ROFL !!! I loved Haskill !!! Another great chapter!

SubRosa~ Ugh those stupid obelisks kicked my "boat" each time. I quickly got in the habit of running the other way >.>

mALX~ I just love Haskill. Not while I'm playing, of course. Then I echo Wrothken's sentiments




Dawn was breaking. Lilitu couldn't help laughing a little. Such an odd thing to say. Poor fellow must have just sampled his first skooma. It wouldn't be long before he wound up like the other addicts.

She was already in her leather armor. It had been so long since she'd worn it, that she had forgotten how comfortable it was. It was like slipping into a second skin, with how comfortable it was. Her favorite part about it was the rabbit fur lining on the inside. Not only was it incredibly soft, but it kept her toasty warm.

She grabbed a tan guar-hide sack that rested on top of her wardrobe. She crinkled her nose at the dust caked on it. "Disgusting," she said. After making a mental note to dust upon her return, she shook it clean and packed her supplies for the trip. Judging by the map, she would most likely reach the monastery the next afternoon, if she didn't make any detours. Detours included, extremely late next night she would reach Savilla's Stone.

"Dolce!" She called. The dog trotted up the stairs and sat, looking at Lilitu with a gleeful expression. She had obviously seen the mound of meat and rice overflowing in three separate bowls. "I need you to be a good girl while I'm gone. Don't cause a fuss. Don't eat everything at once. And for the love of all things holy, do your business on the papers. So help me if I find mess in my bed!" Dolce's expression didn't change, save for the wagging tail. Lilitu got on the floor and held Dolce tightly, tears threatening to fall as she rubbed her cheek on her soft fur. "I love you, baby." Dolce returned the sentiment by licking Lilitu's cheek repeatedly.

She locked and latched the front door and pushed her couch in front of the door as a barricade. After making sure all the windows were locked and curtains shut tightly, Lilitu left through the basement, locking up behind her. She hated to leave Dolce behind, but she couldn't have her running off trying to take on bandits or worse, wild animals. Before leaving the gates, she looked back toward her house, her stomach knotting. She'll be fine, she thought. She's stayed home alone many times and everything is always fine. Still, she worried. She didn't know how she would live if anything ever happened to her.



Capaneus plopped himself right at the bar, his head resting glumly on his hands. Disappointed as he was, the fact that Kirsty was off the market made it easy for him to approach her.

"Can I help you?" She asked.

For a moment, Capaneus could only stare. Her hair was tied back in what was once a neat braid. Now locks had escaped and framed her face. She was wearing a simple turquoise shirt under her apron, and it was covered in flour. Her eyes sparkled. He could tell at a glance that she loved what she did.

"Are you okay?" She leaned in. He realized his mouth had dropped open.

"Yeah!" He said sitting up and clearing his throat. "Um... what's your special?"

She lifted a glass cover, revealing light brown squares. "Peanut butter fudge with a glass of milk." She smiled more. "Its my first time making it for other people."

"Then I'll take that then," Capaneus said. A single bite sent him to paradise. He never had anything like it. It melted so delicately in his mouth. As he was about to compliment her, he noticed that she didn't wear a ring on her finger. He wondered if when two women got engaged, if they both wore rings or if the one who got proposed to get the ring. He didn't see the red haired dark elf anywhere so he couldn't check her for one.

Kirsty... She could cook and judging by the immaculate counters, she could clean too. Two of the few things he looked for in a wife. He couldn't be mad at the dark elf. He'd scoop her up quickly if he had a shot at her.

He paid for his purchase and left, heading back to his house when he came across a tall, slender Altmer. Upon seeing him, her eyes glistened and she began to twirl her long, blond hair, while licking her lips. Capaneus didn't know her personally, but he knew she was normally with a blond Nord that used to hang around Kirsty a lot. Now that he'd thought about it, he hadn't seen that Nord around lately. Poor sap probably found out about Kirsty and the dark elf and left town.

Now the Altmer was all alone and looking quite flirtatious. When one door closes, another opens...



Lilitu walked down the Gold Road, head high, chest out, the very epitome of confidence. However, she was jumping at every twig's crack, wind's sigh, or animal sounds. When at home, sure she was paranoid, but at least she could duck into alleys or even houses if needed. Out in the wilderness, she felt more than unprotected. She felt like she was naked and all of Cyrodiil was watching, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.

Looking around, it was a pretty sight. Everything was green and the sky was cloudless. Bright flowers sprung up from the ground and birds chirped merrily. It should have been calming, but it wasn't. She needed the security of walls and crowds.

As the Gold Road curved, Lilitu was able to barely make out the Waterfront of the Imperial City. She walked off the path onto the beach, staring ahead. "If only I could swim," she said aloud. She took her smooth ponytail in her hands. If she got so much as a drop on it, it would blossom into wild curls. She couldn't have that.

Though she desperately wanted to find an inn before nightfall, she couldn't help sitting down and getting lost in thought. While she certainly didn't miss living at the Waterfront, she did miss Methredel immensely. The very thought of the Bosmer brought a smile to her face. Naughty little imp, she thought. It was she who had introduced Lilitu to the hidden world of the Thieves Guild.... And many other things, she thought with a smile. It had been so long since they'd seen each other, as Lilitu couldn't persuade Methredel to run away with her years ago. She understood, though. The Imperial City was all Methredel had ever known.

She half considered taking another detour, but as she'd have to go all the way to the bridge and possibly run into some people she'd rather not see, she decided against it. After all, Dolce didn't know the meaning of restraint and probably already ate up all the food left over for her. Maybe they could go another time. Maybe on a caravan.

She continued onward, wishing with every fiber of her being that she had at least brought Dolce. Then she could talk to herself without really talking to herself. Breathing heavily, she figured she needed a way to distract herself. She collected a handful of flowers.

"He loves me," she said, plucking a petal. "He loves me not. He loves me, he love me--"

A Redguard stepped in front of her. "Your money or your life." His hand rested on his hand axe. Lilitu knew only too well where this was supposed to head. Even if she gave him her money, there was always a chance of him attacking anyway in order to keep her from coming back with a legionnaire.

"Come on, wench, I don't got all day!"

He was much bigger than her and he was suited in heavy armor. Her dagger would have to get him in a weak spot to do lethal damage. Besides, she hated using it. The squish of driving a blade into human flesh always nauseated her.

She knew what to do.

She held out her purse. As he reached to snatch it from her hand, she reached around his neck, pulling him in for a firm kiss.

The Redguard was not prepared for that, nor was he prepared for the paralysis holding his body in place. Lilitu wasn't prepared for the awful taste of the man's mouth. "Oh, my word!" She gagged, spitting on the ground.

She pushed him to the ground and knelt down next to him. She looked his axe over and stuck it in her bag and took his coin purse "Hmmm..." She said, looking inside. "Only fifteen septims? You know, you'd do a lot better joining the Thieves Guild." His armor was beaten and filthy, but looked like it was once expensive. She would have loved to strip him and sell it, but she would never be able to carry it all.

"I'm....gonna....kill....you..." He forced out with great effort.

She believed he would if given the chance. Luckily, by time the spell wore off, she'd be long gone. She dragged him into the brush to keep him from watching as she continued down the road.



She could have hugged each and every person at the Faregyl Inn. At last, people! Not as many as in Kirsty's Bakery, but enough to put her mind at ease.

Most people were already in groups at the table, either singing along with the bard or talking amongst themselves. Something each group seemed to bring up was a door.

Maybe someone busted the door down recently? Lilitu couldn't imagine why. Inns and taverns weren't hot spots for thieves. Quite the opposite, really. Making sure her crimson locks were tucked away behind her hood, she took a seat at the bar.

A Khajiit woman behind the counter approached her. After bringing Lilitu a plate of food and offering a bed, she asked, "Is the huntress here for the door?"

Lilitu raised her eyebrows. "What door?"

"It hasn't heard?"

Lilitu shook her head.

"Some moons ago a door appeared out in the water. S'Jirra has not gone to see it but many travelers come, seeking gold and fame. It has been said that they become touched by Skooma Cat, or in Elf tongue, Sheggorath, and never come out the same."

She looked around and indeed most of the people in the inn were young men, each with the glow of hope. Listening closely, she could hear some of them brag about what they'll find and how nothing will tamper with their minds. Men... Lilitu thought, shaking her head.

She went to bed after too many shots of whiskey. She stumbled upstairs, hoping she was in the right bed and a little more than half hoping that Colovian she was drinking with would join her. Too soon to tell, sleep came and she was quickly washed away by her dreams.

Looks like Lilitu has been retired indeed, given how long it has been since she wore her leather (for shame a woman not wearing skin-tight leather on a regular basis!) and used her stealing bag. The bunny fur lining of the leather was a good touch, as was the guar-hide sack.

I can relate to Lilitu's feelings about leaving Dolce while she is gone. My cat has never gone more than 24 hours without seeing me! I was a little surprised that she did not ask Kirsty to watch her though.

She could cook and judging by the immaculate counters, she could clean too.
Well there you have it! Perfect marriage material!

Poor sap probably found out about Kirsty and the dark elf and left town.
Without a doubt!

And many other things, she thought with a smile.
Oh my, am I just reading way too much into this, or were Lilitu and Methie an item!

And it seems Lilitu was born under the sign of the Lover! How delicious! The entire encounter with the bandit was excellent. Lilitu's assessment that he might kill her even if she gave him her money, her dislike of actually stabbing people, and her surprise kiss. Wonderful!

All in all a fun episode. As much as I like Wrothken, I love seeing the girls most of all.


nits:
She was wearing a simple turquoise shirt under apron and it was covered in flour.
I think you missed an "an" between under and apron. Probably a comma after apron as well?

I bet you are all wondering who Wrothken is why I am he and he is me for I am him.Jacki Dice is my bride to be oh and surprise honey I am here I told you I would be or was it I should be? But anyway on with my adventure.

Welcome !!

SubRosa-

Well..yes and no.... It's complicated, but will be explained later on ♥

Wrothken- Hi honey It was very sweet of you to come visit Cute little rhyme btw (oh and don't you post any spoilers! )



As of now, Champion of Madness needs a little bit of a clean up. There are things I feel could use a lot of work. I considered closing this thread and starting a new one, but that would just be silly, as its mainly the later chapters I feel needs some extra work. I will update you all when its finished

And if anyone has some advice/suggestions anything, please feel free to PM me

♥♥♥♥

I just caught up with your story. In one sitting, I couldn't stop! I love it, Jacki Dice!!!

Grits~ Thanks a lot ♥

In the end I decided to start a new thread. Its been cleaned and reorganized in a better way See you there ♥

If I may say so myself, I find that it is a very good fanfiction.

I agree !!