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

[Zalphon]

And here I was, eager to see Maxical stalking through the sewers during the day and drinking the blood of any she can at night. Oh well, it was a good chapter

[ghastley]

Hold up, we know Fathis is a vampire now, so are they sure they want to rescue him? Unless they're sure they can cure him, isn't he an unreliable ally? And we don't know anything about Foxy's condition.

Of course, they'd still want to take the two out of Malan's custody, even if they don't know whether they'd remain in his control.

Does Maxical still have the key to get in there?

[mALX]

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@ Acadian - Thank you so very much Acadian! And he said he didn't lust like other vampires, lol. Suuuure !!!

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@ King Coin - Thank you so very much KC! You got my favorite line - Molag Bal and the hands, lol. Yeah, Janus is S out of luck on getting his promise now. Thanks again, KC!

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@ Hazmick - Thank you so very much Hazmick! Just glad to see you here !!!

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@ Grits - Thank you so very much Grits! ROFL !!! Gone from rat libido to his own? ROFL !!! You are right, she was kind of thanking Uriel at the same time she was tossing Janus in his lap, lol. Thanks again Grits!

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@ Darkness Eternal - Thank you so very much Darkness! Oh yeah, he wouldn't have turned her yet. Why go through all that trouble to get virgin blood and then taint it with man's blood right before drinking it? He thought Janus would be in that cell for a long, long time - thought he'd have access to that blood anytime he wanted it. Now he's going to have to catch Janus again, or egg Janus into stealing his "chosen" back.

Janus has shown himself to not be a fighter to her, she called him a chicken last time she saw him, and has stood up to him twice now when he was in giant form - getting "experience" didn't change her that much, she and Janus just rub each other the wrong way constantly, lol. Thank you so much again Darkness!

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@ Zalphon - Thank you so very much Z! Lol, I saw her once as a vampire - URK! Never again! Lol.

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@ Ghastley - Thank you so very much Ghastley! It doesn't matter if he is a vampire, they want to get him out of Malan's control. They can shackle him in their own prison if they have to, trying to protect Malan from taking his soul (which no one realizes yet that Malan has already done it). Maxical gave the key to Uriel Septim as soon as she got back from the Temple that day. Thanks again, Ghastley!


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LAST CHAPTER UPDATE

Janus confirmed Maxical is not a vampire. He said he couldn't tell if Amiela's soul was inside her, but Maxical is sure he lied about that.

Janus realized the trick Malan pulled and explained it to Maxical. Malan placed his nature inside Maxical (that circle closing) as if he was making her his chosen - but then didn't make her his chosen.

(In other words, Malan's heart will stay with his dead wife, but his nature will work on Maxical to make her compliant to him - a way to get control over Maxical).

Janus made it clear he will not save Fathis now, but did agree to stay and help Uriel. (probably in hopes of seeing two women naked in the bathtub and in bed together)

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[mALX]

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Chapter 182: Safe From Malan


Uriel stood with his back to us, looking out the dome window to the west…the Rumare. I’d noticed that was the window he chose when he was tense, and wondered if looking at the blue waters brought him the same comfort it gave me.

“My chambers will have to serve as the War Council since Malan’s army has taken over below floors.”

“Can your chambers be soundproofed? These walls are too thin, Malan can hear through them better than I can, and from greater distances.”

“There is no secure area to plan that Malan can’t access in his vapor form.” Uriel hadn’t turned from the window, but I didn’t need to see his face to hear the frustration in his voice.

“He can read minds as well, even through the dome. Any planning can be countered before it takes place.” Janus added.

“It’s truth. Janus said that night we saw those birds on the dome that I nearly ruptured the spleen of the vampire Jak by singing in my thoughts.”

Uriel turned from the window. “The bird that was clutching his ears and stomach?”

Janus nodded. “Jak thinks her singing caused the sterilized rats around the Arena.”

“They aren’t sterile! Are they? It’s not me, I haven’t been singing on Arena property since I was a Pit Dog!”

“She can’t, her teammates filed for a legal injunction against her. Conjured Daedra fall to their knees, it is torture to them. She was banned from singing anywhere on campus the whole time she was at the Arcane.” Hannibal shot me an apologetic look, but then somehow managed to wink at Eyja while maintaining the look of a starving man looking at a juicy steak.

Seeing Hannibal in the throws of flirtation was shocking…and slightly nauseating. I didn’t exactly want to pray he’d never succeed with her, just that it never happen in my hearing and for the gods sake Eyja never discusses it with me like she did Janus and that Earl of Imbel.






***


“Maybe you can sing to Dagon and banish him.” Eyja said approvingly. She slumped down next to me on the couch.

Uriel agreed with her. “Through history sound has been used in the torture of prisoners for information, and is an immensely powerful weapon when trained into thu‘ums and shouts. You should have tested her, Traven. It is possible she was born to the Storm Voice.”

“I can train her to thu’um a force field.“ Eyja volunteered.

“Not inside the Palace.” Uriel clarified, then brought us back on topic. “We must find a way to distract Malan long enough to plan these rescues.“

Janus indicated by pointing. “That vault you have is large enough to accommodate a war council, and made with the same thickness of lead that lines the sealed chamber I built for Rona. Traven enchanted mine to block mind reading from both directions. It‘s completely soundproof and the enchantment can‘t be tampered with.”

“Can it be done, Traven?”

“Yes, but the spells against thought transference would be rendered useless if the vault has air venting.”

“There’s none, it’s oxygenated using an underwater breathing enchantment. You can remain in there interminably. The door automatically locks on closing, only the combination will open it from the outside. This wheel opens it from the inside so you can‘t be trapped.” He shut them inside to prove it.

Eyja dug her elbow into my side and whispered, “I used to hide in that chamber at Janus’s, that’s how he never knew I was watching him. There’s a secret panel in his courtyard that has a rosette pattern on it…” She broke off as the vault door opened and Janus stepped out.

“This would work well, there is enough room to furnish it comfortably if you moved a few things around.”

“Do it, Hassildor. “Get to work, Traven. I want it enchanted immediately.“ Uriel ordered.

Janus began casting Feather spells on the heavy chests, stacking them against the vault sidewalls in neat rows. Hannibal dug through his spells, then started casting around the entire vault.






***


Uriel began measuring the interior by pacing it off. “We must have a way to determine if someone has accessed my chambers so not to step out into a trap.”

“Thermal detection would work best, I cast it inside the vault already.” Hannibal wrestled a stocked wine rack into the vault and had Janus heft it up onto a shelf created by the stacked chests.

“That still won’t detect Malan’s vapor form.” Uriel signaled Janus to help him carry a small table in.

“Maxical’s seal detects vapors.“ Eyja called out.

“Will the small couch fit along the back wall? Eyja and I want somewhere comfortable to sit.”

Eyja dug her elbow into me again. “Good thinking.”

“Don’t forget we’ll need an urn in…er…” I broke off when Uriel showed himself in the vault door glaring.

“I don’t carry urns,” Janus said loftily as he passed carrying a chair.

Hannibal paused in stacking an armful of steins and ale. “Cross contamination, I’m carrying food items.“

Obviously no one wanted to touch an urn.

“No food? If there’s a siege, we’ll be stuck inside.” I called out, then whispered into Eyja‘s ear.

“Hannibal’s family was terribly poor, he went hungry quite often growing up. He‘ll stock enough to feed us for an Era.”

Hannibal bustled to the food cabinet and started bundling food that would store well. Next he dragged the small cold storage in, casting a fresh Frost spell in the outer channels. He snatched a bowl of fruits and the fresh bread off Uriel’s dinner table next, then stacked plates and utensils on a shelf.






***


Eyja proceeded to call instructions for other select pieces of furniture and directions where she wanted them placed. “Get that overstuffed chair…no, angle it in the corner near the couch.”

I poked Eyja’s arm and whispered. “In that ell off our room is some rolled feather mats and pillows, sheets and blankets.”

“Ooh, good idea. Might make a nice place for a romantic getaway.”

She grabbed Janus and hurried off. They returned shortly with Janus loaded down like a pack mule, placing the bedding on shelves across from the food stores.

When it reached the point that the men were shoulder punching each other and settling into the vault’s chairs with glasses of ale, I curled up on the small sofa I’d requested with Hannibal’s tome on ancient vampires.

“You’ll ruin your eyes!” Hannibal scolded, casting a light spell above me to read by.

Eyja plopped down next to me on one side of the couch, bumping her leg into mine deliberately.

“What?” I looked up from Hannibal’s tome.

“Maxical, when someone tries to contact you discretely you aren’t supposed to announce it to the room.”

“Oh, sorry. So what did you want?”

“I’m drowning you next time we bathe.”

“What did I do?”

Eyja got a grin out of Hannibal for her efforts. She winked at him and tried to rouse me again.

“I think we should set up some kind of system to let each other know when the vault is in use for…private matters.”

I gaped at her without understanding. “Huh?”

“ARGH! Never mind!”






***


Uriel signaled Janus and Hannibal out, then pulled the door shut and stepped over to the couch where Eyja and I were sitting. My tongue started a steady burn.

“Malan isn’t here, Azura’s seal is on fire.”

Uriel turned a chair around to face us, and sat leaned forward intensely like he did in the war council room. Immediately Eyja’s expression became serious. I perked my ears forward and grabbed my tail to still it.

“None of us really know Malan’s intentions other than the seizing of the throne. Until we have proof Fathis is dead we must assume he lives and Malan holds him in that dungeon along with Foxy. Rescuing them and taking down Malan is our top priority.”

He turned to Eyja, waiting till her quill was poised over her notepad.

“Eyja, Theryon had a tiered dungeon in the lower section that housed cells, but the accesses to it were hidden. Lady Benoch said that section of Theryon below ground was a maze of secret passages and traps. She hand drew some rough maps for it. When you check the archives, see if you can find them. Get your men set up in there. I want them in and out as quickly as possible, rescue anyone in the cells. Have Foxy debrief them in his facility since Malan is here. These will not be standard procedures for a search and rescue in hostile territory, Malan is different from any enemy you‘ve ever encountered.”

I hesitated, not sure if I should speak. “Er…Sire, Hannibal has some handwritten notes on Malan’s abilities based on the cocktail that made him. I think he brought them.”

“Find them. Eyja, study them before you set foot in Theryon. While the rescue operation is in progress we’ll need diversions to keep Malan’s attention off our movements.” He turned to me. “That task falls to you.”

“Me?” It came out a squeak. “Diversions? You mean like…blowing up stuff or something?”

“You quite probably hold Amiela‘s soul, Maxical. Keep him occupied. Gather what information you can. Try to ascertain the date Dagon comes. We know it is sometime after your actual birth date, and that is within two months of Nisaba‘s birth date. Malan took Nisaba’s papers when he kidnapped her, we can’t estimate it without them. It is crucial you create distractions to keep Malan from his lair for those rescues. I only wish he had used Eyja for this, I’m worried you are too naïve to discern his true motives.“

Uriel leaned forward and gripped my shoulder uncomfortably. “Whatever it takes, your focus must remain in saving Fathis regardless of anything Malan says or does. Do not let yourself believe you are anything more to him than a means to an end. Keep that in mind at all times and use it to your advantage. Malan is an uncanny con.”

“At least he can’t hold his position as Arbiter over Maxical now that he’s admitted Fathis is alive.” Eyja closed her notebook.






***


“He still can. When Fathis married me it invalidated my marriage to Gils, making the mysteries Gils taught me illegal. But to protect me from the law, Fathis had to consummate our marriage. He didn‘t, and could have. Instead he was setting the trap for Malan and Janus that started this war. I’m still illegal, and Malan knows it. He has proof, I…used Gils’ mysteries when he took me. I can be killed for having them.”

“Can he legally do that?” Eyja gasped and glanced up at Uriel. He nodded.

Eyja opened her notebook again. “Speak.”

“Marrying or breeding any Dunmer puts you under the jurisdiction of their law. Any Arbiter can step in to judge whether the mysteries have been taught illegally. If my marriage to Gils is deemed invalid, he’ll be killed. Fathis let Gils know he was coming to kill him right after our vow was finished. The Arbiter can protect me from the law by taking me for themselves like Fathis did, but the chances aren’t likely they will. Khajiit aren’t considered desirable mates by Dunmer, most still consider us slaves.”

“There’s no other way out?”

“The only appeal is through Divayth Fyr, he speaks directly to Azura. Once Divayth rules on it, no other Arbiter can dispute his decision and you‘re protected from further prosecution. I can’t contact Divayth till the war ends, the couriers have stopped running.”

It suddenly hit me why Malan may have used me. “This may be why Malan chose me if he just stuck her in me last week.”

“What do you mean?” Eyja was writing rapidly on her pad.

“By law Malan can only share mysteries with his first wife, and she’s dead. Even sticking her soul in another body he can’t teach them again. But as Arbiter, Malan can stand in Fathis’s stead, teach me Fathis’s mysteries. It’s legal, and Malan gets a container with mysteries to house his dead wife.”

Uriel shook his head. “Hassildor put spells on Fathis shortly after your graduation, she‘s been inside you at least that long. I still believe Malan implanted her inside you that day at the orphanage.”

“Huh? But Janus hasn’t been following me all this time, we only met twice this past month before the day at the Temple! And why would Malan chose me, one Khajiit child out of all those children he kidnapped?”

“That is the least of our worries right now, Maxical.”


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This post has been edited by mALX: Nov 5 2012, 10:54 AM

[King Coin]

I wonder what the Rumare means to Uriel?

The vampires took over the lower floors? Janus needs to load up Maxical and blast them all away again! I agree with Maxical about Hannibal. Ugh. Good thing they now have a place they can plan without Malan popping in whenever he wants. Lol! I was about to say that Hannibal is on top of things now, and then he hauls a wine rack into the vault! So much for that!

Eyja needs to train Maxical how to be more subtle! So much for that!

I perked my ears forward and grabbed my tail to still it.
Cute! I love this line!

[Grits]

“Not inside the Palace.” Uriel clarified, then brought us back on topic.

That sounded so parental. Not in the house!! How interesting that Maxical’s disastrous singing could turn out to be another gift.

I love how those three powerful men pitched in and arranged the safe vault without any fussing (until the subject of an urn came up, lol) while Eyja and Maxical called out instructions. They could have been five people from any time and place in that scene.

When it reached the point that the men were shoulder punching each other and settling into the vault’s chairs with glasses of ale, I curled up on the small sofa I’d requested with Hannibal’s tome on ancient vampires.

I love it!! I’m glad that Janus is still on the team, regardless of his motives. He is great fun to read.

[ghastley]

And why would Malan chose me, one Khajiit child out of all those children he kidnapped?”

“That is the least of our worries right now, Maxical.”

I have a feeling he's got it exactly wrong.

[Acadian]

I love the idea that Maxical’s singing voice could be used as an offensive thu’um/yowl/shout!

It was great fun to see how carefully Uriel’s war council worked out how to ensure some privacy for planning. Leave it to Maxical to think of the litter box urn. For a moment I wondered if Uriel was going to issue Maxical a lead helmet to help our kit shield her thoughts from Malan.

’ Immediately Eyja’s expression became serious. I perked my ears forward and grabbed my tail to still it.’
Wonderful how you so naturally remind us that Maxical is a Khajiit. This is so delightfully easy to envision!

“It’s legal, and Malan gets a container with mysteries to house his dead wife.”
Oh. Well since you put it that way. See, even in Uriel’s time, there was good reason to kill all the lawyers.

[mALX]

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@ King Coin - Thank you so very much KC! Maxical and Uriel are more alike than they think (not just in temper) - looking out over the Rumare is soothing to both of them. Your comments had me rolling, thank you again KC!

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@ Grits - Thank you so very much Grits! I hoped that scene would come across as you described (five people from any time and place).

Parental is the right word - Uriel realized Maxical was very similar to Prince Ebel in temperament that night the birds were fighting on the roof. Since then he has been using the same techniques on Maxical that he used to raise Ebel. It has made a huge difference in how they get along, and with his temper not being so active Uriel has begun to notice more of her strengths and assets. They are beginning to forge a bond between them.

Thank you so much again Grits!

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@ Ghastley - Thank you so much Ghastley! You are right in some ways here. It won’t change what is happening right now, but it is something Uriel hopes to find out without Maxical knowing before he does - so he’ll know how to counter it before she learns anything just in case. Thanks again Ghastley!

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@ Acadian - Thank you so very much Acadian! Offensive is the right word, ROFL !!! Thank you so much for those kind words about that scene between Maxical, Eyja, and Uriel. About the lawyers - ROFL !!! Thank you so much again, Acadian! (and thank you for commenting my Pirate story too!)

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Update of Last Chapter

1. Uriel realized Maxical’s horrible singing voice (which has been mentioned several times throughout the story jokingly), can be used as a weapon against enemies.

Uriel knows the enemy has been underestimating Maxical or they would have tried to kill her off by now. Her massive destructive ability was always looked at as clumsy and accident prone. But because Maxical was ordered never to sing everywhere she went, the enemy has no idea about this particular weapon. (Except possibly Malan).

Uriel has begun to realize why Akatosh chose Maxical, and how much of a weapon for Cyrodiil she is capable of being if trained. Eyja will begin training Maxical to thu’um with that god-awful voice of hers.


2. Uriel now has a safe place (his vault) to plan where Malan can’t eavesdrop (Maxical’s seal from Azura will detect his presence as long as Janus Hassildor is not in the vault with them).


3. Uriel gave his orders to Eyja to begin the rescues, and for Maxical to keep Malan distracted from his lair. Maxical is still under Malan’s jurisdiction as Arbiter, Amiela‘s soul is still inside Maxical.


4. Since that evening in the Temple with Maxical Janus is having issues with his nature driving him to act vampy. (which is showing up in his sudden backing off of keeping his promise to Maxical and saving Fathis - and in the lust that he was so harshly against in other ancients).

His vampire nature won’t let him go back to his lair without his chosen - and everything Malan is doing is driving Janus‘s nature harder and harder to drag Maxical to his lair.

Janus is fighting it, partly because he isn’t sure whether the feelings he is having are over Maxical or Malan’s dead wife inside her. He also doesn’t want to be Malan’s pawn again, and knows Malan will always come after that dead wife.

Janus is confused about what to do, so is just hanging in till he figures it out. Meanwhile he is having a struggle within himself against his vampire nature taking over.

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[mALX]

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Chapter 183: Scenes From Within The Safe



Uriel stood up. “You need to plan ahead for anything Malan does. Stay one step ahead of him. If you feel you are in danger let me know immediately.” He signaled us to blank our minds while he opened the door and waved Hannibal and Janus in.

“I don’t know how…“

Eyja leaned over and whispered a filthy joke into my ear.

“Ew, that’s nasty Eyja!” I gasped.

“Think of that every time you need to blank your mind. That’s how I do it.”

“That’s disgusting!”

“Hassildor, were you able to hear or read thoughts while outside the vault?“

“No, Sire…nothing.“ Janus said quietly as he walked in. His cowl suddenly spun toward Eyja and he sniggered.

“Good. Now to see if any of us will become claustrophobic in here.” Uriel shut the door with all of us inside.

Eyja poked me. “I could hang a garter on the door if I’m in here busy.”

“Eyja, if I see a garter on the door it will be the greatest lure imaginable for me to sneak in and watch. Just you saying that has got my lockpick warming in my hand.” I flipped my hand in a smooth gesture and unsheathed just one claw, waving it at her.

“BWAAHAA! Voyeur!”

“Khajiit are terribly nosy, especially if we think someone doesn’t want us somewhere.”

“We are all voyeurs at heart.” Hannibal sounded like one of the Arcane scholars giving a lead-in to a lecture while as well as confirming he’d be watching too.

“Besides, I need to know if I made any gross blunders my first time.” My face flushed red remembering the first time I kissed Gils. I‘d thought it was so wonderful, but to him I’d been gauche and inexperienced.

“Well if you did, it would serve him right for tricking you.“ Eyja said loyally and patted my arm, then pinched it. Under cover of her meaty arm she pointed at how the thermal detection was showing a concentrated red heat pattern shaped like a cone in Janus’s lap area when he sat down.

“SPEW! KA! KA!“ I choked. Eyja pounded my back, then went off into a peal of laughter.






***


Everyone stared. I fought to stop laughing, but the sight kept drawing my eye and sending me into choking fits again. I finally had to turn my face directly to Eyja‘s so my back was to Janus. I arched one eyebrow at her.

“Janus and I will don lab coats and take notes, possibly discussing what we see in whispers as we watch. We may publish a paper on female libido later.”

“BWAAAHAAA! Hannibal could make those exploded corn kernels for you to snack on between comments.” Eyja threw in.

“And we could throw the kernels at you if things weren’t moving along as we thought they should.” I added.

“SKREEEK! BWAAHAA!”

“Uriel could triple the coffers charging admission to the event.” I continued.

“SKREEEK! BRAYOOOOGA!” Eyja tackled me and started tickling my sides while I tried to fight her off.

“Is that a new laugh? Gaaah! Quit! Mustn’t tickle cats, we leave puddles if handled wrong!”

Uriel laughed, but raised his hand to silence us. “Settle down, you two.”

Eyja sat up grinning. I pulled myself up, straightening the dress and schooling an innocent look on my face. As soon as Uriel’s head was turned I made my tail leap up and act like a snake biting Eyja on the neck. She shrieked.

Uriel spun around glaring, I just shrugged at him.

“What? Oh, you’ve had it now!” Eyja leaped on me again, tickling.






***


“If you two girls continue to act like schoolchildren, you will not attend the rest of this meeting. This is my chambers, not your bathtub.” He looked me directly in the eye.

“Hey, what did I do? Hmph!” I pretended to be offended and picked up Hannibal’s tome.

Uriel shook his head, then turned toward Hannibal and began discussing his research on Malan’s cocktail line. Eyja bumped my leg either in apology or to roil me. Uriel’s temper was seriously elevating, so I ignored it and started reading again.

Reading Hannibal’s tome now, there was a lot to it that I never understood as a child. It said the juices were living fluids that fueled the ancient’s sensual drives and were used to carry their spells. That must be why they made such a strong catalyst for spells against them. I scanned the chapter for any spells that would keep an ancient from harming someone, but couldn’t find one.

Janus slid down on the other side of the sofa next to me, leaning over to see what I was reading.

“What are you reading about?”

“Spells that can be used against ancients. I‘m trying to find a way to ensure Malan can’t harm me. Do you know of anything?”

Janus shook his head.

“Hannibal said this Love Slave spell is supposed to protect the caster, but it says nothing like that in here and Malan did harm me after I cast it on him.“

“Love Slave spell? I never heard of it.”

“I told you about it on the way back from the Temple. All it says here is that ancients become addicted to it nearly instantly, a slave to it; hence the name. Look, it says it could bring an ancient to his own detriment in seeking to feed that addiction.”






***


“How does it do that?“ Janus leaned over, looking where I was pointing. “No other act satisfies or equals the sensation it brings! Is that the one you were telling me about where you spit the juices into their eyes?”

“That’s the conversation I‘m talking about.” I never said it was spit into the eyes, Janus suggested it and I had replied, ‘something like that’.

“And it brings a powerful sensation? How?”

“I don’t know, I just know it worked on both Vicente and Malan instantly.“ I snapped my fingers.

Janus leaned over my shoulder and read aloud the section on it. “The ancient becomes a slave to the overpowering sensation, it is usually done in the act of mating hence the name Love Slave spell. There’s no instructions? What do they mean by ‘sequence‘?”

I shrugged. “These are just descriptions of different spell effects on ancients.”

There was no doubt in my mind Janus’s next visit to a prostitute would end in her spitting his juices into his eyes, he looked glassy-eyed in anticipation. Eyja was right, he was just as much a creature of lust as any of them.

There are times when the right path isn’t clear, this was one of them. If he did have his own juices spit into his own eye, would it hurt him? I spat on my finger and rubbed my eye. It didn’t hurt.

Should I tell him? He would just teach every prostitute in Cyrodiil the secret. His putting Fathis under spells started this war. Now Fathis was either dead or a vampire in a cell somewhere and Gils was…gone. No, I wasn’t going to enlighten Janus. He needed to learn his own lessons in self control the hard way. I just hoped it wouldn’t blind him, that would make me feel terribly guilty.

As I was closing the tome a loose parchment slid out. “Oh Sire, here are those notes Hannibal compiled on Malan‘s cocktail.” I handed the notes to Eyja and leaned to read them with her.






***


“It says they have some kind of thermal detection or sensing called ’Hunter Sight’.”

Hannibal nodded. “It gives a much more detailed detection as you‘ve seen in this vault. Even a degree warmer or colder than the environment will become visible to them.”

“Your men will need to shield themselves in the same temperature as the air around them, too cold may still show a blue outline. Traven, I expect you to provide that. We‘ll have to bring them in here to test whatever they use.” Uriel waited while Hannibal cleared his throat.

“Argonian’s body temperature adjusts to their environment.” Hannibal looked at Eyja, so did Uriel.

“Foxy has a team of Argonians for underwater missions, but they’re quite a ways from here; almost to Bravil down in the Veyond Cave. I can send for them, but we’re talking several days.”

“Do it. Their minds must be blanked, some way to cover their scent, and be soundless.”

“They’re Tribals, that is all second nature to them.”

He grabbed a blank parchment while Eyja went to give the order, and had it half full of scribbling before she returned and he signaled me to continue.

“Their mind reading ability is extreme compared to other lines, as is their ability to control or implant thoughts at will. Hannibal, it says here he has tremendous healing ability. Illusion includes impersonations, the hiding of his nature at will with or without feeding. Oh, and not just birds and vapor; they can transform into a wolf.”

“Traven, what are Malan’s abilities in these transformations?” Uriel leaned forward.

Hannibal took over, plucking the sheath of parchments from my hands.

“In any human form his powers would be the same. The wolf and bird have the defense of his teeth and claws, or beak and talons. As undetectable vapor he is unable to defend himself, a fireball would damage him greatly. In any form, fire would do the greatest damage.”

I felt a sickening thud in my stomach. Uriel had laid a perfect trap for him. He had him as a bird and fire from all directions that he couldn’t have escaped. I did save his life. None of this would be happening now if I hadn’t warned him. Janus leaned over and patted my hand. I looked up at his cowl, surprised.









***


“Traven, if we are true split-aparts, why can’t I transform or alter my appearance?”

Janus leaned forward in the seat so eagerly, it struck me that he wanted to hide his fangs and pink eyes so girls wouldn’t ‘urk’ at him anymore. I really had become used to his face, just didn’t notice them anymore.

Janus’s cowl glanced at me quickly and then back at Hannibal, and it suddenly struck me he’d been listening in on my thoughts all this time.

“You would have to release your nature to use any of your special abilities, and your illusion skills must be at Master. Vicente represents one line that went into the cocktail that made you. He makes himself into a young Adonis when he is on the prowl, in reality the man is a veritable goblin. The Earl of Imbel is another example. I only recently discovered he was an ancient because he keeps his vampire features completely masked constantly without known feeding; which makes us wonder if he isn‘t one of Malan‘s makes.”

“He is, Maxical told me that he must be since he transforms into a large predatory bird.”

“Huh? Who?” I looked up at him confused.

“My friend Jak.”

“Your friend Jak is the Earl of Imbel?”

My eyes bugged out. I kicked Eyja and raised my eyebrows twice at her. She broke out giggling, which quickly escalated to a loud braying followed by her immediate departure from the vault to find the urn no one had wanted to carry into the vault. Her hyena laugh could be heard echoing through the open vault door.






***


Uriel looked close to losing his temper, but then suddenly his brow cleared. “Traven, didn’t you say this Earl of Imbel just signed onto the Diplomatic Immunity program before war broke out? Hassildor, do you know this man well enough to vouch for him?”

Both men nodded.

Uriel tapped his finger on the table. “Hassildor, get him in here for a meeting as quickly as possible. I’d like to know how much aid to the throne he is willing to give to remain on the program.”

“He signed it in peacetime, may not have realized the implications of the clause that says he must act in defense of the Empire.” Hannibal backtracked.

“His maker started this war, Traven. Is his signature on the line verifying he read the contract?”

“Of course…”

Uriel exhaled loudly just as Eyja eased back into the room. “Can we get down to business now?”


*

This post has been edited by mALX: Nov 9 2012, 05:59 AM

[Zalphon]

Y'know, Malx...you should make a mod that lets us play through these epic adventures that you write up. I know it isn't feedback, but I'd really love to play through all of this stuff (because I really like the plot and the character development).

[ghastley]

Y'know, Malx...you should make a mod that lets us play through these epic adventures that you write up. I know it isn't feedback, but I'd really love to play through all of this stuff (because I really like the plot and the character development).

I imagine the only thing holding it back is the cost of hiring Sir Patrick Stewart for the Uriel voice-acting.

[Acadian]

Forgive me for not mentioning it sooner, my friend, but I really like the little ‘summary/update’ you’ve been putting at the end of your comments. It really brings readers right up to speed and fully ready to enjoy the next episode!

“Is that a new laugh? Gaaah! Quit! Mustn’t tickle cats, we leave puddles if handled wrong!”
This is priceless!

More of Malan’s weaknesses! Perhap Maxical can start carrying extra juice for spitting?

“Argonian’s body temperature adjusts to their environment.”
Foxy keeps a crew of teenage mutant ninja turtles special forces reptilian operatives for super clandestine missions!

‘None of this would be happening now if I hadn’t warned him. Janus leaned over and patted my hand. I looked up at his cowl, surprised.’
That darn Janus is listening to Maxical’s thoughts again! A couple sentences later, Maxical figures it out as well.

‘Her hyena laugh could be heard echoing through the open vault door.’
Between Eyja’s laughter and Maxical’s singing, they could be a deadly team!

Oh wow! Trying to recruit Jak to the cause. I guess we’ll find out if Eyja is right about vamps only recognizing promises made to them, not promises they make to others.

Some clever plans being made here!

[McBadgere]

Wow...

Blimey, I'm not sure which I envy more - your talent or your time... ...

Finally caught up...Brilliance, all of it...

Love the vault thing, excellent idea...Between that and the lab-coats it's getting a bit Fallout in there... ...

Eyja continues to delight on many levels.. ...

Uriel is class, as ever...

All your characterisation is amazing...Loving it muchly...

You never know, I may be able to keep up for a while now... ...

Absolutely nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

[Darkness Eternal]

*cracks neck*

Alright, I have some catching up to do!

182:

So, Malan and his bugaboos take over the lower level eh? To clmb their way to the top and take out their enemies! Not a problem! Just have Maxical pitch in with her vocal talents and bam! Haha. Who knew she was a terrible singer?

I also freaking love the fact that you gave Janus Hassildor some personal issues to cope with! Even vampires have their own problems, and it makes them so much more believable as characters that you can possibly relate to.

183:

"Eyja leaned over and whispered a filthy joke into my ear.

“Ew, that’s nasty Eyja!” I gasped.

“Think of that every time you need to blank your mind. That’s how I do it.”

HAHAHAHA. That's Eyja for us.

Argonian’s body temperature adjusts to their environment.”

Ah, this was a little interesting fact here! Some additional Argonian lore!!! I think you know what I mean.

You gave us more info on vampire juices=vampire hormones! Hahaha.

Illusion includes impersonations, the hiding of his nature at will with or without feeding. Oh, and not just birds and vapor; they can transform into a wolf.”

So damn true! At least, for some vampires. They are so damn talented in illusion spells that it make them truly one of the most "cunning of night horrors."

Especially the ability to shapeshift into a bat or a wolf . . .or vapor!

I liked this part because it is very true. Masters of Illusion, they are. Good work!!

[King Coin]

I love Eyja’s method of blanking her mind. Maxical should just sing within her mind like she did that other time.

As soon as Uriel’s head was turned I made my tail leap up and act like a snake biting Eyja on the neck. She shrieked.

Uriel spun around glaring, I just shrugged at him.
The whole section was funny but this is by far the best part! I love it!

Argonains! This is going to be interesting.

Uriel’s going to go all lawyer on a vamp!

[hazmick]

phew, all caught up! I've been a tad busy playing Halo 4 and Assassins Creed 3 but nothing will get in the way of reading your story mALX!

So it seems Malan is tightening the noose around Maxical and her merry men, it's high time someone escorts him from Tamriel, with or without the use of a flaming claymore (or Maxical's charming singing)

Keep up the good work, I'll be sticking around for a while longer

[Grits]

Eyja was a riot, egging Maxical on with her jokes. That laugh might turn out to be another weapon!

“We are all voyeurs at heart.” Hannibal sounded like one of the Arcane scholars giving a lead-in to a lecture while as well as confirming he’d be watching too.

ROFL! Fun tickle fight. I see that Janus thought so, too. The where-to-spit-the juices dilemma had my mind going off in all directions.

I love the tie-in with the tribal Argonians of Veyond Cave!

Uh oh, after Eyja’s pee break I’m questioning whether that’s the real Eyja… I have my eye on you, Nord!

[mALX]

*

@ Zalphon - Thank you so much Z! I actually have modded my personal game exactly for this story, right down to Alix the Mouse and the vampire traits and abilities. Thanks again Z!

*
@ Ghastley - Thank you so much Ghastley! I’d just pull all the Patrick Stewart voice files and set up a dialogue quest for my Uriel character, lol. Thanks Ghastley!

*
@ Acadian - Thank you so very much Acadian! I have heard of ticked off cats peeing out their ire when handled wrong, lol. My neighbor’s cat used to pee in her husband’s shoe all the time. “Meerooow … Bwaa-nya-aah!” ROFL !!! Eyja testing out new laughs - I think the neighbors had one of those “AYUUGAH!” sounding horns - Eyja had to try it out, ROFL! Thank you so very much again, Acadian!

*
@ McBadgere - Thank you so much McB! I never thought about the lab coats and the word vault together till you said that! ROFL!!! I love it !!! Now I have to go play Fallout again! Lol, this vault is the size of one small room, I’ll get some screenshots up of it so it can be visualized better. Thanks so much again, McB - and Welcome Back! You’ve been missed!

*
@ Darkness Eternal - Thank you so very much Darkness! You are right about Janus having issues.

Malan has been deliberately pressing Hassildor to act on his vampire nature. The more Malan does, the harder it is driving Janus to drag Maxical off to that castle and make her (into an immortal vampire) instantly on arrival.

Janus is showing tremendous willpower in fighting it, but the only reason he is fighting it is because Malan’s dead wife is in there and Janus knows Malan will come after her - he knows he is being set up. That doesn’t make the fight any easier, because the vampire nature is feral, instinctive actions. If Janus had used some of that willpower earlier, there wouldn’t be a war on now, lol.

“Some additional Argonian lore!!! I think you know what I mean.” - ROFL !!! Yes, I do know what you are referring to !!! ROFL !!!

Uh oh, you asked, lol. And not just singing - dancing too. If she ever combined her voice with her dancing and approached a Daedra, it might leap into the lava in terror, lol. Here are just three examples off the top of my head:

(From Chapter 9, Page 4)

“What the hell is that horrible noise? Is someone injured?” Owyn came flying out of the back room.

I stopped singing and dancing and looked around. “I didn’t hear anything Owyn.”

Was that the first time I realized my singing was not a pleasant experience for the listener? No. I could fill a book with the clues before that.

Adamus Phillida thought someone was torturing the prisoners. Irlav Jarol went into an apoplectic fit and had to be healed. Fathis would laugh himself into stitches. Alix said he loved my singing, but mysteriously always had something to do outside when I started. Conjured Daedra went into seizures. Arch Mage Traven said he was sure it could be used in battle as a form of psychological warfare, I could infiltrate and bring them to their knees with my voice and aim.

It never bothered nor stopped me from enjoying singing. I won’t even begin to mention my dancing, but suffice it to say that on more than one occasion someone called for healers thinking I was having some form of walking seizure.

(From Chapter 27, Page 11)

Owyn hooted. “That’s a great idea Maxical! But you can’t come out dancing, I’ve seen you dance before.

“Which song do you mean?”

“The one that said ‘fight, fight, fight’ in it. I can‘t show you, I’m banned from singing in the Bloodworks.”

“Yeah, well that was by massive request.” Gils said, quickly dodging the tail I aimed at him.

(From Chapter 81, Page 35)

“If you’re going to sing, I’ll be the one needing a healer.” Hannibal muttered quietly.

Thank you so very much again, Darkness!

*
@ King Coin - Thank you so very much KC! You are right too, Maxical would have to understand the filthy jokes she is trying to think of, lol. You had me rolling with this, Thank you so very much again KC!

*
@ Hazmick - Thank you so much Hazmick! So Halo 4 got you, I was really surprised my son didn’t bug me for a copy! He said he is saving up for the next GTA in the series, lol. I haven’t played Assassin’s Creed yet, really need to try it! Thanks again, Hazmick - you’ve been missed!

*
@ Grits - Thank you so very much Grits! Oh yeah, Janus letting his nature out so much is making him susceptible to its lusts - I see Eyja spitting into his eyes in the near future, for sure! Lol. You caught the line I hoped someone would like - Hannibal trying to sound scholarly while admitting his voyeuristic side, lol. You don’t have to worry about Eyja, her mind is protected. Too bad Maxical’s and Fathis’s weren’t, a lot of this wouldn’t be happening now! Thank you so very much again, Grits! You are so appreciated!


*
@ EVERYONE -

Previous Chapter Update

A team of Argonian Tribesmen has been sent for to begin the rescue operations.

Maxical found out the spell she used on Malan was highly addictive, that ancients will seek it to their own detriment - but it does not keep them from harming the caster.

Janus letting his nature out so much is making him susceptible to its lusts. After a struggle with her conscience, Maxical didn’t tell him the truth about not spitting his own juices in his eyes. (so no doubt he’ll try it).

Uriel ordered Hassildor to bring Jakben, Earl of Imbel in to work out his newly signed Diplomatic Immunity in defense of the Empire.

[mALX]

*


Chapter 184: Revelations Of Treachery


“Malan keeps sticking things inside me. First his dead wife, now Janus said that closing circle I felt was Malan plunking his nature in me.”

Janus explained. “The nature is a powerful force, it’ll turn Maxical’s heart toward Malan with as strong a drive as our bloodlust. It does that so the union will last forever, but Malan used a trick so his heart would remain free. The signals he gave his nature were that she was just there for pleasure, not to become his chosen. With his nature inside her he can manipulate her to compliance in his plots.”

“What?” Eyja may as well have leaped up and cuffed her sleeves for battle by the tone of her voice. “That [censored]! Why Maxical?“

“Malan had to poach. The nature won’t give a chosen till the ancient is ready because the commitment must be there forever. Malan’s nature would never give him a new chosen because he wasn’t ready to give up the last one.” Janus answered.

“It ties into why Malan needed them to be split-aparts. Hassildor was well ready for that commitment, he could petition the nature for a chosen and it would be readily given. Malan planned for Rona to die in the attack, it was sheer miracle she survived at all, no less live another fifty years.” Hannibal added.

“Then Malan really did have to wait fifty years for you? I was right to call you ‘Malan‘s Folly’ that night in the Temple!”

“Fifty years may seem like a lot, but when your life is counted in centuries it is more comparable to your minutes. Time passing means little to ancients, we can wait interminably for something we want.”

Uriel didn‘t look up from his jotting. “We must find a way to remove that from Maxical immediately. Traven?”

“There are ways, but it involves her being poached by another ancient.“ Hannibal began digging through his tome.

“Only uplines can poach. Since Malan created the line, there is no one upline of him. Being his equal, I‘m the only one that can of our line. Anyone from another clan can, but none dare challenge him.” Janus responded.






***


Hannibal looked up from his tome. “Malan’s nature should hold Maxical as a sacred being, protect her at all costs.”

“It should protect itself first, meaning protect Malan; but he’s divided his own nature against itself with this trick.” Janus argued. “He shouldn’t have been able to harm her at any age if she was selected by our nature as the chosen!“

Hannibal pointed one finger to the ceiling. “My exact words the day the necromancy was discovered!”

“Then why me?”

“I’d wager it was revenge on an enemy, Malan lives for it.” Janus said firmly, then added, “You were probably another meant for Blenwyth.”

“Let us worry about the why later, we mustn’t get off track. Focus on his next move, not his last one.” Uriel spoke without looking up from writing.

“With Malan’s nature and his wife’s soul inside me, what happens to Janus following her? And will this trick bring his bloodlust back or will it stay gone?” I asked Hannibal, then stared at Janus‘s cowl.

Janus hesitated, his aura was giving off tension. I got the feeling he was very uncomfortable discussing this in front of Uriel. I reached over and patted his hand.

“I’m sorry, Janus. This discussion can‘t be comfortable for you, but it has to be done so we can stay one step ahead of him.”

Uriel nodded his approval. “She’s right, Hassildor. It is crucial we know what his next move is, not just my life and Maxical’s are on the line here. The future of Tamriel is at stake.”

“Our hunt for a chosen is for the soul our nature marked for us, but the chosen we accept is the physical body. Unless I swear my rights to another, my bloodlust will remain gone permanently until she dies.“






***


“What if he moves his wife’s soul into someone else?”

“She is marked for my hunt, I will always be able to find her wherever she goes. The chosen I’ve accepted is the one that’s integral to me now, but I won‘t be able to find her without that soul inside her.”

“Then you can help us track her down if he moves her around, good! Malan said that bodies were worn for brief moments in time, but ancients see the souls within and recognize them, that must be what he meant.”

“How does it work?” Eyja paused her quill.

“Souls are eternal. At our making the nature selects one perfect for us. They are marked permanently for our nature to hunt, and are protected by it so we don’t inadvertently…harm her. If our chosen dies, the nature selects another. Depending on the length of grieving process it could actually be the same soul. Ancients grieve much longer than mortals, and very rarely are souls ever lost.”

“You mean they are reincarnated? That’s…eerie.” Eyja shivered. “What do you mean, lost?”

“Soul gatherers like Clavicus Vile burn their own marks over ours, obliterating them from souls our nature can choose from. They are permanently lost once he gets them.”

Janus’s aura had changed, I could feel it reaching out of him with a hunger as we talked. The nature inside him belonged to Malan, Janus would never get a perfect chosen selected just for him. The hunger must be for someone of his own. His cowl turned in my direction, I guessed he was reading my thoughts and sent him one in sympathy for his situation.


Are you okay, Janus?


He jumped out of his seat, looking around. “What was that? Did you just send me a thought? What an odd sensation!”

My face flushed when I looked up and Uriel, Hannibal, and Eyja were all staring at me.







***


“Janus, when someone tries to contact you discretely you aren’t supposed to announce it to the room.” I imitated Eyja.

Eyja shrieked, but Uriel’s face was turning red with temper. I sent another thought to Janus.


Shh, Uriel is getting mad.


He jumped up again. “That feels so strange! It tingles.”

“Janus, can’t you be discreet? You’re getting me in trouble.” I hissed.

Uriel roared. “There are serious matters before us! This is not the schoolroom!”

“I’m sorry, Sire. I warned you that Janus and I were as alike as peas in a pod.”

Hannibal interrupted. “What about the sharing of his Dark Gift? Ancients are powerfully driven by their nature to make the chosen in the first five years.”

“But Malan didn’t really make me his chosen.”

“I’m talking about Hassildor! That is the role Malan planned for him in all this.” Hannibal stared hard at Janus. We all turned and stared at him.

“That is something we must discuss at another time, Traven. I expect Malan to be dead long before the need for this discussion arises.” Uriel made a notation on the file in front of him.

It took Hannibal a minute to find his place in the tome again as if his mind was distracted. He looked at me apologetically before reading.

“Anyone considered a threat to their union he will kill without hesitation. The spouse is always a casualty. In the highest percentage of cases the ancient tries to maintain clean hands in the death, usually through use of mind control on others to commit the murder…”

A panic rose up inside me, and without meaning to I shrieked, “He has Fathis!”






***


“We don’t know that Fathis is really alive, Maxical. Malan could have been lying at the Temple just to get you to leave with him.” Eyja put her arm around me.

“But if he is…will that trick poaching keep Malan from being driven to kill Fathis?” I turned to Janus for answer. If Janus sought to give me comfort, his words had the opposite effect.

“He won’t kill Fathis, Maxical. A powerful mage’s soul is too much an asset as a minion. In my opinion that‘s worse than death.”

“But my blood is changed now, he can’t! We‘ll just have to rescue Fathis before Malan finds another virgin to use against him.”

Janus leaned forward. “You hope. Malan had you in his lair three days, but your blood was freshly drained when he returned you. What occurred there, Maxical?“

“I don’t know, it felt like I was there just hours. I was really ill and slept a lot. Malan said he flew me to Theryon in his bird form, that I was made ill by the flight. I do get very sick in high places, and from spells too. He put me under spell before taking me.”

“He waited three days to take you, Maxical. Blood replenishes in three days with healing magic.”

In my peripheral vision I saw Uriel rising to his feet.

“I was too sick to take! He was only healing me because I was so ill, Janus. And he didn’t heal like Malan, like the fount; or I’d have suspected it wasn’t you.”

“His healing wouldn’t have left the evidence behind that incriminated me, either. Traven said your neck was ravaged, those kind of tearing wounds are only done by vampires new to feeding.”

“Maybe his dog bit me, I think I remember hearing one…no wait, that was the nightmare. Eyja, I still need that mind control clearing thing done. He had me alone and with Fathis‘s ring off.”








***


“As soon as we finish here I’ll do it.”

“Okay. Anyway, I know when those wounds were made. I felt Malan sucking my neck the second time we mated, I thought he was making a mark of passion to ward off other men like Gils does. It hurt like…“

Janus interrupted me. “Like a fresh wound over an old one?”

“No! I don’t know. It hurt worse than Vicente did, I don’t know why.” I found myself standing and didn‘t know why. I sank back onto the couch, embarrassed.

“Sire, can you do that wrist thing? I don’t feel so good…“

Uriel moved toward me so slowly it looked like those Royal Processionals where they deliberately walk funny to look ceremonial or something. He took my left wrist, digging his thumb down hard.

“OW! That hurts! Try the other one.”

The right wrist worked fine, the faintness and nausea receded. I held the left wrist up, it still hurt from Uriel pressing on it.

“Hannibal, when you were healing me, did you notice anything on my wrist? It hurt like a healing wound when Uriel grabbed it just now.”

Hannibal lay the tome down and hurried over, inspecting my wrist. “There were no visible wounds, I only healed what I saw. You have some very odd scar tissue here, Maxical. It looks like it’s been ravaged and not healed properly! What have you done to it?”

“Nothing. Maybe when Malan carried me to Theryon his talons dug into me. When I had that terrible nightmare I do remember sitting up and checking my wrist and neck for some reason…”








***


Janus’s cowl honed in on me uncomfortably. “I‘m not the only one who needs to face what Malan has done to them, Maxical.”

“What do you mean?”

Janus slammed his fist down on his knee. “Read Traven’s tome! The wrist is a blood tease to get imprisoned ancients to comply! We need to know before lives are lost rescuing Fathis if Malan owns his soul already. You should pray for his death first, Maxical…”

“STOP! Just stop!” My voice sounded like it was bordering on hysteria and coming from far away through my hyperventilated breathing. I jerked forward to the edge of the couch wishing the breath would cleanse his words from my memory.


It can’t be true, please gods don’t let it be true.


“Maxical?” Eyja looked scared to death.

“I…I’ve got to go lay down.” I ran out of the vault and Uriel‘s chambers, crashing into our room. Eyja followed. I was lucky this happened when she was off the urn, I barely reached it before the vomit came.

Eyja was gone when I finished. Inside me it felt like a volcano was trying to erupt. I was shaking so hard I could barely brush my teeth, don’t remember crawling into bed…only the keening forming inside me with pressure so great it was choking in my throat.



*

This post has been edited by mALX: Nov 13 2012, 08:58 AM