No need to justify her - I understand her line-of-thinking all too well. I definitely want to see how future events shape her point-of-view.

You are touching upon the real issues one would face in such a world (or our world for that matter.) The Oblivion world with it's intensity begs the warrior, poet, philosopher to delve deeper; to try to come to terms with what it means to be alive.

Many memories of conversations with Sarrah are passing through my mind tonight after reading this latest episode. It is a touching, painful rediscovery of the game.

Thanks for sharing.

Bobg, thanks for reading and wonderful to hear from you. :wub: I have pretty definite plans to feature a small, recurring guest roll for Angel in the future. It will be awhile though and depends on a couple things. First, I must improve my skill to the point where I believe I can do justice to her. Secondly, Buffy must decide how far she will dance down the dark path that currently seems to beckon. Speaking of which:

20 ---------- Signed in Blood ----------

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv43/Acadian6/ScreenShot19.jpg

In the dimly lit room, I studied how the tail of the arrow in front of my right cheek fit into the partially drawn linen bowstring of Slayer. My eyes slowly followed the shaft of the arrow as it passed against the side of the bow and continued to the head of the arrow. The tip of that broadhead moved ever so slightly up and down in rhythm with my slow breathing. It was centered on the sleeping form of Rufio.

Several times, I had begun to apply full tension to that bowstring. Each of those times, I stopped. I couldn't do it. I gently eased all tension off the bow and slowly returned the arrow to my quiver. Standing in the basemant of the Inn of Ill Omen, I now stared at the sleeping Breton. Lucien Lachance had told me that killing Rufio would complete the initiation into my new family.

A Family!

I don't know if you can truly appreciate a family unless you don't have one. I never knew my father before he disappeared. My mother died when I was twelve, and I had no brothers or sisters. Many were the nights I cried myself to sleep wishing I had a family, like other girls. Lucien had said this new family would welcome me into their loving embrace. I longed so much for that. He had even given me the gift of a beautiful dagger to demonstrate the love of my new family.

That's why I was trying so hard to kill Rufio. Unlike other people I had killed though, Rufio was no threat to me. He was a complete stranger. What did he do that would make Lucien want him dead? I decided I would ask. I moved close enough to nudge Rufio a couple times with the toe of my leather boot and stepped back.

The Breton jumped out of bed in surprise. "Who are you? What do you want? I ain't done nothin'!"

I quickly agreed with Lucien's description of Rufio as weak. Perhaps a bit of threatening would get him to enlighten me. "Oh, but I think you have, Rufio." I tried to sound intimidating. It worked.

Rufio started stammering pathetically. "No! Please! I didn't mean to do it, you understand me? She struggled! I... I told her to just stay still, but she wouldn't listen! I had no choice!"

"Blaming the victim, are you?" I reached for an arrow. Perhaps he would tell me more if he believed his life to be in danger.

"Oh, please, no! I can pay you! Name your price! Anything! Anything! Please, just let me live!"

My response was an angry stare, and to fit the tail of the arrow to my bowstring. This caused Rufio to run from the room.

I quickly followed, my arrow still nocked, to find him cowering in the corner of the next room. This changed things a bit. It seemed Rufio must have killed a woman while attempting to have his way with her. Given how much Lucien wanted Rufio dead, the victim was likely someone's poor wife or daughter. I flashed with rage as I imagined Rufio doing terrible things. Rather than thinking, I acted upon my anger and loosed the arrow at close range. Rufio was knocked into the wall in front of him by the impact. The sound of his soul being svcked into my black soul gem surprised me as his body slid to floor. I had forgotten that I moved the gem from my magic bag to my pack in case Lucien needed proof of the deed. That had been before I actually had to face the prospect of killing the weak, unarmed man.

I stared at the arrow, now deeply imbedded in Rufio's back, until my anger passed. What had I done? This man was no threat to me or any of my friends. The dead victim's father or husband should have done this! I didn't want to do somebody else's killing. I had enough trouble justifying the killing of those who were actually a threat to me. Unfortunately, I now realized exactly what I had done. The promise and lure of a loving family had allowed me to justify using my anger over his deeds to kill this man. Using the dagger Lucien had given me, I cut my arrow out of Rufio's back. When I finished the messy task, I was feeling a bit sick, but I looked at the wound to Rufio's back. Perhaps those who discovered him would assume he had been stabbed in the back instead of shot. I cleaned the blood from my hands, arrow and dagger, then headed upstairs.

Manheim was behind the bar. I knew he was a shady character and his silence would be easy to obtain. The only other person on the ground floor of the Inn of Ill Omen was the Redguard woman, Minerva. As seemed to be her habit, she was obliviously deep in her mug.

"Hail friend. Good to see you again. What can old Manheim do for you?"

"I would like a room for the night, a bottle of cheap wine and a cup please." I said pleasantly.

"Here you go m'lady. That'll be 13 gold." Manheim said as he placed the room key, wine and cup on the bar.

"Here." I placed 200 gold on the bar and lowered my voice . "Keep the change my friend."

Manheim stared at the gold, blinked, then looked inquiringly at me.

I leaned closer to Manheim, allowing the front of my brown blouse to fall open just a little. I tried my best now to sound sweet and even sensual. "There was a bit of a problem downstairs with Rufio. I'd really appreciate a bit of? um, discretion on your part should the Legion show up asking questions."

Manheim moved his eyes from inside my blouse to my face, then glanced at my bow. "Oh, I think this will more than take care of any problems downstairs." He then gathered up the gold and winked at me with a smile. "Your secrets are always safe with old Manheim."

I moved to a table and poured myself a cup of wine. I quickly drank it down and poured another. And another. The guilt was still there. I felt as if part of my own soul had been svcked into that black soul gem along with Rufio's.

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv43/Acadian6/ScreenShot21.jpg

The wine was gone by the time I reluctantly and unsteadily headed upstairs. I gently bumped into the wall several times trying to find my room.

As I started to get undressed for bed, I stopped. Anticipating another visit from Lucien, I decided to sleep with some clothes on this night. I hoped my new family would be worth the price I had paid.

Ah thats better my thirst for buffy stories have been quenched!!!
Well done you implented my feelings the first time my mage stood over rufio and wondered if i wanted to become a murderer or not (when i found out what he did i used a slow painful poison spell ) and that completely changed my char and i hope to see the change in yours aswell well done again.

Oh, that last line was perfect! I really feel for Buffy, your story is Awesome!

i wonder how she'll like ?

did i miss a post bcause i dont recall her meeting with lucien.

This is what I am writing for. If I can make you recall your feelings the first time you did the same quest that Buffy is doing, then I have succeeded. Thank you so much for telling me. :twirl:



mALX ! You have been with Buffy since before she moved to fanfic. Thanks so much for your encouragement and inspiration! :icecream:



:whisper: Her very next story will let you know. I expect to post it Tuesday. I apologize for the cliffhangers. Seems appropriate for the DB, but I don't plan on overdoing it moving forward.



No, you didn't miss it. The end of story 19 insinuates she will get a visit. The beginning of story 20 picks up sometime after the visit. A debatable decision I know, but I chose to skip the actual encounter. :shrug: It wasn't a pretty picture though. One scared and angry young lady standing there in her underwear with a robed intruder... :lmao:

This is new territory for me since none of my characters ever opted to join the family when invited. As best I recall, it didn't even occur to them to take the offer seriously. I like the fact that Buffy is evolving through reflection and not simply being directed from one action to the next. Hopefully, in time, she will begin to discover a life's goal.

Very good story writing. When i realized who Buffy was standing above a shock went through me. Cool. :goodjob:

Iam amazed by the turn of events in the last two stories. My vision was that Buffy was a sweet little thing who wouldnt blow out a candle. :angel:
How iam proved wrong !!
The next time my Bosmer passes Buffy in Bravil i shall embrace her as a loving sister of Sithis. Fantastic.
Iam sure that you are planning to balance this with other stories where she helps out others, but iam still excited by the depth of character you have discovered.

I have a little problem with the last part; she was too drunk too walk straight but she was clearheaded enough to realise she's be/could be visited by Lucien so she should stay dressed? Why noy just let her collapse clothed and all? Would be more realistical imo.

A fantastic read as ever, with the others I eagerly await the next chapter

i love your fanfic its the only one i read. i check to see if you made another buffy post around 6 times everyday.

A new story, and some acknowledgements.


:hugs: You have shared the nature of your characters with me. I truly hope you will stay with us for the next two stories, as Buffy's character emerges.


:twirl: As I have said, I get really excited when someone tells me Buffy has stirred a memory from one of their own games. Sweet little thing who is a loving sister of Sithis? we shall see.


RemkoNL, you are exactly right. I wrestled with it a bit. She was trying to dull her guilt and the knowledge that Lucien would visit her again. Collapsing clothed would have been a much better solution. Thanks so much for pointing that out for me!


Thanks for the inspiring encouragement! :dance:


Wow! Thanks so much for sticking with us! :icecream:


21 ---------- A Family - The Dark Shroud is Lifted ----------

A password? What a great idea! That would keep unsavory characters away from my new family. The red door had a lovely picture of a mother and her children on it. "Sanguine, my brother." I optimistically declared. The door immediately opened.

I was in what seemed the inside of an underground fort. Stone walls and floors, with gentle light coming from wall mounted torches. It felt a bit cold inside though. An Argonian women dressed in a beautiful black fitted suit approached. "You must be Buffy, our new dark sister. Lucien told us to expect you. I am Ocheeva. Welcome to your new family!" She hugged me warmly.

I was overwhelmed. In Ocheeva's arms I felt safe and welcome. Just like I had imagined it would be with a real family. I was fighting back tears of joy as Ocheeva broke the embrace.

"Let me present you with a gift." Ocheeva said. "It is a set of magical armor, darker than night and light as a feather. May it serve you well. Oh, and here is your copy of our rule book. Please, get comfortable in the safety of the Sanctuary. The living quarters are to your right and the training room is to your left. Get to know your new dark brothers and sisters. When you're ready, find Vincente. He handles assignments for new family members. His quarters are down the tunnel straight ahead of you."

I hugged Ocheeva again and headed straight for the living quarters to read my rule book and change clothes. I felt like a sleek black cat in my new shrouded armor. It showed off curves I didn't realize I had. I didn't wear the hood - I almost never wore hoods or helmets or anything on my head. I just hated what they did to my hair. I sometimes wore a black robe and matching hood outside if it was raining hard, but that was about it for me and headgear.

I started meeting my new brothers and sisters. They were all wonderful except for an angry Khajiit mage named M'Raaj-Dar. He was wearing the same kind of green robe Raminus Polus had given me. I didn't recall ever meeting him at the University though. He was quite rude. "If it isn't the newest member of the family. Let's get one thing straight -- the Tenets prevent me from killing you. But I don't have to like you. I'll sell you equipment, but only because Ocheeva is making me. This family doesn't need any... outsiders." I didn't mind him though. The rule book said we couldn't kill each other, so I just laughed at him and smiled.

The other family members made me feel right at home. I hit it off right away with Antoinetta Marie. We had much in common. She was not yet twenty years of age, rather naive and had been orphaned.

Teinaava was a very friendly Argonian. I found out he and Ocheeva were hatchlings together before they joined the family from the Black Marsh. He made me feel very welcome.

I loved my new big brother Gogron. He said he wore heavy armor because he was too big to be sneaky. We laughed at that. He also said he had Telaendril's underwear. I didn't laugh about that. In fact, I didn't want to really think about that.

Telaendril was a fellow Bosmer archer. She didn't mention her underwear, but told me to keep my rabbit away from Gogron. Curious.

What a wonderful new family!

I decided to find Vincente, and started down the tunnel Ocheeva had indicated. As I peeked around two large open doors, a familiar chill went through my body. The gaunt lower face, prominent cheekbones, golden eyes, pale skin - the figure in the next room had the unmistakable face of a vampire! This beast was dressed in black and had a claymore strapped on his back. He seemed to be deep in thought and had not noticed me. How could such a creature have gained access to the Sanctuary? Had our password been compromised? I had learned the hard way, in Gutted Mine, how to slay vampires. Reaching for my bow, I intended to protect my new family from this one.

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv43/Acadian6/ScreenShot26.jpg

"Buffy, NO!" I recognized the quiet, but insistent voice of Ocheeva behind me.

I grabbed her by the arm and moved both of us back a few paces until we were out of the vampire's sight. "Ocheeva," I whispered urgently, "There's a vampire inside the Sanctuary!"

Ocheeva stared at me wide-eyed, then blinked. "Buffy, that's Vincente. Your dark brother."

I was dumbfounded. "I have a? vampire for a brother? And he's the one I'm supposed to talk to?"

"Yes, dear sister." Ocheeva's eyes showed that she now understood my confusion. "Vincente wandered as a vampire for over 300 years before finally joining our family. His loyalty is unquestioned."

"Ocheeva," I said, "Is there a place we can talk, just you and me?"

Over wine, bread and cheese in her quarters, she explained the full nature of my new family.

My wishful thinking and naivete were dispelled, ripped away. It became clear. I was supposed to take orders from a vampire. And those orders would be to kill strangers, for reasons unknown to me. My desperate need for a loving family had completely destroyed my judgment. A dagger for a gift? Being asked to kill Rufio? A 'lovely' picture of a mother and her children on the door to the Sanctuary? How could I have been so stupid? Yes, I had heard of the Dark Brotherhood. What in Oblivion had I been thinking? That was the problem - I hadn't been thinking with my head at all. I had been acting as a naive child, wearing the blinders of hope and choosing to ignore things in plain view.

"I shall have to think on this, my sister." I said to Ocheeva as I slowly wandered back to the living quarters.

Alone, and seated at a table in the corner, I took out my journal. Perhaps writing down some of my thoughts could help make some sense of this. After staring at the journal for a bit, I just put my head down into my hands. I didn't know what to think. This new family didn't really know me, yet they accepted and loved me unconditionally. They were the family I had longed for. I was sure these? what did Ocheeva call them - contracts, were probably justified. Most likely, the requests of victims' families for justice. Yet, there was no way around the reality that the members of my loving new family were? assassins. Filled with despair, hopelessness and indecision, I whispered, "Acadian, I think I know the answer to this, but I don't belong here, do I?" I opened my mind.

The pages of my journal fluttered briefly, then stopped. I opened my eyes to the page before me.

The Buffy Doctrine:
Part I. It's ok to kill someone if I believe they are likely to kill me or one of my friends. I'm just not built for toe-to-toe fighting; If striking first, even from the shadows is what it takes to survive, so be it.
Part II. If you are kind to me, I will love you dearly; If you are mean to me or my friends, I will kill you.


"Yes, I know. You are right Acadian." I said sadly. "I will have to live with the fact that I killed Rufio, in violation of my own principles. Killing more Rufios is just not me." From my seat in the corner of the living quarters I looked to my left. I could see several of my brothers and sisters sleeping peacefully in their beds. "I will still love this family, but I cannot really be a part of them." I let out a deep, bittersweet sigh. "We shall leave this place in the morning."

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv43/Acadian6/ScreenShot29.jpg

Even though I had just grown up, I cried myself to sleep that night.

I continue to enjoy this story everytime I read it. I am one of those fans that checks this thread multiple times a day, and just can't wait for the next post. Keep up the good work!

:rofl: I thought I was the only with headgear "issues". I don't like putting anything on my characters' heads, either. I like how your character's story is developing.

This has become my favorite chapter so far; (in spite of the fact that we both have Ocheeva stopping us from killing Vicente! We must think alike!)

Wonderful writing, it really makes you feel for what Buffy is going through.

Yes, head gear is evil.

I also try to avoid wearing any on most of my characters.

Although for RP purposes I like to wear a hood in the rain...I don't know it just makes sense to me.

Hi Acadian,

I am about halfway through the topic now, and I must say I am enjoying it quite a bit. Your writing improved dramatically in just that short time. Every author has their own unique style of writing. I think you are starting to find your own and become comfortable with it. So keep doing what you are doing, because it is working! I cannot wait until I can get through it all.

I especially liked your story about Buffy's experience in the ayleid ruin, where she urinated on herself. It did a very good job of depicting her vulnerabilities, which in turn fleshes her out as a real, three-dimensional person. You are doing a good job making the character come alive in the page. Keep it up and you will be very happy (and your readers too!). You also do a good job of balancing real reality with game reality, not an easy thing to do when you start to really think about how different a video game is from the real world (which Sojourner's .sig puts so eloquently).

Also on the subject of urinating during a fight, I am not too proud to admit I did exactly that once. Someone came up behind me, put their forearm around my throat and commenced to strangle me. I was only vaguely aware of losing control of my bladder at the time as I had more pressing things on my mind, but that is when it happened.

Subrosa are you by any chance from total war heaven?

Ha, i knew that this was going to happen. And to think i redecorated the spare bedroom just in time for the arrival of Buffy. :lmao:
Promise me you'll go VERY evil on the next character.... Please ?!?

I did love the way you used the desparate need for accceptance and a new family as a way to introduce the brotherhood. A nice touch.

A brilliantly written work. Another character might have chosen a different path. What I like (and to me is the most important thing), is that Buffy chose on the basis of being true to herself. IMHO, that is the highest calling for each of us.

There aren't enough kudos to say how much I am enjoying this series but if this was a commercial fiction I would buy it and recommend it to my friends.

BTW: the additional touch of adding illustrations is great.

You said it better than I could have!

Some thanks, and a new story.


Thank you so much Dignity!


I am so pleased to see you over in fanfic. Thanks for reading. Did Buffy mention that those silly hoods also squash her ears?


Favorite? Wow! High praise, especially from Buffy's best friend! :twirl:



SubRosa, welcome to Buffy's world! Thank you so much for reading. I hope you will catch up with us and stay. I like your insight already! And thank you for sharing? Buffy appreciates the validation.



I can try to guide her a little bit, but she dances down her own path. :dance: Thanks for staying with us Wolf!



Bobg, you and Angel are what inspired me to grow as close to Buffy as I have. I can only hope to 'paint' with words someday as well as you do. I will work hard to improve and hope someday to match your skill.

*****
Please permit Buffy's scribe a rare prologue as we are at 22 stories and near 150 posts. I am overwhelmed by the acceptance Buffy and I have received here at fanfic. So many of the comment have brought a tear to my eye.

All her previous stories have required Buffy to sit impatiently in front of her fireplace, interrupted only occasionally for a screenshot or running off somewhere to check dialogue or scenery. I have simply been reporting her history - the path she has already traveled. Her future path will be determined by her, as she lives and adventures in the beautiful, but dangerous land of Cyrodiil. Now, I am not totally without influence. The seeds indicating the end of her path have been sown and are known to me. Her journey to the end of that path however, is for her to decide. I would not choose it for her if I could. And frankly, isn't the journey often more important than the destination? I only hope her journey is a long one.

The rate of publishing her stories will slow now. From this point, her adventures must be played, entered by Buffy in her journal, then edited by me for posting. I am also finding myself spread a bit as I support the Oblivion forums and some of the wonderful writers here in fanfic. Instead of the somewhat hectic pace of posting every other day, I expect a more leisurely pace moving forward.

If someone were to ask 'who is Buffy?', I would ask them to simply read this next story. Even though the span of time involved is less than one hour, it displays many important aspects of Buffy's character. There are no epic deeds here, nor heroic quests. She has arrived. The child is gone.

*****

22---------- Her True Colors ----------

With a cup of tea warming my hands, I was enjoying the quiet on the front porch of my house. The morning guard patrol was systematically extinguishing the flickering streetlamps, as their light was being replaced by the promise of the coming sun. Daenlin was returning from a night hunting trip with a small doe over his shoulder. Dressed for a local hunting trip myself, I planned on heading out just as soon as I finished my tea. I toyed with the idea of cancelling my outing and just inviting myself to dinner with Daenlin. No, I decided - this Wood Elf needed the outdoors. Some of the mages were up and about. Carandial was headed out, no doubt for more research at the Alyied Ruin, Anutwyll.

Pondering my exposure to the Dark Brotherhood had occupied much of my time the last few weeks. I had spent hours of reflection inside the peaceful comfort of the Great Chapel of Mara. I didn't share everything with the priests, but they had taught me the Ten Commands of the Nine Divines. Since they were priests of Mara of course, they emphasized the Third Command.

Mara says: Live soberly and peacefully. Honor your parents, and preserve the peace and security of home and family.

I set my tea on one of the posts supporting the rope railing at the front of my porch, and pulled my journal from my pack. Just as I had a map to guide my travels, I had a page of my journal now devoted to guiding my actions. I reviewed that page, which had been refined and reduced to its simple essence by my recent experiences and reflection:

The Buffy Doctrine:
If you are kind to me, I will love you dearly; If you are mean to me or my friends, I will likely kill you.

I didn't discuss my 'doctrine' with anyone. Most would disapprove. I didn't care - I understood perfectly what it meant and how to use it. And I knew I would live out my days by it. Putting my journal away, I reached for my tea.

I felt the warmth on my face, as the sun peeked over the walls of Castle Bravil. Beautiful shimmering reflections now danced upon the surface of the river in front of my home. I saw Kud-Ei standing on the rear porch of the guild, also enjoying the sunrise. Shielding her eyes to see me against the early sun, she returned my wave across the river. The wise Argonian guild head was quite perceptive, and always looking out for her mages. After I had returned from the Sanctuary in Cheydinhal, she sensed a change in me.

I remember what Kud-Ei had said. "Buffy, something is different about you. I see sadness in your eyes? and something else. I don't know what happened to you in Cheydinhal, and I'm sure I probably don't want to know. They say wisdom comes from experience - and experience comes from bad judgment. Somehow, it looks like you have discovered that for yourself. Your eyes show a quiet wisdom, and the scars of one who has paid for it. The wisdom is quite attractive on you, but I hope the scars will fade." Kud-Ei had smiled and gently placed her hand on my cheek. "I believe you have grown up, my Apprentice."

My city was waking to a beautiful day. Taking another sip of tea, I questioned why I had ever looked for family beyond Bravil. My parents were dead and I had no real brothers or sisters; However, I had finally learned that I had all the family one could wish for. The people of this city were my family. Kud-Ei was right. I had grown up.

A small disturbance by the Chapel of Mara caught my eye. It was City Swimmer, with a guard in pursuit. I chuckled. For all her 'sly sliding unseen' bravado, my wonderful friend was, quite frankly, rather poor at sneaking. She had likely stolen an apple or perhaps pickpocketed a septim while inside the church. I had seen this scenario unfold numerous times. If she had money for the bounty she would be home in an hour; If not, she would be carted off to jail, only to emerge none the worse for wear a couple days later. In fact, she probably ate better while in jail than she did at home. Sometimes I would intercede and pay off her small bounty. I would have thought by now that she should have learned to sneak better or give it up. Apparently not. My musings were cut short.

"Drop that dagger!" the guard shouted as he moved his hand to the pommel of his longsword. I watched as my heart jumped to my throat. City Swimmer was attempting to resist arrest! What was she thinking?

She lunged clumsily with her dagger. With practiced precision, the guard deflected the dagger with a left sweep of his shield. He drew his blade as he stepped back quickly to optimize his range while negating City Swimmer's. The guard then moved two paces to his left to place the sun directly in City Swimmer's eyes and declared loudly, "Drop it! I won't tell you again."

My tea cup rolling on the porch, I was half way to City Swimmer by the time she lunged at the guard again.

Once again, with a left sweep of his shield, the guard deftly brushed the dagger aside and stepped back. This time though, at precisely the correct range for his longsword, he struck once. The tip of his blade sliced horizontally through the flesh of City Swimmer's abdomen. It was over as suddenly as it had begun.

City Swimmer dropped her dagger, clutched her midsection and fell.

I slid to a stop on my knees next to her and screamed at the guard. "What did you do!?!"

"City Swimmer, can you hear me?" I pleaded. Blood was pumping from her gaping wound. I ripped off my brown blouse and pressed it to her wound to try and stop the bleeding. "You'll be ok my friend." I didn't believe that.

City Swimmer looked at me dazed, her breathing labored. Frantically, I grabbed a healing potion from my pack and tried to have her drink. It was no use - she was retching blood now and couldn't drink the potion. With each spasm, I could feel her Argonian organs attempting to emerge from her wound as they pressed against the makeshift bandage. She tried to speak. I lowered my face to hers. "Waterfront? midnight? Garden, Daraloth. Gray Ffff?. Her words trailed off. I channeled magicka through my fingertips directly to her wound, trying several times to heal her. The damage was just too much. She went limp in my arms and her beautiful orange eyes slowly closed for the last time.

I jumped to my feet, bow in my hands. Stepping back from the guard while nocking an arrow, I spat the words, "Why did you have to kill her?" I could recognize the guard now. His name was Gladius and he was perhaps 10 years my senior. Well respected in Bravil, he had a reputation for being firm, fair and totally dedicated to his profession.

The tip of Gladius' sword was still covered with City Swimmer's blood. He did not raise it against me now, nor did he position his shield to block my arrow. There was no fear of my arrow in his eyes - only grief for City Swimmer and compassion for my pain. Our eyes met. "Buffy, I had no choice. She refused to stand down from her attack."

Gladius had spoken the truth. There was no target here that could ease my pain. I unnocked the arrow and returned it to my quiver. "I?I'm sorry Gladius. I should not have threatened you. I cannot imagine what possessed City Swimmer. You did what you had to do." I returned my bow to my back.

The veteran guard quickly but carefully wiped City Swimmer's blood from the tip of his sword. A wet steel weapon would encourage corrosion.

Kneeling again by the lifeless City Swimmer I held her to me. I heard the sword being returned to its scabbard, then I felt Gladius' steel-clad hand upon my bare shoulder. "I'm sorry Buffy. I wish there had been another way."

I stared at the body of City Swimmer, covered with blood. After a long moment I reached up with my bloody hand and grasped the gauntleted hand that had killed my friend. I squeezed Gladius' hand and said, "I know." This Bravil City guard was part of my family too.

City Swimmer had spent her last moments of life trying to give me something. Knowing the contents of her humble home, I had no doubt it was indeed her most valued prize. She intended me to have this secret in return for saving her life on a trip we had made to the Imperial City. I never had the heart to tell her that a beggar had long ago imparted the secret of the Gray Fox to me. Someday, I would visit this Garden of Dareloth that City Swimmer deemed worthy of her dying breaths.

"Goodbye, my friend." I whispered to the not so stealthy, not so bright, but beautiful Argonian.