A Song of Valdemar

[Proginoskes]

At least, I think it's from that plane: some authors work in multiple settings, and Mercedes Lackey might be one of them.Anyway, what do you think Doug's magegift would make of Kerowyn's Ride? (Lyrics by Misty Lackey, Kethry's lines sung by Leslie Fish, and Kerowyn's lines sung by Heather Alexander.)

Kerowyn, Kerowyn, where are you going?
Dressed in men's clothing, a sword by your side
Your face pale as death, and your eyes full of fury
Kerowyn Kerowyn, where do you ride?

Last night in the darkness black raiders attacked us
Our Hold lays in ruins below
They've stolen our treasure and the bride of my brother
And to her aid now I must go,
To her side now I must go

Kerowyn, Kerowyn, where is your father?
And where is your brother? This task should be theirs
It is not seemly for maids to be warriors
Go back to your valley, and to woman's cares

My father lies dead at the hands of their leader
My brother lies raving in pain
The raiders left no man unwounded to free her
But in their hands she'll not remain,
I vow she'll not with them remain

Kerowyn, Kerowyn, where are your senses?
What can you hope to accomplish alone
You have no knowledge of war or of weapons
Why loose your life, for a girl you scarce known

This is for more than a matter of honor
And more than a matter of pride
She's but a child, all alone and unaided
And someone at least should've tried,
So now to her rescue I ride

[Bridge]

Grandmother, grandmother I need a weapon
I'm one against many, and I am afraid
The raiders have bought them a dark wizard's power
I cannot help Dierna without magic aid

Kerowyn, grand-daughter, into your keeping
I'll give you this sword I once wore
Need us her name now ride fearless to battle
She'll aid as she did me before, her magic is strong as before

Grandmother, grandmother, why turn so willing
Why did you try to persuade me to stay
Whence came this weapon of steel and of magic
And why do you choose now to give it away

Kerowyn, not for the weak or the fearful
Is the path of a warrior maid
You've passed all my tests, now ride out with my blessings
And trust in the spell of the blade, ride now and go unafraid

At a random guess, this song turns Doug into a woman and gives him a simulacrum of Need (if I recall correctly, Need "guides the hands" of her wielder to help make up for lack of skill, and renders her immune to magic. A simulacrum wouldn't be as powerful a magic shield, but would still refuse to work in the hands of a man). EDIT: Eehh, probably not. It might create a simulacrum of Need that Doug can hand off to a warrior-woman of his acquaintance (EDIT 2: "Utena, not for the weak or the fearful is the path of the warrior maid..."), or it might even create a simulacrum of Kethry, Kerowyn, or a generic warrior-maid to wield Need, but it probably won't call down Rule 63.