Chapter 25: The Fuel And The Fire
"Is it like a blocked channel? Can't you just splice one channel into the other somehow and make it work?" I looked up at Hannibal from the text that detailed my disorder.
"Interesting concept."
"What is this part about vampires?"
"Some ancient vampires use alternative healing methods. I know one and have made an appointment to talk to him about you."
"Subject A/JH? I read about him when you confined me up here for my ill deeds."
Hannibal caught the gleam of mischief in my eyes. "Wicked girl."
"I didn't tell anyone, not even Delphine, but the rest of my time here I thought of you as a super hero leading a double life. Mild mannered Dean of the University by day, but at night…tada…he becomes the super research scientist delving through the dark underworld of vampirism to find a cure for the dreaded disease. I even pictured you donning a long white cloak that had magical properties so you could fly out of danger."
Hannibal was in stitches laughing.
"The advantage of not being your student anymore, I get to see the imps dance in your eyes now." I smiled, taking the new ring from him and sliding it on my finger. "Oh, that is much more powerful!"
"Yes, I exceeded limits on it because of your disorder. You will need that extra boost. Now this is the ring I enchanted to give away. Watch this little trick, you will love it!"
He lifted a huge scroll and tapped the ring with it, then tossed the ring on the ground. The ring bounced and then began trembling. Suddenly it was spewing rings like a flower unfolding in fast motion, or maybe a fountain. There were hundreds of them!
"GAAAH! I love it!"
"Get that small crate over there, let's get these picked up." Hannibal's help consisted of sitting in his chair sipping wine and pointing out rings to me. "Look over there, a whole stack you missed under that chair."
"You'll be stepping on rings for a year." I laughed. "Thank you Hannibal. You may have saved me with Fathis." I gave him a hug and hurried out, balancing the crate awkwardly.
As I cut across to the Arena I saw Hassiri from the Courier. No guards were about so I dispelled the chameleon. He hesitated then came up to me, obviously miffed I avoided interviewing with him when I left the jail. He had his pad raised, meaning what I said would be on the record. I reached over and pulled his arm down.
"Would you mind speaking to me off the record for a second Hassiri? I just wanted to apologize to you. Khajiit don't fare well in prisons, the torture chambers for beasts like me. When they took me from my cell in the middle of the night I was sure that was going to happen, so I went invisible and escaped. I am so sorry, and feel terrible for your time wasted. I want to make it up to you. There is the possibility of an advance story as well, but I am promising you an exclusive. What I'm going to show you is the exclusive, and has to remain top secret until we give you the signal. I want you to be the first to see these, I'll be passing them out the first day of the music festival. Here, take one for each of your brothers too."
"This is that ring! The one the Gray Prince gave you! You have a whole crate of them?"
"Yes, it is a promotion we are doing for my return to the Arena and also the debut of a musical group from the Arcane. Possibly why Agronak didn't feel comfortable commenting, although I'm unsure of his motives. I could not stay to talk to you that day, Fathis saw Agronak give me the ring and misunderstood, I had to catch him. You probably have already figured out that I am promised to Fathis."
"I had heard something along those lines. Will you give me the exclusive on that when you go public with it?"
"Definitely for the announcement, and you and your brothers will have front row seats reserved for you at the ceremony as well."
"Thank you." He relaxed, the irritation abated. "Now tell me about this box of rings."
"We don't have all the details worked out yet on this promotion, something like giving a ring to whoever vows to make their wager on me my return match. Agronak picked up a ring from Ris and gave it to me to use as a template. I took it down to the Arcane and had all these made up. They are enchanted, try it on."
"Tee-hee-hee! That feels good!" He slid it back off. "That is a real ebony band and a real diamond! Do you know how much these are worth?"
"They were over 200 Septims before the enchantment. With it they will be well over 800. Because of their value this can't come out beforehand, we could be vulnerable to a robbery. I'd like you to cover the promotion at the festival when we distribute these, if you would."
"This is some promotion! How can the Blue team afford it?"
"The Arcane is donating it as a duel promotion. Arch Mage Hannibal Traven has been following my progress in the Arena and supervising my injured status. It is to mark my return to the Arena. The second reason is that they are promoting the debut of a group of mages from the Arcane for the music festival. They combine music and magic."
"Is that the advance story you mentioned?"
"Arch Mage Traven would love the publicity for his mages, I believe he may give you an advance story and an interview with them. I owe you a big one for bypassing you tonight, I know that. I'll give you the details on the ring promotion as soon as I can. I just want you to know how sorry I am that I had to do that to you."
"It is the truth about the torture chambers. You were right to be afraid. I have never seen anyone released at night before myself. If it was me in there and they came in the night, I would have run too."
"Thank you for understanding. Here, take a few extra rings in case you want to give one to someone. I'll be giving you several passes for my return match as well. I'd be proud to have you and your brothers in my cheering section. Now, if you would like an interview we can get back on the record." I pushed his pad back up.
Andronicus had taught me a lot since my last botched interview.
******* Hassiri
Hassiri hurried to the office after talking with Maxical. "Stop the presses! We are going to go at that story from another angle."
******* Agronak * After The Hearing, thinking back on the past weeks.
Maxical's expression when she was led into the hearing in shackles was Agronak's first clue he had made a huge mistake. Instead of being terrified or crying she had a cold simmering anger. She couldn't know…unless Gils told her.
Then the Elders refused to let him drop the charges. At the end of the hearing it was clear things had gone beyond his control. Maxical had not shed one tear, nor even looked like she held any back. Not once had she radiated fear or discomfort at the proceedings, instead she seemed to be controlling them. Nothing had gone as planned.
The door to the Yellow team Bloodworks fell open, the latch shattered. The Pits that usually swarmed him like gnats looked down and turned away. Some of the ranked fighters made comments under their breath. Horski made several loud derogatory comments in her brashy Nordish brogue.
Only one person could be blamed for why everything was going so wrong now…Gils. He had been up to his tricks, putting the pressure on Agronak. Gils was locked in that Bloodworks nightly with her, using that time to further his game with Maxical. History was repeating itself. Agronak's spy network of Pits had been bringing him plenty of information for weeks. Gils had started bathing at the same time she did, romping and joking with her.
Gils had been getting Andronicus drunk every night, keeping her passed out. Agronak didn't need the spies for that information. Her smell and the urine soaked mattress proved that. Gils was forcing the game on.
******* Before the death of Agronak's mother
Maxical was dumb as a stump, and what she lacked Gils had in abundance. He was smart and tricky, slimy as an eel when he wanted something. Agronak knew he had to get Maxical away from Gils. And that is when the pressure started. That pressure was the catalyst that drove Agronak's actions when everything started going downhill. It's what caused everything to go wrong. Gils.
It had all come to a head one night, that was the turning point when Agronak knew he had to act. Agronak had spotted Gils at the Feed Bag and dragged him outside. "What do you think you're doing Gils? Don't play me and think to live." Agronak loomed his huge frame over Gils.
"What makes you think I've been playing you? Maybe your Pit Dog spies are lying to you. Did you ever consider they say what you want to hear because you only pay them if they confirm your suspicions?"
"Don't play your tricks on me Gils, I know them all. I know you well enough to know it's the truth." Agronak slammed the flat of his hand against Gils chest. "Leave her alone Gils. This is my game, now step off!"
"You're changing the rules Aggie. What gives you the right to threaten me?"
"You think this is a threat? It's not. Drop it Gils, while you can."
"What's the deal Aggie? You breaking your promise to me?"
"I'll tell you what the [censored] deal is, that [censored] is too dumb to figure out something is supposed to be happening that isn't. She's got Fathis Aren of all people chasing us, making scenes that draw the press. I look like a god coming out on top over a man with his reputation with women. My Box Office is higher than it ever has been. Now back off. You can have anyone, I need this one. Back off or you'll regret it."
"Why get rid of Fathis if he helps you?"
"Because if I have to plaster a sweet smile on my face while she drones on and on about Fathis much more I will strangle someone. Fathis isn't needed anymore."
"What'll you do, the ring trick? Ris leaves in five days. But, since you say she is so dumb, you could probably give her Hamlof's crap and she wouldn't know." Gils eyes pierced into Agronak's.
"She wouldn't know [censored], but Hassiri and Fathis would. It has to be done right."
"Let me ask you something Aggie…these Pit spies are telling you all this is going on…has she told you anything is? You say she's dumb, but if it was really going on and she didn't tell you, wouldn't that mean you're being played? You are throwing the gauntlet down here, so shouldn't you think about that?"
Agronak pinned Gils hard against the wall behind him, crushing him against it with his massive hand in Gils' chest. "She doesn't have the brains to pull one over on me, and neither do you."
"Well I'm relieved you aren't spouting love and poetry."
"Shut up mother [censored]."
"What about me?"
"Here, take twenty Septims and go down to Luther Broads, I don't give a [censored] what you do."
"Shove those Septims up your [censored] Aggie." Gils fist shot out like lightning and knocked the sack into the street. "I'm holding you to your promise. You say you know my tricks, well I know yours too."
"You going to tell her? Don't dare do it Gils. You don't want to see what will happen if you push me too far."
"I don't take well to threats Aggie."
"You won't live Gils."
"You forget who you're talking to." Gils pushed off the wall and brushed by Agronak.
The sack had broken when Gils hit it. Agronak was picking the Septims up off the road when the thought suddenly occurred to him that Gils had never actually denied it. He ran after him but was too late. The door to the Bloodworks slammed shut before he could reach it. Agronak punched the door. He had to get Maxical out of that Bloodworks and fast.