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

[mALX]

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@ King Coin - ROFL !!! She isn’t cackling like a witch, find some really crummy sleazy bar and go in, listen for the female that laughs loudest and you’ve got Eyja’s BWAAHAA laugh, lol. She brays and howls - that is the loud laughs. Her tinkling laugh is a pretty sound. In a few chapters she will break out a new laugh that sounds like one of those BAAAYOOOGAA horns on old cars.

Uriel couldn’t share information with Maxical because she is a sieve. Throughout the story, she pretty much spouts out (everything she ever overheard or was said to her whether in confidence or not), and her mind babbles worse than she does. She needs to learn how to keep things to herself and know when and how to blank her mind around these ancients before she can be given classified information unless Uriel just wants it spread to his enemies. She’s already given Malan critical information twice (that Fathis was Arbiter and that Uriel was onto his impersonation - something Uriel told her he didn’t want Malan knowing). She’ll learn, but she‘s not there yet.

You are absolutely right, Uriel and Maxical are finally beginning to develop a bond between them. She is doing less wrong to irritate him now, that helps. But he’s also seen a few signs of why Akatosh chose her.

Your comment had me in stitches! Thank you so very much KC!

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@ Acadian - Thank you so very much Acadian! Your kind words made my day! (especially this: “was just darn fun” - that tickled me! I was really hoping their squabbling as they fought through the Palace would be well received, so I’m really glad you picked that out! Thank you so very much again, Acadian!

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@ Ghastley - Your wish is my command - one bath coming right up! And you are absolutely right about that, there is one thing she sure can’t seem to accomplish, lol. Thank you so much Ghastley, Loved your comment!

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@ Darkness Eternal - Thank you so very much Darkness! Eternally damned - what a great phrase! I may steal it in the future, lol. If I do, I’ll ask first. Yeah, that V card is on the line next chapter. (not below, the one after that.

If you find out about that wine bottle of blood in Janus’s quarters, can you let me know? My game is crashed right now, but I am curious about that. I could put my mod up in the TES4 Edit and look up the changes to Janus’s private quarters. It was my first mod ever, it’s dirty as hell (not sexy dirty - it has a lot of errors in it. Example, sticking out of Castle Skingrad is an overly large door. I have tried to remove it a dozen times and can’t. The Lost Chamber has a huge crack in it, and Janus’s outer room has an even bigger crack in it. The Colovian Traders looks like an earthquake struck, and I never even touched it - I only went in there to fix Eyja up and make her pretty, really not sure how it happened, ROFL !!!)

Thank you so very much again, Darkness!

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@ Grits - This absolutely made my day, Thank you so very much Grits! Every nuance I hoped would come across in that chapter, you pegged in your comment. You ROCK! Thank you so very much again Grits!

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@ WINTER WOLF !!!!!!!!!!! - GAAAAAAAH !!!! Where have you been, you have been so missed! For coming back I will send you a vid of a wolf howling, as soon as I can find a really good one! I hope you are well, and thank you so very much for coming by and reading !!!!


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[mALX]

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Chapter 177: Bathing With Assassins


“Sire, I’ve got to lose this virgin blood immediately so it can never be used against Fathis. While we‘re locked up here, can Janus…you know, end this?”

“I need some assurances from Traven and Hassildor first. Eyja, take Maxical to the room and guard her well.”

“I need a bath anyway.” As I was getting up to leave Uriel glanced at the stains on my greaves. He gripped my shoulder and shook it briefly, but gently.

“I’m glad you made it back safely. It would serve Malan a lesson if I let him have you to live with a while. Go clean up get some rest while we talk.”

Hannibal passed us in the doorway, his expression staring at Eyja was like a lovesick schoolboy. He was watching her instead of where he was walking and trod on Janus’s heel.

“OW!”

Eyja’s tinkling laughter followed us to the room. That was my favorite of her many laughs, the braying and howling ones I could do without. She heated the bathwater and removed both our clothing with her spell. I pulled off my rings and amulet and laid them on the ornate stand next to the tub.

“I meant to tell Uriel, I think Malan spent a lot of time with Evangeline when he was impersonating Sir Damien. I noticed he entered her room without waiting for a response after his tap.”

“I’ll warn Uriel of that. Now, tell me about you and Janus.”

“First I’ll tell you about that bird that ogled us and fell from the sky. It was Janus, he said the sight of two women together in the bathtub nearly killed him. He only survived it because we weren’t soaping each other or kissing.”

“BWAAHAA! Let me tell you something about men, Maxical. They’ll pay anything for the sight of two women doing anything together nude.” Eyja soaped up a sponge and handed it to me as I climbed in the tub.

I soaped my neck, then started on my chest. “Next time you’re at Castle Skingrad, look around. Janus is commissioning a fountain statue of us in a tub.”

“BWAAHAA!” Eyja cut her hand across the top of the water, flooding all the soap off my front.

“Hey! Now I’ve got to soap up again!”

I handed my sponge to Eyja with an innocent look. “It needs soaped again.”






***


As Eyja reached for the soap I knocked it into the water with my tail, splashing a couple drips of water on her face. She squealed loudly as she kept trying to grab the soap bar off the bottom of the tub while I kept scooting it around with my tail.

“Stop!“ Eyja curled her arm across the water, drenching me completely before snatching the bar up. She soaped the sponge and handed it back.

“I don’t know how you remained a virgin married to two Dunmer, but you’re hopeless if you can‘t get Janus. He’d lay a mudcrab just tripping over it.” She splashed me again, then started soaping herself up.

“Really? He said he’s not like those ancients that are driven by lust. I‘ve only met him three times, but he‘s always been a gentleman around me.”

“He‘s as bad as any of them, just doesn’t see himself as he really is.“

“He said if I ever need him, he’s but a thought away. I’m not sure what that means.”

“All ancients say that, it’s like their calling card. It means, ‘don’t call me if you need anything’.”

I cupped my hand across the water in an arc that splashed the soap off her. “Geez, it sounded so believable when he said it!”

“Well don’t fall for it. They all talk romantic, it’s nothing but talk. Just need help sometime and watch how fast they disappear.”

I opened my mouth to answer and Eyja smacked her hand down hard on top of the water, choking me with the spray. I sputtered and splashed her back, then held up my hand quickly to stop the play.

“Shh.” Raised voices were coming from Uriel’s chambers, very loud and angry. “They’re all shouting at once, I can’t understand a word!” I called to Eyja.

“Good, then I can do this!” She splashed me.

“Ew, what is that?” I put both my hands under the water and pretended I‘d found something. When Eyja leaned over to look I clapped my hands together hard so the water shot up and drenched her. She shrieked loudly.






***


“Oh, you’ve asked for it now.” She splashed me repeatedly till half the water from the tub was in my face.

“Mustn’t drown the cat!” I choked out, lolling my head back on the tub as if I‘d died. Her giggling continued echoing loudly around the room, but she stopped splashing. I sat back up.

“Watch this, Eyja. I thought of it while you were drowning me. I’ll make a slaughterfish jumping from the water with my tail.” I made my tail leap out of the water the way the slaughterfish do, but then made it fly over and bite her on the neck.

“SKREEEEEEK! GAAAH! Your tail tickles! It‘s dripping on me!”

“Are you dry?” I started chasing her with my tail, making it jump out of the water at her neck from all different directions till she shrieked continuously.

“SKREEEEEK! It tickles! STOP! SKREEEEEEEK!”

When I stopped she leaped across the tub to wrestle me. A huge wake of water curled up and out of the tub when she landed laughing on top of me, and just as it did there was a deafening bang at the window beside us.

We both shrieked as a man in a crimson robe blew backward from the trap Nissy had set on the now gaping window. His screams were bone chilling echoing his descent. Another Mythic Dawn assassin was sliding toward the window on the ledge.

Uriel’s shout could be heard through the wall, then the sound of boots stomping toward the room. The door flew open and I glimpsed Janus’s stunned face gaping at Eyja and I clinging to each other.

“Holy Psijic [censored]!”

Hannibal followed, looking like an owl as he admired Eyja‘s naked form. The fact that we were in peril obviously couldn’t overcome the sight for either of them.

There was no time to wait for them to save us, that was sure. I pushed Eyja off me and scrambled up, sticking my hand out the window and casting the Enemies Explode spell toward the approaching assassin.






***


The delay seemed interminable, the assassin was already clinging to the window and another was coming up behind him when the impact of the spell hit. The dome started quaking a split second before the blast thundered with a huge roar.

RUMBLE RUMBLE…BOOOOOOOOM! KAAABOOOM!

The entire window blew off and shattered with the two assassins in pieces flying with it. It went so far and so fast that nothing could be seen in seconds.

The grease on the ledge was ablaze, the flames instantly shot around the entire dome. Immediately we heard shouting coming from the opposite side, and more of those horrible long screams that made my blood feel like ice.

Then chaos erupted. Uriel was shouting orders; men were running everywhere, I even heard footsteps up on the dome. A regiment of Imperial Army troops was ordered up to guard from the Battlemages Quarters up. Janus was assigned to check everyone coming into the Royal Quarters since he could verify they weren’t vampires.

A crew was called up immediately to board the window before the vampires emerged for the evening. Hannibal got towels around us and shuffled Eyja and me into Uriel’s chambers just as the troops arrived. The sound of hammering pounded above all the shouting, my ears hurt from it.

“Where’s Uriel?“ I squeaked, glancing around quickly. With a shock I realized I’d left Uriel! He wasn’t in his chambers! I ran to the door, but just then Uriel’s vault door opened. Uriel, thank the gods. I breathed in relief.

He signaled Eyja and Hannibal out, then stood in front of me for what seemed like an entire minute before speaking. I didn’t know whether I was in trouble or not by his expression.

“Foxy is alive, or Malan couldn’t impersonate him. We now know he has Fathis as well. We need them. Taking down Malan is a top priority.”








***


“Maxical, you have to lose the power Malan has to turn Fathis into a minion immediately. You are needed here, not closed up in Hassildor’s castle. I refused his request, you must stay here.”

“I tried to talk him out of that myself.”

“Hassildor is needed till we clear the Palace of Malan’s army, but when Malan is taken down I want him gone. And Maxical, if he can’t get this business done right away then I will order someone else in to do the job. If he fails again, you are to inform me immediately so I can appoint another.”

“Well, he did just see Eyja and I together in the bathtub, that could either help or hinder our case if you know what I mean.“

Uriel made a grimace. “You’ll have all the time and privacy you need if the deed is taking place. Don‘t kiss him, and make sure his clothes are removed before starting this time.”

“Remember you promised I could take a bottle of your brandy.“ I grabbed a bottle of his best brandy and walked out holding it up and waggling it so he could see I had it.

Janus was waiting in the room. He’d pushed the boarded window open and was leaning over the tub, watching the ring of grease burning around the dome I guess. I locked all the access doors and the main door behind me. The workmen had left the room, but I could still hear banging coming from above. Were they working outside the dome? What if they could see in?

“Janus, the order is in. I have to…er…you know. Uriel said I must stay right here. I‘m sorry to put you on the spot this way, are you sure…I mean do you still want to do this with me? Uriel said he‘ll appoint another if you‘ve changed your mind.”

“I do, but Uriel gave you choice. Is it me you want? I need your promise.”

“You have my promise, Janus, I want to give myself to you.”

Without a word Janus pulled me into his arms and kissed me. The air became thick with him, a scent so powerful and aromatic I was sure I could have eaten a whole horse if someone cooked it.

The testosterone was suffocating even with the gaped window nearby. It was strangling in my throat, choking me. My legs felt planted or I would have run to the window for air.






***


My nerves were ragged edged from all that had happened last night and just minutes ago. An uneasy feeling kept sending shivers down my spine. I wished suddenly that I was dressed, regardless if it defeated my purpose.

My arm holding the bottle of brandy was wedged between us. I pulled back from him and shoved the brandy at him, tightening the towel around me.

“A gift from Uriel, will you drink some? I don‘t drink, but I like the taste and smell of it. Haha, I probably sound like I‘m on Skooma or something, haha. I wish I would shut up now, haha.” I was chattering like a damned magpie.

Uriel expected people’s libido to just rise regardless of the person or situation, rebound and be ready immediately after assassin attacks and giant vampires frightening one half to death. I don’t know how men could get aroused in the worst situations, but remembered Gils at Crowhaven trying me with skeletons attacking us and arrows whizzing by our heads.

“What are you thinking about?” His voice was close to my ear, something about his breath made me feel lightheaded and woozy.

“I…I was wishing I was a man. I might need air or something. I think my head is swimming.”

“You’re wanting the banks of the Rumare, is that it?”

“Yes, how did you know?” His breath left me feeling strange inside, a sensation like something was recognizing him…communicating with him. Like a memory replicating and sharing itself with him.

“I know what’s in your heart, I was there with you.”

I tittered nervously and took a step toward the window. My bare foot crunched on something hard, I looked down surprised. It was my ring from Hannibal. My jewelry, where was Fathis’s ring?

“My ring is gone, I need my wedding ring from Fathis…”

“Shh now, there you go.” There was an overwhelming feeling of heaviness, and then of falling endlessly in a pitch black chasm. I felt him pulling me against him as darkness closed over me.


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This post has been edited by mALX: Oct 7 2012, 07:46 AM

[Grits]

How fun to get some splash time with silly and sultry Eyja. It would not surprise me to learn that her antics were to keep Maxical from hearing what the others were shouting about.

Uriel made a grimace. “You’ll have all the time and privacy you need if the deed is taking place. Don‘t kiss him, and make sure his clothes are removed before starting this time.”

The Emperor advising Maxical on how to get it on was priceless.

“A gift from Uriel, will you drink some? I don‘t drink, but I like the taste and smell of it. Haha, I probably sound like I‘m on Skooma or something, haha. I wish I would shut up now, haha.” I was chattering like a damned magpie.

Oh, poor nervous Maxical!

“You’re wanting the banks of the Rumare, is that it?”

Wait, what?! Did Malan come through the window and is pretending to be Janus? He could have heard Maxical whispering all of her memories to the dying Gils! I KNOW it was Janus in the other room when he said “Holy Psijic [censored]!” Am I just being twitchy and paranoid?! Wait, maybe Janus read it in her mind when he was ogling them in the bath as a bird. I’m on pins and needles!!

“My ring is gone, I need my wedding ring from Fathis…”

“Shh now, there you go.” There was an overwhelming feeling of heaviness, and then of falling endlessly in a pitch black chasm. I felt him pulling me against him as darkness closed over me.

Oh CRAP! This does not sound normal. If it’s Azura yanking Maxical back to the primal jungle again, I hope Maxical gives her a piece of her mind. What’s going to happen next?!

I’m going to get another cup of coffee and read this again!!

[Acadian]

Hee! Grits already quoted so many of the great parts of this!

There goes Maxical using the ‘P’ word with an ancient again. I remember what it means to them.

Oh my. The end here was unnerving. Perhaps I am perceiving danger where there is none but I was strongly reminded that Janus and Malan are related by blood. . . split aparts to use Maxical’s words. Regardless, I could really feel Maxical’s sense of falling into darkness at the end.

[King Coin]

Bath time! Uriel’s warming up to her. That gesture was nice.

That was so funny with the soap! And to think Eyja’s an assassin! For once Maxical’s curiosity is trumped by something, splashing Eyja!

Holy crap! As soon as Eyja jumped Maxical, I knew something was going to happen! Maxical of course responds to the danger by destroying the entire palace.

What the… Is Janus, Janus? This really doesn’t sound right. Something is up, and I don't like it.

[Darkness Eternal]

When the next chapter is posted, you have my permittion to steal it

Into the bath! I suppose I must feel like a lovesick schoolboy after this one, haha. This chapter is as you promised. Full of our Eyja and our Maxical!

“BWAAHAA! Let me tell you something about men, Maxical. They’ll pay anything for the sight of two women doing anything together nude.”

Eyja knows what she's talking about. That's for sure.

“I don’t know how you remained a virgin married to two Dunmer, but you’re hopeless if you can‘t get Janus. He’d lay a mudcrab just tripping over it.”

This strikes me as curious as well. Glad this was questioned in the story, after I found myself wondering this all too much. If she doesn't get Janus, then I don't know what will.

I liked Maxical's slaughterfish tail trick. At least it wasn't a trout, huh. Hahaha.

“Really? He said he’s not like those ancients that are driven by lust. I‘ve only met him three times, but he‘s always been a gentleman around me.”

“He‘s as bad as any of them, just doesn’t see himself as he really is.“

“He said if I ever need him, he’s but a thought away. I’m not sure what that means.”

I always knew there was something else about Janus. Something . . .secret. I knew it! Or maybe I'm wrong. I suppose this portrayal of Janus is different.

Speaking of Janus not being himself . . .is that conniving Malan impersonating people again? Grits had a good eye for this one. The end left me wondering . . . the lust, the testosterone . . . .hmm. The end left me wandering . . . .what the hell is going to happen to Maxical!!

[Winter Wolf]

Struth! I have certainly come back at the right point in the story. I have no idea what is going on and I love it. mALX, how dare you tease us with this cliffhanger. I agree with the others, the ending could mean nothing or mean everything. Damn you!

You have fired me up to wonder how we could have got to this point. The part about the Rumare threw me completely. That will teach me to leave the scene of a crime. Lol.

Thanks for wolfy vids. You must have spent some time hunting those down for me. Thank you. How I would love to have those animals here in Australia. It would be awesome to do my astronomy and hear them at 2am. Children of the night, what sweet music they make!

I just had to come back to Chorrol. Maxical will always mean the world to me. She symbolizes the wonderment of youth, that time when we are young and healthy and see life as an inexhaustible well, not the dross we see today. We love to share her triumph and tragedy (oh we know what those are....) and marvel at the way that she interacts with the world around her.

The use of her tail in this story meant that Maxical was all business while Eyja just wanted to play. Just when you think that you have her she always gains the upper paw. The useless men just wanted to ogle while Maxical was the one casting the spell. To contrast that with the male strength at the end was delightful. And devious. And talented story writing.

This post has been edited by Winter Wolf: Oct 9 2012, 10:33 AM

[ghastley]

I'm with King Coin in thinking something's not as it seems, which usually means Malan's involved. But now I expect Uriel to be playing the game of telling Maxical what he wants Malan to believe. So now they've both got me as confused as she is.

I'm expecting a trap, but I'm not sure who's being trapped.

[Zalphon]

...What's that sound? That is the sound of everything hitting the fan. Good chapter, Malx. I am eager to read the next one.

[mALX]

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@ Grits - Thank you so very much Grits! You are spot on for why Eyja is so noisy. Maxical's eavesdropping, lol. Maxical's hearing is acute, she can actually hear the quieter voices better than the loud ones (which I got from my cat pinning back its ears when it heard loud sounds, but can hear a mouse in the kitchen from the other side of the house).

I posted an update a chapter or two ago that tells who knew about the Rumare. The person that used mind control to make Gils marry Maxical did it.

I won't answer the questions here, the chapter below answers most. Thank you so very much again, Grits!!!

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@ Acadian - Thank you so very much Acadian! Yeah, Maxical has not learned her lesson well on that P word - really glad it is Janus she is using it on and not another! Lol. This is it, you know what I've gone through on this one. Thank you so very much again, Acadian!

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@ King Coin - Thank you so very much KC! Maxical's trick of scooting the soap around with her tail is totally new, lol. Eyja will drown it out of her, lol. Thank you so very much again, KC!

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@ Darkness Eternal - Thank you so very much Darkness! And thanks for letting me steal that, I'll have to find someway to work it in! It will be a while, lol. You are right, Eyja is on top of what men like, ROFL !!!

Maxical's virginity: Maxical promised her virginity to Fathis because she loved him and her family owed him a ton of gold. But as soon as Maxical graduated, Janus Hassildor put spells on Fathis that made him stay away from Maxical (and made him impotent).

Maxical met Gils and fell in love with him. (we are just finding out Malan used mind control to make Gils marry Maxical). Gils and Maxical married in a country swearing ceremony with no witnesses (not considered legal). Both Fathis and Gils are Dunmer, Fathis is the Arbiter over Dunmer in Cyrodiil (the law) - so Gils honors the promise Maxical made to him. Even though they are ...active, it is doing things that retain her virginity. (the story didn't mention anything specific like sword polishing or anything).

Fathis forced a public marriage ceremony on Maxical to save her from Janus Hassildor, but then never made it to the wedding night because he was setting up a trap for Hassildor (the trap that started this vampire war)

Maxical was so upset by what Fathis did, and loved Gils - she went back home with Gils, and when Fathis didn't show up for her - Gils and Maxical made out big time. They went a bit too far and Maxical ended up "started" (Khajiit terms on page 1) - but they didn't go far enough for her to lose her virginity.

She tried with Hassildor, he had issues with things happening too quick to get his clothes off.

Other than Vicente and Malan trying to force themselves on her (in which she escaped using their juices against them) - that is the total of Maxical's experience so far. That ends today.

Thank you so very much again, Darkness!

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@ Winter Wolf - Thank you so much my Wolfy friend !!! The Rumare = Maxical's first kiss was on the banks of it, her country swearing marriage took place on the banks too. Her wedding ring is "The Jewel of the Rumare." It is Maxical's "special place" where every memory is a good one.

When I was working a few towns over, I rented an apartment in a wolf sanctuary. There is no greater feel than to sleep and hear them howling to each other. No greater sound than that in the world. I don't think the videos can actually capture the magic of them. Thank you so very much for your kind words Wolf !!!!

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@ Ghastley - You are spot on again, Ghastley! (not about Uriel, but everything else, lol) Thank you so much Ghastley !!!

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@ Zalphon - Wow, Z !!! You shocked me! Thank you so much for those kind words, and boy are you right!

@ Everyone - This is it.

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[mALX]

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Chapter 178: The Last Of The Innocents


The sound of a snarling and growling dog was echoing in the eddying blackness of my mind, and the sense of mortal danger near was overpowering. I had to force my eyes open, the lids felt like twenty pound weights.

A tiny slit that was all I was able to muster, and could barely see through a blurry haze then. It felt like I’d been heavily drugged, both my senses and vision took too long to clear. When they did, all I saw was bars…a jail cell?

Through the bars I saw a naked Breton vampire shackled to the wall. He was snarling and roaring, his eyes looked enraged and demonic like Malan‘s had last night.

Behind me a voice was screaming, praying and pleading for death over and over again…begging for it between screams of “HELP ME FOXY! FOXY!”

It took pure will to turn, my limbs felt like weighted jelly. What I saw…I nearly fainted and vomited simultaneously. A vampire snarling and growling, naked and chained like a wild animal…screaming as if something was giving him so much pain he had reverted to a feral state. His eyes glowed a horrible red, but the expression in them was tortured. It was Fathis.

“FATHIS!” I couldn’t breathe through wrenching sobs, tried to crawl to him on arms and legs too wobbly to function.

He kicked me back with force, screaming. “GET AWAY FROM ME! FOXY HELP ME!”

“Fathis, it’s me Maxical!”

“GET OUT OF HERE, GET OUT!”

This wasn’t Fathis, it was a creature…

Suddenly Janus’s words came back to me, ‘If Malan gets virgin blood under Fathis’s nose the man you know and love will be gone‘…my blood was the torture in Fathis‘s eyes! Malan was going to make him drink my blood and steal his soul!

“Fathis, mate me! Hurry, do it now! You have to! My blood will change as soon as we mate, let me close!” I pushed myself up on my hands and knees and forced them to crawl toward Fathis.

“NO! STAY BACK! I can‘t stop myself if you get close, GET BACK!”






***


“You have to mate me! Malan wants you to drink my blood, he’ll take your soul!” I pulled myself up partway on one of his legs and then turned my back to him, bent to keep away from his hand reach the chains allowed.

There was a loud clanking sound, I saw the cell door was closing and two bare legs walking toward me…legs I recognized.

“Get out of here, Malan! Hurry Fathis! Malan leave! I‘m with my husband!”

“Not yet, Fathis has something he must do for me first.”

“NO! Uriel has been warned not to trust Fathis, we are one step ahead of you Malan! Now leave so we can have the honeymoon you shorted us out of on our wedding day.”

“You’ll have that honeymoon, as soon as Fathis gives me what I require.”

“Take me now, Fathis! Just do it while he‘s talking! Don‘t you see any power he has over you is in my blood?”

“Any virgin blood would do, yours has the benefit of psychological warfare; something you particularly love, am I right?” Malan grabbed my arm, yanking me from Fathis. He pulled a jeweled dagger out of the waist of his loincloth.

I twisted and writhed to get free, claws unsheathed and hitting anything I could with them and trying to kick up into his loincloth. I couldn’t reach it, so lunged to him and bit his thigh, raking my claws as deeply as I could on the tree trunk sized limbs.

He never even flinched, but the dagger flew from his hand and hit the bars. Crimson blood dribbled from his legs where my claws had raked across.

“You drew first blood, I should make you drink it. Maybe I’ll give you that choice later on.”

“No you won’t, yours isn’t immortal! You want Janus‘s blood in me, I‘m not stupid!”

“Right you are.“ Malan dragged me to the dagger, picking it up and raking it across the wrist of the arm he was gripping.






***


I screamed and heard Fathis bellowing, “LET HER GO! You can have what you want!”

“NO! Don‘t give in, Fathis! He doesn’t kill virgins, let him drink my blood. Let Fathis go, Malan! You can have me if you let him go, I‘ll give you my promise.”

“I can have you both. Neither one of you are in a place to bargain, you’re in my lair now.”

Every bit of damage I could do with my claws I did then, but he ignored it as if he felt nothing. He wiped his hand in the blood from my wrist, his eyes glittering maniacally; glowing like a force of energy that was about to explode. His fangs jutted from his mouth dribbling trails of wine colored liquid down his chest and onto the ornate loincloth that did little to hide the erection beneath it.

Dragging me beside him, he pushed Fathis against the wall with the force of his own body, pinning him there by his greater size and weight. Fathis twisted and turned his head, but the shackles held him tightly. Malan managed to shove the hand he had rubbed in my blood into Fathis’s mouth, cramming it as a wedge so Fathis couldn’t bite down on it.

Fathis was screaming and growling, but even I could see the sudden lust appear in his eyes...hear the change in tone of his guttural sounds.

“FATHIS NO! FIGHT IT FATHIS!” I shrieked.

“You want more of your wife’s blood? Give me your show of good faith. I‘ll take your mysteries, Arbiter. Maxical was kind enough to share that information with me. I’ll use them on her later when I take her. Oh yes, she’ll live. I‘ll make sure you don‘t drink enough to kill her.”

Fathis’s scream was horrible, an anguished mixture of feral beast and pain. Malan crammed my bleeding wrist into his open mouth, for a moment I felt him struggling not to…then suddenly he was like a wild animal scavenging it. When Malan pulled my wrist away Fathis roared like a beast in the jungle for more.

“You want more? Give me your vow, Fathis Aren!”

Janus predicted it, the blood was turning Fathis to one of them. His eyes showed the battle raging within him, the man he was being devoured by the beast taking over. Then his only screams were for my blood.






***


Malan lifted me, pinning my head against him so my neck was exposed and shoving close enough to Fathis that he could reach it. Fathis lunged, tearing into the vein in my neck like a wild animal and growling like a dog guarding a bone.

Malan pulled back from Fathis, dumping me on the floor of the cell. “I already took the Gift mysteries from the other husband when I took his soul, now it‘s your turn. Give me your vow.”

Gils? What was he saying about Gils?

Malan rubbed his bloody hand under Fathis’s nose till he was roaring. To my shock, Fathis raised his hand to vow. He couldn’t pound his chest with it, the chains kept him from it…but he raised his hand, the bloodlust in his eyes overwhelming any other thought.

“I’LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU FOR THIS! I’ll never forgive you for this. I’ll never forgive you…”

My screaming turned to uncontrollable sobs as Malan clasped Fathis’s hand with his free one, the bareness of his own massive chest pressing Fathis against the stone wall behind him. His loincloth covered Fathis’s nakedness as he pinned him against the wall speaking in a language I didn’t understand. And then he kissed him full on the mouth, cramming Fathis’s head backwards with the force of it.

Baurus’s words suddenly roared into my mind with sickening clarity. Gils swearing a vow, that Elf had his head rammed back…Malan was the Elf Baurus saw. Malan took Gils’ soul. That's why Azura never came to me! Then Gils really was injured, Baurus didn't lie about that. Dear gods, was Gils dead?

Through my own scream I heard Malan’s booming voice. “Now I have your soul and your mysteries, Fathis Aren.”






***


Shock took over after I’d screamed till I was hoarse from it, and then suddenly it was over. I was laying in a clean bed, a bedroom I didn’t recognize. Janus Hassildor was beside me and looked like he was sleeping. I jerked up to sitting like I’d been burned, screaming Fathis’s name and feeling around on my neck and wrist. There was nothing there.

My mind was numb with horror, but I couldn’t remember why. I must have had a nightmare, one so bad that it left me feeling more ill than I‘d ever felt in my life.

“Did you have a bad dream? What is it Maxical? Come here, let me hold you. You’re shaking.”

“Where are we?”

“Uriel said the Palace wasn’t safe, this is his summer estate. I flew you here so we’d reach safety before nightfall, you’ve been ill since.”

“I don’t remember any of that, he insisted I stay at the Palace! What is going on? I’m scared, Janus.”

“Shhh. Just lay back, let my aura comfort you. I think the flight disagreed with you.”

I felt overly weak and exhausted, feverish and chilled at the same time. Maybe he was right about the travel not suiting me, I felt very ill.

“Will you heal me? I don’t feel so good…”

The cold waves of his healing magic chilled against the clamminess of me, I was shivering so badly that he finally pulled me against his warmth while he continued casting over me. I was too weak to snuggle any closer to him or would have, inside me felt cold as a grave. The rhythmic sounds of his casting continued to echo through my dreams as I fell back asleep.

When I woke it felt like I’d slept days. I remembered feeling really sick and having a nightmare, feeling my wrist and neck. Had I screamed Fathis’s name? I couldn’t remember what the nightmare was, something about wild dogs attacking me. The illness and horror that remained in the wake of the nightmare felt realms away now, I felt stupid for making such a scene over a bad dream.






***


“This place is beautiful! Is it Ayleid?”

“It is. This is the way all those ruins you see once looked. Theryon was kept in its original condition.“

“Uriel said we could take our time, but how long have we been gone?”

“You’ve slept quite long. We should be getting back soon. He’ll be upset if you’re intact when we return, but if you’d rather we can wait till we’re back in the Palace.”

“No…no. Will you drink some of that brandy? I think it will make me feel better if I smell it. I‘m sorry to put you on the spot this way, Janus.”

The smell of the brandy on his breath was like a coming home. I could close my eyes and envision the Bloodworks, Owyn and Andronicus in the next room…that it was Gils in the bed beside me. As long as I kept my eyes shut everything was the way I wanted my first time to be. That‘s what I did throughout, opening them may shatter that vision and with it my ability to go through with this.

Janus surprised me. He didn’t take his time with long and lingering lovemaking, he was an inferno with skills every bit as good as Fathis’s mysteries when he kissed me. They were searing.

The taste of the brandy filled my mouth, so familiar on my tongue. I responded with the hunger the aroma of that brandy brought, the memories of all the times that taste had been Gils. In my mind it was him. I gave the mysteries without thought, but Janus handled them readily this time.

Surprisingly I felt no fear till he stopped, cupping my chin gently. “This will only hurt for a second, I’ll go easy.“

He did take care, but…I wished he hadn’t warned me. Suddenly I felt unsure and scared, especially when he began to enter me. That brief moment of pressure and pain when he first took me, I didn‘t know…didn’t expect, and breathed deeply in relief when the discomfort eased. Still, I didn’t stop him.






***


And that was it, that which I had been saving so long was gone. Everyone says you always remember your first time, but as numb as I felt inside I doubted I would. I couldn’t describe how it felt, and the only emotion I felt overpoweringly was relief.

The timing wasn’t right and the person I loved and wanted wasn’t here with me, but I needed to be rid of the burden that virgin blood had become. I would be safe now, the relief I felt from that was tremendous.

Truthfully, I’d needed this day. For that brief moment to close my eyes and pretend Gils hadn’t abandoned our marriage. To taste that brandy, to kiss and feel him wanting me again. I’d needed this day.

He took me again almost immediately, this time he moved his lips down on my neck and then suddenly he was sucking it with such pressure that I cried out, struggling to push him off. Then the pressure slowly eased and we finished with him sucking my neck the whole time. I guessed he was giving me a love mark to ward off other men. Gils was famous for doing that, but was a lot gentler.

I felt really weak and tired afterward and fell asleep in his arms. In my dreams I heard a child’s voice singing that ‘Jack be nimble’ song, then a deep voice whispered in my ear.

“You kept your promise to me, your choice. Never forget, you belong to me forever now Lass.” Then there was the feeling of something moving inside me, like a circle closing within me.


*

This post has been edited by mALX: Mar 7 2013, 04:17 PM

[Zalphon]

Powerful closing to the chapter, Malx. Well-written overall, but very nice ending.

[Acadian]

Gosh, this was so well done!

I could feel Maxical’s torment as she steeled herself to be rid of that which had become a curse, motivated by love for Fathis. The mysteriousness throughout – dream, not dream, nightmare, reality - was really well done. You led us to fully understand her choices and decisions. I could understand the memory power of the brandy, associating it with Gils, as well as keeping her eyes closed.

How chilling at the end. That the Septim Emperor of Tamriel would maintain a summer palace consisting of a pristine Ayleid Ruin, along with Janus’ odd behavior, triggered alarms that likely escaped notice by the troubled Maxical. With a slip of the word ‘Lass’, however, ‘Janus’ reveals all is not as Maxical believes. Malan is indeed a villain not to be underestimated. I fear I might know what who is moving inside Maxical.

[King Coin]

Malan’s destroyed both men that Maxical’s come to love. That scene in the cell with Malan, Fathis, and Maxical was huge!

…And then we have a clean room? That was real, it was not a dream. That’s not Janus, or if it is, he’s with Malan. Absolutely not Janus. I thought that Maxical losing her virginity would have been a relief. Now what… is she as good as Malan’s possession now? What does this mean?

[Grits]

Like Acadian said, you brought everything together so that the thoughts behind Maxical’s choices were crystal clear. And even while I was caught up in that moment of pure understanding, you had placed the clues that led to “Lass,” and Malan, and Amiela stirring.

This chapter was so beautifully done, I had Maxical right in my mind telling me the story like she knows me. It’s hard to do in the length of a single post, but you made me completely forget where I was while I was reading. I mean completely. And I should clarify that I have a full house right now, and it is not quiet.

I have a lot of favorite Maxical chapters, but this one tops them all! Brilliantly done, mALX!!

[Winter Wolf]

The Jewel of the Rumare. Ah, yes, that does ring a bell within my clouded mind. I can hear the cogs slowly beginning to grind inside me...lol.

I loved the chapter, mALX. The ending of that last post worked very well with the strange land that we found ourselves in. I could feel the pain and anger that threatened to consume our kitty. Claws unsheathed. Very frightening.

But, in another unsettling moment, the second part of the chapter was even more primal than the start. The surroundings seemed too right, too pristine and too perfect for our Maxical. The relief of the dream gave way to grounds that are (perhaps) far worse. You have left me feeling very concerned for Maxical.

I just hope you havent been watching Aliens....

Oh, by the way, great job on writing the 'scene.' That is very tough to do considering all the ban hammers poised above us. A beautiful level of detail. Bravo!

[mALX]

*

@ Zalphon - Thank you so much Zalphon! I appreciate it!

*
@ Acadian - Thank you so very much Acadian! Your kind words are always appreciated! It means a lot that you understood how that taste could help her through what she had to do. You ROCK!

*
@ King Coin - Thank you so very much KC! You caught the big picture in this, Malan did destroy both men that Maxical loved. You are exactly right, that was no dream. What Janus predicted Malan would do, he did - then erased Maxical's memory of it. Malan is relentless when he wants something. Thanks again, KC!

*
@ Grits - I couldn't ask for a nicer comment, your kind words meant so much to hear! Thank you so very much Grits!

*
@ Winter Wolf - That was no dream in that jail cell. That bedroom - I love the way you described that, I may borrow your words! The mating scene - I sweated that out something awful. ("is this too much detail? GAAAAH!"), lol. Aliens? Uh oh, is that the one that had something popping from Sigourney Weaver's stomach? Urk! Thank you so very much Winter Wolf!

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@ McB - Thank you so much for your kind words, that was the hardest I've sweated out a chapter! hope you'll be back soon!

*
@ EVERYONE - I know the plot is getting complex right now because Malan's plots are unfolding and he is not the average bad guy. If there is ever any questions, please ask. I never mind answering and hopefully clearing anything up. I'll try to post brief chapter reviews just in case.

Last Chapter Review

Even with people knowing what he is up to, Malan does what it takes to make sure his plans continue on schedule. He is relentless, a powerful enemy and all but immortal with all those souls packed inside him. It will take an army to bring him down.

Malan's only plan (other than taking the throne and ruling Tamriel) is to bring back his dead wife so she can be by his side when he takes over the Palace. He is using Maxical to bring back his wife - no one knows why he picked her yet. (from what Janus said - it was probably to revenge an enemy).

Malan has been nice to Maxical only because Amiela's soul has been inside her all this time and he loves Amiela. BUT Amiela was not inside Maxical in that jail cell - notice the difference in how Malan treated her when Amiela was not inside her? (Malan removed Amiela from Maxical right before before leaving the Palace, that is that strange spell she felt right before she blacked out at the end of the previous chapter)

Malan erased Maxical's memory of what happened in that jail cell. Maxical thinks she just had some nightmare about dogs attacking her.

I am posting some screenshots here for anyone interested.


The infamous bathtub:

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...eenShot1041.jpg


Eyja:

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...eenShot1051.jpg

Sharing the bed:

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...eenShot1073.jpg


Janus Hassildor:

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma.../Janushuman.jpg



Maxical's suite at the Palace:

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...eenShot1043.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...eenShot1039.jpg



Sir Damien feeding on Evangeline while she sleeps:

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...ire_Feeding.jpg



Theryon - for this one you may want to click on "View as Slideshow" :

http://s434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Ma...0Rises/Theryon/


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This post has been edited by mALX: Oct 15 2012, 01:12 PM

[mALX]

*


Chapter 179: Tricks and Traps


My neck was sore and sticky feeling. It ached. The odor of dirty Khajiit hung in the air Was it me…did I stink? When I tried to lift my arm to sniff, it barely moved and the effort made me feel weak and dizzy. The sound of pounding was coming from somewhere, it throbbed inside my head in surges of pain.

Dear gods I’ll never mate again if this is the way it makes you feel, it’s a miracle anyone ever does it twice. My eyelids felt like they weighed pounds. When I forced them open, I was back in my room at the Palace…alone. Where was Janus?

I must have drifted back off to sleep, because a loud crash woke me. I heard Janus’s voice behind me but couldn’t roll over when I tried. I heard him slide the door bolt yelling.

“TRAVEN! TRAVEN, HURRY!”

“What the hell did you do, Hassildor?”

“Do you think I’d call anyone if I did that?”

I tried to move my arm again and couldn’t, then Hannibal leaned over me and I heard him cursing and casting magic. Hannibal never cursed, something must be really wrong.

Cold white mists of healing bathed me in rhythmic showers. Somewhere in the background I heard loud shouting and Janus’s voice yelling that he didn’t do something.






***


The large soft mound cushioning my head felt like it moved. My eyes opened to a distorted blur of pink. Was this the dreamsleeve? No…Eyja’s breasts. Had I dreamed it all?

“Hannibal…”

Eyja got up and hurried out. I heard her yelling, “She’s awake” to someone. Then she was back beside me, stroking my hair. “Are you okay Maxical?”

“I don’t feel so good, Eyja…really tired and ache all over. Is this how it always feels afterward?”

“No sweetie. Hassildor drained your blood. The [censored] is locked up, swears he didn’t do this.”

“I think I need to pee.”

“Come on, I‘ll help you to the urn.” Eyja all but carried me and set me down carefully atop it, holding me propped against her so I wouldn‘t topple off.

“Gaaah! I’m bleeding…you know where. Get Hannibal, hurry.”

“That always happens the first time, Maxical.”

“It does? I want Hannibal to check me just in case.”

“He will. He’s mixing up something that will build your blood back up.”

“I hope it’s not that peanut paste again, I hate it.”

“It is, and juice of carrots, beets, and dandelions.”

“Dandelions! Better bring me a bucket to puke in, then…I gotta lay down, Eyja. I don‘t feel good at all.”

She helped me back to the bed and wedged a folded towel under me before pulling the sheet up.

“Uriel is in a rage.”

“At me?”

“Not this time, Maxical.”

“Mmkay…I’m going back to sleep now.” The sound of my own whisper seemed to hang in the air. The feeling of weakness and exhaustion was suddenly overwhelming, and I found myself welcoming the darkness closing over me that would bring me back to that realm where I couldn’t feel it anymore. Somewhere in the distance I heard Eyja shriek for Hannibal and the sound of magic being cast.






***


For what seemed hours the lines were blurred between sleeping and waking and my mind felt like it was stuffed with that spun sugar they sold at the music festival. Where dreams stopped and became disjointed images that faded before I could grasp them and voices came and went around me in a timeless blur.

The only dream I do remember was right before I woke, of laying on the healing fount at the Bloodworks and feeling its power running through me. Something in me felt like it was coming back from somewhere far away, then my eyes opened. Eyja was sleeping sideways in a chair across from me. Within minutes Hannibal slid quietly through the door. He jumped a mile when I spoke.

“Did I wet the bed?”

Hannibal came as close to tears as I’ve ever seen him. He said I‘d been days between this realm and the next.

Eyja woke immediately. She cried, nearly suffocating me with her breasts in a hug. “Hannibal and I never left your side, we’ve been keeping a continuous healing vigil over you.”

Hannibal immediately blinded me by holding a light spell in my eyes. “Ow! Stop, I feel fine.” I pushed his hand away, then pointed to my jewelry on the dresser behind him.

“Is my ring from Fathis there? It was missing earlier.“

“Maxical! We told you not to remove it!”

Hannibal tested the enchantment on it and handed to me. “NEVER remove it again!” Being able to holler at me again seemed to restore Hannibal.

“What happened to Janus, Hannibal? What’s he saying?”

“He says he was knocked out with some sleeping spell that would render a horse unconscious. When he came to he said his clothes were gone and he was on the dome, he had to break in through that boarded window. He swears he found you like that. He was standing over you nude when we came in, his clothes were on the floor by the bed and he showed no assault from any spell.”

“Evangeline created a spell exactly like that to use on Ocato. It’s of the healing discipline, so actually isn’t an assault. Evangeline would give anything she had to someone she likes, she may have given it to Sir Damien. I think Malan did this to me, I think he impersonated Janus.”

“Don’t make excuses for him Maxical! When Hassildor called me in here you were all but dead, for days none of us had hope you’d pull through! Your neck had been ravaged before he drained you, clearly done by a vampire new to feeding. You’d only been healed enough to barely cover the savagery. Malan is a master healer, he‘d not have left you like that. If Hassildor wasn‘t immortal he‘d have met the executioner already!”






***


“Why would he call for help after attacking me? Hannibal, if I thought he did this I‘d be the first to holler.”

“Wait till Uriel gets here to talk about it, Maxical. I’ll warn you in advance, he is livid.”

Uriel was. He was so angry it felt like I had done something wrong, even if his anger wasn’t directed at me. Finally he patted me on the shoulder, and I felt the relief of it.

“My rage is not at you, Maxical. When you showed up with Hassildor I should have put an immediate stop to it, but Traven assured me he’d lost his bloodlust.”

“He has no bloodlust, Sire. We were together a full night and day, it would have shown in that time. There was none. I think Malan did this, left me to die and set Janus up to be blamed. He got even with both of us for that confrontation. Did anyone measure the bite marks against Janus’s fangs? The span of these feels huge, I think Janus has a smaller fangspread.”

“I’ll do that now.” Hannibal gently pushed my head to one side.

“What in…these were raw wounds less than thirty minutes ago, they’re nearly healed now! They are quite wide.”

Uriel exhaled loudly. “Get Hassildor’s fang measurement.”

“What makes you think it wasn’t Janus, Maxical?” Eyja looked skeptical.

“Janus was in the doorway ogling us naked in the tub, then he just disappeared. I assumed he’d gone off somewhere to…uh…pleasure himself.” I waited till Eyja’s braying stopped.

“When I came in to mate with him he was acting different, talking weird. Not like himself at all.”

“What do you mean?”

“Janus never even talked romantic when we were attempting to mate, suddenly he was all sappy gooey. Overplayed, if you know what I mean.”

Eyja snorted. “She’s not lying, his idea of a romantic warm-up to mating is discussing rats breeding.”

“It isn’t rats breeding, but an insight into their libido.” I corrected her. “Don’t forget crop rotations and the Blasphemes.”

Eyja rolled her eyes. “Don’t remind me!”

Uriel had a strained look, I wasn’t sure if he was struggling not to laugh or about to blow his temper.

“Rat libido! Not that ridiculous experiment!” Hannibal’s expression was a cross between ire and embarrassment. I suddenly wondered if it was his version of romantic wooing as well.

The image of Hannibal nuzzling some old woman’s neck while spouting scientific theories nearly choked me. The last thing I wanted to envision was Hannibal in the throws of passion, especially not now that I knew firsthand what went on in bedrooms.






***


“Yes, that one. He tried to impress me with it at the Arena. I repeated your argument word for word…except…er…”

“What?”

“At the time I couldn’t remember how to get the male rat’s libido back onto rat A. I said he needed to dye her hair blonde, put makeup and a dab of perfume on her.”

Uriel and Hannibal were both choking. Eyja was doubled over screaming with laughter.

“Also, I felt a spell being put on me. Janus never did that the whole time we were together. I noticed a big difference in the mating too.”

“Now we’re talking!” Eyja leaned in eagerly.

“He was just…er…much more skilled this time.”

“BWAAHAA” Eyja grinned. “First time and already a critic, huh?”

“Janus kissed good, but this time it was like kissing Fathis. He had mysteries.”

“Wait, Malan isn‘t Dunmer.” Eyja looked confused.

“He’s Chimer.” I shrugged.

Hannibal explained. “Azura actually gave these mysteries to the Chimer. When she cursed their entire race after the ‘Battle of Red Mountain’ they became the Dunmer you see today. Malan was already undead, he escaped the curse and remained golden skinned.”

“I was already suspicious something wasn’t right because we were at Theryon, and you said we had to stay here. Then after he took me I heard the ‘Jack be nimble’ song and he called me ‘Lass’ like Malan and Sir Damien always did. Janus never called me that.”

I turned to Hannibal. “Theryon is Ayleid, but in the original condition. It is beautiful, Hannibal. You would have loved it.”

Uriel had a troubled look on his face. “Theryon! Caula sold Theryon before you were born!” He stared hard at me. “Maxical, we heard you mating in here for days.”






***


“Days! What do you mean days? We only did it twice on the same day! I was sick beforehand, but that was at Theryon too. When I woke up I was back here alone, then Janus came in.”

“There was absolutely someone in this room having a passionate time!” Eyja’s cheeks reddened, she obviously didn’t believe me.

“Who was in here mating then? I heard it too.” Hannibal had the decency to blush.

I gaped. “This is the privacy you promised? I knew that would happen here! Eavesdroppers, all of you! Hannibal, you said I was nearly dead; how could I mate for days drained of blood?”

Hannibal looked owlishly thoughtful. Then suddenly I remembered smelling that strong Khajiit scent when I first woke. I sniffed my fur to be sure it wasn‘t me, it smelled fine.

“I smelled un-bathed Khajiit in here before Janus came in. I’ll bet Malan had the Khajiit sisters here, that‘s probably why he opened that window. They’d sit in here and moan like wildebeests if Malan asked them to. Malan had to be here in vapor form already, waiting. Janus said it was clear of vampires up here, that means he can‘t detect the vapor form.”

Uriel signaled Eyja. “Give your men orders, those Khajiit women are considered enemies to the throne if caught in the Palace. They‘re to be taken to the Imperial Prison and held there. While we were in chaos during that Mythic Dawn attack, Malan could have been moving a whole crew into position.”

“More.“ I pulled myself up to sitting. “The attack itself could have been staged as a diversionary tactic, Malan knew about those crimson robes. Were those assassin’s bodies checked or just counted? Because their screams didn‘t sound human to me, I think they were vampires.”

Uriel shot me an approving glance. “Now you’re thinking like a warrior.“

Eyja gave Hannibal a wicked grin. “I thought she was just being funny in that Black Horse Courier, but she really does think better when impaled on a man’s longsword. BWAAHAA!”

Hannibal gave her a lopsided smile, but answered seriously. “They struck me as reminiscent of a vampire’s death scream as well.“

Uriel gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze. “They just counted. I’ll see it gets checked. Military strategic tactics and maneuvers. Malan’s specialty. He is making his stand now, coming out in the open and demonstrating how vulnerable we are. He has come too close to his dream, we won’t be rid of him until he is dead now.”


*

This post has been edited by mALX: Oct 15 2012, 07:03 PM

[Acadian]

Thanks for the review and fabulous screens. What a posh room at the Palace! I can imagine Eyja playing that grand piano while Maxical sings. . . er, um, well maybe not (I’ve heard her sing). Oh, and Malan’s fully restored Ayleid Ruin is neat as can be!

“Uriel is in a rage.”
“At me?”
“Not this time, Maxical.”

“I think Malan did this to me, I think he impersonated Janus.”
Finally! Maxical has figured it out – only to be then second-guessed by Hannibal and Eyja!

Eyja snorted. “She’s not lying, his idea of a romantic warm-up to mating is discussing rats breeding.”
But clever Eyja is beginning to see Maxical’s logic.

What a wonderful job you did here of bringing out so many things in such a ‘Maxical’ way.

[Grits]

Malan's library and scheming room were fun to see. I love the swimming pool and Arboratum! Eyja is quite the hottie. I really enjoyed those screeens, and your great review got me right back on track!

(I'm on my kindle, so I can't do the quotes. Also the darn thing keeps changing my words. Hopefully I 'll catch all of the "corrections.")

I loved seeing Maxical work through the clues and figure it out. Eyja was funny. It's a true friend who holds you over the urn.

Hilarious when they had to admit they'd been eavesdropping!

It was great to see Maxical clarifyijg it was rat libido in Janus' pickup line, not just rat mating. That was so Maxical, it really made me smile!