Knights of the Nine - New Kvatch, Attempt at fan-fic Options

[McBadgere]

Aaaah...Yes...As a wise man once said..."Noo, you do me too much honour..."...Which could also mean....Nooo, you give me too much credit..."The sword fell" isn't the cliffhanger...It's Galas' memory...This is from the earlier chapter...

A moment’s terror passed as he remembered about the Vampirism, but unless his information was wrong about the way that it worked, the pounding of his heart made it clear that he should be more concerned with a different problem.

When was he cured?..

More importantly, How was he cured?

The sword fell and...The sword fell...

Galasafon frowned, stared at the floor, stood up, screamed, grabbed the chair and threw it against the wall, shattering it into pieces.

So yeah, it does it in the earlier one as well, (the actual fight) so I was just echoing that...


Some thank yous are in order from both...Umm...parts...

Athynae...Glad you really enjoyed the Olfords chapter...I really enjoyed writing that one...Thank you...And as for this one...Cheers, glad it's got layers...Like an onion...Yes...Thank you...As for the noose...(See above)...

Mustard...Cheers for the compliment on the Caroline one...And this story will be resolved in- Oh my, what's that on the tele?...What?..What was I saying again?...Cheers matey!...I appreciate it...

Jack...Indeed...Walking away from madness...*Nods*...Keep eating the cheese Jackie-Boy...It's good for you...Ps...You may have missed a bit...Not saying you did...But you may have...Thank you though...Cheers...*Bows*...

Grits...Cheers for that...Glad you liked it... ...

Acadian...Thanks for enjoying the Caroline one...I know she's a fave of yours... ...Cheers...And yes...This whole Galasafon thing is actually about the Shivering Isles and the consequences of it...Well...Not the whole thing...But the consequences definately...Glad you enjoyed Cutter...I'm pretty sure she's my fave NPC in the whole game... ...Cheers Acadian...I appreciate it muchly...

Treydog...Wow...Thanks so much...I'm glad it was worth all them quotes!...Wow...I'm stunned you thought that that much was worth quoting!...Wow...Thank you so much... ...It does encourage so much...

mALX...Firstly thank you...Sooo much...I'm glad that despite the bombing around the timeline, you're still hanging in there and enjoying it...If you think it's worth cutting and pasting, then be my guest ...Just remember, we're still early days in the KOTN and more of the same may happen later...Or earlier...If you know what I mean?... ...I'm so glad you're enjoying it at the mo at least... ...(Robert knows what is coming and is worried mALX will hate Robert... ...)...See earlier about the cliff-hanger...


I think that's everyone...

EDIT!!!!...Fawkesie!!!...Sorry matey...Lol...Reet, I'm so glad you enjoyed the story so much, that picture made me laugh... ...But, IF I HEAR YOU'VE SKIPPED CLASS TO READ A STORY AGAIN I SHALL RAISE MY EYEBROWS AND POINT AT YOU...LIKE THIS...*Raises eyebrows and points*...SO THERE...Cheers though...I appreciate it...

Reet, just at the mo...Time (ironically) is...Annoying...And our tele obsession is eating into the writing time, as a programme about The Crusades and A witty commentary on France by one of the funniest men ever, Johnathon Meades, is having to be On-Demanded in the mornings...So the next part of the story will probably be...A little while away...

And...It's not actually the next part of this...And I can pretty much say you'll all sit there and go..."Wha?"...But it's important to some of the other things I'll (probably) do eventually at least...

The Julianos show continues...But it's set at the present time at least... ...

*Rubs hands in joy*...

Thank you all so much...It's so encouraging...Genuinely am chuffed you like it...*Hugs heart*...

Laters...

This post has been edited by McBadgere: Feb 1 2012, 05:46 AM

[Grits]

Oh, yikes!! A headlong flight, desperately hiding in plain sight while being stalked by a Khajiit , and then they’re spotted!! So Galas summons a Mazken (I think? No?) and then… Naked Cutter?! She seemed to be making a persuasive case for staying in crazy town, but no deal. I thought that whole part was beautifully done. And Cutter’s remark made me giggle.

Galasafon is such a compelling character. I like that his power comes with a price. Plus I can relate to him being somewhat confused occasionally. Also it was great that instead of Gellert (boo, hiss), he protected the horse.

I love this story!!

[McBadgere]

Cheers Grits... ...Glad you're still there...Muchly...

Had a bit of trouble...But I have to share this...

NEW PARTS!!!...




Statement Of Intent –

Julianos




All you have been told is almost a lie. A “Truth” given to you, twisted in the telling through countless Akaviri whispers, by those with need to justify.

Quite simply, how could any of you know what went on? None of you were conceived of when we made this.

When we were made.

None of what you’ve been told is the truth. Not all of what you’ve been told is a lie.

Remember this.


-----------------------------------------------------


We were made.

We made this.

There was a war.

Right won.

Three stood against Seven.

One brought his celestial fury.

One simply brought knowledge and the right swords.

One was murdered, unprepared for what had come to pass.

The two strongest Aedra stood side by side and fought the seven to a standstill.

It could be argued – if the truth (the real truth) be known – that it was five against seven. For the three swords were stronger than any God. Devoid of anything but the right thing to do, they stopped the lesser Divines in their tracks.

The two strongest of both sides almost tore the universes apart with their battles.

Right won.

Wrong pointed fingers and pleaded.

The They/Them heard.

They/Them came back into the universe and were angry.

“YOU! TELL.” They/Them Prime said.

The Aedra looked down at his brother, but the brother was too consumed with fury and disgust to notice, so Akatosh told of the war.

The They/Them grew angry. “We give you all this and still you cannot be satisfied. You do not deserve. Come, Lorkhan. Never again will you be troubled.”

Lorkhan screamed as everything he was, was torn apart, never to exist in this realm again.

“What of her?” They/Them Second asked of Akatosh’s brother.

The strongest of the Aedra stared at the betrayer with absolute fury, then clicked his fingers, turned his back and walked towards his home. The swords followed him.

The They/Them shouted, “JULIANOS YOU WILL NOT TURN YOUR BACK ON US!” and raised their hand.

The Divine simply said “Neeylah.”

The Androform spun around and stared The They/Them in the eye with her Universe blinding blue.

The They/Them flinched.

Julianos turned slowly and simply said. “Don’t ever try that again.” And walked out of the world.


-------------------------------------------


You never knew this, and what you knew you have forgotten.

The Truth.


---------------------------------------

This post has been edited by McBadgere: Feb 12 2012, 08:12 AM

[Athynae]

um, well, man it's early....words, use your words dear.....

AWESOME

That's about as well as my brain could ever put it.....fantastic.

Now, could you get on with it please?????

[treydog]

Still working my way toward being caught up. But this story is like good whiskey- one should NOT "guzzle" no matter how tempting it is.

Interlude-

PAAR! Woo Hoo! And that is another part which I would have to quote in its entirety. Will content myself with:

[quote]One of the Yskraich is back. I need you to find its trail. For that I give you something new to learn.”

The great Dragon stood up again and lifted his head in joy. His tail swishing. “My lady, it has been so long since anything...New, came to me!..”

Kynareth extended her hand and passed knowledge to the Dragon. The Dragon’s eyes closed and his neck slowly passed left and right as he savoured the new thoughts.[/quote]

AND

[quote]Akatosh came to the edge of the balcony and leant on the marble railings. “Paarthurnax!” He smiled.

The great dragon looked up emanating joy, “Father! Could my day get any more...Amazing?”

“Good boy Paarthurnax!” Akatosh said, “Now what is it she wants you to do?”[/quote]

Woo-Hoo!

[quote]“I never touched Lorkhan!” Akatosh shouted, “Why does everyone think I did? They took Lorkhan, you know that.” Akatosh frowned at Kynraeth confusion. “Why do you not know that?”[/quote]

Hmmm!

[quote]Julianos patted his body, “I know I haven’t been changed...I’d remember something like that,”[/quote]

Simply love your versions of all the Nine.

[quote]“Aeirawen,” said Brellin, “What colour are your eyes?”

“Blue.” She said cautiously, “Why?”

Brellin looked at Gael, then down into Aeirawen’s now dark brown eyes.

Gael grinned and then winked at Aeirawen.[/quote]

Oopsie.


1.11 (Part 1)

The opening has a “taste of madness” to quote Tom Waits (Heart Attack and Vine). Which is NOT to say it is not brilliantly done- quite the opposite.

[quote]“Oh dear, about to be incinerated again,” the close-crop haired man sighed, “very amusing.”[/quote]

Hehe

[quote]“Indeed,” said the slender man with his eyebrow raised, “really most impressive...Now, with your permission My Lord, if you truly intend to leave these lands to its fate and return to Mundus, would you at least transfer the Word of Rule to one who would try keep the lands in...Order?” There was the hint of an amused grin and one eyebrow twitched.[/quote]

“Order.” Yes well- to quote someone else, Inigo Montoya in this case: “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”

The Bosmer smiled back, shook the offered hand and asked. “So what is my name?”

[quote]“I believe you once told me that your name out there,” Haskill gestured towards the grove again, “was Galasafon.”

The Bosmer raised an eyebrow, “Really?”

Haskill actually laughed, “Yes, Sir, really.”

“Oh.”[/quote]

Well- you know- it COULD have been Reg the Stomper or similar, so...

[quote]The bearded man frowned and patted himself, “I’m no an old woman this time am I?...That would be odd...Even for me!...Ha-haaa!...” The man took on a murderous look. “The power’s mine Haskill...Gimmie...Now...”[/quote]

“Madness” did I say? Ah- all becomes obscure now.

[quote]Surely he was due a break soon, but no, the Commander of the Bravil Guard seemed content to leave him there, sole candle against the...Whatever darkness that lay through that keyhole.[/quote]

Simply a wonderful image there!

And the introduction of S’Fara. Well- I shall let your words speak for me-

[quote]She walked up to him and linked her arm with his. A lump stuck in his throat.[/quote]

Yes- mine too.

[quote]Gaius heard the Bosmer cry “Prentus!! No!!” But all he could think of was S’fara. Even Gaius could feel that something was coming now.

Then, the portal exploded.[/quote]

Oh dear.

1.11 (Part 2)

Too many places to quote wherein Galasafon punctures the pretentious (I wear black- oo scary) Lucien to quote them all. Still-

[quote]“Yes, you said. So that wasn’t actually a no then was it?”[/quote]

And

[quote]Sadly for him Galasafon had never been held in the first place, and he punched Lachance square in the nose, which flattened instantly. Staggering backwards, Lucien’s hands came up to his nose and he blinked his watering eyes.

“How?! You caddot...Caddot...Damn...Can...nnn...Cannot have!”

“Probably not.” Replied Galasafon, then he kicked Lachance between the legs.[/quote]

It is so pleasant to see Lucien writhing in pain. Oh- did I say that out loud?

[quote]“What has that got to do with anything? I’ve eaten feasts like you wouldn’t believe. Doesn’t mean I can cook one.[/quote]

Loved that comparison!

[quote]Sadly, using Shroud in the first place took a lot out of the caster, and Galasafon realised just as the lute crossed the space between the player and himself that he was tired and in trouble.[/quote]

Did someone say- or rather think- something about “complacency?”

[quote]Pushing himself to his knees, he watched as the invisible assassin rushed at him with supernatural speed. A sword cut at him and his opponent’s Invisibility fell away. Galasafon realised he was in trouble.

Vampire.[/quote]

Whoops.

1.11 (Part 3)

[quote]Galasafon had not been able to do that since his return from the Shivering Isles. Seemingly, the words burned from his mind.[/quote]

Hate when that happens.

[quote]The sword attacks came slower, but still constant and inescapable. It was only dimly that Galasafon’s brain registered that the chiming was singing a marching rhythm into his head. The Vampire began a monotone.

“Give Up Little Bosmer. You Cannot Win. Give YourSelf To the Vamp. Sleep Wake Feed Joy.” The Vampire intoned.[/quote]

Oh my. That is just a brilliant bit of scene-setting and creatively creepy too.

The holes in Galasafon’s memory make for fantastic story-telling, and you use it effectively.

[quote]“Well, there was an incident at my...Work, in Skingrad. A hideous little man wouldn’t pay what was...Owed.”

Galasafon feigned sympathy as he realised what she was saying.

“Glarthir his name was.”[/quote]

Oh- that cannot be good.

[Grits]

Oh, now I am really excited for what will follow. I love the parts with the Divines! And though I can’t say I’ll be patient, at least I’ve learned to hold on to my questions!! And reread, and reread, and happily read again.

[mALX]

*

Holy Crap !! (and I do mean Julianos)

The Divine simply said “Neemh.”


The Androform spun around and stared The They/Them in the eye with her Universe blinding blue.

The They/Them flinched.

Julianos turned slowly and simply said. “Don’t ever try that again.” And walked out of the world.

The They/Them shouted, “JULIANOS YOU WILL NOT TURN YOUR BACK ON US!” and raised their hand.

Or will he? MWAAAHAAAAHAAAA !!!!! And another Divine bites the dust !!! Stendarr, now Julianos ... By the time the story ends the Eight will be revealed for their weakness and the only one that will be left standing will be The Plus One - Tiber Septim.

AWESOME WRITE !!!!

*


Awesome Write !!!

[Colonel Mustard]

So another bunch of the Divines are down now. Interesting, very interesting...

[McBadgere]

Oh, ye of little faith... ...

Spoilers...



Cheers...Athynae, Grits, mALX and Mustard...

And a mahoosive thank you to Trey for all that...Again...*Bows*...Thank you so much...

EDIT: Who knew smileys messed up the spoiler tags?... ...

This post has been edited by McBadgere: Feb 5 2012, 08:50 PM

[Fawkes]

That was freaking epic!

[mALX]

Oh, ye of little faith... ...

Spoilers...



Cheers...Athynae, Grits, mALX and Mustard...

And a mahoosive thank you to Trey for all that...Again...*Bows*...Thank you so much...

EDIT: Who knew smileys messed up the spoiler tags?... ...

But wait! I knew Akatosh was good from the meeting with Stendarr, and already said Septim...but ... but ...

The Divine simply said “Neemh.”


The Androform spun around and stared The They/Them in the eye with her Universe blinding blue.

The They/Them flinched.

Julianos turned slowly and simply said. “Don’t ever try that again.” And walked out of the world.

????? Huh?

This post has been edited by mALX: Feb 5 2012, 10:03 PM

[McBadgere]

It's just to show that with the three behind him, in his anger he is so powerful that he will ignore anything...

He is sooo cool...Just so you know... ...

The most powerful Aedra...

You have forgotten... ...

[mALX]

It's just to show that with the three behind him, in his anger he is so powerful that he will ignore anything...

He is sooo cool...Just so you know... ...

The most powerful Aedra...

You have forgotten... ...

Urk...well, on the "Don't ever try that again..." all I could think of was the man on his honeymoon that hires a romantic carriage to take them to their honeymoon hide-away in the mountains, far away from any civilization. A ways up the mountain the horse balks and refuses to move. The man gets down from the carriage and beats the horse.

"That's once." Says he, and climbs back into the carriage.

Further up the mountain the same thing happens. The horse balks, he beats it.

"That's twice." Says he, and climbs back into the carriage.

Way up the mountainside, the horse balks a third time.

"That's three times, now you've had it!" He yells. He beats the horse and then shoots it right there between the carriage stays.

"What the hell do you think you are doing? Now how will we get up to the cabin, or back down again? We're out here in the middle of nowhere! How will we carry all our luggage?" The new bride yells.

"That's once." Says the man.

*

Urk.

This post has been edited by mALX: Feb 5 2012, 11:57 PM

[Acadian]

By the Nine! Or maybe the Three or the Two? Or perhaps by the Seven.

Oh, I know! By the Seven of Nine! Oops, wrong lore methinks?

Who can fathom the ways of the Gods? Family squabble? If it is all a lie, then is that fact a lie? If a tree falls or a big bear poops in the forest but no one is there to witness, then did it happen? How would one know?

My faves are always Mara and Kyne. Love, sky and little forest creatures – what’s not to love?

Oh look! A butterfly. . . .

This post has been edited by Acadian: Feb 6 2012, 01:15 AM

[McBadgere]

Riiiight... ...

You seen Seven of Nine in Body of Proof?...She's a thousand times hotter than she was back then... ...

[McBadgere]

[/Drama Queen]

I shall post the chapter as soon as I re-write it...For reasons too sucky to explain...

Many thanks for your ever tested patience... ...

This post has been edited by McBadgere: Feb 11 2012, 08:29 PM

[mALX]

Sorry...I appear to have made a grave mistake...

This story will continue soon...Probably...

Farewell...

GAAAAAH !!! Where is the chapter? Urk?

[McBadgere]

This deserves a new post simply to thank mALX from the bottom of my heart...THANK YOU!!!...

As you will see, it is entirely deserved...

Reet, try again... ...


Thank you all for reading my little snippet btw...I appreciate it... ...

Back to business in the present...

Previously on KOTNNK...Some things...This is actually set after the conversation in the study with Robert McWylde and Seri Ormandin in New Kvatch (Cause that's all in it's own bubble of time) and before the Akatosh/Kynareth confrontation when she changes Aeirawen...Keep up...It's all Divine dahling... ...

And before anyone takes umbrage at anything in here, I remind you that I follow the ancient rules of "Show things now, change it later..." Therefore what appears to come to pass here is not necessarily what will happen...*Points and nods*... ...

It is a longie...I appreciate that...But I couldn't split it...Sorry...Probably best all in one go anyways... ...





1.11 – Galasafon - (pt.7)






3E 438 Julianos' home.







Julianos sat in a high-backed chair. It was soft and comfortable, blue coloured with a red diamond patterning to the fabric. It sat near to a roaring fire, which - despite having been lit for countless years - needed no tending, nor fuelling. Though it produced no smoke, the fire sat beneath a chimney - the imitation of a chimney at least - the outside of which was seemingly all oaken panelling, as was the remainder of the walls and door. Bookcases, chests of drawers, a spacious sofa and a table with papers, a bowl of fruit and a vase with flowers on it completed the living room feel of Julianos' study.

On the imitation chimney breast was what appeared to be a painting. It showed a nice picturesque scene of a waterfall and some countryside. However, the scene was moving, the water fell and made ripples in the pool below. As Julianos was distracted, he failed to notice a cow walk up to the pond. Swish its tail and then drink in the pool.

To one side of the chair was a low table, on which was a cup of steaming tea. A perfect cup of tea. It smelled, tasted and felt exactly like tea should. Julianos distractedly picked up the cup, drank deeply then replaced the cup, as full as it had been.

On the other side of the chair was a small chest of drawers. On top sat a wooden box with a pane of glass on the front side. The box was worked, with rounded edges and shaped motifs in the wood around the glass pane.

Julianos - seemingly a small man in a brown suit, with dark hair that verged on curly, and piercing, intense grey eyes beneath dark eyebrows that hinted at bushy. An average sized nose and a slightly downturned mouth completed the face.

He was reading a book. A book he'd never read before. Which, given that he had all the knowledge and books there had ever been on Nirn, contained here, in his home, made it a rare pleasure in itself.

During the Dawn War, the energies and violence unleashed on both sides was so great that cracks had been rent in the multiverse. The They/Them had closed most of them out there. But some of the small fissures had been missed, and Julianos' home being as vast as it was, contained a few of them. Some things would appear, he would be told where, and the small Divine would go and look with genuine excitement. Sometimes it was nothing more than a fruit, sometimes more. Julianos had once had to entice a cow to follow to him to the Paradise room. A thought which still amused him when it passed through his vast and ancient memory.

The book he was reading had appeared in the room just across from this one, a couple of - what passed for - days ago.

"My travels with an Adventuresome Nord - A Journal, by Darnand Penoit." It declared itself to be. And Julianos was genuinely amused by it. He laughed regularly.

As he did now.

"Hah! Nord, must you fling projectiles?!!...Hah!!...Priceless."

Julianos took another drink of his tea.

A chime sounded and the glass panel on the wooden box lit up blue. A scrawl appeared on the glass and Julianos sighed, closed the book, placed it down next to the teacup and massaged his eyelids.

Turning to read what was on the screen, a concerned frown darkened his face. "Very well, on my way." He said.

He stood up, pulled his waistcoat down and flattened his jacket.

He turned towards the door, took a step, then stopped. He took the step backwards and reached down. He took another drink of tea, and then he left the room.



---------------------------------------------------------------------------



The corridor outside was huge. It retreated into deep distance in both directions, and it would take several steps to reach the doors on the opposite side from where Julianos currently stood. The Aedra knew there were also many branches to the corridor, branches that were sometimes not seen until you were standing next to them. The blue carpeted floor had yet more red diamond patterning to it, but these were arranged so that they also made larger diamonds, running down the corridor in both directions.

Vast and ancient. Julianos' home was alive in a way. Certainly the sounds that could sometimes be almost heard made it seem like it was. He stood and listened. On the very edge of hearing were conversations, snatches of choral work, birdsong and more.

A chime rang and a sound like a cross between a rumble, running a sword over stone and singing, all heard while under water issued forth into the corridor.

Julianos sighed. "Yes, Arrai...I shall stop dawdling presently."

The strongest Aedra closed his eyes, put his hand to the wall and started walking left. The half-heard sounds seeming like a song that was caught briefly, loved and then forgotten. Julianos opened his eyes and looked at the panelling on the wall. He looked at and followed the lines of graining. These weren't genuine trees that had been felled for the panels - the Divine knew that - but his house kept adding these things and he was always astounded at the beauty it produced.

Another chime, another speech rumble.

Julianos closed his eyes and shook his head.

Sighing deeply, he picked up his pace and walked down the middle of the corridor.



-----------------------------------------------------------



There had been a rush to create life, no matter how big or small, back in the days before the Dawn War. Many beautiful and wonderful species had been made, only to fall to the grotesque and evil. Wonders strode the lands. But since Lorkhan's removal, no-one had really dared, and life had evolved rather than been moulded.

One of these wonders, Kynareth and Lorkhan's Yskraich, had recently re-appeared in the world. "Kynareth's Mistake" their epithet. One of the most successful species ever.

Made uncountable years before the War, they had survived until Akatosh grew weary and forced Kynareth to help him create the Dragons.

It wasn't until these too became a problem that they turned to Julianos for help.

In an age before the Dawn War, Julianos had watched everyone's work be for naught as one or other's creations fell. So he decided that if he were to create something, they would be invincible and ageless. Adaptable and intelligent. Strong and determined. Unbeatable. He would only need one if he made it right.

He watched.

He planned.

He travelled to the furthest reaches of his home and found the ingredients.

A ten foot tall white skeletal frame with dark blue/grey armour on torso, hands and feet. Its head, an oversized dark skull with a ridge on top. Three - what would later be called - Super-Welkynd stones suggested eyes and a mouth in an immobile face, and one smaller one in the front of the ridge atop its head.

Myrrl his name was.

Julianos turned him loose on Nirn and was overjoyed to watch him tear a swathe through the worst of the abominations. And soon, Myrrl was known to all creatures.

Julianos was proud of his son. The Androform had exceeded all that Julianos had hoped for when he'd created the only one he'd need.

So Julianos had watched Myrrl proudly for a while.

And then went and made two more.

Arrai and Neerlah.

Despite putting the same ingredients together in the same way, the two sisters were different. For a start, they were sisters.

Julianos had been stunned that when the spark had been added to Arrai, the white living marble-esque element that had built the frame had taken on a faint rose colour, and upon sitting up it was obvious that a female spirit had rooted in this Androform.

Julianos was nevertheless overjoyed to have a daughter. So it was with a degree of uncertainty that Neerlah was woken. A different hue, but again, another daughter.

Not that they were any less than Myrrl. They took on and defeated everything, including the worst, and tore them to shreds.

When the Dawn War started, the Androforms had appeared before the two Divines. Julianos and Akatosh had explained all of what occurred between the Gods to them.

The Androforms had listened patiently. They had looked to each other in silent communication. Myrrl turned back and simply said -

"Well Father, shall we have at them?"

And so the Dawn War was won.

The Androforms able to stop Gods? Another father could not be as proud. And then one made The Creators pause?

All of them brilliant.

All of them the same.

All of them as different to each other in actuality as the same in appearance.

All of them as mad as a box of cats.



--------------------------------------------------------------



Julianos walked into an immense, domed cathedral-like room. An almost painful blue glow came from the centre of it. He walked along the white marble floor towards it, the ghosts of conversations and whale-song seemed to accompany him through the room.

He reached a glass topped table near to a railing that stopped anyone falling down into the depths of the room. Anyone being him and, once an age, Akatosh.

The point he stood at was halfway from either the giant room's floor or beginning of dome. He looked out into the void. A giant multi-faceted shining brilliant-blue crystal recessed into each of the four white sides produced a giant, lazily turning star field.

Innumerable shining stars went past slowly. Some singly, some dancing about each other in pairs, some in clusters of different sized stars, bound together in an ancient and powerful relationship. All of them had a small scrawl of ever changing numbers and text next to them.

Julianos had spent much time watching this map, every time with awe, watching as stars died, only to be replaced in other areas by new ones. He'd seen stars displaced by a chance encounter in one section weave through countless dangers and distractions, and arrive at another part of the map, be caught by another star and start the ancient dance, more stars to be created.

With a command he could have lines describing the relationship between all the stars. He could ask to have the eventual fate of them predicted. He could have all the lesser stars mapped onto this one, until it was one giant almost perfect sphere of blue stars. He could have them watch only one star.

A large collection of multi-coloured giants dominated one part of the map in a super-cluster. He could see - even without the relationship lines - that they were on a collision course with another cluster.

Outside and around the mostly blue stars were giants. With complex orbits they stayed above and away from the star-field, only occasionally did they fall into the morass, for unfathomable reasons.

And above even them stood the super-giants. Intensely burning with colours that matched those of the multi-coloured cluster in the Nirn-Sphere.

This was the map of Nirn's life.



---------------------------------



Julianos felt a presence at his shoulder and looked backwards and up.

"Arrai."

"Father." The Androform replied in her strange grating speech.

"You well?"

"Always, thank you."

"You had something to show me?"

"Yes, there was an incursion. Like the previous spike. But this time there was something else."

"Wait. An incursion?" Julianos worriedly looked up at Arrai.

"Yes."

"The Allfire?" The Divine turned his head slowly and looked at the star-field.

"Imperfect."

Julianos closed his eyes and sighed. He opened his eyes and looked down at the floor. "Show me." He said.

"Which?"

"What?"

"Show you which?"

Julianos turned around and looked at Arrai with his eyebrows raised.

"Very well.

"It's impossible at this point to verify which individual portion is deficient. I would need both Neerlah and Myrrl to sift through the signal. Though it seems that the keyhole - at least - is this one."

The star-field zoomed in on one star.

"This was the source of the incursion."

Julianos looked down at the glass topped table and frowned at the scrawl that appeared there.

"He's one of the Knights." He said, "One of Kynareth's." He added distractedly. "Do we have-"

"Mazken hai warrant sii..." Blared out across the room.

"Mazken?..Dibella's...We haven't seen them for an age." Julianos turned to say to Arrai.

"Yes, I know. But there is something else." Arrai manipulated the Nirn-sphere until it showed moving pictures. They showed a long haired Mazken - a Dark Seducer - cleaving her way through a group of bandits.

Julianos winced and turned his head to one side slightly as if to turn away, but keeping an eye on the proceedings, eyebrows steepled with the wince.

Behind the Mazken, on a rocky outcrop, the Knight stood up and brushed himself off.

"Look here." Arrai said and pointed to the table.

Julianos frowned at the numbers, "Dear...Us..."

"No, I don't think dear is the right word.

"This is the reading that I took at the time."

"Show me-"

The star-field was back with only two stars. One bright green star and a solid line connecting it to a purple giant star.

Julianos seethed. "HIM?!" Julianos swore. Then he said, "I thought he'd been removed not that long ago?"

"Yes, he had. Seemingly. I never noticed his return. He would have had to have Divine help to return to his...State."

"Show me the rest of them."

"Which?"

"Arrai..."

The star-field changed again until all it showed was the outer orbiting giants and the super-luminous super-giants beyond them.

Julianos picked out the various Divines. His luminous blue one, Akatosh's deep red, The newly restored Septim's a lighter red, as befits one of Akatosh's former champions. The three orbited nearby each other. Mara's Copper star circled Nirn alone. Kynareth's green and Zenithar's brown orbiting each other. Arkay, Dibella and Stendarr's trio orbited together. As they ever did, Julianos thought.

"Show me the tie-lines?" The Aedra asked The Androform.

A solid line passed from Julianos to Akatosh and a more faint line to Septim, whereas Akatosh to Septim was as solid as to him. That was good enough for Julianos.

Septim had a strong line to the Commander on Nirn.

"This is going to get complicated."

Julianos sighed and concentrated, then followed lines, strong and faint, up, down, sideways.

Finally, he saw what he was looking for and frowned deeply.

"Arrai, do you know where Neerlah is?"

"Yes."

A pause.

"Then where?"

"Masser."

Julianos closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Of course she is." He shook his head, "Can you contact her for me? I need you both to link."

There was a brief moment and then "Father."

"Neerlah." Julianos smiled. "How are you?"

"Well.

"How can I help father?"

"Firstly, can you tell me why you're on Masser?"

"It is quiet?"

Which was an answer Julianos found it difficult to find fault with, to which he replied, "Just be careful would you?"

"Always."

"I need you both to link. We need to find out the most likely endpoint for this. Do you agree?"

There was a pause as Arrai stood staring slightly upwards, then she said, "Done."

Julianos stood entranced as the star-field rapidly changed with each possible future evaluated and discarded. Every half second, the star-field snapped back to the original configuration. But even at speed, Julianos could see that the likely end to every future was the same.

Abruptly, the changing stopped and the Nirn-Sphere turned with markedly less stars on it. And in some places, a different coloured stars dominated. Blood red stars. Daedra.

The Daedric Prince division was gone. No stars turned in that orbit.

It was the Divine sphere that made Julianos' jaw drop. A look of surprise turned quickly to a determined frown and finally to seething, boiling rage.

Julianos turned on his heel and left the room.



-------------------------------------------



The door opened and Julianos walked through with Akatosh in tow.

"...And then he said...Hah!...Nord must you fling projectiles at me?!..Ha-haaa!!" Said Julianos as he walked forward towards the table.

Akatosh just grinned.

"Arrai!" he said to the Androform.

Arrai spoke her unintelligible language, but the words appeared - superimposed - on the Nirn-Sphere.

"Lord Akatosh, it is good to see you again." And she bowed her head slightly.

"And you." Akatosh replied.

"Neerlah is on Masser apparently." Julianos said with eyebrows raised. "As you do."

Akatosh's face made it obvious he was impressed.

"Arrai, would you run through the sequence for Akatosh?"

The stars changed, moving and displaying to an increasingly angry Akatosh , the future most likely.

Of the original Divines' stars, all that remained were Kynareth, Arkay and Stendarr. But joining them were three of the Daedric Princes' stars.

"Why would they do this now? And how fercryingoutloud? " he asked.

The stars resolved into the separate dominating forces which ended with the sphere disappearing as a patch of sky was focussed on. Two circles appeared around two areas with names on.

"Lorkhan and Kyralee? They're back?" asked Akatosh.

"No. But they're influence is. And what they represent."

"Which is?"

"The others thought they were right, Lorkhan told them they were right, and we stood in their way. Us and Kyralee. We told them they couldn't have it. Lorkhan's murder of his sister and then Lorkhan's removal because of it must have created a burning hatred for everyone and everything. They loathed Lorkhan for the murder, but hated us because without Lorkhan, they weren't strong enough." Julianos shrugged. "Arkay wanted power? Kynareth wanted power?" Julianos turned away. "Whatever it is, we need to stop it."

"Father." The word appearing on the screen as well as spoken.

"Yes Neerlah."

"This star is the balance. And this point in time is the tipping point." She said changing the Sphere remotely through Arrai. "All that needs done is removal of this star at this time and all changes again. But he has to be removed for it to change."

"And how the hells do we do that?" Akatosh asked. "The They/Them would stop...Them...Neerlah, why don't The They/Them stop all of it?"

There was a pause and Neerlah replied, "The house says The They/Them are looking the other way at the moment."

"The house?"

"Yes."

"Which house?"

"This one." Julianos said with a smile.

Akatosh sighed and shook his head. "What now?"

"We wait and see...And watch our backs." Julianos looked up at Akatosh, "Warn Septim. And make him wait will you? He wasn't known for his patience."

"Father."

"Yes Arrai."

"The Knight portal? He will not survive long enough without help."

"What do you suggest?"

A name appeared on the Sphere.

Myrrl.

Julianos grinned. "Of course."

"Where's he?" asked Akatosh looking about.

"Aldmeris." Replied Arrai.

"HAH! Of course he is." Said Julianos. "Can you contact him for me?"

There was a pause. "He is a little occupied at the moment, but he will be here as soon as he can." Said Neerlah.

"There?"

"Oh...Yes...I told Arrai...I have found something up here."

The Nirn-Sphere disappeared and was replaced by a moving picture of a city within a crater. Giant towers, spires, walls and the like were visible for miles. Figures and lines depicting angles to smaller craters through the line of broken and toppled towers showed that the city was extremely old. But Neerlah followed that with. "There is power. Much power."

Akatosh raised his eyebrows, grinned and looked at Julianos. He nodded his head sideways towards the picture.

"Oh yes." Was the smiling reply.

"Arrai." Akatosh nodded.

"Lord Akatosh." Arrai bowed.

Julianos put his hand on Arrai's arm and said "Thank you. Love you. See you later."

Arrai nodded. "I love you too father."

The Divines left.

"Take care Neerlah. Love to Myrrl."

"Will do. Arrai." With that, Neerlah broke the connection.

Arrai changed the picture back to the present Nirn-Sphere and watched.





--------------------

[Athynae]

Amazing!!?!?!?!?! I read it, then I read it again, then...well

The depth of thought is astonishing, and the small details make it quite a work of art...not much else to say really, I could quote a few things but then the rest would be jealous and rightfully so, so I will leave it where it is. The way it is is ...........just right.

Do supply more please, in short order...great write...

[Grits]

I love these parts with the Aeadra. The scale of Julianos’ house is amazing, but he enjoys a good read in his cozy study with the perfect bottomless cup of tea. Er, that is to say endless cup of tea. The detail and creativity here made me go make my own tea and read it again just to savor.

I am enchanted with the idea of the multiverse, it so beautifully explains what we do here when our separate characters occasionally meet. It’s as if their worlds brush against each other.

The way magic looks like technology is inspired! I have considered that magic use might be what keeps people in Tamriel from advancing in science. They study magic instead. And really, the result looks very much the same in a lot of cases.

Of course Julianos enjoying Darnand’s literary effort made me smile and smile. And I’m still smiling. Also, Julianos’ version of swearing had me in stitches every time. As did Arrai’s conversational style.

Definitely my favorite part so far, and I have to admit that all of them have been my favorite. But this one really is my very, very favorite part! (so far )