Authors notes on terminology:
Ward - term used to describe a resident in the prison system who is not technically a criminal, but a ward of the Empire. Such a fate is likely for those born in prison. Wards with any kind of magical ability are generally strongly encouraged (think indoctrinated) toward battle mage training, as the latter tend to have dramatic and rather short lifespans and are always in demand.
Alert devotees of the Elder Scrolls universe will notice that while this story is described as being set in Morrowind, it doesn't start there. Bonus points awarded to folks who figure out some of the more obscure character names.
Standard disclaimer: I do not own Morrowind, or any of the other wonderous creations of Bethesda Softworks, however I certainly lay claim to misspellings, mistakes, tweaks and characters of my own creation.
"It's sort of like topiary." Tallis tried to explain.
Barely looking up from the enormous tome he was reading, Borissean raised a sarcastic eyebrow. "Gardening. Not magecraft. Pointless, really."
Behind him, Gaspar stood silent, his expression one of suppressed mirth as he listened to his companion's complaints about the mention of anything not directly related to magical research. Tallis knew he wouldn't actually say anything encouraging, but she also knew he enjoyed it when someone actually stood up to his cynical partner in research.
"Efficient." Countered Tallis. "Shaping a small part of the growth of something means that I don't have to negotiate with a craftsman, and I don't have to argue about exactly what I want. I catch a lobster or a small mudcrab, and I enchant it's growth, and then a few days later I have the vial I want, not as breakable as glass, and just the way I want it."
"That's-" Borissean paused, frowning thoughtfully as he visualized the potential.
"Unconventional." Put in Gaspar.
"I like it. Well conceived, Ward Tallis." Decided Borissean.
"Admittedly it could be dangerous, unless I catch a fairly tame mud crab." Tallis admitted.
Typically, having decided in favor of the idea, Borissean waved aside any consideration of difficulties. "That's what unimaginative apprentices are for. We'll just assign someone to stun and catch a mud crab. Put it in a tub or something to restrain it while you experiment."
Tallis clasped her hands. "So I can research it?"
The two mages looked at each other for a long moment. Apparently they had a kind of non-verbal shorthand, because once they started talking again, Tallis had the feeling she'd missed a fairly detailed conversation.
Gaspar nodded to his partner. "I'll have Viernis put a couple of the apprentices on it as punishment detail. They'll whine a bit, but that's all to the good."
Borrissean made an approving noise and turned to Tallis. "You'd better get started then. I'd estimate that it will take a day and a half for them to get your experimental creature ready for you."
"Assuming nobody gets killed in the process." Gaspar muttered. His voice was more amused than worried.
Tallis blanched. "You think that could happen? Maybe I should do it then. I don't want any one to get hurt."
Borrissean put his hands to her shoulders and steered her in the direction of the research area. "It would take an idiot to get himself killed by a mud crab."
Tallis didn't protest further, because surely he meant that all the apprentices were smarter than that, and would be careful, and work together, and it would be okay. Or at least she hoped it would be okay. She put one hand in a pocket and crossed her fingers.
The older mage massaged her shoulders as he walked her through the corridor. "Don't worry. If they're going to get killed so easily, they were poor battle mage candidates anyway. That so many apprentices have such aspirations only demonstrates their appalling lack of creativity." The tone of voice told Tallis he was rolling his eyes at the thought. "Why the Arch mage feels we need to keep supplying the legion with magical support I will never understand."
Tallis knew from her history classes that it was the dual strength of both magic and might that kept the Imperium strong. Emperor Uriel Septim VII himself was said to be skilled both as a warrior and as a mage. However she knew better than to bring that up again. So instead she said. "Well, I doubt that shaping things will be seen as having much in the way of direct combat application."
"That is why none of them would have thought of it." Borrissean chuckled dryly. "There is more to power than simple destruction."