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

[McBadgere]

Maybe in a few weeks I might have something. But I am not promising anything.

*Raises eyebrow with modicum of excitement...*...

*Turns from view and punches air*...

Yesssss!!

[King Coin]

Maybe in a few weeks I might have something. But I am not promising anything.

Now you've done it. Should have stayed quiet. Expectations have been raised.

[Colonel Mustard]

Maybe in a few weeks I might have something. But I am not promising anything.

Now you've done it. Should have stayed quiet. Expectations have been raised.

KC's right; between that and the number of people asking for an update, you're pretty much obliged by law to write one, you know.

[Grits]

OK, so I won’t expect an update, but I sure can hope!!

[SubRosa]

OK, so I won’t expect an update, but I sure can hope!!

Maybe in about a week or so. Maybe sooner. This next chapter is looking to be a small one, especially compared to most of my other ones!

[Destri Melarg]

Ah, good. It seems that I've come back just in time!


Sorry for not being around more, but I’m back and I’m all caught up! I will try to keep this brief because if I went on about everything I liked then this comment would run about twenty pages!

I jumped in way back in Chapter 39.5 - Picking Flowers. Leave it to Pappy to be the one wielding the ton of bricks that caromed off Teresa’s dome! I love that it is apparent to everyone in Bravil Except Teresa and Tadrose that there is something going on between Teresa and Tadrose!

I was wondering if Morghak would ever have a, well, speaking role in the TF. Her name has been mentioned in the context of the Arena on occasion but, by ‘Trinimac’s bloody sack’ (ugh, thanks for the visual!), it was nice to finally put a personality to the pictures that I have seen! It also seems appropriate somehow that, after introducing Morghak as a potential guildmate, you choose to take Teresa through the crucible that Fort Grief has become for the characters here at Chorrol. Your version of Kurdan is wonderfully menacing in a ‘Aleron sleeps with the fishes’ kind of way. I kept expecting him to say:

"Leave the axe, take the sweet roll."

Following Teresa while she stalked the hunters through those darkened halls I couldn’t help thinking about how far she has come since the days following her ordeal with the trolls.

The others commented on the dance between Teresa and Tadrose so well that I really don’t have anything constructive to add. And hunting goblins with the guild (and Saya too, I see) gives me an even bigger appreciation for Pappy’s leadership skills. Before I go I do want to tell you how much I enjoyed reading the subtle twist that you gave the creation myth. Casting the daedra as parts severed from Lorkhan is extremely interesting because it relegates them to a lower station than the Aedra. One can see how that would supply motivation to their actions on Nirn beyond the simple ‘because they’re evil.’

[SubRosa]

After a long absence, Teresa is back to smile faintly once more. Sorry for the delay, but RL got busy after September. But hopefully now I will be back to posting on a regular basis once more. Normally I would respond to everyone's comments directly, but after four months, I doubt anyone would even remember what they said back then! So I will just leave it with a thank you to everyone for reading. I really do appreciate all of the feedback, since it makes me a better writer.

Previously On Teresa Of The Faint Smile: Our last chapter saw Teresa and company clearing a goblin tribe out a gold mine owned by Lady Scaurus. After the goblins had been dealt with, it was discovered that they belonged to the Fire Hand tribe, which lived in Wenyandawik. Believing that whatever drove the goblins from the Ayleid ruin might also be responsible for the recent troll attacks near Bravil, Pappy vowed that they would investigate further.


Chapter 44.1 – Revelations And Mysteries

6th Evening Star - 10th Evening Star 3E433

Teresa and Storm-Tail returned to the mining outpost as Magnus' first rays reached out to bless the world with rosy light. The settlement before them was already buzzing with activity, as the miners who had escaped the goblins toiled alongside men and women hired from the nearby village of Snorscombe. As Teresa watched, they replaced the damaged timbers of the walls with freshly cut wood. The pair of mercenaries made their way to the open gate, where they found Valerius standing guard in his shining meteoric glass armor.

Screenshot

"Salutations guild mates," the Colovian knight said. "Was your evening sojourn fruitful?"

"We found no sign of goblins." Teresa shook her head. "If any escaped, they are long gone."

"Our commander shall greet that news with pleasure," the young man replied. "He desires to be quit of this place, of that I have little doubt."

"I wouldn't mind staying a while longer," Teresa shrugged. "At least now that the goblins are gone."

As usual, the Argonian beside her was silent as a statue. The forester doubted that he had said more than two words the entire night. If it had been anyone else, she would have thought he was giving her the cold shoulder. But Teresa had known Storm-Tail long enough to realize that was just his way.

Teresa led the other fighter down the main road and marveled at how much the mining compound had changed. When she had first laid eyes upon it, the place had been a shambles. The wooden walls had been burned and smashed down, and the street filled with the debris of battle: broken carts, splintered crates and barrels, shattered weapons, and putrefying body parts. It had not been a settlement, but an abattoir.

Now the outer wall had been almost completely restored with new timbers, the bark still hanging upon their faces. All that remained to reconstruct of the defenses were a few small gaps here and there, and the gateway where Valerius stood guard. Within the bulwark too, the settlement had made a startling regeneration. The street had been cleared of wreckage, and doors and shutters had been replaced on the stone buildings. Even the bloodstains on the ground had been covered over with fresh dirt and pebbles. If Teresa had not known better, she never would have guessed that two horrific battles had been fought there.

The smell of freshly-cooked bread came to her nose, and the wood elf allowed a faint smile to cross her features. Following the pleasant aroma, she and Storm-Tail entered the mess hall. There they found the rest of the guild sitting at one long table, eating a simple breakfast of bread and tea. Several waved as the pair of fighters walked over, and Teresa noticed that their commander did not sit among them. Instead Pappy was sequestered away to one side with Laberius Maesa, with whom the Colovian mercenary appeared to having an animated discussion.

Screenshot

Then Tadrose's smile filled her vision, and Teresa forgot all about her guild commander. She sat down beside the dark elf, and delighted in the simple joy of feeling the other woman's fingers intertwine with her own. As usual, the vice-commander had thought of everything, and had warm bread and cups set aside for both her and Storm-Tail. Teresa tore herself away from the Dunmer's fiery gaze long enough to take a sip of the tea, and was pleasantly surprised at the delicate and sweet taste.

"Argonian White Tea?" Teresa lifted an eyebrow. "I thought we were all out?"

"A peddler came in while you were sleeping yesterday afternoon." Tadrose smiled. "The first traveler since we cleared the mine. I remembered how much you liked it, so I bought some."

"How come no one ever buys me tea?" Vincent grumbled from across the table.

"Maybe it's your sparkling personality?" Chance murmured from beside the Breton.

"I sparkle!" Vincent exclaimed around a mouthful of bread. "I'm the life the party! Hey, do you know why the troll ate candles?"

"I fear to ask..." Ancondil ventured.

"For a light snack," Vincent grinned. A chorus of groans rose from the table. Even their new battlemage Saya shook her head. Teresa noted that the mage sat as close to Chance as she herself did to Tadrose. She also noticed that one of the other Dunmer's hands was hidden under the table, as was one of the Redguard's…

She looked to Tadrose. The vice-commander had been gazing in the same direction, and turned to meet the wood elf's glance. The armorer raised one eyebrow ever so slightly, barely enough to even be perceptible. But it spoke volumes to Teresa. She wondered where Chance and Saya had slept the night, while she and Storm-Tail had been scouring the forest for goblin survivors?

Teresa smiled faintly. Now she knew how the others must have felt when she and Tadrose had started seeing one another.

"So all was quiet in the forest then?" Tadrose asked.

"Not a peep," Teresa answered. "Well, except from a few owls."

"That is good," the vice-commander nodded. "We shall be leaving soon then."

"So are we finally going to march over to that Ayleid ruin and knock some heads in?" Morghak cracked her knuckles loudly. "After sitting around here on guard duty for three days, it's high time we did something fun!"

Chance shook his head. "You and I have vastly different ideas of fun!" he laughed.

"I doubt we shall be going to Wenyandawik," Tadrose shook her head. "Not all of us at least. We have contracts back in Bravil to see too. Every day we spend here in the woods those jobs go elsewhere. That is why Gaius is eager to leave."

"Aye, and whatever is out there would hear these ones in their steel boilerplate from a mile away." Storm-Tail finally broke his silence. "Wenyandawik is a mission for stealth."

"Our scaled friend speaks wisely," Ancondil nodded. "A scouting mission is in order first, so that we might first appraise ourselves of the opposition."

"Well, you can have your fun playing in the woods," Saya declared. "I shall be glad to be gone from this hole in the ground, and back to the city."

"One way or the other, I think we're about to find out." Riveus turned his head to the approaching guild commander.

Teresa looked up as Pappy stepped up to the table. "Alright you meatheads, the miners and villagers will have the outer wall finished today. So tomorrow morning we move out."

"For Wenyandawik," Chance asked, "or Bravil?"

"Bravil," the middle-aged Colovian answered. "We've had work piling up while we've been sitting here shining our butts."

"What about Wenyandawik?" Teresa protested. "We have to find out what drove those goblins out!"

"Aye, and we will," Pappy said, "if you'll let me finish…"

The former centurion set his hands on his hips and cast his eyes from the Bosmer woods runner to the blond-haired Imperial Forester. "You and Riveus will be paying a visit to the ruin. Remember, this is a scouting mission only, no contact. Go in quiet, find out what is happening there, and get out."

"This one can move as silent as any," the young Argonian insisted. "Storm-Tail should like to join them."

"Not this time son." Pappy laid a placating hand on the young lizardine's shoulder. "We're going to be swamped with work when we get back. I'll need every hand to get caught up."

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Jan 23 2013, 09:04 PM

[mALX]

What a wonderful surprise, thank you so much SubRosa! I loved best the scene at the table, where Teresa and Tadrose first find their own closeness and then suddenly notice Saya's hand slipping under the table like theirs was - I loved that scene. The different personalities come across so well in your writing - you have been missed! Awesome Write!

[PhonAntiPhon]

Cracking update.
I love your style and there's some ace screenshots in that - (yes, even JL, there I said it on the internet; but it's a mancrush so its cool).
Proper good stuff all round.

[McBadgere]

Dear gods, even I raised an eyebrow (and that is all *points at everyone*) at Leto...Fair dues...(What's that from? Looks sword and sandles-ish)...

Aaaamywho...YAY!!...Storm-Tail!!...Excellent character... ...And then you steal him away again!!... ...

Brilliant setting-up chapter...Looking forward to the jaunt to WendyWinnick...Yes...Um...( )...

It is truly excellent to see this story back...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds most heartily*...(You know you've missed it... )...

[Colonel Mustard]

I believe that my reaction to seeing that this had been updated once more was to shout 'YEES!' at the top of my lungs. I then got a rather strange look from my mum...

It's awesome to see Teresa back in action again, along with the rest of the Fighter's Guild, and the aftermath of the battle with the Burnt Hand goblins was a good way to ease us back into the storyline again. And it appears that Riveus and Teresa are off to Wenyandawik, then! I've loved the buildup to this you've put through the chapters before, and I'm genuinely intrigued to see what it is that scared off the trolls and the goblins; my betting is something undead (it usually is) but I'll wait and see.

[Acadian]

A warm welcome back to you! Your talent sets a very high standard, as ever, and Teresa's saga is indeed both a foundational icon and treasure here at chorrol.

'The smell of freshly-cooked bread came to her nose, and the wood elf allowed a faint smile to cross her features.'
The first clause here brought the same reaction to me – yum! More importantly, you managed to appropriately remind us how Teresa got her name. And, of course, the wonderfully delicate phrasing is simply one of countless examples that showcase your magic with words.

Loved the banter between Vincent and Chance at the breakfast table – brought back memories of past memories of Teresa’s guild sharing meals. In fact, you did a great job of briefly refreshing us on all her guild mates and even their Mages Guild helper, Saya.

So, it looks like a stealthy reconnaissance for the pair of archers. Pappy chose well of course, but poor Storm-Tail – left out of the sneaky stuff again.

I’m so pleased to see you continuing this wonderful story! Is Chapter 44 a long one (I hope)?

Nits -
'The wooden walls had been burned and smashed down, and the street filled with the debris of battle: smashed carts, broken crates and barrels, shattered weapons, and putrefying body parts.'
Very picky, but I know you deal in perfection. Rather than repeating 'smashed' in close proximity, would you consider ‘battered’ for the walls?

'As usual, the vice-commander had thought of everything, and had warm bread and a cups set aside for both her and Storm-Tail.'
I’m sure the ‘a’ before cups is probably a holdover from an earlier edit before you pluralized cups to make provisions for Stormie.

'We have contracts back in Bravil to see too.'
Do you want ‘too’ or ‘to’ at the end here? The choice changes the meaning quite a bit and I suspect you want ‘to’.

[Grits]

Wheee, Teresa is back! Now I’m Grits of the Obnoxious Grin.

First, I love the title. Then I’m right back in the story, with an elevated pulse rate thanks to your picture of Valerius.

The breakfast table scene was a delight to read. I had a real sense of Tadrose’s quiet care for Teresa, and Saya’s presence as the newcomer already fitting reminded me how the group works together. As always I find myself reading first for enjoyment and then again for How did she do that?

Storm-Tail is a fascinating character. I love the stillness that you have given him, and now I wonder if we’re going to get a glimpse of what goes on under his surface.

[King Coin]

I’ve been interested in Storm-Tail ever since he came on board.

Who cares about the commander when Tadrose is around?

Sounds like Saya’s settling into the company.

Gaius is eager to get back for more contracts, and Teresa’s content to just stay (in this hole in the ground!), surrounded by the woods and with her favorite Dunmer.

Lol, funny that Gaius would use ‘swamped’ while talking to an Argonian.

[SubRosa]

mALX: It is good to be back. I wanted to show that Chance and Saya had indeed hooked up, at least for the moment, but wanted to make it subtle.


PhonAntiPhon: That picture causes a stir everytime I post it! As I believe haute said the last time, no one can resist a hot gay man!


McBadgere: I have missed it! That pic was from Oliver Stone's version of Alexander. Jared Leto played Hephaestion, Al's best friend and closest lover. As the saying goes: "Alexander was never conquered, except by Hephaestion's thighs..." I always have votes for Storm-Tail, maybe someday I need to do an ST fic?


Colonel Mustard: You are spot on in that the first post in this chapter was meant to ease us all back into the story, and refamiliarize everyone with what has been going on, and who everyone is. I have been looking forward to this ever since Teresa was attacked by those trolls outside the city gates back in Chapter 37. It is good to finally get to begin unveiling the dark forces behind that.


Acadian: Nits picked and fixed. Thank you for making the effort to find them, I always appreciate when folks help me fix up whatever issues have sneaked into my stories. Sadly this is a short chapter. Only one more post after today's. But the next two chapters are already plotted out, and will be substantial.

I thought you would appreciate the fresh bread. I could not resist working a faint smile into the first post. It is one of Teresa's trademarks, and just as you said, I wanted to get it out there. Being the class clown, Vincent is always fun to write. I still have more bad jokes written down for his future use.


Grits: Everyone always gets excited by that pic! Another vote for Storm-Tail? It is interesting how so many people love him. I am guessing because of all the FG members, he is the most mysterious. Like you said, he allows very little to stray past his surface.


King Coin: You hit the nail on the head about Pappy. Who cares what he is doing so long as Tadrose is there! Teresa is a happy camper at the mine now that the gobbies are gone. She gets the forest, and her gf. What more could a wood elf ask for? I did not even realize the pun of 'swamped' when I was writing Pappy's line! Call it serendipity.



Previously On Teresa Of The Faint Smile: Our last episode found the Fighters Guild preparing to leave Lady Scaurus' mine and return to Bravil. Except for Teresa and Riveus, whom Pappy has dispatched to Wenyandawik on a recon mission.


Chapter 44.2 – Revelations And Mysteries

Young Teresa sat on the hard, cold stones of the arcade, and leaned her back against its equally unforgiving wall. The worn and dirty sackcloth of her tunic irritated her skin, no matter how she tried to arrange it. She looked at the grey-haired woman who sat beside her. The dress the Imperial wore was even more ragged and threadbare than her own attire, but Simplicia did not complain.

All around them people hustled and bustled around the small plaza and the line of covered archways that ringed it on three sides. Doors to shops lined the covered area, flanked with hanging wooden signs that identified the wares to be found within: swords and armor, potion bottles, bolts of cloth, etc… The only portion of the plaza that was bare of businesses was that which faced Market Way, which from necessity had to be open for pedestrians to enter and leave the street.

"Don't fuss now dear," Simplicia said, "it never changes anything."

"But it itches," Teresa complained.

"I know baby," Simplicia said soothingly. "But you just have to get used to it."

Teresa did not want to get used to it. She wanted to wear the soft linen that the artisans and traders who walked around them had. Or better still, she yearned to for the gleaming velvet and silk of the patricians. All of the latter glided past without deigning to notice Teresa and Simplicia's existence. She would even be happy with the worn flax and wool of the plebian working men and women who loaded and unloaded carts in front of the shops.

"Why can't we buy things like they do?" Teresa watched a plebeian woman and her two children emerge from a shop. The dark-haired Imperial carried a large, copper pot in one hand, filled with various cooking utensils of the same reddish metal.

"Because we don't have the money they do Teresa," Simplicia explained.

"Why not?" the wood elf child asked.

"Because they have work somewhere," Simplicia sighed. "That's why they have money."

"So why don't we have work?"

"Because no one wants to hire street people like us," Simplicia's tone was more sour than a cart full of Leyawiin lemons. "They think we are all drunken, shiftless thieves. They won't give someone who's down a chance. That's how this world is sweetie. That's just what our lives are. You have to get used to that."

Teresa woke with a start. Was that a dream, or a memory? Or both? How many times had Simplica told her just those things? She was a prole, a nothing, and that was all she would ever be? How many times had Simplicia told her to just accept being treated like garbage, because that was all she really was? How many times?

* * *

Screenshot

"Your Argonian friend seems eager to prove himself." Riveus said quietly. Teresa did not turn her head to look at the Imperial Forester. Instead she picked her footing carefully among the dried up leaves that carpeted the forest floor. Her feet slid along without making sound, even when leaves were crushed under the soles of her miran-talurn boots. The Bosmer thanked Henantier for the enchantment he had placed upon her footgear, that silenced all noise from their passage. She only wished that Riveus - who lacked enchanted armor - could be so quiet as he stepped upon the leaves. Still, she could not truly begrudge him the noise he made. She knew that moving silently through a fall forest was a nigh impossible task.

"I think he does want to prove himself." The Bosmer spoke softly, so that her voice would not carry through the trees. "He probably thinks that Pappy and Tadrose are giving him only easy jobs."

"Are they?" the blond-haired Imperial asked. "He stood and delivered back in the mine."

"I know," Teresa agreed. "But they probably are. After what happened to his father, I'd be surprised if they didn't."

"Why, what happened to his father?" said Riveus.

"He was at Bruma," Teresa said past a lump that tried to form in her throat. With an effort of will, she choked past it. "He didn't come back."

"Bugger," the Colovian sighed. "I lost some good friends there, and the Imperial City too."

"So did we all," Teresa murmured around that lump that just refused to go away. Thinking of Emperor Martin always did that to her, even after all these months. She still did not know why. It was not like she had even truly met the young Emperor. She had only seen him once - in the flesh at least - when he rode past in the street before the battle in the city. Still it felt like she had let him down, and his father as well...

"So you and the vice-commander seem pretty close..." Riveus ventured after several long moments.

"We are." Thoughts of the Septims fled Teresa's mind. "What makes you so chatty?"

"Just making conversation," the Colovian insisted. "I'm usually all alone out here."

"Back during the Tournament, I noticed that you were pretty close to some people in Bravil." Teresa ventured.

"Oh, you mean Verina, Livia, and Ustina?" Teresa did not have to look to know that the young Imperial was grinning, it practically beamed from his voice. "They are just friends."

"They seemed awfully close for friends," Teresa observed.

"So do you and the vice-commander," Riveus countered.

The Bosmer said nothing. She wondered if she was going to get a dose of prim Imperial morality from the forester? Not that he was one to talk. But that had never stopped Imperials before…

"Hey, I'm not trying to bust your balls or anything," the Colovian finally said apologetically. "You aren't the first elf I've met. I know you all float your boats into either port. I've just never heard of anyone ever managing to dock at the vice-commander's quay."

Teresa did not reply, and she thanked Kynareth that the Imperial Forester said no more either. That was about all of the conversation she wanted. Why did men always have to be so nosy? To think that people claimed women were gossips!

They continued on throughout the day and into the gathering darkness. Teresa paused to put on her night eye goggles, and drew her dark green talurn hood up over her head. Its anti-frost enchantment instantly warmed her body. She was not sure how Riveus managed, but he did not complain about either the cold or the dark. That was just as well, for they still had plenty of ground to cover.

The moons were halfway up the sky when they finally stopped for the night. They made no fire, and ate a simple meal of cornmeal biscuits washed down with water. Then Teresa turned in for the night while Riveus stood watch. She was thankful that dreams of her childhood did not haunt her slumber, as they had back at the mine. Riveus woke her later than night, and she took her own turn standing guard while he rested.

When dawn broke on their fourth day from the mine, the pair made their way off through the woods once more. Teresa knew that they had to be nearing Wenyandawik, and summoned her raven. She sent the sleek, black bird ahead of them to scout around, and was forced to continually extend the summoning in order to keep him from expiring. She did not mind the latter however, knowing that it was good practice for her.

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Jan 28 2013, 06:30 PM

[Acadian]

Old news: Well, a three episode chapter is much better than none and probably a great way to ease back into posting. Wonderful news to hear that you have two more chapters in the mill! As ever, I adore your disciplined posting schedule and tight control of episode length. I know Stormie is popular, but aside from T&T, my fave member of Teresa’s guild will always be Ancondil.

Now, on to this wonderful new episode. . .

A bittersweet flashback of Simplicia and the dear woman’s well-meaning but counterproductive advice. Despite being a part of Teresa’s lingering confidence problems, we know Simplicia did the very best she knew how to with the little wood elf.

I enjoyed the dialogue with Riveus and getting to know him better. It was very neat to, once again, be reminded that both he and Teresa shot very well in the Tournament of Archers. That brings back some wonderful memories!

You have developed Teresa’s raven very gently and over a long period of time. It was gratifying to see that our faint-smiling elf is at the point where she can actually summon the bird at will so it can assist her in scouting tasks.

This post has been edited by Acadian: Jan 29 2013, 03:57 AM

[McBadgere]

I always have votes for Storm-Tail, maybe someday I need to do an ST fic?

Aw hell yeah!!... ...Lets face it, you'll save on the dialogue a bit... ...

Aaaamywho...

Fantastic chapter that covers much ground and several days in an eyeblink...Brilliant stuff...

"So you and the vice-commander seem pretty close..." Riveus ventured after several long moments.

"We are." Thoughts of the Septims fled Teresa's mind.

I'll bet they did... ...

Why did men always have to be so nosy?

...

Just because is why...

Nah, an excellent reminder of how little time has actually passed since the start of the story...And also a brilliant way of dragging people back to the dungoens and whole MQ thing...Brilliantly done...*Applauds*...

Loved it!!...

Looking forward to the muchly more!!...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds most heartily*...

[King Coin]

Simplicia tells it straight. Perhaps a little too straight, I’m beginning to think Teresa’s way with people is part to Simplicia letting her know that they were nobodies frequently. I liked the opening memory/dream, even if it isn’t a happy one.

Muffle! One of my favorite spells. The little conversation with Riveus was fun; Teresa doesn’t seem to enjoy conversation as much as he does. His analogy got a chuckle. And then her venom towards the talk!

[Colonel Mustard]

Eee, update!

I loved this chapter; an interesting look into Teresa's past, and how much of an effect Simplicia's 'good advice' had on her. I found the conversation with Riveus whilst going through the forest to be an interesting read, and I'm getting rather fond of him; slightly reminds of someone I knew a little while ago, in fact.

"Hey, I'm not trying to bust your balls or anything," the Colovian finally said apologetically. "You aren't the first elf I've met. I know you all float your boats into either port. I've just never heard of anyone ever managing to dock at the vice-commander's quay."

And we have a strong contender for the February bracket of the Colonel Mustard Innuendo of the Month award.

[SubRosa]

Acadian: Well-meaning but counter-productive is exactly how much of Simplicia's parenting turned out. That will be coming to a head next chapter in fact, when Teresa finally faces her feelings about Simplicia, good, bad, and ugly.

Riveus has been fun to have around these last few chapters. Just as you said, he reminds me of the Tournament of Archers. I have gone back to read some of that over again because of him.

I like Teresa's raven too. It is a gentle reminder of her magical abilities. I almost forgot to put it in during my first draft! Thankfully I remembered and got him cawing back in there.


McBadgere: I would save on a lot of dialogue in a Storm-Tail fic! Seriously though, I would have to add a sidekick type character who would do most of the talking, and draw ST out of his laconicness. Not necessarily a person, even a talking sword or spirit would do. It worked well in Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust.

I sat back and counted how long it is has been since the story began, and it has only been eight months. Not much time at all. But there sure have been a lot of words!


King Coin: A lot of Teresa's confidence issues, and anger management issues, stem from the things she learned from Simplicia. While 'plicia was trying to prepare Teresa for the harsh realities that she knew she would face, it has not always been helpful.

When I first thought up and wrote that silencing effect, the muffle spell had not been invented yet! It was just a Fortify Sneak. But I guess now that we have it, Muffle is indeed what we should call it.


Colonel Mustard: I had a lot of fun working on that innuendo about Tadrose's dock! Riveus is a fun character to write about. He's a regular guy, rubbing shoulders with all these university graduates, war heroes, knights, witches, etc... He reminds me a lot Garibaldi and Zack from Babylon 5 (whom I always think of as "regular guys in space").


Previously On Teresa Of The Faint Smile: Our last episode saw Teresa reliving a memory of her childhood, in which the grim realities of being a street urchin were rammed a home a little too bluntly by the well-meaning Simplicia. Afterward we found Teresa and Riveus making their way through the forest toward Wenyandawik, and making small talk about Storm-Tail, and Teresa's relationship with Tadrose.


Chapter 44.3 – Revelations And Mysteries

It was nearing midday when the raucous cawing of her raven shattered the quiet of the forest. Teresa instantly dropped to one knee. She raised an open hand to Riveus, and heard the creak of his leather greaves as he knelt down behind her. Teresa turned her head this way and that, eyes scanning the bare branches of the hawthorns and birches that surrounded them.

Then the smell of burning wood came to her nostrils, sweet and strong. It was faint at first, but grew stronger as the cold wind picked up in her face. A glance back at Riveus showed that he smelled it as well. He pointed ahead of them, and slightly to the left. Far ahead there Teresa saw her raven, sitting atop a stand of bushes. Teresa smiled faintly, and moved forward in a crouch.

She took her time, carefully picking her way through the trees and shrubs. While denuded of their greenery, their trunks and branches still provided some protection from prying eyes. It was with this in mind that Teresa moved from one source of cover to another, eyes constantly moving from one direction to another.

Soon other scents came to Teresa's nose. The deep, pungent odor of cattle dung, mixed in with the ranker stench of unwashed bodies. The sound of voices came to her ears now as well. Deep and coarse, they did not sound like anything that might be produced by a human or elven throat. The sound was too low to make out any words however. Rather it was just an occasional noise lifted by the crisp autumn breeze.

Teresa slowed to a glacial pace. Dropping to all fours, she inched forward on her belly before her raven. Parting the brush before her face with both hands, she nearly gasped at the sight before her eyes.

A city of gentle archways and spiraling towers stretched out before her. The bright sun glittered off the white stone of its temples and palaces, as if they were built from snow rather than rock. Between the graceful buildings strode pale-skinned elves dressed in silk and velvet. They were often accompanied by more modestly attired beings with round ears or tails. These appeared to be servants or slaves from their diffident postures, and the burdens many carried. Ringing the sprawling city was a wall of high stone dotted with towers, among whose peaks ravens swooped and cawed.

Teresa blinked. In the clearing before her she saw nothing but a few fallen trees. Of the once mighty city, all that remained were two structures. One was a small building shaped like a pie-wedge. The narrow point of the wedge faced her, and within that wall Teresa could see an open doorway leading down into darkness. At least three dozen paces before that rose up the circular steps of a star well. Crowning its center was a latticework of rusted metal spines, rising to a single point where pure magicka bubbled up into the sky with a breathtaking display of color.

Stomping around the clearing were a dozen grey-skinned creatures of titanic proportions. The hulks must have stood at least twice of the height of a full-grown orc, and Teresa imagined they weighed at least four times as much as one of the emerald-hued mer folk. They wore little in the way of clothing. Indeed, their attire amounted to nothing more than simple animal skin loincloths. Many adorned themselves with leather straps around their ankles, feet, and arms. Some wore bags slung over their shoulders, and a few carried clubs that looked like small tree-trunks stripped of their branches. The creature's heads seemed small in comparison to their saggy, bulky frames. Teresa noted that their scalps were hairless, their eyes small and beady, and their mouths filled with jagged white teeth.

"Ogres!" Riveus hissed from beside her. "What in the blue blazes are they doing here?"

"Now we know what drove the goblins out..." Teresa murmured quietly.

"Wait, what's that over there?"

Teresa followed the Imperial's pointing finger. Coming from around the back of the single building was a large cart pulled by aurochs. The conveyance was a crude affair whose base was built from logs and branches. Yet atop this stood a very sturdy-looking iron cage. Within its metal bars lurked hunched shapes covered in sickly yellow and green fur. A pair of ogres led the prison wagon to the center of the clearing, between the Arimer well and the wedge-shaped building. A third ogre hovered beside the wagon, lashing out with a whip whenever a taloned paw ventured through the bars of the cage.

"Trolls!" Teresa cursed. "They are bringing trolls from the West Weald!"

A figure in black emerged from the white stone building. This was no ogre however. Rather he was the size of a human or mer. Strangely the grey giants all stepped diffidently around him. Teresa strained her eyes to get a better look at him, yet the black robes and hood he wore betrayed no hint of the identity of their owner.

"So who is that?" Riveus whispered.

Teresa shrugged, and watched as the robed man stepped up to the wagon and waited. She followed his gaze, and saw an ogre walking across the clearing to meet him. This one was even taller than the others, and the Bosmer was certain that she detected the flash of gold from the belt of skulls that girded his waist, and silver from the heavy necklace that hung from his shoulders.

"That's got to be their chief," Riveus observed. "I'd give a hundred septims to know what is going on down there."

"Get your gold ready then," Teresa breathed. She reached into the Thieves Bag at her hip, and withdrew a smaller satchel. Lifting its flap, she revealed a row of colored vials tucked into individual leather loops. She drew forth a green bottle that was etched with the symbol of a shrouded eye, and then put the satchel back into her magic bag.

"Wait a minute, you're not going to-"

"It's a good thing we found that domica redwort the other day." Teresa cut him off. "Otherwise I would not have been able to make this."

She upended the vial over her mouth, and gulped down the smooth liquid. It tasted vaguely of lavender and grape. Her hand vanished from view, and when Teresa looked down, she found that the rest of her body had disappeared as well.

"Blast it girl, are you mad?" Riveus hissed. He reached out for her, but his hand found nothing but empty air. For Teresa was already working her way down into the ogre's camp.

As before, she took her time as she picked her way through the last of the trees. She did not want to disturb a single branch or bush, and give away her presence to a perceptive eye. For she knew that while she might be invisible, the marks of her passing were not. The last thing she needed was to ruffle a branch as she passed, and alert the ogres who patrolled the edge of the clearing that they were not alone.

Then she was out in the open, and Teresa turned on the speed. Her feet raced through low grass, only dotted with occasional leaves. She avoided the latter, and ate the distance between herself and the robed figure. Her daily runs around Bravil stood her in good stead here, and she crossed the space in no time at all.

As she neared the mysterious figure, she noted that his robes were not unadorned after all. Rather a stylized skull was emblazoned upon his chest in the dark, rust color of dried blood. A pair of bony hands reached up from beneath the grim visage, completing the chilling display. It was a symbol that Teresa knew well. The necromancer she had fought in Vilverin had worn exactly the same...

Teresa slowed her pace as she neared. She knew that if he was a necromancer, he might possess a detect life enchantment or spell. Invisible or not, that would make her plain as day. Teresa smiled faintly as her gaze settled upon the approaching ogre chief. Her entire body could vanish behind his bulk, and leave plenty of room to spare. The necromancer would never see the magicka of her soul through that which permeated the monster's great bulk.

Teresa scuttled sideways, and put the hulk between her and the magician. Moving forward again, she crept up to within just a few feet of the creature. His stench made her want to gag. It was nearly as bad as the putrid effluvium of a troll. She was thankful those were farther away in the wagon. She was not sure if she could keep her gorge down if exposed to an entire pack of them at once.

Teresa reflexively ducked when the ogre reached back with one hand, and scratched his backside loudly. For a moment she held her breath. A little closer, and he might have bashed her head in!

"Here are the trolls Jalbert, as promised." The ogre's voice was an avalanche of stone careening down a rough mountainside.

That name slipped a glacier down the back of Teresa's neck. Jalbert! It was none other than the same Redguard necromancer from Vilverin: the monster who had killed Destri's father, tortured his bandit compatriots, and turned them into undead slaves. Jalbert, who had nearly killed her as well in those dark passages, far from the warming rays of Magnus.

Teresa's hand filled with mithril. The dagger's blade ached to taste Redguard blood and brains. She could not see him through the bulk of the ogre's flabby legs, but in her mind's eye, Teresa could picture that sweet spot in the side of the necromancer's neck. One plunge there with her dagger would send its point driving into the stem of his brain. All she had to do was get behind him, grab the top of his head, and pull to one side. He would be dead in an instant.

She had nearly cleared the bulk of the chief when the sound of Jalbert's voice brought her back to reality. If she killed him, what then? She would become visible right in the midst of the ogre's camp. She knew that she was fast, but she doubted that she was fast enough to outrun them all. She certainly had no pretensions about defeating them in battle. One ogre would be trial enough, but a dozen of them? That would be suicide. What of Riveus as well? Surely they would search the woods after they killed her. They would find him, and kill him too. Was his life worth her revenge?

No, it was not.

"Very well Azog." The Redguard's voice made Teresa's guts roil. "See to it that they are released on the Green Road. And no more mistakes. You nearly ruined everything that time you turned them loose too close to the city."

"We will do as promised mageling." The contempt was not disguised in the ogre's voice. "Perhaps when we are done, we will return to feast upon red flesh..."

"Watch your tone with me beast," Jalbert spoke haughtily. "Remember that you have sworn by Malacath to serve me."

"Malacath respects the strong," the ogre rumbled, "not the truthful."

"Then remember my master," the necromancer hissed. Teresa was stunned when the Redguard actually stepped forward, causing the massive ogre to back up before him. "You know whom I serve. You know what he will make of your petty flesh and bones if you interfere with our plans."

Teresa realized that she was no longer hidden by the ogre. She was now looking directly at Jalbert. His curly black hair was cut as close as ever upon his scalp. However, now he had grown a short, black goatee upon his chin. She could swear that he looked right into her, and Teresa's heart stopped. She gripped her dagger tightly, and prepared to spring upon the magician. But his eyes slid away from her an instant later, and glared back at the monster that towered above him.

"Get to your work," the necromancer glowered. "The city guard must be kept busy elsewhere, if my comrades and I are to conclude our business within Bravil."

Teresa scampered back behind the ogre before Jalbert could look her way again. She stifled a sigh of relief, and thanked Raven that he had not been using detect life after all. Otherwise there would have been a bloodbath, and much of it hers.

Jalbert turned away and strode back to the ruin, while the ogre chief barked orders at his underlings. Teresa sprinted across the clearing and back to the safety of the brush. Her mind whirled with what she had overheard. It was Jalbert who was behind the troll attacks near the city, and the goblin attack upon the Lady Scaurus' mine! For who else could have prompted the ogres to drive the Fire Hands from Wenyandawik?

She had to tell Pappy. The count too, for whatever Jalbert and his mysterious master were planning, it clearly involved Bravil. But what in Oblivion were the necromancers really up to?

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Feb 6 2013, 01:03 AM