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[Criperum]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Are you sure that there is only a spider? What about little friendly ponies?
"May be it had time to bite me and I'm hallucination from spider venom?" - you were still in doubts. You concentrated and imagined a boat. It was there in front of you. Made of nails and planks. You concentrated even more. Boat disappeared, spider stayed.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

May be it's a werebeast? Let it bite you.
As long as "magical" spider won't disappear despite all your efforts it should be definetely real. It may be even a werebeast. It would be nice to gain it's power.
- Hey, beard-s! - the spider crawled closer, jumped on the wall and started to climb up - What was-s your name? I haven't s-seen you before. Are you one of the freshies, yes-s?
The voice was getting closer to your right ear. You didn't risk to open eyes and freezed either in expectancy of thrill or in hope the spider is just seems to exist and will disapper in any moment. You ignored spider's questions.
- What's-s wrong, afraid? - arthropod continued - Don't be, I won't bite-s.
- You won't? - you felt disappointment - You are a spider that means you bite. You have to bite me and share your power!
- What are talking about-s? My bite will just parallize you for an hour or two. What powers-s, I'm not a werebeast or something?
- You're not? -  you opened your eyes and turned to your companion. It was hanging on his web in a critical distanse from your face and you managed to examine it carefully. It looked as average cave spider. Pretty big, bigger then most of his kindred but without any anomalies. May be it was just old enough. It's chitin was white so it couldn't be a giant cave spider kid and it was no threat to meet it's mom.
- I'm kind of not turning into anys-thing - the spider shrugged - To be hones-st I don't know. It is-s a tricky s-situation happened to me.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

who the fuck it is, and what the hell it so interested in dwarfes reunite with the king
- Bother to explain yourself.
- I jus-st woke up one day-s and realiz-sed I can s-think and talk. I was-s crawling aroung the caves-s and s-saw an expedition s-searching for s-someone, s-so I started to watch you dwarfs-s. Heard they are looking for their king-s. They stayed near the avalance-s for a while and then went away-s. I s-thought they'll come back but they didn't and closed the bridge-s.
- Did you offered them your help? Why did they gave up searching Likot?
- Emmm...I didn't talk to them-s. There were four of them-s, I was afraid...You are s-the firs-st one who I s-speak to. They were afraid too, I guess-s.
- Afraid of what?
- Crundles, they have a lair-s over s-there - the spider waved it's paw in direction of upward tunnel. - They died out of s-thirst. Crowded near avalance-s and interfered the ex-scavations. Stupid creatures-s doomed thems-selves-s to death. That's-s it - the spider whisted for a second - then I dec-sided to crawl through avalance and found the king mys-self.
- What a story...So what do you suggest?
- Go back for the pick-s! Bring more dwarfs-s. I know where you s-should dig to get s-through quicker. And I'll be your guide from the oths-er side of avalance-s!
- All right but what is your interest in all of that? You are a freaking spider!
- I have no needs-s, believe me. It's-s jus-st a res-search interes-st. You  dwarfs-s are interes-sting creatures-s.

Adopt the spider as a perpetual pet. Spiders eat moskitos. You can feed it till it become huge. It would be fucking awesome.
Looks like the beast is friendly. You weren't feel dislike either. And considering that spiders eat moskitos, the creature in front of you could be very usefull.
- Excelent - you said - but on one condition, I'm taking you with me. You'll be my pet.
- What?! - the spider took umbrage - May be you'll be mine-s? Why not, I'm intelligent creature too-s.
- I'm not gonna explain everyone why you can talk. Believe me it would be easier and the more important safer. For you especially - you noticed.
- All right-s - the spider hissed.

[CaptainLambcake]

yes

[Criperum]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

You apprehensively put the spider under your hat. The arthropod stamped a little while on your head, tickling and clinging your hair but soon perched shun. Before going back to the fortress you walked down to the avalanche. It was exactly as the spider had described: the tunnel was blocked with boulder scree about one hundred steps from the fortress entrance. You didn't find any excavation signs but the dust accumulated on the floor was covered with dwarf and small animals trails. Also you've found a broken arrow in the dust near the goaf literally treading it. You decided to show it to the spider.
- What do you think about it? -  you hefted the hat with one hand and holded the arrow in front of spider's eyes.
- Garbage-s - the spider commented - anyone could h-hunt in this-s cave before-s.
Being a little bit disappointed that the goaf inspection hadn't brought you anything new, you hastened out of the caves: in such an atmosphere your time sense could fail you and you didn't want anyone feel suspicous about your long absence. But despite the hurry you didn't forget to close the drawbridge. There were two reasons for it: first you weren't sure if anything couldn't sneak to the fortress from the caves. Even if the spider said there was noone there it didn't want to risk too much. The second was if someone finds the bridge openen the alarm will raise the Save-Likot operation will be aborted. Also it did't take you too long. One switch and the mechanism operating the puzzle-lock moved the level down, the chains clanged and the bridge closed unwillingly. In that very moment you realised how close you were to be immured in the cave by a evil will and just carelessness.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

You shooke yourself from the dust and paced unstair. There you met running out of breath kobold.
-Tok, it's you. The beast is chasing me, hide me - Nux obviously wasn't quite himself.
-What a beast you're talking about? - you asked.
-Gigantic, shaggy. That sturdy dwarf with the Beard was leading me somewhere and it just jumped out from the corner. It shooed him, then grabbed me by the ear and dragged with it. It brought me in some stall and just stared at me but didn't let me go away. Horror! - he respired - When it fell asleep and ran away immediately. But it's kinda searching for me: I heard a clip-clop and sniff in corridors. Tok, what is that! I didn't agree on that stuff!

[CaptainLambcake]

likot

[Criperum]

Story threads keep silence. You have to wait and believe. May be Likot will come back. May be he won't.

[CaptainLambcake]

i hope he does

[Criperum]

As no one expects Spanish Inquisition so no one expects new posts of Likot.
It've been just a month or two from the last one. Not a big deal.

Enjoy!

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

You woke up in your new bedroom but wasn't going to get up right now. Not only you've spent all previous day hauling rocks but also some smart ass nearby was making noises all night long disturbing you. So your third day in Akrulaban wasn't really pleasant.
After successfull picking the cave lock and meeting the spider you didn't get any further in Likot's salvation. You've easily explained your absence with Nux searches who had lost himself in fortress corridors. But after that Urist didn't give you a moment of rest: right after you settled in your room, she made you to learn buiding plans and all next day you were together with that strange Urvad making a furnace. Oh Armok, what a dwarf you should be to tame a moskito and carry it with you all the time. You shivered and decided to get up from the bed that tends to become not so comfortable.
- Oh, you awake-s! - the spider srawled from the dark crack under the cabinet - Today-s you are going to tell dwarfes-s to dig the logjam, right?
- I dunno - you frowned.
- You s-said the s-same yes-sterday.
- I've already told you its not as easy as you think. Enough of call-downs! Likot is my friend by the way. You are the only one who is doing it for fun.
Looks like the spider just turned a deaf ear to your comment or what else do they use for hearing. You became more and more convinced that it is pointless to speak to him like to a dwarf. His reactions on your words not always were as you expected.
- Today I'm gonna meet other dwarfes in meetinghall and then I'll go to prepare burial rooms with them, may be I'll think something...
- Then I'm going with-s you - the spider interrupted you jumpng on a bed fulminatly - I'll tell where to big-s.

[CountAlex]

Finally some more! Lo and behold, new, 27th thread!
______________________

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

You woke up in your new room, but in no hurry to get out of bed. Not only you had to carry rocks all day long yesterday but also some goblin's ass roared nearby all night making it difficult to sleep. So the beginning of the third day at Akrulaban was not particularly pleasant.
After successfully breaking the lock in the cave and meeting the spider you have not progressed an inch to the rescue of Likot. You were easily able to justify your absence with looking for Nux who was lost in the corridors of the fortress. But after Urist gave you no breaks: you just had moved into a room when she set you to study the plans of buildings, and the next day you were constructing furnace with this strange Urvad. Armok, how in the world it was any good idea to tame mosquito as a pet and carry it along all the time. You involuntarily shivered and decided to get out of bed, which no longer seemed so cozy.
- Oooh, afff-awken! - spider crawled out of the dark gap under the wardrobe, - Will you make dwarfffes to dig through collapssse today?
- I do not know - you frown.
- You sssaid the sssame yessterday.
- I have already explained to you that all is not as easy as you think. Enough of accusations! Likot, by the way, is my friend. You're the one here who does it out of boredom.
The words seem to slip past spider ears or whatever those antropods listen with. You were more and more convinced that talking to him like with a dwarf is absolutely useless. His reaction to your words was often not in line with expectations.
- Today I'll catch with the other dwarves in the meeting hall and then go with them to prepare rooms for burials, may be I'll able to work something out ...
- Thsssen I go wisss you, - spider interrupted you lightning fast leaping on the bed, - I'll ssshow how to dighh.

[Criperum]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

- Go under the hat - you did some hard thinking and decided that it would be easier to take spider with you - do you remember the rule?
- What rule?
- You keep silence until I permit you to speak.
- All right-s - the spider crawled into the hat expanded in front of him. You put it on carefully.
- And don't forget its all for your own safety - the arthropod didn't answered - Got it? - no answer again - Well then - you smiled and went out.
Along the way to the dining room you decided to see Shasad but as it was yesterday the door with her name on it was locked. The knock was left with no answer. In the common room Urist and Urvad were waiting for you while having breakfast.
- Forgive me for what have happened - said the engraver embarrassed - I couldn't imagine Tesekokol can frighten someone that much. I left him home today.
- Good morning Buketotil - Urist raised her head - I hope we'll spent today without incidents.
- Yeah - you grumbled - I'll go get something to eat.
- Good - she wagged - don't get too long I've sent for a miner already. We have only two days to do everything then we need to proceed with the wall.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

While walking to the food storage placed in the corner of the hall you remembered that incident with the moskito covering it with details like a snowball. You felt uneasy, it gave you creeps. In the stockpile you leaned towards the wall and tried to gather yourself. Noone suffered that much from those creatures as you had, so...
A great idea went into your head. You made sure noone around, took off the hat and commanded the spider "Get down!"
- Say, can you sneak behind the locked door? - you asked - And yes - you added - you can speak.
- It depends-s on kind of door, behind your door - eas-sily.
- You saying you were out of the room while I was away - you were surprised.
- Yes-s, there were no fowl. No flies, lizards, mices.
- Good - you took a thought - that means you got used to the fortress?
- Kinda.
- Then I have a mission for you, you have to eat one moskito.
- Moskitos aren't very nouris-shing. I can't load up with one. And why? - the spider was stepping on his feets like some sort of dance - And what about the avalanch-h-he?
- Everything has its time - you said suavely - You'll surely help me with it but now its very important that you eat that moskito. It's very important because - you faltered - Its too much to explain, time is running out you know, we have to hurry. Just do what I ask.
- All rights-s
You explained him how to fins Urvad's room and ordered to come back to your room after. Finished with the instructions you took a couple of plumphelmet rolls (all local food was mostly made of it) and went to eat it with others.
Soon gigantic Urdim showed up and your company went to your work places into the mines. Using your position behind everyone you debussed the spider   insensibly while walking thought the main stairs. He jumped on the wall immediately and run up. You watched him, sighed followed the dwarfes down the stairs.

[CaptainLambcake]

i am so happy to see likot is back.  i have followed this story forever

[Criperum]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

- That is the place I've told you about - Urist stood in an area located several layers above caverns entrance - both pathways are leading to the common network of old geological prospecting tonnels. According our documents, which were provided by Mr. Fernokzam, this layer is low on minerals but is explored well enough so working here is easy and safe.We will widen the passage to the right, smooth its walls and organize a small graveyard. All exits to the tonnels will be walled but if fortress requires more burial place we can prepare more area going around the graveyard using left passage and then we'll just break the wall. That option will allow us to put deceased to rest according to our traditions ASAP.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

- And you are talking not just about deceased migrants but also about the lost expedition? - you asked using the moment.
- Of course, memory about them will be perpetuated - Urist noddled.
- That means we have to dig their bodies from under the avalanche - you said with a hope.
- If body is lost our traditions allow us to engrave a memorial slab. That is the exact that type of situation - the stonecrafted answered stiffly.
- But...
- Mr. Buketotil I'm pretty sure you have a lot of arguments - she interrupted you preventing saing a word -  but decision has been made even without you presonal involvement - she whisted a little looking at you - However I see you do care about all this. You could engrave and build slabs as soon as room is ready. I'm sure you can do it better then anybody.
You didn't answer: from one side you felt some compassion and suport from Urist but from the other side it has so hard for you to believe she could not give Likot a small chance, a small hope to be saved. So cruel. But you had no choice you started your work: smoothing floors with Urvad.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

At that time Urist was trying to explain the miner where he should dig according to her plan. The giant wasn't smart enough for it so she just took a piece of chalk and marked all needed places with crosses. On the other hand his digging skill was perfect, you could really think the walls weren't made out of hard stone but of grey clay, it was so easy for him to crush them.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Accompanied with monotone hits of pike and cutters you started to look over possible options: for now your only hope were Shasad, Nux and the spider. But Shasad was missing somewhere, Nux was in his room and wasn't going to come out enjoying advantages of dwarven civolization(you should remind him who brought him here) and the spider loyal and executative at first look could show his temper at any moment if you cross the line. It'll be great to know where is it.
Perhaps you could do everything by yourself, you thought selfconfidently, but Sinsot and his friend were allways putting spokes into your wheels. They won't let you to act openly even if you risk only yourself. So you had only two choices left you could overthrow Sinsot or take a pike, provisions and go away to the caverns. Remembering Likot's expedition you were sure noone would get you out of there. Its for the best.
- You are so sad - Urvad talked to you interrupting your thoughts - that's because of Tesekokol? Believe me I didn't mean that to happen.
- No - you growled out, trying not to look into dwarfess eyes. Looking around you noticed that Urist wasn't around and decided to act bolder - I'm depressed with what they did with King Likot's expedition. Do you think it is worthily for dwarfes to do that?
- Well - she sighed, maybe she wasn't feel good of what her question was turned into - I wasn't the witness of that events but I think its all about fear. Fear makes dwarfes to do horrible things, believe me, I saw it - she turned away, her voice changed - I was trying to run away from it but looks like it is the nature of things - she ended.
- So you'd leave them too?
- I don't know - she was speaking slowly and shortly - I guess, I'd say they have to be helped right now...But if I were at their place I don't know what would I do.
Then you were working in silence until Urist adjourned you. Urdim threw her pick, sat on the floor covered with large drops of sweat and took out some cake from the pocket. Urist was going upstairs saying you have an hour to rest. Urvad decided to follow her.

[Criperum]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

What a chance! You can't loose it, there can be no other chance to get a pick. You were ready to get it even using violence and right now you only need some guile and the giant will give it to you himself. From the other side you'll have to continue your work soon enough and if Urist, after comming back, ask him where is the pick he will point at you. "You need to make him feel guilty if something goes wrong" - you thought - "and he will if I make him digging!". This idea had another advantage: a proficient miner especially that strong can deal with avalanche much faster than you. Who knows, may be he can end it up before dwarfesses come back.
Loosing no more time you started to bring your plan to life, while Urdim was methodically chewing immersed in his own thoughts. First point - erasing all marks placed by Urist. On the side you've found a small piece of chalk and run with it to the cavern entrance. You entered the lock combination from the first try and when the bridge had gone down you run to the avalanche kicking up the dust where you marked the biggest stone with a huge cross and hastened back.
- Hey, Urdim - you recovered your wind before talking to the miner to make sure your voice is smooth and confident.
The giant raised his head and mumbled something incoherently.
- You think you are good worker 'cause you dug everything here - he noddled - I also think you are, but - you made a significant pause - but I'm afraid Urist would be very disappointed with you. You haven't finished your work and are sitting here relaxing. Get up! Come on! - you shouted to stir anxious Urdim up.
- Let's go quickly, Urist will be mad when she knows you didn't dig where she marked. You need to finish everything before she comes back. I'll help you 'cause I'm your friend.
He obediently followed you putting the pick on his shoulder. He diddered a little at the cave entrance probably because of decay smeel coming from it but started to work.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Time goes, Urdim digs, you silently drags stones he dug away. Despite there were two of you the excavation went not fast enought. You estimated that the hour is almost expired when, at last, you managed to reach a cavity where all this stone caved in from. You stopped Urdim, climbed up the rocks and pushed your head through the gap on the ceiling. Empty space was pretty big and you felt uneasy realizing how big that avalanche was. On other hand a little more work will help you to enter the cavity after widening the pass to be able to continue digging from the other side of it. That made your mission easier a bit. After looking around you noticed that the opposite side when you were hoping to find the second tonnel looked smooth, but the ceiling to the right was lowering gradually. Perhaps you should continue to dig there.
Urdim pulled your leg and you had to come down. He was hastening to dig wondering why you stopped him.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

You let him continue then sat down to think what to do next. The first thought was to take the pick and break stairs but it would definetely make you outlaw. Of course Likot would pardon you if you get him faster than Sinson gets you. But may be you could pass through the avalanche before Urist finds you here, even may be dwarfes would fear to come here. But it was too risky to rely on that. You had to think something, right now.

[CaptainLambcake]

friendly giant

[Urist McForumUser]

 I first read this story in 2013, and after recently coming back to DF (and deciding to make a forum account, finally) am really happy to see its still going. Keep up the awesome work. Even though people might not comment much, im sure theres a lot of us lurkers out there.

[Argonnek]

I first read this story in 2013, and after recently coming back to DF (and deciding to make a forum account, finally) am really happy to see its still going. Keep up the awesome work. Even though people might not comment much, im sure theres a lot of us lurkers out there.

Agreed.

This story is awesome, and thanks for all your hard work in translating it!