Chrysalis

So now I sit in the centre of the pavilion, while all around me, eager arkesh are trying to strike deals while ants are doing their best to display their works and show their skills.

It’s kind of interesting, this is my first chance to get a good look at the setsulah for a long, long time. Certainly this close up. They really are a bit of an odd people, and I really can’t help but wonder how the heck they came to be. They’re largely humanoid, two legs (bleh), two arms, one head, all that stuff, but with distinctively reptilian features. They wear long hooded cowls for the most part, all the way down to their feet, with long floppy sleeves. Even in this heat!

Because it is hotter here than it should be, hotter than anywhere else I’ve been in this stratum. I’m starting to get a sneaking suspicion that the ka’armodo have installed the equivalent of floor heating on this island, which would be… an absolutely absurd thing to do. I mean, it would take an unmentionable amount of power, and be an enchanting and engineering feat that, quite frankly, boggles the mind.

But I’m starting to get the feeling that the lizard-wizards care enough about their own comfort to go for it. They already altered this whole mountain from a lush jungle paradise into a desert, for goodness sake.

Looking at these setsulah arkesh moving amongst the stalls, it isn’t hard to see where their priorities lie. Any stall with luxury items is surrounded by a horde of robed figures politely elbowing each other out of the way. The best fabrics almost cause a fistfight when they come out and the cheaper stuff is straight up ignored. Anything, anything made out of rare and precious materials is a hot commodity. I don’t know why an ant made an end table from water infused wood, and I don’t know why a giant lizard would want one, but here I am, watching two arkesh almost hissing at each other in fury as they try to get their claws on it.

For a change, nobody seems interested in me, which is a welcome surprise. I loom over the entire crowd, yet am content to be ignored. It’s fun watching all the goings on. Especially over at the jewellery. As soon as the setsulah realised only one person could view the items at a time, they lined up like the British at a scone sale.

Gweheheheheh.

As I revel in the success of my scheme, I feel a poke at my mind and look down to see a single arkesh standing in front of me, looking up. I glance around, but I can’t see anyone else looking to interrupt. The ants are all busy and none of the setsulah seem interested. Why not, I suppose? I allow the contact.

warning: this tale belongs on Royal

to me rather than take a gander at all the amazing ant-produced goods on display? Your mas—bond-partner won’t be mad that they missed

figure bows very slightly

Ammon’sil. Rassan’tep sends

Rassan… that… that’s ringing a

heck. Rassan’tep is… uh… he… he’s fond of… vermillion… honesty. Am I

glances around.

brusquely. [and he wished to welcome you to the Desert Basin, though doing so in person would be far too dangerous. However, the next showing will happen within the

us inside after all? I’m a little shocked. It’ll be nice

necessary to take that kind of risk? I mean, I already have some… worm… friends…

always better to get your information from more than one source,] Ammon’sil says, eyes narrowing. [And there is competition amongst your… supporters. Some will conceal from you in order to spite the others. We know you are now subject to the Call. Have they told you

Well… being honest.

[No, they haven’t.]