ghastley- Though Buffy’s historical depiction of the Order of the Lamp is recognizable from lore, we have freely taken liberties and filled in some gaps to our own purpose. That such knights were, first and foremost, paladins and why Vanus Galerion insisted upon it is such an example. Thank you!
Grits- That Dame Boderi’s revelation of her true identity gave you shivers is music to my ears! I so hoped for such a reaction. Thank you!
Lopov- I’m glad you endorse Buffy’s ‘supporting role’ in the crisis instead of being ‘The Chosen One.’ Being in support suits her nature much better. We view the Oblivion Crisis primarily as a familiar backdrop for Buffy's journey of personal growth. Thank you!
Rider- Looking back over the years, I’m surprised I remained blind to the signs. Only when I read The Deed of Paksennarion by Elizabeth Moon recently did the clarity of Buffy’s destiny snap fully into focus. The author’s depiction of what a paladin is all about literally sang to my heart, gave Buffy the courage to consider it and provided the inspiration to finally bring this book to life. Thank you!
SubRosa- In Buffy Fiction, paladins will be beacons of light in a dark and dangerous world. You are right to identify the challenge of avoiding self-serving motives and zealotry that can sometimes infest mortals claiming Divine inspiration. Our weapons against that will be incorruptibility and compassion. In Buffy's world, the Divines choose only a small number of paladins, and do so with great personal attention. As you say, a genuine force for good in a fantasy setting.
The attention to Mannimarco was relevant only to address what I felt was a potentially awkward historical timeline. ESO has the Worm King in what seems to be Molag Bal’s inescapable and permanent grip of torment at the end of the Planemeld – well before lore says he did battle with Vanus Galerion later in the Second Era and, much later, resurfaced to plague the Mages Guild in the Third Era. My hope in the last episode was to allow for the possibility that he somehow survived Molag Bal. Though I don’t rule it out, I have no current plans to present the Mages Guild questline. Rather, I’m leaning toward transitioning Buffy’s story to the Second Era (involving time travel of course) after this book. I much prefer writing where we’re playing instead where we were two games ago.
![tongue.gif](style_emoticons/sinders/tongue.gif)
Thank you!
DE- I’m pleased to hear you suggest that it's appropriate for Buffy to discover more about paladins before committing to that path. As we’ll gradually learn, there is a great deal about them that she does not know. She correctly understands they are beacons of Divine light but it will be Acadian who eventually reveals the limitations and hardships that such a life entails. And Buffy's godmother, Azura, is likely to complicate things as well. Thank you!
*
Previously- The morning of Buffy’s departure for Leyawiin, she and Boderi shared a private breakfast. Boderi turned the conversation to the Order of the Lamp. Buffy knew that the Order had been comprised of paladins empowered and devoted to the Nine whose role had been to combat the evil use of magic. Boderi then surprised Buffy by revealing that the Order was still active but had been operating clandestinely – until now, and that Dame Boderi was a Paladin of Julianos who had been serving as the Order’s Palatinus for decades. Finally, Boderi asked Buffy to consider the path of a paladin herself.
* * *
~ Part 3 – Aide from Leyawiin ~
Episode 9
I stood among a score of passengers under the midday sun. We waited as cargo was carried down a ramp mating the dock to the ship’s lower cargo hold. Among the crates and barrels still waiting to be loaded aboard was a mule and three sheep. I was grateful that Superian traveled safely as a spirit within me.
My thoughts returned to Boderi’s proposal that I ask the Nine to call me to their service. Though I traveled with the spirit of a paladin inside me, I was far from sure I totally understood what being one entailed. I knew, however, that before I decided anything I needed to talk to Acadian and probably some priests.
Oh, and Azura. It was the Mistress of Twilight who had touched me with her hand of fate and thrust the abilities of a Slayer upon me. Would she be angry if I considered serving the Nine? She would have no right to be. After all, I never asked for her interference in my life and considered being a Slayer more curse than blessing. I should speak to her about it though. . . as well as the fact that I loaned her Star to Mazoga and Agronak. I pushed such thoughts aside for now – my quest to Leyawiin and Bravil took priority.
Aside from myself and an Argonian dressed in a loam blouse and faded gray skirt, the rest of my fellow waiting passengers were men. Mostly merchants and artisans by the look of them.
After a gangplank was rigged to the main deck, a Bosmer at the far end waved us onto the ship. “Welcome aboard the Peony Princess. My name is Fillimir, ship steward.” The leather-faced elf had black hair slicked back into a short queue and was dressed in a burgundy tunic trimmed in black with matching pants over sturdy sailcloth shoes. After explaining some of the ship’s rules and meal times, he exchanged our tickets for waterwalking amulets, which we donned. “We’ll usually be in sight of land. In case we go down, stay calm, move away from the ship and walk to shore. These amulets don’t grow on trees, so I’ll need them back as you debark at your final destination. I’ll show you the galley on our way down to where you’ll sleep. This way please.”
We followed the steward below the weather deck, past the galley, through several passageways and down one more deck before he announced, “This is the passenger berthing compartment.”
As we passed a doorway from which hung a canvas curtain, he commented, “That’s the head - for cleaning yourself up and doing your personal business; if you want a full bath, wait till port or tie yourself to a line and splash around over the side.” He paused by the next opening along the bulkhead. “My office. You can usually find me in there or checking the galley.” Drawing open the canvas that covered a doorway across from his office, he revealed a small cabin. “This is where our two lady passengers will sleep.” Finally he gestured out toward the main compartment. Along the bulkheads on both sides were strung hammocks, three high. “You men sleep here. The Captain doesn’t tolerate any nonsense, so stay out of women’s berthing unless you want to swim to your destination.”
Once the Argonian and I entered our cabin, she slid the curtain closed and extended a scaled hand. “Quill-Weave. Are you going to Anvil as am I?”
“Buffy,” I said as my hand met hers. “Only to Leyawiin. I have business there. Do you live in Anvil then?”
“Yes, I am a writer and heading home after doing some research here on The Imperial City maze of a sewer system and the lost souls who call it home.”
“There is certainly plenty of mystery beneath the city,” I commented.
“What is your business in Leyawiin . . . I mean, if I am not being too nosy?”
“I’m just couriering a message for my guild of mages.”
“You don’t look like a mage – not with the way you’re dressed and those bowstring calluses on the fingers of your right hand.”
I held out the open hand of which the observant Argonian spoke. From its palm flickered to life the magenta arcane flame of my guild. As orange eyes widened, I closed my fingers to extinguish the beacon of guild recognition.
“It seems I was mistaken, magister.”
“I get that a lot. It seems buckskin-clad Bosmeri mystic archers are rare.” I then grinned. “But don’t worry, I’m not going to turn you into a scamp or anything like that. Your name and the ink stains on your own hands mark your profession well enough though.”
She held up her stained fingers. “So they do.” Looking at the three hammocks strung above each other, she added, “You want top or bottom?”
“May I have the top?”
“Perfect,” she replied. “I prefer the bottom. Most of us scaled folk like being low or even underground. I don't snore but sometimes my tail thrashes around in my sleep. It will be safer for you being above me."
I chuckled, then countered, “Being a short elf conceived in the treetops probably explains my preference for high perches.” Suddenly I felt the ship move. “We’re underway!”
“Old hat to me,” replied the Argonian as she opened her worn travel bag.
I began to change clothes as Quill-Weave carefully arrayed her writing supplies on the single small table.
“You know,” she continued, “after my current book, I’m toying with writing one about the guilds of Cyrodiil. May I ask you a question?”
“Of course,” I replied, wriggling out of my buckskins.
“Everyone knows that a display of the arcane flame marks one as a member of the Mages Guild – just as the red and white medallion worn by members of the Fighters Guild serves to identify them. From interviews with mages, I have learned that the ability is bestowed as a mage begins their course of study at the Arcane University.”
“That’s all correct,” I confirmed as I tugged an ivory skirt with emerald trim over my hips. “During the ceremony, the mage is infused with a tiny portion of the guild’s arcane flame that she can henceforth display as you saw me demonstrate.”
“If a member of the Fighters Guild is expelled,” Quill-Weave explained, “they forfeit their amulet. Fleeing without surrendering it generates a writ from the guild to track down the disgraced fighter and recover the symbol of their guild – by whatever means is necessary. My question is, how does your guild preclude a disgraced member from still displaying Mages Guild credentials?”
“Well, we try not to kill them if that’s what you’re asking.” I pulled a white peasant blouse over my head. “We’re not the Dark Brotherhood, after all. When a mage is expelled from the guild and does not willingly surrender it, their tiny piece of the arcane flame acts like a beacon to those trained to locate and recover it.”
Quill-Weave was scribbling busily. “I assume the guild has mages whose duties include enforcement of such things?”
“You assume correctly. I’m sure you can appreciate that the specifics are more effective if not disseminated beyond those who use them.”
She paused her note taking to look at me and nod her understanding. “Very enlightening. I like the mystery angle; readers eat that stuff up. When someday I finish the book, Buffy, where may I send an autographed copy for you?”
“What a thoughtful gesture!” I replied. “It will reach me if sent to the Arcane University.” We chatted a bit more as I pulled a brush through my hair. Before I excused myself to head topside for some fresh air, we agreed to meet later in the galley for dinner.
After getting lost and having to ask one of the crew for directions, I finally emerged on the busy main deck. Sails billowed and sailors bustled. I found what looked like an out of the way spot on one side of the ship. I held the railing with one hand to steady myself against the ship’s movement and kept the other near my skirt in case an errant breeze lifted it. Closing my eyes, I savored the wind in my hair and sun on my face.