Chrysalis

It didn’t take long to locate the two golgari advisors within the Colony. Corun and Torrina were anxiously awaiting news of the outcome in Enid's rooms. The Colony had been unwilling to allow the two to fight on the frontline, despite them putting forward numerous requests. In the end it was the Eldest himself who shot them down, relegating the pair to tea and biscuits with the mayor as the fight to determine their survival went on without them.

Needless to say, they were more than a little shocked to be summoned to the gate during the battle, and even more shocked to learn of the circumstances when they got there.

"By the granite gonads of my forefathers!" Corun swore. "Is that idiot noble seriously trying to fight an honour duel against a monster here and now?! With Granin's head on the line? This is madness!"

Torrina stared hard at the gate, as if her gaze were enough to pierce the hundreds of tons of metal that stood between her and her mentor.

"We have to save him," she turned to her fellow triad member, "we can't just leave him there."

The usually cold and distant Torrina was nowhere to be seen, replaced with someone whose eyes brimmed with fear. For once, the talented Shaper appeared to have no clue how she should proceed. Seeing the change in her, Corun drew quiet as he wracked his brain trying to find a solution.

[I have to tell you,] Coolant told them, [at the moment we have no intention of bringing the Eldest here to do battle with this person.]

Corun was taken aback by how direct the mage was being with him, but he couldn't support their decision when his mentor's life was on the line.

[I assure you], he pleaded, [Anthony would not want Granin to die!]

Coolant eyed him.

[They probably wouldn't,] she admitted, [but is the Eldest willing to sacrifice hundreds of their siblings in order to come here and fight to the death against a foe of unknown strength? Indeed, it would seem to be in the best interest of the Colony to take this decision away from the Eldest, and allow them to focus on the battle in front of them.]

[Is that how the Colony treats its oldest member now?] Corun asked. [You control Anthony and make decisions for him?]

[Do not presume to judge how we treat members of our own family!] the usually placid mage displayed her rising anger in her furious tone, [the Eldest is fighting for the survival of our entire species. What is one golgari, regardless of who, against that?]

wanted to argue, Corun could not tell Coolant that she was wrong. He wrestled with himself

we can do?] he pleaded. [Granin has done so much for Anthony. It's not

an idea struck

he said, [perhaps they would take me instead. I could reason with them,

mind attuned to the conversation, listening with stone faced silence as Corun tried to negotiate for the Colony to save her teacher, but

mustn't!] she broke in, [you'd be cut

member set

sure of that," he said out loud,

you’re good, but that's a High Blade! In a one on one fight, you wouldn't stand

was willing to bear, not when she could save at least one of the most important people in her

what do you propose we do?" Corun hissed, his frustration bubbling up, "they won't get Anthony, and if nobody goes out there then Granin is as good as

gloom that had descended over the two Shapers, "I may be able to assist

Balta was rapidly growing

the beast here for me to slay?" he

do not know, High Blade," the leader of the Shaper triad managed to hide his exasperation and reply with proper deference. How could he possibly know?! These were ants he was negotiating with! Who knew how they would react

once more, the giant, looming ant head split as one side of the gate was pushed open slightly and a figure emerged. It wasn't an ant, which was disappointing, but at least some form of response was coming their way. The mage could only hope it was enough to relieve the irritated noble's temper before he

this person was high level. There was a confidence, a balance in every step that only

dark robe and appeared to carry no weapons, with the hood pulled up to cover their face, it wasn't even possible to determine race or

person drew within

responded. The voice that emerged was steady and sure, confident and calm.

come to negotiate, on behalf

was a moment of

people'?" he demanded, "if you are an ant, you are surely a strange one. My demands are clear,