Buffy - Book 4, Drodda the Icewitch Options

[Renee]

Whoa, she's going to Blackwood. Buffy is now "my paladin". She wasn't considered paladin before, right?

I will not travel with you, for I am already there. And here. And across all times.

This is the way of higher selves in general. What an astute answer! In Third Dimensional realities we're specializing, basically. Can't perceive of other realities, etc.

Wow, these 2nd Era folks have no idea she's come from the future! She's feigning confusion. Okay, so she knows what's happened, but doesn't want to alert Rian and Brielle to her true plight.

"a freak storm" indeed! ⛈️

[ghastley]

Nice cover story for the arrival. That lightning must have burnt up everything!

I'm eager to see how Dagail handles this. Just how much has she been able to predict?

[macole]

And you can fly
High as a kite, if you want to
Faster than light, if you want to
Speeding through layers of time
Lightning is the best way to travel

[Grits]

I love that Kynareth distracted Buffy the storyteller from her nervousness with a story. That was a cool time travel lightning flight.

Captain Liore! He does have fabulous hair. Buffy’s speechcraft didn’t fail her. She said enough to go along with what they’ve already assumed and to not have to make up some lies. Kynareth’s plan was a good one.

What a relief that Buffy and her spirit crew all arrived safely. Let’s hope that young Dagail likes to shop. I can’t wait to meet her!

[SubRosa]

Time for some time travel! Will there be a blue police box that is bigger on the inside, and a strange English-sounding Doctor... Who was it again? Or a hot tub? Or a phone booth?

A lightning ball! The Terminator approves. I just hope Buffy does not return with an overwhelming urge to kill everyone named Sarah Conner...

Even waiting for dark, she still attracted attention with her cosmic transition.

Corporals, Captains, and Patients? I am definitely confused here. The Ivory Brigade? I cannot say that rings any bells. I am guessing they are not a toothpaste company though, nor a soap army. Methinks this is a Second Era organization, perhaps similar to the Knights Hospitaliers?

Buffy is not playing dumb when she said she does not remember how she got there? Uh oh, it looks like this form of time travel comes with some memory scrambling too. At least she does recall that she is there to visit Dagail, and she knows who Acadian, Phantom, and Superian are. Or is it simply that she is being honest in that she does not understand how Kynareth's sky-based time travel actually worked?

[Lopov]

She arrived on a thunder!

Buffy gets great during the conversation, pretending to be confused though the good-looking captain probably confused her a little indeed. I just googled him up and see that he's an actual character. Is there even Dagail present in ESO?

Looks like it's time to explore the Blackwood as it once was.

[Acadian]

Previously- Buffy met with Kynareth and, once darkness had fallen, was transported within a cocoon of lightning to the outskirts of Leyawiin in the Second Era. Upon arrival, Buffy immediately passed out, awakening in the infirmary of the city’s Ivory Brigade contingent. She was interrogated by a captain who concluded Buffy was struck by lightning shortly after most likely arriving by ship – losing her clothing and recent memory in the process. When Buffy said she did recall that her purpose in Leyawiin was to meet with her friend Dagail, the captain seemed satisfied and sent for Dagail.

*

Rider- Buffy will be pretty busy sorting herself out and making friends in this new time, but Kyne will certainly be watching and occasionally visit. We’ll see the cute captain again but don’t have any definite long term plans for him. I hope you’ll like the young Dagail that we’ll introduce in today’s episode. She has been great fun to write.

Renee- Buffy became Kynareth's paladin near the end of her previous book – during the aftermath of the Oblivion Crisis. As unusual as surviving a lightning strike may make her, Buffy correctly figures it is better than the scrutiny that would accompany revealing she is from the future.

ghastley- Thankfully, the locals assumed Buffy survived a lightning strike and she is not about to dissuade them. We’ll learn much of Dagail in the next few episodes.

macole- Thank you for the song! Stepping through a portal in the forest or using a timestepping stone would have been ever so much lower key than arriving in a ball of lightning, but what fun would that be?

Grits- Thank you for realizing that Kynareth told Buffy a story to distract her nervous elf. Buffy’s significant skill with speechcraft is a necessity of course, given her lack of physically imposing presence. There are several encounters through this book where it will serve her well. I think you’ll find Dagail to be a master shopper!

SubRosa- Thanks for asking about the Ivory Brigade. They’re a military force based in Leyawiin to defend the province of Blackwood against any/all of the three alliances battling up north for the Imperial City. Think of them as a robust guard force similar to any city guard but ranging out over the whole province. The Leyawiin contingent has a small infirmary to patch up its own guards. The Ivory Brigade’s banner is a white horse on a green background – the same one that will later be adopted by the Knights of the White Stallion. // Though initially groggy, Buffy’s memory was not affected by her time travel. She intentionally played up being a confused victim and let the captain make his own assumptions based on what his guards reported. Fortunately for her, he assumed she had survived a lightning strike and the trauma had affected her recent memory. // Thank you for recognizing that the mechanics of her time travel were indeed influenced by Arnold’s arrival in the first Terminator movie!

Lopov- Thanks for noting Buffy’s word skill at steering the interrogation her way while (mostly) telling the truth. This book will be quite a mix of real and not when it comes to ESO. As you pointed out, Captain Liore is an actual NPC; Dagail, however, does not appear in ESO except in our fiction.

* * *

Episode 13

“Let’s keep that blanket wrapped around you,” Brielle said, “until your friend gets here with some clothes. I’d like you to try and sit up though. Then maybe stand for a few minutes.”

I passed both of the Ivory Brigade healer’s tests without getting dizzy, then lay back down, still wrapped in the blanket, and accepted a cup of water.

Soon enough, the Corporal who had been dispatched to the Mages Guild returned. The young mage at his side breezed into the room, gave me a quick wink and exclaimed, “Buffy! I heard you had a shocking trip getting here, my friend.”

Brielle, I and even the Corporal laughed, chuckled and smiled, respectively at the joke as Dagail continued up to my bed, leaned down and kissed both my cheeks.

“It’s good to see you again, Dagail,” I replied.

“Oh, I brought you this robe,” she continued. “It’s the smallest the guild has. There’s no way I could find shoes that your feet would not swim in though so you’ll have go barefoot until we can go shopping.” She shook out the robe and held it up for me to see.

“Thanks, Dagail.” I perked up at the thought of shoe shopping but was looking more at Dagail than the robe she held up. I realized the Dagail from my time was more than 750 years older but the age of the young Bosmer before me appeared to be no more than my own single score of years. Her skin was smooth and milky white. Her face was the same shape I recalled - quite attractive in its youthfulness - and framed by unrestrained chestnut hair with nary a hint of the gray I was used to seeing. Her familiar brown eyes were unmistakable but lacked any of the cloudiness evident in those of the older version. I looked at Brielle questioningly.

“Yes, Buffy, stand up again and get dressed. If you manage that without difficulty, I’ll release you to Dagail.“

The Corporal at the door said, “My job here is done. I’ll give you ladies some privacy.” He then disappeared from the doorway.

I stood and, after a moment, reported, “No dizziness.” I then dropped the blanket on the bed and slipped into the mage robe. The hem puddled on the floor around my feet and my hands were lost somewhere in the sleeves.

Dagail frowned. “I was afraid of that. She quickly produced a sash and commenced to hike up the middle of the robe and secure the resultant excess material around my waist with the sash. She then rolled up my sleeves until both hands were exposed. “That’ll have to do for now.” She then grinned. “Let’s add clothes to our shopping list. Oh this is going to be so much fun!”

Her effervescence was contagious and I found myself grinning back at her.

Dagail then straightened up stiffly, turned to Brielle and rendered a crooked salute. “Guild mage Dagail, now taking custody of the wood elf Buffy as ordered, your healership.”

Brielle chuckled and nodded.

Once outside and walking to the guild, I wondered if Dagail’s bubbly display had been an act for the benefit of the Ivory Brigade.

It was not.

“Cracked acorns, Buffy! You look just like you did in my vision. I’m so excited! Do you know how long it’s been since I was able to talk with another wood elf? Or talked to anyone really, that was actually shorter than I? How on Nirn did you ever get such a tiny waist? I’m an Alterationist, you know. Oh, and a conjuror too. Hmm, I wonder if I could use an alteration spell to remove my lowest pair of ribs? I bet that would give me a tiny waist too! What do you think?”

I used the brief opportunity to speak. “I think you’re absolutely adorable just as you are, Dagail.” That was certainly the truth and elicited both a quick smile and slight blush from her.

“Our guild here is pretty small, there’s only four of us. Me.” Dagail emphasized the word by stopping just long enough to spread her arms and twirl in place. “Adelle is our Guildmagister. She’s a Breton and quite well connected. She travels a lot but is really nice when she’s here. Nuzak is in charge when Adele’s gone. Whoever knew that orcs could do magic? And have you ever heard of a woman orc without a ‘gra’ in her name? She’s quite blunt but not in a bad way. Finally, there’s Orranvir. He doesn’t know many spells but he’s quite good at alchemy and there’s plenty of folk here in Leyawiin with coin who want potions for this or that. He’s a Redguard. I don’t know much about them. He’s a bit dour but not a bad sort otherwise.”

“Well, actually I have known a couple orcish women without a gr–“

“Ooh! There’s the first place we’ll go when we’re out shopping together. They have beautiful clothes. And even some children’s things so we should be able to get some shoes for you. Oops, sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt you, Buffy. Sometimes my mouth just sort of carries me away. Hey, there’s Leyawiin’s wayshrine. Are you attuned to it?”

“I’m not attuned to any wayshrines.”

“We’ll fix that.” She grabbed my hand and changed our direction. “Here, you just put your hand on it and wait for the blue flame in the middle to wiggle around some.”

I did so, and a vision appeared before me of the entirety of Tamriel. It showed the borders of every province and was liberally dotted with symbols that looked like little wayshrines. Every one of them was black in color except the one I had just touched. That one was white. “Amazing,” I whispered.

“See how easy that was, Buffy? Whenever you first touch a wayshrine,” she continued as we resumed our trek through the city, “you become attuned to it. You can also travel to any other wayshrine to which you’re attuned. Kind of like portalmancy without the portals! I know a spell I can teach you that’ll allow you to conjure a similar magical map in front of you so you can always see where you are without lugging around a bunch of parchment or having to hold onto a wayshrine.” She paused, but only for a breath. “Well kiss a troll and call me Pumpkin! Here we are at the guild.”

Dagail led me inside and introduced the other members of the Leyawiin guildhall. I had to admit that her descriptions seemed pretty insightful.

Unlike the Bravil guildhall, community dinners were not the norm here. Rather, mages foraged for themselves. That said, when Dagail showed me the guild’s pantry for an early dinner, it was impressively stocked. After our meal, we went upstairs and into a small room. She touched several lightstones which gave the chamber a warm glow. I could now see a bunkbed, armoire, dresser, night table, small desk and chair. A full-length looking glass and pair of paintings adorned the walls. Several plush scatter rugs softened the wooden floor.

“I have my own room, Buffy!” She twirled again. “Well, yours too now as long as you stay here.” She pointed at the top bunk. “That one’s yours. Is that okay?”

“It’s perfect, Dagail. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome to go through my clothes and wear anything you like. I’m the smallest mage here except for you so if anything in the building comes close to fitting you,” she tapped on the armoire, “it’ll be right here. Fried fire salts, but you’re the smallest elf I’ve ever seen! I mean one that was fully grown. Oh, actually I almost lied. When I visited the guildhall in Elden Root, I met some Cloud Dancer Bosmers who were just about your size. In fact, you rather look like them. . . are you a Cloud Dancer?”

I nodded. “Yes, the Cloud Dancers are a clan of small Bosmer. Each tribe within the clan makes its home in the upper branches of a graht oak.”

“I remember the first time I ever saw Elden Root! It’s as wide across as the entire city of Leyawiin. And I nearly fell over backwards trying to see its upper branches. I couldn’t though because they were higher than the clouds!” Her eyes flew open wide. “Oooh! I bet that’s why they call those little elves who live up there Cloud Dancers!”

“And you’d be right, my friend.”

[haute ecole rider]

That Dagail is a whirlwind of chatter! I smiled throughout her entire appearance in this segment, even chuckled along with Buffy at her initial pun! I did enjoy writing her in OHDH as her Oblivion self, and your vision of the young Dagail is pretty close to how I pictured her in her youth.

Interesting way to describe way shrines and how they work in ESO; also interesting to hear how the ESO map system works with them, and without as well. Those spells are very useful, aren't they? Better than the mark/recall pairing of later times.

I think you will find it both easier and more fun to describe the environs of ESO era Leyawiin (and elsewhere) thanks to the game's housing system making such a wide variety of furnishing styles available to those of us with the decorating bug.

I smiled at Dagail's comment about orc women without a gra- prefix - it made me think of my own Mazul (gra-Duroch) as she hasn't entirely given up on her clan. I imagine such gra-less orc women as clanless.

And I enjoy the reference to Buffy's previous book with Dagail guessing her clan as Cloud Dancers.

[Lopov]

Like haute, I smiled through this story too, Dagail's chattering and remarks are funny and memorable. My favorite scene is the one, when she mentions an Orc woman without the -gra suffix and just as Buffy is about to say anything, Dagail's mind is already elsewhere.

Despite her chattering, Dagail is an effective one. In a short amount of time they spent together, she managed to get clothes for Buffy, adapt it (as much as possible), attuned her to wayshrines and introduced her to other guild-members.

Well kiss a troll and call me Pumpkin!

[SubRosa]

Dagail is just electrifying. I know, how shocking. One might say she even brings a jolt of life to things.

Even the robe Dagail brought is the size of a tent on our loveable blonde Bosmer bowgirl from Bravil. At least there is a bright side, in the promise of an extensive shopping trip.

Well butter my Bosmers and crack my Padomay, I am loving this younger, zestier Dagail. She was/is a real firecracker back in the 2nd Age.

[macole]

A well done Dagail. Your characterization is of Dagail brings her to life for me.

[Acadian]

Previously- A young and very bubbly Dagail brought Buffy a mage robe to wear, then the pair left the Ivory Brigade infirmary. On the way to the mages guildhall, Dagail showed Buffy the Leyawiin wayshrine and pointed out a clothing shoppe. Once at the guild, Dagail introduced Buffy to the other guild members and showed Buffy the room the two Bosmer would share.

*

Rider- It was fun to write Dagail and I had hoped her introduction would serve to lighten things up a bit for a few episodes after the heaviness of Buffy blaming herself for the loss of Countess Kvatch and the tearful goodbyes that proceeded her trip to the Second Era. Buffy, of course, was thinking of Sir Mazoga who don’t need no stinking gra in her name.

Lopov- Thanks for pointing out how Dagail’s mind and attention wanders around even faster than Buffy’s. Oooh, a butterfly! That said, Dagail will over the next few episodes display the wisdom, decisiveness and judgement that foreshadow why she will ultimately rise to the level of guildmagister and hold that position for several centuries.

SubRosa- Buffy will quickly be reminded that shopping takes gold and she has precisely none of that at the moment. Happily, mages generally have little trouble turning a coin or two. // Buffy’s ‘style and lore notes’ contain more than a score of TES friendly idioms we’ve collected over the years. Dagail rippled through most of them in one episode!

macole- I’m so glad you’re enjoying how we present the young Dagail. She's a character who quite writes herself.

* * *

Episode 14

As Dagail continued to cheerfully chat about everything and nothing, I managed to get a word in, “I must say, Dagail, how much I love your bubbly manner. It’s like you sprinkle smiles everywhere you go.”

She grinned, then her face grew quite serious. “Thank you, Buffy. I guess that’s a result of what I am. Being a seer is both a blessing and a curse. Sometimes I can help others – like I hope to help you. But it’s not always a good thing to see the future. For I know that, in time, I will lose the ability to control my mind. Someday, only the visions will remain and who I am will fade. I guess the way I deal with that is to live with as much joy as I can for as long as I can. Does that make sense? I mean I know you come from a time that you share with my future. You’ve seen. . . the shadow of myself that I will someday become.”

I took her hand. “You make perfect sense, Dagail. Yes, I know you in the future as a dear friend who has helped guide my path several times. Your attitude shows an inner strength of character that I marvel at.”

She pulled me into a tight hug. Suddenly, she broke away. “I didn’t hurt you did I? I mean you just came out of the infirmary and here I am trying to squeeze the juice out of you!”

“I’m fine, Dagail. Hugs are good medicine. I’m a healer, I know.”

“That’s a relief. Can I give you some advice, Buffy?”

“Of course,” I replied.

“Look, I know you come from early in the Fourth Era and all. Many events yet to transpire are history to you but, trust me, knowing what lies ahead can be a curse. When someone asks me their future it rarely turns out well. If it is good and I tell them, then they tell their friends who ask me their future. But what if the future of their friend is bad? If I tell them they are angry with me and I lose a friend. If I don’t tell them, they assume it’s bad and I lose a friend. Like I said, it rarely turns out well. I’ve lost many friends and learned to seldom share my visions.” Then her sad eyes lit up. “But, hey! You and I already know much of what lies ahead. We can share away with each other all we like!”

“I think your wisdom in this matter rivals Kynareth’s, Dagail, for she cautioned me in much the same vein, advising that the fewer people who know from whence I come, the better.”

She nodded. “Nice to know I’m not alone. Since we can share and all, in one of my visions about you, I was looking through the eyes and speaking through the mouth of my future self. I was talking to you and remember saying ‘Good to see you again, Acadian, it has been a long time.’ Then a man’s voice answered, but there was no one there but you and I. Do you know what that means?”

I hesitated for a moment. “Acadian was a fellow paladin of Kynareth who died long ago in the Great Dragon war. His spirit travels with me, intertwined with my own.”

Her eyes flew open wide. “Like an invisible friend? Oooh, that must be so nice to be able to have conversations with yourself and actually get answers back! Can I talk with him?”

“Buffy speaks truly, Dagail,” replied Acadian. “What you referred to in your vision was based on this very time we are spending with you now in Leyawiin. And yes, it will be good to see you again.”

“Thank you, Buffy. And Acadian. It’s so nice to talk with someone who doesn’t think I’m daft. Or frightening. Would you like me to teach you that map spell now? Later we can compare spells and if I know any you want I can teach them to you. Oooh, this is going to be so much fun having you here! Ouch!” She winced.

“What is it, Dagail?” I asked. “Are you hurt?”

She tried to smile. “I’m fine, Buffy. Cramps, you know. Twice a year. Ugh.”

“I get them too, Dagail. I can ease your pain for a time if you like?”

“Oh that’s right, you said you’re a healer. How funny is that? You were the patient this morning and now you’re the healer. I’d welcome your healing.”

“Lay down, Dagail.” She did so on the lower bunk while I knelt by her bedside. I placed my hands on her lower abdomen and established a bond of healing. I did not try to probe the nature of her spirit, for I already knew that. I could not ‘fix’ the fact that, like myself, she was a young elven woman and such cramping during our twice yearly times of fertility was often an uncomfortable part of a natural process. I did ease her pain though, then allowed the bond to fade and removed my hands. “Feel a little better?”

She sat up, wiggled around some and reported, “Why, yes. Quite a bit actually. Thanks, Buffy.”

“You’re most welcome. The relief should last overnight but I think that brewing some effective potions to use when I’m not here would be wise.”

“Good idea,” she replied. “We can use Orranvir’s equipment in the morning.”

I stood and stretched as I yawned. “I don’t know about you, but it’s been a very long day.”

Even once the room was darkened and we were in bed, Dagail continued chattering. I confess she had both of us giggling several times. Finally, after a couple gentle yawning hints from me, she quieted down, allowing us both to sleep.

[Renee]

That's crazy. So Dagail's younger self is being seen now. Does Dagail know who's about to visit her from the future? I need to go back... Whoa...

“I don’t remember exactly how I got to Leyawiin,” I said truthfully.

She doesn't remember the meetings with Kynareth it seems, unless I missed something.

I nodded. “I do remember that. I came here to visit my friend, Dagail....”
...., “Buffy! I heard you had a shocking trip getting here, my friend...."

Seems Dagail already knew Buffy was on her way, and has now arrived, even though we're seeing Dagail in an earlier life. Did I get that right? Maybe I should message the author to confirm. But it's not like she says "Hi, my name is Dagail..." upon first meet, see?

I like that you're bending the official NPC manifest a bit. Just searched for Dagail at UESP and doesn't seem she appears in Online, so you're taking some liberty between official and unofficial appearances of the mage.

Ah, Dagail had a vision, I see. "cracked acorns!" She's excited to speak to someone shorter than she!

The 2nd Era guildhall does indeed sound sort of different. Less communal, interesting.

Dagail won't shush about Buff's pint-sized frame! Good thing your Bosmer sees this as a compliment.

As Dagail continued to cheerfully chat about everything and nothing

Ohhhh, now I get it. So Dagail knows (knew?) Buffy was coming because she's got the gift of the seer. Dagail sounds sort of like Edgar Cayce in fact, who also found himself conflicted with some of the info he'd receive during visions. In any event, the future can be changed at any time, but not if querents become fixated on what's been told after a session. Basically, you stay on a particular course with particular habits...

... egh. Lemme just focus on the story! Maybe it's because Dagail's chattiness is infectious.

This post has been edited by Renee: Nov 20 2024, 05:21 PM

[ghastley]

That "meeting Acadian" part has my mind truly twisted. Dagail is remembering a vision of the future when she remembered this time in the past? No wonder she will have problems recalling things in the past in future.

She will definitely need help from Tove the Unrestful.

[haute ecole rider]

It was a delight to read more of 2E Dagail. She is a gentle reminder that not all bubbly blondes are empty headed. She is actually quite sharp, and intelligent in how she uses her seer capabilities.

No, Mazoga needs no stinkin' gra in her name! *blows loud, bean driven fart*

So Dagail has to wrestle with remembering meeting someone in the future that she has met in the past before she has met said person? How confusing! No wonder she faded away in her golden years . . .

[SubRosa]

I loved Buffy's remark about Dagail sprinkling smiles everywhere she goes. That was a wonderful turn of phrase.

And there is the curse of knowing the future, and the conundrum of whether or not to share it with others. Sometimes you are damned no matter what.

It was good to see Buffy acting as a healer. As Dagail noted, it was a delightful contrast to earlier in the day when Buffy was the one needing healing. But also helping ease Dagail menstrual cramps was a good way to show Buffy's healing abilities in dealing with a common ailment.

[Lopov]

It's clever that Dagail enjoys the life as it is now (as in the 2E9), especially if she sense that she's about to lose control over her mind in the future. It must still be a frightening thought, however, even if it occurs only now and then. It's sort of similar if a sane person would know that at some point he/she will get a dementia (or similar). I'm not saying that Dagail in Cyrodiil has dementia, but still, there's a similarity. On one hand she's blessed, on the other hand she's cursed.

There's a positive energy between Buffy and Dagail and it's very omnipresent in this story. Well done.

Finally, after a couple gentle yawning hints from me, she quieted down, allowing us both to sleep.

I wonder if the next story will begin with Dagail talking in her sleep.

[Grits]

The wayshrine and map mechanics work in so naturally in Buffy’s world. Dagail is an absolute delight. I snorted out loud when she debated removing a set of her ribs!

Episode 14 gives a great sense of balance. Buffy helps Dagail who is helping Buffy, and we learn that Dagail’s bubbliness lets her carry the burden of all that she knows. I love the continuing but also new friendship between these two elven women!

[Acadian]

Previously- As Buffy and the young Dagail continued to get to know each other, Dagail lamented the costs of being a seer and cautioned Buffy to be judicious in revealing to others any knowledge of the future – much as Kynareth did. Their before bed chatter was interrupted by Dagail experiencing some menstrual cramping. Buffy relieved her fellow Bosmer’s pain and the pair agreed that crafting some appropriate potions in the morning would be wise.

*

Renee- Buffy’s memory was not affected by the time travel. When she said she does not remember exactly how she got to Leyawiin, she is being mostly truthful in that she does not understand the mechanics/magic that Kynareth used to get her there. She’s being misleading but, technically, truthful. This is based mostly on Kynareth’s recommendation to avoid letting others know of her time travel. Fortunately, those who found her, erroneously assumed she had been struck by lightning and that it affected her short term memory. You are right that Dagail’s gift/curse as a seer uniquely positions her to know of Buffy’s arrival. I think of Buffy’s adventures in the 2nd Era as being consistent in ‘feel’ with ESO but not closely following the game when it comes to many details.

ghastley- The scene Acadian described did indeed happen way back in Book One and Buffy’s been waiting years for its foreshadowed meaning to become clear. Buffy finds herself beginning to understand Kynareth’s warning that pondering the implications of time travel is not healthy.

Rider- Yes, a circular spiral of insanity to overthink time travel! Thanks for recognizing the depth to Dagail that is hiding behind her effervescence. We’ll see more of that going forward.

SubRosa- Thanks for your kind words about sprinkling smiles. Dagail’s situation as a seer is thought provoking all right. Buffy knows now that healing is her calling and she just can’t . . . not heal when it seems needed.

Lopov- Thanks for noting that there is a lot of internal strength of character in Dagail. As I mentioned to Rider, we’ll see more of that. Dagail will be a permanent ‘anchor’ for Buffy in the 2nd Era – someone who (like Acadian and Kynareth) knows Buffy’s secrets and can advise accordingly. Similarly, Dagail can also speak freely to Buffy about being a seer and her own unsettling future.

Grits- I’m so glad you focused right in on much of what I hoped would come across so far between Buffy and Dagail. I think the wayshrine system will be very helpful to Buffy – she just needs someone who knows where most of them are. . . . Well, after she goes shopping of course.

* * *

Episode 15

Early the following morning, we broke our fast, then went to work at Orranvir’s alchemy station. By the time I had crafted half a dozen potions, Orranvir entered the room looking dismayed. “Dagail, I thought I told you not to use this equipment! Remember the last time you tried brewing a potion?”

Dagail raised her hands disarmingly. “Orranvir, I haven’t touched your equipment. See? Nothing broken, no burns on the carpet or drapes. Buffy is making some potions to help me with a . . . woman problem.”

“Apologies for not asking first, Orranvir,” I said. “We began early and did not want to rouse you. I have some familiarity with this equipment. Though I’m sure I lack your skill, I know enough to make certain potions that I find quite helpful as a healer. We’ll carefully clean up here when done.”

He seemed satisfied with my answer and I suppose the flattery didn’t hurt. His gaze shifted to the potions we had already crafted as he spoke to me, “Tell me about what you’ve made here, if you please. I get plenty of customers asking for help with a variety of feminine maladies.”

Dagail was behind, Orranvir and I saw her mouth the words, ‘Thank you,’ presumably for rescuing her from the alchemist’s ire. Then I saw her wince.

“I’d be pleased to, Orranvir, in just a moment. Dagail, it looks like the relief my healing was able to give you last night is wearing off?”

She frowned and nodded. I handed her one of the potions. “Drink this. I’ve found one of these each morning and evening will keep the pains at bay until your period of fertility has run its course.”

Dagail blushed but emptied the vial.

“Do not be embarrassed Dagail,” offered Orrianvir. “I see plenty of young women seeking relief from such cramps.” He then turned to me and continued, “The best I’ve been able to recommend to them is warm compresses and drinking tea made from the leaves of chamomile.”

I replied, “Such tea is helpful and, indeed, chamomile is one of the ingredients I use. I’ve found these potions to be notably more effective.”
He appraised my words with a skeptical look.

“Buffy,” injected Dagail with impeccable timing, “by Julianos’ little teapot if that didn’t relieve my cramps already!”

“Are her results typical?” asked Orranvir, his tone of skepticism gone.

“They are,” I replied, “for I suffer from the same problem during those times I am fertile and have used these potions for several years.”

He nodded approvingly, a hint of respect now in his eyes. “Buffy, the problem you and Dagail share is one I hear often. Might I convince you to share your recipe?

“Certainly. I’ve written it down here with the ingredients, proportions and procedures to prepare these potions. You’re welcome to it. I’ll make another copy for Dagail to carry.” I turned to her. “Dagail if you find yourself out of and needing some of these potions while away from Leyawiin, you may present the recipe to any alchemist who, if properly stocked like Orranvir is, should be able to make some up for you.” I then turned back to Orranvir and handed him the recipe. “Remember, both or you: dosing is one vial morning and night as long as the symptoms persist.”

Orranvir took the scrap of parchment and studied it. “Hmm, yes, chamomile as we discussed, along with ginger, primrose, cinnamon and violet coprinus. All reasonably available ingredients.” The Redguard actually smiled at me. “Buffy this will be a boon indeed for many of my customers. . . as well as quite helpful to the guild’s coffers I should think. What do I owe you for sharing your recipe?”

His offer of compensation had not occurred to me. After a moment, I answered, “The same that I owe you for the gracious use of both your equipment and reagents.”

“Unacceptable,” he countered. “This guild hall stands to make a continuing tidy profit from these potions and charging a member of the Mages Guild to use guild equipment is hardly appropriate. Two hundred gold is certainly the lowest I will go in offering you compensation for this valuable recipe.”

“Buffy, listen to me,” injected Dagail with an uncharacteristic manner of authority. “All your belongings were instantly zapped away by a bolt of lightning that could have easily killed you. Just look at this baggy, ill-fitting robe you’re wearing! That is the only thing you own.” She closed the distance between us and lifted the robe’s hem to above my ankles. “See, not even shoes! You don’t have a coin purse and if you did it would be empty.” She paused to take a breath as both hands found their way to her hips. “I plan to take you clothes shopping soon and you’ll need gold for that. I expect you to accept Orranvir’s offer. He will recoup it many times over from the sales of your wonderful potion.”

After a few moments of stunned silence, both Orranvir and I chuckled and nodded to each other. The alchemist pocketed the recipe and counted out two hundred gold as Dagail placed the potions we had made into her mage pouch of holding. With no coin purse of my own, we had to put my newly acquired gold into hers.

While cleaning up the alchemy lab, Dagail and I made plans to go shopping, followed by lunch at a tavern.

[ghastley]

Will episodes 16 to 97 all be shopping? She doesn't learn any restraint for centuries.

Start with one of those bags of holding, if only for the shoes.