There was quite a bit of action going on all at once. Theobo was using his shield to prevent him from being consumed by the monstrous spider creature. And Ulmiyda had taken it upon herself to 'borrow' the halfling's weapon, strike at the creature, get caught in its web, and then throwing bombs at it. The fire was doing a fair bit of damage to the spider, but it was also a hazard for herself and the halfling who aren't trained in that element. As much as Ulmiyda and Red's abilities were opposing, they could also work well together in a way. Hopefully...

The injured spider creature protected its charred underside by choosing to stay in place and using its legs to attack. Red focused her attention on the already injured appendage and swung her blade, cutting straight through the leg. More mysterious green ooze began to trickle out as the spider thrashed angrily, finally letting go of the halfling's shield. The slash also quenched some of the fire, allowing her colleagues some respite from the scorching flames.

With its attention turned to Red, the arachnid swung one of many legs in order to attempt to pin the sea elf to the ground. The movement didn't manage to strike Red as anticipated, though it did knock her off balance and she fell to the forest floor, which by then had become a soggy kind of ashen substance. Very unpleasant.

"YOU'RE TIRED?" Theobo was finally able to toss it back a bit and off of him as he dodged rolled to the side to pick his sword back up. He was a bit in awe of the other two and the power they seemed to hold. He could see why learning spells was so popular.


As it turned to focus on Red, the halfling took a deep breath and gritted his teeth. Come on, Theobo. You're a knight-in-training of Capitol Landing. He cried out as he charged the spider once more, smashing into the legs it was trying to balance on while striking at Red.



It wasn't as heavy an impact as he liked, but the sudden shove was enough to knock it over. He would swing his sword at the swollen body of the spider, practiced, but basic swings. It was enough to start to bleed the spider and put same damage into it.



The spider's legs twitched in anger, but it was on death's door. It wouldn't be long, just one last solid hit. At the very least, Theobo was doing something. He could walk away from this fight with a little bit of pride, once the adrenaline and fear subsides that is.

“Yes I’m tired, I wasn’t planning on blowing myself up today. You’re the wannabe knight here, you don’t hear Red complaining, do you? Go in there and slay the beast.” Ulmiyda retorted to the halfling.

She watched as Red moved in to attack the spider, the ferocity she displayed excited the young girl. She felt like she was in a viewer in one of those fight pits she had read about, watching two beings fighting for their very lives.

“Cut’em up Red, show that ugly bug you don’t mess with us or our goats!” She cheered as her companion sliced clean through one of the spider’s legs.

Suddenly, the spider countered, knocking the sea elf backwards into the muck of ash and water. Ulmiyda reacted instantaneously, firing a fire bolt directly towards the spider’s eyes, blinding the beast before it could take advantage of her ally’s vulnerable position. Simultaneously the squire slammed into the spider, knocking it over before beginning his own flurry of swings.
Seeing the spiders uncharred topside vulnerable, she lifted her glowing fingers, maneuvering her remaining flames to sear bits of the spider's carapace. She took care to avoid both of her allies, as well as water released by Red’s sword.

The spider twitched and trashed the best it could, but its burns, wounds, and lack of webs prevented it from rolling back over.

“Finish it off Red! Slice it in two!” Ulmiyda cheered as her companion rose to her feet.

Knocked to the floor, winded and vulnerable, Red looked on in horror as the spider aimed a fatal blow toward the sea elf. This could very well be the end. The thought lingered heavily for the few seconds (which felt like hours) the appendage was suspended mid-air. But instead of impaling Red, it retreated rather quickly. Confusion and relief swept over the sea elf as she looked over to see that the creature had lost its balance and was toppling over.

Quickly regaining her own balance, she rose to her feet and could witness the flurry of attacks against the arachnid. Theobo was furiously hacking and slashing at the creature's now very vulnerable body after knocking it off kilter, and the remaining flames moved unnaturally, targeting the spider's eyes and carapace. Likely Ulmiyda's doing; she's a clever fighter and good at what she does.

The dark elf's encouraging cheers and the sight of their opponent, inches away from death, it brought on a surge of adrenaline in Red that fueled what would be her final blow. Gripping the handle of her enchanted sword with both hands, blade facing downward, she approached the arachnid, eyes trained on its weakest point as she rose the blade into the air and plunged it deeply through their foe. An ungodly screech emanated from the creature as it writhed vigorously. Red pulled the sword toward herself, allowing the blade to cut through it's damaged underside and it's neighboring organs. The spider's twitching eventually ceased; it was dead. 

The adrenaline of the fight left Theobo, as did the strength in his arms. The halfling's arms dropped as he caught his breath seeing that the monster was finally dead. It was hard to get into the pace of an actual battle, the ebb and flow of each fighter, the feeling of someone pushing back against you with murderous intent, the surge of fear at seeing others in danger. It was a large and heavy lesson for the halfling to absorb.

"I wonder if the spider would've shown up if the forest wasn't on fire." He sheathes his weapon, shaking his arms to loosen the muscles again. Theobo glanced around the surroundings to look for any goats that may be left behind.

He had lost count of how many had run off when the spider appeared and with none in the immediate viscinity what to do next wasn't obvious.

"Should we keep searching for any stragglers or head back and see how many were able to make it back? I think we were doing pretty well until that happened."

Ulmiyda looks to halfling with an annoyed expression. He had some gall to blame her flames on this spider’s sudden appearance. She rises to her feet and brushes the dirt off her dress as she approaches the spider’s mutilated carcass.

“If the spider hadn’t come out it would have eaten one of the goats eventually. It was probably here due to the tremors. The farmers would have likely needed to deal with it even without the fire.”

She looks to Red with a concerned expression as she examines her companion’s exhausted state. Ulmiyda had done enough sword practice to know that those strikes required a ton of energy with a sword that large. She walked over and took her companion's free hand as the sea elf rested her blade.

“Are you okay Red? I didn’t know you could fight so well; my dad trained me with swords as too. We should practice together sometime!”

Her eyes are drawn to the dripping slurry emanating from the sea elf’s clothes, she frowns as she looks back up to her companion’s face.
“Your clothes are ruined. I’ll make sure Cervayhn compensates you for them, mud and ash don’t suit you.”

Her expression becomes annoyed yet again due to the halfling’s comments. As if they were the ones who needed to keep when someone hadn’t helped in the slightest. She faced the squire, ready to reprimand him in place of master.

“I’m tired and Red needs a change of clothes, let’s head back for now. That slacker knight of yours can come pull his weight. Where is he by the way? We nearly died and he is nowhere to be seen! I guess that heroic getup is just for show.”

Despite her exhaustion, watching Ulmiyda become annoyed with Theobo was amusing and made Red giggle a bit. It was official now; the danger had passed and the trio could get back to their usual banter. Though the dark elf's sudden concerned expression caught Red off guard as she approached and gently held the sea elf's hand.

"I'm doing alright, thank you." she responded with a calm, but tired expression. "I'd love for us practice our swordsmanship together! Though I hope you didn’t get injured today." Red's newfound excitement had combined with her concern as she inspected Ulmiyda for any injuries, though she seemed alright for the moment. The sea elf released a relieved sigh; everyone was ok.

It seemed that the dark elf was also inspecting Red's condition, specifically her clothes. "Oh there's no need for that, but thank you so much," she replied in an exasperated, but grateful tone. Another giggle followed shortly thereafter when Ulmiyda quipped at the halfling again. "Sounds like a good idea, let's head back."

Sheathing her sword and gathering her bearings, Red and her two companions set off out of the forest and toward their contractor's farm. Once closer, it would appear that the fence had been rebuilt and the goats were housed safely behind them. The farmer looked to the whole group with a mixture of concern, gratitude, and relief. "Thank you all for everything you've done for me," he said as a tear streamed down his cheek. "I dont have much to offer as thanks, apart from myself. Anytime you need an extra pair of hands for anything, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. I will repay you all for this kindness one day." 

"Oh I would like to try and see you say something, put you in your place real quick." Theobo huffs before looking over to Red and seeing how wet she is. He gives a little sigh and takes off the padded layer of his armor and offers it over. "Here....it aint much but it can keep you warm."

As the group arrives, Leandros is driving the last fence post into the ground having worked on repairing it the whole time while the others searched for the goats. He gives a smile to the group as the farmer is overtaken with joy. The reward of a well-done quest at these early stages was often little more than thanks.

"We were just happy to help, sir." Theobo straightens up his posture to once again try and remain knightly.

Leandros surveys the other two with a quick glance, looking for any severe injuries. They both seem all right, but Red's slightly drenched nature was hard to miss.

"Are you both well? I can offer you a change of traveler's clothing, either mine or my wife's though I doubt either are going to be a perfect fit." He gives a gentle and warm laugh. "You can change inside while he and I finish up the last few repairs out here." The farmer nods, agreeable to this arrangement.

(30 minutes earlier, The Druid’s Satchel)

Cervayhn lay atop his inn bed, barely clinging to consciousness as he read from his novel. It was a rather peaceful experience. Moonveil was a humble little village, the kind of place that those in his occupation dream of retiring to. Just as slumber began to claim his sight, a loud boom rang out from the nearby woods. With a groan, he twisted out of his bed and rose to his feet.

“Can’t think of any other cause but her…” He groaned as he walked out of his room.

---

He walked towards the source of the disturbance, eventually arriving at the farm. His master and the sea elf were nowhere in sight; instead, he found a knight working on a fence of all things. Judging by his garb, the man was more outfitted for a grandiose adventure than simple farm repairs. He gave a small nod as the knight looked his way. While he didn’t exactly plan on the man's presence when gave Ulmiyda the job, he was glad there was another capable set of hands available to deal with her shenanigans.

The sound of rustling grass drew his attention back to the woods as the party made their way back to the farm. While the sea elf and the halfling talked to the farmer, Ulmiyda ran to her retainer and started yanking on the front of his overcoat.

"Cervayhn! Where were you? I could have died out there!" The young girl protested as rocked back and forth on her heels, keeping herself upright through her grip on her retainer.

"What was that explosion? Also why do I smell smoke?" He asked the young girl unflinchingly.

"Uhh well, there was a giant spider, an explosive one! Right Red?" She replied nervously as she signaled to the sea elf.

"She protected me from the dreaded beast, but got her clothes all dirty! She deserves a bonus." The young girl added as she looked back to her retainer.

The older dark elf turned to the farmer and the rest of the group with a sigh.

"I'm sorry for any trouble my young master caused." His eyes focus on Red as he continues.

"And thank you Red for your continued diligence. I'll see to it that you are compensated for any damages on top of your previously planned payment.”