Chrysalis

“I’m hesitant about this, Commander,” Morrelia said, standing to attention next to her grizzled leader.

Chyron rose one brow before she turned back to stare at the unthinkable pillar that was Greystone.

“This is not a Legion action, Tribune,” the commander replied, thumbing at her chin in thought. “We don’t even know what they plan to do. Other than a vaguely worded missive, the golgari have given us nothing.”

“We know they are going to do something. There are brathians both inside the mountain, and on the ships. This risks sparking a serious international conflict right when the dangers of the Dungeon are reaching unprecedented levels.”

The Commander nodded slowly as she continued to lean on the railing at the prow of the ship, gazing up at the mountain. Behind, the deck of the ship was filled with neat, ordered ranks of soldiers in full armour.

Several kilometres away, to their left, floated the brathian merchant fleet, at anchor, perhaps two to three hundred metres away from the base of the mountain itself.

“That is a risk that the Empire of Stone is taking on, not us,” Commander Chyron replied. When Morrelia began to object, she spoke over her without turning around. “What would you have me do about it, Tribune? The Noble Circle of Greystone is beholden to the Empire, not to the Legion. I have no power to command them to do anything. Or to cease any action that they may decide to undertake.”

Morrelia scowled, stubborn.

“We cannot pretend we don’t have influence,” she said evenly. “The Legionem Abbyssi has worked with the Empire of Stone for thousands of years, from our very founding. If you were to speak, they would consider your words.”

“You think so, do you?” Chyron chuckled, her leathery face crinkling with humour. “I am no Consul, no high authority of the Legion. I am merely a Commander. Regardless of what I had to say, they would not listen. Besides, are you really so confident that they are doing the wrong thing?”

What could Morrelia say to that? Only she was aware of her intensely divided loyalties regarding the Colony, at least as far as the Legion was concerned. It wasn’t wrong to remove threats that may destroy entire cities once the Ancients rose and pressed them into subservience. If Anthony was wrong, if he was able to be controlled by the Ancients, then how many would die by his mandibles before he was eventually destroyed?

against the monsters. How many

on Amazon

was a way to know

strive for unity as much as possible,” she replied firmly. “Driving wedges between the brathian and golgari peoples will not

she peered up at the mountain. She’d seen something, Morrelia was sure of it, but no

going to care about whatever and whoever they may lose as a result of this fleet. At the first hint of the Ancients rising up the Dungeon, every grudge will be thrown in the bin; no one will

if we are

pay compensation until they bleed. Regardless, it is a price they appear willing

acting. But where?

troops aboard her own ship, as well as those who

the wind and deafening the sound of the waves lapping against the wooden hulls of the vessels. “Scorpion artillery is to

felt her heart sink in her chest, but she let none of that emotion play on her face. She merely snapped out a salute and

orders, Commander?” she

a moment

It’s unlikely to happen, but if there’s a window, I want you to lead an elite team to

then turned to perform her duty. A sound

CRACK!

From high up the mountain, it rang out, then expanded out over the water

What in the world?