Savvy POV

Happy that the spiders did as they were asked, Savvy started walking along the silk bridges that were woven between the mangrove branches only to stop as she felt her sisters rush up behind her. Turning to look them in their face, she saw they wanted to know what the spider said, as only she could understand. So, she explained to her sisters what the spider said then decided that now was as good a time as any to properly explain her plan.

“Alright so this is my plan, although some of it has changed, the core part remains the same Thrush will order the few hunters that we have that followed us here to spread out in the swamp. Their job will be to piss off and generally be a nuisance to the hogs and spiders then lead them towards the enemy. Trixy our rogues are already waiting to alert us to their presence so you can just go and do your thing.”

Thrush raised one eyebrow, waiting for the rest of Savvy’s plan, Trixy on the other hand immediately took off into the swamps laughing madly as she went. Too far off in her own world to worry about what her sisters were doing back on the silk bridge, she had places to go, people to stab, and laughs to laugh.

As they watched Trixy run off Savvy pulled Thrush in closer and continued with her plan “I need you to find a good vantage point and maintain overwatch on me and Trixy. If this enemy is truly dangerous then I want someone watching our backs in this fight.”

“So that's it huh,” Savvy turned to look at Thrush, “your plan I mean. I can see how it keeps us safe but, Savvy, it really doesn't take into account what Trixy will do out there.”

Savvy shrugged her shoulders. “Trixy is an unpredictable element, I love her but it's better to just let her do her own thing rather than try and force her into a role she won’t like. Plus, the sheer number of spiders should sway things in our favor. Even if we fail, we will at least buy the core some extra time.”

Thrush nodded, “I hate to say it but your right sis depending on the strength that these intruders possess the best thing we can do is slow them down. Although I hope Hail manages to kill or maim one of them before they get here.”

It was almost ironic that as soon as Thrush uttered those words a mournful howl pierced the air, and a wave of dread passed. Both Savvy and Thrush stopped talking and stared off into the distance, this was only the second time this wave had happened but deep down they knew Hail lost and the only thing standing before the intruders and the first floor boss was them.

“It seems we may be out of time, hurry, get up as high as you can quickly, I need to grab some vials and have Webby send her children out!”

“Alright I’m going… Wait, did you name the spider Webby?”

“We don’t have time to discuss my naming sense Thrush we have to be ready.”

Thrush nodded and quickly scaled the nearest tree moving to get into a better position to snipe and rain death on the enemies of the dungeon.

Elsewhere Trixy also felt the death of Hail and to her it hit differently. She genuinely cared about the shaggy wolf. Whoever took his life would soon find their soft squishy body poked full of holes from her daggers.

“Don’t worry Hail I’ll make whoever did this pay or die trying.”