Chrysalis

Beyn was troubled in spirit, something he had rarely been during his life. He remembered his time in the seminary, training to serve The Path. Even at that young age, his spirit had burned with certainty and divine purpose. He had risen long before the sun and slept long after it had set, devoting his every waking moment to the scripture, his meditations and the development of his oratory skills. It had been a simple time of purity and growth, one that he was fond of.

But the measure of his devotion in those years would pale in comparison to the blaze that would awaken in his later life. With the loss of his arm, an even greater purpose would be revealed to him, a deeper truth! And yet, he was unable to serve as he so desired!

"Priest Beyn. How are you feeling?"

He was dragged from his thoughts by a voice and he turned to see one of the true believers, Margaret, approaching him with concern.

"I am fine, sister," he assured her, "my symptoms have abated at last and I make haste to the temple to join our brethren."

A look of relief flashed over the middle aged woman's face.

a relief, Priest. We feared the worst when

memory. He'd been unwilling to leave the nest to the point that he had suffered severe Mana Sickness. A gross oversight on his part. When the illness had started, he'd assumed it was due to an oversaturation of joy, but alas. Without the intervention of Coolant, he might have

as Coolant had wanted to keep it quiet, he knew of the great challenge that faced the Colony at this time, how could he

direct it! If he didn't find a way to channel these emotions he felt as if he might just

on his walk through the streets of Renewal as he walked toward the church. Many people called out to him and he waved back to them with his remaining arm, stopping

people have responded well to the word, haven't they?" Margaret noted with obvious pride.

Beyn only smiled.

when it was right before their eyes?" He gestured to one side where an ant was currently helping carry stone blocks for a new construction. The law court would be impressive when it was done. In Beyn's eyes this would be largely due to the way the building incorporated the Colony, with viewing hatches built into the walls, wide doors to allow them to enter

and Margaret had to hurry to keep up with him as he strode toward the Church. The feelings of helplessness he experienced during his convalescence had built within him and he needed to be amongst the devoted once more to seek relief. Perhaps together, they would find a way they could

had been truly blessed when they awoke one day to find an ant crafter had risen from the nest and taken an interest in their work. The congregation had watched with bated breath as the Colony member had inspected their own humble carvings, including the statue of the Great One that featured prominently inside. They were never able to communicate with this mysterious individual, but they must have passed muster, as the blessed creature had spent a week working on the church, carving with mandibles and magic with equal skill to transform the once austere and square building into

beauty before him. There were always people who gathered