Chrysalis

“What’s going on?” Jern asked, confused.

“Something’s happening in town, I’ve no idea what, though. People just started running!”

That did indeed seem to be the case. Wherever Jern looked, people were poking their heads out of their houses and wandering toward the centre of town, or jogging down the streets after coming from the fields.

“Come quickly!” he heard a voice calling from somewhere closer to the square. “There’s big news to hear! Come to the cathedral!”

“To the cathedral?” Jern asked, confused. “What’s going on over there?”

His friend, Alis, stared at him as if he were being stupid.

“If you want to find out, then we need to go to the cathedral, right?”

“Good point.”

Feeling slightly foolish, he put down his shovel and scratched at his cheek awkwardly.

“Soooo, you want to come with?”

Alis shook her head, sending her blazing red hair swaying down her back.

“Of course I want to find out, I’m only standing around here because I’m waiting for you! Hurry up!”

“Oh,” Jern chuckled, trying to hide his embarrassment as he stepped out of the stables and into the street, being careful to avoid running into anyone. “I’m ready, let’s go.”

The two joined the flowing crowd of people as they made their way toward the largest building in Renewal. The cathedral towered over the burgeoning city; its tall, lavish spires and elaborate carved ants were an awe-inspiring sight, one that Jern frequently found himself gazing at, lost in the endlessly complex lines of the stone. In front of the cathedral, filling the town square, the crowd was abuzz with energy, murmuring and calling to one another, a hundred different conversations fusing into one, persistent roar.

“I feel like everyone in town is here,” Jern mumbled, uncomfortable.

He didn’t like being in crowds.

“Can you see what’s happening in front of the cathedral?” Alis demanded.

“Uhhh, yes? Can’t you?”

and kicked him

a giant,

she wasn’t comparing herself to him,

see. There’s a gathering of priests over there. I think the head priest too?

before she started poking him

me up,” she demanded,

Jern looked around uncomfortably.

we need to move to the side. I don’t

“Ugh. Fine.”

the crowd. Once he was confident they

“Are you steady?”

I am.

steadied herself with a hand on his head, idly twining her fingers through his

“and soldiers. That’s unusual. There’s even a few generals and carvers!

can tell the

Alis rolled her eyes.

look completely different. Look at that one, you see the different orientation of

“Yes?” he replied doubtfully.

mages, and they have larger mandibles. The mages can be a little tricky to work out, but they always seem the most curious, and they move around the most. If they’re connected to a human with a mind bridge, they usually try and turn their body to face them directly, which is a giveaway. See! That one over there

know a lot about

the

to learn about the ants? They’re our saviours! Most of our town

said, idly scratching

were fine. As far as Jern was concerned, they were regular people who lived and worked in Renewal just like the rest of them. Except they had more legs.

said, leaning forward on

just in case she fell, as he tried to spot what she’d seen. There was a lot of movement amongst the

gathering so quickly, my fellow citizens of Renewal. And I apologise humbly for interrupting your day, but this news could not wait

Beyn,” Jern nodded to himself. He recognised

Alis hissed, rapping him on the head

was so good at talking in public his words felt like they flew

suddenly roared, his words rolling through the crowd like thunder. Jern could visibly see

good speech from Beyn.

TO ME DIRECTLY. WHISPERED

from the crowd, and even Alis