Seamstress

Ready to reconsider my offer? Good for you! You won’t be going far without my help, dear.

I’ll grant you my courtesy, stray one. I’ll even offer aid where I’m able. Just don’t be hanging around too long.

I may not be a fan of that Citadel, but I’m smart enough to avoid its ire.

I’m loath to spoil the surprise, but curiosity begs me to ask. Do you know why they pursued you? Those Citadel bugs?

Hornet

I have seen their Citadel and its state, and I have strong suspicion...

Hornet

They hunt me for my nature. For the Silk produced within my shell. Not for themselves but for the one atop it all.

Ahh ha! Truth. In Pharloom, yours is a rare skill, prized beyond measure, to channel one’s soul within a thread. Soul and Silk inseparably linked.

It is a skill almost lost from Pharloom. Those old Weavers shared it, but they’re long dead now.

Hornet

The one atop this kingdom... They share my nature, or some part of it. I’ve seen their Silk at work, in vast scale.

Hornet

It snares the shells of those upon the roads, and guides with false life the many hollowed husks left to lapse.

Hmm... You’ve looked far towards the truth of it. Closer even than I’d dare to dig. But then you’re clearly of the countenance to be coping with such heady stuff...

Now! It’s past time you were going! Your style and your Silk sure are fine, but stay too long and you’ll only be trouble for me!

A smart choice. Get out there and gather those spine cores, and best you be quick about it.

As nice as it is to have the company, if you hang around too long, those Citadel bugs’ll turn their gaze on me as well.

If you’re planning to ascend from these low fields, you’ll be needing some lift, and I’m just the bug to help.

Head for the caves beyond my home. The bugs within produce a spine with a marvellous core, flexible yet strong.

Cut their spines and collect the cores. Return to me, and I’ll soon have your old cloak transformed into something far more buoyant.

Well, then! I can tell by the rattling from within your cloak, your hunt was a success! If you’ll kindly pass over the cores, I can get to work.

Oooh! Stray one. Do tell, how goes the journey?

Hornet

I have ventured high, seen the Citadel and its state. That place is long lost... generations lost, a gilded tomb, drowned in Silk dregs.

Hornet

For its minions, so compelled in my capture, I now see clearly the source of their unity, and their strange strength... They are husks bound tight by the one who waits at its crest...

Agh! Look at you! Seeing right through to the truth of it! Closer even than I’d dare to dig. But then you’re clearly of the countenance to be coping with such heady stuff...

Now! Best you be heading. You’re clearly planning to stir up some serious trouble. I don’t want to be close when it kicks off!

Hornet

I’ll have the spine cores for you shortly, madam.

Good, good! The caves just beyond here are full of the creatures, floating carelessly in the warm air.

I’m sure your big needle there can coax them into sharing their spines. Then it’s only a quick matter of cutting them open and grabbing the cores.

Perfect! These should be more than enough. Wait there just a moment and we’ll soon have you soaring up and away from these lowlands.

Get a move on, stray one! We’re all suffering for your conflict... Maybe next time you act towards calmer conclusions, aye?

After all that hunting, you won’t trust me with your spoils? You’re a funny one. They won’t do you any good just filling up your pockets!

That’s a fancy pin you’re flaunting upon your cloak there. Here’s hoping you didn’t have to kill to claim it.

Hornet

The emblem was given freely, Seamstress, as reward for a fierce duel won fair.

Given freely!? My, my. So my sister’s welcomed another to the order... Sounds like age might’ve softened even her stoic style.

Can’t say I think too fondly on the old ways... but some rituals, and some memories... those are still worth preserving.

Well, aren’t you a sight! No, don’t tell me! You’re as odd as they come.

Your poise! Your form! Are you hunted? Pursued? The Citadel would see a fine prize in you.

Hornet

It is as you say, madam. Veiled bugs of the Citadel brought me to your land. I now seek for one who would answer why, and will ask with force as needed.

Ha! Fierce too! These are bleak times, but a powerful stray like you could certainly cause some change.

Well then! I’ve no love for that holy caste, and I do worry for this kingdom’s ailing state. If you’re seeking to settle a score, perhaps I can lend some aid?

Stray one! Things were already falling grim when last you left. Now it’s worse! The whole world quaking and wailing, and all stretched through with blackened strands!

This wouldn’t be your doing, by chance?

Hornet

...I am in part responsible, though know this outcome was not my intent, and that I shall work to calm it.

I knew it! Course it had to be you. Here I was, hoping you’d bring a shake up. Instead you’ve brought an ending!

Well, move it, I say! Get to your fixing. We’re all now suffering for the scale of your conflict... Maybe this time you act towards calmer conclusions, aye?

Suit yourself, stray one. Ascending above these fields will prove a tough task without my talent.

I’m loath to spoil the surprise, but curiosity begs me to ask. Do you know why they pursue you? Those Citadel bugs?

Hornet

No certainty, but I’ve a strong suspicion...

Hornet

They hunt me for my nature. For the Silk produced within my shell.

Ahh ha! Truth, no doubt! In Pharloom, yours is a rare skill, prized beyond measure, to channel one’s soul within a thread. Soul and Silk inseparably linked.

It is a skill almost lost from Pharloom. Those old Weavers shared it, but they’re long dead now.

Hornet

There is another alive in this kingdom that shares my nature, or some part of it. I’ve seen Silk similar to my own. It snares the shells of those upon the roads.

Hornet

I’ve seen it wrap them, possess them whole. There is will within that thread, one that seems to come from somewhere above us. The Citadel...

Hmmmm... Good, sharp sight you’ve got. That Citadel... All roads towards and all answers waiting, and a long climb up there m’dear.

Now! It’s time you get going! Your style and your Silk sure are fine, but stay too long and you’ll only be trouble for me!

Just a moment, dear, before you scurry off!

Hornet

This is fine work, Seamstress. Your modifications will aid me greatly.

You’re quite welcome, dear. I’ve rare opportunity to practice such intricate sewing, and a warrior sort like you will be able to properly appreciate my additions.

Float away now, stray one, and do try not to die. I’d rather not have my hard work go to waste.

Well, aren’t you a sight! No, don’t tell me! You’re as odd as they come.

Your poise! Your form! Are you hunted? Pursued? The Citadel would see a fine prize in you.

Hornet

It is as you say, madam. Veiled bugs brought me to your land. I seek them now, for answers.

Ha! Fierce too! These are bleak times, but a powerful stray like you could certainly cause some change.

Well then! I’ve no love for that holy caste, and I do worry for this kingdom’s ailing state. If you’re seeking to settle a score, perhaps I can lend some aid?

Hornet

On the far side of Pharloom, I chanced upon a bug starkly similar to yourself.

Hornet

From her home, her dress, and her skill, I am guessing you share some relation?

Aye. Met my sister, you did, in order at least. Glad to hear she’s still among the living.

Last to hold true to the old ways of the pin, she was... I sure ain’t sharing many of those violent values no more.

I’ll warn you, stray one, my sister might seem all cheer and charm, but buried beneath there’s the soul of a killer.