Buffy the Bowgirl, Book 1, Thread 2, Do You Know the Way to Kvatch? Options

[treydog]

This was one with much to appreciate- starting with the symbolic nightmare and Tar-Meena's acerbic response.

I also loved the revelation that it is not the Daedra Lords or their trinkets that hold fascination for Buffy- but knowledge- knowledge that will allow her to fulfill a promise.

And the other moment of deep satisfaction comes from seeing bowgirl and paladin reaching a still better understanding and accord.

Quite a wonderful moment of growth and development.

[Zalphon]

I'm liking it, Acadian

[Acadian]

In Chapter 44, Buffy was confronted with the fact that she had been pursuing Daedric Shrine quests like an unguided missile. In a discussion with Acadian, she sorted out her motivation and came to the sobering realization that there will be no army from the Legion to close the Oblivion Gate at Kvatch. She figures the gate is held open by the sigil stone of Mehrunes Dagon, and that perhaps one of the other Daedra Lord may help her learn more about closing it, as well as how to fight the Deadra that it spawns. She realizes she has much to learn before she can be of any help to Savlian Matius, and hopes that perhaps she can recruit some assistance along the way. Buffy now understands her path is a very long one - and that it leads to Kvatch.

Doommeister - Thank you! I'm so pleased you are still with us.

mALX- I'm so glad you liked the interaction between Buffy and Acadian. He is more active in 2.0. What is new also in 2.0 is specifically laying out how Buffy's interest in Daedra Lords has evolved. Thank you so much!

Rider- Thanks! I'm very glad that the Buffy/Acadian scene worked. I was trying to tread a line between a logical flow and Buffy's circuitous, sometimes flighty thinking.

Okay it is - I agree with you on the best way to spell it, and thank you. Yes, Buffy's speech and thinking does often reflect what some might consider more modern words. With a name like Buffy, she long ago learned to embrace words not oft heard in Tamriel. No worries though. She will never go so far as to say something like: "Gods' ghoulies! You're a pal!" And certainly I would never expect to hear the word 'necrodudes' from her in describing those foul practitioners of death magic.

Casper- Thank you. We will take liberties with Oblivion's main quest. I expect there will come a time when Buffy can help at Kvatch, but I think the title 'Champion of Cyrodiil' is not one that will be bestowed upon her.

We are trying to weave in some features to help the believability of Buffy's extended timeline. The death of Jauffre and theft of the Amulet of Kings that occurred almost as soon as Buffy delivered it, for example, helps to explain why the Blades have not descended upon Kvatch - they don't know about the heir. Unrest in the outlying provinces due to the lack of an emperor is an attempt to address why the Legion has not sent an army into Kvatch. Buffy assumes no one could survive inside the flaming city of Akatosh - she will learn that the Dragon God may not agree with her on that.

SubRosa- Thank you! I thought the nightmare was a great way to segue into the subject. I hoped for exactly what you described: 'a wonderful revelation to watch dawn over Buffy'. Acadian walks a fine line. If he pops the 'correct' blue mark on Buffy's map at this point, she will get her little butterfly kicked. He realizes there are things she must learn before she is ready to fight Daedra on their own turf. This will no doubt cause Buffy some frustration. I hope she trusts her paladin.

treydog- Thank you for the kind words. This was a very important episode, and I am so grateful that our several intentions came through. I thank everyone for their patience, as Buffy stumbled and bounced through numerous Daedric Shrine quests for what seemed like questionable purposes. It took her awhile to figure things out.

Zalphon- Thanks for the kind words!

* * *

45 Our Lady of Squalor

Standing beside Superian, I stroked her shoulder as I contemplated what I was about to ask of her. We were at the water's edge on the northern end of Imperial Isle. In fact, we were quite close to where I had emerged from the Imperial Prison so long ago. I looked at the far shore of Lake Rumare. "Superian, you well know it's not always been easy being a mage's horse. Despite the strange sensations you don't always understand, you've always trusted me."

Forming a powerful mass of energy, I placed one hand on Superian's shoulder, the other on her haunch and let the magic flow into her body. Quickly mounting, I leaned forward and whispered, "let's go, girl." She stepped tentatively onto the surface of the water. I sensed her unsteady confusion and disorientation as I patiently encouraged her forward. She pawed the surface of the water with a hoof and bounced her head. After a few steps, she adjusted to the odd sensation and calmed down. My knees gently asked her for speed and we began to fly across the surface of the lake.

The quiet spray from her hooves changed to a dusty thunder as she continued at a brisk gallop beyond the opposite shore. We stopped only upon reaching the Roxey Inn up on the Red Ring Road. I slipped to the ground and pressed my face against her neck. "Thank you, my precious friend." I sipped a potion to speed recovery of my nearly depleted magicka. With such potions and my ring of waterwalking, I figured I could dismount on the surface and recast my spell as necessary. I was excited that we could now travel over vast expanses of water.

Acadian had placed a blue mark on my map. Looking at the low angle of the westering sun, I said, "tomorrow will be an easy day's ride up the Silver Road to Namira's Shrine, but we'll stay here tonight." I rubbed Superian's nose, then led her to the inn's full water trough. "Let's get this saddle off you." I giggled at the thought of talking to my horse and a paladin that lived in my head. I looked over my left shoulder at Slayer, the enchanted bow. "Should I tell you of our plans as well?"

As I reached for the door to the inn, I glanced northward at the snow covered peaks, I recalled the chill of the Bruma area and dreaded the idea of wearing my horrible fur cuirass the next day to stay warm. I hated looking ugly.

* * *

"Why are you here? You are too pleasing to speak with Namira. Begone." The sarcastically snarled words came from one of Namira's followers, Hjolfrodi the Harrier. She was a Nord that, well, I believed her appearance could have stopped a charging zombie.

"Too pleasing?" I hadn't come all this way to be told 'begone'. Slightly irritated, I pressed, "I've traveled a good distance to see Namira."

"You are too pretty to speak with our Lady of Squalor," she sneered. "Come back when you are. . . less pleasing."

Every girl likes to be told that she's pretty, but somehow, Hjolfrodi's words hardly seemed complimentary. I had never considered myself attractive; in fact, my jaw was too square, my mouth too wide, and my lips too fat. The rest of me was too skinny. Oh, and who could overlook my small size and big ears? Once you got past all that stuff though, apparently I wasn't that hard to look at.

I thought my hair was a nice color. Oh, and my eyes too - but then I frowned as I remembered that batting them at men had never gotten me anywhere.

I did consider myself quite fashion conscious, and was acutely aware of what I wore. Of course, Delphine Jend said that being conscious of fashion and dressing well were two entirely different things. She routinely fussed over my choice of clothes.

Was Hjolfrodi right? Was I pretty? I remembered my time in Anvil. One day, several dockworkers were licking their lips and eyeing me like a venison cutlet - part of me kind of liked that, and found it exciting. But then the next day, I heard a man say he would rather sleep with his horse than a Bosmer. I shrugged. Men were too confusing to understand.

Could this scrawny big-eared elf compete with Hjolfrodi's stunning vision of ugliness?

I flopped down on one of the benches under the shadow of Namira's shrine and rummaged through my pack for ideas. Good thing I carried a lot of clothes (Did I mention that I was fashion conscious?). I pulled everything off. Then I put on a horribly scratchy sack cloth shirt and pants. Freeing my ponytail, I bent over, shook my hair and mussed it all up with my fingers. Then I rubbed a bit of dirt on my face and returned to Hjolfrodi.

"You are still much too pleasing. Begone!" The wrinkled Nord's thin lips smirked underneath her hawkishly hooked nose. Her disapproving scowl was repeated this time on the equally unattractive faces of her companions.

Bristling, I stifled the urge to use my bow to 'displease' Hjolfrodi, and returned to the bench. Think Buffy. You're the scholar now on Daedra Lords. Namira. . . her sphere was that of ancient darkness. Ruler of 'repulsive creatures which inspire mortals with an instinctive revulsion'.

Maybe it wasn't just my appearance. The followers here were not only unattractive, but downright rude. They had the personalities of mudcrabs - worse in fact, for at least mudcrabs didn't talk.

Personality?

Sure enough, a couple bottles of cheap wine were in my pack. It was known to make people get pretty unfriendly. I carried the stuff when I traveled near Bruma to help keep warm. I didn't think it actually helped, but it did seem to make me care less about being cold. By the time I managed to drink two whole bottles of wine, the sun was low.

"Ah, much better." Hjolfrodi's severely lined face cracked into an ugly smile. "Now, you repulse me; at least to a degree. Approach the shrine."

I was too drunk to manage a clever retort. Wobbling over to the shrine, I leaned against it to make the trees stop slowly spinning around me. I tried to focus on what Namira might tell me.

"You dare approach my shrine, Child of Dawn? In Anga, my Forgotten. . .basking in misery. . . priests. . . intruded upon their squalor. . . help kill. . . of the light. . . cast. . . reward you. . ."

My head swirling from the wine, I grabbed my journal and tried to scribble down what little I remembered before passing out.

*

I awoke shivering in the morning sun. My head was pounding and my stomach hurt. My upper legs were particularly cold. Gradually I realized that was because they were wet. Oh, that's just great, Buffy; what did you expect after guzzling two bottles of wine and passing out? At least I had managed not to throw up - yet. I sure fit in with this repulsive crowd now. Quickly, I built a fire to try and warm myself and dry out those horrible sack cloth pants. I then ate some bread to quell the nausea as I sipped a potion for my head.

The sun was straight overhead before I felt elven enough to review the scrawlings in my journal from the evening prior. Finally, I tugged on my buckskin greaves and boots, then fastened up that ugly, but warm fur curirass. My head still hurt a little as I saddled Superian and made ready for travel.

*

I looked up at the ancient pillars and ruins of Anga, not completely sure what Namira wanted here. My drunken notes weren't very clear, but what little I could make from them wasn't encouraging. Something about helping Namira's followers kill some priests, best I could tell. I guessed if the details were important, Namira should have thought about that and told me what she wanted before watching me drink two bottles of wine.

Slipping from Superian's back, I reached for Slayer and entered the Ayleid Ruin.

No candles, no Ayleid blue lights, no wall torches. Total blackness. Plenty of life signs though, thanks to my two rings.

I slid on a third ring, and every dark corner jumped clearly into view through a blue tinge.

I had no interest in killing priests, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to investigate. I crept toward the closest group of life signs. These had to be followers of Namira, dressed in rags and skulking around in the darkness. I backed away. Infiltration, Buffy. That's the plan.

I changed into my hunter halter top, those disgusting sack cloth pants and bare feet. Re-approaching the followers, I wrinkled my nose at the smell. Creeping closer, I tried to blend in.

"Leave us to our squalor, creature of light."

I didn't know if they could see in the dark, or perhaps I just didn't smell quite as badly as they did. Regardless, I took the sneering reception as a rejection of my disguise.

I also realized that these followers of Namira were clearly no threat.

Suddenly they began to scurry about like startled sewer rats. A light was approaching.

I slipped off my rings to eliminate the blue and pink distractions, as the torch bearer drew closer. Namira's followers scrambled to avoid the light as the aqua silk robe walked past, chanting prayers to Arkay. He continued, ignoring the protests against his bright torch. This was clearly one of the priests Namira wanted killed.

I now had a clear picture of what was happening here. I didn't care much for the idea that priests of Arkay were trying to 'save' these souls, who clearly preferred Namira.

On the other hand, it was the Daedra Lord's followers who were mean to me and flirting with the deadly end of the Buffy Doctrine. Of course. . . I had to admit that I was the one intruding in their squalor.

On the third hand (if I had one), according to my studies at the University, Arkay had been a mortal who dedicated himself to the study of life and death. On his own deathbed, he had prayed to my beloved Mara as a last resort, begging for more time to complete his studies. Mara allowed him to become a god, charged with balancing life and death. Arkay was one of the Nine Divines. At this time and place however, I was the one charged with balancing life and death.

My decision was easy. There were no targets for Slayer in this Ayleid Ruin.

I would report back to Namira that she would have to find someone more repulsive than I to do her bidding. Turning toward the exit to Anga, I said, "my paladin, did you doubt what my choice would be?"

Not for a moment, was the silent response.

Sighing, I began the trek back toward the surface of Nirn and shared my disappointment over this venture with Acadian. "There is nothing Namira can teach me about fighting Daedra or surviving the planes of Oblivion." I wondered to myself why Acadian had brought me here. Surely he knew I would leave Anga with a full quiver. Oh well; he realized what I wanted, and I figured he knew what we were doing.

After closing Anga's heavy door behind me, I blinked against the bright sunshine and gratefully breathed deeply of the fresh air. I smooched at Superian, then began to shiver from the cold. As I changed back into my buckskins and furs, I admonished Acadian, "oh, and kind of like the last time it happened, no one but us needs to know I peed myself."

*
From Buffy's scrapbook: Screenshot

This post has been edited by Acadian: Nov 10 2010, 05:54 PM

[ureniashtram]

The sun was straight overhead before I felt elven enough to review the scrawlings in my journal from the evening prior.

Ha! What, did Buffy felt like one of those shemlen cheap-bags who thought of nothing other than drinking? Ha- oops. Wrong dimension.

This chapter just shows Buffy's morals! More please

[Zalphon]

I loved how you said, "That appearance could've stopped a charging zombie!"

[haute ecole rider]

I never cared for this quest - killing priests (or helping kill them) never sat well with me. I only did it once, to see what I would get for it. After that, I decided Namira's reward just wasn't worth it. I'm glad to see Buffy made that decision before it was too late.

I did catch one thing:

After closing Anga's heavy behind me, I blinked against the bright sunshine and gratefully breathed deeply of the fresh air.

Anga has a big butt? I think the door was so heavy it dropped through the ground before it closed!

[mALX]

This was before and is now one of my fave Buffy's - Buffy's getting drunk is hilarious!!!

[SubRosa]

Ah, Buffy and Superian's first time traveling on water I see. Once again, so nicely done. It is one of those palm-to-forehead moments that makes you wonder how come I never thought of that? Add in some quality time between a girl and her horse and that little portion of today's story is just marvelous.

I also see the ugly fur armor gets a mention! I especially loved how you ended with Buffy dreading wearing it because of how ugly it is, and then started with Namira's shrine in the next portion!

my jaw was too square, my mouth too wide, and my lips too fat. The rest of me was too skinny. Oh, and who could overlook my small size and big ears? Once you got past all that stuff though, apparently I wasn't that hard to look at.
That is our Buffy alright! Still not happy with what Mara gave her I see!

Men were too confusing to understand.
Indeed. Teresa says leave that icky sausage alone and stick to warm, succulent fish.

There is so much to love in your descriptions here. Hjolfrodi being able to stop a zombie with her looks, all the clothes Buffy carries and her reflection on being fashion conscious, the personalities of mudcrabs, etc... Too many to list them all.

it was the Daedra Lord's followers who were mean to me and flirting with the deadly end of the Buffy Doctrine.
A particularly good turn of phrase!


nits:
The quite spray from her hooves
I think you meant quiet?

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Nov 8 2010, 05:32 PM

[Casper1984]

Buffy's getting drunk is hilarious!!!

Ah, Buffy and Superian's first time traveling on water I see.

nits:
The quite spray from her hooves
I think you meant quiet?

My thoughts spoken out already.

[Destri Melarg]

Whoops! You snuck a chapter by me when I wasn’t looking.

44 What in the Name of Akatosh are you doing?

I can see a very real friendship developing between Buffy and Tar-Meena. The Argonian’s concern for Buffy’s well-being went beyond what can reasonably be expected of a faculty member toward a former student. Perhaps, without even knowing it, Buffy is searching for someone to replace City-Swimmer in her circle of friends. Or maybe I'm just reading too much into things!

It is nice to see Acadian give purpose to Buffy’s wondering and wandering. I imagine that, now that she knows why she is fascinated with the Daedric Princes, finding what she wants should happen in the due course of time. I am left wondering where Acadian’s blue marker will lead her next. . .

45 Our Lady of Squalor

. . .To the Shrine of Namira, of course! Buffy sitting down to work out the issues of her appearance was priceless. I imagine that Acadian could have given her a heads-up on the next day ramifications of being the worse for cheap wine. Like Buffy I am left to wonder what purpose her paladin had in directing her to such a place.

It is also nice to see Buffy mindful of the hard lessons learned at Border Watch and Arkved’s Tower. Whereas before I am sure that want of Namira’s reward would have made her find a way to justify helping the Daedra, now she sees the damage that results from such action.

Perhaps that is what Acadian wanted?

[treydog]

The moment Buffy bespells Superian with water-walking remains one of my favorites. And Buffy’s inventory of her appearance certainly sounds familiar to anyone who has spent time around she-elves (or any brand of human she).

Bristling, I stifled the urge to use my bow to 'displease' Hjolfrodi, and returned to the bench.

She can learn restraint! It’s a miracle!

My decision was easy. There were no targets for Slayer in this Ayleid Ruin.

No feeble jokes here- this is Buffy growing into the humanity that fits her very well.

[Remko]

A little thing on horsebackriding: You do not use your knees to urge a horse to speed up. I guess usually because the thick leather of the saddle is in the way. You apply pressure with your calves and to an extent; use the reins.

Okay, pedantics aside; loved it. Especially when she contemplated on telling Slayer on her plans

Oh and the part with the wine was hilarious

This post has been edited by Remko: Nov 10 2010, 05:12 PM

[D.Foxy]

The plural of calf is calves, unless you are talking about young cows.

[Remko]

Y'know, I actually considered the difference between calves and calfs. Wasn't sure which was the plural of young cows. Thought I picked the right one. Guess not

[haute ecole rider]

Even the plural of young cows is calves.

Take it from someone who really knows.

You have been correct Remko.

As for the usage of knees, it depends on the saddle and on the seat. Horses are surprisingly sensitive to subtle cues transmitted through the leather of the saddle. I had a horse perform a flawless side-pass when I dropped my right hip into the seat without moving my knee or calf. It was one of those eureka! moments - it's very difficult to understand unless you've done it (and knew you did it). So it is possible for the horse to feel the pressure of the knee through the saddle flap.

[Winter Wolf]

So many priceless moments for your Aussie brother-

I giggled at the thought of talking to my horse and a paladin that lived in my head.

Every time I visit Roxey Inn there is always an Imperial Legion guy sitting on the seat outside. Lucky that he did not catch Buffy talking to herself. It might have been off to the slammer for our little Buffy!

I thought my hair was a nice color. Oh, and my eyes too - but then I frowned as I remembered that batting them at men had never gotten me anywhere.

Ha, ha!! A work of art that is sooo Buffy. I loved it.

The sun was straight overhead before I felt elven enough to review the scrawlings in my journal from the evening prior. Finally, I tugged on my buckskin greaves and boots, then fastened up that ugly, but warm fur curirass. My head still hurt a little as I saddled Superian and made ready for travel.

A drunk little elf staggers back to her horse. I wonder if our noble mare cast Buffy with a disapproving eye as she remounted. I sense that our flying Black flash has more integrity than the rest of Nirn added together. If only Superian could talk, now that would be even more priceless!!

This post has been edited by Winter Wolf: Nov 11 2010, 06:13 AM

[Acadian]

In Chapter 45, Buffy introduced Superian to water walking. She then proceeded to Namira's shrine and managed to make herself repulsive enough to gain audience. Although she entered the Ayleid Ruin of Anga to investigate, she ultimately balked at, and abandoned, Namira's task to help kill Priests of Arkay.

ureniashtram- Thank you. I agree that Buffy's moral compass is maturing and beginning to settle down.

Zalphon- Charging zombie - thanks for the kind words!

Rider- Like you, I was pleased that Buffy balked at Namira's task. She seems to be outgrowing her material girl trinket fascination, and even overcoming the intimidation projected by Daedra Lords. Thanks for the nit - darn those last minute edits!

mALX- Woohoo! Another story that made your list of faves! Thank you! A little Tamika's is a good thing. A lot of cheap wine. . . not so much.

SubRosa- As ever, you laser in on everything we are trying to do here. I'm so pleased you connected the foreshadowing of Buffy's dislike for her 'ugly' fur armor with the coming quest. I suppose her physical self-assessment shouldn't surprise me; most women, even beautiful ones, seem quite able to recite a list of their perceived (at least to them) flaws. I'm also glad you picked up on Buffy's mention of her doctrine. Thank you! Oh, thanks also for the nit so I could fix it.

Casper- Thank you. Buffy and Superian have gotten pretty good at water walking. Her custom spell is on-touch for 120 seconds, with a tiny feather on-self effect (also for 120 seconds) only to give Buffy a little icon that shows how long the spell has remaining to avoid sinking surprises. She puts on her water walking ring, so she can hop off onto the water and recast the spell on Superian as necessary. Between water walking, command horse (creature) and her long range detect life rings, Buffy has learned how to travel with Superian safely and effectively. The mare is a constant companion in Buffy's game. Superian has two sets of saddlbags, she is literally the fastest horse in Cyrodiil, and can even come into towns with Buffy when necessary.

Destri- Thank you! Buffy is voracious at reading/studying, then venturing forward to see for herself. Tar-Meena and her Mystic Archives represent the fount of arcane knowledge for Buffy. We found it very natural that the two of them would develop a friendship with an aspect of mentor-pupil. Buffy adores Tar-Meena's prodigious knowledge and resources, while Tar-Meena can't help but admire the youthful, even somewhat reckless, spirit of adventure in Buffy that she, as an academic, lacks.

Acadian walks a tight rope. If he pops a blue mark onto the correct shrine, Buffy will get her butterfly kicked at this point. His hope is to allow her to perceive some progress toward her goal while, more importantly, developing her skills. He is delaying and slowing things so she will be ready. Yes, the choice of Namira's Shrine at this point helped fine tune Buffy's moral compass, but it also kept her from being eaten by clannfears. I expect that after a couple more shrines, and probably some impatient whining from Buffy, Acadian will find her ready to meet a Deadra Lord who can show her what she seeks.

treydog- Thank you, my friend. The trust, built over time, between Buffy and Superian is something she really relied upon to coax her mare onto the surface of the water. I can only imagine how frightening that must have been for Superian. Buffy is certainly horse crazy, but I am delighted to see her - even in game - fully embrace the responsibility that comes with it.

Remko- Thank you! Most of Buffy's communication with Superian in the magical land of TES is actually telepathic/verbal. As you can see, she even talks to her bow. I don't think Buffy will take her wine to that extreme again for a very long time!

Foxy- Calf / calves. Well, there you have it from a true connoisseur regarding the lower legs of fillies and young ladies.

Wolf- It is delightful to have you back with us! Thank you much for the kind words!

* * *

46 Action in the Presence of Fear, Part 1

"Well, you're up early this morning, young lady," the Imperial remarked. "Going hunting again?"

"Good morning Gladius." I smiled at the Bravil City guard who had not so long ago killed my friend, City Swimmer. "No, actually I'm off to the Imperial City. How did you get the front bridge watch out here by the stables again?"

"Oh, I just go where I'm told," Gladius replied.

"I miss seeing you inside the city," I remarked. "It seems ever since you arrested the Count's spoiled son, you more often get assigned out here, or sometimes over on that mysterious island in the bay."

"I caught the little fetcher high on skooma, kicking Aia, the beggar." Gladius paused to spit on the ground. "He was out of jail in less than an hour. Buffy, I can't look the other way when the law is broken. I don't care if the perpetrator is the Count himself, or the victim is a pauper." He shrugged. "That's just the way I'm built. Besides, this post by the bridge isn't bad; it's been deadly quiet out here lately. I think over the last few days, you've killed every bandit and dangerous beast within a day of Bravil."

Puffing myself up and putting my hands on my hips, I attempted my best impression of a Legion soldier. "We're here to serve, citizen." We both burst into laughter. I was pleased my joke had cheered the man, for Gladius Maro seemed less than fully happy here since his assignment from Skyrim to Bravil.

We had commiserated about City Swimmer over ale and Tamika's at the Silverhome on the Water Tavern. I realized her death was not Gladius' fault, and he knew I did not hold it against him. I suspected there was something more bothering him though. He was certainly zealous about enforcing the law. Perhaps that was the problem; as much as I loved my little town, it was not exactly a place known for its high standards of law and ord-

". . . sound of your laughter has attracted some company." Gladius' words dispelled my musing. He jerked a thumb towards the stables as my mare approached.

Superian nuzzled up next to me. As I fished a carrot from my pack, Gladius reached out and patted her on the shoulder. Experience had taught me to pay attention to the sensitive mare when it came to reading people. I noted she did not flinch at the Imperial's touch - a strong endorsement of the man's underlying nature.

I led her back to the stables, where I retrieved our tack and exchanged pleasantries with my friend Antoine, the stable hand. Adjusting the saddle, I called out to Gladius, "well, I guess we'd better get started for the big city." I winked at Antoine as I pressed some gold coins into the modestly-paid Breton's hand, and then said to both men, "I want to get there before the shops close." With one foot in the stirrup, I bounced up and swung a leg over Superian's back. Antoine fondly patted my mare's haunch, sending us on our way.

"Ha! Shops. Women," teased Gladius as he waved. "Have a safe trip, Buffy."

"Thank you, Gladius. Keep our town safe." We started north along the Green Road. I leaned forward and whispered to Superian. "You didn't believe a word of that, did you?"

I was still quite frustrated after my recent experience at Namira's Shrine. Humiliating myself had netted little return. How to fight and survive within the Deadlands controlled by Mehrunes Dagon seemed as elusive and terrifying as ever. I was hoping to learn some of what I needed from his fellow Daedra Lords. I had asked for Acadian's help in picking which shrines to visit, and I knew he wanted me to learn more things than Daedra slaying. I trusted the paladin's judgment, even if I didn't understand it. All that notwithstanding, Namira and her followers had so angered me that frankly, I just wanted to kill something.

Gladius was right about the area being safe. Over the last several days, I had hunted down numerous bandits and hostile creatures near Bravil. "Superian, you understand. You're the fastest horse in Cyrodiil and you need to run. I'm an archer, and I need to hunt and stalk prey. We both get cranky when we don't get to do what we're built for."

"Acadian, you can chime right in here if you like. Why do sometimes I wake up and feel more skillful? That happened again yesterday. I now seem a little smarter, more nimble and even better able to control my will. You know that's why we're on the road." The sun was now warming our right side as we slowly moved north. "Every time I wake up with that feeling, I'm drawn to the Arena for another match. When I checked my raiment this morning, I counted the notches. This will be fight number twelve."

I looked around. My enchanted rings indicated no life signs in the sun-dappled undergrowth. A quiet breeze carried the wonderful outdoor smells of the moist forest and caused the leaves to gently dance. I glanced up through the trees at several puffy white clouds that decorated the bright sky, then felt something from Acadian. I almost forgot that I had indeed asked him something.

"Acadian, why do you answer with a question? Sometimes you're as confusing as Boderi. You know my worst fears. If I'm going to survive, I need to learn how to deal with them. Getting charged by those melee brutes in the close confines of the Arena with no place to hide is pretty near the top of my fear list - right up there with clannfears. That's why everything Boderi taught me is so helpful. I hope I can survive enough matches to conquer that fear. Maybe then, I won't feel drawn to the sands of death in the Arena anymore."

Superian bounced her head a couple times and snorted. I could feel the energy as her muscles rippled and twitched. "You've been very patient, just peacefully plodding along for me." I crouched forward, my face in her mane as I savored her scent. "As soon as you're ready, girl." Instantly, she exploded forward. With thunder from her hooves filling my ears, and trees racing by, we flew down the road toward Imperial City. By Mara, she was fast!

This post has been edited by Acadian: Nov 11 2010, 06:13 PM

[D.Foxy]

Hmmm...do horses really know human nature? Hautee, could you answer that one?

What a smooth, silky writing style - reading it feels like coming home from a cold and wet rain, throwing off your raincoat, and then slipping into your favourite sweater and old slippers in front of a nice warm fire...

[haute ecole rider]

@Acadian: loved this little bit of Buffy, Gladius and Superian. Not much to point out, just an enjoyable moment or two with some very memorable characters. It's been said before, but these quiet moments are gems to be treasured and held close to our hearts.

@Foxy: Yes, horses can learn to read their humans. Some horses are so attuned to their humans that they can pick up on the slightest change in mood. No, they don't know what their people are thinking, but that doesn't matter to a horse (or dogs and cats for that matter). What matters to the horse is the person's emotion.

Buffy and Superian have been together long enough that Superian knows Buffy's moods very well. I will tell you that after a few years, my own mare knew my moods well enough to behave accordingly. If I was in a good mood, she would pretend to be a spooky, high-strung Arabian (she was actually a mellow Morgan). If I was preoccupied with something, she would give me a little nudge to focus on her. If I was upset about something, she would be very, very still.

Animals in general don't communicate verbally the way humans do, instead the majority of their communication is through body language. Subtle changes in breathing, in posture, in movements may escape our notice, but telegraph everything to a horse, et. al. Horses, dogs, and yes, cats who have lived with humans are very sensitive to our facial expressions as well, and do not hesitate to make eye contact with us or look at our faces (wild animals do not, because it is not part of their native repertoire).

Well, you did ask, Foxy!

[mALX]

A glimpse into a private moment between Buffy and Superian - I loved that rapport!!! And a very Buffy moment !!!! Always good to read !!! This chapter may have been quiet, but it was exactly like Foxy said...coming home to relax and be comfortable, the smell of good home cooking in your nose as you sit by the fireplace - Awesome !!!