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Toryn and the Amayans raced north to Ormsk. Eryn sensed while many spiders headed to the Kolossos Pass, greater numbers scuttled towards the forests of Ormsk. Elodi had stressed the importance of keeping Nordryn away from the vital source of wood for their ships. Toryn had convinced the Amayans that the Archonians defending the forests would need their support. But word of the aralaks escape had traveled fast and far. Hundreds fled along the roads from the Galan Hills with their carts laden with belongings, slowing Toryn’s progress. While the people of the Galafan region had been prepared to defend their homes against the Ruuk, the threat of an aralak invasion had convinced them to flee. Toryn had spoken to an old guard on the road. He told of the aralaks occupying much of the North Forest. A desperate defense had failed, and many had died, or worse, had been captured and kept alive for a source of fresh food. Toryn’s insides turned. It seemed the long years of confinement in the gorge had served only to whet their appetites for the sweet meat long denied them.

Midnight slowed as Eryn raised her hand. From the northern slopes of the Galan Hills, they could see into Ormsk. Eryn turned to Toryn. What do you see? He slowed his breathing, relaxed his shoulders, and let the farsight lead him to the forests. The tall, dark spikes of the trees came to meet him. The borders of the South Forest appeared calm. Toryn ventured farther and arrived at the stockade of Omstrad. The road leading to the woodland town was packed with Archonians, riders, and more carts hauled by frightened horses. Many hurried east along the main road to Borrund — Toryn did not have to look far to see the cause of their panic. Not far into the North Forest, the trees were already strewn with thick webs. Toryn recoiled, despite the distance. Spiders the size of large dogs, scampered over a line of recent victims. Their long, spindly legs wove strands of silk from their bloated abdomens to bind their unfortunate captives. Dozens already hung from the trees causing the branches to sag with their weight. But to his horror, two large aralaks with red markings on their pods, discharged swollen egg sacs close to the macabre food supply.

Toryn readily retreated. ‘They have taken the North Forest. They’ve enclosed a large area with web, and… it looks like they’re building a nest.’

Eryn grimaced. ‘That is not good news. Not good at all. And Omstrad?’

‘It looks as if a defense will be mounted there.’ His stomach churned. ‘But I can’t see how they can possibly survive.’

Eryn looked to the others. ‘Then that is where we go.’

Toryn was surprised. ‘But what of avenging Amyra?’

‘That will come. Our first duty is to defend the Amanach, and one lies within the South Forest. If those beasts occupy it, the Ul-dalak will come in numbers, and the stone will be weakened and destroyed. I shall inform our sisters and bring them to the forest. Another stone cannot fall.’ She touched Toryn’s arm. ‘And we can’t let those poor souls in Omstrad fight alone. We have experience of the spinners. They do not. As fearsome as those spiders look, they can be defeated if you know how, and which ones to kill. They may appear a leaderless rabble, but the Ul-dalak only need to command a few and the rest will follow. While unruly, when they fight, they fight in clusters. They will soon turn upon each other if we kill those the Ul-dalak influence. It’s not a pretty sight, ghastly to be honest, but they’ll tear a fellow spinner to pieces to get to a supply of meat. Even more so if softened and made juicy by their poison.’

Toryn’s heart raced. The prospect of taking another step closer to these foul beasts caused his insides to revolt. But he had not backed down from a challenge for many months, and he was not going to start now.

Eryn gasped. ‘I remember this place.’ They stood upon the last slopes of the hills bordering the edge of the South Forest. She pointed. ‘Down there. We fought a great battle on that plain many years ago.’ Eryn looked back to Arijan and Calestri. ‘Towards Roth’s Doom. Do you see it?’

Arijan’s eyes widened. ‘How many rode that day? It must have been close to a hundred.’

Calestri rose in her saddle. ‘I fought alongside Tanis and Eleni. And Cymori battled like a demon. None could stand before her.’

Eryn waved her arm across the grasslands to their west. ‘We rode to Draegelan’s aid from these very hills. Dorlan led a large company of knights from Calerdorn. I recall their armor glistening in the morning sun. They clashed with the dark masses of Ormoroth’s guard.’ She clasped her sisters’ hands. ‘We were a sight to behold in those days. Unstoppable. We plowed through Ormoroth’s left flank to join Dorlan.’

Toryn tried to imagine the scene. ‘One hundred Amayans? How could even Ormoroth withstand such an assault?’

Eryn grinned. ‘He could not. We trounced them, then chased his fleeing forces to the Kolossos Pass. I caught sight of Ormoroth, but before we could engage them, he brought down the slopes and blocked our way.’ Her jaw clenched. ‘But I would not have willingly faced Ormoroth, not even with Dorlan and my sisters at my side. The very air seemed to shun his presence.’ She straightened. ‘But that was all in the past. What of the present? What do you see, Toryn?’

He reluctantly shook the vision of the great battle and turned to the north. ‘They’ve extended their web wall. Behind, I can see what looks like a funnel… two funnels.’ He shuddered. ‘Aralaks are perched on it like guards.’

Eryn grimaced. ‘Aargh! You were right. It is a nest. They’re claiming a new territory.’

Toryn’s stomach clenched. ‘There’ll be more of them? How long before they hatch?’

Arijan shook her head. ‘Not long enough. Four to five days at most. And while the young are only as big as your fist, they’re as vicious as a full-grown spinner. It may take a year to reach their full size, but they’re hard to kill owing to them being small… and fast.’ She spread her fingers and covered her face. ‘They’ll leap and smother you. Not easy to see or breathe once they latch on.’

Eryn groaned. ‘I’d hoped we’d never have to fight those beasts ever again. But we must get to Omstrad without delay. They’ll strike soon. Their young will require a substantial source of food if they’re to grow.’ Her nose wrinkled. ‘Defending the town against the spiders will be ugly, but that doesn’t compare to what comes next. If we survive the first wave, we’ll have no choice but to enter the North Forest. It’s the last place in the realms you’d wish to visit, but those sacs will have to be destroyed before they can disgorge their foul eggs.’

The town of Omstrad stood at the edge of the South Forest, giving Toryn the impression the trees shunned its presence. From a distance, he was reminded of the haphazard timber buildings of Drunsberg, but as they drew closer it became apparent the town was designed and constructed by skilled woodworkers. Its stockade stood three times the height of a man, built in the days when the old realms fought each other for the precious timber of Ormsk. Outside the fence, dozens of workers frantically dug ditches while others fashioned large spikes from tree trunks. More townsfolk stacked bundles of hay into the bottom of the trenches and then doused them with lamp oil.

Eryn eyed the activity with pity. ‘It appears they do not fully appreciate what will soon come their way.’

Toryn waited for Midnight to draw level with Eryn. ‘But they must have hope. Their spirit would plummet if they did nothing and just waited.’

Arijan sighed. ‘While it may help raise their hopes, I’m afraid their defenses will do little. Flames will slow them down, but they won’t stop fighting until they’re burned to a crisp. Not a pleasant sight, or smell. And if you hack off their legs, they still won’t give up. They’ll spray their putrid spit into your face, and then try to smother you. Opening their flabby abdomens brings about a slow death, but only removing their tiny skulls will slay them dead. But as Eryn said, taking out the heads of their clusters will achieve the best outcome. But they’re larger and harder to kill.’

Toryn eyed the stockade. ‘Can they mount a defense up there?’

Eryn glanced to Arijan. ‘Possibly. But only if they’re wise to the spinners' devious nature. We can school them on how best to tackle the beasts, but the lessons in themselves may demoralize the defenders.’

Toryn glanced to the North Forest. ‘Do you know much of their history?’

Eryn shrugged. ‘Ormoroth spawned them from harmless spiders. But with his corruption, the aralaks grew to a monstrous size and developed a hatred for all living things, even themselves. Aside from the quite spectacular web structures they spin, they’ve brought nothing but terror and misery to this world. Whether by design or a stroke of luck, confining them to the gorge led them to fight and eat each other. That’s the only reason the fences have held for so long.’ She pointed to the stockade. ‘The villagers have finally seen us. It doesn’t bode well that we’ve gotten so close before they’d noticed.’

Ahead, the workers who had been engrossed in their labor, turned to face the Amayans. They dropped their tools and stared wide-eyed as if seeing mythical creatures from their fireside tales. The Amayans may have numbered just three, but that did nothing to dampen the defenders’ glee at their arrival. But calls from the rear soon took them back to their vital work.

A horn blew from the main tower of the stockade. Eryn halted. ‘Perhaps it’s best we wait to be invited inside.’ Three riders emerged from the gate. Now it was Toryn’s turn to gape. Two wore the livery of the First Horse, the other was clad in black, adorned with the white spear of Broon.

The leader held up her hand to greet them. ‘I am Amyndra, Captain of Lunn, loyal to the true Lord Broon.’ Her head bowed. ‘Though he is lost.’

Toryn spoke first. ‘Then you’ll be gladdened to hear he has returned.’

Amyndra rose in her saddle. ‘Can this be true?’

‘Lady Harlyn met him at the coast of Mund. He leads a thousand spears of the Elites north to halt the enemy advance.’

‘Then this is good news indeed.’ Amyndra looked towards the ridge dissecting the two great forests. ‘And much needed. I fear we’ll soon be facing an overwhelming foe.’

Toryn turned. ‘I wonder why they wait. Surely, the South Forest has more wood to offer, and a quick strike would have prevented Omstrad readying for such an attack.’

Amyndra glanced to the Amayans. ‘And perhaps denied you the open road to come to our aid. I had the pleasure of meeting with Lady Harlyn in Archonholm. For a moment, I thought she rode with you.’ She nodded to Calestri. ‘You have the same flame-red hair.’

Calestri smiled. ‘We have yet to meet our new sister. But we may not have to wait too long. I believe she too rides north.’

Amyndra straightened. ‘Then first we need to secure our position and see off those hairy brutes. Come, I shall arrange for an Archonian to show you the defenses.’

Eryn scoffed. ‘Then it will not take long. Our time will be better spent training you in the ways of our unwanted guests.’

The Amayans may have been indifferent, but Toryn was impressed by the wooden towers and fences of Omstrad. The builders of Ormsk could have taught those of Darrow how to erect a sturdy border fence that did not shift with the imposition of tree roots. The town bustled with Archonians, First Horse, loyal Broon soldiers and reserves. Food and supplies would soon become a concern, but few realistically believed a siege would happen. Aralaks appeared to have little patience for anything that stood in their way. And all knew, the spiders were not interested in the timber behind them — the people crammed within the town were the prize. Some of the townsfolk had chosen to take their chances and head south through the forest. Yet most decided to put their faith in the defenses, not wishing to present an easier source of food out in the open.

Toryn stood with Amyndra on the parapet. The heavy clouds brought an early end to daylight and the torches struggled to illuminate the ditches in the gloom. He withdrew from the farsight and focused on Amyndra’s face. ‘I sense no movement outside of the North Forest. But they are not idle behind their web wall.’ Toryn shuddered. ‘They’re preparing. And I’m afraid the spiders grow stronger… thanks to the prisoners entangled in their webs.’

Amyndra grasped the stockade. ‘Twelve of my company are among them. I and many here were ready to ride to free our brothers. I cannot abide the thought they live, knowing what ghastly fate awaits those poor souls.’

‘I’m grateful you did not. It must have taken great restraint. But had you gone, you would most likely be sharing the same fate.’

She glared at the horizon. ‘Then let them come. Thanks to the instruction from your Amayan friends, we may stand a better chance here. My blade is sharp, my aim is true. I will make them regret ever escaping from the gorge.’

But Toryn had not finished his report. ‘Be wary. The years of confinement weakened them, but now they feast on their preferred food, they grow bigger and stronger.’

‘Then let us hope our scouts can still outrun them. I would not wish to be out there on this night, but it is a necessary duty.’

Toryn yawned. ‘My use of the farsight drains my strength.’

Amyndra surveyed the ditches. ‘From what the Amayans tell me, I believe your skills may prove decisive in the coming fight.’

He stretched. ‘I will do all I can, but it will be down to every last one of us if we’re to hold the town.’

Eryn strode towards them. ‘The last have completed the training. They fight well and with some skill. We may yet give those creatures a contest.’

Toryn nodded to the north. ‘It’s quiet at present. We have scouts posted along the road for a league.’

Eryn shook her head. ‘I doubt they will attack at night. It’s not their way.’

Amyndra disagreed. ‘Why not use the cover of darkness? We would not see them coming until the last moment.’

‘That is the point. Whoever commands them wants us to see them. The sight of hundreds of those things scuttling towards you, does little for your fighting spirit. Besides, even at night, you would hear them coming a league away. Yes, that also dampens hope, but the sight and sound of their advance works better… for them.’

Toryn sighed. ‘I trust this is not to be your speech before the battle.’

Eryn smiled. ‘Ah yes. Perhaps this is just for your ears. But with a sharp sword, a keen eye, and fast hands, we may hold them. But ensure all defenders have both a long and a short blade. You’ll be needing them both.’ She raised her sword and pointed to the trench. ‘My sisters and I will greet them out there.’

Toryn stared at her. ‘In the open? Is that… wise?’

Eryn’s eyes glowed. ‘We have a few tricks of our own. The first ranks will experience something their ancestors learned to fear. Perhaps we may rekindle a memory of pain buried deep in their puny skulls… and maybe a little doubt. Anything that slows their attack could work in our favor.’

Amyndra threw back her shoulders. ‘Then I would welcome the opportunity to accompany you. And I’m certain others would be honored to stand at your side.’

Eryn held up her hand. ‘I thank you for your offer, but this is something only my kind can execute. We will not be able to maintain our counterstrike for long, but it will reduce the numbers reaching the wall. And I concede your ditches will serve a purpose. A line of burning spinners will slow them a little, giving your archers time to take out a few more. They’ve been instructed to aim at their underbellies if presented, or eyes if not. It’s a waste of a good arrow to aim at anything else. They have a thick shell on the top of their abdomen, and the legs are just as tough.’ She grimaced. ‘But be prepared for the stench of a flaming aralak. It is most disagreeable, although not quite as bad as a droog’s reek.’

Toryn did not relish the thought of the battle. ‘What about their saliva? You say they spit.’

‘That is to be avoided. While not poisonous, it’s unpleasant and will sting. Its purpose is to blur your vision. If that happens, you’re in trouble. And note, their spit will easily reach you from the base of this wall, so stay on your toes. But they only get one shot. It takes a good hour for them to produce the amount needed for a second volley.’

Toryn’s stomach turned. ‘You have an interesting way of describing such foul things, Eryn.’

She grinned. ‘I’ve only just started. Now, on to where it gets physical. When the beast has launched its juice at your face, it’s chosen you for its special attention. Regardless of whether it hits you, it’s committed to the attack. And it will spring up this wall with a speed and accuracy that is truly something to behold.’

Amyndra groaned. ‘That is something I could happily not see and still go content to my grave.’

Eryn laughed. ‘But if you live to tell the tale, there’ll be plenty willing to buy you dinner to hear it.’ She glanced to the torches. ‘To return to their tactics, we are lucky in one respect.’

Toryn scoffed. ‘I cannot imagine what that could possibly be.’

She ran her fingers up his arm like a spider. ‘Aralaks are very possessive of their prey. Once marked, they will not allow another to take you. I have seen them stop an attack to fight off a fellow spinner. They will actually defend you against the others, then eat you later. But let us hope it doesn’t come to that.’ Eryn set her stance with the weight on her back leg, then leveled her blade. ‘When you see the spider crouch, you do the same. Squat, rock back and keep the tip of your sword above eye level. But only use a one-handed grip. You’ll need to keep your other hand free. If you get lucky, the creature’s flabby belly will land right on the tip of your blade. If that happens, hold firm and twist. In defense, its legs will snap around your wrist. And believe me, it grasps with such strength it will feel like it will be severed. The spider will squirm, aiming to pull you off balance. Now’s the time to use your short blade and stab at anything within range. Eyes are best as it causes them the most pain. If you can hold your position… and nerve, it will soon drop and scurry away to die.’

Toryn repeated the move. ‘And if I’m not lucky?’

‘Its forelegs will be at your throat and its pincers will be coming for your eyes. But that’s not the worst part. It has a spike at the base of its abdomen. Avoid that, and you’ll have half a chance of wrestling it to the ground. If you can flip it onto its back, drive your blade deep into its belly. You’ve won that fight… but get ready for the next one. But do not turn and run. You’re finished if you try to outrun a spinner.’

Toryn looked along the wall. ‘What about our shields? Could we push them off the parapet?’

‘Shields are only useful for deflecting a volley of spit. Once they’re on you, a shield takes one arm out of the fight. They’ll land on it, then twist and wrench at it to take you off your feet. Shields should be used by the second line to protect the first from the poisonous volleys, but not in the fight. If you lose your footing, you’re as good as done. They’ll wrap you up in their web faster than your mother can tuck you into bed.’ She winked at Amyndra. ‘The flurry of their legs as they spin you a blanket is yet another sight that has to be seen to be believed.’

Toryn lowered his blade. ‘And you’ve given the same talk to all the defenders?’

Eryn nodded. ‘It’s a grim prospect, I’ll grant you that. But as I said, you’ll only have to fight one at a time. Duck when they spit, set your stance, then impale the leaping spider. Then look for the next and repeat it all over again.’ She sheathed her sword. ‘Of course, the unknown is how many will attack. That will determine the outcome.’

Amyndra caught Toryn’s eye. ‘Have you seen them fight in large numbers before, Eryn?’

‘My ancestors will have faced an army at the height of Ormoroth’s power, but I have only seen them operate in small bands. Few have the strength to control them.’ She frowned. ‘And that is a concern. Who commands them?’

Amyndra pressed. ‘But you obviously have experience in fighting these creatures.’

Eryn’s eyes wandered to the sky. Toryn thought he saw a slight shudder. She recounted her story. ‘I came across a nest in a forest in Lunn… long before it was called Lunn. I faced ten or maybe a dozen, I did not count them. It wasn’t easy, and I admit I had begun to tire as I finished off the last.’

Toryn looked back to the town. ‘We have close to three hundred able to handle a sword or bow. Let’s hope we don’t have to take a dozen each.’ He recalled the gruesome scene within the North Forest. ‘And their nests will soon churn out more.’

Eryn gazed out from the stockade. ‘They’re breeding to establish a new home. Unfortunately, the sturdy trees of this region offer them the perfect place for a productive nest.’ Her jaw clenched. ‘If left unchallenged, their spawn could overrun Ormsk within a year.’

Toryn clenched his sword. ‘Then we must keep them out of the South Forest. But even if we defeat them here, I don’t relish the thought of attacking their nest.’ He watched the flames flickering in the gloom. ‘Is it too simple to burn them out?’

Eryn shook her head. ‘Only if you can set the whole forest alight with a thousand torches simultaneously. It’s unusual for them to act as one, but they’ll throw their bodies on a fire to protect a nest.’ Eryn let out a long sigh. ‘But it may have to come to that. If they overrun the region, the forest is lost regardless.’

‘What of the Nym? Are they in that forest?’ Toryn recalled how they had guided the boat when he and Nyomae had escaped Uleva.

Amyndra frowned. ‘You speak of the little folk?’

Toryn smiled. ‘They’re actually quite tall close up.’

She gaped. ‘You’ve met them? This world gets stranger by the day.’ Amyndra glanced to the trees behind the town. ‘And they’re here? In Ormsk?’

Eryn nodded. 'Not in the North Forest, but they’re here, deep into the heart where the ancient trees yet stand. This was once a single forest. The folk of that time tell of the troubles when the area was cleared for the Borrund road. Most of the trees over there were planted for their timber supply. But on this side, the trees are ancient, and the ground here still retains the potency of the old days. The locals stay clear of the center, having learned long ago it did not bode well to fell those trees.’