I’m surprised Damien wasn’t caught. MALAN is definitely losing his edge; I don’t think he would have made that mistake if he was on top of his game. Is this after he read Maxical’s mocking note?

I hope Damien gets a cure before he is turned.

That was some quick thinking by Maxical. Perhaps she does think better under pressure after all. I only wish she had tossed Malan’s recall ring in a fireplace too instead of a dung pit, as funny as that was.

EDIT: wrong name.

... ...

Fair dues...

I have missed this story... ...

Foxy was epic and amazing...Loved the crawl through Theryon...

Yep, definitely best hope there's some Cure Disease about soon...Though, as a battlemage, you'd have thought he'd have learnt the spell by now...Considering what he may find himself up against...Silly man... ...

But epic... ...

Maxical has definitely grown as character, fantastic writing that...

Fantastic that you're back posting again...

Brilliant story...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

Look who's back! Woo hoo! I've been seriously wondering what became of Maxical. I almost sent you a PM these days wondering what happened to the story. Glad to see it back on track!

Foxy's note. Ha. Bye bye, Malan!

The section with Foxy and Fathis was pure gold. Truly comical characters, and Foxy comes across as mischievous here. Especially with the urge to rub the escape to Malan's face.


Gotta say, I agree with Acadian here. The image made here is frightening, spooky and dark and totally fits Malan and all that he represents. Dark power and domination of others(the souless thralls), not unlike Mr. Molag.


I like this bit of lore here. The closer the purer one is to the source, the stronger!

Maxical is a fine contrast to the escaping duo. She's angry, she's pissed and she's furious! It is realistic and understandable that all those circumstances that's been dumped on her, regarding Janus, Fathis and Malan, is boiling out of her with frustration. I can't wait when she sees Fathis again!

This is going to get good and by good I mean better.

*

@ EVERYONE - Thank you so very much for all your warm welcomes back! That meant tons to hear; coming off writer’s block is a very odd feeling of “should I really be doing this?” - You all are so very much appreciated in every way as readers, but also for your patience with me through the huge gaps this past year and sticking with me through the tough times.

This (below) is the last chapter of reviewing what has passed, next chapter jumps right into the present of everything covered.

@ King of Beasts - Thank you so very much Kobby! Aw, now that was sweet! Yes, it sure has. <3

*
@ Grits - Thank you so very much Grits! You nailed everything I hoped would come through in that chapter; your kind responses are exactly what I’d hoped for!

*
@ Elisabeth Hollow - Thank you so very much Liz!

*
@ Ghastley - Thank you so very much Ghastley! Wow, now that made me feel great, whew! Thanks again, Ghastley!

*
@ Acadian - Thank you so very much Acadian! Fixed the nits, thank you so much for the help! Your kind words on the escape scene meant a lot to hear, thank you so much again, Acadian!

*
@ King Coin - Thank you so very much KC! I loved your idea of the furnace for the rings, ROFL !!! Not a bad idea at all, lol. The fireplace was the next best thing, but I give you the credit for it! Thank you so much again, KC! Here is the answer to your questions:

Janus hasn’t been letting his vampire nature out, and as long as he keeps it subjugated he can’t tell it is Malan - only that it is an ancient vampire (who he has trusted for years as his friend Jak).

Janus is easily manipulated anyway due to almost a full lifetime spent isolated in that castle - but by a master of manipulation like Malan he is putty in his hands.

No one has read either Maxical’s threatening note or Foxy’s mocking note yet; but Maxical’s note will be read by next chapter (not the chapter below).

*
@ McBadgere - Thank you so very much McB! Aw, you really made my day with this warm welcome back and kind words! Thank you so much again McB!

*
@ Darkness Eternal - Thank you so very much DE! To hear these kind words from the master of vampire knowledge and lore meant a lot, thank you so much again DE!

Malan created his own vampire line off of many of the most powerful vampire lines mixed together in a cocktail that was injected into him; and you are right that those lines he used in the cocktail were probably closer to the source (as it all took place in Morrowind centuries ago).

Jak is not of Malan’s line, the ancient line he belongs to is a much lesser ancient line - the same as Seridur’s - not powerful at all. (That is why Malan has been able to keep him subjugated all these centuries).

LOVED what you said about Maxical here, ROFL !!!


*

*


** Rumpleteasza (actual Profile name from the Bethesda Official Forums) has graciously given her permission for the use of her Profile name and her actual likeness for the role of Rumpleteasza Goldwine in this chapter.


** Our own Treydog and Mrs. Treydog actually did the artwork and photoshopping for the Rumpleteasza portrait, and have graciously given their permission for the continued use of Mrs. Treydog's name as the famous artist in Cyrodiil whose paintings are of such renown that they are instantly known for their value by just the mention of the artist's name.




Mrs. Treydog portrait of Rumpleteasza Goldwine:

http://a1.ec-images.myspacecdn.com/images0...200400f4b/l.jpg






Chapter 206: Maxical's Debriefing With Uriel



The good rapport between Uriel and I didn't last beyond a few more questions in my debriefing.

"Where is Malan now?"

"He remained on the Battlemage's floor, I smelled him right up until I entered the Royal Quarters. He must have been in vapor form, because my Life Detect ring showed no one except Janus and some handsome friend of his."

Eyja's eyebrows rose, but not for the reason I thought. "What do you mean, you smelled him?”

“Oh. Well, I found that Recall marker Malan had in my room and buried it at the bottom of the cow manure pit behind the prison.”

Eyja brayed out a laugh, but Uriel barely flickered a smile. He indicated my bleeding throat.

"Was there a battle?"

"She tried a quick-kill move on me, but that handsome friend of Janus's saved me.“

Uriel scribbled something on his pad and then pointed in my direction. "This friend of Hassildor's, what is his name?"

I shrugged. "I don't know, Sire. There wasn't time for introductions."

Eyja looked up from her writing. “How did you learn it was Amiela?”

“To be honest, I didn't know. Malan never leaves Amiela unguarded, and there was no guard on her door. I assumed it actually was Evangeline until she became enraged. I accidentally riled her up talking about Malan. She just up and attacked that beautiful man that came in with Janus."

"You did what?" Uriel's fist slammed down on the table, his face instantly reddening in anger. "You were given direct orders not to discuss anything about Malan with Evangeline!"

"I didn't talk about Malan Sire, not exactly. I was just describing my first time mating. She asked who it was with, and I said Malan."






***


Eyja's interest perked up at that. "What did you tell her? I've been waiting for details since you returned and got not a single word from you."

"You! You had your Argonian team hidden out at Theryon eavesdropping and broadcasting everything I did, what need have you of my version?" I gave her a 'HMPH' look.

Eyja grinned and made an obnoxious sound that I'm sure was meant to be an imitation of Malan's noisy passion.

"There, you see?" I turned back to Uriel. “I was just trying to entertain her. I may have exaggerated to make it more interesting; and I think I probably bragged a bit."

Uriel did not look entertained, he was still livid I had broken his orders. "Exactly what did you tell her?"

"Yes, what?" Eyja pulled a large blank parchment in front of her and poised her quill over it to taunt me. Her grin wasn't hidden well enough, she was deliberately letting me see it to bait me.

"Nothing! I might have miscounted the number of times he took me; I think I claimed to have marked every room in Theryon numerous times. Then I more or less hinted that his wife hadn’t pleased him in the bedroom. I may have said he complained she stunk, or quoted him as saying she was 'lousy' or something. Wait, that might have been when I was gossiping about the Earl of Imbel. Anyway, that's when all hell broke loose.”

Eyja scraped back her chair and staggered to the couch, straddling the arm of it and gasping for air the whole way. When she caught her breath it was to let out a medley of her worst laughs.

“SKWREEEEEEK! BWAAHEEEOOOWAAA! BRAAAAYOOOO!” The first was just a shriek, I couldn't even begin to figure out what the second was. The last one sounded like a cross between a donkey braying and a wolf howling.

"Geez Eyja! What's with that new laughs? I don't know whether to saddle you up or put on hunting gear." I turned back to Uriel in time to catch an amused gleam in his eye.

"I’m sorry Sire; but with Evangeline the juicier the gossip is, the better she likes it." I winked at Eyja. "Amiela on the other hand, is obviously dead to gossip. Get it?"

Eyja choked. “You are lucky you weren't dead too after saying those things." She grinned at Uriel. "I'll wager Amiela will demand Theryon be sold immediately now, that was her and Malan's lair."

Uriel finally relaxed and smiled, but it was directed toward Eyja.






***


“Actually, until she threatened to eat Alix the Mouse, I truly thought it was Evangeline." I finished when Eyja had settled down.

Eyja looked confused. "Mouse? What mouse?"

“You weren’t here to see it, but Evangeline is replacing a child she lost with this mouse, dresses it in clothing and strolls the Greenway with it in a pram.” Uriel explained.

“Oh how sad!”

I nodded. "It is. She spoils it dreadfully, and it has become quite demanding."

"How does a mouse make demands?"

Uriel waved us to get back on topic.

"Okay. Well, then Hannibal and Janus came in with a gorgeous man that would take anyone’s breath from them, and she attacked him like a wild jackal."

Eyja grinned at the image that conjured, but Uriel was enraged by it. “What made her attack anyone other than Malan? Is she unbalanced?”

“I wondered that too, Sire. But crazy or not, she is the driving force behind everything Malan does. Malan was just using Evangeline to gain the throne, then he would have killed her. He has a plan for someone else to use permanently. I don't know who yet, but they will be young, beautiful, and powerful. We need to find out who it is."

Uriel tapped one finger on the table absentmindedly, then banged it loudly.

"In one of our last conversations during his imposture of Foxy, Malan mentioned Count Ormellius Goldwine‘s daughter Rumpleteasza. According to Malan there is a Mrs. Treydog portrait of her that hangs in the Greathall of Castle Kvatch. He seemed to know quite a bit about her. Had I not already known it was Malan, it would have caused suspect."

I glanced up, surprised. "Rumpleteasza? I was teased in school by the students from Kvatch, they said we could be sisters but for the tail, fur, and ears."

Uriel snorted. "Hardly; Rumpleteasza is a noted beauty. There are similarities in coloring; hair and eyes, and her skin tone is alabaster. For Malan's purposes she would be ideal. She holds a position of power and respect, and is but twenty-two years."








***


"If he mentioned her, she is the right one. Malan tells his plots, thinking people are too stupid to figure them out. Almost like bragging to show how smart he is, he believes he is omnipotent. All I’ve done is take the information he gives and figure out what in it avails him, and I‘ve been right on the mark each time for what he was plotting and why."

Uriel nodded, and both he and Eyja made a note of it on their pads. Uriel paused in his writing.

"We are at a crucial phase in the battle against Malan now. If you have discovered any other weaknesses we need to hear them now."

He didn't add, 'In case you die in this battle', but I felt the implication behind the words he did say.

"He loves irony, so if you see it in anything, that is the path he will take. Amiela’s soul will absolutely be his downfall, he will never give up his plan to raise her from the dead; or any of his plots. It is as if he has invested too much into them and can't bring himself to discard them. You can almost pinpoint his next actions by reviewing any plots in his past because he refuses to drop a plan no matter how flawed or failing, or how badly it is going. He just keeps trying to work around the roadblocks."

Uriel signaled Eyja without a word and they both began listing his active plots that they knew of.

"Add getting my mysteries to that list. He told me they were removed with Amiela's soul, but something she said makes me think they weren't. He went through too much for them, he'll not stop till they are his."

I glanced over Uriel's list when he stopped writing. "Every one of his plots is a promise he has made to Amiela. She is the catalyst behind all his plans, the driving force for them. Her lust for power is greater than his. Everything he has done or plans is for her. Sire, at his worst I've never felt the evil off Malan himself that I felt from her. He is her pawn, she needs his power to accomplish her goals."

Uriel took the list back and scanned it, then gave me one of his rare approving looks. “You've done well, Maxical. This is some valuable information.”






***


“Sire, Malan has to access the Royal quarters for any of his plans to progress. He could impersonate any one of us. We need to have some way of knowing it is you at all times, and for you to know it is us."

Eyja nodded. "No codes or signals, too easily picked up on if he watches in vapor form."

Uriel agreed. "We require a simple sign; one that will go unnoticed by any but the three of us who know of it. Traven and Hassildor are to be excluded, and access to my Royal Chambers must be limited from this point forward as well."

Eyja indicated the Amulet of Kings. "Yours is easy, only Dragonblood can wear the Amulet."

Uriel gave a slight shake of his head. "Malan has had over three centuries of planning for this. He will have long since readied an imitation so perfect as to be undetectable."

At Uriel's words my eyes fell on the Chim-el Adabal hanging off the heavy chain around his neck. The souls of eight reigning Emperors...nine with Uriel's soul. Dear gods, Malan wasn't just after the throne!

The words choked out of me. "The souls! Malan wants those souls, and yours too, Sire! He would have more power than Mannimarco with them!"

Uriel barely nodded. "That conclusion was realized the moment we learned the extent of necromancy he was involved in. Protecting the Amulet of Kings is as much part of your task for Akatosh as the protection of myself and this Throne."

My stomach made a sickening lurch. Every aspect of my task for Akatosh was beyond my capabilities, why had he even considered me?






***


Eyja's next words cut into my thoughts, immediately bringing to mind the reasons for my rage at Janus.

"We must be able to instantly notice differences in any one of us who has been out of the other's sight."

With a chill I suddenly realized what could be behind Janus not protecting me and refusing to keep his vow to rescue Fathis.

“Eyja, can you do that mind cleaning on vampires? Malan had Janus imprisoned three days, and just now he refused to protect me when Amiela tried to kill me. I think he needs to be checked for mind control."

Eyja nodded. “Good idea."

"Be warned, he may be a bit sulky."

"And this is new how?"

"Worse than usual. We fought."

Eyja rolled her eyes. "What else is new."

"Er...well, I kind of threatened his Diplomatic Immunity and County Seat. That and eternity in a dungeon under Uriel's Law. Janus vowed he’d rescue Fathis; now he‘s refusing to even help me do it.”






***


Uriel signaled Eyja. "Check Traven as well. Malan is easily capable of reproducing his healing; he is an extraordinary physician."

"You are right, Sire; and Hannibal may be in a weakened state and more susceptible to Malan right now. I think his heart was badly strained by the shock of Mannimarco's return, he has not looked well since he learned of it."

I turned to Eyja, not caring if she took it well. "Your wild mating could kill him if his heart is failing, Eyja. Please don't...he means too much to me."

Surprisingly, Eyja colored up; then just as suddenly her mobile brows raised and she brightened visibly.

"I've got it." She slid a dagger from beneath her skirt and bent down, making a scratch along the inner side of one shoe with it. She leaned over and scratched my shoe the same way, then waited for Uriel's nod to do his.

“What are you doing?”

“People never notice shoes. Wear these at all times in the Royal Chambers, and always check the other's shoes immediately and before talking."

"What a great id..." I broke off and clutched my chest. Inside me I could feel Malan’s nature activating, like cosmic tumblers clicking into place.

In seconds the circle of it expanded so rapidly within me that it felt like standing against a flood tide, feeling the wash of it crashing against my body inside. As suddenly as it hit I could feel the massive power of it in every cell of my body.

Eyja kneeled down and looked up into my eyes. “What is it, Maxical? You look like you've seen a ghost.”

“Janus has sworn me over to someone, I can feel it...something happened with that circle inside me. I...I locked Janus out of the Royal Quarters till he brought me Fathis like he vowed. He has, he must have! He’s rescued Fathis and sworn me to him!”

Inside myself the joy I should have been feeling struggled to overcome the fear that I was wrong.







*

Wow, I love that picture of Rumpleteasza!

As always the delightful interplay between your characters stole the show for me. This part

Is my favorite example. It’s so fun to watch Maxical, Eyja, and Uriel together.


D’oh! I really thought he was going to catch on right there.

Very exciting! I'm looking forward to Malan's next move!

This can't possibly be good...

It can't be Fathis. Fathis is still in Theyron. What did Janus do?! Unless he'll find him in the next chapter?? Ugh, I can't wait!

It was

Wasn't it?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Technically, it will be the real Springheel Jak, his soul in charge - but Malan's body.

But...I want Springheel Jak!

It will be, but Malan will be watching ready to take over if Jak pulls anything - doesn't trust him as far as he can throw him. If all goes well Jak has two weeks of freedom to be in control of Malan's body.

Excellent recap in the form of story!!... ...

Everyone was excellent in it though...Uriel always rocks!...Eyja's laugh is just insane... ...

The signal was an excellent idea...I hope it pays off for them... ...

Fantastic story...

Really looking forward to what comes next...As ever...

Glad you're back to the writing... ...

Nice one!!...

*applauds heartily*...

I agree with Grits - the picture of lovely Rumple is very nice and quite 'fits' the castle ambiance of Kvatch's heiress that you intend.

’Eyja grinned at the image that conjured, but Uriel was enraged by it. “What made her attack anyone other than Malan? Is she unbalanced?” - - Like Grits (again), I really thought one of the three might cue on this to sort out that Pretty Boy is actually Malan. Nice job of painting how important and powerful the evil aura of Amiela is.

More cloak and dagger as Eyja makes them all join the SRS (Scratched Shoe Society).

Uh oh, more circles clicking inside Maxical’s head. We’ll hope that Fathis is okay! I'm anxiously looking forward to how he and Foxy's feather-enhanced flight went/is going.

I just have to remember - if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's Malan pretending to be a duck.

Let me see if I have this straight: Amila's in Evangeline, in full control. Jak's in Malan, temporarily in control. Fathis is back in Fathis. Nobody's in Maxical, or Uriel, or Eyja, but they're all in their shoes. Alix is in the pram. Foxy is not in prison, Janus is in denial. Malan's army is in the air, everywhere.

I should've known! Mind=blown. Pleasantly. That scheming little blood-sucker!



This isn't Burger King. You don't have it your way.

I like Rumplepeasza's picture! She's great looking. Just like her description:

We're back with Eyja, Uriel and Maxical planning on fighting Malan. I don't think he is overconfident or a bragging fellow the way he may be. Behind that tongue is a cunning mind ,. . . His army is about and things are going to hell! Plus, necromancy . . . necromancy! They better be at their best because Malan is having high cards here.

Great read.

I don't know whether to saddle you up or put on hunting gear." I turned back to Uriel in time to catch an amused gleam in his eye.
I know which Uriel’s doing…

Uriel snorted. "Hardly; Rumpleteasza is a noted beauty…
BURN!

They need to find a way to start taking some souls off of Malan methinks.

So, Malan could imitate any of them and they would never know it? I bet he’s doing it right now…

Maxical’s set herself up for disappointment again.

*

@ Grits - Thank you so very much Grits! Poor Uriel when he gets Eyja and Maxical in the same room and tries to conduct business, Abiene learned the hard way what it feels like to be Uriel in these circumstances, ROFL !!! Thanks again, Grits!

*
@ King of Beasts - Thank you so very much Kobby! You caught my favorite line, lol. Everything that is bad has a good side, and vice versa - so yeah, bad but has its good points. Thanks again Kobby!

*
@ Elisabeth Hollow - Thank you so very much Liz! It was supposed to be in this chapter, but couldn't squeeze it in - next chapter, sorry It will be Springheel Jak in every way except his body, and he can work against Malan without Malan knowing it (the same way Fathis has been doing that we didn't know about) Thanks again, Liz!

*
@ McBadgere - Thank you so very much McB! I do feel like I'm coming back from a long time away <3

*
@ Acadian - Thank you so very much Acadian! Ooh, thank you so much for your kind words about how Amiela came across here! That means a lot to hear! The feather enhanced flight will have to be imagined (or I can insert Foxy's "Goodbye Malan" card again, ROFL!) - Thank you so much again, Acadian !!

*
@ Ghastley - Thank you so very much Ghastley! I know you've said this before, but every time I see it I about choke laughing:



You killed me with this! Every time I'm having a bad day - I'm coming to read that and so I can laugh! I LOVE that !!! You have it completely down this time (well, no one is in Maxical or Eyja YET, lol). Thank you so much again, Ghastley!

*
@ Darkness Eternal - Thank you so very much DE! I loved this:



Yeah, Malan is saving himself by this move in the only way he can and keep his lair in the Royal Quarters, but he is also going to make it impossible for himself to be the one that kills Maxical - he'll have to get Amiela or his army to do it now. But you are right, he still holds the high cards! Thank you so much again, DE!

*
@ King Coin - Thank you so much KC! ROFL !!! Yes, Uriel zinged Maxical without either of them realizing how much, ROFL !!

Uriel did set up a way to get souls from Malan, with that trap; but Malan didn't show up to be trapped.

Malan isn't impersonating any of the three of them right now, right till the end of the chapter he was at Theryon putting Fathis's soul back.

This will work out in Maxical's favor in many ways - once Malan can't kill her anymore (he won't be able to order his army to do it either), she can fight others he may send to do the job. There's only two she can't kill, Malan and the Gray Prince. Malan may be able to access the Royal Quarters, but Maxical will be safe. It will be up to Foxy and Fathis to make Uriel safe.

Thank you again, KC!

*
@ EVERYONE - Thank you so very much for your kind words about the very beautiful Rumpleteasza! She is stunningly beautiful in looks, mind, and spirit!


*

*


Chapter 207: Foxy's Message Received



Uriel turned quickly to Eyja. “I’d like to talk with Maxical alone a minute. Go fetch Hassildor, and I want that mind cleaning done on him."

"His friend needs healing." I whispered. Uriel nodded.

"Eyja; bring Traven in case Hassildor's friend needs healing.”

Uriel led me to the dome window as they left. “I’ve wished many times it was Eyja that Malan had glommed onto. She would see through him in a lot of ways that you cannot. You have to guard your heart carefully, he is a con of uncanny measure.”

“I’ve wished it too, Sire. Eyja would know exactly what to do. I feel like I'm wandering in the dark and making guesses at my next move; and with your life and the future of Tamriel at stake. I’m too naïve for this, especially the games Malan plays."

Uriel stopped me with a raised hand. "You know how to battle, and that is what you have before you. It is little different than the Arena where you fought. Learn Malan's weaknesses and exploit them, find ways to minimize his strengths. Use every resource and tactic available to you. Dirt for dirt, Maxical."

"I’m trying, Sire. I've kept telling myself that he has Fathis; and right now I am the master of Fathis‘s fate and the Captain of Fathis‘s soul.”

Uriel hesitated, then launched into a story that for a minute I didn't think connected to our conversation.

"Soldiers and prisoners of war who seek to live invariably die. Those who consider themselves dead already are the ones that survive. If you bargain for Fathis's soul, you have already lost it. Fight for it as if you know it is already lost."

He was looking out the window as he spoke. It was a habit of his, but this time it felt like he was deliberately keeping his eyes averted.

The words barely choked out of me, "Is it?"

His eyes remained looking out the window. I waited, and finally he spoke.

"Only Malan knows the answer to that."







***


"Are you saying that when I face him, it must be with the full force of my rage as if he already has taken Fathis's soul, rather than hoping and praying he hasn't?"

Uriel turned toward me nodding silently, then gripped my shoulder firmly while he let his next words sink in.

“Your life as well, Maxical. You must never waver your focus, or allow even a moment's hope for Fathis or yourself. Those fears weaken you in battle. By swearing you to another, Hassildor has released Malan to kill you. With Amiela removed from you, there is nothing to stopping him now."

For the first time it struck me that Malan didn't need me alive for the mysteries he craved, they would transfer with my soul. Without his nature stopping him, he could kill me and trap my soul in seconds.

"In truth I actually am as good as dead already. Malan hates me for the disruption of his plots and would kill me in a heartbeat for those mysteries; and Amiela...after fifteen years of living within me, there was no bond whatsoever. She oozed with vile hatred for the living body I had and that she needed it. Had she been magically inclined, I'd be dead now. But what about Akatosh seeing me alive at age twenty-one?"

Uriel nodded with a slow smile. "Exactly, Maxical. That is my point; and your secret weapon. You know the hour of your appointed death will not be till at least Midyear next. Go into battle with Malan as if he can't take your life from you because it is already lost. Hold back nothing through fear. You must strike fast, hard; and with no hesitation. Pick away at his defenses without his knowledge. Do not give him time to wonder what you have done before striking again."

His last words strongly reminded me of how Movarth had almost succeeded against Malan. Movarth had no plan, just acted on snap decisions and impulsive spur of the moment ideas; carried out before Malan even realized anything was happening. Little actions that had far-reaching consequences and went unnoticed till it was too late to reverse them.

Contrast that with Malan; everything was intricately planned to excruciating detail, his plots all overly complex so everything had multiple consequences.

"You will not be going into this alone, Maxical. I'm granting you full autonomy to build an army to serve your needs. You may draw from your own resources or select from the Imperial Army and Battlemages if you wish. The Palace will be responsible for their payroll."








***


Uriel clasped my shoulder tightly as he continued. "This next two weeks establishing another's lair is crucial. Malan must be blocked from accessing the Royal Quarters. When they end if my troops have not successfully removed Malan's army from the Palace you will be tasked with that in addition to eliminating Mannimarco and Mankar Camoran. Those are your targets."

I just nodded in mute acceptance. Any thoughts of making sarcastic remarks never rose to my lips, though just weeks ago I probably would have voiced them. Too much had happened since then, the childish whining was long since smothered in the rage that drove me now. I wasn't even sure if tears existed in me anymore.

"Sire, if you can motivate Janus he will be a powerful asset for you. He has Malan's nature in him, and it can take Malan down."

Uriel nodded, then clasped his hands behind his back and gazed out the window toward the Rumare.

"I will expect Hassildor to act when the time comes. For right now we must find a way to get Malan out of this Palace."

I moved alongside Uriel and joined him in looking out over the Rumare. Alix and I used to hunt rabbits right across from where we were looking. The idea hit me as soon as the thought. There was a big difference between hunting rabbit and a rabbit hunt. A rabbit hunt was a children's game where one person hid while the others tried to find them.

Hannibal had slid back into the room and was pouring himself a glass of wine. Hannibal was as pathologically incapable of keeping confidential information as I was. I lay my hand on Uriel’s arm.

“When I was just a young soul, my father used to take me out rabbit hunting at this time of year. How I’d love to do it again.” I looked up at Uriel and squeezed his arm.

He raised one eyebrow and then slowly nodded. “Yes, I loved this time of year for a good hunt. We sought fox, though.”

If I understood the way Uriel and Eyja's code worked, Uriel affirmed he was handling the hunt for Fathis and Foxy, and liked my idea for hiding Amiela.







***


There was no doubt Uriel had been trying to spur me into rescuing Fathis and Foxy; even I realized that. He really needed this protection for his Royal Quarters, and knew I'd prefer it be Fathis. Had I left Uriel's side and gone after Fathis, Malan's siege on the Palace would have succeeded. That was a sobering thought. Maybe that was why Uriel told me to think of Fathis as dead already; because my protection of Uriel and his throne had to come first, even over Fathis.

Or maybe he knew Fathis's soul was already lost and didn't want to see me crumble at this crucial point in his defense as I had just hours earlier before confronting Amiela. So much had happened today, and somewhere through it all I found a strength I've never known existed in me.

Maybe it was time I stopped hiding from the truth so I could see Malan for the enemy he has always been. Shouldn't I know the truth so I never fall to his lies and manipulations again?

One thought I couldn't escape from was the discrepancy about Malan wanting my mysteries. As Arbiter, Malan would have all the mysteries already. He did have them all, he'd proven that in bedding me. He even knew which mysteries were mine to teach. He had to be an Arbiter. Then why did he say he had sent Gils' mysteries to Amiela? What need had he of my mysteries?

Then there was the missing memories Akatosh had revealed. There had to be a reason Akatosh wanted me to see that scene, and at that particular time. Akatosh was the Dragon god of time, there had to be a purpose for when he did things as well as why.

Uriel disrupted my thoughts when he patted my shoulder. “You’ve done remarkably well, Maxical. I wish I could say the same for young Hassildor.”

“I know he is stubborn and was enraged with me; but he actually stood and did nothing while I was attacked; and I'm supposed to be his chosen. Regardless we fight all the time, Janus still stood in defense of me against Malan in the Temple of the One that night. The only reason for the change I could imagine other than mind control would be that he was defending Amiela that night in the Temple, and tonight it was Amiela attacking me. Malan's nature said she wasn't anyone's chosen, but could have been lying."

Uriel nodded. "Eyja will clear it if mind control is there."






***


“If anyone can bring about the maturity he needs it is you, Sire. I need his help with taking down Malan, but right now Puny Ancus could get a victory on him in battle just by showing up. And I know for a fact if two girls stood nearby and kissed it would be a no-hit victory.”

Uriel barked out a laugh. “I’ll see if my trainer for the Imperial Army can toughen him up; but I believe you’ll find jealousy is the cause. Malan is his enemy, and bedding his chosen. His nose has been rubbed in it numerous times nightly when the sounds of Malan’s passion are nearly shattering the dome.”

I gaped at him. “OH! I knew I would hear about that, but I thought it would come from Eyja, who has no place to talk and I could zing her back.”

His eyes gleamed with humor. “That may be why she hasn’t."

“For your information, Malan is even louder in Theryon. He was keeping quiet here out of respect for you. And as for Eyja; Malan and I were going to pound on her wall and tell her to swallow his sword, for the gods sake. If it was anyone but Hannibal, I‘d have gone in there with a ruler and measured it.”

Uriel slammed his hand down on he desk and roared laughing. “I hope whomever Hassildor has sworn you to is a bit quieter.”

Remembering Uriel's words not minutes ago I choked off what I'd started to say, "It better be Fathis."

Instead as I answered I shoved my hands down in the deep pockets of Eyja’s borrowed dress and shrugged my shoulders high to do an impression of Malan’s hangdog act.

"I’ll try to be lousy...” I broke off and jerked my hand up as something lightly brushed my fingers in left pocket.

I’d had that hand in the pocket earlier at Theryon trying to keep Malan from touching Fathis’s ring, wasn't the pocket empty then? I pulled it out and there was a folded parchment with odd codes on it. I handed it to Uriel, not knowing what else to do with it.






***


Uriel scanned it quickly and then leaned over and whispered in my ear, “It’s from Foxy! Fathis is alive, Maxical!" He broke off, pausing as he read further down.

"Prepare yourself." He gripped my shoulder tightly before continuing.

"Foxy warns us Fathis is a vampire, not to be trusted without clearance by himself. That is as we suspected. He adds..." He stopped abruptly, looking enraged and sad simultaneously. I had a sickening feeling about that expression on his face, the way his eyes flickered to mine and away.

The vision from Akatosh had lurked in a dark recess of my mind like a stalker waiting for a vulnerable moment; and in that brief instant Uriel's eyes met mine before he averted them I read it there; like a harbinger that heralded the flood of horror as Akatosh's vision escaped the shadows of my mind and played itself over and over in the glaring light of my consciousness.

Those shackles keeping the prisoner from pounding his chest when he raised his hands to swear a vow. I couldn’t see the prisoner, but somehow knew he was naked. Malan kissed him on the mouth like he was polishing a sword in there, really forcing him against a wall and pressing his chest and erect loins against the prisoner's like he was mating him.

The vision from Akatosh showed my wrist mangled and bloody and that nightmare; the horrible growling and snarling of dogs and the excruciating pain in my wrist and neck. I'd wakened screaming in terror...weak and drained. Hannibal said I'd been ravaged by a vampire new to feeding...like Fathis was. Janus's words echoed mockingly in my mind.

“I‘m not the only one who needs to face what Malan has done to them, Maxical. 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…”


Please to the gods don’t let that prisoner have been Fathis. Please dear Akatosh…I’m doing everything you ask of me, please don’t let that have been Fathis.



*

Oh no...

If I remember correctly that prisoner was Fathis. Poor Maxical is gonna be heart broken when she finds out...


I hope she kicks Malan's ass, lol

‘You know the hour of your appointed death will not be till at least Midyear next.’ - - This is wonderfully reminiscent of Uriel’s in-game lines during the tutorial!

'Too much had happened since then, the childish whining was long since smothered in the rage that drove me now. I wasn't even sure if tears existed in me anymore.' - - Yes, Maxical seems to be toughening the way Uriel intends.

‘Alix and I used to hunt rabbits right across from where we were looking.’ - - I really laughed over this as I pictured Maxical and Alix the Mouse frolicking in a meadow, chasing rabbits. Then I remembered. . . oh, Alix Lencolia.

So much going on here! I’m picturing Fathis and Foxy as they spiral wing their way down from Theryon? And JakBeMalan is in disguise, still licking his Amiela-inflicted wounds inside the palace?

In this whole update the end:

Please to the gods don’t let that prisoner have been Fathis. Please dear Akatosh…I’m doing everything you ask of me, please don’t let that have been Fathis.

echoing Maxical’s plea of ‘please let it be Fathis’ from the last chapter really tears the heart.

Chilling to hear these thoughts right after Uriel warned her against doing exactly this. I’m excited for the next part but dreading it for Maxical.

But if I'm recalling correctly, this was all in the past, and Malan's undone that since, finding Fathis too much to handle. The note must have been there for some time, or at least have been written some time back.

However, in the light of Uriel's "fight like you already lost", it might be the right frame of mind for her.

And there's a lot of visions of future and past getting mixed here. They need Tove the Unrestful from Bliss to come and explain it all.

Hmm. Uriel’s word hit Max like a punch. If she so much as gets distracted she’ll be deeper in that life and death situation. Though I think it might give her some advantage, his words rings true in the fact that she’ll let her emotions cloud her proper judgment of the situation.

I loved this bit:

Vamps are notorious for this, at least the intelligent ones. Conspiracy within conspiracy, webs woven within a web. This dude’s mind is so vast that one can get lost, as I am right now. Thanks to you, you give us insight within the mind of Malan.

That was a horrifying vision Max had at the end . . . and I do believe this is some great foreshadowing! I have to say that you really outdid yourself here with the description. You were inspired, weren’t you 



Now that she knows Fathis is alive, it further reinforces my idea that she might make a mistake when the time comes, allowing her emotions to override her conscious.

Great update, mALX.

Two words...Oo and Er... ...

Fair dues, this one was a bit filtheh in its discussions was it not?...I like that... ...

I also like that it was woven into a subtly intense section...While it seemed they were talking all quiet like, it was obviously still a war footing, and all of what Maxical was saying showed the tension she was still feeling...

When I started reading this all that time ago...I think there was a knocking over of wine and a setting fire to curtains at the time...I couldn't have imagined how intense this could have gotten...I'm so massively impressed...

It'll be hugely interesting to see how this all pans out...I kinda get the feeling that this is a turning point and while I'm sure there'll be the odd twist coming, this does feel like it's headed into the home straight...So to speak...Well...I may be wrong... ...

Oh, Uriel rocked!!...As ever... ...

Brilliant stuff...Always...

Love it!!...

Nice one!!..

*Applauds heartily*...

Mind cleaning? That sounds ominous. I wish it was Eyja that Malan wanted too.

Little different from the Arena? Uriel is making some very broad generalizations here. I also think it sounds like he’s setting her up as this section goes on.

Ahhh but she’s sworn to Malan. He still can’t kill her right? At least now she’ll fight like she thinks her life is on the line.

Lol, he’s ordering her after everyone! Malan, the King of Worms, and Camoran. And then Dagon to boot. Don’t test Akatosh!

Hannibal was as pathologically incapable of keeping confidential information as I was.


How many times is her heart going to be torn? She needs to end this.

I feel so sick for Maxical. She started out as this semi-bratty kit with the biggest thing on her plate was passing University without burning it down completely.

How different her journey has come in such a short time. She's lost the men she loves over and over in such painful ways. She's got such strength to still be going.

And now that she knows Fathis is alive, how is she going to react if they finally come face to face? How will Malan eventually use him against her, now that he's escaped?

it's always a joy to see when you're updated! I'm sorry I haven't been as thorough with my commenting as I used to be, sort of..but I read the stories I'm following at work, lol.

Good job! You NEVER disappoint!

*Chuckles* The thought of Uriel having someone toughened up is amusing, considering that we have to save him a time or two. A good update to your story, Malx. I enjoyed it.

*

@ King of Beasts - Thank you so very much Kobby! You are right, it was Fathis. I think she is beyond having her heart broken now, with the exception of when she eventually learns that Gils is dead. She'll have help kicking it now that Foxy and Fathis are free, lol. Thanks Kobby!

*
@ Acadian - Thank you so very much Acadian! I did take those words directly from the tutorial, hoped someone playing or reading that would remember and picture him saying that, lol.

I was glad that came through that she is toughening up - hoped the changes in her and growth since she came to the Palace would show. Thank you so much again for your kind words here, Acadian!

*
@ Grits - Thank you so very much Grits! I was surprised you remembered how the last chapter ended - but you are right. Ever since she came back from Theryon after Malan admitted so much to her - she's kind of known the truth but couldn't stand knowing it; if you know what I mean. She is just now beginning to realize that her denial isn't going to save Fathis. Thank you so much again, Grits!

*
@ Ghastley - Thank you so very much Ghastley! You are kind of right, even as they were speaking in the last chapter Fathis was getting his soul back, and Foxy and Fathis were escaping at the same moment Janus was swearing Maxical over to Jak/Malan.

(of course no one knows that yet except the reader).

It hasn't really been far back at all - That is my fault for only posting 2 chapters in 4 months, that is why it feels like so long ago, lol.

And you are very right about that being the right frame of mind for Maxical to stay in.

Uriel tried to motivate Maxical to go save Fathis = if she had gone Malan would have succeeded in seizing the throne and be in it right now.

That is why Uriel wants her to forget about Fathis, because he himself can't concentrate on saving Fathis either anymore.

Thank you so much again, Ghastley!

*
@ Darkness Eternal - Thank you so very much DE! Actually, that vision is not foreshadowing of the future. Akatosh was revealing the past she can't remember because Malan has erased her memory of it.

That is when Malan forced Fathis to drink Maxical's virgin blood (to make Fathis swear his soul over to Malan) just before taking her virginity from her.

(Chapter 178, Page 87; The Last Of The Innocents )

Thank you so very much again, DE !!!

*
@ McBadgere - Thank you so very much McB! You just had that memory in time! I swear this (below) was written over a year ago, lol.

You are very right, Foxy and Fathis escaping was the turning point for the story. Maxical will have a short delay before she catches up, but from here on out a war is beginning on Malan that he has no idea of - and Uriel/Foxy/and Fathis are going to make sure he doesn't find out about till they want it revealed, lol.

Your kind words meant a huge amount to me, McB, Thank you so much again!

*
@ King Coin - Thank you so very much KC! Mind cleaning isn't ominous, it is a good thing - getting rid of any mind control/hypnotism/post hypnotic suggestion/etc. from Janus - he needs it, in one of Malan's parts he brings up that he has Janus under his control (that Janus wouldn't interfere when Amiela tried to kill Maxical = and Janus didn't try to save Maxical). So yeah, Janus needs that mind cleaning.

Actually, as much as I know you hate it - Malan has really messed himself up here exactly like you said = he can't kill Maxical at all now. He has made a bond to her that removes him from being the one that can kill her.

She can take down most enemies, but she can't take down Malan or the Orc; those are the only two she needs to be worried about (and now Malan has eliminated himself from being able to kill her).

AND - because Janus is Malan's split-apart, he can still team up with Maxical against Malan whether she is his chosen or not.

So Malan has made another big mistake here. Malan doesn't think fast enough when a lot is happening. He plots too carefully, that is why Uriel and Maxical were able to turn tables on him here.

You don't have to worry about her heart getting torn anymore (except when she learns Gils is dead) - like Acadian said, this last bit with Malan has toughened her. The only thing that will get torn is Malan's ass when Maxical tears him a new hole for it, lol.

Maxical came really close to failing Uriel by demanding Fathis, if she had gone after Fathis Uriel would be dead right now. That was a huge wake-up call for Maxical.

Thank you so much again, KC !!!

*
@ Elisabeth Hollow - Thank you so very much Liz! What a kind thing to say, Thank you!

Maxical is beyond feeling the pain over Fathis for a lot of reasons, she knows now that he's the one that fed on her. What Uriel just put before her in that last chapter was that she has to put Fathis behind her now as if he is dead, and she realized that if she didn't (Uriel would lose his life). She will do whatever it takes to keep Uriel alive now.

Thank you so much again, Liz!!!

*
@ Zalphon - Thank you so much Z-Man!!!! Where have you been? It is so good to see you back on here! STAY this time!!! Lol.


*

*


Chapter 208: The Earl of Imbel



Uriel's eyes were confirming a question I hadn't asked; reaffirming his own words earlier, but not wanting to believe it was true anymore than I did. Words weren't needed, I knew without being told.

Maybe I'd known since I first caught Malan in a lie to me, when I wondered what else he had lied about. The first thought that popped into my head; the only thing that would matter if he'd lied about it. Fathis's soul.

There was no hyperventilating, no crying; it was too late for tears now. Instead I was consumed by a numbing paralysis of every emotion except an icy rage, my mind churned with it. I relieved Uriel the necessity of telling me.

"Malan took his soul." It wasn't a question.

He nodded mutely, and for once didn't tell me to suck it up. When Uriel took my wrist and pressed his thumb down I stopped him, looking into his eyes so he could see the sharp focus in mine.

"I am not faint, Sire. This is a rage so cold it will never die out. Malan is marked on my soul now, I will hound him to the grave. He will wish he‘d never even heard of me when I‘m through, he'll have to pray to Akatosh for relief just to sleep."

Uriel gripped my shoulder bracingly, flooding healing and rally spells through me in silence while my mind roiled with the terrible realizations; until a worse revelation hit with such force it staggered me.

"What is it, Maxical?"

"Janus just swore me over to Fathis! What happens now, Sire? How can Fathis set up his lair if he's a thrall? They can't mate...can they?" Even my love for Fathis couldn't keep the horror from my voice. I couldn't...surely Uriel would suggest another way.

Uriel shook his head. "I would not think so without Malan commanding him. Being Malan's split-apart, there is the possibility Hassildor can direct the action."

"Dear gods..."

The horrifying image of a thrall-like zombiefied Fathis mounting me while Janus sat in a nearby easy chair calling out moves made a scream crawl into my throat that I nearly strangled on trying to suffocate. An oddly high sounding choke was all that escaped.

Uriel reached toward me, and for a second I was afraid he'd shake me like he had when I first came. I braced for it, but instead he wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me against him in the compassionate hug a father would have given.

For minutes we stayed that way in an abstract silence where our thoughts remained in the privacy of our minds; but in that moment our unspoken shared grief formed an unbreakable bond and a new dynamic between us. Warriors beside each other in the worst battles are bonds that never die.






***


There was no doubt in my mind this was karma coming back to bite me in the ass for threatening Janus that way. I'd bullied him cruelly, and I've never been cruel to anyone in my life. This was all my fault.

I've known people who walked around for years building up karmic debts and never had it turned around on them. It hadn't been an hour since I'd been so hateful to Janus, and karma was already leaping on me like a hungry leopard.

“Something else Malan lied about, Sire; he couldn't have been an Arbiter. Arbiters have all the mysteries, he wouldn't have needed to send Gils' to marry me."

Uriel gave a slight nod. "Eyja and I suspected as much this morning on your return from Theryon."

"Maybe I knew, but couldn't bear knowing. As long as I denied the truth I could keep believing Fathis's soul was intact. But, I don't understand. Fathis's mysteries would stay with his soul, but they are protected by Azura. How could Malan access them?"

"Traven's tome may have the answer."

"By Dunmer law I may be put to death for Malan's lie about being an Arbiter. He broke tenets, but I have mysteries I shouldn't. I'll have to plead my case before Divayth Fyr.”

“You cannot go to Vvardenfell while we're at war with Malan, Maxical.”

"Yes, Sire..." I broke off what I was saying as the door opened. Uriel's and my head both swiveled toward the door like two owls. It was Eyja with the handsome man, his injuries all healed now.

They closed the door, but immediately it swung back open; almost aggressively. Janus stood in the doorway looking positively militant. The heartfelt apology that flew to my mind was overridden immediately when to my shock Janus closed and bolted the door behind him. Why was he alone? Where was Fathis?






***


I stared hard at Janus, trying to catch his cowl facing me so I could get some signal from him what was going on. He was very obviously avoiding looking at me, was he not going to tell me what had happened?

Maybe Janus was still enraged by my threats, but now my own temper was growing rapidly. I tried to send him the thought that I'd felt the clicking of tumblers and the nature explode within me like a tsunami crashing to shore; but being deliberately ignored caused the message of thoughts I sent to be so laden with curses that even I lost track of what I’d meant to say.

My eyes blazed ineffectually into Janus’s back, till humiliatingly I caught the handsome man interestedly watching me glare darts at Janus. He had an amused gleam in his eye.

I flushed in embarrassment and spun around; then tried to catch Uriel's attention. His head was buried close to Eyja's, they were discussing something in whispers too quiet for even me to overhear.

When I turned back around Janus's back was still to me, he was refilling his wineglass. He must have downed the last one like a sailor on leave.

For some odd reason that incredibly handsome man was staring at me hard, a look of challenge in his eyes and something else I couldn‘t define. Then his eyes fell to the blood stain on the carpet where I had bled so badly the night Nissy attacked Uriel and I took the blows meant for him.

As I watched his eyes traveled slowly over to my shoes, then honed in on them with interest. I looked down to see what had caught his interest. They looked perfectly normal; well, except for the brown stains where I'd wiped blood from my fingers...virgin blood, just like the carpet stain! Dear gods, was he a vampire?

My head jerked back up. No, he couldn't be. He had no fangs at all; and his eyes were as common brown as my father's, not pink or red.

His eyes then made a lingering trail around my breasts without even an apology! He missed seeing me gaping in shock at his audacity by the sheer length of time he was staring at my undersized mounds.

Finally I looked down to see if maybe somehow the dress was exposing me. I encountered more bloodstains on the bodice, these from where Eyja’s shriek had caused me to spill from the vial of my virgin blood.

Dear gods, he was sniffing out every drop of blood in the room like a hunting dog; did Uriel not notice a vampire was ogling my bloodstains right in front of him?






***


My hands itched to wing something at Janus's head for standing there sipping wine instead of protecting me from his friend's lechery. I sent a fuming glance at the handsome man, but his eyes caught mine and held them with a gleam of mischief that made him look devastatingly handsome. With those wicked imps in them dancing merrily I couldn’t tear my eyes from his. I found myself taking a full notice of him for the first time since he'd entered the Palace hours ago.

No doubt he was a Breton with those fully curved lips and rounded jaw line, and obviously enormously wealthy by his clothing. Unlike Janus, his hair and clothing were all the current fashion...no, better than current. They were trendsetting, and he wore them like a man used to being the one to set the fashion world scrambling to keep up. Everything about him was exquisite.

His hair was long, a glossy soft brown tied casually back with a ribbon at his nape. Women probably vied to bury their faces in it.

He raised one eyebrow and pulled the long ponytail over his shoulder, giving me a cocky half-smile, his eyes never leaving mine.

Had I said that aloud? I couldn't have...did I? Dear gods, he was the most beautiful man I'd ever seen.

The room felt overly warm suddenly, leaving me feeling disoriented and confused. I grabbed up a parchment off Uriel's desk and fanned the heat in my cheeks with it without even looking at what I had. Who was this man? And why was he staring so hard at me, especially with Eyja in the room?

The sight of voluptuous nude breasts in my peripheral vision caused me to look at what I had picked up to fan myself with, a torn page from a 'Bathing Beauties of Skyrim', Janus must have left it in here!

My cheeks felt like they might catch on fire from embarrassment. I threw it down and grabbed up something else...dear gods, had Janus brought his full collection into Uriel's chambers?

I had to force my eyes from the amused twinkle in the man's; and spun toward Eyja hoping she would open a window or bring me something decent to use for a fan. Her eyes were on the gorgeous man, and by her expression she had either mated with him in the past or hoped to later tonight…probably both.

Uriel stepped up to his desk, immediately noticing the strewn drawings of nude bathing beauties. For some reason he looked straight at me as if I had brought them. I glanced down at my hand and found another of them clutched there. He shook his head and signaled Eyja as I tossed the now crumpled drawing on his desk.

It was like a play unfolding. Eyja turned to me as if in slow motion; her eyes were alight with laughter when they sought mine and she raised her eyebrows several times at me before she introduced the handsome man to Uriel.

“Sire, this is the Earl of Imbel.”






***


“Dear gods…” I sputtered out.

Somehow it came as a total shock. I barely heard Eyja introducing him to me, and didn't respond to it; just stood gaping at him with bulging eyes. Everything I knew about him began flooding my mind. No wonder Evangeline dreamed of him. Eyja said he was the best bed partner she had ever had. He'd had a long running affair with Llathasa. Janus said Jak tried to buy Gils' mysteries, and that his spleen nearly ruptured when I sang. Wait, Jak? Yes; the Earl of Imbel is Janus's friend Jak, and the bird...

"DEAR GODS!" I choked loudly as another realization hit me. Janus's friend Jak; I'd fondled his privates at the Arena when I thought he was a bird, I think I might have even kissed them!

Where my cheeks had been hot and flushed they now felt like an out of control fire that no amount of water would be capable of dousing.

Hannibal and Uriel were both staring at my reddened face. Eyja was gawking at me in shock. They were making my embarrassment worse, does no one in this Palace know how to be discreet?

“Are you unwell, Maxical?” Uriel finally asked.

“Yes, Sire. May I be excused please?”

Uriel nodded. I surged forward, knocking over a low table and upending it. Two wine bottles flew in short arcs in opposite directions while the seven candle candleabra crashed loudly to the floor; the hot wax trail lighting up.

“FIRE!” Eyja screamed.

The small platter of glasses had flown to a point just short of the Earl, but sprayed the Breton's pants and left a puddle on the floor in front of him. In one smooth gesture he flicked his hand down the pant legs and took a quick step back from the puddle.

“I apologize, Sire…” I turned toward the door and hadn’t run three steps before walking into another low table with two sets of tiered candles on it. They flew, and I was thrown sprawling forward, bringing the table and the rest of its contents with me.

“ANOTHER FIRE!” Eyja shrieked.

Two hands reached down to help me up, one of them had a lace ruff at the fancy cuffs of his jacket. The other hand had just a plain jacket sleeve. I took the plain one, not looking to see or caring who it was…just knowing it wasn’t Jak.

Instead of trying to put out the fire I made a lunge toward the door and slipped in the spilled drinks, crashing against an end table and tipping its contents. The candles flew and landed on Uriel’s favorite overstuffed chair. Flames began licking up the trail of hot wax that had sprayed on the seat and back of the chair.

When I tried to stand my shoe caught on the hem of Eyja’s beautiful gown I had borrowed. It tore with a loud “RIIIIIP” sound. I hurried out, just leaving them to put out the fires and clean up the mess.

More karma maybe. All I know is I've never been so humiliated; having that handsome man seeing me stumbling around like a mad cow.



*



Jak:



http://knightleyemma.files.wordpress.com/2...t-1989-10-g.jpg




*

I liked Maxical’s icy rage when she finally faced the reality about Fathis. She is beyond hysterics, almost outside of herself.

I wondered when those bloodstains would come back into play, and here they are!


Argh, only Maxical would have seen this as a clue, and she was too dazzled to notice!

Yikes, what an embarrassing exit for poor Maxical. I was giggling, though. Naughty pictures and memories of bird fondling, lol!

Oh my god! Maxical was leaving me in stitches!!!! she's worse than me when a hot guy is nearby! XD

I'm agreeing with Liz. She's pretty and. I've heard of girls doing pretty dumb things around a good looking guy, but starting a fire? That tops if off

But I can't do but feeling bad for her.



She better keep her guard up though!!





Augh. Poor Maxical. She's gotta stay calm, but that must be a scary image for her!

What an emotional roller coaster for Maxical!

Even when she’s devastated, she is the unintentional Mistress of Mayhem.

I somehow knew that the fury and embarrassment-fueled heat in her cheeks would overwhelm her icy rage and eventually translate to setting fire to Uriel’s chambers!

...That's just funny...Yeah, I remember the feeling of managing to say completely the wrong thing at the wrong time...It's like...

Brain: ...Aaand now you know the perfect answer...Total devastating wit and charm in five, four, three, two...

Mouth: Hhhhuuuuurrr...Boobs...

Body: *Drools*...*Smacks head on doorframe*...

Um...Story...Yes...

Excellent stuff...

Loved the way Uriel comforted her...Loves me Uriel do I...

Is Jak really that handsome or is it some permanent charm spell?...I mean...Pffft...Not that good looking ...*Pouts*... ...

Aaaamywho, that whole section with the material-of-an-adult-nature* parchment made me laugh, as did the whole sequence of embarrassments following it...

Brilliantly done...

Love it!!...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds wholeheartedly*...

Regarding the story: That commentary on his hair. Women would just want to bury their face in it was wonderful. A very good chapter, Malx.

Regarding my whereabouts: Real life has been a hassle over the past few months. Between moving cross-country, dealing with recruiters, and trying to figure out my goals--I've been busy. But I think I'm settled down until my recruiter actually gets a decent MOS for me.

Maxical does like setting fire to things and blowing them up, doesn't she? Even ifEspecially when it's unintentional, and just happens to work for her. I imagine this fire will have consequences in the next instalment.

Waiting to find out will be difficult.

Hmm. My mistake then. The good news is that no matter if he erased the memory, Akatosh can restore it.


Well, Max. Karma's a [censored]. We'll see how badly she treats her

Maxical is having an emotional overload in this chapter. She might just go berserko.

I liked the description you have of the Breton fellow(Jakben). The part where you mention his clothes were extravagant that it seemed the world was behind in fashion was pretty good.

Of course, he didn’t make anything better. Having the hots(no pun) for him, she indeed went berserko! Ha. Only Maxical . . .

Aww yes. As much as I don’t like the pain this is causing Maxical, I am so glad that she’s finally feeling the rage Malan deserves from her. I’m excited about the possibility of this army Maxical now has permission to recruit/use. I shall be PMing some questions about that.

She’s confused about who Janis swore her to… Why does she think it’s Fathis?

Janus sat in a nearby easy chair calling out moves
Oh my god that’s horrible but so funny! I just see a goblet of wine in his hand while he shouts out.

I don’t see how they need to worry about Dunmer marriage law. Uriel’s the Emperor. If they demand Maxical to face some court, Uriel can just say ‘haha no she’s not.’ Plus, who actually knows what Maxical knows and doesn’t?

Handsome man = Malan now?

Ha! I hope she remembers that the handsome man is a vampire. Damnit! Why is she making excuses for him to not be? Gah, he’s already acting like he owns her. She needs to be a body guard now and toss the vampire from Uriel’s throne room. Or make some fuss at the very least. Like, ‘why the hell is this jerk staring at my boobs?’ Maybe he’s using a mind whammy on her. Definitely a whammy. I sure hope Uriel and/or Eyja aren’t completetely oblivious to what’s happening here.

Her fan!

Well, at least she got out of there… even though it started two fires and spilled how much wine?

*

@ Grits - Thank you so very much Grits! What you said here:

What a great way to phrase it! Yes, and despite the fire-setting and stumbling; that was a turning point inside her, in the inter-relationship between her and Uriel, and in how she is going to deal with Malan when she sorts out who and where he is.

Actually, Uriel already knows this is a vampire on his Diplomatic Immunity program, so Jak's reading her mind and sniffing out blood aren't technically a clue except to verify that he is most def a vampire. Thank you so very much again, Grits!

*
@ Elisabeth Hollow - Thank you so very much Liz! ROFL !!! Yeah, well she might always be a klutz around a gorgeous guy, lol. She has complete weakness to magic, and he was charming the living crap out of her with spells, lol. Thanks Liz!

*
@ King of Beasts - Thank you so very much Kobby! Right and right! Yeah, not a great thought at all! Thanks Kobby!

*
@ Acadian - Thank you so very much Acadian! BWAAHAA, I love your title:

Uriel took the fires much better this time than he did the last, lol. Thank you so much again, Acadian!

*
@ McBadgere - Thank you so very much McB! I thought it was funny you brought up Maxical's first entry into Uriel's chambers and starting fires the very chapter before it happened again, lol.

You are absolutely right, Jak was using his vampire charms and spells on Maxical. And don't worry about your looks in comparison to his, I've seen Firth's recent photos - he doesn't even look that good anymore, lol.

Thank you so much again, McB!

*
@ Zalphon - Thank you so much Z! Oh, you weren't here for the big discussion on long hair - I think it was on the "Real Pics" thread. - had to throw that line in there, I think Liz said it. Thanks Z!

*
@ Ghastley - Thank you so very much Ghastley! ROFL, you nearly ruined my monitor with your comment! We'll see, sort of, lol. Thank you so much again, Ghastley!

*
@ Darkness Eternal - Thank you so very much DE! SPEW!!! OMG, you had me dying with this! I guess she did go "berserko" - SPEW!!! Thanks so much again, DE!

*
@ King Coin - Thank you so very much KC! What a nice comment! Yes, she has finally gone beyond the pitying herself and is feeling the rage that will carry her battle against Malan (as soon as she figures out who and where he is). Maxical is a street fighter, she fights as dirty as Malan does - he is in for the fight of his life when she finds him.

She locked Janus out of Uriel's Royal Quarters and told him not to return without Fathis, and knows he swore her to someone. She thinks it is Fathis, and now just learned Fathis is a thrall. (No one knows Fathis and Foxy escaped yet).

You had me dying laughing with Janus and the wine glass instructions, ROFL !!!

Uriel can throw his Emperor weight around, but it wouldn't be prudent to use command force against the Dunmer race's culture. He can (and will when the war is over) send a correspondence to Divayth Fyr on her behalf that may weigh with him, but it may just ask to hold off the arbitration till her service to him is complete.

This is not Malan. It is genuinely Jak's soul in charge, Jak's personality - but he is using Malan's body.

Malan's soul is inside there, he will be there hearing what is going on to take over just in case Jak turns on him somehow, but right now Jak has full control of Malan's body.

She suspected he was a vampire, but didn't know it for sure till he was introduced. Uriel knows he is a vampire too, he sent for him to serve the Empire under the Diplomatic Immunity program. He knows it is a vampire - just doesn't know it is Malan in disguise, no one does (except us).

(and you are right, he was using his vampire charms on her).

ROFL on your comments regarding the fan! Lol, thank you so very much again, KC!


*
@ EVERYONE - For the next several chapters I will be alternating between what is going on with Maxical, and what is going on simultaneously with Foxy and Fathis and what they are up to.

There will be plenty happening at the same time, and it's the only way I could see to keep everyone up to date on all the factions as they begin to close in on Malan.

I also want to thank you all for all your support, it means so much to me to read your comments, really makes my day!


*

*


Chapter 209: Redemption From The Ashes


It wasn't till I reached my room that I realized I'd removed Fathis's ring when Uriel was healing and rallying me. I slid it on quickly. Had Jak used his vampire charms on me?

Eyja's dress I'd borrowed was ripped from hem to waist. I yanked it off and threw it into the corner of the room for Evangeline to look at; then with a hollow ache remembered Evangeline was gone.

It hadn't struck me till now that she wouldn't be back. She was my best friend in the Palace, what would I do without her? I'd never told her how much I loved her. The urge to run tell her now was almost overwhelming...but it wouldn't be Evangeline anymore, it would be that vile Amiela.

I slumped down on the bed wishing I could cry, but no tears would come. My mind felt inert, numb from exhaustion. Today had been a never ending siege on every bit of strength and willpower I had; losing both Fathis and Evangeline in the same day would crush any that was left.

The letter I’d written to Malan was gone from my pillow, but I didn't have to sniff the air to know Malan was gone now, Azura's seal was an excruciating reminder of that.

It had burned torturously the whole time I'd been talking to Uriel. Despite Janus's sulk and my rage at him, his presence had brought me immense relief. Had I not been bumbling around setting fire to Uriel's chambers I'd have yanked him out with me to beg for some of his juices. Beg, because Janus was refusing to even speak to me.

Enemy or not, Malan had acted as a comforter. His ancient aura completely blocked Azura's seal from the overpowering force of its reminder that Gils abandoned our marriage. I hadn't even needed vampire juices. Now the pain was excruciating, and would never stop till Gils came back or I died. Unless I got relief soon I'd not survive it, especially now with my willpower and strength so weakened by all that had happened today.






***


Hannibal entered after a light tap on the door.

“I had to help douse the fires you started. What happened in there, Maxical? Are you unwell?” Hannibal sat down beside me on the bed and felt my forehead. “You do feel a bit warm.”

“I won't survive the pain of this seal without a comforter, Hannibal. I can’t take it anymore. Where is Gils? I'm lonely, why isn‘t he here with me? I want to go home. I want my life back.”

“Maxical, your seal couldn’t have been hurting in Uriel’s chambers with two ancients in there. What happened in there? Does this have to do with the Earl of Imbel?”

I nodded, taking the potions for pain he handed me and downing them.

"I understood you hadn't met the Earl before." Hannibal prompted.

“No. Well...sort of. He was at the Arena in his bird form just before the war broke out, and I…fondled his…you know…his private areas. I think I even kissed and rubbed my cheek on him down there…”

“You fondled a bird’s private areas?” Hannibal's eyes widened and bulged like a startled owl.

“I thought it was a bird, Hannibal! It's Janus's fault for not telling me it was a man."

Hannibal's face contorted into a half grimace. "But to fondle a bird..."

I gasped. "No! It wasn't like that! I didn’t even know birds had private areas or nether regions, don’t they just come from eggs?"

"Where do you think eggs come from? You must have known they left droppings."

"I wasn't kissing his butt, Hannibal; I think he was sitting on it. He was on the roof overhang and that‘s all I could reach on him. His feathers were so soft, and he liked me touching them. Janus was yelling at me to stop, and you know how my temper is; I had to do the opposite. If he'd said it was a man I'd have stopped."






***


Hannibal just rolled his eyes, so I continued.

"Then Malan said it spread like wildfire through some vampire grapevine of gossip that I had molested Jak in his bird form. MOLESTED! And Jak said my singing nearly ruptured his spleen."

"You can't hold that against him."

"Maybe not, but still. I've heard way too much about him, I've even gossiped about him! I know explicit details of how good he is in bed, Hannibal; and that his being caught in bed with Llathasa was the cause of her murder. I can't meet him now, I'd be thinking it all and staring at him."

“I see. So setting fire to Uriel’s chambers and dousing the Earl with drinks has nothing to do with his excessive good looks?”

“If that was the cause, think how much worse it will be after what happened tonight! I just want to stay in my room."

"He will be hard to avoid; he's staying here on his Diplomatic Immunity. He has assured us he will aid in bringing down Malan."

"Diplomatic Immunity! HA! The man was a veritable hound tracking a blood trail in Uriel's Chambers!"

"Well for now he'll be staying in with Hassildor."

"With Janus! He can't, I need Janus to stay in here with me; I need a comforter, Hannibal. I won't survive this seal pain without one."

“I'll ask Hassildor if he'd mind staying with you, but it's up to him. He seems rather upset with you right now."

"I know, I need to apologize to him. I know he'd come if Eyja stayed in here too."

Hannibal all but glared. "Eyja is sleeping with me tonight."

"Urk. Oh. Hannibal, I won't make it without some relief. I need his help, or at least some of his juices."

Hannibal stood up. "Maxical, you know that is illegal."

“Being in pain should be illegal, Hannibal. What other options do I have? Please, just ask him to stop in, and to come alone. I'll need privacy for what I'm going to ask him...er, will you ask him to bring me a glass of brandy? That might take the edge off the pain.”

"I'll ask. I'll stop in to check on you before I bed down. If you need me in the night I’ll be in Eyja's connecting room.”

“Thank you, Hannibal.”






***


When I stripped off my camisole I noticed the stains of dried blood on my skin beneath it. I needed to bathe before going to bed, but the tub was empty. A search of the floor showed all the ewers on this floor were bone dry as well. The Royal Quarters must have been sealed before they could be refilled. Going to the Battlemage's floor to bathe was out as well then. I couldn't stand the thought of climbing into clean sheets while dirty, so lay down on top of my bed.

Hannibal had loaded me up heavily with potions, but they barely scratched the surface of the pain. It was unbearable. I began sending Janus thoughts, since he swore he was just a thought a way. I apologized; begged him to come talk to me. I made every promise I could think of if he'd just stay with me, make the pain stop.

No knock came on the door, Janus ignored my pleas. Instead an excessive amount of screeching and braying from Eyja made me realize Hannibal had compounded my embarrassment by telling them why I was floundering around red-faced and lighting fires in Uriel’s chambers. Even Uriel was laughing. There should be a law of some sort against physicians blabbing their patient’s issues that way.

The potions made me overly drowsy. I must have eventually fallen asleep, because I woke hearing Uriel's door opening and muted male voices. With a start I realized someone was grasping the handle on my door and opening it. Janus’s Colovian accent floated through my door.

The release from pain was instantaneous, filling me with relief and gratitude...and joy. He had come, I was sure that meant he'd stay.

Janus's face showed around the door looking even more angry than he had earlier, if that was possible. I ignored it, extending my arms toward him in warm greeting.

"You've come! Oh Janus, I've needed you here so badly. I'm so sorry for earlier, please forgive me for...ARGH!" Someone else stepped through the door. Dear gods, he brought Jak with him! I yanked the covers over me and sat up.

“What is HE doing here? I’m not dressed, he'll have to wait in the corridor!”






***


“Traven shaid you wanted a glash of...hic...brandy.” Janus mumbled, blowing enough wine fumes my direction to realize he was heavily drunk. His friend Jak waved a bottle of Uriel’s brandy. His eyes were lit with amusement. I turned away, feeling the embarrassment flaming my cheeks red.

“A glass, Janus; so you could leave me some juices. I’m in terrible pain from the seal. I really need to talk to you alone, Janus; what I have to ask you is private. Can't your friend leave so we can talk for a minute alone? Here, you're too drunk to stand. Come lie down beside me before you fall down." I reached to tug him down beside me, but he staggered back a step.

"We...hic...shomethin' to tell you."

"We! You mean you and him? Janus, did you find Fathis and swear me over to him?.”

Janus averted his face so all I saw was cowl. His voice sobered suddenly, the slur was gone when he spoke. “I’ve sworn my rights to you away, if that's what you're asking.” The raw edge in his voice sounded worse coming out of the cowl.

“Please take your cowl down, Janus. You know I like to see your eyes when we're talking. Now what is going on?”

He never did take his cowl down. “Before we met I'd already sworn vows to my friend; if I released you it would be to him.”

I thought I might explode, and all thoughts of apologizing sizzled in a flaming wake of rage.

“Like I was your property to give away? You stole me from my husband, Janus; from my life! Now you're honorable suddenly? What of your vows to me? Where is Fathis? And you promised to be 'a thought away'; but Azura tortured me these hours while my thoughts burned holes in walls, where were you? And this friend, does his aversion to Khajiit match yours?”

I saw some movement in my peripheral vision and turned to see Jak waggling that bottle of brandy with an enigmatic look in his eyes. I gaped at him, my face feeling like it may combust into a fiery inferno at any second. I turned immediately back to Janus and gaped at his cowl.

“Oh dear gods, Janus. I can only hope you are not saying what I think you are.”






***


“Traven explained why you were embarrassed. I should have told you it wasn’t a bird. I know Jak, he’s a good guy. He’s liked you since the music festival, you gave him a ring. He saved your life from Vicente, earned the right to be here. I’m going so you two can talk. Goodbye Maxical.”

“Hannibal told everyone? Oh dear gods!“ I pulled the sheet up over my head, but pulled it back down in time to see Janus reel and stagger through the connecting door to Eyja's room.

The sound of the latch sliding across from his side followed. Did he think I was going to break in there and beat him to a pulp?

I averted my face, but out of the corner of my eye watched Jak's movements as he set the brandy and two snifters on the nightstand. He slid the bolt on the entry door and then on our side of the connecting door Janus had just left through; then produced a talisman and an ornate metal burner that he filled from a tiny sack of ingredients and lit.

Jak went to each door and window, waving the smoker and talisman like a Moth Priest while chanting quietly. He did the same over the bed. At my gaping he explained.

"Blessing our lair as sacred grounds. The ingredients cleanse and protect it, and us while we're in it." He disappeared into the ell for a few minutes; then returned and poured the brandy, handing me one and downing the other. He refilled his, then sat down on the edge of the bed and raised it toward me.

“You started something, you know. Every ancient in town took to sitting on low eaves in bird form trying to get women to fondle them. Maxical, the thing to do when you fall off a horse is to get right back on it. It takes away the memory of the fall and leaves a good memory behind.”

“Huh?”

“We need to hurry and mate before Malan stops us. He is near, and will fight for his lair. We have to seal the blessing on it.”

I'd smelled the faint odor of cow manure just before he'd burned the incense, he wasn't lying. Remembering the horror I'd anticipated with Fathis being a thrall...surprisingly, I was relieved to have Jak instead.

“I need a bath, I spilled blood on myself.”

“I know. Don’t wash it off, I want it.”

“Okay.” I slid over in the bed and pulled the sheet open for him to slide in beside me.



*

I wouldn't trust Jak if Malan is waiting to spring up and take control at any minute...





Maxical should study the anatomy of birds a bit more

Where'd she think the eggs came from?!






She should REALLY consider tormenting Malan with her singing, lol.



Someone's jealous



I loved this chapter mALX! I was laughing quite a bit during the time reading it, lol

One question about this chapter. Can vampires get drunk?

She gets so close, every time, but never quite connects.

But with a plot this twisted, it would only confuse her. I can't figure out what Malan/Jak's planning next for Maxical, apart from a bit of interlude.

(Malan never does anything that has just one consequence)

1. He wants those mysteries of Maxical's, and already couldn't kill her for them because of that trick she pulled on him made her his chosen. He's going to have Amiela kill Maxical and trap her soul because the mysteries stay with the soul.

2. He needs to keep his lair in the Royal Quarters =

(Uriel was going to have Janus swear Maxical over to another vampire. They would mate her in the Royal Quarters/establishing their lair there. Malan would be blocked from the Royal Quarters because ancients can't cross into each other's lairs).

Malan would have lost his lair/foothold in the Palace and been blocked from seizing the throne.

3. He is dropping back 5 yards and punting = Malan can't get Amiela's soul out of Evangeline right now because Uriel has a trap set around her (Malan will be killed if he goes after her right now). So Malan is waiting it out until Uriel removes the trap.

4. Malan needs time to work up a new plan since Uriel caught onto him so quickly with the Evangeline plot. Evangeline would have brought him to the throne in one step (because she was second in command after Uriel), anyone else will take more planning or a full on siege.


*

I did say the "bury your face in it" thing, lol. Long hair is so...so...sexy.

So, correct me if I'm wrong, buuuuuuuut Jak is in Malan's body while he's impersonating Jak, and Jak's real body is still in Theyron.

The cow manure was because, well, it's Malan's body impersonating Jak.

You are exactly 100% right. It is Malan's body using illusion to look like Jak. It is Jak's soul/Jak's personality. The real Jak's body is at Theryon - in the dungeons, chained in a jail cell, and a thrall.

Poor Maxical. Her desperation is palpable, and matched only by the desperation of JakBeMalan to get those MaxiMysteries from her one way or the other!

So the lesson here is that if you fondle a bird’s privates, he’ll turn into a handsome vampire and slide in between the sheets with you! Heh, well, I guess it’s better than kissing frogs.

I’m still looking forward to hearing about Fathis and Foxy’s feathered flight from Theryon.