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

[mALX]

Aradroth! And what a powerful description of Teresa's first impressions on seeing him! This whole chapter was deep with emotions that seem to ride perpetually just below the surface in Teresa - a real testimony into the awkwardness that over-rides even the beginnings of simple friendships for Teresa - how will the other person react, could she lose a budding friendship, how to bring it up, etc. - the "what ifs" always there to add tension - Ardaline smoothed the path nicely, the friendship has a firm foundation to grow on now. Wonderful Chapter !!!

[haute ecole rider]

I see that the tragedy that is Kvatch continues to provide an undercurrent of darkness in the TF. It is a wonderful bit of world-building that a place that Teresa has never been to, and an event that she has never witnessed, continues to be referred to, even after the Oblivion Crisis is over.

And the scene between Ardaline and Teresa is delightful! Though I already knew the outcome, it does make me happy that Ardaline is comfortable with Teresa's orientation, and continues to consider her a friend. And yes, Teresa, friends are more valuable than lovers, though the two are not mutually exclusive . . .

[Olen]

Another part... lucky me.

Aradroth, now there's someone I did not expect to appear. More crossover which is always fun (he's not in the game right?). Certainly Teresa had his measure quickly enough, not the sort of person I'd want sitting behind me either.

The part with Ardaline worked well, like another of Teresa's meeting it could have gone a lot worse, Ardaline seems unbothered so Teresa will still have a friend in the mage's guild. She also has a poet to look up...

[Thomas Kaira]

Got a little behind, there. Well, I'm back up to speed now.

Looks like Teresa is coming out of the box about her... orientation. Good for her! I am quite happy to see she has accepted it and enjoys who she is. That communicates a lot to me, and also makes Ardaline instantly likeable for not being in any way bigoted about it.

(Perhaps we should ask Buffy to get a certain badger's opinion on the subject?)

Except that Teresa's was filled with tomatoes, cheese, and greens rather than meat.

What? No hummus? Shame!

It's also nice to see your love for poetry.

In the room the women come and go
Talking of Michelangelo.

[Acadian]

A beautiful episode from the mistress of character development. My goodness. . .

Firstly, thank you for the Fair Deal sandwiches. Nothing beats reading on a full stomach! Fabulous rendition of Nilawen and her general store!

Aradroth, the creation of friend Winter Wolf, was masterfully depicted, from his slate-gray eyes to his lethal Cats Eye short blade to his interest in poisons and illusion spells. Like a rattlesnake with no cuddle.

Fathis. Just one line or so, but it surely captures him and his well-notched bedpost!

Ardaline.
"I am a alchemophile. I live inside a potion bottle. Not what anyone is looking for."
So typical of the beautiful spirit within Ardaline to summarize herself this way and sell herself so short. I'm so glad Teresa sees the beauty within Ardaline. And equally glad that dear Ardaline embraces Teresa and welcomes her friendship.
'The high elf probably had no idea she was even doing it, Teresa thought. Again, she wondered if this was how she made Nerussa feel?'
Yes, dear Teresa! That is exactly how Nerussa feels about you. 'Goddess, Teresa was beautiful when she bit her lower lip; and she probably had no idea she was even doing it.' Pure magic, SubRosa! *contented sigh*

Nit?
"I am a alchemophile."
More of a light hearted joke, I think. 'A' or 'an' alchemophile? Between trying to say either three times fast and realizing that it is within the context of Ardaline's speech, I surely can't really call it a nit. Just see what you think and try not to laugh at me?

[Jacki Dice]

This is one of my favorite chapters as it touches something I relate to Teresa is much, much braver than I, in that situation. I'm fine admitting attraction to women.... but admitting it to the woman in question? Never happened :x Especially if there was a friendship involved

The term "Sapphic" fits so well. It sounds like a way it would be described in TES Universe ♥

This post has been edited by Jacki Dice: Jan 18 2011, 06:00 AM

[Grits]

Then the high elf managed a crooked smile, as if she were forcing herself to lighten her mood.

This whole scene brought a tear. Watching Ardaline deal with her loss was very real. Teresa’s compassionate response is a credit to her, she turned an extremely awkward moment into another bond in their friendship.

[Zalphon]

You make stuff feel really real, Subrosa That's a good trait.

[SubRosa]

mALX: Awkwardness certainly describes Teresa! Although thanks to Nerussa, she is learning to overcome it.


haute ecole rider: Oblivion is kind of odd with Kvatch. Unless you actually go to the city itself, you would never even know it was a part of Cyrodiil. Everyone in the game goes on as if nothing ever happened there, either before or after the main quest. That attitude is something that is hard for even me to shake when I am writing, as I am so used to seeing Cyrodiil as Kvatchless. I purposely worked the city into that scene in an effort to overcome that.


Olen: Aradroth was fun to write into that scene. It is always fun to do crossovers. I have another one coming up in seven more chapters.

Teresa does indeed have a poet to look up. One of the things that made the scene between Teresa and Ardaline so much fun for me to write was the parallel between that between her and Ancondil. A great example of turnabout!


Thomas Kaira: I don't really see Tamriel as being as homophobic as the modern West is irl. It lacks the elements to drive it. Rather I imagine Tamriel is much the same as the Ancient Greece or Rome. It is just something some people do. Although I picture humans, and Imperials in particular, being more sexually conservative, and having more of a stress on having kids and families. But that is because their societies seem more patriarchal in nature than the elven ones.

I have not seen hummus in wraps, so I left it out. Tabolueh I have though. Maybe next time Teresa will get some pita bread and baba genough?


Acadian: mALX has indelibly etched Fathis in my mind as a creepy, promiscuous stalker. I just cannot picture him any other way.

That last scene was enjoyable not only because of the parallels to Teresa's encounter with Ancondil, but also because as you noted, now she can see how Nerussa feels around her.

Good call on the an. I think I lost the "n" in one of my edits.


Jacki Dice: Sometimes you just say the sweetest things.


Grits: Thank you Grits. It was one of those cases where I hoped the scene would convey more emotion if I made less of it obvious, and more of it inferred below the surface. I am glad it worked.


Zalphon: Thank you Zalph, making things feel like a real world is what I strive for.


Next: The previous chapter saw Teresa have dinner with an unusual Orisimer during her first evening in Bravil. Then she spent the next morning at the Mages Guild selling potions, learning spells, and forming a friendship with the local alchemist. Next she returns to her room to find she has an unexpected visitor.


Chapter 28.1 –Through A Nightmare Darkly

25th Last Seed, 3E433

Teresa returned to Silverhome On The Water clutching a pile of clothing and shoes to her breast, along with her spell pamphlets, a pair of books, and a bottle of brandy. She was barely able to turn the latch to enter the front door of the inn, and only managed it after dangerously shifting her load of goods around in her arms. Striding through the common room, she answered the publican's greeting with a nod and a faint smile.

She did not linger on the ground floor, heading straight to her room instead. She thought she heard the Altmer proprietor say something behind her, but could not catch his words as she scurried up the stairs to the second floor.

She could not wait to put on the green velvet dress she had bought, and hastened down the corridor. Its soft touch against her skin felt lovely, and the matching shoes that went with it were simply adorable.

No one back in the Imperial City would even recognize her, the wood elf thought with a faint smile as she performed another act of juggling to retrieve her key and fit it into the lock of her door. Yet it did not click open when she turned it, for it was already unlocked.

She was certain that she had locked it when she left. She always locked her doors when she had something valuable, like the ingredients she had left over from the previous day's potion making. Had she been robbed? Was the thief still in the room?

With the latter thought in mind, Teresa carefully set down her things beside the door. Her heart galloped like a racehorse as she fixed the symbol for her Flare spell in her mind. Cautiously opening the door a crack, she peeked within. The portion of the room she could see through the opening was empty, and better yet, undisturbed. Pushing the door open the rest of the way, she found that the other half was occupied however.

Sitting at the small table beside her bed was the commander of the Fighters Guild. He was dressed in tan linen pants, a long-sleeved white shirt, and a dark brown vest. A long, straight sword rode at his hip. Unlike most arming swords, it had a gold-engraved guard, a white bone handle, and a curious lobed pommel. An opened bottle sat on the table in front of the swordsman, along with a pair of shot-glasses. His blue eyes rose from the book he was thumbing through and met Teresa's.

Screenshot

"Where have you been kid?" the Colovian said as he closed the book and set it on the table beside him. "I've been waiting for almost an hour, and this Ayleid history is nearly as boring as that other book you have about plants."

"Herminia Cinna is hardly boring," Teresa declared. Still, she relaxed her stance and leaned back against the doorframe. "If I had known I had a guest, I would have arranged for something more entertaining, like a grizzly bear."

"Well, it wouldn't be the first time for that!" the Colovian laughed and lifted one of the glasses to his lips. His head rocked back as he downed the contents in a single gulp, and Teresa detected a slight wince on his features as slapped the empty glass down on the table with a clack!

She shook her head and stepped back into the hallway to gather her things. Carrying them into her room, she set them on the bed and shut the door behind her. "So do you make a habit of breaking into women's rooms?" she looked down upon him with her arms akimbo.

"I didn't break anything kid, the innkeeper let me in. He's a friend of mine." The guild commander poured a smoky amber liquid into each of the shot-glasses. That made the wood elf wonder if what the innkeeper said to her as she rose the stairs had been a warning about Pappy? "You know you missed your training session this afternoon."

Teresa closed her eyes. Damn, she silently cursed. She had been so caught up in lunch with Ardaline and shopping with the high elf that she had completely forgotten. She had even resolved herself to go back to the Fighters Guild after all, in light of what Ancondil and Aia had said the day before. By Nocturnal, she could be such a fool sometimes!

"Sorry, I forgot," Teresa said, biting her lower lip. "I got caught up in things at the Mages Guild…"

"Really, they sell dresses and Surilie Brothers brandy there now do they?" Pappy asked. His eyes glittered with mirth as he nodded at the pile on Teresa's bed.

"Well, that came later," Teresa said, still biting her lip and turning back to her bed. Picking up the bottle of brandy and a book of poetry for Ancondil, she walked to the dresser and drew forth a small bag and placed them both within. "But I was with a mage so it still counts."

"Well, I would never come between a woman and a new pair of shoes," the Colovian laughed. "Come on sit down and have a drink, I have a proposition for you."

"Really? I've heard you have a talent for coming between women and their clothing." Teresa said, walking back to the bed and now taking her copy of Grogan's Guide and setting it with her alchemical bag next to the small table. "If that's what you're here for, you are out of luck."

"Settle down Teresa," the older man frowned. "I don't sleep with the women in the guild. Not anymore. It's not worth the headaches. Besides, there are plenty of other fish in the Niben. Now are you going to sit down and talk or not?"

"I did not know I was in the guild," Teresa said as she sat across from him. "I am supposed to wait for two weeks remember?"

"Cut the bull kid," the Colovian said plainly. "We both know that if you aren't full of dreck you are in. Now have a drink."

"I'm sorry," Teresa breathed, willing the tension of the surprise visit to drain out of her. Why did the older man get on her nerves so much? He did not seem like a bad sort at all. He was a lot friendlier than Volsinius, that was for certain!

She reached for the glass, and studied the golden brown fluid within. From the smell it must be some kind of whiskey, she thought. She did not normally drink anything that hard. Wine was more than enough for her. But she did not want to turn him down, at least not yet. Perhaps more importantly, she did not want look weak in front of him. Not after her display of tears the other day.

She lifted the glass to her lips and let the amber liquor slide into her mouth. Instantly she regretted it. The taste was simply awful, making her wince before she could even begin to swallow. Worse, it was freezing cold, as if she was drinking ice. Before she could stop herself, she was spitting it out in a spray of golden droplets.

Pappy laughed as she doubled over and coughed. At least she had managed to avoid getting it all over him, or the bed. "Nocturnal, what is that cacat?" she wheezed, feeling a familiar warmth rise to her cheeks.

"That is Mímisbrunnr," Pappy said. "Nordic whiskey. It's not for everyone."

"Isn't that illegal?" Teresa asked. So much for not appearing weak, she thought glumly. Her mouth felt frozen, and she wished she could get the awful taste from her tongue. Finally she rose and lifted the pitcher of water next to the washbasin and took several deep gulps.

"I don't let little things like that get in my way." Pappy grinned, and the wood elf imagined that he was enjoying her discomfort.

"I've heard that too." Teresa said as she walked back to the table and sat down. She knew that she had made a complete fool of herself. She ought to be used to it by now, it seemed to be what she was best at after all. Biting her lip again, she tried to ignore the sting in what was left of her pride and continue talking. "I hear you don't like rules."

"No, I like rules." Pappy said with a smile that Teresa was certain would make most women melt. "I like to break them. That's why I'm here."

"So what are you breaking?" the wood elf could not contain a faint smile at his quip.

"I have a job for you," he said, pouring himself another glass. When he motioned to pour another for Teresa she held her hand up and shook her head. She was never going to even think of drinking that again! "A quiet job, off the books. That's why I'm up here, and not downstairs."

"So you want something stolen then?" Teresa frowned. "I told you, I'm not a thief."

"No, not stolen," Pappy knocked back another shot of whiskey. "This is a favor for a friend. She needs someone no one in town knows. Someone with at least a little bit of magic, who can think unconventionally."

Teresa nodded, that certainly sounded like her. But it was awfully secretive. "So who is your friend?" she asked, trying to decide whether it would be a good idea to do this. On one hand it would certainly help her with Pappy. But on the other it could be illegal. While she was not one to shirk at breaking the law, she did not want to end up in prison again either…

"Kud-Ei, the head of the Mages Guild here in Bravil," Pappy said evenly, staring Teresa in the eye. "She won't tell me what it is, but from the rumors I am hearing, I think it has something to do with one of her magisters. She's a real straight shooter. If she's going outside of official channels like this, he must be in big trouble."

"Henantier," Teresa breathed, remembering what Aryarie had said earlier about the two of them being missing from the guild hall.

"You seem well-informed for someone who just got here?" Pappy cocked an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Like I said, I was just at the Mages Guild this morning." Teresa shrugged. "They were talking about Kud-Ei and him being gone."

"Okay kid, here's the deal. I cannot pay you for this, and as far as the guild is concerned it never happened," Pappy said plainly. "But if you pull this off and Kud-Ei is happy, then I'll make you a probationary member when you come back."

"So this is another test then?" Teresa instantly regretted her words.

"No it's not another test," the Colovian said, and Teresa could not mistake the annoyance in his voice. "This is a favor for a friend, simple as that. Take it or leave it."

"Okay," Teresa said, wondering what she was getting herself into. "Where do I find Kud-Ei?"

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Jan 21 2011, 02:10 AM

[haute ecole rider]

And so begins one of the straaangest quests in Cyrodiil!

I recall you writing this quest over on the other forum, and thought you did well that time. Now I'm looking forward to it yet again!

As for Kvatch, it's funny. That burned city weighs so much on my mind while I'm playing the game (even after the MQ is done), that I never noticed that no one else mentions it. Not even Martin after he's at Cloud Ruler! It's as if the city itself donned the Cowl of Nocturnal But now that you mention it, yes, that's weird.

Ah well, people can be strange.

[Olen]

I like this quest (though when I first did it the maps wouldn't display so it took rather a lot of trial and error). I can imagine Teresa will react interestingly to it. Getting Pappy to point her towards it is a nice touch, makes the different people seem more connected.

The guild commander poured a smoky amber liquid into each of the shot-glasses

Sounds like Pappy has terrible taste. Shot glasses and cold? You'd think he didn't want to taste anything . I must say I'm rather partial to 'smoky amber liquid'. Mímisbrunnr is a good name for it too.

As ever the interactions between Teresa and Pappy were excellent.

[Acadian]

What a deliciously complex conversation!

At first, Teresa had the upper hand. After all, the man was trespassing in her room:
"So do you make a habit of breaking into women's rooms?"

Unfortunately, Pappy was able to counter with this:
"You know you missed your training session this afternoon."

Ah, the old training session vs clothes shopping. Pappy quite impressed me with his wisdom, no doubt hard-earned:
"Well, I would never come between a woman and a new pair of shoes," the Colovian laughed.'

Quite the delightful banter! I loved how you display that the Bravil guild leaders (FG and MG) would reasonably have a working relationship. Having learned some of Pappy, and knowing Kud-Ei rather well, I can certainly see how they would respect each other.

Although the conversation between Teresa and Pappy dominated this episode, there were other pieces of goodness within as well. A green velvet dress with matching shoes (of course) sounds wonderful for Teresa; no doubt Ardaline helped point out how perfect the color would look with Teresa's emerald eyes, pale skin and fiery hair. I was pleased to see that Teresa had thoughtfully bought some brandy and a book of poetry for Ancondil! I also look forward to Teresa helping dear Kud-Ei.

[Thomas Kaira]

Well, at least some felafel, then!

"Well, I would never come between a woman and a new pair of shoes," the Colovian laughed.

Glad to see Pappy's got his head on straight. I'd be especially scared for his life if he got in the way of a woman's hair.

"If I had known I had a guest, I would have arranged for something more entertaining, like a grizzly bear."

"Well, it wouldn't be the first time for that!" the Colovian laughed

Careful there, Pappy, you may want to consider that this grizzly can take down a Daedroth with quite little effort.

Nit:

Unlike most arming swords, it had a gold-engraved guard, a white bone handle, and a curious lobed pommel An opened bottle sat on the table in front of the swordsman, along with a pair of shot-glasses.

Looks like Teresa dropped one of her periods trying to get her door open.

This post has been edited by Thomas Kaira: Jan 21 2011, 02:03 AM

[Jacki Dice]

"Really? I've heard you have a talent for coming between women and their clothing."

...
.....
.......

She lifted the glass to her lips and let the amber liquor slide into her mouth. Instantly she regretted it. The taste was simply awful, making her wince before she could even begin to swallow. Worse, it was freezing cold, as if she was drinking ice. Before she could stop herself, she was spitting it out in a spray of golden droplets.

Poor Teresa! That happened to me a few weeks ago when Wrothken decided he wanted some rum. Before I knew it, I spat it all over him and the bed!

[D.Foxy]

Cumming between women and their clothing....tsk, tsk...we really must try to cure that premature ejack 2 lay shun problem...

[mALX]

... etc.

You missed the real line, Foxy :

Before she could stop herself, she was spitting it out in a spray of golden droplets.

Er ... I won't say the first thing that popped into my dherty mind at this, but ... it may or may not have something to do with a ... "shower..." (cough, cough).

Remember what everyone thought the clear jar of yellow fluid was (in my original story on the BGSF) when Manheim was giving Nordic Whiskey to Owyn?

This post has been edited by mALX: Jan 22 2011, 06:57 PM

[D.Foxy]

You caught that line because of your recent kidney troubles, mah dear!!!

[mALX]

You caught that line because of your recent kidney troubles, mah dear!!!

(what ever happened to the angelic emoticon?) I blame you for the corruption of my (formerly) totally innocent mind


BAM! CRACKLE! SPLAT! ** lightning struck mALX as she typed **

[SubRosa]

haute ecole rider: Thank you H.E.R. This one did not really change much since the Beth days though.


Olen: I am glad you liked Mímisbrunnr. I worked long and hard to come up with a name that would have the appropriately Nordic feel. As opposed to "rotgut" as they call Nordic Whiskey in the game.

Why not shot glasses and cold drinks? I went with the shot glass because it's whiskey. Back when I actually drank alcohol, whiskey was one of my favorites. I used to mix it with pop however, usually something with a lime flavor, like Slice or Mountain Dew. I never liked doing shots. You can actually taste the whiskey then! *blech*


Acadian: It is always fun to write conversations between Pappy and Teresa. They tend to be so filled with sparks! I have been watching my old Baa Baa Blacksheep episodes again to help me capture the flavor of the hard-drinking, hard-fighting, and skirt-chasing commander.

And quite right, Pappy and Kud-Ei do indeed have a good working relationship. Both of them are smart enough to realize that the other can help their respective guilds, and so are willing to put up with one another. As I imagine Azzan and Carahil do in Anvil. On the other hand, I cannot picture Burz gro-Khash and Falcar in Cheydinhal getting along at all!


Thomas Kaira: mmm, Falafel... (where is the Homer Simpson salivating emoticon?) I hope you are proud of the fact that you prompted me to buy some pita bread and hummous the other night.

Thank you for picking up Teresa's period! She will need it, as the chapter I am currently working on revolves around it!


Jacki Dice: Doh! Poor Wrothken! Why do I suddenly picture him like Captain Jack Sparrow, asking "But why isn't there any rum?"

That was another one of those great moments where fate has conspired to make sure Teresa does not get too big for her britches!


D.Foxy: I am sure Pappy does that in more places than between their clothing!


mALX: While I am not afraid to write about bodily functions, I do draw the line at u-rine. (And look, I am a poet, just like Foxy!). Hmm, actually that is not quite true, cacat does play a role in a future chapter.


Next: In our previous episode, Teresa accepted a mysterious proposition from the commander of the Bravil Fighters Guild. Next, she goes goes to meet the Guild Magister of the Bravil Mages Guild.


Chapter 28.2 –Through A Nightmare Darkly

Teresa walked past the statue of the Lucky Old Lady and stared up at the multi-story building in front of her. Well, this was it, she thought, the tenth building down Lady Street, just as Pappy had said. She stepped up to the door as butterflies began to dance within her stomach. Before she could think of all the reasons she should just turn and walk away, she reached out and rapped on the doorframe.

Screenshot

The door opened a few moments later, revealing an Argonian woman wearing a green silk skirt and a velvet top of the same color. Teresa was immediately struck by how similar both were to the outfit that she had just bought at Nilawen's, and wondered if the Argonian had also bought hers there.

"Yes?" the Argonian asked, speaking in the raspy, almost hissing tone that all of her race possessed. Her face was a lovely mix of green, rust, and brown scales, and her head sprouted numerous bone spikes that ran along each side of her skull.

Teresa could see that the Argonian was distressed. The way her horns drooped sideways and the line of her brow furrowed around her orange eyes spoke volumes. Most people thought that Argonians were emotionless, Teresa reflected. But years of living with Geen-Rana on the Waterfront had taught her the little nuances of understanding their moods. Once one knew what to look for, the serpent-folk were even easier to read than humans or elves. It was one of the reasons she liked being around them. That, and the soothing tone of their husky voices.

Screenshot

"Kud-Ei?" the forester asked, "my name is Teresa. Pappy - um Commander Vitellus - sent me."

"Thank the Nine!" the Argonian hissed, pulling Teresa into the house and shutting the door behind her. They stood in a small vestibule that opened to either side. To the right it widened into a spacious living room that took up the rest of the ground floor. While to the left the wood elf saw a stair leading up, curling around the corner of the building and out of sight. "I have been praying that he could find someone! Come with me, there is no time to waste!"

The Argonian darted up the staircase, and Teresa followed close behind. There was no wall to the right, allowing the wood elf to see into the entire living room as she ascended the steps. It was simply furnished, with a roaring fireplace, a few tables and cupboards, a wall-hanging of the Mages Guild eye symbol, and several paintings of the Great Forest that seemed so vivid that she half-expected the trees to sway in an imaginary breeze. For a moment Teresa wondered if they were painted by the same man who had done those Nerussa had in her bedchamber. What had his name been? Rythe Lythandas?

Screenshot

The second floor was a single room. A simple sleeping area sat in the far corner, and in contrast to it the rest of the floor was taken up by an elaborate study and workshop. The latter seemed to be in disarray, as there were books, scrolls, and scraps of paper haphazardly strewn around the single desk and numerous tables.

Teresa's eyes widened at the sight of a full suit of ebony armor that was arranged on a stand amid the clutter. That must cost a fortune! she thought. Also catching her eye was a glowing silver crystal on the desk. It was long and slender, tapering to points at both ends, and had an elegant metal latticework bound around its center. She instantly recognized it as a varla stone, just like the one she had found in Vilverin.

Screenshot

"This is Henantier's home," Kud-Ei explained as she swept past the mess to the single bed in the corner of the room. There Teresa saw a young high elf wearing a simple blue magister's robe. Around his neck was a golden chain, whose huge round pendant was inlaid with an equally large moonstone. He lay on the bed with his eyes closed, and as the wood elf approached she saw him twitch and roll over, as if he was having a nightmare. "I found him this way two days ago, and he has not woken since."

Screenshot

"So what's wrong with him?" Teresa asked, staring down at the high elf. His head shook from side to side, and he rolled onto his back again.

"Henantier is trapped in a nightmare of his own creation," Kud-Ei explained. "After going through his notes I learned what he did."

"He did this to himself?" Teresa asked.

"Henantier is the most brilliant mage I have ever known." Kud-Ei stared down at the young elf, holding her arms across herself, as if she were clutching her own body for comfort. "We were study mates at the Arcane University. He entered at only ten, and graduated a full mage at the top of his class only four years later. That is half the normal time. He was such a prodigy that he surpassed the rest of us in everything without even trying. Now he is one of the preeminent enchanters in Cyrodiil. He only does custom work for the guild's best clients. The only reason he lives here in Bravil is that his parents are here."

Teresa looked back at the ebony armor. She knew that cost a fortune. Now she realized that it must be from one of Henantier's customers. That also explained the varla stone. Naturally an enchanter of his stature would have an artifact like that, if not several.

"Yet that very brilliance has ever been his downfall," Kud-Ei sighed, walking to the desk and picking up another necklace similar to that the high elf wore. "Even in school he was getting into trouble. Not picking fights or playing pranks, but reaching too far in his quest for knowledge."

Teresa cocked an eyebrow, wondering what that meant. Kud-Ei walked back to her and placed the necklace in her hands.

"Henantier quickly exhausted the conventional sources of learning. But they only whetted his appetite for more. So he reached to the darkness for answers, first to Daedra-Princes, then to necromancy. Several students were nearly killed, myself among them."

The Argonian took Teresa by the arm, clutching at her with what felt like near desperation. "Please understand, Henantier is not an evil man. It was all just academic to him. He only wanted to understand the universe, and how everything in it worked. He was never satisfied with just being a brilliant magician."

"Henantier has been warned that if he does something again he will be expelled from the guild." Kud-Ei went on. "That is the reason for all this subterfuge. If it were to get out, even if he can be saved, his career will be finished. What happens here must not go further than these walls."

"I understand. Don't worry, I can keep a secret," Teresa nodded, thinking about how she had carried the Amulet of Kings to Jauffre. "He must be a good friend, for you to still be by his side after that."

"A true friend is there through the hard times as well as the easy ones," Kud-Ei said. "I would have never graduated if not for Henantier. He got me through Mysticism. I never forget who my friends are."

"I know exactly what you mean," Teresa breathed, thinking of Methredhel. They had been through a lot lately, but even after all of it the other Bosmer had stayed by her side. Even though they rarely had the chance to see one another anymore, she knew the other woman was someone she could always count on. Looking back to Henantier, she thought how lucky he was to have a similar friend in Kud-Ei.

"Henantier has created a dreamworld within his own mind, using this amulet he enchanted." Kud-Ei said, stepping over to the bed and pointing to the necklace around the Altmer's neck. "He designed it to be an exercise field, to test himself and improve not only his skills, but the very core of his psyche. When I looked through his notes I believe I found a mistake in the symbol for the enchantment however. Instead of testing the different parts of his nature, I fear he has sundered them instead. I have enchanted a second amulet using his notes, so that someone can enter the same dreamworld and rescue him."

"Can't you just take the amulet off him?" the forester asked, "wouldn't that bring him out?"

"No," the mage shook her head. "He would come back as he is now, with his mind in ruins."

"So what can I do?" Teresa asked plainly. "Isn't this your area? I am not a real magician. I only know a few simple spells. I am an archer."

"If I enter his dreamworld I suspect the same thing will happen to me." Kud-Ei explained. "His subconscious is driving it. I believe it will seek to test anyone he recognizes. Only a total stranger - someone whom he has not only never met, but never even heard of - can escape the splintering of their mind when inside his dream."

"Okay, what do I do then?" Teresa said, raising the necklace over her head and settling it around her neck. It felt warm to the touch, and instantly she began to feel tired. "How do I put Lorkhan's pieces back together again?"

Kud-Ei smiled at the wood elf's stab at humor, and took the forester's hands in her own. "You are a brave girl," she said. "I can see Commander Vitellus sent the right person. Just lie down and go to sleep. You will enter Henantier's dream when you do. I do not know what you will find when you are there. Things may seem strange, perhaps even insane. Remember that it is a dream, so the normal laws of reality do not apply."

Teresa lay on the floor beside the high elf and closed her eyes. She could hear the voice of the Argonian booming above her.

"Find Henantier, and restore the broken fragments of his psyche. Only he can get you out again." The magician's voice began to fade away, as if she was moving down a long tunnel. "Be careful that you are not killed in the dreamworld, else you will never waken…"

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Jan 25 2011, 05:13 AM

[haute ecole rider]

Yes, and so it begins!

I personally think this quest is weirder than anything in the SI. Goes to show just how strange these High Elves are. And I believe you did this quest some serious justice when you wrote it. I am looking forward to rereading it again!