Settling Some Old Debts

Dave and Ralph rode up to the north on the back of Grumpy. The journey wasn't that far away, but once they have gotten into the Man-Eating Spider's territory, things became far too different than when Dave remembered.

The area, still covered in cobwebs looked far calmer than before, and not even one or two of the juvenile spiders were seen anywhere. Dave frowned, the area here was a huge headache to him and TNT when they first crossed it. But now it was so calm it was nerve-racking.

"Something must have happened here." 

"Why'd you say that?" Ralph asked.

"The spiders, none is here."

"So are the animals, I don't see a single bird chirping."

"Usually birds would avoid this area, and this was the same, but spiders? Leaving their home, that's not right."

"I bet our friend Ashkar is responsible."

"Yeah, I have the same thought, keep your guard up bro."

"Will do."