The Galleon Whale approached the Aurelian Capital.

“The view is definitely different from the above.” He looked at the sprawling capital. “And it changed so much.”

It looked like its size has doubled, but since the city was built mostly as a ‘circle’ its actual area must have quadrupled.

“Are these spider designs?” He pointed at the outermost part of the city.

There were almost identical buildings nestled closely together. One would expect to see neat boxes and triangular roofs when it came to human buildings, but the structures here resembled stacked spidery nests. It either had two or three slightly deformed spheres on top of each other making its floors. The walls weren’t brick and mortar either, they were woven using sticks, rope and some sort of a filling for the gaps. Naturally, the doors and windows were also round. It looked somewhat dubious, but the reality was that it was extremely sturdy, no doubt everything was Reinforced; that’s why.

In the end, the thousands upon thousands of tightly clustered nest-like buildings gave that overall feel of a hive city. A place where some sort of goo-spitting twisted mutants would live. But undoubtedly so, he could see people darting in and out of their new spidery houses.

“It feels so alien now.” Indeed, he couldn’t recognise the Aurelian Capital. He strained his eyes trying to see better.

“Huh, it appears blue is very fashionable.” He remarked looking at the many round dots scattered between the streets.

“I wonder if any of those are my spiders. I’ve sent a good lot of them there.”

The city was bustling with activity. A lot of the buildings were still being built, and most of them had that spidery touch, a touch of Spidery Magnificent. It almost looked like some sort of a spooky-themed theme park, but much-much bigger. The only place which remained familiar was the very centre of it. He could see the Royal Palace, albeit in a somewhat decrepit state, the Merchant Square, the old walls, the Garrison, and then neighbourhoods of normal human housing.

“But what is that?” He looked at the rising megastructure.

It was still in the making so it was hard to tell what it was, but it was massive, rivalling the scale of the Royal Palace itself. Unlike with the nest-houses, blocks of stone were used to make it. At best, only a third of it was made but it was enough to read its intended shape. It was elliptical with high-sloping walls and a big pitch in the middle.

“Ah, Aurelius II mentioned some entertainment. Maybe it's for that. But it’s a shame I won’t get to see it completed.” He didn’t intend to stay that long.

He looked at the newly trained spider navigator. “Please land us by the Merchant Square.”

“Aye aye, King.” The spider chirped.

The Galleon Whale began the slow descent. A thunder-like sound resounded in the cabin when everyone strapped their belts at once. Then the inside of the ship became eerily quiet, there was not a single chirp, and everyone waited with baited breaths. The ship touched the landing field. Gently.

*Phew – The Spider King broke a bated breath; it didn’t crash at the nearby warehouse. An entrance like that would have been extremely embarrassing.

The Spider King bowed ever so slightly. “I praise your skills, spider navigator. You’re a better pilot than me.”

The spider made unintelligible but otherwise shy and cute chirp.

The safety belts clanged again. “Right, our holiday begins now. Enjoy yourselves.” He walked towards the lower deck of the ship where the exit was.

The spiders walked right behind, but as soon as he was in the square they scattered in all directions, probably to explore the city and say hello to their old spider friends. The only one remaining by the Spider King’s side was Centauri Champion. She was fumbling with her fingers and her gait was somewhat strange.

“You look fidgety today. Did the trip tire you?” He asked her concerned that she might feel stressed out. Sailing on the ship wasn’t easy for some people.

“No, I’m fine.” She kept fidgeting with her hands. “It’s just that I don’t have a party dress.”

Ah, yes, they will be attending something like that in the evening. He didn’t see a problem with her wearing her armour, but he understood where she was coming from. Women liked dresses better, especially at evening parties.

“I’m sure you can find something.” After all, they were right in the Merchants Square.

“I’m not so sure.” She neighed. “My King, would you kindly please accompany me?”

“It’s not like I must run to Aurelius the Great straight away, so why not? Let’s go.”

She followed the Spider King giddily shooting sneaky glances at his face.

A lot of the Merchants Square was taken over by the spiders. It wasn’t just TomGrape, but also clothing and other wares that were traded here by the spider traders.

“The sizes here are just too large.” The Centauri Champion whined in disappointment.

The Spider King sized the cloth with his hand. “I thought this is a curtain!”

The spider merchant pointed at the nearby people, discretely of course. Yes, he did notice that. Everyone was so well-fed!

“I see…. We need a dress of a more modest size.” He didn’t think he would ever say that; the phrase ‘modest sized’ didn’t suit the Centauri Champion. Everything about her was sized as ‘extra dangerous’.

“Understood.” The spider chirped sizing the Centauri with its eyes. “A custom order then.”

Indeed, he should have asked that from the beginning. A human dress, even if at the right size, won't fit the Centauri anyway.

From under the stall, a tiny little spider, cat-sized at best, popped out.

“King!” It chirped in excitement. “I get to see. Our King!” Now it was jumping in place.

“Concentrate, youngling. You have a task.” The spider merchant chirped firmly.

The spider bowed to its customers in apology.

“We’ll take measurements. In a shop nearby. Please follow.”

The spider began to sprint. It was little but very energetic, and fast. The Spider King wasn’t just walking anymore, but also sprinting. At least the Centauri Champion didn’t have any issue to keep up with the spider.

In the end, they were guided away from the Merchant Square and towards where the workshops were. The one in front of him was clearly of the spidery design. The little spider disappeared into an equally little hole just at the bottom of a wall.

“It doesn’t look like we’ll fit inside.” He joked.

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The joke flew over her head. “My King, I think this door is for us.” She pointed at the other door next to the tiny hole.

Something clicked from inside and the door rolled to the side.

“Oh, so it’s a rolling mechanism. It feels almost like a vault. Are there treasures here?”

“Yes.” The tiny spider chirped happily.

He didn’t expect that reply either.

He entered the workshop curiously looking for the treasure. All he could see were rolls and rolls of Blue Cloth and various tools to work with it. Huh, maybe those were the treasures of a spider.

“I take. The measurements now.” The tiny spider already had a measuring tape in its hands.

The Centauri Champion gave the spider a curious look.

“Wouldn’t it be better to have a small booth by the stall for that?” That way the spiders wouldn't need to drag the customers all the way to the workshop.

The spider waved the measuring tape. “Custom orders are rare. And we make it here. You won’t need to wait long.” The quick-speaking spider took a deep breath. “We also. Can adjust the dress. Here on the spot.”

It was probably quicker that way. It kind of made sense, normally you wouldn’t expect someone to make a custom dress just in one day. And they needed it by the evening.

“I understand now. I leave it to you spider.”

The tiny spider bowed. “Let’s get started. Undress!”

He expected the spider to lead her to a private room, but apparently, this was the place. And it's not like there were other customers, but still.

“Should I wait outside?”

“Why? Something wrong.” The spider asked with worry.

“No!” The Centauri Champion protested. “I need help with my armour clasps.” She tapped at her sides.

“Right, normally you would have your attendants with you.”

He helped her with the armour. The forged Glem plates were surprisingly heavy even for him; the Centauri were stronger than they looked. And he understood better why she wanted something more casual.

The armour pieces were off, and it was only the tunic which was left.

“Undress!” The spider waved its measuring tape commandingly.

Apparently, even that had to go. Strange, but he wasn’t a tailor to question that.

“I guess, I’ll give you some privacy.” He turned to leave.

Centauri snorted exiling the air forcefully. “My King, why are you being so awkward? You eat my Cream Cheese, but can’t see me in my natural form? Who cares if I am... just stay in the room.”

The tunic flew right off her body. He was just trying to be considerate, if she didn’t mind, he didn’t either. Not at all!

However, there was more to that, he had been away from his wife since the trip began and it was getting hard. Well, usually he can hold it together, but separation can be hard at times. The already hard tests of life become even harder when the enemy brings all of their weapons out of the concealment. The Spider King preferred the dangerous weapons to be wrapped in cloth so they don’t look as intimidating, and so in turn he can be polite and keep his sword tucked in its sheaf. The situation looked like it could escalate at any time.

The idle thoughts were interrupted by a squeal.

“Eek! What are you doing!”

“Measuring.”

Yeah, the tiny spider had to crawl on her back to measure her body.

“I don’t like this. I don’t like this at all!” She squealed shaking her body and running around the place while kicking her rear legs.

He could understand her reaction, rare few people would like the feeling of a spider crawling all over their body. But the little guy was just doing its job. If she kept kicking like that someone could get hurt.

He ran to pick the critter off her back. “Spider, it looks like this won't work.” He set the spider back on the floor.

“This is no good.” The spider said it sadly. “I need to measure.”

“No! Can’t do this! Abort the mission! Forget it!” She shook her head. “I’ll just go with my armour.”

Unless… “I can measure it.” He offered.

The Centauri gave the Spider King a curious look.

“Yes. That works.” The spider chirped.

“…I wouldn’t mind.” She was fidgeting with her hands again.

He took the measuring tape. “Why are you blushing now?” It was too late for that. She had already jumped and ran kicking things all over the workshop while naked.

The spider gave instructions on where and what to measure, and he did just that, no more no less. Well… He did collect the data on the size of the enemy arsenal. It was terrifyingly large! Centauri wasn't a race to be trifled with; he made that mental note to himself.

The measurements were done, and it was time to cut the cloth. “We’ll make it quick. Won’t be long. Please wait here.” The spider walked towards the spidery hole at the back. It was closed with a curtain. Then the curtain parted the King got a glimpse of the workshop proper. That was the place where the actual magic happened.

“Spider, would it be okay for me to see the crafting?” He shouted towards the curtained hole.

“It would be an honour.” A different-sounding chirp replied.

He parted the curtain and went inside. The Centauri Champion pranced right behind him, with a tunic back on of course. He walked into a large hall, the previous room he was just in was likely only for temporary storage and prep. Here was the real workshop. With intricate pattern decorated cloth, rolls of golden thread, gems for encrusting, and many worktables. The room was also filled with spiders. He recognised three spider crafters, a grown-up kind, the rest were tiny spiders, at least two dozen of them. He shouldn't have expected any less, the little guy was there only for the measurements. Even at a quick glance, he could tell that everyone was already very busy. It was very likely that they had to put their work aside just for his custom order.

As he entered the three spider crafters greeted him with ‘hello’ and ‘welcome’. The little spiders were jumping excitedly and chirping something quietly to each other.

“Spider King, It’s a great honour to craft for you and yours again.”

“The honour is all mine.”

The little guy spoke the set of measurements out load to the elder crafters; it was amazing it could remember all that. The crafting began right after. The three spider crafters started straight away leaving the tiny spiders without a job. There was a hint of chaos betraying that the normal setup was streamlined a little bit differently, but since this was a custom order the three spiders took full charge of it.

The tiny spiders scuttered around his feet, brushing past his legs in their passing. The spiders didn’t need to go anywhere, they were just running around as if playing a game. But he knew what was going on, they were touching him on purpose.

“Ha, just like cats.” He knew what they wanted. “Come here, let me pet you.” He crouched to give them attention.

“Yes!” The spiders chirped in unison surrounding him for pets.

The Centauri Champion came close and crouched beside him. “Let me give you a hand.” She reached for a spider, but the spiders ran away from her touch.

“… just like cats.” It didn’t look like they wanted pets from her.

The three elders were busy with the order, but even then, he couldn't help but notice the jealous glances they were shooting.

“I’ll pet you three if the Centauri likes her dress.” He joked.

The spiders worked with increased vigour. Huh, sometimes even adults wanted to be petted.

The spider’s hands were moving with expert precision and dexterity. He soon realised that he’d never be able to match their skill, he just didn’t have the right limbs. The cloth work just seemed natural to the spiders. The dress was taking shape very quickly. It was almost scary to see it being done so rapidly. He once saw a manufacturing robot working with movements too fast for a human eye to register, this was very much like that.

Just before the dress was done, he treated the tiny spiders with drops of Slug Jelly. Spiders loved that stuff!

“It’s done.” One of the spiders chirped presenting their masterpiece.

To judge it fully it had to be worn. “Go ahead, try it on.” He encouraged his companion setting the three bottles on the table. “My thanks for your hard work.” He gave each spider a thankful look.

“Now our pets. Please.” The spider demanded.

Oh, so they did want those, but that came with a condition. He turned to look at the Centauri Champion, she was naked again and trying to slip into her dress. The little spiders gave her a hand and this time she didn’t make much of a fuss.

Once finally in her party dress, she gave a confident spin. “I like it! This is amazing!” She was all smiles.

The dress was the iconic blue, but to spice things up it was patterned in web-like patterns and embroidered with golden thread. It enveloped both her upper human-like body and her lower horse-like parts in a type of frilled short skirt. It was rather revealing, strategically exposing her cleavage, belly, and sides. It clung tight to her body as if it were her second skin. Considering that she wore nothing under it, it was rather scandalous and attention-grabbing. But if she liked it, this was it!

“Well done spiders, she loves it.” He gave the crafters their pats.

“How about you, King? You need a dress?” The spider chirped hopefully.

“No, I don’t wear those. And I have this.” He patted a snow-white leather west.

Unlike the Centauri here, he wasn’t too bothered by what he wore to the party. Unlike previously, he didn’t need to impress any nobles now, not this time. Him being here was mostly a political formality. And the ceremony proper will take place only then the Lamia Queen will get here.

“Understood. But if anything. Please come see us.” The spider encouraged.

He gave them a nod and left them to do their busy work. As he was walking back towards the Galleon Whale, they needed to store the heavy armour somewhere. A distant chirp made him turn his head around and look.

A tiny spider was standing by an equally tiny hole waving and chirping repeatedly. “Bye-bye! Bye-bye!”

“That one’s funny.” He smiled.

The Centauri shook in disagreement. “The spider needs to work on its measuring technique. I wouldn’t be surprised if that scares the customers away.”

“Even if they're the cutest thing in the world,” he began, “understandably, not everyone would like to be touched by a spider. Maybe they should hire a few humans for little tasks like that.”

“Maybe they should.” She snorted in agreement.

The day was still bright, and the evening party distant. So, there were a few friends he wanted to catch up with. Namely, his business partner Crimson Alchemist, and the head of the merchants Lord G Bling.