Chapter 355 (2/2)

Randidly scratched his chin, unsure of how to respond. Finally, he sent a thought message back to her, couched in caution. ...I am surprised you have managed to reach this place. I didn’t imagine… that traveling would be possible for your people. Can any others-

I suspect not. The Matriarch said, seemingly satisfied with the fact they had managed it. We, the Weavers… are uniquely poised to understand certain things. Our Mother’s gifts have flowed down towards us. Of course, we could not use your connection to move to your world… because our world “is” you. There is no bridge to cross, we are already there with you, all the time.

On the other hand, the Matriarch continued. Your world tree is connected much more intimately… as a brother, adjacent. That space let us slip through to seek you. Unfortunately… we, those that came through, lost much. It is not possible for us to communicate with the Great Matriarch, or to return…

She trailed off, and in that silence Randidly heard a question. His mouth twisted. ...I’ll look into it. But I can make no promises. This is something, I didn’t expect to happen.

The Matriarch nodded, and through their connection, Randidly could feel her hope settle into a calm certainly. There was faith there, he realized, wide and deep, and suddenly he could feel it all around him, a little spark from each of the tiny spiders that were around him, in the trees, watching, burning small on its own, but together they were blinding, hammering him with their force.

Through an effort of will, Randidly didn't flinch, but he knew that he would need a small reprieve from these expectations soon. It was… exhausting.

Inciting Action, they expect it to continue. Lucretia whispered, her humor becoming strangely morose, as she floated away, turning in on herself. And Randidly reflected briefly on that too, how his presence affected everyone around him. But really, everyone’s did. His impact was perhaps just… a little splashier. Especially recently

Coughing slightly, Randidly soldiered forward, feeling awkward to bring it up, even with monsters. I suppose Kiersty has talked to you about… behavior in this place…?

Yes, and she possessed much less tact in her questions. The Matriarch thought back. But she also put us in contact with our mother, who has us working with your people to create cloth. We believe it will be a mutually beneficial arrangement. Besides, I believe the Holy Arbor benefits from being in a quiet location.

Mother…? The Randidly slapped his forehead. Mrs. Hamilton. Originally the Weavers were the race that spawned inside of him from Mrs. Hamilton’s meaning that he absorbed. Which meant that they were under her discretion, which Randidly had absolute faith in. It was even something of a relief, and further, made him feel slightly guilty for forgetting their connection to Mrs. Hamilton, and harboring doubts about them.

Although he didn’t quite understand their methods and was slightly alarmed at their sheer numbers, if they were truly the children of Mrs. Hamilton, they would be considered and good natured, if absolutely pragmatic and without scruples. But more importantly, they were on his side.

Randidly exchanged a few more pleasantries with the Matriarch, then departed, heading back towards town, feeling strange. The worship in the cultists eyes. The faith from the spiders…

Sighing, Randidly wondered whether his life would ever be normal again. He missed Lyra’s little quips already, which reminded that he was a person to be made fun of too. Unfortunately, him straining his senses to the limit had been unable to locate her, even when he used his Aether senses.

And she had said to trust her…

So for now, he let it go. Instead, he focused on those four thick connections in his chest, and adjusted his direction to head towards the nearest one. Of all the people he wanted to meet, the 4 he had given the Blessings were perhaps not the most important, but they were some of the most important.

This one….

The corners of Randidly’s mouth quirked up. Alana. And as he approached, he could feel the sounds of battle. His senses immediately widened, covering the area, but then he relaxed. Just a spar, but a serious one.

Randidly cracked his knuckles. This was probably exactly what he needed to calm down.