The first screenshot (Chapter 27.1) - is that new hair? It is beautiful! - Uh Oh, that Sappho spouting amorous Orc has noticed her.

Teresa's emotions are on a roller coaster through these last two segments - very realistic portrayal of a teen girl's around her coming of age. I get the feeling Aia will make Teresa very homesick for Simplicia.

Your ability to develop real and interesting characters is a gift, Great Write !!

"Raven, that is hot!!"

And so is Teresa...

Olen: Ancondil is a lot of fun to write, because he so goes against conventions. He is probably the only male character I would ever consider playing.

I have been working to replace Teresa's "by Nocturnal!"s with Raven instead. For exactly the reason you stated. Although a "by Mara" still works itself in sometimes.


Winter Wolf: The funny thing - is outward appearances aside - Teresa and Ancondil have much in common. I like writing the two of them together.


Acadian: That would indeed be Tamika's. Thanks to the Blades, Teresa wants nothing else!


mALX: That is her same old hair. It is from the Corean for Original Races mod. Teresa is indeed filled with emotion, and still lacking the maturity to contain it all. That is one of the things that makes her fun to write. But probably not so fun for others to be around!


D.Foxy: Yes, but with a hot temper instead of a hot body!


Next: In our previous segment Teresa sat down to what has turned to be a very pleasant dinner with the very unusual orc Ancondil. Next she finds that he remains full of surprises.


Chapter 27.3 –The Lucky Lady

"So what were you reading?" Teresa asked, looking over at the book that sat on one side of the table. She was going to let those chips cool down before risking another bite.

Oh, that is Drels Alano, of Suran," Ancondil declared. "Dancing With Shadows, it is his most famous collection."

"Oh read me some then," Teresa said. She remembered how lovely it had sounded when Nerussa had recited poetry to her

"Well, if you insist," Ancondil said, then took a sip of brandy to clear his throat before continuing. He did not look at the book, or even touch it. Instead he stared directly into Teresa's eyes and began to speak.

"Was there even a cause too lost,
Ever a cause that was lost too long,
Or that showed with the lapse of time to vain
For the generous tears of youth and song?"

"Oh my, that was lovely," Teresa remarked. "But sad. You said you write your own too?"

"I do take a feeble stab at word-smithing from time to time, but I assure you, it is nothing fit for hearing." Ancondil insisted, lowering his gaze.

"Don't be modest, let me hear," Teresa insisted. "You speak very well. I like hearing your voice."

"Well, if you insist my lady, but only because one so fair as yourself has requested," the Orisimer said with a smile.

"We are the hollow men
We are the stuffed men
Leaning together
Headpiece filled with straw. Alas!
Our dried voices, when
We whisper together
Are quiet and meaningless
As wind in dry grass
Or rats' feet over broken glass
In our dry cellar

Shape without form, shade without color,
Paralysed force, gesture without motion;

Those who have crossed
With direct eyes, to death's other kingdom
Remember us—if at all—not as lost
Violent souls, but only
As the hollow men
The stuffed men."

"That was amazing!" Teresa felt the urge to clap. Instead she allowed herself a faint smile as she looked at the man across from her. "You really wrote that?"

"Yes indeed." Ancondil sat up a little straighter, and his eyes sparkled at Teresa's words. "It is not finished yet however, there is more I would like to add. You really enjoyed it though?"

"I have not heard much poetry," Teresa admitted as she took a sip of wine. "But that was some of the best I have. It really is kind of dark though."

"I suppose that is what speaks to me most clearly." Ancondil shrugged. "But enough about me. What of yourself? The wild forester of Cyrodiil? You said you were a gatherer? I could not imagine living out in the wilderness myself. The ride down here from Cheydinhal was enough for me. Thank the Nine for the inns along the road. I am afraid I would not last a night without a hot fire and a glass of brandy!"

"Oh, it is not so bad," Teresa said. "I used to think the forest was daunting too, until I was in it for the first time. Then I found out it was like… coming home for the first time in my life."

"So what brings you in from the wild hinterland then?" the orc asked.

"I still like a hot fire and a glass of Tamika's too," Teresa laughed. "I have a lot of alchemical ingredients I gathered on my way here from the Imperial City that I need to brew and sell too."

"Oh, so you are an alchemist then?" Ancondil looked surprised, and continued with a grin. "I spent some time at the Arcane University myself. I was banned from the alchemy laboratory within my first week in fact. They say it took another week just to get the smell out. I thought I was the worst alchemy student they ever had, but apparently there was a Khajiit even worse than I was…"

"I'm no real alchemist either," Teresa said, thinking of all those plants in Patvir's Guide that she had never heard of before. "I just know how to make a few potions is all. But you are a mage? Shouldn't you be in the Guild of Mages instead of the Fighters?"

"You have probably heard of great magicians such as Galerion the Mystic, Lattia Direnni, or Zurin Arctus?" Ancondil declared grandly. "Well, I am nature's way of balancing out such greatness. I have never had any magical talent whatsoever. Even the simplest light spell is beyond my crude fumbling. To make matters worse, I was born under the sign of the Atronach, so I cannot even regenerate my own magicka. To be honest, I only went to the University because my parents wanted me to. Not that they were thrilled when I was asked to leave due to my abysmal performance…"

"Really?" Teresa said. Even she could cast spells. It was not all that difficult, even without being University-trained. Granted she could only cast them a few times before her magicka was exhausted, and the big spells were completely beyond her. Yet she could still use some magic. "Not even alchemy? That is just mixing things together?"

"Ahh, yes, but as you know, even alchemy requires the directed will of the practitioner in order to draw out the magical properties of the ingredients to create a potion. Otherwise you are just crushing plants." Ancondil explained. "Of course you have those natural alchemists who can just throw things together with apparently no effort at all. But even they are applying their will and focusing it into the symbol of the enchantment. They just do not realize they are doing it. Whenever my will meets anything magical, bad things happen, usually extraordinarily so I might add…"

Teresa furrowed her brow. It took applying will to mix potions? She had never done anything special before. She just picked out the right things, thought about what she wanted to make, and ground them up. Granted, smashing them all down to powder did take effort sometimes, and after hours of doing it she did feel tired and sore, as she did now. But that was just from the physical strain, was it not?

The rest of the dinner passed uneventfully, and Teresa excused herself shortly after finishing her meal. The fish weighed heavily in her belly, and her limbs felt as if they were filled with lead. After all that happened during the day she was exhausted. So much had occurred since she had come to Bravil that it was hard for her to believe that she had only come to the city in the afternoon. All she wanted to do now was sleep.

Ancondil, however, insisted to escort her to her room upstairs, in spite of her protestations. He said as a true gentleman it was his duty. Teresa had no idea what a gentleman's duty was, but was too tired to argue. It was not until she unlocked her door and turned to wish him a good night that she realized that his intentions were not entirely ceremonial after all.

His eyes had a fire in them. The kind she was starting to see more and more often in men looking at her. It was the same burning look Valerius had at the Wawent Inn, or the naked Redguard had in the legion tower. Ancondil wanted to do more than just walk her to her room, even she could see that plainly now.

Suddenly she was keenly aware of the way he towered over her, and how the body underneath all the velvet he wore bulged with muscle. Was he going to be trouble? she wondered as her heart quickened its pace.

"Ancondil, I'm not…" she started to say, but as they so often did, the words deserted her as she stared into his eyes.

"Not interested, is that it?" he finished the sentence for her, his gaze now shrouded in the flickering light of the corridor.

"It's not that I don't like you, I do." Teresa bit her lower lip as she tried to explain. "It's just that…"

"I am an orc, that is it right?" his voice was soft now. Where at dinner his words had been filled with mirth and a quiet sense of self-confidence, now they were bitter ashes.

"No, I don't care about that. I think you are wonderful," she said, hoping he would understand what she had to say. "It's just that you're a man…"

"Yes, and you are a woman," he said dryly, and for a moment Teresa saw the old Ancondil surface again. "I rather noticed both."

"No…" Teresa stammered, trying to muster the courage to say what she must. "I mean that's the problem. You're a man. I don't… feel that way about men. If you were a woman I would love to spend the evening with you, alone."

"Oh." Ancondil blinked. He looked as if a pile of bricks had fallen onto him. "You mean you… Oh my stars! What an oaf you must think I am!"

"No, not at all," Teresa said, feeling relief course through her. "I think you are one of the most amazing men I have ever met. I like being around you. That's the problem. I forget that sometimes men are attracted to me. It's not something that happens very often, believe me! So I guess I don't think about how I act sometimes, or how someone else might take it. It's all my fault really. I'm so sorry I made you think that I was, well, you know…"

"I have been such a fool," Ancondil said, stepping away from her. "Please accept my apologies. I would have never made such an idiot of myself if I had realized."

"I am sorry Ancondil," Teresa said. Now he looked so forlorn that she had to resist the urge to put her arms around him to console him. But even with as little she knew about men, she that would be the worst thing she could do. "If I were to want to be with a man, you would be the one. Believe me, you are the best one I have ever met! It's all my fault."

The orc mumbled something under his breath. The only word that Teresa could hear was 'Sappho', and she had no idea what that might mean. She watched as he retreated down the hallway and out of sight. Then the wood elf sighed and turned back to her door. Men were so complicated! she thought.


Notes- The first poem is Hannibal, by Robert Frost. The second is The Hollow Men, by T.S. Eliot.

Bravo! Eliot, and The Hollow Men which is my favourite of his works, grossly underrated against The Waste Land. Good inclusion of poetry there, and a good demonstartion of Ancondil's intelect and culture.

I liked how you followed it with:

which has a certain poetry to it and continues the idea.


That simile is excellent. Very apt, it made me smile. A well written section with the awkwardness of them too. You showed a lot of character in Teresa which doesn't normal get exposed in this part.


Good bit of worldbuilding, sounds a bit like chemistry...

I shan't quote more lines I liked because it would be copy and pasting most of what is above. A very enjoyable part which showed more character and made a good read.

Uh, I think I missed the naked Redguard in the tower, how did that happen? Lol.

That could have ended up being a bad scene if Ancondil had not been the gentleman and backed down (albeit disgruntled). Hopefully Teresa learned a hard lesson the easy way - not to let gentlemen walk her to her room unless they are punier than her skinny red-headed elf self - situations like that could have ended a lot differently. Another great chapter!

Where at dinner his words had been filled with mirth and a quiet sense of self-confidence, now they were bitter ashes.

and then

"No…" Teresa stammered, trying to muster the courage to say what she must.

I am very impressed with Teresa. It would have been so easy for her to let Ancondil just walk away thinking the wrong thing, but she showed him compassion at the expense of her own comfort. What a day for her!!

I have missed a couple of great chapters. An Altmer in an orc's body? Brilliant! That very same Mer getting the wrong end of ths stick? Bravo! Teresa being kind to the soul she has just crushed? Inspired! Hazmick running out of words?...Yes! Some beautiful poetry (and food) selections as well. Awesome write!

So very true! Just as complicated as women sometimes! -huff-

Poor Ancondil though. I'd feel just as discouraged and embarrassed if I were in his place! At least he was gentlemanly about it

For mALX's question regarding the naked Redguard. *Acadian raises his hand* I recall that happened when Teresa went to the watch tower to visit the recuperating Vols after his massive injuries that happened in Jensine's store. The cheeky Redguard said to Teresa, "See something you like?"


This episode was full of wonderful interaction. You painted both characters so well here. I'm very proud of Teresa.

"So what brings you in from the wild hinterland then?" the orc asked.
"I still like a hot fire and a glass of Tamika's too," Teresa laughed.
Perfectly aligned priorities, Teresa! Add a hot bath and we're there!

'Men were so complicated! she thought.'
Only to young wood nymphs it seems.


'but apparently there was Khajiit even worse than I was…"
Question: Is this a reference to our fiery, furry mage, Maxical?
Nit? Did you perhaps mean a Khajiit? I considered whether you meant numerous Khajiit (my stylesheet uses Khajiit for both the singular and plural), but if you meant multiple Khajiit, I might have expected a 'were' instead of a 'was'. I'm not positive if my concern is legit or simply misunderstanding. Regardless, offered for your consideration.

"Oh." Ancondil blinked. He looked as if a pile of bricks had fallen onto him. "You mean you… Oh my stars! What an oaf you must think I am!"


Ah, it is true....when one is a sexual minority - of the gay type - in a straight majority world and culture, then misunderstandings like these frequently happen...and just to make things more complicated, there is also the question of race too...

That 'pile of bricks' moment has hit us all at one time or another in life!

Finally caught up, and man did I miss a lot. I like Teresa's description of Bravil, instead of the shambling, addict populated ruin I see when I go there. Makes it seem more hopeful.

So Teresa is giving the FG a try, is she? Well this is slightly unusual...It seems Pappy will be a hard taskmaster, if the last couple of chapters are any indication.

Poor Ancondil! If orcs blushed - maybe they do- he would have been beet-red.

All: I have always kept track of the passage of months and days in my notes. I try to work the current date into my writing where it would feel natural, but often that is not possible. So I went back and started posting the dates each chapter takes place in, in the first post of the chapter.


Olen: The Hollow Men has always been my favorite of Eliots. The Waste Land never did anything for me.

The description of alchemy is part of a larger overall view of the inner-workings of magic that I am espousing. That will be explained fully in chapter 30, when one of the characters gets a magic lesson.


mALX: Acadian's naked Redguard is the one Teresa was thinking of. It goes pretty far back. Teresa is indeed lucky that Ancondil was willing to take no for an answer. Many men would not.


Grits: It has indeed been a huge day for Teresa. The next day (starting with this post) will be even bigger!


hazmick: Ancondil was one of my more original creations. I wanted the members of the new Bravil FG to really stand out and be memorable. Of them all, he probably stands out the most.


Jacki Dice: Poor Ancondil indeed. It is not easy being a man around Teresa!


Acadian: A 'cheeky' Redguard indeed!

One hot bath definitely coming up! Teresa has her priorities straight!

I did indeed mean a Khajiit. Thank you for wrangling it back into the herd of other cats for me.


D.Foxy: Life is indeed full of those awkward moments of crossed attractions when you are in the sexual minority. Rest assured, Teresa will find out how it feels on the other side soon enough!


Linara: Good to see you back again Lin. My vision of Bravil is indeed a bit different from the slant the game puts on it. But hopefully the frontier town that is a bit down on its luck works better than the simple slum town. It is a strange thing for Teresa to be joining the FG, especially considering her past. But it is her past that has driven her to join. In the coming chapters we will see just how she will benefit from the association.


Next: Teresa's dinner with Ancondil did not turn out how she had expected, but luckily she avoided misfortune because of it. Next we find her waking up bright and early the next morning, and paying a visit to the other guild in the city.

Chapter 27.4 –The Lucky Lady

Teresa was awake and out the door of her room shortly after dawn. It felt strange being up and about at such an early hour. Usually she was just going to bed as the sun came up, not rising with it! But as she walked down the stairs to the first floor of the inn, she felt strangely invigorated. Well, she had probably slept for ten hours straight, she imagined that she ought to feel refreshed!

The smell of frying eggs and bacon assaulted her nostrils as she entered the common room, destroying whatever appetite she might have had. A few of the other patrons were there ahead of her and already eating breakfast. When the waitress asked if she would like some she could only shake her head as she made her way to the door. The idea of eating anything so soon after waking made her feel queasy, that it was meat only made it all the worse.

Carrying a bag of potions in one hand and another sack full of ingredients in the other, she stepped out onto Silver Avenue. She passed the brooding edifice of the Fighters Guild, and once more wondered what she should think about her experience there the other day. Did their commander really want her after all? Even if he had, would he still want her after she had stormed out with her eyes filled with tears?

She sighed and looked away. She had other things to think about. She had potions to sell, more bottles to buy, and far more to mix up with the ingredients she had left in her room. Then she needed to buy some real clothing, so she would not have to walk around the city wearing armor all the time. Maybe something velvet this time, she thought, or something with lace…

The main street ended at the branch of the river that she had seen running into the city the previous day. It split into two directly in front of her like a sideways "Y", creating three separate islands upon which Bravil stood. One branch of the river continued to her left, toward the rising sun, and disappeared through a submerged portcullis in the city walls. The other, wider leg of the river turned at a right angle and flowed straight away from her. It ran though a break in the city wall that was wide enough for a galleon to easy pass through, and emptied out into the bay south of the city.

On the wedge of land between the two branches of the river to Teresa's left rose several rows of stone manors. Each was easily three stories high, and many bore towers that extended their height. Looming up behind them was a castle, draped with rust-colored banners of the same back-facing deer that the city guard wore on their surcoats. A sturdy wooden bridge spanned the water to her left, connecting the castle island to that upon which she stood. Like the bridge at the main gate, it was wide enough for a pair of wagons to ride abreast, and clearly built to last.

The third island lay across the river to her right, and was filled with more stone and wood houses. She could see the high walls of the city rising in the distance behind them. One shop along the far riverbank caught her eye. Its wooden sign sported a pair of crossed arrows and had The Archer's Paradox written across it. Teresa made a mental note to go and investigate that later in the day.

The ground dove steeply in front of her to meet the water. Several sets of stairs cut along its length, leading to a long row of docks stretching the entire length of the inner river. She saw a few small fishing boats tied up to shore, but most of the slips were empty.

Screenshot

There was one large ship however, one of the big sea-faring craft that she had often seen on the docks of the Imperial City. As she gazed down she could see the Redguards of its crew unloading crates onto the dock, while locals carried them up the stairs and began loading them onto wagons and carts on the street where Teresa walked.

Remembering the directions the guardsman had given her the day before, Teresa made her way west along Riverwalk. The street here was still paved in stone, but she could see that it turned to hard-packed dirt as soon as it moved away from the water's edge. Among the warehouses that dotted the shore she passed a shop called The Warlock's Luck. She was tempted to stop and go in. Yet it looked more like a spellcaster's store than an alchemist's, so she continued down the thoroughfare.

She passed a small chapel of Kynareth next. The stained glass window at the front of the stone building showed the goddess with a fish leaping from one of her hands, and a gust of wind emanating from the other. Clearly, the Bravilians were less interested in her role of goddess of all wild animals in general, and more with that of fish in particular. Not to mention her dominion over the weather. She was not surprised, as she had seen the same in the chapel on the Waterfront of the Imperial City. People seemed to see the gods in whatever way was most convenient for them.

Coming to another bridge that spanned the river to the third island, she found the city wall rose in its circuit not far beyond. Sitting on the bank of the river beside the wall was a high manor house. A great stained glass window colored to look like an eight-petaled flower was perched in the center of the second floor, and she knew that she had found the Mages Guild.

Screenshot

She found the door was unlocked as she tried the handle, and let herself in. A short hallway led to a wide open foyer, surrounded by other chambers in all directions. The great eye symbol of the guild was painted on the hardwood floor beneath her feet, this time decorated with magical runes. The walls were hung with soft hangings of velvet and silk, and the room was populated with bookcases, cushioned benches, plants, and several decorative urns. The light of the morning sun spilled through the open windows behind her, augmented by a chandelier lit not by candles, but rather by glowing crystals of the like she had often seen in Ayleid ruins.

"Good morning!" came the perky voice of a Breton. Turning to her left, Teresa saw a woman with brown hair tied back in a single braid walking down a stairway to the ground floor. She was dressed in blue velvet, and her eyes sparkled as they set upon Teresa. "I am Delphine Jend, Master of Destruction. How can the Guild of Mages help you today?"

"Umm, good morning, I'm Teresa" the wood elf said. She guessed that the Breton was in her late thirties, given the lines just beginning to form on her features. Yet she could not take her eyes off the dress that she wore. Its velvet shimmered in the light, looking delightfully soft and warm. She had to resist the urge to reach out and run her fingers across its smooth surface.

Screenshot

"What a lovely dress that is," Teresa found herself saying, suddenly feeling self-conscious in her leather cuirass. "Wherever did you get it?"

"Oh you like it?" the Breton fairly pranced in front of Teresa, and now the wood elf noticed the delicate lace patterns set within the velvet, and the stitching of cloth of gold that encircled its sleeves and waist. Then her eyes lit upon the sapphires that glittered in the Breton's ears, and the shining gold of her necklace. "It is something I picked up at Palonirya's the last time I was in the Imperial City."

"It's beautiful, you're beautiful," Teresa breathed, feeling a pang of envy rising within her. By Dibella, this was what a woman was supposed to look like, she thought. All soft and curvy, decked out in brilliant jewels and shimmering velvet. On the other hand she was all stringy whipcord and bone, and dressed head to toe in leather.

"Oh my, you are quite the flatterer aren't you, what did you say your name was, Teresa?" The Breton grinned and took the wood elf gently by the arm and lead her toward one of the side chambers. "You must be new here in Bravil. I am sure I would have recognized you if I had seen you before, what with that lovely hair and skin-tight leather. You must have to beat the men off with a stick!"

"Umm, that's not usually a problem…" She thought about Ancondil the night before as soon as the words slipped from her mouth. He had certainly liked something! she thought. Teresa felt her cheeks begin to warm as the other woman led her into what looked like a dining room and motioned her to sit while she busied herself with a silver tea service.

"I will just make us a cup of tea to get the morning started, and we can sit and talk," the Breton said over her shoulder as she lifted the top of the teapot. Pointing her finger within, a wisp of flame short forth, and a moment later steam was rising from the innards of the container. The mage turned to Teresa and smiled. "Heating water is one of the many advantages of being a battlemage."

"You don't have to do that," Teresa offered as the other woman brought over the tea and poured them a pair of cups. "I only came here to sell some potions, and buy some bottles…"

"Then you will need to speak with Ardaline," the Breton explained, pushing a delicate cup filled with brown fluid toward the Bosmer. "She runs the alchemical storefront."

Teresa lifted the porcelain cup to her lips and took a sip. She had to stifle the urge to wince at the bitterness of the tea, let alone its heat. Yet the Breton woman looked so expectantly at her that she had to nod and force a smile to her lips. "Oh, that is good." Teresa lied, "but maybe a little hot."

"Good tea is supposed to be hot," the Breton proclaimed as she lifted her cup to her lips and drank nearly half its contents in one gulp. How she could manage that without screaming was beyond Teresa, but the magician looked content as she went on. "Nothing like a good spot of tea to get the blood flowing I always say!"

Teresa risked another sip of the sharp liquid, and once again fought the urge to make a face. She had never tasted anything so harsh. How could anyone like this? she wondered. She would rather have goat's milk any day!

Hmm I can only agree on black tea, now put the milk into it and it's a different story

I enjoyed that though, it's a nice touch of realism having a character make horribly strong tea which might have been a bit out of place in other stories but fit's beutifully with the character realism of this one. It also gives some idea of what sort of woman Delphine Jend is, anyone who calls a spell Enemies Explode almost has to drink stong tea.


I liekd each of them envying the other. More realism and it shows a side to Teresa which has been increasingly hidden. She is still quite insecure and self-critical for all the improvments she's made and fails to see her own strengths as they improve.

Just keep her away from coffee and the guild should be safe...

Thank you for bringing our little Bravil guildhall to life. I smiled the whole way through!

"Oh you like it?" the Breton fairly pranced in front of Teresa,
Yup, that's our Delphine!

'the Breton said over her shoulder as she lifted the top of the teapot. Pointing her finger within, a wisp of flame short forth, and a moment later steam was rising from the innards of the container…. "Heating water is one of the many advantages of being a battlemage."
And now we know where Buffy learned her cooking skills!

Not to sound like a broken record, but I continue to enjoy how you allow Teresa to linger and share the smaller details of her life with us.

Oh I so hope our red-headed elf gets some nice new clothes. At least she surely recognizes proper fashion when she sees it!

“Several sets of stairs cut along its length, leading to a long row of docks stretching the entire length of the inner river. She saw a few small fishing boats tied up to shore, but most of the slips were empty.”
I enjoyed the walk to the Mages Guild very much. I got a real sense of Bravil’s size.

“She had to stifle the urge to wince at the bitterness of the tea, let alone its heat.”
Delphine makes my kind of tea, strong enough to hold up a spoon and hot enough to maim you.

Gag! Once again, I'm on Teresa's side! I hate anything too bitter or strong... Some drinks have made me spit them up without realizing it first

Olen: Yes indeed, for all of the strides our stringy bosmer has made, she is still quite the bundle of insecurities.


Cardboard Box: Can you imagine what she would do to coffee? Yikes!


Acadian: Delphine was an easy character to write, thanks to how well you have defined her in the BF. Not to mention how she stands out in the game.


Grits: One of the reasons for that segment was to show off a bit more of Bravil. I am glad it was appreciated.

I bet you use your tea as paint thinner too!


Jacki Dice: Doh! I am the same way too!


Next: In our previous episode Teresa made her way to the Mages Guild and met one of its battlemages. Next, she makes her escape from Delphine's tea and meets the local alchemist.


Chapter 27.5 –The Lucky Lady

"I really need to see this Ardaline then," Teresa bit her lower lip as she rose to her feet. At this point she would do anything to avoid drinking more of the horrible brew. "I do not want to take up any more of your time."

"Young people, always in a hurry…" the Breton muttered as she stood and led Teresa back through the lobby and into another of the side chambers. This one was lined with shelves containing potions of all colors. A small bookcase rose against one wall, and a long counter ran down nearly half the room. Behind it were more shelves containing mortars, pestles, alembics, retorts, and other alchemical gear.

Standing next to the counter was a young Altmer woman with blond hair that was styled similar to that of Tadrose and Methredhel, with two thin braids running down her cheeks in front of her ears, and the rest bundled together behind her head. Her eyes were wide, azure pools, that gave her an innocent, almost child-like quality. She wore a linen outfit that consisted of a blue top whose sleeves were rolled up to the elbows, while a green dress with plunging neckline and thin shoulder straps was layered over it. Even though it was far more ordinary than the extravagant velvet that Delphine wore, the layering of different-colored apparel created a subtle, yet attractive effect. Teresa made a mental note to herself to try to look for similar tops and dresses when she went shopping later.

Screenshot

"Good morning Ardaline," the Breton said cheerfully, "I brought you a customer."

"Well met," the young Altmer said, fixing the deep blue pools of her eyes first upon Teresa, then on the bags which the wood elf carried. "My name is Ardaline, how can I help you?"

"Greetings Ardaline," Teresa said, feeling an instant liking for the other woman, whom she guessed might be near her own age. She carefully set down her bags on the counter with a clinking of glass, and extended her hand to the Altmer. The alchemist took her fingers gently within her own, her skin feeling soft and warm to the touch. Teresa could not help but to notice the difference between it and the handshake that Pappy had offered her the day before. "I'm Teresa. I just got in town yesterday. I walked down from the Imperial City and gathered up some ingredients that I was hoping to sell. I have some potions I made too."

"Certainly," the Altmer woman smiled. "Let us see what you have."

Teresa first opened the sack of her potions, and began to carefully arrange the tiny bottles across the counter top. They were not labeled, but she could tell each by the subtle variations in color of the liquids within. "These are Healing Potions, these few here Invisibility, these are Feather, this is a Night Eye, and here are some Shields." she said, proudly, pointing to each group of potions in turn.

"Oh my, you have been busy." Ardaline breathed as she looked over the sea of bottles across her counter. Lifting one before her face, she passed a hand over it. Tiny sparkles of purple light illuminated her eyes. Setting down the bottle, she looked back at Teresa with those glowing purple orbs. "You do good work. Most of the alchemists here cannot create potions with this potency."

"What is that spell?" Teresa could not help but to ask, even as she felt the blush warming her cheeks at the other woman's compliment. "It tells you what the potions are?"

"Oh yes," the other woman explained, looking surprised. "It is a simple mysticism spell: Analyze Alchemy. It was one of the first spells I learned at University. Given all the potions we handle here it is a must."

"That is incredible!" Teresa breathed, "I had no idea there was such a thing."

"Really?" the other woman said, the purple light fading from her eyes as her spell expired. "You did not go to the Arcane University? Given the quality of your work here, I assumed you were a graduate?"

"Oh no," Teresa said, feeling her cheeks continue to flush with warmth. "I could never have afforded that. I only picked up a few things is all."

"Indeed?" the other woman asked. "Who was your teacher? They must have been rather skilled."

"No one," Teresa looked down at her feet, feeling herself beginning to squirm under the other woman's attention. Stop it! she told herself, she had every right to be proud of what she could do. "I just learned a few things over the years. There are really only a few potions I know how to make."

"That is amazing," the Altmer said with a smile and began looking over the rest of Teresa's potions. Picking up each in turn, a yellow point of light sparked from her fingertips as she traced designs upon them. The glass underneath rose to meet her hand, creating a raised impression of the symbols she drew. Teresa instantly recognized the two serpents coiled around a central staff that Ardaline inscribed on her Healing potions and the shield for her Shield potions. They were the standard symbols she saw on all Mages Guild potions.

"So that's a spell too," Teresa breathed as she watched the Altmer magician marking each bottle. "I thought you had the bottles all made with those symbols?"

"Oh goodness no," Ardaline declared. "Imagine if someone put something poisonous in a health bottle by accident. That would be embarrassing! Besides, it is probably cheaper for the guild to buy plain vials and have us mark them. I don't know how you manage to keep track of them."

"Oh, I can tell by the colors," Teresa explained, pointing to the bottles. "Even with potions of the same school, like Restoration, there are little differences in the shade."

"You can see that?" the Altmer looked surprised. "I could never tell by just looking. You really have some talent I think. Have you thought of going to the University? You could learn quite a bit."

"Oh I don't have the money for something like that," Teresa explained, trying to imagine the small fortune that an Arcane University education would cost. She remembered her promise to Simplicia. She was going to buy the old woman a home, somewhere quiet and beautiful, with a garden. "Besides, I have other more important things than me to spend my money on."

"I know it can be expensive, I will be paying back my loan for years," the guild alchemist said as she continued to go through the bottles. "But it is well worth it. The University has a special Alchemy program too. It is only three years, not the six for full mages, plus a year internship of course. If it's only money, you can join the guild and they will sponsor you and loan you the tuition. So long as you have talent of course. Given what I see here that is not a problem for you."

"I just can't see me doing that." Teresa looked down at her feet again, trying to imagine herself in the Arcane University. As if they would allow a prole from the streets as a student in a fancy place like that! They would probably laugh her straight out the door. Starting with stiff-necked patrician Irlav Jarol no doubt.

"I am sorry," the Altmer woman's voice caused Teresa to lift her gaze. Now she saw that the golden cheeks of the high elf had turned a bright crimson. "I did not mean to sound presumptuous. I am just not good with people is all. That is why Kud-Ei has me working the Alchemy counter. She says I need to meet more people."

"I know exactly what you mean," Teresa breathed, her hand instinctively reaching out to brush against the soft skin of other woman's fingers. She thought about what a fool she had been with Ancondil the other night, and how she had lost her temper with Pappy before that, and ran crying from his guild hall. "Sometimes I think I must be the biggest idiot in the world."

"Oh no, you are brilliant!" Ardaline exclaimed with a smile. "Look at all these potions. This is journeyman quality work, some nearly master. Take these Healing potions. I can see you used lavender to make them. That is one of the most difficult plants to extract healing properties from. The apprentices here could never hope to use it for healing."

"It is?" Teresa thought aloud. She had no idea. Once again she remembered what Ancondil had said about some people being natural alchemists. Could that be what she was? "You can tell what I made them with?"

"Oh yes, you can see that with Analyze Alchemy," Ardaline explained. "Although it takes some practice first. Like you said before about the colors, there are subtle variations you see in the symbols that form a potion's enchantments. After a while you learn to pick up on them all."

"Do you think you could teach me those spells?" Teresa's mind whirled at the possibilities. Both would make her work so much easier!

"Well, I am no instructor," Ardaline's brow furrowed as she spoke, then her features lightened into a smile once more. "I am sure Kud-Ei or Aryarie could though. We can take it in trade for some of your potions. You should still have a good bit of drakes left over, you have some quality brews here."

"That would be wonderful!" Teresa managed a faint smile at the thought of her eyes sparkling with that same purple light as she examined the potions she found in the old forts and Ayleid ruins. She could not wait to show Simplicia!

Or a mix of the two, like me!

Both of the chapters in the mages guild were brilliant, can I see a friendship with Ardaline brewing? Teresa should be proud of her work, journeyman quality alchemy is nothing to be ashamed of! You have done a wonderful job of bringing the mages guild and the city of Bravil to life.

I hope to see more tea Teresa soon!

Another lovely and rich epsisode! *contented sigh*

Ardaline's dress is one of our faves. As you say, simple but beautiful. You continue to beautifully portray the Bubbling Bretonic Diva of Destruction. And now you are wonderfully capturing our shy Altmeri Angel of Alchemy. Well done!

Teresa could not help but to notice the difference between it and the handshake that Pappy had offered her the day before.
Not only does this draw a sharp contrast, it links the impact of recent events into the moment at hand (no pun intended).

Your spells to analyze alchemy and mark vials are wonderfully clever examples of realizing the less flashy but magnificent utility of magic. As are heating tea water, Nerussa's 'bloom' spell, and the 'photocopy' spell Teresa saw at the University.

Stop it! she told herself, she had every right to be proud of what she could do.
Full of youthful self-doubts, but spunky enough to realize it and catch herself.

"I know exactly what you mean," Teresa breathed, her hand instinctively reaching out to brush against the soft skin of other woman's fingers. She thought about what a fool she had been with Ancondil the other night, and how she had lost her temper with Pappy before that, and ran crying from his guild hall. "Sometimes I think I must be the biggest idiot in the world."
A beautiful example of Teresa-think. Tossing in various ingredients that are perfectly related (to her) and coming to her unique conclusions. It makes no sense to me of course, but Buffy assures me that it makes 100% perfect sense to her.

You have modded Bravil !!! Do I remember right that you modded Weye too? Are these your own mods that you made yourself? I noticed the sails and covered bows on the boats right away, then began looking closer at the buildings - great screenies !!!

Teresa made a mental note to herself to try to look for similar tops and dresses when she went shopping later.
With Teresa’s vivid coloring, I can’t wait to see what she chooses. Although it seems there are already several votes in favor of the tight leather.

They were not labeled, but she could tell each by the subtle variations in color of the liquids within.
This and Ardaline’s useful alchemy spells give magic such a rich and natural feel. It makes me brew a cup of rocket fuel Delphine's tea and read again.

hazmick: The rest of this chapter is all about what is brewing between Teresa and Ardaline.


Acadian: You just like seeing the Bravil Mages Guild given so much space! Funny thing about the handshake. When you compare Teresa's experiences with both guilds, she seems to be enjoying her time with the mages much more! Then again, she is not trying to join them either.

The little, everyday spells are part of the world-building I like doing. I wonder if there would be a shaving spell too? It makes sense that someone might have invented one by now (especially seeing how no one in Tamriel has a beard).


mALX: I have only added a simple little mod that improves Bravil's interior docks, and adds a few small fishing boats. The rest of Bravil is vanilla.


Next: In our previous episode Teresa met the alchemist of the Bravil Mages Guild. Next she finishes her business there.


Chapter 27.6 –The Lucky Lady

Then she remembered her other bag, and she opened it as Ardaline busied herself setting aside the potions. "I have some things in here that I did not know how to make potions for," the wood elf explained as she began to draw various leaves, roots, mushrooms, and other plants from her bag. "I know they are good though, because they are in Patvir's Guide."

"Oh you are using that old thing!" Ardaline exclaimed, and Teresa instantly felt her cheeks warm with embarrassment. "Not that it's bad mind you," the high elf quickly said as Teresa's eyes fell to the counter. "We used it for reference at University. But it is horribly organized. Everything is arranged by school, but that does not help you when you are in the field and trying to figure out what the plant in front of you is. What you need are Grognak's Regional Guides. They are arranged by plant and animal type, to easily identify what you are looking at. The illustrations are better as well, since they are all in color. He has separate volumes for the ingredients you will find in each part of Cyrodiil, plus one master edition with everything together."

The high elf walked over to the bookcase, and drew forth a book with green binding. Stepping next to Teresa, she opened its pages and showed it to the wood elf. The forester marveled at the brilliant colors of the illustration of a somnalius frond, and quickly noticed how the text explained several key features of the plant that made identifying it easier. Even better, she saw a list of its magical effects listed under that, and symbols that could be used to create the enchantments.

"This is amazing," Teresa marveled as her eyes feasted upon the book. "You know, I think I have some of these in my bag here!"

"Why don't you keep that," Ardaline walked back behind the counter and began going through the ingredients. "That is the Bravil County guide. We can put that toward your payment along with the spells."

"Thank you Ardaline," Teresa said with honest gratitude, clutching the book to her breast. The alchemist at Chorrol had not been nearly as helpful, she thought, let alone as pleasant to look at! She began to wonder what it would feel like to put her arm around the high elf, or to lay her head on her shoulder. But Ardaline was probably not like that, Teresa thought with a sigh. Not many women seemed to be. Remembering Ancondil's mistake the previous night, she was determined not to repeat it. "You really are such a kind person."

The high elf blushed once more. Combined with her wide eyes, it made her look seductively innocent. Suddenly Teresa wondered if that was how she looked to Nerussa; awkward, shy, and irresistibly beautiful?

"I have some silphium there too," Teresa said as the high elf drew forth a small jar of powder. "I already ground it down."

"Oh excellent!" the high elf smiled now. "We always need more of this! Some of the human women here in the guild are irregular, so they use it to even out their courses to once every four weeks, not to mention make them lighter."'

"Every four weeks!" Teresa's eyes widened. "So human women really do have it once a month?"

"They do," Ardaline nodded. "Poor things. That is why they have so many children! Well, the ones who do not take silphium at least."

"I had heard they were like that, but never really thought it was true," Teresa mused aloud. She only had her periods twice a year. Every equinox they would start. She could set a calendar by it.

"Of course there are some elves around here who have to take it too." Ardaline's gaze traveled to the doorway. "Or they would likely have as many children as a human"

Teresa looked over her shoulder and saw the object of the alchemist's statement. Standing in the foyer was a young Dunmer woman, with blue skin as soft as the twilight sky. The long hair that spilled along her shoulders was milky white, and her eyes were pools of fire given an even deeper, more smoldering look by the heavy black makeup that lined them. Her lips and nails were also ebony in color, and she wore a dress of velvet and lace that was the same dark shade with ivory highlights. Girding her torso was a corset of black leather and brocade, stitched with delicate silver patterns that looked like vines twisting around one another.

Screenshot

Teresa felt her heart skip a beat as she gazed upon the other woman. Where Adraline had a certain innocent charm, this woman was a virtual promise of dark and sensual desire. By Dibella, would she like to do more than just put an arm around her!

"Who is that?" Teresa breathed, unable to take her eyes off the dark elf as she sauntered across the lobby. Her hips rolled from side to side like a ringing bell, and the wood elf noticed that she stepped with her feet heel to toe, rather than side to side as most women did. It reminded the wood elf of Nerussa, whose every motion glided into the next as if she were dancing.

"Oh don't you get all moon-eyed over her too. It's bad enough how the men are," the Altmer woman grumbled. "That is Saya Aren, our new battlemage, and the biggest harpy on Nirn. From what I have heard she spends more time on her back than her feet…"

"Meeoow!" Teresa found herself giggling as she turned back to face the other woman, whose face lit up with mirth. Before she knew it the two of them were laughing.

"What's going on in here?" the voice of another woman cut through the air of the alchemy chamber. Teresa looked up to see a golden-haired high elf sweeping into the room. She wore an elegant dress of crimson and purple velvet, and her hair was tied behind her head in a ponytail. She carried herself with the air of dignity that Teresa was used to seeing in Altmer and patricians. Yet what surprised the wood elf was the twinkle of glee in the other woman's eye.

Screenshot

"This is the Mages Guild, we cannot have any merriment here!" the Altmer grumbled in a low tone, and Teresa had the distinct feeling that she was emulating the voice of someone that the mages must know. "We are part of a long line of distinguished true seekers. We must look to their example as we go about our duties. We are all dour and dedicated mages."

"Aryarie!" Ardaline exclaimed with a grin. The young high elf contained her laughter, but could not repress the glint in her eyes. "Have you seen Kud-Ei? This is Teresa, she has brought us some wonderful treasures. Could you or Kud-Ei teach her Analyze Alchemy and Mark Potion? We are going to deduct it from what we owe her."

"I have not seen our guild magister at all this morning," the older high elf said in a normal tone. "Or Henantier. If I did not know better I would think those two were up to something, if you know what I mean…"

"Henantier?" the younger Altmer nearly laughed again. "Are you kidding? He makes me look like a courtesan in comparison."

The older woman smiled as she looked from Ardaline to Teresa. The wood elf wondered who this Henantier was that they were talking about. She gathered that Kud-Ei was the leader of their chapter, and that Aryarie must be someone important herself from the way that Ardaline deferred to the older woman.

"Henantier is one of the best enchanters in the entire guild." the older high elf said in a somewhat scolding tone, which then lightened with that same glint in her eye that Teresa had seen when she had entered. "But he cannot help it if he is a bit… challenged in other areas."

Then she took Teresa's hand with a warm but soft touch. "I am Aryarie, the assistant magister here in the Bravil Chapter. My morning is free, so I would be glad to help you. Let us leave Ardaline to take care of things here, and we can go teach you those spells."

Teresa allowed the older high elf to lead her through the lobby to a quiet study room. There the magician produced a pair of pamphlets that described both of the spells she was going to learn. "You can keep these for afterward," the high elf explained, "in case you have any trouble remembering."

Then the other woman walked Teresa through the process of forming the symbols needed to cast each spell. The forester already had a basic understanding of how magic worked thanks to Raminus Polus. So she at least understood how to draw upon her magicka and channel it into a spell.

Yet how to focus it was the issue, Teresa thought as the other woman coached her. One lapse in the creation of the symbol in her mind would cause the spell to fail, or worse, go off with unexpected results. She had many of these false starts and miscues as she fumbled her way through learning the spells.

Aryarie said that both were novice level spells, and Teresa certainly felt that title was appropriate to her crude attempts at learning. Yet even as the hours dragged by, Aryarie remained patient and supportive, even taking a break for a moment to bring them both some cool juice and cinnamon rolls.

As the chapel bell tolled the midday hour however, Teresa had finally mastered both. With the Mark spell, she found herself etching any symbol she desired upon the glass potion bottles. Aryarie even taught her how to use the spell to remove existing symbols. All of which were listed on the pamphlet that she had given Teresa, giving her a reference for what each was for.

Casting the Analyze Alchemy spell, the wood elf could see the symbols that channeled the magical power within the potions that Aryarie had brought with her. Once more by referencing the spell's pamphlet, Teresa could see what each symbol stood for. She could even judge how powerful a potion's effect was from seeing the intensity of the magicka stored within it.

Teresa could not contain a real smile as she emerged from the study room and crossed the lobby to see Ardaline again. The youthful high elf had not only her new book set aside, but a healthy-looking bag of coins along with it.

"How did it go?" she asked, smiling in return as the wood elf collected her things.

"Wonderful!" Teresa bubbled. She felt practically giddy at her successes. Before she even knew what she was saying, more words spilled from her mouth. Instantly she regretted her recklessness, remembering Ancondil the previous night. "Would you like to go and have lunch with me? I am new here and do not know anyone, or even know where anything is. Oh, and I need to buy some clothes, I cannot wait to get out of this leather!"

"I would be glad to," Ardaline said after a long pause, and Teresa breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe the other elf did like her, at least enough to be friends. "We can go by Nilawen's, she has wonderful sandwiches at lunch time, and we can get you something new to wear at the same time."

I really loved reading how Teresa learned new spells (btw, why aren't they in the game??).

Your depiction of Aryarie is one of the best I've ever read, and much better than the vague impression I get from the game.

So your Kud-Ei is a bit more strict and pedantic than mine? It's always cool to see how others see the same NPC's so differently from me.

I agree, you created an atmosphere of personality in that chapter of the Mages Guild, and a glimpse into how they comport themselves when the management isn't there to view - I loved this chapter before and still do!

Much to like here, again!

Elven vs human fertility. I see we share the same views. Glad to see that our wood elves are on the same cycle. As we have discussed, it just makes sense. Otherwise those long lived elves would overrun Nirn!

And we meet Saya. She sure looks dangerous! The walking heel to toe was an excellent touch and very helpful in giving the appearance of gliding or floating instead of bobbing along walking. A harpy! Remember that word, for there is one in Leyawiin as well!

Very nice job with Aryarie. I must confess that her personality in the game does not sing to me like most of the other Bravil mages. I will remember your portrayal of her and bet that it will help bring her to life better for Buffy and I.

Even the mere mention of dear Kud-Ei makes me smile, and your references to her were no exception!

Teresa's hormones seem to be working pretty well. It says really good things about her that she was quite struck by the misunderstanding between her and Ancondil. She doesn't want to place herself in Ancondil's position and just as importantly, doesn't want to place another woman in the awkward position she found herself in due to that misunderstanding. She really is a considerate elf.

And finally, your use and description of everyday magic is great.

I love this! It develops the characters so well, even though their minor roles.



Oh my.... Lilitu just might have to go to the Bravil Mages Guild...for business, of course.

Haa-Rei also needs to visit the mages guild in Bravil, he needs some...plant...things...

Great chapter 'Rosa, spell casting is no easy task and you have done a brilliant job of describing the process. Teresa and Ardaline are very compatible, that saucy Dunmer temptress seems...nice as well, will Teresa be seeing moer of her?

Good part, I like how you've developed the Bravil mages. They were always some of the better characters in game and you've really taken them further into a cast of entertaining characters. Teresa also shows more of herself, she seems distinctly uncomfortable in meeting new people but seems to alarm some of them without really realising it.

The spells make good sense too, another bit of realism in how magic might be used.

An enjoyable part, but I want more

haute ecole rider: Maybe those spells are in the game, and Bethesda never bothered telling us. That would explain how we somehow know what every potion is that we find.

That was not Kud-Ei that Arayarie was parodying. I am thinking it was the Arch-Mage. I imagine he would come off like a strict, serious, by the book type to many people. Perhaps I should go back and add some more dialogue in to make that more clear, since I think you were not the only one to think it was Kud-Ei. Although Kud-Ei herself tends to be a rather straight arrow as well. But as we will see in the next chapter, she can be very flexible.


mALX: Isn't it funny that now I have probably spent more time showing the Mages Guild and the people in it rather than the Fighters Guild? Teresa has met almost everyone in the MG now, except the last two, who she will encounter next chapter. Weird how that has worked out.


Acadian: I did decide to go with your idea for the longer period between periods. Once I realized that they could coincide with astronomical events like the solstices and equinoxes, I really warmed up to the idea. It would also mean that if an elven woman is regular, then her children would always be born under one of the same two birthsigns. Well three I suppose, as the Serpent seems to pop up at random.

In the game Aryarie is pissed off because the Fighters Guild didn't fulfill their contract with her (that pesky Maglir again), so she does not come off very positive. I have to confess, I like her in the TF much better than the game as well! I basically re-imagined her as a regular guild member (she is a visiting scholar in the game), and tried to picture how she would fit into the guild. Her very candid remarks about Bravil in the game are what prompted me to give her such an unpretentious, down-to-nirn attitude in the TF.

Well, don't go and count Teresa as being too considerate until after you read this episode!


Jacki Dice: Liltu just gets hotter and hotter! Don't expect to find Saya in the game though. She is another character of mine that I worked into the TF. She was my first magician in fact.


hazmick: We will definitely be seeing more of Saya in the future. She features very prominently in a chapter I have in mind. But that is a long way off.


Olen: Teresa is indeed still hampered by her feelings of insecurity when she meets new people. However, she is working on overcoming those, which only makes her seem more direct! Ardaline is of course just as big a bundle of insecurities as Teresa. If not worse!


Next: Teresa has sold her newly made potions to the Mages Guild, and learned two new spells that will help her future alchemy. Next, Teresa goes out to lunch with Ardaline, and we have a special guest-appearance from a character in another Fic, in the final episode of this chapter.


Chapter 27.7 –The Lucky Lady

Teresa discovered that Nilawen's was actually a general store known as A Fair Deal, sitting on Silver Avenue right beside the inn she had rented a room at. Inside she found the owner - Nilawen - a middle-aged wood elf dressed in simple linen clothing. The two floors of her shop were a confusing affair of tables, shelves, and racks containing all manner of goods. From dresses to pick-axes, she seemed to have everything under the sun.

Several small tables were arranged to either side of the front door, before wide windows that looked out to the street. Teresa saw that two other wood elves were sitting at one when they arrived. One appeared to be a similar age to Nilawen, and sat with his back to the door as he munched on a sandwich of pita bread wrapped around what appeared to be meat.

The other Bosmer sat across the table from the first and faced the door. He was definitely younger than his companion, yet still clearly older than Teresa and Ardaline. His brown hair was somewhat unkempt, and he wore a black cloak with dark clothing underneath. Riding his hip was a curved short sword whose hilt bore elaborate, leaf-shaped carvings that spoke of elven manufacture.

What Teresa really noticed were his slate grey eyes however. They had a cold, hard look that she knew all too well. He was a killer, she thought, and did little to conceal it. His body lacked that stiff uprightness that most military men bore however, something she guessed must come from hundreds of hours of standing at attention. Instead he slouched in his chair like a lazy serpent, relaxed now, but able to strike at any moment.

Ardaline paused a moment to greet him before they sat at a table on the other side of the door, and Teresa felt distinctly nervous with the other Bosmer sitting behind her. But she forced herself to put on a carefree demeanor as Nilawen brought them a pair of the Redguard-style wraps like those the two men were eating. Except that Teresa's was filled with tomatoes, cheese, and greens rather than meat.

"So are you two friends?" Teresa asked in a low tone, half glancing over her shoulder toward the black-clad wood elf.

"Aradroth?" the Altmer said between bites of her sandwich. "He has been by the guild a few times to buy ingredients is all, and learn some illusion spells from Kud-Ei."

"So he's not someone special then?" Teresa asked, allowing the ghost of a smile to crest her lips.

"Oh goodness no Teresa!" Ardaline coughed, and had to take a sip of tea to clear her throat before continuing. "What would make you even think that?"

"Well look at you Ardaline," Teresa said, gesturing toward the high elf with a free hand. "You're smart, beautiful, and kind, all rolled up into one. There must be plenty of people who wish you were their girlfriend."

"Not hardly." The youthful high elf rolled her eyes. "I am an alchemophile. I live inside a potion bottle. Not what anyone is looking for."

"Don't be so sure," Teresa said, looking into the high elf's deep blue eyes. Was she really going to press this? How might Ardaline react? Was it worth losing the alchemist as a friend if the high elf was mortified by her feelings?

"I know at least one person in Bravil that feels that way." Teresa finally said, silently praying to the Lucky Lady that her good fortune of the day held out.

"Who then?" Ardaline said. "Not even Fathis Aren looks twice at me, and he has slept with nearly every woman in the county!"

Teresa looked down at her wrap. She knew what she wanted to say, yet her throat choked on the words. Feeling warmth spread through her cheeks at her floundering, she forced her eyes to rise and meet Ardaline's. Biting her lip, she held the young woman's stare. She said nothing, hoping that the high elf would somehow understand.

"Oh Teresa, you mean…" Now it was Ardaline's turn to flush crimson. "You are sapphic?"

"What?" Teresa blinked, that was the last thing she had expected to hear.

"You like other women," Ardaline blurted out, looking guiltily to either side, as if she were afraid someone else might hear. "Like the poet Sappho."

"Well, yes," Teresa said. She could already see in the other woman's eyes that she was not the same way. For some strange reason that brought a sense of relief flooding through the wood elf, as if just knowing how Ardaline felt had lifted a great weight from her shoulders. "But I have never heard of Sappho?"

"Well she lived back in the First Age, in the Summerset Isles," Ardaline explained. "She wrote some really… sensual things about other women. I mean really boiling stuff! Ever since then Altmer women who were exclusively attracted to other women have been called sapphic."

"She sounds like someone I know…" Teresa said with a faint smile, thinking of Nerussa. She would have to ask her about Sappho. The innkeeper would certainly have some of her poems, she thought. For all she knew, Nerussa had could have been reciting them to her during their nights together! "Sapphic, you say, I like that. But I can tell already that you aren't…"

"Oh no!" Ardaline exclaimed, then she stopped herself and covered her mouth, as if she suddenly regretted what she had said. "I mean, there's nothing wrong with it," she stammered. "I tried it when I was younger of course. I am an elf after all. It was pleasant, but just not me."

"I understand," Teresa forced herself to smile, gently laying her fingers on the other woman's hand. Ardaline did not flinch, or draw her hand away, which brought the wood elf another feeling of relief. At least they could still be friends, she thought. Right now she would be overjoyed just to have a few friends in Bravil. Lovers had been something she had spent most of her life without. It was not like she was going to die without one. "So it does not make you feel… funny being around me then?"

"Oh Mara no!" Ardaline declared with a smile. "Imperials all seem to be humorless about it, but like I said, I'm an elf after all. In fact my brother was the same way."

"So your brother was attracted to women too?" Teresa could not resist the wry comment. That was just the thing Ancondil would say, she thought with a sudden feeling of pride. That made her wonder where the Orisimer was, and if she could somehow make things up with him, after she had so ignorantly led him on the other night. Perhaps she could buy him a bottle of brandy with her newfound earnings?

"No silly! He was stratonic of course." Ardaline practically beamed now, then lowered her voice to a conspiratorial tone. "He liked other men! Our parents were so upset! They wanted him to marry and have children you see. Now they never stop haranguing me to make them grandparents!"

Teresa could not restrain a giggle. Ever since she had met her, Ardaline had managed to bring out that lightness in her. The high elf probably had no idea she was even doing it, Teresa thought. Again, she wondered if this was how she made Nerussa feel? What was it the former courtesan had said to her on the first night they had made love? "Nature's first green is gold."

"So where is your brother," Teresa asked. "Is he in Bravil too?"

"Oh no," Ardaline's features darkened like a storm front rolling across the Niben. She looked down at the table between them, and Teresa could see her swallow hard before she spoke again. "He lived in Kvatch. He had met someone there, someone special. Now he's…"

The high elf closed her eyes and did not continue the sentence. Teresa did not need to hear the rest. Everyone knew what had happened to Kvatch. Her heart fell, and she had the sudden urge to wrap her arms around the other woman and hold her tight. Instead she extended her hand further, and slid her fingers around the other woman's hand in a warm, yet soft clasp.

"I am so sorry Ardaline," she breathed, wanting to hit herself for not noticed how the high elf had been referring to her brother in the past tense. "I had no idea…"

"It's not your fault," Ardaline said, raising her liquid blue eyes to meet Teresa's gaze. "I've spent months thinking about it. I don't want to brood over it anymore." Then the high elf managed a crooked smile, as if she were forcing herself to lighten her mood. "Now how about we buy you some clothes before Aryarie starts wondering where I have gotten off to?"


Note - "Nature's first green is gold" is a quote from the poem "Nothing Gold Can Stay", by Robert Frost.

Aradroth! And what a powerful description of Teresa's first impressions on seeing him! This whole chapter was deep with emotions that seem to ride perpetually just below the surface in Teresa - a real testimony into the awkwardness that over-rides even the beginnings of simple friendships for Teresa - how will the other person react, could she lose a budding friendship, how to bring it up, etc. - the "what ifs" always there to add tension - Ardaline smoothed the path nicely, the friendship has a firm foundation to grow on now. Wonderful Chapter !!!

I see that the tragedy that is Kvatch continues to provide an undercurrent of darkness in the TF. It is a wonderful bit of world-building that a place that Teresa has never been to, and an event that she has never witnessed, continues to be referred to, even after the Oblivion Crisis is over.

And the scene between Ardaline and Teresa is delightful! Though I already knew the outcome, it does make me happy that Ardaline is comfortable with Teresa's orientation, and continues to consider her a friend. And yes, Teresa, friends are more valuable than lovers, though the two are not mutually exclusive . . .

Another part... lucky me.

Aradroth, now there's someone I did not expect to appear. More crossover which is always fun (he's not in the game right?). Certainly Teresa had his measure quickly enough, not the sort of person I'd want sitting behind me either.

The part with Ardaline worked well, like another of Teresa's meeting it could have gone a lot worse, Ardaline seems unbothered so Teresa will still have a friend in the mage's guild. She also has a poet to look up...

Got a little behind, there. Well, I'm back up to speed now.

Looks like Teresa is coming out of the box about her... orientation. Good for her! I am quite happy to see she has accepted it and enjoys who she is. That communicates a lot to me, and also makes Ardaline instantly likeable for not being in any way bigoted about it.

(Perhaps we should ask Buffy to get a certain badger's opinion on the subject?)

Except that Teresa's was filled with tomatoes, cheese, and greens rather than meat.

What? No hummus? Shame!

It's also nice to see your love for poetry.

In the room the women come and go
Talking of Michelangelo.

A beautiful episode from the mistress of character development. My goodness. . .

Firstly, thank you for the Fair Deal sandwiches. Nothing beats reading on a full stomach! Fabulous rendition of Nilawen and her general store!

Aradroth, the creation of friend Winter Wolf, was masterfully depicted, from his slate-gray eyes to his lethal Cats Eye short blade to his interest in poisons and illusion spells. Like a rattlesnake with no cuddle.

Fathis. Just one line or so, but it surely captures him and his well-notched bedpost!

Ardaline.
"I am a alchemophile. I live inside a potion bottle. Not what anyone is looking for."
So typical of the beautiful spirit within Ardaline to summarize herself this way and sell herself so short. I'm so glad Teresa sees the beauty within Ardaline. And equally glad that dear Ardaline embraces Teresa and welcomes her friendship.
'The high elf probably had no idea she was even doing it, Teresa thought. Again, she wondered if this was how she made Nerussa feel?'
Yes, dear Teresa! That is exactly how Nerussa feels about you. 'Goddess, Teresa was beautiful when she bit her lower lip; and she probably had no idea she was even doing it.' Pure magic, SubRosa! *contented sigh*

Nit?
"I am a alchemophile."
More of a light hearted joke, I think. 'A' or 'an' alchemophile? Between trying to say either three times fast and realizing that it is within the context of Ardaline's speech, I surely can't really call it a nit. Just see what you think and try not to laugh at me?

This is one of my favorite chapters as it touches something I relate to Teresa is much, much braver than I, in that situation. I'm fine admitting attraction to women.... but admitting it to the woman in question? Never happened :x Especially if there was a friendship involved

The term "Sapphic" fits so well. It sounds like a way it would be described in TES Universe ♥

Then the high elf managed a crooked smile, as if she were forcing herself to lighten her mood.

This whole scene brought a tear. Watching Ardaline deal with her loss was very real. Teresa’s compassionate response is a credit to her, she turned an extremely awkward moment into another bond in their friendship.

You make stuff feel really real, Subrosa That's a good trait.

mALX: Awkwardness certainly describes Teresa! Although thanks to Nerussa, she is learning to overcome it.


haute ecole rider: Oblivion is kind of odd with Kvatch. Unless you actually go to the city itself, you would never even know it was a part of Cyrodiil. Everyone in the game goes on as if nothing ever happened there, either before or after the main quest. That attitude is something that is hard for even me to shake when I am writing, as I am so used to seeing Cyrodiil as Kvatchless. I purposely worked the city into that scene in an effort to overcome that.


Olen: Aradroth was fun to write into that scene. It is always fun to do crossovers. I have another one coming up in seven more chapters.

Teresa does indeed have a poet to look up. One of the things that made the scene between Teresa and Ardaline so much fun for me to write was the parallel between that between her and Ancondil. A great example of turnabout!


Thomas Kaira: I don't really see Tamriel as being as homophobic as the modern West is irl. It lacks the elements to drive it. Rather I imagine Tamriel is much the same as the Ancient Greece or Rome. It is just something some people do. Although I picture humans, and Imperials in particular, being more sexually conservative, and having more of a stress on having kids and families. But that is because their societies seem more patriarchal in nature than the elven ones.

I have not seen hummus in wraps, so I left it out. Tabolueh I have though. Maybe next time Teresa will get some pita bread and baba genough?


Acadian: mALX has indelibly etched Fathis in my mind as a creepy, promiscuous stalker. I just cannot picture him any other way.

That last scene was enjoyable not only because of the parallels to Teresa's encounter with Ancondil, but also because as you noted, now she can see how Nerussa feels around her.

Good call on the an. I think I lost the "n" in one of my edits.


Jacki Dice: Sometimes you just say the sweetest things.


Grits: Thank you Grits. It was one of those cases where I hoped the scene would convey more emotion if I made less of it obvious, and more of it inferred below the surface. I am glad it worked.


Zalphon: Thank you Zalph, making things feel like a real world is what I strive for.


Next: The previous chapter saw Teresa have dinner with an unusual Orisimer during her first evening in Bravil. Then she spent the next morning at the Mages Guild selling potions, learning spells, and forming a friendship with the local alchemist. Next she returns to her room to find she has an unexpected visitor.


Chapter 28.1 –Through A Nightmare Darkly

25th Last Seed, 3E433

Teresa returned to Silverhome On The Water clutching a pile of clothing and shoes to her breast, along with her spell pamphlets, a pair of books, and a bottle of brandy. She was barely able to turn the latch to enter the front door of the inn, and only managed it after dangerously shifting her load of goods around in her arms. Striding through the common room, she answered the publican's greeting with a nod and a faint smile.

She did not linger on the ground floor, heading straight to her room instead. She thought she heard the Altmer proprietor say something behind her, but could not catch his words as she scurried up the stairs to the second floor.

She could not wait to put on the green velvet dress she had bought, and hastened down the corridor. Its soft touch against her skin felt lovely, and the matching shoes that went with it were simply adorable.

No one back in the Imperial City would even recognize her, the wood elf thought with a faint smile as she performed another act of juggling to retrieve her key and fit it into the lock of her door. Yet it did not click open when she turned it, for it was already unlocked.

She was certain that she had locked it when she left. She always locked her doors when she had something valuable, like the ingredients she had left over from the previous day's potion making. Had she been robbed? Was the thief still in the room?

With the latter thought in mind, Teresa carefully set down her things beside the door. Her heart galloped like a racehorse as she fixed the symbol for her Flare spell in her mind. Cautiously opening the door a crack, she peeked within. The portion of the room she could see through the opening was empty, and better yet, undisturbed. Pushing the door open the rest of the way, she found that the other half was occupied however.

Sitting at the small table beside her bed was the commander of the Fighters Guild. He was dressed in tan linen pants, a long-sleeved white shirt, and a dark brown vest. A long, straight sword rode at his hip. Unlike most arming swords, it had a gold-engraved guard, a white bone handle, and a curious lobed pommel. An opened bottle sat on the table in front of the swordsman, along with a pair of shot-glasses. His blue eyes rose from the book he was thumbing through and met Teresa's.

Screenshot

"Where have you been kid?" the Colovian said as he closed the book and set it on the table beside him. "I've been waiting for almost an hour, and this Ayleid history is nearly as boring as that other book you have about plants."

"Herminia Cinna is hardly boring," Teresa declared. Still, she relaxed her stance and leaned back against the doorframe. "If I had known I had a guest, I would have arranged for something more entertaining, like a grizzly bear."

"Well, it wouldn't be the first time for that!" the Colovian laughed and lifted one of the glasses to his lips. His head rocked back as he downed the contents in a single gulp, and Teresa detected a slight wince on his features as slapped the empty glass down on the table with a clack!

She shook her head and stepped back into the hallway to gather her things. Carrying them into her room, she set them on the bed and shut the door behind her. "So do you make a habit of breaking into women's rooms?" she looked down upon him with her arms akimbo.

"I didn't break anything kid, the innkeeper let me in. He's a friend of mine." The guild commander poured a smoky amber liquid into each of the shot-glasses. That made the wood elf wonder if what the innkeeper said to her as she rose the stairs had been a warning about Pappy? "You know you missed your training session this afternoon."

Teresa closed her eyes. Damn, she silently cursed. She had been so caught up in lunch with Ardaline and shopping with the high elf that she had completely forgotten. She had even resolved herself to go back to the Fighters Guild after all, in light of what Ancondil and Aia had said the day before. By Nocturnal, she could be such a fool sometimes!

"Sorry, I forgot," Teresa said, biting her lower lip. "I got caught up in things at the Mages Guild…"

"Really, they sell dresses and Surilie Brothers brandy there now do they?" Pappy asked. His eyes glittered with mirth as he nodded at the pile on Teresa's bed.

"Well, that came later," Teresa said, still biting her lip and turning back to her bed. Picking up the bottle of brandy and a book of poetry for Ancondil, she walked to the dresser and drew forth a small bag and placed them both within. "But I was with a mage so it still counts."

"Well, I would never come between a woman and a new pair of shoes," the Colovian laughed. "Come on sit down and have a drink, I have a proposition for you."

"Really? I've heard you have a talent for coming between women and their clothing." Teresa said, walking back to the bed and now taking her copy of Grogan's Guide and setting it with her alchemical bag next to the small table. "If that's what you're here for, you are out of luck."

"Settle down Teresa," the older man frowned. "I don't sleep with the women in the guild. Not anymore. It's not worth the headaches. Besides, there are plenty of other fish in the Niben. Now are you going to sit down and talk or not?"

"I did not know I was in the guild," Teresa said as she sat across from him. "I am supposed to wait for two weeks remember?"

"Cut the bull kid," the Colovian said plainly. "We both know that if you aren't full of dreck you are in. Now have a drink."

"I'm sorry," Teresa breathed, willing the tension of the surprise visit to drain out of her. Why did the older man get on her nerves so much? He did not seem like a bad sort at all. He was a lot friendlier than Volsinius, that was for certain!

She reached for the glass, and studied the golden brown fluid within. From the smell it must be some kind of whiskey, she thought. She did not normally drink anything that hard. Wine was more than enough for her. But she did not want to turn him down, at least not yet. Perhaps more importantly, she did not want look weak in front of him. Not after her display of tears the other day.

She lifted the glass to her lips and let the amber liquor slide into her mouth. Instantly she regretted it. The taste was simply awful, making her wince before she could even begin to swallow. Worse, it was freezing cold, as if she was drinking ice. Before she could stop herself, she was spitting it out in a spray of golden droplets.

Pappy laughed as she doubled over and coughed. At least she had managed to avoid getting it all over him, or the bed. "Nocturnal, what is that cacat?" she wheezed, feeling a familiar warmth rise to her cheeks.

"That is Mímisbrunnr," Pappy said. "Nordic whiskey. It's not for everyone."

"Isn't that illegal?" Teresa asked. So much for not appearing weak, she thought glumly. Her mouth felt frozen, and she wished she could get the awful taste from her tongue. Finally she rose and lifted the pitcher of water next to the washbasin and took several deep gulps.

"I don't let little things like that get in my way." Pappy grinned, and the wood elf imagined that he was enjoying her discomfort.

"I've heard that too." Teresa said as she walked back to the table and sat down. She knew that she had made a complete fool of herself. She ought to be used to it by now, it seemed to be what she was best at after all. Biting her lip again, she tried to ignore the sting in what was left of her pride and continue talking. "I hear you don't like rules."

"No, I like rules." Pappy said with a smile that Teresa was certain would make most women melt. "I like to break them. That's why I'm here."

"So what are you breaking?" the wood elf could not contain a faint smile at his quip.

"I have a job for you," he said, pouring himself another glass. When he motioned to pour another for Teresa she held her hand up and shook her head. She was never going to even think of drinking that again! "A quiet job, off the books. That's why I'm up here, and not downstairs."

"So you want something stolen then?" Teresa frowned. "I told you, I'm not a thief."

"No, not stolen," Pappy knocked back another shot of whiskey. "This is a favor for a friend. She needs someone no one in town knows. Someone with at least a little bit of magic, who can think unconventionally."

Teresa nodded, that certainly sounded like her. But it was awfully secretive. "So who is your friend?" she asked, trying to decide whether it would be a good idea to do this. On one hand it would certainly help her with Pappy. But on the other it could be illegal. While she was not one to shirk at breaking the law, she did not want to end up in prison again either…

"Kud-Ei, the head of the Mages Guild here in Bravil," Pappy said evenly, staring Teresa in the eye. "She won't tell me what it is, but from the rumors I am hearing, I think it has something to do with one of her magisters. She's a real straight shooter. If she's going outside of official channels like this, he must be in big trouble."

"Henantier," Teresa breathed, remembering what Aryarie had said earlier about the two of them being missing from the guild hall.

"You seem well-informed for someone who just got here?" Pappy cocked an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Like I said, I was just at the Mages Guild this morning." Teresa shrugged. "They were talking about Kud-Ei and him being gone."

"Okay kid, here's the deal. I cannot pay you for this, and as far as the guild is concerned it never happened," Pappy said plainly. "But if you pull this off and Kud-Ei is happy, then I'll make you a probationary member when you come back."

"So this is another test then?" Teresa instantly regretted her words.

"No it's not another test," the Colovian said, and Teresa could not mistake the annoyance in his voice. "This is a favor for a friend, simple as that. Take it or leave it."

"Okay," Teresa said, wondering what she was getting herself into. "Where do I find Kud-Ei?"

And so begins one of the straaangest quests in Cyrodiil!

I recall you writing this quest over on the other forum, and thought you did well that time. Now I'm looking forward to it yet again!

As for Kvatch, it's funny. That burned city weighs so much on my mind while I'm playing the game (even after the MQ is done), that I never noticed that no one else mentions it. Not even Martin after he's at Cloud Ruler! It's as if the city itself donned the Cowl of Nocturnal But now that you mention it, yes, that's weird.

Ah well, people can be strange.

I like this quest (though when I first did it the maps wouldn't display so it took rather a lot of trial and error). I can imagine Teresa will react interestingly to it. Getting Pappy to point her towards it is a nice touch, makes the different people seem more connected.


Sounds like Pappy has terrible taste. Shot glasses and cold? You'd think he didn't want to taste anything . I must say I'm rather partial to 'smoky amber liquid'. Mímisbrunnr is a good name for it too.

As ever the interactions between Teresa and Pappy were excellent.

What a deliciously complex conversation!

At first, Teresa had the upper hand. After all, the man was trespassing in her room:
"So do you make a habit of breaking into women's rooms?"

Unfortunately, Pappy was able to counter with this:
"You know you missed your training session this afternoon."

Ah, the old training session vs clothes shopping. Pappy quite impressed me with his wisdom, no doubt hard-earned:
"Well, I would never come between a woman and a new pair of shoes," the Colovian laughed.'

Quite the delightful banter! I loved how you display that the Bravil guild leaders (FG and MG) would reasonably have a working relationship. Having learned some of Pappy, and knowing Kud-Ei rather well, I can certainly see how they would respect each other.

Although the conversation between Teresa and Pappy dominated this episode, there were other pieces of goodness within as well. A green velvet dress with matching shoes (of course) sounds wonderful for Teresa; no doubt Ardaline helped point out how perfect the color would look with Teresa's emerald eyes, pale skin and fiery hair. I was pleased to see that Teresa had thoughtfully bought some brandy and a book of poetry for Ancondil! I also look forward to Teresa helping dear Kud-Ei.

Well, at least some felafel, then!

"Well, I would never come between a woman and a new pair of shoes," the Colovian laughed.

Glad to see Pappy's got his head on straight. I'd be especially scared for his life if he got in the way of a woman's hair.

"If I had known I had a guest, I would have arranged for something more entertaining, like a grizzly bear."

"Well, it wouldn't be the first time for that!" the Colovian laughed

Careful there, Pappy, you may want to consider that this grizzly can take down a Daedroth with quite little effort.

Nit:

Unlike most arming swords, it had a gold-engraved guard, a white bone handle, and a curious lobed pommel An opened bottle sat on the table in front of the swordsman, along with a pair of shot-glasses.

Looks like Teresa dropped one of her periods trying to get her door open.

...
.....
.......




Poor Teresa! That happened to me a few weeks ago when Wrothken decided he wanted some rum. Before I knew it, I spat it all over him and the bed!

Cumming between women and their clothing....tsk, tsk...we really must try to cure that premature ejack 2 lay shun problem...

You missed the real line, Foxy :




Er ... I won't say the first thing that popped into my dherty mind at this, but ... it may or may not have something to do with a ... "shower..." (cough, cough).

Remember what everyone thought the clear jar of yellow fluid was (in my original story on the BGSF) when Manheim was giving Nordic Whiskey to Owyn?

You caught that line because of your recent kidney troubles, mah dear!!!

(what ever happened to the angelic emoticon?) I blame you for the corruption of my (formerly) totally innocent mind


BAM! CRACKLE! SPLAT! ** lightning struck mALX as she typed **

haute ecole rider: Thank you H.E.R. This one did not really change much since the Beth days though.


Olen: I am glad you liked Mímisbrunnr. I worked long and hard to come up with a name that would have the appropriately Nordic feel. As opposed to "rotgut" as they call Nordic Whiskey in the game.

Why not shot glasses and cold drinks? I went with the shot glass because it's whiskey. Back when I actually drank alcohol, whiskey was one of my favorites. I used to mix it with pop however, usually something with a lime flavor, like Slice or Mountain Dew. I never liked doing shots. You can actually taste the whiskey then! *blech*


Acadian: It is always fun to write conversations between Pappy and Teresa. They tend to be so filled with sparks! I have been watching my old Baa Baa Blacksheep episodes again to help me capture the flavor of the hard-drinking, hard-fighting, and skirt-chasing commander.

And quite right, Pappy and Kud-Ei do indeed have a good working relationship. Both of them are smart enough to realize that the other can help their respective guilds, and so are willing to put up with one another. As I imagine Azzan and Carahil do in Anvil. On the other hand, I cannot picture Burz gro-Khash and Falcar in Cheydinhal getting along at all!


Thomas Kaira: mmm, Falafel... (where is the Homer Simpson salivating emoticon?) I hope you are proud of the fact that you prompted me to buy some pita bread and hummous the other night.

Thank you for picking up Teresa's period! She will need it, as the chapter I am currently working on revolves around it!


Jacki Dice: Doh! Poor Wrothken! Why do I suddenly picture him like Captain Jack Sparrow, asking "But why isn't there any rum?"

That was another one of those great moments where fate has conspired to make sure Teresa does not get too big for her britches!


D.Foxy: I am sure Pappy does that in more places than between their clothing!


mALX: While I am not afraid to write about bodily functions, I do draw the line at u-rine. (And look, I am a poet, just like Foxy!). Hmm, actually that is not quite true, cacat does play a role in a future chapter.


Next: In our previous episode, Teresa accepted a mysterious proposition from the commander of the Bravil Fighters Guild. Next, she goes goes to meet the Guild Magister of the Bravil Mages Guild.


Chapter 28.2 –Through A Nightmare Darkly

Teresa walked past the statue of the Lucky Old Lady and stared up at the multi-story building in front of her. Well, this was it, she thought, the tenth building down Lady Street, just as Pappy had said. She stepped up to the door as butterflies began to dance within her stomach. Before she could think of all the reasons she should just turn and walk away, she reached out and rapped on the doorframe.

Screenshot

The door opened a few moments later, revealing an Argonian woman wearing a green silk skirt and a velvet top of the same color. Teresa was immediately struck by how similar both were to the outfit that she had just bought at Nilawen's, and wondered if the Argonian had also bought hers there.

"Yes?" the Argonian asked, speaking in the raspy, almost hissing tone that all of her race possessed. Her face was a lovely mix of green, rust, and brown scales, and her head sprouted numerous bone spikes that ran along each side of her skull.

Teresa could see that the Argonian was distressed. The way her horns drooped sideways and the line of her brow furrowed around her orange eyes spoke volumes. Most people thought that Argonians were emotionless, Teresa reflected. But years of living with Geen-Rana on the Waterfront had taught her the little nuances of understanding their moods. Once one knew what to look for, the serpent-folk were even easier to read than humans or elves. It was one of the reasons she liked being around them. That, and the soothing tone of their husky voices.

Screenshot

"Kud-Ei?" the forester asked, "my name is Teresa. Pappy - um Commander Vitellus - sent me."

"Thank the Nine!" the Argonian hissed, pulling Teresa into the house and shutting the door behind her. They stood in a small vestibule that opened to either side. To the right it widened into a spacious living room that took up the rest of the ground floor. While to the left the wood elf saw a stair leading up, curling around the corner of the building and out of sight. "I have been praying that he could find someone! Come with me, there is no time to waste!"

The Argonian darted up the staircase, and Teresa followed close behind. There was no wall to the right, allowing the wood elf to see into the entire living room as she ascended the steps. It was simply furnished, with a roaring fireplace, a few tables and cupboards, a wall-hanging of the Mages Guild eye symbol, and several paintings of the Great Forest that seemed so vivid that she half-expected the trees to sway in an imaginary breeze. For a moment Teresa wondered if they were painted by the same man who had done those Nerussa had in her bedchamber. What had his name been? Rythe Lythandas?

Screenshot

The second floor was a single room. A simple sleeping area sat in the far corner, and in contrast to it the rest of the floor was taken up by an elaborate study and workshop. The latter seemed to be in disarray, as there were books, scrolls, and scraps of paper haphazardly strewn around the single desk and numerous tables.

Teresa's eyes widened at the sight of a full suit of ebony armor that was arranged on a stand amid the clutter. That must cost a fortune! she thought. Also catching her eye was a glowing silver crystal on the desk. It was long and slender, tapering to points at both ends, and had an elegant metal latticework bound around its center. She instantly recognized it as a varla stone, just like the one she had found in Vilverin.

Screenshot

"This is Henantier's home," Kud-Ei explained as she swept past the mess to the single bed in the corner of the room. There Teresa saw a young high elf wearing a simple blue magister's robe. Around his neck was a golden chain, whose huge round pendant was inlaid with an equally large moonstone. He lay on the bed with his eyes closed, and as the wood elf approached she saw him twitch and roll over, as if he was having a nightmare. "I found him this way two days ago, and he has not woken since."

Screenshot

"So what's wrong with him?" Teresa asked, staring down at the high elf. His head shook from side to side, and he rolled onto his back again.

"Henantier is trapped in a nightmare of his own creation," Kud-Ei explained. "After going through his notes I learned what he did."

"He did this to himself?" Teresa asked.

"Henantier is the most brilliant mage I have ever known." Kud-Ei stared down at the young elf, holding her arms across herself, as if she were clutching her own body for comfort. "We were study mates at the Arcane University. He entered at only ten, and graduated a full mage at the top of his class only four years later. That is half the normal time. He was such a prodigy that he surpassed the rest of us in everything without even trying. Now he is one of the preeminent enchanters in Cyrodiil. He only does custom work for the guild's best clients. The only reason he lives here in Bravil is that his parents are here."

Teresa looked back at the ebony armor. She knew that cost a fortune. Now she realized that it must be from one of Henantier's customers. That also explained the varla stone. Naturally an enchanter of his stature would have an artifact like that, if not several.

"Yet that very brilliance has ever been his downfall," Kud-Ei sighed, walking to the desk and picking up another necklace similar to that the high elf wore. "Even in school he was getting into trouble. Not picking fights or playing pranks, but reaching too far in his quest for knowledge."

Teresa cocked an eyebrow, wondering what that meant. Kud-Ei walked back to her and placed the necklace in her hands.

"Henantier quickly exhausted the conventional sources of learning. But they only whetted his appetite for more. So he reached to the darkness for answers, first to Daedra-Princes, then to necromancy. Several students were nearly killed, myself among them."

The Argonian took Teresa by the arm, clutching at her with what felt like near desperation. "Please understand, Henantier is not an evil man. It was all just academic to him. He only wanted to understand the universe, and how everything in it worked. He was never satisfied with just being a brilliant magician."

"Henantier has been warned that if he does something again he will be expelled from the guild." Kud-Ei went on. "That is the reason for all this subterfuge. If it were to get out, even if he can be saved, his career will be finished. What happens here must not go further than these walls."

"I understand. Don't worry, I can keep a secret," Teresa nodded, thinking about how she had carried the Amulet of Kings to Jauffre. "He must be a good friend, for you to still be by his side after that."

"A true friend is there through the hard times as well as the easy ones," Kud-Ei said. "I would have never graduated if not for Henantier. He got me through Mysticism. I never forget who my friends are."

"I know exactly what you mean," Teresa breathed, thinking of Methredhel. They had been through a lot lately, but even after all of it the other Bosmer had stayed by her side. Even though they rarely had the chance to see one another anymore, she knew the other woman was someone she could always count on. Looking back to Henantier, she thought how lucky he was to have a similar friend in Kud-Ei.

"Henantier has created a dreamworld within his own mind, using this amulet he enchanted." Kud-Ei said, stepping over to the bed and pointing to the necklace around the Altmer's neck. "He designed it to be an exercise field, to test himself and improve not only his skills, but the very core of his psyche. When I looked through his notes I believe I found a mistake in the symbol for the enchantment however. Instead of testing the different parts of his nature, I fear he has sundered them instead. I have enchanted a second amulet using his notes, so that someone can enter the same dreamworld and rescue him."

"Can't you just take the amulet off him?" the forester asked, "wouldn't that bring him out?"

"No," the mage shook her head. "He would come back as he is now, with his mind in ruins."

"So what can I do?" Teresa asked plainly. "Isn't this your area? I am not a real magician. I only know a few simple spells. I am an archer."

"If I enter his dreamworld I suspect the same thing will happen to me." Kud-Ei explained. "His subconscious is driving it. I believe it will seek to test anyone he recognizes. Only a total stranger - someone whom he has not only never met, but never even heard of - can escape the splintering of their mind when inside his dream."

"Okay, what do I do then?" Teresa said, raising the necklace over her head and settling it around her neck. It felt warm to the touch, and instantly she began to feel tired. "How do I put Lorkhan's pieces back together again?"

Kud-Ei smiled at the wood elf's stab at humor, and took the forester's hands in her own. "You are a brave girl," she said. "I can see Commander Vitellus sent the right person. Just lie down and go to sleep. You will enter Henantier's dream when you do. I do not know what you will find when you are there. Things may seem strange, perhaps even insane. Remember that it is a dream, so the normal laws of reality do not apply."

Teresa lay on the floor beside the high elf and closed her eyes. She could hear the voice of the Argonian booming above her.

"Find Henantier, and restore the broken fragments of his psyche. Only he can get you out again." The magician's voice began to fade away, as if she was moving down a long tunnel. "Be careful that you are not killed in the dreamworld, else you will never waken…"

Yes, and so it begins!

I personally think this quest is weirder than anything in the SI. Goes to show just how strange these High Elves are. And I believe you did this quest some serious justice when you wrote it. I am looking forward to rereading it again!