"The Places of Aache" by Roger Zelazny (1979)

Originally appeared in Other Worlds #2, January 1980.

Plot: Dilvish and Black are set upon by a highwayman who tries to rob them without fighting but in the end has to face Dilvish's blade. After Dilvish kills him he finds he is haunted by a spirit whenever he sleeps. Going to the temple of Aache he discovers that his penance to be rid of the hautner is all his money and a year of taking the dead man's place. The highwayman was robbing travelers to buy honey to feed the goddess of the temple, Aache. Dilvish strikes upona better plan: why not mine the local metals and make much more money. He shows the temple servants how to smelt the ore and is prepared to take the first load south to market. The morning he is about to depart he finds the temple priest Trask fleeing. The temple has burned to the ground, killing the goddess. That night Aache's spirit takes her vengeance on Trask and Dilvish buries the body.

Monsters:

Aache - a large woman-spider who eats honey but robs travellers to pay for her food.

History: Another example of Zelazny the professional spinning yarns to meet a market rather than being driven by a need to tell a history of Dilvish. You can see how his style has become quite comfortable after twelve years and any number of Hugos and Nebulas. I think its a fun play of a name "Aache- Ache".

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