Celebration

It is midday by the time the last of the work is finished. You look around the newly formed clearing, examining it for any evidence of the prison that lies below. You can find nothing wrong.

The spider stand crowded behind you, awaiting your judgement. You turn to face them.

It is done, you pronounce, nodding with approval.

The assembled spiders break out into hisses and cheers of success.

After waiting for the jubilation to die down, you continue to address them.

Spiders of the forest, what we have accomplished here has secured our homes against our enemy forever more, you proclaim, **Leave here with pride, knowing we are victorious.**

The forest spiders give another cheer at your words, happy to be dismissed.

Their work done, the spiders begin to disperse, moving off in different directions, while you make your way towards Dana. As you reach her, Blix approaches.

"Great One, will you not join us to celebrate?" he asks.

You stifle the urge to groan. Though you've done your best to hide it from the spiders, you are utterly drained. From the look of it, Dana is not much better. Her eyes are glassy, and her head and shoulders are slumped forward with exhaustion. Both of you need rest.

"Forgive me, Blix," you say "I must decline your invitation. The vast quantities of mana required in the prison's construction has cost Dana and I both. We need time to recover."

"Of course, Great One, of course. I did not consider. Would you have enough time if we waited until sundown?" Drux inquires.

You bite back another groan. Obviously, Blix will not be put off. You glance at Dana, hoping she will give you a reason to refuse, but she nods tiredly at Blix's suggestion. You feel a pang of concern as you look at her; she barely looks conscious. You almost refuse anyway, just to give Dana more time to rest. However, it seems Blix is adamant about holding a celebration, in which case you might as well get it over and done with.

You give an internal sigh.

Sundown will be fine, you tell Blix.

"Excellent!" he exclaims, "We shall await then. Shall I tell Hrax and the others to report to you at our Cave, once you join us?"

Shit! You'd forgotten about them.

Yes, you say quickly, Please ask them for me. Thank you, Blix.

"You are most welcome, Great One. " Blix scurries off, leaving you and Dana alone.

The two of you leave the clearing, trudging back to the Lair in weary silence. Dana is so exhausted she keeps stumbling over exposed roots and loose rocks. The third time this happens, you pick her up, scooping her into your arms. She's too tired to protest, and before you've even taken five steps, she's asleep.

You arrive back at the Lair. After entering, you set her on the bed, drawing the blanket gently over her. You collapse next to her, and let all thought drain from your head. While you do not sleep, you lose sense of time passing. You simply lie there, gratefully drinking in the warmth of the sun overhead.

Finally, when the warmth begins to disappear, you are slowly drawn back to awareness. You sit up; the sun is setting. You sigh, and turn to shake Dana's shoulder lightly. She doesn't respond for several seconds. When she does, she groans, and pulls the blanket over her head.

"What!?" she snaps.

"It's sundown," you tell her, almost apologetic.

"So?" she asks with petulant bewilderment.

"So, the forest spiders are expecting us," you remind her.

She groans. "And whose brilliant idea was that?" she inquires annoyed.

Blix's.

"Idiot," she says.

You make no remark; if the shoe fits.

Finally, Dana drags her head out from beneath the blanket. "Fine," she says, resigned, "Let's get this over with."

She throws the blanket off her and stands up. You rise to join her, and the two of you head off for the forest spiders' cave.

As you approach the cavern through the trees, you are surprised to see an eerie green glow illuminate the woods around you, coming from trees up ahead. Dana and you move closer, and discover that the trees are decorated with strands of fluorescent spider web. The web is formed into beautiful, whirling designs that almost seem to be moving.

You both stop to look at the strange, twisting, shimmering shapes. You hear Dana speak besides you.

"They're beautiful," she remarks.

Yeah, you agree softly.

The two of you continue to stare at the dancing patterns, entranced. Dana stretches out a hand as if she is trying to reach out through the air and touch them.

Suddenly, a voice interrupts your reverie, "My Lord, I trust you are well?"

You turn to see Hrax. Hmm? What? Oh, yes. Quite well. Are you here to give your report? you ask.

"I am My Lord," he replies, "The work crew has come back from Drux's hollow. All trace of him and his followers is gone."

You nod in acknowledgement.

Hrax continues, "In addition, my hunting party and I have accounted for all those that fled following Drux's defeat. They have all either fled the forest, or surrendered to us, My Lord."

Surrendered? you ask.

"Yes, My Lord. A number of them have come to us, begging for forgiveness. They along with almost all of those that originally surrendered, say that they were mistaken to support Drux and that they now wish to follow you. Blix is ecstatic about it. He intends to ask you to bestow your blessing upon all of them as part of the celebrations." Hrax ends the last sentence with a derogatory hiss.

You are not so enthusiastic, I assume? you inquire.

Hrax pauses. "My Lord, Blix is entirely too trusting. They could be loyalists of Drux, intending to infiltrate us so they can eventually free him," Hrax explains.

Do you believe this to be true? you ask.

Hrax hesitates. "No. Drux's most loyal followers are trapped alongside him. However, that doesn't mean they may not still betray us."

You nod understanding. Are there enough of them to free Drux themselves if they discover his whereabouts? you ask.

"No," Drux says, "There are only a small number."

Is there any way for them to teach their hatchlings loyalty to Drux? you also ask.

"Only if they laid their eggs in isolation somewhere," Hrax admits.

"Good. I don't think Blix would appreciate us denying him his converts, and, who knows? They may actually genuinely wish to join us. Now, shall we join the celebrations?"

You direct your question to both Hrax, and Dana, who has been observing silently the entire time. Dana gives a small nod of assent. Hrax appears to want to continue your conversation, but both outranked and outnumbered, he bobs in acquiescence and leads the way.