In Episode 148, Savlian allowed a short break between Fort Agarctova and returning to Kvatch as he put paid to his promise to take Buffy to Valenwood. They found themselves in a pleasant meadow on the nearby southern bank of the Strid River. After tending to the horses as well as their own thirst and hunger, Buffy’s clothes started to do what they often do when close to so much water. Once the two clarified some misunderstandings, one thing led to another.
mALX- Training? Hee! Buffy did get to practice her unintentional spell casting.
Thank you!
SubRosa- Buffy is quite ‘touchy-feely’ of course, and jumping on Savlian just sort of happened to her when she realized that he not only remembered his promise to take her to Valenwood, but fully intended to do so – that day. I’m so glad they got beyond their misunderstanding over her ears. Simple open communication won the day!
Glargg- Gosh, yes it did take them a long time to get on the same page! Thank you!
McBadgere- Thanks! I'm glad you liked our bits and parts – even the sore ones. Lol.
ghastley- Between the water and noise and errant spell casting, we now know why this scene just wouldn’t have worked back at the encampment! She’ll just have to wait to try Pelena’s potion. And thanks for noting that, yes indeed, getting Buffy near water surely did do the trick.
Grits- My counsel to Buffy on writing her love scene was, “Fade to misty gray, Buffy. Let readers use their imaginations”. Her response was, “Oh for Mara's sake, Acadian. I tell my readers in great detail how I brush my teeth. I’m not about to gloss over something as important as this just because it has juicy bits in it!” The noise and scratching was easy to portray; it was the errant spell casting that was a challenge not to make overly, um. . . graphic. We tried very hard to lace the necessary specifics with plenty of awkwardness and humor. Thank you so much for seeing the tender passion, adventure and discovery as the wide-eyed elf and her hero learned to dance.
KC- Thank you. I so agree that it just couldn’t have been as. . . Buffy in a tent back in that smoky camp.
RainbowVeins- Aww.
This was an extremely powerful episode for Buffy and I to write. Thank you so much for your soothing endorsement!
* * *
149 While You Were Gone. . .
We dismounted next to the kitchen area under an early afternoon sun and the beaming gaze of Weedum-Ja. “I shall have to send you two hunting more often.”
At the Argonian’s orders, several men gathered on the patient Raxle and unlashed the field dressed deer. When their attention turned to the buck behind Superian’s saddle, Savlian gently warned them off even before the mare could flatten her ears or begin to prance away. “This girl’s a high strung, skittish one like her mistress, lads. Best leave the task to hands that she knows. Buffy and I will unload her.”
Once complete, we led the horses toward the stable. I loved that Savlian was protective of both Superian and I, and how we tried to understand each others’ ways. During our return trip from the Strid River, I had explained what Daenlin taught me about hunting. I was pleased when Savlian joined me in kneeling by the deer we killed to cut our arrows free and thank them for their bounty. We then wished each animal’s spirit safe passage through the Dreamsleave until they returned. Nearing the mountains of Kvatch, we rode past several bears at a respectable distance. As a pair of eagles lazily winged overhead, Savlian told me that although the Kvatch wolf symbolized the city, his mountains were really the land of bear and eagle. I had joked that he could be the bear and I wanted to be the eagle.
“Welcome back, conjurer hunters,” greeted Bolden as he looked over the horses. “Safe trip? No injuries?”
“That clan of corrupted mages will cause travelers near Kvatch no further trouble,” said Savlian. “The horses, Buffy and I are fine.”
I took Raxle’s reins from Savlian and squeezed his hand as I did so. “Just some sore muscles.”
“Do you know where Lucilius is?” said Savlian to Bolden, but not before I felt his fingers briefly return my squeeze and noted the hint of a smile that played at one corner of his mouth.
“Yes, he’s been keeping me apprised of his whereabouts so I could send a runner for him as soon as you returned.” Bolden called over one shoulder, “Moria!”
The young Imperial I recalled seeing several days ago approached. Small hands pulled rather wild tresses of nutmeg-colored hair from her face. A threadbare dress of tan flax covered the slight frame, and her feet swam in sandals that were entirely too large. Ignoring Bolden, she walked right up to me and said, “You have pretty hair.”
“Thank you, Moria.” I found myself looking down slightly at a nicely featured but dirty face that I estimated to be ten to twelve years of age. “My name’s Buffy, and you have lovely eyes. They sparkle like emeralds.”
“Well, you look like an elf to me. Tavia taught us all about them. I learned that Batul’s a Horsemer. You have big ears like Athrelor. Are you a Bustmer like he is?”
After a smile, I replied, “I think Tavia probably meant Batul is an Orsimer. And yes, I’m a Bosmer – you can call me a wood elf if that is easier to remember.”
“Moria,” said Bolden, “run up to Camp Defiance and tell Sergeant Lucilius that the Captain’s back.”
The girl frowned, planted both hands where someday her hips would widen and lifted her chin to glare up at Bolden. I had to smile as she quite ably assumed ‘the position’ that was all too familiar to me when angry. “But Tavia said you were going to teach me to be a hustler! How is running all over Kvatch Mountain going to help?” She turned her gaze from the Redguard to the Imperial at my side, and her frown transitioned to an impressively convincing pout. “Captain Savlian, you’re in charge. Do I have to do what Bolden says?”
My Imperial eased himself to one knee and gently swept aside some of the wild brown strands that had again fallen into the girl’s face. “I think Tavia meant ostler. And if you expect to be one, you must first learn to follow the orders of your stable master. Secondly, if you want to understand and take care of horses, wouldn’t it be helpful to practice running like they do?”
She beetled her brow skeptically at Savlian, then shifted her gaze to me as if for a second opinion. I placed one hand on Savlian’s shoulder and nodded my endorsement.
“Well, I want to be a good oyster all right.” She then kicked off the oversized sandals, hiked the hem of her dress to mid-thigh and took off at a sprint up the hill.
Bolden chuckled as he shook his head. “Moria’s one of Tavia’s bigger challenges over at the Orphans Guild. She’s spoiled and strong willed.”
Tugging on Savlian’s arm, I helped him to his feet. He said, “I’m pleased she’s retained a strong will. As for being spoiled, I suppose some of that can be forgiven a child who watched both her parents burn to death.”
Bolden shuddered visibly. “I can still hear the little thing screaming as you carried her out of the city that night, Savlian.”
“Let’s get these horses tended to,” was the soldier’s reply.
I began to unlash the traveling supplies from my mare’s saddle. Seeing how gentle and wise Savlian was with Moria, I couldn’t help but think what a wonderful father he would be. Knowing how difficult it was for elves to conceive, I knew it was silly to even think about the fact that I carried his seed within me. The thought of him rescuing the screaming girl intruded though, as a stark reminder that we were indeed back at Kvatch. As we stripped off the tack and removed dried deer blood from bay and black coats, I could sense the weight of Savlian’s responsibilities settling again onto his broad shoulders.
With the tack racked and horses groomed, Bolden led both animals to the stable’s water trough.
I looked at the pile of traveling supplies at our feet. “Um, where should we take my bedroll, Savlian?“
“We promised to avoid misunderstandings by speaking freely.” He gathered up everything from the ground – including my bedroll - then looked at me. “My feelings for you did not stay behind in the waters of the Strid River. I’d like very much for you to share my tent.”
“I was hoping you wanted that. Perhaps I should briefly report to Sigrid? I can let her know we’re back, and gather the rest of my belongings from the guild.”
“Aye. I’ll take all this to our tent and meet you there shortly. Lucilius will know to look for me there.” He leaned over and gave me a quick kiss before we parted ways.
As happy feet carried me toward my guild, I felt the familiar comfort of being alone with my paladin - something I had not experienced since before Savlian and I left on our training expedition. Acadian had thoughtfully and discretely retreated to a place deep in my heart while Savlian and I were discovering each other. He had already silently let me know he was pleased that I had followed his advice and truly learned to dance. “I’m so glad you’re with me to share in this, Acadian. I hope it’s not, um. . . awkward for you.”
“It is certainly a new and unfamiliar perspective, my bowgirl. But I am a part of you and fully share – nay, rejoice – in what you are experiencing.”
“When should I tell him that I harbor the ancient spirits of a dragon and her rider within me?”
“Savlian’s a strong and noble warrior, Buffy, but he has much to deal with at Kvatch, even while adjusting to his feelings for you. Tread lightly here. You will know when the time is right.”
“Thank you, Acadian. For everything.”
After a light chuckle, he said, “And may I say, you dance well, albeit noisily.”
I giggled. “I have some of Pelena’s ‘little moaner’ potion and the recipe for it. That should help.” I lifted the blue and white flap to enter my guild.
Within the half hour, I completed my business, gathered my belongings and rejoined Savlian.
“Look what Sigrid gave us for a tent warming gift while I was at the guild!” I held up the small blue tapestry with its arcane formation of stars.
“It’s very thoughtful of her,” replied Savlian. “The Steed is my birthsign.”
“And you know how horse crazy I am.” I tried to tickle him, but my effort was thwarted by his mail. “Seriously though, no wonder you can move so quickly when you fight. Oh, my sign is the Mage.”
“No surprise there, my magic elf.”
I held the tapestry up against one of the canvas walls of my new home. “Don’t you think it would look nice here?”
“Captain?”
I was now getting used to the interruptions that came with Savlian’s position. “Come in, Lucilius,” I chirped as I set our tapestry on the table.
“I hope the afternoon finds you well, Milady,” said Lucilius as the tent flap closed behind him. “And you also, Captain. I trust the training was productive?”
“Aye, it was,” said Savlian.
Lucilius’ eyes traveled to the two bedrolls nestled together in the corner, then to my happy face. “Congratulations. I’m glad you both seem to have discovered what’s been clear to me for some time.”
“Thank you, my friend.” Savlian’s features creased into a beautiful smile. “Somehow, it seems I’ve managed to capture the heart of a butterfly. Lucilius, would you give me your report please?”
“The perimeter and encampment are secure, with two developments. One of our watch team leaders suffered a broken arm when a pair of clannfears emerged from the gate simultaneously. One of them got past our swordsmen, the spells of Roliand and into the archers.”
“That’s Merandil’s watch team,” said Savlian, his face clouding. “How is he?”
“He’ll be fine. Roliand mended the arm within minutes and, by the end of the shift, Sigrid finished the job. She has Merandil drinking a healing potion each morning for a couple days. It’s his left arm. Until Sigrid clears him, he’ll be relying on his axe instead of that fortify marksman spell and bow. He’s still capable of leading his team though. I did not replace him.”
“Well done, Lucilius. What’s the second development you mentioned?”
“Two men showed up this morning calling themselves fighting monks of Talos. They offered their blades to help free the Chapel of Akatosh.”
“Free the chapel?” repeated Savlian. “Don’t they realize we have the small matter of closing a damn Oblivion Gate first?”
“They said they would discuss it only with you.”
“Your impressions of these men?” asked Savlian as one eyebrow crept up toward his headband.
“They strike me as serious, Captain. Both move with the control and precision of soldiers. I suspect their robes are enchanted, and the katanas they carry are not the simple defensive weapons of churchmen. May I arrange a meeting this afternoon? Perhaps between our crop fields and the stable, near the edge of the encampment plateau where you will not be overheard?”
Savlian nodded. “That location will be fine, but their desire to speak to me alone is not. Perhaps these men do have some sort of need for secrecy, but I have a whole city under siege to worry about. You are my second in command. Buffy is a valued advisor, scout and mage. I want both of you at this meeting.”
Before Lucilius could respond, I asked, “You said monks of Talos? Did these men offer their names?”
“Yes, Milady,” replied Lucilius. “The Redguard who seems to be in charge calls himself Brother Baurus. He refers to the Imperial with him as Brother Arturo.”
“Before we meet with them, the three of us need to talk,” I said. “I know Baurus, and why he is here. Perhaps we should sit down?”
...
I'll admit it, this made my heart flutter a little bit! Such a sweetie!
Fortunately, he seems to realize that and tries to keep her task-focused. If they can pull this training off and close the gate, then Savlian might get a chance to show his larger unit tactics in an assault to retake the city. 
What a brilliant addition you have here though, showing us that the permanent Daedra are made so through the sacrifice of victims. Excellently shown through the statue of Molag Bal as well. 
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