Chrysalis

The next stop on our trade mission is the Wandering Isle, one of the largest of the floating islands within the fourth stratum. Supposedly, a mix of people live there, but predominantly it is home to a rare race that I’ve not yet run into. Nor have any of the Colony, as far as I’m aware.

It’s always nice to meet new folks! Not Folk, folks.

However, Eran is quick to throw a dampener on my burgeoning curiosity.

[Don’t get your expectations up,] she warns me.

The leader of our expedition is clearly feeling the weight of her responsibilities right now. What transpired with the golgari at Greyhome is an unmitigated diplomatic disaster for everyone involved, from what I can gather, listening in on mental communications I probably shouldn’t.

The Brathian Island Conglomerate is absolutely incensed, the Satrap is spitting fish-chips and that outrage is spreading to the other conglomerates as well. I don’t have perfect information, given that I can’t understand any of the spoken conversations and much of the mental ones slip past me, but both sides have brought out the big guns.

Legal experts and top negotiators are galloping into battle, ready to yell, scream, argue and generally word-fight over who owes who, who broke their legal obligations and by how much. Given that the brathians are who they are, I have no doubt the Empire of Stone will be forking over a rather sizeable amount of compensation.

[Marzban said the same thing,] I note. [Are these people really so problematic? What’s their deal, anyway?]

This is one of the rare opportunities that Eran has allowed her daughter up onto the deck with us. The young girl appears to be twelvish, or something like that, judging by her relative height compared to the other brathians on board, but it’s getting harder and harder for me to make these judgements now. One glance and I can tell you what tier an ant is, no matter the caste, but these humanoids? Nope. Not anymore.

Piris, the little girl, is only too happy to be roped into our conversation, a chance to get close to the big monster and poke at my carapace.

[Piris, darling. Can you come over here and explain to Anthony what the Magpei are like?]

As soon as the word leaves her mother’s mind and drops into hers, the little girl pulls a face. I may not have muscles on the outside anymore, but I remember that expression.

[and rude. They make fun of everyone who doesn’t

[They have wings?]

Piris rolls her eyes.

forget about it. It’s what they’re most

these are some sort of winged humanoid? Are they a branch of the

to give me the

story has been taken

Race, one of the originals along with humans, golgari

says they never stop biting off more than they can chew, so they keep choking to

puffs up, placing her hands on an imaginary belly and lowering her voice to imitate

only makes them worse. No

look like? Beaks? Fully feathered? Partially feathered? Ooooo, no feathers and bat wings? Are they like fruit bats? No! Vampire bats! They drink the blood of their enemies and

shakes her

[You’ll see soon enough.]

to meet up with the Wandering Isle. Far overhead, we see it coming from a long way away. As advertised, the

a thing that is rather common on this level of the Dungeon. As we’ve sailed around, I’ve seen dozens of them. Some monster-infested, some

course, the ships can’t fly up to the island, so we are going to have to exit our vessels and rise up on force platforms, along with the goods

I’m picked to go on one of the first platforms, along with the brathian leadership. As always, a view of the fourth from any level of elevation is simply breathtaking, filled with light and colour. I take my time enjoying the view as I sprawl on the platform, hoping the mages are able to manage my bulk without burning

here they come,] Eran sighs to

[What? Who?]

[The Magpei.]

sort of welcoming