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

[McBadgere]

Oo-er!... ...

Fantastic chapter!!...

Oh yeah! Go Uriel!!... ...Loving his making Malan squirm... ...

Brilliant ensemble piece...Nicely done...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

[ghastley]

It's finally making sense. You're solving the Amelia Earhart mystery!

So Malan is now disguised as Capt Harry Manning, is he? It's probably safer, as Uriel doesn't know him.

What I'm not understanding is why Uriel is letting Malan stay around as Damien, unless he feels it's better to keep him visible than let him go and come back in a different disguise.

[hazmick]

hmmmm the plot thickens. So now Malan's intentions are somewhat clearer.

Let's hope Hassildor can be of use when he arrives at the palace, as Uriel said, time for him to earn his diplomatic immunity.

[King Coin]

I’m happy Maxical’s told them that Malan’s had access to her mind… And Eyja’s being careful to keep Maxical in the dark on some things.

So Malan thinks he can use Maxical to bring back his own chosen? That would explain why he’s being so careful around Maxical then. With Maxical, we can’t be sure this is what it is though. We also learned why Eyja’s taken to Maxical so much, she had a sister like our Khajiit!

I just have to point this out; I got such a laugh out of it:
“Necromancy?” Hannibal gasped, standing up quickly and staring at me with startled eyes. I waved him back down to my nether regions.
And then she’s concerned about possible dirty words!

This post has been edited by King Coin: Aug 31 2012, 08:05 PM

[Zalphon]

Maxical taking off her ring around Malan wasn't the wisest thing she could've done and I think we're about to see the beginning of the consequences of it.

Good chapter, mALX I am eager for the next one.

[Grits]

Uriel gave Hannibal an enigmatic look. “You may get to see that Traven.”

“Oh…OH!” Hannibal’s expression when he glanced over at me was like he expected to see me squawk and lay an egg or something.

I love this moment between Uriel and Hannibal as described by Maxical!! It was an absolute delight to see those two together with Eyja and Maxical.

“Nothing of what you told me is to be mentioned to her before I find the cause of this memory loss. I’ll petition Akatosh tonight. We must know if…” Uriel’s voice was muffled by Hannibal’s hand as he tugged my ear from the wall.

ROFL! Of course she was eavesdropping. Hilarious!

Whoa, the part where Maxical was Amiela! I can’t wait to see what Uriel makes of this. What a great chapter!!

[Acadian]

‘Sir Damien poured himself a glass of wine, speaking between sips. Uriel ground his teeth, frustrated he’d missed noticing this till now. Foxy did not partake of alcohol.‘
Bam! FoxMelon steps into the trap! Every word Uriel utters in Sir Damien’s presence now will be crafted with that in mind I’ll wager. How does the old saying go? ‘Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.’

‘Uriel’s voice was muffled by Hannibal’s hand as he tugged my ear from the wall.’
Like Grits did, I found this to be so very Maxical - and expertly worded for its effect.

I loved Maxical being Maxical in this episode, struggling to figure things out and feeling that things are happening just a little bit faster than her mind works at the moment.

The dream/vision where Malan comes to her and she feels and responds with the spirit of Amiela was both masterfully and magically done. It opens yet another window into Malan and his intentions regarding Maxical.

[Darkness Eternal]

You know me, I am a sucker for lore! And you added some interesting things here, aside from the cocktails and spit-parts which was explained before, I understand there are some cool new beans. I simply adore the fact that you weaved your own lore with an additional ingame lore into one big tale! You have tons of galons of vampire imagination juices. Kudos for you.

Malan's plot, some of it, is put to light! No wonder Maxical is unharmed all this time, he needs her.

Amiela? Jakben's long dead chosen sneaks into Maxical's erotic(excuse my french) dream!

“Necromancy?” Hannibal gasped, standing up quickly and staring at me with startled eyes. I waved him back down to my nether regions.This part was great and hilarious, but yes! Necromancers!! At least a mention! I cannot wait until we see some third party forces enter the mix. Helluva conflict right there!!

P.S, Hannibal has a dirty mouth. Erotic is not a good word!

[mALX]

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@ McBadgere - Thank you so much McB! I like to see Uriel on top too, lol.

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@ Ghastley - Thank you so much Ghastley! You are very right that Uriel would rather know which disguise Malan is using.

Also, Uriel can’t confront Malan without the resources to protect himself when he does. Uriel doesn’t know whether Malan has replaced the Palace Guards (etc) with (Malan‘s own men).

Thanks again, Ghastley!

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@ Hazmick - Thank you so very much Hazmick! I agree, Hassildor can be of some use, but Uriel will def need more than him to take down Malan and his army. You ROCK! Thank you so much Hazmick!

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@ King Coin - I always love seeing the things you pick up on in the chapters. For as wild as Eyja is, she developed a protective attitude over Maxical - and that is why. Maxical reminds her of her younger sister that died. That story will come out eventually, but it is a ways off. You also had me rolling with picking up on Hannibal’s exam - ROFL !!!

Thanks again, KC !!!

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@ Zalphon - You nailed it, Zalphon! We are about to see the consequences of it bust wide open! Thank you so much, Z!

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@ Grits - Thank you so very much Grits! One of my children could sleep through anything when they were toddling - ANYTHING! You could blow up the house without waking them. But go into another room and whisper anything, and they’d know it. I kind of think of that when writing Maxical, all these conversations going on right in the same room, and she is like, “Huh?” - but put her in the next room and she eavesdrops and can repeat verbatim what she heard, lol.

You nailed it exactly, Maxical was Amiela. At least now she’ll know what Malan is up to where she is concerned.

Thank you so much again, Grits!

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@ Acadian - Thank you so much, Acadian! Uriel actually does believe in keeping an eye on his enemies, you pegged him well on that - but Malan isn’t one he wants to keep close at all. He just needs to build up some trustworthy manpower to take Malan down, and the two men he trusts most are in Malan’s dungeons.

That was no dream or vision, Maxical finally realized (correctly) what was going on. (and she now knows it wasn’t a dream in the Bloodworks last night either, but Malan doing something to her). This chapter will (hopefully) explain clearly what exactly Malan has been up to regarding Maxical. Malan’s true colors are about to start showing after this chapter below.

Thank you so very much again, Acadian!

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@ Darkness Eternal - Thank you so very much, Darkness! HA! You recognized Amiela’s name! Now if Eyja can remember it they can figure out who Malan has been impersonating for the last three centuries (and hopefully rescue the real Jakben Imbel), lol. That was no dream, as the below chapter should (hopefully) reveal. For once Maxical guessed right, lol.

You had me rolling with your comment, Thank you so very much again, Darkness!


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[mALX]

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Chapter 169: I Am The Master Of My Fate, The Captain Of My Soul


“Sire, Malan said that humans only see the bodies people wear for brief moments in time; but ancients see the souls within and remember them forever. I think he’s done some kind of necromancy on me to bring back his dead wife. That weird dream I had at the Bloodworks was the same as tonight, I could see and hear everything, but couldn’t move of my own will. But tonight Amiela was controlling me.”

“Maxical, you are talking about a depth of necromancy found only in ancient tomes that no longer exist. The probability is strongly against it being anything more than vivid dreams.” Hannibal interjected.

“This was no dream, Hannibal. I could feel the centuries of love between them, and Malan said he‘d keep her safe forever this time. Then he said, ‘We‘re almost there‘. Sire, he was here, and she was me. These were not dreams. I think Malan stuck her soul inside me, and it’s gaining in strength.”

Uriel stepped between us and confronted Hannibal, the tension in his voice predicting the restraint on his temper was about to give.

“There are no odds of probability when it comes to Malan, Traven; you must never underestimate him. His own creation of this cocktail line proved him a necromancer of no small order, as did the making of Hassildor. That was no vampire attack, it was scientific experimentation on a living human. That places him amongst the higher echelon of necromancers. Just tell me if this implanting of souls is possible.”

Hannibal looked like a ghost he’d turned so pale. “Possible, yes. Not much is known about the transferring of souls into the living, but from what I understand it is more complicated than merely implanting them into a host body. There is an extended process in which the soul becomes active and gains in strength. They begin as parasitic, but can eventually take over the host’s body permanently.”

“What would happen to me?” My voice broke on a squeak.

Uriel raised his hand for silence. “Can? What do you mean, Traven?”

“The soul with the greatest willpower would be predominant over the other, force itself to take precedence. For that reason the subjects chosen as hosts would ideally be weak of character or under stress to the degree they are weakened by it. Once the parasite soul gains precedence, it rarely loses it.”

“Dear gods, are you saying Amiela is gaining strength through my weakness?”

The past two weeks flashed through my mind in glimpses, from losing Fathis to Uriel saying Gils defected with Renault.

“I’ve never been so stressed in my life as I have these past two weeks, and Malan knew it because he popped up each time I needed solace.”






***


Eyja stopped stroking my hair and emphasized her words with pokes in my back.

“Stress that Malan caused, Maxical. He started this war which not only took both your husbands who would have been in his way, but created a fertile place for Amiela to strengthen in the process. He’s planned this whole thing out, I’d bet on it!”

Uriel waved her to silence, I watched his eyes and facial expressions as he mulled Eyja’s words over in his mind…so much like Fathis’s had when he was thinking rapidly.

“Nothing is by chance with Malan. Everything he does has multiple consequences, that is his trademark.“ Uriel barely whispered, as if thinking aloud.

“But why me?”

“You’re in this Palace.” Eyja resumed petting me.

“But he couldn’t have known I’d be here when this war started.”

“Hannibal predicted this vampire war, and that Malan would use it to deplete Uriel’s defenses before he lay siege on the Palace. But I think Hassildor leaving his lair and Foxy’s trap caught him by surprise and forced him to act earlier than planned. You are just in the perfect position to be used. Your room directly abuts Uriel’s chambers, which you come and go from at will. Fathis‘s death made you vulnerable, Malan is still the cause of that whether it was planned or not.”

Uriel interrupted Eyja. “I agree that trap set Malan in motion precipitously, but we mustn’t overlook that he accessed Maxical’s mind when she was a child and implanted control so she would seek him when she turned twenty years old. That is the age of sexual maturity in Khajiit.”

“But I’m only seventeen, I matured early…”

Uriel spun around and stared as if seeing right through me. “Three years early…just as Akatosh’s predictions were! Malan planned this war for three years from now. Think why Hassildor left his lair, Eyja.”

“Split-aparts! I’ll bet that was no coincidence!” Eyja sat up.

“I don’t believe in coincidence, particularly where Malan is involved. He’s a master of manipulation. Traven, I want everything you have on split-aparts by tonight at the latest.”






***


They were talking faster than I could think, or grasp their meanings. Uriel startled me by gripping my shoulders tightly and bellowing. He all but shook me like a ragdoll again.

“It is imperative you lose this vulnerability immediately! Suck it up! In your own defense you must stop seeking solace! You are the master of your fate, the captain of your soul!” Uriel took a deep breath before continuing.

“Suffocate these painful memories, bury them within yourself until they can no longer weaken you. Turn them to rage you can tap at will, funnel them into thought and action. Use it to push yourself beyond your own strength to do whatever is needed.


I am the captain of my soul.


What Uriel said struck a chord in me. Rage was too mild a word for what I was feeling. Malan was just taking me for his own use, regardless of my life…just as he had with Nisaba and the Lost Children. His solace was deliberate sabotage, feeding my weakness to end my life and bring Amiela back. Rage couldn’t begin to describe what I was feeling. I brushed Eyja’s stroking hand away firmly and stood up.

“You have my vow, Sire. Whatever it takes, I’ll do it. Malan will regret that he chose me for his necromancy subject.”

“Sire, the secrets of soul transference were highly guarded by the Psijic order. Throughout history only one has ever been connected with that depth of necromancy, the King of Worms. He’s been gone since the Second Era, well before Malan’s birth. How could Malan have access to this knowledge?” Hannibal tried to intercede with logic and perspective. Instead he blew the discussion wide open.

“Mannimarco?” Eyja blurted, stunned.

“Huh? What about the ‘Warp in the West‘?” I strained to remember class lessons I probably slept through.

Uriel raised his hand to silence us, then pointed at Hannibal “Go on about Mannimarco.”

“Mannimarco supposedly transferred his own soul somehow to become a lich. It is a known fact he created full armies of ‘Worm Thralls’ by stealing men’s souls while the person continued to live. A thrall will defend to their death the one that holds their soul. Commands can be given them with no more than a thought, and the thrall must obey. His army was said to be unbelievably disciplined. Mannimarco was almost completely immortal due to the strength and power given him by the thousands of souls he held within him.”

A sickening vision of Malan’s army flooding across the Palace district like an unending mudslide made me gasp.

“Dear gods, Hannibal…you just described Malan’s army!”






***


Uriel rammed his fist down on the dresser with a loud bang. “Traven, I want any tomes and notes you have on this form of necromancy. We may have just discovered the secret to Malan’s power.”

“You are talking about an extreme level of necromancy that isn’t likely to exist anymore.”

“Traven, you have been predicting trouble with necromancers rising to power for decades. If Malan gets into this Palace and takes the throne, you will see that come to pass. Malan is obsessed with power, and this depth of necromancy is exactly what would give it to him.”

“That would explain why his army doesn‘t smell my virgin blood, and why it moves as one unit. It would if only one mind was running it. And you yourself wondered who was funding the rise in necromancy here in Cyrodiil, Hannibal. Malan is enormously wealthy, and since Amiela’s death his motivation has been to bring her back. You can hear it in his voice and feel it in his aura when he talks about losing her. He would pay any amount to bring her back. She is his weakest point, and we may have it in our possession.”

Uriel nodded. “It does give us a measure of power over him, the first we‘ve had. I believe the change of songs he uses to pass spells is significant as well. He is establishing himself as Malan, because when he takes power here he wants it in his name.”

“This could help us get him out of the Palace too, Sire. If I hold Amiela‘s soul, I could go to Skingrad Castle and Malan would have to follow and bring her back to his lair. It would get him out of the Palace temporarily at any given time to set traps. Sir Damien said Malan’s army is always with him whenever he leaves his lair, but inside it he is alone.”

Uriel shot me one of his rare approving glances. “That’s thinking like a warrior.”

“Malan’s wife was a centuries old ancient vampire! She’ll have power over Maxical, she has already proven that!“ Hannibal bleated.

“But I know she’s there now, Hannibal. And whatever ‘sucking it up’ it takes, I’ll do it. She won’t get control of me again.”

“This will be thought out carefully before any action is taken, Traven. I don’t seek to endanger Maxical any more than necessary, but getting Malan out of this Palace has got to be our top priority right now.”

“Surely he won’t kill or harm me no matter what I do to him as long as she’s inside me, right? I need to know what steps are required to remove her, make sure he can’t do it quickly or without my knowledge. We can plan this to our advantage.“






***


“The size of his army is in the thousands! Alone Malan is a massive enemy, but with thousands of souls empowering him he’d be all but immortal! Won’t we need to use Soul Trap spells to kill him?” I should have known better. Hannibal flew into a rage.

“THAT’S NECROMANCY!”

“Tell Malan that, Hannibal. Uriel says we have to fight dirt with dirt.”

Uriel broke in. “These are undead creatures, not humans Traven. We‘ve been raising up dead enemies to fight them, that is necromancy as well. It saved you more than once out there on the battlefield. We do what we must in defense of the Empire.“

“A whole army couldn’t take him down with all those souls packed in him, Hannibal. I’ve sized him up without knowing this and admitted I couldn’t take him. We only know of two weaknesses he has, virgin blood and this Amiela. We’ll need a black soul gem the size of Baurus’s sword.”

“SKREEEK! BWAAHAA!”

Uriel spoke to the room, but looked at me. “For the time being, none of you are to discuss this or any other official business with each other or anyone else, including Sir Damien. Your right hand cannot know what the left is doing. From this point forward and until further notice, you will all be expected to repeat to me verbatim anything that is said to you by anyone in or outside this Palace. That also includes Sir Damien. Eyja, you and your men are to take orders directly from me now.”

“HA! Finally, someone other than me having their private conversations repeated.” I did a little victory dance.

“We don’t gloat, Maxical.” Uriel’s eyes didn’t reflect the harshness of his words, I was in his good graces for a change.

Eyja looked stunned. “Why can’t I talk to Foxy?”

“Malan is in this Palace, and we never know whom he will be impersonating at any given time.” Uriel signaled Hannibal out. “I want those tomes, go now while it is daylight and bring them immediately.”

“What about her virgin blood? What will you do now that…” Eyja drifted off without finishing her thought, turning to me with contrite compassion and touching my arm.

Suck it up. I steeled myself against feeling anything. The pain of Gils leaving me for Renault would destroy me if I let it. I am the master of my fate, the captain of my soul. If I’m weak, I’ll die. Amiela will own my body.

I pushed Eyja’s consoling hand off me. With my head raised high and shoulders back, I looked Uriel in the eye and spoke without wavering.

“Sire, send someone you choose to me and I’ll do what is needed…er, not Ocato please.”



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This post has been edited by mALX: Sep 4 2012, 11:28 PM

[McBadgere]

Ha!!... ...Love that last line... ...

An excellent chapter full of marvellous detail about souls...Loved it!!...

The way this is moving along is fantastic!...

I'd think this was heading towards an endgame now, but I'm sure you'll have more twists before th'end... ...

Amazing stuff...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

[Zalphon]

I never expected the Empire to fight fire with fire, at least not that way. I really like this (and not only because of necromancy), because it shows a darker side to the Empire. It's rare that people see them as anything but white knights; this is a new view and I like it.

[hazmick]

wooo yeah, the board is set, the pieces are moving. Looks like Maxical is going to have to suck it up in the physical sense as well as figuratively erm...I...hmmm

I wonder who Uriel is going to pick hmmmm

[King Coin]

Maxical, you are talking about a depth of necromancy found only in ancient tomes that no longer exist.
Hannibal forgets that Malan is ancient as well. Uriel gets it though.

AHHH! For a second there I was worried about Maxical being booted from her body, then when willpower was mentioned, I was releaved knowing how stubborn she is, and then back to worry at this:
… or under stress to the degree they are weakened by it.


Eyja resumed petting me.
What does she think Maxical is? A kitty?

Wow! King of Worms + Malan? At the description of the thralls, I thought about the Khajiit and their seal. Do they hold their souls or does their mate?

“Sire, send someone you choose to me and I’ll do what is needed…er, not Ocato please.”
Whoa. That’s a change. The little Ocato condition was the right touch of humor.

This post has been edited by King Coin: Sep 5 2012, 12:03 AM

[Acadian]

A fascinating revelation, as so much more of Malan’s plan and abilities come to light.

I'm with KC in chuckling as Eyja was petting Maxical.

‘Uriel waved her to silence, I watched his eyes and facial expressions as he mulled Eyja’s words over in his mind…so much like Fathis’s had when he was thinking rapidly.’
This was such a nice touch and served to both remind us of Fathis and clarify how much Maxical respects Uriel.

“She {Amiela} is his weakest point, and we may have it in our possession.”
Maxical surprised and delighted me here – thinking like a tactical hunter!

What a heartbreaking but necessary decision Maxical comes to as she realizes that she will have to do what is necessary to be rid of that pesky virgin blood that has plagued her for so long.

[Darkness Eternal]

Bring on the Necros! Malan, a loving man? See readers, he's not such a "bad" guy afterall!

OMG! I swear this is an interesting piece right there! Soul transfering! Willpower! It is the exact thing I was going to touch upon my story in the Necromaner arc! I swear! Holy Spit! Great minds think alike! Damn, this is exciting now!

This story is going great so far and the revelation of Malan's army of undead thralls is every so scary! And now Maxical has her own soul put in the line of fire! Malan's plot unfolds and Max is once again in the center of it!

[Grits]

How frightening that Maxical’s stress has allowed Amiela to gain strength. I was so proud of Maxical in this chapter, especially at the end when she resolved to do whatever it takes (almost, the “not Ocato” was hilarious) to lose her virginal allure.

Eyja was especially sisterly, alternately between soothing and poking Maxical in the back. I love knowing the background behind her care of Maxical now, or at least knowing a tiny piece of that story.

Uriel waved her to silence, I watched his eyes and facial expressions as he mulled Eyja’s words over in his mind…so much like Fathis’s had when he was thinking rapidly.

As ever, your depiction of Uriel makes me smile. Even with the sad note of thinking about Fathis in the past tense.

I love the discussion of necromancy and Worm Thralls. Maxical’s insight that Malan created his own weak point while weakening her to bring back Amiela made me want to cheer.

“HA! Finally, someone other than me having their private conversations repeated.” I did a little victory dance.

She may be thinking like a warrior, but she’s still Maxical!!

This was such a rewarding chapter, with plans coming together after Malan had everyone so confused! Though I noticed that Maxical still has some of the wrong ideas about Gils. I’m looking forward to Malan's reaction. And I wonder who Uriel will choose for Maxical, or possibly who will show up in her room that she might THINK he chose for her. Sneakers? LOL.

[mALX]

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@ McBadgere - Thank you so much McB! Yes, there will be more. This story ends when the Oblivion Crisis starts. Maxical has a lot more growing up to do than that one step, lol. Thanks again, McB!

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@ Zalphon - Thank you so much Z! Your comment tickled me, and I agree wholeheartedly. Even shining white knights are just people doing what they have to when the time comes to act. Politics and power are maintained at cost, and sometimes that means the line between darkness and light becomes blurred and gray. Thank you so much again, Z!

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@ Hazmick - SPEW! Uh, where is Foxy when we need him? I don’t think that will help her problem, ROFL !!!! You had me in stitches with your comment, Thank you so very much Hazmick!

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@ King Coin - Thank you so much KC!

What does she think Maxical is? A kitty?

ROFL !!! I LOVED that!

I’m answering your question about Azura’s seal on here in case anyone else was wondering too:

Azura binds (only the Female Khajiit) to her mate and to Azura herself. The seal is on the woman’s body (the female Khajiit's tongue), not her soul. When she dies it ends.

However, she is bound (sealed) to both her husband’s soul and body

Body: If his body is close, the seal gives moonsugar, and it burns in his absence.

Soul: Azura’s Wrath comes from the bounding to his soul:

The seal makes the wife protect the husband at all costs. She can’t betray him physically or Azura’s Wrath causes her to kill whoever tries. If her mate is harmed Azura guides the wife to his aid. If someone attacks him, Azura fills the wife with her wrath and “Names“ the enemy. His enemies become hers. She will kill anyone that harms her mate.

Souls are eternal, death is eternal, and Azura binds the female to the mate’s soul and body for eternity - but men don't live forever.

If he dies, the seal burns excruciatingly. The pain becomes so unbearable that Khajiit widows that don‘t have access to (the juices or presence of ancient vampires) end up following their husbands to the grave.

The only way to ease the pain is the drinking of ancient vampire juices (or close proximaty to an ancient vampire).

That is why in Elsweyr ancient vampires have their own guild and become quite wealthy - working as "comforters" or selling their juices to Alchemy shops.

Thank you so very much again, KC !!!

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@ Acadian - Thank you so very much for those kind words! You caught everything, it was a hard decision for Maxical to make - and knowing she could lose herself in this is going to prod her into the growth she needs to become the Champion Uriel needs. Thank you so very much again, Acadian!

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@ Darkness Eternal - Thank you so very much Darkness! We do seem to think a lot alike on dark issues, from the different tastes blood may have to the close tie between vampirism and necromancy. Since Oblivion brings Mannimarco back, I figured he may as well be of more use with his secret knowledge than hiding inside Echo Cave, lol. Thank you so very much again, Darkness!

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@ Grits - Thank you so very much Grits! I held off posting this next chapter so you wouldn’t be overwhelmed with two chapters to catch up on - just hope you are well and all is going great for you. I Loved your comment! You catch every nuance I hope comes across, You ROCK! Maxical has to grow up now, she’s got no more play room left. Thank you so very much again, Grits; and I so hope all is well with you!!!


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[mALX]

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Chapter 170: The Order Is In…Or Is It?


My last vial of vampire juices held only a few more sips, barely enough to quell the burning agony of Azura‘s seal on my tongue. I couldn’t duplicate even these few drops, Nissy and the sisters had stolen every last scroll in the Palace and Hannibal had forgotten to bring the scrolls I requested.
,
How stupid I had been not to stop arguing with Janus long enough to ask him for some of his juices yesterday morn. I could have even asked Malan. The thought just never occurred in their presence, not while their aura was easing the pain.

I took a quick pull on the small amount left, feeling panic rising in me at the thought of these running out with no way to get more. Panic…and fear that my willpower couldn’t remain strong enough to keep Amiela’s soul subjugated with the constant pain draining it.

The searing trickle of liquid burned too small a trail down my throat. I waited till its heat was well in my stomach before breathing in through my mouth to ignite the juices. The familiar explosion of euphoria never came, instead I was left shaking in the need for more and the edge was barely taken off the pain radiating from the seal.

Desperation fueled the idea that Evangeline may know how to make scrolls. Uriel may send for me soon, there was no time to waste. I darted down to Evangeline’s room and entered after a quick tap.

Evangeline was delighted. She pushed Alix the Mouse’s pram out of the way so I could sit down, barely allowing me a glimpse of him in his tiny bonnet sleeping under a velvet throw quilt.

“Don’t wake him…” Evangeline puffed up like a bear protecting her cub.

“I won’t, Evangeline. I have to get back to Uriel quickly. Do you know how to make scrolls, or do you have any I can borrow for just a second? I have some medicine I need to duplicate.”

“Sorry, Maxical. I never use them. Ocato is the only one who can create them in the Palace. He has a stack on one bookshelf in his room.”

“Not any more, the sisters stole all his scrolls and replaced them with rolled blank parchments before they left. They took them all with them when they moved out, didn‘t even leave me two.“

“Haha! I can’t wait till he goes to use them.”






***


“Maxical, what is that trollop doing up there with Uriel? And what happened that those dear Khajiit women had to leave?”

“Nissy attacked Uriel. He sent all the Khajiit but me to live in some inn. That girl is Eyja. She was my father’s first girlfriend before he met S‘Jirra. He must have loved her deeply, he still talks about her sometimes. I like her, but I’m kind of glad they broke up before he adopted me. She is very different from S‘Jirra.”

“I should say so!”

“I wish I had her eyes, have you seen them? They are positively sultry! She seems nice, maybe a little wild in some ways I guess.”

Evangeline snorted. “A little! From the looks of her she‘ll wear down the entire Legion till they’re not able to fight.”

“What she does with any men isn’t my concern…er…well…”

“Well what?”

“The orders will be coming down anytime now for me to lose my virginity since it’s drawing vampires in. She isn’t an act I’d like to follow too closely, if you know what I mean.“

“Diseases?“

“No, she’s clean enough. It’s just…it’s everything about her, Evangeline. She’s experienced, I’ll be gauche in comparison. And if he sees her naked right before seeing me…you know, it’s like the gods emptied several sexy sticks on her and then just handed me a dried up twig. After it’s over I won’t care, I just don’t want to be compared during…you know what I mean?”

“All of us are gauche the first time, dear. Men and women alike.”

“Uriel isn’t likely to set me up with a virgin, I‘ll be the only one that doesn‘t know what I‘m doing.”

“Sir Damien gives the impression of being very experienced in that area, Maxical. A man like that will teach you, and you won’t be inept the next time.”

“Absolutely not!”






***


“Oh! While we’re on that subject, do you know anything about the Earl of Imbel?”

“Ooh, now he’s a charmer! The most handsome man you’ll ever see, and wealthy to boot. Probably my age, but you wouldn’t know it to look at him. He could charm birds from my tree anytime!”

“Huh? Why are you always talking about birds when you mean sex? First they’re in your hands and bush, now trees…what tree?”

“A bird in the hand or bush is not about sex…“

“What else could it mean?“

“Forget that, just tell me why you want to know about the Earl?”

“No reason, I just heard something really juicy…er…interesting about him and didn’t know who he was.”

“What did you hear?” Evangeline leaned forward eagerly, nearly toppling off her chair.

“Something I shouldn’t repeat.”

“Stop teasing!”

“Okay. I heard that he is more than quite skilled in the bedroom, if you know what I mean. Better than a Dunmer, in fact.” I imitated Eyja and raised one eyebrow twice.

“Maxical! Are you thinking of going to him to solve your problem?”

“Dear gods no, I absolutely couldn’t! Seriously, Evangeline.“ Did she not know he was a vampire?

“It’s the oddest thing, you bringing him up. I’ve been having a lot of dreams about him recently.”

“Ooh, Evangeline! Tell me everything!”

“It’s those same dreams I already told you about, the ones I can’t talk about.”






***


“If you can’t tell me about your dreams, then I wish you’d stop talking about them! It’s like fishing with fake bait or something.”

“What?”

“You lure my interest, then when I bite…never mind. This Earl of Imbel must be something special for you to dream about him. Maybe it’s a foretelling, and you’ll meet him and fall into a romance.”

“After what you just said I may seek him out to meet.”

“Bwaahaa! I better get details then…” I broke off as the door opened.

“Sir Damien!” I scowled at his intrusion.

He immediately proved he’d listened through the door. “Don’t delay that meeting, Evangeline. I’ve heard the Earl seeks a wife to ease his loneliness.”

“Eavesdropper!” I answered for Evangeline.

Unlike me, Evangeline was tickled by the visit. She couldn’t get up quickly enough to pull out a chair for him. His eyes fell on the fancy leather pram and I saw an amused gleam through the slits in his mask.

“Should I be congratulating you, Evangeline?”

She followed the line of his eyesight. “Oh no, that is for the dear little mouse of Maxical’s. He likes to go for walks in the sunshine.”

His mouth quirked tightly like he was holding back laughter. “I won’t be able to stay, I just stopped in to give you this.” He handed me a folded parchment.

“That address is where your mother is staying. She wasn’t there, but I left word that you are safe and here at the Palace.”

“Thank you, Sir Damien. I am very grateful for this.” I really was, despite the averted face I showed him. I heard his deep chuckle.

“Don’t choke on your gratitude.”






***


Evangeline darted her eyes at Sir Damien repeatedly, then back at me. She may as well have pointed at him and asked. I shook my head no. Had I said yes, I have no doubt she would have locked us in here till the deed was done.

Sir Damien was staring at me as if planning his words carefully before he spoke. He leaned in close as if to whisper privately, but in spite of the intimacy of his action his deep voice filled the small room.

“I hesitate to bring this up in a less than private setting, but the order has come down from Uriel.”

“He discussed this with you? OH! Why didn’t he just hang a sign outside the Palace?”

Sir Damien seemed to be enjoying some perverse humor from my rage. I snapped my mouth shut.

“He has arranged that you meet someone at the Temple of the One immediately, as the daylight hours are waning. The man will approach you, no need to speak to anyone there.”

“Who is it? Do I know them? How will they know it’s me?”

“They’ll be looking for a white Khajiit.”

“Oh. Wait, the Temple? Why there? Dear gods, I hope it’s not Jeelius!”

“The Argonian? Aren‘t their swords split or spined or something?” Evangeline gasped.

“WHAT?” My face blanched. I‘d never thought about there being differences before. Somehow I'd just assumed Uriel would select someone human, or a Mer like Fathis and Gils. For the first time it hit me…I was beast species, Uriel might choose the same for me.

“Jeelius isn’t the only man at the Temple…” Sir Damien began.

“He’s right, there‘s a Khajiit that works there too, Maxical.” Evangeline paled suddenly, then added in a whisper, “But...I've heard they have barbed swords.”

“GAAAH! I’ve heard that too!”

“There’s that Orc there too, pray it’s not him. I heard…never mind, best not frighten you in case it is him.” Evangeline added.






***


“Huh? I can’t…he can’t do this to me! Oh dear gods, I need to confront…I mean talk to Uriel immediately. Anyway, he promised to give me a bottle of good brandy to make the man drink so I’d like him better, and some scented soap so I won‘t smell like a cat…”

Sir Damien cut me off. “There is no time. Uriel said you vowed to go with his choice. You must leave immediately.”

Evangeline sprang into action. “You like this soap of mine, take this fresh bar. Here, take this brandy too. It’s from Uriel‘s cellar, and I just now broke the seal for Sir Damien to drink. Is that all you need, dear?”

A knot was filling my stomach. I barely heard Evangeline, was only conscious that she was pressing the brandy bottle into my hand. For all my brave words to Uriel, I was numb with fear.

“Uriel has provided an alternative to the Palace for this, a mansion. My late wife and I spent our own honeymoon there, and she looked back on it as the most romantic memory of her lifetime. Uriel said you shouldn’t have to give up the romance, and hoped this would ease not being with someone you love for this major event in your life as an adult.”

Evangeline nearly cooed at Sir Damien, sighing loudly, “How romantic!” Her eyes darted from him to me and back again, and she raised her eyebrows so many times I was afraid she was in a seizure.

Sir Damien’s eyes were glittering with unconcealed amusement through the slits of his face mask, he‘d seen Evangeline‘s contortions. My face felt like it was on fire with embarrassment, if I’d had a glass of water I may have doused Evangeline with it.

“This location is safe from the war, Uriel said you may stay several days. Here is instructions on how to reach it and the key.” He handed me a large brass key and a folded parchment. “You must go quickly.”

“Will people be gawking at us and knowing what we are there for?”

“There is not a soul there, you will even have to fix your own dinners if you are hungry.”

“It’s just…I’d rather no one know what occurred except myself and…him.”

“I understand.”






***


I lingered in the doorway wanting to cry and hug Evangeline, but couldn’t do it with Sir Damien standing there. Instead I stuffed the key and parchments into the pocket of my greaves without even looking at the instructions.

“Try not to look like you are on the way to the gallows, Maxical. It may hinder the man in his purpose.”

Sir Damien followed me out, pulling the door shut behind us. He caught my arm. “Evangeline is right, there is still another option the dying mouse can choose, Lass. Like me or not, you know what you are getting here. The unknown is worse, could be anyone. Do you imagine you‘ll like them better than me? No awkward meeting, we can go to this mansion together and none will know.“

As he spoke the terror in my mind rose. The unknown. It could be anyone. I felt like I might vomit at the thought. Part of me would rather it be someone I knew. Sir Damien was right, it would be much more comfortable with him than…

“Sir Damien…“ My mouth opened to agree, and then suddenly I pictured the aftermath. Sir Damien popping into my bed at will like he did the sisters, or worse; discussing with everyone at the Palace how inept I was my first time. A stranger who I’d never see again, didn’t know my name even…maybe that would be better.

“What is it, Lass?”

“Er…nothing.”

“I wish you well, Maxical.”

“Er…thank you, Sir Damien.” I hurried out of the Palace without looking back, the brandy bottle clutched in my hand.



*

This post has been edited by mALX: Sep 10 2012, 11:23 AM

[hazmick]

OH NO MAXICAL DON'T LISTEN TO FAKE FOXY AAAAAHHH!!! It's a trap no no no no Yeah, I get the feeling that Uriel is unaware of the current situation, hopefully he'll break down the doors of the temple and save the day

Haa-Rei wishes to state that his...er...sword...is not split and as such would be happy to lend his assistance, in service to Tamriel and the Emperor, he can be at the palace within the hour

Anyway, swords aside , a great chapter, now I'm going to just sit and wait for the next one in eager anticipation. woooo