Prompt # 21 Crunch Rescue
@sea-wolf-coast-to-coast
Spoilers for the Seventh Astral Era MSQs below the cut. And a slight variant on the beginning of the quest Coming to Terms
*note* Normally Lelulu will have all three of her carbuncles traveling with her. However the strain of maintain all in a combat situation tends to be too much so she will usually have Thyrus her topaz one out unless she is in a party then it will either be Artemis(emerald) or Lilith(ruby) depending on combat need.
Aymeric stood with his back to Lucia corpses of dragons surrounding them and there still seemed no end to them. His breath ragged his ribs likely crushed from the one of the crushing maws of the scalekin.
They had been riding out to Camp Dragonhead to meet with the commander of the Crystal Braves and the esteemed Warrior of Light. Unfortunately it seemed Svara one of the Hordes strongest lieutenants had other ideas and attacked the encampment even as he as his second arrived. Seeing that the forces were beleaguered by the dragons assault he and Lucia joined the fray, only to be isolated from the bulk of the knights and now found themselves alone facing down a continuous tide of dragons.
“Lord Commander we must find a way to withdraw..” Lucia gasped her shield arm dangling useless at her side her sword wavering in her other hand. Exhaustion from the extended battle clearly taking its toll on the woman.
“I am well aware,” he wheezed as he thrust Naegling down the throat of a charging biast. , “But I doubt they will avail us an opportunity,”
Suddenly three dragonflys rushed him at once and he swung Naegling in an effort to driver them back falling to his knees as white hot pain seared though his chest robbing him of strength and breath. He braced himself awaiting the dragons to tear him asunder when he was surprised to hear the crunch of a swift moving chocobo upon the bloodstained snow.
The dragons reeled back as a petite golden blur slammed into them knocking them to the ground. When his eyes cleared of the pain he saw a small carbuncle standing between him, his second and the dragons. The construct suddenly jumped into the air spun on itself and then upon its landing the ground erupted in a golden glow the beasts snarling in pain as they tried to cross that ring to continue their attack. They were thwarted by spikes of stone summoned up by the little carbuncle. Shortly behind the aetheric consrtuct charged in a chocobo the little bird slashing and pecking as it went seeming to have no fear of the dragons that could possibly eat it whole.
Then spells few from behind the construct slamming into the lead dragon causing it to retch and writhe and in an explosion of purple it spread to all the nearby beasts. Several more seeing what was happening to their brethren fell back seeking other targets not wishing to be caught in the same beldam that their brethren were in. In a matter of moments the dragons fell still succumbing to the virulence of the contagions of the spells.
Once the drakes had fallen the carbuncle jumped and vanished in a burst of aether and a similar burst came from the direction of the caster of the spells. Suddenly he and his second were surrounded by a shimmering blue dome. Shortly after a diminutive being that could only be described as a fairy flew over and began casting upon him and Lucia. In between its casts he felt other healing spells being placed on him. Within a few moments he found he had no more pain and he could see Lucia moving her formally broken arm.
Finally able to he turned around to see a lalafel standing nearby a book drawn in her hand. She was tall for her kin, with chestnut shoulder length locks and mismatched eyes of gold and blue. The catlike pupils showed she was of the plainsfolk clan. She was dressed in a ramie doublet and gaskins dyed in tones to match her hair.
“You have my thanks,” he murmured to her
She gave him a silent nod then, a swirl of aether surrounded her and her ramie doubled changed slightly in style the fairy dissipating in a flash of white. She opened the tome and swung her hand forward intoning a spell causing the golden carbuncle to jump forth out of a burst of aether. She then charged forward into the nearby fray the little chocobo running beside her and once again rushing the foes with the carbuncle.
Following her he and Lucia joined the forces and drove back the horde all the way to Providence Point. Once there Svara herself descended attempting to attack the cannons as the force charged her and in the end put her down. In the chaos of the battle he had lost sight of the lalafel who save them.
Finally the dragon force defeated he and Lucia made their way to the camp wounded knights being rushed hither and yon for treatment. Upon being sighted they were immediately directed to Lord Haunchefaut the elezen knight notably agitated and elated.
“Sir Aymeric,” he called cheerfully, “Master Alphinaud is awaiting us in the Intersessory. The Warrior of Light will be there shortly after she finishes aiding the churigeons with the wounded.”
Aymeric followed the knight into the Intersessory to see a young white haired elezen standing there smiling on their entry.
“Commander Leveilleur. It is both an honor and a pleasure to meet you.” Aymeric said warming, “I am Aymeric, lord commander of the Temple Knights.”
“Alphinaud Leveilleur at your service,” the boy responded then all of them turned as the door opened once more and the very same lalafel who had saved Aymeric and Lucia had stode in a golden, emerald and ruby carbuncle in tow.
“Sir Aymeric, allow me to introduce my esteemed colleague Lelulu Lulu the Warrior of Light,” the lad began
Aymeric gave a warm smile, “We’ve already met after a fashion. Pray once again allow me to thank you for your timely rescue,”
She smiled cheerfully stating, “I merely was aiding those I saw in need.” She then motioned to the carbuncles, “Allow me to introduce Thyrus, shes the one who held back the drakes, Artemis and Lilith,”
All three constructs chimed a greeting at him then obediently went over to the nearby table sitting around one chair as he inclined his head in response to them.
“Shall we take a seat?” Haunchefaunt asked motioning to the table where the carbuncles now sat. As they all took their seats Alphinaud started by saying, “Your reputation proceeds you Sir Aymeric. I think we will find that we have much in common.”
Aymeric turned to Lelulu stating, “Speaking of reputations yours towers above us all does it not?”
“It does indeed lord commander, “ Lucia stated an amused smile playing on her lips.
Aymeric smiled warmly stating, “I am not too proud to admit that I have followed your activities with an interest bordering on fascination. Full glad am I that you would be joining us.”
Lelulu blushed then said, “I believe you and Alphinaud have much to discuss do you not Lord Commander,”
He gave a hearty laugh, “Aye indeed, well Commander Leveilluer shall you begin or shall I”
“The floor is yours lord commander,” the young elezen replied his curiosity at the nature of this meeting clear in his eyes. He’s one to be careful with, Aymeric thought to himself as he began explaining the reason he had asked to speak to them.
