Chrysalis

When the noise finally died down, Isaac pulled his hands from over his ears and slowly, very slowly, opened his eyes.

The first thing he felt… was relief that the roof hadn’t collapsed on top of him. A good start. Next came the relief that his legs hadn’t fallen off or been crushed, they were simply numb from the incessant shaking of the floor.

Wins all around. Isaac was beginning to hold out hope that his moustache hadn’t fallen straight off his face from the stress, but he deliberately didn’t reach up to check. He wasn’t ready to find out his suspicions were correct after all.

Soundly convinced that he was (sans moustache) in one, sound piece, he began to turn his attention to everyone else.

“Hello! Ant cavalry, sound off!”

He got a few muffled calls, some groans and a few swear words for his efforts. The air was thick with dust and he could barely see ten metres in front of himself.

There must have been a collapse somewhere in the chamber to kick up all this mess; he could only hope nobody not covered in a second skin of minerals had been caught underneath. Confident he wouldn’t get much more out of his human squad mates, he turned to pheromones and called out again.

“Ant cavalry? Who can smell this?”

“How are you, Captain Isaac?”

“Doing well over here!”

“That was something interesting, wasn’t it?”

“Finished napping, then? Ready to get to work?”

“Anyone else want some biscuits and tea when we get back to the ship?”

“Stop slacking, Captain!”

He made his way toward them and found the ants had already collected their less active riders and deposited them in a line of sorry-looking sods. Covered in dust and clearly shaken, they shivered, moaned and stared blankly

it before, many times. Shock. They were rattled by what had just happened. And why wouldn’t they be? The mountain had been rattled,

moved down the line, calling names softly, placing a hand on their faces, shaking hands. Most were able to acknowledge him, some were able to get up and assist with a

the ants. “It’s as thick as me mam’s porridge, even if

purloined without the author's approval. Report any

the rock, but I’m sure someone can spare a

they

blown away, revealing the true extent of the devastation. Luckily, the area occupied by the trade mission was undamaged. The brathian merchants were there, along with Eran and her family. The ants were also safe,

the problem was. With so few ants allowed inside, most of those who had entered were carvers who specialised in making things, and the soldiers who were part of the cavalry. Precious

a sigh, Isaac headed over to see what he could

ants met his offer

shift some rock…

you even move rock with

rock,” he snapped, reaching down to pick up

larger than he probably should have, and instantly regretted it. However, he couldn’t put it down now, so he grit his

he squeezed out. “Don’t underestimate

too,” one of the carvers said smugly, holding up one of

known that, but it wasn’t really something he kept in the forefront of his mind. The ants win

know what happened?” he

Eldest,” a chorus of

most likely correct, Isaac had been around Anthony long

“I’d love to have a little more knowledge about why this mountain decided to