The Stray

2-15: The Many-Legged League

<<Trouble's putting it lightly.>> Ekkhei grunted. She paced atop her encyclopedia. <<I'll keep this simple. The townsfolk of Fresa are screwing us. One way or another, it stops now!>> Timothy's eyes narrowed.

<<No need to be so confrontational...>> Alarikh chided quietly.

<<Like ol' Rainwalker can do anythin' else.>> The banjoback scoffed. Ekkhei scowled at Takha like he was a particularly nasty bit of mold. Hmm, they weren't a united front. Maybe it was because he was early, and they hadn't had time to set a script. Or maybe they simply weren't much of a 'league.'

He wasn't going in wanting to screw'em over, but the practiced trickster in him couldn't help considering it, at least. <<"I'm gonna need a bit more t' go on than that, ma'am.">>

The spider huffed in exasperation. <<Fine. We had a deal, and your crowd ain't sticking to it. Traps in our smallways, squishing, not allowing us a witch... It's unacceptable.>>

<<"What's a 'smallway?'">> The featherstar gave him an incredulous look, and even the banjoback managed to look surprised. Ugh, this is why groundwork was key! <<"I'm just a simple country boy from the Deepshadow, remember.">>

Alarikh fielded that one, cutting Ekkhei off as she took a sharp breath. <<Witch Timothy, within towns and cities, small folk like us must remain unseen most of the time to survive. How do you think we do this?>> He paused to let Timothy think it over for a moment. <<Spiders, insects, even more exotic folk like house fae and small spirits, all of us use what we call the Smallways. The spaces between walls and beneath floorboards, the neglected corners behind furniture, and all the little cracks and paths both real and betwixt that take us between them.>>

<<It's a hassle when you guys see us, so the smart smallfolk try and stay outta sight.>> Takkha added. <<And we keep out the bugs and whatsits less nice than us.>> Alarikh nodded to him.

<<All that, and we don't bite. That was our end of the bargain.>> Alarikh finished, side-eyeing Ekkhei. Timothy didn't blame him— she was starting to look real steamed. <<In exchange, your townsfolk were to leave us in peace— no traps, no squishing— and allow us to petition you through the Town Witch of Fresa.>>

Timothy sucked a sharp breath through his teeth. <<"Ooh... I see the problem.">>

<<Anyone with a brain could!.>> The lead spider growled, fury barely kept in check. <<We have been denied a witch, and in her absence, the townsfolk have set traps and returned to their old, spider-crushing ways!>>

<<The truth is, your people have forgotten about ours, and what we do on their behalf. We represent the spiders, and the hundred and thousand-legs. Even a few sleps, but they have riders to speak for them. Who speaks for us?>> The old spider explained.

<<Nobody, because the mayor of Fresa won't allow a witch to take residence.>> Ekkhei seethed. <<We saw what happened when one did come— she kicked'em out, and from what the smart bugs could translate, it's policy.>>

They hear a lot. Better watch my mouth. Timothy thought. But his eyebrows shot up. Another witch, so close by?

<<It was a time of great rejoicing among our kind, at first.>> Alarikh spoke soft and sad.

<<But our opportunity was wasted.>> Ekkhei thundered. <<We weren't even asked. It's an insult!>>

...I'll have to ask around, see if there's any rumors of a witch putting down roots nearby. Doubt it, though, given how they've spoken to me. <<"That's why your messengers didn't wait til morning. You were afraid I'd get kicked out 'fore you could make contact!">>