Chrysalis

We ran as if the devil himself we behind us liberally applying a pitchfork to our most tender commercial interests. Tiny was significantly slowed by having to carry his Biomass burden but I didn't consider leaving him behind for long. We eventually made it back to the small Dungeon entrance we had used previously and dove inside, slaughtering the small number of spawned monsters before standing still, earls peeled for any sound of encroaching doom.

[You hear anything Crinis?]

[Master, I don't have any ears.]

[You know what I mean! Do you detect anything?]

[… No. I wasn't able to detect anything on the surface either. Whatever was making that noise was far outside my range.]

[Fair enough. How about you, Tiny?]

[Whurfft?]

[Get that Biomass out of your face dammit! And why would having food in your mouth make your mental voice sound different? Do you hear anything?]

[No…]

[Good!]

Somewhat of a surprise, Morrelia had chosen to join us in the Dungeon. Perhaps she wanted the shelter of being concealed below ground level. She seemed to be fairly shaken after that fight. I don't know why she was so rattled, but I can only imagine she has good reason. I haven't seen her do anything she wasn't absolutely sure of.

[You feeling a little better?] I asked her.

At the moment she had her ear cocked into the air, her face was intent as she listened for any hint of pursuit. She didn't respond for a full minute until she seemed to feel confident there wasn't anything coming after us.

[I think so] so sent, [I just couldn't believe that a creature like Garralosh could actually be on the surface.]

[Yeah, shouldn't that be impossible?!] I protested, [its painful enough for me to be on the surface, some gigantic monster, that is hundreds of years old should have evolved ten times more than I have, should be drained of mana after a few minutes on the surface, surely?!]

Morrelia looked at me carefully for a moment before she continued to speak.

know, about Garralosh?] she asked with some

know a little. That the various Garralosh monsters are her offspring, that she's

appeared to think hard

that, though speaking too much would break faith with people I care about,

I sense secret knowledge!

than grateful for!] I

seeing through my guise in an

willing to help my people so far, Anthony. It's only fair that we help a little back. Now. Firstly, I'll say that Garralosh is probably not

that be?] I wondered, [she's hundreds of years old, isn't

around two hundred and fifty years old. Nobody can know with precision unless they were

evolved much? I've evolved

year old?] Morrelia's eyes suddenly narrowed as her voice

that surprising should it?] I shrank back a little from her

my attitude Morrelia's expression softened. [It's a little unusual that would be this strong, this young, according to what

excellence of my magic has made an impression

Bomb! Fearsome destructive power, no?]

intent, [Is that the

to become a little evasive. I don't intend to give up all my secrets, woman! Perhaps a little wisdom is finally starting

were discussing the giant crocodile who is apparently out

Morrelia nodded and continued with what she

much detail but suffice to say that she hasn't had access to the higher tier monsters and cores she would need to

That is a long time to not progress. Wait a second. Did you say something about

[I did. Why?]

Cores…. Something about

[Crinis?]

[Yes Master?]

any of us take the core out of Garralosh Commander that we

the arms and then run, Master. I thought it

Gandalf.