Much fun was had with this installment. Tense and exciting, especially with a necromancer using her brain (well, a very tiny smidgen of it, at least) with that Detect Life spell.

Ice cold vengeance... As if I needed any more reminders not to make you mad, B.

And such stark contrast to the above! There's Buffy for you, she's just as likely to hug you as she is to eviscerate you. Thankfully, she made it quite easy to figure out where each side of the line is located.

And Buffy's archery knowledge remains as omnipresent as ever. I propose a challenge: Buffy the Blond Bravilian Bowgirl (of Brazil... I mean, Bravil) vs. Robin Wood, AKA Robin Hood (of Loxley).

I don't know about anyone else, but my money's on the gal!

And don't look at me like that for mixing up your origins, Buff, you're quite amazonian enough to warrant it!

This was one of the scariest moments for me in game the first time I played it - even on later playthroughs I felt tense opening that door, knowing she was coming for me.

Buffy's inner workings of her mind as she plots is one of the things I found most interesting about this chapter - Should I do this ... no, I promised myself I would ... VERY Buffy !!! Great Chapter, Awesome Write !!!

Well done with delivering swift justice (har!) to the Necros. The way to stuck it to them, by sticking one to a tree (sorry, sorry) was a nice tactical touch. My only question is: what type of arrows is Buffy using? I'd imagine the shaft would have to be either very thick, and thus heavy (unlikely considering the distance), or possessive of a high strength-to-weight ratio. Would common steel be functional in this regard?

Haute's remarks on Buffy's decision to deliver the post-mortem monologue are echoes of my own thoughts, so just imagine I said the same thing but used Awtwyr instead of Julian for a reference.

You're so brutal to necromancers... Buffy, I'm a necromancer are you going to brutally attack me?!

Great. Buffy no longer summons skeletons for necromancers!

I too had an "oh carp" moment when I entered the glade and faced numerous necromancers. Almost an early Buffy moment, much to my greaves dismay.

I'll also add another vote for rider's "put paid" rather than "put pay".

The "put paid to" vs "put pay to" is a regional thing, both are used equally in different areas of the country. Writing for Buffy, Acadian has to use whichever one Buffy would IMHO. Her thoughts/speech are subjective to her personality. I thought this whole chapter reflected what I have come to know of Buffy in reading her story for so long.

When Buffy stepped out that door - that necromancer came up talking in a normal tone of voice if not shouting - the two companions did not come running to see what it was all about. If they couldn't hear that, I doubt they could hear Buffy whispering. The story points out that they were probably assigned to guard access from the lake, which is why I always thought they didn't run to the cave entrance when the first necromancer was shouting at the player in game.

Buffy also hid in the bushes and scouted for others first using detect life - (finding them at quite a distance away) - before she whispered her hate message.

I think what is bringing up the whispering issue is that the story doesn't detail Buffy moving from the first necromancer and setting up closer to the others - which may be why it seems they would be close enough to hear her. When I played this quest the others were way back in the wooded fringes of the island.

I assumed she had crept closer, but Buffy uses that Long Bow (a modded bow) instead of the standard bows the game provides - she could hit a target further away and with more force than someone with the regular issued bow.

This chapter so reflected Buffy to me. She is no soldier, just a young girl with a big heart who just saw her friend killed right in front of her...she is understandably angry at the killer. Her reaction was very "human," it would be hard in such a circumstance for any of us not to want to spit on or curse at the one who just stabbed our friend in front of us - unless we were trained in the Rangers or Seals we probably all would, and even they may falter at a time like that.

I think Haute said it best, Buffy is not perfect - one of the things that makes her story such a joy to read for me. To me Buffy is more comparable to SubRosa's Teresa (Not a Hero) - perfectly adorable, perfectly Awesome - but other than that - not perfect. Real.

This post has been edited by mALX: Feb 20 2011, 04:14 PM

In Episode 78, Buffy found Wellspring Grove. Too late to prevent the death of another mage, she delivered on her promise to slay the remaining necromancers. She also reiterated her intent to complete a mage's staff for the dead student she had found and deliver it to his father at Harm's Folly.

Rider- Thank you for contrasting Buffy's skills with her emotions. She certainly runs on passion instead of discipline and would never make it as a Legion soldier! Her many flaws do indeed include wearing her emotions on her sleeve.

It seems also that I may not have done an adequate job of portraying the distances involved to be as great as I intended. For example, Buffy had to 'zoom in' on her targets to see more than pink glows, and her impaling arrow took fully a 'couple seconds' in flight. I wonder also if I have been remiss in emphasizing the prodigious range of detect life that she uses. Given the distances we tried to portray, and her expertise in stealth, she actually felt quite confident in her ability to remain hidden during that scene where she planned her next move and, yes, dribbled out some of her emotions.

I'll try to bear these things in mind going forward and appreciate you highlighting them. Oh, I also wanted to end strongly, with the fat lady singing skinny elf shooting, so I tried to engineer all her ruminations in during the middle of the episode. You are very right that she should guard against overconfidence. Somehow though I'm pretty sure she hasn't peed her last set of greaves.

Grits- Thank you for those kind words on how we tried to capture the disorientation and confusion of entering the grove. It was SubRosa that suggested during our first version of this story that Buffy occasionally run into mages who use detect life to counter her ability to hide. It makes perfect sense of course - much to Buffy's chagrin.

SubRosa- Thank you! We try to limit use of Teresa's trademarked faint smile®, but sometimes it is just the right thing at the right time. I'm so glad that you took our use of it here as a tribute to the stringy Bosmer. We could almost hear Teresa whispering, "Meet my friend nightshade."

King Coin- Thanks! Buffy bluffed about pinning Bejeen to the wall down in Leyawiin, but this was her first attempt to actually try the feat.

Thomas Kaira- Thank you so much for highlighting the often conflicting and always swirling contradictions of our lethally blond bowgirl.

Captain Hammer- Thank you! Buffy's armor-piercing arrows have a magically hardened slender tip and are enchanted with a disintegrate armor effect. We add a little fantasy license of course, and marauders are not safe from her. We have not put any thought into the type of arrow shaft, but would prefer that it be a type of wood characterized by low weight, resistance to warpage and high strength.

We're hoping that the following factors made pinning the necromancer to the tree plausible: He wore no armor to increase his weight. He was leaning directly against the tree, reducing shearing leverage on the arrow shaft. He had no established falling momentum to arrest - the arrow merely had to prevent him from falling. And most importantly, it's a magical fantasy world!

Zalphon- Thanks! Every necromancer Buffy has encountered has shown their eagerness to attack her on sight. If Zalphon could detect her before she struck, and declare himself, she would welcome him. Her doctrine applies.

MyCat- Thank you! Buffy's conjuration skill lags at this point in her story. For Book 1, she is stuck with scamps, skellies and ghosts. Thanks for being proud of our bowgirl for not wetting her greaves.

'Put paid' conjured the image to me of a clerk stamping 'paid' on an invoice, and I was trying to focus more on the act of applying payment toward a debt. Therefore I chose what I felt to be the creative phrase 'put pay'. I so appreciate your comment, as well as the comments from Rider and mALX on this. Given that my intent was not clear to everyone, I changed the phrase to drop reference to either term.

mALX- Thank you so much for your kind comments. You know Buffy better than anyone, and over a timeframe that spans even beyond her fanfic career. I'm so glad her passionate nature - flaws and all - came through clearly in this episode.



Golden wings, delicately laced with black, fluttered as they floated above the lavender petals of an elegantly lethal nightshade. Lightly dancing through the air, the tiny creature eventually selected the brilliant yellow of a dragon's tongue, and settled gently. After a few lazy flickers, the wings stopped and splayed open, like beautifully painted pages basking in the early rays of the sun. I wondered if butterflies were so beautiful because they spent their days visiting flowers?

"You're up early this morning, my butterfly." The words quite startled me, so mesmerized had I been by the little flower dancer. My head snapped toward the voice to see a beaming Boderi Farano.

I smiled at my University advisor. "Boderi! I was so hoping you would come to the alchemy garden this morning. I know it is a favorite place for both of us." I patted the spot next to me on the wooden bench. "Sit with me?"

"Of course." The Dunmer gracefully seated herself beside me. "I just breakfasted with Raminus Polus. Your news of the necromancer attack at Wellspring is quite the talk within the Council of Mages." She placed her hand over mine and narrowed her red eyes. "Tell me the rest of the story."

Not one to keep secrets from Boderi, I willingly provided the details of my poignantly dangerous trek through the cave and grove at Wellspring.

"Buffy, I'm proud of you. I feel badly that we did not talk about countermeasures for being discovered while invisible. It seems my illusionist discovered at least one solution on her own however. You are quite the planner - I doubt you will be surprised by that again. I'm also delighted that you're learning how to objectively evaluate your own skills and weaknesses." The Dunmer cocked her head, raised an eyebrow and added, "Now, out with it. You may have some skill with verbal dueling and masking your emotions, but you forget how well I know you, my Apprentice. What's troubling you?"

"Am I that transparent?" I replied.

Boderi smiled affectionately. "Only to me, Buffy."

I lowered my voice. "Boderi, can I trust Raminus? I mean, after I investigated Wellspring for him, he said he would take my case to the Council of Mages and try his best to get me some help for Kvatch." I frowned and continued, "He said he would get word to me in Bravil, but that it would likely take more than a fortnight! Sometimes it seems that by the time I get everything together it will be too late. Now another delay. I know I must sound like a pouting child, but I can't help it."

"Patience," Boderi said gently as she gazed toward the flowers. "This delay is a lifetime to your delicate winged friend over there, but merely the flutter of an eye to us. You have seen but a score of summers, Buffy. Raminus, on the other hand is more than twice your age. I suspect I look twice your age as well; but in truth, I am several times that. If you do not get killed, you will learn to see humans age before your eyes. Time is bittersweetly different for us, as elves."

Boderi looked into my eyes and continued, "My point? I've seen Raminus grow from Apprentice to Master Wizard, and I know well his strengths and weaknesses." She squeezed my hand. "The Council of Mages is in turmoil over this organized necromancer attack against our own facilities. In the midst of this, getting assistance for your hero in Kvatch will require skill and, yes, some time. You could have no better advocate on the Council though, than Raminus Polus."

Boderi stood, as did I, and we hugged. The beautiful dark elf said, "I'm off to teach my class," then she turned and glided away. My eyes wandered back to the flowers in the alchemy garden. The butterfly was gone.

A score of paces later, I entered the Chironasium. "Good morning Delmar," I said cheerfully to the old enchanter.

"Well hello Apprentice, I haven't seen you in here for quite some time." He had two amulets in one hand and a pair of small soul gems in the other. Laying them upon a nearby table, he continued, "What can I help you with this morning? Another bow to enchant? Perhaps some more magic rings?"

"I don't mean to disrupt if you're working on a project," I said, looking at the items he had just set down. "I mean, I can come back if you're too busy."

"Nonsense." His grin flashed teeth rivaling the color of his white robes. Glancing at the amulets and soul gems, he added, "These are just going be lake striders to help the new grove attendants get to Wellspring a little more easily. No hurry, what's on your mind?"

"Delmar, can you make me a mage's staff?"

The Redguard's chin dropped to his chest as he stared down at me. "Buffy, did I hear you right? I've never known you to use any weapon except a bow."

"Oh, it's not for me." I then told him about finding the body of young Apprentice Arnaud Northwode in Wellspring Cave, and of the promise I had made. Slipping Arnaud's letter from a pocket within the folds of my skirt, I showed it to Delmar.

The Enchanter had listened intently. Now, he studied the letter. "Hmm, let's see. . . and you're going to give this staff to his father, eh?" After I nodded, the Redguard continued, "Farm, goblins, probably wild animals. . . ahah! We'll make a staff that casts fireballs - something a farmer can use. How's that sound?"

"I think that's an excellent choice," I said. "It seems that Arnaud hoped to specialize in destruction. In fact, according to his University records, he even wanted his body burned to ashes should he perish. The Headmaster has said the guild will honor that request and even provide an urn for his remains. I intend to deliver that to his father as well. I guess Arnaud liked fire."

"Good. It's settled then. Now, where's the wood for this staff?" An expectant eyebrow climbed his forehead.

Dropping my pack to the floor, I pointed. "It's in there. Um, it'll take me a minute or two to find it." I knelt by my pack and started rummaging.

After a few moments, Delmar scratched his balding head and said impatiently, "By the Nine, Buffy! How hard can it be to find a staff that's taller than you are?"

I could feel a warm flush as it rose above the top of the white peasant blouse I wore. Having no doubt that my neck, face and even the pointed tips of my ears displayed my discomfort, I said sheepishly, "Well, I have lots in there. You know, stuff."

Placing one hand on his hip and pointing a finger from the other at me, Delmar admonished, "Look, young lady, when you talked me into placing a feather enchantment on your pack long ago, I told you it was to make it lighter for you to carry - not so you could just jam more things into it." He then chuckled and shook his head. "Tell you what, I'll just go work on this other project. You let me know when you find the staff." He scooped up the amulets and soul gems then wandered over toward one of the enchanting altars, shaking his head. "Women," he said softly to the wall in front of him.

By Mara, Buffy! How hard can this be indeed? There was only one place in the pack a staff could fit; all I had to do was find my magic bag.

I figured it was a good thing that my rings, poisons and potions were in quick access pouches I had added to the outside of my pack. Finding anything else though was, well, a little bit of a problem.

I started pulling things out and tossing them on the floor. Azura's Star was always on top. Then out came blue shoes, black and gold shoes, a repair hammer, my buckskin halter top, russet felt shoes. . . .

Ahah! No, that's my alchemy bag. Still kneeling over the pack, I blew at the loose strands of hair that had fallen in front of my face. I then continued adding to the growing pile of items on the floor.

. . . burgundy blouse, Arena raiment, skirts, buckskin boots and greaves, sandals, more blouses, several dresses, two bottles of Tamika's. . . .

I glanced over toward Delmar to make sure he couldn't hear me, then muttered under my breath, "All right Acadian, you can just stop that silent laughing. I know we have to get lots better at organizing this pack. Maybe we can work on it later, but teasing me about it right now isn't helping things one bit!"

"There you are!" I squealed. "Oh, isn't that always the way - right at the very bottom." I pulled the magic bag from my pack and began adding its contents to the floor as well.

"Hmm, Peryite's Spell Breaker shield - I really need to drop that off with Tar-Meena at the Archives. Journal, ink pot, quiver, quills, Slayer. Oh, enchanted arrows - I almost forgot about those. Spare bowstrings and more arrows. . . . Finally!" I slid the staff out of the bag, still amazed how things like a staff or Slayer could fit in there to begin with. I shrugged, guessing that's why it was called a magic bag.

Proudly, I held up the gnarled length of special wood. "See, Delmar? I told you it was in there."

The Redguard approached with a grin, shook his head again and took the staff. Looking at the floor, he added, "Now, clean up this mess and come back tomorrow. I'll have the staff ready then."

"Thanks," I said, still slightly embarrassed. I spent the next hour or so trying to get things back into my pack in a little more organized fashion.

* From Buffy's scrapbook:
Screenshot
Screenshot

This post has been edited by Acadian: Feb 20 2011, 01:36 PM

"...By Mara, Buffy! How hard can this be indeed? There was only one place in the pack a staff could fit; all I had to do was find my magic bag. .."

Hmmm...HARD...staFF...only ONE PLACE to fit...

(forgive me old friend - tension at work brings out Mr. Dhertee Innu Endo)

I love the changes you made to this chapter, the perfect solution to my gripes on the earlier version !!! This is wonderful, I am so glad you took my (rare) displeasure into account on this chapter, this is so much better !!! WOO HOO !!! And my fave screenshot is Buffy sitting on the bench in the garden - Beautiful !!!

I love what you have done to this chapter !!! Awesome Write !!!

I wondered if butterflies were so beautiful because they spent their days visiting flowers?
What a charming notion! The screenshots from Buffy’s scrapbook bring me so much enjoyment.

”If you do not get killed, you will learn to see humans age before your eyes. Time is bittersweetly different for us, as elves."
I’m glad Boderi pointed this out, as it’s also been on my mind. I think it probably colors all human/elf relationships, more for the mer than for the man.

Unloading the entire pack onto Delmar’s floor had me in stitches. Especially the two bottles of Tamikas, for some reason that struck me as especially hilarious. I guess when you carry a magic bag inside an enchanted pack, stuff really can accumulate. I should probably stop wishing for a handbag-of-holding! Wait a minute, officer, my license is in here somewhere…

First let me counter some of the things that were said earlier.

I knew those two necromancers were a very long way off from the cave exit. I've played the game often enough to have a good sense of the distance involved (thanks to leveled detect life spells and a consistent AI).

But I've had animals and people move from where I expect them to be to stand right next to me while I was preoccupied with something else. And if Buffy is busy spilling her hatred out onto a dead body, those two guys could move from their initial positions and discover her. Julian's fought enough goblins that she's nodding heartily at my words. Buffy may have tons of woodscraft skills (no, not may, but does) but her emotions are still very powerful, and they were running at high volume during that conversation. It's just prudent to take care of business first, and save the chit chat for afterwards. After all, the dead necromancer isn't going to move from where Buffy put her down. Those live ones can.

I'm not saying your writing is suffering because of it. No, just the opposite. That scene got me and Julian sitting tensely on the edges of our seats, muttering under our collective breaths about clearing the area (in this context, the entire island) first. That's how effective your writing is. And that's not the first time I've read it!

Now on to new business: Grits already said all the things I wanted to say about this wonderful segment. I loved how it moved from Boderi to Delmar, and how nonchalant Delmar was about all the things lurking in Buffy's bag o'holding. He strikes me as the sort of man who's very familiar with chicks and their propensities for carrying their entire lives' worth of possessions in a handbag 'just in case.'

As with haute, I loved the opening paragraph that you spent on the butterfly. One part of Buffy's nature.

I love the name Lake Strider for the water-walking amulets that Delmar is making.

I see you also addressed the issue of Arnaud's remains in BF 2.0. It looks like Buffy will be taking more than just a staff north with her.

Poor Delmar, faced with the horror of the contents of a woman's purse! Again, I just love the pic of all her stuff splayed out across the floor!

still amazed how things like a staff or Slayer could fit in there to begin with. I shrugged, guessing that's why it was called a magic bag.
Indeed! I see I am not the only one who could resist the urge at taking a poke at the game, where you can put a six foot staff in a clamshell!

I echo above about the butterfly scene, wonderfully evocative!

I see Buffy's endless bag of tricks certainly knows no bounds. Me? I'm slightly more mundane than to use the Bag of Holding. Besides, Rusty makes a fine companion in my travels.

Who is Rusty? Well, that's a spoiler for another time.



I'm sensing that this one might be getting about as full as your travel sack, too! Might want to start looking into a new volume soon.

Oh, by the way, B, you really should consider getting at least your clothing organized. I know that may be asking way too much at this point, but it would be such a shame if those delicate wine bottles smashed... and I'm not even talking about everyone thinking you're a drunk if that happens! I hear wine stains are REALLY hard to remove, especially from white.

I recall someone (probably centuries ago when I was at University) explaining how the reason that the item you needed to find was always at the bottom of the bag was the second law of thermodynamics. I imagine the addition of magic only makes it apply more.

What was never quite explained was how you wouldn't find it there, if that was the first place you looked. Things are always in the last place you look for them, after all.

@TK: I've dropped bottles of wine a number of times in the game and never broken one yet. Apparently they're not fragile in Tamriel, so Buufy needn't worry about stains.

This post has been edited by ghastley: Feb 20 2011, 11:53 PM

I really liked how Buffy had to dump everything on the floor to find a gigantic section of wood! If my character had to do that there would be a lot more weapons on the floor.

This post has been edited by King Coin: Feb 20 2011, 11:53 PM

Ah, the "contains my entire life" scenario of many a woman's purse. That also applies to some guys I know with their various briefcases or appropriate substitutes.

When I play D&D, we change the name from "Bag of Holding" to "Your Girlfriend's Purse" for any use of such item. When two girls joined, we changed the name to "Purse of Either Player 4 or Player 5" to be more inclusive. I've been admonished for this.

Episode 79 found Buffy back at the Arcane University. Raminus Polus had agreed to represent her request for Kvatch assistance before the Council of Mages. Buffy was frustrated however that it would take at least two weeks before Raminus would get word to her in Bravil once the Council had met on the matter. She also delivered the unenchanted wood to have a mage's staff crafted with the intent of delivering it to the father of a young mage that perished in the Wellspring attack. She now has a day to spend in the Imperial City before the enchanted staff is complete.

Foxy- I figured Buffy's search for a magical piece of wood would bring you 'round. Thanks!

mALX- I'm so pleased you liked the screenshot of Buffy looking at the alchemy garden. It is one of my faves also. Thank you for liking this episode and the changes! For readers not familiar with BF 1.0, the concern mALX refers to is an improvement for 2.0 in how we deal with young Arnaud's remains.

Grits- I'm so glad our butterfly scene danced effectively, and thank you for your kind words about our screenshots. I think your handbag analogy is spot on! Thank you also for highlighting Boderi's observations regarding life spans that are so relevant to an elf smitten by a human.

Rider- Thank you for appreciating the large amount of baggage Buffy carries. I toyed at simply breaking with a * symbol to change scenes between the alchemy garden and Chironasium so I appreciate you affirming our scene transitions. Having enchanted Superian's saddle pad with resist frost, Savlian Matius' shield with resist fire, and Buffy's pack with feather, I expect poor old delightful Delmar is no longer surprised by some of the things Buffy pulls out of her pack. She has to carry lots of, you know, stuff!

SubRosa- Considering Buffy's nature and the beauty of the garden, the butterfly was too wonderful to not share. Given your own superb creativity with aspects of TES life, I am honored that the term Lake Strider worked well. Arnaud's remains - yes, cremation is the answer and by tying it to his interest in destruction I wanted to portray it as not a particularly prevalent custom. I loved your response to Buffy's 'stuff' being strewn about.

Thomas Kaira- Given your own potent command of description, I am humbled that you were impressed by our attempt to 'paint' a butterfly. When I add up the weight that Buffy carries, it is actually not much (clothes are light) and easily distributed between her pack and Superian's twin saddlebags. The primary benefit of her magic bag of holding for our story, is that it can accomodate objects too large fit into her pack (Slayer, quiver, staff). Thank you! Yes, Buffy will need that beautiful new journal that Mazoga gave her in just a few more episodes.

ghastley- Thank you! Who can fathom the mysteries of feminine physics and how it relates to carrying the so many required items of daily life?

King Coin- I'm glad you liked sharing the scary secrets of Buffy's pack! Yes, I understand Aravi is quite the weapons mistress. Short blades and bows if I recall. Thank you.

Captain Hammer- Thanks! I got a chuckle from your D&D antics. Given all the teasing - even from Acadian - Buffy's glad she didn’t open up her alchemy bag where her shampoo, conditioner, soap, perfume and all that other important stuff lives among the mushrooms and flowers.



"And he thought he could beat you!" The Redguard boomed out a laugh. "Ha! We'll scoop what's left of him into a barrel and ship it back to Skyrim. Well, as long as those Nordic knuckleheads are willing to keep trying the Gray Prince, we'll keep raking in the gold. Good job. Here's your take."

Agronak gro-Malog's sword dripped blood on the stone floor of the Bloodworks. The Grand Champion of the Arena made no move to take the proffered bag of gold from the Blademaster. "Give it to his family, Owyn."

"Suit yourself, Champ. I hope you're not going soft on me." Owyn then noticed me standing quietly near the entrance to his office. "Well, if it isn't Buffy the miniature gladiator. What? Are you here for a tea party? If you're looking for a match, you'd better get outta that dress."

Owyn had one eyebrow raised waiting for an answer, but Agronak curled a lip above one tusk in what I had learned from Mazoga was an orcish smile.

"Not today, Owyn," I said. "I won't be fighting in the Arena anymore. I came to see if you want my raiment back."

Owyn frowned, then rubbed his chin for a moment. "Well, to tell you the truth, I always figured you were too small to make it in this business. You did okay for yourself while you were here though, kid. Keep the raiment. We don't get much call for them in your size and besides, you earned it. In fact, you're welcome in the Bloodworks anytime. Now, both of you - out of my office."

Once Agronak and I were in the main area of the Bloodworks, he engulfed my shoulder with a massive hand and looked down at me. "So, I gather you found what you were looking for here?"

"I did, Agronak. The Arena taught me much about facing down my fears, but fighting for sport is just not for me. Besides, there are so many two legged varmints out in the real world that I'm sure my fighting skills won't atrophy." I then craned my neck to look up into his eyes. How about you? Have you thought any more about what I said when I was here for my last match? Turning your mighty blade from entertainment to noble purpose and becoming a knight?"

Agronak steered me to a bench and we both sat. He stared at the training dummy reserved for his use. "I must confess I do find this life more and more pointless. I nurture and watch fighters grow, only to find my efforts rewarded by having to kill them in the sands of the Arena. But at least here, people respect me. Besides, like I asked you before, who would make an orc a knight?"

"The Count of Leyawiin," I replied. I took one of his hands in both of mine, causing him to look at me. "One of my best friends is a knight in the Order of the White Stallion. She is a powerful and noble Orismer named Sir Mazoga. The Order is short handed and would welcome your help."

"Leave the Arena? Travel to Leyawiin?" The Grand Champion's eyes almost seemed to harbor fear. "Oh. . . I don't know, Buffy. I've been here for almost a decade."

"And how long will you stay here entertaining timid souls who are not fit to carry your shield?" I said. "Will it be another decade, perhaps two before some young buck kills you? Or if you survive, do you hope to become Blademaster so you can send countless young warriors to their deaths for sport? What will that accomplish? Agronak, there's a whole world beyond the Arena, and it's waiting for a true champion like you to make a difference."

The orc's eyes searched mine for a long time, and I could see the conflict waging within. Eventually he responded, "I'll do it. How do I get there?"

"I would travel with you, but I must leave tomorrow for Harm's Folly to deliver some bad news." I reached into my pack, pulled out two scrolls and unrolled one. "I did buy you a map at the Copious Coinpurse today however." With a finger, I traced a route south along the Green Road almost to Leyawiin. "Right here is the Lodge for the Order of the White Stallion."

He took the map and studied it as I dug into my pack again to produce my quill and inkpot. After scribing a short letter onto the other parchment and blowing the ink dry, I handed it to Agronak.

He read the letter aloud:

Dearest Sir Mazoga,

Please extend consideration and hospitality to Agronak gro-Malog, Grand Champion of the Arena. The powerful Orsimer is highly skilled with a blade and wishes to become a knight. I ask that you offer your wisdom to him regarding this matter. Should you find his spirit worthy, by whatever trials you deem prudent, I hope you will present him to Count Leyawiin for dubbing into the Order of the White Stallion.

My warmest regards to you, dear friend.

Buffy

"So this Mazoga is a real knight?" Agronak asked as he rolled up the letter.

I nodded. "You will find no one in all Cyrodiil more worthy of the title. Deliver that letter to her, and I would suggest you call her Sir Mazoga."

"Buffy, I feel awkward asking your advice. It's just that I've been here in the Arena for so long. I don't know much about the outside. I know how to fight of course but, when there is no gate or announcer, how do I know when? Who is friend and who is foe?"

I was surprised to realize that this mighty orc was quite out of his element beyond the Arena. I believed I could understand his apprehension of the unfamiliar. I smiled gently and took his hand again. "It is your wisdom about controlling my fears that helped me survive during my matches here. I'm honored that you would ask my advice now. If you get attacked of course, you fight back. Beyond that, I use what I call the Buffy Doctrine to help me know when to fight. I think you might find it useful. Would you like to hear it?"

"Indeed I would," he said, lifting a dark eyebrow.

I recited my doctrine: "If you are kind to me, I will love you dearly; if you are a threat to me or my friends, I will likely kill you." I then added, "You don't need an announcer, Agronak."

The orc rubbed a thick finger over one tusk for a moment, then nodded his understanding. "Any other advice?"

Studying Agronak's face, I tried to read his character. I remembered his words from the last time I had seen him: "I need a sturdy woman who can hold her own with a blade. A powerful sparring partner. An Orsimer woman."

The eerily similar words of my friend Mazoga also came clearly to mind: "I could give my heart only to a knight who is stronger than I. One who can defeat me in combat with a blade. A powerful and noble Orsimer."

Oh dear Mara. I hoped I was doing the right thing for Mazoga. I knew perfectly well that I was meddling in affairs of the heart - something I knew so little about.

Finally, I issued a gentle warning in response to the Grand Champion's request for advice. "Only this," I said quietly, "remember my doctrine well. Know also that Sir Mazoga has been kind to me and I love her dearly."

This post has been edited by Acadian: Feb 23 2011, 02:34 PM

Buffy's warning Agronak? I guess she has found her confidence! And she bought the map at Thoronir's shop before talking to him,which means she was pretty sure how it would go.

I believe this is an all-new chapter, so now I'm hoping for an encounter between Agronak and Alessia Caro in the future. Maybe Buffy is, too.

An all-new chapter!! AWESOME !!!




Buffy knows a lot about heart, just not affairs !!! GAAAAH, I just don't want to have the image of Orc kissing ... or worse ... stuck in my head, lol. I love this new path Buffy is on, matchmaker!! Oh Terentius and Indarys - watch out !!! Awesome Chapter !!!






WOOOOOT !!! I never thought of that !!!!

I never thought of the Grand Champion having trouble knowing when to kill! Good chapter! Aravi would approve!