I let Velariah lead the way back home. I had expected our party, combined with the weird objects we were carrying to attract more attention, but the village was pretty empty. The only people about were too busy with making sure everything was in a tip-top state for the festival the next day to even notice us.

Once home, we left the wheel and our weapons in the hallway before Velariah and I made our way into our room. I would have felt bad for the others to have them wait, but fortunately for them, Gray was all too eager to keep them Nira in particular, company. I didn’t plan to have them wait for too long, but to get a good layer of silk around this rod would take quite some out of me.

This had better not leave me starving again…

“By the way,” Velariah said. “About that sparring thing between me and Draco, why wouldn’t we do a bit of training today?”

“You were serious when you said you’d wear me out, weren’t you?”

The white-haired elf chuckled evilly. “Oh, you better believe I was.”

“It’s never a bad idea to practice though. I’m just worried about the power of my new weapon.”

“Hmmm,” Velariah hummed. “We could just do the same we did earlier and focus on your defense. If you want to practice swings from close range with a weapon like that, you might as well just hit a dummy instead… which we should probably have you do at some point.”

“Not a bad idea, I suppose.”

“Well,” The elf continued. “Look, the weapon you use right now is excellent for open-field combat, which is what we did in the forest. The spear you have will still have its uses for tight corridors like the dungeon tunnels. It was a smart choice to start with a spear as it's the easiest weapon to learn, but oh-so-important. Now that is exactly how you will use those weapons. As such, there is not a high priority to use that polearm any different than you already did. You shouldn’t use it for melee fighting. Its best use lies with charges. You have two additional weapons and eight legs you can fight with at close range already. That’s why I suggest to focus on defense.”

“I think you have a point. There is little value for me to not use devastating charge attacks in the open.”

“Yup.” Velariah reaffirmed, shaking her head. “Really, I wouldn’t want to fight against you in a real fight. You’re much, much stronger than you think you are.”

“Thanks, I’m trying my best.”

“I know. Let’s get working on wrapping that rod, shall we?”

I nodded and got in position, thinking about the properties I wanted my silk to have. In the meantime, Minia found her way up on the tub’s edge and stared at me. I felt she wanted to keep me company.

Velariah then took the rod, touched my spinnerets with it, and started spinning it around. I relaxed as I thought about what Velariah had said. Focusing on defense was something that just seemed to be the smart option, almost always. Of course, I had my shields, but there was only so much force I could absorb. They were pointless against something like those troll maces. My polearm wouldn’t do much against that either, but I imagined it could have its uses to learn how to parry strikes from certain weapons from afar, or certain monster attacks for that matter.

I never knew what awaited me, after all. I wanted to be prepared for whatever.

“I’m wondering…” I said at some point. “Is there something I could do against ranged attacks? When I see Seralyn at work… her accuracy when it comes to aiming for the eyes… it’s scary.”

“Other than covering with a shield, and making sure you have proper armor? Not a whole lot you can do. Then again, if you do that, and manage to close the gap quickly, which you absolutely can, they stand no chance.”

“I see. I was just wondering because these goblins don’t seem to be the best, but what if we came across better archers?”

“No point in worrying about it,” Velariah said. “Just keep evolving your inherity and buy the best armor you can get, which is what you should be doing anyway.”

“Fair enough.” I paused for a few seconds as Velaraih continued behind my back. “But yeah, I’m up for some practice. Let’s see how well I do. I kind of want to have a duel with Draco as well.”

“Any duel with you isn’t fair with four arms to work with, you know that?”

I chuckled. “That bad huh?”

Velariah chuckled as well. “Well, kind of. You can just keep up your shields and then use a spear to stab. It’s insanely effective.”

“Still, Draco has his magic attack.”

“He won’t use that in a duel, El. What are you thinking?”

I shook my head. “It’s not that. I mean, will I ever have something like that?”

“Hard to say. Just keep evolving your inherity and hope for the best. There were plenty of question marks on that paper. I’m hoping on a spell myself, have been for quite some time.”

“I guess we'll have to find a new dungeon soon enough. Kind of curious about what this hidden one in the forest is like. Thanks to Arch, we learned to be prepared for anything.”

“Always keep your eyes open. Something we found out the hard way,” Velariah recapped.

“I’m wondering what secrets dungeons hold, and I’ve been in this world for much less time than you. How do you feel about that?”

“Do you mean secrets as in, what they can tell you?”

I nodded.

“I never gave it a thought,” She admitted. “Since until recently, it was considered impossible to talk to dungeon cores. I reckon my father has a lot of questions for them, but he’s far too caught up with his work at the moment, which is probably for the best. He can't be losing focus with something this important.”

“He doesn’t seem like the person to lose his focus,” I said.

“He really isn’t.”

I chuckled and remained quiet while Velariah finished behind me. I felt my strength being drained, but I had plenty of sustenance to endure. I could have gone on for a lot longer when the elf tapped my abdomen.

“All done,” She said.

I petted Minia, and turned around to observe our work. The copper rod had been completely wrapped in a layer of silk about half a centimeter thick. I pinched it to feel the texture somewhat reminding me of a rubber tire.

“Looking good,” I said. “Now to bend it around the wheel. I’m kind of curious about the look on Dworag’s face.”

“You’re not taking a liking to him, are you?” Velariah asked with a sly smile. “Has his flirting finally gotten to you?”

I laughed for a good few seconds. “Nah, don’t worry about it. Nothing could replace my elf. That makes me think…”

I turned around to Minia who was still standing on the edge of the tub. I crouched and held up a palm for her to step on. “Don’t you get kind of lonely here when we’re out?”

From the stream of emotions that flowed from her to me, I understood that it wasn’t so bad.

“Still, wouldn’t you like a friend or something?”

She was fine with just me and Velariah.

“Okay then. We’ll head out again. We’ll be back later.”

She waved at me with a pedipalp as we were about to leave the room. I waved back in the same manner.

“A friend for Minia?” Velariah asked. “You do realize the only viable option would be another spider, right?”

“I know,” I said. “But she is fine it seems. I’d hate for her to be lonely…”

“You’re too sweet.”

We walked into the other room where the others were still waiting. Well, Seralyn was the only one waiting. She had a hand under her chin with her elbow on the table and was using her other hand to tap the tabletop with her fingertips. Clearly, she was in a foul mood from all that waiting.

Nira was having a great time with Gray and Draco was watching the two in amusement.

“Hope y’all ready,” Velariah said. “‘Cuz Elania and I figured we might as well do some training today.”

“Finally,” Seralyn sighed. “Some action.”

Draco smiled. “How did it go?”

“Judge for yourself,” I said, as I extended the rod so he could pinch it as well.

“I can see how this makes travel by carriage or wagon much more comfortable.”

“It’s not just that,” I said. “With rubber wheels, you also have better traction in many different types of terrain, meaning whoever is pulling the vehicle will have to put in less effort. This results in being able to travel greater distances in the same amount of time.”

The lizardman ran his hand down the pole and nodded. “I can see why you want this. This would make travel to Zerdania much quicker.”

“Exactly,” I said. “Though, I don’t know if it will be enough to travel through a desert. Loose sand is the bane of carts and wagons.”

“I thought we were done waiting,” Seralyn interjected as she stood up. “Let’s go.”

I gave Gray a quick pat on the head before we headed out again. Perhaps it was good that there were so few people around. There was nobody to ask any questions.

We reached Dworag soon enough and I couldn’t help but try to see if I fit through the alley this time while Velariah entered the shop to summon the dwarf after having the lizardman take the wheel.

I was amused to see that I did in fact fit this time, although my abdomen still scraped the walls.

“Damn girl,” Seralyn said from behind me, and I already knew exactly what would follow when I heard the teasing tone in her voice. “You lost a bunch of weight. What’s your secret?”

And I was right.

“Silk. Although it’s hardly a secret.” I replied as seriously as I could. “Have fun trying to use that one simple trick that doctors hate.”

I grinned as I tried to imitate one of those weird clickbait articles on the internet. When I turned my head, I saw Draco smile at my response. I guessed it was funny even if he didn’t know the origin of what I just said.

I noticed that once we got to Dworag’s smithing area, the forge wasn’t burning and had gone cold. It was odd for me to imagine since he wasn’t an elf, so I didn’t think he had much of a connection to the upcoming festival, but who knew? I couldn’t blame him for taking a day off, though.

However, I got the nagging feeling he wasn’t actually taking a day off.

“Greetings, Miss Elania, and party,” The dwarf said warmly as he exited the building. “Was just cleaning up my shop, but I can always make time for you.”

I guess there was my answer.

“Hey, Dworag. I’d ask how you’re doing but I think I know the answer.”

He winked.

Yup.

“Thanks, I guess. We have somewhat of a job for you, if you’re okay with it.”

“Aye. Miss Velariah told me something about a lil’ project of yours.”

“Yes. It’s a bit of an experiment, but do keep quiet about it please.”

“Wouldn’t want to upset my favorite customer,” He replied.

“Thanks…”

“Now what needs to be done?” He then asked.

I placed the rod on the ground as Draco rolled the wheel forward.

“I need this silk-covered rod to go around this wheel. There’s a groove in it. Cut it if necessary. It has to be a near-perfect fit. I’m sure this will be no issue for your skills.”

“The dwarf scratched his head, then ran a hand through his beard as he placed his hand around the pole. He lifted it. I think he was measuring its weight.”

“Copper?” He asked to which I nodded.

“Not an issue then. I’ll need a few minutes inside. Draco, could you help me?”

The lizardman nodded as he rolled the wheel inside, following the dwarf with the rod.

“So,” Seralyn said. “Who’s going to go against whom after we’re done?”

“Eager to shoot one of us?” Velariah asked slyly.

“Not a bad idea. A good way to test your new and shiny armor.”

Velariah shook her head. “I’ll be helping Elania with her defense. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind Draco as an opponent as well. I guess we’ll all be going against one another at some point.”

“Looking forward to it,” The archer said with a smile.

“Is it useful for you to practice with us as well?” I asked the brunette.

“Not really,” She said, crossing her arms. “For me, it all comes down to accuracy. While I could try to shoot you while you’re running, it’s just dangerous. I have other ways to practice that don’t involve living targets. I do enjoy watching you guys go at it, though.”

“That’s fair, but don’t you want to practice melee combat sometimes?”

“What’s the point?” She asked rhetorically. “My inherity doesn't offer me anything for that type of fighting. The idea is for me to stay away. I’ve got Draco to cover for me if things do get to me.”

She had a point there. She should never be close to where the fighting was, but unlike Nira, she had no way to get away if things got sour. She had already experienced that on our way to the Searing Peak. I was surprised that she still showed this kind of attitude.

I looked at Nira who’d been quiet for a while. “Is there anything that could help you?”

“Practice you mean?” She asked.

I nodded.

She shook her head. “It’s possible to cast my spells, but I don’t gain anything from it. I can’t make them go faster or anything. I’ll be there in case one of you gets injured.”

“We’ll try not to do that,” I replied warmly.

The harpy smiled and nodded. We then simply waited in silence for Dworag to finish his job. I was impressed he estimated it would only take a few minutes. I doubted he would be able to stick to his word, but to my astonishment, the door opened not too much later.

Draco led the way with the wheel before him. Dworag followed him, a large smile on his face.

“A job well done, if I do say so myself.”

“Thank you, Dworag. What do we owe you?”

“I’ve already arranged that with Draco. Don’t ya worry.”

“Thanks, Draco.”

“No problem, Miss Elania. How does this look?” He rolled the wheel in front of me so I could get a better look. I rolled it around to see the silk-wrapped rod fit perfectly in the groove. It had been bent perfectly and I almost couldn’t make out the seam.

“It’s as good as Dworag makes it out to be; excellent. This is great. Thanks a lot.” I nodded. “Right. Let’s get this home and prepare for some practice.”

“If you need something like this again,” Dworag said. “Just let me know. I always look forward to our business.”

“We may or may not come again for something like this. Can’t really tell yet.”

“In any case, I’ll be here if you need me.”

“Sure.”

I waved at him as I rolled the wheel forward. On the way back home, I let the others have a close look at what exactly the rubber silk achieved. The only downside was that the metal inside made everything a lot heavier than it had to be.

I shrugged. It had just been a simple experiment. The next time I’d try anything like this, I’d try to get my hands on some of that elven wood that was mentioned. We could probably place the order for a bunch of that soon while we worked on the tasks in the neighborhood.

We brought the wheel to the bathroom before we head out again. I grinned as Velariah seemed to have a hard time containing her eagerness to go sparring. Even through her helmet, I could still make out that much because of her body language.

That, and the fact that she was walking ahead of everyone else, constantly waiting for us to catch up. Draco let out a grin as well.

“I think she wants to beat you,” I said to the lizardman.

“I think you may be right.”

“You wanna have the honor of going against her first?”

“It would be my pleasure,” He said politely, but with a sly smile.

I chuckled and made sure my helmet was fastened tightly. Thanks to Velariah’s rapid pace, we reached the fields surrounding the village in the blink of an eye. She looked around and unsheathed her weapon before pointing it forward and turning to us.

“Who wants to go first? Elania?”

“Nope. Let’s have you start with Draco. I heard you’re eager to get your revenge for what happened at the trial.”

“Very well then,” She said. “Prepare yourself.”

Draco smiled as he took his axes from his back. Seralyn, Nira, and I made sure to keep our distance and found ourselves a spot to watch the upcoming duel.

“Ready when you are,” Draco said as he assumed a defensive stance with his shields.