Thothaga caught sight of the chrysalis where Khloros once was, but all her legs sensed was the Spire. If he was truly alive, what was left of him?
The spider stared at the fungal stag with her unblinking, coal-black eyes.
It was good to know the Spire was in good..er hooves while she was away.
Then the Divine's vision flashed through her head. She promised her new tree-friend vengeance, and thanks to Dragon, she had a lead. Astraea seemed very ancient, and if he was indeed a Master, he must know something.

"Yes," he said simply to her words. The Astraea. There had never been another Astraea, only a fool, misguided and asleep. When she relaxed and agreed he was, indeed, a Master, he snorted. Master Astraea, yes. But she seemed as if she were on his side.
The correct side.
"Indeed," he agreed. "A misguided fool. I had once been such, but I have awakened to my true purpose again—to raise you, my children, to the best that you can be." His ears flicked. Finally he said, "You are welcome, Thothaga."
When she asked about Nemean his ears cupped forward.
"Nemean?" he repeated, glancing away thoughtfully. Astraea was silent for a moment, thinking of what he could say about the sprite. "Good at her job." His red eyes returned to Thothaga. "What would you wish to know of her?"
@thothaga
A bit of spite welled up in the spider when he spoke of her like that, but her face remained expressionless as always.
He had to restrain from rolling his eyes. "Wither and rot? It is not up to me how she completes her tasks. She deploys many methods--" curse them? "Who? Which ones are we talking about?" Astraea was starting to feel agitated.
Until her last question.
He barked a laugh. "Does Aquarian call her that still?" He shook his head and exhaled loudly. "She's only a hazard to you if you give her reason to be. If you are strong and smart, you will survive."
Half-turning to leave, he glanced back to Thothaga over his shoulder. "She loves to chat if you'd like to ask her yourself. Just holler for her, she'll come if you want to give her the attention." Red eyes rested on the arachnid, waiting for any response before he figured he could leave.
@thothaga
She pondered at what the spell told her.
She gave him a swift nod.
*Exit Thothaga