I followed the demon spider lady through another tunnel, an another, winding round to the left until we entered, surprisingly...a cavern, it appeared to be a dead end until she pointed out a crevice between two stalagmites.

"In there is a pest. Remove it, and I will consider your second act complete."

I blinked in surprise. I was on rodent control now? I was liking this lady less and less, and she was pretty low on the list when I first saw her.

I turned looking for the joke, but the spider woman's eyes were serious as she stared me down.

"What kind of pest?" I asked.

"Always stealing my food and bothering me . Her his was venomous You will see it for yourself. Now GO."

I turned sideways to slide into the opening, deciding not to risk getting my head bitten off, literally or figuratively. I was grateful to discover the tunnel got larger once you made your way through.

Now walking normally I kept my stone open in my palm, it lit everything up much better than a flashlight could, and was once again I was grateful for Jean, however she managed to make that happen.

I hadn't walked long before heard a skitter and whipped round.

Nothing was there.

It came again from above and behind me and I slashed my sword ready for an attack.

Still nothing.

"A small boy come to my hollow yes." The voice said, slightly higher and more raspy than I expected.

Oh my heck she sent me into the cave of Golem.

I whipped around startled, more afraid of a demented hobbit than I would have liked.

"Thinks to kill me he does..." the voice snickered. "But what if Thardus does not want to be killed?"

I almost called out who are you, but I suppose 'Thardus" just answered that by talking in third person.

"What are you?" I decided on.

"Oooo an intelligent question. Questions questions. I am a Zark, What are you?"

I wrinkled my nose. "I'm a human." I replied.

"You seek something, yes, but it is not to kill me..."

Something stepped out from behind a rock, it was a- I couldn't- it walked on all fours like a dog, but it's skin was dark brown and leathery. It's paws were webbed, it's ears were long, long enough to be draped over its back.

The Zark snickered. "You are alarmed, but I will not harm you, if you do not harm me."

I hesitated, this creature wasn't supposed to be intelligent.

"She sent you to kill yes, but that is not your only path. Once you kill me, she will just kill you."

I sighed, that didn't surprise me. Did I trust the Zark? Not really, it seemed like it was reading my mind, which was dangerous of itself.

If this thing was stealing the spiders food or harassing her, then looking into her mind to dodge her moves, I could see very well why she wanted to kill it.

It seemed creepy and cunning, but...was it evil? I didn't know.

I hesitated, holding my sword out. "What do you mean this isn't my only path?" I questioned.

The Zark stretched, it's expression looked amused. "You can chose to be clever, you can chose to be quick. You can get what you came for and not give up your life."

My eyes narrowed. "How do you mean."

"Go back, tell the Archinass that the deal is off, she will try to kill you, but she will not be able to."

"Why wouldn't she?" I demanded, this thing was just trying to get me killed.

"Her weakness is light, you carry a great gift with you, and a sword of great power. You are a mighty warrior doing a weaklings errand, it should not be so."

I thought about that a moment. The sword WAS powerful, I knew cause I could feel it even as I held it in my hands, the sword seemed almost eager to go after the spider lady.

I had seen the Archinass wince at the light Jean had found... Were my chances of defeating her better than I had believed?

"Why should I trust you?" I decided on. I believed him that the spider lady would kill me once I did what she wanted, but that didn't mean Thardus wouldn't kill me when my back was turned either.

The dog like creature bowed its head. "Wait simply a moment, I will be back by the count of thirty."

That seemed suspiciously specific, but the Zark darted off so fast I held my weapon ready and began to count in my head.

Twenty seven seconds later, the Zark returned and dropped something at my feet.

A bundle of flowers. The brown blossoms that we had been searching for this whole time. I released a breath, then watching the Zark bent down slowly to pick them up, placing them in a ziplock then in my bag.

"You should hurry." The Zark snickered.

I blinked. "What for?"

"The Archinass has heard us yes...she has gone to kill your friend, with pretty red hair."

My blood turned cold. "What?"

I whipped round and darted out of the cave.


What's up nerds, hope you missed me, cause...well I missed you.

Yakall, Katie, NaoSa, all of y'all. I love my little Chasers who actually enjoy my stories and dorky characters.

I wish I could say I'm back forever but the truth is, I'm going on a service mission in three weeks and will be gone 18 months.

Soooo I love you guys enough I figured I'd post everything that's left once I get it all edited.

Y'all are in for a treat 3 3