The Magician's Assistant

10

Gramps frowned as he silently examined the creature.

After a minute or so the creature gave up, and it's struggling ceased.

Rachael hated every second she had to touch the rotting flesh that sat beneath her hands, but she ignored her desire to let go.

After a few minutes of poking and prodding at the creature. Gramps was apparently satisfied.

"It's something original, that's for sure. If I had to designate it, I'd note it down as a small miscellaneous construct,"

"But what would you call it?"

"You're the one who captured it. Why don't you give the type a name?"

Rachael paused for a moment.

"We'll call them rot spiders," she said.

"That will work well. As for the purpose of this type of undead. It seems like they're serving as scouts. They probably fill several other roles as well,"

The rot spider weakly squirmed again.

"Are you done with this one?" Rachael asked.

Gramps nodded.

"I won't need such... flashy methods this time,"

He reached into his bag, and produced a small metal cylinder with a small cap attached to it.

"Be careful. This could put you or I into a coma,"

Gramps removed the cap, revealing a thin needle. The cylinder was a syringe. He stabbed the syringe into the rot spider's flesh.

In under a minute, the rot spider had totally stopped moving. Rachael could tell the creature had passed away. She lifted her hands up.

After another moment, the rot spider began to rapidly decay. It's body fell apart before Rachael's eyes.

"I would have preferred to use one of these on the bushranger. Anything else just seems cruel to me," Gramps said.

"What is that stuff?"

"Euniasium 122. It's not as powerful as it seems, their bodies just can't handle much,"

"I take it you have more?"

Gramps nodded.

"A dozen or so, in total. It's quick and painless to most undead, and relatively safe for the living. I'd prefer to use it as much as practically possible,"

"I'll go along with it if they will," Rachael said, motioning to what was left of the rot spider.

Gramps went through his bag for another minute.

"I suppose we must discuss our next course of action, now that our suspicions have been confirmed,"

Rachael nodded.

"Can you spare some of your water, by the way?"

"Whatever for?"

Rachael held out her hands.

"I need to wash them,"

Gramps pulled out his canteen and poured some water over Rachael's hands. As he did, he spoke.

"These rot spiders don't seem to be much of a threat, but it would be foolhardy to expect that they're the worst thing waiting for us,"

"Let me guess, you want to go in there alone?"

"Of course. You're unarmed and lack any sort of magical experience. Either I'd go in alone or we'd return to town for help,"

"We can't go back yet,"