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

[Grits]

Oh, dear Maxical had her hands full in this one. The Rat Award sealed the deal, I’m going back to read the original version!!

This whole chapter I was torn between hooting with laughter at the outrageous Khajiiti stunts and cringing with Maxical’s growing horror at the same. This line:

“We do for Sire out of loyalty, only the untrustworthy would accept payment for duty.”

said it all for me as far as explaining the sisters’ frame of mind.

The Khajiit sister stepped forward, speaking in broken Cyrodiilic. “Sisters number eight. For sweetrolls, we throw Ocato from window. Dead men carry no tales.” She imitated Chef in spitting on Ocato, then grinned up at him with a wide smile that displayed jagged yellow teeth.

OMG, you nearly killed me with that line on top of Alix’s disguise. And the whole time I was rolling about chef and Ocato, I was thinking oh, poor Maxical!

Then the red robes at the end were positively chilling. All of the antics thwarted a real assassination attempt. To borrow a phrase from Maxical, dear gods!!

[Athynae]

Finally got here to make a real reply...

The entire Malan post was a peek into that mind and so well done we could see the world through his motivations...shiver....I do hope he gets his soon....

The scenes with the Khaajitt women was priceless, hilarious and touching too...yes I'm weird but I saw something there that was very innocent inspite of all they have done for Malan and themselves...The thought of Ocato in a scene from Home Alone was perfect..ly hilarious. And then it ended on a note of foreboding and wondering what the reaction is going to be....

Great write mALX, sorry about taking so long....

[mALX]

*

@ Ghastley - ROFL !!! Poor Ocato, eh? Lol. Thank you so much Ghastley !!

*
@ Athynae - Thank you so very much (for both comments) !! Those storms were horrible, I hope you didn't get caught up in the worst of them, something like 36 dead. We had it bad for a couple short stints and then it blew on without much damage to us at all, thank goodness!

*
@ King Coin - Thank you so much KC !! Yeah, I don't think Uriel realized what he was getting into welcoming a bunch of feral cat thieves and highwaymen into the Palace, lol. They have their own set of rules they live by. Thanks again, KC !!

*
@ Acadian - Lol, Maxical gets a taste of her own meds with these Khajiit women, maybe now she'll be a little more careful in how much chaos she brings around with her, lol. Thank you so much Acadian !!!! You ROCK !!!

*
@ Darkness Eternal - Oh yeah, Maxical curses like a sailor, emphasizing a lot of what she says with a cuss in one form or another. She can lay down a stream of [censored] words in a row, but I was trying to save word count on that chapter, lol. I'll try to cut back on the "dear gods," but she has to curse (that is part of who she is, lol).

Actually, the vampire juices ARE an illegal drug harvested from vampires. Uriel has banned them in Cyrodiil, so the women have been crossing the border into Elsweyr and trafficking them illegally into Cyrodiil.

Thank you so much, Darkness !!

*
@ McBadgere - Lol, I am so glad you liked that !! Thank you so much McB !!!

*
@ Grits - I have actually been considering posting the "Rat Award" chapter on here, it was the original scene where the Ocato and the Chef fued starts, and the whole chapter is a Black Horse Courier Special Edition. I can never thank Mrs. Treydog and Treydog enough for their arty contributions to the original story, they kept me rolling with the stuff they would send in - and Mrs. Treydog's famous portrait of Maxical's (unknown at this time) half sister Rumpleteasza was an amazing bit of photoshopping as well. That portrait will def make it here, Rumple has already given her permission.

Thank you so much for your wonderfully kind words, Grits !!! You ROCK !!!

*

[mALX]

*


Chapter 136: The Khajiit Standoff



******* Uriel Septim (cont.)


Uriel looked curiously at Evangeline. She was trying to warn him about Ocato being a traitor without saying anything to incriminate herself. Maxical had admitted doing something to his horse, Evangeline must have planted that noose to frighten Ocato.

In spite of that, Uriel couldn’t be sure her loyalty was where it should be. She had been Ocato’s bodyguard since shortly after he arrived…and she let the assassins get by her. How?

Uriel pointed to Maxical. “You swore your firstborn to Akatosh, but told me you had none. I want the truth, what did Ocato mean?”

“I have no idea on Nirn what he meant.” Maxical looked genuinely confused, but Evangeline’s eyes flickered guiltily. She obviously knew something Maxical did not.

Damien leaned close to Uriel and barely whispered. “She’s still a virgin.”

“How would you know that?” Maxical spat at him, her fur starting to bush out. Uriel raised his eyebrows.

“The whole void knows, you shouted it out at the Arena. I was there, remember?”

“Oh.” Her fur remained puffed out.

Uriel studied her fuming face for a second, then motioned Damien to take Evangeline to the desk and wait. He signaled Maxical to come with him to the opposite side of the room by the dome window, and barely whispered when he spoke to her.

“It is imperative we work as a unit, now more than ever. There can be no petty bickering among you two. You must put a stop to it now and find a way to get along.”

“But…I think Sir Damien is on Skooma, Sire. His eyes glitter…”

Uriel felt his temper rising along with his blood pressure. “He’s been with me over thirty years, you have my assurance that he takes no drugs.”

“I don’t trust him. He’s watching us speak right now, I think he is listening.”

“From across the dome?” Uriel clasped and unclasped his hand in an effort to contain his growing temper. “There isn’t time for this silliness, now just be quiet and listen to me.”

“Yes, Sire.”






***


“I must know everything about those that wore the crimson robes, when and how they gained entry to my quarters. Find out where they are now. These are Mythic Dawn agents. It has begun, Maxical. It has begun.”

Uriel had expected Maxical to faint, but she surprised him with an intense focus.

“They are dead, Sire. The sisters killed them in self defense. They tossed their bodies out the corridor window into the street below. As to when and where, they entered this floor while you were with Nissy and the other sister. They were first spotted coming up the Battlemage’s corridor, just walked right up to the door and used a key.”

“Was that the blood Ocato saw?”

“Yes, Sire. We weren’t cleaning it in case they were enemies. I‘ll tell the sisters to go ahead and paint the outer door frame with it as a warning to the rest.”

Uriel felt a cringing in his stomach. “We aren’t barbarians, of course it must be cleaned. I can‘t have blood staining the entrance to my chambers.”

“It’s psychological warfare, not barbarism. Tiber Septim himself painted the blood of his enemies around the outer door of his fortress. At the Arena we wipe the blood of the defeated on our door into the Bloodworks chute. Oh! We can string those crimson robes and hang them off the dome too, I’ll duplicate a bunch and add them. That will scare the assassins as they approach the Palace and make Camoran think you have defeated an army of them already.”

“Absolutely not! This is neither a fort nor the Arena, now…just be quiet and listen to me. We can no longer assume anyone can be trusted just because they are familiar Palace staff. Tell the women they must not speak to anyone about this, not even Evangeline. I want total isolation of knowledge so it will be apparent if someone knows something they shouldn’t.”

“What about Sir Damien?”

Uriel exhaled loudly. “You, Sir Damien, and Nisaba must all work together. I will not tolerate infighting, have I made that clear?”

“Yes, Sire.”

“The women must be on posted watch in the corridor continuously day and night. Have them work in teams and shift each other to rest between guards. Anyone wearing these robes they are to kill on sight, and I must be told immediately.”

“They are guarding already. We really need light armor, all we‘ve found in the Palace was heavy. Evangeline knows our sizes. Better weapons would help, steel at least. All we could find was iron. Seven shortswords, two longswords, nine daggers, and seven bows with a good stock of steel arrows. We…er…borrowed…that is to say we can make our own poisons. None of us can heal with magic, we could use some healing potions. I can keep some duplicated for us.”

Uriel raised his brows in surprise. “I’ll see you get any equipment you require. Tell the women they will be well rewarded for this.”






***


“It will insult the sisters if you even offer them reward. If someone claims loyalty and then accepts your gold, they can’t be trusted. Khajiit value trust. If they have need of Septims they'll earn it honestly.”

“How? I have need of them in the Palace, they have proven invaluable already. It is critical that they remain for the time being.”

“They've been holding up visitors in the corridor and robbing them, that‘s how they caught those men in the crimson robes. Oh…er…one sister is weaving wigs and toupees from horse‘s tails and selling them. She‘s sold two already.”

“Ocato’s horse’s tail? Theft and robbery? How can you call that an honest living! I can’t have highwaymen robbing people in the corridors of the Palace!”

“Only in your corridor, Sire. Nisaba asked Evangeline who is allowed up here. The way Khajiit feel, if they are here by trespass then they deserve their fate. They have been stopping everyone as they enter. Anyone with your permission to be here proceeds unmolested.”

Uriel ground his teeth. There was a shocking difference in culture between Khajiit and humans he would never understand. “I ordered you not to harass Ocato.”

“I didn’t realize he wasn’t on the list till right before you called me. They’ve been warned now. But since you brought him up; accommodating Ocato coming back and forth makes it very hard to protect you. Plus he keeps setting off the traps every time we lay them in the corridor.”

“Traps?”

“Your corridor door is locked, but Evangeline said every guard and staff member has the key. Someone could pickpocket a key or just pick that lock and gain entry to your chambers. We wanted a way to seal the corridor off so no one can enter without extreme measures. Then we’d know they were up to no good.”

Uriel exhaled loudly. “Maxical, these are jungle tactics! This isn‘t the wilds, it is a Palace!”

She stopped him by reaching one hand up to tug his arm. “Those Mythic Dawn had a key, Sire.”






***


Uriel’s hold on his temper was going fast. “Maxical, I want no more of these Khajiit measures used. From now on we will do things my way.”

Her hand slowly fell to her side, and then as if she’d come to a decision she pulled herself upright and looked directly into his eyes.

“Sire, the women and I have been talking. Akatosh chose Khajiit to protect you at the direst time of your life, there has to be a reason for that. You said the Nine guide and protect you, and there are nine of us. We figured that was a sign. If Akatosh wanted human tactics, wouldn’t he have just chosen a human champion for you?”

His teeth were grinding as he answered. “I was speaking of the Nine Divines.“

“I know that, Sire. But Khajiit are bound to Azura, not Akatosh. Why did Akatosh choose us? There must be some purpose behind it. It’s not just on our shoulders if we fail, but on the head of all Khajiit. We noticed you had no security measures up here, so took it upon ourselves to set some up. Did you realize someone could climb out a window in the Battlemages quarters and access these windows? Nissy tested it and easily made it to your bedroom window in under five minutes. She was able to pick the window latch into your bedroom in seconds. We soaped all the ledges and poured heavy grease over that, then booby-trapped all the windows up here, no one can get in to you now except by that corridor door…er, just don’t forget and open any windows, Sire.”

“Are you telling me Nisaba crawled around on the outside of the Palace dome? One slip and she could have been killed! She is not to do that again, do you hear?”

“Yes, Sire. She won‘t need to now, it‘s done.“

“My head is beginning to throb, just make sure the women begin guarding the corridor.“

“They already are, Sire.“

“I saw no one out there when Ocato left.”

“Nevertheless, they are there. Watch this, the sisters are teaching me about being Khajiit.” She gapped the door slightly.

He couldn’t be sure she’d made a sound, or that he’d heard anything…but three Khajiit seemingly emerged from the walls themselves into the corridor.

“We took all the potted plants from the Battlemages corridors and placed them in all the alcoves up here for cover. And Sire, if you want to leave your quarters, you‘ll need one of us to disarm the traps. We are the only ones that know the set-up.”

“Gods give me strength…”

Maxical caught his arm again as he was turning to walk away. “Sire, there is no denying I get on your nerves. Something about our personalities clashes, probably always will…those kind of things rarely change. Whether we like each other or not, Akatosh tasked me with your protection…I’ll earn your trust in that if nothing else.”

Uriel turned, flagging his hand toward the door. “Go to your quarters, Maxical.”









******* Maxical


“Nissy and I will guard the corridor, we have a lot to do and haven’t much time left before dusk. I took one of these robes, slid it under my cuirass just like you taught me. I’ll need all those scrolls you saw in Ocato’s room quick, and then you can return them.”

“No need for that, I rolled up blank parchment and stacked them exactly as he had the scrolls, couldn’t tell the difference looking at them.” One sister dug under her bed and came out with stacks of scrolls.

“Okay. Now, we are going to dip this robe in that blood and paint the doorways with it. Then I’ll start duplicating it. I’m hoping the blood stains will duplicate too. We’ll need a very long rope…“

“I’ve got one right here.“ The eldest sister reached under the ornate wood trim of her dresser and pulled out a long coiled line.

“That’s perfect! We’re going to make an effigy and dress it in one of these robes, hang it on a noose from the top of the Palace. Oh, Sire said Nissy can’t go out there again, someone else will have to, remember it‘s been greased. Now, who doesn’t mind dressing corpses? I want those stacks of bodies in the Palace district wearing these robes, as many as possible. We’ve got to work fast.”

“Where did Evangeline go?”

“She’s in the hot seat. If she comes out I’ll see if she’ll help us. Here‘s the robe, someone paint the doorways quickly. Let me have a long sword and dagger.”

One of the sisters indicated under the far bed and I went to get them. When I reached under the bed I was surprised to see the vampire juices I’d given them hadn’t been touched. I reached down and felt the bottle in the pocket of my greaves, suddenly realizing I’d barely touched mine either. I should have been out by now, we all should have been needing more. What was going on?


*

This post has been edited by mALX: Mar 6 2012, 03:11 AM

[Uleni Athram]

MAAAAAAAAAAALX. Why, oh why, do I always get left behind? Oh thats right. I am the fading ghost. The pink wizard. The Ax Crazy Guy. Well, I'm slogging through all of the newer (for me, anyway) chapters right now, so I may troll you with my inane comments in the near future. KEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE.

[ghastley]

Wait a minute, has Maxical actually started THINKING in this episode?

She's noticed that Damien's not right, she's explaining things to Uriel in a way that makes sense, and she's giving orders to the Khajjit that make sense too. Most abnormal for her, except that she does do the right things under pressure, or she wouldn't have survived the Arena.

[King Coin]

For once Maxical’s silliness is right. She needs to get Uriel thinking. He’ll get to the conclusion on his own.

“It will insult the sisters if you even offer them reward. If someone claims loyalty and then accepts your gold, they can’t be trusted. Khajiit value trust. If they have need of Septims they'll earn it honestly.”
Right. Ahem.

Oh the juices. I wonder if Maxical will work out the significance in time.

I almost forgot about Malan, I was laughing at the crazy defensive measures being taken.

[Acadian]

You do a great job of painting the clash of cultures in this episode! Maxical will have the place looking as ominous as the outside of a goblin lair. Perhaps skulls on stakes?

’Oh, Sire said Nissy can’t go out there again, someone else will have to,’
Perfect example of bypassing the letter of Uriel’s dictum by moving the letters around.

And Maxical is putting the pieces together (slowly). We know why the ladies don’t require the vamp juice right now and hopefully Maxical will figure it out soon. I’m still wondering if Uriel will beat her on the uptake of twigging that Malan is right under their noses! How exciting!


Nit: “From across the dome?” Uriel clasped and unclasped his hand in and effort to contain his growing temper. “There isn’t time for this silliness, now just be quiet and listen to me.”
You want ‘an’ here of course.

[Grits]

I was so proud of Maxical, keeping her composure while Uriel was losing his temper. She showed such leadership in this episode. The result will be the Palace looking completely horrifying, but what a plan!

Sending someone other than Nissy out on the roof made me laugh. Her heart is in the right place! Maxical and the sisters not needing their vampire (ugh) juice is a big clue, but Maxical is so preoccupied by her defense plans. Plus there’s the whole Evangeline/Ocato situation. I can’t wait to find out what happens next!

[Athynae]

I think Max works like I do, in emergency situations she goes into sort of an automatic 'instinct' mode. For me it's the aftermath that gets me. Wonder if she'll have the same problem????

I really liked the way she stood up and spoke to Uriel, so proud of our little kitty, she's growing up for sure, sniff sniff.

Grits said it

Maxical and the sisters not needing their vampire (ugh) juice is a big clue, but Maxical is so preoccupied by her defense plans.

I sure hope she connects the dots soon!

Loved it as always, looks like it's gonna get even scarier.

[McBadgere]

Ooooh, another excellent chapter!!...

“I don’t trust him. He’s watching us speak right now, I think he is listening.”

“From across the dome?” Uriel clasped and unclasped his hand in an effort to contain his growing temper. “There isn’t time for this silliness, now just be quiet and listen to me.”

“Yes, Sire.”

Aww, c'mon Jean-Luc*Cough* Uriel...Work it out!!...

“Gods give me strength…”

I laugh every time he says this... ...

I should have been out by now, we all should have been needing more. What was going on?

Aaaargh!!...

And, where the hells is the real Damien?!! ...(I mean figuratively...I know he's locked up in Malan's cell... ...But still... ...)...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds most heartily*... ...

This post has been edited by McBadgere: Mar 6 2012, 06:57 AM

[treydog]

Chapter 135

[quote]“Dear gods…did you get any identification from them?”

“Of course; we always rob everyone first.” She shook her head at me as if I were addled. “Trespassers. Fair is fair. We have to make a living somehow…”[/quote]

Just brilliant. I can hear Patrick Stewart- and see this glazed look on his face....

[quote]“We do for Sire out of loyalty, only the untrustworthy would accept payment for duty.”[/quote]

There is humor- and a great deal more- in that statement.

[quote]“GAAAH! What…what happened to Alix?“ I gasped. Alix the Mouse was…white? “What is that, hair on his head?” Thick wisps of what looked suspiciously like a mini horsehair wig that had been dyed red were sticking out from beneath the cap.

“What is that he is wearing, infant clothing?” It looked like a thick velvet suit and beret someone very wealthy may have bought for a newborn infant. I had a sudden clear vision of the painting in the room Nissy and I shared. Prince Ebel’s first public appearance captured on canvas by the famous Mrs. Treydog…in this outfit.[/quote]

That whole part had me falling out of my chair- and the mention of the resemblance to the painting. I could just see some constipated, overstuffed, little prince…

[quote]The Khajiit sister stepped forward, speaking in broken Cyrodiilic. “Sisters number eight. For sweetrolls, we throw Ocato from window. Dead men carry no tales.”[/quote]

And that set me off once more!

[quote]“All morning Ocato has been setting the traps off. We had to change them around because he was getting wise to the layout.”[/quote]

OK- I had to stop for a while there to compose myself.

[quote]“There’s more, she slew what appears to be a minotaur in the corridor…possibly some beastly ritual.”[/quote]

Speechless- ribs aching….

And then, poor Maxical taking all the blame onto herself- and Uriel’s realization of at least part of what happened….

[quote]Evangeline blocked the doorway. “Tell them about someone scalping your horse, Ocato, and leaving a noose made of its tail hairs on your pillow. I saw an Altmer man in a blue robe in Ocato’s bedroom. He looked like a man who’d visited Ocato before, so I thought he must be a relative or friend…but Ocato looked like he’d swallowed a bee when I told him about the man.”[/quote]

And hooray for Evangeline once more!

Chapter 136

And, though I know he is under severe strain- and that he is not aware of Malan’s ruse… I still want to smack Uriel on the back of the head. “Pay attention to your Champion- you fool.”

Watching Maxical get the bit in her teeth over how to “scare” Mankar Camoran was hilarious. And ALMOST made me feel sorry for the Emperor.

[quote]“It will insult the sisters if you even offer them reward. If someone claims loyalty and then accepts your gold, they can’t be trusted. Khajiit value trust. If they have need of Septims they'll earn it honestly.”

“How? I have need of them in the Palace, they have proven invaluable already. It is critical that they remain for the time being.”

“They've been holding up visitors in the corridor and robbing them, that‘s how they caught those men in the crimson robes. Oh…er…one sister is weaving wigs and toupees from horse‘s tails and selling them. She‘s sold two already.”[/quote]

The culture-shock there was just priceless- and also fascinating.

[quote]“If Akatosh wanted human tactics, wouldn’t he have just chosen a human champion for you?”[/quote]

Come ON, Uriel- you didn't get the Amulet of Kings from a box of Scribs Snacks!

[quote]“Whether we like each other or not, Akatosh tasked me with your protection…I’ll earn your trust in that if nothing else.”[/quote]

That was an incredibly powerful and satisfying bit of dialogue. So proud of our kitty.

[quote]“Oh, Sire said Nissy can’t go out there again, someone else will have to….”[/quote]

And here is a time when her “rebelliousness” is exactly the right thing.

There are just wonderful chapters- showing the roller-coaster upon which you so skillfully conduct your addicted readers. More? Please?

[mALX]

*

@ Uleni Athram - You have been so missed !! So glad to see you !! Thank you so much for stopping by, you know you are always appreciated !!

*
@ Ghastley - Thank you so much Ghastley !! I think the Khajiit women have been influencing her pretty strongly, lol. Thanks again !!

*
@ King Coin - Thank you so much KC !!! You had me rolling !! You ROCK !!

*
@ Acadian - Fixed the nit and thank you so much for catching that !! Your comparison to a goblin lair had me rolling, Thank you so much Acadian !!!

*
@ Grits - Thank you so very much Grits !! Between Uriel's famous Septim temper and Maxical's attempts to not fail at her task of protecting Uriel - I think they've been bumping and rubbing the wrong nerves on each other - a lot of that thanks to Malan/Sir Damien's meddling, lol. I do see improvements coming though. Thank you so much Grits !!!

*
@ Athynae - Thank you so much Athynae !! It is, but I'm glad you noticed Maxical is finally starting to come into her own - a little too strong, but she'll learn from her mistakes under Uriel's tutelage. Thanks again, Athynae !!!

*
@ McBadgere - I love that line especially because you can hear it in game doing the tutorial dungeon, lol. Thank you so very much McB !!!

*
@ Treydog - Now THAT is what I love to hear from you !!! Any time your ice tea flies, it makes me happy, lol. You had me dying laughing with this visual image :

That whole part had me falling out of my chair- and the mention of the resemblance to the painting. I could just see some constipated, overstuffed, little prince…

Thank you so very much Treydog, and thank both you and Mrs. Treydog for your contributions to that chapter and the one coming up !!! You ROCK !!

*

[mALX]

*

This chapter gives “The Rest Of The Story” for Chapter 135, so moved up all the appropriate screens to go along with Alix the Mouse’s sections.

All thanks goes to Treydog and Mrs. Treydog for their contributions that made these two chapters possible

And, if anyone is interested I can either link to the “Treydog the Reporter” story in the Black Horse Courier or post it on this thread if anyone wants.


** Anyone that read the original Maxical story may remember the feud between the Palace Chef and Ocato over rats in the stew - this is a nod toward that chapter, which was inspired by Treydog and Mrs. Treydog with the “Rat Award” they donated.

Rat Award:

http://a3.ec-images.myspacecdn.com/images0...60a6e16d9/l.jpg



** The scene with Alix the Mouse was inspired by another donation from Treydog and Mrs. Treydog which was a different chapter in the original story and became “Alix’s Portrait, by Mrs. Treydog”

Alix’s Portrait, by Mrs. Treydog:

http://a4.ec-images.myspacecdn.com/images0...7025ecc36/l.jpg


Alix the Mouse:

http://a4.ec-images.myspacecdn.com/images0...e246cc570/l.jpg



Alix the Mouse after Evangeline babysat:


http://a3.ec-images.myspacecdn.com/images0...26c119ae9/l.jpg




*




Chapter 137: Evangeline Takes The Hot Seat



******* Uriel Septim (From Page 69, Chapter 136)


Uriel indicated a chair for Evangeline to sit in, then pulled another chair up close to hers and sat across from her.

“I want to know about this Altmer in the blue robe you saw.”

“Sire, the Altmer didn‘t place the horsehair noose, I did.”

“But you did see an Altmer in a blue robe. I want to know when you have seen him in the Palace, and why you told Ocato he placed the noose.”

“There were three Altmer that came. One in the blue robe, one in a robe like those.” She pointed to the crimson robe. “The other dressed in fancy velvet like Ocato.”

“Start at the beginning, Evangeline. I want to hear everything about these three Altmer, and in the order and date it occurred.”

“The Altmer in the blue robe was the first, the same night you were accepting your Birthday gifts. He was in chameleon. I was down the hall from Ocato’s bedroom, when the door opened. It closed again, but no one had come out. The Bosmer lad was scrubbing the floors, and a footprint formed on the wet floor, then another. No one was there, so I cast detect life and saw a man’s form creeping down the corridor. He’d come from Ocato‘s bedroom all sneaky-like, so I figured it was one of his…you know, gentlemen callers. I wouldn’t have thought any more about it, but the lad scrubbing the floor suddenly up and disappeared. I cast detect life again, he was following the man. So I cast chameleon and followed them both. They went down into the sewers over in the Talos Plaza, and the Altmer in the blue robe dispelled his chameleon when he reached some kind of living quarters set up down there. That’s where he met the Altmer wearing the crimson colored robe like those.”

“Did you overhear them talking? Any conversation at all?”

“Yes, Sire. The one in the crimson robe was needing funds. He complained that Hieronymus Lex had charged him taxes for living in the sewers. The one in blue said he’d be living in a palace someday…or maybe he said paradise. They called one another father and son, but then others came out in those same crimson robes. It’s some kind of religious cult, I think. Swearing a vow of poverty, if you know what I mean. Some of those cults call the leaders father and the members are called sister, brother, son, daughter…so I don’t know if they were actually related.”






***


“The day the war broke out, that one in the crimson robe showed up in Ocato’s bedroom, begging him for funds to go to Cheydinhal. He said it was an emergency, that he needed to speak with his father. His crimson robe was charred and burned, he told Ocato he’d been in the sewers when they exploded and lost 26 members. Then he said that with the war on it would be a perfect time to carry out their plan. He told Ocato that his father said they would be living in the palace one day.”

“They spoke in front of you?”

“Not knowingly. Since the day that Altmer in the blue robe was here, I’ve spent a lot of time in chameleon. I wanted to learn what was going on.”

“Continue.”

“Well that one no sooner left than the third Altmer came in, the one that dresses like Ocato. He called Ocato traitor to the throne, said he’d go to you and tell all if Ocato didn’t give him diplomatic immunity for him and another man by the name of Vicente. This Altmer said he would tell you the names of Ocato’s partner and that Ocato was joining forces with Dagon to…to k..kill you, Sire.” Evangeline was crying.

“Tell me the rest, Evangeline.”

“Ocato signed two diplomatic immunities and handed them to the man. But that man had no sooner left and Ocato ordered the Battlemages to follow him and assassinate him, and retrieve the immunity papers. He pulled one Battlemage aside and sent her after the other Altmer in the crimson robe. He said for her to bring back proof he had been killed. She brought back his charred robe. The others brought the immunity papers, but said the Altmer was already killed when they found him. Ocato burned them all in his fireplace. He stood and watched till all was gone, so I couldn’t retrieve them. Ocato is your second in command, and I had no proof. Who would believe me if I told? And…if they didn’t, Ocato would kill me like he did the others. So I put the noose made of his horses hair in his bed and said the Altmer in the blue robe, because he was the only one alive to blame it on. I thought it would scare him, and it did. He went white as Miss Maxical. And that way he couldn‘t blame the sweet girls for cutting his horses hair either. I didn’t want to betray you, Sire. If I could have gotten the proof, I would have come to you immediately. Without it, it’s just my word against his…no one would take my word over his.”

Uriel took her hand gently between his two. “I believe you, Evangeline. But there are four crimson robes on my desk. Four assassins in the Royal quarters. They made it past my Legion, my Imperial Army, the Palace guards, the monks, the Battlemages…and you, Evangeline. I need to know how that is possible.”

“I know when Ocato is on a tirade, the Legion and Palace guards make themselves scarce, and he has been raging since he returned from battle. He ranted that you undercut his authority with the troops by changing his orders, then found his horse had been balded…then he learned there were Khajiit living in the Palace.”

“Go on.” Uriel prompted.

“Well, Sire…the Battlemages were out in field last night, every last one of them. Two of the monks are going deaf…”

“And you, Evangeline? Where were you?”






***


“I don’t know what time they passed my door, Sire.”

“It was this mid morning.”

“I was below Palace in the kitchens for at least an hour, and had to bandage up Ocato several times...”

“What were you doing down in the kitchens? What are you not telling me, Evangeline.” Uriel leaned toward her, feeling her cringe under his intense scrutiny.

“Okay, I’ll…I’ll tell. I was with Alix, Sire. Miss Maxical asked me to watch him this morning while the women were busy.”

“Alix…Lencolia?” She shook her head no, but Uriel noticed she jumped at the name and her pupils dilated briefly. He got a sickening feeling in his stomach, Alix a traitor with Ocato?

Uriel squeezed her hand tightly. “No more secrets, Evangeline. I want no more secrets in my Palace. Tell me what you know about Alix Lencolia.”

“It’s not anything you could be thinking, Sire. Alix Lencolia…he is my son…was my son. Maxical has no idea…no one does.”

“She’s telling the truth.” Damien mumbled under his breath.

Uriel leaned back and blew his breath out loudly. He leaned back in to Evangeline and took her hand again. “You said you were with Alix. The Alix Lencolia I know would not let four assassins walk past him to my chamber.”

“I was not with Alix Lencolia, Sire. It was Alix, Miss Maxical’s pet mouse…the dearest little thing.”

Uriel ignored Damien’s snort. “How does watching a mouse keep you from seeing four assassins passing your room?”

“I don’t know exactly what time they passed, Sire. But if neither Alix or I detected them, it was either when we were below in the kitchens or when Alix was fighting against wearing the outfit I was trying to put on him. He threw a tremendous fit, and such a racket he made. I was bent over him trying to button his little jacket…”

“Get off the floor Foxy! There is nothing funny about this, she played dress up with a mouse and four assassins slipped past her!”

“Sire, they got by your whole Palace, but you can be assured they would not have gotten by me. You may take that as a vow. Miss Evangeline, what did you mean when you said, ‘for neither Alix or I to detect them’?”

“Alix knows who is allowed up here, he squeaks if there is an intruder…although he has taken a terrible disliking to Ocato and squeaks for him as well, we think he‘s been doing it deliberately because he seems amused when Ocato falls into the traps.”

“Foxy, if you are unable to contain your laughter then I’ll insist you leave. Go on, Evangeline.”






***


Well, Sire…well, the mouse has quite a temper. I won‘t say Ocato didn‘t provoke the bite he got, shrieking as he was. Ocato was going to kill Alix, so I had Chef catch a mouse in the kitchen and I gave it to Ocato…told him that was the guilty mouse. Ocato killed it, then he put it in the stew. Chef got mad at that, there was a terrible scene between them. That‘s why I was down in the kitchens.”

“And then?“

“Well, I had to disguise the mouse so Ocato wouldn’t realize he’d been tricked. The Khajiit women suggested dressing it up like an infant, and Ocato would think it was Khajiit…you know, because of the fur. We decided to rub flour in its fur and make a red wig for it, make Ocato think Miss Maxical had a baby because….well, because he hates Miss Maxical.”

“A Khajiit baby!” Damien choked out.

Uriel ground his teeth. “I find no humor in this, Foxy. The whole Palace is going mad, that Khajiit is going to bring it down in less than a day!”

“I’ve got to see this mouse.” Damien pulled the door open and immediately spotted a man in a long white jacket carrying a suspicious sack entering the bedroom of the Khajiit women.

“Trouble, Sire.” He hissed.

“That’s the Chef, Foxy! Put your sword away.” Uriel strode out. “Chef! What are you doing on this floor?”

“I bring the sweetrolls for the little mouse that bite Ocato, and for the dear Khajiit women. If Miss Evangeline busy, I bring dinner up?”

“No stew!” Uriel and Damien both said emphatically.

“Ah, Miss Evangeline tell you then. Next time he come in my kitchen, no more Ocato!” He made a motion of slitting his own throat with his hand, then stomped away.

Uriel edged closer and peered in.

Maxical was handing out sweetrolls to the Khajiit women. Uriel choked. Sitting up on its hind legs on the bed was the largest mouse he‘d ever seen, it had to weigh at least a stone. It appeared to be wearing Prince Ebel’s infant suit for public appearances. Bright red hair was sticking out of the tiny beret tied on its head. Some flour misted off the white fur when he moved.

“God’s give me strength…”


*

[McBadgere]

*Does dance*...Oh yeah, the mALXie's back!!...Oh yeah, oh yeah...

Excellent chapter!!...

Loved it...Creepy Altmers in blue robes calling each other father and son...Hmmm...Seems familiar... ...

Evangeline's not so retiring is she?...Going down the sewers like that!... ...

Love this story...Is cool...

Your Uriel Septim is sooo believable...Total brilliance...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

[Athynae]

I had to read it twice because the first time I got so tickled reading about Alix that I missed most of the rest of it. I do love Alix the Mouse....he is definitely perfect for Max....

I am not quite sure exactly what it is about Uriel that is so magnetic but your characterization of him is on the mark to how I have always pictured he would be. The interaction between Evangeline and him is very good.

“Get off the floor Foxy! There is nothing funny about this, she played dress up with a mouse and four assassins slipped past her!”

I am so glad my coffee cup was empty when I read this, it caught me off guard and the ensuing laughter woke my eldest daughter 15 minutes before she was scheduled to get up for school, darn side effects of reading in the morning...hehe.

I loved it, every word. I can't wait for more....

[Acadian]

What a joy this chapter was!

’He complained that Hieronymus Lex had charged him taxes for living in the sewers.’
This was so unobtrusively slipped in that it could have been easily overlooked; but it had me rolling!

”Sire. Alix Lencolia…he is my son…”
Ah, now I begin to see why I like Evangeline. She is the adoptive grandmother of dear Maxical!

Oh, Cato keeps some bad company: Mankie Camoroon, Vincente of the long teeth and half a contingent of Red Robes. Eeep! And we still have that Malangering hen in the fox house.

The picture you painted at the end, of chubby Alix on the bed being served sweetrolls with his red wig and flour dust was truly a masterpiece! I love Alix the Mouse and he always steals the show when you feature him!

This post has been edited by Acadian: Mar 14 2012, 12:12 AM

[Darkness Eternal]

*Cracks knuckles*. Time to catch up!

Okay:

Damien leaned close to Uriel and barely whispered. “She’s still a virgin.”

“How would you know that?” Maxical spat at him, her fur starting to bush out. Uriel raised his eyebrows.

“The whole void knows, you shouted it out at the Arena. I was there, remember?

I loved that part. "The whole void knws! You shouted it out at the Arena."

It’s psychological warfare, not barbarism. Tiber Septim himself painted the blood of his enemies around the outer door of his fortress. At the Arena we wipe the blood of the defeated on our door into the Bloodworks chute. Oh! We can string those crimson robes and hang them off the dome too, I’ll duplicate a bunch and add them.

Nice touch there, mAX. Very gruesome and yet subtle, not entirely barbaric! But nasty nonetheless.

I found it cool with the vampire juice being under the bed where the sister found it. Sipin' on that vampire juice.

I sent you PM by the way.

This post has been edited by Darkness Eternal: Mar 14 2012, 02:33 AM

[Grits]

“Get off the floor Foxy! There is nothing funny about this, she played dress up with a mouse and four assassins slipped past her!”

Uriel could have been telling a lot of us to get up off the floor, I’m sure! This chapter was hilarious! Like Acadian said, the image you created of Alix the costumed mouse being stuffed with sweets was priceless.

Then there was Evangeline’s revelation about Alix her son, which gives her tender care of Alix the Mouse a poignant edge.

OMG, don’t get me started about a mouse in the stew!! Awesome chapter, I loved it!!

[King Coin]

Ocato put a dead mouse in the stew? Gross!

I find no humor in this, Foxy. The whole Palace is going mad, that Khajiit is going to bring it down in less than a day!
He’s got that right! Maxical’s got a reputation to maintain.

No stew!


I agree with Uriel’s last line regarding the mouse! Brilliant!