Chrysalis

“Support might be weakening for the Labourer candidate after his new policy proposal landed flat yesterday. People weren’t happy with the idea of using the ants as farm animals. Unsurprising. This is interesting: apparently, there’s been a late surge by a new group,” Enid mused as she read over the pamphlet that had been delivered that morning.

“I cannot believe how quickly you got that organised,” Terrence muttered as he poured tea for the two of them. “Where did you even source the ink?”

“The Colony was able to facilitate a trade with one of the underground cities that they manage. The whole thing was above board.”

“And your enchanted printing press? I suppose you purchased that for the market price?”

Enid had the grace to look abashed.

“I have to admit, I didn’t expect something like that to appear. The ants were curious about the concept of mass printing, and I told them how I believed it was done. I could hardly expect they’d drop a completely finished press on the doorstep two days later.”

“You did have a rather amusing expression on your face, as I recall.”

“Oh hush and pass the tea. Thank you.”

“The real question is if they’ll be able to adapt the technology to mass print their scent writing. If so, then they’ll be able to produce books, libraries, and whole repositories of knowledge.”

“A golden age of ant information sharing?” Enid said. “Come to think of it, this could be the perfect time for them to take up such technology. They’re getting more and more spread out as they expand, pretty soon, a crafter on one side of the Colony will never meet one on the other. Being able to share information will be critical.”

“And you just happened to introduce them to the idea right when they might need it,” Terrence rolled his eyes.

“Not everything I do is part of some grand scheme,” the old woman huffed as she sipped from her fine cup. “Sometimes it's just an accident.”

“Fine.”

five days since Enid had first pitched the idea to young Matthew about putting out some writing about the

election. Likely, the pace would slow down once they had a new mayor, but already, Enid was

in retiring years.

is making a late surge then?” Terrence finally

Well Rested Alliance,”

probably guess

have something to do with

place I’ve ever seen! Even the tavern closes early. What further policies can they

over the edge of

him. “They’ll

what? Read

wasn’t even what they did, that

“the Well Rested Alliance is not interested in forcing people to

his brows in

“They aren’t?”

her tea. “They want to make it

“Path’s mercy,” he groaned.

Enid laughed.

way, they can be even more certain that the proper number of eight has been achieved. They worry about ‘sevens’,

“How dreadful.”