Episode Six

   A low rumble alerted Aditi of the imminent arrival of the collection vehicle. It flew into Chamalon district every two days to collect tithe for Lord Chill, making a circuit of its assigned districts before returning to the Polis to unload.
   Aditi was perched high in the trees in the midst of her Cluster. She did not hurry to meet the vehicle. She was not silking today and had no skeins to deliver. From her perch she could see the low wooden roof of the silking shed below the village and further beyond that, the landing area where some of her fellow workers were already gathering to meet the collector. She turned her attention back to the Queen in front of her.
   The creature was regarding her with its eight bright black eyes. Aditi reached into her climbing basket and brought forth a small sealed earthenware pot, positioned it carefully in front of the waiting Queen and carefully eased off the lid. A large wasp launched itself angrily out of the pot and straight into the sticky web before it. Aditi watched with satisfaction as the Queen pounced.
   Long jointed black legs took hold of the enraged wasp and two sharp fangs thrust into its wriggling abdomen. In moments the wasp was reduced to feeble twitches as the Queen began wrapping it deftly in her glistening silk. Aciniform silk Aditi reminded herself, prey silk, the strongest kind.
Aditi leaned back against the tree and watched the flying machine land.
   Distantly she saw Heru carrying a spool box over to the machine. With a bow he handed the box to the waiting collector. She was surprised to see the collector put a hand on Heru's arm and have some words with him. Collectors almost never spoke to workers. Even from a distance she read discomfort in Heru's stance. She saw him say something and shake his head as he walked away, back towards the silking shed. That was unusual too, once he had delivered his spool box there was no need for him to return to the shed.
   Intrigued Aditi slipped her carrying basket around to her back and reached for the tinka vines that would help her climb down the tree. She took a last glance at the Queen. The creature, its green glistening abdomen swaying gently, was still wrapping the wasp, now just a white bundle.
    She had checked on most of her Queens already. If they had not caught their own prey she fed them. 
   Aditi decided to eat lunch in the village and find out what the collector had said to Heru. She stopped to wash her face and feet in a shallow stream. She was wondering if Heru would share the story with her, after her reticence towards him yesterday.
   Heavy steps sounded on the path between the trees and suddenly Heru burst into view.
   "Aditi!" he called. He looked more distressed than she had ever seen him.  He grasped her arm in a searing grip and dragged her away from the path.
   "Don't make a sound Aditi. Keep low. They are coming for you from the Polis" he said and pulled her further into the thick vegetation of the jungle.