A week had passed since Lassim’s intense battle with the Monkey King and his subsequent oath with Cirra and Gregor. The days were filled with language lessons, practical usage training, and a growing camaraderie between the three.
Today, Lassim made his way by himself to Maelin’s shop to pick up his new martial clothes.
As he entered Gossamer Goods, the familiar scent of exotic fabrics and the soft rustle of spider silk greeted him. The shop was genuinely a well crafted veritable treasure trove of finely crafted garments, each piece exuding an aura of elegance and meticulous craftsmanship.
Maelin, the ex-Widow, was arranging some newly crafted garments on one of the displays as he arrived. Her humanoid upper torso, her beauty extraordinary as her lips were framed by her delicate yet slightly menacing mandibles, turned toward him as he entered.
Lassim greeted her nearly fluently in the spider language, "[Sskkithen, Maelin. Sssira matkk ssskaa zeethka.]"
Maelin’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. She raised an eyebrow and corrected him gently, "[Sssira matkk ssskaath zeethka]," emphasizing the slight tonal difference. "Your progress is impressive, young one. Very few can grasp our language with such grace in such a short time. Your effort is commendable."
Lassim smiled modestly. "Thank you, but I have to credit Cirra and Gregor for being excellent teachers. Plus, I’ve noticed that my cultivation has even further enhanced my mind and memory, making it easier to recall and learn new things. Languages might even get easier to learn the further I advance."
Maelin nodded, her mandibles twitching in what Lassim had come to realize as a smile. "I take it you’re here for your order?..."
She turned and, with a swift motion almost too quick for Lassim to follow, retrieved a beautifully wrapped spider silk package that was several individually wrapped envelopes tall. The spider silk was iridescent, shimmering in the light. With a delicate yet precise slice of her sharp and slender fingered hand, the wrapping fell away to reveal the contents.
Lassim admired the sets of clothes, each one expertly woven under Maelin’s craftsmanship.
As requested, she had created seven different outfits, each uniquely stylish and tailored to his form. One of the outfits, the one that was meant for more formal occasions, was in tuxedo style complete with his family crests embroidered on the lapels. The intricate designs gleamed in the light, exuding a sense of elegance and nobility.
One particular outfit she created at her discretion caught his eye—a blue and golden martial attire. The fabric felt luxurious yet durable, perfect for combat. The colors reminded him of his days as a student at the Myriad Spirit Academy. The set came with a ribbon to tie up his hair, which sparked a moment of nostalgia.
He contemplated letting his hair grow longer, envisioning it tied up in a ponytail bun like his father commonly wore.
The blue and golden hues of the martial attire seemed to shimmer with an inner light, each thread meticulously placed to enhance his movements and exude a commanding presence. The ribbon, crafted from the same high-quality material, felt smooth and strong in his hands. Lassim could almost see himself in the mirror, dressed in this attire, standing with the same dignity and pride his father once had.
After reminiscing for a moment, Lassim carefully stored away all of the outfits in his magic pouch at his waist, ensuring they would be safe until he needed them. "These are incredible, Maelin. Thank you for your exceptional work," stated as he bowed.
Maelin inclined her head slightly in response, her smile widening. "It was my pleasure. Wear them well."
Lassim nodded, paying her for her service and feeling a sense of joy at the new purchase.
As Lassim prepared to leave, Maelin stopped him with a raised hand. "Before you go, I have something for you," she said.
From a drawer, she pulled out a small, intricately crafted brooch. It was made of a unique material that seemed to absorb the light around it, trapping the light within somehow. "This is a token of gratitude from the Queen herself. For your service in dispatching the parasite that inhabited the Monkey King and caused havoc in the region."
Lassim took the brooch, his eyes widening in surprise. He hadn’t told Maelin about their mission, or anyone else for that matter.
In response to his puzzled expression, Maelin added, "The Queen sees and hears all within her Threads, young one. You’d do best to know this fact. We arachnids have many eyes and use them well." Maelin explained. "As a former Widow stationed in this town, I have been tasked with the responsibility to share this with you instead of the Town’s Guardian.
It’s called a [Rathlek], but translated, you could consider this a ’Merited Service of the Queen’ badge."
Lassim felt a mix of awe and slight intimidation, realizing that while traveling through the Threads, he was essentially prey caught within the Queen’s web.
"This will make your travels smoother," Maelin continued. "You’ll experience fewer issues with town guardians, as long as you maintain good behavior. Simply wearing it will ensure that all arachnids will recognize it, for within this brooch, it contains a trace amount of the Spider Queen’s pheromones. I recommend you display it on you at all times for best results."
He took a moment to pin the brooch to a loop on his waist belt, its presence displayed for those to see if looking at him from the front.
"Thank you," Lassim said, genuinely touched by the gesture and imagining that he’ll be able to avoid more disturbances with town guardians as he travels with his movement technique again. He gestured the goodbye greeting with his arms to Maelin as he exited the shop.
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As he stepped out, the response and validity of Maelin’s words was immediate. The street, bustling with activity, seemed to fall into a momentary hush.
All the arachnids in the street, from the smallest spiderlings to the most imposing half-human/half-arachnoid beings, instinctively recognized the pheromones emanating from the brooch at his waist. They shuddered collectively, their multi-faceted eyes widening in surprise and respect as they turned to him all at once.
Seemingly together through an ingrained response, they bowed or shifted their bodies deeply towards Lassim. Their eyes, all honing in specifically on the brooch at his waist.
The entire street seemed to pulse with the silent acknowledgment of this object’s status. It was as if an invisible wave had passed through the arachnid community, communicating his service to the Queen instantly.
Lassim stood there, momentarily stunned by the strange scene that had unfolded around him. It was a powerful statement of the influence and reach of the Spider Queen within her web.
As he walked down the street, the bows gradually ceased, and the arachnids returned to their activities. However, their glances followed him.
He made his way back to Marshlight, where he found Cirra and Gregor preparing for their agreed upon departure.
Before Lassim could get their attention to say farewell, his communication disc emitted a mana buzz in his magic pouch, which he promptly retrieved. He activated it and saw a message from Hallen.
~~////~~
Hallen: Young Master, we have met up with your father’s envoys and are heading to the Vanthar estate under their guidance."
~~////~~
’Perfect timing,’ Lassim thought.
He quickly sent a message back, detailing his new friendship with Cirra and Gregor.
~~////~~
Lassim: Hallen, I wanted to update you on a significant development. Over the past week, I’ve become friends with two remarkable individuals, Cirra and Gregor. They are alchemists with the potential to make a groundbreaking discovery that could revolutionize communication and cultivation.
Cirra’s research specifically focuses on creating a new method of communication using spirit sense, and I believe with our help, they could possibly achieve their goal. If they succeed, the benefits to the Vanthar and Rohese families, and the Drow could be immense. Not only would we be at the forefront of this revolutionary change, but it could also strengthen our influence and power.
Additionally, Gregor has shown an interest in the Drow medicine and potions I’ve told them about over the last week. With their expertise, they might be able to adapt some of the Drow’s unique medical practices to our world as well. This could lead to significant advancements in our own alchemists and may be a new avenue of gain for the Vanthar family..
I believe it would be advantageous to try and recruit them somehow and support their research. They are currently my friends, but could become invaluable allies and contribute greatly to our families if we could get them to settle down in our lands too. They’ll be heading over on the next caravan from the Queen’s Threads in the near future.
It’ll take a while for them to arrive but I’ll leave it to you to persuade them to win them over more once they arrive. They’ll have a letter with my mana signature on it so you’ll recognize them easily.
Thank you, Hallen and give my regards to my Father and Mother.
Oh! Before I forget, please share my communication rune with them as well. They don’t have the disc’s runes yet.
~~////~~
Once he had sent the message, Lassim turned to Cirra and Gregor, "I’ve just received a message from my Custodian for the Drow community, Hallen. I’ve just updated him on our new friendship. I believe your research can definitely make a breakthrough once you’re there."
Gregor nodded. "We’ll do our best, Lassim. Thanks for believing in Cirra’s dream."
Cirra agreed. "Thank you! I’ll definitely make it happen!"
Lassim was about to say more when his communication disc buzzed again. He saw Hallen’s response and decided to share it with them. The message read, "Young Master, your foresight and leadership are remarkable. I am proud to serve you and will do everything I can to help Cirra and Gregor. Their work will be a valuable addition to your future."
Lassim nodded, feeling a profound sense of connection and responsibility. "Safe travels and please send me updates in the future! You both have my contact rune, so feel free to message me when you make a breakthrough. Also, have Hallen’s rune as well. It should help to message him as you get closer."
With that, the trio left the Marshlight and Cirra and Gregor headed towards the location where they’d meet a merchant caravan they’d agreed to stay with for their travels. Having a couple of Spirit Transformation stage individuals to help with defense, let alone two that were alchemists as well, were always welcome hitchhikers.
As Lassim watched them go, he knew that their paths would cross again, and together, they would shape the future of Nexaria.
~~~~~
Standing on the deck of the flying Aetherian ship, Hallen re-read the message from Lassim. The wind whipped through his hair, feeling a swell of pride in his heart.
The Young Master was truly becoming a leader, he thought. His time with the Drow had changed him, he thought. The fact that Lassim had brought home a unique species of remarkable warriors and individuals like Sanvra had shown Hallen that he’d transformed into someone who constantly thinks of the future.
Hallen turned his attention to the horizon. He was determined to support the Young Master in every way possible. Being the Custodian for the Drow was the main priority, but he’d now assist in Cirra and Gregor’s potential breakthroughs that could indeed revolutionize communication and cultivation. He would do everything in his power to help.
With renewed determination, Hallen prepared for the tasks ahead. He would ensure that Cirra and Gregor felt welcome and valued at the Vanthar estate. Their success would not only benefit the family but also fulfill Lassim’s vision.
As the ship sailed towards the Vanthar estate, Hallen couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of pride. The Young Master’s journey was just beginning, and he would try to support it with how he could.