Chrysalis

It only takes a couple of minutes before I’m swept into what can only be described as a tornado of well-intended coddling.

[We’ll get you back to your nest immediately,] Eran assures me.

[We managed to get all of your people off the ships,] Marzban follows up. [We received permission once the Folk spotted the Legion fleet coming in.]

[They didn’t come through a gate?]

He looks at me like I’m insane before rushing off to organise the brathian guards who are running alongside us. After a little thought, I realise that it’s unlikely the Deep Legion are allowed to use a gate to travel here, since they likely aren’t welcome.

Next to me, Grey is managing his own little firestorm as various Folk run in and out, trying to organise themselves. I mean, it seems weird that they didn’t manage to notice a fleet of their enemies sailing toward their capital, but hey, the Folk seem pretty laid back, maybe someone just forgot to pass on a message.

For my part, I keep my mandibles shut and my mind quiet while everyone around me panics and tries not to show that they’ve panicked.

Eventually other wolf-Kin appear, dressed somewhat more importantly than the other commers and goers, judging by their robes. Grey listens carefully to what they have to say before the reserved warrior clicks his tongue in irritation.

[Bad news?] I venture.

As nice as it would be to leave all the worrying to everyone else, I wouldn’t mind learning what’s going on around here.

[Of a sort. It appears the Legion fleet was granted permission to sail by the Wind Clan, which would explain why they weren’t spotted for so long.]

….

[And why is that?]

Wind Clan does much of the scouting around this

be a

[It would appear so.]

Still, it seems odd.

the Legion or something? I thought you all hated

a hand to stroke at the long grey fur of his

an unwavering sense of duty. However, we have fought against them several times, and we faced… resistance… shall we say, when establishing ourselves as a people.

That’s some interesting stuff.

they already tried to wipe us out once, as you’re well

been taken without

He grunts.

never stop trying to kill you. It’s a minor miracle they haven’t tried

dealt with them

He chuckles.

the Legion? The Praetorians are the only warriors we’ve ever seen who are superior to our blademasters one on one. As an army, they are spread out, stationed all over the Dungeon, all around Pangera. Were they to gather their strength, they would smash your Colony beneath their

as to think we can beat the entire Legion. We won last time because they didn’t send enough to deal with us, and the Wave pulled our butts out of the fire. I’d assumed they would keep underestimating us, but perhaps the

happens now?] I

here, we will simply have to watch them so that they don’t attempt anything they shouldn’t while

aren’t exactly outfitted to take on the Legion. The vast majority of our brathian colleagues on this journey are merchants, traders and craftspeople. In terms of sheer fighting power, they brought a

emergency construction. With all ten thousand ants needing to be housed in

around the nest is swarming with patrols as the

you returned. Are we under

me along with a host of other generals and scouts, an ad-hoc command post,

I try to soothe her. “The Legion is