Buffy - Book 4, Drodda the Icewitch Options

[Lopov]

So looks like there won't be any allies for Mirri and Buffy in the Direfrost Keep - I like the twist actually and I don't find mentioning warmth was unwise on your part. I'm fan of twists in stories.

The coldness of the Keep is almost palpable.

Looks like the final battle is about to begin. Good luck, girls! May Acadian be with you!

[SubRosa]

I like your description of the room being x number of horse lengths across. Using terms like feet - while accurate - can feel artificial and antiseptic. Given the fantasy setting, and Buffy's horse-girl nature, equine units of measurements feel much more organic.

So these banekins are little kamikaze fetchers. Looks like they are quite effective at unbalancing their foes, so that the real baddies can follow up and finish them off. They remind me of Super-Mutant Suiciders from Fallout 4. Except the banekin don't use mini-nukes. In any case, thankfully Buffy was there to shield her tank while she was vulnerable.

I love that Willow was on the case even as they thought of searching for the key.

I hope Mirri does not shake Buffy by the ankles to see what falls out of her pockets!

So we finally come to the Boss Fight. Given my experience with such things, I would hazard a guess that they will have to destroy or disable those power crystals before they can defeat Drodda.

[Grits]

Yikes, that exploding frostkin could have been the end for Mirri, but Buffy’s focus and composure got her back up. What beautiful teamwork as Buffy and Mirri take down the undead soldier summoner and his minions!

That ice atronach was majestic. I love that Buffy could sense it was not evil, just dangerous. Great idea to leave it alone!

Mirri easily retrieved me.

I bet she did. What a charming mental picture! Buffy’s head-first climb reminded me of her archery acrobatics. Was that at the Tournament of Archers?

And here we are. Being in the presence of Phantom’s remains is a shivery feeling that has nothing to do with cold. How depraved would you have to be to defile the corpse of an ice dragon? Do I hear boss music? Watch out, Drodda, the boss team is coming!

[Renee]

Yes, that was going to be my guess: Willow would eventually find the key. Really happy they were able to get past this soldier with a huge weapon. Mauls. Really ineffective I suppose, unless you're BIG and have a lot of ST. Still, the undead warrior was just bested by a couple of elves, hee hee.

Tunnels of ice, cripes. As I read the "teeth-chattering" part a vent somewhere above started blowing air into the room I'm in. My teeth didn't chatter but I did shiver just at that moment. How many potions have they got left at this point?

Mirri, doing an "Imoen+" to trigger that trap!

"I say we gain nothing and lose time if we engage it.” -- Plus, sounds like they're getting pretty close to Drodda. Yet another fight at this moment could alert the Ice Witch. I know I keep saying that....

Yep, looks like they're here.

[haute ecole rider]

Banekin! or Frostkin in this case. I hate the tiny little buggers - they're hard to see in a dungeon, and it's like death by a thousand paper cuts.

Once again the fight brought back memories of my Orc fighting bosses with your Buffster in ESO. Best partner a berserker can have!

Uh Oh! That patch of shiny ice sets my warning bells tingling - such a distinct characteristic usually suggests a trap!

I was right - "it's a trap!"

Nice job scouting with a little assist from Mirri. Good thing Buffy's a little thing, barely heavier than a butterfly . . .

Love that Buffy considers the corpse "her" dragon!

[Acadian]

Previously- Buffy and Mirri finally fought and navigated their way to the lowest chamber of Direfrost Keep. They managed to enter undetected and confirm that Drodda was indeed siphoning the residual power from Phantom’s corpse.

Lopov- Thank you! Yes, time for the big battle!

SubRosa- Thanks, I do prefer using either Buffy-friendly terms for measurement (like horse lengths) or at least old world units (stones, leagues, etc). Hee! If Mirri had really shaken Buffy by the ankles, that darn robe would have ended up over her head!

Grits- Those darn frostkins can be dangerous! Glad you approved of bypassing that ice atronach for the reasons the ladies stated. Heh, it sounds like the image of Mirri pulling Buffy up from that ladder feet first came across as I hoped. One more reason to adventure with pants instead of a robe!

Renee- I’m glad the cold is coming across. The team has six of those potions left so it looks like they brought more than enough. Luckily, it seems Drodda is still too distracted by her task to take note of Buffy and Mirri. I expect that's about to change.

Rider- I’m glad that suspicious patch of ice set off warning bells as a likely trap. Heh, Buffy’s a good scout but some help recovering from her inverted perch on that ladder was certainly welcome. Thanks for noting Buffy’s mention of ‘her dragon’; I like to think it shows her protectiveness of those she holds dear.

* * *

Episode 42

Drodda was easy enough to recognize after reading the Direfrost necromancer’s journal. Her robe was the same pale blue color as the glacial cavern’s ancient walls. With skin that was covered in frost and hair the color of snow, she wielded a staff that was capped with what appeared to be a shard of ice.

Before we could plan our next move, we heard, “Who disturbs my concentration?” The words carried a strong Nordic accent and sinister tone. The beams of Phantom’s residual magic she was absorbing from the amplification crystals faded as Drodda lifted one hand, and spilled frost magic over herself. A ward of ice blossomed around her. She then slowly turned to face us and hissed, “Your frozen souls will haunt this place forever!”

I knew she could freeze foes solid, so I instantly placed my Cleansing Ritual on the ground around us, mostly for its ability to purge curses.

Mirri and I both drew weapons and advanced, with me recasting my Ritual as we did so to remain protected as we moved.

“Your dragon sucking days are over, witch!” retorted Mirri. More than bravado, I realized my partner was trying to buy a few seconds to close some distance as well as focus Drodda’s attention on her – instead of me.

As Drodda raised her hand again, Mirri was close enough to use her gap closer and propelled herself into the ice witch – interrupting the spell and causing Drodda's magicka to fizzle harmlessly into the air.

I charged forward as well until I was close enough to again brand the ground around both Mirri and I with my Cleansing Ritual. I then cast my first Blazing Spear and immediately chased it with a heavy attack from Carsomyr.

Mirri slashed, taunted and was able to interrupt several of Drodda’s spells.

Drodda’s ward absorbed much – but not all – of our damage and I could see we were inflicting small cracks in her ward. She laughed. “The chill of ice runs through my veins!” With that she suddenly vanished.

A moment later, Drodda reappeared a short distance away from us.

Before Mirri could use her gap closer to interrupt and reengage our foe, Drodda pointed a finger at Mirri and cast a pulse of ice magic into my partner.

To my horror, Mirri turned the color of ice and froze solid in mid stride.

All I could do was continue my attacks and hope that my Cleansing Ritual would do its job. Sure enough, within a couple of very long seconds, the ice was purged from Mirri and she immediately gap closed into Drodda.

I ran close enough to recast Cleansing Ritual so it would encompass our new position and resumed dealing damage.

Drodda was wounded now, but not seriously so. Her ice ward, however, now hosted numerous cracks. I hoped it would fail soon and that we could finish her before she could recast it.

Our opponent managed to block Mirri’s next taunt with her staff. Before my partner could try again, a beam from the witch’s staff reached out for me. I found myself lifted slightly off the ground as my limbs flailed helplessly. Unable to maintain my grip on Carsomyr, the weapon disappeared. The contingency feature of my Cleansing Ritual activated, automatically recasting the spell below my feet. I realized the spell she channeled into me was continuously renewing her curse faster than my Ritual could purge it. The good news was that maintaining the spell required her full focus, which allowed Mirri to attack with impunity and continue wearing down Drodda’s ward.

The beam seemed to target my very essence or spirit, attempting to siphon both my life and magicka into Drodda. I recognized it as necromantic magic and, likely, similar to the spell she had been using to drain Phantom. That explained her fairly recent interest in necromancy. Though my body was rendered helpless, my ability as a paladin to resist evil directed against my spirit thwarted Drodda’s attempt to recharge her resources from me.

Thankfully, Mirri was soon able to bash the end of Drodda’s staff and disrupt the beam. I dropped to the ground but managed to remain on my feet. I thought of Carsomyr and closed my fingers around the materializing weapon. I recast Cleansing Ritual and resumed dealing damage while Mirri successfully retaunted our foe.

Drodda suddenly disappeared again, quickly reappearing several horse lengths away. She used the brief respite from Mirri to cast another spell before Mirri slammed shield-first into her again.

Once again, I raced forward and repositioned my Ritual on the ground.

The nature of Drodda’s spell became apparent as a pair of ice wraiths materialized. As flyers, I knew they would not be immobilized by my Blazing Spear. Instead, I closed the distance to Mirri and began casting and recasting Blazing Spear on the ground at her feet – where it damaged both ice wraiths as well as Drodda. With both of us bolstered by the healing and shielding of my Ritual, I trusted Mirri’s armor and shield to further protect her as I cast Healing Ward on myself. During the brief time it took for my Blazing Spears to finish the ice wraiths, their attacks against me fell harmlessly against my ward.

By now, Drodda's ice ward was badly damaged. When she grasped a potion from her belt, Mirri bashed it out of her hand. I imagined our foe was very low on magicka - likely from using so much of her power trying to drain my magicka into herself with no success and Mirri causing her to waste magcika by repeatedly interrupting her spells.

When I channeled Radiant Glory into her ward, it finally shattered. Without her icy protections, Drodda was just another fragile mage. Mirri’s next slash gruesomely laid her open from one shoulder to the opposite hip.

Drodda stopped. The staff fell from her hand and she looked down at herself in dismay. She crumpled to her knees then fell face forward.

Mirri turned the dying witch over with the toe of her boot and raised her blade in preparation for a killing blow.

“Stay your weapon,” I said, “for the evil within her has fled.” I opened my hand, dispelling Carsomyr.

Mirri lifted an eyebrow sharply and gave me a dubious glance but took a step back – her blade still at the ready. “Give me a reason, witch, and I’ll finish your fetching arse before your next breath.”

I knelt beside Drodda. Rather than the iced-hardened face with white hair of the witch we had just fought, I now looked into the soft features of a young blond woman. Her blue eyes drifted to the winter mage robe I wore and she reached out to clutch it. “I. . . my family. . . my guild.” Tears filled her eyes. “Hreinhilde. . . she was my friend. T-tell her I’m sor-“ Her eyes closed and her hand fell from my robe.

I laid both hands upon her but it was too late. “I will tell her. . . Dreanna. Be at peace, for you are free now.”

Acadian’s telepathic words reminded me of our purpose here. ’The power that Drodda managed to siphon from Phantom has been returned to the corpse of our ice dragon.’

I glanced at the amplification crystals Drodda had been using to enhance her efforts and noted they were indeed now inert. As my gaze turned to the frozen corpse of Phantom, I felt a gauntleted hand on my shoulder and heard Mirri say, “This is your dragon. And Kynareth’s. I’ll give you some privacy to say goodbye”

I nodded. As I drew close to Phantom, I was nearly brought to my knees by a massive surge of power transferring from the ice dragon’s corpse to the dragon-mare’s spirit within me.

As I recovered, Acadian silently informed me, ’The proximity of Phantom’s body and spirit has allowed what you just felt, Buffy. Her corpse is now devoid of residual magicka.’

“Wise,” I whispered, “given how close we just came to losing her.”

The massive dragon rested exactly as she had fallen some three and a half millennia ago. One wing was partially wrapped around her dislodged rider – Acadian. I knelt beside the body of the old paladin. He wore full armor and helm, but I saw no weapons . . . . Then I remembered he carried Carsomyr, which now served me. At his hip was a leather pouch from which protruded the furry white face of a small frozen. . . creature.

In answer to my unspoken but obvious question, Acadian offered, ’She was my familiar.’

“And might this familiar have had a name?”

There was a long pause before his silent answer. ’Buffy.’

“Me?” I replied as both hands found my hips. “You somehow thought it was fine not to have told me that in our previous life, I was a . . . a skeever?!?”

’You were not a skeever, Buffy; you were an ermine - a beautiful and clever creature, able to pick any lock and retrieve items from areas far too small for me to access.’

I knelt down to examine the ermine more closely. “Well, she was kind of cute I guess. It’s just that. . . I’ve often wondered what role I played in our last life together, Acadian. I had imagined that of daughter, sister, squire, adventuring partner, perhaps even lover. Certainly not a furry thief.”

I stood. It was subtle, but Acadian was in pain – and only now did I realize why. “I-I’m sorry, my old paladin. My self-centered preoccupation with this ermine allowed me to overlook your feelings. Though you try to conceal it, coming upon your corpse and that of your dragon mount must bring great sadness to you.”

There was an ominous sound from above – ancient ice beginning to crack.

“Buffy!” Mirri was running toward me. “We’ve got to get out of here – now!” A slab of ice the size of Superian reinforced her words by falling to the ground and exploding into frozen shards.

I urgently commanded, “Willow, into my pouch! Mirri, take my hand!” As my companions did as I bid, I beckoned to the frozen ground for the leaves of my tree. As they appeared and circled upward, a golden glow captured my feet, then legs while I swirled my free hand ever higher. Even as more massive pieces of the cavern’s frozen ceiling crashed around us the glow continued to rise. As it reached my fingertips, the collapsing frozen cavern disappeared to be replaced with shards of blue sky that penetrated forest canopy, the beautiful green of countless ferns and palms, the familiar stable outside Elden Root and a bewildered looking Mirri.

And blessed warmth!

[Lopov]

When Mirri got covered in ice, I feared for a second that it's permanent.

At least before her death Dreanna "came to her senses" for a short time.

Definitely a special event in Buffy's life, seeing the corpse of her guardian paladin.

Buffy the familiar!

Time to warm up, time to rest and time to eventually return back to present times, I guess.

[Grits]

Mirri’s verbal taunts are a delight. If I ever play a tank, the experience will be enriched by the memory of Mirri’s trash talk.

Buffy and Mirri worked together beautifully. I love that Buffy’s inherent abilities as Kynareth’s paladin let her resist Drodda’s curse even though her body dangled in the air.

I’m glad that Dreanna had at least a moment to be herself again.

I was prepared for the emotional punch of Buffy’s encounter with Phantom’s corpse. And I thought that possibly Acadian might be there in the ice with her. But then…

“And might this familiar have had a name?”

There was a long pause before his silent answer. ’Buffy.’

Yeah, I’m still crying over this part. I seriously just had to stop and blow my nose again.

And then Buffy had me laughing over her reaction. Laughing through tears! *standing ovation*

This post has been edited by Grits: Jun 4 2025, 08:46 PM

[SubRosa]

“Who disturbs my concentration?”
I heard this in the Nord Female voice from Skyrim.

Buffy's anti-popsicle magic strikes me as being prudent. Between that and Mirri opener to close the distance between her and Droddy the Dragon Sucker certainly starts things out well.

Uh oh, things certainly changed quickly. I wonder is Drodda actually teleporting? Or is she somehow traveling through the ice, disappearing one place into it, and reappearing from it in another?

Thankfully Buffy's thawing magic does indeed work. Captain America could have used that for those decades he spent frozen solid after WWII...

Drodda sure is a handful. However, it seems that forcing her to focus her attention on one or the other members of the Dynamic Duo will likely be her downfall. She cannot defeat them both at once.

And that does it. It was kind of Buffy to give Dreanna the grace of a few last moments to ask for forgiveness, ala Darth Vader/Anakin and Luke.

Getting to finally meet the mortal remains of Phantom and Acadian was a real treat. As the kids today would say, it gave me the feels. And another Buffy too!

With this chapter closed, I forsee a whole new world for Buffy to explore.

[haute ecole rider]

And now the circle feels complete - Phantom, Acadian and little Buffy the ermine! I have to admit this gave me chills right here.

Too bad Buffy never met a real ermine - these are absolutely charming creatures, much like our Buffy herself!

A fitting end to a real boss fight - I admit to experiencing memories of the first few times I fought Drodda as part of my team in ESO - she was a tough one to figure out!

[Acadian]

Previously- Buffy and Mirri finally engaged Drodda in a battle that required every bit of the teamwork the pair had developed to date. As the witch fell, Buffy sensed the evil within her flee. The dying words Buffy heard were those of Dreanna. The magicka that had been siphoned from Phantom, as well as what residual magicka remained in the dragon’s corpse, was transferred to Phantom’s spirit within Buffy. As Buffy examined the frozen corpses of Phantom and the dragon’s rider, Acadian, she noted a third corpse – that of a snow ermine. Acadian informed that the ermine was actually Buffy from their last life and that she served as his familiar. Their conversation was interrupted as the cavern began to collapse around them. Buffy managed to collect Mirri and Willow before using her ability to recall to Elden Root.

Lopov- Buffy’s relief was immense when the ‘purge’ ability of her Cleansing Ritual was able cleanse Drodda’s ‘turn to ice’ spell from Mirri. Yes, Buffy will have to decide whether to stay in the Second Era or return to the future.

Grits- It really did take everything Buffy and Mirri had between the two of them to defeat Drodda. Thankfully, Buffy’s paladin ability to detect evil allowed her to detect that the evil within Drodda fled when she received those mortal injuries. That at least gave Dreanna a brief respite to say farewell. The scene where Buffy – hands on hips - takes Acadian to task for not telling her she used to be . . . ‘a Skeever?!?’ has been planned for years. This was a perfect opportunity to share it.

SubRosa- I’m glad the ‘Who disturbs my concentration?’ line from Drodda had an impact. Between being unexpected and Drodda’s ominous tone, it nearly scared the pee out of Buffy! Buffy’s significant use of heavy attacks during combat does well at keeping her magicka topped off. Apparently, Drodda didn’t get that far in her guild studies.

Rider- I’m glad the scene of Buffy encountering the corpses of Phantom, Acadian and herself had an impact. I feel as if it both opened and closed a piece of their past. The final fight with Drodda was, as you know, fairly close to in game. It pretty well supported what I was trying to show and didn’t really need significant changing.

*

We now begin the final part of our book, which consists of four episodes.

* * *

~ Part Five – Unfinished Business ~

Episode 43

Our first order of business was a bath in the lake which fed the tree’s roots. We proceeded to the area of shoreline that served as Elden Root’s public bathing area. I reached into my mage pouch but was rebuked by Willow. I tried, “I’d like some soaproot please.” That worked better, and she quickly emerged with some. We then removed everything we wore and, kneeling in the shallows, washed it all. After piling our wet gear together on the shore, we swam out into the lake to wash ourselves and our hair.

Willow flittered over us for a time before diving in. After surfacing, she splashed and played in the water.

Once satisfied, we leisurely returned to the shore, where I summoned a pair of towels. All three of us basked in the sun, Willow slowly fluttering her wings to help them dry.

Mirri said to me, “You know, you’re even smaller without your clothes on.”

I replied, “And I think you’re going to carry those bruises around for a while. Would you like me to ease them for you?”

Mirri looked down at herself. “No, my skin tone hides them pretty well and they don’t hurt.” She then added, “Do you have a comb?” After I summoned one, she had me sit while she knelt behind me and combed out my hair. “Buffy, while you were paying respects to your ice dragon, I noticed she carried a rider?”

“That was Sir Acadian, another paladin of Kynareth – Kyne - at the time.”

Mirri was quiet for a few moments, then said, “If you carry the spirit of his mount, where did his spirit go?”

It was my turn to be silent.

Eventually, Mirri said, “Don’t tell me that his spirit resides within you as well? I mean it wouldn’t surprise me I suppose. You already carry the spirits of a butterfly, dragon, horse, probably your magical staff. . . there’s a lot going on inside that little body of yours.”

Finally, I said, “Very well then. I won’t tell you that I carry the spirit of the old paladin, Acadian, within me.” I got up to my knees and circled my finger. “Give me that comb, turn around and sit.”

As I combed out Mirri’s chestnut hair, she perceptively moved on to another subject. “So, what’s our next step? Collect a reward from the Arch Mage perhaps?”

“Mirri, I don’t think I mentioned a reward.”

“Well. . . you’re right I suppose. We did bring back some pricy equipment from our foes though. That’ll help.”

“Help what?” I asked. “Forgive me, Mirri, but your needs seem even simpler than mine. What do you do with the gold you seem rather keen on gathering?” Mirri’s hair was now fully combed out. Willow joined me in weaving it into a single plait.

“My father, back in Gnisis, makes a living running a small trading business. He refuses to deal in the slave trade though which is where the real gold is. I agree with and admire his choice, but it significantly hampers his ability to turn a profit. Mother’s an adventuress – when she’s not pregnant - but too flighty and disorganized to earn much more than her expenses.”

“So,” I injected, “you send a hefty portion of the gold you earn home to help them.”

She nodded.

“Stop moving your head,” I admonished. “We’re almost finished back here. Thank you for telling me, Mirri. Dagail said you have a noble heart and she’s right. There.” I got to my feet. “All done.”

Mirri stood as well and pointed at our jumbled pile of wet clothes and armor. “What about that?”

I filled one hand with alteration magic and spilled it over the pile. “All dry.”

Mirri knelt down and poked through our gear. “You’re right!”

I summoned my storage trunk, stowed my cold weather clothing, slipped into my silk and buckskin outfit, then helped Mirri with the rather involved process of armoring her up.

“So, Buffy. . . if that spell can dry our gear, why didn’t you use it to dry us?”

“I’m not the alteration master that Dagail is,” I began. “The only such spell I know removes entirely too much moisture to use on us. I’m afraid we’d end up resembling those dried figs we bought in Windhelm.”

“Oh. . . that would not be good,” she agreed. “Shall we turn that equipment we picked up into gold as we figure out what’s next?”

When we reached the second level of the tree and found the blacksmith, I retrieved the daedric armor and maul for Mirri. “Let’s split up,” I said, “I’ll go see if I can find a vendor interested in that star-shaped key to Direfrost Keep’s lower levels.”

Once we completed our tasks, we got back together to divide our proceeds. I offered to tilt the split in favor of Mirri, given her family’s situation, but was rebuked with a stern, “Right down the middle, partner.”

We then relaxed at the tavern near the tree’s wayshrine. Mirri enjoyed a goblet of wine while I sipped on bergamot tea and laid out my plans. “First, I’m going to Windhelm to inform Ciceri and Hreinhilde of Dreanna’s fate. Then I’ll keep my promise to visit Dagail in Leyawiin. Next I’ll seek out Praxedes Rousseau, palatinus of the Mages Guild, and let her know our quest was successful. She can advise the Arch Mage if she wishes.”

Mirri chuckled. “After hearing you and Ciceri talk about Arch Mage Galerion, he sounds like someone to avoid.”

I thought for a moment and tempered my reply, “Well, he is rather a challenge to deal with.” I continued, “Finally, I’ll consult with Kynareth, for she is already aware of our success.”

“Given your itinerary, this might be a good time for me to head back to Vvardenfell and visit my parents.”

“I’m sure they’ll enjoy seeing you, Mirri, and I bet you’ll enjoy that more than tagging along with me through various Mages Guildhalls.”

“Well, I was trying to be polite,” she joked.

“How about breakfast right here in a tenday?” I offered. “That should give us plenty of time to tend to our affairs. I mean. . . that is, if you still want to continue our partnership?”

Mirri looked surprised, then her blue-gray skin darkened in what I now recognized as a Dunmeri blush. “Am I that awkward with my feelings, Buffy? It seems like we’ve traveled together far longer than we actually have. I. . . I’ve never fought with someone that I so completely trust with my life, never having to look behind me to know you’re there. I don’t relish the prospect of trying to find another partner who understands and tolerates me as you do. I need a mage to complement my skills and you . . . well, you’ve become a dear friend. Of course, I want us to continue.”

“Likewise, my friend. It’s a date then. Oh, I have something for you.” I then turned to Willow and added, “Mirri’s gift, if you please.” The nixad retrieved a book from my mage pouch which I handed to Mirri.

“The Real Barenziah?!? You remembered both my love for books and even the quote I offered when we were talking about the difficulties elves have conceiving. Where and when did you find this?”

I smiled. “That’s why I split us up earlier. I got it from a book vendor next to the antiquities dealer to whom I sold our Direfrost key.”

“Thank you, Buffy. I’m afraid I didn’t get you anything.”

“You’re wrong, Mirri. The residual magic from Phantom’s corpse is now safely stored within her spirit that I carry inside. I expect her corpse is well-protected beneath an entire glacier. I told you there are secrets that I must keep but, be assured, the impact of what we have accomplished is much greater than simply stopping a rogue mage. I could never have completed Kynareth’s quest without you.”

“Let’s head our separate ways – for now – before you make me cry, Buffy.”

We walked together to the wayshrine. I said, “See you in a tenday then.”

Mirri nodded, placed one hand on the wayshrine and was off to Morrowind.

I then stepped up to the wayshrine. A few moments later, I was in Windhelm, making my way to the guildhall.

*

The following morning, it was another goodbye. This time to Guildmagister Ciceri.

“Buffy, I’ll make sure Windhelm’s magistrate learns the fate of the Direfrost Clan so he can make efforts to notify any kin.”

“Thank you, Ciceri,” I replied. “What will you do with that Direfrost mage’s journal?”

“I think I’ll burn it. Letting it be known that the Direfrost Clan perished at the hands of Drodda is enough. Neither the reputations of those clansmen nor of my mages need suffer further by publicizing the details of Drodda’s depravity.”

I nodded my agreement.

“Thank you for your concurrence, Buffy,” she continued, “and for letting us know that, at the very end, our sweet Dreanna returned. Her dying words that you relayed to Hreinhilde mean a great deal to her.”

“Hreinhilde has a gentle, caring spirit,” I replied. “She’ll make a fine healer. Farewell, Ciceri.”

[SubRosa]

All cleaned up after a long day of smiting.

I guess one advantage of being blue to begin with, is that when you are black and blue, no one notices half of it!

You can pack so many spirits into this one little Wood Elf!

I love that Buffy can't use her dry spell on people, because they would end up as mummies! Seriously though, it is good to have limits.

That was a nice temporary parting with Mirri. Given that Buffy deliberately left the door open to continuing their partnership, which Mirri took, I believe that she has already made up her mind to remain in the 2nd Age.

[Grits]

”You know, you’re even smaller without your clothes on.”

I can see how Mirri might have lost past partners to her rather blunt and outspoken ways.

It’s great to have Acadian’s presence be an open secret between them, rather than something Buffy must hide.

I am delighted to learn that Buffy, Willow, and Mirri plan to continue their partnership!

[Lopov]

Mirri is right - there are a lot of spirits in Buffy's small body.

I didn't expect that Buffy will remain in the 2nd Age but it pleases me. I assume that the Book 5 will also take place in the 2nd Age.

[Kane]

I've missed a few chapters but the events in the keep wrapped up very nicely! And I look forward to the continuing adventures of Buffy and Mirri!

[Acadian]

Previously- After escaping from Direfrost Keep, Buffy and Mirri enjoyed a bath at Elden Root while they continued to learn more about each other. Since Buffy’s plans involved visiting several Mages Guildhalls, Mirri decided to visit her parents in Vvardenfell. The pair agreed to meet again at Elden Root in a tenday. Buffy’s first stop was Windhelm, where she notified Guildmagister Ciceri of Drodda/Dreana’s fate.

SubRosa- Now I have an image of Mirri slapping Buffy on top of the head and filling her full of spaghetti. How astute of you to notice Buffy forming bonds that suggest what her answer will be when Kynareth asks her to decide whether to stay in the Second Era or return to the future. I think you’ll find the next few episodes continue to foretell her choice even without her realizing it.

Grits- Buffy was quite caught off guard by both Mirri’s question about Acadian and how readily she guessed what likely happened to his spirit. Probably just as well since it looks like they’ll be continuing the partnership and have developed quite a bit of mutual trust.

Lopov- As I mentioned to SubRosa, though Buffy hasn’t yet thought about her future it seems clear she’s subconsciously forming bonds that will likely draw her to stay. Joining the Elden Root Tribe and agreeing to continue her partnership with Mirri are a couple examples. We’ll see more of that in these final few episodes.

Kane- Thank you! Yes, after a hard (and cold!) dungeon slog, it was nice to have some girl time on the lake with Mirri.

* * *

Episode 44

“Buffeeee!”

Despite bracing myself, Dagail’s impact carried both of us into the wall behind me.

“Don’t squeeze the juice out of me,” I managed to gasp with her arms tightly wrapped around me.

Dagail quickly held me at arms’ length to inspect for damage.

Able to breathe again, I gently pulled her back to me as we hugged again. “I’m glad to see you too, my friend.”

At length, we released each other. “I’ve really missed you, Buffy. Do you want me to tell you the news? We’ve had plenty of rain but, as you know, it’s a nice sunny day out today. Orranvir’s sold quite a few of your potions already. I got this new dress,” she paused to hold out her arms and twirl around once, “Do you think it makes my butt look big?”

Before I could open my mouth, she continued, “That Ivory Brigade Captain? Rian Liore I think his name is? Well, he stopped by a couple times asking questions about you. I couldn’t tell if his interest is because he’s still suspicious about your mysterious arrival or whether maybe he’s sweet on you. He is kind of handsome, I suppose, if you like that strong, sort of noble type. Either way, I didn’t spill any of your acorns. Nope, not one.”

“Thanks, I know I can trust your discretion, Dagail.” I smiled as I recalled the handsome Captain. Could he. . . don’t be silly, Buffy. He’s just doing his job, investigating strangers. After all, -

Dagail grabbed my hand. “Come upstairs to my – I mean our – room so you can tell me what you’ve been up to.”

Once she was seated on the lower bunk and I on a chair facing her, I said, “My quest was successful.”

“You stopped Drodda, then! That’s wonderful news. I – but, Buffy, why aren’t smiling?”

“Hers was a sad tale, Dagail. She was naturally gifted with a remarkable talent for ice magic that far outpaced her ability to control it. Her efforts too often resulted in unintended tragic outcomes. She grew bitter and, eventually, embraced her power without regard for the consequences, and it consumed her.”

Dagail nodded. “Though she was much more dangerous than I, living with an ability that is both blessing and curse is familiar to me.”

“The experience,” I said, “has given me some appreciation for and understanding of the discipline and wisdom you exert to control your gift of being a seer.”

“Thank you, Buffy. Though I live with the knowledge that someday my ability will overtake me, I’m thankful that I also know its only casualty will be me. But cracked acorns! Enough of this morbid talk. How did you like Elden Root?”

“It’s magnificent! As soon as I saw it, I could feel the tree calling me. . . home. I’m now a member of the Elden Root tribe.”

“Oh, that’s great news, Buffy!”

“So, Dagail, do you belong to a tribe?”

She shook her head. “No. My parents belonged to one of the Green Pact tribes, though they ignored some of the restrictions. That whole Green Pact stuff just doesn’t make sense to me. I mean you can eat a deer but not grass or leaves . . . but what does a deer eat? Grass and leaves! How silly is that? Or drinking the juice from rotting meat? Eewww. Building houses out of leather and bones? Phfft! At least I’m not a hypocrite, claiming to follow the Green Pact while sneaking salads and sweetrolls. Oh, and don’t even get me started about – ugh – eating my foes after defeating them. Not that I have any foes. Or that I could defeat them if I did, mind you.”

I chuckled. “I’m thankful that the creed of the Cloud Dancers doesn’t conflict with my own.”

“So Buffy, now that your quest is done, have you decided whether you’ll return to the future or stay here?”

“I. . . know that decision is looming, but I honestly haven’t had much time to think about it. In fact, I still need to call upon the guild’s palatinus to report my success. Then I'll consult with Acadian to help decide our future. Finally, I'll need to talk with Kynareth.”

“As a seer, I won’t say anything to influence you except that I’ll be here as your friend in either time.”

I took her hand. “I know, Dagail. No matter where the wind blows, leaves from the same tree always find each other.”

“Oh,” she said, “I’ll check with my Guildmagister. She’s usually aware of the Arch Mage’s schedule – and I expect Dame Praxedes is not far from him.”

We headed downstairs to forage some dinner. As we passed through the lobby, there was a knock on the guildhall’s door. Dagail opened it and there stood Captain Rian Liore. . . looking just as dashing as I remembered. His eyes moved past Dagail and focused on me. “Good evening, ladies. Might I have a word with Buffy?”

Dagail and I briefly exchanged glances before I replied, “Certainly, Captain.” I then joined him on the porch and closed the door behind me.

“Forgive the intrusion, Buffy. I keep a guard posted near the wayshrine to monitor visitors who don’t arrive through our gates.”

“A prudent precaution, I should think.” I couldn’t decide if he looked a bit nervous. . . or perhaps unsure of himself?

“I was notified earlier today that the ‘lightning-struck little elf’ had returned to Leyawiin – fully clothed this time - and, well, I thought I’d stop by to see how you were doing and if perhaps your memory has returned.”

I found it hard to believe he would simply be checking on my welfare. More likely he was still trying to determine if I was some sort of a threat to his city due to my mysterious arrival. By Kynareth’s wings, he was even more adorable when he fidgeted awkwardly. “I thank you for your kind concern, Captain. I am well, but still remember little from before that lightning storm.”

“I’m pleased you have physically recovered, though sorry your memory continues to elude you. That must be difficult.”

What was he getting at? Had I done something to arouse suspicion? Perhaps a poorly chosen word or gesture noticed by one of his guards? Had someone overheard a revealing conversation between Dagail and I? “I am adjusting, Captain. And bits of my memory do seem to gradually be coming back. As you know, I remembered when I first arrived that I was here to see Dagail and, after talking to her, realized I belong to the Mages Guild. I recently traveled to Grahtwood and now know that I’m also a member of the Elden Root tribe there.”

He nodded. “That makes sense. Your size suggests you hail from one of the graht oak tree tribes. And please call me Rian.”

Inviting me to call him by his first name did not seem suggestive of an interrogation but I was still mystified as to his intentions. “Umm, Rian, I can’t help but notice that you’re staring at me. I hope I don’t have a smudge on my face or such?”

“I. . . just. . . damn, you’re even more beautiful than I remember!” He blushed deeply and looked as though his own words had surprised him. “Forgive me, Buffy. That was out of line.”

His words and manner were simply too awkward to be anything but honest. This handsome soldier wasn’t investigating me, he was attracted to me! I smiled. “Why, Rian, are you flirting with me?”

He nodded. “And not very well, I’m afraid. I mean, my words are true enough.” He took a step closer. “Buffy, I was wondering if some evening, when you’re not busy, you might consider sharing dinner with me at one of the local taverns?”

I felt my heart speed up. “I’m afraid I must prepare this evening to leave tomorrow on guild business.” I quickly added, “Next time I’m in Leyawiin, however, I’d like that. Very much.”

“I shall await your return then, Buffy.”

“Good night, Rian,” I said. Without thinking, I stood on my toes and kissed his cheek, then quickly slipped back into the safety of the guildhall. Life in the Second Era was getting complicated.

[SubRosa]

Wow, it has been 44 episodes. The time seems to have just flown by.

Young Dagail makes an impact. A juice-squeezing one. It is nice seeing her in her youth, before her abilities wore away at her faculties.

I don't think it is physically possible to make a Bosmer butt big...

No matter where the wind blows, leaves from the same tree always find each other.
This is a lovely saying.

And Captain Rian Johnson Liore is back. I am sure he just wants to cast Buffy in the next Knives Out movie. And is totally not thirsting for her. Totally. Life in the Second Age is certainly complicated indeed

[Grits]

Dagail is an absolute riot. I adore her.

He is kind of handsome, I suppose, if you like that strong, sort of noble type.

It seems a pretty safe bet that Buffy does like that type, as long as he’s as noble in spirit as he is in looks. What a charming exchange as Captain Rian makes his interest known.

A date! A kiss on the cheek! That’s the good kind of complicated. Buffy has been carefully truthful about her situation, but I can see how having to guard her words might be a strain while they’re getting to know each other.

Fingers crossed that Buffy's meeting with Dame Praxedes won't have too much Arch Mage attached to it!

[haute ecole rider]

I'm glad to hear that Buffy and Mirri are considering continuing their partnership beyond the all-too-short quest to rescue Phantom's spirit from Drodda's grasp. I wonder if Mirri's return will lead to a new little quest involving her family . . .

As for Rian Liore, hmmmm, he certainly is Buffy's type, yes? Wait until the assault on Leyawiin! Or will that be part of Buffy's ongoing story? Considering that Mehrunes Dagon drives this part of the ESO story, it would be almost poetic for Buffy to be caught up again in a quest to stop her (Matius's) former nemesis. Hmmm, I imagine it would stir up all kinds of feelings if Buffy did go down that road . . .

Of course, you are the writer listening to what Buffy has to say. Ultimately it is HER story, not mine . . .

[Kane]

Love (and gossip) is in the air! I wonder if that particular breeze is strong enough to make Buffy consider staying in the second era for a while? She ought to have quite the lifespan, so a romantic dalliance with a human is ultimately fleeting, as morbid a truth as that is.