Previously- Buffy went for a ride and vented her disappointment about the Arch Mage to Acadian. Upon finding a waterfall she lingered for a swim then basked in the sun. Kynareth visited, along with a nixad named Willow. Buffy learned Willow was a tracker and would accompany her during her travels. After notifying the Elden Root guildmagister and treethane that she would be departing the following day, Buffy spent the night with a tribemate high in her tree. The following morning, she breakfasted with Mirri and they agreed to leave for Windhelm immediately.

*

Lopov- Nixads are great fun to write because we have no preconceived notions about what a pixie–dragonfly creature would be like. The noises and acrobatics we describe for Willow are pretty close to the game. Nixads tend to be gregarious and generally harmless – unless you’re a bug, for bugs constitute much of the nixad diet. Buffy will have another encounter with Vanus late in this book and it will be similarly tense and only successful due to Praxedes' intervention – again.

Grits- I’m so pleased to see you continuing Jerric’s story! Willow is quite based on the game nixads with two significant differences: She is about half the size of a normal nixad (making her about as long as Buffy’s forearm) and has hands (instead of a claw on each wrist). We hated losing Kitsune the fennec fox but the possibilities expand greatly with a familiar who has hands. I wanted Buffy’s 2nd Era familiar to actually be an important part of her posse so we made her a tracker and, with those little hands, she can manage the contents of Buffy’s mage pouch, pick locks and retrieve things from places that that Buffy can’t access. Thanks for catching my typo.

SubRosa- Yes, as Rider cautioned, be careful about wanting to meet your heroes. You’ll appreciate that Willow’s name was borrowed from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. On the time travel, you’re right again; Kynareth exists across all times and is aware of them all at the same time.

Renee- The opening of Book 2 was a rare departure from Buffy’s first-person perspective and featured (unbeknown to Buffy) a meeting between Kynareth, Mara and Azura. Kynareth was then featured again near the end of Book 3 when she chose Buffy to be her paladin. Nixads come in many varieties but don’t seem to be featured in any TES game aside from ESO. Buffy imagines that perhaps they somehow became extinct before the 3rd Era?

ghastley- I agree completely on ‘enhancing’ the nixad with skills so she is indeed a little more helpful than just a pretty little bugface. ESO does a nice job of exploring some of the history between Vanus Galerion and Mannimarco. ‘Bout time for a Clark in the 2nd Era update, yes?


One of the ‘Old Holds,’ Eastmarch was among the first regions of Skyrim settled by the Nords when they arrived from Atmora. Its capital, Windhelm, is the oldest continuously inhabited human settlement in Tamriel, and was founded by Ysgramor himself.


“Brrr!” I complained through chattering teeth after we materialized in Windhelm. I pulled the hood of my mage robe over my head.

Mirri chuckled as I attuned myself to the wayshrine. “Well, we are in Skyrim now.”

“I’m glad for this enchanted toe ring,” I said through the visible fog of my breath. Willow climbed out of my mage pouch, jumped up into a hover and began rubbing her arms while chittering her disapproval of the cold as well.

Mirri shook her head. “The Mages Guild is only a short distance. Let’s go, princesses.”

It was deliciously warm inside as I pulled back my hood and Willow began exploring the place. The guildhall was unsurprisingly of Nordic heavy wooden construction. We were in a large eight-sided chamber. One side hosted the guild’s crafting and vendor facilities, and the other was lined with full bookshelves. The warmth I felt came from a large firepit that dominated the center of the ground floor. The middle of the chamber was open to the second level to which a circular staircase led.

A Nord approached. “I’m the Guildmagister here, Ciceri the Bold. Welcome to the Mages Guild.” After giving me a cursory appraisal, her eyes lingered dubiously over Mirri’s heavy armor and weaponry. “How may I help you?”

I placed my palms together in front of me briefly in the traditional guild greeting. “Thank you for your welcome, Guildmagister. I am Buffy, a pala-“

“Say no more,” she interrupted rather sternly. “You’re that paladin the Arch Mage ordered me to hop for. Who’s your friend here?”

“This is Mirri Elendis,” I replied, “a warrior who has agreed to accompany me and assist with my quest.”

Ciceri frowned but returned her gaze to me. “So what are your orders, Dame Buffy?”

Well, this isn’t going so well. Perhaps I had been wrong to seek the support of our heavy-handed Arch Mage? Of course, showing up unannounced might have gone just as poorly - as Dagail had warned. Oh well, too late now. I ignored the fact that Mirri directed a protective glare at our host and had curled the gauntleted fingers of one hand into a fist. Controlling my own temper was not hard, for I sympathized with the Guildmagister’s resentment.

At length, I broke the awkward silence, “Guildmagister, I would never presume to order you. My quest is to track down a rogue mage who may have ties to Windhelm. I ask that you hear the details and, if you deem them worthy, allow me to interview yourself and perhaps some of your mages. I apologize if the Arch Mage’s communication to you implied any coercion. I only discussed it with him as a courtesy, since my target is a former mage of the guild. While I felt obliged to notify him, it is your aid I humbly seek, not his.”

She appeared taken aback by my words and stared at me for a moment. “I guess maybe I should apologize, Dame Buffy. I was a bit rude there.”

“No need, Guildmagister," I replied. "Having met the Arch Mage I understand how readily his manner can generate offence.”

“You got that right!” She actually smiled. “So tell me about your quest.”

“Kynareth, has asked me to track down and stop the rogue spellcaster known as Drodda the Icewitch, whose current course of action poses a serious threat.”

Ciceri let out a low whistle. “Enough to attract the attention of a Divine? It must be grave indeed.” Her face clouded with sadness. “It doesn’t surprise me, however, given what our once sweet young protege has become.”

“Continue, please, Guildmagister,” I encouraged.

“How about we drop the Guildmagister and Dame stuff?”

“Agreed, Ciceri,” I replied with a smile.

“You’re not stuffy like I figured a paladin would be, Buffy. Tell you what, let me get us something to drink while you two have a seat over there. Then I’ll tell you the sad tale.”

Soon enough we were seated near the fire and sipping mead. Well, mostly I was touching the mug to my lips trying not to drink much of it. Mirri seemed to be enjoying it though. Willow found us and alighted on the rim of my cup. She stuck her face into the mead, withdrew it and sputtered her displeasure before returning to exploring the guildhall.

“The rogue mage you seek," began Ciceri, "was born to a couple named Argenssen who earned their modest living from a small plot of land outside Windhelm. Her parents named her Dreanna and, at a young age, she displayed unusual skill with ice magic. After some accidents on their farm, the Argenssens brought her to me pleading for help controlling their daughter’s growing power. Despite her tender age of thirteen, we agreed to take her into the guild. We quickly discovered that her skill far exceeded her ability to control it and we based her training around rectifying that. For nearly three years, she made progress toward learning the discipline and control necessary to responsibly wield her formidable power. Until. . . .” She stopped to take a large drink of mead.

“Please, continue, Ciceri,” I urged.

She lowered her mug. “While visiting her parents one year during the New Life Festival, their farm was attacked by bandits. Dreanna responded with a magical ice storm that froze every bandit into a statue of ice. It was only after her storm subsided, she could see that the same fate had befallen every living thing on the farm. Bandits, mother, father, younger brother, twin babies. . . even the animals had not been spared.”

“Did anyone try to magically thaw and save them?” I asked.

“We did indeed,” she said sadly, “but the bodies inside the ice were quite dead.”

“I come from a large family myself, Ciceri,” commented Mirri. “I can’t imagine how Dreanna must have felt.”

Ciceri nodded. “It broke her. She was never the same after that, growing bitter and resisting our efforts to help control her ice magic. As her control deteriorated, her hunger for power grew until she posed a threat to not only my guild, but all of Windhelm. The city magistrate and I finally had no choice but to give Dreanna an ultimatum: either fully embrace our efforts to teach control of her abilities or risk being placed in magic-blocking null iron manacles and imprisoned. She tearfully pleaded to remain with us in the guildhall and promised to diligently cooperate. Over the magistrate’s objection, I accepted her promise. The next morning, she was gone without a trace.”

“It sounds like you did everything you could to help her,” I said gently.

“Thank you for saying so, Buffy. Not a day goes by I don’t second guess myself for not heeding the magistrate’s recommendation.” She heaved a sigh then continued, “At any rate, shortly after she disappeared incidents involving a rogue mage calling herself Drodda and using ice attacks of enormous power were reported. Fearful folk began calling her Drodda the Icewitch, but I knew right away it was our Dreanna. . . or whatever she had become.”

“Tell me,” I asked, “when was the last report of her activities?”

Ciceri thought for a moment. “Almost a year I figure. I don’t believe for a moment that her reign of freezing terror is over though. She’s either laying low or planning something, for I believe her thirst for power to be unquenchable.”

“You’re right, Ciceri,” I stated, acutely aware of the slow but ever-present drain on my dragon-mare. “May I ask if she left any trace of herself – belongings or such – here or perhaps at her family’s farm?”

“Not at the farm. Locals believed the farmhouse to be cursed and burned it down shortly after the incident. The land itself was absorbed by other nearby farms. One of our mages had grown close to Dreanna though. . . if anyone has any of her belongings or insight into where she may have gone, it would be her.”

“May I interview her?” I asked.

“Of course,” she replied. “Vanus Galerion could certainly learn some grace, tact and manners from you. Follow me, I’ll introduce you.”

Poor cold princesses. Thankfully Buffy has some frost resistance thanks to that toe ring.

Ciceri does not seem to be much for pleasantries. Right down to business she is. Must be the Nord in her.

It looks like Buffy's liberal application of butter was able to smooth over some of rough spots left behind by Galerion's less than diplomatic nature. In fact, now that Ciceri is beginning to ease up and feel more comfortable, I wonder if she might be a future pal?

Finally we learn something of Dreanna/Drodda's history. Her story is certainly a heart-breaking one. Unfortunately she did not learn that the great power which she wields requires just as great responsibility and restraint.

And we have a possible lead. I look forward to meeting this old friend of Dreanna.

"Princesses!" Mirri is a hoot.

Oh dear, a visit with Vanus is a gift that keeps on giving. The Arch Mage being a jerk was a nice subject for Buffy and Ciceri to forge a little bond over. I like Ciceri’s forthright manner.

Buffy and Willow enjoy mead as much as they enjoy Windhelm weather!

What a terrible fate for Dreanna’s family, and for young Dreanna. I can see how a downward spiral could lead to bad behavior.

I quite like Windhelm’s Nordic guild hall. Let’s hope they keep that fire going, and that Willow doesn’t "borrow" Buffy’s toe ring!

I enjoyed the backstory of Drodda the Ice Witch. Is she an actual NPC in ESO?

At first I thought that Ciceri went through Vanus' school of how to talk to other beings. But then she melted.



I feel a touch of sarcasm here.

Poor Dreanna. I fear she's another case of absolute power corrupting absolutely.

My guess is nixads might be mentioned in lore, perhaps in one of the in-game books, but only now with ESO they become portrayed. Maybe I'll do a search later.

Okay, there's a book in Online called Flora and Fauna of the Sever which describes nixads. They are also featured in TESIV? They can be encountered in most provinces of Tamriel.[17] Nixads can also be found in Oblivion, such as in Apocrypha and the Deadlands. Despite being found in Oblivion Nixads are not Daedric. SOURCE 🧚

Ciceri is pretty Cistuffy. But Buffy's able to persuade her calmly. "You got that right!" she says!

"After some accidents on the farm..." And that's where this Drodda's apparent maleficence began. Yikes, she froze her entire family! -- So it sounds like she wasn't exactly Evil in those days, just OP, and unable to control her prowess.

Previously- Buffy and Mirri arrived in Windhelm. Guildmagister Ciceri the Bold relayed the sad story of how a young farm girl named Dreanna joined the guild to learn how to control her prodigious skill with ice magic. After a deadly accident that killed her entire family while trying to defend them from a bandit attack, Dreanna changed – growing bitter, resentful and eventually leaving the guild. Soon after, a rogue ice mage began terrorizing the area around Windhelm. Locals called her Drodda the Icewitch – but Ciceri knew it was their Dreanna. Buffy gained permission to interview the guild’s youngest mage who had been friends with Dreanna.

*
SubRosa- Ciceri has clearly experienced ‘Vanus-burn’ before. As you’re already beginning to see though, she is a good sort and will indeed prove herself worthy of her position. I wanted our ‘Big Bad’ to have of a compelling and tragic story as to how she developed into who she is.

Grits- As you recall, their rocky introduction started with Mirri calling Buffy a parchement princess. I couldn’t resist Mirri reusing the princess theme, only in a much more endearing way. Buffy and Mirri will get to spend a couple more days at the Windhelm guild.

Lopov- Fortunately, Buffy’s decision to use tact and grace did indeed melt away Ciceri’s resentment over the Arch Mage’s orders. And you nailed it in seeing Mirri’s sarcasm dealing with the pair of cold-sensitive princesses she is escorting. Drodda does exist in ESO as the final (and appropriately terrifying) boss in the group dungeon (designed for four players) of Direfrost Keep. Drodda has no background in game though so that presented us with a wonderfully blank slate upon which to craft some depth.

Kane- When all is said and done, my intent is to indeed show Dreanna / Drodda as a tragic figure who eventually took the path of evil. That won’t make Buffy feel any better about having to put a stop to her though.

Renee- Ciceri clearly has had a run in or two with Vanus Galerion. Thankfully, Buffy was able to disarm her understandable defensiveness at being ordered around by the Arch Mage. I imagine the missive Ciceri received conveyed the Arch Mage's normal dearth of tact. You are right in that Dreanna (later turned Drodda) was trying to defend her family using power that she was not fully able to control. Accidently killing her own family is the crucial event that changed her. It will be uncertain whether that drove her subsequent choices, or perhaps rendered her vulnerable to some form of malevolent possession.



Ciceri led us upstairs as Willow - explorations apparently complete - found her way back into my mage pouch. The eight-sided interior balcony on the upper floor hosted numerous doors that Ciceri explained were living quarters. She opened one to an unoccupied room with a bunkbed, armoire, dresser, small desk and chair. “You and Mirri can stay here as needed.”

We then proceeded to another room, where Ciceri knocked on the door. Momentarily it was opened by a Nord who appeared no older than perhaps seventeen. “Hreinhilde, this is Buffy, a guildsister and paladin of Kynareth, and her friend Mirri. They are searching for Dreanna and I’d like you to talk with them, please.”

“Dre-Dreanna?” asked the young mage as a look of concern. . . or perhaps fear, crossed her face. “If you say so, Guildmagister.” Hreinhilde looked at me and said uncertainly, “Come in?”

“Ciceri,” injected Mirri, “that mead was quite good. Might you consider sharing another flagon?”

The guildmagister appeared surprised for a moment, then seemed to understand Mirri’s intent. “Why of course. I fancy another mug myself. Let’s go.”

I heard, “Have you been to Vvardenfell, Ciceri?” as the pair headed downstairs.

I turned to Hreinhilde and smiled. “Is that offer to come in still open?”

“Yes, Dame Buffy,” she replied nervously.

“Just Buffy, please.”

She led me inside and we both sat down, her on the bed and me on the only chair in the small room.

“Hreinhilde, your guildmagister told me what happened to Dreanna and I’m trying to find her. I understand that you two were close?”

“Well, we were the youngest mages in the guild and did become friends.”

I nodded and smiled encouragement. “Go on, please.”

“Our magics were very different. I’m learning to become a healer and Dreanna could do astonishing things with ice magic. One time she cast a spell that was a little bigger than she thought, I guess. I woke up on the floor, freezing cold with Dreanna leaning over me. Tears were streaming down her cheeks as she gently rocked me and kept saying how sorry she was. I was kind of scared of her after that. There were a couple more incidents like that, but I knew she didn’t mean it when her magic got away from her.” She looked down at her feet. “I didn’t tell anyone, hoping she’d learn from the other mages trying to help her control her magic better.”

“You were trying to aid a friend, Hreinhilde.” I took her hand. “I’m a healer, like you. That’s part of our nature.”

She raised her eyes back to mine. “Later the same year, there was that terrible incident at her family’s farm.”

“Yes,” I said, “Guildmagister Ciceri told me about it.”

“When Dreanna came back here, I tried to console her over the loss of her family and kept reassuring her it was an accident. But something about her had changed. She was . . . distant. It became clear that she no longer cared about controlling her ice magic, only becoming more powerful. I was afraid of her and made sure to stay out of her way. She was no longer my friend, no longer the Dreanna I had come to know. Then one day, Guildmagister Ciceri told us that Dreanna had run away. I never saw her again.”

“Thank you, Hreinhilde. I imagine recalling these things is painful for you.”

She nodded as her gaze returned to the floor.

“Do you know if Dreanna left anything behind at the guild when she left?”

“She had a jewelry box where she kept her treasures, including a diary. After she left, I went into her room because I knew where she hid it.”

“Were you able to find her jewelry box?” I asked.

“Oh, I found it alright. Or what was left of it. She had burned all her belongings in her fireplace. I tried to see if I could read anything of the burned pages from her diary, but I could only make out a word or two here and there.”

“Do you recall any of those words?”

She wrinkled her face in concentration. “I think. . . yes: ‘must resist’, ‘overwhelmed’, ‘leave’, ‘they’ll pay’. Do you think those words mean anything?” Before I could answer, she added, “Oh, I almost forgot. When Dreanna and I were still close, we exchanged locks of hair, intertwined our little fingers together and promised to always be friends.” She frowned. “I found what was left of the locket she kept my hair in burned up in her fireplace. So much for promises. Though she frightened and even hurt me, Dreanna had once been my friend. I still have her lock of hair; it’s all that I have left of her. Of who Dreanna once was.”

“Hreinhilde,” I said, “Dreanna’s current activities are very dangerous as she seeks to increase her power. That could lead to her hurting many more people than she already has. Kynareth has asked me to stop her. To do that, I must find her. I have a friend who, if she can examine Dreanna’s lock of hair, may be able to help divine her location.” I lifted the flap on my mage pouch. “Willow, can you come out and meet Hreinhilde?”

The nixad climbed out, hopped into a hover and twirled around once before rendering a showy curtsy to Hreinhilde.

The young Nord perked up. “She’s adorable!” That generated a pleased backflip from Willow. “This little nixad can locate Dreanna?”

“If you let her examine Dreanna’s lock of hair,” I replied, “yes, I think maybe she can.” I was pleased to see Willow nod encouragement to Hreinhilde.

“Even if you find her, she won’t cooperate, you know,” Hreinhilde said to both of us. “In fact if you anger her, she’ll try to kill you. The Dreanna I once knew is gone.”

I nodded. “I suspect you’re right.”

Willow held out her hands.

Hreinhilde opened one of her dresser drawers and produced a folded piece of parchment. After carefully opening it, she held a lock of blond hair in her hand. She began to extend her hand to Willow, then stopped, clutched it to her breast and closed her eyes. When she opened them, a tear slid down one cheek. Nevertheless, she reached out again and offered the lock of hair.

“Thank you, Hreinhilde,” I said.

Willow took it in both hands and brought it to her face. After a few moments, she held Dreanna’s lock of hair to her own breast, then returned it to Hreinhilde. Willow then nodded to me.

As Hreinhilde folded it back within the parchment, she said, “You must think me silly for keeping this.”

“No, Hreinhilde. Loyalty to those you call friend courses strongly within you. Though it can sometimes be painful, it’s an admirable trait. Would you like me to sit with you for a time?”

“No, I think I need to be alone,” she replied.

“I understand. Thank you for your help. We’ll leave you now.” With that, Willow and I slipped out of the room and headed downstairs.

As the focus now shifts to Dreanna and her past, the story got a different pace and tone - in a way sad, as it's explained, what led to Dreanna's state of mind, on the other hand more tense / faster paced.

So Dreanna is actually that young. She must be of Hreinhilde's age or maybe slightly more. I must "change" my portrayal of her in my mind now - I had pictured her as older.

Fortunately, Dreanna wasn't bald.

The incomplete burning of Dreanna's belongings implies she didn't use a fire spell. But ESO's way of linking the use of Destruction spells to the choice of staff makes this happen, I suppose. If she is using frost then fire or shock take a bar swap.

Hreinhilde is probably wondering if her avoiding Dreanna had anything to do with her leaving, even if she doesn't say so.

I love Buffy’s gentle treatment of Hreinhilde. As a healer and exceptionally loyal friend herself, I imagine that the young mage’s situation could be especially touching to Buffy.

Mirri and Willow both prove their worth as Buffy’s companions. I shared Ciceri’s moment of surprise at Mirri’s request, then understood her intent as she did. That was fun!

I’m glad that Buffy and Mirri have a cozy guild room for their stay. Now I can’t help but wonder, will they sort the bunks by leg length, or by who wants to be closer to the sky?

Also I have to say, every time I think “Buffy and Willow,” it makes me smile.

A flagon of mead does seem like just the thing to arrange some privacy between Buffy and Hreinhilde.

Hreinhilde - wow that is a name but it is growing on me - seems pretty skittish. At least where Dreanna/Drodda is concerned. Given that D is now a big bad, one can imagine that the past association she had with her does not burnish Hreinhilde's current reputation.

Buffy's kind and earnest approach once again proves very effective in her interrogation of Hreinhilde. She and January have a lot in common that way. In fact, interrogation does not even seem like the right term. Consultation might be appropriate.

That lock of hair sounds like it might be just the thing. Again, in real world sympathetic magic, things that were connected remain so even after being physically separated. Sort of like a magical version of quantum entanglement.

I suspect that Hreinhilde knows that Buffy's task is to kill Dreanna/Drodda, and that her helping Buffy is likewise helping to kill her former friend. That is a hard thing. But clearly Hreinhilde understands that it has to be done, no matter how she might feel about her former friend.

Aw, she froze Hreinhilde. See, I feel bad for Dreanna. It's like she was too OP for her own good. Reminds me of Neera, the Wild Mage of Baldur's Gate, who occasionally casts spells which backfire, or cause harm to friends as well as foes. Dreanna must've been blaming herself left and right. And we, as readers now should keep this in mind. I've been viewing Drodda as this really wicked person. Meanwhile she's not.

Well maybe she is now, but that frightened, blaming side of her is still buried, I'll bet. She's no good at being Good (or views herself as cursed) why not as good at being Evil instead? I mean, who is Buffy eventually going to face (assuming she meets the Ice Mage one-on-one)?

Wow, they exchanged locks of hair! We used to do this (friends of mine) in high school. How far away do you figure Drodda is from where they are now?

I love the depths you are laying onto poor Dreanna's story. I doubt it will be very cut and dry when it comes time to confront her!

Previously- Buffy spoke with Hreinhilde, a young mage who had been friends with Dreanna. She learned more of Dreanna’s background and behavior while at the guild. Hreinhilde had a lock of Dreanna’s hair that Willow examined to try and divine Dreanna/Drodda’s location.

*

Lopov- Thank you! Yes, Dreanna is about the same young age as Hreinhilde. That Hreinhilde had something of Dreanna’s for Willow to use for tracking was fortunate. Bearing in mind that Willow doesn’t know names of places or what a map is, translating what she knows to something Buffy can use will prove a bit of a challenge in today’s episode.

ghastley- Good point about Hreinhilde possibly feeling partly to blame. In some ways, she is like Buffy in terms of being nurturing and tending to claim responsibility for things that aren’t her fault.

Grits- Thank you. As I said to ghastley above, I can see elements of a younger Buffy in Hreinhilde. I enjoyed showing how Willow intuitively joined Buffy in gently supporting Hreinhilde. In a couple episodes, Buffy and Mirri will indeed sort out who gets which bunk in their quarters! Heh, if Buffy ran with a clannfear and winged twilight, I suspect she’d name them Spike and Drusilla.

SubRosa- Thank you for appreciating Hreinhilde’s name. I wanted something that was definitely Nordic but not overused. Buffy has felt kinship with several of your characters, most notably Teresa, Aela and January. I think it is because they all share an underlying good, caring and even noble nature.

Renee- I’m so glad Dreanna/Drodda is coming across as I had hoped – complex, conflicted and confused. I love how you put it that she’s just not good at being good. As we’ll see later however, Drodda has become quite good at being evil but is there anything of Dreanna remaining? Buried deeply inside perhaps? Buffy’s paladin ability to detect evil will ultimately offer some (but not complete) illumination.

Kane- Thank you! As they get closer to their quarry, Buffy and Mirri will see and learn more about how Drodda’s dark side and skills have grown.




Mirri was regaling Ciceri with the basics of kwama mining. They both looked up expectantly as Willow and I came down the stairs. “Let me thank you both," I began, "for your perceptiveness. Hreinhilde is young, unsure of herself and easily intimidated. Much better for one of us to sit and quietly talk with her than three or even two of us overwhelming her.”

“Well,” said Mirri, “Ciceri and I discussed that over a mug down here. We both agreed your skill with words is better than ours.”

Ciceri nodded her concurrence.

“Well, when you’re small and fragile,” I said while trying to repress a blush, “you learn to compensate.”

“Was Hreinhilde able to help?” asked Ciceri.

I nodded. “She had a lock of Dreanna’s hair from which Willow – she’s a tracker – was able to divine some useful information. I hope.” I turned to the little nixad. “What can you tell or show us about Dreanna’s location?”

Willow flew over to the guild’s main door and turned around expectantly as if waiting for us to open it.

“Buffy,” said Mirri, “we can’t just follow her out into Eastmarch with no idea of where or how far she may lead us.”

“You’re right,” I admitted. After scratching my head, I added, “I have an idea.” I summoned my map, but by using the tricks Dagail had taught me, it appeared on the floor at my feet instead of in front of me. More importantly though, its orientation exactly reflected that of Tamriel. The small north arrow depicted on the map perfectly aligned with north on the ground. I touched the map a couple times until just the province of Eastmarch was displayed. “Willow, this is our current location in Windhelm,” I said, placing my finger on the city. “Can you stand here and point to where Dreanna is?”

She hovered over to my finger and landed. After kneeling down to carefully examine my finger, she stood and pointed south by southeast. With another finger, I applied a magic line to the map running from Windhelm along the direction Willow was pointing out to the edge of the map.

“Very clever,” Mirri said. “You’ve plotted a precise bearing to our quarry!”

I frowned. “We still don’t have any idea of the distance. Willow, can you show us how far away Dreanna is?”

The nixad nodded confidently and spread her arms as wide as they would go.

“That doesn’t help us much,” commented Mirri with a chuckle. “Dreanna – or Drodda as she is apparently called now - could be in Eastmarch, The Rift, Stonefalls, Deeshan or any other province along that bearing.”

“Perhaps not,” offered Ciceri. “I don’t think she would have left Eastmarch. Beyond the mountain range along our southern border the weather gets much warmer. . . and your target embraces the cold.”

“There’s still a lot of territory along that bearing between here and Eastmarch’s southern border,” said Mirri. “What we need is another bearing taken from somewhere well offset from here so we can see where it crosses this one.”

Ciceri leaned over to study the map. “Here,” she said as she pointed. “Fort Amol is well off to the southwest in a safe area and there’s a wayshrine nearby. One of my mages could help you get there.”

“I’m familiar with that wayshrine,” replied Mirri, “and that’s an excellent idea. Buffy and I should be able to take Willow there, get another bearing and be back within the hour.”

Our brief trip to Fort Amol was uneventful as Willow helped us plot another bearing on my map. By the time we stepped back into the Windhelm guildhall, my teeth were chattering. Ciceri brought hot tea as Willow and I warmed ourselves by the fire. Once recovered enough from the cold, I conjured my map – this time in front of me instead of on the floor – proudly displaying where the east southeast bearing we had plotted from Fort Amol crossed the south southeast line from Windhelm. “Thank you, Willow,” I said to the little tracker.

The nixad placed both hands on her hips and proudly twirled once in the air. She then hovered off – chittering happily - toward where I believed the kitchen area was.

Ciceri focused on where the bearings intersected in the southeastern portion of Eastmarch. “Direfrost Keep? The last place I’d expect . . . unless, oh my! Has our little Dreanna become so depraved?”

“What do you mean, Ciceri?” I asked.

“Yes,” added Mirri. “What’s Direfrost Keep?

“It serves as home to the Direfrost clan of witch hunters,” began Ciceri. “We see them in town here occasionally as they stock up on supplies, but no one’s heard or seen a thing of them for, oh, must be close to a year now. The timing would be about right . . . . The more I think about it the more it makes sense that Drodda the Icewitch might relish both the irony and strategic value of slaughtering a keep full of witch hunters and claiming their lair for herself. It’s isolated, easy to defend and cold as the proverbial witch’s teat.”

“Who are these. . . witch hunters, Ciceri?” I asked.

“They’re not a bad sort, and their intentions are good. They specialize in hunting down practitioners of dark magicks, or mages who use spellcasting to foul purpose.”

I asked, “Does our guild not similarly try to stop the irresponsible use of magic by those with ill intent?”

“The differences, Buffy, are that the Direfrost clan does so for hire and they embrace the use of fire to fight fire, so to speak. That is, they’re not above using Daedric magic or necromancy.”

“Such practices,” I replied, “can be a dangerous and seductive trap. . . but not without merit if the risks can be resisted. Many healers, for example, quietly study the aspects of necromancy that focus on restoring flesh. Doing so on a living and willing patient is quite different than manipulating the dead without their consent.”

“An interesting and debatable point,” replied Ciceri, “but perhaps a discussion for another time.” She then retrieved a volume from one of the guild’s bookcases and returned to us. Opening the tome, she pointed to a coat of arms shaped like a kite shield. It depicted a crossed sword and staff, over a background of flame. “This is the crest Direfrost clansmen wear on the front of their armor or robes.”

A thought occurred. “Could these witch hunters be co-opted or their services purchased by Drodda?”

Ciceri shook her head. “Doubtful. Witches are their sworn enemy.”

“Might they have captured her?” I persisted hopefully. “They are witch hunters, after all.” I knew the answer even before the words fully left my mouth, for I could still feel the drain on my dragon-mare.

“I don’t think so,” confirmed Ciceri. “The Direfrost Clan has a legacy spanning generations of giving no quarter to witches. If they had managed to capture her, they would have killed her and delivered the corpse to the magistrate here in Windhelm for a bounty.”

Mirri frowned. “That all suggests perhaps she’s grown powerful enough to defeat an entire clan of witch hunters in their own lair.”

“I hope not,” said Ciceri and I in unison.

I looked at Mirri who suggested, “It’s getting late in the day, Buffy. How about we stay here tonight, spend tomorrow gathering the supplies we need, then set out for Direfrost Keep the following morning?” She pointed to a wayshrine on my map more than halfway down the province. “We can wayshrine to here but will need to proceed by horse the rest of the way.”

I nodded and, after a last look at the map, dispelled it.

Yes, that's the question: is there any Dreanna left? My official guess is YES there is. But it's packed way down below Drodda.

I love that Willow does not communicate through words! She communicates sometimes through example.

Magical map sounds like an HUD feature for you. Like a different way of viewing the map. Willow sets the Quest Marker. 💎

Direfrost Keep, love that name.



Indeed, healers would definitely benefit from studying some necromancer practices, good point. Never considered that myself, but it's something which would make total sense to know, in a classroom situation for instance.

The banter back and forth, different opinions on why Drodda would choose that location...

I'm guessing the Witch Hunters are still there. But now under the control of...

This made me cackle. Willow is adorable. I love how the three non-nixads managed to interpret her tracking.

Direfrost Keep! A chilly witch hunter fortress sounds like just the place for an Ice Witch to take over. Good idea to go shopping, er, gather supplies before heading out.


This was my favorite section. I love that Ciceri found it “interesting and debatable.” That suggests a rich world of folks with differing opinions around even healing magic. It’s not as simple as heals=good.

If Willow can indeed track down kitchens, I know a Nord who wants to meet her!

I'm with Grits on the healers learning from necromancers front. Transplant surgery is the ultimate example.


He has a dog. My understanding is that they are equally effective.

I loved Buffy's use of the map. It something that would have leant itself very well to taking place in a movie, given how visually striking it is. Willow is just adorable as she dances around Buffy's light map to mark the way.

All this talk of taking bearings conjures up images of sailing ships, or submarines. For a moment I was expecting Captain Horatio Hornblower to step onto the quarterdeck, or for Captain Nemo to raise periscope.

The name Direfrost Keep certainly sounds appropriate for the lair of an Ice Mage.

Practicing your healing powers on the living does sound a bit reckless. In spite of what Bob Ross said about mistakes just being happy accidents, it would be awkward if you 'healed' someone's eyelids together, or their lips. The dead usually do not complain.

So it looks like Drodda scratched off an entire Witch-Hunting clan. That does not bode well for Buffy. But then again, if it was 'Mission Difficult' they would not have needed a Paladin. 'Mission Impossible' is where people like Buffy come in.

Sorry, couldn't resist a reply to this:

Like Subrosa said. Hence the reason why we practice on cadavers first (both human and veterinary medicine)!

I have quite enjoyed the story thus far - and chuckled at Vanus's tendency to rub folk the wrong way, even in his missives! Reminds me of Lady Laurent (my ESO males all tell me her voice is enough to make their balls shrivel)! And it does fit in well with Vanus's personality as I've seen it too.

Nice touch at the Windhelm Mages Guild Hall, though I missed the Coon-Unlicker Festival that I've come to associate with Second Era Windhelm (thanks, Rigurt!).

Little Willow is the perfect 2nd Era companion for Buffy - they suit each other very well! Seems to me that though Willow seems a bit air-headed, she is actually quite pragmatic in the same way Buffy is grounded.

Good on you for making Drodda more than just a cardboard Witch. I love villains that have backstories and motives for being what they are. It makes them more believable.

Let the search begin! Interesting that the trail leads to somewhere else Eastmarch, I figured she would be secluded away deep in Winterhold where it's the coldest!

Though I have enjoyed the current book from the very beginning, thanks to the last few chapters an "enjoyment" of the book took reached an even higher level. Great work, Acadian!

The scene with Willow spreading her arms as much as she can, was really cute.

There are a lot of mysteries concerning Drodda. If the clan of witchhunters hasn't been seen in a year, they're probably either dead either they somehow serve their new mistress - maybe even unwillingly or with a force.

Let the search begin, I'm waiting eagerly for the next episode.

Previously- With some creative trial and error, Buffy was able to translate the tracking knowledge Willow had gleaned from Dreanna’s lock of hair to her map. Ciceri informed that the location indicated was Direfrost Keep – ironically the home of a clan of witch hunters. As it was late in the day, Mirri suggested they stay at the guild, spend the next day provisioning, and depart the day after that.

*

Renee- Thanks for pointing out Ciceri’s response to Buffy’s comment about necromancy for a couple reasons. First, as you say, not everyone agrees with Buffy and, secondly, to show that Buffy can be a bit scatterbrained and it took Ciceri’s mild admonishment/redirection to focus her back on the search for Drodda.

Grits- I give your character Abiene full credit for planting the idea with Buffy that a cautious and discrete study of some elements of necromancy is a reasonable and responsible course of action for a healer.

ghastley- I hadn’t thought of Willow being able to track down food sources! Of course communicating with the nixad is, as we’ve seen, sometimes a challenge. I can imagine Willow leading her hungry party to a fat dragonfly for dinner instead of a warm loaf of bread.

SubRosa- Thanks for endorsing our map work and that it prompted the visuals I had hoped for. I put a lot of thought into balancing how Willow’s tracking would work when it comes to longer distances. I wanted it to be more involved than simply having a magical mark appear on the map, but not so detailed as to get into azimuths, magnetic declination or even having to introduce compasses.

Rider- I hope I did justice to your warning regarding Vanus of being careful about meeting your heroes! Thanks for endorsing our portrayal of Drodda. Buffy and Mirri will have to take her down, but it will bring them no satisfaction to do so.

Kane- Winterhold would indeed be a good area for Drodda to lair. Most of Skyrim is in ESO but not (yet) the northeast (with Winterhold). As things are now, Eastmarch is the coldest province, with much of it perpetually snow covered. Direfrost Keep and Drodda are indeed in the south of Eastmarch and provide the inspiration for Buffy’s destination.

Lopov- I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed Buffy’s time in Windhelm so far, and the development we’ve tried to provide for Hreinhilde, Ciceri and Willow!



After dinner, Mirri and I were upstairs in the room we shared, discussing our plans and getting ready for bed when we heard a soft knock.

Opening the door revealed Hreinhilde holding a heavy-looking white garment in her arms. “Guildmagister Ciceri said you’re leaving for Direfrost Keep day after the morrow.”

“Yes,” Mirri replied. “Thanks to your help, we think that’s where Dreanna is.”

Hreinhilde nodded. “It’ll be a very cold journey and the Guildmagister told me that when Buffy returned from only a short outing to Fort Amol, she was nearly frozen. I thought this might help.” She held out the garment.

“Why thank you, Hreinhilde!” I said as I stepped forward and took what I could now see was a heavy white robe.

“When we go out for field work,” the young Nord explained, “each of us has a winter guild robe to wear. I was but twelve when I joined the guild and they made this for me. I’ve had to replace it with a larger one since then of course. I think this might fit you though.”

“That’s terribly thoughtful of you, Hreinhilde,” I said as I held the robe up against myself, “and, indeed, it looks like it might fit.”

“Try it on,” said Mirri.

“Yes,” encouraged Hreinhilde.

I was soon out of my normal guild robe and into this winter white one. It was fine wool – not scratchy at all – and trimmed with what Hreinhilde said was elk skin that was a pale buttery color, as were the gloves. The end of each sleeve and front of the hood were trimmed with the fur of a snow bear. “It’s beautiful and I feel snug as a torchbug in amber!”

“I’m so glad you like it,” said Hreinhilde, “and it fits you perfectly!”

I twirled once to show it off, then began taking it off. “It’s actually too warm for in here but I think it’ll be perfect for our trip. Thank you so much, Hreinhilde!”

“You’re very welcome, Buffy. The robe is enchanted to help keep you warm as well.” She then looked at Mirri. “I-I’m sorry I don’t have anything that would help keep you warm in your armor.”

Mirri smiled and placed a hand on the young Nord’s shoulder. “That’s fine, Hreinhilde. The cloth doublet I normally wear underneath dispels my body heat, but I have another one for expeditions like this that preserves body heat. I also seem to be more resistant to the cold than Buffy.”

She smiled. “Well, I’ll let you two get some sleep. Good night.”

“Good night, Hreinhilde,” said Mirri as our visitor turned to leave.

“Thanks again,” I added.

Once Mirri and I were alone again, she said, “Buffy, how about we arm wrestle for the bottom bunk?”

“I’ll avoid the embarrassment and take the top, partner. I prefer it anyway.”

She shook her head and teased, “Tree elf.”

“You don’t snore, do you?” I countered. “I’ve got acorns and my aim is deadly.”

Once we were settled into our beds, I said into the darkness, “Hreinhilde is quite attuned to the needs of others. I think she’ll make a fine healer.”

“I really think that robe she gave you will help for where we’re going,” replied Mirri.

“I’m afraid it will make sneaking more difficult,” I lamented.

“Buffy, chattering teeth and shivering make sneaking a lot harder than wearing a fetching robe!”

“Point taken,” I replied sheepishly.

*

When approached the following morning, the guild’s alchemist suggested some potions of resist frost. He said they would last just over an hour and mitigate quite a bit of the cold, whether from natural or magical causes. I exchanged some gold for a dozen. When I inquired about normal healing potions, Mirri teased, “Does my healer need help healing?”

“Can you heal me if I become too injured to heal myself?” I retorted.

She stared at me. “Oh. Well. . . let’s get several.”

When I opened my mage pouch to stow the potions, Willow took exception, tut-tutting as she intervened to take the potions – one by one – and store them away herself.

“Oh very well,” I sighed. “Since you live in there, you can organize things as you see fit. You’ll likely do a better job of it than I anyway.”

Mirri chuckled as she slowly shook her head. “Go get your winter robe on, Princess. The rest of our shopping is in town.”

Our first stop out in the cold Windhelm morning was a food market for some flatbread, dried figs, jerky and tea.

Next it was Oaken Hull’s Emporium – a large general goods shoppe. “Buffy, we’re not sure how long we’ll be gone and can’t fight well if tired. I think we should be prepared to sleep in the cold.”

“Good idea, Mirri. Let’s get a pair of wolf pelts to curl up in.” As she selected a couple, I asked. “Will one waterskin each be enough?”

“I think so,” she replied. “There’ll be plenty of snow we can melt to refill them as needed.”

I raised one hand and called a small flame to my fingertips. “I can help with that. Oh, and let’s get a metal teapot and pair of cups. That will give us something to melt snow in and perhaps even make tea.”

Finally, at Mirri’s suggestion, we grabbed a length of rope.

With our new purchases in my storage trunk, we stepped back outside. My winter robe was doing a fine job blocking the chill.

Mirri then led us to the city’s outlaw refuge where she surrendered quite a bit of her gold for an enchanted thief bag of holding – similar to my mage pouch. She explained, “I’m jealous of your magical pouch. Besides, I grow tired of either having to ask you to carry so much of our gear or summoning Gray just to access his saddlebags.” She fitted it around her waist and, with Willow’s help, we transferred half our potions and a waterskin into it.

Our last stop was one of the city’s clothiers, where Mirri purchased a woolen headband that would protect her ears from the cold without restricting her vision.

That evening, and back in my normal guild robe, we joined Ciceri and her mages at the guildhall for a dinner of roasted boar, potatoes and carrots with sauteed greens. As this was the land of Nords, I even sipped sparingly from a mug of mead under threat of being called a milk drinker. Ignoring much of the tempting food before us, Willow enjoyed a fat beetle she had apparently captured somewhere, probably in the pantry.

As the heavy meal yielded to a lighter fare of breads, cheeses and fruits, we moved to cushions arrayed around the central firepit. Ciceri produced a polished stone about the size of her fist. “For the benefit of our guests, whoever holds the speaking stone is expected to regale us briefly with a song or story. Since it is presently in my hand, I’ll begin.” The Guildmagister then gave us a rousing tale about Ysgramor and the 500 Companions. She then passed the stone to Mirri and said with a wink, “Your turn, Dunmer.”

Mirri frowned initially but rendered a quite credible account of the short story, ‘Almalexia and the Mudcrab’. She then quickly passed the stone back to Ciceri.

Ciceri, said, “You’re next, Hreinhilde,” as the stone passed through several hands to reach the young Nord.

“M-me?” Hreinhilde shifted her gaze to the floor. When she began to speak, her voice was soft as she haltingly began the story of Olaf and the Dragon. I was pleased to see I was not alone in offering a quiet murmur of encouragement. Before long, her words became steady and she was looking around the room at us as she spoke. She ended up doing a fine job but wasted no time passing the stone back toward her Guildmagister.

“Well done, Hreinhilde!” praised Ciceri as the stone made its way back to her. I quite realized that her intent had been to help boost the young mage’s self-confidence. From everything I’d seen during our time with this guild, I believed the mages of Windhelm were well-served by Ciceri’s stewardship. “Here you go, Buffy.” The stone found its way to me.

I took a deep breath. “We’ve heard several wonderful tales this evening, but I would like to offer a song.” With that, I set the stone beside me, conjured my lute and, after a bit of tentative strumming, sang a cheerful tune about the mythical land of Tír Na Nóg.

“You have quite the voice, partner,” said Mirri. I saw several nods of agreement as I passed the stone back toward Ciceri.

The evening continued in similar fashion until everyone had entertained us. Finally, Ciceri put the stone away and the mages began yawning and straggling upstairs to their sleeping rooms. Mirri and I were not far behind.

*

Screenshot: Buffy's winter robe

I always enjoy the prep time before the quest! I love the bit about Willow decorating her "apartment"... makes sense she'd like things a certain way in her cozy home. And I'm not surprised Mirri would be envious of Buffy's magical bag - I just installed a magic chest mod in Skyrim for that same convenience!

You're welcome.

Ooh, a heavy white robe. And it's Mirri's twelve-year robe, sweet. That's so sisterly. "Snug as a torch bug!"

Exactly, the tree elf's going for the top bunk.

"Fetching robe!"

How much does one of those potions cost? Just because they last an entire hour, are they pricey? Even if they are, surely they're gonna be worth the cost.

Yes, healers need potions. For backup, if mana gets too low.

"Since you live in there" -- I laughed!

Speaking stone = Talking stick. I get it. Is this the song Buffy sang? Tír Na Nóg.

Thanks for the screenshot. That robe indeed looks really cozy.

That was very kind and thoughtful of Hreinhilde to offer up her winter robe (though I kind of wonder if a bikini or speedo might be a Nord's idea of winter clothing, given their frost resistance ). Of course it was was her robe from when she was 12!

A torchbug in amber does sound very snug! What a delightful turn of phrase.

A tree elf would gravitate to the high bunk...

Mirri is right, now that I see a picture of it, that is a fetching robe.

I love Willow rearranging the contents of Buffy's pouch!

All that great food and Mirri eats a bug! Typical Dunmer. Next she will want to make armor out of it, or live in its shell...

We wrap it up with some nice entertainment and team building. This is something I think of when I am writing Blood Raven. She is from a time before Netflix, before TV at all, or movies, or radio. People had to make their own entertainment for themselves, so learned to sing, and dance, and play musical instruments, and the like. She learned to do so at Mrs. Gibson's School For Proper Young Girls.

Buffy looks lovely and warm in her winter robe! How sweet that it is a gift from young Hreinhilde.

She shook her head and teased, “Tree elf.”

“You don’t snore, do you?” I countered. “I’ve got acorns and my aim is deadly.”

The banter between these partners makes me smile.

I absolutely loved the day of shopping and evening of fellowship in Windhelm. I can picture Willow joining the mages at dinner with her plump pantry beetle. I think I’ll make the Windhelm MG dinner menu this weekend, it sounds so delicious!

(The first time through this episode, my tired eyes read Mirri’s horse’s name as “Gary,” which made me do a double-take. When I read it again because I enjoyed it so much and pretty much would happily live there, I saw “Gary” again. It is of course Gray, but now Jerric is naming his team’s gray horse Gary. D’oh!)

I am so tickled that Willow has appointed herself the team’s supply officer. What a delightful episode!

A nice day of controlled shopping. The white winter robe is nice but the bag-of-holding takes the prize.

Whoa, Mirri ate the bug? I thought it was Willow. Okay yeah, Willow ate a fat beetle, yicch!

I think Buffy's robe will make sneaking easier. The fur trim will muffle the sound of the hem brushing against anything. Like an owl's teathers help it stay silent.

The real question is can Willow sneak?

Hreinhilde giving Buffy her twelve year old winter robe made me smile - so many similarities!

Acorns, huh? Good for ammunition and for emergency rations (can grind them down to make flour for bannocks or steep for tea). Lightweight and still have a bit of a sting on impact. Perfect for our tree elf!

Speaking of tree elves, yeah, top bunk is right.

Healing potions is always wise - never leave home without 'em!

Now how will they get to Direfrost Keep? I wonder . . .

An important trait of wool is indeed that it's not scratchy else makes it impossible to be worn.

Elk skin and wolf pelts plus antifreeze - the girls are good to go.

Mirri continues on to be sarcastic but she must have really enjoyed Buffy's singing, she even called her a partner instead of a princess.

Previously- Hreinhilde gave Buffy a winter guild robe that she had outgrown. The following day, Mirri and Buffy went shopping for the provisions and equipment they would need for their expedition to Direfrost Keep. The day ended with a cozy guild dinner where the mages (and Mirri) regaled each other with story and song.

*

Kane- Thank you! As we’ll see, everything they purchased preparing for their journey will come in handy at some point.

Renee- Yes, Ciceri’s ‘speaking stone’ was inspired by a ‘speaking staff’ in one of Jane Auel’s ‘Earth’s Children’ books. You got it on the song! Actually a modified version. Don’t know about cold resist potions’ cost since I 'imagineered' the ones Buffy bought. Most ESO potions of that nature last for less than a minute (silly).

SubRosa- Thanks for the ‘torchbug in amber’ compliment; I borrowed the phrase from in game. Mirri does like the word 'fetching’; one of her lines in game when you find something pricey is ‘That should fetch a fair fetching price!’ Willow appointing herself the keeper of Buffy’s magic pouch seemed to just naturally fall into place. Yes, imagine folks sitting around entertaining each other with no electronics!

Grits- Thanks on the robe. It serves a dual purpose to highlight Hreinhilde’s thoughtful/nurturing nature as well as provide something Buffy will really need for what’s ahead. Building the relationship between Buffy and Mirri has been a pleasure to write as they gradually become close and trusting friends.

macole- Thank you! I’ve loved the bag of holding idea since Baldur’s Gate and it’s been mandatory ever since, through Oblivion, Skyrim and ESO.

ghastley- I think Mirri’s right – not freezing is worth whatever degradation to stealth that robe might inflict. I think we’ll see that Willow will let Mirri and Buffy lead the way. Besides, she’s even a smaller target than Buffy.

Rider- Thank you! I was delighted when I read that Lilisfina also scored her current outfit from a Nord who had outgrown it. In Buffy’s case, the required size even drove the ages and timeline of when Hreinhilde and Dreanna joined the guild. As a Cloud Dancer, Buffy’s mystified why anyone would prefer the bottom bunk.

Lopov- Mirri can be prone to a bit of sarcasm. I think she uses it to mask that she’s not as gruff as she appears, for she clearly gets embarrassed when some of her softer feelings leak out. Unlike our Bosmer who, of course, wears her emotions on her sleeve.




After a hearty breakfast of leftover boar and bread, along with hot tea for me and wine for Mirri, we said our farewells to the guild.

Once outside, I pulled my hood up against the cold morning. We then crunched our way through the snow to the city’s wayshrine where Mirri grabbed my gloved hand in one of hers, placed her other hand on the wayshrine and we were gone.

A moment later we arrived at another wayshrine. After a brief time to recover from the teleportation magic, I attuned myself to this new wayshrine. Mirri pointed, “We’ll take the road just this side of that logging camp over there and ride south.”

After summoning the horses, we joined the road – a slightly overgrown trail really – that Mirri had indicated. Though we could see our breath, the sunny morning was calm, and the winter robe kept me comfortable.

“I have a question for you, mage,” said Mirri.

“What might that be?” I replied.

“They call our quarry Drodda the Icewitch. What’s the difference between a witch and a mage?”

“Well,” I began, “both are spellcasters, of course. Mages recognize local governments enough to abide by reasonable laws and customs. Witches, on the other hand, generally express disdain for any ruling authority or organization and use their spellcasting purely in pursuit of their own goals – good or ill. Because witches recognize no rules beyond their own, they’re often considered outlaws by local authorities and feared by the populace.”

Mirri was quiet for a moment. “That explains a lot.”

Willow fluttered off into the trees. When she returned, she alighted upon the pommel of Superian’s saddle facing me. The glowing juice from a torchbug on her mandibles and hands, along with the dead dragonfly impaled on one of her knee horns made it clear she had been on a bug hunt. I imagined one of her tactics was to grasp her prey and drive it down onto one of those sharp knee horns. After I declined her offer to share, she proceeded to eat her kill.

“I guess it takes a lot of food to keep those wings going almost all the time,” I remarked as I fished a dried fig from my pouch. She accepted it, turning it over curiously several times in her hands and eventually tearing off a few bites. Presently, she flew off again into the nearby trees.

“She seems a voracious little hunter,” commented Mirri.

When she returned to perch on Superian’s pommel again, I winced to see part of the plush brown - studded with royal blue and edged in ochre – wing of a mourning cloak butterfly protruding from her mouth along with brown wing dust on her arms. I knew that mourning cloaks were uniquely suited to withstand the cold but, apparently, not a hungry nixad. “Willow,” I said, “I propose an accord.”

She tilted her head and looked at me.

“Butterflies are. . . precious to me. I would ask that you not eat them. If you agree, I’ll happily share any food I have and ensure you never go hungry. What say you?”

She tilted her head the other way, then quietly stared at me with large emerald eyes for a moment. Finally, she slowly nodded.

“Thank, you, Willow,” I replied.

Riding beside me, Mirri was staring with a raised eyebrow.

“One of my two totems is a butterfly,” I offered.

She frowned. “What’s a totem?”

“The answer’s not a short one, Mirri.”

She glanced up at the sun, still in the midmorning sky. “It’s a long ride. We have time.”

“Very well,” I replied. “It has to do with making baby wood elves.”

“Stop pulling my ears,” she scoffed. “I know you’re small, but I shouldn’t think you could mate with a butterfly.”

“No, silly. . . where do I begin?” After a moment I continued, “As I’m sure you know, elves share much in common when it comes to breeding. We all experience a brief period of fertility twice a year and, despite being receptive to breeding for centuries, conception is difficult for us, and we’re lucky if we produce more than two baby elves during our long lives.”

“Yes,” agreed Mirri. “I think I recall a book about Berenziah, phrasing it rather well: ‘Elven children are slow to come, and most demanding of their welcome.’ That doesn’t apply to my mother, of course.”

“Your mother?” I asked.

Mirri chuckled. “Father claims she’s part rabbit, for I am one of no less than five children.”

“Five?!? That’s astonishing, Mirri! How lucky she is.” My raised voice apparently encouraged Willow into the air again and she flew along beside us.

“So, Buffy, you still haven’t told me what a totem is.”

“Oh yes. Well, despite the many reproductive characteristics that we elves share, there’s one important difference unique to wood elves. Our totem is the spirit of a forest creature that closely aligns with our nature. To successfully conceive, our mate’s totem must defeat ours in a spiritual battle which occurs during coupling.”

“I see,” she replied. “But how does a wood elf conceive if her mate is not a Bosmer?”

“The same as my mother did, for I was sired by a Breton. When a non-Bosmer becomes intimate with a wood elven woman, a totem will seek him out, meld with his spirit and stay as long as he remains with his Bosmer mate.”

Mirri remarked, “I should think most totems would be capable of defeating your butterfly, yes?”

“And you’d be right. . . except I have two totems, and the totem of anyone I mate with must defeat both for me to have any chance of conceiving.”

“Is having two totems common?”

I shook my head. “I’ve spoken to more than one Bosmeri shaman. None of them have ever heard of anyone else with more than one totem.”

“So. . . what’s your other totem, Buffy?”

I winced. “It’s an ice dragon.”

She scratched her head. “That’s not a forest creature, is it?”

“No, Mirri, and I cannot even imagine what totem a man might have that could defeat it.”

“But, Buffy, that means you’ll likely never. . . .” She reached across the short distance between our horses and grasped my hand as our eyes met. “I’m so sorry.”

I blinked back a tear that threatened. “Th-thank you, Mirri. Perhaps it’s just as well. The life of a paladin is hardly conducive to finding a mate. Or raising children.”

“I’m sorry, Buffy, for prattling on about my big family.”

“Don’t be,” I admonished. “I wish the best for you and hope someday, you’re as lucky as your mother.”

“Thank you. . . although my lifestyle’s not so conducive to that either.”

I returned both hands to Superian’s reins. “So that’s a very long answer to why I talk to butterflies and even dance through meadows with them sometimes.”

We rode in companionable silence for a time.

“Buffy?”

“Yes, partner?”

“You said one of your totems is an ice dragon.”

I nodded.

“You’ve also told me your quest is to stop Drodda from siphoning magic from the corpse of Kynareth’s ice dragon.”

I looked at her. “And you don’t believe in coincidences.”

“I don’t wish to pry. . . .”

“Mirri, your suspicions are correct. I carry within me the spirit of Kynareth’s dragon. Her name is Wind Phantom Ice – Ven Sah Liz in the tongue of her kind. I call her Phantom and don’t understand exactly how, but I am certain her spirit is also that of my powerful second totem.”

Mirri was quiet for quite some time before finally saying, “Buffy, though I’m still getting to know you, I can see the butterfly in you, for you are small and whimsical. But I can also see the dragon. You’re fiercely steadfast to those you care about, and I fully believe you when you say you’ll never abandon an ally. Despite being fragile as a butterfly, I’ve seen you display the courage of a dragon.”

I gave her a crooked smile. “That gets me into trouble often enough. Besides, my courage pales next to you as you charge headlong into our foes, meeting steel with steel.”

We stopped briefly by a fast-moving stream to water the horses, stretch our legs, refill our skins and share some of our dried provisions. Soon we were back on the road.

So Buffy's father was a Breton. A detail that I've probably already read at some point but which feels fresh after reading it again. In fact I'm grateful for occasional insights into Buffy's past that are nicely intertwined within the story, so they don't disrupt the flow at all.

Mirri just learned something about totems. Looks like she's been around with Buffy for enough time to be able to see both totems in her.

Some warm vittles then on to the road.

I never liked horses in the ES games, because of the way they follow you around. When I went into a dungeon I always worried that it would wander off, or get killed by a monster I did not see. But I do love being able to just summon one up to ride, and then just as easily un-summoning it afterward. Assassin's Creed: Odyssey had that feature. I created a summon ghost horse spell for Skyrim just for that. I might try the same for Oblivion, though that means replacing another summoning spell, given that you cannot create new magical effects in that game.

Some good world-building thanks to Mirri asking what the difference between a witch and a mage is.

Willow must be part Dunmer, given how she likes eating bugs...

Butterflies everywhere will all thank Buffy for her act of restraining Willow.

And a recap of Buffy's totems Butterfy and Dragon alike, and how the latter most likely has a direct bearing upon current events.

That little scene with Willow the bug hunter reminded me of how ESO Mirri hates it when you collect most bugs (though wasps and fetcher flies are fair game) - her rapport actually goes down when you kill a torch bug or butterfly. I couldn't help but smile throughout that part!

Mmmm, I have a somewhat different view of Witch vs Mage, but that's not part of your story. Still, it's nice to read such things as they help expand on things that happen in the story.

Oooh, Mirri's closer to the truth than she thinks when she asked about Buffy's second totem and didn't seem surprised to learn it's an ICE DRAGON.

While I miss seeing my horses from the ground in ESO, I have to admit that the ability to call them up and dispel them via mount/unmounting is damned convenient. Especially when you get assaulted or ambushed.

*spits tea*

There’s so much to love in this episode. Of course I had to look up the mourning cloak butterfly and thus have a vivid mental picture of Willow with her mouth full. Oops. Happy to learn that will be the last butterfly she hunts!


This is my favorite Buffy and Mirri moment so far. It’s heartbreaking and beautiful and true.

I love that Mirri can see both the butterfly and the dragon in Buffy.

Also now I really want a bacon sandwich. I blame the leftover boar and bread!

Buffy losing her mate in the third era must have really done a number on her. I'll have to dive back into your older works, Acadian.

Potions in general last a short while in Elder Scrolls games. Really gotta be efficient when using them in the world, if we want to get our money's worth.

Difference between a witch and a mage. Glad Mirri asked; I'd also like to know how your elf answers.

Because it depends which reality we're talking about. Here on Earth, mage is a general magic-using term, comprising sorcerers, shamans, wizards, magicians, and yes, witches, along with a dozen other types of magic-using persons. Really, wizard, mage, and magic-user are interchangeable.

Outside of Disney/Hollywood, "witch" often has a negative connotation here on Earth. Most Twenty-first Century folks in civilized society don't know about Wicca, or the fact witches can also do good things, such as healing, assuming somebody in modern times believes witchcraft works at all. But Tamriel's going to have a different set of descriptions. Which Buffy's about to explain... now.

Wow. Her explanation seems to indicate mages = lawful, and witches = chaotic or neutral, did I get that right?

Yicch, another bug gets eaten! 🐞
Yeah, don't eat the butterflies! How about some tasty ... nectar?

Totem explanation is fascinating. Hmm, so having an ice dragon totem could have some reason why she's been chosen to confront the Ice Witch, I'm guessing. Nice. Mirri's drawn the same conclusion.

Previously- Buffy and Mirri began their journey to Direfrost Keep. During the long ride from the closest wayshrine, Buffy learned that Willow was a prolific bug hunter. When the nixad returned with part of a butterfly wing in her mouth, Buffy made a pact with her to no longer eat butterflies in exchange for sharing Buffy’s food. That led to Buffy explaining to Mirri about totems and that one of Buffy’s was a butterfly. When Buffy revealed her second totem to be an ice dragon, Mirri correctly surmised a connection to Buffy’s quest to stop Drodda from draining the spirit of Kynareth’s ice dragon.

*

Lopov- Thank you. Buffy’s story is so long that I do like trying to review pieces of her history like using the whole butterfly incident to review the role of totems in Buffy lore as well as her father being Breton.

SubRosa- Thanks for the help you provided so Buffy could do a little bit better job of trying to explain the difference between mages and witches to Mirri – albeit from a mage’s perspective. Mirri linking Buffy’s second totem to their quest did not occur to me until we were actually drafting that scene.

Rider- Hah! I had almost forgotten how Mirri hates it if you accidently kill a butterfly or torchbug when reaching for a flower because I use an addon that (among other things) eliminates the ability to interact with (kill) butterflies and torchbugs. Thankfully, Willow accepted Buffy’s offer. I admit that the terms witch and mage are imprecise and that Buffy’s perspective, of course, is that of a mage. Mirri is perceptive enough that, over time, I suspect she’ll gradually unravel more of Buffy’s secrets. Agree on the horses in ESO – convenient but Buffy misses being able to sleep under the stars with her mare.

Grits- Thank you! I wrestled a bit with the realism monster trying to work a butterfly into snowy Eastmarch. I was delighted to discover that there actually is a butterfly that can tolerate it. Mirri is quite perceptive to so readily grasp the implications of a Bosmer woman having such a powerful totem, as well as seeing how appropriate both Buffy’s totems are.

Kane- Buffy was indeed devastated when her mate was killed during the final battle to free Kvatch. She ended up having to lose herself in Valenwood (Book 2) to begin to find her way before she could return to Cyrodiil.

Renee- I hadn’t thought of it in D&D terms but mages behaving lawfully enough to comfortably operate within society seems about right. Witches (in Buffy lore) seem less lawful for sure but can probably run the gamut from good/neutral/evil. Overall, I’d comfortably call Buffy ‘chaotic good’. She has her own morale compass, but most would judge her actions as good. I appreciate the opportunity to provide a tiny review of how Phantom fits in here: Phantom was Acadian’s ice dragon mount when the two perished during the Merethic Era. The spirit of Phantom ended up bonding with Superian in Book 2 as the dragon briefly took over the body of Buffy’s mare to fly her out of mortal danger. That’s why Buffy sometimes refers to Superian as her dragon-mare. Book 2 is also where Buffy learned of her two totems. Drodda is siphoning the residual magic from Phantom’s frozen corpse, and this – if not stopped – could prove disastrous for both Superian and the spirit of Phantom. Kynareth’s involvement here includes the fact that she is the one who created Phantom as Acadian’s mount.



By midafternoon, the temperature had dropped noticeably. My robe, and the heat rising from Superian, kept the chill at bay though. For now.

“A rabbit,” I whispered as I drew my mare to a stop.

Mirri and I both dismounted. The rabbit, in winter white pelt, had found a struggling sprig of green and was munching busily.

I thought of Carsomyr then closed my fingers around the materializing weapon. I pointed to my staff, then to myself.

Mirri nodded and stayed put.

I crept forward a bit and lowered the end of my staff toward the small target. I wanted a mercifully clean kill. Carsomyr’s bolt of magic instantly dropped the rabbit. I quickly closed the distance and verified my prey was dead. After dispelling my staff, I knelt beside the animal. “Thank you small one, for your gift of sustenance. Rest now, until Kynareth guides your spirit back to her forest and you once again hop among us.”

I picked up the rabbit and stood to see a nearby Mirri smiling with no judgement in her eyes about the little prayer ritual my archer master, Daenlin, had taught me the first time he and I took a deer together. We made our way back to the horses.

“I thought some fresh meat might be welcome this evening,” I remarked as I tied the rabbit’s rear feet to Superian’s pommel and mounted.

After less than another hour of travel, Mirri said, “Both our destination and darkness are near. We should look for a sheltered place to camp so we’ll be fresh to enter Direfrost Keep in the morning.”

Soon enough we saw a cliff face, well-screened by a copse of trees. Mirri pointed and said, “That looks promising. Let’s investigate.”

We rode closer. Hidden behind the trees we spotted what appeared to be the entrance to a cave. We dismounted and Mirri drew steel as we approached. The opening was just wide and high enough that I figured one horse with its head lowered would be able to enter. Mirri and I slipped inside. Light from the doorway behind us and several small gaps over our heads revealed we were indeed inside a cavern.

Mirri lifted her sword and was almost able to touch the ceiling.

I illuminated myself with Divine magic so we could better investigate. It was a single chamber about three horse lengths wide and two deep.

“Empty,” Mirri commented as she stowed her sword and shield. She nudged a couple bones on the floor with the toe of her boot. “These are old. No signs of recent nesting or scat. Nothing’s used this small cave for quite some time.”

“The ceiling’s height can accommodate the horses and,” I pointed up, “those gaps should be able to draw out enough smoke to allow a fire inside. I think we’re in luck.”

I dispelled my light aura and we stepped back outside to find both horses grazing where the trees had largely sheltered the ground from snow. Willow hovered around Superian’s hindquarters, searching for and removing tangles from the mare’s tail.

I summoned my elven hunting knife and cut the rabbit free of Superian’s pommel. “Let me skin and prepare our dinner for roasting. Perhaps you could build us a fire?”

Mirri looked at the ground around the trees surrounding us and nodded. “Plenty of firewood here. I’ll gather it if you’ll light it.”

Within the hour, horses, elves and nixad were inside and we had a cheerful fire. The rabbit was roasting on a spit of green wood that Mirri held. I had summoned my storage trunk and removed what we needed for the night. Our teapot – filled with snow – sat near the fire.

Dinner was delicious. Even Willow enjoyed several small tidbits of rabbit, though she expressed little interest in the flatbread I offered her. By the time our bellies were full, a peek outside revealed the sky was dark enough to display both moons and enough stars to promise a clear, cold night.

“Buffy, do you want first or second watch tonight?”

“Neither,” I replied. “Superian will watch over us all night. She’s done so for me many times, waking me at the slightest threat her keen ears or nose detects. I turned my head toward the mare. “Superian, can you show Mirri?”

The mare lifted her head and issued a sharp neigh.

Mirri looked from Superian back to me then slowly shook her head with a smile. “Why am I not surprised? You dance with butterflies, carry a dragon within you, pray over bunnies and talk to your nixad and horse – who clearly understand you.” She looked up and smiled at my mare. “Very well, then. Thank you, Superian. You can rest tomorrow while your mistress and I hunt down an ice witch.”

“Look who’s talking to her now,” I said. “Be careful, lest Gray become jealous.”

“Oh, I confess that I talk to him sometimes as well.”

“We’ll make a wood elf of you yet,” I teased.

She shook her head. “Don’t hold your breath. I’m not about to start chasing butterflies or dancing in treetops.”

While Mirri added wood to the fire, I topped off our waterskins from the teapot and refilled it with snow, again placing it near the fire. I then cast Radiant Glory several times into the floor and lower portions of the cave’s wall and was well-pleased with how it warmed the small cave.

“Willow,” I said, “I expect we’ll need your help tomorrow in Direfrost Keep so I’d like you well-rested.”

She lifted the flap of my mage pouch, flattened her wings along her back and crawled inside.

Mirri and I each wrapped up in our wolf pelts. I lay close to and facing the fire. Mirri curled up against my back like the larger of two nesting spoons.

When I awoke, my back was cold. I pulled down the pelt just enough to look around. Beyond the cave’s entrance, I could see the promise of dawn through the trees.

“Good morning, Buffy.” Mirri was seated close to the freshly stoked fire, her pelt covering both shoulders. “A cold night, but between our fire and body heat of the animals, I hope you were warm enough?”

“’Morning,” I said, managing a crooked smile as I stiffly stood. I recast Radiant Glory several times to warm the stone floor and lower walls again.

Willow climbed out of my mage pouch and, after a yawn, joined Mirri by the fire as I led the horses out of the cave so they could walk around some and perhaps graze. I summoned a bucket, filled it with snow and, with the weak fire spell I knew, melted it for the horses to drink. I then moved a bit farther away and passed my own water near the patch of yellow snow that, clearly, Mirri had made earlier.

Upon returning, I went into my storage trunk to retrieve some provisions. “I’ll make some tea for us.”

Mirri had reheated the small amount of leftover rabbit which we soon enjoyed with ginger tea and flatbread. Willow accepted some rabbit and water.

After breaking camp, we rode the short distance to Direfrost Keep. It was an imposing fortress of stone but eerily quiet. At least outside. We dismissed the horses and entered the courtyard in search of an entrance into the keep itself.

“Damn, locked,” reported Mirri after we found the door.

“Let Willow try,” I offered. The nixad chittered happily as she stuck both arms into the keyhole. After a few moments we heard a satisfying click. Sure enough, we were then able to open the heavy door and slip inside.

I hadn’t thought it possible, but it was even colder inside. “Mirri, I’m already wearing everything I have including my enchanted toe ring of resist cold. . . but I think I’m going to have to drink one of those resist frost potions.”

“It’s not just you, Buffy,” she replied as she tied her woolen band around her head to cover both ears. “The enchanted doublet under my armor helps, but I need one of those potions too. They’re supposed to last an hour or more and we have six each. That should be plenty.”

Mirri drank one. I drank most of another and offered the last bit of mine to Willow. “It’ll help keep you warm,” I explained.

She accepted the vial, sniffed it, looked at me, then trustingly drank what remained inside.

Mirri and I crept forward. I was impressed by the potion’s effectiveness. Willow seemed content to quietly follow above and behind us.

“There is evil here,” I reported in a low voice. Carsomyr filled my hand.

From behind me I heard Mirri’s blade slide free of its scabbard as she replied, “I don’t doubt you. . . but how can you sense that?”

I shrugged. “All paladins can detect the presence of evil.”

The keep – fortress, really – was of stone construction but patches of ice liberally decorated its walls and ceiling. Upon turning our first corner, we saw two pale blue figures ahead, unmoving. As we drew closer, it became clear they were victims of ice magic, frozen forever in midstride as they were apparently trying to flee.

“Poor bastards,” breathed Mirri.

I nodded grimly and replied, “I think we’re in the right place.”

The hunt is on! Hopefully Buffy and Miri aren't biting off more than they can chew with Dreanna!

I am a little worried if ambient cold is making them use frost resist potions. Drodda will be using stronger stuff.

And can I learn "summon bucket"?

It looks like Bufirri will be enjoying some rabbit stew tonight.

I am sure we talked about it before, but Buffy's giving thanks to the spirit of the rabbit is very much in line with what we know of some RL hunter/gatherer beliefs going back into the stone age. One our earliest known forms of spirituality was the idea that animals were essentially spirit beings that temporarily took flesh here on Earth. When a hunter killed one, they thanked the spirit for its gift of meat, and were essentially nice to it. The idea being that they wanted the spirit of the animal to return to the Earth again in a new body, so they would have more rabbits. This goes back to Joseph Campbell's writings. So it is a bit dated. There is probably much new and more robust scholarship on it these days.

“Why am I not surprised? You dance with butterflies, carry a dragon within you, pray over bunnies and talk to your nixad and horse – who clearly understand you.”
That does sum it up!

Radiant Glory sounds like one of Silverlight's spells.

It looks like we are coming to the endgame at last. Colder in the keep that outside, that makes sense. Bodies frozen like statues, again, not surprised. Buffirri are definitely in the right place.

Gosh I love a camp scene, and this one really delivered! Buffy’s practical magic is endlessly fascinating. How clever to warm the cave with some Radiant Glory.

Uh oh, it’s colder inside? Sounds like they found an ice witch. Those poor frozen people.

“There is evil here,” I reported in a low voice. Carsomyr filled my hand.

This moment gave me chills. Kynareth’s paladin! Whoop! And also, yikes!

This little phrase made me twirl! Though we haven't yet seen this in Lili fiction, she does the same thing with the animals she hunts! How much like each other that I could call them (as Grits and I like to say) Sisters from Different Mothers!

While recently running Direfrost Keep in ESO, I kept thinking of Buffy and Mirri and how they would fare with little Willow in this forbidding ice castle. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how things unfold in the Buffyverse!

Resting up in a cozy shelter before the hunt in the ice fortress begins! I really liked the scene in the cave.

It seems like Buffy can detect Drodda's evil presence. I assume that only one of them will walk out of that encounter alive.

Buffy = CG, yes I agree. She does plenty of good works if she can, yet shall step outside the boundaries of what the rulemakers say is "okay" if she has to.

It's been a while, but I definitely have a memory of Buffy's horse bonding with a dragon. Whoa, so Drodda is involved with Phantom's spirit, yikes, that isn't good. Well hopefully this doesn't have fatal consequences for Superian. But I think there will be some consequences.

I love how it's possible to light up a room with magic, but old-fashioned considerations must be made when it comes to the smoke caused by campfires. Even in Tamriel, seems carbon monoxide and soot and other yucky stuff must be avoided.

Superian doesn't sleep? Perhaps he doesn't need to.

Your elf talks to the nixad like a mother to a child!

Direfrost Keep, here it is. Quite imposing, yes. "There is evil here..."

Previously- After spending the night in a small cave near their destination, Buffy and Mirri found their way into Direfrost Keep the following morning. They soon encountered a pair of ice magic victims frozen in midstride as they had apparently been attempting to escape.

*

Kane- Though it will take several more episodes to get to their quarry, Drodda will prove to be a tough foe. Hopefully, the skills Kynareth gave Buffy and the practice she has had with Mirri will prove sufficient.

ghastley- Looks like their plan is to keep those one hour potions up and effective the whole time they’re in Direfrost Keep. Buffy’s conjuration skill is excellent with simple mundane items like a towel or bucket. A lute is about as complex as she can manage.

SubRosa- You nailed it on Buffy’s thinking when it comes to hunting food animals. Mirri’s already figuring out that animals form a significant part of Buffy’s ‘network’. Just as Silverlight can call upon the power of the moon, Radiant Glory calls upon the power of the sun.

Grits- I’m so glad you enjoyed the camping scene. The idea of heating the rocks to help stay warm was inspired by Captain Kirk and his crew heating rocks with their phasers to help stay warm on cold planets. Yes, it looks like Kynareth’s paladin is already sensing the nearness of her quarry.

Rider- I’m not surprised that Lili has similar beliefs when it comes to hunting animals for food. It does seem in many ways that Lili and Buffy are leaves from the same tree. As you have been through Direfrost Keep, I hope that, though it should feel somewhat familiar, you’ll bear with me regarding the significant changes we’ll see to better support our story. I’m hoping Willow will pull her weight even though she won’t be slaying any foes.

Lopov- I’m glad you enjoyed our little camping respite before the ladies have to get down to work. Thanks for mentioning that Buffy detects evil. I’m going to grab this opportunity to review the basic abilities that all paladins possess in Buffy fiction: Light (‘calling card’ & utility), Healing (laying on of hands), Ward Evil (protects the spirit), Detect Evil (passively detects evil auras). I borrowed those four paladin skills from The Deed of Paksenarrion by Elisabeth Moon. All four of those will come into play in this dungeon.

Renee- Thanks for noting that Buffy checked for where any campfire smoke would go when they assessed that little cave. Buffy's mare had a long day and night but will be unsummoned and able to ‘rest’ while Buffy’s inside Direfrost Keep. Heh, Buffy finds herself sort of negotiating with Willow, explaining why the nixad should not eat butterflies or get some sleep. On the other hand, now that Willow’s claimed Buffy’s mage pouch, she’s not shy about scolding Buffy when the elf tries to rummage around in there to get something instead of asking Willow first. Thanks for that great pic of Direfrost Keep!




We continued through the eerily quiet fortress encountering several more victims of ice magic frozen in midstride. That changed when the narrow passages we crept along opened into a medium-sized chamber. On the far side I could see an open doorway leading beyond, and that it was guarded by four. . . undead ice soldiers? I could sense their aura of evil.

Still hidden, we backed up to where we could quietly plan our attack. Mirri offered, “How about you tag one with a bolt from your staff, then stay behind me as they charge? I’ll intercept them while we’re still here in this passageway so they can’t surround us or get past me to you.”

I shook my head. “They don’t appear to be overly strong foes. Let me open with Blazing Spear and see if it will immobilize them in place. I might be able to kill them all where they stand before they recover. If I’m wrong, then you intercept them as you said.”

Mirri nodded. “If they take one step this way, you get behind me.”

My first Blazing Spear damaged them and I could see, even as I loosed my second one, that the immobilization effect had worked. They all fell to my third cast.

“That was easy,” said Mirri, “for me at least.”

I smiled. “It wouldn’t have been had they been able to resist the immobilization or break free of it before I killed them.”

“Fair enough, partner,” she agreed as we moved to where they had fallen.

I knelt to examine the bodies. "Each bears an emblem on the chest of their armor that I recognize from Ciceri's book. How were these Direfrost Clan witch hunters turned into corrupted undead soldiers of ice?

Mirri shook her head ruefully. “I think we both know who did this, Buffy.”

We stepped over the corpses and, as we approached the open doorway to the passage beyond, Willow darted in front of us, chittering urgently. We both stopped at her warning while she hovered close to the ground and pointed. As Mirri and I knelt to look more closely we could see a thin strand of what appeared to be silk strung across the doorway at ankle height. “Thank you, Willow,” I said. We stepped over the tripwire and crept down the passageway beyond

After several turns, the corridor opened into a very large chamber which sprawled out from a central altar. There was one figure near the altar. We crept part way around the perimeter to satisfy ourselves that no one else was in the chamber and positioned ourselves behind the lone figure who seemed focused on the altar. He appeared to be another undead Direfrost Clan ice soldier. He wore a hooded robe and wielded a scythe. His weapon and robe were the color of ice.

“He looks important,” Mirri said softly enough to barely be heard.

“And dangerous,” I whispered, “but perhaps he can yield a clue that may help us defeat or at least find Drodda.”

Before she could reply, we both watched as the figure slowly turned until facing us. “Two more souls to join us?”

Oh well, so much for surprising him.

Mirri stood and strode toward him. “Hey, snowman, we’re lost. Help a couple ladies out?”

I had no choice but to tag along behind my partner.

“I think not,” he replied as he lifted one hand and was quickly embraced by what I suspected was a ward of frost. As his hand began to refill with magic, he pointed it toward us.

By now, Mirri was within range of her ‘gap closer’. Her shield glowed and she was instantly propelled into the ice soldier. Her impact interrupted his spell and her first jab channeled taunt magic into him.

I branded the ground around us with my Cleansing Ritual, cast Blazing Spear and began channeling a heavy attack from my staff. Sure enough, the Blazing Spear did not immobilize this foe. Its damage and that of my staff were noticeably mitigated by the mage’s frost shielding.

As our foe grasped his scythe with both hands, Mirri stayed within arm’s length to optimize the range of her short sword and shield while negating the benefit of his much longer weapon. His ward of frost seemed to render his robe as effective as armor, but I could see that our attacks were indeed weakening the ward as cracks in it became more numerous. Each time he backed up to open some distance, Mirri stayed close, bashing and slashing.

I kept alternating Blazing Spear with attacks from Carsomyr while refreshing my Cleansing Ritual as needed.

Our foe slammed the butt of his scythe into the floor at his feet and the ground around him turned white with frost that rapidly expanded to include both Mirri and I within its grasp. I could feel the cold and see Mirri’s movements slowing. Our potions helped and, thankfully, within but a few seconds the slowing effect was purged by my Cleansing Ritual. While slowed, Mirri had taken a solid hit or two. I cast Healing Ward on her. Though its duration was short, it would heavily shield and heal her as she recovered. I then refreshed Cleansing Ritual on the ground around us and refocused my efforts on dealing damage. This mage was powerful, but his frost ward was getting visibly weaker.

Mirri had, by now, bashed, pushed and otherwise maneuvered our foe between the altar and a heavy brazier where he could not open enough distance to effectively use his scythe. She retained his full ire and, between her armor, shield and my support spells took all the damage he tried to inflict upon her.

He briefly held the scythe above his head and, before Mirri could interrupt him, released a burst of magic. From the ground between Mirri and I appeared bones, held together by sickly pale green magic. More and more bones rose out of the ground and quickly formed into a golem, nearly twice Mirri’s height.

I rippled Blazing Spear repeatedly and was relieved to see that it held the monster fast where it stood and my spell’s burst radius of damage included both the mage and his minion. I moved out of the range of the bone golem’s long arms. As soon as it fell, I channeled Radiant Glory into the mage. My first beam collapsed his already damaged frost ward, and a second cast killed him.

Mirri satisfied herself that our foe was indeed dead then took a long pull from her waterskin.

Once I could see that her breathing had slowed a bit after the exertion this fight had required of her, and having learned from Wormroot Depths, I went to her and ordered, "Hold still."

After I removed my hands from her, she asked, “What say you, healer?”

“You’re fit for duty.”

“I guess you kept me alive then,” she replied with a sparkle in her ruby eyes.

“I could say the same of you, partner.” I then knelt by the mage’s corpse. “His robe also bears the crest of the Direfrost Clan. What in Oblivion happened here?”

“Buffy, there’s a ledger on this altar,” offered Mirri. “Perhaps it provides some clues.”

I quite enjoyed this rendition of one of the "boss" fights in the dungeon.

I do not expect you to write a blow by blow account of the in game version of Direfrost Keep. That's the whole point of fan fiction - to take something from a favorite game and build it into something - more. It's what I'm trying to do with my Skyrim fan fiction, after hewing rather close to the Oblivion game in OHDH. It's fun to stretch our creative muscles and add layers of meaning and complexity to an otherwise simple and straightforward dungeon dive.

Great illustration of assault and support teamwork here between our sell shield and our glass cannon/healer. I recall playing with Buffy the healer on a few world bosses in ESO and have tremendous respect for her abilities. I'm glad to see Mirri feels much the same.

Trip wire! And a ledger! I really look forward to what they learn from its pages here.

Great catch of that tripwire by Willow! At her size it probably looks as thick as a rope.

I can picture the blinding glory of Buffy’s Blazing Spears taking out the four immobilized ice soldiers. Love it!

Mirri stood and strode toward him. “Hey, snowman, we’re lost. Help a couple ladies out?”

I adore this both for the indomitable confidence of a tank who trusts her damage-dealing healer, and for the sheer sass that is Mirri. The Nord dripping crumbs on my shoulder gave a mighty whoop! Go Team Buffy!

As I enjoyed watching the battle unfold I was reminded of the deliberate pace and planning that went into Buffy’s mystic archer fights in the 3rd Era. Entirely different skills but I can see the same Buffy at work. I love that about Buffy’s stories!

So Buffy starts off with some solid crowd control, showing what a mage in the group is for.

As Mirri noted, I think we know how the former hunters became undead sentries. Drodda does not let her victims go to waste.

Willow is a handy, putting that Rogue find traps skill to good use.

Hey, snowman, we’re lost. Help a couple ladies out?”
Mirri definitely has moxie!

Buffirri give a solid example of a well oiled tank + healer combo in action. One gets stuck in with the foe, the other keeps them going like the energizer bunny.