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.


*

This post has been edited by mALX: Apr 2 2011, 09:59 AM

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.

This post has been edited by Thomas Kaira: Apr 2 2011, 11:19 PM

'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.

------


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!

This post has been edited by Rachel the Breton: Apr 3 2011, 03:58 AM

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.





*


This post has been edited by mALX: Apr 3 2011, 04:45 PM

@ 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 !!!!!!


*

This post has been edited by mALX: Apr 5 2011, 07:17 AM

*


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.


*

This post has been edited by mALX: Apr 5 2011, 07:37 AM

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!