"Hold fast! I am breaking through." Even in the dream, Elidibus still uses the advantage of Ardbert's looks and voice over his own, at least when not in specific company. The warning was given so the trapped woman would know it is not another Shade seeking to claw its way toward her. And with luck, backup or rescue was at hand.
Hold fast she does, fending off her attackers with some notable skill while a massive axe and brief spurts of magic are used to clear a path through the burning wreckage that blocks her egress. With such adequate equipment, it's no surprise Elidibus breaks through quickly; the debris itself had been a barrier enough to prevent someone from quick escape while facing down opponents, not an impregnable fortress by any means. But as he reaches her side- much to her relief that he's no Fae and certainly not tainted with the Cwyld- Elidibus's eyes widen with alarm. Through the smoke and flames and over the screeching hunger sounds of rage which the Shades utter, he realizes what's about to happen.
Lahabrea is coming down.
Without any time to explain, Elidibus barks a sharp, "Run!" It's emphasized by grabbing the woman's arm and pulling her along with him. And while there's confusion on why- whether it's to gain ground on the Shades or the incoming dragon's breath weapon- she stumbles into a sprint with him. It gives the Shades themselves a moment's confusion, long enough to gain some distance before the creatures screech and are wont to give chase.
Of course, there is a dragon's body, tooth, talon, and tail and weight dropping abruptly to interject on the moment that there is little time to gain ground or for that matter, run away. At the last possible moment Elidibus can contrive to win clearance, he stops himself and the woman both, swings around, and pulls from the dwindling reserves of his personal magic energy to erect a shield; the butt of the massive axe's handle slammed into the ground and three sharp sounding words manifest the image in his mind of a translucent, hexagonal shell. The opacity ripples as forces impact upon the magic, but it holds for a few moments.
It would keep them both from being knocked prone and the worst of the debris but did nothing to shield them from the full impact of the landing or the fine particulate of ash, dust, and spark blown through the air.
Fortunately, the Ascian-turned-dragon is not necessarily here for them. Or at least there prey more worthy of its attention. It gives both time to recover, coughing as the dust settles, finding a stray piece of fabric to mask against the worst of what lingers in the air, and peering through the gloom with weak, human eyes to find the results of that sharp crackle and flash of electricity. A charred unpleasant scent tells more of the tale in that moment.
And both become still as the dust and ash swirl apart to reveal the red-gold dragon's face mere inches from their bodies. Elidibus faces Lahabrea's attention alertly, although calm. The woman is frozen and as the dragon turns from her in disinterest, seems to struggle to keep her legs from giving out in the relief which follows. Her temporarily ally/rescuer does something which is in no way helpful to her state of composure.
"Lahabrea. If you do not mind, I would journey with you." Elidibus steps closer to the dragon with what might seem to an outsider a serious lack of concern for his personal safety. "Would you be willing to carry us both aloft--"
The woman, grateful though she might be that she's not about to die for the cause or be a dragon's meal, looks at Elidibus as if he's absolutely mad for including her. She might have hardened herself enough to express minimal panic when she was trapped. She even clamped down on her fear as Lahabrea had focused his attention upon them earlier and judged whether or not they needed an abrupt demise. But this really was pushing her limits.
"Thank you for... your rescue," she cuts in hastily. "But I must regroup with the others." It shouldn't be a surprise. The 'neighbors' have been a stand-offish lot, especially when it concerns those who were seen as part of the Fae village. The expression Elidibus turns upon the woman is one of mild concern. "Are you certain?"
Internally-- and through the Bond should Lahabrea be so inclined to consider it in his state-- is satisfaction. The Emissary had little doubt the woman would balk and seek to leave their company quickly. Such was his hope.
The lady nods firmly, backing away rather than fully turning until she is at some distance which satisfies the intense and cautious anxiety garnered by knowing of Lahabrea's presence. Her retreat thereafter is a somewhat speedy jog in hopes of finding her comrades.
Elidibus returns his focus on the dragon. Whether his Bonded remained a moment as requested or has simply taken to the sky again is about to be determined. The request itself... had been real enough. But it is also plain the Emissary did not make it with any arrogant assumption that it would be fulfilled. The Ascian simply observes, alert to the uncharacteristic behavior in his brethren's actions and emotions.
no subject
Hold fast she does, fending off her attackers with some notable skill while a massive axe and brief spurts of magic are used to clear a path through the burning wreckage that blocks her egress. With such adequate equipment, it's no surprise Elidibus breaks through quickly; the debris itself had been a barrier enough to prevent someone from quick escape while facing down opponents, not an impregnable fortress by any means. But as he reaches her side- much to her relief that he's no Fae and certainly not tainted with the Cwyld- Elidibus's eyes widen with alarm. Through the smoke and flames and over the screeching hunger sounds of rage which the Shades utter, he realizes what's about to happen.
Lahabrea is coming down.
Without any time to explain, Elidibus barks a sharp, "Run!" It's emphasized by grabbing the woman's arm and pulling her along with him. And while there's confusion on why- whether it's to gain ground on the Shades or the incoming dragon's breath weapon- she stumbles into a sprint with him. It gives the Shades themselves a moment's confusion, long enough to gain some distance before the creatures screech and are wont to give chase.
Of course, there is a dragon's body, tooth, talon, and tail and weight dropping abruptly to interject on the moment that there is little time to gain ground or for that matter, run away. At the last possible moment Elidibus can contrive to win clearance, he stops himself and the woman both, swings around, and pulls from the dwindling reserves of his personal magic energy to erect a shield; the butt of the massive axe's handle slammed into the ground and three sharp sounding words manifest the image in his mind of a translucent, hexagonal shell. The opacity ripples as forces impact upon the magic, but it holds for a few moments.
It would keep them both from being knocked prone and the worst of the debris but did nothing to shield them from the full impact of the landing or the fine particulate of ash, dust, and spark blown through the air.
Fortunately, the Ascian-turned-dragon is not necessarily here for them. Or at least there prey more worthy of its attention. It gives both time to recover, coughing as the dust settles, finding a stray piece of fabric to mask against the worst of what lingers in the air, and peering through the gloom with weak, human eyes to find the results of that sharp crackle and flash of electricity. A charred unpleasant scent tells more of the tale in that moment.
And both become still as the dust and ash swirl apart to reveal the red-gold dragon's face mere inches from their bodies. Elidibus faces Lahabrea's attention alertly, although calm. The woman is frozen and as the dragon turns from her in disinterest, seems to struggle to keep her legs from giving out in the relief which follows. Her temporarily ally/rescuer does something which is in no way helpful to her state of composure.
"Lahabrea. If you do not mind, I would journey with you." Elidibus steps closer to the dragon with what might seem to an outsider a serious lack of concern for his personal safety. "Would you be willing to carry us both aloft--"
The woman, grateful though she might be that she's not about to die for the cause or be a dragon's meal, looks at Elidibus as if he's absolutely mad for including her. She might have hardened herself enough to express minimal panic when she was trapped. She even clamped down on her fear as Lahabrea had focused his attention upon them earlier and judged whether or not they needed an abrupt demise. But this really was pushing her limits.
"Thank you for... your rescue," she cuts in hastily. "But I must regroup with the others." It shouldn't be a surprise. The 'neighbors' have been a stand-offish lot, especially when it concerns those who were seen as part of the Fae village. The expression Elidibus turns upon the woman is one of mild concern. "Are you certain?"
Internally-- and through the Bond should Lahabrea be so inclined to consider it in his state-- is satisfaction. The Emissary had little doubt the woman would balk and seek to leave their company quickly. Such was his hope.
The lady nods firmly, backing away rather than fully turning until she is at some distance which satisfies the intense and cautious anxiety garnered by knowing of Lahabrea's presence. Her retreat thereafter is a somewhat speedy jog in hopes of finding her comrades.
Elidibus returns his focus on the dragon. Whether his Bonded remained a moment as requested or has simply taken to the sky again is about to be determined. The request itself... had been real enough. But it is also plain the Emissary did not make it with any arrogant assumption that it would be fulfilled. The Ascian simply observes, alert to the uncharacteristic behavior in his brethren's actions and emotions.