Chrysalis

“Are you sure you want to retire now? There’s so much uncertainty around town right now,” Terrence asked.

“Wherever there are people, there’s uncertainty,” Enid groused as she brought her tea to her lips for a drink. “Ah, that’s lovely. Is this a new blend?”

“The Colony delivered a few bags yesterday. They said it was a test batch. I’ll need you to fill in a survey when you’re done.”

“Hah,” she laughed. “I’ll be happy to. Drinking their tea has been one of the great pleasures of recent months.”

She picked up a biscuit and gave it a hearty nibble.

“And they bake so well. Who would have thought?”

“Mayor,” her secretary said sternly. “You haven’t answered my question. Are you sure you should retire now?”

“Of course I’m sure. If I wasn’t sure, I wouldn’t have done it,” she waved the man’s concerns away. “I’ve done everything I can for this place, more than I ever thought I could, but I’m old and tired. I don’t have much time left and I believe it's important to turn these duties over to the younger folk while I’m still around to offer advice.”

She eyeballed Terrence over the edge of her cup.

“And by the way, aren’t you the mayor's secretary?”

“Yes.”

“Then why are you here? I’ve resigned.”

“I suppose I’ll have to take the tea with me then….”

you have

The two chuckled together.

you for all

“Pish! Call me Enid.”

do you hope to do in your retirement then, Enid? Now

thought for a moment, a frown adding a

like to help in the hospital, for one. It’s a joy seeing new children brought into the world. Even if all I do is chat to the parents, I think I’d enjoy that. I wouldn’t mind one last trip into the Dungeon either. I haven’t seen the Queen for a while, I’d love to have a chat with her again. Anthony as well, though that might not be possible. Goodness knows how deep he is now. Too deep for my old bones,

got one foot in the grave,” Terrence said. “Surely you aren’t as infirm

old, Terrence. Far too old to be running this place. I’ve done the best I can to get Renewal off to a

She eyed him seriously.

very much,” Terrence replied dryly. “I don’t have a way

scoffed, “if you put in a little effort, you’d

on her face as she watched the people going about their days outside the window. She could never have imagined she would have the opportunity to make something good, this late in her life. The satisfaction in knowing that she had done the best job she could do, and

you'll be able to go that deep into the Dungeon?” Terrence asked quietly. “To meet the Queen and

Enid looked pensive.

worth doing,” she huffed. “I’m old, not decrepit. As long as

very good about helping people go up and down in the Dungeon. They had begun

in the council chamber?” Terrence mused, allowing his mind

Enid snorted.

with their heads cut off. But that’s fine, they’ll sort it

in the

“She can’t just quit!”

“This is a disaster!”

that old woman back