[Bêthberry]

Bethberry's post

The great, disgusting bulk of her body swayed back and forth as she attempted to dislodge Zuromor while warding off the feeble blows of the other attackers, who swarmed like mosquitoes. Her every move flung vile, reeking fluid from the wounds and cuts of her body, particularly from her belly. Grash had not succeeded in gutting her, but he had opened the wound wider and now not only her dark blood flowed but the putrid remains of her last, undigested dinner spewed forth. For once her stench was welcomed, for in the dark of the huge cavern, with the torches flung to the wide walls, it was the surest way of knowing where she was.

It had been Darash who had led the roaring attackers against her remaining legs, swords lifted high over their heads to ward off her swings at them, and daggers or other short swords at their waist, ready to plunge a second blow should they be lucky enough to win a first blow. With the floor now slippery with thick ooze, footing was difficult. Several times Darash stumbled as she attempted to hack at a leg or slash and each stumble nearly cost her her life, as Shelob's legs struck out, even knocking her to the ground once, the claw barely missing her head.

Stunned, Darash lay there, trying to determine which way to roll to avoid the roiling mass of spiny form which rocked around, the eyes glittering as Shelob focussed on each attacker seemingly in turn and simultaneously at the same time. Lyshkia was still afoot, slicing at the joint of one leg; she succeeded in severing at least tendons, for the leg suddenly became a flopping, useless drag upon the creature's movements. Darash rolled over finally, her senses returning. She motioned to Lyskia and the two of them coordinated an attack on two of the remaining legs, from opposite directions to confuse the beast. Taking a cue from Zuromor, Darash jumped on the leg and held fast, ignoring the pain of the spiny hairs which tore at her skin. She jabbed over and over again at the joint until she too severed tendon from muscle and that leg became a second dead weight. She hacked at the claw as a safeguard as Shelob's screams roared in her ears and she was spun around and flung off to the side. Breathless and panting she slunk against the wall to regain what air she could in her lungs and consider a new assault. She looked over at the dwarves and then at Grash and Aldor, on the opposite side of the monster and far away from her. What was the hyena planning? she wondered.

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Novnarwen's post - Rhând

He turned his attention to the battle. The Spider had in fact been much larger than he had first expected, but he admired her greatness. In his childhood, he had heard of Shelob's mother, Ungoliant. What a great creature it had been. Her disgraceful offspring, Shelob, was, in Rhând’s opinion, almost greater. Of course, this was only because he stood nearly face to face to Shelob, meanwhile he had only heard of her mother, Ungoliant.

Feeling both excited, and nervous, he grabbed his sword. Drawing it out of the sheath, he nodded at Grash, who still knelt by the petty dwarves, saying:" I'm ready, if she comes." A feeling of satisfaction made him giggle with delight. If this didn't make, at least, Grash certain of Rhând's devotion to the prisoners escape, what would? A man with bad intentions would not sacrifice himself in this way. However, knowing that Shelob was indeed busy with her other preys, some of the other prisoners, Rhând felt quite safe where he stood pretending to be brave. The dim light didn't allow him to get a proper look of what was going on. He heard cries of pain and of despair, but also eager cries which came from prisoners who were up for a good fight with the spider. Focusing, his gaze wandering around and at the same time listening eagerly to the battle, he finally spotted one of the women: Darash.

The woman was mainly trying to get to Shelob's legs. Rhând hoped she failed. For a minute or so, he even pictured Darash lying at the ground screaming with pain and horror when Shelob ended her life. One threat would be eliminated by this, he figured, and everything would again be simple, or at least simpler than how things were now. He didn't care much of what his Master would say now. If the women knew and were suspicious towards his behaviour, what else was there to do than kill them? It would only be easier for him if Shelob took care of Darash. His only remaining problem would be this Lyshkia, but he supposed it would be quite entertaining to end her life. Yes, Shelob could be very useful if only she could wipe Darash out of the game. Giggling, still following the battle, he crossed his fingers and hoped that his wish would come true.

Come on... Come on now... Almost, almost.. Shaking and trembling with excitement, feeling the tension in his body increase, he watched the woman stumble. For every step she took, she grew nearer and nearer death. How exciting, he thought to himself thrilled by how the situation seemed to develop. "Now! Come on!" he whispered seeing Darash being thrown to the ground. The climax had been reached; it was only for Shelob to end it. A few seconds passed, Darash lay on the ground and Shelob approached. Rhând waited impatiently for Darash to draw her last breath.

"Darn you Lyshkia!" His body seemed to explode. Seconds before his wish had been granted to him, this other fool of a woman had appeared. She was now fighting valiantly against the gigantic spider. Soon, Darash got to her feet as well, and together the two women aimed for the spider's legs. He cursed his bad luck. So near . . he thought being unsatisfied. He sighed.

Darash caught his eye, as he cursed for the second time. Was she expecting his aid, or had she seen him while he was waiting anxiously for Shelob to kill her?