A New Sun Rises - Maxical's Adventures, The Truth Behind The Oblivion Crisis Options

[mALX]

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Chapter 109: Faction Update: Seridur



******* Seridur


Seridur let out a gasp and shrank back into the alley behind the Black Horse Courier building, pulling Vicente by the arm. “That is Imbel’s man talking to the ’Hero of the People‘! Do you see what he holds in his hands? It matches the one in my pocket, tis your letter to the vampire hunters!” Seridur hissed, his face paling.

Imbel’s man pointed to the Merchants Inn, then showed the Hero a wad of Septims. He peeled off half for the Hero and waved the rest in the air. The words, “Vicente Valtieri‘s body” floated to where Seridur and Vicente were hidden.

Vicente cast chameleon over them both, then quickly tore the bounty poster down before they hurried down the alley. “We better get out of here, Seridur.” Vicente kept his whisper low in case his voice carried. “Who else knows about this cave of yours?”

“Not even Cylben knows, only Imbel and Phintias,” Seridur whispered back.

“Hold up.” Vicente pulled him to a stop. “That cave won’t be safe for me if Imbel knows of it, he wants me dead. I named him in that letter to the vampire hunters, and he caught me poaching with the Khajiit. I better try Malvulis first, see if she‘ll stow me away and sail down the Niben till this blows over.” He started walking again.

Seridur pulled Vicente to a stop. “Malvulis! Of the pirate ship? Is that the former lover you spoke of, the one you seek to leave here with?“

“Yes, why?”

“Imbel said he is securing her for himself! If he has taken the Khajiit, he will fight you for both of them. He seeks the mysteries as well.“

“Good gods, he can’t have them both!” Vicente fumed.

“Er…well, you planned to,” Seridur pointed out.

“I can’t fight him, but I may be able to reach Malvulis before he does…and he can’t enter the sanctuary,” Vicente mused aloud, ignoring Seridur’s comment.

“Will you not be coming to the cave then?” Seridur’s voice was flat.

“I’ll be there tonight, Seridur. Keep your things packed and ready to go. Malvulis may be with me, but either way I want you to come with me to the sanctuary till Malan is gone.”

Seridur exhaled in relief.






***


Seridur’s nose was overpowered by the reek of burned flesh and singed cloth as soon as he opened the door to his house. An Altmer in a severely scorched red robe lounged in his overstuffed chair, a bottle of Seridur’s best wine in one hand and a stemmed glass half full of it in the other. He stood up. “You’re back…I‘ve been waiting for you.“

“Hello, Raven. What in Nirn happened to you, set yourself on fire trying to cast a spell?” Seridur covered his unease at Raven’s presence with humor, glancing around quickly to make sure they were alone.

“You seem in good spirits for the state this city is…“ Raven paused mid-sentence, gaping at Seridur. “Good gods! Is that some new hairdo you are adopting? You look like a wild beast!” Raven’s eyes froze on Seridur’s face next. Have you painted your cheeks with women‘s blusher?” He smudged his thumb across Seridur’s cheek. “Your cheeks are glowing and pink instead of pasty white, how can that be? Your eyes are shiny and glittering as well, are you ill?”

Seridur jerked his head back from Raven‘s touch on his face. “Yes, I have ’unwanted guestitis’. State your business, Camoran. I‘m in a hurry.”

“Well aren’t we just full of humor. Were you actually humming as you entered? How can you sing after seeing the destruction of this city? Are you daft or something?”

“I…” Seridur began, but Raven cut him off.

“Hieronymus Lex collected taxes from me for living in the sewers, can you believe that?”

“Surely…” Seridur was interrupted again.

“Took all I had on me, two coins. Now they‘ve blown up! I thought surely you would have checked to see how I fared, did you not know the sewers exploded?” Raven paused for breath.

“I knew, just assumed you had been consumed in the blast. You were obviously burned, what of the rest of your group?“

Raven‘s eyes flickered in anger at Seridur‘s words, but with a brief struggle he answered in an even tone. “Gone, all of them. I heard the rumble and ordered them to run, but did not wait to count heads if you know what I mean.” Raven refilled the wine glass, indicating Seridur sit with him.

“Your boot marks probably covered their robes as you climbed over them to escape.” Seridur continued standing. If Raven was holding back his temper he must need something. “I am on my way out, Raven. I merely stopped to pack a few items. I’ll be gone for an extended period, but you are welcome to stay here if it is a roof you need.“

“I can’t stay either. It is not a roof I need, but funds. I…lost all in the fire.”

Seridur pulled his cheques from an inner pocket and glanced around for a quill. “Are you fleeing to safety while this war rages?”

“No, I must away to Cheydinhal quickly and bring news of this siege on the Imperial City to my father.”






***


Seridur paused in his hunt for a quill, turning to face Raven. “Why, so he can pray for our safety? That religious order of his is a scam, Raven. He seizes the possessions of the deluded and promises them an eternity in a paradise that doesn‘t exist. You should know that better than anyone, you are his son and live entrenched in the filth of the sewers with no possessions but that robe that proclaims you one of his ignorant followers.” Seridur clasped his shoulder to take the sting from his words. “Your father has you submersed in his deception, Raven. You waste your life believing in him.”

“Not hardly, and you may want to rethink your words and tone when speaking of him. It is very possible when next we meet you will find me ‘entrenched’ as you put it…in the Palace with my father and sister.”

“From the sewers to the Palace; a veritable fairy tale, Raven. What can you mean?” Seridur refrained from rolling his eyes.

“The Lord has answered my father’s unceasing devotion by granting him great powers, Seridur. He not only provided the eternal Paradise, but promised himself as my father’s ally in gaining the rule of Tamriel.”

“I see…a god who happens to have a spare eternal paradise handy has promised the use of his great powers to your father so he can rule Tamriel. Pray tell, is this lord given to imbibing freely? Or perhaps does he carry a cane?”

“Your mockery is blasphemous, Seridur. It is truth, and you had best take care he not hear and smite you with his fire.”

“It looks like you are his target more than I.” Seridur pointed to the singed robe. “Your father lies to you, Raven.”

Raven was making visible efforts to control his temper. “Your lack of reverence will surely see you cast into the fiery lakes of Oblivion if you do not take care to guard your tongue, Seridur. The Lord you mock is none other than Mehrunes Dagon himself.”

Seridur gasped, staring hard at Raven for some indication that he was merely spouting off in temper. Raven’s eyes roiled in rage, but did not flicker under Seridur’s searching gaze.

“Tell me you haven’t connected yourself to Dagon, Raven. If your father has, he has lost his mind. You can’t possibly believe Uriel Septim will allay himself with anyone connected to Dagon, or hand over his seat to your father. Use your brain, Raven.”

“He will have no choice. High Chancellor Ocato plots to overthrow the Septim dynasty with the help of my father. When he does, Ocato will find himself hoist by his own petard. Dagon has promised my father the power, the seat, and given him a Paradise in Oblivion. We were to act year next, but with this siege, now is the opportune time.”






***


Seridur gaped in spite of himself. “I pray this is part of your delusions, Raven. You speak treason, do you realize that?“

“You dare not reveal to anyone what I’ve told you, Seridur. Don’t forget, I hold secrets of yours that could ruin you.”

“You could not reveal what you know of me without bringing your own neck into the noose, Raven.”

“Not that secret, I speak of your vampire nature. Seal your lips or it will become known, and the position in society you hold so dear will collapse right before they slay you for it.”

“Have you no eyes, Raven? Do you not read? My nature has been posted on every street corner with a bounty attached. You hold nothing over me, and you dare not attack me.” Seridur slid his book of cheques back into his pocket and walked to the door, pulling it open. “I will give you nothing, and the invitation of a roof is no longer available to you. I will not be connected to you in any way from here on, you best leave my house while you still can.“

Raven’s face faltered between a purplish red and completely ashen before he spoke, spitting Seridur’s wine from his lips with each word. “You have no idea what a mistake you have made, my former friend. Dagon will aid our cause. He will crush this place till it is naught but dust and ash. As Mournhold fell, so will Cyrodiil.”

Seridur made one last attempt to reach Raven as the man paused in the doorway and faced him. “You’d see all destroyed? For what, to be ruler over a wasteland? Raven, get out of this while you can, you’re better off ruling over the rats in the sewers than what you speak of. Dagon’s own agenda will always take precedence over any promises he’s made. Toying with the Daedric gods is to become their plaything.”

Raven‘s eyes attempted a coy look. “Come on, Seridur…what do you say, once for old time’s sake? I’ll see you get a high position in my court…I just need the funds to get home, Seridur.”

Seridur’s stomach turned and twisted within him, sickened that Raven would tread on their long past relationship after revealing a side of himself that was uglier than the vampire nature tainting Seridur. “Leave my premises now, Raven. And don‘t ever return.”






***


Seridur locked the door, then slid the bolt across. Raven obviously still had the key…if he ran for the guards, what proof would Seridur have of Raven’s confession to treasonous plotting? He would be trapped in here, it would be best to flee quickly before Raven could return with the Legion.

He grabbed several bottles of his best wine and then started stuffing food into his pack around them, thinking rapidly as he packed. Ocato plotting treason…that knowledge made him even more bribable than the kinks in his sexual attractions.

Until now he had never even thought of holding that secret over Ocato, never had cause. But right now saving Vicente was of the utmost importance…this could be that dragon he envisioned slaying for him.

Ocato had a program of diplomatic immunity for certain vampires, the Immortal had been on it for decades. With this knowledge Seridur could force Ocato to put Vicente and himself on it.

Seridur cast chameleon before sliding silently out the door. He glanced around nervously before taking off at a dead run for the palace.

Seridur slowed down suddenly, as with shock he realized Imbel’s name hadn’t been on that bounty list. Had Ocato given him diplomatic immunity? Good gods, if so Malan could stay disguised as Imbel and avoid death from both the Legion and the Hunters…and the Immortal, who had grown quite attached to the man he thought was Imbel.

Good gods, if that happened the only one who might possibly kill Malan was that loony Orc! It would be best to tell Ocato that Imbel was really Malan, just in case.

Still in chameleon, Seridur waited till the door of the Palace was opened. He slid in past the exiting troop of guards.



*

This post has been edited by mALX: May 5 2011, 12:28 AM

[King Coin]

I love the banter between Seridur and Vicente at the beginning

“Good gods, he can’t have them both!” Vicente fumed. 

“Er…well, you planned to,” Seridur pointed out.

The Mythic Dawn! I guess even vampires don't want Dagon's plan to take shape. They'd be out a lot of food

[D.Foxy]

Whew! I'm back at last! Quite a lot of catching up to do!!!

As always...your imaginative plotline is matched only by your control of the reader's mind, my dear!

[Grits]

The words, “Vicente Valtieri‘s body” floated to where Seridur and Vicente were hidden.

Yikes, that’s never what you want to hear!!

Seridur jerked his head back from Raven‘s touch on his face. “Yes, I have ’unwanted guestitis’.

If only there was a cure!!

Just when I thought it couldn’t get any funnier, we have Raven Camoran bitching and moaning to Seridur! I never noticed his name was on Lex’s Tax Records!!

Seridur has the right idea about packing for a quick getaway. Grab the good wine first! More twists and turns, but I’m keeping up. Now I’m wondering where that loony orc is headed…

[Acadian]

My goodness! The city is overrun with vampires. It can't get any worse can it? Uh oh - enter the Marooned Dragon dancing lightly about what smells like a pending Oblivion Crisis. How clever to work in Raven Camoran.

“Yes, I have ’unwanted guestitis’. State your business,

If Raven was holding back his temper he must need something.
Given what preceded and followed this little gem, it was crafted and inserted perfectly!

Can't wait to see what happens when Seridur sees Ocato.

[Lady Syl]

Chapter 7 review—I love that even in the face of possible death, Maxical still has the ability to kid around and make the audience laugh and cheer for her. It is this ability of hers to be silly yet serious that I love about her!

It felt like an icicle pierced me, the steel was cold inside me. A second later the pain came, but for that blessed second I didn’t feel anything but the cold of the blade.
I loved your description here—perfectly chilling, and though I hope never to find out, I wonder how that would feel. Your description sounds like it would be accurate…

I yanked the dagger out and for the first time did what turned out to be my signature move. I gouged it into his crotch and twisted it, then shoved him back to get his sword out of me so I could run
Ouch! I think, were I a man, I would have a hard time reading that! Good job, though. Smart move by Maxical, though I feel for the fellow… And you say this becomes her signature move? *shivers*

Maxical telling herself “it was my life or his,” was good. I think, in that situation, the only way to keep going and bring yourself to do something like that, one would have to remember that.

Your descriptions of Maxical’s feelings from her injuries, and what happened to her opponents, sounded very accurate, from what I have heard and read. And the suspense you gave us… oh, I was nervous! I felt almost like I was in the crowd, watching the fight! Great job! All of it—excellent write!

[RainbowVeins]

I've been following Maxical's crazy story for months and figured it was high time I drop in and add just a few more encouraging words. Yours was the first tale I came across upon finding this site. How could anyone not come to love our favorite kitty cat-astrophe? And you, mALX, are a webspinner to rival Mephala Keep it up!

[Thomas Kaira]

Chapter 107:

Uh oh... Dagoth Malan is in Cyrodiil? Could he be the one Ash Vampire to have survived the death of Dagoth Ur? He really did manage to unshackle himself from the Heart of Lorkhan? I truly fear for the Imperial City, and for Maxical, now.

One that note, I think it was a wonderful idea for you to blend together regular vampires and the infinitely more powerful Ash Vampires in this tale. It certainly explains a lot as to where the Immortal got his power.

Chapter 108:

Umm... vampire hunters, you do know that vampires are technically not alive, right?

Cue the cheesy opera vibrato, Seridur's in looooooooooove!!

“Good gods, Seridur! Are you composing poetry and song in your mind at this dire juncture?”

*record scratches and halts*

And now we know Malan's exact weakness, too. Caterwauling! Get going, Maxical, make his ears bleed!

Chapter 109:

Hmm, an interesting take on Mankar Camoran's timing. After vampires nearly destroyed the Imperial City, he made the deal with the Daedra to invade Tamriel and return the land to them in exchange for lordship over the land... very interesting.

“You dare not reveal to anyone what I’ve told you, Seridur. Don’t forget, I hold secrets of yours that could ruin you.”

Oh, come on, Seridur, just come out of the closet already! If Teresa is perfectly at home with being a lesbian, what is there for you to fear with admitting? Keeping secrets about your sexuality makes you violent, after all!

I'm back, now.

[Zalphon]

Oooo, the plot thickens quite a bit...

[Burnt Sierra]

Right, just spent the last hour and a bit reading, and have got to the end of chapter 12. So just under 100 chapters to catch up on.

I think this could take me a while to read all the way through

Thoughts so far:

This quote, from the t'other place that shall not be named:

lots of other people manage to produce longer works than these in less than half the time - mALX, how do you do it!? I'm green with envy!

you are giving birth to a classic here. (I just ...produced the world's largest turd)

Holy crap (to continue your analogy ), this story is fantastic. From the beginnings, the letters home from the University - which by the way had me in stitches - the inventive, funny, detailed fights in the Arena, the relationship between the characters (where I've just reached, I swear I want to run after Fathis, slap him, call him a few names, and drag him back by his pointy bloody ears), the fact that there is genuine emotion shown and felt by ALL the characters...

Too say I'm impressed would be the worlds most ridiculous understatement!

Almost 100 chapters to go then. Should be quite a ride. Looking forward to what your imagination has in store

[Burnt Sierra]

Okaay, Chapter 59. Might not take me as long as I'd first thought, I've been well and truly hooked here, 6+ hours and counting (and a very irate Dawn wondering what the hell I'm doing up here.)

Had to pop downstairs to make a cuppa and have a cig, and get a few things straight in my mind, especially as the tone in the last few chapters has changed dramatically. The characters are wonderfully drawn, deep and rich, and deeply flawed - and interestingly, they act and make decisions from those flawed perspectives. I'm finding it quite compelling to read about them, especially as I'm never quite sure what they'll do next, or indeed from which perspective they'll make their next decision.

Which brings me to why I needed that caffeine break. As I'm reading, I'm finding myself querying more and more concepts of free will. None of the characters seem to be coming from that perspective. Janus is using mind control to manipulate Fathis, as well as reading the mind and keeping Agronak alive. Agronak in turn is using mind control to manipulate Gils, who in turn uses his wiles, voice and eyes to manipulate Maxical. Who has been unconciously manipulating Fathis from the very start, who in turn...is getting crapped on by everybody. I feel quite sorry for Fathis to be honest

It's fascinating to see characters making decisions, based on what they believe to be their own choice, but which the reader can see the hidden strings that are making them dance. Seeing as Vicente and Ocheeva have just appeared, I wanted to make sure I had all the current threads clear in my mind, before yet more are introduced.

Phew. Onto chapter 60 then!

[Burnt Sierra]

Chapter 93. It's half past midnight, and I am not going to bloody bed till I've caught up.

I'm going to be like a zombie at work tomorrow. Erm, today. Oh well...

It is intoxicating, and the conversation with Janus... despite all the action, the devious plotting, that section had me leaning forward on the edge of my seat. My neck, my shoulders had actual tension in them.

p.s. I'm on Team Fathis at this point of the story, I'm dying to know what the outcome of all this is!

Now back to 94...

[Burnt Sierra]

Up to date!!



It was 2 am this morning when I reached that point, but it was worth every second. Now I'm in the same position as everyone else. Desperately waiting to find out what happens next

Can't wait!

[mALX]

*

@ King Coin - I usually free-type characters (then read and edit) so their interactions come out naturally - and found it really odd that Vicente readily took off and left Malvulis when she was being attacked by the Captain, but protected Seridur when these situations arose. I kept it in the story because I found it intriguing, in spite of it going against Vicente's usual actions. Not sure if this is a 'vampires stick together' thing; if it was that women are a dime a dozen to Vicente; or maybe that Seridur looked up to him like a mentor - I doubt Vicente gets that very often. I like the chemistry between them too, and it was nice to see some redeeming qualities in Vicente other than his prowess in the sack for a change, lol. Thank you so much KC !!!!

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@ Foxy - Thank you so very much Foxy !!! And WOO HOO!!! You are BACK !!!

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@ Grits -

If only there was a cure!!

ROFL !!! I can see it now; I drop in on friends with a carload of packed bags and they spray me with one of those old-time bug foggers, lol !!

I never noticed his name on the tax list either, but happened across that little tidbit while I was researching his part in the story - could NOT leave that out, lol !!!

Thank you so much Grits !!!!

***
@ Acadian - Thank you so much Acadian !!! You pulled out some of my own favorite lines in that chapter! Marooned Dragon - ROFL !!! He will never be taken as a serious threat again, lol !!!!

***
@ Lady Syl - I am so glad to hear you say that, and thank you so very much!! The truth is, I hate writing fight scenes, and avoid them whenever possible. Anything I know about fighting I learned from an immersive guide by Foxy that teaches battle techniques/weapons usage/etc. :

"Of Blades, Fights, and Assassins, Martial Arts techniques for Combat Writing"

http://forums.bethsoft.com/?showtopic=1037618


Foxy is the resident expert, and I run any fight scripts by him before posting them and still pelter him with hundreds of questions till he goes AWOL to avoid the harrassment, lol. Thank you so much, Syl !

***
@ Rainbow Veins - Thank you so very much Rainbow Veins! I so appreciate hearing that, and especially loved this:

kitty cat-astrophe

- ROFL !!! Great wordplay, and fitting! It means a lot to me that you like Maxical and the story, Thank You so much !!

***
@ Chef TK - Thank you so much TK !!! ROFL - taking down Malan with her singing, you had me rolling with that !! So glad to have you back TK !!

***
@ Zalphon - Thank you so much Zalphon - it won't be thick long, everything is about to explode wide open, lol. (finally). Thanks again, Zalphon !!

***
@ Burnt Sierra - It really meant a lot to me that you read the story through and liked it, your kind words are so appreciated !!! I want to send my appreciation to Dawn as well, tell her she ROCKS for not coming up with the rolling pin that day/night !! Thank you again Burnt Sierra, this meant so much to hear!

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[mALX]

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Chapter 110: Faction Updates: Seridur



******* Ocato



High Chancellor Ocato twitched nervously. What a mistake he had made in dealing with Mankar Camoran. The plans for a simple political assassination…Camoran turned them into the destruction of Cyrodiil by enlisting Mehrunes Dagon’s assistance. The second Ocato heard that he knew Camoran wanted the power for himself. He wouldn’t ally a Daedric Lord to help anyone but himself into the throne.

Camoran’s own son had confirmed that. For a brief second the thought flickered through Ocato’s mind to go to Uriel and expose Camoran’s plot…leaving his own name out of it. Uriel’s assassins would be sent, though…and Camoran may have ample proof of Ocato’s complicity.

There was only one thing he could do, hire his own team of assassins. Kill Camoran and that loose lipped son of his…and Seridur, who knew all. Close permanently the mouths of anyone who could carry tales of his treasonous plotting to Uriel Septim.

Only a few Battlemages were resting up in the dorm room, everyone had been ordered out to clear vampires from the Palace district.

“Why aren’t you out with the others, slacking on your duties?” Ocato’s piercing voice pulled them scrambling from their beds instantly.

“No, High Chancellor. We were shifted to rest up and regain our magicka.”

“Use the fount then, we can’t win this war with sleeping Battlemages! Since you’re here, I have a special assignment I need carried out immediately. You two!” Ocato pointed. “A tall Altmer just left here with forged immunity documents, follow him. He is a vampire, so use extreme stealth. We need to know where he is nesting. When you find his lair you are to kill every living creature in it. Move fast once you begin. I want them killed before they can utter a sound. If anyone speaks it will be lies to save themselves, you are not to believe a word they say. …Well MOVE!” Ocato’s shrill voice sent them flying out of the room.

“Yes, High Chancellor!”

Ocato turned to the remaining Battlemage. “Your instructions are exactly the same, but you have a different target and will handle it alone. There is a man named Raven Camoran who was living in the sewers below the city…”









******* Seridur


Seridur wrinkled his nose at the stench of burned flesh permeating the sewers since that blast. The network of connecting lines ran below the city and exited into Lake Rumare. A quick swim from there to his cave…Seridur paused. The stairwell leading to the basement of the ‘First Edition Bookstore’ loomed in front of him.

His hand moved to the inner pocket of his cuirass and touched the two scrolls from Ocato guaranteeing Vicente’s and his safety…diplomatic immunity. He had done it, slain the dragon for Vicente…given him the freedom to leave that sanctuary and live without fear.

The feeling of elation and accomplishment that filled him when Ocato handed him the scrolls had caused tears to well up in his eyes...he had shed them unashamed in front of Ocato.

Seridur glanced up the stairwell before coming to a decision. There was time before Vicente would arrive at the cave…time to end his relationship with Phintias. Vicente would never be his, he knew that. But Phintias would never be…Vicente. Seridur hurried up the steps and used his key to enter the basement.

“Seridur!”

Seridur sidestepped Phintias’s attempted embrace. “I can’t stay, Phintias. I am leaving on an extended trip…I may not be returning to the Imperial City. I stopped in to say goodbye, and…release you from our relationship. The store is yours to keep…”

“Release me from…“ Phintias’s shocked expression rapidly purpled in rage. “You think you can just dump me?” The rage never left Phintias’s eyes or voice, but he struggled to force a look of composure onto his face. “Who is it, Seridur? You vowed to make your will in my favor not a week ago. Now it’s over, like that?” Phintias snapped his fingers under Seridur’s nose, bumping it hard as he did.

“You hounded me night and day to get that promise out of me, Phintias; just as you did to get this bookstore. The store has made you wealthy in your own right, you have no need of my funds or inheritance now. I hoped we could part amicably.”


“You’ve got another thing coming, then. I won‘t be tossed aside Seridur, you can forget it! Now WHO IS IT! I’ll paint the city with his blood, and yours too! Tell me right now, Seridur; did you put me in your will or was that a lie too?” Phintias was breathing hard, his fists clenching and unclenching.

Seridur fidgeted, unsure if Phintias would lose control of those fists if he admitted he had not changed the will as promised. One lie…he could leave here and never see Phintias again.

“D-do you doubt me? Of c-course I changed th-the will.” Seridur’s eyes flickered under Phintias’s intense glare.

“That better be the truth, or…”

Without finishing his sentence Phintias lunged, his fist plowing into Seridur’s eye. Through a blur of flashing lights spinning in his vision Seridur saw the fist coming back for another blow. He ducked away but not fast enough. The fist connected, glancing off his cheekbone with a crushing sound.

The impact sent him staggering backwards, stumbling over an ill placed chest. The back of his head cracked against a hard surface and then he found himself laying on his back on the floor. Through the haze before his eyes Seridur tried to crawl to the front door, screaming for the guards. A hard boot smashed his rib cage with a sickening crunch, then again into his arm. Phintias’s shouting became indistinguishable as words; sounding like it was coming from another room…then another realm as Seridur began slipping from consciousness.

His casting arm felt bent at an odd angle and wouldn’t move when he tried it. With effort he pulled his other arm up and touched the scrolls in his inner pocket. The parchment felt soggy and tore easily at the touch of his fingers. His fingers felt warm and wet as he drew them out, blood dripped from them.

Vicente‘s immunity…have to get it to him…

The continuous kicks no longer brought pain, only the dull thudding crunch of Phintias’s boot against his bones. Seridur tried to crawl on his knees and one elbow. The boot smashed into his jaw, crushing it...he could no longer scream for help. A whimpering sounded from his right lung, and suddenly he was strangling to breath.

Vicente…help…

******* Vicente


Vicente pulled his dripping frame onto the sandy bank using the broad stern of the Maria Elena as a shield from the Legion guards. Malvulis’s laughter floated down to him from the upper deck high above him. He cast chameleon and pulled himself up onto the pier, a watery trail following his movements as he skimmed along the pile of crates by the gangplank trying to avoid the torches lighting the dock area.

"Ho hey, sweet lady of Wayrest! Ho hey, sweet lady of mine! Oh I'll see you again, yes I'll see you again, sweet lady of Wayrest so fine!" The singing pirate nearly tripped over the invisible Vicente.

“HEY! What’s this?” The Legion dock guard pointed his baton at the water trail leading to the crates.

"I ain't got nothin' to say to you, fancy pants. So why don't you mind your own business, huh?" The pirate leaned over and spat a large lugie onto Vicente’s invisible hand. He waited till the Legionnaire shrugged and walked away before inspecting the water trail that was now moving across the gangplank.

“Whoever you are, you better shove off!” He spat again, this time directly at the head of the ever moving trail.

The gob hit Vicente in the back of the head. Instead of continuing to try and sneak on board, Vicente made a run for it, trying to shimmy quickly up to the top deck while hollering, “Malvulis!”

“Vicente, is that you?”

He could see Malvulis glancing around for him, but didn’t want to dispel the chameleon spell with the other pirate on his heels. Being chased by the vampire hunters then Seridur, the long swim down the Rumare from the sewer exit…Vicente’s limbs weren’t responding with the boost he needed to heave himself to the upper level.

A rock-hard fist drove into the center of his back. “Got ye!” The pirate growled and began raining blows.

“Malvulis, call this dog off me!” Vicente yelled.

“Jon! Let him be, he‘s a friend.”

The pounding stopped. Vicente found the ladder to the upper deck and hurried up it, dispelling the chameleon after he got to the top. “Malvulis…” Vicente took a step toward her, his arms spread open wide at the radiant smile that spread across her face when she saw him. Love and joy. It was still there after all this time.

As his foot moved to take another step toward her Vicente suddenly found himself struggling to breath, strangling as if he were miles underwater and the pressure was compressing his lungs…what tasted like blood was flooding his nose and mouth at once.

Vicente flung his head back, gasping as the air around him darkened to pitch and Malvulis faded from his vision in the black void of it.

Vicente…help…

“SERIDUR!” Vicente’s shout echoed back from the trees that lined the shore across the Rumare.

In one swift motion Vicente turned away from Malvulis and dove from the bridge of the Maria Elena. The black depths swirled and churned around him as he fought to the surface against the strong undercurrent of the channel.

Vicente hesitated before choosing to risk the City Isle gate rather than swim against the undertow all the way to the sewer entrance and having to double back again. He slid through the gate before thinking to use chameleon…too late.

“Halt right there…” A gauntleted hand slammed down on Vicente’s shoulder in a tight grip and spun him around as another hand jerked the cowl back from his face. “I got me one! It’s a vampire!” The man shouted.

Vicente snarled and hissed into the man’s face as he struggled to break free of the grip.

“GAAAAH!” The man’s eyes were bulging, his shaking hand was struggling to pull his sword from the scabbard.

“Don’t make me kill you." Vicente growled a fraction of an inch from his face, the acidy drippings from his fangs flecking into the man‘s eyes like a spitting snake.

“GAAAAH! He’s blinded me!” The man released Vicente and staggered in a circle rubbing his eyes.

Before Vicente could break into a run the fabric of the night sky was rent with a bone chilling scream that reverberated off the city walls and buildings, that sound...he would never forget it. An ancient dying. Centuries crumbled away and for a split second Vicente was hiding in that forest again, hunted...his brethren being picked off one by one, their death screams splitting the nights.

“SERIDUR!” Vicente’s voice echoed back from the high city wall. “Seridur…no.” Vicente slumped against the wall and tipped his head back. “NOOOOOO!”



*

This post has been edited by mALX: May 18 2011, 01:58 PM

[King Coin]

Seridur getting stomped by Phintias. I enjoyed that section quite a bit. The mental communication when Seridur was being killed was a neat touch. Vicente now has a hit squad on him. Here's hoping they catch him! I'm hating Ocato more and more.

Good chapter! I can't wait to find out what happens next!!! and kill Ocato!

This post has been edited by King Coin: May 18 2011, 05:17 PM

[Grits]

There was time before Vicente would arrive at the cave…time to end his relationship with Phintias.

Uh oh. That never goes badly.

The spitting pirate was inspired, and gross!! I could completely see him doing that!

Before Vicente could break into a run the fabric of the night sky was rent with a bone chilling scream that reverberated off the city walls and buildings, that sound...he would never forget it. An ancient dying. Centuries crumbled away and for a split second Vicente was hiding in that forest again, hunted...his brethren being picked off one by one, their death screams splitting the nights.

You actually made me feel bad for Seridur and Vicente!! To borrow a phrase, AWESOME WRITE, mALX!! What's going to happen next?!

[Acadian]

Wow! A stunning reminder of Ocato's dealing with Camoran and, by extension, Macaroni Dragon. Ocato has unleashed the hounds to save his Altmeri bacon.

A very vivid scene with Seridur and Phintias that did not go well at all for Seridur.

Ugh! Vincente covered with spit! Double ugh! Lol.

Like KC said, the mystic communication between Seridur and Vincente was neat as can be.

And although the wise Grits already quoted this, you must forgive me for quoting it again:
'Before Vicente could break into a run the fabric of the night sky was rent with a bone chilling scream that reverberated off the city walls and buildings, that sound...he would never forget it. An ancient dying. Centuries crumbled away and for a split second Vicente was hiding in that forest again, hunted...his brethren being picked off one by one, their death screams splitting the nights.'

^ This ^

is why mALX is mALX and no one else can do what you do. This was magnificent in its stunning effectiveness and beautifully poetic prose. By Mara, that was simply a magical passage!

[Thomas Kaira]

What a fantastically mundane end to a fantastic vampire!

Too bad he had to die in such pain at the hands of an insane, clingy idiot, though. I wanted to see him run through by Fathis after an epic battle between him, Fathis, Malan, and the Dread Pirate Roberts! He could've shown up shirtless with a rainbow sword, and then we could all go out at the end for beers and share a few more swords!

But alas, it is not to be. Now I must watch in... well, not horror, but disgust as he bleeds to death at the hands of an imbecile. Remind me to slit that rude bookworm's throat next time I see him.

[Zalphon]

Vincent is something else, heh.