4
Lucy heard Amelia's warning loud and clear. She had pulled out her keys within a second ready to summon Sagittarius as soon as she saw the swarm of arrows but her fellow mage was faster. Lucy watched with amazement as white and purple colored magic strings entwined in a dangerous dance in front of the carriage. The attack stopped as soon as the enemy realized that they will not be able to penetrate the rune shield.
-Lucy, prepare, they are going for a frontal attack!-Amelia warned, sensing the change in magic.
-I got it! Open gate of the Archer! Sagittarius!- Lucy called and the horse alike zodiac spirit appeared in a golden light.
-How may I help? Moshi moshi.-
-We are under attack! Shoot anyone, who tries to approach the chariot!-
-Understood, moshi moshi!-
It was the first time Amelia saw one of the golden keys. She had been only introduced to Plue, whom Lucy loved to watch as he wobbled around her apartment and it was hard to call the silver key anything, but cute. At seeing the zodiac archer appear, the soul mage wasn't sure what to expect since the first impression about the weirdly dressed spirit had her worried about his mental state. She had wanted to ask if he will be alright, when Sagittarius saluted to empty air but Amelia knew better than to judge the book by it's cover. After all, many powerful magicians and beings had their quirks. Who was she to judge? On top of that she trusted Lucy and knew the girl was very close to her spirits.
-There goes one, moshi mosh!-Sagittarius said as he opened a barrage of arrows towards an approaching mage.
-Good job!-Lucy said as she observed the other side of the chariot in case of a double sided attack.
-Kai, continue going forward. It seems that they all have gathered here! This is a good chance to stop them!-Amelia said.
-Why do I have a bad feeling about this?- Lucy asked as she leaned out one of the chariots windows.
-Why are you worried? It's not like you're weak. Lucy, believe in yourself a little more! Lady Charlotte's safety is in your hands.- Amelia said and jumped of the speeding transport.
-Oh my! Will she be alright?- Lady Charlotte asked shocked but the Celestial mage only smiled.
-She will be perfectly fine! After all, she is a former S-class mage.-
-Formal?-the Lady asked confused.
-She was labeled an S-class, when she worked for the Magic Council but after joining our guild, Amelia will receive back her rank after passing the S-class trials of Fairy Tail.-Lucy explained never leaving the chariots window.
-Kai, how much further till the mansion?-the blonde mage asked. They had been riding for a while even before the attack and, by the information she had the mansion should be under an hour ride out of the city.
-We are close, although I took a side road. It is a safer route since only me and the Lady know of it.- he explained and Lady Charlotte nodded in confirmation.
-Secret road?-Lucy asked.
-Made by my husband and Kai's father. We used it during emergencies or to keep our travels a secret.-
-Huh. Speak about convenient! Sagittarius, you can return for now. It doesn't seem like we will be attacked any time soon and I need preserve my magic in case it does happen. Thank you!-
-You can always count on me, Lady Lucy! Moshi mosh!-
-Interesting beings.-Lady Charlotte said as the celestial spirit disappeared in a bright light.
Meanwhile, Amelia watched as the last man fell to the ground unconscious. It hadn't been much of a battle, even with the eight of them. They had all been average mages with basic abilities and, while the far rangers had caused her some annoyance, none of them were really a treat. Amelia had only used her runes to create shields and taken them out with brute force.
-Do not move, foe!- someone called and Amelia found herself locked in a magic circle.
-Seriously? Did you already forget my face, Lahar?- she asked with a blank expression.
-Miss Amelia? What are you doing here? Release the seal, she is no foe.- the raven haired Captain ordered and within seconds she was free from the spell.
-Thank you! I'm here on a mission as a Fairy Tail mage. what business do you have here?- she replied simply. While, she trusted Lahar, Amelia didn't want to go into too many details in case he was here due to another matter. The Captain had a strong feeling of justice and always meddled in things trying to help.
-You are Lady Charlotte's escort? Where is she? We were send as back up.-
Amelia sighted. This will complicate things.
-She is safe. I stayed behind to deal with these, while my guildmate continued the journey with Lady Charlotte. They should be reaching the mansion soon, so there is no need for you here. That is, if there is no important information you wish to share.-
Lahar swallowed. While he had always respected the soul mage for her loyalty and reliability , he had also been scared of her magic, terrified of her straightforward questions. There were times, when this woman was demanding and stubborn, but she had always stayed calm and played her cards patiently until she got what she wanted, especially when it came to information. The Captain knew that was no way he would get away from her questioning eyes.
-There is. It is regarding the man, who targets Lady Charlotte and the reason he is doing so.-he answered as his man rounded up the unconscious man.
-Captain, we can't get those two out of the ground!- one of the Rune Knights said, while pointing at two enemy mages, who were pretty much slammed in the ground hard enough for their heads getting stuck under the soil. One of them had woken and was trying desperately to free his appendage.
-Did you have to do that?-Lahar asked the woman, who was now sitting on a large rock and watching the scene with clear amusement.
-I didn't really do anything. I just slapped them.- she shrugged and the Rune captain felt like planting his own head in the mud. Fairy Tail mages were just too reckless!
-Lahar, I don't have much time, since I don't want to leave Lucy worried. It would be appreciated if you start talking. Don't worry about them, you boys are smart, they will figure it out!-Amelia nudged as the her patience was wearing thin. It was true, she didn't want to leave her Celestial mage alone for long and it really wasn't because she didn't believe Lucy. She just didn't like her friends getting hurt.
-We are approaching the mansion!- Kai said as they had traveled a while in silence.
-Looks, like we were lucky.-Lady Charlotte smiled at the Celestial mage, but the blonde returned only a ghost of a smile. Lucy had been glancing in the window all the time.
-Are you worried about your friend?-she asked.
-Mmm, a little, but I believe in my friends, so it's going to be fine.-Lucy smiled as the chariot pulled to a stop. They heard as Kai climbed down from his seat and in a second he opened the door. Lucy noted that the butlers eyes were darting around and he seemed rather tense. The poor man nearly jumped over the chariot as Virgo appeared from the ground.
-Princess, the area is clear. I did not find any enemies.- the spirit maid said while Lady Charlotte examined her with interest.
-Thank you, Virgo! I sent her here before we left your town house. I decided that there might be an ambush at the mansion and, while we could deal with anything on the road, it would be bad if they caught us here since there would limited escape routes.
-Oh, how smart you are! Your mother is definitely proud of you, honey bun!- the Lady said and Lucy smiled softly. She really hoped that it was true.
-Princess, is there anything else I may do?-Virgo asked and her contractor nearly chocked on air as she spirit had moved to stand right behind her.
-No, thank you, that's all.-
-So it is punishment time?-the pink haired maid waited. To say, that Lady Charlotte's giggles and Kai's disapproving glances were embarrassing, was underestimated.
So, after a forced gate closure, Lucy decided to explain that is was not the case, however her voice was lost in an, ear shattering, explosion, as Lady Charlotte's mansion was swallowed by thick flames and pitch black smoke. Lucy watched in horror as the fire licked the walls of the large building, swallowing everything in it's way.
-Open gate of Water Bearer! Aquarius!-
-You dare to summon me in a puddle again? Huh?- an angry mermaid shouted in Lucy's face.
-You can punish me, scold me or do whatever you want but, please, put out the fire first!- the celestial mage begged and the angry spirit calmed somewhat. While she claimed not to like Layla's daughter, Aquarius knew that she was her owner and the spirit had to obligate her commands. With an angry expression, she sent her waters towards the building. For once, Aquarius controlled her streams to not damage the building more than it already was. The only reason for it was the old Lady's cries, which held so much emotional pain, that it seemed her fragile body would crumble to dust and her soul dissolve in air. The house obviously held precious memories of her years spent there with her husband and children.
-My pictures, Kai! I have to get my pictures! My family pictures!- she cried as the flames died and the damage was visible. the left wing of the house, where the explosion had been, was now in ruins. The ceiling had given in under the force of the explosion and everything else was done in by the flames. The main entrance and center of the building had taken only some damage from the spreading fire and the right wing of the mansion hadn't suffered at all.
-I will get them for you!- the butler said but was stopped by Lucy.
-Wait. The enemy might be close.-
-But didn't your spirit say that it was safe?-
-She did, but we are talking about mages. They might be able to teleport or hide themselves.-
-You are one clever girl!- a gruff voice said. Kai and Lucy looked around them but there was no sign of the enemy. A cold gust of wind made Lucy shiver.
-Wind mage.- she whispered when a hand materialized on her shoulder.
-Very clever girl.- the gruff voice whispered in her ear. Lucy whirled around and threw a punch behind her but her attempt was met by empty air. Memories about Phantom Lords Aria made Lucy understand that she was in trouble.
- Kai, stay close to Lady Charlotte! Wind mages can materialize anywhere!-
Lucy had sent Aquarius home and was now alone with two people to protect. Could she do this? She had to! She was a Fairy Tail mage after all!
-Loke!-
-I thought that you forgot about me, Lucy.-
-Now is not the time. Loke, there is a wind mage here, who can conceal himself in air.- she hurriedly explained as the lion observed the surrounding area.
-I have you back, Lucy!- he answered already covering her back, ready to attack.
-My, my, what woman! Smart and brave at boot. Only question is if you can put your money where that mouth is?- the wind mage asked appearing and disappearing instantly.
-Oh, believe me, she can and so do I!-a females voice said as the wind mage caught a fist to the face. the timing was perfect too, just when he had materialized. He was sent hurling through several trees, straight into a cliff, where Rune Knights were already awaiting him.
-Amelia!- a very surprised Lucy watched as the soul mage scanned the mansion.
-Bastard!- the soul mage hissed as she approached the still sobbing Lady. Without saying a single word, Amelia placed her hands on Lady Charlotte's shoulders. They didn't see it, but they felt it- a strange calmness, which soothed every pain, rinsed all worries away with it's steady flow and brought a complete piece to their very souls.
Only, when the word "souls" crossed her mind, Lucy realized that it was Amelia's magic.
-Beautiful, isn't it?- Lahar gently asked and she could only nod. The celestial mage was simply to taken with the warmth within her and the silence, as Lady Charlotte had fallen asleep in Kai's arms. She didn't even realized that her eyes had closed and sleep had claimed her calmed mind.
Amelia watched the blonde mage, who had been laid across the seats in the private cabin on the Magnolia train. Lucy looked peaceful in her forced sleep, which had really not been what the soul mage had intended. She had wanted to calm the Lady, but her emotions had gotten out of control and Amelia had to put more magic power into the process, thus calming the souls of everyone surrounding her by half mile and, since Lucy was more sensitive to her magic, due to being a Celestial mage, her blonde friend was lulled to sleep almost instantly.
-Hmm, where am I?- a quiet female voice interrupted her musings and Amelia looked at her friend.
-We are in the train and heading back home.-
-Huh?- Lucy shot up, looking around so fast that Amelia started fearing for her neck.
-Wait! What about Lady Charlotte? And the wind mage?-
-Lady Charlotte found out that the right wing of the mansion wasn't damaged and calmed down. As it shows, she had kept her most precious things there, so she is happy that they are fine. In her opinion, the five million jewel damage is no big thing as long as she has her pictures of her family. The wind mage, also known as Black Tom, son of dark guild's Purple Snake Master, was arrested and is escorted to a luxury cell in the prison. We were paid in full with a special present for you from the Lady and she has written a letter of gratitude to our Master.-
-Oh.-was all the celestial mage was able to say. She was still confused.
-How about hot springs and a girls evening? I'll tell you everything than.-Amelia offered and Lucy agreed with a smile. That would be a perfect ending for their first mission together.
The evening ended with Amelia staying over at Lucy's. They were simply too exhausted to go the guild the same evening, so, after a shared bath, they made a pillow fort with hot chocolate. The party, of course, was crashed by the entire Team Natsu but for once Lucy didn't mind the intrusion.