CHAPTER TEN

The Spider God scurried across her massive web within the great forest. He minions brought her offerings and flung them upon the strands of her web. She moved to spin each of them in a prison of her webbing. Her minions were generous this day. Her minions all made their contributions except for the Vile. Where are the Vile? She thought. They had not made an offering in days. Surely a small band of kobolds did not prove that difficult. One group claimed to have been watching the activities of a unicorn studying its activities to capture it for her and they also have not been seen. The Spider God wrapped her food quickly as each of them struggled to free themselves from the web strand they had been flung onto. The minions that were spiders knew not to cocoon their catch because their god liked to play with her food and wrap it herself. The Spider God looked to her minions and spoke to them telepathically. Find the Vile and return with me of their fate. The minions of the Spider God obeyed. They all scurried away into the night. She feasted on several of her offerings before her hunger was sated. She recalled a specimen that nearly broke free of the web bonds as well as from her web after being flung onto a sticky strand. She had cocooned it first and wrapped it extra tight to secure it. The Spider God moved to the large monstrous humanoid. It bore horns and the head of a bull on its muscular body. Minotaur. She called to it telepathically. The Minotaur roared defiantly. I am going to make you one of my children. You will become more powerful than you are now and I will free you to serve me in the wilderness. Consider this your punishment for entering the great forest when you should have remained in your homeland. The Spider God sunk her massive fangs into the Minotaur through the web cocoon but instead of deadly venom she pumped a transforming magic into the veins of the Minotaur. Chitinous plates formed over its skin pinching the heavy fur in places. Mandibles sprouted from its face. Extra insect-like arms sprouted from its body as well as a multitude of insect eyes. You are a hunter. Go hunt for the Vile. Discover what happened to them. Bring me my offerings'! The Spider God demanded. The transformed Minotaur roared as the webs disintegrated from his body. He stood up only to bow before his new god.

"I hear your commands and I obey my goddess." The Minotaur said obediently. The spider God created two magical tools out of her webbing for the Minotaur. Take these items to aid you. The gauntlets will add to your strength and the bag can hold more than one can fathom. The Minotaur took the items. He tied the bag to his belt and donned the gauntlets. The magical strength empowered him. He stood up and strolled away from the web and into the darkness to hunt. The Minotaur smelled the air trying to pick up the scent of the Vile. The ancient evil human race was legendary and believed to have been wiped out by the gods after their creation for their heinous acts. The Minotaur felt foreign in its new form however his senses were heightened a bit. He ran off into the night after picking up a scent. The Minotaur entered the small cavern where the Vile resided. Only the few women and their children were in the cavern.

"Where are your men?" The Minotaur snarled.

"On a hunt," one of the women answered.

"How long have they been gone?" The Minotaur continued its questioning.

"One group has been tracking a unicorn for several days. Another left today to gather a small band of kobolds." The female replied. The Minotaur smelled the pheromones in the air.

"Which of you is in heat?" The Minotaur sniffed. The women shuddered at the insectile Minotaur.

"The Spider God would be displeased if you violated any of us," one of the women said defiantly. The Minotaur smiled sinisterly as he turned around and took his leave.

The stamina of the Minotaur was as legendary as a dwarf's. He ran for miles without stopping and the scent grew more potent with every step he took. The Minotaur stopped abruptly. He smelled the scent go off in two directions.

"Two different hunting parties? This one was the bigger party." He grumbled after smelling the more potent scent and moved in its direction. He stopped abruptly one more. There was something else in the other direction—the smell of a mystical creature. "UNICORN!" The Minotaur turned and went after the smaller hunting party. The mutated Minotaur ran through the forest, never slowing his pace.

*****

Annalisa stood watch with Sir Sendrick as the others slept. The campfire burned bright because the two kept it stoked during their watch. Dog woke suddenly and left the tent where he had been sleeping next to Eleanor's feet and sniffed the air. His ears were up.

"What is it Dog?" Annalisa asked curiously, as if the dog could answer her.

"What's wrong, does he smell a squirrel?" Sir Sendrick asked playfully.

"No. Something is wrong!" Annalisa drew her enchanted scimitar in case it was some vermin creeping upon them in the night. Sir Sendrick drew out his enchanted bastard sword and held it aloft. Dog barred his teeth and growled at whatever he smelled in the darkness. Loud trudging through underbrush was suddenly heard getting closer and closer. There was a brief silence. Dog still growled and snarled.

"Stay Dog," Annalisa ordered the dog to ensure his safety. The loud trudging through the underbrush began again. This time it was moving away.

"What is it?" Sir Sendrick asked as he tried to see any outline of the creature in the dark.

"I don't know but it saw us. I'm sure of it!" Annalisa was wary. Dog relaxed his posture and stopped growling as the sounds dissipated.

"This forest is full of noises that seem to frighten more than threaten." Sir Sendrick growled in protest. He seemed as though he wanted a fight.

"Are you upset that you have not had a physical confrontation since before we left the city?" Annalisa asked, eyeing the paladin curiously.

"I am proud, yes! I feel-," Sir Sendrick had issues finding his words.

"We all lose fights or become overwhelmed at times. You are not less of a man for it." Annalisa understood the proud mind of a male.

"Thank you. I wish to redeem myself, just the same." Sir Sendrick said evenly. Sir Sendrick sheathed his blade and returned to the warmth of the campfire but Annalisa remained at the edge of the campfire light listening with her sword in hand for a few more moments before she sheathed her blade and returned to the campfire beside Sir Sendrick.