Blood ran freely in the forest clearing, spattered on the trees, the ground. Sprays of red and blue decorated the webbed surfaces. A gash was torn into the canopy above, ringed by scorched branches and molten silk. Nearby was the tattered remains of what could perhaps best be described as a particularly juicy wooden statue.

“Wow, they really did a number on him,” Virgil said. He’d traded out his desert robes for a set of casual slacks and a button down shirt. Nearby, the indistinct figure of Reaper was standing in front of a grey furred anthropomorphic wolf, a Lupin. They appeared to be deep in conversation, but the words they traded were made of low guttural sounds.

Virgil shrugged. “I was kind of hoping to see him for myself, after all the stories I heard. What do you think happened?”

Reaper finished the conversation with the Lupin and approached.

“How was your conversation with wolfy boy?” Virgil said.

“She’s Bloodfang,” Reaper said. “Best translation.”

“And way easier to say than all that snarling. Honestly, how do you do that?”

“Practice. Anyway, we’re done here.”

“Any luck with the stone?”

“No, the Lupins claim that what happened was some natural ability of Wickham’s.”

“And what exactly did happened. Wickham dying right after Magnus escaped can’t be a coincidence.”

“The spider started a fight with a group of men, and used a newly developed power to control her tribe.” Reaper shrugged. “Then he lost it. Could not stop Bloodfang from feeding him to her clan. She did not find any stones in his body.”

“You think she’s telling the truth?”

“I have no reason to doubt her.”

“So our target was on Eastern?”

“I hope so,” Reaper said. “We should depart quickly, I’m worried about his plans for the Reaping Stone.”

“Are you sure we should leave so soon? It’d be a damn shame if he was hiding out nearby. Maybe we should ask at the nearby settlement.” Virgil had a sly grin.

Reaper gave him a flat look. “Yes, I am sure. I can explain when we get in the air.”

“I was joking,” Virgil said, his hands up in a defeated gesture. A flash of disappointment crossed his eyes. “But it wouldn’t hurt to drop by.” Reaper looked at him and he gestured vaguely. “I’ll tell the girls to pack up and plot a course. We should get there by daybreak tomorrow.”

Reaper nodded and returned to Bloodfang, exchanging more words in her harsh language.

Virgil spent a few moments surveying the destruction in the clearing. “Wouldn’t it be funny if he fought here?” Virgil laughed. “I’m sure he took after you a little.”