Nissy’s pretty sharp! I like the line the other sister said though. She wouldn’t have much experience with love, living with a vampire. Who Nissy is in love with though?

“Cats don’t like water.”
Tell that to Aravi!

Not Ocato! Argh! That fool needs to be tossed from the top of White Gold Tower. Just imagine his shrill shriek all the way to the ground.

Oh Maxical got Nissy clean just in time! Good thinking on her part!

It’s good that Maxical’s coming clean with the Emperor right away. I didn’t think he’d care about the soap, but it’s good to start with something harmless like that.

“Or hopeless love.” Nisaba whispered. I looked at her stunned. Had she been in love? Yes, it was in her eyes…she still was. I changed the subject.

Maixcal was so sweet with Nisaba here, even though she was desperate to get her bathed. Their evolving relationship is very compelling.


He waved his hand to proceed, but by now his expression was irritated. It suddenly struck me that small details aggravated him. He wanted decisive actions and not be bothered with the niggling minutia of how they came to be.

I love this insight, Maxical has really been thinking about Uriel.


Maybe it was a hopeless battle to earn his respect, best just try for his trust…and keep it succinct.

That’s right!! He has a lot to deal with, like his own mortality, and he’s counting on you. Just forget about small details like the silly soap.


I stepped forward and lay the bar of soap down on his desk. The once pristine bar was now a misshapen mass covered with mouse hair. I spoke as abruptly as possible.

Noooo! One step forward, two steps back! It’s wonderful to see Maxical’s meat-grinder turning, just still not quite fast enough. I was rolling over the whole mouse-bathing incident. Poor Alix the mouse is shedding from all of the stress!

Any episode that features Maxical and Alix the Mouse is a favorite, and this one was no exception! What a magnificent web of contradictions and intentions gone awry you so masterfully wove here! I loved every word.

“Minimize the need by supervision.”
This passage is perfect for Uriel and draws out his concise and commanding manner. Er. . . just like this draws out the thought process of our beautiful kit:
’My mind is like hand-churning a meat grinder, it may never work fast enough to keep from jangling his nerves.’


Love the gently growing relationship between Maxical and Nisaba, along with the tantalizing hints that their destinies are linked.

“This one can’t believe the Emprer hisself invited us to stay!“
I had no problems with the (mis)spellings within this piece of dialogue and chalked it up to trying to display the speaker's education and dialect.

This post has been edited by Acadian: Jan 23 2012, 02:01 AM

“This is yours, I borrowed it without permission…Sire.”

“By the Nine! Is that a dead mouse? Remove it from my desk immediately!”

But if Maxical borrowed it, why would he assume it was a dead mouse? Does he keep a lot of dead rodents in his desk?

ROFL !! Them being cats, maybe he thought they caught it and were playing with it ... and then brought it to him !!

My cats do that all the time, especially if I give them the leftover chicken instead of making a soup with it - next day there is always a dead mouse on the doorstep as a "thank you" (urk), ROFL !!!

LMAO!! That makes me glad Melaina and the other cats are all indoor cats. No bringing me presents! Though we did have a cat while I was in high school who single handedly took care of a mouse problem we were having. He loved to bring the mice into the dining room to eat with the rest of the family. It was awkward trying to eat breakfast with crunch-crunch-crunch

EW! Our indoor cat is a mouser too. We live in the country, so there are plenty of fat field mice that love to come in every winter and bask in the heated indoors. I put double plastic grocery bags over my hand and remove the mouse before he can eat them, it makes me really ill when he does that, lol.

So I throw it outside, and then the outside cats feel like I caught it and gave it to them. Next thing I know I step out the door to go to work and * splat * - they have left me a return present on the doorstep, a mouse (or chipmonk) they caught to thank me.

Urk, I get ill from it. I swear I'd rather see them run by me than have their carcasses being "gifted" to me, lol.

So, have any of them ever brought you a snake?? Neighborhood cat where I live now apparently was very pleased with my sons leftovers from a can of tuna and brought me a 2 ft garter snake. Not a big deal to me really but my daughter almost had a coronary when she stepped out on the porch.

GAAAAAH !!! URK !!!

I don't have cats any more, but when I did, they tried to bring a skunk home to play in the yard. Fortunately it stopped following them when it saw me, or they'd probably have led it into the house.

*

@ McBadgere - Lol, I actually do try to picture him when doing his scenes, but may have slipped up on that one, ROFL !! Thank you so much, McB !!

*
@ Treydog - First: Thank you so very much! You caught the nuances of the changes in Maxical I was trying to bring out !! I really love hearing your reactions to certain scenes - that means a lot, as does your kind words !!!! Thank you, Treydog !!

Second: Unless you say no, Treydog the Smithy is returning to Maxical's story in a few chapters. He has a few small, but very important cameos before he leaves the Palace to work at the Black Horse Courier (because he refuses to be Smithy for Ocato once he is in charge).

*
@ Athynae - Thank you so much Athynae !! I have no idea what the mustard threat to Treydog means, but spewed coffee anyway. All I could think of was the mustard capsules we used to...insert...to give racehorses an edge in a race.

We had a delay at the starting gate, one horse took too long loading (ours was loaded and waiting). That mustard capsule broke before the gates opened and the "THEY'RE OFF!" ... GAAAAH !!!

He was off, and all by himself. All H broke loose in that starting gate, they nearly had to call the race. Ah, the good old days when mustard really was a good threat !!! ROFL !!!

Thank you so much, Athynae !!

*
@ King Coin -

You had me rolling with this, I did picture it once you said that, ROFL !!! Thank you so much, KC !!!

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@ Grits - Thank you so very much, Grits !!! Yeah, what few people in her life Maxical has ever really cared about making a good impression with - she just doesn't know how, but she's trying to learn. And poor Alix the Mouse ... well, you'll see soon, lol.

Your kind words mean so much to me, Grits !!! I so hope you get feeling better soon !!! <3

*
@ Acadian - Thank you so much Acadian !! I'm glad you pulled out that line by Uriel. I struggled with that for so long - couldn't think of a sentence tag that would fully encompass how Uriel got right to the meat of the matter with no beating around the bush - finally ended up leaving it at just his bare words, and I was worried his decisiveness wouldn't come across right. It makes my day to know it did, thank you !!

And you got it on the Khajiit dialogue - trying to type words like the Khajiit women would say them is harder than I thought it would be, lol. Thanks again, Acadian !!

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@ Jacki Dice - You had me rolling with your comment !! I wrote that because Uriel has not been exposed to living closely with Khajiit, and may have been under the impression cats dropped dead mice off at people's feet to show their appreciation, ROFL !!

I've more or less written the Khajiit in the story off a colony of feral cats I've been tending for over a decade - the idea of her doing that and him thinking it was a dead mouse came out of my feral's idea of "gifts" - had to run with it, lol.

I ended up going back and editing the earlier paragraphs to add in her scrubbing Alix and him shedding just to accomodate that one line, really hoped cat people would catch the connection to their own cat's behavior (or what they may have thought if a cat dropped a hairy misshapen object in front of them).

The continuation of your comment along with the added ones from Athynae and Ghastly had me in stitches !!!

Thank you so much, Jacki !!!

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@ Ghastley - I nearly choked to death laughing, imagining YOUR reaction to the cat bringing the skunk home - this whole conversation had me laughing for two days !!! Thank you so much Ghastley !!! And I saw you had a new story up that I have missed, I promise you I'll get over there and catch up on it !! Thanks again !!

*

*


Chapter 127: Understanding VS Misunderstanding


Uriel’s eyes had changed from warm blue to cold steely gray. How he must dislike these types of meetings where he is compelled to listen and acknowledge when his inclination is so obviously to end it abruptly.

Any ground I’d gained in winning his respect on the battlefield was lost within minutes of entering his chamber…again. Worst of all, it was lost trying to do the right thing for a change. Should I stop now and risk him thinking me untrustworthy later?

It felt like I stood on quicksand, where every move was the wrong one that would sink me deeper into the mire of it. What was the right thing to do…did I even know anymore? As soon as my mouth opened, I knew I’d made the wrong choice.

“Sire, there was an incidence with High Chancellor Ocato’s horse. It was overly heated and left to stand…” Uriel cut me off abruptly with a slight raising of his hand.

“You are confessing this to the wrong person. If your actions were against the High Chancellor, then it is to him you must carry your apologies.”

My throat closed off on a croaking sound.

“Apologize to…Ocato? Sire, I can’t! How can I speak to him without drawing my sword when I know he plots against you? Sire, Khajiit…we are a very loyal people. We take personally upon ourselves the enemies of those we love…revere. What I overheard today between Sir Damien and yourself…the only reason Ocato still breathes is that you have not acted on his treachery yourself. I don’t understand, Sire. How do you let him live, knowing what you do?”

“How did you overhear the conversation between Sir Damien and myself? We were quite a distance ahead of you, the words were barely a whisper!”

“Khajiit can’t help but eavesdrop. We are driven by curiosity and our hearing is extraordinary. We can hear a heartbeat in a windstorm.”

Uriel looked flabbergasted and intrigued simultaneously. “That is an amazing trait.” His eyes showed his mind was working rapidly. “There are many situations where an ability like that would be a great asset to the throne.”

“Yes, Sire. Throughout history many Royal Houses have kept Khajiit to eavesdrop on their enemies and for our single-minded devotion to our masters. We can‘t be bribed to turn our loyalty.”






***


Uriel was listening carefully. By his expression he was scanning his mind and placing checkmarks in every slot where he could place a Khajiit to his best advantage. I was relieved to see his eyes had returned to their deep blue color. My breath released slowly and the tension in my stomach faded. It may not last…no doubt it wouldn‘t last. But for right now I had earned his favor.

“I have been in several Royal houses that have a Khajiit in the Manor. The significance of their presence was in the nature of household staff.”

“Yes, Sire. Most people assume we are servants…if they notice us at all. Because our speech is different many assume we are dumb beasts. It’s what makes us effective house spies. Some Royals travel with their Khajiit to eavesdrop on their hosts when abroad.”

“Your task for me won’t involve spying in the Palace.”

“I know, Sir Damien has that role.“

After a brief eyebrow raised in surprise, Uriel nodded. “He has filled that position for me since the Imperial Simulacrum.”

“Yes, Sire. If he holds your trust, then I’m sure he has earned it. It’s just…”

“Go on.” Uriel was watching me closely now. Dear gods, was I about to make him angry again?

“Er…uh…my father said assassins have no true friends, because one day you may be their mark.”

Uriel frowned and waved his hand in irritation. “Sir Damien has proven his allegiance for over thirty years. He has earned my trust.”

“Yes, Sire. It was just something my father was told growing up. He was raised by an assassin when his mother abandoned him as an infant. He was left on the doorstep of the assassin’s mark. The assassin completed his kill, but wouldn’t leave the babe out in the cold to die. That’s who taught my father his blade skills. He was devoted to the assassin till the man’s death…of course that was long before I was adopted.”

Uriel sank down onto his settee, staring unseeing at me. I dropped to the floor so my head wouldn’t be higher than his.

“Your father, did he never mention this assassin’s name?”

“No, Sire; he wouldn’t even tell my mother the name. He refused to introduce her to him, although the man still lived till shortly after they married.”






***


Uriel’s face was an unreadable mask as he waved me to continue. “You were saying something about Khajiit loyalty.”

“Men and Mer in general reserve their highest loyalty for themselves. They can be swayed by power or gold and smile in your eyes while plotting your downfall, as you know. But Khajiit, what is in our hearts can be clearly read in our eyes. We hold no value in riches or glory. Our allegiance is where our heart is, and is given freely to those who have a place there.”

“I’ve not forgotten the treachery of Jagar Tharn.”

“How is Ocato different? Sire…I don’t understand why you let him live, why he’s not been at least imprisoned for his treason. There can be no doubt his pact with Dagon will be the end of Cyrodiil, just as it was for Mournhold.”

Uriel hesitated before answering. He clearly was not searching for words, but deciding how much he should reveal to me. He spoke softly, at first I thought to test my super hearing I’d just bragged about. Then I realized he didn’t want his voice to carry, and moved closer till I sat on the floor at his feet.

“What I tell you is of the highest security, do you understand what that means?“

“Yes, Sire. It must never be repeated, even under threat.”

“My protection will fall to your hands one day, it is best you know who your enemies will be. Ocato does not work alone. He has not the intelligence or connections to concoct a plot of this magnitude. Were I to remove him, his associate would be alerted and replace him with another. It is always best to work with known enemies. If they don’t know you suspect their plans, they continue in them and reveal their own secrets. You know they are watching you, but they don’t see that you are watching them. You can use what you know of them to plant faulty information if they don‘t suspect you know their plans.”

An involuntary gasp choked out of me. Hannibal had always been such a hero in my mind for his brilliant mind and secret dangerous missions. But this…this was like stepping into a spy novel where everyone was a double agent, it was…genius. Is this how all Emperors have to think? Dear gods, I wish I‘d known this in school, I would have read the lessons! I knew I was gaping, but couldn’t stop.

“One must always think faster than their enemies to stay a step ahead of their daggers…” Uriel paused to reach his hand down and push my mouth shut. “Let’s not begin imagining me in a dark greatcloak please.”

My cheeks flamed in embarrassment that he’d remembered my earlier gaffe. “I’m sorry, Sire.”






***


“So, he’s just a…dupe? I…but how are you able to treat him with respect…knowing? It must take tremendous strength of willpower, I’d be driven to make his life miserable. Do you know who his ally is?”

Uriel nodded briefly. “The leader of a quasi-religious cult that worships Mehrunes Dagon, the Mythic Dawn. The cult leader is a man of great power, the purported son of Camoran Usurper.“

“Dear gods…Mankar Camoran? Isn‘t he a…mad imposter?”

The words ‘son of Camoran Usurper’ echoed sickeningly around in my mind, but I couldn‘t remember anything I’d learned of him except the stories Delphine and I made up of him…Camoran You-Slurper, the man that couldn’t eat soup or drink in public because his loud slurping noises caused wars to break out. We were both put under restriction for slurping loudly in the dining hall trying to imitate him.

Uriel snapped his fingers in front of my face as Sir Damien had, ensuring he had my full attention. “Not mad. Intelligent. Dangerous. Hungry for power. The madness is a foil, a ruse so rulers will believe him an ineffectual enemy.”

I gasped, feeling faint. Treasonous plots, devious subterfuge, spying and double agents…and now Dagon and the son of Camoran Usurper…what could Akatosh have been thinking pitting me against these? It felt like I’d stepped into a warped realm where nothing is as you’ve always known it. How could I be a part of all this? I can’t protect the Emperor…I…can’t…

Uriel had my hand turned up and was pressing his thumb hard into my wrist. The dizziness faded. He spoke harshly…bracingly.

“You can’t win against an enemy if you fear them before the battle. Akatosh would not have chosen you without cause.”

“I…yes, Sire. But it is so…overwhelming.” My voice was as weak as I felt. I batted at the tears with the back of my hand, wishing he hadn’t seen them.

“Never underestimate your own capability, instead hope your enemy does…that is how you will defeat them.“

“But my only capability is with blades, Mankar Camoran is a powerful mage…Dagon…how can I prevail against enemies like these?”






***


Without saying a word, Uriel went to his desk and unlocked a drawer. He returned with a file in his hand.

“Let me read something to you. Maybe this will explain why Akatosh chose you. Five through eight years old, the orphanage. Lawyers refusing to try cases at the Compound, Elder Council moved to Palace due to constant disruption. Hieronymus Lex moves from barracks to the South Watchtower, refuses to return. There is quite a list here that details a marked ability to antagonize the highest echelon of my Legion and destroy property…totally unarmed.”

“But…” Uriel silenced me with a raised hand.

“Twelve through seventeen years old, the Arcane University. This thick stack of parchment is the log of injuries you caused to students and staff.” He lay the stack to one side and removed another slightly larger.

“This one details what Traven says was your misdeeds. Conjuring of hostile Daedra. Horses in the Arch Mage quarters. Irlav Jarol developed a permanent nervous disorder, nearly succumbed from an apoplexy. Destroyed the University Plaza with a large explosion.”

Uriel put both stacks back into the file and removed a parchment with a few short lines on it. “Yet you graduated with Masters in all but one of the Arcane Arts and attained BladeMaster standing from Alix Lencolia, who trains my own Legion.”

“But I…” Uriel raised his hand again.

“Next, the six months at the Arena. The largest stack of citations ever given against a single fighter. Beheading, goring, disemboweling, obscene gestures, foul language…here we are. Gaiden Shinji’s Arena, that has stood since the First Era. Bloodworks and Arena floor flooded. Same day, purchased stud services for BattleMaster in the prison. Same day, cost over 900 Septims in repair hammers and destroyed two raiment. Same day, destroyed Arena with massive explosion. Weeks later, wild apes turned loose in Arena. Next day, wild beasts go berserk in Weye. You are pinpointed as the cause.”

“Sire, I…” Uriel pointed at me. My mouth snapped shut.






***


“Both Traven and Sir Damien are of the strong opinion the explosion that destroyed the Imperial City was of your doing, it was found to be caused by a gas vent under the Arena. There is a distinct possibility you are also indirectly responsible for the eruption of this war itself.”

My cheeks burned with humiliation. “Dear gods…the Orc was coming up from the sewer, I was scared. I…I did turn the valve to send gas into the sewers, and sealed off the vent to the Arena. Is that what caused the explosion? And the war…it’s true, I did argue with the Immortal. I…I’m so sorry, Sire.“

“Aha.“ Uriel marked something in the file. “I received Ocato’s report just before you arrived. Assaulted Ocato by spitting on him. Placed in the care of Falanu Hlaalu. Escaped by another massive explosion that destroyed the entire shop…I won’t go into the charges Falanu brought against you. I will remind you, my own private quarters were nearly destroyed within minutes of your arrival.”

“But these were all accidents…er, not spitting on Ocato.”

“It doesn’t please me that you have nearly destroyed this city. What this file tells me is that you have an extraordinary capacity for destruction. Bringing a city to its knees in one day is power, one you must harness to use against the enemies.”

“S…Sire?” I was stunned speechless. Uriel leaned forward.

“We know where his bases are, none are the size of this city. You train yourself to control that destruction, make it happen at your will…infiltrate his bases and destroy them.”



*

This post has been edited by mALX: Jan 27 2012, 09:58 PM

OK. now I'm boggling at the concept of accident training.

Uriel needs to send her to do something she'll get wrong, but I doubt even he can predict how!

Oh, what fun to read this!!!

I love the little summary of Khajiit that you give us:
“Yes, Sire. Throughout history many Royal Houses have kept Khajiit to eavesdrop on their enemies and for our single-minded devotion to our masters. We can‘t be bribed to turn our loyalty.”
"But Khajiit, what is in our hearts can be clearly read in our eyes. We hold no value in riches or glory. Our allegiance is where our heart is, and is given freely to those who have a place there.”
Uriel snapped his fingers in front of my face as Sir Damien had, ensuring he had my full attention.

Maxical’s voluminous summary of distinguished mishistory of mishaps was wonderful! The only things I noted missing were some of her archery antics and the great dancing monkeys caper! But hey, a girl’s gotta have some secrets, right?

I’m with ghastley in wondering if Maxical’s talent will become further mastery of the magic of mishaps.

And the way ahead seems clear. Maxical will simply Maxical her foes!

This post has been edited by Acadian: Jan 28 2012, 01:11 AM

I’m rather nervous about Uriel telling Maxical anything of importance… She doesn’t have a good record… lol.

Uriel paused to reach his hand down and push my mouth shut. “Let’s not begin imagining me in a dark greatcloak please.”


It felt like I’d stepped into a warped realm where nothing is as you’ve always known it.
Is this the Shivering Isles?

Maxical’s list of damages and misdeeds! Point her at the enemy and run!

“Yes, Sire. Throughout history many Royal Houses have kept Khajiit to eavesdrop on their enemies and for our single-minded devotion to our masters. We can‘t be bribed to turn our loyalty.”

Now that is a cat habit I know! It's Melaina with Wrothken Or any of the other six cats we have with their chosen.

“One must always think faster than their enemies to stay a step ahead of their daggers…” Uriel paused to reach his hand down and push my mouth shut. “Let’s not begin imagining me in a dark greatcloak please.”

This is my absolute favourite chapter so far...

Brilliance in every way...

My god this was brilliant...Just two brilliant characters and tonnes of story...

Now I have to add it to the list of "Must go back to start" stories... ...The list of stuff she's done is incredible!... ...And that Uriel seemed to be saying it simply as stating fact was funny in itself... ...

Brilliant mALXie...Just amazing...

Nice one!!... ...

*Applauds heartily*...

This post has been edited by McBadgere: Jan 28 2012, 09:51 AM

Oh, I love this chapter! I adore Uriel for carefully explaining things to Maxical, that was quite a list of accomplishments. How fun to remember all of those antics! Though not fun for poor Maxical, I’m sure. It was great to see Uriel appreciate the unique assets that the Khajiit could offer.

“But these were all accidents…er, not spitting on Ocato.”

What a Maxical moment! This and when she sat at Uriel’s feet are my favorite parts, though I would like to quote the whole chapter as my favorite. Maxical is really inside Uriel’s trust. I love it!!

Simply put- a wonderful chapter!



The revelation of Alix’s history (the man- rather than the mouse) seems to have struck Uriel quite hard. Hmmm- wheels turning.



It is the seemingly “small” moments like that one that make this story so wonderful.



Yes- it was quoted before. And it deserves to be quoted again. That one has everything that makes us love this story so much.

“Camoran YOU-SLURPER”? Oh my aching sides!



And we see again why he is a LEADER, not simply a ruler.

And then, his dry recounting of her "exploits"- and, true to his nature, trying to find a way to harness the walking chaos that is our favorite white Khajiit.



And it won't be an accident the next time, either.

So, all of the previous readers quoted some of the best but not my favorite, maybe because it reminds me of how I shush my kids when I am on a roll...



The only thing that was missing was the "ahn't" noise that I make...

This one is absolutely fantastic. Max's description of Khajiit loyalty was beautiful.

KC said it best as far as Max is concerned