Frog and the Sandspiders of Aridian

by Joffre White

  ‘What's wrong? You were crying in your sleep.’

  Frog sat up, gathering his thoughts and looked around the room. ‘It was him,’ he cried. ‘He got inside my head. He's done it before.’

  The One handed Frog a cup of water. ‘Here, drink this.’

  Frog drank gratefully, his senses now coming fully awake.

  ‘Better?’

  ‘Yes thanks.’

  ‘Tell you what,’ comforted The One. ‘Shuffle over. There must be enough room on this bed for two of us. I'm sure that we've only been asleep for a short while so let's get what rest we can and if he comes back just call out my name. Then he'll have two of us to deal with.’

  Frog smiled and, surprisingly, laid back and drifted into a dreamless sleep, as did The One, until they were woken many hours later by Nadiah knocking on their door.

  After they had washed and dressed, Nadiah arranged for a selection of cold meats and fruits to be brought to their room, which they ate until not a scrap was left, such were their appetites. When their plates were clean, a guard arrived with a message for them to meet Ameer in the room where their previous meeting had taken place. And so it was that the three of them found themselves seated at a large, oblong table with Ameer, Katar (who had arrived some hours earlier) and Baron, who was now wearing Pelmorian robes decorated with the spider insignia.

  ‘Today is a step forward to our future,’ said Ameer. ‘Baron may be just one man, but he is the first Dreden to wear the robes of an Aridian for many, many years. I look forward to when all of our people are reunited as one nation again under the symbol of the Sandspider.’

  Baron stood. ‘I have only the same wish, but before this can be accomplished we must rid our world of Lord Maelstrom and his evil influences that have misled and enslaved my kinsfolk into his service. Unfortunately, they are divided and I know that the most painful challenge for my followers will be to fight their fellow Dreden. I can only hope that when the time comes, they will rise to that challenge.’ He turned to Frog. ‘I pledge myself to you and all that you stand for. I am truly sorry for deserting your brave friend, but there was no choice. If I could change places with him, then I gladly would.’

  ‘That's makes two of us,’ said Frog.

  ‘Let us focus on saving Billy and defeating our enemies,’ announced Ameer as he unrolled a large map across the table. It was quite plain and made up of different hues of brown. Frog thought that the irregular circles that dominated its surface resembled the isobars on a weather map.

  ‘Now, to business,’ said Ameer. ‘This is where Belzeera's tower is sited and it is here where we will confront Lord Maelstrom's army.’ He pointed to an area marked as the Plain of Sighs.

  ‘Why there?’ asked Nadiah.

  ‘Because we need to draw all of his resources away from anywhere else that they may be attacking, above and below ground. We do not want to spread the fighting across Aridian. The battle has to be final and conclusive. If we cannot defeat him this way, then we never will. High sand dunes surround the plain except for one place, a narrow gully to the east, which we will hopefully be able to use to our advantage. We will also be able to approach from the elevated positions on either side.’

  Katar spoke for the first time. ‘Most of the experienced and battle-ready Sandspiders, along with their riders, are making their way to the stable areas closer to the surface to join those that are already there. Tonight, Ameer will join them to organise our advance to the Plain of Sighs. His captains have been briefed and are waiting with all those that can carry a weapon and fight on foot. They are already positioned across the subsurface waiting for the signal to join us.’

  ‘What's our part in this? When are we going to the surface?’ asked Nadiah.

  ‘The three of you are to meet up with Cassaria as planned,’ replied Katar. ‘Later this evening, I am to escort you to a secret location known only to her and myself. There, she will prepare you for whatever part it is that you must play. I am then to join Ameer in command of the Sandspiders.’

  ‘It is time for me to take my leave,’ announced Baron. ‘I go to find out who is loyal to our cause and gather them around me. They will each be given one of these to wear so that all shall know which Dreden fight the cause for Aridian.’ He held up a white headdress with the black Sandspider symbol upon it. ‘I shall not see you again until the time of reckoning. May fortune be with us all.’ He touched his head and chest in salute. As he walked to the door, Frog could see that Baron was stiff in his movements and that his injury was still troubling him.

  ‘Will he be all right?’ he asked.

  ‘He is a warrior,’ said Ameer. ‘He will survive.’

  ‘Do you know how large his following is?’ asked The One.

  ‘Baron estimates that probably only half of the Dreden population have truly fallen under Belzeera's influence, which means that when the time comes, with his army, we should outnumber them six to one,’ answered Ameer.

  ‘But they have giant scorpions and lizards,’ added Frog.

  ‘And we have Sandspiders, the power of the Sisterhood and the Magic of a Guardian,’ replied Ameer.

  ‘All I'm saying,’ warned Frog, ‘is, don't under-estimate Lord Maelstrom.’

  ‘My dear Frog, you've forgotten that we have one more thing on our side,’ said Ameer.

  ‘What's that?’ he asked.

  ‘You.’

  The One leant forwards. ‘And you have forgotten a very important fact, Ameer.’

  Ameer looked puzzled. ‘Which is?’

  ‘You also have me.’

  Frog smiled, full of pride for the man that, for now, he could only call The One.

  After short goodbyes, they left Ameer studying his map. He had given them all a warm embrace and touched his forehead and chest in salute.

  ‘All that needs to be said has been said,’ were his parting words.

  22

  The Hatcheries

  ‘Have we got time to visit the Hatcheries?’ asked Nadiah. ‘I think that Frog and The One should see them before we leave.’

  ‘I take it that you would be disappointed if you did not also go?’ asked Katar.

  ‘I can never visit Pelmore without going to the Hatcheries,’ admitted Nadiah.

  ‘If the truth be told, neither can I,’ said Katar smiling. ‘We have enough time before we meet Cassaria.’

  They walked along several passageways and across small intersections until they finally turned a corner and came out onto a large square. In front of them was a pair of high wooden doors set into a stone archway. The dark, ebony-like wood was intricately carved with spiders of all shapes and sizes. In front of the doors stood half a dozen Pelmorian guards dressed in black robes set with a white spider insignia. Their faces were stern and serious.

  Katar led the group forwards and as they approached, one of the guards spoke.

  ‘We are honoured that Sand Master Katar visits us, even in these troubled times.’ He touched his forehead, bowed and stepped back as the other guards moved to either side. ‘The doors are yours to open,’ he announced.

  Katar moved to the doors and pressed several of the individual carvings. Each one then silently moved across the face of the doors and found a new position in the pattern. He then turned and spoke to Frog and The One.

  ‘Nadiah is well accustomed to the hatcheries, but as you have never been before I must instruct you on three things. Firstly, do not get separated from me. Secondly, make no quick movements or sudden noise and lastly, do not reach out and touch anything unless invited to do so. Is that clear?’

  ‘Of course,’ acknowledged The One.

  Katar looked at Frog. ‘Is that clear?’ he emphasised. ‘Perfectly,’ confirmed Frog.

  He turned back to the doors, a guard on either side pressed a small spider carving, and the great doors swung inwards.

  Nadiah heard Frog and The One gasp out loud. Even she, after many visits, still found it hard to contain herself on entering the Hatcheries.

>   They were at the top of a flight of wide semi-circular steps, which allowed them to look out across the cavern and take in the view. Ahead of them and intertwined across the whole of the far wall hung an intricate pattern of silk spider's webs, which stretched up some 50 metres. The bluish light from the crystals shimmered and glistened along the strands of the web, each thread as thick as a man's arm. A dozen or so Sandspiders were poised, motionless, as though defying gravity, across the astonishing feat of natural engineering. The enormity of it was truly breath-taking.

  They made their way down the steps to the cave floor and Katar led them to the base of the structure where, in hollows of soft sand, individual grey-white objects about the size of large watermelons nestled.

  ‘They're eggs!’ exclaimed an excited Frog.

  ‘I think the clue is the fact that we are in the Hatcheries,’ said The One, not unkindly.

  ‘But I thought that spiders built nests out of their silk and laid hundreds of eggs at a time,’ said Frog.

  ‘That may well be in your world,’ said Nadiah. ‘But, these are Sandspiders and as you know they can live for hundreds of years. Because of their longevity, they do not breed very often. In fact, a female Sandspider will lay just one egg every ten years.’

  Frog looked up. ‘I count about twelve Sandspiders, but there are only eight eggs. Are you waiting for the others to lay?’

  ‘No,’ replied Nadiah. ‘They have already had their young if you look closely.’ She pointed to one of the Sandspiders. ‘You can just see the young one clinging on to its mother.’

  They all took in the astounding sight until the Sandspider turned its position and the young spider was lost to them.

  ‘Come,’ said Katar. ‘We have enough time to see the other spiderlings.’

  They followed him to an antechamber where rows of small stables housed young Sandspiders. They were about half a metre in size and the fine hair on their bodies and legs was a golden brown. Several men and women, dressed in the now familiar robes, moved up and down, filling water bowls and food dishes. Some were cleaning out stalls.

  A young woman sat brushing and grooming one of the spiderlings; its forelegs arched over her lap while the bulk of its body sat on the straw next to her. They watched, mesmerised, as the creature trembled with pleasure each time the brush passed across its back. It also made a soft, high-pitched purring noise that left no doubt about its delight.

  ‘How old is it?’ asked Frog.

  ‘About eight months if I'm not mistaken,’ answered Katar. ‘They leave their mothers at six months and are introduced to a more solid diet.’

  ‘Which is?’ asked The One.

  ‘Raw Saurs. They are, after all, carnivores,’ said Katar.

  ‘How long until they grow to full size?’ enquired Frog.

  ‘Ten years to maturity and during that time, at the training ground in Arachnae, they will choose and scent their rider and companion who will train them to hunt for themselves and to fight,’ explained Katar. ‘This is a very special relationship because a Sandspider usually outlives the rider who will eventually have to introduce and prepare a younger rider to take over. Some Sand-spiders have as many as four dedicated riders during their lifetime.’

  Nadiah nodded at them to look at Frog who was watching the young Sandspider intently. It may or may not have sensed his gaze but, at that moment, it shifted its position and turned to face him, the eight, liquid-black eyes focussing on him. It seemed that the Sandspider tilted its head with curiosity and then it moved forward slowly until it sat at his feet.

  Katar put a finger to his lips and signalled for everyone to be quiet.

  Frog knelt down and the Sandspider gently reached its two forelegs up and placed them on his chest; their faces were inches apart, the unblinking eyes of the Sandspider reflecting Frog's features. He rubbed the tops of its legs, letting the soft hairs run through his fingers and then he placed a hand just behind its head, caressing it as if he were stroking a cat behind its ears.

  The purring went from a high pitch to a deep drone, reflecting the absolute bliss that the Sandspider was feeling. They were all lost in the moment when, suddenly, it stopped and the Sandspider quickly scuttled back to the lap of the young woman as if it has sensed some unseen threat.

  Back in the large cavern, the giant Sandspiders tensed their many legs as a vibration rippled through the strands of their web.

  ‘What's happening?’ asked Frog, jumping to his feet.

  ‘We must leave,’ ordered Katar and turned quickly.

  Nadiah and The One followed, but Frog paused for a moment and looked back at the young Sandspider. The girl now held a protective arm around it.

  ‘Thank you,’ he said.

  He ran after the others and by the time he caught up with them, Katar was in conversation with one of the Pelmorian guards.

  ‘There are tremors coming from the surface and upper levels,’ said the guard. ‘Whatever is causing them must be something very destructive for the effect to be felt at this depth.’

  ‘When we leave, bring all of your men into the Hatcheries and seal the door behind you,’ ordered Katar. ‘I fear that Lord Maelstrom and his horde mean to bring the battle to us and are intent on destroying every part of Aridian.’ He turned to the others. ‘We must make haste to Cassaria. The time is quickly approaching when we will be needed.’

  23

  The Spear

  Katar hurriedly took them back out to the plaza then down a short corridor until they came to a door, the image of a burning sun engraved at its centre.

  ‘It's the sign of The Chosen!’ exclaimed Frog. ‘How did that get here?’

  ‘Only the Guardian, Cassaria, can answer that for you,’ replied Katar. ‘I did not know of this place until she recently told me of its existence. All I am doing is following her instructions.’

  He reached up, turned the image several times in different directions in much the same way, thought Frog, that you might undo a combination lock on a safe. There was a loud click and the sound of bolts withdrawing and then the door swung silently inwards. Katar beckoned them to step inside before following them and closing the door behind him. They were now in an oval room; at its centre were two semi-circular benches facing each other. A small crystal about the size of a fist was set into the centre of the floor, giving off an orange glow.

  ‘Sit,’ instructed Katar, taking his place on one of the benches.

  Nadiah sat next to him while Frog and The One sat opposite, facing them.

  ‘What now?’ asked Frog.

  ‘Now, I am to instruct you to push your sword into the crystal,’ said Katar.

  Frog drew his sword and they noticed that it gave off a soft golden glow of its own. He pushed the blade slowly into the crystal, which suddenly gave off a spectrum of orange and yellow lights. The ground beneath them gave a judder and the walls of the room fell away from around them to reveal a myriad of stars and a black velvet backdrop.

  ‘What's happening?’ shouted Nadiah.

  ‘Hold on,’ replied Frog. ‘I think that we're going on a bit of a ride.’

  The floor melted away in an instant, leaving the crystal floating in between them. They were then pushed upwards on a cushion of air and bright light; faster and faster they went until the stars around them dissolved into a blur.

  ‘I can tell you from experience,’ said Frog. ‘Don't look down.’

  ‘Whoa!’ exclaimed The One as he tightly gripped the seat of the bench. ‘There's nothing beneath us!’

  ‘Yes, I know. I told you not to look down. Been there, done that.’ Frog smiled as he looked across at Nadiah and Katar who were following his advice and keeping their heads turned firmly upwards.

  Seconds passed by until the momentum gently slowed and darkness surrounded them. Then the stone floor, ceiling and the walls reconstructed themselves with a new doorway appearing.

  ‘I guess that this is where we get off,’ announced Frog, sheathing his sword.

  �
��Not I,’ said Katar remaining in his seat. ‘I am to continue on to the surface and prepare my people. With good fortune we shall meet again soon.’

  ‘Thank you for taking us to the Hatcheries,’ said Frog. ‘It's an experience that I will never forget.’

  Katar nodded a thank you in return and they left him to continue his journey.

  Nadiah led the rest of them to the door and tentatively pushed it open to reveal a simple, domed room. The stone floor was covered in runes and patterns. Cassaria stood next to a stone plinth on which sat the Hourglass and Rune Stone, surrounded by a glowing blue haze. Frog noticed that the sand in the Hourglass now filled two-thirds of the bottom chamber.

  ‘Welcome,’ said Cassaria. ‘I understand that you have had some adventures since we were last together.’

  ‘Nothing much really,’ joked Frog. ‘Just somebody trying to kill me again.’

  ‘Trying to kill all of us,’ added The One.

  ‘Unfortunately, we will have to face worse,’ said Cassaria. ‘Events are moving faster than I could have foreseen. Belzeera and Lord Maelstrom have been using their foul Magic to create monstrous burrowing machines and are using them to try and penetrate the lower levels.’

  ‘The cause of the tremors that we felt in Pelmore,’ guessed Frog.

  ‘I have used my Guardian's Magic to put a protective barrier around the lower levels of our communities, but it will not endure the attacks for very long. As we speak, Ameer moves the Aridian armies to the surface, to the Plain of Sighs for the defence of the Dimension. It is hoped that this will distract Lord Maelstrom and he will pull all of his resources together with the objective of defeating us first on the surface.’

  ‘And what about us?’ asked Nadiah. ‘Is it now our time?’

  ‘Indeed it is. Frog, you must stay close by my side. Our strength is with your sword, the Rune Stone and the Hourglass. I shall defend us all with whatever Magic that I can summon. Nadiah has the power of the Sisterhood to aid us.’