Another great post my friend. Keep it up, because as always I am looking forward to the next post.

Chapter 47 highlighted the conversation between Raminus Polus and Buffy at the Arcane University. In exhange for possible assistance, Buffy agreed to investigate the University's facility at Wellspring Cave.

Remko- Thank you! :dance:

SubRosa- I so appreciate you continuing to take the time to share your insights with me. You really make me think about what I'm trying to do. Buffy is temporarily at a very high confidence level and quite determined. Nothing lasts forever though.
Eating hearts? don't tell Teresa that Bosmer are rumored to be both carnivorous and cannibalistic. :yuck:

treydog- I was proud to see the skinny blonde wood elf putting her fancy University education and Court of Leyawiin-learned verbal dueling skills to effective use. Thank you for your super encouragement. ^_^

mALX- Thank you so much!

Wolf- Wow! Thank you. I must confess I adored the archery anology applied to her shock-enchanted words. Ooh Buffy, did you hear that? :wub: Wolf said we sprinkled magic! :twirl:

Destri- I don't believe I have ever written a story with so little actual action, yet it seemed to work. Your endorsemant is so preciously reassuring. Thank you! :nod:

Koala- As SubRosa might say, welcome to girlsville! Thank you! Yep, all those darn Daedric artifacts sitting around finally came in handy. I'm glad you agree that a girl needs some secrets; so much of Buffy's life is an open journal. :read:

Leydenne- Peryite's Shrine? I'm glad you didn't spill the beans before the story. :lmao: Thank you so much for popping in and for the encouragement. I used to be a noob - you cured me of that years ago my friend.

Digz Thank you so much for the encouragement!



48 Wellspring Cave

As soon as I entered Wellspring Cave, I melted into the nearest shadowy wall and stopped. I was in a dark tunnel, but there was an open cavern straight ahead displaying the encouraging flicker of firelight. One life force, that I assessed as man or mer, moved about the cavern in a relaxed manner. As I crept closer, I could see the glowing pink figure wore a robe.

Relaxing at the sight of what looked to be a mage, I emerged from hiding and cheerfully approached the back of the robed figure. "Hail! Raminus Polus sent me. Are you alrig-"

The figure turned to face me and hissed, "your presence here will not be tolerated!" His arm spiked the air releasing a glowing orb in front of him. As the magical light descended, producing a ghost, it revealed that the man's robe was black.

My own hand rapidly shot upwards in return, blossoming a cloud overhead. As it settled over me, I disappeared from head to toe and a skeleton emerged in my stead. I quietly crept backwards up the tunnel while the spell caster and his ghost made short work of my bony distraction.

The black-robed figure apparently did not accept the illusion that I had turned into a skeleton, for he began searching for an invisible intruder near the cave entrance. "So the Guild has sent an errand girl, hmm? And quite the looker, it seems." His voice oozed hatred. "Where are you little mage? After crushing your skull, I'll have my pleasures with your corpse. Once sated, I may even send pieces of it back to this Raminus Polus of yours."

He was close enough that I dared not breathe for fear of being heard. As soon as the summoned ghost expired, I touched the black robe, discharging another illusion. His mind became convinced that it had no control over his limbs. Panic and confusion reflected in his eyes as he helplessly collapsed towards the stone floor of the cave. Within seconds he began to recover from the paralysis, but it was too late. At this range, there was no delay at all between the twang and thud that lethally propelled him right back to the ground.

I let out a long breath. Yikes! What had I gotten into? Even though he no longer displayed any signs of life, I poked at the body with the toe of my boot. "I guess you're not from the guild."

Wedging my torch into a crevice in the cave wall, I lit it with a fire spell. The front of the corpse's robe revealed red necromantic markings. Why would necromancers invade this cave?

I shuddered involuntarily, and my skin crawled as I thought about his words. I offered some of my own. "I won't exactly pleasure myself with your corpse, but I do need it for a moment." Drawing the Blade of Woe, I knelt by the necromancer and cut free my arrow. "Don't worry, I'm not going to eat your heart." I carefully examined the broadhead tip of the arrow for imperfections. The shaft remained straight, and the black and white feathered fletching was undamaged. Satisfied, I wiped down the arrow and returned it to my quiver. Shaking my head, I added, "you know, I've learned that losers talk during combat; survivors talk after. Advice that's too late for you, I guess."

There were several distant glows that looked like more of his cult, but none were nearby.

Grabbing my torch, I continued down the short tunnel towards the first cavern. The figure of a Khajiit lay on the ground ahead, but emitted no life force. It was Zahrasha! My heart leapt to my throat as I raced into the cavern and knelt by her side. Her body was cold.

I knew this Khajiit well enough from my University days to call her friend. She was not a fighter, or even skilled in destruction. She was simply a mage-scholar, seeking to live peacefully and tend her beloved grove.

Death travelled with necromancers. They were, no doubt, responsible for this. It was true that Arch Mage Traven had banned necromancy within the guild, but that had no force of Imperial law. Was attacking this University facility some sort of payback for the Arch Mage's policy. . . or something more? I had no idea, but I did know that Zahrasha did not deserve this.

Rage and tears welled up within me. I gently stroked the soft fur of the mage's face. "You have my oath sister; no black robe who remains here defiling your precious grove will see tomorrow. Forgive me now, for I must see what help you can offer me." A careful search of Zahrasha's clothing yielded a key that I slipped into my leather cat suit.

As I thought of the necromancers, I recalled another oath that had been promised and fulfilled by my fellow Knight of the White Stallion. With a grim determination, I repeated the words of Mazoga, "You killed my friend, and now I'm going to kill you."

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Lingering, I tried to sort through my emotions. Rage and vengeance were not strangers to me, but I had learned the hard way that it was the methodical and stealthy approach of the hunter, without rage, that would keep me alive to exact that vengeance.

My tears were gone as I extinguished the torch. Wrapping the shadows of the dark stony walls around me, I slid deeper into Wellspring Cave.

The short tunnel led to another cavern that was quite large, the front portion dimly lit by braziers and torches. The green flag of the Mages Guild hung from one wall, while alchemical supplies and a number of texts were scattered upon a large table. Moving about the far, dark corners of this underground rocky chamber were several well-dispersed glowing targets. Fortunately, they couldn't really see each other.

I selected several hidden firing positions and quietly set about my task. Three carefully aimed arrows produced an equal number of corpses. Relighting my torch, I searched the black robes in vain for any clue as to why they would attack this place.

Something made of green cloth caught my eye. As I raised the torch, my heart sank. Crumpled in a corner of this cavern was a body wearing the robes of a University student. It had to be the missing mage that Raminus had sent to retrieve wood for a staff. I knelt by the robes and rolled his body onto its back. The Breton was younger than I. Gently, I searched him and found a letter addressed to one Corrick Northwode at Harm's Folly:

Dear Father,
You would be so proud of me! I completed all the guilds' recommendations and was finally accepted into the Arcane University. Headmaster Raminus Polus has sent me to a nearby grove tended by mages where they will give me the special wood for my staff. Within a few days, I will have my very own mage's staff! I know it took every septim you had to get me here, but I will study hard and not disappoint you. I so wish mother was alive to hear this wonderful news. Someday, when I learn the magic skills to kill goblins I will return to our farm and avenge her death. I miss you.
Your loving son, Arnaud

Placing the letter in my pack, I spoke to the young Breton whose future had been snuffed out. "Rest at ease now Apprentice. As I told Zahrasha, the black robes will pay for this. Four of them already have." I leaned closer and kissed him on the forehead, my tears falling upon his face. "Arnaud, I will finish the task of getting your mage's staff made. I will deliver it, along with this letter, to your father."

I resumed my search, hoping Eletta, the other mage that tended the grove, had somehow managed to escape the black robes.

In another corner of the same cavern, I found a tunnel leading to a locked door. I wished I had asked Raminus for a map of Wellspring Cave. Did this wooden door lead to the grove itself or simply more tunnels? Unsure of what to expect ahead, I whispered, "thank you Zahrasha," as I reached for her key.

Another fun installment!

I really enjoyed this artistic description of hiding in the shadows:


I also rather liked the first Necromancer's taunts. They quite succinctly define his character, before we see what he and his cohorts have done to Zahrasha.

I found this good as well:



Now a nit:

Here is something for you to consider. Buffy uses Detect Life to spot enemies at long distances, and through walls, on a regular basis. But said enemies never seem to do the same to find her. That does not surprise me when it comes to bandits like the Black Bows or just plain creatures like clannfears, but other magicians have the same tool in their bag of tricks, and when one like the necromancer above actually sees someone turn invisible one would expect them to use the spell. Assuming that they were not wearing a magic item with its enchantment. While obviously every magician in Cyrodiil does not know the Detect Life spell or have an enchanted item, it would not be unreasonable to think that at least the person standing guard would, and a few others here and there.

A very moving installment- again giving us insight into Buffy's growing wisdom.



Those lines stood out- Mrs. Treydog and I were watching a program in which one of the players talked instead of shooting.... And of course, she got disarmed. I remarked at the time- "If you are going to shoot- do it. Don't dance around."

The letter from Arnaud to his father and Buffy's reaction were special "Buffy" highlights- they added a depth to the story and to her character.

The only quibble I have is one I almost hesitate to mention, especially since SubRosa let it pass her archer's eye of editing.



I know what you are saying, but it almost reads as if the robe produced the ghost. If I might suggest:



Not terribly different, and I do not insist upon it, but it just scans better for me. :shrug:

This one definitely caused some dachshund dancing- I was missing my Buffy fix.

I'm too tired to be eloquent, so let me just say this: It ROCK'D !!!

Buffy continues to grow before our eyes. She is now confident enough to lecture her vanquished foes. The way you handle her combat scenes is like a tutorial for anyone looking to play the game as a mystic archer (a wonderfully evocative name for a class). I was wondering about the apprentice mage you introduced in your last chapter. His letter to his father and Buffy's reaction to it:



Has me eager to see where you plan to carry us.

Ditto for me on the conversation during the battle. It added far more depth to the story than the simple hacking and slashing.
It came across in a very nature way, the exact thing that those educated and arrogant mages would do. :thumbsup:

When Buffy controls her anger she is a deadly machine.
Like the saying goes - 'One cannot control others in any meaningful way, if one cannot control thyself.'

Echoing others' posts here, I picked up on pretty much the same elements and found them just as evocative.

Since all of my characters max out their Sneak skills first, this line spoke to me viscerally:

He was close enough that I dared not breathe for fear of being heard.

This echoes all the times in the game that I've done just that, as my character of the moment is sneaking around. That one line sums up the pounding-heart suspense I've experienced, and continue to experience . . .

Keep it up, Acadian.

This was a fun chapter to read. I like the way Buffy is so emotional toward her fellow mage's even if she didn't know them well before their deaths. I thought it was funny how she just walked out of the shadows, toward the first necromancer, without a care in the world, and was like, "Hail! Raminus Polus sent me. Are you alrig-"...OH CRAP! Very interesting read I can't wait for the next one. As always your grasp of the craft is impressive and leaves little to be desired.

~Digz~

I like that Buffy has both a soft gentle side and a hard dark side, with both of them being coloured by her emotions. Quick to cry and quick to kill. The letter to the boy's father made me almost cry too. This line hit me as a sneaky, slippery image and made me feel like I was really slinking through a scary cave: "Wrapping the shadows of the dark stony walls around me, I slid deeper into Wellspring Cave."

The letter to his dad made the scene truly come alive. I also much enjoyed Buffy's darker side.
Nice one m8!

Chapter 48 began Buffy's investigation of Wellspring Cave on behalf of Raminus Polus and the Arcane University. It ended after killing several necromancers and encountering a locked door inside the cave.

SubRosa- I so appreciate the kind encouragement. You mentioned enemies using detect life on Buffy when she presses her panic button (invisibility) - I have thought of that before and kick myself for not acting. She is going through a stage now of becoming more confident and lethal, so that is just the additional touch of vulnerability/humility she needs. You have had such a wonderful and direct impact on my stories. Please take credit for this wonderful idea, even as you see it in the chapter below.

Treydog- Thank you, mentor. I am so pleased you noted the line where Buffy indicates she has learned not to toy with her enemies, or as you say: "If you are going to shoot- do it. Don't dance around!" That theme is repeated much more strongly in her next chapter.
Thank you for pointing out the passage that needed a touch of smoothing; I was able to improve it with your suggestion. :nod:

MALX- Thank you! Sorry you were tired. ^_^

Destri- Mystic Archer. 'Tis a subtle distinction I'm sure, but Buffy considers herself not a mage with a bow, but an archer who uses magic to make her a better archer. The Apprentice, Arnaud Northwode is purely made up of course. I claimed license in order to give some meaning to the mage's staff that results from this quest - it would surely mean nothing to Buffy otherwise. Arnaud's father and Harm's Folly are very real however and Buffy likes to keep her promises. Thank you so much for your wonderful comments.

Wolf- Buffy likes it when her foes talk to her; she is not a quick or agile thinker in a crisis, so the time it provides often turns the tide her way. Fortunately, she is wise enough to keep her own mouth shut and tend to business until the fight is over.

Oh Wolf, that is almost as succinctly concise as SubRosa calling her cuddly like a rattlesnake! She does indeed run on passion, with just enough restraint to survive. Thank you!

Hauteecole Rider- Scared to breathe while trying to hide, yep she sure does that - intensified by not having any melee back up. :ninja: Thank you so much for the kind words and for reading!

Digz- I'm so very pleased you had fun reading this! Buffy considers the mages guild like family and, by extension, loves even the mages she does not know very well.
Hey, she was expecting to meet guild mates in the cave? and the guy was wearing a robe ? how was she to know? :lmao:
Thank you so much for your wonderful encouragement and support! :twirl:

Koala- 'Quick to cry and quick to kill.' - Another nice insight; thank you. I'm pleased the letter struck a chord, and that you felt some of the 'slinking through a cave'. Thanks so much for reading!

RemkoNL- Thank you. I hesitated to introduce the letter and a character that doesn't exist in the game to 'help' the quest along, but I think, more and more, it was a good choice to bring the business of the 'mage's staff' quest alive. Darker side- Thank you for picking up on that. Like most people, Buffy is not all good or bad. B)


I know I repeat it often, but the 'Buffy Doctrine' really does drive much of her behavior; I believe the next story shows this as well.

'If you are kind to me, I will love you dearly; if you are mean to me or my friends, I will likely kill you.'



49 Wellspring Grove

The tumblers, protecting whatever lay beyond the heavy wooden door, yielded to the key I had found on Zahrasha's corpse.

Emerging from the cold stony darkness of Wellspring Cave, I found myself suddenly outdoors. My senses were overwhelmed and I was slightly disoriented. Bright sunlight hurt my eyes, and I could smell flowers and forest. A woman's cry of fear assaulted my ears. Squinting and raising a hand to shield my eyes, I could make out the blurry image of a hooded necromancer taunting a woman.

Blinking rapidly, I forced my eyes to adjust more quickly. As punishment for my successful efforts, I watched as the insults culminated with a silver dagger being plunged into the chest of another guild mate, Eletta. Blood immediately darkened the Redguard's burgundy blouse as she fell.

Hoping I had not been noticed, I raised my hand and released a shroud of invisibility that cloaked me as it settled.

The hooded black robe turned towards the door I had emerged from, scanning suspiciously. I could see now she was a Dunmer. "So, intruder, you would seek to hide, rather than joining your friends, in death?" The voice oozed vileness.

Ok, so she had noticed me, but at least she couldn't see me now. I stood, barely breathing and afraid to move.

A spell formed in the Dark Elf's hand. She began to smile, releasing a pinkish glow above her head. "Be revealed now, guild worm, and yield your corpse to me."

I gulped, hoping she had not cast what I feared. As the glow of her spell dissipated, the sinister smile broadened and her red eyes snapped straight to me. They were filled with hatred.

My blood ran cold with the terrifying realization that she could see my life force. I used magic to detect the presence of my foes routinely, but had never faced an enemy who did the same. I cursed myself for overestimating the safety of my precious invisibility spell - especially around spell casters. My reliable panic response of disappearing had been shattered. Flustered, and feeling very vulnerable, my mind raced.

The necromancer hissed, "I see the glow of your life, plaything. That won't last for long." She held up her silver dagger, the blade still dripping crimson from Eletta's wound. "When your blood mingles with the Redguard's, will you remain invisible? I think not. I'm going to slowly kill, then reanimate you. You'll dance for me, little one. Yes, you will. I'll make your corpse tear itself apart!"

Talking, instead of immediately attacking, was an arrogant mistake on her part. I wasn't the best at thinking quickly, so her threats had given me just the moments I needed to come up with a plan.

The Dunmer approached menacingly, with her dagger poised in front of her. A green streak flew from my fingertips. My hands instantly reappeared in front of me, but I was already reaching for an arrow. As my illusion engulfed her, she sheathed her bloody dagger and stood calmly. I couldn't miss her chest at this range, and my arrow knocked her to the ground next to Eletta. Neither woman displayed any life force.

I immediately crouched, quietly melting into a nearby bush. Scanning for life signs, I could see there were two more distant glows to extinguish. I was hidden and safe - for the moment. I let my pounding heart begin to slow as I surveyed my surroundings.

Were it not for the grim circumstances, Wellspring Grove was actually a beautiful forest on a small island punctuating the eastern portion of Lake Rumare. Birds cheerfully sang as they winged among the branches overhead, oblivious to the mortal events below. Two circular stone structures each hosted a magical pinkish flame, not unlike the color revealed when scanning for life forces. Between the flames was a stone chest that I suspected contained the special wood I needed.

I remembered my promise to complete Arnaud's staff and deliver it to the dead boy's father at Harm's Folly. I hoped the task would not overly delay my return to Kvatch. Right now though, I needed to deliver on a more immediate debt.

My heart sank as I looked at Eletta. The Redguard had been another scholarly mage simply trying to study and tend to her grove. Again, I struggled to suppress my anger. Finally, I quietly said, "like Zahrasha and Arnaud, I will avenge you too, sister."

Shifting my now hardened gaze to the nearby body of the Dunmer in black, I whispered venomously, "By yielding to your hatred and overconfidence, you attempted to toy with your prey. As a result, I yet live and you do not. Thank you, hooded one, for reminding me not to make your mistake. I hate you with a raging fury. . . and would love to toy with those of you who still live. But I have learned the difference between trusting in my abilities and the risks of overconfidence. I will not jeopardize myself or my task; there will be no taunting from me. Your remaining companions, in fact, will never see their death approaching."

I was near the cave entrance, to the south end of the island. One necromancer stood guard to my northeast; the other was posted to the northwest. Apparently, their duty was to prevent any assault from the lake. There was good distance between the necromancers, but given the bright light of day, I suspected if one fell the other might notice. How to kill one without alerting the other?

I could use illusion magic that would cause one necromancer to attack his companion. . . no, I would prefer to kill each of them myself.

What about a high trajectory arrow to one, followed by a carefully timed direct shot to the other, for simultaneous impacts? Glancing up at the trees and overhead branches, I rejected that idea.

Just shoot one, then deal with the likely attack from the other? I shook my head. Nah, too messy and dangerous. Necromancers had that frustrating habit of summoning help that could suddenly complicate things.

Another idea came to mind. The black robe to the northwest was facing me, his back leaning against a tree. . . . I looked at the bow that nestled so naturally into my left hand - like an extension of my arm. Slayer was indeed powerful, but could it do what I was contemplating?

Reaching into my quiver, I slid out a bodkin tip arrow. The hardened, slender tip was made to pierce and penetrate. I coated it with a poison that would both paralyze and kill - just in case. I also planned for the possible spells I might need if this didn't work as intended.

After assessing the slight crosswind, I nocked the arrow. Pulling silk with calloused fingers, I applied some tension to Slayer. By concentrating on the tree-leaning necromancer, I was able to draw him sharply into focus. The red skull emblazoned on the chest of his black robe was now clearly visible. I intended the arrow to pierce his heart along with any necessary ribs, miss the bones of his spine and continue into the tree.

Factoring in range and wind considerations, I breathed normally. Years of practice helped generate my offset aim point. Halfway through an exhalation, I stopped breathing. In a single smooth motion, I drew full tension on the bowstring, adjusted my arrow up, to the left and loosed it.

The necromancer jerked only slightly, but the glow of his life immediately faded. His head slumped forward, but his body remained upright. At the distances involved, the arrow that had impaled him was not visible. He simply appeared to be resting against the tree.

I quickly looked at the dead necromancer's distant companion for any reaction. He glanced at his cult mate. Apparently unconcerned, the black robe returned his gaze out to Lake Rumare.

"Yes!" I whispered, repressing a squeal. "It worked! Thank you Mara."

The next arrow I selected was a broadhead - the more traditional choice for unarmored targets. I carefully aimed at my final enemy, and permitted a slight smile.

The necromancer never saw the arrow that fatally tore a path deeply into the center of his chest.

* * *
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YESSSSS!!!

Now THAT is a cunning and skilled use of the arrow...I did not think of that one!

To use an arrow to not only kill, but to pin a corpse to a tree so that it appears alive...brilliant.

Your choice of arrows, and your tactical and strategic thinking, are also...brilliant!!!

Alas, as I told Maxical, there is only one fly in the ointment..

The SOUND.

In Morrowind and Oblvion Bows make no sound, they seem to come with silencers already attached. IRL the sound gives you away in the first attack.

But that is just a nit. Let me just congratulate you on your latest post, and not just for the battle scenes. Buffy is becoming an integrated whole - we see her now as a complex, yet completely integrated personality.

I can't believe I've only just started reading this! Absolutely marevellous Acadian! I'm normally rarely ever impressed with most of the fanfics on here, including my own, but this truly drew me into a story that even though is 48 chapters in, is still so detailed and effortless to visualize. I must read the first 47 chapters I'm afraid. haha. This was excellent.

A true flash of brilliancy on the pinning a corpse to a tree.. Loved it!

One think that irked me is this one:

Although it fits within her doctrine, I have the feeling this sentement is too cold for Buffy.

An exciting conclusion to the battle of wellspring island! One thing I like about how you portray your combat scenes is that you write them as being won or lost by the use of planning and tactics, rather than simple brawn or luck.


Here is something I particularly liked:
The tumblers, protecting whatever lay beyond the heavy wooden door, yielded to the key I had found on Zahrasha's corpse.

A vivid use of metaphors that conveys the scene's feeling of assault.


This I found ironic:
"Yes!" I whispered, repressing a squeal. "It worked! Thank you Mara."

Perhaps Talos might be a more appropriate deity to invoke after killing someone? I do not argue that Buffy would think of Mara, in fact given her feeling of the mages as an extended family, it makes perfect sense. However, perhaps on reflection she will consider what a strange circumstance it is that inspires her to invoke a mother deity while killing?

The way that Buffy anolyzed the situation at the end was a treat for the senses. The arrow pin was superb, a lovely addition that only the 'master of the bow,' Acadian; could think of.

It was also awesome the way SubRosa had such an immediate impact on your story, the mage's ability to use magic to counter Buffy was so obvious, it begs us to ask -
"Why didn't we, the dumb public, think of this earlier ??" :facepalm:

I see you inserted SubRosa's comment about the enemy using detect life - that adds realism to the story, great touch! You have been exceeding your own self lately, your stories are Awesome! Great write!

What you have done here is just amazing. You have exposed another of Buffy's flaws, furthered her creativity with her bow, and managed to impress even your avid readers. Excellent work my friend. As always I look forward to the next installment!

~Digz~

This may be the best yet. There is so much here that I had to read twice just to take it all in. The tactical considerations were a treat, as was Buffy's determinationt to avenge her guild-mates.

The line I want to single out, though, is this:



There is a poem or story somewhere which I cannot dredge up from the depths, regarding the deadly struggles of men (or elves) and Nature's indifference to them. Capturing that feeling in so concise a way is the mark of mastery. Well done, my friend.

dammm acadian! Sorry i've disseapeard for ages having troubles with the computer Anyway the story's i've been catching up on show your vast inprovement from when you started and i was delighted to see youre still writing. Sorry about not posting earlier.

I thought that Buffy being able to disappear when she got in danger was always really neat. By Crikey! I didn't expect her to get seen! Where's the puddle?

In Chapter 49, Buffy completed the University's task, in hopes of getting some assistance for Kvatch. She discovered the magical grove, where mages get the wood for their staves at Wellspring, had been invaded by necromancers. Surviving their attacks, she even exacted vengeance on behalf of the three guild mates who perished there.

Foxy- I'm honored you felt impaling her victim to a tree under the circumstances was plausible. Thank you also for the kind words on her character development. I am in consultation with a medieval mechanical engineer; Buffy's bowstring noise attenuation device is merely a few stories in the future. I don't think there is anything she will be able to do about the noise of impact though.

Lord Dren- Thanks so much for joining us! I so hope you will stay with Buffy. If her volume of past stories proves to be a bit much, feel free to check the first post in this thread for ideas on catching up 'executive summary' style.

RemkoNL- I'm so glad you liked her decision to try and impale that necromancer. She can indeed seem a bit cold and even cruel at times - usually that is caused by her readiness to embrace vengeance. She certainly has, in the past, tortured necromancers (Meridia's Shrine) and has chosen to wound a highwayman with a poisoned arrow and let him slowly die a painful death because he swung an axe at her horse. I will try and watch how I portray the balance between her good and dark sides in future encounters. Thanks for the insight! ^_^

SubRosa- Thank you as always for your encouragement. Although not a quick or agile thinker, Buffy can be quite cunning if she has a little time to plan.
She is well educated, and no doubt familiar with the nature of each of the Nine. Buffy is a child of the city of Mara however and invokes her name usually as a habitual expression. Curious indeed to wonder if she sees the bit of irony you point out about thanking Mara for the success of her tactic.

Wolf- I'm so pleased you also thought impaling that necromancer was a good idea and enjoyed Buffy's thought process. Yes, leave it to sage SubRosa to help out on the brilliant detect life tactic against Buffy. :nod:

mALX- Yes, I think SubRosa's idea about enemy spell casters using detect life was wonderful. As Buffy is becoming more lethal, this is just the type of humility and vulnerability she needs to encounter. Thank you for the kind words! :dance:

Digz- As always, thank you for sharing with me what impressions you are getting. I am so spoiled by the input you provide, that lets me gage how we are doing! :twirl:

treydog- Wow! Thank you so much. The birds winging overhead among the branches served a couple purposes. Showing the futility of attempting a high trajectory bow shot, and contrasting nature's beauty and indifference to the struggles below as you point out.

slitherine- Buffy and I have missed you terribly! It is wonderful to have you rejoin us. Sorry about your computer. I do think I have improved, thanks to the wonderful encouragement and critiques from readers. I also believe reading the amazing stories on this forum has helped me a lot as well.

Koala- Where's the puddle? Good question! :whisper: She usually has to get hurt for that to happen. . . or get drunk. . . or kill ghosts. :lmao:


50 A Mage's Staff

Golden wings, delicately laced with black, fluttered as they floated above the lavender petals of an elegantly lethal nightshade. 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 earliest rays of the sun. I wondered if butterflies were so beautiful because they spent their days visiting flowers?

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"You're up early this morning my little butterfly." The words almost caused me to jump from the wooden bench, so mesmerized had I been by the little flower dancer. My head snapped towards the voice to see a beaming Boderi Farano.

I smiled at my University advisor. "Boderi! I was hoping you would come here this morning. I know this is a favorite spot for both of us." I patted the 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, smiled 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 Buffy - I doubt you will be surprised by that again. I'm also delighted that you are 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 learned the arts of verbal dueling and masking your emotions, but you forget how well I know you my Apprentice. What is troubling you?"

"Am I that transparent?" I replied, somewhat surprised.

Boderi smiled playfully. "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 to come back and check with him in a tenday! Sometimes it seems that by the time I get everything together it will be too late. I feel like a pouting child, but I can't help it. Now another delay."

"Patience," Boderi said gently, as she gazed towards 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. "My point? I have 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 your assistance will require great skill, and yes, some time. You could have no better advocate before the Council though, than Raminus Polus."

Boderi stood, as did I, and we hugged. "I'm off to teach my class." The beautiful Dark Elf turned and glided away. I took a lingering glance at the flowers in the alchemy garden. The butterfly was gone.

Thirty paces later, I entered the Chironasium. "Good morning Delmar," I said cheerfully to the old Redguard.

"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 soul gems in the other. Laying them upon a nearby table, he continued, "and what can we do for you 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 bu-"

"Nonsense. Spit it out," he interrupted with a smile. Glancing at the amulets and soul gems, he added, "oh these are just going be lake striders, to help the new grove attendants get to Wellspring a little more easily. No hurry."

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

He dropped his chin to his chest and opened his eyes wide, staring 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 my pocket, 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 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." He then looked at me inquiringly. "Now, where is the unenchanted wood?"

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 as tall as you are?"

I could feel the warm flush rising above the top of my blouse into my neck, face and up to the pointed tips of my ears. I said sheepishly, "well, I have lots in there. You know, stuff."

Delmar chuckled. "Tell you what, I'll just go work on this other project. You let me know when you find the staff." He grabbed the amulets and soul gems, then wandered over towards 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, tossing them on the floor: Blue shoes, Azura's Star, black and gold shoes, repair hammer, spare arrows, torch. . .

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

. . . black leather cat suit, Arena raiment, skirts, leather boots, bracers, blouses, several dresses, my Leyawiin shield, two bottles of Tamika's. . .

I looked over towards Delmar to make sure he couldn't hear me, then muttered under my breath, "All right Acadian, you can just stop that 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 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 looked inside.

Hmm, Peryite's Spell Breaker - I really need to drop that off at home. Journal, ink pot, spare bowstrings, quill, Slayer. Oh - enchanted arrows - I almost forgot about those! Ahh, finally! I slid the staff out of the bag, still amazed how it fit in there to begin with. I shrugged, guessing that's why it was called a magic bag of holding.

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

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv43/Acadian6/Buffy%20I/ScreenShot211.jpg

Delmar grinned, shook his head again and took the staff. "Ok, ok. I'll have it ready tomorrow. Come back then."

"Thanks," I said, still slightly embarrassed. I took the next couple hours trying to get things back into my pack in a little more organized fashion.

It's an interesting concept. By making her dark side even more grim, it brightens up the good side of her character.

That was a sweet chapter. Loved the butterfly contemplation.
A nice break from all of the blood and gore she's been put through recently


Lemme help you for a change:
growing pile of itmes on the floor {items}

Nicely done once more. The opening paragraph describing the butterfly was a gentle contrast to the violence of the previous two chapters. It was also good to see old acquaintances once more, in the form of Boderi and Delmar.

What really struck a chord with me was Buffy not being able to find the staff in her bag. I am sure every woman reading this will be able to relate. I have trouble finding things in my purse on a regular basis, and I do not cart around a suitcase full of stuff in there like some women do.