Chrysalis

THWACK!

HIYA!

SNAP!

The moment I entered the Queen’s chamber, a powerful antennae came flying at my head. This time though, I was prepared, I’d thought ahead, inspired by Morrelia’s thoughtfulness I had anticipated how my reception would begin.

Thus it was that I stood upside at the entrance, clinging to the roof with one of my mother’s antennae clasped between my own. Sword catching is for fools, antennae catching is a whole new level.

"Hold on a second, mother! It isn’t like you to be hasty!" I appealed.

The Queen’s eyes lay on me like a weight, peaceful, serene, but heavy.

"I see you have brought a gift for me child" she replied evenly.

I tried to shrug my antennae whilst still gripping hers and largely failed. I wouldn’t weaken my hold just yet, in case she felt I was being particularly foolish.

"Oh this old thing?" I deflected, "there are so many of them up on the surface that I’m starting to think they don’t hold any value at all. Why, I almost feel bad giving you something of such low rarity."

"In that case" mother answered, amusement rippling through her voice, "perhaps it would be best if you kept it for yourself."

Dang it! Operation downplay the core was a failure.

"Is this the kind of welcome you give to your child who was away from home, slaving away as a scout in dangerous territories for the colony?" I try a different tack and divert the conversation.

I may have struck a chord with mother on that one, since she retracts her antennae from my grip before she responds.

"Welcome home child. I am, of course, very pleased to see you, even if I am concerned at what mischief you might have caused whilst you were away."

Oh, she’s definitely amused now. I reply whilst climbing down the wall to the chamber floor, hoping to put myself on more solid ground.

"You wound me, mother" I say reproachfully even as I sweat inside.

to come down this was earlier than they had planned, but considering the Kaarmodo lizard was actively utilising scrying magic, chances are they already knew the human survivors were congregating

under the surface level, within the Dungeon, which necessitates her guard to be constantly on-alert, seizing

have been a couple of things that came up whilst I was away. Nothing we can’t

waggled

as much the moment

Ouch.

haven’t seen her about?" I wondered, trying to shift the focus of conversation away from

happy to take the bait. Her eyes shone warmly as she discussed her

be at risk here in my chamber, she is currently positioned with

Mother. I’m pleased to see your pet has brought you

stuff to do. It’s nice to have someone be your devoted companion. I only had to think of the ever loyal

add her

happily, "it will be so helpful for the

all the good work I’ve done, it’s time to bring

"So about this core..."

THWACK!

Ouch!

lightning bolt from the sky, the Queen’s antennae descended on my head. Even with all of my upgrades, that still really

better position to make use of this gift than I, child, we have

winced, but held my

for myself before I need it, but right now there is nobody in the colony who can make use

The Queen wasn’t convinced.

its survival, they will need to be as strong as possible. I am the only Queen in this colony right now, but there are two others who

colony. I’m not sure if she’s just humble or if she just genuinely doesn’t understand what it would mean for the colony if she were lost. In truth, I suspect that she simply sees herself as performing her function for the family as well as can be she believes there are other parts of the

that point we disagree and I’m not going to back

I will stand forward and fight. There is no other ant in this colony who is close to matching me. What we need isn’t more battle potential, we need

go along with my idea. Why is it so hard to convince this particular

of the colony. You have to accept it. Even if all it does is

noticed that not only was the Queen watching me in her careful way, but so where her guards, all of them facing

right, Mother" one

would be a boon

third chipped in, standing directly on the Queens