Mireille breathed quietly, listening to the quiet flow of the little spring they had found. And the spiders. She closed her eyes and let her needle and thread snake down along the ground, slowly approaching the webbing on the walls.

She let it bite in, and then her senses expanded. The thirst and hunger faded into the background.

The [Seamstress] got a sense of the myriad threads running throughout the cavern and mentally marked all the spiders she could find. Big ones, these. Bigger than the last lot.

She didn’t know how long it had taken them, traveling and crawling forward, before they found their first signs of skittering life. There were other things too—lizards and bats and bugs… but mainly spiders. This was their third lot. But—third time was the charm. They had practiced.

Mireille signaled Marie and Olivia, then activated one of her newer skills: [Makeshift Clothes]. The webs formed into scarves of sorts, and as the spiders reacted, confused by their webs shifting suddenly, she moved them. Stitched them.

Controlling two needles at once, she attacked forward with the scarves, winding them around the spiders, trapping the beasts inside their own webs, then stitching them shut. It was like rugs suddenly springing out from underneath, then wrapping the spiders within.

She got two, then felt the earth shifting under the webs. Marie.

The [Lady] was casting quietly, trapping spiders in cracks that suddenly opened under them. Their legs fell in, then the crack closed, and they were trapped.

The spiders began scuttling about in a panic, but both Marie and Mireille were some distance away, crouched low to the ground—hidden. Their first fight had been direct—a mistake. Her leg still ached from the bites.

Then the [Doctor] moved in. One moment she wasn’t there, then suddenly a shadow peeled open, a figure springing forth from within—scalpel and lantern in hand. Mireille had been surprised that Olivia’s [Sneak] skill applied to the lantern too, but it was handy, no denying that.

Olivia began surgically piercing the trapped spiders, one by one, and the remaining ones rushed her.

And fell into traps, scarves, and pits swallowing them up.

[Brilliant custom tailoring!]

[Progress towards next level: 40%]

Mireille relaxed. Another set done, and just past level 13. She raised her head up and looked over the scenery, seeing it with her eyes for the first time. Fighting with low-to-no vision might be tough for most, but it was surprisingly easy for her and Marie. At least here.

Marie could get a sense of the earth using her magic, while Mireille could use the ever-present webbing as her own. She rather appreciated the spiders for providing it. She glanced down, taking in the spiders. They were sort of cute, in a twisted way. Fuzzy white fur and black patterns that sort of looked like eyes. She didn’t like what her [Survivalist] skill was saying.

Then she walked to the small stream and looked it over. Good, no magicoal on the surface. The last one had been polluted. She had been really annoyed at that.

She stepped back to the middle of their ambush, then nodded at Olivia. The [Doctor] grimaced, lifting her lantern. “We’ll be out of oil very soon I’m afraid. You two will have to guide me by hand.”

Mireille sighed. She was not looking forward to spending the next bit in darkness. “Turn it off then, we don’t need it right now. Are you sure you can’t spare a free skill slot for anything vision related?”

The [Doctor] could hear again. Marie had not been pleased about eating a third pill, but she had done it. Olivia had insisted the skill she was using wouldn’t work well for herself, so she had swapped the [Lady’s] previous health to herself.

It really was a useful combo, Mireille had to admit. She felt… healthier. She had asked for specifics and found out that Marie’s [Picture of Health] helped her body naturally stay in top condition. Then, with Olivia’s [Transfer Condition]…

It felt pretty unfair. How much money could you make by selling this as a service? Though it wouldn’t last, she expected. Right now, she felt that all her little aches and ails were gone, but they were making an effort at a comeback. Maybe a day or so? Who knows, can’t really tell the time here.

Her thoughts were interrupted by everything falling into complete darkness. She flinched. Oh, Olivia put the lantern out. Mireille connected her thread and needle back to the webbing and got a map of the area. She felt at the spider corpses around her, then listened to the flowing water. I guess there’s no helping this. At least the water should be fine.

She bent down and cupped the water into her hands. She brought it into her mouth and tasted it. [Survivalist] told her it was safe, and she greedily gulped down more. Maybe now is the time.

She stood up, facing the other two. “Alright, I think it’s time we take our first break. Get some rest in, drink up this water—it’s safe—and then we…” she paused for a moment, feeling at the web around her, and the shapes trapped within “—eat.”

The [Seamstress] could feel the other two shudder. Or to be more precise, she could feel their clothes rustle about a bit. Yeah. There really was only one source of food here. She sighed, then began giving out more instructions.

“Olivia, use your flasks to fill up on water. Give up the alcohol, no good drinking it down here. Can you purify our food somehow? We can’t make a fire.”

“No, but I can deal with any ill aftereffects,” Olivia answered, carefully stepping forward into the dark. Marie was helping her forward, leading by hand. “If you do get poisoned or a parasite or baby spiders in you, I’ll purge them from you.”

Small comfort that. She sighed, and got to work, bending down over one of the bodies. Not a meal she was looking forward to. For the first time, she really found herself wishing for Fayette’s death spice mix.

It was not a filling meal

—

After the meal, the three of them settled into a covered nook, resting for a moment. There was still a long way to go if Marie’s mana sense was right. They curled up together, braced against each other, sharing the body heat. It was unnaturally warm here, but still too chilly for comfort.

It was only a scant few hours of sleep, but it was all they could take. Either Mireille or Marie had to keep watch the whole time, as only they could even somewhat perceive their surroundings.

Mireille took the first shift. She felt cold, filthy, hungry, and scared. It was the darkness that was the worst of it—really. Sure, she could perceive things with the webs, but it was a different kind of perceiving. One of twisting threads in ever-expanding patterns, shaped into traps covering every surface. Not a sight of light and warmth.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

She felt something touch her hand and almost jumped, before realizing the source. “Marie,” she spoke quietly.

“Hey,” the [Lady] said, sitting up from where she had been laying, then shifting next to Mireille. “You alright there?”

The [Seamstress] was silent for a moment. “Not much point trying to lie to a [Lady], is there.”

A quiet hum. “I don’t have a Skill for that.”

“But doesn’t the role come with some natural skill of its own?”

“I’ve never really thought of it like that.”

The [Seamstress] sighed. “No, I really am not ok.” She felt out with her cloth senses and got a hint of how Olivia’s coat was moving back and forth. “I don’t know how Olivia manages to sleep like this. Don’t think I’ll be able to.”

“Some talent of hers, I reckon. I can’t sleep either—ground’s too cold and hard for me.”

“A [Princess] wakes from a pea under the bed, but this is the level things must be to shake you? I’m impressed.”

A snort. “You flatter me. Honestly, I wouldn’t have managed in that wagon without Fayette’s work.”

Mireille had to hmph at that, but then she remembered and her face fell. Fayette.

“Sorry,” The [Lady] said, realizing.

“Don’t be, I'm sure she's fine,” Mireille said, leaning back against the hard wall. The darkness was oppressive, but the warm presence by her side was somewhat comforting at least. She tried opening and closing her eyes. No real effect, just more darkness.

She cleared her throat “She can handle spiders, easy,” she said, mostly to herself.

“She is fine—trust in it. Barely flinched at a dozen bandit, what are some spiders?” Marie said.

That did cheer her up a bit. “Bet she’s happily made a little spicy spider skewer for herself,” Mireille said. “We’re getting closer to the place?”

Some vague shift in the air—a nod? “The mana signature—it’s definitely there. And it’s definitely more than just some monsters. Something more is down here…”

And Fayette is near it, Mireille finished the unspoken bit. She bit her lip—Fayette really had to be fine, she wouldn’t think of other options. Not just a friend—more. Sisters. Long bonds from an orphanage childhood.

She leaned to the side, towards Marie, and let her head rest on the [Lady’s] shoulder. Now that she thought about it, this was really her first time alone like this with Marie. Fayette was always bustling about…

She spoke quietly. “Hey, Marie, tell me something, will you?”

“Hm? What’s on your mind?”

“What is up between you and Fayette? You’re getting along fine now—I understand that—but... when we first opened that door in the inn, and you saw us… you focused on her right away. The others might have missed it, but I didn’t. It’s not just that plan she pulled, or anything afterward, you were watching from the start. I saw.”

The [Lady] froze still against her head, and Mireille felt a bit of satisfaction at that.

“Do I really have to say?” Marie asked after a pause, quietly. She sounded sad. Mireille quirked an eyebrow. Hm? Curious reaction.

“C’mon, I promise I won’t tell Fay. I think she likes you right now, in her own way. I just want to feel a bit smug when I see her again. She stole my furs you know? For your sake—and hers. Let me steal a little secret.”

She opened her eyes, but there was no shift in the darkness, really. She leaned back sideways, and fell into the [Lady’s] lap, back first. She tried to make eye contact but wasn’t sure how well she was managing. Damned darkness. “C’mon, we’ve eaten spiders together. And those pills. Those damn pills. That’s a bond only we share—a bond of stomach pain.”

The [Lady] shifted a bit. “…Fine. It’s not that big of a deal. It’s just… Seeing a black-haired [Maid] about that age suddenly… Fayette reminded me of someone.”

“You have a [Maid] like that back at your manor?”

“No, not anymore.”

“Oh.”

There was a long pause.

“She’s not dead or anything, alright?” Marie suddenly added, realizing she may have made some misleading statements.

“Oh, that’s good. Or is it? Was she a bad [Maid]?”

There was a long sigh. “You—you consider Fayette your family of sorts, right?” Marie finally said, after thinking a long moment.

Mireille reached out and poked her in the head. “Of course I do. A makeshift sister of sorts, I suppose.” She paused. “Or no... That’s the wrong word. You know, I got a skill recently—[Makeshift Clothing]. Everything I make with it is temporary and fragile, but a… faux sister like this—it’s better than the real thing. I bet. Chosen.”

Marie shifted around, and Mireille’s head bounced around in the lap. She thought the [Lady] was looking down at her now too. “Well, I think you’ll get it then. Consider a noble family for a moment. Who is more family? Your mother, who sees you a few times a day at meals as she oversees your progress, or the [Nursemaid] who has taken care of you as long as you remember?”

The [Seamstress] was silent, looking into the darkness. She nodded. “…I think I understand.”

“Right, and then, of course, the [Maid in Waiting] who has also been with you as long as you remember. I guess she was a faux sister for me too, of sorts. Was. I wasn’t getting the proper skills, so those two got dismissed as bad influences. I haven't seen them since. Four years.”

Mireille winced. Talk about a sore spot. But, well… She poked the [Lady] in the head again. “In that case, she still is your sister now—dummy. Is she makeshift or faux, temporary or true? Go find her or something. No 'was'-talk.”

She poked the [Lady] a third time, just for emphasis. “I’m down here eating spiders, searching for mine. Even dragged you along. Guess I’m the better sister of us.”

With that dagger thrust, even the [Lady] was stunned silent. Right in her most vulnerable spot. But, well, they weren’t the worst sort of daggers. Still… Slowly, the [Lady] reached out, grabbed Mireille from both cheeks, then pulled.

“Gyah! stop, you’ll wake Olivia,” Mireille hissed under her breath, struggling under the [Lady’s] grip. After one last tug, she was released.

Marie laughed softly, patting the [Seamstress] on the head like a doll. “Mirrie girl, you really are the unruly sort, aren’t you.”

“No, stop, I’m putting a stop to this Mirrie thing right now,” Mireille said, sitting back up. She rubbed her head, annoyed.

She sighed and leaned back against the rock. Hard and cold after the soft lap. “So—this sort-of-sister of a [Maid] you have, she’s like Fayette?”

Marie snorted. “Not one bit. It was just the first reaction. I learned otherwise fast.”

Well well well, Mireille felt she would feel very smug indeed when she saw Fayette next. She looked the [Lady] in the eye, and met a concerned blue gaze—

I’m seeing? Quick, both of them turned and saw the glow emanating some distance away. Fire. Or a fiery something. Marie kicked the [Doctor] awake, and Olivia rose up in a flash—hungry for the light source they needed. Together, they approached, and saw the tiny creeping spider—black and rocky, with veins of fire webs snaking out.

Just what they had been looking for. The three looked at each other under the dim lighting and nodded.

—

It was a simple ambush. The monster crept along, snaking its fiery feelers around, burning up any webs it found. Then it sensed magic. Something earth-related? Like a fly to sugar, it began rushing in the direction, sending all its webbing forward. Then it stepped onto ground that felt… different.

The web was covered in mud and stone, and thus didn’t burn up against the fire web, but as soon as the monster stepped onto it, the web crumpled down, and the monster fell into a pit. Then a needle bit into its web, and the fire net was thrust away. Then knives hit it from above. And a rock fell from the ceiling.

Splat.

—

Marie held up the red monster core in her hand, studying it with her full focus.

“You’ll really be able to make a light out of that?” Olivia asked, for the third time. She was really looking forward to it. Being the only one completely in the dark couldn’t be fun.

“Just give me a moment…” Marie said, taking out her drawing supplies. She began sketching on the core, making a diagram, and she was painting with magic.

Mireille was holding her breath. She was both dreading it and hoping for the best. If the [Lady] succeeded… That meant they had everything they needed. Replenishable sources of light, water, and food.

Which meant they would be heading in even deeper. There would be no turning back for supplies. She still tasted the spiders…

Suddenly, the [Seamstress] was blinded. The core had flashed? This bright?

“Gah! Sorry. Wait, I’ll adjust this… Just a second…”

The light slowly dimmed, and Mireille slowly felt her vision come back. Marie was holding the core, which now cast out a handy directed beam of light. Much brighter than the dimmed lantern.

For the first time since she didn’t know when everyone was cast fully into view. And Mireille saw their condition.

They were filthy. It hadn’t been so apparent in the darkness or dimness, so only now did she finally see their true state. Spider blood, dirt, rock dust, anything, and everything covered them all. Nobody had a clean spot anywhere on their body.

How long have we been down here? It’s felt like just a day!

Mireille looked at her hands and almost retched. I was eating with these?

“Everyone… Let’s go get washed up before we go in deeper,” she said, already walking back to the stream. She shivered, but she stayed determined. They would go on, and they would go deeper. Until they found Fayette.

Because… Even if they were this miserable—at least they had each other. Company. Fayette was all alone down there, and Mireille shuddered to imagine it.

Just how wretched must she be feeling right now?

She had spoken lightly earlier, but she didn't really believe it. There was no way Fayette would be just fine.