Chrysalis

Chapter 196

Once I get close enough I'm quickly recognised by the people and the reaction is a unlike what I expected.

Firstly the humans seem unusually comfortable with having a monster ant wandering up to their area. I guess they've seen plenty of ants wandering here and there over the last few days.

Secondly they seem a bit… reverential. When they recognise me (I look different enough from the other workers I suppose) they fall quiet and still. There are hushed whispers and people rushing off towards the rear of the settlement where the shelter is. Other people are gesturing in my direction and talking animatedly to the people next to them. Even the children are pointing and whispering.

….

Annoying!

So annoying! What are these people doing anyways?!

I wait impatiently on the edge of the settlement, not willing to wander in and subject myself to more pointing. After a few moments Enid and the white robed priest Beyn came rushing over. She looks a bit nervous but he appears positively beaming with joy.

Hastily I weave together a mind magic transformation construct and connect to Enid whilst she patiently waits for me to complete the magic.

[Enid. Have your people managed to stay within their bounds?] I say abruptly once the mind bridge is finished.

[Yes. We've been staying within the boundary you set very carefully] she says nervously.

….

It appears to be true. When I detect the pheromone trail on this side of the settlement with my antennae it does seem to be fine. I'll check the other side before I leave as well.

to be more people

further south. These people arrive only

[Eaten?]

[… right]

...

do?] I ask. More to the point… how long are

us are content… surprisingly content, to remain here and build a temporary shelter. Wait for the wave to pass and then hopefully return to

I brighten up immediately.

don't want to stay forever? Head back after the

….

wave going to go for? Well.. As long as it

know we came with very little and have made do with what we have. We have access to the stream for water but food is scarce and shelter is hard to come by. It isn't

anymore. I do spend most of my

remove the restrictions on movement? This land isn't tame by any stretch. The colony is chewing through a lot of the local beasts on the surface but there

do this or we'll perish. We have to forage for food, perhaps try to clear a field that we can sow in the spring. The people here are feeling positive about their prospects of living safely here. They have hope again and

there are woods everywhere, plenty of places to go foraging. If they want to clear a

to a good start they'll have less reason to come and whinge

help by cutting some trees and bringing the logs to the edge

but not to come closer to the anthill. I'll mark a new boundary halfway between here and there and I recommend you

will mean the world to these

the priest next to her. As soon as she's finished tears begin to flood down his face and he kneels in the dirt before me, raising his one good arm to the sky and shouting

….

to

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