#kc_necropolis

"Nightmares may better see things that go bump. What kind of beast?"

"A great serpent, said to be deadly, and wise."

"Methinks I know the name you shall say."

"Say it, and I can confirm freely if it is so."

"He of the night."

"Oh, no, the serpent is female." She says

"Indeed?"

"Indeed. Is the location of her lair enough for your abandoning your claim or pursuit of the book?"

"And her name?"

"That too I will tell you"

"In exchange for your leaving the book to me"

"I shall not claim the book."

Zara glances at Earl and smiles.

"Excellent. "

Earl smiles too

"The lair is found in the great hole in the roots of the tree of wisdom's regret.... not in the deepest dreaming, but far."

"Interesting..." Zara whispers, before texting back "And her name?"

"Sorrow's Coil"

"Thank you."

"And thank you. "

"Now Love, what are you and my darling up to? Wait, don't tell me."

That's when Zara sees the spiders carrying a book away. THE book it seems

She almost missed it.

She nudges Earl.

POINT!

Earl mmph, turns "Oh!" And a blur... as he kicks into gear quick silver and grabs the book.

The spiders are now over Earl, but they're not strong enough to take the book from him, "Got it"

A texts buzzes angrily

She checks the phone.

"I have not touched the book, nor laid claim."

Another Buzz "Well, then, clearly my enemy isn't you. I do more than see through my spiders."

And then, at least three spiders at once, bit down on Earl!

Zara flies over, and takes off a slipper to bat the spiders off of her troll.

The spiders scatter... and Earl gasps, "That burns...feel like I'm burning up."

the spiders then begin to tap, "The bearer of the crown ordered us to bite. She also orders us to tell you, you must now turn the book over to us, and you will get the antitdote. Other wise, he dies chimerically in 3 hours if he is strong... less if he is weak"

"Tell her if he dies she will have found an enemy."

"Clem can fix me" he says "I know she can."

"Bronte - take the book and flee."

Zara finds Earl's sword, activating it an veiling them both.

And Bronte swoops down, and grabs the book “What do we say to the Lord of Death?'

'Not today.”

And the bookwyrm is gone!

"Can you flash, Love?"

The spiders are stunned as soemone vanishes.

"Yes... " He grits his teeth "Hang on" He takes her hand.

A burn phone buzzes angrily.

And Earl and Zara vanish...

(To the farm)