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

[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.. ...

[SubRosa]

liliandra nadiar: You are right, for once Teresa's fury did not erupt at a socially awkward moment!


Acadian: I have found myself trying to use written-world comparisons whenever I can rather than simply saying "ten feet", as the latter tends to sound sterile. The first is evocative, at least I hope so.


Grits: I never thought of a zombie movie. But you are right. The mining outpost has all the look of a zombie city. Everything is in a shambles, blood and entrails all over, everybody is dead, etc... I did go with the less is more idea with the arrow-shot miners. Like you said, I was hoping it would stir people's imaginations of what that scene must have been like.


Silver Dreamcatcher2525: Hi Silver Dreamcatcher! Welcome to the TF. I know it is a huge monster to try to read all of it, but I am glad to hear you are enjoying Teresa's tale.


King Coin: Of course Teresa is more upset over the dead animals than the dead people! To her animals are people too. But people who often cannot defend themselves, or run away. So to her the crime is all the more horrific against the horses in the stable than the miners. Funny you mentioned the smell, because Teresa is about to get a nose-full.


McBadgere: I have always like invoking divine parts. One of my favorite is "By the Iron D**k of Thor!" which I think was in a Neil Gaiman comic.


Previously On Teresa Of The Faint Smile: Yesterday's episode was preempted by work. So TotFS will air today instead. In our last episode Teresa used an invisibility potion to go down and scout out the mining camp. She found it in a shambles, with all the bodies of the miners gone (except for the corpses she had already seen on posts outside the mine entrance). She did find two goblins however, whom she killed without remorse.


Chapter 43.12 – Hand of Fire

With the last of the outpost cleared, all that remained was the mine itself. Teresa expected that the goblins would have lookouts placed at the entrance. They had in the only other goblin lair she had seen, long ago on the City Isle. Slipping through an alley between buildings, she moved down to their back walls, away from the mine entrance. Once it was completely blocked by the structures, she darted beyond the protection of the burnt wall that warded the western side of the outpost.

Moving behind the blackened tree trunks, she trusted them to keep her hidden from goblin eyes. Making her way back toward the mine entrance, she halted when she came to the ridge. There she paused to think.

There were no goblins in sight. But the interior of the mine was dark, and she knew anything might be lurking within the gloom. She could use her night eye goggles, but the brightness of the sun overhead would be blinding. If she only had the right ingredients, she could brew up a potion to detect life. But even if she did, that would take more time than she imagined Pappy wanted to wait. She had already taken long enough to clear out the settlement. She would just have to get in close and deal with whatever was there. Best to give herself whatever edge she could.

Raising one fist into the air, she thought of Raven. Pouring her magicka into that image, she opened her fingers and let the energy spill forth. A disc of blue light sprang to life before her eyes. It fell to the ground, and a sleek black bird took shape in the air behind it. The raven flew around her, then landed upon her shoulder a moment later.

Teresa looked at the bird. She wished that he could speak. Then he could fly into the cave, and see how many guards were there. As if bidden by her thoughts, the raven leapt into the air with a raucous cry. A moment later the sleek bird vanished into the blackness of the mine, and the ragged screech of a goblin came to Teresa's pointed ears.

By reflex, she drew an arrow from her gorytos and set it to Ravenfeeder's nock. She had drawn it back to full extension when her raven appeared once more. He flew only a few feet from the entrance of the cave however, and landed upon the hard-packed dirt with a flurry of ebon wings. His head turned from Teresa, and then back to the mine. He cried out once, and then a second time, as he stared into the darkness of the cave. Then he turned his gaze back to the wood elf, and waited.

So there were two of them, Teresa thought with a faint smile. That meant she would have to get off two shots before they could raise an alarm. She bit her lip. She was not sure if she could do that. She would have to be very fast. Or get her first shot off with complete surprise.

She knew just how to do that. She released the tension on her bow and drank another invisibility potion. Then she drew a second arrow, and crept forward along the side of the escarpment. She took her time, minding the numerous loose stones under her feet. She stopped at the entrance of the mine, and prayed to Raven that the goblins did not have enchantments to detect life.

She waited there for long moments as her eyes slowly adjusted to the gloom within the mine. Still, she was able to smell the goblins before she saw them. Unlike the deep, comforting musk of an animal, their scent was foul. It reminded Teresa of rancid meat, and when she finally did see them, she learned why.

The smell was coming from the untanned skins the pair of goblins wore. The loincloths lacked the thick pelt of fur that one would see on an animal hide. Rather the skins were smooth and olive-toned. Like the that of a Nibenean…

Teresa fought the urge to vomit as she took in the two monsters. Aside from the bloody human skins that covered their nether regions, neither wore clothing or armor. Each carried a wooden spear tipped with chipped flint. Given the sparse equipment, she imagined that they must have been very low in the goblin hierarchy.

She looked down. She knew that she would have to set down one of her arrows to get a good grip on the stave of her bow. But if one of the goblins saw that arrow appear after she let go of it, the invisibility from her potion would fail. Years of living with Methredhel - whose birthsign allowed her to turn invisible - had taught Teresa the curious the ins and outs of how invisibility worked. For example, she knew that it did not make her truly invisible. Rather it played upon the mind, and prevented people from realizing someone was there. So long as she did nothing to make the goblins suspicious that they were not alone, like picking something up in their view, or opening or closing a door, they would never sense her. But once their minds were convinced that someone else must be present, the illusion would fail.

She needed a distraction. A glance back to her raven provided her that. The bird leapt into the air with a loud cry, and flew into the mine entrance. He circled around the heads of the goblins, who flinched away even as they flailed awkwardly at him with their spears. Teresa wasted no time, and leaned one of her arrows against the wall of the tunnel while they were distracted.

Her other missile was on the nock of her bow an instant later. She took a second to aim at the nearest goblin, and loosed. Without waiting to see if it hit, she scooped up the arrow she had staged and set it to her bowstave. The first goblin fell to the dirt as the second arrow leapt into the air. A moment later it made itself a home in the second goblin's head.

Teresa drew a third arrow and pulled her bow back to full extension. Her gaze flicked from one goblin to the next. Yet neither stirred. The raven landed upon one, and began pecking at an eyeball. Teresa eased back on her bow, and moved past it to the second monster. From the way the feathers of her arrow grew from its face, she knew it would stir no more either.

She took a deep breath, and eased the broad-headed arrow back into her gorytos. Stepping back into the light of day, she motioned to the others on the ridge above that all was clear.

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Jul 23 2012, 03:20 AM

[King Coin]

I suppose my surprise at Teresa’s stronger reaction to the horses was the miners were tortured for fun before being killed. I suppose the goblins did the same thing to the horses too. I’m not complaining though. She just thinks differently from me, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
~~~

The interaction with the raven was very cool. I wonder how difficult it would be to make a mod. I was already thinking of trying to make a hawk companion, and having the ability to scout ahead with it.

Ugh, human leather. Not much of a surprise from the goblins, but still horrific. Interesting explanation of the workings of the invisibility spell (or in this case, potion). The Raven is up to the task again! I see it settles down for a well-deserved meal!

[Grits]

Raising one fist into the air, she thought of Raven. Pouring her magicka into that image, she opened her fingers and let the energy spill forth. A disc of blue light sprang to life before her eyes. It fell to the ground, and a sleek black bird took shape in the air behind it. The raven flew around her, then landed upon her shoulder a moment later.

I love this part! Teresa’s summoned raven is so neat. What an excellent teammate. And hungry too, it seems.

I also really enjoyed Teresa’s thoughts about the limitations of invisibility. That was a great explanation.

The goblins’ skin clothing was gross, and a hint that things in the mine might be grosser. Yikes, here they go!

[Acadian]

‘Yesterday's episode was preempted by work.’
Whew! I was beginning to twitch from missing my Saturday dose of TF! Hope the work stuff went okay and doesn’t get in the way of goblin killin’!

‘Teresa expected that the goblins would have lookouts placed at the entrance. They had in the only other goblin lair she had seen, long ago on the City Isle.’
Nice nod to the perpetual pair of goblin guards outside Fatback Cave on the southern tip of Imperial Isle.

Wonderful stealth operations by our forester. I was delighted to see how close she and Raven have become and the way Teresa can call the bird to her and communicate. Raven provided a great distraction – just what our scout needed to sink her arrows into the pair of guards.

Human skin loincloths and pecking at goblin eyes. Yikes! Just the gritty images to match the horrors around that mine.

This post has been edited by Acadian: Jul 23 2012, 01:57 AM