Chrysalis

[You really thought you were strong enough to beat a mythic monster on your own?]

[I figured you were just an ant! How was I supposed to know?]

[I’m a tier seven, mythic ant! Probably the first one in the history of the darn Dungeon. Pay a little respect, man.]

Thankfully, my opponent wounded nothing but his pride in our confrontation. I think, for a moment, the crowd were considering rushing down and attempting to subdue the ‘wild monster’, which would have been a rather difficult scenario to navigate, but thankfully they relaxed when I sat down and didn’t follow up on my strike. I mean… whose first instinct is to rush at the huge monster? The Folk are crazy, I’m telling you.

He rubs a hand over his furry head, disgruntled.

[If we’d known you were this strong, we would have gotten some higher ranked swordsman to guard you.]

[There’s no way the brathians lied to you about my tier, right?]

He shrugs helplessly.

[They probably assumed the same thing I did. Tier seven, but an ant, so it’s fine. As a result, you only got me and my apprentice as guards, and I hate to say it, but we aren’t up to the job.]

[Oh, the rabbit girl is your apprentice?]

[What do you mean, rabbit?]

[I don’t know… I was just getting rabbit vibes from her.]

[And what are you getting from me?]

[Dog or wolf, depending on your mood.]

I figure honesty is the best policy. If I’m being unspeakably rude, hopefully someone will tell me.

[That’s unspeakably rude,] he says, placing a hand to the bridge of his muzzle.

Dang it.

[Hey, I didn’t know! I apologise if I’ve caused offence. You guys don’t like being discussed in relation to the animal you resemble?]

focus on the things that unite us rather than the

to his feet and looks around. A lot of the crowd has dispersed, but

out, there’ll be another fight soon,

fighting pits get

That wolfish grin again.

[Around the clock.]

illicitly taken; should you find

I just find a relatively empty part of the stands and climb right on over, my opponent hopping

you aren’t a blademaster?] I

course not! I’m of

So…

halfway to a

terms of rank, yes. My

lucky I went easy on you then. I

but after being defeated so handily,

name, by the way? It’s getting awkward just to think of you as

‘that dog

would never! Yes. Yes I

a dog raising its hackles. Although I make sure to think

fine,] he mutters. [My

don’t

and back on the road, heading towards the field the Colony were setting up in, the… not rabbit-Folk joins us again, grinning

makes fun of him, at least, I think so, and then we’re back to strolling

I’m going to get new guards? Stronger

Barker grimaces.

I can’t exactly help people feel safe if you

definitely can. Like… I didn’t even use my middle grade stuff… let

in a thing

[I don’t.]

get back to—what in the name of

look around, wondering what brought on the

Barker points a finger.

[What is that?]