Chrysalis

[Yes, you] I snap.

Enid immediately stumbles forward until she reaches the side of the still sonorously praising one-armed priest.

I see her concentrate and then her voice appears in my mind.

[Wouldn't it be more appropriate to communicate with this man?] she indicates the priest, [it was he who led our people to this place].

This priest?! How the heck did he find me?! Does he have some sort of tracking device on me or something?! More likely he was able to follow our trail somehow but the bottom line remains, what the heck are these people here for? They certainly don't look as they've come to fight, judging by the number of women and children in the crowd, not to mention the sheer lack of arms.

[I will speak to you since I have had dealings with you before. Make it clear to the others I am speaking to you].

I don't want to talk to that guy. He makes me a nervous.

Enid take a moment to gingerly touch the priest on the shoulder and indicate that I am communicating with her using mind magic. Rather than disappointed, the priests face is overcome with enlightenment and he bows low before me, head nearly touching the ground, before he backs away to speak animatedly to the crowd. Nothing phases this guy…

[Enid. Tell me why these people have followed my family here to the wild lands]

down at first. Many of the villagers wanted to know where you went but we weren't told anything. Things were calm for a week but

her recollections

was burning. We were terrified, nobody knew what to do. Then monsters

as

retreat. We ran from the town with

to flee south. We heard word of the colony's passage as we travelled. Father Beyn believed that perhaps you would be

much hope. Having interacted with me directly and taken part in the

we can ask. If you aren't willing

the future generation of ant workers is born! This is a critical time for me and the colony! I don't want any

at least one kilometre in that direction] I point with my antennae in front of the shocked woman, [tell Beyn I want him to get them settled make sure they don't interfere with the workers or approach the nest, he's in charge. I want you

With a little more energy and spring in

the tired old woman to a nearby stone and she gladly hobbles over to it and sits. I have no idea how she managed the journey at her age, trudging by foot over such a large distance. It

Tell me what

shakes her head, grey hair swaying around her ears. [I don't know much. I think the monsters have invaded the surface. The capital got the worst of it, I can't imagine any other reason for the whole city to be torched like that.

walls. It isn't hard to imagine the

me a lot about his work. It

strange stuff has been happening ever since I arrived here,

mean the Garralosh Infants? Why