Onyx had no way to carry these cacoons back with him. He had managed to make a large pile of them in his excitement to bring them back to Lisa. He had wanted to do something to thank her for making him part of Midnight's costume for his first harvest festival. But now he was stumped.
Normally people avoided the [purple moths because they would act aggressively to the larger animals and monsters that came around. It was a natural territorial behavior when their food source might be threatened. No one could be angry at their instinctual actions. The problem was, that this reaction was preventing people from going near them.
"The patrols must know that the moths are here and that's why none have passed me by in a little while." Onyx was thinking out loud. It was a good way to get his thoughts to flow without getting hung up.
"But the moths don't care about me even though I am a real predator to their food source. Maybe it is because I made myself small and they do not see me as a threat. Meaning, I can sneak out the cocoons and bring them to someone to carry them for me!"
Now that Onyx had his plan he slithered silently through the tall grasses at great speed. His aim was a small group of adventurers he had never seen before. They were far away and obviously there to prevent others from getting too near.
"I really doubt anyone doesn't know not to come this way at this time of year. The purple moths don't even come close to the walls as long as a wisp is near the swamps."
"Well of course not. They wouldn't come close anyways because they could care less. Even without the wisps, they would just go back to the swamps to hide away from the sun."
"Just stay focused. The moths might not come close but it only takes one to land on you and bite and you are poisoned. We can only rush you so fast to the healers." The three that were standing and talking were adventurers. To be more specific, an adventurer with a spear, one with a sword, and a third with a magical staff.
"Adventurers. I hope I am not disturbing you but I find I may need some help. Please do not be alarmed." The three fell in to battle stances as soon as the unfamiliar voice met their ears.
Onyx slowly revealed himself and they pointed their weapons. "It's a snake. What do we do?"
"I am not a snake. I am an abyssal serpent and my name is Onyx. I am out training and found some materials that I can not carry back. I can promise a good meal and some pay if you help me carry them all home." Onyx was sure to flash his plaque which caused all three to relax easily.
"I am the leader here." The spearman came forward. " We are the adventuring party triple G. Is you master around?' The attitude has shifted to one of business.
"My brother is not currently here. He is home. What do you think of my proposal?" Onyx was trying to get this closed up tight so he could bring Lisa the materials he had found. The sooner the better since she would return from the castle in the afternoon.
"We don't have to stay here right? The quest just had us guard this area as a warning for three hours. We can head home whenever." The girl with the magical staff leaned in with the details of their quest.
"In the light of our current situation, it is only right to help someone in need. We have some pretty great role models that always seem to be doing the same." The three showed proud looks but Onyx was a little too focused to ask who the role models were.
"Perfect. I will start to gather the cocoons here so you don't risk the purple moth's attention. I will be back." Onyx slithered away and every few minutes brought another cocoon until the adventurers had filled an entire bag of them. Their bag had been stuffed so full that it couldn't fit anymore even if they tried.
"Little serpent. You are amazing t have found a way to gather these., I can't wait to meet you master, and thank him for showing us a safe way to harvest these threads." The spearman complimented Onyx a few times as they left the area. Onyx slowly grew to his large size again shocking them. Their faces began to show some realization as to who Onyx was.
"You wouldn't be the serpent that everyone talkies about. The one on the heroes' shoulders?" eventually the swordsman asked the question while they entered the walls again.
"Oh, I am sorry. My name is Onyx and my older brother is Walker. He is the leader of the omnipotent party." Onyx really didn't expect the three to be so shocked.
"Then you don't need to pay us a single gold. Your brother was one of the people who saved our friends' life at the risk of his own. We have tried to catch up to their heroics every single day since we were healed." The spearman had a shaky voice. The memory was still hard to remember as a jade locust had done them serious damage.
"I could not ask you to help me for nothing. At least come to eat with us for lunch." Onyx didn't take no for an answer and chatted with them the entire way back to the mansion and to the dining room where he found Lisa had already returned and was setting up a meal for everyone who had been training.
"Sister Lisa! I have my thank you for your wonderful costume." Onyx had to shrink a little to easily move around the mansion but grew again to be sure to rise up at Lisas' height. "I also have three friends to join us!"