Hassildor left his castle directly after a visit from Fathis Aren…who was accompanied by Maxical.�

“WHAT? He wouldn’t bring her there, only an idiot would bring a virgin into an ancient’s lair!�

“And from what his dossier says, he is no idiot.�

“Certainly not! He would never have been appointed liaison if he was!�

“Then we agree that he must be under a spell.�

“…Oh dear. Alix Lencolia said the same thing yesterday. His impression was that Fathis seemed to be…awaiting orders. He has not been himself this week…remote, odd. He saw Maxical daily and never mentioned to her that her parents were here. There have been other things too, things Fathis would never do. He is an exemplary diplomat.�

“I estimate he has been under Hassildor’s power over four months. There is some evidence of changes in his behavior that date back that far. My guess is Hassildor laid low to make sure the spell hadn’t been discovered. When no outcry came, he acted. The timeframe you give for noticing odd behavior in Fathis coincides with Hassildor’s arrival here.“

“He’s been here that long? Where?�

“He is a guest of Jakben Imbel.�

“I can’t bring sanctions against Hassildor just for leaving his castle, I must have proof he is acting on his nature. …Fathis is always so careful! He has to be under a spell, but how? When? He has always followed the protocol, taken every precaution…� Hannibal slumped back in his chair.

“Unless we are mistaken, there is one time he did not.� Damien said quietly.



*

This post has been edited by mALX: Aug 4 2016, 05:33 AM

Vincente, Vincente, Vincente...Tsk...Tsk...Tsk... You malevolent N'wah!

Ah, this is what I have been waiting for! Fathis finally gets proactive in dealing with the very real threat of Janus’ presence in the city. I especially liked the fact that you remembered that his ring counteracts any overt spell cast at him. The the image of him running all over the city leaving coded messages for Hannibal was also terrific.

Damien’s brilliant assessment and extrapolation of events was exactly what was needed to bring us all back up to speed with all of the forces at play in this story. Five ancients competing for victims in the Imperial City is a nightmare scenario, one that I have the feeling that the Arch-Mage will have to deal with personally.

Damien’s motivations continue to be a mystery. From the little we have learned of him, I daresay that he functions more like the grandmaster of the Blades than Jauffre (who to my knowledge has never appeared in Maxical’s story), but somehow I doubt that his actions stem from patriotic altruism.

Will we ever find out the truth, I wonder?

I was soooo expecting Fathis to add: "My preference is fish."

I agree with Destri. The scene with Foxy was a good summation/review of the dire straits the Imperial City finds itself in.

I found it very clever that in this episode you revealed the significance of Maxical reciting the 'Jack be nimble' rhyme. A lovely example/display of why I find it wise never to underestimate your formidable plot weaving!

Nit? I would recommend 'rendered unconscious'.

Everything about the opening scenes of Chapter 80 is brilliant. You paint such vivid pictures with your words that I felt as if I was watching directly rather than reading.
The entire scene with Vicente, including the “rescue” by Jak, was some of the best work you have ever done. Bravo!



A perfect “Maxical moment” to relieve the tension from the previous chapter.

And Hannibal’s magical lore is yet more of the excellent world-building you have done with this story line. I am a little worried about who his “hypnotism expert” might be, though.

Gils- although he was entrapped by Agronak, it is still difficult for me to have much patience with his jealousy. Maxical’s struggle with her feelings is hard to watch- because it is true to life. The best stories are those that hold up a mirror to the world and the reader. Because we want our favorites to “live happily ever after,” we think we want simple stories. But the complex, the real, the true… that is what writing aspires to- and what you achieve.

It is good to finally see Fathis using his brain and his reputed abilities as a mage. And a sigh of relief that Foxy is the expert on hypnotism- I had feared it might be Jak. But he has kept a low profile- until now.
Fascinating intelligence-sharing meeting between Hannibal and Damien, as well. Things are heating up and the lid is likely to blow off soon.

Two evenings of reading well spent methinks! I haven't laughed so hard for ages

Your story keeps getting more and more intense, now there are vampires! Wowza!

I was actually thinking about creating a vampire character on Oblivion and your story has cemented that idea in my head. Thus, I have created 'Inwold Andrognese', Breton mage-turned-vampire

You have completed the task of totally changing my views on everyday characters. I'll be waiting for the next chapter with anticipation!

This post has been edited by hazmick: Dec 7 2010, 09:07 PM

@ Zalphon - Thank you so much Zalphon !!! (and by the way, I finally got Morrowind for the PC ... so I'll be able to figure out what N'wah means !!! WOO HOO !!! Lol.

***
@ Destri - Thank you so much Destri !!! And you are right, I did have a tendency to just slip Damien in there because everyone knew who he was that was reading - I really should put in some kind of background, lol. I'll try to slip it in ASAP !!! I so appreciate your support, lol - I saw what you wrote on another thread about that, ROFL !!! (You know you ROCK !!!!)

***
@ Acadian - Thank you so much Acadian !!! I actually was thinking of SubRosa when I wrote that, (although she doesn't read this story, it was a tribute to her for making me laugh every time she wrote it, lol.) Thank you so much for the nit, I fixed it !!!

***
@ Treydog - Whew! It doesn't get much better than to hear that from you !!! Thank you so much Treydog !!! I hope I can keep that up !!! You absolutely ROCK !!!

***
@ Hazmick - GAAAAH!!! You're back !!! Yeah !!!! You have been missed too, and I am so happy you got a laugh from it !!! That always makes my day !!! And I want to hear more about Inwold Andrognese's exploits !!! Thank you so much for stopping by, both Maxical and I missed you !!!

*


D. Foxy has graciously agreed to co-write this chapter, employing his character Damien "Foxy" Reynard. Foxy has written or approved all the parts for Damien Reynard and his agents. I hope you enjoy it as much as we have writing it.




Chapter 83: Legends And Heroes



******* Damien “Foxy� Reynard


“Maxical is the only one in real danger…� Hannibal began, but Damien cut him off.

“Not true. The ancients will go after her mate…usually with mind control on another…� Damien held his hand up, Hannibal froze in place and waited.

BAM! Damien popped his hand down on the desk.

“The decoy. That may be why Hassildor brought the Gray Prince. Mind control, make him go after Fathis. The guards and vampire hunters kill the Gray Prince…he is blamed for both deaths, Maxical’s and Fathis’s. Hassildor never has to worry that Fathis…or you, will discover he’s been under a spell.�

“Fathis can handle the Orc easily enough…and he isn’t exactly her mate right now. She planned to break with Fathis, and only married him tonight because her hand was forced the way he confronted her with the press right there. Gils is making more progress with her than Fathis…who seems to have no passion for her. She thinks it’s because she’s Khajiit…and may possibly be right.�

“Not likely, Fathis has nearly repopulated Cyrodiil single-handedly…and if his legendary sword does not rise with her, she remains a virgin. Quite convenient for Hassildor, don’t you think? I suspect a spell.�






***


“A spell to keep Fathis‘s sword down? But she’d just turn to Gils…as she has done, I might add. Will Gils be in trouble?�

“You have to know how the enemy thinks to entrap them, Traven. And yes, Gils is in as much danger as Fathis, if she has turned to him.�

“He can’t know women if he thought that would work.� Hannibal shook his head.

“Exactly my point. Make sure you remove that spell on Fathis right away. From what I’ve read in his dossier, he could solve all our vampire problems easily if not under spell. I suggest you move fast. Keep a close eye on Maxical for any differences in behavior. Give me a time to be in your tower at the Arcane to treat Maxical and Fathis. It’s important we move on this quickly.�

“Er…Gils needs it as well. The Orc has controlled him for over thirty years.�

“All three then.� Damien waved him out.

Hannibal nodded and started toward the door, then paused.

“Yes?�

“I forgot to mention…Vicente is known for using chameleon and an illusion spell that makes him look like a young Adonis. Whoever is guarding him should know that, and whoever guards Maxical should use a constant detect life enchantment. Er…you probably already know that Vicente is allergic to garlic?�

Damien waved him out with one hand while flipping through Vicente’s file with the other. He scanned it quickly for the illusion spells and allergy, then closed the file back without adding anything. The information was there, why had the guard let him out of his sight?

When Hannibal crossed the quad, Damian rapped once on his desk. A diminutive figure slipped into the room.

“Yes, Boss?�

“Get me the agent that guards Vicente…immediately.�

It was hours before the runner returned empty handed. “I can’t find him anywhere, Boss.�

“Get me Hassiri.�









******* Hannibal


“Itius Hayn! Are you on the night shift now?� Hannibal hailed his friend.

“We all have to work day and night with these crowds. I’m glad I ran into you, I sent a runner to both the Arcane and the Merchants, but both came back empty handed. We have a situation…I need your help. Would you accompany me to the Palace?�

“Yes of course…er…what is this about?�

“Remember that girl’s body we found drained of blood last week? We’ve got several more, some with those puncture wounds in the neck…but not all. Of course I’ll need your official determination, but I think we’ve got a vampire element among all these tourists.�

“We do. There are five ancients in the city right now. Vicente from Cheydinhal attacked a patient of mine tonight. I need to contact the ’Hero of the People’ before this situation gets any more out of hand...request his assistance.�

“I have the ’Hero’ meeting us at the Palace.� Itius led the way.

“Good. Do you have a private conference room the three of us can sit down and make a plan of action?�

“I‘ll secure one.� Itius nodded. “You want to see the bodies first?�

“No, they aren’t going anywhere. It has to be our top priority to stop these vampire attacks first. You said bodies?�






***


“Yes, bodies. One washed up on the southeastern end of the City Isle this morning. Another found behind the tents at the music festival after it closed. Another the white Khajiit found in an alley in the Merchants District within the last hour. Another one on the waterfront was in pieces, couldn‘t make an identification. We suspect the bear killer on that one, the scene was the same. That one was male, the rest were all female.�

“The Gray Prince? Are you telling me you haven’t found him yet?�

“With all this going on? What time have we had to hunt him? That’s why I’ve got the ’Hero’ meeting us. We need his help, and yours. I need your mages that majored in destruction to help us form an elite task force to handle this vampire situation.�

“Most are in town for the festival. I can pull one or two from each guild, I’ll send for them immediately if you have a runner. But we can’t use any intact females, no matter how great they are in destruction.“

“Intact? What does that have to do with anything?�

“Ancient vampires are driven mad by the smell of virgin blood.�

“Good gods. We had several girls at the healers…all with extreme blood loss of unknown causes…all mysteriously no longer intact. The strange thing is, none can remember what happened. None had puncture wounds, though…it may not be related.�

“It is. Some ancients don’t like killing. Taking the virginity gives them the taste they crave, but not long enough for the girl to die. They wipe the victim’s memories and seal the wound when finished.�

“Arch Mage Traven, this is the man they call the ‘Hero of the People.� Itius indicated a Redguard in full heavy armor standing on the Palace steps.

The man clasped Hannibal’s hand. “You may not remember, I met you years ago in Sutch before it was destroyed. That’s where I hail from. My name is Azzan.�

“He is setting the Fighters Guild on its ear, Hannibal. Just joined a couple months ago, and broke the record on rank promotions in such a short time.� Itius pounded Azzan’s shoulder proudly. “I taught him a few tricks, now the student surpasses the master.�

Hannibal clasped Azzan’s hand. “I remember, you were a scrappy little lad.�

“Still am.� Azzan grinned.

Itius signaled the Imperial guard. “Make sure no outsiders enter the Palace while we conduct the investigation regarding these bodies. I need a runner sent in as well.�






***


Hannibal scribbled down a list of names, handing it to Itius.


Raminus Polus - attend me immediately at the Palace with everyone whose name appears below:

Carahil
Delphine Jend
Sulinus Vassinus
Kalthar
Teekeeus
Trayvond
Falcar
J'skar


“Of those in town for the festival, these are the best in destruction. I want the younger mages working in pairs with the more experienced ones. This is not a suggestion, but a demand if they will be used.�

“I think that’s a good idea, two pairs of eyes are better than one.� Itius nodded, making a note of it, then handed it to the runner. “I plan to contact Seridur’s vampire hunters and bring them in on this to help…�

Azzan rolled his eyes.

“Do you want to tell him, or should I?� Hannibal pointed at Azzan in a fair imitation of Damien Reynard.

“Tell me what?� Itius looked from one to the other.

Azzan cleared his throat. “They aren’t real vampire hunters. Seridur is an ancient vampire himself, and has been using the Legion to perform murders for him…by calling anyone who gets in his way a vampire. Roland Jenseric is not a vampire…he witnessed Seridur kill that girl last week.�

Itius’s mouth slacked open. “Good gods! How…good gods. I’ll clear Jenseric’s record right away. How close are you to catching Seridur then?�

“I’ve been trying to get him out of the city to kill him, with all these crowds here.�

Itius imitated Hannibal’s point at Azzan. “We can’t wait that long, just take him down. Traven said there are five ancients here, what do you say?�

Azzan nodded his head. “I’ve heard about the Orc, but haven’t seen him yet. I saw three others at the festival today when I was following Seridur. Two were using illusion to look handsome…“

“One of those is Vicente.� Hannibal volunteered, making a coded notation on a parchment and sliding it in the pocket of his robe.

Itius marked his parchment. “Seridur, Vicente…the Gray Prince…who else?�

Hannibal waited, watching Azzan.

Azzan shook his head. “One of the others ain’t like any other vampire I’ve ever seen. He’s some kind of powerful.�






***


You know the other two?� Azzan indicated Hannibal.

Hannibal hesitated, then nodded. “I do. The other one using illusion is responsible for those former virgins who were not killed, Itius. He has not killed in years of his own choice. For that reason…before we take him down, I’d like to offer him diplomatic immunity if he stops acting on his nature.�

“WHAT?� Itius and Azzan shouted in unison, both leaping to their feet. Azzan’s chair skidded and tipped. He jerked it back upright.

“On his own, he has proven he won’t kill. If he turns me down, his life will be forfeit. Just let me talk to him before going after him.�

“You can’t do that! Uriel’s law is, if they have fangs we can kill them!� Azzan raised his voice, his bronze face reddened. He slammed his fist down on the table. “We can stop this vampire problem right here and now, just wipe them all out!�

Hannibal turned to Itius, poking his finger down forcibly on the parchment in front of him to emphasize his words. “We have a city full of tourists, now is not the time to enact Uriel’s law. Right now our only concern should be taking down the ones that are killing.�



*

This post has been edited by mALX: Aug 4 2016, 05:35 AM

X-cel-lent...

I never knew you were such a sublte plotter, my girl! You have advanced far beyond the 'aha, a villian is found, let us attack' mode.

Now you are beginning to weave politics and moral ambiguity into the story...slowly, chapter by chapter, we watch you grow as a writer.

Well done. Continue. Use that imagination of yours...try to imagine what effect a butterfly flapping in once corner of your world can do to the entire universe...