Boots of Speed and Druid Staff

I only found 1 pair in the game, and I put it on my most badass fighter-type. The reason for this, is that there are usually archers or mages supporting the monsters, and your fighters normally will take some major beatings trying to close with them. The sped-up fighter, however, rushes them before they can blink, greatsword cutting a bloody swath through their tender backsides!

Two questions:

First does anyone no if Arundel Druid Staff has a limit on the number of casts it can use?

Second, what have people found is the best application of the Boots of Speed? I am debating bewteen my stealthy thief and my best fighter. Allows fighter to get into the melee quickly, but it also allows thief to stealth, backstab retreat, restealh backstab etc. Also, can't tell if boots increase archery rate of fire.

You can get a second pair later on, I believe (maybe it was a random item for me, I don't know) I have one on my best fighter and one on my theif.
Then I shoot an Improved Inviso on both and send them exploring with the theif checking for traps. Between the two of them, they can handle every creature I've come across so far, in small numbers. They're capable of dealing serious damage at this point in the game (Lower Dorn's Deep)between the ol' Doom Halberd on the fighter and the theif's quadruple damage backstab with Frostbrand! Basically, I would use it on your hack & slash fighter so he gan get to the action quickly while the rest of the party cuts 'em down with missile weapons.