Previously- Buffy’s next piece of unfinished business was to catch up with Dagail in Leyawiin. The two Bosmer discussed numerous things ranging from what happened to Drodda, Buffy’s future in the Second Era, inquiries about Buffy from the city’s guard captain and that Dagail is not a fan of the Green Pact. A visit from Captain Rian Liore found him and Buffy alone on the guild’s porch where it became clear he was attracted to Buffy. While the attraction is mutual, Buffy managed to turn his invitation to dinner into a future rain check.
SubRosa- Dagail is always fun to write. I wrote her rebuke of the Green Pact with you in mind.
I confess that nice saying about Bosmer, leaves and finding each other was borrowed from an ESO NPC named Eveli Sharp-Arrow.
Grits- ‘Strong, noble type’. . . well that is what drew Buffy to Savlian Matius so I figure it is indeed ‘her type’. I’m afraid Buffy’s meeting with Dame Praxedes will once again involve the Arch Mage.
Rider- This book does indeed open the door to loads of possibilities in the Second Era. Mirri’s quest involving her family is certainly a possibility. Regarding Rian, his scene just jumped out at us as another thread to perhaps draw Buffy to stay in the Second Era as well as complicate things for her. I confess to no serious future plans for the pair though.
Kane- Buffy wrestled with the elf/human lifespan challenge when she fell for her late mate in the Third Era. Alas, their time together was cut short before either could age noticeably. In Book Two, she struck up an interest with a Bosmer fellow who was the son of his tribe’s chief. When he learned of Buffy’s dragon totem he concluded she would likely be unable to produce him an heir and they parted ways. So she doesn't have a great track record with men.
Lopov- You bring up a couple of very important (to me) points. 1. Buffy openly spills her feelings to us in her writing, but every woman should have a little mystery to her. The way we do that is adhering strongly to her first-person perspective. We know everything she knows, but what is going on in the heads of others is how we provide a bit of mystery. 2. Regarding Buffy confusing Rian with mixed signals, that is exactly right! That’s because she was quite confused herself. She is drawn to him but that scares her. She’s also subconsciously afraid to commit to anything because she still grieves for her lost mate, hesitates to imply a future to Rian when she may or may not stay to follow up, and she’s always been easily confused when it comes to men and romance. I’m pleased that what I was trying to convey seemed to come through – thank you!
* * *
Episode 45
“Welcome to Vulkhel Guard on the island of Auridon!” chirped Dagail.
As soon as the teleportation disorientation cleared, I attuned myself to the wayshrine. I could smell the ocean, see the ships and hear the gulls of the harbor to my south. The rest of the city beckoned from the west. “Dagail, I’ve never seen so many Altmer in one place!”
She giggled. “You’re in the land of giants now. My Guildmagister said the Arch Mage should be here. This is where he normally resides when not traveling. The Vulkhel Guard branch is kind like the heart of the guild, where much of the important stuff happens. I’ll take you there and if he and the Palatinus are in town, I’ll leave you and wayshrine back to Leyawiin.”
“Thanks for the help, Dagail.”
My head was on a swivel, admiring the uniquely graceful architecture, as Dagail led me through the rather large and quite open city. I had heard the various isles of Summerset portrayed as idyllic. That description was not far off. It was a beautiful day and most of the carefully tended trees and shrubs hosted pink flowers that spilled their scent into the sea breeze. Finally, I heard Dagail announce, “Here we are!”
We stepped into the guildhall. After passing through an elegant and spacious lobby, we found ourselves in a large room completely walled with full bookshelves. “Valaste, this is Buffy.”
The robed Altmer wore her blond hair pulled back into a bun. She turned to face us. “Welcome, Dagail, and I’m pleased to meet you, Buffy.” The studious-looking mage eyed me over with what appeared to be curiosity. I was glad for my own robe, as it served to establish me as a guild mage among strangers. She dipped her head graciously. “I am the Master of Incunabula, responsible for maintaining the guild's libraries and arcanaea, as well as seeking out new and interesting works to add to the collection. How may I help you?”
Dagail injected, “Buffy, Valaste is a trusted friend, and well-informed when it comes to matters of the guild.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Valaste,” I said. “I have business with Dame Praxedes Rousseau. Can you tell me if she’s here?”
“The Palatinus?” she replied. “You are in luck. I’ll take you to her.”
“I’ll be heading back to Leyawiin now,” said Dagail.
I smiled and waved goodbye to my friend.
“Don’t be a stranger, Dagail,” said Valaste. She then turned to me. “Praxedes maintains an office here. Follow me.”
We discussed the scope of the branch’s prodigious library as the Altmer led me back through the lobby, then upstairs and down a wide corridor to an open door. We stepped inside. “Praxedes, Buffy here says she has business with you.”
The Breton looked up from her desk and smiled broadly. “Buffy! I’m pleased indeed to see you again. And thank you, Valaste, for helping Buffy find me.”
After Valaste departed, Praxedes asked that I close the door and motioned for me to sit in one of the two high-backed chairs in front of her desk. As I did so, I noticed eight candles burning in sconces around the walls of her office. A low bookshelf was behind her desk and above it hung a painting of the Dragon God of Time, Akatosh.
“I have many contacts, Buffy. I’m aware that Drodda has been stopped but would very much appreciate your firsthand account.”
I proceeded to brief the Palatinus, in some detail, on the sad tale of Dreanna-turned-Drodda and her eventual fate at the hands of Mirri and myself.
Praxedes listened without interruption as she studied my face over steepled fingers until I had finished my account and folded my hands in my lap. Finally, she spoke, “Perhaps the tragic story of a young mage seduced by the blessing and curse of an abundance of arcane talent. Maybe she began with admirable aspirations to control her gifts, but circumstances conspired to embitter her to the point where she embraced only the pursuit of magical power. I wonder though if perhaps she was possessed? Possibly cursed?”
“I am unsure as well, Praxedes. As a fellow paladin, you can appreciate that I felt intense evil radiating from her as we approached and during our battle. Yet the mortally wounded young woman I held in my arms for her last breaths died free of evil.”
She replied, “I suppose we’re unlikely to ever really know.” Tapping a finger on one of the parchments on her desk, she continued, “I’ve read the Windhelm Guildmagister’s report. Ciceri informs that you handled the matters of interviewing her mages and later advising them of their guildsister’s fate with grace and sensitivity.”
“I cannot forgive Dreanna,” I said soberly, “for destroying the Direfrost Clan – particularly in such a cruel and manipulative manner - but still. . . it brought me no joy to end her life.”
She looked up from the parchment and smiled sympathetically. “While you did what was necessary, it is clear that you care about your fellow guildmates – even those who stray. Your performance is exactly what I would hope for from a paladin and guildsister.” After a moment, she added, “Tell me, Buffy, do you know what the burning candles lining the walls of my office signify?”
Though surprised by the question, I did not hesitate as I replied, “Each candle is for one of the eight Divines. Collectively, they represent the Order of the Lamp.”
Praxedes raised an eyebrow. “I’m impressed. What else do you know of the Order?”
“Quite a bit, actually,” I replied. “Arch Mage Galerion founded the Order several years ago. His objective was a cadre of mage-knights who would be above temptation, corruption, power or politics. Their purpose would be to aid the guild in preventing the use of magic for foul purposes by practitioners both within and beyond the guild. He felt that mages who answer only to a Divine would be capable of what he asked and not be intimidated or influenced by secular considerations. . . not even by the Arch Mage himself. Therefore, he deemed that Knights Arcana would only be recruited from guild mages who were also paladins. Their efforts would be coordinated by a Palatinus, but a Knight Arcana’s first priority would always be to their patron Divine.”
“Buffy, you are indeed a mystery,” Praxedes said. “Either Arch Mage Galerion or I have designated every Knight Arcana since the Order was founded, and you are not among them. Yet, your compassion, performance and ability to stand unbowed before the Arch Mage all scream that you are a Knight Arcana.”
“As you told the Arch Mage,” I replied, “I am the instrument Kynareth chose to complete her quest. She is responsible for my presence here and has asked that I not share the details of how I came to be here.” I then added, “Surely you’re not considering offering me a position in the Order? Not after the reception I received from Arch Mage Galerion!”
“That’s exactly what I’m considering, Buffy. I would be negligent, however, to not assure myself of at least a bit of your background. I propose we ask Kynareth herself. I shall be satisfied with whatever she tells me. Even if it is simply to drop the matter. What say you?”
I tilted my head. “Praxedes, how would you propose we go about this?”
“If you allow it, Buffy, I will lay hands upon you and establish a healing bond in search of what Kynareth may share with me.”
I frowned but said, “Give me a moment to ask Her guidance.” I closed my eyes, seeking Kynareth’s wisdom.
’Trust our Divine, Buffy.’ silently offered Acadian. Though Kynareth did not speak to me, I found her answer in my heart. I opened my eyes. “Kynareth and I will entertain your probe. How much – if anything – she will share with you, I do not know.”
We both stood and Praxedes came around the desk to me. As she placed a hand on each of my cheeks, I reached up and did the same to her. “We’re both paladins,” I reminded her, “and this goes both ways.” She nodded and we established a mutual bond of healing between us.
No way. 