And we have another winner! Great work.

I remember the first time I tried the Arena with an archer. I panicked and almost died trying to run far enough to turn and shoot (archery in small area is tough!!!!!!!).

Luckily Buffy thought it all out ahead of time.

Yet another great chapter, it felt very professinial to me. Great job, keep it up.

Some comments, and a new story.

@Wolf- I'm glad you like the 'game advice' items. I have tried to weave them in fairly unobtrusively. Predictably, the poison recipe she used works exactly as advertised. I must admit, Buffy's first picture there in the Arena, as we look down the business end of her bow takes my breath away. Thanks for the kind words.

@Digz- Thank you. Buffy was getting cranky about not being able to shoot anything for the last few stories. So she gets to shoot something (big and scary to boot) and now she cries? I can't begin to figure her out. :ahhh: I only hope to hang on.

@D.Foxy- Your patience with me did pay off, see? Thank you so much for working with and supporting my odd balance of Cyrodiil and earth reality when it comes to bows. Every touch of reality in Buffy's archery, from concerns about her bowstrings and arrow straightness, to arrow tip selection, staging arrows in the ground and descriptions of her shooting comes from D.Foxy. Thanks so much for both your combat and craft help. Let's just hope Buffy never tries to 'wave a sword around'. I have learned there are times for a bow shot to be as simple as 'the impact of my arrow'. There are also times when it is appropriate that one bow shot be the subject of an entire story. Mourning a vanquished, but worthy foe? Yes indeed. Well known to those who have stood in the Arena. And such high praise on the matter! Thank you my friend.

@Shadow- When we hear that we spark a memory of someone's game, we know we have hit a bulls eye! Yes! Have Mrs. Shadow pop in and say hi. :wave:

@jaycar- To be mentioned in the same breath as little Angel is high praise indeed. Buffy is alive and I am so proud that I can bring her alive for you as well.

@SubRosa- Thank you. I'm quite embarrassed to report it took some parading in front of a mirror to select the phrase "Puffing myself up and putting my hands on my hips." :lmao:

@mALX- My inspiration! Thank you! :twirl:

@bobg- Thank you. As always, you are right.

@Unknown- Thank you. The bow aspects that are real are all D.Foxy. The aspects that use Cyrodiil physics of course are not. The decision to go to the Arena was all Buffy's. It is indeed exactly the stuff her nightmares are made of. I believe that is why she chose to go there - to face those fears. I am proud of how she did.
:whisper: Well, except for the shaking and crying and retching?.

@D'Emjii- A no-melee archer running around in the Arena trying desperately to shoot and stay alive sounds a lot like some of Buffy's early fights! She is not that good at thinking on her feet, but she is cunning. If she can come up with a plan, sometimes she is stunningly elegant in her lethality. If she can't? well, she usually ends up in a puddle of blood and tears.

@Cenron- Thank you for the kind words. They inspire me not into a false sense of confidence, but rather towards a desire to improve and not disappoint those who grace Buffy and I with their readership.




28 ---------- You Don't Seem Like a Party Girl ---------

I released a mass of energy into the ground near the middle of the fray and shouted, "Get back!" The wolf suddenly became docile and the three followers of Sanguine jumped to safety. A single arrow at close range jerked the wolf off his feet. He was dead as he hit the ground.

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv43/Acadian6/ScreenShot68.jpg

"Are you here for the hedonism? Perhaps debauchery?" One of the followers inquired, seemingly oblivious to the dead wolf.

"Um, you're welcome." I cut my arrow from the wolf. "Who's in charge here?"

"Charge? Oh yes. Don't you get the biggest charge out of daedra? The Nine Divines are boring. Daedra? They're never boring!" The bald Bosmer in his brown robe was talking as though intoxicated or in a dream world. The glare I fired his way must have registered, because his tone changed as he nervously added, "Oh, yes. I'm Engorm."

"I want to speak to Sanguine. My name's Buffy"

"Buffet?" Engorm studied me for a moment. "Despite such a delicious name, you don't seem like a party girl. Oh well, a gift for our host would be nice. Cyrodilic brandy perhaps?"

"Thanks. That's all I need to know." I sat on the nearby bench and opened my pack. Glancing at the dead wolf I was pleased with my new spell. It commanded beasts within its radius, but did not affect men or mer. I looked up at the shrine to Sanguine. Yes, pretty much what I expected. A chubby horned elf with a tankard in his hand. I shook my head, not expecting to learn much from this Daedra Lord. At least I had a pretty good idea what his price of admission might be. I had done my research and prepared accordingly for 'the Daedric Prince whose sphere is hedonistic revelry, debauchery, and passionate indulgences of darker natures'.

I dug through my pack. Black and gold shoes, Surilie 399, green velvet shoes, ale, skooma, mead, blue shoes, Tamika 415. Oh, here it is. Cyrodilic brandy.

"Ah... another mortal come to beg Sanguine to add a bit of spice to an otherwise drab existence. I would have you perform a service for me. The Castle Leyawiin is a dull, dreary place. The mistress is an especially somber soul, and tomorrow she will hold another excruciating dinner party. I want you to liven it up. Use this spell on the Countess and her guests. I think it will make the party much more interesting. You should probably try to be inconspicuous. Or they might kill you. Oh, and the party is by invitation only. You'll have to find a way in. Have fun!"

I winced as I felt the spell being forced upon me. What kind of spell was 'Stark Reality'? I was still stuck with the spell Namira had inflicted into my repertoire. Both were mysteries to me, and I needed to get back to the University to find out what they did. Casting a spell I didn't understand seemed like a really bad idea - especially a spell that came from a Daedra Lord.

Sanguine would just have to keep his loincloth on. I knew perfectly well from my mage recommendation visit, that the Countess of Leyawiin held these parties every week. I'd get there sometime.

The sun was high and the day warm. I slipped behind the shrine and changed into my hunter's outfit. Superian and I retraced our way south, away from Sanguine's Shrine.

I had begun to grow weary of chasing around on behalf of these Daedra Lords, learning little of what I wanted to know. Mehrunes Dagon's plane of oblivion remained as elusively frightening as ever.

Engorm's words lingered. "Acadian, am I not a party girl? No, no, don't answer that." I closed my eyes and recalled a memory. Ardaline and I were giggling, dizzy with wine up in Kud-Ei's quarters at the Bravil guildhouse. We were giving each other a fashion show, trying on every outfit in the guild, then prancing around in front of each other to see how we looked. I teased her about Varon Vamori. She blushed and said Varon was better than being goofy for a black mare. We giggled some more. I told her how much I envied her statuesque height, grace and beautifully curved Altmer ears. I was astonished to learn she felt herself to be gawky, and envied what she called my 'elven petiteness'. Then we started hitting each other with pillows. We both woke up in Kud-Ei's bed the next morning dressed in horribly mismatched outfits, our heads hurting from the wine.

Smiling as the memory faded, I reached down to pet Superian. I could sense a light humor from Acadian. The sun felt good upon my shoulders as I enjoyed the sights, sounds and smells of the Imperial Reserve. Finally, we emerged from the brush and stepped out onto The Gold Road.

My rings detected a life sign. It was a pink streak that I recognized well. I smiled as I heard the thunder of hooves and waited the few seconds it would take.

The black horse and its rider abruptly drew to a stop next to us. I could feel the heat emanating from the lathered stallion. Moisture from the powerful animal's heavy breathing filled the air. I deeply inhaled the comforting smell of horse and leather. "Well met, Buffy!" The dusty young Breton woman slid to the ground, produced a leather bucket, filled it from a waterbag and offered it to her grateful stallion. She then began rubbing down its powerful legs and muscles with a cloth.

There were five women in Cyrodiil that rode these majestic animals - all four Black Horse Courier riders and myself. We all knew each other. "What news do you carry, sister of the black horse?" I said. The couriers were entrusted not only with the Cyrodiil newspaper, but messages to and from officials of the Empire as well.

"Well, Kvatch is still hostage to that daedra gate. I'm carrying a message from Captain Savlian Matius demanding more help from the Legion. He and his men are weary and low on food. The citizens in the encampment are doing everything they can to supply their soldiers at the barricade, but they are poor hunters." She quickly stowed her things and climbed upon the stallion. "Sorry Buffy, I have to get to the Imperial City." With no visible prompting from the rider, the stallion was off and its hoof beats soon disappeared towards Skingrad and the Imperial City beyond.

I looked east along the road towards Skingrad. Dust from the courier was still in the air. Letting out a long slow breath, I then looked west towards Kvatch. My head and my heart were swirling. I went through the motions of pulling out my map in a futile bid to delay my decision.

I was no hero. I was not concerned about the safety of the citizens of Kvatch. Nor did I have any suicidal intentions of entering a flaming oblivion gate. Maybe I couldn't do anything about that gate, but I could sure do something about the lack of good hunters.

Was there another reason I then turned Superian to the west? I thought about the Kvatch shield I still carried in my pack. Then I thought about the man with the heart of a lion who gave it to me.


http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv43/Acadian6/ScreenShot69.jpg

Oohh, finally! I wondered when she would go back for Matius! I love this one!!

Buffy the party girl is back I see. I like how you worked in the wolf, and Buffy using her new Command spell on it. It makes for a very nice chain going back to the death of the legionary to the lion.

While playing recently I was trying to use my Bosmer Beast Tongue power on the wolves and bears and boars that were attacking me, and it was not working. I did some digging on the wiki and came upon an important safety tip. The Beast Tongue only works on animals up to level 5. So meaning once you get past that level it is basically useless except for rats and mud crabs.

Great work yet again my friend!

I like how you decided to show us that flash back of a drunken night with a friend. It defiantly worked well for adding a bit more depth, and history, to our beloved Buffy, or was it, "Buffet"?

I would continue to mention that your writing is impressive, and that I love the tale, but at this point I think you know this. Although I do think mentioning that I can't wait to read more is always worth saying, and well I can't wait to read more.

~Digz~

Romance is in the air, as well as Buffy's arrows, what i'm really interested to see is how she will handle the hircine quest, 3 minotaur guardians, and 1 legendary creature, i'm unsure if Buffy would do it or not, as in would she turn the quest down, i'm still unsure of what Buffy will and will not do, so that would be interesting.

Back to the present though, very interesting read, i liked the comic daedra worshipper, how dare he not call Buffy a party girl :celebrate:, an arrow from slayer should change his attitude , quick question though, where does Buffy keep the Kvatch shield, does that go in the special bag?

Wine and pillows. Always a deadly combination at least from the perspective of the next morning which brings us to the famous axiom; Don't drink and dress-up

Yet another great entry. I meant to mention this in the past but I really enjoy the screenshots. This was the first fan-fic I had read with them. It's easy to create and picture what's happening in the story, but the screenshots are really intresting. They give exact paintings of what is happening in the story. Once again keep up the great work.

My thoughts exactly. That last pic is great. It has '.....decisions.......decisions......' written all over it.

I am compelled to comment on that second screenshot. It is the very embodiment of concepts I was try to teach Angel in the story about art. Light and dark, warm and cool, near and far are captured to perfection. The composition has her back to what is well seen and facing into a shadowy unknown. You my friend are quite the artist.

Very good read. This gives the game a lot more depth. The name of the character is kind of a turn off for me IMO but that may be a calculated move by you but none the less it is really fun to read. Keep going can't wait to read the next installment. :goodjob:

I apologize there is no story this post. More on that, after some grateful acknowledgements.

@mALX- Yes indeed! Buffy is a young lady of her word. :nod:


@SubRosa- Thank you. You have a hand in helping Buffy remember the power of using the command creature effect. All Buffy's 'mind control' type spells are at max magnitude and she runs 100% spell effectiveness (small mod) so they will work all the time. The wolf was one of those wonderful random things that just happen in Oblivion.

@Digz- Thank you as always. I love hearing you highlight your impressions. It really helps me know how close we are to the intended target and adjust as necessary.

@Unknown- Buffy is barely level 12. Her current story will be done long before the level 17 necessary for Hircine. In her later book of short stories however I have no doubt she will be intrigued by the Shrine of the Hunter. Killing a horse though? I know she is unpredictable, but I would take a wager on that one. Buffy's inventory is a mess, as you saw in this last story. Savlian's shield only weighs 3, but she keeps it in her magic bag (Bag of Holding mod) along with extra bowstrings, spare arrows, empty soul gems and a few other rarely used items. Fortunately for her, clothes and potions are pretty light.

@Bobg- I'm glad that you, like Digniity, liked the 'slumber party' scene. It is an important part of her contradictions and realism. More on screenshots below.

@Cenron- Thank you for staying with us. I am so humbled that you continue to read and enjoy Buffy. More on screenshots below.

@Winterwolf- Thank you! See screenshot comments below.

@Reigndear- I am so delighted Shadow coaxed you in our direction! I must say that it is a pleasure to finally meet you. Yes, the name.? Believe it or not, it was carefully chosen. Elements of the following: tongue in cheek, an immature but lethal young lady trying to make her way in a dangerous world, fun, anachronism, alliteration (with bowgirl). The name was also an effort to keep me from taking her too seriously - in that aspect I have failed. I hope the poor girl's name will not deter you from staying with us!

Screenshots: I noted several positive comments on screenshots. Thank each of you so much. As I alluded to SubRosa above, if a wolf attack interrupts Buffy's visit to a shrine, you'll probably read about it (and perhaps see it). Buffy's journal intentionally stays very close to in-game events. One upshot of this is the ability to employ screenshots to show exactly what she sees or does. Although I want my focus to be on the writing, I quite enjoy crafting screenshots that help enrich her story. It is definitely an art form that this novice is enjoying. Buffy's stories encompass three distinct components. Most importantly, they are played through in game. Secondly she records them and I edit them. Thirdly, we try to incorporate some snapshots. I thank you for the positive feedback

Announcement: I will make a trip over the next week to visit Acadian, the senior. He is a fellow paladin who served in the Order for three and one half decades. Although he is well familiar with Phantom, his first steed was called Corsair (F-4U - the indigo bent wing monster). Advancing years likely limit how many of these wonderful pilgrimages yet remain in my quest log. I know you will understand my brief absence.

Our girl Buffy must therefore take a short break from recording her stories. She has determined she wants to feed Kvatch. I expect it will take her a week of hunting the area to amass the required game. It will likely also require her to conscript Superian into pack horse duty to carry the bloody fruits of her labor.

I so look forward to sharing with you, the results of her hunt on or about 21 October.

As good as ever and i liked how you gave information on how to make one of her poisons

A noble pilgrimage indeed Acadian, we await both yours and buffy's returns eagerly. :bowdown:

God's speed. and safe return.

Have fun storming the castle!

Tell Buffy that when/ if she decides to do Sanguine's quest, that a couple of bottles of invisibility potion or a spell wouldn't go amiss. One of my Dunmer girls once sprinted from Leyawiin to Sanguine's shrine in her skivvies and no weapon, out-running a wide range of enemies, but I would not recommend that for everyone. Looking forward to the next installment.

I hope your trip went well.

Safe travels and good journeys, hope you have a good trip.

A new story below.

@mcbeanie- I'm glad you enjoyed the poison recipe!

@jaycar, bobg, SubRosa, Leydenne, UnknownK- Thank you for the well wishes. An important and wonderful trip.

@Leydenne- As always, the exploits of your characters make me laugh. Thanks for the tips on Sanguine. I expect Buffy will be completely unable to resist an opportunity to wear a formal gown....

When we last left Buffy, she had it in her head to provide the guard force at Kvatch with some fresh game. She is a skilled hunter, so I left her on her own during my absence. This is the journal entry I found awaiting my return.

* * *


---------- 29 The Blood of a Hunter ----------

"By the Nines! What happened to you?" The Legion soldier dropped his tankard and grabbed my arm.

The Bosmer innkeeper at Gottshaw jumped around the end of his counter and grabbed my other arm. "Yes young lady, who or what attacked you? You're covered in blood!"

I looked down at myself, embarrassed. I was indeed bloody from head to boots. I looked a sight. "I? I'm sorry. I've been out hunting for several days and forgot how I must look. I'm fine. It's deer and boar blood."

Seeing I was not hurt, the Bosmer changed his tone and sniffed, "Well then, since we know you're all right, would you mind not dripping on my floor. You may use the horse trough by the barn to clean up. Come back in for a seat by the fire when you've cleaned yourself up."

Looking down at the floor, he was right. "Thank you. I'll take advantage of your trough then." I stepped outside.

The Legion soldier came with me. "Hunting is one thing. You look like you've been wallowing inside a dead boar though. What's the rest of the story citizen?"

"When I said hunting, I meant a lot of hunting". I nodded towards Superian. There were four large sacks dripping blood and two deer carcasses rigged across her back. "Those sacks are full of fresh venison and some boar meat. It makes a mess to cut it up in the field, but it takes up less space and weight. You can call me Buffy instead of citizen."

"Well Buffy," the guard raised one corner of his mouth in the hint of a smile as he walked around Superian. He let his breath escape loudly through pursed lips. "Are you planning on feeding an army or do you just enjoy wholesale slaughter?"

I rejected the urge to say 'a bit of both' and opted for "I'm going to help supply the soldiers of Kvatch guarding that Oblivion gate. They're running short of food."

The Legionnaire stopped dead and stared at me. He removed his helmet, then his right gauntlet and extended his hand. "That's a noble thing Buffy. Many of us in the Legion are frustrated. The Elder Council won't send more than a handful of soldiers to reinforce Kvatch. They talk about border conflicts. Hmmph! I'm just a simple soldier, but if Matius and his men can't hold that gate, borders may not matter. Thank you."

I shook his hand, covering it in blood. "Well, I am a pretty good hunter."

"I can see that." The soldier grinned now. "Let me give you some privacy. Come inside after you've cleaned up, and I'll buy you an ale."

"Deal!" I smiled as he stepped inside the Inn. I transferred Superian's burden to the tables inside the barn and gave her a drink from the trough. I then stripped down and sat at the trough to wash my clothes, equipment and self.

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From near Skingrad, we had hunted west to Ra'sava Camp, overland to Shetcombe farm, north over the top of Kvatch and finally arrived here at the Gottshaw Inn, west of Kvatch. I say 'we' because I could not have done it without Superian to carry so much game meat. For the last two days I just led her along beside me as I dared not overburden her with my own weight. Lots of detect life range and a command spell for hostile beasts had helped. Hunting a short distance ahead and recalling Superian to me innumerable times had been tedious, but we were now fully laden with fresh meat and close to Kvatch.

I would have preferred a nice waterfall-fed pool instead of the trough of course, but at least everything was getting clean. It had been thoughtful of the guard to step inside providing me privacy. Sitting in my underwear with a horse looking at me and a paladin in my head, I smiled. My lack of clothes was equally unimportant to both of them. No, that wasn't quite true. Superian seemed quite content staring at me, but I could sense Acadian avert his focus. "Acadian, you don't like to look at me with my clothes off. Is that out of some sort of prudish paladin respect for me, or am I just unattractive to you?" I was surprised that the response I sensed was a rebuke.

Stop hunting for compliments young lady.

I laughed and flushed with a bit of embarrassment. "You're right! I've done more than enough hunting recently, no?" It felt wonderful to be a clean elf, as I dried off and dressed in fresh clothes.

"Aha! So there was a lady hidden under all that mess. How 'bout that ale now?" The Legionnaire gave me a broad smile that I could not help but return.

I wrinkled my nose. "Um? maybe some Tamika's? I know it's not cheap. I'd be happy to pay for it."

"Foroch!" He barked. "Fetch some of that fancy Tamika stuff for the lady." He then turned back to me. "Pay for it? Bah! I prevent enough bandits from coming around to save that little Bosmer - no offence intended - more than I could ever drink."

"No offence taken." I said. Foroch brought me the cup of wine. "Thank you both." Smiling, I raised my cup to the Imperial.

I stopped at one cup of wine (for a change). "Foroch, could I get a room for the night and some food?"

"Of course m'lady. I have a very nice room for you. What would you like to eat?" Then he added with a chuckle, "Anything but fresh game, I would imagine."

"Oh it's not for me. Could you put perhaps 100 gold worth of food in a sack for me to take in the morning? Anything that will keep would be perfect." I placed 100 gold on the bar.

Foroch stared at the gold. "Of course! With that kind of purchase you may consider the room on the house!"

"Goodnight to you both. Thank you for your kindness." Yawning, I headed upstairs.

It was a lovely room for such a rural, isolated inn. The last light of day filtered in through an expansive window. A green spread covered the large bed instead of a scratchy blanket. After spending some time recording the last few days in my journal, I dropped my clothes and gratefully crawled into that delicious, real bed.

"Acadian. So very long ago, I told you that I hoped you knew what we were doing. Where we go tomorrow is a choice that I have made without your help. Do I know what we're doing? Will you come with me?" Then I hesitantly added, "Am? I ok?" I closed my eyes in the quiet room and opened my mind. The response I felt was quick and unambiguous.

Unconditional acceptance.

My tension and uncertainty evaporated. I smiled as a happy tear slid down my cheek. "Goodnight my paladin. Thank you."

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv43/Acadian6/ScreenShot78.jpg

That was a great one, and you and Buffy have been missed!

Good to see you (and Buffy), back. Keep up the good hunting!

Welcome back. I see you haven't lost your touch during your time off. Great work yet again.

~Digz~

It is great to see you back.
The door is heavily scratched and the neighbors have been complaining about the barking, but too bad. Such is our desire to read more Buffy. :twirl:

Another great read. The collecting of meat and food for Kvatch was a nice touch, and the comment about 'stop hunting for complements young lady,' shows lovely depth of writing.
Well done.

I look forward to the journey through the teens and towards level 20. Should be interesting.

I am still amazed at how well you make Buffy come alive. Words flow and suddenly I am in Cyrodiil smelling blood, stale beer, and smoky old wood in a dim tavern. Thanks for letting me come along.