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.

may have caused Garralosh and company to come down this was earlier

the Dungeon, which necessitates her guard to be constantly on-alert, seizing monsters the moment they spawn from the walls, subduing them and more often than not bringing them to the Queen to

a couple of things that came up

waggled with frustrated

much the moment

Ouch.

I wondered,

was only too happy to take the bait. Her eyes shone warmly as she

risk here in my chamber, she is currently positioned with the brood under

see your pet

the colony and we all loved her back, but we had stuff to do. It’s nice to have someone be your devoted

she’ll be able to add her

the Queen nodded happily, "it will be

Now that I’ve reminded her of all the good work I’ve done, it’s time to

"So about this core..."

THWACK!

Ouch!

sky, the Queen’s antennae descended on my

others in a better position to make use of this gift than I, child, we have discussed this before" Mother spoke

winced, but held

need another for a long time. I promise you I will obtain more of these cores for myself before I need it,

The Queen wasn’t convinced.

I am the only Queen in this colony

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

disagree and I’m not going to

soon I’ll be prepared to evolve. I promise you that whatever battles threaten the family, I will stand forward and fight. There is no other ant in this colony who is close to matching

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

last line of defence for us and I suspect that you will be again. In truth, giving you this core will increase our fighting potential the most, as well as increase the future growth prospects of the colony. You have to accept it. Even if all it does is relieve the nerves of the workers, none of us want to lose you and it will give us comfort

only was the Queen watching me in her careful way, but

one of

boon to

chipped in,