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]

you vanished following the assault on the castle things settled 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

her recollections

roaring of beasts from our houses and flames reached the so high it was sky was burning. We were terrified, nobody knew what to do. Then monsters burst out of the Dungeon and into the church, dozens of them. Some of the villagers

expressions as perhaps I was before but she

came out. The children of Garralosh. They killed so many… Only thanks to Father Beyn did we survive. He rallied the survivors and organised a retreat. We ran from the town with nothing but what we could carry on our backs or throw onto

heard word of the colony's passage as we travelled. Father Beyn believed that perhaps you would

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

hope that you will let us settle nearby and leave us in peace, that's all we can ask. If you aren't willing then you may as well eat us]

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

to get them settled make sure they don't interfere with the workers or approach the nest, he's in charge. I want you to stick

a little more energy and spring in their step they turn as Beyn, delirious with joy at being entrusted with this task begins to lead the others across, helping them to their feet and urging them with his persuasive

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 was tiring enough for me

happened Enid? Tell me

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

those walls.

a little about the Dungeon] Enid continues, [my husband taught me a lot about his work. It isn't normal for

stuff has been happening ever since I arrived here, so I'm not too

I mean the Garralosh Infants? Why bring them