//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Commander Umbra // Story: Umbral Shadows // by pchn00 //------------------------------// Chapter 3: Commander Umbra This day begins on a better note then my last. I do not have the dream so already I find myself in higher spirits. Yesterdays’ events still fresh in my mind. I bathe and eat as I do every morning, then leave my cave. This morning I remember to call upon my magic to bring me sight. I do not know how I feel about the word. Magic. It is strange but at the same time I am glad I have a word to put to this power within me. Somehow knowing what it is called makes it seem less foreign. I am less intimidated by it. As I approach mothers cavern I am not surprised to hear one of my sisters whining again. Though I raise a brow as I hear a second, third…then fourth voice join the chorus. Curiously I edge into her great chamber and settle on the by the entrance. My intrigue heightens when I see all of my siblings standing before the queen. My six elder sisters and my solitary brother. Mother seems…particularly vexed this day. “Prince Spinner cannot lead a new expedition. He is needed here in this time of relative peace to oversee training of new hatchlings and increase our defenses. ONE of you must go out to these newly discovered tunnels with a cadre of warriors. It will not be overly dangerous. We will be sending our finest veteran along as well.” I shift my attention from my sniveling sisters to the small group of warriors. It is unusual for common members of the family to be in the queen’s personal chambers for any length of time. I recognize one of the warriors. A jagged scar runs from the crown of his head to just below his left mandible, three of the eyes on that side a milky white. He has much acclaim on the battlefield and has even earned a name. It does not surprise me that my sisters are coming up with a seemingly endless litany of excuses to not have to undertake what will be at best, a tedious errand and at worst a potentially hazardous one. I find it amusing that they can look so much like my mother, rather than the commonly large arachnids of the bulk of our family, and yet possess none of the qualities in her that make her so strong a queen. My brother looks…irritated. I know he must feel it strongly if he is letting the emotion show on his face. No doubt mother will chastise him for it later but I can sympathize with his feelings. Aside from the mandated outing every Princess must take into the outer tunnels, I do not believe my sisters have set foot away from our home. Then a thought occurs to me. The mandated outing each Princess save myself has taken. I know mother never assigned me to one for fear of my safety…but that is showing favoritism. And that simply cannot be allowed. I stand and approach the rest of my family, standing nearer my brother then sisters. He glances at me curiously while they do not so much as look in my direction. “I will go.” Ah. NOW they look at me. In fact everyone is looking at me. Generally with looks of astonishment from my sisters…to amusement from my brother and the warriors. My mother alas does not look amused. I return her hard gaze…forcing myself to remain calm. She knows I have trapped her. There is no real reason to refuse; she was seeking a volunteer after all. And to say it is too dangerous for me is the same as saying she values my safety over the others. The silence stretches for several moments. So long that the warriors amusement fades. Finally she speaks. “Very well Princess Umbra. You will be the commander of this expedition. Our workers have discovered a new tunnel network on the fringes of our territory. You are to lead our warriors into them and determine if they will be a valuable asset to the family or not.” My heart is hammering in excitement. I will be delving into unknown tunnels. Who knows what secrets we may uncover? Not to mention I will finally, FINALLY see a chance for battle. Like my brother and his warriors. Perhaps I can finally prove I have more use then brewing potions and poisons. Mother shifts her gaze to my brother. “Prince Spinner. See to it Princess Umbra is properly outfitted.” He nods once before she looks back to me. Again I must force myself not to wilt beneath her withering gaze. “Princess Umbra…” She pauses unsure of how she can phrase the words I see in her eyes. “Serve the family well and return in all haste.” I dip into a low bow. “I am honored to be assigned this task.” The warriors skitter off to make preparations of their own I am sure, while my sisters return to whatever uselessness they occupy themselves with. My brother jerks his head indicating for me to follow, and I fall into step beside him. He does not speak until we are clear of the queen’s chamber. “She is not pleased with you Umbra.” I frown. “Yes I know. But if I am truly a Princess of the family, is it not my duty to lead at least one such outing?” He walks with his arms folded behind his back. His expression unreadable for a moment before he slowly nods. “Yes. Yes I suppose it is. Come with me. I have prepared something for you in the event this day would ever come to pass.” I follow him eagerly now, a spring in my step. I do not even care how loud I walk today. To my surprise we do not go to the armory, rather he is leading me to his own chambers. He smoothly glides up the wall and through a large entrance in the ceiling. He does not wait for me, or offer to help me up as so many others would. He knows I can manage. With my magic I climb the wall as easily as he, entering his rooms. I have only been here once when I was a hatchling myself. It is not so different from my own. He does not keep trophies or shiny baubles like our sisters do. He has a place for rest, his food stores, and his weapons leaning against one wall. I approach those magnificent blades with wide eyes. I have never seen him wield them, though I have heard stories. The warriors say his movements are nearly impossible to see. He is simply a blur…and all before him fall. He allows me to admire the fine craftsmanship before I turn and join him. He looks amused again and once more I feel like the little hatchling presenting her first batch of poison. Gently he unlocks the only other object in the room, a large trunk made of a giant petrified mushroom nearly as hard as the obsidian his blades are forged from. Gently he removes what it contains and I cannot hide a gasp. It is armor, fashioned from the same nearly unbreakable stone as his blades. The helm is stylized like any common member of our family, eight stones set among the top to simulate arachnid eyes and fearsome looking mandibles would frame the wearers chin. There is even a hole for my horn to stand out. Setting the helmet aside he next retrieves four matching sleeves of interlocking plates. They look quite fearsome and the ridges seem very sharp. Finally the largest piece of all, a thick ridged plate with firm straps along the sides. The armor is shaped to fit only one member of our family. “Did you craft this for me brother?” He nods. I see the proud look in his eyes again. “Yes, for the only Princess of our family worthy of her title in my opinion. In the hopes that one day our Queen would allow her favorite out from beneath her strands.” I snort at his teasing, but I am too elated with this fabulous gift to be upset long. I stand calmly as he approaches, settling the plate along my back. I find it odd he seemed to have minor difficulty lifting it, though it feels nearly weightless to me. It is perfectly contoured to my frame; I can move my legs with easy. He slides a thinner plate around my neck, fastening it tightly. I grunt as he jerks the straps beneath me firmly attaching it to my body. Next the leg guards. I lift my hooves one at a time so he may attach them. The interlocking plates shift and move smoothly and silently. I have full range of motion. Finally he settles the helm about my head. It hides the bulk of my mane which I am glad for. Its stark white color is not very conducive to stealth. Lifting my chin he fastens the last strap then steps back looking me over critically. “You can move freely?” In response I trot around his chamber, a casual bounce in my step. He looks impressed. Obviously he is admiring his own craftsmanship. “It is almost as if I am wearing nothing at all.” With a chuckle he beckons me close once again. “If you should be forced into battle…your greatest strength is here.” He gives my haunches a tap. “And here.” He lifts one of my hind legs tapping a hoof. Again I find I like having words to put with my oddities. Hoof, mane. Before I just considered them deformities. I still do I suppose…but that they have names makes me feel better. “I understand.” I have never been in battle, though I have used my hind legs to dislodge troublesome stones that were in the way of retrieving some component or another. Often I shatter the stone to dust. He steps back folding his arms across his chest and staring down at me. “…I must go tend the new warriors. Be safe Umbra. Mother would be heartbroken were anything to happen to you.” I nod and resist the urge to embrace him. The amount of emotion we have displayed is already quite shameful, I do not wish to ruin it further by doing something so childish. “I will return soon.” And then I am gone. I walk back down the wall and into the main corridors. I am also drawing much attention from the workers. Many stop in their toil and stare as I pass. I find I enjoy the looks. I head next to the armory…the arms master looks just as surprised as the rest once he recognizes just who is wearing the fearsome armor. I give my customary nod to him and retrieve several of my potent acids. Gently I fasten them to one of the ridged spikes near a foreleg. The sticky webbing adheres smoothly to my armor. It will not dislodge itself but it is not secured strongly enough I will not be able to remove it if need be. I make it a point to cross through my mother’s chamber again on my way to the warriors who await my arrival. I spare her a brief glance and find she is watching me openly. Though I see the fear in her eyes…it is mingled with pride. Head held high I join the small contingent of warriors. There are only six, including the scarred veteran named Kasson. They form a tight line at my approach. I can tell they are…uncomfortable with me. As everyone in the family is, and I cannot fault them. I have yet to prove myself in any capacity beyond a cleverness for brewing and trap lying. Now they are expected to put their lives in my hands…hooves I correct myself…looking at the stumpy appendages on the ends of my legs. To their surprise I bow my head in deference to Kasson, who shifts uncomfortably about. “Kasson I understand you are a well-seasoned warrior of many campaigns. As such I would greatly appreciate any advice you may have to share as we proceed. I would like this mission to proceed smoothly and with as little incident as possible.” The warriors lose some of their discipline and mutter amongst themselves. I do not chastise them. I am sure they were expecting me to be more akin to the other princesses. Kasson seems pleased however. “Of course Commander Umbra. I will be honored to lend you my expertise.” I nod again. “Excellent. Shall we depart? The sooner we complete our mission the sooner we can add any potential resources to our own.” Kasson jerks his head and the warriors fall into a tight formation surrounding me. I have no doubt this is how my sisters insisted they travel. We depart and I set a brisk pace, forcing the warriors around me to match. We travel through the tunnels where our builders are busy preparing new pitfalls. I cannot hide a smile as I see them coating the sharp spears that rest at the bottom in some of my poisons. My company travels in silence through our family tunnels. I feel my nerves growing again as we have travelled for some time. Even to reach my friends cavern I do not need to venture so far. Gradually sign of the builders and workers is fading, and soon the only sound is the faintest whisper of an arachnid leg tapping the stone. I am surprised they do not protest over much at my own clumsy blunderings. My sisters never passed up an opportunity to tell me just how clumsy and noisy I am. Then a thought occurs to me. Tak mentioned he had never seen a pony make so little sound on her hooves. Perhaps I am not as loud as my sisters had lead me to believe. I glance over my shoulder and note we have left the more familiar tunnels of the family behind. We are now in unexplored territory. “Please halt a moment.” I give them warning so that when I stop they do not crash into my backside. The company does halt, Kasson looking to me with a slight hint of irritation in his eyes. No doubt he does not expect I can discern the typically unreadable emotion of the family’s blank eyes. “Do you require rest Princess?” I not it is ‘princess’ again, not commander. I shake my head. Again I do not rebuke him for his behavior. “No but I am curious. Would it not be wiser to send a pair of you ahead to scout for the rest of us? Surely two can move swifter and more quietly than seven. For that matter I believe it would be more sensible if we were spread further from one another. Two forming a rear guard, two at our sides. You and I would comprise the center.” I nod to Kasson. Now they are all put off guard once again. I frown wondering if perhaps I grossly misread the situation and simply embarrassed myself. Then Kasson speaks. “You heard the commander. Get into a proper formation none of this circle nonsense.” The warriors hurry to obey; they each choose a position without being ordered moving in crisp practiced fashion. Kasson nods approvingly to me as we once again set out. “Kasson…” I begin with only slight hesitation. “May I ask why we were in such a…poor formation to begin with?” His mandibles click and I can tell he is considering how best to answer without insulting my sisters. I of course know the answer already but am curious to hear his interpretation. He looks to me for several seconds before seeming to reach a decision. “Your fellow princesses have been less than….” Again he pauses. Speaking ill of the royalty has only one punishment. Death both swift and brutal. “Helpful?” I supply. He nods. “Helpful is a good way to say it. I was present for five of them and they insisted we keep tight ranks around them as their well-being and safe return was the most important aspect of the mission.” I give a rather undignified snort, drawing the eyes of our group. “I am not surprised.” I compose myself quickly however. “Our primary goal here is precisely what the queen outlines. My safety is no more important than yours or any other warrior of this troupe. Am I understood?” He nods sharply. “Yes commander. I suggest we keep the conversation to a minimum from here on. It is impossible to know what dangers lay ahead.” “Yes I apologize.” He seems pleasantly surprised that I not only heed his advice but apologize for myself. I am not terribly surprised. I cannot stand to spend more than a few minutes with most of my siblings, let alone a potentially dangerous scouting mission. I can only imagine the whining the warriors had to endure. We march on in silence again. I remain alert. While I only have two eyes rather than eight, I learned some time ago my…magic given sight has advantages to that of my kin. They perceive heat patterns in the air allowing them to easily identify potential threats from great distances. My vision works in a manner where everything is outlined in stark blacks and whites. So while I cannot perceive heat I generally have a much further field of vision than the average spiderkin. Soon we reach a larger cave with two branches splitting into other directions. It would be quicker to divide our forces and search each at the same time, though infinitely more dangerous. “Let us investigate the left passage together. We will travel for a time and see where it leads before returning here.” Kasson nods in approval. “I suggest we leave markers along the way in case there are more turns or corridors commander.” “An excellent suggestion. Please do so.” We proceed once again Kasson pausing periodically to place a bit of web along the wall to indicate we have passed. The passage descends rather sharply. I shift beneath my armor as my coat grows heavy and uncomfortable from the rapidly increasing humidity. Of course the others do not seem disturbed, though I know such conditions will play havoc with their vision. I catch a smell on the air and my eyes widen in alarm. “Stop! Forward scouts return immediately!” Kasson looks at me reproachfully for my raised voice but does not speak yet. The scouts return and the company forms around me watching expectantly. “I recognize the odor ahead. It is emitted by very toxic mushrooms. Overexposure to the fumes will suffocate and kill us in moments.” Now they all shuffle and mutter again, Kasson just nods firmly. “Suggestions commander?” I frown as I consider. I have my magic to protect me from such things…but what of the others. “Mmm. Shield your eyes. All of you.” More confused muttering but they do as I bid. I reach in and pull up the trick I have in mind. The tunnel is bathed in a brilliant red light as my horn flares to live. Settling around my nose and mouth. Then I try something new. I bid it to spread…to shield my warriors as well. I am pleasantly surprised as I see the twinkling motes spread to the warriors and cover their mandibles. Typically I shut my own eyes against such displays…I cannot stand the light my magic creates, but I had to be sure my warriors were safe. As it fades I nod firmly. Though they all shuffle uncomfortably, most twitching a leg against their mandibles. Even steadfast Kasson seems more than a little off put. “Commander? What was all that?” I return his look. “It is the…magic I use to see and breathe in such unpleasant conditions when I work my alchemy. We will be able to proceed safely through the hazardous conditions ahead. Let us not tarry any longer.” The warriors exchange nervous glances and I do not blame them. Most that see me display my abilities for the first time are uncomfortable around them. Their trepidation vanishes as we leave the tunnel and enter a rather sizeable chamber. Colossal specimens of the toxic fungi I use in my work tower above us. The air is so thick with fumes and humidity it is difficult for even me to make out anything any distance ahead. I imagine the warriors can barely see an inch in front of their mandibles. Still we press on stoically. I may be able to see better but the heat is causing me to sweat profusely beneath my armor and I once again curse this freakish coat of…fur…I was hatched with. Then I see it…from the corner of my eye. It almost looks like a strand of webbing weaving itself slowly through the air above us, angling for Kasson. I cry out a warning just as it snaps downward and ensnares the veteran, jerking him upward. “Attack! We are under attack!” Though with their vision clouded as it is I know the warriors will be of little to no help…and even worse I see more of the strands descending. I lunge tackle one of my companions away, but three more snare others of my troupe. They frantically bite and slash but the strands seem impenetrable. With a scowl I look up squinting through the haze. Then I see it…at first I assumed it was merely a large stalactite hanging from the ceiling and dismissed it. However it was merely a dangerous predator who disguises itself as such. My people call them Grabbers. They ensnare prey and draw them toward their stony bodies. Even now I see its body split in half as a vile toothy maw opens up dragging Kasson toward it. “Warriors that are free press forward, the exit is not far ahead!” I dash forward myself passed the startled warriors and with another bit of magic I am running along the wall. I have never tried to maintain so many things at once but if I do not reach the Grabber soon Kasson and three others will be dead. Steeling myself for the coming headache I call on another use for my magic. I feel the power spread through my legs and kick off the wall vaulting high into the air and twisting to land on the ceiling. A throbbing pain is spreading from my horn to my head, warning me I am over using my magic’s. It is of no consequence however…the safety of this company is on my shoulders. I hear Kasson cry out in dismay as I charge the Grabber. The scarred warrior is inches from a gruesome death. My first instinct is to attempt to gore it with my horn…though I immediately dismiss this as foolish. It is not very long at all and would likely hurt me more than the grabber. I consider the ridged plates of my leg guards but the angle is too awkward to cut it. Then I remember my brothers’ words. I skid to a stop at the Grabber’s base where it connects to the ceiling and pivot on my front hooves. Rearing forward I bring my hind legs up…then smash them into the base with all my might. CRACK Suddenly it was screaming! Flailing its tendrils wildly and throwing the held spiderkin in all directions. A hateful red eye split open on its side and focused on me. All of its thrashing tentacles angling for me now. Gathering my courage I reared back and smashed my hooves into it again. CRACK How it screeched as one hoof smashed right through its eye. Cracks were splitting from the impact points where my hooves stuck and a warm fluid began to seep over my legs. Still the tendrils reached for me…and this time I screamed in rage as I kicked it again. CREESH I stumbled backwards almost losing my grip on the ceiling as my third kick not only silenced the monster, but dislodged it entirely from the ceiling sending it soaring across the room to crash upon the ground. I also discovered that day that Grabbers DO in fact bleed, and if you are foolish enough to stand beneath a gaping hole they leave when kicked across a cavern you will be doused in the foul gunk. Unable to ignore the pulsing in my head I shakily trot to the wall and begin my descent. Gratefully I let the climbing magic vanish and the headache is slightly alleviated. I see three of our warriors getting up slowly before my eyes fall upon the prone form of Kasson. Rushing to his side I am relieved to see he is breathing…though two of his legs are broken. With a scowl he spits a bit of ichor across the floor. “I think this is it for me commander. I cannot walk with my legs crushed. Thing probably cracked my carapace along the sides too.” I glance to his thorax and indeed fine cracks show along the chitin there. “Warriors to me.” I do not need to shout, the plainly spoken command brings all five rushing to my side. They look from me to the injured Kasson with concern. Generally when one is unfit for duty he is killed and eaten so that he may serve the family and not hold us back. I can see they are dreading my command. “Lift Kasson onto my back and secure him tightly. We will return to the web immediately bringing our prize for the family. They will feed well I think.” I nod to the dead Grabber. Silence greets my command…and this time I do not let the impertinence slide. I raise a brow and lift my chin. “Well?” They snap to it then, hoisting a grumbling Kasson from the ground and resting him on my back, fastening him with a few well-placed strands. All the while he grumbles about being carted about like a worthless hatchling but I ignore him. The warriors scramble over to the fallen Grabber immediately beginning to wrap the carcass in thick strands of webbing. While they work I take the time to move about the cavern. So many raw materials…and so large. I can create enough poison to last YEARS with all this. Then to my increasing delight I find several specimens I have never seen before. New possibilities race through my head as I turn to look back at the warrior I carry. “Kasson can you retrieve several of those plants and place them in the satchel at my side?” I feel foolish needing someone to claim them for me…but I cannot risk them being poisonous and lifting them with my mouth as I usually would. He shifts about on my back, swiftly plucking several of the mushrooms and sliding them away. “Thinking to make some new brews back home commander?” I simply nod and turn to find the warriors finished and beginning to haul the Grabber carcass home. “Let us return to the web. I have much to report to the queen. Hopefully once Kasson has healed we will set out and explore further.” None seemed to object to this idea and I felt my heart swell. The earlier trepidation they felt at being under the command of the freakish mutant princess was gone. Replaced with a firm camaraderie. I set a brisk pace for home, concerned about my wounded charge. I know he will heal soon enough. Mother will likely not even question my sparing him. Kasson is a well-known and well liked leader among the common warriors. We meet little to no resistance on our return trip. There is minor difficulty dragging the large Grabber into the tunnels, but all make way for us. As is custom I lead my company to the queen’s chambers to present our findings. She is not busy apparently. Merely sitting in her web, eyes closed and resting. I am loathe to disturb her but protocol is there for a reason. Gently I clear my throat and she stirs gazing down at me. Then her eyes widen seeing me covered in the gore of my recent kill. I am…surprised and embarrassed as she thunders down from the web and plucking me from the ground with a leg. “Umbra! You are hurt! What has happened? They were supposed to protect you!” She turns her gaze onto the warriors below…suddenly frightful warriors. With a frown I squirm about to catch her attention. “I killed a Grabber unaware they could have such….explosive deaths.” She frowns and narrows her eyes, examining me closely. I feel quite foolish dangling from the tip of her leg with my legs hanging uselessly beneath me. Realization slowly creeps in and she gingerly sets me down. Her stoic mask back in place she resumes her place in the web above. “…you killed a Grabber?” She speaks slowly. I nod as I bid the warriors approach. They slice enough webbing from the carcass to afford her a clear view of what the cocoon contains. Then she does it again. Her eyes widen in surprise looking from it to me. I find myself growing very uncomfortable. I do not recall ever seeing her so…outwardly emotional. I can tell the warriors are surprised by it too. “We were ambushed in a chamber too humid for the warriors’ sight. Fortunately I see things…differently and was able to slay the beast and rescue the warriors it held. Kasson was injured but not too badly. He will recover with rest.” I kneel down as some workers rush to relieve me of my burden. “I have found….a very large amount of material for my work. Enough for every warrior to be equipped with my creations. I request the tunnel from here to there be secured and workers sent to begin harvesting.” The queen listens without speaking. She nods slowly. Still looking from me to the Grabber and back to me. I clear my throat. “I also request I be allowed to lead further expeditions in the newly discovered tunnels with the same cadre of warriors. Once Kasson is well enough of course.” Now she frowns. Outwardly…again. I stand quietly while she thinks. Workers already come to claim the Grabber and remove its shell for arms and armor. Once this is done its juices will be used to feed the family for days. As its killer I would normally receive first rights…alas I cannot eat such things. “Clear the chamber. Save Commander Umbra.” All rush to obey her commands. Even sealing the tunnels behind themselves to afford the queen her privacy. I shift about now feeling more nervous than ever as she slowly approaches once more. This time lifting me more gently and carrying me back to her web. “I….I apologize mother I spoke out of turn. It was not my place to make such a request.” I keep my eyes lowered. She does not attempt to hide the pride in her voice. “Oh my little Umbra. If only you could communicate with the family as I do. You would surely be my choice for my successor.” My eyes widen in shock. Her successor? The next queen? ME? I had never even considered that I would be worth for such things. Putting aside the impossibility of bearing heirs and issuing commands by thought and pheromone the other princesses are capable of…I am so…plain. She can see everything I think on my face of course. Just as I can read her she could always read me…and I am far less adept at concealing my thoughts. “You think yourself unworthy of such praise but it is precisely the opposite. You think before you act. Your concern for your family is as great as mine or Prince Spinner’s. You are clever, hardworking, and now apparently…” She gestures in the direction the Grabber was drug off. “…a great warrior. You are content to stay quiet and listen; only speaking when necessary. All of these are requirements for ruling Umbra.” Her pride is tinged with sadness. For once…I cannot tell exactly what she is thinking. But when she speaks I know they are not the words she WANTS to say. “…but none of that changes the fact that you cannot truly rule our people.” I frown staring hard at her. She is right…I know this rationally. But another part of me is…angry. “It is because I am not truly your daughter, is it not?” Her eyes widen and for a moment I fear she will drop me out of shock if nothing else. I have never seen my mother stricken speechless…and it would likely be amusing if not so unsettling. She recovers but I can see the hurt in her eyes. “How can you say that Umbra? I have raised you all your life.” Slowly I nod…but now I know I am right. “I am not spiderkin at all…am I? I am not just some…malformed hatchling that was allowed to live because I am a princess.” She does not speak verbally…but her eyes tell me all I need to know. “…am I a pony?” Still she looks wounded…but now her eyes narrow. “Where did you hear this word?” I shake my head. I will not be dissuaded this time. Nineteen years of questions and doubts are forcing themselves to the surface. “It does not matter. Am I a pony?” Now she is upset by my refusal to answer. I can tell she wants to deny it, to force me to answer her question. But then just as suddenly her shoulders sag in defeat. She nods. “Yes…you are a pony Umbra. Let me tell you of a village called Colton…and of its destruction.”