Chrysalis

We still aren’t allowed into the mountain, or even on it, really. The entire port city, which is still called Desert Basin, skirts the water, sticking to the flattest, outermost land on the island.

That doesn’t mean it isn’t built on sand, though. Everything around here is sand. The lizards like what they like, I suppose.

When the time is right, the brathian come get us. The Colony starts buzzing about, loading up the supplies, and we proceed in a neat and orderly procession to a grand bazaar. Every beam and structure here is formed from glittering, mana-rich minerals, and honestly, it looks stunning. This is the first sign I’ve had that the ka’armodo love of finery has crossed over to their architecture as well.

From what I recall, their holdings in the third are fairly… normal? Demon cities are basically all the same, and at a distance, the only additions the lizard wizards make are to put up a few buildings for themselves.

Perhaps they don’t bother all that much in the third. Most people don’t, as I understand it. Maintaining anything down there is a massive pain in the thorax. Why would you put up a golden statue just for it to erode in a matter of months? That ash is not to be messed with.

Within the bazaar, I see a lot of business going on: stalls, traders, sailors, the works. Only difference is all the sellers are setsulah. But this isn’t what we came for. Moving confidently through the bustle, Eran leads the way until we reach an enormous… tent… thing? A pavilion? Sure, let’s go with that.

It’s comically massive, the entrance is so large I can fit through without having to crouch, and it's in here we are going to present our wares to the arkesh. Without much to do, I plonk myself down in the centre of the space, which is ironically the most out of the way spot, since all the stalls are being erected around the outer edge. Tungstant, Smithant, Sloan and the other leaders are consulting closely with Eran and her mages about every aspect, making sure they put the best mandible forward possible for what these particular clients are going to want to see.

Which means the jewels, rugs, tapestries, fine furniture, statues and the like are going front and centre. Unfortunately, the Colony doesn’t make much finery. We don’t have much use for gems and shiny metals, usually fobbing them off to the cities.

However, a few enterprising ants decided to try and make some nice things for the Queens. Rings to go on their legs, or around their antennae. Wrappings woven with glittering thread to drape over their carapaces. Even necklaces and such. Oddly enough, some of it was even accepted. Mainly because the stuff is considered useless to the rest of the Colony, so the Queens don’t feel selfish taking it.

the taste of

fuss over the displays. [The ka’armodo are

this story is not rightfully on

head,

ornaments as a gesture of appreciation are acceptable to them. These… golden torques and diamond nets are… they would not be welcome.

to sell them to

don’t make anything solely to

[You do now!]

[Whoa now. Cool it.]

out, brathian and Colony alike. They’re still here now. No sooner did our delegation leave

For me.

target on his back,

a whole. Other than a small number of carvers who saw human jewellery and decided

I focus

to ask them. You and I both know that. It’s not making things to please the whims of the lizards, it's turning metals and gems we don’t want

a bit and I turn my eye to the somewhat meagre displays we have put up. It’s not that impressive. We have too few pieces and none of them are that large. Eran is trying to make do with what we have to display the range of our