#hellsgaurd

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FFxivWrite2022 Day 30 Prompt Sorjourn

Sparrow gave a huge sigh, the Hellsguard pinching her nose in frustration, “How do we keep getting ourselves into these situations?”

Erisha shrugged the Keeper clearly trying to remain calm and collected to be able to properly cast her magics.  But her concern for the other two's safety was evident, as was her exhaustion.

Ahead of them the other two of their band were charging forward, all but looking like they felt it was a competition.  This was supposed to be a simple go in investigate, return and report findings sort of job.  But it became a hell of a lot more complex than that.  And having a Midlander Warrior and an Elezen Dragoon who thought they had to outdo each other at every turn made things worse.

It's not that the pair didn’t get along far from it.  They were good friends who felt battle meant showing the other up and such they would rush headlong into battle sometimes completely ignoring Sparrows plan and resulting in having poor Erisha to all but have a panic attack trying to keep them alive.

After the fourth group of bandits they had encountered and both the Midlander and Elezen barely escaping with their skins intact Sparrow had enough before they could rush off again she strode forward and grabbed the Midlander bodily and lifted her off her feet stating, “Enough!”

“But…” Allene started struggling against the Roegadyn’s grip.

“But nothing girl, ye’ve been running headlong into the maws of death and only escapin thanks te Erisha’s expert heals.  And you,” she added pointing at the Elezen Dragoon, “Ye’ve been doing the same.  We were supposed to do quiet reconnaissance but thanks te the two o ye n yer rivalry we’ve made known our presence te every damn bandit within a hundred malms!”

Aurelle looked like she was going to protest but then she saw Erisha who was overtly worn from her endeavors and realized Sparrow was right. She then  lowered her gaze and murmured, “Sorry, we did get carried away didn’t we.”

The struggling Midlander growled in annoyance then also seeing the tired Miqo’te as well nodded, “Aye I guess we did, thanks Sparrow ye’ve always had my back.  Can ye put me down now?”

“Yer a pain in the arse,” the Hellsgaurd stated then set her down on her feet and the Midlander gave her a dirty look.  She then looked around and drew her axe saying, “We got company girls,”

The group that had gathered let out a hearty laugh, “Awe look they’ve made up. Ye know ye cuties could kiss as well or maybe more, give us all ‘ere a good show and maybe we let it slide that ye’ve been bloodying our mates.” one taunted

Keeping her voice low so the bastards that had gathered couldn’t hear her. Sparrow shifted her eyes toward the White Mage stating, “Ye stay back n catch yer breath. I’ll keep these two idiots on their feet till ye can recover.  Alle ye charge right at that sneering bastard, me buncles got yer back as always.  Aulle take em from the flank with a Doom Spike aye?”

The trio nodded and then without warning, aether burst around the Midlander as she unleashed Infuriate and charged forward slamming into the bandit who had taunted them, her axe cleaving him in two.  His mates fared little better as the Dragoon flanked them and speared them both in the burst of a doom spike.  The remaining bandits had their hands full with the Warrior beginning to swing her axe more and the carbuncles dancing in and striking as they went along with the ruin spells that Sparrow unleashed.

In moments the group of bandits had gone from sneering to screaming and attempting to run as the three continued their assault along with the White Mage once the Miqo’te caught her breath.  Once they were dispatched or fleeing the four of them made their retreat with both Sparrow and all three of her carbuncles guarding their backs for the retreat.

Once they got a safe distance Sparrow cuffed both the Midlander and Elezen in the ear snarling, “Next time we have this sorta thing lets stick to the plan eh?  I’d rather not end up in a sticky end nor do I want ye two fools te be either ye got me?”

Both stumbled at the strike for the Hellsguard didn’t pull her punch on it and then they steadied themselves both stating in unison, “Aye,”

As they made their way back to the city proper Erisha murmured softly, “I think you two should explain to Mother Miounne why things went the way they did,”

Sparrow gave an evil grin and stated, “A fine idea Erisha, ye both are gonna explain te her and the bowlord how ye caused us te botch the job.  Cause most o those fools escaped.”

I bought an apartment to create a photo studio just to take new reference shots of Dark Autumn and had trouble stopping.

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FFxivWrite2022 Day 15 Prompt Row

Nimble wiped the sweat from her brow staring out across the glassy sea.  It was the fourth day of no winds.  But the Waverunner had a timetable to keep and no amount of still air would stop her from making way.  So the crew took turns at the oars even young Nimble at twelve summers she was as strapping as any of the hyuran lads aboard so like them she took her turn.

The crew was whispering constantly about what sort of thing brought them this bad luck to be stuck in these doldrums.  Some wondered if they had somehow offended Llymlaen; others simply thought they were being punished by the whole of the Twelve for one thing or another.

Personally Nim thought it was just a bit of bad luck.  They hit this part of the sea at a time where the winds were weak resulting in the stillness.  She just couldn’t see why any deity would bother wasting time punishing the crew.  They could be a rowdy lot when ashore but for the most part they were good and kind people.

A hand touched her shoulder and she turned to see Powle, the ship's first mate motioning that she should get up.  Nodding, she vacated the bench for it to be occupied by another crew member and made her way to the galley where Abes was waiting with fresh water and fruit for those who had been on the oars.

She drank a good sip of the water and bit down on the sweet melon as she took a seat at the table in the galley.  Once finished she made her way further below decks the heat of the summer afternoon almost sweltering.  She went to a small cargo hold that the crew had set aside for her “pet” as the crew called him.

For her Bleibhar was more than simply a pet, he was a dear friend and she wanted to check on how he was doing with this heat.  As the door opened he bawled a greeting the polar bear splooted amidst the Ice clusters she had bought in one of the last ports so the poor beast would have some refuge from the heat.  Deciding to join him she plopped down enjoying the chill after all of the work she had put into the oars.  It was also easing the ache in her shoulders from the rhythmic motion.

It would be several hours before she would take her turn again and the young Hellsguard hoped that soon it wouldn’t be needed.  Hopefully soon the ship's luck would turn and the winds would return.  Groaning, she pushed herself up, gave the bear a pat and made sure his water wasn’t completely frozen to a point where he couldn’t drink it before heading to her bunk to attempt to get some sleep in this heat.

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FFxivWrite2022 Day 7 Prompt Pawn

Art thou a pawn or master of thy own fate, what hath thou wrought with thine own hand mortal?

Midgardsormr sneered at the Roegadyn before him.  

He intended then to leave but ere he could dissipate she snatched him out of the air and pulled his face in front of hers green eyes flashing with anger. “Listen here dragon I am dealing with your presence but now is not the time to mock me.  And I swear to all of the Twelve if what you did to the blessing is responsible for Moen’s death….”

He then felt remorse as he realized she was grieving for the fallen woman, Nay child even if thy blessing was accessible, due to thy mistress weakness, I believe the outcome would have been the same. 

Nimble Rabbit  stared at him for a moment longer then released him. Her shoulders still taught with anger she then slammed her fist into the stone of the wall and snarled, “Then what in seven hells use is it?  Why the hell was I gifted with this damn thing if it fails me when I need it most?  Why Hydaleyn!!”

Midgardsormr looked on with sorrow, wishing he could give her the answers she seeked.  He himself did not truly understand what the entity intended.  

His mind went unbidden to his flight from the dragon star.  His seven eggs held tightly against him in that vast cold desperate to keep them warm so they might survive.  Every star he passed was dead or dying. All of them had one thing in common: a small, avid creature black as night streaking in the sky and an overwhelming sense of despair and sorrow.  He had seen this on the Dragon Star too as he fled.  He flew as fast and as far as he could, his fiery mane extinguishing in the relentless cold of space until finally he saw a world bathed in life, in aether and he descended.  

Only to be met by a strange humanoid being who was overtly powerful at the edge of a lake brimming with life and aether.  Deep down he despaired for he knew if she chose to fight him he’d have not the strength to win and that would be the end for his brood.

“I beg of thee allow us to remain, mine children and I.  Far we have flown and this…this is the only star not beset by death or destruction.” he called wishing that his voice were stronger but to no avail his flight had severely weakened him.  He only preyed that the metal monstrosity that has brought his home star's end had not managed to fully follow him here to this glowing jewel of a star.

 The entity looked upon him, compassion filling  her brilliant blue gaze and she then stated, “I ask for a few deeds in return for thy sanctuary.  First, thou art to defend this lake, for it is the source of all magic here on Etheirys.  Thy eggs may bathe in these waters as well so they know life and strength. In return for this I ask they become stewards to this star, defending it and protecting it from harm.  Finally  there will come a day when a being will stand before you.  She will bear my mark, a glowing shield of protection.  When this occurs you will have to seal away this,” she waved a hand and a glowing ward appeared with multiple elemental crystals anchoring it. “It will not be hard to sense within her being. Once you have sealed it away, travel with her, test her, if she is strong enough your binds will release and she shall shine brighter than she did when you met my sweet spark. Agree to these terms and a life here on Etheirys shall be thine and thy children’s.”

Midgardsormr pondered her conditions, part of him wanted to refuse for she all but asked him to be in servitude in exchange for sanctuary and yet, was that too large a price to pay?   Would he allow his pride to deny him and his children what seemed to be their only chance for survival?  He could tell this entity truly felt for his plight there was no underlying malice, no ill intent she well and truly was offering him sanctuary in exchange for these deeds.

“If this by thy terms then I agree, for my children's sake.  Though I will say, the choice to defend this star is theirs, and theirs alone to make.  I will not bind them to such ere they are hatched.  I Midgardsormr shall make this covenant with thee…”

“Hydaelyn '' she responded, giving him a warm smile, “ And I accept thy terms as well. Now let me welcome thee and thy children to thy new home Midgardsormr.”  With that she held a stave before her and he felt aether surge from the lake surrounding him as it did he felt his essence tie into that of the lakes the source and as it did his vigor returned.  Roaring in joy he then set about placing his eggs carefully in the lake itself eager for them to draw upon its strength so they would grow strong.  

Midgardsormr then shook himself from his reprieve.  In the years that followed he time and again wondered if it had truly been the right choice to do as Hydaelyn bid.  When his eldest Bahaumt fell to the foul Alagans and then his eldest daughter Tiamat to the whispers of the cursed Ascians and then fettered by her own guilt. The day Azdaja disappeared into that voidgate leaving behind Vrtra to grieve and worry.  When Ratatoskr was murdered by mortals and his son Nidhogg lost his sense to rage, grief and guilt.  The pain and agony of his own death to the cursed airship.  Had it truly been worth it?  Was this really the last bastion of hope or had he simply cursed himself and his brood to death and despair in a different form?

These questions had danced in his mind for many ages and he felt a kinship for this Chosen of Hydaelyn for she too was granted a boon only for it to feel like a curse.  Deep down he was still unsure.  He knew not exactly what Hydaelyn had planned for him or for this mortal.  But he did know she needed to hear something at this time.

I know not why thy mistress granted thee the blessing nor why she agreed to allow me and mine to remain on this star.  But this I do know, despair will get thee no answers.  Do not give into it and stay strong if for no other than thyself.  Midgardsormr stated the diminutive dragon flying over and landing upon her shoulder.

Nimble Rabbit then looked at him and nodded, “Aye ye have the right o it.  To despair is to give up.  An I was raised te fight te the bitter end.  Thank ye Midgardsormr I needed te hear that.  And sorry fer grabbing ye like that.”