“Hello!” he said, then flung Condemnation end over end. The blade pierced one of the eyes, embedding up to the hilt in green and black gunk. The spider rushed forward, horrifying Harruq with its speed. It slammed him backward with the top of its head. He flung across the room, thankfully landing on a pile of pillows. He struggled to his feet, throwing a couple as he did. Then Haern came diving in.

The assassin rolled underneath the spider, his sabers slashing in a silver flurry. It shrieked and smashed its belly down, but Haern was already gone. He slashed its legs, spilling ichor to the ground. When it spun, giant fangs biting, he dove back underneath with a sideways roll. With every revolution, he sliced his sabers into its belly, soaking his cloaks with the discharge.

The bulbous back to him, Harruq gripped Salvation in both hands and struck. The spider reared onto its back legs, its forelegs pounding great dents in the ceiling. When it landed, it slammed backward, smashing its abdomen against Harruq and the wall. The red hairs on its back were like thorns, shredding his exposed skin. The legs turned, flinging Harruq across the room. This time he missed the pile of pillows.

“That hurt,” he said, getting to his knees. His gaze settled on the tarantula hissing at him from only a few feet away.

“Ah, shit.”

The thing spun around, whipping its legs at him. Long spikes protruded from its back two legs, each the size of a broadsword. The first caught his forehead, tearing open a bright red gash. The other deflected off his armor, the blow stealing his breath and jolting him back. The tarantula continued spinning, its back legs arching out just above its body.

“A little help!” Harruq shouted. Haern weaved outside the range of the spider’s legs, studying. He stepped closer, and then retreated just as quickly. A spike nearly took off his head. He repeated this, pulling back seconds before acquiring an impaled skull. The spider continued its spin. The third time, Haern did not pull away. He ducked down, his sabers slashing. The spider screeched as the end of one of its back legs flew across the room, trailing fluids.