This was great! (I knew it would be, lol).

That was good. That first screenshot of Buffy and the dead Troll was simply marvelous.

"I could open any lock in Cyrodiil with a spell."

So does this mean that Buffy has a custom spell that can open Very Hard locks? Because in the list of regular Alteration spells I only see it go as high as Open Hard Lock. If you already said that she has one I apologize. I must have forgotten.

I have also been meaning to ask. Do you write everything that Buffy does here? Or are there some quests/events that do not make it onto the forums?

Again that was just amazing. I was holding my breath hoping the trolls just strolled on by. Thank god they did. As for the ripping into Buffy's flesh thing...I felt the pain just reading it. I love how she over reacts when casting sometimes and just continues to cast at dead stuff or walls. Your writing is ever improving, and always entertaining. Great work yet again my friend!

~Digz~

Loved it. Glad to see the rats are actually dangerous and when I read about how she killed the second slaughterfish I was like: "Grab? Put that in Elder Scrolls V"

This story brings back a rush of memories, but for a different reason.
In my playthru I only had to kill a single rat then strolled back outside with the Eye. Completing the quest, I jumped straight onto Wiki and it said something along the lines of 'expect a tough fight here, many enemies litter the lair', and I was like "What ??" :blink:

Lucky that our little Buffy had more challenge, otherwise it would have been an empty story, lol.

Shield potions. Now this is something I never seem to use in my playthru. Why? Maybe I am just too lazy.
I think it is about time I changed my approach. Thanks for the tip.

Let me get to this first- that was just perfect. Beyond the absolute "Buffy" feel, it captures the essence of the relationship in a very few words.

Other things I loved (well, besides the whole thing)- the screen shot with the troll, showing Buffy's relatively small stature- which brings both literal and narrative perspective to the story.

The rat attack- shows she is NOT a melee fighter, and is at a severe disadvantage in such close quarters. I always find stories with vulnerable, HUMAN characters much more compelling. The dramatic tension of the story (or the game) comes because the character can be hurt, can even die if care is not taken. I purposely play my story character as "underpowered" to keep the "realism" at a reasonable level.

In the same vein, I really appreciate her preference for stealth over direct confrontation. She knows her abilities- and her weaknesses.

You manage a great deal with a wonderfully pared down style. Like poetry, making every word count.

Angel no longer kills creatures but she certainly has no love of trolls. One can almost smell the nastiness in that matted hair and the screeching sound makes my throat sore just hearing it. That's why it's especially satisfying to read how Buffy deals with them.

I've known the fears that Buffy faced. It's part of what makes slow growth over time so gratifying when it eventually begins to pay off. Hopefully, in time, we will share in Buffy's awesomeness just as we have shared her vulnerability.

Some appreciative comments, and Chapter 35 below.

@mALX- Thank you my steadfast friend! :wave:

@SubRosa- Thank you so much.
1. That dead troll still looks pretty mean, and I think the eerie lighting helps. The cavern was a little too dark for a good shot, so Buffy briefly equipped a 'light' ring to help.
2. Yes, she has a custom 'open any lock' spell. She made it a ranged spell - very handy for opening locked doors from across the street. Then she realized it wouldn't work underwater and had to make a similar touch one for that.
3. There are some quests that either don't make it into her journal or just get a passing reference, but very few. This includes some minor quests, a couple of Daedric Shrines and several of her Arena fights (she does one per level actually). There are tons of non quest events that don't make her journal. She is a whiz at clearing respawning undercrofts for example, but has only done so once in her journal. She only alluded to her 'field trips' at the University where she cleared much of the IC sewers. We quite often visit waterfalls, gather ingredients, go hunting or just plain walk the roads looking for trouble.

Digz- It is so gratifying to hear that you feel more than the words, and that you can experience some of what Buffy feels. Thank you so much for continuing to read. Your insights mean a great deal to me. ^_^

@mcbeanie- Yay! I'm glad you liked it.
-Rats, or anything at close range when combined with surprise = Buffy gets flustered.
-A bow will actually work underwater (in game), but only at very close range which negates its advantage. Block and touch spells seem to work well if you can't trick the fish into shallows or shoot them while walking on the surface.

@Wolf- Thanks so much. The book says you can sneak through that dungeon, but I have never tried. Buffy's hunter instincts are to use stealth to help her attack rather than avoid trouble. She carries a good stock of simple homemade shield potions and can currently bump her poor armor class to max instantly by swigging two of them. Good, methinks for those who are not often in melee. :nod:

@treydog- Thanks for continuing to read and providing me your wonderful insights. Buffy's relationship with Acadian is growing. I can think of no relationship anology to compare it to, but they are learning to depend upon each other. Buffy is slightly shorter than a Bosmer woman through the magic of the command console. Vulnerable - yes, both physically and emotionally. I think of her as a 'glass cannon'.

@bobg- I adore Angel and her approach. Buffy is loyal and protective of her friends and has a doctrine that makes perfect sense to her. Nevertheless, she finds fighting with her bow exhilarating, albeit sometimes terrifying. In this way, she is perhaps more like Sarrah. Buffy though, has a dark side, that includes shades of anger, vengeance and even cruelty in some cases.


---------- 35 Leyawiin Expedition- Sir Mazoga ----------

Standing in the lavish Great Hall of Castle Leyawiin feeling very small, I couldn't miss the Orc that Tsavi had told me about. As she scowled up and down the hall in massive dark armor, I could see why the guards were intimidated. She looked quite capable of snapping Wood Elves like twigs. I hoped this investigation wouldn't involve a confrontation with her. My few encounters fighting Orcs had shown them to be quick and almost relentlessly unstoppable. Like being charged by a fast moving building.

Second thoughts crept into my head. Perhaps I should have had one of my Black Horse Courier sisters carry a note to Savlian requesting a letter of introduction. Might that not be a good way to get accepted in the castle and perhaps be allowed into the Countess' dinner party? After all, Savlian was a Captain in the Legion and I was working for him, sort of. I frowned as I imagined such a letter: 'This skinny elf is named Buffy. She doesn't follow directions very well, and abandons her post with some regularity.' Shaking my head, I thought, no. Perhaps I should stick to my Orc plan.

Decked in leather armor, Slayer and quiver, I looked as much like an adventuress or scout as I could. I tried to remember what I had read in Tar-Meena's books at the Mystic Archives about castles and courtly things. Time to put my University education and extensive reading to good use. Besides, I had a secret weapon. Paladins knew about courtly things, right? I closed my eyes for a moment. Then I smiled and whispered, "you're right Acadian, we can do this." Taking a deep breath, I calmly approached the throne area.

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"Marius Caro. By the grace of the Nine, Count Leyawiin." The balding Imperial in black and gold finery seemed pleasant enough. "You are a stranger to me, but well met."

I bowed to the Count, then stood up straight. "Buffy from Bravil, Milord. I am an archer, trained in the ways of magic." I stopped there. The books said let nobles control the conversation. Lord Leyawiin looked at me carefully with piercing blue eyes, as if reconciling my appearance and words.

"Perhaps you would like to do a service for County Leyawiin?" The kindly voice reflected wisdom and confidence. His presence seemed to exude royalty to the extent he felt no need to impress.

"It would be my humble honor to serve Leyawiin, if I am so able Sire." I think I said the line naturally enough to belie the fact that it came from Acadian.

The Count briefly looked at the woman to his left and touched her hand. The Imperial in green was obviously the Countess. She returned his look with a barely perceptible nod. It did not seem a nod of permission; Rather, a comfortably intimate communication. The brief, silent exchange between the two nobles said much.

"Buffy," Lord Leyawiin interrupted my staring at his Countess, "this is Alessia Caro." When he looked at her this time, he smiled warmly. "For reasons I have never been able to fathom, she graces me as Lady Leyawiin."

The Countess smiled slightly and gave me one of those almost imperceptible nods. I bowed again. She was pleasant enough, but I could see what Sanguine meant about the Countess being 'an especially somber soul'. Unlike the Count, she seemed to wear her position quite consciously. Recalling the spell Sanguine had given me, I imagined the Countess naked, and suppressed a smile.

"I need your help Buffy." The Count continued. "An Orc named Mazoga here claims to be a knight, but will not reveal her business. Find out why she is here, report to me and you will earn a reward suitable for those who serve Leyawiin."

"Yes, Milord." I backed up a few paces, dipped my head to the Count and headed towards the entrance area of the Great Hall.

"Good luck." While staring at the ominous Orc, I had almost forgotten that I was standing near one of the guards. I turned to see him smiling.

"Thanks." I smiled back. "Does my nervousness show? Any tips?"

The guard restrained himself to a small chuckle and looked down at my boots. "Well?," he slowly raised his eyes, evaluating me from foot to head, "she looks about twice your size. You know what I think? Oh, my name's Lucilious by the way. Sergeant Lucilious Marcus. Work with what you got. No one's tried bein' nice to her. Clearly the tough approach hasn't been workin' for us. I don't think you're gonna scare her though - no offense."

"Well met Lucilious. I'm Buffy." Standing next to the guard I folded my arms across my chest. Then I raised one hand to rub my chin as I stared at the Orc. "No offense taken. That sounds like wise advice." Well, here goes.

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"Are you the Count?" The Orc's words caused me to question her vision; or at least, her ability to discern a Count from a Bosmer bowgirl. Her tone was an odd mixture of hopefulness and irritation. Much more relevant at the moment however, was that she towered above me and was curling her upper lip to display several large, yellow fangs.

"N?No. But he sent me?" I winced at my stammering. Nice Buffy. Way to exude confidence.

"The Count? Then I can talk to you. I'm Mazoga." She then took a deep breath and sighed. "Yes, I'm an Orc. I was born under a rock and I have no parents. So I don't need a family name." Her rote recital made it clear this was not the first time she had explained her heritage.

"Well met, Mazoga. I'm Buffy." At least I didn't stammer. In fact I managed a tentative smile.

"I guess you don't know how to talk to a knight, so I'll teach you. Say yes, Sir Mazoga."

My smile instantly evaporated. Staring at her, I bristled. The fingers of my right hand twitched slightly as I thought about the Cobra's Dance power that could drop her and allow me time to back up and open fire with Slayer. Opening my mouth to speak, I closed it again. I looked at the hilt of the glass long sword hanging from Mazoga's waist. The grip was well worn. Her orcish armor and elven shield had clearly absorbed or deflected many blows from tooth and blade. No, Buffy. This is not about you or your hurt feelings. You have a task. Besides, you'd probably lose.

"Yes, Sir Mazoga."

"Alright then, just don't forget. I'm a free knight. I don't have a lord. You got a problem with that?" The lip was starting to curl again.

"No, Sir Mazoga."

"I didn't think so. There's an Argonian in town named Weebam-Na. Go get him for me." It was not a question.

"Yes, Sir Mazoga."

Ah, good ole' Mazoga! Interesting take on the Count and Countess, my feelings for them are always marred by what I know they do in their torture chamber. (and obviously the feeling is mutual, judging by their disposition stats toward my character, lol.) - another great chapter!

The conversation with Mazoga was great fun. I loved the screen shots as usual, and I though the scilent interaction between the count and countess was well written. Great work yet agian my friend!

~Digz~

I liked your descriptions of the Count and Countess. The Count being warm and friendly, while his wife being, well, the less said about her the better.

Then we have Mazoga. Excuse me, Sir Mazoga (it really ought to be Dame, as that is the honorific for female of that rank, but I am sure Bethesda knew that it would make people think of the common slang using the same term). It was not at all easy to keep from killing her when I first met her. You portrayed that very well too! She does warm up after you finish her quests though, and makes for a good friend. Once you get past that porcupine exterior of course.

The imagined letter of introduction almost caused a tea/keyboard malfunction. Will have to observe the "no liquids rule" around your story.

"Sir" Mazoga initially irritated the heck out of my character- but he later discovered that she had her reasons. And it is hard not to love her desire to be a knight and act accordingly.

Yet again, you capture Buffy's essential nature- a quick temper, but one leavened by caution and compassion. And you also display the light touch which is a hallmark of your excellent story-telling style.

Spoken like a true Bravilan, lol
There must be something in the water there that makes us very recalcitrant around authority. :flame:

Poor Mazoga, she always gets a bum rap from newer players.
That was an excellent description of Orcs. They also get a bad rap because of looks, but they are hellacious fighters.

Dear Sir:

Because it is your birthday, it is your obligation (under hobbit tradition) to provide a party and gifts for all of us. What's that? You aren't a hobbit? A mere technicality. We want more Buffy- and cake- and ice cream- and we want it NOW!
/sad puppy eyes/ Please?

Happy birthday, my friend. Enjoy.

In that case allow me to also add a happy birthday

Happy Birthday Acadian. :cake: Now... get on with the story!

finally caught up, and well worth it.(happy birthday :cake: )

:foodndrink:
:cake:
:icecream:
:bowdown:
:thumbsup:

Happy birthday to you.
Happy birthday to you.
Happy birthday dear Acadian.
Happy birthday to you.

Angel, Conjurer-Mages Guild
Benirus Manor, Anvil

Hey, this isnt fair. In Australia it is already well into Nov 11th. I cant wish Happy Birthday on the wrong day.

Acadian, on behalf of Australia I apologise for being downunder, back to front, upside down and 50 years behind the US of A.

You, of all people, should understand. :hugs:

Oh, and Happy Birthday.

Some appreciative comments, followed by Chapter 36 -

I was touched by the many birthday wishes. :wub: Treydog, jaycar, RemkoNL, areozani, D.Foxy, Angel and Wolf on the thread. MALX and SubRosa via PM. Thank each of you so much!

Regarding the last chapter (35) -

@mALX- Thank you for your inspiration. ^_^ Between Mazoga and Sanguine's quest, it is hard to ignore the Count and his Countess.

@Digz- As always, thanks for your impressions. You give me great insight into how we're doing.

@SubRosa- I adore Mazoga. If Buffy can hold her temper and not get squashed, I hope very much the two ladies can become friends. I sense plenty of sparks first though. Thanks for the kind words.

@treydog- 'No liquids rule' - high praise indeed! Thanks so much for your support and insights. Yes, it seems Buffy's self-confidence meter swings rather wildly.

@Wolf- Thanks so much mate! Recalcitrant?. As Buffy would say with her head thrown back and hands on hips, "You're not the boss of me!"
My friends, do not listen to Wolf's depreciation of Australia. Wolf lives there, and I am married to an Australian princess - the only thing that matches the beauty of the land down under, is the warmth of those who live there. As you can tell, Wolf and I also are huge fans of the underdog city of Bravil.

@Leydenne- I'm so glad you liked Buffy's impression of Orcs. She clearly remembers the charging green powerhouse from her last Arena fight - it took every trick in her book and the entire width of the Arena to stop him. She also remembers the vampire leader from Azura's quest charging - again, every bit of her arsenal killed him just as he reached her. Even then, his momentum slammed them both into a wall. Thanks for reading!

@RemkoNL- Thanks so much for reading!

@areozani- I had no idea you were catching up to us! I am so humbled. I hope my efforts will retain your readership. Thank you!


---------- 36 Leyawiin Expedition- Don't Touch My Horse ----------

"I have no interest in talking to that Orc at the castle. Begone," Weebam-Na shook his head emphatically. "From what I've heard, this Mazoga sounds like nothing but trouble. Right Bejeen?"

His fellow Argonian thief and mate nodded her head as she stood quietly in the corner of their hovel.

Tilting my head and raising one eyebrow, I shifted to my backup plan. "Have you seen the Eye of Nocturnal, Weebam-Na?"

The Argonian's eyes opened wide. "What? I told you the last time you were here I've never heard of such a thing."

"Well I've seen it," I purred, "in fact Nocturnal was quite grateful to have it back from Tidewater Cave." I stepped closer to Weebam-Na.

The full impact of my words showed clearly on his face. "She sent you? No!" The Argonian reached for his dagger.

My hand streaked out and touched Weebam-Na's chest. His body went limp and collapsed. By the time he recovered, I was three paces away and looking at him over the tip of an arrow. Bejeen had not made a move. I shifted my aim to her chest. "Weebam-Na, we're going to talk. Do I need to impale Bejeen to the wall first?"

Weebam-Na took Bejeen's hands and looked into her orange eyes. "You were right. I should have listened to you Bejeen. I'm sorry." He then turned to me. "Nocturnal sent you to kill us. It was my decision to steal the Eye. Could you spare Bejeen at least?"

With great effort, I ignored Weebam-Na's touching display. "Nocturnal did send me to kill you both," I lied icily. "It seems we find ourselves in a position to help each other, no? You accompany me to speak with Mazoga, and I ignore Nocturnal's request?"

"Y?You would do this for us?" Weebam-Na's relief was obvious. He then added quickly, "Yes, let's go speak to this Mazoga of yours."

I lowered my bow. "Thank you Weebam-Na. Rest assured I have no love for Nocturnal. Neither you nor Bejeen need fear her now." Having returned Nocturnal her Eye, I figured she owed me the small deceit I had just used.

* * *

"You are Weebam-Na?" Without waiting for an answer, Mazoga continued, "Do you know where Fisherman's Rock is?"

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The Argonian nodded, apparently to both questions and inquired, "why?"

"Take me there." Mazoga ignored the question. "Now!"

Having met the letter of my requirement and with no further need to suffer Mazoga, Weebam-Na quickly refused the demand. The Orc stormed off to the other end of the Great Hall.

Weebam-Na turned to me and shrugged. "Good luck with Mazoga. She has terrible manners, but my sniffer tells me she might be worth it." The Argonian wasted no time leaving the castle.

Mazoga's frustration was evident. I would let her stew a bit. Noticing that Sergeant Lucilious Marcus was on duty again in the Great Hall, I calmly strolled over to him and smiled. "Hail, Lucilious."

"Greetings Buffy." The Imperial nodded pleasantly. "Seems you're still alive. Any progress with our large green friend?"

"Actually, I think yes." I turned to look at the pacing Orc. "We'll know more in a few moments." I walked over to Mazoga.

"You! Do you know where Fisherman's Rock is?" Mazoga's manner had not been improved by Weebam-Na's refusal.

"As I told you before, the name is Buffy. Yes, I know Fisherman's Rock, Sir Mazoga."

"Take me there!" After a moment of reflection, she added, "Buffy."

"I will be happy to. Just as soon as you tell me why we're going." I met her glare, trying to show more confidence than I felt.

Mazoga cocked her head and started to curl her lip as she looked down to meet my eyes. We remained locked in a test of wills. After a moment her lip relaxed slightly and she spoke. "We're going to see Mogrens Wind Shifter and his gang. They're holed up at Fisherman's Rock. Talk, do you hear me? No fighting. At least not until I talk to him."

I nodded my understanding. "It's late now Sir Mazoga. Meet me outside the East Gate at dawn."

The sun was indeed low as I walked the quiet streets of Leyawiin towards my temporary base at the Mages Guild. Nocturnal's Shrine had been Acadian's idea. The fact that performing the task had provided both the leverage to coerce Weebam-Na and the location of Fisherman's Rock was not lost on me. "Thank you my paladin."

* * *

"Did you bring breakfast?" The Orc hungrily eyed the mare beneath me. She wasn't joking.

I slid to the ground with equal seriousness and stepped between Superian and Mazoga. My heart overruled my head as I narrowed my eyes and hissed, "her name is Superian. If you make a move to harm her, I will kill you."

Mazoga was close enough I could feel her breath as she glared down at me. She looked at my glowing right hand and the anger in my face. I don't think I intimidated her one bit. Another test of wills. "Is she your friend?" Mazoga's face softened ever so slightly.

My expression also eased a bit I'm sure. "Yes, Sir Mazoga. One of my best friends. And I meant what I said if you hurt her." Was that a bit of respect I saw in the Orc's eyes?

"I know about friends Buffy. I won't hurt your horse." As if to make up for her concession, she barked, "Now let's stop wasting time!"

I mounted Superian and evaluated the morning sun reflecting off the nearby stream and castle walls. "We should reach Fisherman's Rock by midday." If not for the surly Orc, it would have been a beautiful morning. We started along The Yellow Road.

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With Mazoga walking along closely behind, I felt safe. Complacently safe. The nearby roar of a challenge changed that. As the tawny beast emerged from the woods on our right side, fear for Superian once again caused me to act without thinking. I jumped off the mare to position myself between her and the mountain lion. I didn't have time to hit the ground and call forth an illusion spell before the beast leapt. The unstoppable charge of a lion was met by the unstoppable charge of an Orc with elven shield. The stunned cat barely hit the ground before Mazoga thrust once with her sword. It was over with a decisive quickness.

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Mazoga and I stared at each other for a long time. Finally, she cocked her head and broke the silence. "You love your horse that much?"

"I do. When it comes to protecting her, sometimes I just act before I think." Embarrassed, I looked down and stirred the dirt with the toe of my boot. "Had it? been just Superian and I, we would have outrun the lion. I guess I'm not used to traveling with someone else." I shrugged and looked up at Mazoga. "Thanks for your help."

"Lucky horse," Mazoga shook her head. "Let's go."

We continued along The Yellow Road without further words, until the sun was nearly overhead.

Drawing Superian to a stop, I held up my hand. The yellow floating ball of sparkles ahead had not seen us. I quietly slipped to the ground and pulled Slayer from my back. "Wait here Sir Mazoga." I crept forward. As I slid an arrow from my quiver, I heard a sword being drawn and the sound of heavy armor clanking. Mazoga charged past me, blocking my shot.

Wills-o-the-wisp were no threat to me at range with a bow. I had, however seen them cut down even Legionnaires at close range. Mazoga could not hope to win with her unenchanted glass weapon. I ran behind her.

As I feared, Mazoga's sword had no effect on the sparkling ball. Just as predictably, the wisp emitted a slender orange beam that was svcking the very life from the Orc. I aimed at her upper back and shouted, "Mazoga, duck!" I thanked Mara to see her instantly kneel, exposing my target. The enchantment Slayer imparted to my arrow stunned the wisp. "Stay down!" I yelled as I loosed a second arrow. The sparkles collapsed into a tiny puddle on the ground.

Mazoga stood as I approached. Once again, we stared at each other for a long time. It was my turn to break the silence. "I guess you don't know how to follow instructions from a scout, so I'll teach you. Wait, when I tell you to wait. You got a problem with that?"

Mazoga's flash of indignation faded after only a moment, as she undoubtedly recognized the similarity between my words and her 'Sir Mazoga' lesson of the previous day. She then said awkwardly, "I'm just not used to having someone who will help me, Buffy."

I was struck by the loneliness in Mazoga's eyes. Even though I didn't have any real family, I had plenty of friends who cared about me. And I had Acadian. Who did Mazoga have? "You're welcome, Sir Mazoga. We're even now. Here, let me heal your wounds." I whistled for Superian. "We're getting close to Fisherman's Rock."

Excellent portrayal of Mazoga! We see not only the surly bundle of muscle, but also glimpses of the woman underneath bearing the pain of loss. The later is done with a light touch in places which flow naturally from the story. This is an excellent example for beginning writers in the art of showing vs. telling!

You ROCKED this chapter Acadian! I think you did an excellent job with it! This is going up on faves!

Ooohh... nicely done m8. :clap: