Chrysalis

It doesn’t take that long for my new guards to arrive, although Barker and his apprentice… Fluffles… also stick around.

I mean… FLUFFLES? It’s offensive to mention she has a rabbit nose, but that’s a totally fine name to have, apparently.

Whatever. The cultural idiosyncrasies of the Folk don’t need to make sense to me; they can, and do, call themselves whatever they want. I’m just here to check out the place and sell some end tables.

My new guard is, I’m pretty sure, a turtle guy named Phil, though of course I don’t mention his SHELL, no matter how much I want to. Like, does he have a wax routine for that thing? I’m only wondering because it has such a healthy sheen and I’ll be darned if I don’t want my carapace to look like that.

With him comes his apprentice, Pete, who is also a turtle, but doesn’t have a shell, but does have a sort of turtle face, with the beaked mouth and all that. These people make no sense to me.

It seems clear immediately that they’ve sent some more powerful warriors. There’s a certain aura around them that lets me know they mean business. I’m not willing to be rude about their appearance, but there are other things I’m willing to be rude about.

[So, are you a blademaster?] I ask as soon as introductions are done.

[You want to fight and find out?] he replies.

This guy is clearly pretty old, judging by the long silver beard and moustache he’s sporting, but his mental voice is still gravelly and vigorous. He sounds like he’d give Granin a run for his money in a rock chewing contest.

[Not really,] I reply, and I swear he slumps a little in disappointment. [I just had a fight, so I thought I’d relax for a second, get a little private time.]

Although I couldn’t move on the ship, I was the centre of attention pretty much all the time. People gawping at me from the other ships, ants checking if I was still alright, birds threatening to drop bombs on me. It got stressful.

Also, it’s been too long since I was embraced by sweet, sweet, dirt. Phil looks around, confused.

[You’ve got twenty ants inside five metres of you. How is that ‘private time’?]

says something to Barker, who whips

Those are my bodyguards and they do a pretty good job staying out of sight. I can’t get rid of them even if

“Protectant.”

Stubborn, resentful silence.

“Protectant…”

stay on that ship too,” she says,

is not meant to be on Amazon; report

I’m on your team. What also sucks is getting chopped up by turtle-Folk, so you need to reveal yourself

I’m just about to admonish her again to drop her…

one of the twenty guards who are with me

but Barker and

about them?] Barker demands after connecting

spot. Besides, they are included in the manifest that lists the key members of this voyage. Is it my fault you didn’t read it

kind of approach to just about everything except fighting. That appears to include admin. There isn’t much they can say to what I’ve said, so I take

then I’ll think about having some more fights. Although I do have to warn you, Phil.

his hand plays across the hilt

find I’m more than up to

blessed relaxation of Ant zen. The dirt in my mandibles, the flowing tunnel air, my siblings by my side. Getting a proper rest on the boat was absolutely impossible, not that I physically

is the life! Exploring, adventuring, and not

for me

to see you

one wolfish, one weaselish appear largely unchanged since the last time I saw them, still furry and/or muzzled, with that strange

surprise to see you again in these circumstances,] Grey rumbles. [I didn’t think the Colony would come into contact

like most people on Pangera. Surely you aren’t that surprised. I mean, I bet

to go into detail about that,] Grey breaks in hastily, his voice going