Book Two Chapter Fifty Six: Bugs Bug

Book Two Chapter Fifty Six: Bugs Bug

In the seconds before her hands covered her ears, Qube felt the power of [The Bards Ballad] start to unfurl.

It was warm, and soothing, like she was sinking into a soft bed after a long days work. As if her various aches and pains were being smoothed away, leaving her happy and healthy. But by far the strongest urge was to sing along, to pass on this song so that others could hear it, and feel the same.

Then her ears were blocked, and the spell released its tentative grip on her.

Even though she couldnt hear a single thing, she still felt like she could hear a song faintly in the distance. Not the ballad the Bard was playing, however. A slower, lower melody, just on the edge of hearing.

She saw the spell hit the first wave of beetles, the ones on fire. They stopped screaming and running around, and instead calmly stood there as the flames subsided. They blinked at Sewer Bard, and then started making strange clicking sounds. Their little eyes glittered, and their noise increased in frequency until they started scuttling around, rapid-fire clicking and rolling up into balls, some just shivering in their shells and others getting smacked into by their fellow beetles and ending up rolling around the room.

Qube watched Sewer Bard carefully, waiting for the signal that it was safe to hear again. After a while he stopped playing, but kept watching the beetles, his face completely neutral. Eventually he turned to the group, and gave them a thumbs up, in what Qube hoped was a sign that things were safe.

They really needed to figure out some kind of hand signal alphabet, just in case they were ever in a situation like this again. Especially if Sewer Bard was going to be using spells that could potentially affect them all.

Definitely Bad Guy, his robes flapping about him, strode up to Sewer Bard before Qube got a chance. She shook her head, trying to clear out the song she could still only just hear. There was a strange instrument in it, one shed never heard before. It was like reedy strings? No, some kind of wind instrument, maybe? She couldnt place it at all, but it was an enticing, sinuous sound.

A pity they seem incapable of speech, the Mage said. Sewer Bard raised an eyebrow at him.

My apologies, he said, but Qube didnt think he actually seemed that sorry. I fear my natural instinct to protect all life overcame any thoughts of scientific value.

I should not have expected you to think of such a thing, Definitely Bad Guy said graciously. You have not my keen intellect. Sewer Bard looked, if possible, even more neutral than before.

Alas, he said gently, before turning his attention back to the roaming beetles.

On the plus side, the insects didnt appear hostile anymore. On the negative, they did appear somewhat distressed. At least, Qube assumed that all this running around and clicking was a symptom of bug distress. She didnt exactly speak monster. Actually

Squiggles, she asked her pet, are you able to ask them how theyre feeling? Surely Squiggles, who was technically a Temple-dweller, would have a better chance of communicating with these Temple-monsters than any of them?

Squiggles gave her a very offended look, and climbed up onto Sexy Screamy Spider Ladys back.

Well, it was worth a try, Qube said sadly. Sexy Screamy Spider Lady reached behind her and scratched under Squiggless ribbon. Squiggles happily drooled.

My talented Bard, Sexy Screamy Spider Lady said, looking around at the mass of monsters, whatever did you do to them?

Its a spell the Mage Advisor and I have been working on, Sewer Bard said, smiling at the Hunter affectionately. We hope to be able to make what you would call a catchy song, that will soothe the heart of any savage beast. Although, he said suavely, stepping forward and taking one of Sexy Screamy Spider Ladys claws, one smile from you would be enough to do that to everyone.

The Hunter curled her claw shut, dragging the Bard slightly forward.

How did you come up with the spell? Qube burst in. As pleased as she was that they were going down the path of non-aggression, shed never been involved in the creation of an entirely new spell before! To be honest, she hadnt known that new spells could be created. Thinking about it logically, of course there had to be new spells being made all the time, but for some reason shed always thought of spells as fixed entities.

It involved a combination of factors, Definitely Bad Guy began, pleased to have an audience.

Shall we continue to the next room? Sewer Bard asked, stepping aside and sweeping out an arm as he bowed to Sexy Screamy Spider Lady and Squiggles. We should approach it with caution, so that I can warn you if I may need to cast.

Sexy Screamy Spider Lady strutted past, not deigning to even look at him. Even Squiggles seemed annoyed with the Bard, only drooling at him a little from her perch.

Lady Squiggles, Sewer Bard said in a heartbroken voice as Squiggles went past. Your displeasure wounds me, though I know I well deserve it. You, in particular, I endangered. If it hadnt been for our Healers quick wits, I dont know what would have happened. Please, forgive this humble Bard.

Squiggles whimpered, before launching herself at Sewer Bard and wrapping herself around his face, smothering him in a hug. Sexy Screamy Spider Lady stopped, and sighed as she looked at the team mascot encasing Sewer Bard in tentacles.

The first step was analysing the various components that made up the [Sirens Song] spell. The problem with that, of course, was the lack of longevity, and the fact that only those who heard the spell would be affected by it, Definitely Bad Guy continued enthusing to Qube, ignoring the touching scene playing out behind him.

Well if she can forgive you, I suppose I can too, Sexy Screamy Spider Lady said begrudgingly to Sewer Bard.

I shall strive to be worthy of your trust, Sewer Bard said earnestly, bowing to her through a faceful of Squiggles.

But, in a stroke of brilliance, I conceived of combining the infectious aspects of [Infected Fire] and weaving it into the vocal element of the [Sirens Song] spell. Definitely Bad Guy was unstoppable, barrelling over the others as he happily explained his process to Qube.

Qube was torn between her very genuine interest in spell-making, and her glee that the party was getting along and resolving disputes without needing her guidance. This left her free to work on bigger, better guidances! A tiny part of her did feel a small pang that they didnt need her help resolving something, but she soothed said tiny part by telling it that they had learned this skill thanks to her expert guidance.

After all, she was a guiding light!

It also made sense that she could still hear some kind of song, if the spell was designed to be infectious. She would wait for a break in Definitely Bad Guys speech and then ask him about how long the side effects were supposed to last.

I shall go first, to check if there are traps or monsters, Sewer Bard announced, cutting off Definitely Bad Guys lecture. He hadnt even needed prompting from Qube that it was his turn to lead a room!

Wait, was it his turn? This had been Sexy Screamy Spider Ladys room, right? So it was his turn.

Qube hadnt been sure, what, exactly, shed been expecting when shed demanded the Chosen One let the party be the ones to complete the Light Temple, but the vague hopes shed harboured of it being an opportunity for them to grow certainly seemed to be coming to fruition. Already they seemed to be more confident, and self-assured.

Qube and the others walked past the still skittish beetles, which scurried out of their way as soon as they approached. Several of the insects were poking at the walls, clacking away with their pincers, while two of them seemed to be having a lively beetle-debate. Judging from the semi-circle of silently watching bugs surrounding the animated duo, it was clearly an interesting discussion.

There was no actual door on the other side of the room, just an open doorway that they could walk through. Theoretically, the whole party could have chosen not to fight at all, and just run through the room of bugs and rush to the next part. They would have to think about things like that in the future. If they wanted to avoid violence, they would need to overcome their natural instincts and look for other solutions.

She just wished this song would go away.