The Spider Cave had several branching passages, but layers of webs covered them all. Spiders crawled in and out, some half as tall as a person and others much larger. The Spider Swarm split into streams that poured down those passages.
Annan and the others stayed with the dwindling main swarm, following it deeper into the cave.
A faint light shone ahead, and the skittering sounds took on a more spacious echo.
As the spiders ahead scattered, a cavern came into view. By the faint light spilling from somewhere unseen, Annan and the others made out an altar several meters high in its center, with a Dark Elf standing on top.
A row of the Empire Minister's tiny eyes turned toward Annan.
Annan would never admit it. He pretended not to notice, stared at the Dark Elf on the altar, and let his thoughts wander.
Damn it. Is Little Spider behind this so-called conspiracy too?
Little Spider had appeared in the Far North before, and given the Stuen Clan's behavior, she very well might be working with the Ratfolk...
Annan didn't know what to say. Running into Little Spider here was the worst possible encounter... and the best.
At least he still had a chance to change the situation. If Little Spider's plan succeeded and she did something terrible to the Empire...
The surging Spider Swarm washed against the altar. As it dispersed, the wave sank lower and lower, finally revealing a white-bellied spider the size of a fist.
It climbed the altar, crawled up the Dark Elf's body and along her arm, then settled in her outstretched palm.
"What happened outside?" the Dark Elf asked, her deep, resonant voice echoing through the cavern.
Several seconds later, her bright violet eyes swept toward the entrance. "If you're guests, why are