Chrysalis

"I'm really not sure about this," Isaac muttered under his breath.

[That makes two of us…] his new partner replied.

"I really didn't think they would go for this as enthusiastically as they did."

[It's how we are. If there's an advantage in it, we're more than happy to explore it. Even if it does prove to be… unconventional.]

Isaac felt the massive ant shift beneath him and tried to adjust his position to roll with the movement. The saddle they'd created wasn't quite the right shape, the craft ants having never made anything of this sort before, and it chafed him ever so slightly in an area he would prefer didn't see any chafing.

"I just never imagined that I'd ever be riding on the back of one of you. I mean, I didn't expect that I'd be fighting alongside any monstrous ants, but I got used to that well enough, but to be riding on one? Feels kind of weird. You aren't horses."

[What's a horse?]

"Have you seen a cow?"

[I have, in the farms around Renewal.]

"Right, so think of a cow that's prettier and faster."

[… I do not like this comparison.]

"That's what I mean!"

The once former guard captain heaved a sigh and once again fruitlessly tried to protect his most vulnerable zones from the pommel that rose too sharply between his legs. If it was made of cured leather, that'd be one thing, but that damned armour ant had decided to cover the thing in folded steel. To say he was sweating would be an understatement.

are ready for the test. We will count you in starting in one minute's time. Prepare yourself, Isaac,

here we

don't

least half responsible

[That is somewhat true.]

once more. He surveyed the course ahead again, a dizzying trail of loops and whorls that took them between pillars of rock, up the walls, across the roof and back down again.

what the hell did he know about wielding a lance? On the surface it was a noble's weapon and down below no idiot would

this time,] chided Cavalant and

even at rank one it provided significant bonuses. Not only were his thoughts connected to the ant he rode, to the point he didn't need to speak aloud if he didn't want to, but to an extent their senses were shared as well. Combined with

of Cavalant as she settled beneath him, flexing her six legs as she lowered her

Cavalant launched herself forward, all

on. Gripping with his legs, Isaac desperately clung to his partner's back, straining

up,] Cavalant warned

could I forget,"

terror as they raced directly for the tunnel wall. The image of himself splattered across the rock flashed into his mind, then, with a mind bending twist of perception, Cavalant placed

onto, they weren't necessary in this particular rider and mount relationship, but he did have a strap to grip to avoid falling

plops," he swore as he struggled to keep

the wall, zigging and zagging madly along the trail. For his part, Isaac held fast

Crack. Crack. Crack.

then, with one nauseating dash, Cavalant was

to tighten his legs, desperate

think I’m going to be

[Don't you dare!]

Crack. Crack. Crack!