Chrysalis

As always, it was the Eldest who pushed us in directions we did not think were possible for us to go. Without them, we would never have been able to forge the alliances we did, or perhaps more significantly, turn potential enemies into staunchly neutral parties.

Especially in those first years, it was difficult for the Colony to understand the motivations of the so-called ‘civilised’ races. What did they want? What did they seek to gain? What was it that they feared to lose?

We had no answers to these questions, and it cost us many times until the Eldest introduced us to a simple maxim: First, try money.

- Excerpt from the notes of Historiant

When Rillik felt his feet touch down on solid ground, he breathed a heavy sigh of relief before he turned to the others. Elly looked haggard, her usual positive outlook completely smothered by exhaustion after a truly difficult few days.

Lacos appeared better on the surface, but after being on the same crew for so long, the golgari had learned to read the man’s scaly features. Despite how he looked, he too was running on fumes.

The city of Gliax, rising up from the waters on the coast of the mountain which had come to be known as Prosperity, was as busy as always. Mercenaries, merchant ships and larger expeditions moved in and out of the docks in an endless stream. The docks themselves swarmed with the thousands of workers needed to load, unload and crew the vessels at the required pace. It was bewildering to the exhausted trio and Rillik was quick to hustle his younger team members away from the noise.

Before they reported back to the union, he decided to pull them into a pub where he ordered a round of drinks and a hot meal. They ate in silence, for the most part, enjoying the camaraderie and comfort that came with civilisation.

Rillik took a long pull from his mug before he placed it back on the table and spoke.

“That expedition was something of a disaster,” he said.

Elly and Lacos nodded solemnly. Financially, they’d managed to save it thanks to an unexpected turn of events, but emotionally, they were at a severe deficit.

“It’s always bad, losing a crew member. Whether they’ve been with you for a week, or for a year, it’s always bad. Losing people to the monsters, it hurts.”

He paused and took a deep breath.

“It’s far from the first time for me, as you know, but it hurts all the same. I don’t know what got into Drake, why he was so desperate, so impatient, but he paid the ultimate price for it. He knew the risks, he knew the dangers, and he made dumb choices. It might feel unfair, but dumb choices get you killed in this business.”

Elly and Lacos nodded dumbly. It might have been a familiar experience for the older golgari, but for them, it was the first time someone they’d worked and fought with had not returned from a delve. It was hard to take.

“We won’t be going anywhere for at least a week,” Rilllik announced. “Take some time to get your heads sorted out. Mourn however you need to, then make a decision whether you want to stay in this business or not. A lot of people quit after losing friends, and there’s not one bit of shame in that. To be honest, they might be the smart ones. I’ll swing by your place and drop off your cut once I get it. If you’re still in, we’ll talk then.”

He pushed back his chair and stood.

the decision that feels

toward the union building. For the umpteenth time, he wondered why he never considered quitting himself, before shoving the thought to the back of his mind. He was a delver, that’s just what he was. He couldn’t imagine doing

do what he had always done. Regroup

to mix the rough and tumble nature of mercs with the finer things success in the business could bring. It came together as poorly as one might imagine, yet

as always, and he stood in line for twenty minutes before finally managing to speak to someone. He’d thought about how this would go a number of times in his mind, but still found it difficult to find the

young woman behind the desk smiled as she

“Hi there. Manager, thanks.”

She blinked.

confirm your identity before anything else, and I’m certain I can handle whatever

the patience to deal with the

he yelled, “Get out here

leap in volume and an older woman stuck her head out from an office door behind the reception area, scowling in his direction. When she

emerged from her office and scuttled over, tapping the receptionist on the arm and saying, “I’ll take it from here, honey.” It took another moment

warned you multiple times not to hassle my staff. They’re

back from an expedition and I don’t ask to speak to you unless

pushing keeps the jobs flowing and you in a job,” she said smartly as she leaned

I presume the church-listed expedition was a failure? Care

surprised she remembered what

species of intelligent ants with a well-fortified presence in the mountain. The mythic, the most powerful

of entries in the book, crossing out names and noting each one on a separate sheet by her side. Mercs to be purged from the roster, families contacted, blood

crew came

He frowned.

“Drake didn’t come back.”

“Ah.”

line, a little more

spit out next? There will likely be a bounty put on this mythic as well, though I don’t suppose many will want to try for it. Anything you know about it will be helpful, I can get you a good commission for

that was all

over this, Rillik.

then, is it?” he replied. “Sorry, I’m tired. The reason I needed to speak to you was what came next. My crew and I were caught and spared by

manager snorted. He ignored

they offered us a

Her eyes went wide.