The Other Witch; The Armorer

Krove was the intellectual heart of the universe, home to the legendary Arcane Academy.  It was, not coincidentally, also used as the geographical heart of the known universe.  Part of that was because there were so few natural boundaries around it preventing travel to other regions, but it was also because all of the great explorers had started their journey from the little mountain strewn world.  Tala, the Storm Mage and founder of the universe's political heart, Stormgarde, had studied here.  Arcania, the queen of the frostbourne, had also studied here before ultimately wandering into the reaches of space.
Indeed, most Immortals had been here at some time, and certainly those with the most time under their gilded belts.  Petra, the paladin spoken of in as many fairy tales as historical accounts, was said to keep a home here, near the Academy.  Prior to the Frostbourne War the Pantheon had met here, and all Immortals had kept at least an apartment somewhere nearby.

Salvia could have told anyone that, if you had the money, the best enchantments and equipment were to be found on Krove.  Logic alone would have indicated that much, even if popular knowledge didn't, which it did.  The man calling himself, falteringly, Hack, had landed at a small space port several miles outside of Death's Nave, the largest of the towns that had grown up around the academy.  It had been named for the most influential immortal of the day, a princess of the Empire and necromancer of great power claiming to be Death Herself; some said she truly was, others dismissed it as idle boasts and the ravings of a mage consumed with power.  All Salvia cared for was that she had nearly destroyed the Empire and that there was a severe lack of evidence pointing to her actual death; the sort of thing that made her wonder how long it had been before she'd come back and been put down by some poor sap who couldn't have told you what enchantments his own sword carried.
"We're here.  Zinarth, manor of the fell angel, home of one of the most powerful beings in the universe, and beyond."
"And a close personal friend of yours I'm sure."
"Not particularly, we've met once or twice.  Usually ended with harsh words relating to the nature of evil and the virginity of others, can't say either of us were particularly welcome in the other's home.  But that's never stopped me from going anywhere or doing anything before so I daresay it won't now."
Salvia paused to contemplate how she had ended up involved in this mess in the first place.  As she did the door opened to a dark young man in a light tunic.
"Morning sir and madam, are you here to see the teacher, the enchanter, or the hero?"
Hack stared dumbly at the young man on the other side of the door frame.  For someone claiming to be familiar with the house's occupant she had expected a more..confident reaction.
"Are you?  I mean to say, I thought she never...Bother it all, who the devil are you?"
"Not the devil, nor any friend to those who serve him.  Can I help you, or would you prefer to stand there all day.  Or you could leave, that option also exists if you wish."
"But she..man..puritan..McMommy Issues?"
"Honeysuckle, I think you have visitors."
A girlish giggle came from deeper within the shadows of the house, "I'll be right there, my love" The woman who had spoken came from the left and paused to kiss the dark, and Salvia had to admit it, handsome man who had first greeted them.  She was nothing like what the voice would have made her think; her skin was tanned and her hands rough from work.  She bore the faded mark of one who had seen many battles within her eyes, and her hair was tied back in the braid of those Nielda who have pledged themselves to battle.  But she was softer than she had clearly been before, and there was a spring in her step still stiff from lack of use.  And the stains on her knees were clearly more vegetable than animal or mineral.
"Good morning Old father, good morning Young sister; what can we do for you?"
"Buh?"
Salvia decided to eschew Hack's continued attempts to take charge and do so herself.  "I need a weapon.  Something that will befit in battles against well equipped armies or powerful mages.  I would prefer a pistol if you could, and I can demonstrate my abilities if need be."
The woman didn't let go of her partner's waist as she looked over his shoulder, surveying her as though she were more portrait than person.  She seemed to seize her up like a gem,and Salvia could feel the stranger's mind weaving through every crack and crevice of her own without any regard for privacy or decency.
"Yes, I think trueshot, variable element, transastral summoning, bottomless quiver, modified of course, and maybe," she pasued for a moment, "maybe flair of the bard or runeweaver's clarity.  What do you think Love?"
"Witch's Nocturne."
"Ah yes, of course, how silly of me; Witch's Nocturne.  I'll get started at once.  When the old man wakes from his stupor tell him that she was right, it really has helped a lot.  Toodles!"  And the door shut without another word.