Chapter 5: New Duties and New Friends
Today has been…a challenge. Spinner comes and rouses me before I wake myself. Blearily I allow him to fasten my armor securely.
“Umbra you are Scout Commander now. You must rise earlier and assign the patrols.”
I frown shaking the sleep away and nod firmly. “Yes, I apologize. It was a…long day.”
His expression softens as he fastens my helm for me, giving it a swift rap and causing me to wince. “I know sister. I hope you know mothers’ sentiments mirror my own. Regardless of your true origins, you are my sister above all.”
I smile and nod. “Allow me to eat and then I will join you?”
He nods ducking from my chamber. Once he is gone I allow some of my fatigue to show as I kick down my morning meal. It has been a very long time since I was not allowed to keep my own hours. I am not lazy, but I would rise and sleep when I wished to. With a determined nod I set out into the tunnels.
I travel along a path I do not typically follow. I deliver alchemical creations to the armory and that is generally the extent of my forays into the warriors’ tunnels. Now however I am moving deep into their tunnels toward the command room. Only the highest ranked warriors gather within and I swallow my fear as I enter.
I move to my brother’s side ignoring the surprised looks from the gathered common spiders. He glances to me for a moment before he finishes giving orders to his fighters.
“Commander Umbra I understand the Queen has appointed you as head of our scouts. You are responsible for determining which squads patrol which tunnels. Here is their usual schedule.” He slides me several papers. Maps, squad names and diagrams. I gingerly take them in my mouth and slip them into the satchel at my side.
“I recommend you alter the set patrols as little as possible until you are more comfortable in your duties.” Some of the formality leaves his tone. “Most of these squads are seasoned and know their routes well. You will not have any serious decisions to make until you have new recruits needing to be assigned a squad of their own. The bulk of your duties for now are to receive their reports, and if something warrants my warrior’s attention…bring said reports to me. Anything to do with builders or workers you do not need permission to order squads of those lesser groups out. Do you understand?”
I nod, somewhat relieved that my daunting new title is not going to be as terrible as I initially expected. “What about my other works?”
“Our Queen has requested you train several workers in your…alchemy.” He say the word slowly, clearly not one he is familiar with. “They will take over the bulk of your work there.” He sees my frown forming and lifts a hand. “You will still have time to see to your works personally, and are encouraged to continue your experimentations when you are not coordinating the scouts. I would also suggest you make it a point to accompany as many patrols as your free time allows. The better you know the tunnels and your scouts, the better you can perform your duties.”
Slowly I nod. It had not occurred to me for some reason that my increased responsibilities would take away from the time I have to do the work I so enjoy. It pains me to put it aside but this is what I wanted. I nod. “Thank you Commander Spinner. I will be in my quarters looking these over if I am needed.”
We exchange quick salutes and I am off, back to my chambers. It was not too long before I had the papers spread out on the floor before me, my dark sight allowing me to easily make out the words on the pages. The next several hours I spend poring over them, committing as much to memory as possible. I had a fairly steady stream of scout squad leaders delivering typically mundane reports. They seemed surprised at their shift in authority figure, but my actions yesterday seem to have endeared me to them.
I have been studying so long my eyes begin to feel sore from the strain when a messenger arrives. I look up as he salutes. “Commander Umbra. The workers you are to educate are awaiting your presence outside your work room.”
I rise and stretch the kinks from my back. “Is Commander Spinner busy?” When the messenger shakes his head I continue. “If any scouts have urgent business in the next…two hours have them report to Spinner. I do not wish to be interrupted.”
With another salute he departs and I make the short trip to my work room. The workers awaiting my tutelage are very young, most likely hatched within the past week. This will be their first assignment. That is not so surprising, what does surprise me is one of my sisters standing among them. It is Neela the youngest of my older sisters. I have never had much use for any of my sisters, nor they me. However my feelings toward Neela stem from her just…being there. She does not complain. She does not work that I know of. She simply is about.
I eye her for a long moment then look to all my charges. “When we begin we will be creating poisonous fumes. I can protect myself but I will not be here while you are working at all times. I believe a simple mask to shield your mandibles and…” I nod to Neela, “…mouth will suffice. If you feel light headed simply step out for fresh air.”
They all hurry to comply, even Neela which pleases me. I am unsure why precisely she is here but if she wishes to learn and contribute I will not question her presence. I lead my charges down the short sloping tunnel and into my work room with a faint sense of trepidation. For some years now this has been my place, and mine alone. Now I am admitting several young hatchlings and one of my siblings to work in her as well.
I shake off such useless thoughts and begin my lessons. I start simple. Teaching my most basic toxin, a powerful paralytic. The workers take to the job immediately of course. They are bred to receive and follow orders perfectly. Neela seems a touch more reluctant. She holds the mushrooms gingerly and seems unwilling to properly crush them.
“You must put your weight behind it as you crush the mushrooms Neela.” I demonstrate, grinding one to pulp beneath a hoof.
She chews her lip nervously…a habit I always found odd on someone with fangs. “The…juice within is safe for me to touch?” She speaks so softly. I had forgotten almost, so rarely have we conversed.
Nodding my head I manage not to smile at her timidity. “No it has to be introduced to your insides for it to take effect. Just do not lick your fingers and you will be fine.” Now I allow a faint smile.
A smile that she returns. She crushes the components with more vigor and I nod approvingly. The workers need no coaching, they perfectly mimic my actions. I move to Neela’s side as she works. My tables are set lower than she is used to of course, my head only comes to the joint where her spider body meets her other half so she must crouch low on her arachnid legs to work.
“I am curious why you volunteered to learn my art Neela.” I crush a few more mushrooms with swift stomps of my leg.
Her work slows as she ponders my question. “First Spinner became the commander of our scouts and warriors. Our sisters scoffed at such ‘indelicate’ pursuits. They feel our place is to lead from the safety of the web and not the front lines. Then you began your work here and again they disparaged it as a chore the workers should perform, not the royalty.”
I do not hide my frown at that. Saying such is the same as saying that I am of no more value than one of the common workers. I value their contribution of course, but they are more akin to mindless drones then thinking contributors. “You still have not answered my question Neela.”
Now she stops entirely turning to face me. I can see her struggling to find the words she wishes to speak. “I…believe you and Spinner contribute more to the family than I and our sisters combined. And this was before you became scout commander, now you do even more. I felt it time I find a place I can make myself useful.” She gives a self-depreciating smile. “I do not care for combat or heavy labor. When mother chose these young workers to learn your craft…I felt perhaps this is something I too could learn and excel at. She seemed quite pleased with the idea.”
I nod slowly as she explains. “Well it is not too physically straining I will admit. Though it requires a deft touch and a good deal of patience. I suspect you will have a gentler touch then I at least.” I gesture to one of her delicate hands with my own clumsy hoof.
She smiles again and titters a soft laugh. I am warming to the idea of spending more time around her, and idly wonder if my other sisters have similar redeeming qualities. Perhaps I have not tried hard enough to foster a stronger relationship. I spend some time with my new students. Crushing mushrooms, straining lichens, which mushroom does what and what combinations make up my more basic concoctions.
“I believe that is enough for today. We shall do more tomorrow hm?” The workers simply leave without a word, no doubt to find some other toil to fill their day.
Neela stands with a soft groan flexing her stiff legs and wiggling her fingers. “I am going to have my mid-meal Umbra, will you join me?”
I shift on my hooves for a moment. Seeing my family feed has always...unsettled me. I do not know if it is my inability to do likewise or some other unknowable reason. I look up and see Neela looking down at me hopefully and suppress a sigh. She seems to genuinely want to spend time with me. “I suppose, so long as it is a short meal. I would like to venture out with one of the late patrols.”
Together we set out into the tunnels toward the royal feeding chambers. Each caste has their own designated area for food stores. “Your armor is very impressive Umbra. Quite fearsome to our enemies I am sure. Spinner crafted it for you?”
I nod as we gradually leave the hustle and bustle of the common tunnels behind, ascending a wall near mothers’ chambers to the room my siblings have their personal food storage. I glimpse mother from the corner of my eye, focusing on Neela and I with a ghost of a smile. I know my lack of inclusion with my siblings disturbed her and I believe she is happy to see me in the company of one of my fellow princesses.
“He did. Apparently he had been saving it for me for my first venture. He made similar for you did he not?” We enter the feeding chamber; it is empty save the pair of us. I see a large portion of the Grabber I slew resting against the wall. Most of it has been drained already, though Neela eagerly scurries to it and sinks her fangs deep into the flesh. My stomach twists and I look away as she gorges herself.
Slowly the smacks and slurps die down and I look back. She wipes some juice from her mouth with the back of her hand and nods. “He did…though I have only worn it once.” That little smile again as she shrugs. “I keep it on hand in case of invasion.”
I do not hide a laugh at the idea of our home being invaded. It has not happened in my lifetime, or in the lifetime of any within the family save mothers seemingly endless one. “I suppose there is always the chance.”
Neela nods and moves from the now fully drained Grabber claiming a still wriggling fire beetle. The sizeable bugs are half my own size and when alarmed can ignite their backsides with brilliant flames. A useful defense mechanism for escaping a heat sensing people. This specimen has had its flame sac severed so Neela bites in and begins to drain it unmolested. Again I avert my gaze, though I cannot help but wonder if the beetles’ flames could be put to use in my alchemical works.
“Neela can you leave its backside untouched. I would like to see if I cannot make something of use from its flame glands.” I look back as she finished her meal.
Head tilted curiously she nods and gently separates the two halves of the beetle. “Shall I store it with your other components?”
At my nod she sets out at once. “I will see you tomorrow for more lessons I am sure Neela. For now I should go see which patrol is ready to leave.”
She gives me a cheerful wave as she disappears around the bend in the tunnel. I am quite looking forward to seeing her tomorrow. First Tak and now one of my own sisters. I would never complain about my lack of companionship. My spectral friend in the upper tunnels and the occasional visit with Spinner were very pleasant. Even my rare moments alone with mother went far to fulfill my desires. However with the inclusion of Tak, and now perhaps Neela among the ranks of my friends I feel…a great contentment.
The scouts are surprised at the presence of their new commander…and even more so at my wide smile. It is rare for the royal family to be so emotive and I hastily hide my good cheer. “Ahem. I understand your squad is heading into the south eastern tunnels today?”
At their leaders nod I continue. “I would be honored to join you on this patrol. I wish to learn firsthand my scouts’ routes and the dangers you face along them. I will do my utmost to remain unobtrusive.”
Their leader offers a faint chuckle. “Commander if your idea of being obtrusive is saving several of us from a Grabber you are more than welcome to be as much of a disruption as you like.”
His lack of formality surprised me…though pleasantly so. I wonder if this is what Spinner’s men are like when he is alone with them. It would not surprise me. He always speaks with great pride of his warriors. My smile returns and I nod. “Well then let us hope I do not need to be a disruption hm?”
They all seem much more at ease with my presence as we set out. Where before I was practically an unseen curiosity my more frequent appearances are going great lengths to showing that while I am not the same physically, I am the same where it matters.
I keep pace with their leader as the squad starts down the tunnels. It is a well-fortified route. The squad travels in nearly an identical formation to that I used on my first outing. “Do these tunnels see much hostility?”
The leader nods. “They do. Typically not changeling, but we see our fair share of Clackers and Elementals along this route. It is one of the more dangerous Commander.”
With that I fall silent. I do not wish to give us away to any potential danger. I note that this group certainly has some of the more burly scouts I have seen. Some seem to rival even Kasson in size and scars. I allow my gaze to roam about the caverns we pass through. Several are illuminated by various lichen glowing enough to irritate my eyes. I have never seen such plant life.
I motion I wish to stop and they comply. Nodding to a distant collection of the glowing plant life I speak softly. “I apologize for the imposition but could one of you collect a sample of that for me? I would like to see if it has any uses in my works.”
The squad leader nods vigorously. I note that all in this squad have one or more of my creations secured to their abdomens with a bit of webbing. He personally leaps the span leaving a thin trail of webbing in his wake. Scrapping a good amount and scurrying back along the web line he left. “It would be an honor to assist you in making more of your surprises for our foes. Always fun to see the looks on their faces when some new horror explodes in them.”
I accept the compliments and the lichen, stowing it in a satchel and securing it tightly to stifle the glow. “Perhaps it would be a good idea for me to brief our scouts on what I use, and what I have not seen. If I had the patrols returning with components when able I could craft much more efficiently.”
He nods at my words. “It would not be dangerous or difficult for us to do such a thing commander.”
With a gesture from myself we continue on. The squad’s spirits seem quite high. We press on through several more chambers and tunnels before the scouts rush back to the rest of us. “Clackers. Three of them ahead and on a direct route toward us.”
I lapse into silence as plans are made. The squad leader is suddenly looking to me. “Commander I admit I am not entirely sure of your combat capabilities.”
This is not an unexpected problem, and I should have discussed it before we even set out. Vowing to do so in the future I clear my throat. “I am more useful in blunt force than surgical strikes. Clacker shells are not harder than Grabber?” He shakes his head. “Then I should have little difficulty cracking them. Do not worry for my safety, I will tend myself and assist where I am able.”
He nods with only slight reluctance. I am not only his commander but a Princess of the royalty as well. I doubt he wants to be the one to explain to the queen that one of her daughters died. “Very well commander.” He outlines their plan of attack. It is rather standard from what I have observed in planning sessions with Spinner. Move along the ceiling, drop down from above and ambush.
I reach into myself bringing forth the magic and follow them along the walls and ceiling into the great chamber beyond. The Clackers are not difficult to locate. Lumbering about on two spindly legs, they possess great ridged shells shielding their back and abdomens. Long arms with massive claws they snap now and again giving off the loud sound they are named for drag at their sides. Eyeless heads move about slowly, and cruelly curved beaks snap at the air occasionally. For the scouts those heads are the targets to sink their fangs into.
Clackers ‘see’ by feeling vibrations in the stone around them, so the scouts slowly descending on their thin lines of webbing remain invisible until the moment they strike. With perfect precision they move as one, three dropping to the shells of the unsuspecting Clackers and sinking their fangs into the soft flesh of their necks. In a move so swift it almost seems as if they have not stopped, the scouts leap off the now poisoned Clackers. The beasts spin beaks open and trilling shrieks of rage.
One of the scouts cries out in alarm as another beast hoists itself over the edge of the walkway they were traversing, seizing him in one of its huge claws. As they rush to aid their comrade the scouts have to fall back as several more creatures appear from the edges suddenly. The initial three monsters sink to their knees before collapsing face first to the ground, the poison having done its work. Now however there are four more enraged monsters.
I spring from my own perch and land before the creature crushing one of my scouts. I ignore the sound of crunching carapace and pivot, driving my hind hooves into the creatures’ abdominal shell. A satisfying crunch is my reward as it reels back, dropping the dazed scout who rapidly shakes himself out of his stupor.
I spin to charge another foe, when I feel a powerful claw snap shut over a one of my hind legs. With a yelp of alarm I feel myself hoisted into the air by the very beast I thought I had already dispatched. Even through the leg guard protecting me I feel the pressure of its claw…and know that my leg would be gone were it not for my brothers’ fine armor. I thrash futilely in its grasp, without firm footing my powerful hooves do me little good.
It seems to have realized it is not getting through my own protective shell, and settles instead for raising me into the air and smashing me upon the ground. Even through the armor I feel the impact as the air is forced from my lungs. Seeing spots dance across my vision I offer no resistance as it raises me for a second slam, then the beast jerks and releases me. I crash to the floor of the cavern and look back to see the wounded scout, no recovered and biting the Clacker repeatedly about the head. Nimbly he leaps off the heavily envenomed foe, which topples to the ground almost instantly.
The sounds of battle have died down and the scouts are victorious. I and the scout who assisted me seem to be the only wounded. And my own wounds are superficial. I will likely ache something fierce soon enough, but Spinner’s fine armor has done its job well. I give my savior a grateful nod. “Thank you for the rescue.”
He clicks his mandibles in a laugh. “Only returning the favor Commander. I would be in two halves if not for your ‘intrusion.’” He chuckles again.
Slowly I nod and stand. I wince as I put my weight on the wounded leg. Even through the powerful armor my leg is likely badly bruised. “I am afraid I will be more hindrance than help from this point on.”
The squad leader approaches. “We are near the end of our patrol anyhow Commander. We will cocoon our kills and head back hm?” He looks from me to the Clacker with the obvious hoof indents in its abdomen. “Some advice?” I nod. “Make sure your foe is dead or fully incapacitated before moving on. If you had paused to deliver a finishing blow to its head you would have been able to assist the rest of us.”
I nod at his advice. “Yes thank you, I do apologize I am something of a…novice to combat.”
He chuckles and goes to work cocooning the fallen Clacker. “We all were at some point Commander. Even so you are welcome to join our patrol anytime in the future.”
With a grateful smile I nod my thanks as we set out back for home…at a slightly slower pace due to my limp. It would seem I still have a long way to go before I am even close to Spinners equal…but I find I am eager to make the journey regardless of the promised hardships.