Chrysalis

“You want me to go inside the mountain?” Isaac asked, surprised.

He turned and gazed out over the open waters toward the Legion fleet. It didn’t look like they were moving at all. Perhaps they had no plans to head ashore at this stop?

He turned back to the Eran.

“I’m good,” he said, smiling broadly and knuckling his moustache. “I like it out here on the water.”

But what if the Legion decided to dock later? It could happen.

“Check in with me again later, though,” he suggested, his eyes sliding back to the other fleet. “The situation might change.”

Eran Thouris, leader of the trade mission and head negotiator of the Brathian Island Conglomerate, fixed him with a hard stare. This was the kind of look that Isaac had become accustomed to over the years. When you said ‘no’ to a person whom you were in no position to refuse, they tended to give you this kind of look.

“Anthony has ordered it,” she said with finality. “You and your fellow cavalry men and women are to accompany a small team of carvers within the mountain. You are to organise and lead them. Begin now. We disembark in ten minutes.”

Plops.

Finally, he was close to Morrelia again, and she remained tantalisingly out of reach, just on the horizon, haunting his waking hours along with his sleeping ones. Sometimes he swore he saw her, standing proud on the deck of the lead Legion ship, like an all-conquering Queen of old.

Irritated, he stomped over to Anthony, still sprawled in the middle of the deck, idly waggling his antennae and generally being huge. Isaac still wasn’t sure exactly how he could speak using the ants’ pheromone language, he certainly hoped his Class change hadn’t blessed him with a new organ, but it worked somehow.

Talking to Cavalant had ensured he was proficient, as well. That ant was one hell of a critic.

“Did you really order me to go ashore?” he demanded of the giant monster.

didn’t turn around, because

the best way

was going to happen. The ants did whatever he told them to do, usually, even

charge, anyway? I don’t

“I’m the oldest.”

“So?”

the mental sigh rolling off the giant

has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on

safe. Besides, the only reason you want to stay out here is because you think the Legion won’t go ashore.

“Why small numbers?”

is to kill me, remember? The Legion

and pondered for a

“Do you think….?”

ashore or not! Holy moly, Isaac. I swear your brain has gone to mush. Get your act together,

and spat, no doubt saying

huffed. “Try and focus, Isaac. I want my family to come back safe. That includes you. Now

a choice, Isaac grumbled before turning around and heading below deck to find the rest

asked, rapidly cleaning her antennae. “I don’t know why they bothered to

Isaac sighed. “I think there’s going

partner dismissed his concerns too quickly. “The Eldest is here, things are going to be

at times. After all, when their minds connected, the giant monster who

sense, all the ants were young… but

himself. The golgari aren’t letting

like that, Isaac found himself as part of the official delegation striding off the smaller landing ship, across the wooden boards extended from the shore, and into