Blackened miasma consumed the skies above the Shadow lands, bathing the once vibrant area in darkness eternal. The aroma of moss, mold and rotting trees was potent enough to sting the insides of ones nostrils, a lingering scent that followed travelers around without end. Tav, by way of a miracle or pure deception, managed to convince Kar’niss to accompany them on a small trip away from Moonrise towers. The drider stuck close to Tav on their short venture out while keeping a greedy grasp on his moon lantern, holding it high to cast radiant light a decent diameter around them. All the while the shattered creature mumbled to himself, speaking of Majesty and begging for Her protection along the way.
Tav had grown accustomed to the incoherent ramblings almost coming to find them endearing. Occasionally, they’d glance over their shoulder at Kar’niss whose many eyes kept a diligent watch of their surroundings. Despite his intimidating size and shape there was a prominent nervous energy that lingered all around him, paranoia his constant companion. Any unusual sound or rustling in the brush made Kar’niss stop in place, swinging the lantern around with panicked urgency.
“Mm mm, the shadows...mustn’t feed the shadows. We should be quick, we wish to return to Majesty,” he hissed.
Tav turned to face the beast, looking up at their tense guide. “We won’t be long. I’m sure the herbs I seek are nearby. Despite the curse, I read that the plant I need is durable which means it may still grow out here.”
Kar’niss shot Tav a skeptical glance but eventually his body relaxed, for the time being at least. “Hurry along then.”
They nodded and took in a breath, stepping away from Kar’niss to observe the flora that was within view. Much of it had succumbed to the shadows, wilted and withered down to brown and black stalks. What wasn’t dead had become corrupted and unusable, stripped of what nutrients and viable applications the plants may have had before. Tav winced with worry yet their determined nature encouraged them to press on against the bleak circumstances.
From the corner of their eye they caught sight of something unusual. Upon closer inspection they spotted a cluster of flowers that were strangely lively despite their surroundings. Black spade shaped petals were outlined in dark purple hues, the disk at the center a navy blue color with single thick stigma sprouting from within. Tav noticed a collection of orb shaped lights dancing around the outer layer of the fascinating plant, all no larger than a peanut in size. The glow seemed to intensify the closer Tav leaned in to look, transfixed by the hypnotic way they swayed around the cluster. A sickly sweet smell seemed to ooze from the flowers like that of a more pungent honeysuckle. Try as Tav might they couldn’t recognize such a plant, far outside of their knowledge. It did little to sway their curiosity finding themselves with the urge to reach out and touch this new discovery.
“What is this…?” Tav asked, their hand beginning to outstretch.
Kar’niss turned his head when he heard Tav speak. All of his eyes widened in unison when he realized what was happening.
“NO!” Kar'niss shouted.
The sound of frantic clicking echoed throughout the abandoned woodlands as all of Kar’niss’ legs jumped into action. He rushed over to his transfixed charge and reached out. His arms coiled over Tav’s chest while his pedipalps snapped shut around their waist, hooking over their legs. Tav felt the ground pulled out from under them as Kar’niss lifted their body and jerked them away from the plant, backing up in swift succession to put distance between them. Kar’niss snarled and melded Tav’s back to his chest, keeping them hoisted from the ground and the apparent threat.
“Mustn’t touch, True Soul!” Kar’niss growled.
The jarring experience was enough to snap Tav out of whatever spell had been placed on them. Their vision blurred briefly then corrected itself back to normal, allowing them to see with eyes unclouded. The strange, peanut sized orbs morphed to reveal their true appearance. Tiny two headed flies with four glossy wings buzzed around the flower, tiny gnashing teeth bared in anger at the pair. More began to rise from the disk of the flower until there was an alarming number, their bodies buzzing with aggression.
“What—What is that??” Tav asked, eyes wide.
“Flesh eaters, death bringers, foul dregs of the shadow kin!” Kar’niss explained as he continued to hold Tav up and away, their legs dangling freely.
The flies began to swarm while a harrowing droning sound rose around them. Kar’niss took a step forward and lifted the lantern jutting it in their direction. When the blinding light made contact with the swarm it was enough to make them retreat and keep away, forcing them back into the darkness. Tav could now see the area better and noticed a body lying close to the flowers. It had been dead for sometime, much of it’s flesh stripped and what little remained had become defiled by hundreds of fly eggs and larvae. Tav squinted, feeling sick to their stomach, turning their head away so as to not look any further.
“Gods, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” Tav frowned.
Kar’niss lowered the moon lantern when he was sure the threat had passed, the ridges of his brow creased into a deep V shape. “True Soul mustn't touch what they do not understand!”
Tav bowed their head, their heart rate steadily returning to normal after such a close call. With the danger gone they realized where they were perched. Kar’niss’ arm still clutched around their chest as did the pedipalps at their hips. They had never been this close to Kar’niss before, always pushed away or dismissed if they even tried. The bizarre exoskeleton that stretched over portions of his torso was hard to the touch as if covered by rough plastic. What natural skin remained was somehow still soft and vulnerable. This close Tav could study the details of the driers face which included those many eyes and the scars on his cheek and lips. They could feel his labored breath on their neck, shallow and strained as if every intake of air was a struggle. Above all else they could feel the strength of his grip, how easily he held Tav aloft as if they weighed nothing at all. There was a security in it, a comfort, a sensation Tav didn’t wish to end.
Kar’niss took notice of Tav blatantly staring at him. He grew self conscious as if snapping back to reality. His spider legs bent enough to lower Tav back to earth, releasing his hold and staggering away to place distance between them once more. His ever scrutinizing gaze held on his charge longer than it normally would until he cleared his throat.
“We return to Moonrise. You can find your precious herbs later. My Queen waits for us, we will answer.” Kar’niss didn’t give the chance for Tav to argue, spinning his hefty body around to begin the march back from whence they came.
Tav stepped forward and held out a hand. “Kar’niss, wait…”
The drider grit his teeth with annoyance, sparing a glance over his shoulder. “What is it now?”
Tav stood there a moment, many thoughts whirling through their mind. “I just wanted to say thank you, for saving my life. I’ll remember that.” Tav smiled as they stepped forward to return to Kar’niss’ side.
The drider looked visibly confused while clutching the moon lantern tighter to their core, a few of their long legs shuffling underneath them as if from uncontrolled excitement. The antsy movement was swiftly quelled as he focused on maintaining control. “Hmph.”
He tipped his chin and started walking once more, his head held a touch higher than when they arrived. Kar’niss returned to his unhinged mantra, praising his Queen and Her protection. However, this time he spared a glance Tav’s way now and then, taking far more notice than he had in days past. The trip back to Moonrise held more promise than before and a spark had ignited in the drider. Only time would tell if it would grow into something stronger.
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