"Fear Nothing. Bow to no one." - Mara Sov


Sleep hadn't come easy. Variks' words had kept her awake long after he'd left. She had mulled them over as she lay there, wishing he could have stayed - told her more. But what guidance he had provided would have to suffice for now. He'll elaborate later, she figured, and had finally drifted off.

When she woke, Meren found that Petra had sent a message in the night. The Queen apparently saw no reason to delay the errand, and Petra's summons stated that she was to be ready first thing at the beginning of the next cycle. Variks' urgency last night suddenly made sense - he must have known Meren didn't have much time.

Though she hardly felt confident, Meren dragged herself from the bed to prepare for the dreaded errand. Digging through her wardrobe, she found something suitable. It was no different from what she usually wore, pants and a form-fitting tunic. There was no need for anything elaborate - no one to impress.

She wasn't going to win the Spider over with her choice in clothing. Eliksni had no interest in how she dressed, no matter how revealing. In their eyes she was just another disgusting fleshy thing. To them all humans looked the same, or so she had been told.

But there was one thing the Spider might appreciate, so Meren rummaged through her bags, looking for the cloak he had given her. She had been careful to hide it deep within her luggage. It would have done no good for the Awoken to discover her in possession of such a thing. Not that it mattered anymore. They had managed to find out about her dealings with the wayward Baron.

Her fingers closed around the soft ruff of fur, and she pulled the Eliksni garment from the bag. A smile crossed her face at the thought of Variks' disdain for the Spider's gift. Meren quite liked it, but the scribe didn't need to know that.

She stood and tugged the cloak about herself, securing it around her shoulders. After pulling back her hair, curiosity drove her to look at herself in the mirror. As she gazed at herself, it was as exactly as she had feared.

She looked incredibly silly. The cloak was tailored for someone much broader and taller than herself. It was made for an Eliksni. But Meren wasn't going to let that stop her from wearing it now. Seeing her put the cloak to good use might serve to ease the Spider's temper. Worst case, he wouldn't notice. No harm done.

Meren straightened her shoulders. Stand tall, those were Variks' words, Spider will not harm you. She took one last look at herself in the mirror - tried to muster some confidence - and stepped out the door.

It took her fourteen minutes to reach the Vestian Outpost. Even at this hour, the hangar bustled with activity. Meren passed Bays 13 and 14, glancing up as the visiting Guardians went about their business. A couple of them stopped to stare at the little human in an Eliksni cloak, but they had surely seen stranger and none of them moved to bother her.

When she reached the last concourse her steps slowed as she caught sight of an impressive Reef cruiser sitting in the middle of the bay. It was big enough to hold an entire detachment of troops. The ship would certainly make a statement when they reached the Tangled Shore. Unnecessary, Meren thought, for this errand. But as Meren neared and saw who was waiting, she realized that making a statement was exactly the Awoken's intent and her heart sank.

Petra stood waiting, as expected, but she hadn't come alone. She was accompanied by eleven members of the Awoken Royal Guard. The entire contingent was fanned out behind their commander, waiting on Meren.

Meren shook off her discouragement and strode up to the Queen's Wrath, every bit aware of how absurd she must look at this moment. "I thought it was just going to be us, Petra."

Petra looked Meren up and down, the distaste evident on her face. "Change of plans."

The Corsairs were all staring at Meren too, inevitably glowering behind their masks, but none said a word.

"This won't make my errand any easier," Meren warned.

"Perhaps you would prefer to go alone, Professor Hale." Petra replied curtly.

Meren would have very much liked to go by herself, but those weren't the Queen's orders. Petra was to accompany her. Meren, doubtless, was not to be trusted out of the Awoken's sight.

"No," Meren muttered.

Petra turned without another word and boarded the cruiser, the Corsairs at her heels. Meren plodded after them in silence, a scowl on her face.

The Spider isn't going to be happy about this.


When they reached the Tangled Shore, the cruiser set down on the largest of the asteroids. Petra hadn't exactly asked for directions, but they had managed to land close enough to the entrance to the Spider's lair. Meren wasn't sure if this was by design or if it was simply dumb luck on Petra's part, but Meren didn't care either way. She could walk the rest of the way alone just fine.

Meren centered herself for a moment before she made to get up from her seat. This can't get any worse. But as she rose, the entire contingent readied themselves around her. They hadn't meant to just escort her here - they intended to accompany her all the way down into the Spider's lair. Now it was worse.

Meren shot Petra a desperate look, shaking her head. "You can't-"

Petra just shrugged. "Queen's orders."

"Tell the Queen you gave me a head start." Meren tried.

"So you can double cross us?" Petra asked simply.

"No," Meren snapped, "so the Spider doesn't kill all of us on sight. Let me go to him. Alone."

Petra ignored her plea and gestured the Corsairs forward.

"You don't know the Spider…" Meren tried again.

But the Awoken weren't having any of it. The guards formed up beside her in silence, ready to exit the ship. Meren's eyes darted from one Corsair to the next, clenching her nails into the palms of her hands.

If they weren't going to listen to reason, perhaps there was another way. Meren wasn't sure what came over her, but in a last, desperate attempt to stop them she spit out a rebuttal in Eliksni.

"Stay here," she growled, "You will get us all killed. Wait with the ship. Yes?"

The Awoken guards stared at her, dumbstruck. It was obvious from the look on Petra's face that she didn't understand the language. They all had no idea what had just been said, but it had surely sounded horrifying. That had been Meren's intent. Not a one of them looked eager to follow her, then.

The ridiculous display managed to buy Meren some time. She took advantage of their stunned silence and slowly backed toward the cruiser's starboard exit.

As calmly as she could, Meren directed, "Wait with the ship. Give me fifteen minutes. Please."

Petra didn't look happy about it, but nodded once, slowly. "Fifteen minutes, Professor Hale."

Meren wordlessly grabbed a helmet from the ship's aft compartment before striding down the landing ramp, alone. Fifteen minutes. Stalking across the asteroid's inhospitable surface, she made her way to the cavern's entrance. She retraced the steps she had taken twice before. Into the gash in the rock, down through the winding passages. Deep and deeper, past the piles of rubbish and scrap. Everything here was unchanged, like she had been here just yesterday.

Once she heard the hum of generators, she pulled her helmet off. Unconcerned with where it landed, she let it fall to the ground. Eleven minutes. In the dim light, Meren took one last turn through the twisting corridor before she spotted the enormous doors that guarded the Spider's audience chamber.

Strong and proud and fierce.

Meren was none of those things. But as the doors before her opened and she saw what awaited her, she had to be. There was no other choice.

Inside the chamber, a dozen Eliksni guards stood, armed and waiting. They bristled in apprehension, their weapons trained on the door. Every last one of them growled at the sight of her. All except one. In the middle of the hall, Spider reclined aloof on his throne, claws steepled, imposing as ever.

Meren stepped into the room as far as she dared. Every glowing eye was on her - following her every movement. The Spider would be the first to speak, he always was. She met his gaze, expectant, but he only glared back in silence.

Meren held his eyes for a long moment, feeling impossibly small. She stood there not daring to move a muscle until the guards' growling began to die down around her. It was then that the Baron finally spoke, his voice a deep rumble.

"Doesn't look good for you, Professor," the Spider seethed, "Did you think I wouldn't notice an entire battalion of Awoken arriving on my Shore? How many did you bring with you, hmm?"

Of course he noticed. Meren had expected no less. "It's not what-"

"How many?!" He demanded.

"Less than a dozen Corsairs-" She kept her chin up.

"What a pathetic attempt on my life," he grunted, waving a hand dismissively, "My boys will make quick work of them. You'll be the first to go. A shame, really - just when I was starting to like you."

One of his guards leveled a spear in Meren's direction. The blade snapped to life with a crackle of arc energy. Meren flinched internally, but kept her back straight.

"This isn't what it looks like, Baron."

"No?" he mocked, "Then, by all means, please enlighten me, Professor. I'm sure you have a perfectly logical explanation for this display of aggression."

Meren tried to tread carefully. "The Royal Guards' presence here is ill-advised, I admit. But aggression isn't their intent. That's why they sent me here-"

The Spider leaned forward, claws twitching. "To throw me off my guard!"

Meren could feel the electricity in the air from the arc spear so close to her side, but she stood her ground, and bit back. "No."

"You're a terrible liar," the Spider snarled.

"I'm telling you the truth." She had tried so hard to keep herself collected, but a flicker of displeasure crossed her face. "Their intent is diplomacy. I've come here as an envoy of the Awoken."

At her words, the Spider sat up rigid in his throne. His claws slowly curled into fists. "What...did you say?"

There was no way he had misheard her. "I said... I've come as an envoy of the Awoken. I ask that you would grant me safe passage. I'm just here to talk."

He knew the law - what she was implying. Meren prepared for him to shout at her, to rage at her admission. But he did none of those things. The Spider rose from his throne, faster than could be expected, and surged forward. It only took him three steps to cross the room before he was towering over her.

Of course he was big - all Barons were - but Meren hadn't fully grasped the extent of it until now. Standing, the Baron was easily twice her height, if not more. Meren craned her neck to stare up at him. No sooner had she raised her head, than his lower hand shot out, claws closing around her throat. Meren's eyes widened and she gagged.

"You didn't come up with all that on your own. Who put those words in your mouth? Was it Variks?" He bellowed, shaking in rage. The claws at Meren's throat tightened when she didn't reply. "Have you been spending time with that filthy schemer?"

Meren wasn't strong or proud or fierce anymore - she couldn't breathe. In an act of desperation, she reached out for the hand at her neck.

The Spider's eyes burned hot. "Not going to deny it, Professor?"

Meren dug her nails into his hand. The oldest laws. Variks had said that she wouldn't be harmed. He had promised.

Spots filled her vision. From somewhere behind him, one of the guards growled something too low for Meren to catch. Had that been Arrha's voice? She couldn't tell, but she heard the Spider bite out a guttural curse in reply.

Just as she thought she couldn't hang on any longer, the claws at her throat suddenly released their grip. Meren gasped for air. The Spider let her go - he had an audience, witnesses - and she crumpled to the ground.

She knelt pathetically, palms flat against the cold stone floor. Hanging her head, Meren tried to steady her breathing. This was the last place she was supposed to be - on her knees before the Spider. But here she was. At least she didn't have to look him in the eye anymore.

The Baron stared down at her, claws twitching in rage. When he spoke again, the words came out in Eliksni. "You have no right invoking our oldest laws. No right!"

Well and truly frightened, Meren drew a shuddering breath. She had seen the Spider angry before. But never like this. Doing her best to remain motionless, she fixed her eyes on his massive clawed feet as he continued the verbal assault.

"Variks' little plaything," he mocked, "That's all you are. A filthy human. Nothing more."

His foot came dangerously close to her hand, but Meren didn't flinch away.

"I should just let you stay like this," he snarled, "being on your knees suits you."

Meren could hear him clicking and huffing in agitation, but she tried to assure herself that he wasn't going to try to kill her at this point. She kept her head down and let him curse and snarl until he wore himself out.

The Spider's blustering didn't last long before his breathing quieted and his clawed feet retreated from her vision, returning to his throne. It was only then that Meren allowed herself a soundless sigh of relief.

A long moment passed before the Spider looked down at the groveling human and relented, "Get up."

When she didn't immediately obey, one of the guards snapped at her, his arc spear at her side. "On your feet."

She moved. It didn't take a jolt of arc energy to motivate her. Badly shaken, but ultimately unhurt, Meren rose and met the Baron's gaze.

The Spider glared back at her. For once he was perfectly still. "You have two minutes. Say your peace. Then I want you out of my sight."

Meren swallowed, but her voice still came out hoarse, "The Queen has...a favor to ask of you-"

"I don't do favors."

Meren put her palms out emphatically and glared back. If he could only shut up for one second. "Just listen. Please."

The Spider seemed to understand Meren's irritated gesture and snorted in annoyance, but said no more.

"The Queen has urgent need of the Watchtower's defense. You are well-equipped enough to see to that, Baron. That's all she's asking of you." Meren continued hurriedly before he could interrupt again, "In return for your services, Mara Sov would offer you immunity. She would choose to turn a blind eye on whatever it is that you're doing out here. The Tangled Shore would be yours."

As Meren spoke, the Spider's eyes widened. It was impossible to know what he was thinking, but the flash of intrigue in his eyes was unmistakable.

"A quid pro quo with the Queen, is that it?" He stroked his chin for a moment. "Guarding her precious tower won't be easy. I take my boys' lives very seriously. I've got a lot to lose from this. Tell her I want more."

Meren groaned internally, but stood her ground. "There will be nothing more."

His voice was condescending. "No?"

"No." Meren replied flatly. He was pressing his luck here. And they both knew it. "It's a fair exchange. You're in no position to argue, Baron."

The Spider's claws clenched and unclenched. Every guard had their eyes on Meren. The Spider made an irritating display of considering before he waved a hand and relented.

"You're a terrible negotiator," he grunted, "but I suppooose I could be inclined to accept the Queen's offer."

"You'll do it?"

The Spider nodded slowly and leaned forward, extending his hand. Meren eyed his gesture skeptically and didn't reciprocate. She just looked up at him expectantly - she knew what needed to happen. The Spider saw the look on her face and growled.

"Damn you, Variks," he muttered as he crawled down from his throne for a second time.

Meren allowed herself a smirk at that. The Baron let out a huffing sigh before extending his arms to bow before the little human. The gesture didn't serve to make him look any smaller - or less intimidating. But Meren relished in the victory of his momentary submission.

She let him bow there for a second before Meren returned the gesture. Without any weapons it wasn't quite a proper display of armistice, but she inclined herself all the same. The Spider seemed to find her display suitable. It had been enough. Simple as that, the deal was struck.

When the Spider straightened up, he glowered down at her. "Proud of yourself?"

Meren allowed herself the smallest of wry smiles.

The Spider shook his head before snapping at his guards. "Arrha, Vynriis. Go retrieve our new friends. I would have a word with the Awoken."

It was surprising that the Awoken hadn't already come bursting into the room at some point during the whole exchange. But maybe it hadn't even been ten minutes, or maybe they meant to abandon Meren there. She hoped it was the former.

As the Spider retreated to his throne, he grumbled to Meren. "You're taking up the room. Better choose a side, Professor."

A side? At first, she didn't understand what he meant. But once he was seated, the Spider crooked a claw, beckoning her to him.

Meren went hesitantly to stand beside his throne. This wasn't her place. Or was it? The Spider eyed her as she stood there, but said nothing more. Meren folded her hands silently and kept her thoughts to herself.

It wasn't long before Arrha and Vynriis returned with the Awoken contingent in tow. As they entered the room, Petra's eyes darted from the Spider, to Meren, and back. The Queen's Wrath glared. It wasn't a good look - Meren standing at the Spider's side, wearing his banner.

The Corsairs and the Eliksni guards bristled at the sight of each other, but the Spider took command of the room before it had a chance to escalate.

"Petra Venj?" He snapped. "When did the Queen let you out of exile?"

Petra gave him a tight-lipped smile. "Nice to see you too, Spider."

"I didn't bring you here for pleasantries." He waved his hand dismissively. "Go ahead and tell your Queen that she has a deal."

Petra clasped her hands behind her back, glancing at Meren.

The Spider continued, "Should Mara Sov have any further arrangements that she would like to discuss, she can come to me herself."

"Did you find her mediator unsuitable?" Petra asked, unbothered by the Spider's tone.

"A bit of a foolish choice, in my opinion." His eyes glittered. "You see, Petra Venj, the Professor belongs to me. "

Meren shifted uncomfortably at his side. Though Petra's eyes were daggers, the Queen's Wrath nodded curtly.

"But you got what you came for," the Spider growled, "I'll uphold my end of the bargain. And I expect you'll uphold yours. If not-"

"You have the Queen's word." Petra cut in.

"Smart choice." The Spider steepled his claws and leaned forward to glare at Petra. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

Petra made to extend her hand to the Baron, but the Eliksni shook his head and chuckled in response. "The Professor already sealed the deal for you. In a proper fashion, I might add. Not that I expect the Awoken to understand how these sort of things work."

The Queen's Wrath seemed hesitant as she slowly withdrew her hand.

"We're done here," he said dismissively, "unless you have something useful to add. And I very much doubt that you do."

"No," Petra muttered.

"Good," the Spider growled and his mandibles clicked faintly, "Now, get the hell off my Shore."

Petra was no fool, and needed no further encouragement. She gestured to her guard and the Corsairs retreated, leaving the same way they had come. Petra followed, but not before shooting one last look at Meren.

The Awoken weren't even out the door before the Spider boomed to his guards, "All of you. Out!"

The Eliksni scurried through the chamber's side door at his command. Meren made to follow the Awoken, but the Spider's voice stopped her.

"Except you." He pointed a claw at her.

As the room emptied, Meren stayed fixed to her place at his side. The doors hissed shut and she found herself alone with the Spider. What could he possibly want now? Surely he wasn't going to apologize. Meren kept her eyes forward.

"If you tell Variks that I laid a hand on you it won't end well for either of us. Do you understand?" He admonished.

Meren reached up and touched her neck. It wasn't quite an apology, but the Spider knew he had been in the wrong. He hadn't really hurt her, and Meren had no intentions of getting Variks riled up over the Spider's momentary indiscretion.

"Of course," Meren demurred, "I won't say a word, Baron."

The Spider relaxed back in his chair as a slow blink crossed his eyes. "You're the only one who still calls me 'Baron', you know that?"

The words were unexpected, and Meren peered up at him curiously. "Would you prefer that I stop?"

"No," he shook his head faintly, "I'm quite fond of it actually, coming from you."

He sighed faintly and crossed his lower hands over his midsection before continuing, "You could make something of yourself here - so much more than being a professor. If you had any interest, of course."

Meren wasn't sure what he was getting at. And she wasn't sure she cared to find out. "I quite like teaching, thank you."

"Ahhh, can't say I didn't try," he drawled, "You would've made for an excellent spy."

Meren bit out a soft laugh. "I'm hardly cut out for it."

The Spider scoffed in response. "You say that now. But keep spending time with Variks, and he'll make one out of you yet. Mark my words. Just a shame I couldn't convince you myself."

She shook her head at his rambling, Variks would do no such thing. The Awoken were going to leave her here if the Spider kept on like this. She had never met an Eliksni who loved the sound of their own voice quite as much as him.

"But don't think I'm done with you" He grumbled, "This is only the beginning of a long and mutually-beneficial partnership between us. Wouldn't you agree, Professor?"

Meren let none of her displeasure show. She was never going to be free of this mess. "I look forward to our continued friendship."

"Friendship," he grunted, "You're a thorn in my side. But if that's the term you prefer - I'll allow it. You humans...always so sentimental."

"Sentimental?" Meren teased, "You're the one reading literary classics."

The Spider huffed. "Keep your mouth shut about that, too."

Meren grinned. "Your secret's safe with me."

With no more to be said the Spider shooed her away with a wave of his hand. Meren was free to go and she exited the chamber without so much as a backwards glance. A sense of achievement swelled in her chest as she strode back out of the caves on her way to rejoin the Awoken.


When Meren returned to the cruiser on the asteroid's surface, she expected no praise or accolade, and Petra gave none. But as Meren made to find her seat, one of the Corsairs laid a hand on Meren's shoulder, ever so briefly. It was a simple thing, but the gesture brought a smile to Meren's lips as Yasmin joined Petra at the helm.

The Awoken piloted the cruiser back to the Vestian Outpost, setting the ship down where they had started - Bay 15. Once they had landed, Petra seemed preoccupied speaking with her guard. The Awoken didn't seem keen on including Meren in their conversation, and she seized on the opportunity to slink out of the ship. She had had quite enough excitement for one day, and welcomed the notion of some much-needed solitude.

Making her way down the landing ramp, Meren disembarked from the cruiser. There would be no one to greet her, and she could return to her quarters in peace. But as she exited the ship, she found Variks there, waiting for her.

Why was he here? Was he really so concerned for her wellbeing? The very idea brought the faintest of smiles back to her lips.

The scribe blinked slowly as he looked her over. As far as he could tell, Meren appeared unharmed, and she wasn't about to tell him otherwise. Variks seemed satisfied at seeing her back in one piece, and met her eyes.

"Success, yess?" He chattered.

"Yes," Meren breathed.

She was about to thank him again for his guidance - for everything he had told her. It was because of him that she was still breathing. But the words died on Meren's lips as Variks spread his arms and offered her the deepest and most respectful of bows.

The unexpected gesture caught her off guard, and she hesitated for just a moment. By any standard, Meren had done more than enough bowing for one day. But she could make an exception for this. For him. Meren smiled and returned the bow, full of just as much respect as he had extended to her.

Petra traipsed down the landing ramp behind Meren, a little too late to witness the exchange. And it was for the better. Petra would ask questions, and Meren wasn't confident that she could even give a satisfactory explanation for what had just happened.

"Well, she did it, Variks," Petra had to cut in and ruin the moment.

The scribe tilted his head. "Variks never doubted Meren. She is re-source-ful, yess?"

"I suppose she is." Petra looked to Meren. "The Queen will be pleased. I would wager that she would be happy to have you return to the Dreaming City, as often as you like."

While Meren appreciated the thought, visiting the Awoken city again wasn't high on her list of priorities anymore. "I certainly hope you don't mean right now. "

"No." Petra shook her head. "I will relay the news of your success to the Queen. You can go and get some rest."

It was the best thing Meren had heard all day. "Happily...if you could spare Yasmin a moment to escort me back."

"I don't think that will be necessary, Professor Hale. You can have your freedom - you've earned it." Petra gave the faintest of smiles. "The Reef is yours."


AN: Thank you to Keltoi, as always, for editing this mess.

Check out this story on AO3 for links to relevant lore after each chapter.