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….”

have to go that

The two chuckled together.

say thank you for all that you’ve

“Pish! Call me Enid.”

well. What do you hope to do in your retirement

old woman thought for a moment, a frown adding a few further wrinkles to

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

trip? You make it sound as if you’ve got one foot in the grave,” Terrence said. “Surely you aren’t as infirm as

this place. I’ve done the best I can to get Renewal off to a good start, but it's time for someone younger, with

She eyed him seriously.

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

Enid scoffed, “if you put in a little effort,

out the window, a soft smile 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 the pride she felt seeing her fellow refugees rise to every challenge to make something remarkable, was something she

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

Enid looked pensive.

easy, but that doesn’t mean it's not worth doing,” she huffed. “I’m old, not decrepit. As long as I take my

were very good about helping people go up and down in the Dungeon. They had begun to build chambers with the sole purpose of helping people

you think is happening back in the council chamber?” Terrence mused, allowing his mind

Enid snorted.

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

the

“She can’t just quit!”

“This is a disaster!”

old woman back