Buffy the Bowgirl, Book 1, Thread 5, Do You Know the Way to Kvatch? Options

[Darkness Eternal]

I'll admit. I like the weapon's name; Slayer. And this latest chapter proved just that. Hacking away at the scaly Daedric ilk as if it were a knife through scrib jelly!

“By laying on of hands, my magic is focused much more efficiently to fully heal the areas that I can tell actually need it. A potion would not have known to concentrate on your broken rib. Nor could it have fully closed that fresh cut on your cheek without a trace, as I have done.

Interesting part right there. A little healing magic 101.

The ending already has everyone anticipating what will happen, especially with that gurgling Dremora, whom I loved to slay in Oblivion by the way. Look forward to seeing Buffy(With Slayer) and Savlin kick some Daedric tail! Keep it up!

[Tage]

Hi. I've been a long time admirer of this story. I'm just sorry I haven't registered and commented earlier!
Anyway, I thought this last episode was excellent (though I've yet to see a Buffy episode which was not excellent).

[Acadian]

In Episode 153, Savlian and Buffy continued searching for the sigil stone inside Kvatch’s Oblivion Gate. Their upward progress in the largest of three towers was paused by a trio of locked/warded doors. The only one they could open allowed passage across a sky bridge to one of the smaller towers. There, it seems they have just been challenged by the voice of a Dremora.

ghastley- Thank you! Although I’ll claim some creative vagueness regarding creatures vs levels, we should think of Buffy’s level at this point as in the mid teens. We’ll only see a couple of the ‘bigger’ Daedra in this book. Summoning a repair hammer is a ‘virtual mod’.

SubRosa- Thanks for those kind words! Sorry for the confusion as Buffy’s rumination was cut off by Savlian’s comments. Ghastley nailed our intent, but I did make a small change to enhance clarity.

KC- Thanks. Given that Buffy’s style of healing involves absorbing pain from her patients, Savlian’s question as to why not use potions was a fair one. It gave her an opportunity to ‘splain her empathic healing. Yes, those Dremora do have an eerily chilling voice!

Grits- Thank you! I’m trying to balance progression in the gate with what I hope is the natural development of depth between S&B. Buffy’s puny endurance and prodigious detect life range conspire to both require and allow the little breaks they are taking. Your words are very comforting in that regard.

McBadgere- Hopefully S&B can deal with that gravelly voiced Dremora. Then, yes, that other glow at the top of the tower is ‘that dude in the cage’. Thanks for appreciating Buffy’s empathic/laying on of hands type of healing.

mALX- Gosh thanks for nailing what I was trying to show here! Buffy can be pretty dangerous, but she is also stunningly nurturing.

Darkness Eternal- Buffy named her bow after she learned that Azura both blessed and cursed her with being a Slayer. In fact we developed some Buffy lore on Slayers during the storyline ‘Child of Dawn’ (Episodes 20-26 near the end of Thread 1). Also peculiar to Buffy’s lore is that she heals like a paladin or priest (laying on of hands) instead of a mage. It seems that blessing/curse is courtesy of the paladin that travels inside her. Thank you!

Tage- I can’t tell you how delighted I am to realize that you are reading and took the time to grace us with a kind comment! Thank you, and I so hope we can continue to earn your readership.

* * *

154 I Will Chill Your Ale with a Spell Tonight

The monster stepped into view. A full helm that matched the black and crimson plate armor hid whatever served as a face. A blood-red sash was wrapped around armored hips. Gauntleted hands brandished both arming sword and shield.

Between the Dremora and I stood Savlian Matius on the narrow ramp that curled around the inner wall of this small tower. His protection also served to block any shot I might attempt. “Back away, Buffy,” he commanded calmly. “I need room.”

I needed no further encouragement to quickly put half a dozen paces of buffer between us.

Savlian also began slowly backing down the ramp.

“Cowardly mortals!” growled the Dremora. It then charged.

Savlian deftly sidestepped the Daedric warrior’s overconfident thrust by sliding toward the wall. He then shield bashed the armored shoulder of his charging attacker, channeling its momentum over the edge of the ramp. After a crash of plate armor rose from the tower’s base, I managed to croak, “The beast’s glow is extinguished.”

Savlian was already crouched with leveled sword. He was peering upward, and waiting. The Dremora had been but one of two similarly shaped glows hidden above us.

“Ilend? Is that you?” The urgent words from the tower’s upper reaches were decidedly human.

“Menien!” called Savlian, clearly recognizing the voice. He quickly headed up the ramp. I followed and we soon reached the top of the tower.

“Captain?” A shirtless and balding Imperial shook the bars of his small circular cage.

“Aye,” replied Savlain. Turning to me, he said, “Buffy, this is the leader of the first expedition to close the Oblivion Gate.” Readdressing the soldier, Savlian went on, “Menien, Buffy here is my scout, mage and the closest thing we have to an expert on this damn place. Thank Akatosh you’re alive after all this time.”

“Well met, Bosmer. Captain, it’s good to see you! I’m sure it’s only been a few days, but it seems more like a week. I know all but Ilend and I perished near those war gates. Is he with you?”

After Savlian and I exchanged glances, he replied, “It has indeed been more than a few days, Menien. Ilend is safe. He’s just outside the Oblivion Gate, waiting to give you a hero’s welcome as soon as we close it. Here.” Savlian passed one of our waterskins between the bars.

After draining it, Menien said, “Thanks. They made me drink some kind of sickeningly sweet thick liquid. It kept hunger and thirst at bay, but also addled my mind for quite awhile every time I drank some.”

“Let me unlock this cage,” I said, casting a spell into its bars. They did not budge. I turned to Savlian. “Like those two warded doors in the big tower, this appears to be in need of a special key.”

“That manlike Daedra in the armor carried a key of some sort,” said Menien. “He sometimes issued it to others like him who said they needed access to the upper sanctum – wherever that is.”

“I’ll go below and search your jailer’s body,” I said. “I know you two have some catching up to do.” My feet quickly carried me down the ramp to the base of the tower. I retrieved a key from the armor of the broken Dremora and returned.

“. . . good to hear that both Ilend and Merandil have turned into fine leaders, Captain. I knew they both had it in ‘em.”

I proudly presented the key, but closer inspection revealed Menien’s cage provided no place to insert it. “I-I can’t open it.”

Menien sighed. “I was afraid of that, but it’s not your fault, young elf. They cast some kind of spell to lock this cage and taunted me that it could not be countered. That key, though, might help you get to what they called the upper sanctum and find a way to destroy the Oblivion Gate itself.”

Savlian nodded soberly. “I suspect you’re right. According to Buffy, the power source for this realm is called a sigil stone. Removing it should close the gate.”

Pleading filled my eyes as I looked at Savlian and felt my chin quivering. “W-we can’t leave this man here.”

It was Menien who answered. “Aye, you can and you must. I should have died with my soldiers in that trap between the war gates. I’m ready to join them.”

Savlian shot me a look that I understood as an order for silence. He then mustered a smile for Menien. “When we pull that sigil stone, the gate will close. But everything that does not belong here - like Buffy, I and you - will hopefully get transported right back to Kvatch. All three of us are likely to be celebrating and drinking some of Weedum-Ja’s ale tonight.”

“I’ll hope so, Captain,” replied Menien stoically. “May the Nine protect you both.”

The two men grasped each other’s forearms in a warrior clasp.

I reached through the bars, grabbed Menien’s free hand and drew it to my lips. “We’ll see you soon, brave man, and I will chill your ale with a spell tonight.” I turned before the tears could come. Savlian and I started down the ramp to leave this small tower.

As soon as we were on the aerial span leading back to the large tower, I grabbed my Imperial and said, “Hold me.” I was engulfed by the comfort of strong arms that pulled my face to his chest. I said into his mail, “You don’t know if what we told Menien is true, do you?”

After a moment, I heard, “No, but if I’m right, there’ll be no deception to forgive. If I’m wrong, he will at least have died with some hope. And the decision I made will join many others that trouble my sleep.”

I looked up into my captain’s eyes. “You did the right thing, Savlian.”

[mALX]

to quickly put half a dozen paces of buffer between us

I know it is very real, but it is just...Buffy needing a buffer - ROFL !!

The scene with Menien was very touchingly well done. Very Buffy and very Matias simultaneously - AWESOME Write !!!

[McBadgere]

Savlian deftly sidestepped the Daedric warrior’s overconfident thrust by sliding toward the wall. He then shield bashed the armored shoulder of his charging attacker, channeling its momentum over the edge of the ramp. After a crash of plate armor rose from the tower’s base, I managed to croak, “The beast’s glow is extinguished.”

YES!!... ...Oh hells this made me laugh and applaud at the same time...So simple a tactic yet so brilliantly effective and funny at the same time... ...

Loved the whole of the extremely touching scene with 'the dude in the cage'... ...And yet so absolutely sad as well...Nicely done there... ...

Nice one!!....

*Applauds heartily*..

[King Coin]

I admire Savlian’s efficient method of dealing with the dremora.

Wow! Big time difference!

Ah, still little hope for Menein. That would be hard. I see now what Savlian’s really made of. Without him, I don’t think Buffy would have been able to leave. She picked up on Savlian’s cue well though.

[ghastley]

It's the little touches that make it so good. Like Menien having actually seen the key when the Sigil Keeper passed it to another Dremora. In the regular game, you wonder how he knows about the key. And here, too, Buffy already knows about Sigil Stones, so he doesn't have to mention something he's never seen. It makes the story so much more plausible.

[SubRosa]

A blood-red sash was wrapped around armored hips.
Roman generals wore such a sash to denote their authority. I suspect that this fella wears one for a similar reason. An excellent inclusion.

Savlian pitched him over he edge! I love doing that in the game!

Menien! We can only cross our fingers and hope that he too will be sent back to Kvatch when the Sigil Stone is taken. Although I am not holding my breath.

[Grits]

As ghastley said, the little touches made the scene with Menien very real. I believed his reunion with Savlian completely. I’m also hopeful that what Savlian suggested is true, but leaving Menien behind was still a heart breaker. Buffy’s distress, Savlian’s leadership, and Menien’s stoicism did beautiful justice to this gut-wrenching moment from the game. I'm so glad that B&S had each other to lean on after they left him.

[RainbowVeins]

I'd been waiting a long time for this scene with Menien, knowing the difficulty Savlian was having after losing so many of his men to that gate. I love what you did with it - wonderfully done.

Looking forward to next Friday!

[Acadian]

During Epsisode 154, Buffy and Savlian encountered Menien, the leader of the first failed expedition Savlian that had sent into the Oblivion Gate. Despite finding a key upon the body of Menien’s jailer, they were unable to free the soldier from his magically warded cage. They left Menien with the hope that all three of them would be magically transported out of the Deadlands once the sigil stone was removed.

mALX- Buffy needing a buffer! At least she wasn’t in the buff or buffing her nails! Thank you for finding the scene with Menien to be illustrative of the natures of both Savlian and Buffy.

McBadgere- Thank you. Buffy was quite impressed by the way Savlian shield bashed that Dremora over the ramp’s edge – and she’ll remember the tactic.

KC- Thanks! We tried to display that both Buffy and Savlian were surprised and slightly confused over Menien’s perception of his length of captivity, then slip in what could be an explanation. I agree that it was only the strength of Savlian and Menien that gave Buffy the ability to leave him there – despite their hope for his survival.

ghastley- Thank you for complimenting our handling of the key and a couple other small touches you mentioned.

SubRosa- More Dremora edge pitching coming up! Alas, I believe you are wise to not hold your breath over Menien’s fate.

Grits- Thank you for those kind words. It is of great comfort to hear that we managed to do believable justice to the poignant and powerful encounter with Menien. I’m so pleased that the underlying natures of Buffy and Savlian came through there.

RainbowVeins- Thank you so much. Menien's situation is a tough one to deal with, and we are not yet fully done with it. That failed expedition will factor heavily into this very next episode. Considerations of Menien will then notably influence Savlian’s thinking during the episode after that - which will see the closing of Obliva.

* * *

155 Clearing a Path

After reentering the large tower, we tried our key in one of the two locked doors. It dispelled the warding and we found ourselves on another sky bridge leading to the second small tower.

“This does not take us up to the sigil stone,” growled Savlian.

“Like that other small tower, perhaps it provides a clue or something else that will help us?”

He seemed to ponder my words for a moment, then replied, “You’re right, my scout. Let’s see if it can provide any assistance to our cause.”

We were undetected as we slipped through the door. Once again, we found ourselves midway on a circular ramp that curled up the interior wall from the tower’s base to its upper reaches. Savlian looked to me. After a full scan, I quietly reported, “Nothing lives below us. There’s one glow above that I assess as another Dremora.” I remembered how Savlian dealt with the last such foe. After giving him my recommendation, he nodded and let me lead us upward.

When the Dremora came into view, it did not issue a taunt. Rather, it raised both hands above one pauldron and drew a claymore whose length exceeded my height.

Then the monster charged.

As soon as the spell swirled from my fingers, I slid safely behind the steel of Savlian. When the illusion impacted, the Dremora stopped, stowed its massive weapon and calmly approached, awaiting our command. My Imperial responded with a vicious shield bash that sent the beast over the side of the ramp. Like Menien’s jailer in the other tower, this armored creature fell to a noisy death.

Atop the structure we found an elaborate control mechanism. Savlian manipulated various levers until the heavy gears and chains ground into loud motion for several seconds.

We then proceeded down to the base of the tower. A search, which included the Dremora’s broken body, yielded nothing of value to advance our quest. Climbing up the ramp to the tower’s midpoint, we exited back onto the sky bridge.

A glance down and along the wide trail leading away from the main tower revealed both sets of war gates between us and the fiery portal to Kvatch now stood wide open. I said, “Perhaps we should clear that path to the exit for our sprint out of the Deadlands after we pull the sigil stone?”

Savlian rubbed his chin. I had watched my Imperial shave back in our tent before sunrise - as fascinated by the mannish task as when I used to watch Daenlin perform it after a morning hunt. The rough growth that now rasped under Savlian’s fingers suggested we had already been in this realm for the better part of a day. Finally, he spoke, “That trail would be a lot faster route out of here than the circuitous path that brought us to this point.” After another moment, he nodded. “Yes, and clearing it before we need to use it will give us the chance to recover any personal effects from my fallen soldiers down there.”

We uneventfully made our way down through the large tower, emerging at the top of the trail leading toward Kvatch.

Warily, we started along the wide path. I was scanning nervously up into the rocks on both sides for Daedra when I heard metallic clicking and whirring noises.

Before I could react, Savlian’s shield arm swept around me and drove us both to the ground. A small explosion sent debris flying just over us. After a few moments we rose to our feet. He said, “I imagine this whole path is mined with these traps that can somehow sense our presence.” Pointing ahead and to one side, he added, “That looks like another one.”

I nocked an arrow and, with partial tension on Slayer’s bowstring, pulled the rest of the trail ahead into sharp focus. “You’re right. Now that I know what to look for, I can see perhaps a score or more of them.”

“Can you set them off with your arrows?” asked Savlian.

Unnocking the feathered tail from Slayer’s silk, I said, “I think I could, but perhaps a spell can do the job while conserving our arrows.”

The burst of flame I cast was pathetic enough that Delphine Jend would have rolled her eyes. It also missed the small target. The device exploded on my second attempt however, and we both dove again for the ground. After a couple more traps, we had a good feel for the range of their projectiles and slowly worked our way down the trail, clearing the sinister little contraptions as we went.

I pointed to a distant glow ahead. “Clannfear. Let’s put him to work.” My next spell sought the wandering Daedra. The creature shrugged off my puny fire attack and charged, triggering explosive devices along the way. We noted at one point that a row of sharply curved stone teeth spiked upward from the ground, barely missing the clannfear before retracting. In fact, the Daedra took very little damage from the numerous traps due to its speed.

I watched, mesmerized, until Savlian stepped up ready to intercept the charging beast.

“Casting,” I warned. My spell caused the clannfear to turn and flee in terror. We quickly followed, jumping just off the path briefly where we had noted the stone teeth trap. Our reptilian assistant cleared every trap ahead of us all the way to the giant open war gates.

By now, two scamps had taken note of us from their position atop large rocks flanking the trail. Savlian and I gracefully danced aside as their fireballs passed harmlessly by.

My next spell – a command one this time – sent our trusty clannfear after the small flame throwers.

Our Daedra dispatched both of the scamps, emerging somewhat battered and burned – and very angry. It wasted no time turning that ire toward us. My gratitude toward our former helper did not deter me from thanking the charging creature with a poisoned arrow. Slayer’s second shot felled the clannfear, sweeping its dying magicka into Azura’s Star. The beast’s momentum carried it almost to our feet.

Our exhilaration was short lived as we realized we now stood among the fallen soldiers from Menien’s failed expedition into the Deadlands. I maintained guard, scanning for wandering pink glows. Savlian solemnly knelt by each set of mail-clad bones and gathered any small items like rings and amulets. Despite the condition of the bodies, he had no trouble identifying each by name as he thanked them for their long vigil. He promised to have their personal effects delivered to any surviving family, or at least donated toward rebuilding the city after it was free.

I quietly asked Mara to bring peace to all of them, including Savlian. Finally, he stood from his difficult duty. I knew him well enough now to read the rippling jaw muscles and slight slump to his broad shoulders. I went to him and wrapped my arms tightly around his waist. He held me close and lowered his chin to rest atop my head. Too soon, I broke away to continue my necessary vigil for threats.

Finally, we started back up the wide path, pausing to build a small pile of rocks by the stone teeth trap to clearly mark where we would need to bypass it during the sprint of our exodus with the sigil stone. Then, side-by-side, we slowly continued toward the large tower.

The silence that I figured Savlian needed was broken when he said, “Those soldiers trusted my judgment and leadership. I failed them and I fear I will fail you as well.”

“Never,” I quickly replied. “Just as I am actively scanning for glowing threats right now, I know the steel of your noble character and armor will always shield me. As long as there is breath in our bodies, we will protect each other.”

“And that is where I will fall short,” said Savlian. “I have never feared death; in fact it has served as an all too familiar companion. Yet. . . you have given me reason to dread my own mortality.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, mystified.

“I want to be here for you, Buffy – always. I know how long elves can live. How can I possibly hope to protect you half century from now?”

I knew where this was going. “I won’t lie to you, Savlian. I realize that, at best, you will grow gray in my arms within the blink of a few decades. Promise me that we will cherish every moment Mara gives us together and never fear or regret the consequences.”

“Aye.” He squeezed my hand and mustered a smile. “Let’s close this damn gate before I get too old.”

[Darkness Eternal]

154.

Savlian deftly sidestepped the Daedric warrior’s overconfident thrust by sliding toward the wall. He then shield bashed the armored shoulder of his charging attacker, channeling its momentum over the edge of the ramp. After a crash of plate armor rose from the tower’s base, I managed to croak, “The beast’s glow is extinguished.”

I know, it's quoted above me. But it's a badass part nonetheless. Daedric warrior boasts only to fall, quite literately, because of his pride. Haha!

And they are truly a nice, couple, aren't they? I liked the end how he suspected a bit of deception on the Menien
's part. A possible lie.

155.

When the Dremora came into view, it did not issue a taunt. Rather, it raised both hands above one pauldron and drew a claymore whose length exceeded my height.

Then the monster charged.

Exactly how some of us felt when stuck in an Oblivion plane. The inhabitants are no joke. The claymore being taller than Buffy was truly a scary thing. I pictured it in my head already. A tall Daedric devil ready to cleave you. Scary stuff.

“I won’t lie to you, Savlian. I realize that, at best, you will grow gray in my arms within the blink of a few decades. Promise me that we will cherish every moment Mara gives us together and never fear or regret the consequences.”

“Aye. Let’s close this damn gate before I get too old.”

Awww. In the face of certain death, what else would anyone be doing? Certainly pledging and confirming your love for your other half! The deadly love duo can be a formidable team if fighting together, as we have seen so far. I doubt there will be any consequences. At least right away, that is

[ghastley]

Savlian rubbed his chin. I had watched my Imperial shave back in our tent before sunrise - as fascinated by the mannish task as when I used to watch Daenlin perform it after a morning hunt. The rough growth that now rasped under Savlian’s fingers suggested we had already been in this realm for the better part of a day.

Given Buffy's collection of convenience spells like "Summon Towel" I'm surprised she hasn't talked to Teresa about "Cure Stubble" yet.

This post has been edited by ghastley: Mar 9 2012, 05:01 PM

[SubRosa]

drew a claymore whose length exceeded my height.
Yikes!

Aww, that was no fair, commanding him and then pushing him over the edge. Cheater!

I used to watch Daenlin perform it after a morning hunt.
Daenlin? Shave? From looking at him in the game, I was under the impression that he was not on familiar terms with a razor...

And the mines. It took me years to figure out that you can use spells to set off those things. I wasted so many arrows! But using a Clannfear to do it was pure genius!

“Let’s close this damn gate before I get too old.”
The human/elf lament. Poor Buffy knows that she is doomed to watch her man wither and die before her eyes, just like a spring flower come winter's cold breath.

[McBadgere]

Oooh...That's niiice Subrosa...You should write that down...*Raises eyebrow*... ...

Wha-Hey!!...

Excellent chapter...More exploring and despatching daedra...

Loved the control Daedra spell...Excellent!!...And the setting off of the traps was inspired!!...Mine just ran like fu...Erm...Heck...

I loved the whole discussion about Elves and Humans and death, and like Subrosa I thought that last line was lovely...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

[King Coin]

Buffy had a wonderful way of making that Dremora at the beginning easy to dispatch.

Buffy seems to be dealing with the clanndear very well. Putting it to work for them!

That was a touching scene of Buffy and Savlian with his fallen soldiers, and then thinking of his own mortality.

[Grits]

A glance down and along the wide trail leading away from the main tower revealed both sets of war gates between us and the fiery portal to Kvatch now stood wide open. I said, “Perhaps we should clear that path to the exit for our sprint out of the Deadlands after we pull the sigil stone?”

I love this, because it puts me right inside the mind of someone who has not been through a hundred Gates, and the whole experience is new again.

Our Daedra dispatched both of the scamps, emerging somewhat battered and burned – and very angry. It wasted no time turning that ire toward us.

Buffy gets the maximum mileage out of clannfears. I can just picture that moment when the spell expired and it whirled around.

Buffy’s calm and courage in the face of Savlian’s worries were very touching. Her beautiful words tugged at the heart, and then Savlian’s “damn gate” brought a smile. Just wonderful!

[mALX]

I love how Buffy tells time by Matias's beard growth! That was so perfect a little detail !!!

I never knew you could set off those traps with arrows or spells, that is an awesome idea !!

Loved the little talk they had about aging together !!! Awesome Write !!!

[Acadian]

In Episode 155 Buffy and Savlian found a set of controls atop one of the smaller towers. Activating them opened the final set of war gates and unblocked the direct path between the sigil tower and flaming exit to Kvatch. After some debate, they cleared the trail of traps and Daedra to help support the sprinting exodus they envisioned once locating and grabbing the sigil stone. They spent some sad moments among the fallen soldiers of the first failed Deadlands expedition before returning to the largest tower to resume their climbing search for the sigil stone.

DarknessEternal- Oh I know - those Dremora are terrifying, especially their voices! Thanks for the kind words about Savlian and Buffy. They do seem good together, methinks.

ghastley- Buffy has it all over Teresa on summoning towels and such, but that clever Redhead's world has spells like bloom that Buffy would die for! My poor elf has to brush her teeth and wash her hair the old fashioned way. Given Buffy’s fetish for water, we opted to restrict her hygiene magic to still require the stuff.

SubRosa- As Kud-Ei might say to Delphine Jend, “Who needs fireballs when you know illusion?” Thanks for enjoying what I hope was almost a light romp of setting off traps, followed by the serious business of facing the human/elf lifespan gulf.

McBadgere- Thank you so much for enjoying Buffy and Savlian’s poignant discussion of their lifespans.

KC- Thanks. Buffy watched how Savlian bashed the first Dremora off a ramp and tried to improve the same tactic for the second one with a spell. I’m so glad you enjoyed Buffy’s clannfearish helper, then found the end touching.

Grits- Gosh, as ever, you drew out what I hoped you would: The trepidation as Buffy & Savlian actually have no idea what to expect when they close the gate from inside it. Then almost a fun romp down the path setting off traps. Finally, Buffy displaying some strength as she tries to be a source of comfort for her hero. Thank you! Now, let's close that damn gate!

mALX- I wrestled with using Savlian’s beard growth to show passage of time, finally deciding it was fully in keeping with the way Buffy’s ruminating and drifting mind works. Thank you so much for that kind endorsement!

* * *

156 Don’t Let Go

We uneventfully returned to the final of three doors well up into the large tower. It yielded to the key of Menien’s jailer, enabling us to continue higher. The few Daedra we encountered were quietly dispatched by an unseen soldier and his scout.

The center of the confusing tower hosted a column of energy that we began to suspect served as more than simply a light source. Its bright yellow magic was now pulsing with a power and noise that grew louder as we continued our ascent. I recognized the sound. It was the same as that emitted by the sigil stone that Ungarion had let me briefly hold so long ago. The black marketeer had used an ancient pair of such stones to craft my detect life rings – I could understand now why the resulting enchantments were so powerful.

Slipping quietly through the next door, we found ourselves in a large area that was well-lit by the brightly burning pillar that we had followed to this point. Two ramps, that appeared to be of red living tissue, beckoned as they curled upward to a wide circular ledge. Above that was the domed roof of the tower itself.

“I see three glows up there,” I reported just loudly enough to be heard above the buzzing noise that was now causing my teeth to ache. “One looks like another Dremora and I’m sure one is a scamp. The third is unfamiliar to me. It stands upright and seems even larger than the minotaur we encountered on our way to Fort Agarctova.”

Crouched at my side, Savlian said, “The scamp just moved into view. The other two Daedra must be hidden by the ramps and ledge itself. Can you take out the one we can see from here?”

I accompanied my nod with a wince. “I’d really prefer to know what those other two are before we start a fight.”

“I’m not keen on sending you up there to scout if we don’t have to,” he said. “How do you recommend we proceed?”

“Let’s be patient,” I replied. “Just like that scamp revealed itself, perhaps the others will wander around the ledge into view as well.”

With a wall against our backs and good view of the fleshy ramps leading to the upper level, we waited. Remaining low and still, we hoped that the bright chamber would not betray our stealth.

The large figure lumbered into view on the ledge above. It was horrifyingly beautiful. The translucent crystals that comprised its body were grayer than Ayleid Welkynd Stones, but bluer than the mighty ice dragon, Phantom. I recognized the creature from my studies of Daedra. “Frost atronach,” I whispered. “It’s immune to poison and ice attacks. I have a spell than can strip away its resistance to poison however. Would you like me to -“

Savlian interrupted as our third foe showed itself for only an instant before wandering out of sight again. “The black robe makes it one of those Dremora spellcasters you warned me about?”

I gulped, then nodded.

By now, only the frost atronach remained in view. Savlian said, “That thing looks pretty stout. Rather than negating its resistances and attacking with a poisoned arrow, can you command it to fight for us?”

I smiled. “You’re beginning to think like a mystic archer.”

“If you can start a fight among them,” he continued, “we can use the distraction to get up the ramp and counter their elevation advantage.”

I filled my right fist with emerald magic and spiked it toward the atronach. As soon as my spell struck, the beast whirled and raised both arms to challenge its comrades.

Savlian and I quickly made our way up the squishy surface of one ramp to the upper ledge. By the time we arrived, the scamp was a lifeless broken heap, covered with frost.

A flame atronach materialized below a disc of conjuration magic and began blasting fire at her icy brother. With a summoned distraction in place, the Dremora mage sought safe distance from which to cast more spells.

Noting that the domed roof of the tower sloped down into dark recesses around the perimeter, I grabbed Savlian’s hand and tugged him into a position that would better maintain our stealth. We crouched to observe, waiting for an opportunity to exploit.

The mage cast a swirl of green magic into the frost atronach’s chest, causing it to flee. The terrified beast lumbered across a small ramp - right into the tower’s burning pillar of energy. The flaming column barely blinked as it instantly vaporized the massive Daedra.

The conjured flame atronach precluded a clear shot at the mage, who looked around suspiciously. “Where are you, mortals?” The voice scraped across my big ears just like the words of Menien’s jailer had. He lifted a fist. My fears about the pink magic he released were confirmed as his head snapped directly to our no longer hidden position. “You were fools to dare enter the realm of Lord Dagon!” He then resummoned the flame atronach, presumably to both refresh and relocate her. The Daedra began to gather flame in both hands.

I loosed a burst of magic to disable the Dremora’s spellcasting. The black-robed mage instantly returned fire and our spells passed in flight.

My magic found its target, but so did that of my foe. I fought the sickening helplessness of every mage’s nightmare as the link to my own magic was severed.

“Dodge left!” commanded Savlian. We both rolled aside, letting the atronach’s fireball strike only the sloping wall behind us.

A moment later, my Imperial was on his feet and charging the Dremora.

With Savlian blocking any clear shot at the mage, I diverted my right hand from quiver to pack. Desperately thumbing open a dispel potion, I guzzled it to restore my spellcasting.

Facing down the charge of my lion, the Dremora lifted one fist defiantly. Could he not feel that I had cursed his magic? Had he somehow resisted the spell? My moment of panic passed when the mage’s fingers opened to spill nothing but air.

Confident that a gelded mage was no threat to Savlian, I loosed my dancing cobra into the summoned flame atronach to prevent any fireballs to the back of my hero.

Before I could nock an arrow to finish the paralyzed atronach, she dissipated into vapor. I glanced at Savlian in time to see his boot push free the Dremora that had been impaled on Legion steel.

After a quick scan, I reported, “Nothing here lives but us.”

Savlian wiped his blade on the black robes and sheathed it before gesturing toward the center of the domed chamber. “I believe that’s your sigil stone.”

Sure enough, floating atop the almost blinding pillar of energy that we had followed to the top of this tower was the object that sustained this horrid realm. A narrow walkway – the same one taken by the frost atronach to its death – provided access to the stone.

I shouldered my bow and walked over to Savlian.

He stowed the reliable disc of steel on his back and captured my waist with one arm. “The way back to the gate is safe. Is a slow count to five hundred before I pull the stone enough time for you to take the path we cleared and return to Kvatch?”

I looked up at him, horrified. “I-I thought we were going to grab it and run for the portal together!”

“That was before we found Menien. My plan now is to grab the stone, sprint to his cage and lay hands on him before the gate closes. I hope that he and I will be transported out to join you in Kvatch. It is not the plan we agreed to and I cannot ask you to take the extra risk.”

“No you cannot, but I beg of you not to deny my place at your side. I will follow you, Savlian, even into the Dreamsleave if that is what it takes. Do not allow us to be separated. Please.”

Terrified of the skeptical look in his eyes, I placed my fingers against his lips to forestall a decision and quickly added, “I’m an expendable scout. You are the commander of Kvatch. You run to safety and, after that count of five hundred, I will grab the stone and try to rescue Menien.” Although my offer was earnest, I knew Savlian would never allow what I suggested. My hope was simply to make him realize that I could not leave him behind any more than he could ever forsake me. Reluctantly, I withdrew my fingers and waited for his response.

“I’m not about to abandon the elf I love inside a damn Oblivion Gate!”

My eyes flew open wide. Savlian had shown his love in countless ways, but to actually hear him profess it aloud took my breath away. For a moment in time, the fact that we were standing atop a sigil tower ready to grasp the fate of Kvatch in our hands melted into insignificance.

Finally, I found my voice. “Then don’t ask this elf to abandon the man she loves inside a damn Oblivion Gate!”

Stubborn brown eyes searched those of blue for several moments before softening. “As ever, my elf, there is much wisdom in your words. I. . . I am still learning to seek your counsel before making decisions. Tell me, how do I reconcile your safety with the hazards that my responsibility to Menien entails?”

I reached up and touched his face. “I share your obligation, for I promised that I would chill an ale for Menien tonight. I willingly accept the additional risk an attempt to save him involves. We have come so far with me at your side, Savlian, and that is where I belong. I did not become your mate to sit safely at home and wait for you.”

He nodded grimly. “We will survive this then, and it will be together.”

We approached the sigil stone holding hands tightly. Savlian said, “As soon as I take this thing, we’ll run to where Menien is trapped in that infernal cage and grab onto him. We’ll then just have to trust in the power of the stone to get us all back to Kvatch. Whatever happens, don’t let go of each other.”

“I’ll never let go of you, Savlian.”

He pulled me to him and, atop a sigil tower in the Deadlands, we kissed.

Savlian then carefully grasped the stone offered by the deadly column of energy. Even before we could turn, the tower started shaking too severely to move. The entire chamber exploded in a white light that was so brilliant it forced my eyes closed. The buzzing sound of the sigil stone was lost in the roar of energy and crashing sounds of structures crumbling below us. I realized we weren’t going anywhere and our fate was entirely within the power of the stone in Savlian’s hand.

As the tower began to collapse in earnest, we pulled ourselves tightly into each other’s arms. I felt as if we were spinning and falling as one, almost like what Superian and I experienced when we used the Call of Corsair. I managed to yell into Savlian’s ear, “I love you!”

[King Coin]

A Xivilai?

“I’d really prefer to know what those other two are before we start a fight.”
Buffy’s being smart! Sav is getting a little over eager I think. Ah and it’s an atronach. Definitely something you don’t want getting close.

I thought that the atronachs were immune to paralyzing spells. Good that Buffy was able to use her cobra though. It’s been a while since she’s needed it.

“Then don’t ask this elf to abandon the man she loves inside a damn Oblivion Gate!”
Clever Buffy!

A tight hug at the end as the title suggested. I knew the plan to get to Menien wasn’t going to work, but they tried.

Just a note unrelated to the story, I remember once remaining too close to where the sigil stone is suspended and was killed in the resulting explosion instead of teleporting out. That was weird. Every time after than I made sure my character ran to the wall.