Liam and Tomlin pushed through the swinging doors of the guild hall, the morning sun turning dust motes into tiny dancers in the air. The large wooden quest board loomed ahead, a riot of parchment and ink detailing tasks for eager hunters. Liam nursed a tumbler of bitter training ale as Tomlin jabbed the board with an eager elbow. "Spiders near Redhaven," Tomlin announced, squinting at a posted notice. "Sounds like just the adventure we need, buddy. Farms losing livestock and all that."
Liam rubbed his chin. "A spider nest? Nothing too fancy, probably a Bronze-ranked mission," he mused. Tomlin's grin widened. The lanky, freckled youth patted the new spear strapped to his back. "I finally get to test you out!" he joked, adjusting the spear's haft. Liam could only laugh.
They approached a bored-looking guild staffer at a nearby desk. The official handed them a crinkled map and a note. "Cave of Fangs, east of Redhaven, five leagues from the northern farmlands. Spider infestation. Bring proof of victory," he said, hardly looking up from a book. "Do your best. Bronze reward on completion."
"Thanks," Liam said cheerfully, eyeing the dull man. Tomlin piped up, "Boss, you sure nobody died out there? We wouldn't want any ghost spiders giving us trouble." The staffer snorted and turned away. Liam nudged Tomlin with a grin, earning a playful elbow in the ribs.
They spent the next hour in the armory getting ready. Liam unsheathed his sword and hefted it comfortably, testing its balance. The blade's edge still gleamed despite its age, and Liam felt a surge of pride at carrying on his lineage of the village back home. He strapped a sturdy wooden shield to his left arm and tightened the leather straps on his greaves.
Tomlin, meanwhile, was practically vibrating with excitement as he examined his new spear. The shaft was ash, and the steel tip was razor-sharp. "I cant believe you are mine" Tomlin boasted, hefting it with a twirl. "Now if this doesn't impress you, I don't know what will!"
With gear on their backs and supplies (rope, oil flasks, and a few rations) slung into packs, the duo headed down the packed earth road leading out of the city. Redhaven's white stone walls dwindled behind them as farmland stretched out under a cloudless sky. Bright fields rolled into patches of woodland, and a warm breeze smelled of freshly turned earth.
They walked side by side, boots crunching in gravel, their conversation easy and familiar. "Think the spider's lair will have treasure? I could use a new glove," Tomlin asked, nudging Liam.
"In a spider nest? The only thing you'll find is arachnid poop and maybe a rusty skull," Liam replied with a grin. "But hey, if you spot an enchanted ring on a cobweb, you can have it."
Tomlin groaned. "You sound like the old merchants always trying to upsell me on snake oil."
They laughed, teetering on the edge of a small wood. Birds chattered above, and Liam spotted a hawk spiraling overhead. "Keep your eyes up, too. If one of these webs dangles from the branches…" he said warningly.
"Noted!" Tomlin said as he reached a low branch and sliced through a loose tangle of web with his knife. A clump of dandelion fluff drifted down. He waggled an imaginary mustache. "Spider surveillance thwarted, thanks to the Spear of Truth!"
Liam rolled his eyes fondly as they continued. After a couple of hours hiking, distant hills gave way to a hollow where the air felt slightly cooler. Tomlin whistled softly, pointing ahead. "There – that clearing, with the scrubby trees? I think that's where the cave mouth is."
Sure enough, nestled at the base of a low hill was a gaping hole in the rock face. Thick vines and pale webs crisscrossed the entrance, and a pungent scent of damp earth and something unnerving (Tomlin's nose scrunched reflexively) hung in the air.
Liam stood up straighter, tightening his grip on the sword. "Looks like the nest," he said, voice low and steady. Tomlin glanced at the webs, then at Liam's confident stance. The novelty of adventure was wearing off for a moment, replaced with a tense stillness.
"This is it," Liam added quietly. "You ready?"
Tomlin shouldered his spear, feeling the weight of the moment. He swallowed and gave a shaky grin. "Wouldn't be here otherwise, partner."
They exchanged a quick nod, hearts pounding with anticipation. Together, they stepped toward the mouth of the Cave of Fangs.