Chrysalis

Alberton and Titus stood in grim silence as they awaited the emissary of the Colony to approach. The elderly woman looked the same as she had before, her expression the same resigned weariness that she had borne the first time they had met.

"I apologise for making you wait," she greeted them, "my old bones aren't as nimble as they once were."

Titus was in no mood for pleasantries.

"My daughter," he ground out, "does she still live?"

If Enid was surprised by his coarse attitude, she did not show it.

"She is still alive, of course she is. She spent many weeks with us helping the survivors of the Garralosh wave. I personally count her as a friend and would not see her come to harm."

It was such an infinitesimal change that only Alberton, through his long years working alongside his commander, saw the release of tension in Titus when he learned that Morrelia had not perished during the battle. Ever since his daughter had berserked and charged headfirst into the enemy lines he'd been wound as tight as a void-steel trap.

"What do you desire in exchange for the safe return of the prisoner?" he asked, his voice stiff.

Enid paused.

"You desire a prisoner exchange? Pardon my rudeness, but I do not believe you have captured any of our people…" she left a deliberate gap, "… alive."

Legionem Abyssi did not

you offer a reprieve? Leave the Colony alone for a period of months? The ants would be more than willing

be deployed, probably even golems and praetorians. Such an expensive campaign would drain them of precious resources

goes counter to my orders," Titus stated flatly. "We have come here to exterminate

Enid nodded in understanding.

continue to keep your daughter alive though, does it commander?" she pointed out. "There must be a point at

you say

many others in Renewal. But the Colony will make any decisions regarding her safety. They are fighting for their existence because of you. The idea that they would baulk at them killing

she felt for

humans?" Alberton scoffed. "And then expect us to do

weight to the lives of monsters, and then expect them to treat you differently?" Enid

controlled rage in the man's voice was enough to silence the others in an instant. "No more games, Enid Ruther. You are a skilled negotiator and I have not the

the commander rolled off him in waves and Enid needed a moment to steel herself before she spoke. With Morrelia's help, they had agreed on what the arrangement should be long before she had walked out to parley, but it was necessary that they create some form of illusion to

your forces be victorious, you find her within the nest, safely ensconced in my rooms. Should you pull back for whatever

they were. Maintaining a siege in the second strata would be impossible. Once these tunnels became flooded with demons, they would be forced to retreat. More than that, he was worried of the growing tree-kin presence in the tunnels below. Scouts reported that the forest spread further by the hour and movement had been spotted within several

order to see that those living

next to the biggest anthill I've ever seen

will still