Hayes took on the role of porter.
Using spider silk, Albert fashioned a makeshift carrying harness around him. The snow-white threads were flexible yet resilient, highly elastic, strong under tension but gentle enough not to bite into flesh. The webbing looped carefully around the snow leopard's forelegs, under his armpits, across his chest, and along his back, distributing the weight evenly over his body.
Albert hung two empty sacks from the silk lines at Hayes's sides. As they moved along, he picked fresh edible fungi, and before long one entire bag was filled to the brim.
Karl watched from the side, practically drooling. "Th-that smells amazing… Third Brother, can we eat those? They won't make us see dancing little people, right?"
Albert glanced at him with a faint smile, not at all bothered by the unfortunate kid's choice of address. "Not if they're cooked."
