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

[ghastley]

I must say you're going out of your way to make Ocato a sympathetic and lovable character. It leaves me wondering why Uriel hasn't had him terminated with extreme prejudice already.

[treydog]

He’d come from Ocato‘s bedroom all sneaky-like, so I figured it was one of his…you know, gentlemen callers.

Oh dear.

He complained that Hieronymus Lex had charged him taxes for living in the sewers.

There is just so much about that which is PERFECT in its portrayal of Lex….

“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!”

Well- it was actually pretty funny- as long as you aren’t the one being stalked by the assassins.

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

Right. In fact- there may be a decidely vegan trend in the palace for a while- esp. of Ocato DOES "disappear."

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…”

And me also- to recover from laughing. I begin to think that sentence was invented for Uriel to use in regard to Maxical.

And- of course- the bombshell that almost gets lost in the... um... stew- Alix (NOT the mouse) is Evangeline's son.

[mALX]

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@ EVERYONE - I have compiled a kind of combo synopsis of the story and Faction Update - it is on page #1 (about halfway down the page) of this thread if anyone would like to glance over it and get a better explanation of the characters, some of the terms that are unique to this story - or where some of the players we haven't heard from in a while are.


@ McBadgere - Thank you so much McB !!! Evangeline's hatred of Ocato would give her the energy to do a lot of things, lol. But actually she is probably about 50 now in my story - just looks a lot older than that. Thanks again, McB !!!

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@ Athynae - Thank you so much Athynae !!! You def caught one of my own favorite parts, and it always tickles me when anyone is led to spew while reading, ROFL !!! Thank you, Athynae !!!

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@ Acadian - Thank you so very much Acadian !!! I can't take credit for Lex taxing Raven Camoran - that one actually comes from the game itself !! When you do the Thieves Guild questline "Untaxing the Poor" if you actually read the tax list Raven Camoran is on it, ROFL !!! (link):

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Waterfront_Tax_Records

I got such a kick out of that - had to include it, lol. Thank you so much, Acadian !!

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@ Darkness Eternal - Thank you so much DE !!! You did catch one of my fave lines in that chapter too. She can't remember when she tells anyone anything - but sure will if someone else does, ROFL !! Thanks again Darkness !!!

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@ Grits - Thank you so very much Grits !! Alix the Mouse became a staple in the original version of the story - wreaked probably as much trouble as Maxical did, lol. More of Evangeline's story will come out, she kind of deserves a happy ending.

I took Evangeline Beanique out of the Palace (due to a game-glitch she can be found standing over Ocato's bed in the Thieves Guild Ultimate Heist Quest) - and stuck her in one of my mods (The Fortress) - and promptly fell in love with her. She looked scary mean when I saw her in game, but in my mod (at least to Maxical) - she was so sweet that I had to write her into the story. Thanks again Grits !!!

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@ King Coin - I may have to post the original version of Ocato and the mouse in the stew - Treydog started it by posting that "rat award" in a comment on the thread. Next thing I knew there was a whole Black Horse Courier article about the Palace Chef, Ocato, rats in the stew, lol. Thank you so very much KC !!!!!

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@ Ghastley - Lol, agreed. Uriel prefers knowing who his enemies are and what they are up to - and using that knowledge to his benefit. (friends close/enemies closer). Thank you so much Ghastley !!

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@ Treydog - Thank you so very much Treydog!! You have only yourself to blame for the rats in the stew story, lol. For anyone interested, below is the two Black Horse Courier articles that Treydog inspired with his "Rat Award" - and thank you so much Treydog for your and Mrs. Treydog's contribution to the original Maxical story !!! :



** There is no need to read these two Black Horse Couriers below, just posting them in case anyone is curious about the original "Rat Stew Incident"



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This post has been edited by mALX: Apr 6 2012, 03:14 PM

[mALX]

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Chapter 138: Uriel And The Assassin



******* Uriel Septim (From Page 69, Chapter 137)


Evangeline was still waiting in the chair when they returned. Uriel shut the door and bolted it, but walked to the opposite wall from her and stood looking out the window. The stress of the past hour could equal that of a month before the Khajiit came. He couldn’t endure it much longer.

“Sire? If I may…” Damien was standing beside him, Uriel hadn’t even heard him come up. He waved his hand to continue, not even wanting to speak. His head was beginning to throb already, and he’d only been awake a little over an hour.

“Your Champion makes a good scapegoat, but is she really at fault or is it simply that you can’t tolerate her? Four assassins made it to your chambers through your Legion, your Blades, your Imperial Army, City and Palace guards, through the Blind Monks, Ocato, and the Battlemages. Twenty-six assassins lived in your sewers. Your Legion didn’t question them, only charged them taxes. Thirty assassins with only one target, you. Your Champion had thirty targets, all are dead and you are alive.”

“Her success was accidental, incidental. I can’t rely on that, and neither can Cyrodiil.”

“She may have prevailed unconsciously, but the rest consciously failed you. You say the 26 assassins in the sewer killed was incidental, but what if Akatosh thinks the damage to the city was incidental because all he cared about was stopping the assassins from reaching you?”

“My Blades could have accomplished the same and left the city intact.“

“Where were they when four assassins reached your chambers? Akatosh didn’t bestow a Champion on you as a bonus, he had to because you had no one else. Those assassins could have succeeded without impediment, Sire. Irritating as she is…you are alive today, and because of her thirty assassins lay dead.”

“You forget, I have the protection of you and your men. There is no one I trust more.“

“You left yourself uncovered. I was away, yet you placed all my men in the field. When I arrived I passed not one guard.”

Uriel chewed his lip quietly for a minute. When he ordered all Damien’s men and the Battlemages into the field his focus had been solely on the war, his whole army below floors standing at the ready in case the Palace was breached by the vampires. How had the assassins got by both the army and the Palace guards? Could there be sleeper agents among his Palace staff, people he had trusted for decades? Foxy was right, he had left himself wide open…a major gaffe.






***


He was stinging under his own blunder when he answered. “I expected my staff to pick up the slack for your men’s absence, they have kept this Palace running smoothly for over thirty years.”

“Who cares how smoothly the Palace runs? This is wartime and you have known these assassins were coming for months. Your staff needs to be shaken out of their slumber, because those assassins could easily have climbed in your bedroom window from the Battlemages floor and bypassed those Khajiit. If nothing else Maxical is thinking of your security, which is more than any of your staff have done.”

“My staff has been more than sufficient these many years.”

“They never were. You’ve had the same staff since the Imperial Simulacrum, and they are ill equipped to handle even your security. Name anyone on your staff who has lifted a finger to ensure you live, and I’ll tell you now there isn’t one. Even Evangeline sought her own safety above yours. They are lax and complacent at best, gobbling at your table till you need them…then they save themselves.”

“There has been no reason for them to handle my security, you and your men had that detail well covered.”

“We have, till now. But the gods have placed your fate in their hands. What provision have you made for a successor? Ocato is a traitor whom your whole staff despises, yet he will rule Tamriel when you are gone. You know as well as I do that time is now, Sire. Why are you not taking measures to ensure the rule of Tamriel does not fall to him?“

“My sons will rule.”

“You well know they will fall with you. You can‘t alter the path the gods have laid out for you.”

“Are you suggesting I appoint Maxical?”

“Absolutely not! But you can’t mean to leave your throne to Ocato, surely!”

Uriel turned away and looked out the window. Damien was right, but tampering with Ocato would mean Camoran replacing him with an unknown. The thought of Ocato ruling over Tamriel, though…

Had Fathis lived…the thought that Fathis would predecease him had never crossed his mind. For the first time Uriel realized his end would be met without his friend by his side.

“He was a great Battlemage.” Uriel was thinking about Fathis, didn’t realize he’d spoken aloud till Damien answered…obviously thinking he had been referring to Ocato.

“So was Jagar Tharn, and both traitors to the throne. Sire, you could create a position over Ocato and place someone you trust in it.”

“Camoran would see through that, he’d know I was onto Ocato‘s deception.”

“I am not an assassin for nothing, Sire. Whatever fate befalls you, you must know I will see Ocato follows immediately. You should have someone you trust ready for the position.”






***


“Are you suggesting yourself?” Uriel’s brows raised in surprise.

“I am. For decades I have proven my loyalty to Tamriel and yourself. There is no one more capable or with an equal going concern for this country now that Fathis has passed.”

“You are as infamous as you are famous as an assassin, and have technically been declared dead, Foxy. The people have to accept whomever fills the position.“

“Your staff alone has already proven the people won’t accept Ocato. Give me an identity and I will provide documentation proving I am that person.”

“False credentials will be readily discovered.”

“Not if they are from one of the distant provinces. Make my identity from Mournhold or Red Mountain, where none can prove or disprove their existence. My face is unknown, simply removing the mask would reveal an identity that is not famous or infamous.”

Uriel turned back to the window, his thoughts suddenly wandering to visions of his dear Gemile. How long it had been since he’d thought of her…but in that moment he knew what his path must be. Not even Damien could know this…especially not now, knowing he sought the throne.

“I’ll have to give this matter more thought at a later time.” Uriel assumed that would end the conversation.

“There is little time left to delay making decisions. If your fate befalls you without naming a successor I will act regardless until the Council provides someone, because the only thing keeping Ocato from the void is that you still live.

It wasn‘t like Damien to continue a conversation after Uriel ended it. He couldn’t keep the irritation from his voice when he attempted again to turn the conversation.

“Odd, Maxical said very nearly the same words to me, she said ’the only reason Ocato still breathes is that you have not acted on his treachery yourself. From her tone one would believe she thought her skill with the sword enough that she’d be capable of taking down a Battlemage of Ocato’s caliber. It was one of the very few times I’ve been in charity with her.”






***


“I’d put my Septims on her over Ocato in battle. She fights dirty, uses street moves. She’s already crippled the man without a battle even taking place. Her bravery can’t be questioned, you said yourself you had to restrain her from charging out to her own death to save Traven. As for loyalty, she is Khajiit. You have never witnessed true loyalty till you have a Khajiit love you, and those women all love you…including Maxical.”

“She brings disaster wherever she goes, she can’t help herself, Foxy. She is a disruptive force that has already turned this Palace to chaos in less than a day. Look what she has done to Evangeline, the woman has become a blithering fool, you must see that yourself.”

“Evangeline was mentally tortured before Maxical arrived, did you really think she was dressing a mouse? Her breakdown is over the baby she lost, and if she doesn’t start pushing that mouse around in a pram soon I’ll eat that stew Ocato dumped the rat into.”

“Why now, then?”

“Nothing started now. For decades she’s crept into Ocato’s bedroom at night, watching him sleep and envisioning ways she’d kill him. The thought is there, all she lacks is the dagger and the guts. He’s connected to the loss of her child somehow. Did you never wonder how she looked ninety before she was thirty?”

Uriel stared at the diminutive woman sitting meekly in his chair, stunned. “Is she safe to have in the Palace?”

“Perfectly safe, as long as you are not Ocato. Sire, these things have always been there, but you haven’t seen. They are coming out of the woodwork now, so you’ll know where all the allies stand when the dust clears, and who is the chaff that must be cut. What you see as chaos is enlightenment, and you have little time to glimpse what it reveals. I have to keep you alive, it is a much easier job when you are aware of what surrounds you.”






***


Uriel caught Damien‘s arm. “Speaking of which, why is it I learned from Maxical that you raised Alix Lencolia? Why did you never mention it?”

“I’m still not going to.”

“What do you mean?”

“There is a fine line between business and friendship. I take my job seriously, never jeopardize the mission or compromise the end result. I have to keep you alive, one slip and I’ve failed you. I won’t let that happen. Do you trust me less because I didn’t reveal something personal about myself decades ago?”

“No. Forget it was mentioned, Foxy. I’m out of sorts today.”

“You were this morning too. I thought the Dream-Catcher would have helped that. You can call them to you anytime, no need to wait till you are retiring for the night. Sometimes an hour with one is just the touch needed to ease over the rough spots in a day.”

“I never realized you knew so much about Khajiit, you’ve never mentioned them these years or have any among your own agents.”

“That you’ve seen.”

“True.“ Uriel nodded, glancing out the dome window at the darkening horizon.

“The war will be starting soon, and I must finish with Evangeline. Nisaba and Maxical will be joining us to watch the battle tonight. As you have championed Maxical for nearly thirty minutes and seem to be an expert on Khajiit, I’m sure you won’t mind if I leave her entertainment in your capable hands. She is under orders to make an attempt to get along with you, somehow between yesterday and today she has taken quite a dislike to you.”

“Perhaps she thinks I should bathe.” Damien gave a brief smile.

Uriel glanced up to catch Damien’s eyes with the humor in his own. “No, she thinks you are on Skooma.” He wasn’t disappointed. Damien’s lit up with amusement and he barked out a laugh.

“Ha!”

“I thought you may see the humor in that. You may find the conversation challenging, though. Traven is out there fighting again. She spoke not a word last night, cried like a child watching his dugout throughout the night.” Uriel started to turn toward Evangeline, but paused at Damien‘s response.

“I’ll have my entertainment when daybreak comes and she greets him in relief he survived.”

“You’ll be disappointed. As it happens, she had tripped and fallen onto him, catching her hair on the button of his robe. We merely witnessed their attempts to detach her hair. From what I’ve learned since, Traven ran out of magicka and had to be raced to the healers. He may never be able to breed again.”

“I had no idea that was an issue.”

Uriel felt the tension easing. Foxy had not been himself today either. For a time he had even begun to suspect him of duplicity. At last the comfortable camaraderie between them was beginning to return.


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This post has been edited by mALX: Mar 20 2012, 07:03 PM

[Acadian]

Thanks for providing that summary into your first post. I’m sure new readers will find it helpful!

And a fun read down memory lane with the old BHC articles about Maxical’s mischievously mousy mishaps.

Now, on to your new episode. I was well into it and wondering why Damien was sounding so. . . good? Then mALX, the Mistress of Plotweaving struck. He is trying to manipulate himself into the throne! *Slaps forehead* Of course I knew that was Malan’s objective, but the way you sprung it on me was unexpectedly brilliant. For a moment, I was almost drawn in by the charming slime devil.

“Thirty assassins with only one target, you. Your Champion had thirty targets, all are dead and you are alive.”
Who cares how it happened. This made me want to cheer for our ferociously funny fabulous feline.

“Are you suggesting I appoint Maxical?”
Oh my!

“Evangeline was mentally tortured before Maxical arrived, did you really think she was dressing a mouse? Her breakdown is over the baby she lost, and if she doesn’t start pushing that mouse around in a pram soon I’ll eat that stew Ocato dumped the rat into.”
Wow, there’s a load of meaning stuffed into that wonderful passage!

[Athynae]

I can see the banner now!!

Maxical for Emporer!!!

ROFL! I was kind of caught up in the same thing Acadian was...why is the demon Damien being so nice about Max???? And now we know...

Poor Traven!!!! Not able to...now that's just sad.

A lot of info about Evangeline too, yes. Now I am curious what Ocato had to do with Alix being taken from her....hhmm....Ocato needs to be covered with honey and laid before the ants....

Great write mALX just wonderful so looking forward to more...

[McBadgere]

Excellent stuff!!...

Loved the BHC articles...Very funny... ...

More Uriel!!...Almost there!!...AAARGH!!...Figure it out!!...AAARGH!!... ...

Uriel felt the tension easing. Foxy had not been himself today either. For a time he had even begun to suspect him of duplicity. At last the comfortable camaraderie between them was beginning to return.

NOOOOOO!!!!... ....

Got to say though, Malan seems to be able to impersonate Damien amazingly well...Vampires is well impressive!!... ...

And he almost tipped his hand with that "Appoint me successor" line... ...

Definately going to be a sad day when this goes the way of the game... ...

Brilliant stuff mALX...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

[Grits]

Order of the Rodent Slayer, awesome!! Those BHC articles are great! I can picture the guards flailing around covered in mice.


At first (in the chapter) when Malan was praising Maxical I was going, huh? What is False Foxy doing? Then I realized! He’s making his move for the Ruby Throne!!

Had Fathis lived…the thought that Fathis would predecease him had never crossed his mind. For the first time Uriel realized his end would be met without his friend by his side.

This was so sad. Fathis is missed. I’m sure he would like someone to get him out of that pit!

Uriel turned back to the window, his thoughts suddenly wandering to visions of his dear Gemile. How long it had been since he’d thought of her…but in that moment he knew what his path must be. Not even Damien could know this…especially not now, knowing he sought the throne.

Oh! He’s thinking that these are his final days, and that means Martin will be the last Septim standing! Whew, I never even considered that he might mention Martin to False Foxy. That was close! I love that once again Malan will be (maybe) thwarted by his own ambition.

Uriel felt the tension easing. Foxy had not been himself today either. For a time he had even begun to suspect him of duplicity. At last the comfortable camaraderie between them was beginning to return.

Oh nooo! But of course Malan is an expert at manipulation. It was fun to see him at work in this chapter.

THANK YOU for the update on the first page, it’s great to read through for some reminders. I keep forgetting what Gils is doing, and now I remember again. But the one I'm most anxious about is Fathis! I enjoyed reading through your synopsis very much!

[King Coin]

“Her success was accidental, incidental. I can’t rely on that, and neither can Cyrodiil.”
Gotta agree with the emperor there.

Oh, Malan is making the emperor distrust his staff. Distracting him from the real threat standing right in front of him. Nasty. Getting lined up for the throne too I see. I’d rather have Maxical in charge than Malan! That’s really saying something too!

Poor Traven! I’m glad you gave him a pretty active role in your story. I found his performance in Oblivion lacking.

Aw crap. I was hoping Uriel would catch onto Malan before Malan could catch onto Damien.

[Darkness Eternal]

Geez, that's a big sign you put up there. Impossible to miss.

Now, thanks to your kind help, I've been able to do some reading(My eyes are twitching). I will point out the things I like about the story, some of the elements I haven't mentioned before. You have so much going on this story that it's mind boggling, in a good way.

First off, Maxical. Nuff said. She's a white ginger khajiit of a special breed, growing up and trying to make her way into the world. The main protagonist certainly has some amicable qualities to her, pledging her virginity to the Fathis fellow. And quite funny. Though, she of course, is bound by love which causes her to break the promise she made to Mr. Aren.

Malan. What a creepy fellow, this one. And apparently, the author of one of my favorite books in Oblivion(And the first one I ever came across sitting on that bandit camp). A true megalomaniac obsessed with the thought of power, domination and immortality. He certainly fills the bill of what most people would perceive and consider as "evil" or "the bad guy". The fact that he is directly related to Dagoth in a way is pretty cool. Not to mention his mystical powers and ambitious army he created. Did I mention he was a vampire?

Seridur-Gay. Haha, who would of known? I always figured there was something..off about him. And it wasn't just his vampirism. Apparently, he hid something else.

Hannibal Traven is also pretty cool. Never thought much of him in the game, but in the story he does serve some purpose as an expert of vampirism and necromancy, and surely acts under the command of Ocato when it comes to keeping things together. Glad you explored him too!

The fact that you add characters that were either scrapped in the game, or you simply expand upon their personality makes you deserving of my kudos.

Now, onto the story, huh?

A rodent problem in the Imperial City. Very predicable, considering they have a giant boat sewer beneath them. It's like a medieval New York with mutated vermin!

The area worst hit by the swarming beasts was the Prison rotunda itself. Many Prison guards in this area were severely injured in the battle that ensued as the guards took on wave upon wave of rodents.

You know stuff went down when guards are injured by large rats!

Inmate Valen Dreth was found in his cell with several bites to his face and was overheard to be calling "Kitty, kitty." This reporter, having witnessed the plague of rodents himself, can only say it will take more than one cat to catch all the mice that have taken over the prison complex. At this time inmate Dreth is the only individual requiring treatment for actual bites.

That man deserved every single nible on his face. One of the most hated Dunmer in Cyrodiil. At least the rats loved him, right? Haha, brilliant! Especially the "kitty kitty" part.

Sic Semper Rodentia. Love that banner. Kinda reminds me of ratatouille(The movie) with the chefs and all the rat problem haha!

[mALX]

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@ Acadian - Thank you so very much Acadian! You nailed everything I hoped would hit with that chapter! You ROCK!

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@ Athynae - Thank you so much Athynae! Ocato's end could never be slow enough to make up for some of the things he's done, lol. Evangeline's story will come out soon. Thanks again, Athynae!!

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@ McBadgere - Thank you so much McB !!! You are right, Malan is slicker than a [censored] [censored] in a [censored] !! Thanks again, McB !!!

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@ Grits - Thank you so very much Grits! That line where Uriel stops to think about Fathis is one that just came out in the writing of that chapter, it hit me the same way. WOO HOO !! You caught the Martin reference !!! Thank you so much Grits !!!

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@ King Coin - Thank you so much KC !!! I love the way you phrased that line about Malan catching onto Damien - witty !!! Thanks again, KC !!!

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@ Darkness Eternal - Thank you so much Darkness! That book 'Immortal Blood' is what gave me the idea for Malan's character being made from a cocktail mix of vampire bloods - I mean, why was the author gathering all those clan's blood if not to make a super vampire?

I hate to admit that I love the Malan character. I really studied Dagoth-Ur's character to make Malan - it was hard not to like Ur even when you had to kill him at the end, he was charming even through some of his nefarious plotting, right up till battle - and that is what I based Malan on, and hope it comes across that way.

I do really like using things the game has created but scratched for whatever reason, and especially glitches. Malan is a big one of the scrapped characters. Some of the glitches: Azzan being from Sutch, Evangeline standing over Ocato's bed, Vicente following M'raaj-Dar around, Manheim being naked under his apron - whenever I use a character I look them up, if they have a glitch like that it gets written into the story somehow and a reason given for it.

Thank you so very much, Darkness !!!

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[mALX]

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Chapter 139: Armed And Ready



The light tap on the door sounded too polite to be the sisters. “Come in, Evangeline.”

“Sir Damien?” I vaulted off the bed. “What do you want!”

“You were sleeping in full armor?”

“And with enough candles lit that the blind monks could see I’m a white Khajiit.“

“I may go blind from the brightness in here myself, Lass. But…with all that armor and that helmet I can’t see any white fur. The only thing showing is your cheeks, and they look…pink.“

“There are no pink Khajiit, that should be a clue. And in case you don’t realize it‘s me, I’m armed.“ I pulled the dagger from my waistband and flashed it.

“I wouldn’t have believed there were white Khajiit before I saw you.“ He pointed at the thigh-high top of my left boot. “Isn’t that a dagger sticking out of your boot too? Good gods, were you actually wearing those boots in bed?“

“Yes, and they have pointed steel toes and spurs.“ I showed him the plated point on the tip of the toe and the wicked looking rowel spinning off the heel.

“What is that…thing around your neck? A spiked dog collar?“

“A dog collar! No! Er…well, I’m not sure. But I washed it before putting it on.”

“I would hope so. What are those, metal spikes sticking out of those…what are they, knee pads?“

“Those are steel spikes, sharp as a razor. They are called ‘Bravil Ballbusters.“

“I can well imagine.“

I lifted my pillow and showed him another dagger and a set of steel knuckles. “In case I can’t reach the other weapons. And here under the mattress is another dagger. You‘ve been warned now, so think twice before you make another ‘mistake’ with me again.”

“I just have one question, has Nisaba agreed to sleeping with you…thus?”

“Actually, she is pretty scared, and says the brightness in the room will keep her awake. Now why are you here?”






***


“Uriel sent me to escort you to his chambers.

“I don’t need an escort.”

“I’m obeying orders, he said I must escort you…and that we must work out the rift between us. My apology earlier was sincere, Maxical. If made in haste ‘twas out of embarrassment. Humans don’t have the gift of vision in the dark as Khajiit do, the mistake was an honest one.”

“I heard your embarrassment loudly through the wall.”

“Now, I’ll admit I take my pleasure where it is offered…but never what’s not freely given.

“I guess me clawing and kicking wasn’t a clue it wasn’t being freely given.”

“I must admit it surprised me, a woman invites you to her room for pleasure then…och, now…okay, I’m going to tell you something personal about myself that not even Uriel knows. It’s true I’ve got a soft spot in my heart for Khajiit, have ever since I lost my dear wife. They know it, can sense when someone has a special feeling for them. You saw for yourself how these women took to me.”

“She was Khajiit?”

He nodded. “She was. I was but a lad, the happiest time of my life it was. The man that killed her, that was the first murder I ever committed. That’s how I became an assassin.”

“I’m so sorry for your loss…” I felt like a heel suddenly, but was not really sure why.

“It was a terrible mistake, surely you can see that. Come Lass, let us be civil once again. I’ve brought a gift for you, just a small token of my sincere regret.”

“I don’t want anything…is that S’Jirra’s Famous Potato Bread?”

“And strawberries.”

It wasn’t really the bread, it was the reminder of home. It was not knowing where S’Jirra and Alix were, if they were…safe. I turned away from him, suddenly fighting crying. I was shaking from the effort to hold it in.






***


Sir Damien sat down in the dressing chair across from me. “You are worried about your family with this war on, is that it Lassie? I could find them for you, let them know you are safe…bring you a message from them. Would that ease your worry a bit?”

“I can pay….“ It was barely a whisper, my face still averted. He heard.

“Now why you going to insult me after I offer to do something for you?”

“I thought…assassins…Septims…”

“You hiring me to kill someone while I’m out searching for your family?”

“Bwahaa…no.”

“Come, that’s better Lass. Uriel warned me you would cry, but he said it would be from watching Traven fight. Now don‘t go starting up again. You going to eat that before we go?”

“No, not till I know they’re…safe. Er, thank you, Sir Damien.”

“I would offer to shake hands on us starting over, but those gauntlets you’re wearing have some vicious looking spikes as well. Tell me Lass, where would someone like you have…uh…acquired such things?”

“I…er…sort of borrowed them. Everything but the cuirass came from Captain Renault’s room on the second floor, even the spiked collar and the boots with spurs. Oh, she had a bunch of these whips in there too.” I wedged a whip out of the boot and swished it in the air.

“Without going into any detail, might I suggest you may not want to wear that…outfit into Uriel’s chambers?”

“I wasn’t going to, this is just what I’m going to be wearing to sleep in.”

“Isn’t it rather uncomfortable?”

“You would not believe.”

“I think I would. What you be doing now, Lass? You going to undress right here in front of me?”

“Don’t worry, I am fully dressed under the armor. Layered like the beggars do, in fact.”






***


“Now what was that face for? Have I said something wrong?” Sir Damien tilted his head in a way that oddly reminded me of a bird.

“No.”

“Tell me what it is, Lass. We’re friends again now, remember?”

“It’s nothing…just sometimes your accent, your dialect…sometimes it sounds different. I don’t know which is the mask and which is the man.”

“You’re a bright one, Lassie. Some day I’ll tell you the whole, but only after you and I have become good friends.”

“We’ve met before, somewhere. Or maybe just spoken…I can’t remember when. Your voice brings a memory that is just out of reach. Just…someone I thought nice, who made me smile. A chance encounter, am I right?”

“Well now you’ve startled me Lassie. Us assassins have to keep our identities secret, we do. ‘Tis why the mask.”

“You’re safe, I can’t remember the face that goes with the voice…but there was no mask, that much I remember. I think ‘twas a handsome face.” I cocked an eyebrow at his square jaw below the mask, the thin lips framed by it. It didn’t fit the voice…there was nothing familiar about that face at all. “But yours isn’t the face in the memory, that much I know.”

“A whole province shares my accent, Lassie. Right now we’d best be thinking about protecting the Emperor from assassins, and getting to his chambers before he loses his temper. It gets pretty short where you are involved.”

“I know.”






***


Uriel seemed to actually be in quite a good mood when we arrived, and immediately proved Sir Damien had told the truth.

“It appears you two have come to an understanding, good. Foxy, you will get to see first hand Nisaba‘s idea in action. You recall we discussed…MAXICAL! What is that? Why am seeing stacks of bodies in crimson robes?” He spun around and glared directly at me. “Maxical? Do you have an explanation for what I am seeing?”

My stomach lurched in a sickening way, but not just from drawing Uriel’s anger again. Once again the sight of thousands of vampires surging toward us caused a feeling of panic to close my throat with a strangled gasp.

No one mentioned if Hannibal would be in the same place as before, and I was afraid to ask and irritate Uriel any further…but in case Hannibal was in that same mound, I watched it with the same fear I had the night before.

Sir Damien had been standing by my side, but when the vampires began fighting with themselves I heard him asking in a confused voice what was happening. His voice sounded like it was coming from quite a distance away. I never heard if anyone answered him, because just then the stack of bodies Hannibal had been in the night before was toppled. I pressed my face against the dome window, feeling the panic rising as it seemed to be taking an extraordinarily long time to right the bodies…why was it taking so long? I hoped it wasn’t Hannibal, wished I knew if it was or not.

My legs felt like they were made of jelly by the time the bodies were stacked back onto that pile. I felt like I might faint if I didn’t sit. Just as my legs were beginning to fold under me and I felt myself sinking down, I saw it.

A dark shadow was moving rapidly across the rooflines. It reached the parapet of the city walls before the streetlamps illuminated it. A chill went down my spine…Jak. It was Jak the bird. He dove lower and coasted over the heads of the fighting vampires with angry cries that went unheeded in the frenzied fighting below.






***


“That’s Jak! That pet bird I was telling you about, Sire.”

“Malan. We expected this move would bring him in.”

Nisaba was tensing beside me, I could feel her aura changing. Her eyes had become overlarge rounded pools of black that were beginning to spill over and trickle tears into the thick fringe of lashes under them. I grabbed her hands and squeezed them tightly to stop their shaking.

“It’s okay, Nissy. Sire’s not going to harm the bird Jak, he’s talking about a very bad vampire. Isn’t that right, Sire? You aren’t going to hurt the bird, right?” I tried to catch Uriel’s eye but couldn’t, he was staring at Nissy. Why would he hurt the bird?

Nissy wouldn’t be tugged from the window. She drew her arm back from me and looked up into Uriel’s face. Hers was torn in a combination of feral fear and a cornered animal, I could hear the sound of it rising in her throat and see her fur beginning to spike.

Uriel’s eyes looking into hers flickered with a lack of understanding. Mine were pleading unseen by him…dear gods, he didn’t call her in here to watch him kill her mate…did he?

Uriel spoke so quietly I had to strain to hear his words. “Forgive me.”

The standing clock whirred as the pendulum chain rose up the housing, the arm ticked into the hour followed by the click of claws unsheathing.






***


Nissy:


http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...pg?t=1242079702




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This post has been edited by mALX: Mar 26 2012, 12:36 AM

[Acadian]

Armed and ready is right; Maxical does nothing half way!

Wow, that DamienMalan is smooth as silk here and, again, almost likable. Then I remember how and where he gained his in-depth knowledge of Khajiit women. Grrrr.

And we learn of an unexpectedly delightful kinky side to Captain Renault.

The end here was. . . oh my. Spiked fur and unsheathed claws. What a cliffhanger!

[King Coin]

“What is that…thing around your neck? A spiked dog collar?“

“A dog collar! No! Er…well, I’m not sure. But I washed it before putting it on.”
So much for being threatening!

Whoa. Captain Renault.

And Malan is doing too good of a job here.

Poor Nissy! I hate these vampires. Maxical better get her before something happens to her.

[Athynae]

Now that's protection! All she was missing was a chastity belt...

I really don't like Damien/Malan style....plus it sounds like he's picked up a Nord accent somewhere, been talking to Brynjolfr for some reason???? lol

It's time for Malan to meet his end without a doubt but I do so hate that it is going to hurt Nissy.

Wonder how many claws she'll sink into Uriel before Max gets between them.

Great write mALX, as always. Isn't it time to let the Fox out of the hen house????

More please.

[Grits]

You had me going hmm at the thigh-high boots and dog collar. It made me miss haute!

Malan’s strawberries and S’Jirra’s Famous Potato Bread had me fuming. He is such a manipulator!

“I…er…sort of borrowed them. Everything but the cuirass came from Captain Renault’s room on the second floor, even the spiked collar and the boots with spurs. Oh, she had a bunch of these whips in there too.” I wedged a whip out of the boot and swished it in the air.

OMG, Captain Renault!! And she’s so strict in the tutorial! I can’t stop laughing.

Uriel spoke so quietly I had to strain to hear his words. “Forgive me.”

The standing clock whirred as the pendulum chain rose up the housing, the arm ticked into the hour followed by the click of claws unsheathing.

Oh NO!! Poor Nisaba! This is terrible for her, and for Maxical!!

[McBadgere]

Loved the whole description of Maxical's outfit...Made I laugh...And that it all came from Renault was just priceless!... ...

The whole chat with the Malan/Foxy seemed to be underpinned by some creepy soundtrack music...Or was that just me?.. ...Gosh darned vampires... ...

Sir Damien had been standing by my side, but when the vampires began fighting with themselves I heard him asking in a confused voice what was happening.

Gotcha!!... ...Oh wait... ...

*Sigh*...

Love this story!!... ...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

[Zalphon]

As always, it was a pleasure to read

[Darkness Eternal]

Ooo!

Those are steel spikes, sharp as a razor. They are called ‘Bravil Ballbusters.“
Haha. Sounds as painful as Necrom's Nut-crackers. I lol'd

Love the vampires. Nissy is cute, for a pixilated bipedal feline

So Malan the badass is wearing the "clothes" of Damien? Nice. Very nice. I may sound totally random here, but I am dead serious, if I had a son his name would be Damien. I just thought I throw it out there, Damien is a pretty cool name in my opinion.

Things aren't looking good for Max. Maybe she can teach these fangers a lesson soon enough!

[mALX]

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@ Acadian - Thank you so much Acadian !!! Captain Renault gets the Ocato treatment in my story, one of the few women to get it, ROFL !!! Thanks again, Acadian !!

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@ King Coin - ROFL !! She was wearing it because he bit her neck, lol. You had me rolling with your comment !!! Thank you so much KC !!!!!

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@ Athynae - Thank you so much Athynae !! I really should have added a chastity belt, but knowing Maxical's luck there wouldn't be a key, ROFL !!!

The accent changes are when Malan slips out of the Damien character role accidentally, he is distracted by the smell of her blood and can't keep his mind on who he is supposed to be playing, lol. His dialect is the same when he is Malan, but the voices are different since he has taken on Sir Damien's voice. Thank you so much Athynae !!!

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@ Grits - Ooh, thank you so much Grits !!! Malan is a manipulater, not much of what he says is truth, I am so glad that did come across!

I'm also glad I'm not the only one that noticed Captain Renault's "domineering" side in the tutorial, it is what I based her character on in the story, ROFL !!! Thank you so very much Grits !!!

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@ McBadgere - Thank you so very much McB !!! That was a real Gotcha on Malan, trapped with Uriel to watch his army slaughter themselves, he couldn't stand to watch it, lol. Thanks again, McB !!!

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@ Zalphon - Thanks Zalphon !! Welcome back!

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@ Darkness Eternal - Thank you so much Darkness !! I struggled between Bravil or Bruma for those ballbusters, ROFL !! Finally figured Bruma didn't need them, and Bravil was a dirtier place so may fight dirty too, ROFL !! Thanks again, DE !!!


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