Spiders' War: A Novel of the Far Future by S. Fowler Wright

Author:S. Fowler Wright
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: science fiction, apocalypse, post holocaust, disaster, end of the world
ISBN: 9781434443731
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Published: 2013-07-30T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER XXVIII: JALNA HAS DONE WELL

Jalna came through the trees. She had the bow in her hand. She wore the fur, which she had stitched up to her own length. It was ragged. Her eyes were bright, and her tongue ready to boast. She knew that she had done well, and had no doubt that Lemno would approve. She hoped that Gleda would not be pleased.

She asked: “I have not been long? Relf will be here in two days, or perhaps less. He has had difficulties about food, and the men were scattered, combing the land. I have only five arrows now. I have killed a spider with one.”

“Killed a spider?” Lemno asked, with incredulity in his voice.

“Yes. I am sure of that. The arrow went in at one of her eyes. It was a big she. It went in almost all its length. It’s gone down the river now.”

“You say the arrow’s gone down the river?”

“No. The spider, of course.” Jalna’s eyes were alight with merriment. Laughter hindered her words.

“I thought she’d got me when she came down over the trees on the river bank. They weren’t very thick just there. And the rate she came at! And the way she pushed down between branches where you wouldn’t believe! They were the beastliest eyes! And I knew she thought she’d got me, as sure as sure. I didn’t miss by an inch, with her arms almost touching me as I shot. I said ‘Don’t you believe it. I’m not for you,’ and shot her through the lower left eye nearest the fang on that side.

“There was only the feathered end of the shaft left sticking out. I had only a second to look at that, and then she fell sideways along the slope of the trees. She turned over, and went out of sight. And then I heard a great splash, and when I got down to the water I could see her floating away.

“She seemed to be struggling not to be turned upside down, but there wasn’t much she could do about that. She was getting quieter as she went out of sight. I should think she went over the falls a few hours ago.”

Neither of those who listened doubted her tale. It was too clearly told, the note of triumph too authentic for that.

Lemno said: “It was coolly done. I must make you captain of those who handle the bows.”

It could have been said as a jest, but she knew that it was genuine praise. “And now,” he added, “will you tell me more of what Relf said?”

“That’s not much. I told him I didn’t think there’d be room by the river here for all those men to lie hidden for many hours, even if they could get food, without being seen. So I thought you meant to attack at once.

“So he’s bringing the best men first. Those with the bows and men with good pokers and knives. The others won’t be held back, but he says you’ll understand that they can only come in a thin line, as they’ll have to keep to the bank.

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