Teresa of the Faint Smile, Adventures of a Stringy Bosmer Options

[McBadgere]

As brilliant as ever... ...

Love the internal debate she had in the last part...Nicely done...

Also loving Storm-Tail...He's another one that just grabbed me...Excellent characterisations in this...So brilliant...

Definately loving the return of TFS...

Nice one!!..

*Applauds heartily*...

[SubRosa]

haute ecole rider: Pappy is definitely not going to give those gobbies a fair fight if he can help it. He is here to win after all. Slitting people's throats while they are asleep is an ugly business, no matter how you slice it. So it was important to me to show Teresa's inner conflict over doing it. I am sure that she never would have done it if they were simply bandits or enemy soldiers. Nor would Pappy have ordered it against people. But as Julian knows all too well, goblins are not people... Also as you noted, it was indeed my intent to show that even the best laid plans of mice and guild commanders often go awry.


Acadian: It is indeed much easier to kill people from a distance than up close. As you said, you don't have to look them in the eye, or see them as being people. Like Buffy, Teresa is used to shooting at targets. Getting close enough to smell them is definitely not something her conscience enjoys. But as you said, she has the stones to do it when she has to. Seeing the handiwork of the goblins makes it much easier!


Taaron: Teresa is firmly in Cyrodiil, at the end of the Third Era. I had the time to glance over Tamriel Reborn when you first posted it, but have not had time to really read it all. The truth is I simply do not have the time to read all the stories here that I want to. Not with how things are where I work.


liliandra nadiar: Those stealth specialists are indeed caught between that rock and the hard place. Teresa worse of all, which we will see next.


King Coin: When the inevitable goes wrong indeed! That is what usually happens after all. As you said, that is why they all have potions. You also called it with the reason for not shooting the sentries. Teresa's composite bow especially makes a lot of noise. Plus there are three. Besides, you always see it that way in the war movies, with the commandos sneaking up with their knives.


Grits: I am relieved that Storm-Tail is coming across as an interesting characters. I have admitted before that he is one I have troubles with portraying, because so much about Argonians a blank slate in the game. So I try to focus on how he is physiologically different from the others, and how that makes his behaviour different as well.


McBadgere: I am glad to see another vote for Storm-Tail. I think I missed an opportunity with him a few episodes back. I should have had Pappy tell Teresa to take him with her in her night-time scouting expedition, to give Storm-Tail some more experience. Then I could have given him some more stage time. But I really do not want to go back and change it either.


Previously On Teresa of the Faint Smile: Our last episode found the Fighters Guild making a stealth assault upon the goblin camp. Teresa, Tadrose, and Storm-Tail (the stealthiest in the guild) began by slitting the throats of the goblin sentries. Then they went to work killing the sleeping goblins while the rest of the guild waited, ready to rush in if things when wrong. Which is exactly what happened when a goblin awoke for a late night snack and discovered what was happening. In spite of being slain by one of Riveus' arrows, the goblin fell over the fire spit, making such a racket the rest of the goblin camp woke up. Now Teresa finds herself cut off from the rest of the guild, and surrounded by the monsters...


Chapter 43.9 – Hand of Fire

"Fighters Guild!" Pappy's voice reverberated through the night air. "Forward!"

Teresa saw her guild mates break cover on the opposite side of the camp. They did not race forward, but instead marched in a long line. Each fighter remained in formation, creating a solid wall that steadily drove forward. When they encountered a lean-to, they simply smashed it down and trampled over the ruins. The goblins fared no better against their ranks, and swords, axes, and maces drove the creatures into the dust.

But they were on the wrong side of the camp. Tadrose and Storm-Tail - having been nearer to that side of the camp to begin with - were quick to join the line. But even though Teresa had been working her way back toward the others, half of the site still remained. That left the forester alone in the midst of the pack. While many of the goblins nearest Pappy and the other fighters woke and immediately flung themselves upon their line, the others turned their eyes upon Teresa.

She knew she needed to join the others. But she also knew that she could not get through all of the goblins to do that. She sprang for the woods, certain that she could lose the creatures in the trees. But a goblin stepped in front of her. It wore a crude breastplate of sewn-together bones, and carried a heavy club whose inner edge was lined with sharpened tooth-shaped wedges of flint.

Long hours of training with Pappy took over Teresa's muscles. The goblin swung at her, and she deftly moved to one side. She swept her dagger out in the opposite direction, and did not stop the club with its blade, so much as push it just far enough out of the way to miss her. The goblin staggered forward, off balance, and Teresa stepped right up to it. Her left hand grabbed the creature by its long, greasy hair and yanked back. Her right hand brought up her dagger, and buried it in the monster's throat.

She pushed the still-thrashing creature down to the ground, and jumped over its body. The loud thunk of an arrow sinking home into flesh reverberated in her ears. A glance back revealed a goblin falling to the ground just a pace away from her, a legion arrow buried in its back. Teresa made a mental note to thank Riveus after the battle was over. If she survived.

More goblins moved to bar her path to the trees, and her feet came to a halt. She turned this way and that, but everywhere she looked, the small, green monsters closed in on her. She was trapped!

With her free hand, she reached into one of the pouches attached to the hip of her armor. She drew forth a scroll, and fumbled with the ribbon binding it shut. She wondered which Aedra it might summon? A sylph could carry her aloft, she knew, out of the goblin's reach. A salamander could simply burn them to a crisp. Whatever it was, it was better than being alone against the goblins.

The beating of great leathery wings sounded in the night. Before Teresa could open her scroll, she looked up to see the Winged Twilight - Kireteki - swooping down from the sky. It reached out for her with clawed feet, and the next thing Teresa knew, it had locked both around her shoulders.

She found herself borne aloft a moment later. She watched as the goblins rushed into the empty space where she had been an instant before. Teresa shuddered. She had been that close to being killed. If not for the Daedra…

Teresa looked up over her shoulder, at the dusky skin of the otherworldy creature that carried her through the air. The forester had to grudgingly admit that she possessed a certain kind of exotic - if somewhat frightening - beauty. As if bidden by her thoughts, the Twilight looked down and locked her liquid red eyes upon her own.

"Thank you," Teresa said as they swooped across the goblin camp, toward the line of advancing fighters.

"Do not thank me mortal," the Daedra said in her soft, silky voice. "I merely do as my mistress bids."

Then they neared the ground once more, and when they were a few feet away Teresa felt Kireteki's claws release her. She dropped to the dirt, and fell to one knee before she regained her balance. By then the Winged Twilight had swooped away, back to the goblins. Teresa rose to her feet and stared after the Daedra. She watched as the Winged Twilight lifted one of the goblins much as herself. Only this one she released after flying much higher above the ground, leaving it to plummet to its doom below.

Teresa took a moment to wipe the blade of her dagger clean, and slid it back into its sheath on her chest. Taking up a position on the opposite side of the line from Riveus, she drew Ravenfeeder and readied an arrow. Then she began firing. Not upon the goblins that rushed forward to engage her comrades, but rather at those who fled. She drove arrow after arrow into the backs of the monsters as they tried to escape, until finally there were none left to shoot.

"Did any get away?" Pappy called out from his position in the center of the line.

"I fear so," Ancondil replied, even as others shrugged their shoulders. Teresa noted that the goblin war chief lay dead at the Orisimer's feet. The monster's head was smashed to a pulp, and the elven war hammer that the orc held casually left little doubt as to the cause. He lifted Persuader with one hand and used it to point to the woods to the north. "I believe I saw two escape that way."

"Shor's bones…" Pappy grumbled. Then his eyes went to Kireteki. The Winged Twilight stood with Saya, wings now furled up at her sides. Teresa noted that the Dunmer conjurer's mace was now stained black with goblin blood. Apparently the new battlemage did indeed have what it took.

"You, Daedra!" The Colovian snapped his fingers at the Winged Twilight. "Fall in over here. I've got an idea. Teresa, Riveus, you too."

Kireteki simply stared back at the guild commander. She lifted one eyebrow with a look of such elegant disdain that Teresa almost found herself smiling faintly at the sight. Yet unlike the Winged Twilight, Teresa made quick tracks to stand beside the Colovian, as did Riveus.

"Go ahead," Saya said quietly in the Daedra's ear. "Do as he says."

The Winged Twilight took her time to saunter over to where Pappy and the others now stood. Her eyes burned like coals. Teresa could not read the emotion within them. If the Daedra even possessed feelings like mortals at all. The guild commander appeared unfazed however, and if the otherworldly creature's defiance bothered him, he gave no sign.

"Pick up Teresa and Riveus and fly out north of here, past those goblins," he said. "They'll be making for the mine. Go about a half mile out and set them down. Then just wait, and bushwhack 'em when they come along. My bet is that the goblins will be too busy looking behind them, to see what's in front."

"Wait," Saya stepped closer. "The summoning might not last long enough. Let me extend it." The dark elf stood next to her Daedra, and lifted one hand skyward. Purple energy leeched from her fingers, and showered down upon the Winged Twilight. The Daedra stretched like a cat in the sun as the magicka bathed her, and for a moment Teresa thought a smile as faint as any of her own might have flitted across Kireteki's features.

Saya leaned forward, and said something in the Daedra's ear too low for any other to hear. Again, the Daedra seemed to almost smile, and Teresa noted the way that she leaned closer to the dark elf, close enough to gently brush against her with one wing. Were they indeed lovers after all? Or were they simply sharing some private joke?

Teresa looked for Tadrose, and found the Dunmer by her side. "Be careful," the vice-commander said quietly. She laid a gauntleted hand upon Teresa's arm, and squeezed just hard enough for Teresa to feel it through the hard miran plates that protected her body. Teresa surprised herself, and leaned forward to kiss the dark elf quickly upon the lips.

"Alright, alright, this isn't the temple of Dibella you meatheads!" Pappy barked. "Get moving, we're burning starlight. And the rest of you, form up a line, we're gonna go back through these little fetchers and make sure none are playing possum."

Teresa ignored Pappy, and kept her eyes upon Tadrose. Even stained with blood, sweat, and dirt, she was more radiant than Magnus. The forester's heart soared at the smile that returned her look. She could not contain a broad smile either, and was still grinning when Kireteki's feet latched around her shoulders and lifted her into the air.

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Jun 30 2012, 06:23 PM

[Grits]

The beating of great leathery wings sounded in the night.

Woo hoo, I forgot there was a Daedra on the team! Although she would certainly not describe it that way.

Teresa ignored Pappy, and kept her eyes upon Tadrose. Even stained with blood, sweat, and dirt, she was more radiant than Magnus. The forester's heart soared at the smile that returned her look. She could not contain a broad smile either, and was still grinning when Kireteki's feet latched around her shoulders and lifted her into the air.

Aww, I love this part! So sweet. I have not forgotten that they are on a dangerous mission, though. I hope Teresa and Riveus won’t be too busy looking ahead of them for the goblins they’re going to bushwhack. Aren’t the rest of the goblins in the mine behind them?

Fun and exciting, I’m looking forward to what the rest of the night brings!

[Acadian]

The discipline as Teresa’s guild advanced on line is testimony to Pappy’s relentless training regimen.

Our woodster is cut off and alone! Neat to see Riveus send a timely arrow to her aid. Even better to see that Saya sent her Winged Twilight! Air power is a beautiful thing, is it not? What a perfect rescue – and leave it to our Teresa to look up and check out her rescuer’s Daedric goods! I loved how Kireteki then returned to the fight for some ‘lift and drop’ tactics. Nice touch mentioning that Teresa’s focus then became killing goblins who were trying to escape – that really emphasized how the tide had shifted.

I really enjoyed the nod to Ancondil and his war hammer. He is so wonderfully cultured that one can almost forget the magnificent power and savagery of his beautiful race.

Brilliant of Pappy to task his air asset in support an airborne deep interdiction insertion! Kireteki’s resentment is understandable and I’m glad to see that Saya supported Pappy’s brusque commands. Let me add here how fully and elegantly you’ve brought a summon to life as a full blown character.

Aww, nothing like a kiss for luck before flying into danger. Neither gobs of goblin guts nor a clan of meatheads could stay Teresa’s lips. What an image that conjures!

[Taaron]

I love this story and I love the way you write. Something that I think would be sweet, would be to move the story out of Tamriel. You could have Teresa go to Valenwood or High Rock. It's just a suggestion and it would be really cool.

[King Coin]

When they encountered a lean-to, they simply smashed it down and trampled over the ruins.
Nothing will break the line!

Tadrose and Strom Tail were able to join the line, now all we need to worry about it Teresa. Heading for the forest rather than trying to go through the goblins sounds like a good plan. Pulled out of the goblin pack by the Twilight!

After that, the Twilight’s method of removing goblins reminds me of the dragons in Skyrim.

Teresa’s taking all the ferrying around better than I would! Like Grits, I like that ending very much.

[haute ecole rider]

So Teresa found herself in the same situation as Julian a few years ago! Seems like she got out of it in much better shape than my character did. I'm glad (as Julian is, too) that that summons came to the rescue when she did.

Of course Teresa would check out the goods!

And like the others, I enjoyed the last few lines tremendously! It's obvious Teresa doesn't have any scruples about showing her feelings for the vice commander!

[McBadgere]

Ooooh!!...

Love that save by the Winged Twilight...Damn!!...Wish this was tele... ...Just have to stick with me imagination...*Shudders*...No...Go away you... I mean...

Oh, neermind....

Loved that bit, with T & T...Bless her... ...

Excellently done...Brilliant stuff...Absolutely loving it...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

[SubRosa]

Grits: The rest of the goblins are indeed going to be behind Teresa and Riveus as they hunt the fleeing goblins in the forest. Thankfully, they both know how to use the woods to their advantage.


Acadian: You picked up on one of the things I wanted to stress during the battle, and in the ones that will follow in this chapter. The Bravil Guild is a well-oiled machine, fighting with not only skill, but discipline. All those morning in close-order drill on the parade ground are now reaching their fruition. I also thought you more than anyone else would appreciate the use of air assets by Pappy (given who he is named after, it is almost an imperative! ) That is not the last we will see the Fighters Guild air force in this chapter either.

I am glad that Kireteki is coming across as a character, rather than just a thing that Saya summons. That has always been my goal. I want her to seem like a real person, with her own desires, goals, etc...


Taaron: I am glad you are enjoying TotFS. I have no plans on ever taking her story out of Cyrodiil however. That is her home, and she does not intend upon leaving it. Maybe someday in the distant future Teresa will visit Valenwood, but that would be far outside the scope of this story.


King Coin: I am actually a little surprised that the dragons bother picking people up and dropping them. Their heads are big enough that they could just about swallow a person whole. Like Alduin in this pic, he's got an Imperial engulfed in his mouth. Plus their claws large enough that they just engulf someone with them. You think they could just pop someone like a zit. But it is more cinematic to drop someone from a great height. Kireteki does it because it means she does not have to spend more than a few seconds near the ground, where the goblins can harm her.


haute ecole rider: Some goods are hard to miss when they are hanging right over your head... Teresa almost did suffer Julian's fate. I plotted things that way to show that the gobbies are not pushovers, and even when taken unawares they are fully able to kill even the professionals of the FG.

Those last lines were to show how comfortable Teresa is becoming with public displays of affection. Of course the post-battle euphoria helps to lower inhibitions as well. But she has kissed Tadrose in public, and the world has not come to an end, so do not be surprised to see more of that.


McBadgere: I wish they had the Winged Twilights in Oblivion, or Skyrim even. That way I could have some better screenshots. The Morrowind version leaves plenty to the imagination. Though granted, I can imagine quite a bit... Glad to see I am not the only one.


Previously On Teresa Of The Faint Smile: Our last episode found the goblin camp awakening around Teresa, leaving her trapped within the goblin horde. However, a timely rescue by Kireteki - Saya's Winged Twilight - spirited her to safety. The goblins were vanquished soon after, but some were seen escaping to the north, in the direction of the mine. Inspired by Teresa's rescue, Pappy had Kireteki fly north with Teresa and then Riveus, so that they could head off the fleeing goblins and prevent them from reaching the mine.


Chapter 43.10 – Hand of Fire

The sun was rising when Teresa and Riveus made their way back into the goblin encampment. Kireteki had indeed done as instructed, and carried them safely across the roof of the forest to ambush the escaping goblins. But even though Saya had prolonged the summoning, the Daedra could not remain Nirn-bound forever. After what Teresa imagined might have been three-quarters of an hour, the Winged Twilight simply faded away.

But even without her, Teresa and Riveus had little trouble with the fleeing goblins. True to Pappy's words, they paid little heed to the forest before them. Elven and human arrows sought them out in the dark, and sent them to Oblivion. To be certain none slipped past, the pair spread out, and spent hours searching back and forth through the woods for any sign of the monsters.

"So how did your hunting go?" Tadrose asked when the pair finally returned to the camp. Teresa folded her arms around the slightly taller woman, and gloried in the feeling of her embrace. Teresa imagined that she had used a spell to clean up, and was glad that she had done the same before entering camp herself. They drew apart far too soon, but not quickly enough to avoid a raised eyebrow on the face of the Imperial Forester standing beside Teresa.

"If any of them got past us, they must have had wings." If Riveus thought anything of the two women's embrace, he said nothing untoward.

"Aye," Teresa agreed. "We found no sign of any escaping to the mine."

"Good," Tadrose nodded. "That means we might still have the element of surprise. Come on and get something to eat. We will be moving out to the mine soon."

Riveus walked on into the camp and repeated his report to Pappy. However, Tadrose stopped the wood elf before she could follow him. "Promise me something Teresa." The dark elf's voice was quiet enough that no one else would hear. But it was strong as iron. "No more mistakes like last night."

Teresa felt her cheeks burn hot and studied the tips of her boots. She knew exactly what the vice-commander was talking about. She never should have let herself become trapped in the middle of the goblins. She should have made her way back to the others first, and then started her work of slitting throats. That way the only enemies between her and her guildmates would have been dead ones.

Teresa nodded, and tried to say something in return. But the only sound she could force from her lips was a low murmur that even she could not decipher. A comforting arm slipped around her waist. The wood elf lifted her eyes to find Tadrose smiling faintly back at her.

"Come on," she said softly. "I have some breakfast for you."

Teresa followed the dark elf to an area that had been cleared of goblin bodies. There a small 'fire' of heatstones had been built, and the members of her guild were cooking up a breakfast of sausage links and bacon. The wood elf wrinkled her nose at the smell of the burning meat, and was pleasantly surprised when Tadrose produced a loaf of warm cornbread to share with her, along with two cups of hot Argonian tea. The two women found a spot several paces away from the ad hoc kitchen, and sat down to eat.

Teresa noted that the other fighters were now fully armored, and that Mad Josse and Laberius Maesa had joined them. She could still remember how Pappy had argued with the old Breton to keep him out of the night ambush. She wondered if he would be able to prevent the cantankerous mountain man from joining in the even larger fight ahead?

For now, Teresa was content to sit with Tadrose and enjoy a simple meal. Ancondil and Valerius came to sit with them, and she noted that like the vice-commander, both of their faces were spotlessly clean. Since Ancondil could not cast spells, she imagined that he had washed the old-fashioned way. She wondered if Valerius had done the same?

"Commander Vitellus has informed me that these goblins belong to the Fire Hand tribe," the patrician declared.

"Aye," Tadrose said around a mouthful of bread. "Every one has their mark somewhere on their body: a brand in the shape of hand."

Teresa remembered the war chief, and the hand that she had seen painted across his face. Now she wondered if that had been paint at all, or had it been a burn scar? She shook her head at the thought. What savages would do such a thing to themselves?

"Do all goblins do that?" the wood elf asked. She had not noticed that in any of her previous encounters with the creatures. Not that she had ever taken the time to carefully study their bodies.

"Nay," Ancondil shook his head. "While you were enjoying the countryside with Riveus, our new battlemage declared that it was quite unusual. Although she did admit that their war parties often paint their tribal symbols upon their armor or bodies."

"So these fellows simply appear to place more zeal in their identification," Valerius declared.

"This may mean that their shaman prefers fire magic over shock though," Tadrose warned. "So be prepared."

Teresa nodded, and wondered if she might find the time to brew some potions to resist fire?

They finished their quick meal moments later, and Teresa found a loud yawn escaping from her lips. She had been up the entire night, stalking, running, and fighting. Now that the action had long since passed, her body just wanted to lie down and sleep. Preferably in Tadrose's arms.

"You had better drink a stamina potion dear," Tadrose said quietly. "We all took one a little while ago to stay awake. We have a long day ahead of us, and there will be no time for rest."

Teresa nodded, and dug through her Thieves Bag for a potion to dispel her fatigue. Upending the pink bottle, she let the thick liquid slide down her throat. It lit a warm fire in her belly, and instantly she felt rested and awake, as if she had just slept for eight hours straight. Still, she knew the feeling would not last forever, and wondered how long it would be before she needed another potion to keep going?

"Alright you meatheads, we aren't getting paid by the hour," Pappy barked. "Gear up and move out."

Teresa rose to her feet with the others, and helped pack away the items from their small camp. Now that she really looked, she saw dead goblins scattered everywhere. Their throats were hacked out, limbs sheared off, heads broken open, or bore the marks of other forms of violent death. The forester was thankful for the chilly air, for at least that kept the flies and other insects away.

Gods, she had just sat down and had breakfast amidst a sea of corpses. Had she become so callous, that it truly made no impression upon her? Would Simplicia even recognize her, the next time she saw the old Imperial? Would Methredhel?

Teresa shook the thoughts from her head. There was work to be done, and she knew that she had to focus. Like Riveus, she was a scout. The rest of the guild depended on her to find the enemy before they were discovered themselves. If she failed, she would put them all in jeopardy. That she could not allow to happen.

Before she headed out in front of the column, she noted that Mad Josse had even brought Number Seven with him. Now the brown and white mule was loaded down with long wooden stakes, sharpened to points at either end. There was also a bundle of longer poles, too thick to be meant for tents. She imagined those were for some kind of barricade Pappy might want to build. She recalled seeing much the same thing at Bruma, where the guild had made its stand outside the Great Gate. She only hoped they would fare better this time…

At least the forest was now familiar to her. They crossed the same ground where she and Riveus had hunted fleeing goblins just a few hours earlier. She and the Colovian did not lead them down the road, where they could be easily seen by goblin lookouts. Instead they guided the column through a series of game trails that wound back and forth through the hills.

The ground rose steadily as they went, and the trees began to thin out. More and more Teresa found large rocks and boulders growing from the soil. Finally they came to a long ridge of stone that rose up from the trees. It was not steep enough to be called a cliff, but it was near enough to be difficult to climb. They turned their backs to the sun here, and followed the ridge to the west.

Not long after they crept over another, smaller ridge that ran down at a right angle from the larger spine of rock. Teresa and Riveus went flat here, and crawled the last few feet to the summit. Peering over the edge, the forester saw the mine below.

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Jul 8 2012, 01:14 AM

[Acadian]

’But even though Saya had prolonged the summoning, the Daedra could not remain Nirn-bound forever.’
But even though Saya had topped off the summoning's fuel tanks, the Daedra had a limited time on station.

"No more mistakes like last night."
How neat for T&T to share a bit of a critique. Tadrose knows just the right words to use on Teresa.

Fire Hand Tribe. Ah, so the inspiration for this wonderful chapter becomes clear.

"You had better drink a stamina potion dear,"
Or a Red Bull or double expresso or somethin’. Some things aren’t so different on Nirn, are they? I’m surprised, Teresa’s mind didn’t wander to imagining Tadrose saying that to her before a long night together instead of after a long night of goblin killin’!

Thanks for feeding me some nice warm cornbread and hot tea made from Argonians, albeit among a sea of corpses. I see that Teresa passed on the sausage of course.

I’m looking forward to learning more of how Pappy employs Number Seven’s cargo. You perfectly described the makings of the game’s spiked wooden barricades of course.

‘The ground rose steadily as they went, and the trees began to thin out. More and more Teresa found large rocks and boulders growing from the soil. Finally they came to a long ridge of stone that rose up from the trees. It was not steep enough to be called a cliff, but it was near enough to be difficult to climb. They turned their backs to the sun here, and followed the ridge to the west.’
This was beautifully done – like epic painting by words. You showed not only the passage of ground but of time as well.

Nit: ‘Theresa noted that the other fighters were now fully armored,’
An ‘h’ slipped into Teresa’s name.

[King Coin]

I like the way Tadrose shows her concern. A firm word and a soft touch. Then breakfast!

I didn’t even notice Mad Josse’s absence from the ambush, but it was probably for the best. I don’t see him sitting out the next fight however. I liked the realization Teresa had after breakfast, dining among the dead. That would take something.

Cliff hanger!

[ghastley]

I didn’t even notice Mad Josse’s absence from the ambush, but it was probably for the best.

The idea of a braying donkey in the middle of a sneak attack makes me think so too.

I'll be interested to see how Kireteki figures into the next part, if they're going underground. Perhaps she'll be part of the guard on the entrance, to stop any escaping? And I can't wait to see how and where the stakes are going to be put to use.

[Grits]

Riveus walked on into the camp and repeated his report to Pappy. However, Tadrose stopped the wood elf before she could follow him. "Promise me something Teresa." The dark elf's voice was quiet enough that no one else would hear. But it was strong as iron. "No more mistakes like last night."

This is great! Tadrose had to bring it up, and she did it in just the right way. Followed by breakfast.

Gods, she had just sat down and had breakfast amidst a sea of corpses. Had she become so callous, that it truly made no impression upon her?

Of course Tadrose and the others just did the same thing, but I would expect Teresa to give the thought a negative slant when she applied it to herself. I like the description of the Fire Hand markings and the speculation that goes along with it. How fun to see Teresa leading the group through the trees!

[SubRosa]

Acadian: Yep, Kireteki had to return to her carrier to refuel and rearm before coming back to Nirn for another sortie. I finally had the chance to reveal the reason for the chapter's title last episode. The title is something I spent a lot of time working on, from the original working title of "A New Battlemage". Number Seven's cargo will be coming up in about three episodes. It will play a central role in the next battle with the goblins.


King Coin: Tadrose (and Pappy) both know that yelling at Teresa is not the way to straighten her out after she has goofed up. They both know that Teresa is smart enough to know when she's made a mistake. All they have to do is remind her that they know too.

Dining among the corpses was just one more little way that I wanted to show how far along Teresa has come since she first joined the guild. She is a veteran now, and little things like this are how I have been trying to reveal it.


ghastley: You are right, Pappy would rather not have an ornery mule in his sneak attack. Or any attack for that matter. Besides, he needed someone to hang back and protect Maesa, just in case things went badly, and a goblin slipped by them.

Kireteki will indeed be flying another sortie to County Bravil. We will not be seeing her for another four episodes or so however.


Grits: Tadrose certainly knows how to bring things up where Teresa is concerned! And you certainly know Teresa well enough to expect her to find some way to put a negative view on herself, and completely ignore everyone else doing the same thing! The ending was fun to write, since we get to see Teresa back in her natural element again, doing exactly what she is meant to be in Pappy's Guild: a scout.


Previously On Teresa Of The Faint Smile: Our last episode found Teresa and Riveus hunting down the last of the goblins who escaped the night ambush. They rejoined the rest of the guild at dawn, and sat down to breakfast among the dead goblins. Teresa learned from the others that each of the goblin's body was marked by a brand in the shape of a hand. Tadrose speculated that this might be the work of their shaman, and that she might be an expert in fire magic, rather than shock.


Chapter 43.11 – Hand of Fire

The entrance to the mine itself was a large cave yawning in the face of the ridge that ran from east to west. Teresa imagined that it was wide enough to drive a fully-loaded wagon through, and would still leave room to spare at either side. There was a large empty space outside the mouth of the mine, which the forester imagined might be a place for wagons to park and load or unload cargo.

This area was now lined with crucifixes driven into the rocky soil. Strung up on them were corpses. Most were burnt, and all were missing large amounts of flesh, usually starting from their legs. The feathered shafts of Imperial arrows sprouted from several of the poor wretches, and Teresa remembered what Riveus had said about putting the captured miners out of their misery. She bit her lip as she stared at the mutilated bodies. She did not envy the Colovian for having to make the decision to do that. Yet from what she could see, it had been an act of nothing but mercy.

A road of dusty, hard-packed dirt ran south from there, flanked by a line of buildings to either side. Rectangular structures made of small, carefully fitted stones, they looked like warehouses or barracks. One was obviously a smithy from the forge that stood beside it. Another must have been a stable from the hay-lined window that opened from its upper floor, out of which jutted a simple crane for lifting bales.

Surrounding the settlement was a wall of high timbers, whose tops were sharpened to points. All were blackened from fire however. In many areas the tree trunks had collapsed into nothing but piles of ash, leaving wide gaps in the protection of the wall. That must have been the work of the goblins, the forester mused. Again, Teresa mulled over what Tadrose had said, that this goblin shaman may prefer fire. It had certainly been quite a blaze that had brought down the miner's fortifications.

The rest of the guild halted down the slope behind Teresa, and out of sight from the settlement below. Only Pappy came forward, and Teresa found him at her shoulder a moment later. She turned her eyes back to the outpost, and scanned for any signs of movement. She saw none. If there were any goblins down there, they were either inside the buildings, or hidden away in the darkness of the mine.

"I don't see any guards," Pappy whispered. "But they're down there. Probably hiding from the sun is all. Teresa, go down there and take a look. If you can do it quietly, kill any sentries you find. Riveus, be ready with your bow if things go pear-shaped. I'll get our battlemage to summon up her helper too."

Teresa had been expecting the middle-aged Colovian to order to her scout the outpost. She reached into a pouch built into one of the light green miran plates that sheathed her hips. She drew forth a potion etched with a symbol of a shrouded eye, and drank it. When she tried to put the empty bottle back in her pouch, she found it had vanished, along with her hand, the bag, and all the rest of her. She smiled faintly, even though no one could see it.

"Talos' balls," Riveus hissed from beside her, eyes nearly popping from his head in surprise.

"That's our Teresa," Pappy whispered across the empty space that now lay between the two men. "Always full of surprises."

Teresa made her way down the small ridge as quickly as possible, taking care not to disturb any of the loose rocks that littered its slope. She knew all too well that her potion would not necessarily leave her completely undetectable. She could still be heard, and a clever opponent might even notice her footprints in the dirt. Worse, one of the goblins might know the spell to sense life, or possess an object enchanted to do the same. Kurdan's lieutenant Ra'jhera had such an amulet, and she had paid dearly because of it.

But if anyone detected her, there was no sign. She darted through an opening in the wall, to the first line of buildings. There she slid down an alley between two of them. All was still quiet when she came to the edge of the street beyond. Picking the building nearer the mine, she skulked along its front wall, and eased through its open doorway.

It was a bunkhouse for the miners. Simple rattan beds were stacked two high along the walls. Many were now thrown over, or smashed to bits. Likewise with the small tables and chairs that dotted the room, and the chests that must have contained the worker's belongings. The entire building looked like a tornado had gone through it, throwing everything hither and thither. There were blood stains everywhere, along with flies and other insects. But no sign of bodies.

The goblins had taken them all to the mine entrance, Teresa imagined, for snacks.

The forester found the rest of the buildings in the same condition. There were more barracks for common miners, what looked like a dorm with small, individual rooms that she imagined was for their supervisors, and even a single home for what must have been the administrator. Along with them was a mess hall and a storehouse filled with picks, timbers, glowstones, and other supplies. Then there was the smithy, a smelter next to it, and a warehouse. There was even a row of privies at the farthest edge of the settlement.

In the stable she found several wagons and carts. She also found the corpses of all the horses, torn apart and half-eaten. A lone goblin was also there, face nearly buried in the guts of one horse and greedily munching away.

Teresa could not contain herself. The miners were one thing, but the horses, they were defenseless animals. Before she knew it, she had drawn one of her daggers and stepped up behind the goblin. Its black blood showered down across the horse it was devouring a moment later, and Teresa's armored form swam into view once more.

That had cost her a potion. But the forester did not care. She continued her search without drinking another. Now that she no longer had to cross an open space like that between the outpost and the forest, she was not worried about being seen. Years of living on the streets had taught her how to move silently and remain hidden.

She found another goblin lurking in one of the bunkhouses, rooting through the broken furniture. Teresa imagined it was searching for treasure. One arrow later, and its corpse joined the debris that littered the building.

[liliandra nadiar]

And there's Teresa's temper again, thankfully it's directed instead of having her blow up.

[Acadian]

A wonderfully rich description of the area outside the mine. I could picture it perfectly and loved how you evoked the image of driving a wagon into the mine to give life to the size of its entrance.

Teresa’s observation that some of the crucified miners had been killed by Riveus really emphasized the horrific barbarity of this goblin tribe. I was glad to see Teresa give Riveus credit for his acts of mercy.

’Worse, one of the goblins might know the spell to sense life, or possess an object enchanted to do the same. Kurdan's lieutenant Ra'jhera had such an amulet, and she had paid dearly because of it.’
Yikes! A stealthy wood elf’s worst nightmare!

Teresa’s getting pretty comfortable with that dagger. I’m glad she’s helping deliver justice for those poor miners and righteous vengeance for their horses.

[Grits]

Teresa’s search through the damaged buildings made me think of a zombie movie. Nicely tense. I wanted to use my hand to shield my eyes! And then, ugh, a goblin engaged in gobbling.

The thing I liked the most even though it made me shiver was how the scene with Riveus shooting the miners was evoked without having to be shown. I thought that was very well done, and the kind of thing that a whole story could be written around.

Well, Pappy said to kill the sentries. I guess that could include the snackers and treasure hunters, since they could also raise the alarm. I get the sense that there are a lot of miners who are unaccounted for. It could get ugly in there.

[Silver Dreamcatcher2525]

I am really enjoying reading this story.

[King Coin]

What a gruesome scene at the mine. Riveus made the (hard) right choice. I remember Boone in FONV making a similar decision. I agree with what Grits said about Riveus. The scene came readily to mind.

What to do with an empty vial when you don’t know where to put it? Go get ‘em Teresa! I found it mildly surprising that she was more upset by the dead horses than the crucified miners. Witnessing the goblin messily eating from it might have been part of the reason.

I’m wondering what the mine’s going to be like. Is there a spell to remove the sense of smell?

[McBadgere]

This area was now lined with crucifixes driven into the rocky soil. Strung up on them were corpses. Most were burnt, and all were missing large amounts of flesh, usually starting from their legs.

That reminds me of that place in Fallout New Vegas, can't remember the name of it...Actually, there's a couple of places, thinking about it...but yeah...A horrible scene brilliantly done...

Actually, the whole description of the mine is amazing...Absolutely amazing...*Applauds*...

"Talos' balls," Riveus hissed from beside her

That made I chuckle... ...When in doubt...Invoke divine parts!!...

An amazingly cool episode that ranks amongst the ones I've enjoyed most... ....

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

PS...Loved the previous episode too btw...I just never got 'round to telling you that...Sorry.. ...