Siren

Siren - Chapter 17

Aeden had seen them off hours ago. It felt like forever to Clara. The incline of the mountain was surprisingly smooth as they continued their travels towards Vaarin. Raven and Clara continued talking more and more about the bloodline.

“What of Elbizar, does he even believe any of this?”

“I am not sure.” Replied Raven quietly, as Mallach glanced back at them viciously. “If he does know, he may choose to ignore it.”

Clara rolled her eyes.

“From what I’ve heard, he’s done an impressive job ignoring the rest of the kingdom as well.”

Their conversation was cut short as a deafening roar filled the air. Everyone stopped. The horses were spooked, heads bobbing and ears twitching. They danced nervously as the roar rang out once more. It echoed throughout the air.

“Dragon?” hissed Mallach.

“I… I don’t think so.” Replied Clara anxiously. “I can’t get a hold of it – I can’t--” Her words were cut short as the ground shook violently behind them. Mallach wrenched his steed around, much to its’ dismay, and his face paled.

“Monster!” he cried, the horse losing it’s nerve and nearly throwing Mallach off with its bucking. None of them took the chance in looking backwards. The horses were off in no time, galloping at breakneck speed. Clara felt sick as Cora followed the rest, her entire body shaking.

‘Cora!’ she gasped. ‘What is it, exactly? What is Mallach’s horse saying?’

‘Oh, mistress,” panted Cora, ‘ye don’t want te know!’

Clara decided to err on the side of stupidity, and turned her head back as best she could. As Cora continued on, it seemed as if time slowed. She clawed at her red hair, whipping wildly in the wind, one hand tightening on the reigns.

She saw it, a gigantic spider, jet black and ominous. The eight black legs were furred and had large, pointed claws on the ends of them. That was not the worst of it. At the torso was the body of a woman, devoid of clothing, seemingly melded together with the spider. Instead of regular Sumoian eyes, she had six large, ink black spheres, all of which were focused on her, it seemed.

It roared again, the woman’s mouth not opening. Instead, Clara saw as the thing jumped ahead of all of them, it was coming from the rear end, an enormous pair of pincers with green, gloppy mucus streaming from them, leaving a burning, acrid trail in the snow. The steam flew everywhere, and they were forced to stop. It was blocking their path.

The men pulled out their swords, the only sounds were the hard breathing of the horses, the clink of helmets being closed, and Clara’s heart pounding in her chest.

“No vun passes my midst vithout my permission.” Hissed the female part of the spider.

“Stand down, creature, lest you be slain!” cried Mallach. “I have had it with the likes of demimals!”