#hells guard

FFXIVWrite2021 Day 4 Prompt Baleful

Nim stood staring at the hunt board looking for which mark was being the most troublesome.  It didn’t take long for her to find it.  The beast was a bane to existence if the actual bounty was any indication.  Reaching forward she pulled the bill from the board and read its contents.  

From what she could tell there was not much information to go on save that most of the sightings were in Western Thanalan.  Stepping outside of the Hall of Flames she intoned the teleport spell and felt her aether tugged along to the Aetheryte in Horizon.

Once there she sought out anyone who would have an idea of where to find the beast.  It didn’t take long just before Sunset Gate there was a Lalafell who bore the air of a beast hunter.  After a short conversation with her Nim realized why the beast's bounty was so high.  The Highwind Skyways had lost several ships to its attacks; naturally they would want the beast put down as soon as possible.

Problem was it was very difficult to get the elusive creature to descend from its lofty height; Lalafell had even said that she had only seen the beast land once.  That the sun reflecting off her pauldrons may have been what called the beast down.

If the sky was the beast's uncontested domain she needed to lure it to the ground somehow and rob it of its primary advantage.  She walked along the path leaving Horizon and then found herself staring down at Nophica’s Wells.

The area had steep cliffs that if she maneuvered right during the battle she could trap the beast against.  It was out of the way of the main tradeway so a good way to ensure that no bystanders were caught in their fight.  The question would be how to get the beast down there. 

“Attracted to flashes of light,” the Hells Guard murmured softly watching as the sun danced across the ripples of the Well’s water, “It couldn’t be that easy could it?”

She had a hobby of fishing and as such learned as much as she could about any and all potential fishing spots across Eorzea.  She knew for a fact that here in the Wells was a very bright, very flashy fish, the Glimmerscale.  At its largest the fish was a little over one fium in length so it might not be enough to lure a Cloudkin down from the heavens but one never knew and it couldn’t hurt to try. She certainly wasn’t going to stop the beast standing here staring at the water.

Making up her mind the Warrior made her way to the stairwell that led down into the Wells themselves once at the bottom she informed the Brass Blade standing guard there that she planned to lure Zona Seeker down to her and asked him to keep any and all that might venture down that way away from her and the beast.

The Blade looked at her like she lost her mind but agreed to keep others out of her way.  Choosing a location that was out in the open but near the bridge she planned on luring the beast under robbing it of the capability of dropping on her from a massive height.  She dropped her pack between two nearby palms and pulled her collapsible fishing rod out of it.  She then searched the bag till she found her bait tin and pulled out a nice plump butterworm.

A few hours later and sever fish including a couple of small Glimmerscales Nim finally pulled up a pretty big one.  No sooner had she heard a piercing cry from above.  Dropping her rod fish and all she darted to the side as a puddle of some sort of venom landed where she had stood.  The creature then let out a piercing shriek that rattled Nim’s bones.  The Warrior gritted her teeth then flung her tomahawk at the beast, getting it to follow her beneath the bridge where she then unsheathed her axe.  It dove at her swinging its tail forward, another bit of venom oozing from the tip of the bulge at its end.  The tip screeched off her armor leaving a wet streak where it landed.  

Before it could recover Nim brought down her axe in a Heavy Swing down upon its right wing joint nearly severing the digit to the bone.  The beast crashed to the ground and rewarded the strike with a spit of that original venom that hit Roegadyn squarely in the chest.  Suddenly her limbs felt heavy as she brought the axe back up attempting to Maim the beast further.

It flapped with its good wing scrabbling back muck of the water beneath the bridge so her strike did not hit as well as she had hoped.  The beast then lashed out with a burst of wind aether and Nim felt the sting of windburn as it got through portions of her armor.  She retaliated with her Storm's Eye strike, weaving the spell that bolstered her attacks with it.  Then reaching deep within she called forth her Inner Beast a burst of Fiery Aether surrounding her the cloudkin side stepped hissing in warning before he exhaled a concentrated blast of air aether before it.  Nim  dodged it and swung her axe in the combo once again striking the beast in multiple parts.  

As the cloudkin awkwardly tried to strike her with its tail again she swiftly cast Vengeance and was rewarded with the screaming in pain as the spell's effects harmed the beast.  She then swung the combo again and with the built up aether lashed out at it with a steel cyclone.  Another burst of wind aether smacked into her and Zona Seeker once again cried in pain as her Vengeance spell retaliated.

Finally the battle took its toll on the beast and it began to stumble and its attacks became less potent.  Nim carefully waited for the right opening dodging and parrying the beast's weakening strikes before she swung her axe for the telling blow.  At her final strike the creature gave one last bone rattling shriek before it fell to the ground lifeless.

Panting Nim shook the blood from her axe then sheathed it in the harness on her back then she reached to her right ear activating a link pearl. “Huntmaster,” she said between breaths, “Tell the Highwind Skyways that Zona Seeker will trouble them no more.  It's dead. I felled it in Nophica’s Wells. So do I need to bring a part of the beast for confirmation or will there be a representative sent to confirm the kill?”

Stay in the area there will be a representative sent shortly.  Nice work Miss Rabbit.  We appreciate when you down these fiends.

She gave a toothy grin stating, “I do what I can fer folks that need it,”

Nim then hauled the beast’s corpse out of the water before it turned in the Thanalan heat.  Last thing the folks of the area needed was the Well’s watercourse fouled by a corpse.  It didn't take long before said representative, a Immortal Flame came and confirmed the beast's identity he then gave her the reward purse and thanked her for her service to Ul'dah.

Things I could be doing: leveling my crafters more, literally anything productive

@seaswolchallenge​ @ffxiv-writers​

Rose stood on the little hillock watching as the light of the day faded before her, the ancient keep still standing in the distance.  She could almost convince her self as it always had.   But, the  luminous gossamer wings glowing faintly in the gathering gloom turning to lavender as the rain began to fall shattered that wistful dream. Behind her the Gladjient could hear the sound of rustling feathers and the gentle squelch of taloned feet in the mud.

"Even now it is as beautiful a sight as ever," the amaro who approached stated stopping behind her.

Tears stung the edges of the White Mage's eyes as she replied, "Aye bitterly so for me Boulder."

The old amaro moved closer wanting to grant her what comfort he could.  She whirled to face him burying her face into his damp chest feathers and wrapping her arms around his neck as hot tears began to fall.  He simply laid his head over her shoulder letting its weight be comforting.

She quietly sobbed against her old friend, she may have saved the First from the Tyranny of Light and in turn the Source from a Calamity.  But it still hurt, the only one left that she had known from her childhood was the amaro whom she was now weeping against.  The  Gladjient’s family, her friends were dust or worse.  

Rose could barely stand seeing it her world, her home ravaged by Ascian machinations.  Her family's fate unknown.  The White Mage had to be honest with herself until now she had been terrified to ask Boulder of their fate.   Of what they thought of their daughter’s disappearance.

Shuddering from the crying and the chill rain she stepped back along with a breath bracing herself. Then looking the amaro in the eye and asked quietly, "Boulder, what....what happened to my family during the Flood...were they....."

Boulder did not flinch from her searching gaze instead he met it and replied softly, "They fled along with the remainders of Voetburt to what would become the Crystarium.  There they lived out their days in peace within the shadow of the Crystal Tower even as the sky filled with Light."

Rose breathed a sigh of relief glad to hear that her family hadn't become Leafmen or Sin Eaters but had managed to survive, "What...what did they think of me disappearing."

Boulder stepped up to her again giving her a soft nudge stating, "They were worried, but they had no true fears.  Your parents knew you were strong, and they trusted you would survive."

He then gave her a big amaro grin, "They thought you might one day return.  I knew you would I just knew it would take time."

"How?  I didn't even know if I was ever coming back,"

The amaro then bobbed in understanding stating, "Because he said so, the Exarch."

"Betcha dad was thrilled when he heard that he was responsible for the poof away in the first place."  she replied ruefully picturing what the Gladjient would have done when hearing it.

Boulder shook his head, "He didn't know the Exarch never told your parents or sister that you would come back.  I alone knew of it because he loved to come and talk."

At her questioning look he sighed looking off in the distance, "I think he was lonely and feeling the pressures of the responsibility he had taken up.  He put a face on for the refugees reassuring them that they were safe, that he could protect them.  But, late at night he would come to what would become the Rookery and bear his soul to us."

The White Mage blinked slowly then nodded it understanding it seemed G'raha hadn't been exaggerating when he said she was his inspiration.

"The Exarch would tell us stories.  Tales of the Warrior of Light and her adventurers.  He would tell us how much he admired her and wished he could be as great a hero."

Rose snorted, "He sells himself short.  The man did everything his ancestor wanted in making the Tower a beacon of hope for all to see but the dumb Miqo'te just doesn't see that."

Boulder bobbed in agreeance gweeing to emphasize, "Aye he seems to think himself unimportant.  He always told us that when the time came, when all seemed lost he would save you even if it cost him his life."

Rose closed her eyes remembering that moment on Mount Gulg.  When the Light was threatening to overtake her and he stood there drawing it into himself.  Trying poorly to sound like a villian.  The moment that followed was one of two that she could be grateful to the bastard Ascian for.  Shooting him, while harming, had saved the stupid Miqo'te from his foolishness.

"He tried to, but fortunately our enemy unintentionally saved him. " She told the amaro.

"I for one am grateful for.  The man has ever been a kind and generous soul.  He didn't need to fall as so many had already to the Light."

Rose nodded then chuckled stating, "Lets get some cover from this rain and I will tell you how selfish and bratty he was as a younger man."

Name: Swaying Rose

Race: Gladjient

Age: 18

Birthplace:  Wolekdorf in  Voeburt on the First

Raised:  Villiage of Eastridge in Abalathia’s Spine

History:  She’s a shepards daughter born in Wolekdorf in Voeburt on the First.  She ended up being dragged to the Source at thirteen by one of the Exarch’s early attempts at calling the Warrior of Light. (little did he know she was the one he was attempting to call) and dropped in the village of Eastridge in Abalathia’s Spine.  

After too many times of being told that her home didn’t exist and getting in constant fights that her adoptive Grandmother Whispering Willow kept getting in trouble for she began to just be silent and tend the flock avoiding speaking with anyone.  Once the Calamity came she did everything she could to help the village survive.  Five years later when Willow passed she made the decision to become and adventurer and attempt to find answers about how she ended up here so far from home.

@seaswolchallenge @ffxiv-writers

Here’s week 4 posted, the last two days will be on their own separate posts tomorrow and Tues (I think I miscalculated somewhere ehh it happens lol ^.^)             

Day 22-Flask

Day 23-Devotion (for Holy)

Day 24-Recovery

Day 25-Dusk

Day 26-Loneliness

Day 27-Hands

Day 28-Grin

FFXIVWrite2021 Day 9 Prompt Friable 

Nimble carefully added the birch syrup to her pan of sugar and water hoping it would do the same as the honey the recipe called for.  Mostly she had learned from Lucia that Ser Aymeric preferred the Birch Syrup over honey for a sweet additive.

Please forgive me Tateeya I know this was your mothers recipe for baklava but I want to make sure he likes it. She silently told the old cook of the Fair Winds.

Though given why she was making this she was pretty sure the old woman would be cackling with delight and telling her parents to soon be expecting grandchildren.  Nim felt her cheeks redden at that thought.  She had no idea if the man felt the same for her as she did but she was damn sure gonna give him a gift when she had the opportunity.

The Roegadyn shook her head, focusing on the mixture in front of her so she didn't burn it.  Within a matter of moments it blended properly and she pulled the pan off the stove and opened the oven pulling out the Baklava and pouring the syrup on it for the final touch.

She then carefully boxed up the Baklava and did a cursory check to make sure she didn't have like flour or some other bit of baking material on her before teleporting straight to Ishgard.  She paid the subsequent teleport fee.  She hurried her steps to the Congregation knowing he should be in his office at this time.

As she entered she saw Handeloup and Lucia exchange amused expressions and motioned to the knight guarding the Lord Commander’s door to let her pass.  Inwardly she was shaking, worried he might not like her dessert.   After all, she wasn't sure if the birch syrup would have the same effect on it as the honey.  In theory it should work fine the flavors would merge well together but she still found herself uneasy.  Outwardly she was the calm, collected Warrior of Light she had learned by watching Captain Zirnbhar how to put on a face when others looked to you even if you were inwardly screaming.

She gave a light tap on the door with one hand and heard a muffled enter.  As she strode in he looked up at first confused then a warm smile broke out on his face, “Dear friend what brings you here today?”

“A gift,” she replied, “I heard from a certain Temple Knight that another was working through his nameday and I thought at least to bring him something sweet.”

He gave a laugh then said, “I assume the same knight mentioned I have a weakness for sweet things hmm.”

The Roegadyn gave him a toothy smile relieved that she could use the banter to ease her nerves as she replied, “Aye here,”

She then placed the box on his desk and hid, she hoped well, her eagerness as he opened it.  Swiftly she placed a fork and knife on his desk for him that she had stored in her apron before leaving.  He gave her a grateful smile and then cut himself a piece.  Nim was relieved to see it crumbled where it was supposed to and it appeared the consistency was correct even with the supplement of the birch instead of honey.

As he took the bite he closed his eyes for a moment savoring the taste then opened them looking her square in the eye saying, “This is heavenly, did you make this?”

Hoping the blush wasn't noticeable she nodded, “Aye learned the recipe from Tateeya she was the cook on the Fair Winds, the ship I was born on.  She hailed from Thavnair and apparently this is a common desert in those parts it's called Baklava.”

“I dare say you learned well from her,” he responded, taking another bite once again, closing his eyes in the pleasure of the taste.

“I uh did modify the recipe since I know yer more fond of birch syrup than honey. Normally honey is used for the glaze.”

He smiled back at her nodding while finishing the bite then stating, “It tastes perfect with that alteration in my opinion.  Though I confess I’ve never had the authentic version.  I hate to impose but mayhap one day you could make that one for me too?”

Nim laughed and nodded, “If ye want Aymeric, certainly I could bake it in my sleep with how many times I watch old Tateeya make it.”

He gave a laugh then after another bite motioned his approval which she laughed in kind and then began telling him of her most recent adventures.