There is no point in pushing my luck by setting off a second trap of the matriarch's today. So instead of attacking the driders I throw myself into the air and turn towards the column. As I take off I see a net woven of spider webbing falling over the area outside the door.

If I had attacked the driders the net would have fallen over me without any warning. Even I could be overwhelmed if I was trapped under the net and surrounded by driders. After flying out from under the net I circle back and fly higher looking for the spiders.

By the time I can see the top of the wall, the spiders have already scattered. If they hadn't I would have killed them, they are really good exp. Since they are gone I turn and fly back towards the column where Myria is waiting for me.

When the column comes within sight I spot Myria standing at the top of the steps watching for me. Before she can spot me I move so that the column will hide my approach. I am so going to get in trouble for this, but it will be worth it.

Using the column to hide me I am able to get right on top of her without being noticed. She doesn't know I am there until I land, almost on top of her. Jumping in surprise Myria yelps and almost falls off the edge, but I catch her with a wing.

Myria says "So soft!"

That was not the reaction I was expecting. I almost drop her, but she is holding tightly to my wing. She has her face buried in my feathers and is rubbing it back and forth. It reminds me so much of Lizzy that I can't help but laugh at her.

Myria says "Don't laugh at me!"

"Then stop clinging to my wing!"

Myria says "I don't want to! It's so soft and warm!"

So I pick up my wing and shake it until she falls off, then I tuck my wings tightly to my back. Leaving her to pick herself up, I enter Core's room and sit down between Kechara and Asuna.

Core says "Is everything alright?"

Myria says "He's just sulking because I cuddled his wings. They are super soft!"

"I am not! And yes, everything went fine. I found what I wanted and then some. Also, I fought spiders, as well as driders."

Core says "If the spiders have returned then the matriarch must realize driders are not enough to deal with you."

Myria says "I told you to be careful!"

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"I was, there is not a scratch on me! I would really like to know why the matriarch is so obsessed with me."

Core says "I have no idea, she never acted like this before."

Myria says "It's because you look so tasty! She wants to eat you!"

"Well, she probably does want to eat me. But I am not tasty looking!"

As if to prove me wrong, both Kechara and Asuna turn to me and start licking my face. This of course sets Myria to laughing and as I struggle to push the two of them away even Core laughs. Once I manage to get the two of them off me and the laughter dies down we return to the original topic.

Luckily, Core can identify every enchantment on any elven item just with a look. It makes the process of identifying and sorting all the items I gathered much easier. With her help I sort everything into two piles, one for Myria and one for Pol.

The bow and quiver I originally went after, along with the armor I found with it, all go to Myria. Unfortunately, the quiver is not everful like I was hoping, but it is special. It is like my pouch, it is a holding item, yet it only holds arrows, but it holds thousands.

With it, Myria should not have to worry about running out of arrows ever again. The bow and armor are also better than what she is currently using, Myria is getting some upgrades. Added to that, I looted enough gear for all one hundred of her bunny girls.

Myria says "This equipment is worth a lot, are you sure you want to give it to my girls? I thought they were just an experiment?"

"They are something of an experiment, but I am serious about them patrolling the border. If they are going to fight slavers I want them to have the best gear and training I can find."

Core says "So, what's next, Ash?"

"We will return to the tower and have dinner with the others, then spend the night in Illium. Tomorrow, I will most likely head north to see how things stand and do what I can to settle things."

Core says "Well then, I wish you luck! Let me know if there is anything I can do to help."

"I will."

Myria says "Can I go north with you?"

"No, you are staying in Illium."

Myria says "How come?"

"Because you have to continue training your girls. Not to mention Borrik will have a trainer for you. Soon you will also have horses and trainers for you and the girls."

Myria says "I already know how to ride! I rode Lizzy to come save you!"

"Riding a horse is different from riding Lizzy. Not to mention, have you ever shot your bow while riding?"

Myria says "Well, no. But it can't be that hard."

"You will soon find out just how hard it is. I somewhat regret that I won't be there to watch and say 'I told you so'."

Core says "Yui and I could probably come up with some kind of recording device for you."

"Thank you, but no. Such a device would undoubtedly be used against me."

Myria says "I can think of several times a recording device would have been handy. Any chance you can make me one, Core?"

"No! Absolutely not!"

Core says "You would have to convince Yui to help me."

Myria says "Alright!"

"I said no! If you keep this up I will have Yui ban you from the tower!"

Myria says "See! Isn't he cute when he gets all worked up!"

Core says "You are right, I begin to see the appeal of this thing you call teasing."

"I've had enough of you two, I am going back to the tower."

Myria says "Aw, don't be like that!"

Core says "Relax, Myria, Yui would not actually banish you."

Myria says "Easy for you to say!"

"Enough of this, let's go.

Ignoring Myria I turn to give hugs and pets to Kechara and Asuna. Leaving them again so soon is quite painful, but at least they have each other for company. After saying goodbye to Core I take Myria and go through the teleporter back to the tower.