Undercover Invaders

By Bekka Mouri

Michelle walked through the palace, holding onto Sudan’s black leather leash. Around the liger’s neck was a black studded collar, a gift to him from Lotor for being such a good guard animal. He stopped suddenly, nearly making Michelle fall over him. ~What did you stop like that for?~ Michelle glared after catching herself.

~I sense something,~ Sudan raised his head and sniffed the air, his ears twitching wildly. A few seconds later, a pair of guards rounded the corner and froze at the sight of the beast. Sudan backed up against Michelle’s legs and growled low in his throat. ~Those two are strangers.~

Michelle looked at the two Drules. They looked enough alike to be twins but she could sense one of them was slightly older. The one on the right had scars barely peeking from under the collar of his uniform. Both of them seemed vaguely familiar to her but she couldn’t place them.

After a long silence, the one on the left spoke and bowed. “ Pardon us, ma’am. “

“ Sure, “ Michelle looked between them, finding the one on the right had his eyes fixed on her. She could see he was still youthful and did not have the hard look that most of the guards had.

The one on the left nodded, “ Good day. “

Michelle watched as they continued down the hall, the younger one stealing a glance back at her before he went around a corner. She sighed, wondering how she could run into him again. Sudan tugged at his leash, ~I think they’re here to cause trouble. I don’t recognize their scents.~

Michelle scratched the liger behind the ear, ~There’s so many guards around here you couldn’t possibly know them all. Maybe they’ve been around fish face and got his scent on them somehow.~

~I don’t know, Michelle. They didn’t smell like him at all.~

Michelle sighed again, ~You’re just paranoid. Come on. I heard Bekka came back from the hospital and I want to check on her.~

~All right but I’m telling you, I don’t trust those two,~ Sudan got to his feet and walked a little ahead of Michelle as they went back to the harem.

**

“ Wasn’t she gorgeous, Malacath? “ Peryite looked at his brother. He was still reeling from the beautiful woman he had met in the hallway.

“ Yes but we aren’t here to stare at beautiful women. We are here to find that girl that Master Dagon wants so badly. He suspects she might be in the harem but he still hasn’t remembered its location, “ Malacath shook his head, “ Hircine should have told us how long it would take for Mehrunes to access all of the captain’s memories. “

“ But maybe we could get in good with some of the women around here and they’ll show us where it is, “ Peryite ran a hand through his hair as he mumbled his excuse for chasing pretty girls around while waiting for Mehrunes to remember the location of the harem.

“ What was that? “ Malacath looked at his brother with wide eyes.

“ I said maybe one of the girls around here can show us where the harem is, “ Peryite looked at his brother.

Malacath smiled wide, “ What a wonderful idea! I just wonder how many near misses we’ve had so far. “

“ Really? “ Peryite’s eyes lit up, “ We can go after girls? “

“ If that will get us to the master’s desire, we can. Let’s go find that girl! “

“ Right! “

**

Mehrunes walked the halls in another part of the palace. He was weary from the lack of sleep he had gotten. The face in his dream was so vivid and clear, he knew Bekka had to be near. If he weren’t trying to blend in, he would tear through the castle like a madman in his bid to find the object of his desires.

“ Oh captain! “ A woman’s voice made him stop. It was the voice of the woman he had met right after donning his cousin’s uniform for the first time. He turned to face her, “ Hello, Samara. “

Samara smiled, “ You never came to see me the other night. Has it been so long you forgot where to find me? “

Mehrunes shook his head, “ Uh, no. I have been busy. I promise I will come to see you later. “

“ Okay but I’m going to hold you to it, “ Samara smiled.

As she walked away, Mehrunes stopped her. He smiled sheepishly, “ How was your friend in the hospital? “

“ Oh! She’s much better now. She’s back in the harem and everything is fine with her. “

“ Is she one of Lotor’s women? “ Mehrunes asked, trying to make small talk.

“ No, she’s one of the pledges. She’s going to be initiated soon and I have to get back to her. I hope to see you later though, “ Samara walked past Mehrunes and winked, a voice in the back of her mind telling her something was just not right about the way he was acting.

“ Right. I’ll see you then, “ Mehrunes smiled and watched as Samara walked away. Once she was gone, he slapped his forehead, ~I am such a fool! She could lead me right to the harem!~ He thought, trying to follow her discreetly.

**

Bekka lay in her bed, staring at the ceiling. She got back to the harem just in time to find out that Tim, Aly and herself were going to be initiated soon. That wasn’t what had her worried though. Hermaeus had informed her that he had visited Mehrunes as he rested the night before.

He told Bekka of the dream her stalker had. His tone of voice was like he was gloating and could not wait for Mehrunes to have his way with her. She did not expect Hermaeus to be kind though; he was a demon lord after all. He enjoyed seeing people get hurt.

The medicine Sarah had put Bekka on was keeping her calm and her mind clear so she could think. She could only see one way out of the situation but she wasn’t prepared to marry a Daedra. She hope there would be an opportunity to rid herself of Mehrunes that did not involve her getting hurt or releasing the demon that lived in the necklace around her neck. She clutched the blanket in her fingers as his voice seeped into her mind again.

~You are awfully calm, my darling. Considering the circumstances, of course.~

~The medicine Sarah gave me is keeping me that way. You’re being very talkative lately, Hermaeus. Is there something wrong?~

Hermaeus chuckled, ~No, my sweet. Everything is just fine. I just wanted to see how you were. Oh! I would advise you stay in this room for a bit. Mehrunes is following your friend and she is leading him right to the harem.~

~What?~ Bekka sat straight up. ~Which friend?~

~What was her name again? Samara?~

Bekka stood up but fell to bed because the change in position made her dizzy. ~No! She must be unaware that he is behind her!~

Hermaeus was quiet for a long moment. He sighed, ~Never mind. She just saw him and asked him what he was doing.~

Bekka let out a great sigh, ~What a relief.~

~But he will find you, child. ~

~Not if I can help it,~ Bekka narrowed her eyes.

Hermaeus chuckled again, ~And when he does, I will be right there. Ah! I can taste his blood now…~

~Just be quiet. I have to think some more,~ Bekka fell back onto the bed.

~Heh. Don’t waste your time. You cannot stray from the path of fate.~

~We’ll just see about that,~ Bekka shut her eyes and began to wonder if there really was no possible way to avoid Mehrunes Dagon.

A knock came at her door a few moments later. “ Who is it? “ She called.

“ It’s Tim. We have to get back to the lab. Sarah’s ready to start the tests. “

Bekka sat up, “ Oh alright. I’m coming. “