The tea in this country is surprisingly good, Ladya thought as she glanced out the window. It was a beautiful day. A perfect day to trap the Emperor of Mikuma.

The only thing that soured her disposition was that cretin. The Spider was behind the curtain, his back to the corner of the wall where there was much less light. He wouldn’t stop making odd noises. Apparently he didn’t like the light of the day.

“Stop it, you freak!”

The poor fool whaled something unintelligible, but amongst his gnashing of teeth and incoherent babble, she thought he was speaking to someone, who, she had no idea. She snickered, watching that creature. “I don’t know why you insist on pretending you’re a spider,” she said, laughing as if she were amused at some parlor joke. “You’re more like a maggot if you ask me.”

“Nngaah!!!!”

The witch laughed out loud at his rage.

Disgusting.

Captain Kozuo said nothing, only glanced at the hideous creature from across the room, clear distaste etched across his face. He would probably cut it down had she asked him.

“Why? Why are weee here?!”

“I told you, Spider,” Ladya said for what felt like the hundredth time, “that we’re here to lay an ambush for the Emperor, who is certain to come through here at some point. I hate the wait as much as you, so pulse in the corner and leave me alone.”

That… madman cringed in the corner while she took another sip of the wonderful tea. “Captain Kozuo, Mikuma tea really is quite the delight, I must say.”

He said nothing.

“What’s the matter? Was your tongue pulled out? Speak, man!”

Again, the captain said nothing.

“Fine!” she barked. “I can’t wait to be done with this. Did you know that quite until recently I had my own castle? Oh yes, it was quite splendid. The people there talked.”

She gave Kozuo a look, eyeing him up and down. He apparently took notice of that, and she thought he seemed somewhat disconcerted, as disconcerted as a statue could be, anyway. She chuckled. “Don’t worry, boy. You’re not my type. Too… boring.”

The Spider snarled. “Why are they here? I don’t—gnah!—like it!”

“Oh hush, Spider, dear,” Ladya said. Her words actually seemed to calm him and draw his attention, so she decided to go on. She quite liked the sound of her own voice anyway, and having him seizure there in the corner was annoying. “Captain Kozuo and his samurai are stationed here because the First Spear, or General Nori Hukama rather, doesn’t completely trust me... Or is it that many warm bodies will be needed for the coming knife?”

She crossed her legs and put her tea cup down. “Why, I shouldn’t know,” she continued in a dreamy tone, but the real reason is because the Emperor’s escape can’t seem too easy, is that right, dear Kozuo-kun?” Her addressing him with the kun honorific had caused a quick glance. Well, she was his better. It was appropriate.

The Spider looked at her, confusion crossing his big dumb face—my, that nose, Bayule preserve me, she thought. It’s no wonder he decided to be a spider.

She suddenly felt annoyed explaining herself, but she couldn’t well just stop talking, she would look stupid. “Anyway! The trap has to pose some difficulty, otherwise Kurosawa and his guard will turn tale and run back to their temple atop the mountain.”

She sighed heavily.

I wish they would come already.

Apart from her payment, Ladya would have the freedom to syphon the magic from the various opponents she would no doubt soon encounter. That’s why she and her apprentice Kat were here.