Awesome write, mALX...too much happening here to point out everything that I liked, but it was all so good! I can't wait to see what happens next!!!

@ Rachel - Thank you, and I know you have been busy, lol.




Chapter 76: The Secrets Of Labyrinthian


The room started spinning as it had when they went to Murkwood. When the spinning stopped Janus was pleasantly surprised to find himself standing on what could arguably be a mesa; high, flat, and covered with stiff greenery. All the surrounding mountains towered over them and jutted up to snowy peaks.

"Where are we?" He asked, admiring the view.

"This is Skyrim."

"The peaks of the mountains must block the sun, for I am not burning, although it is daylight." Janus remarked, surprised.

"The whiteness of the snow and ice all around us light it up so it feels like day. Look over in that direction, see? It is actually nighttime. It is one of the things I particularly love about Skyrim. The days and nights blend, so you never find yourself without enough light should you be traveling through. Come, let's get moving."

A castle-type structure was nestled in the rigid high-grass, and Melisande was hurrying toward it. Before she entered she cast bound armor and weapon onto herself. Janus did the same, and followed her into the structure.

Melisande pulled a compass out and began heading west. The further in they went the darker it became in the hallways.

"Where are all these corridors leading?" Janus whispered, remembering how in Murkwood creatures had attacked them.

"This is a maze, just follow me, and hush." She barely got the words out when a low growl sounded.

Janus jumped in front of her with his sword out, and quickly tackled the two wolves that were approaching.

"How did you see them?" Melisande said, the surprise evident in her voice.

"Vampires can see in the dark. I guess it is because we can only go out in it." He whispered back.

"Well then you lead the way, but turn when I tell you to. We are looking for a room with colored tiles, one of them is blue. That is what we need. It will really help if we don't have to light a torch, because if we do it will draw enemies down on us. Turn right till I tell you to stop."

When he found the blue tile Janus leaned against it trying to be funny. The floor disappeared beneath his feet, dropping him to a lower level of the maze. Before he could scream for Melisande to be careful she had stepped forward in the pitch dark and fell too.

"You pressed the tile? You idiot, don't touch anything. I said to find it, not press it!" She hissed, casting healing onto herself.

Janus didn't have time to heal. He had heard movements ahead of them and jumped up with his sword out. Three huge spiders were descending on them. A fireball whizzed by him and hit the one closest to him, but did not stop it.

"Good idea." He whispered, and began using a shock spell on them. The reaction was better than he had hoped for. The spiders died quickly when faced with the shock. In minutes the other two were dispatched.

"Melisande, are you just using a small fireball like the one you gave me to fight the duenna?" Janus asked, examining the odd spiders. "These?are?some form of metal. They are not flesh."

"That is all I have." She snapped, then asked, "What?" She stooped and expertly checked over the bodies of the spiders. "You are correct, they are made of some metal?I have never seen before."

"If they are metal, then how did they move by themselves?" Janus stood up, confused. He pulled two spells out and handed them to her. "Here, better take these. This one is a much stronger fire, the other is a good shock spell. It worked well on those spiders. If I had used the ones you gave me that day in the chamber, you would be here with the duenna instead of me."

Melisande thanked him in a muted voice.

"Hard to swallow?" Janus laughed. "I am sorry I leaned against the tile. What are we looking for anyway?"

"There are many hidden chambers here. The one we are looking for has not been found yet, not even by Jagar Tharn. It contains an artifact known as Glamorill, which means 'the secret of life'. That is what we need to find."

It took quite a while to find their way back to the square with the blue tile, and the gap was still open in the floor.

"What do we do now?" Janus asked, stopping Melisande from falling into the pit a second time in the pitch darkness.


"You are going to have to do this for me, Janus; or hold a torch so I can see. We have to walk on that tiny bit of stone back over to the blue tile. There is another spring, not the one you pressed. It will take us through instead of down. Can you balance on the thin walkway, or do you want to hold a torch for me?"

"I'll do it, I can handle the fall better, and move faster without you to get back up to here, since I can see in the dark." Janus slid carefully across the tiny ledge, pressing himself against the wall. "Would the spring have been used before, or is this the chamber no one has found?"

"This one would have been used before, why?"

"Because I can smell out what has been touched on this panel." Janus avoided the spot that had his scent. "This might be it." He mumbled.

A click sounded and the panel slid aside.

"You did it! Janus, I take back all the hateful thoughts I've had about you!" She laughed.

"People don't realize how many oils are in their finger tips, that is why I don't like to shake hands often. Each person's oil has its own unique scent."

"You may have just sniffed Jagar Tharn's finger oils, because as far as I know no one has entered here in over fifty years."

"Someone has. There were old scents and some new ones."

"How new?"

"The scent was strong, maybe days at the most. They could still be in there."

"Then we need to be extremely careful. Can you tell anything about them by the scent?"

"Male, Dunmer, five foot eight, gray hair, ancient, in full Daedric armor." Janus said softly.

"Janus, you are lying! You could not know all that from a finger oil on a door!" Melisande laughed.

"No, but I can see him standing there watching us." Janus whispered.

Melisande froze in place.

"Is there something I can do for you?" His voice was deep and quiet, cultured and aged. It echoed eerily around them. The tones were not friendly, nor were they aggressive.

"We mean you no harm, Sir. Forgive us for disturbing you, but we are here seeking a secret that will save a child. We did not know we would cross paths with you in this place, but as chance has brought us together; may we ask your indulgence for a minute of your time? The wisdom a person of your great years must possess is not often found, except in texts. Could you spare us a moment of your valuable time for a conversation? I am sure we would gain greatly from a conversation with one such as yourself, and hope there is something we can give in return that you may find beneficial as well." Janus said in the diplomatic manner that had won him the love of Skingrad so many years ago. My name is Janus Hassildor. I am the Count of Skingrad in Cyrodiil. My companion is Melisande."

His demeanor was that of someone who did not want to be disturbed, but would suffer them a minute of his time. "When you live for thousands of years, you need a hobby. Something you love always sparks your interest. I collect treasures; enchanted items and ancient artifacts. I have quite a few Dwemer pieces. If your conversation would benefit me, that is."

Janus looked at Melisande. "Do you have anything you would not mind parting with?"

"What are you doing Janus?" Melisande hissed.

"He has been here many times. He is seeking the same thing we are. If he has not found it in the many times he has been here, then we never will. He will save us a lot of time because he knows the false passages. If we help him find it, he may share it with us. Something enchanted, Dwemer, or very old."

"Janus, you can't possibly believe he is thousands of years old. He is playing on your gullibility."

"He is thousands of years old. That is Divayth Fyr. All those decades I was isolated I read a lot. I know enough about him to know it is him. He is here seeking Glamorill. Maybe he will know other things about bringing her back to life as well. He must have some secret to have lived this long. I will pay you whatever price you name of any item you give."

Melisande dug through her pack for something she would not need anytime soon. Finally she pulled out a ring and handed it to Janus. "This ring is both rare and enchanted. It is known as Denstagmer's Ring, and will give him protection against fire, cold, and shock. I found it in an urn in the Falas Ancestral Tomb in Vvardenfell."

Janus offered the ring to Divayth Fyr for inspection, repeating what Melisande had said about it. Divayth Fyr nodded, slipping the ring on his finger.

"The child we seek to help has died, and we wish to bring her back to life. We are here seeking the secret of Glamorill to save her. All we wish is for this. The artifact itself means nothing to us. I have powers that may assist you in your search, if you would be willing to allow us to join you. All we would ask in return would be just enough of the secret to save this young girl. I would also pay you handsomely for the knowledge you have already acquired in your search, as it would help us greatly to avoid the false turns of this maze."

"And what do you consider handsome?" Divayth Fyr asked, humor reflecting in eyes who's only indication of their age was the wisdom that could be read within.

"One thousand gold Septims to allow us to join you, but if you have gained any knowledge that could help us bring this child back to life in your four thousand years?I would defer to your idea of what you consider handsome."

"You leave yourself open foolishly young lad." Divayth Fyr sounded like a grandfather admonishing Janus.

"Yes Sir. I know I do. I do not think you would have lived as long as you have by being unfair, nor by deceiving people. Bringing this child back to life means everything - not just to me, but to her parents and her pet as well. She has brought joy to all who have known her, and the world will never be as bright if she is not in it. I will trust your judgment on what you know, and the price you set on that knowledge." Janus was obviously in earnest.

"Then keep your gold, for now. Let us discuss what I know while we walk." Divayth Fyr said, and began walking down through the maze.




******* Screenies:



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http://www.uesp.net/w/images/images.new/e/e1/AR-Img-Labyrinthian.jpg




*

I adore this chapter! Janus and Melisande make a great team! The back and forth, the hate and the respect, the name calling and the compliments, are great and well balanced.



OMG! This reminds me of Walter Crow Horse reading tracks in the dirt in the movie "Thunderheart" and telling the hotshot Ray Levoi that the man is six feet tall, white, and has fifty cents in his pocket, all tongue in cheek. Wonderful!

Yes indeed. So many delightful parts to this installment.


That is priceless. Especially for someone thousands of years old.



Divayth Fyr!! Wow. The tapestry you weave grows larger by the minute.
Awesome.

I was wondering where I mislaid Denstagmer's Ring!

Wow, Divayth Fyr just hanging out in Labyrinthian! Makes perfect sense if you think about it. You continue to be full of surprises mALX.


Truer words were never spoken!

How exciting is this?!?!!!

Thank you for the MW lessons and screenshots. It is clear you have thoroughly scoured the TES universe searching for the means to bring Maxical back.

This is wonderful. Effective, efficient and so perfectly written!

I can see what you mean when you say it will take quite a few chapters to bring back Maxical. What a wonderful adventure!

I am standing on the edge of my chair, hopping from one foot to the other.

Wow- mALX1 channeling Rumple- what with Morrowind and Arena(!) references? This was a tour de force, with your trademark humor, nail-biting suspense, and perfect characterizatons. And Divayth Fyr is added to the mix... if he ever meets Maxical Vvardenfell may not survive.

I just had to say this...

What if ... somebody had her Aunt Flo visiting, and MOONED ... a certain beloved writer of my, just above me???


Answer to the riddle:



It would be...




"BLOOD ON THE MOON!!!"


:rofl:

Oh, boy, Treydog will KILL me... and just when he was going to give me a free eye test, too...

@ Hauteecole Rider - Thank you very much! - Ooh, I haven't heard of that movie, is it a good one? (In other words, does it have good looking Native American men in it? ROFL !!! ) I appreciate your reading so much!
***
@ Winter Wolf - Thank you so much Wolf - I have been writing some scenes for after Maxical is brought back to life, and put a few things in there just to make up for all the torture I put you through over the DB, Eyja, etc. You are so appreciated!
***
@ Destri Melarg - Thank you very much Destri, I figured as a collector he would be there too !! Lol. Thank you for the kind words on Maxical. I have been writing her parts for after she comes back, and had to go back and read some of her old stories to get back on how to write her personality - I even had trouble going back into first person again after all this time, lol. Destri, I can never say enough how much I appreciate your reading!
***
@ Acadian - You ROCK Acadian! Yes, the Universe - exactly right! The few references I was able to find on bringing anyone back from the dead were obscure and hidden way back in the Lore - so be prepared for some time travel into the TES universe, lol. Thank you Acadian! You can never doubt how appreciated you are!
***
@ Treydog - Thank you very much! Get ready for Vvardenfell to fall, lol. Hey, it could happen - he is 4000 after all! Lol. Treydog, you are AWESOME! - Oh, and Foxy says you are going to give him an eye exam, uh... ROFL !!! I appreciate you so much!
***
@ Foxy - Yeah !!!! You are back!!! Someone mentioned earlier that they knew the "Aunt Flo" would not get by you!!! You have been missed, and you have to realize things go haywire with you gone! I have personally accused Rachel of being you in disguise, and written a chapter about "Aunt Flo" - and now Treydog is giving eye exams for free - not to mention Andy, who has lemons for everyone, but Danny - Oh, and I was forced into writing poetry to Rumple in your absence - we need you around here, the forum may come crashing down without you! Lol - you are def appreciated!

Chapter 77: Glamorill


Janus and Melisande listened enraptured to Divayth Fyr as he led them through the tunnels and corridors, never hesitating. When Janus heard enemies ahead he charged in front of the ancient and slew them before they could reach the Dunmer or Melisande.

They reached a room that was filled with molten lava. The tunnel may have originally wound through it, but now there were many places where the walkway was non-existent and they had to leap across the fiery liquid. Gas bubbles rose up in the lava and burst into flames that would shoot up suddenly, making the leaping across to walkways even more dangerous. Janus was torn between protecting Divayth Fyr and Melisande; and hesitating, knowing his weakness to fire.

On one of his leaps a gas bubble erupted below him, and he screamed in pain and just barely landed on the other walkway. Janus's leg dragged in the molten lava, and his yowling echoed around in the cavern. Divayth Fyr and Melisande waited at the end of a long corridor filled with blood stains while Janus healed.

When he was done healing Janus had to force himself to chance leaping over the liquid fire and continue on. Divayth Fyr turned and once again began leading the way down the bloody corridor.

"How is it you have not found the Glamorill yet, for you have been here many times, that is clear." Janus asked, curious.

"I get to the deepest section, and it ends in cells. I am sure there must be a spring latch hidden, but have yet to find it." Divayth Fyr answered, continuing down the corridor.

"But we have already passed two guard posts, and you said there are only two guards to the maze. So why would it be all the way on one side, or all the way on the other? Could it not be in the middle? From what you said of the man that built it, he enjoyed riddles; trickery if you don't mind my using that term to describe it. The biggest trick of all would be to set it directly between the two guard posts. People would continue to the end, getting killed off coming and going from the spot, but always pass over it."

Divayth Fyr stopped walking. "Go on, lad."

"Well, the place everyone avoids exploring is in the lava pits. So what if the secret chamber was in there? It is in the middle between the two, and everyone hurries through it."

Divayth Fyr's eyes lit with interest. "You have a point, I myself have never bothered exploring that chamber. What made you think of it, young lad?"

"When I was yelling in pain, I heard the echo of it coming off the walls around me, but also coming up from below me. I have exceptional hearing. I thought there may be a chamber below the lava. But how to get to it?" Janus explained, watching the genuine excitement dawning in the eyes of the ancient man.

"Let us return there then." Divayth Fyr said, his voice reflecting a liveliness it had lacked before. Where were you when you heard this echo, right out there on that middle piece?"

"Yes Master Fyr, sir. And the sound was coming from straight down, I will show you." Janus leapt across to the piece of walkway that was stained with the ash and blackening lava from where his leg had dipped in as he crossed.

The segment was too small for more than one person at a time to stand on. Janus stood on it and aimed his voice down in the direction he had heard the echo. "HEEELLLLOOOO" he called. The sound of his voice echoed up from below the lava.

"You may have found it, lad!" Divayth Fyr said excitedly. "But where would be the entrance? There must be a spring of some sort that opens a pathway down."

He and Melisande began feeling around the edges and walls of the main path through, where they first walked down that bloody corridor. Janus pulled a sack of Septims from his pocket and carefully tossed them toward the place where the echo had come up from. The first two made a 'plip' sound as they hit the lava and promptly melted into it. His next Septim made a tinkling noise as if it was rolling down a rock pathway. It was out in the middle of the lava flow, and off to the side of the obvious path through the lava. It would require a leap of faith into the middle of a wide expanse of lava.

"I found it!" Janus yelled, throwing another coin in to be sure of the spot, and then he leapt across into the lava.

Melisande shrieked when she saw him jump into the lava, and then gasped when he stood in the midst of it without burning. It looked like the lava was up above his knees.

"We can only go one at a time. Master Fyr, will you be able to make a leap of this distance? As hard as you have searched, I would not feel right about searching this chamber without you being there." Janus was looking down below him. From here he could see the path into chamber below. "There is an illusion spell on the surface of this particular spot that makes it look like molten lava; but all that other stuff is real lava, and will kill you if you land in it."

"I can levitate." Divayth Fyr said. "I have the Dwemer Boots of Flying. Do you have a way to cross, Melisande?"

"I have a levitate spell I can use." Melisande said. "Age before beauty." Melisande laughed when Divayth Fyr hesitated and indicated she go first.

Janus moved down the path to make room. It looked like only his head was sticking out of the lava. Divayth Fyr levitated over, and as he hovered above he could see where the illusion magic hid the path. He lowered slowly onto the path and began following Janus down, but like Janus did he waited so Melisande could see his head sticking out.

They began descending the tunnel that was carved in a beautiful type of stone. It was pitch black in the tunnel, and the stone glowed eerily in the dark. The light was not enough to guide their steps at all; instead it loomed like ghosts hovering in the darkness ahead of them.

The tunnel ended in an enormous chamber that looked like it was the ruin of an ancient civilization. The glowing stones in the large chamber were carved into shapes and set up in patterns, seemingly for worship, or maybe to channel magical energy. In the center of the chamber was a large circle platform with statues placed every ten feet or so along the rim of the circle. The statues appeared to be horned men carved in the same glowing stone. It was impossible to see the facial features on them.


***

Janus caught Divayth Fyr's arm quickly. "There is movement in that circle. Something is over there. Better let me go in first." Janus drew his sword.

Divayth Fyr stopped him. "Don't go in with your sword ready, that does not speak of a peaceful visit. Just keep your hand close in case you need to draw it out."

"Oh, I am sorry Master Fyr, sir. You are right." Janus sheathed his sword. He smelled the air. It was a scent he had never smelled in his lifetime, but he had not been out of Skingrad County prior to meeting Melisande.

The movement was coming closer, Janus heard many footfalls as if a whole village was entering the huge cavern. Suddenly, as if by magic hundreds of torches were lit in unison. They were outnumbered, fighting would be useless. Janus removed his hand from his sword hilt, but moved closer to Divayth Fyr and Melisande. Since he was Immortal, he would have to protect them as best as possible.

What appeared to be a man separated from the group and was coming toward them. His eyes were set too wide apart to be any of the known races, and they glowed red in the darkness of the cavern. His manner appeared to be aggressive, defensive. Certainly not a friendly greeting by his body language. His movement was fast, agile and lithe; but the others that held the torches stayed put. Maybe they could talk their way out of this.

Janus opened his mouth to speak and Divayth Fyr reached out and touched his arm, shaking his head no. Janus shut his mouth and waited.

The demon looking being approached and stood in front of them, his stance was that of a confronter, not a peacemaker.

When the being spoke, Janus looked over at Melisande to see if she understood the language. She didn't; but Divayth Fyr seemed to, and answered the being in what Janus assumed was the same tongue. He spoke at length and indicated Janus and Melisande with a sweep of his arm. Janus tried to look hopeful and friendly while wondering if they ate people.

Divayth Fyr turned to Melisande. He wants to know how you are planning to bring the girl back to life.

"I?her body has been kept very cold. We have retrieved her soul from Murkwood already. We are going to put blood inside her from this man, and I was going to perform a ritual, then on the Old Life this 30th of Evening Star we were going to try and find a priest willing to perform the resurrection. We would pay of course."

Divayth Fyr seemed to be repeating these to the being. The being was silent as if in thought. Then it turned toward the masses that stood along the circled platform and called something into the crowd. One being stepped forward. His eyes had a peculiar slant to them, and he wore a long thick beard.

"I am Lord Kagrenac. I would be willing to perform the Rites you requested." He spoke clearly and precisely. "There are some things you will need for the ritual that I cannot acquire. Will you please come with me."

The crowd parted for Lord Kagrenac as they followed him through the massive chamber to a long tunnel system leading to a series of smaller chambers. All the people in the crowd looked similar to him, with the slanted eyes and long thick beards. Divayth Fyr looked excited, as if he had received a reward he had never sought.

Janus caught up to Divayth Fyr and whispered, "What is it? You look like a cat in a cream jar."

Divayth Fyr turned to Janus beaming. "My lad, I cannot thank you enough. You have more than given me my dreams in finding this chamber, after all my years of searching. You have done something that was more than impossible, lad. You have found the Dwemer. I will take nothing from you or Melisande, she can have her ring back, please take it. For what you have done for me, I will see that your child is brought back to life. From what King Dumac said, Lord Kagrenac has some secrets on this. I also know some secrets on how to perform this. We will both help you. We will give you a list of things to gather, things you must have to perform this. We will arrive at Castle Skingrad on the day of Old Life. Son, you must promise me that not a word of all this will pass your lips. This chamber, these people, nor the service we intend to perform for you. Melisande has already given her vow."

"I vow my silence as well, as long as I have her back; that is my only care in this world."

"You shall son. Now let us get that list, as you have little time to gather it and quite a bit to do. I intend to come as well and help in the process of bringing her back to life."

"How will you get there? Let me pay for your transport at least. You have no idea how much this means to me."

"Your house must be emptied of anyone but those performing the ceremony. No staff. Melisande is getting the list as we speak. You have made me a very happy man, Count Janus Hassildor."

"I cannot say how much I have enjoyed meeting you Master Fyr, sir. I have dreamed of meeting you and hearing you talk for decades. I would be pleased to welcome you to Skingrad Castle at any time you choose to visit. Please feel welcome to avail yourself of my offer anytime."


*******



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******* The Dwemer


http://www.uesp.net/w/images/images.new/thumb/4/43/MW-art-Dwemer-Concept.jpg/466px-MW-art-Dwemer-Concept.jpg


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http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/oblivion/images/c/c4/Dwemerstatue.jpg



*******

Author's Note: The appearance of the Dwemer is incidental here. Lord Kagrenac knew the 'Secret of Life' and is also a priest that can perform the Rite of Resurrection on Old Life - which is why he was needed. But since he disappeared with the Dwemer, they had to be found in order to find Lord Kagrenac. Sorry for the over-reach, but the Dwemer will have no further part in the story, other than Lord Kagrenac who is needed for bringing Maxical back to life.


***

The Dwemer...Oh my...How interesting.

Huh? :blink:

The Dwemer? really? mALX! You are really digging deep!

How soon is Old Life? It can't come too soon!

Holy Researching Rotweiler Ratbags!! :blink:

I never knew HALF of this...and it's in the game - no, wait, it must be a MOD???

AND I NEVER KNEW... :shocking:

DANG girl you are becoming a Loremistress as well as a writer, a comedian, a horror harridan, and a master manipulator of mystery!!!

*as well as the mistress of mentrual misquotations, but Aunty Flo's berry sundae can wait for another day...or should I say another month???*

:rofl:

Lord Kagrenac:

"Here is a partial list of the things you may need for the ritual-

Wraithguard
Keening
Sunder
Secrets of Dwemer Animunculi
A spare Mantella
All the pieces of Numidium
&
The Heart of Lorkhan

When you have gathered these items please contact me through my associate, Serjo Bagarn care of Tel Fyr. Divayth has the number."

My head is spinning mALX! :wacko:

mALX, this was so neat! What a wonderful job you did leading us through the maze. And how clever about the hidden passage in the lava.

You are really building some anticipation and excitement here. The depth, research and thought you have put into this makes the 'approach to the return of Maxical' such a wonderfully rich experience. Beautiful!


This was so clever. It showed Melisande's hesitation of course, but I had to chuckle over the the 1000 year old pair (Janus and Melisande) realizing their 'youth' in the presence of Fyr. This theme was echoed as Fyr referred to the 'ancient' vampire as 'lad' and 'son'. Just wonderful. Well done! :goodjob:

Let no one ever say that the 'mistress of plotweaving' does not do her research. Wow. :bowdown:

Sometimes I wonder why you are logged on 24hrs a day. Now I know.

@ Arcry - Thanks Arcry! - so glad to have you back reading her again!
***
@ Hauteecole Rider - December 30 (game time) - Thank you so much!
***
@ Foxy - You are AWESOME !! Thanks Foxy, and so glad you are BACK !!
***
@ Destri Melarg - ROFL !! Well, I see one in there I will use, they already have the soul gem, so the Mantella is out, Lol. Talk about research, you even have dialogue! (not one that will be in the story, but looks really interesting!) - Thank you very much !!
***
@ Acadian - You are right, I made up the illusion-hidden tunnel in the lava and the secret chamber - but did not make up the room where you jump across the lava, I thought it would be a good place to hide something important, lol. P.S. Janus and Melisande are both under 100, or right around there. His vampire bloodlines are ancient, but he isn't. - now Divayth Fyr is 4000 years old, he is actually ancient in his own right. With Janus it is by proxy. The witch is actually the same age as Janus. You are going to get as good as Winter Wolf at sniffing out my plot lines, you are really on the ball lately!! Thanks Acadian, You ROCK !!
***
@ Winter Wolf - I was born to research, lol. I had done a quick breeze through before I killed her to make sure she could be brought back and saw a few things and thought "OK" - then when I went to use them later they were unusable! So I had to dig and dig to come up with a way to bring her back - and I did, too! Thank you so much Wolf, you are the best!



*************************************




Chapter 78: The Sage


"We need ingredients that can only be obtained from The Sage. We need the agreement to lend their powers from one Daedric God and one Divine God. Lord Kagrenac is going to provide us a crystal from the secret chamber in Labyrintian, that is what that strange rock is, and it has magic powers. They said we need some reanimate spell to cast as well. I need to contact Glenmoril Coven and see if we have anything like that. They needed a special item from Red Mountain as well, but I already have that. We have to get moving, there is very little time. Janus, you cannot come with me to the Coven. I want you to go see the Sage, and I will meet you there." Melisande ticked down the list for Janus.

"Maxical said Akatosh is the one Uriel Septim mentioned to her, that would be the best Divine, but how do you contact him? I have no idea about the Daedric Gods either." Janus mused aloud.

"The Glenmoril Coven is associated with Hircine, and we do not have to wait till his summoning date for him. I planned to do that today anyway because we need some other things from him as well. If he says no, the others can only be summoned on specific dates, and Molag Bal is the only one who's date is between now and the Old Life celebration. We do NOT want him." Melisande said firmly.

Melisande transported Janus to the Sage, leaving him in front of the fortress in the mountains. "I will be back to join you as soon as I finish up at the Coven." She said, and then promptly disappeared.

Janus looked around before going to the huge doorway. There were no gates around, or high walls. It was as if the Sage felt that if you made it here you were welcome in. It sat high on a cliff overlooking an ocean. Never having seen an ocean before, Janus went to the edge of the cliff and looked down, casting healing on himself constantly. It was a breathtaking sight, the sheer drop down to the water, which was as blue as the sky above it. Whitecaps crashed against the rocks below him mimicking the white clouds of the sky above. He had never seen anything more beautiful or peaceful than this spot. He was burning and had to seek shelter, but it had been worth it for the glimpse.

As he walked toward the massive door Janus noticed rows and rows of different plants, as if they had been cultivated like the graqes in Skingrad. They must have been. Continuing to cast healing, Janus looked at the plants, they were like nothing he had ever seen before.

Finally, magicka running low, Janus lifted the huge knocker on the door and let if fall twice. He could hear the sound of it resonating within, and felt embarrassed to disturb the peace of this place by making such a huge sound in the midst of all this quiet.

He expected a servant to answer his knock, and so was shocked when the door was answered by a wizened Breton with lively dark eyes in a blue robe and pointed hat that matched the seas and sky outside. They shimmered with minute reflections of light, as if gold dust had been sprinkled over them and threaded through the stiff folds of cloth. He held a cane of intricately carved wood unlike any Janus had ever seen before. The mans beard and hair were as white as the clouds above and the spray in the ocean below the cliffs; it floated out beneath his cap in a wispy halo around his head.

"You are the Sage, I know you must be because your appearance is that of the sky and sea, the sun and the clouds, you are everything I just witnessed on the cliffs." Janus blurted out. "Forgive me please, I must sound the veriest fool. I have just never seen such sights in my lifetime, and I am quite old."

"Come in, young lad. I am interested in hearing what has brought you all the way up here. I will make you some tea, the altitude up here can cause some giddiness. Please, have a seat by the fire here."


"Oh sir, please forgive me. I have no need of sustenance, I just never left the county I grew up in before this week. I have been isolated for many decades and have never seen such sights. If I am giddy, that is the reason; for the altitude bothers me not."

"Okay, son. Then why don't you tell me why you are here."

"I am here for a very important reason, the girl I love died. She is just a child really, just turned nineteen. I cannot live without her, yet must because I am cursed with immortality. Her parents grieve as well, and her pet. I was told that you knew of plants that could bring the dead back to life." Janus launched into his reasons, forgetting that protocol required he ask about his host first.

"Why do you eschew your immortality, son? I also am immortal, and do not feel it a curse." The Sage ignored Janus's breech of etiquette, but his eyes bored into Janus's cowl as he asked.

"You live in such a setting; and have the gift of helping people. My immortality has brought me naught but a lifetime of isolation in a place no where near the beauty of this one, a life of loneliness. Maxical was the first breath of life I have had in well over fifty years, and now she lies dead. I will seek any help I can to resurrect her. I heard that you did such for your own parents, because you could not suffer the loss of them. You have the knowledge of how, and I ask that you share that with me. I beg that you do, please sir."

"Where did you hear that?" He did not sound surprised.

"I read a book about you by Aegrothius Goth. And I know your own immortality was created through your own research. I am not worried about her being immortal, just alive. Her immortality I can give to her myself."

"Have you sought the help of others?" He asked as if he knew the answer already.

"I have sir, and they have agreed to help. But I cannot disclose who they are, as they have asked I do not. They are immortal as well, and do not wish their presence brought attention to, if you understand that."

"I well understand it. And you say they have agreed to help? Then why do you seek my help still?" For the first time he sounded surprised.

"They said because of the nature of their recluse, they cannot get out to find certain ingredients. These are not of the normal variety, and can only be found in very rare places that are hard to get to. Her resurrection must be done in a ceremony on the 'Old Life'. This leaves us little time to pursue these rare ingredients. I was advised you may have access to these." Janus handed him the list Melisande had given him.

"And have you found a priest to perform this ceremony? Has he agreed?" The Sage seemed to be challenging him.

"Yes sir. He is one that is immortal and wishes not to be known." Janus wished he could give a name to verify his truthfulness, but he had given his word.

"I know of only one priest that fit's the immortal description that knows these ingredients. He and his people died in a great battle on Red Mountain."

"I am sorry, I have given my word and cannot break it. I will do nothing that could hinder her being brought back to life." Janus was firm.

"And if I was to help you, you would assure me that my name would never be connected with this, in the same way that you staunchly support your promise to the others?"

For the first time since he entered Janus had hope that the Sage would help him. "Absolutely, my word of honor as a gentleman. I will never divulge the names of anyone who has helped me. I just want the child to live again, that is my only interest. As I said, I live as a recluse. I am sending my staff away for one week so no one will be there when they arrive but myself and Melisande. She is doing an incantation prior to the ceremony."

"I am willing to give you these ingredients. I may wish to witness the event as well." The Sage mused, as if thinking aloud.

"You would be more than welcome to visit anytime you desire sir, and certainly yes for the ceremony if they would approve. I will ask Melisande to go there and ask them if they would not mind your presence. Because they have asked that they not be known, I cannot just extend the invitation to you without their express permission sir."

"Well son, you have passed the test. Divayth Fyr, you may come out now." He said in no more than a conversational tone.

Janus looked stunned as he watched the large wall of bookshelves slide slowly out, as if on a track. Janus had never seen anything like that before.

"My tower here had some help in its design from masters in ways to magically make things work for themselves. I believe you have already met the Dwemer. They helped me build this fortress. I have known their secret and kept it for quite some time now."

Divayth Fyr stepped from behind the bookshelf. The joy Janus felt at seeing the old Dunmer again was genuine. He had come to like the man very well. "Sir, it is wonderful to see you again. I am very surprised to be meeting you here." Janus said, standing up and offering his seat to him.

"I imagine you are, son. I duly give my permission for Gyron to join us for the ceremony. You know him as the Sage, but I have known him as Gyron Vardengroet throughout his lifetime. Lord Kagrenac is here as well. I was quite surprised myself to find out they already knew each other. We have discussed with Gyron what we plan, and what we need. He has the satchels of ingredients gathered already. Send the staff from your castle the day before the ceremony. That way the place will be clean right up till we arrive. Have them clean and ready the guest rooms and have meals cooked up in advance for our visit. We will arrive that evening."

"It will be done as you ask. I will give them all a paid holiday that they can be amongst their own for the 'Old Life'. We still lack the approval of a Divine and a Daedric God. Melisande plans to summon Hircine. I think we should request Akatosh for the Divine; if it is true, Maxical said he has an interest in her. I just don't know how something like that would be done. I am not?affiliated with any faith. Do I just go to a shrine in the wilderness?"

"I am afraid it is not as simple as that. You must petition Akatosh. Or someone can do it on your behalf." Divayth Fyr said, then added, "didn't you tell me that her father prays to Akatosh?"

"Yes. From what Maxical said, it was his prayers to Akatosh that caused Uriel Septim to see her in his dreams. She has given a vow of service to him based on those dreams. Something about road work in Cyrodiil."


***

The plot thickens...... Divayth Fyr and the Dwemer.... Wow.
I guess Lord Fyr needed a new hobby after the disappearance of the Blight and the Corprus disease... nice one! :icecream:

Road work? Really? Come to think of it, some of those roads are looking pretty shabby lately. Somebody's got to clean up the dead bandits and creatures!

You continue to bring a smile to my face as I read Maxical's story. I just can't wait for her to come back and start interacting with all these wonderful characters you've created!

First Divayth Fyr, then Lord Kagrenac, and now Sage Vardengroet! This is sounding like a roll call of all the coolest characters in The Elder Scroll's universe. You decision to make the fortress of partial Dwarven (or is it Dwemer?) design was especially interesting to me. I agree with haute in that I can't wait for those first conversations between Maxical and Melisande and Maxical and Janus (is she going to be pissed at him or what? :flame: ).

Oh what fun this is getting to be! Secret meetings and sliding doors and surprises popping out of bookshelves.

Your initial description of the Sage was beautiful!

A role call of the greatest characters indeed! I eagerly await the next chapter, as always.

Oh, and , as Arcadian has stated, wonderful work on The Sage.

Just when I thought this could not get more EPIC you are now bringing in a petition to Akatosh. Wow!!

I...am...in...awe.


:rofl: Oh, come on, it would have been fun!!!

**imagines Molag Bal 'coming' in to 'do his thing' on Vincente just as Vincente is about to deflower Maxical**


** DFOXY's imagination is now rated XXX **


:rofl:

@ RemkoNL - Yeah Remko, you are back!!! Lol. I figured if he lived 4000 years before Morrowind, he must still be alive; I may as well put him to good use, lol. Thanks Remko!
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@ Hauteecole Rider - ROFL - well, Maxical thought she had to do some kind of Community Service as punishment for murdering Rufio and helping all the prisoners escape from the Imperial City Prison - she still doesn't get it obviously, lol. Thank you very much Hauty!
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@ Destri Melarg - I loved Divayth Fyr and Sage Vardengroet from the first times I read about them - anyone who has lived that long deserves to keep being heard about. Lord Kagrenac was an enigma - too intelligent - and I know he is behind the mystery of the Dwemer's disappearance - so had to have him in there, lol. Thank you so much Destri, You ROCK !!!
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@ Acadian - Thank you Acadian - I studied him very hard to get an exact description of his appearance since there were no pics. There are numerous secrets to his fortress...hmmm!! You are greatly appreciated!
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@ Arcry - Thank you so much, and it is so great to have you BACK !!! You have been missed!
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@ Winter Wolf - I have something even bigger than that coming up one chapter after the next, I can't wait for you to see it! I really studied everything about the (one after next) chapter coming up: vids, pics, lore - to get everything down exactly - and really love what came out (I hope everyone else does too!) Wolf, you are so appreciated, and so Awesome!
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@ Foxy - ROFL - Quick: Treydog! Where is that free eye exam? ARF! Lol. Oh, I may need to learn more about Molag Bal from your comment, lol. - I am reminded of a line from the song "Thunder Road" but won't sing it, ROFL - (BTW, I left you a coded message on Andy's site, hope you get a good laugh from it, lol). You are always appreciated Foxy!!