Spoiler (click to show/hide):
Preserved, frozen in time so it can't decay, whatever. Point is that it's a magical monster she can further butcher for parts as needed.
Dammit, that's probably for the best. I let Ruby into my space along with me, entering within the cave system so we're properly covered from view. Setting the various items out to look over, I decide I'll probably sell some of the water gems to the elves, assuming they want to buy them. I mean, I suppose I could sell them the rations as well, but other than a curiosity, I doubt they'd be interested. The runescript is mine, and I'm not sharing.
Letting Ruby change back to her humanoid form, I make sure she's doing okay before I cover my plan to try and use the runescript to complete the spells on my legs first. If I can tie one runescript to both legs, since it's the same spell I'm looking to complete, I'll be in an even better shape. So far, I haven't gotten a good feel for what magics are worth upgrading.