Chapter One-Hundred Six

Chapter One-Hundred Six

Is bemused the right word? Knowing youve been had, but not particularly minding it? Whatever its called, Id say that describes Tinys feelings on having been defeated by the kids puppydog eyes. Theyre pretty good at it, and shameless in using it, too, heh.

I split my attention between the kids and Vernew, with the former refining their plan for how to catch the latter, and the latter obviously getting more excited by the idea of killing some time with Tiny. It looks like Freddie wont be even trying to use an improvised club or anything in the upcoming fight, opting to focus on his shield and grabs/punches. His hatchet could hurt Vernew, and even a club could accidentally crush Queen. So can his hands and shield, but the kids are pretty sure it will be safer all around if he doesnt use an actual weapon.

Vernew and Queen, meanwhile, are just enjoying looking around as they wander the yard. Queens ants were and are important to keeping the various herbalism nodes healthy and growing, but she herself hasnt had much chance to actually see the fruits and herbs of their labor. Vernew has been to the surface a few times before, but I think this is her first time up here in the day, not counting any time she may have spent on sign duty before becoming a spiderkin.

She earns a few curious looks from the various delvers, but nobody tries to stop or talk with her. People are busy with their own stuff, and a new spiderkin doesnt even register on their scale of oddities around here anymore, I guess. I wonder if I should do something classic and play it fully straight, just to keep them guessing. If you only ever do weird stuff, it stops being so weird, right?

My own musings aside, Vernew grins as she sees the hedge maze, her legs shuffling a little in excitement. Im not sure if Queen is physically capable of rolling her eyes, but Vernew at least catches the scent, and laughs as she starts to climb the hedge.

Maybe youll understand it better once the Weaver gets an ant enclave. Antkin? Whatever they are, theyll want to get some of your time, or just watch you doing your thing. Heh, theyll probably see you as even more mysterious and wise than we do the Reader. He has a pretty public domain, and you dont.

I can practically smell the Hrmph! through the bond, and Im pretty sure the pheromone she releases means the same thing, as Vernew just laughs again. Over at Freddie and Rhonda, their eyes widen a little as they hear new laughter in the distance. They try to subtly look around the web-covered trees, looking for the source, and it actually takes Fiona tapping Freddies shoulder and pointing for them to spot their target.

Vernew strides forward, confident as she twirls an empty spear haft. The kids arent the only ones who needed to adjust their usual setup for this. I dont think shes noticed them yet, but its hard to say. She might be able to feel through the web like Tiny can. Even if she can, though, I dont think she knows how the top web is supposed to feel without two kids and their spiders on it.

Her eyes almost sparkle as she sees Tiny through the dense covering over his central lair. I can tell he glances at where the kids are, but he doesnt directly rat them out as he stands and walks towards Vernew. Rhonda and Freddie drink their potions and start to carefully advance as Vernew gives my spider scion a respectful bow.

The dweller tries to entangle him with some of her own webbing, but he brings his shield up and the ensnarement finds no purchase. She bites back a curse as she tosses the jar up into the air. You waxed his shield?! Fine, deal with this!

She jumps after the jar and shatters it with her staff, and within moments the area is covered in thick smoke. It looks like its not difficult to breathe in, but visibility is basically nil in there. I can see Vernew grin as she slowly stalks towards the kids as they put their backs together after a few words, their spiders running around on the webbing beneath them.

Who is the hunted now, hmm? she says as she slowly circles them, using their movements on the webbing to guide her. I didnt think Id need this one, either, so consider me impressed, kids. She stops as she prepares to leap at them. But there was only one way this hunt could have gone. She leaps forward, only to find Freddies shield directly in her way. How?!

Youre not the only one with some alchemical help. Now! responds Freddie before the webbing beneath them all collapses. Shouts of struggle and complaints drift from the cloud of smoke until it clears a minute or two later and reveals the result.

The entire group is tangled up in webbing, mostly of Tinys make, though Lucas and Fiona contributed to help actually use the larger spiders work to entrap their prey. And themselves. The entire group awkwardly turns as one whole, limbs and faces sticking out of a big mess of silk.

No, really: How!? repeats Vernew, struggling against the tough silk around them all.

Perception and agility potions, answers Rhonda. We could hear you talking through the smoke. We knew youd be just as blind as us, so we set a trap. We uh we werent supposed to get caught too, though. Lucas and Fiona chitter apologies.

Tiny smiles in his way at the scene as he gets up, and Vernew looks quite a bit embarrassed to be in this kind of situation where he can see. He turns the mess so Rhonda and Freddie can see him, and the aspiring paladin speaks up.

This counts as catching her, right?