The following story is a follow-up to an experimental tale that I posted last month. I was inspired to write a second part as a world building exercise, and I hope you enjoy the results.
Lana pulled the arrow on the string, her breath even, and at its rising zenith, she flicked her fingers and released the arrow. The projectile whizzed through the air like a hot metal rod, alight in flames, it struck the giant spider on the mandibles, exploding in a shower of sparks that sent the foul creature scurrying and screeching down the dark mountain tunnel.
The cavern where she had found the spider was filled with cobwebs crisscrossing walls and ceiling.
Bulging forms wrapped in sticky cocoons hung from the ceiling.
She heard the muffled sounds again, and when she raised the torch, she saw a familiar figure.
“Well, well, well…” she said. “I thought you didn’t need my help, oh mighty grumpy wizard.”
The wizard, who was hanging upside down from the ceiling with his mouth wrapped in cobwebs, could only squirm and moan.
“I suppose you would like me to take you down from there,” Lana said with one hand on her hip and a sly smile on her lips. “A fine mess you’ve gotten yourself into, brother of the red robes. I think this is a good time to negotiate our terms. First, I want double the reward you promised, half the loot, and of course, the magical elven gloves that you mentioned in your prior attempt to cajole me into this fine silky mess.”
She fished out a dagger from her boots and swiftly sliced the cobweb sealing his mouth shut.
“Are you mad?” said Kalar once he could speak. “Get me down from here!”
“Not until you agree to my terms.”
“Fine,” he replied. “You can have all the treasure you want. Just get me down before that thing comes back.”
“You are very welcome,” said Lana.
Before the wizard had a chance to protest, she raised the torch and set fire to the cobwebs wrapped around him.
The wizard yelped and thrashed as the flames quickly engulfed him in the flammable web. As it burned, the cocoon tore, and the mage dropped like a flaming sack of potatoes to the ground.
Lana took off her vest and helped him put out the flames with a few smacks.
“Are you trying to kill me?” protested the wizard.
“I thought your robes were magical and resisted fire,” replied the genuinely surprised Lana.
He stood up and swatted his robes that were now tattered and full of holes.
“We must continue,” he said, ignoring his sorry state.
“Where? Down that tunnel?” said Lana covering her nose with a cloth. “Why don’t we get out of this cave and find another less murdery way to get into trouble?”
Kalar shook his head. He took the torch and proceeded to burn off the cobwebs near a bulging pile. The cave lit up and was soon filled with an acrid burning smell.
There was a clattering noise, and Kalar rushed towards it.
Lana saw him pick up a traveling pack and his arcane staff, which began to glow when he grabbed it.
“Are you sure we’re on the right path?” she asked him. “I mean, you didn’t get very far…”
The wizard cleared his throat, ignored her comments, and continued inspecting a map under the light of his orb.
“The creature caught me by surprise,” he finally mumbled.
“Oh, I don’t mean anything by it,” she said with a grin. “I’m just surprised that she so easily disarmed you. Is that all it takes to stop a wizard? Seal his mouth shut?”
“Let us not tarry further with idle chatter,” said the wizard. “We have to find the Hall of Dragons.”
“I hope Lady Mandibles has learned her lesson then,” she said and grabbed her pack.
“Fear not," said the wizard striking the ground with his staff. "I will be ready for the beast should it attack.”
“And I shall withhold judgment until such a time as I see it with my own eyes.”
The wizard scoffed, then without saying another word, he raised his staff and proceeded to walk towards the tunnel.
For her part, Lana looked longingly back at the exit. With a sigh and a shake of her head, she followed the still smoky wizard into the darkness.
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