Buffy the Bowgirl, Book 1, Thread 1, Do You Know the Way to Kvatch? Options

[Acadian]

Welcome to the adventures of Buffy the Bowgirl!

My name is Acadian. Buffy is an elven mystic archer that I have the pleasure to travel Tamriel with.

This is Book 1 of her journal. It begins with Buffy being briefly incarcerated in the Imperial Prison, and ends as she attempts to bring freedom to the city of Kvatch. It is a sprawling story that will require 176 episodes, spread over five threads. Appropriately, I have nicknamed Book 1, 'Do You Know the Way to Kvatch?'

Buffy's personal journey is more important than her destination. Our writing style is character-driven. I help Buffy write her journal because I have a truckload of passion for her, not because I am a writer. We take plenty of liberties with quests and NPCs, but only few liberties with game mechanics because there is an aspect of 'how to / mystic archer guide' woven into her stories. Therefore, we tend to eschew earthly things and stick rather closely to Nirnian physics. In Buffy's world for example, a skilled archer can 'zoom in' on her target and cause her enemies to 'turn green' with poison. Buffy has never been to medieval Europe or ancient Rome, and her world does not resemble those places.

I thank you so much, should you find our humble effort earns and maintains your readership. My hope is that Buffy will worm her way into your heart, as she has mine.

Edit: Buffy has completed this book as of August 2012, and I would like to think that the reading of it is a satisfying experience - both complete as well as suggestive of sequels. For those newer readers who would like to catch up to us in one short sitting, you might find this helpful: Buffy – The Executive Summary Thread.

This post has been edited by Acadian: Oct 28 2012, 12:33 PM

[Acadian]

Chapter 8 found Buffy in Chorrol, having just completed her fifth University recommendation, and earning a dangerous enemy in the process. She spent most of the day relaxing by a beautiful set of waterfalls as she reflected on her recent journeys through Bruma, Weynon Priory and Chorrol.

Foxy- Thank you, my friend. Yes, there is indeed a very real ghost that animates Buffy.

SubRosa- She truly can't resist a swim at every waterfall she finds. I must agree that 'You're not the boss of me!' is very Buffy - It was quite refreshing to hear her say it to someone besides me. Yes, a busy chapter - two cities and elements of three quests! More ground than we would cover nowadays in one chapter, but I am glad it worked with only minor editing. Thank you as always for the warm support.

enclave private - Thank you so much for dropping in. It is wonderful to have you reading. Please stop by for a goblet of Tamika's anytime.

Rider- Buffy's reaction to Jauffre was completely different than any other character I have had encounter him. I think it was the big strong guy trying to send a scrawny elf off to do his bidding that really did it. My prior characters were all strong guys who never took exception to that. Buffy taught me very quickly how it feels to be small and vulnerable. Thank you!

DarkZerker- Yes, when that escaped prisoner is a little teenaged elf, it seems even less likely that she would be asked to go save the Empire. Thanks so much!

Zalphon- I'm humbled by your kind words. Thank you. I hope you enjoy your pending camping trip.

Olen- Thank you. The challenge here was preserving the massive amount of ground covered in the original version of this chapter without expanding it into multiple chapters. It took some creative transitions and flashbacks, but I think it worked well. There are some chapters ahead that will require expanding into more than one.

That pesky Acadian does sometimes put blue marks on Buffy's map. Sometimes she follows them. The following chapter quickly reveals her next destination.

Wolf- Thank you so much. I must admit that I liked the Chorrol chapter very much for the same reasons you mentioned. If someone were to ask 'who is Buffy?' this is one of a few chapters I would recommend to answer that question. I am so pleased at your reaction. It will take awhile, but we will see Earana again. Buffy does not make idle threats, and she assumes that Earana does not either.

Destri- Thank you. I agree that the choice between Teekius and Earana is not easy or clear cut. In Buffy's case, it was largely a young girl's loyalty to her guild. She has seen bad examples in the guild (Falcar), but she has also seen the best the guild has to offer in her very own guild head, Kud-Ei.

* * *

9 Ride Fast and Shoot Straight

"Hail citizen. Where are you bound?" The question was a friendly greeting from the approaching Imperial Legion rider.

"I'm trying to make my way to Skingrad," I nervously responded as our horses pulled abreast and stopped. My experience with the Legion so far had been painful. I was almost eye to eye with the iron clad soldier. His veteran bay gelding ignored Superian's youthful inquisitiveness. "Can you offer any advice for my journey?" I asked hopefully.

The rider leaned closer. "By the Nine Divines, if you've got to travel, stay on the roads. The wilderness just isn't safe anymore. We've had sightings you see, the Daedra." Concern in his calm authoritative voice gave me pause. I had seen drawings of Daedra in books and knew that some mages could summon them, but I had never actually seen one for real. The Imperial's weathered features reflected the hardships of a lifetime of service to the Legion, yet there was also kindness in his steel blue eyes. He didn't appear to be in a hurry. In fact he seemed quite willing to pause along his patrol route to talk for a bit. "Let me see your map."

I opened my map so we could both see. "Here." Placing my finger on our present position along the Black Road near Chorrol, I dragged it south to the blue mark at Skingrad.

"No," his face clouded as he shook his head, "stay on the roads." With a heavy gauntleted finger, he then traced a route east along the Black Road, south using the Red Ring Road and finally southwest to Skingrad along the Gold Road. "It'll take longer, but it's safer. And remember, if you run into trouble, come find me, or one of the Legion."

"Thank you." I smiled, then added truthfully, "I'm glad I ran into you."

He leisurely tapped two fingers to a spot on his helm above his right eye as if in friendly salute and smiled back broadly. "We're here to serve, citizen." With two clicks to the bay gelding, he slowly continued towards Chorrol.

I turned in the saddle and watched him for a few moments. I recalled that another soldier had knocked me unconscious with an ease akin to swatting a fly. That was the trip with City Swimmer that landed me in the Imperial Prison. I reluctantly had to admit though, the soldier in that case really was just doing his job. City Swimmer and I were the ones that broke the law. I decided to take the advice and put my map away. Superian and I continued riding along the Black Road towards the Imperial City.

As a gray stone fort loomed into view along the road ahead, I saw a Khajiit running towards us. He did not have a weapon in his hand and I thought he might be in trouble or running from an animal. I drew Superian to a stop and began to get nervous as the Khajiit got closer. I could see he was wearing a fur cuirass, and from over one shoulder protruded a handle that I assumed was attached to a large weapon.

"Give me your gold." His tone was cruel, as yellow eyes hungrily sized me up. I could clearly see the huge axe on his back now as he stood by my left knee. My mind raced as I conjured all sorts of horrible images, and I wasn't sure at all that surrendering my gold would end his demands. My most precious possession was between my legs after all. I mean, Superian could fetch a price that far exceeded all the gold I carried.

"I warn you, I'm prepared to defend myself." I hoped my attempt to back him down sounded more confident than I felt.

A toothy grin slowly formed, preceding his reply. "This one likes it that way." His hands started up towards the handle of that giant two-handed axe.

Superian sensed my intent. In the blink of an eye, she had whirled us around and we were off. I heard a forceful thud behind us that must have been the Khajiit's axe as the blade hit the ground, probably just missing my mare's flank. In less than a minute, we stopped.

I turned in the saddle, straining my senses. I could hear Superian breathing, birds chirping and a breeze rustling in the branches above, but no sign of pursuit.

With my heart in my throat, I jumped to the ground and carefully inspected Superian's hindquarters. I then closed my eyes and whispered, "Thank you Mara." But for her incredible quickness, the mare could have been mortally wounded. The giant axe must have been slow to equip and swing, and I was sure that had worked to our favor.

My thoughts turned to the Khajiit. He had looked initially like a traveler in need of help. I had been ready to offer him assistance! The shudder that ran through me as I imagined how close his axe must have come to Superian's haunch yielded to rage.

On foot, I made my way back towards that fort, moving carefully among bushes for cover. The Khajiit was just standing by the side of the road. I bet he simply ducked out of sight whenever the Legion patrols came by, then came back out to rob wood elves like me.

I slid the grummite bow from my back with a grim determination.

The poison was a simple one, but it would do the job. If the highwayman who swung his axe at my precious horse died slowly and painfully, so much the better.

I nocked the arrow, partially drew my bowstring and leisurely aimed. It was a pretty long shot. I savored the sight picture of the Khajiit as I moved the arrow's broad head tip slightly up and down above the target, fine tuning my aim point. Head shots were too easy to miss, although deadly. Chest shots were what I normally tried for, as they were lethal but easier. This however, would be a belly shot. Hopefully it would not kill him right away.

The next actions were really a single fluid motion, developed from years of hunting. I took in a normal breath, released about half and paused breathing. Drawing the bowstring smoothly to full tension, I loosed the arrow.

The Khajiit jerked involuntarily and cried out as my arrow slammed into his gut. His body was quickly flooded by poison.

I was still undetected and could have easily stopped his pain with a second arrow. I would have done so for any wild animal. Instead, I watched him wrestle with the pain of trying to remove the deeply imbedded arrow from his belly. "I hope it hurts," I whispered.

The image that briefly popped into my head would have been amusing under less deadly circumstances. A bow-equipped mouse toying with a cat. Within a few more seconds his body went limp and collapsed. I shouldered my bow.

After backtracking until Superian came into view, I cast a spell asking her to come to me. She willingly did so at a run, and I buried my face in her long black mane, savoring her smell. We rode to the dead Khajiit. From the saddle, I looked down at the highwayman who had accosted his last wood elf. I didn't mind the satisfaction of killing someone who deserved it, but this was different. The rage I felt as I imagined him swinging his axe at Superian. . . . I had taken cruel pleasure in killing this Khajiit slowly. I mean, I had the skill, but is this what I wanted to use it for? I didn't understand my feelings at all.

The sun was now flirting with the treetops to my west. I slid to the ground, unsheathed my knife and pulled out a repair hammer. My mind was active as I worked. We had spent much of the day going up and down a fairly short stretch of the Black Road. I needed to figure out a better way to travel. I needed to figure out a lot of things.

Rising to my feet, I could see that the road passed right through Fort Ash. I led Superian into the circular open ruins for the night. After removing her tack and doing some grooming, I fished into her saddlebags for some carrots to augment the soft grass near the walls of the fort.

Clambering up to a stone overhang above her, I then set up camp.

I inspected and counted arrows, including the one I had cut from the belly of the Khajiit. After cleaning it up, I noted with both guilt and satisfaction, that it was still useable.

The grummite bow was serving me well, and I was thankful that Daenlin had switched me from linen to silk bowstrings. The silk ones didn't stretch, even when wet, and therefore didn't need to be waxed or spend as much time unstrung. They also lasted longer. The only drawback to the silk, besides cost of course, was that it was harder on my fingers. I recalled that the ladies of my guild in Bravil all had beautifully soft hands. Well, except for Kud-Ei of course; hers were kind of scaly. I frowned as I looked at my own. The bowstring fingers of my right hand looked like small versions of Daenlin's - marred by heavy calluses.

The light of my campfire now bounced off the old walls of the ruined fort. It felt comfortable and safe up on this ledge under the stars.

Laying out my bedroll, I set the bow and quiver next to it, then pulled some dinner from my pack. I took a long pull on my water bag, confident that I could top it up tomorrow as we intercepted the Red Ring Road near Lake Rumare.

Sitting there munching bread and cheese, I realized that traveling by horse was a mixed blessing. Superian was a wonderful companion and we were getting very close. I smiled, as it occurred that between her and Acadian, I was never lonely. We could also cover ground quickly together, and her amazing speed allowed us to outrun any foe. Yet at times like today, we were quite vulnerable.

Trying to shoot from horseback with a longbow was so cumbersome as to be completely ineffective. Equally frustrating was that I could no more cast a spell astride Superian than while sitting in a chair. Spell casting involved channeling magical energy through the entire body in a fairly precise stance. Being threatened on horseback therefore, meant either running away or dismounting to fight.

While removing my Arena raiment, I unhappily remembered I still lacked the skill to repair it. I was already practicing on everything I could find - even the dings in that highwayman's axe and the hole from my own arrow in his cuirass. Of course, I had just thrown them on the ground after repairing them.

Finally, I crawled into the waiting bedroll, my mind still swirling over the events of the day.