Chrysalis

So now I understand why I was warned about these people. They suck. It takes us over an hour to rise all the way up to the island, moving at a nice, controlled pace, and the Magpei swoop around yelling at us the entire time.

When one of them got tired and flew back up, another one would just come down! They were determined to ensure we were subject to a constant strain of threats, insults, and repeated dares to ‘come up ‘ere!’. How these people managed to survive at all is a miracle!

Do the ka’armodo put up with this level of nonsense? The golgari? The LEGION? Although, they aren’t monsters, far from it, they were here before the Rending took place, before there was mana on the surface. So… I suppose the Legion doesn’t care about them one way or the other.

We arrive on the island itself, to be greeted by more of the preening Magpei, while others continue to fly overhead haranguing us.

Eran steps forward to speak for us, and again, the brathian Dungeon Seer continues to provide a running translation. Though I wish they wouldn’t.

[As agreed in our discussions some weeks ago, we are here as part of our trade mission to the mightiest and most flourishing trade hubs of the stratum,] Eran declares.

I know for a fact we’re pretty much only here because it’s on the way to the Silver city. Nevertheless, I understand the urge to butter these people up. The Magpei seem difficult to get along with, to say the least.

The representative of the Wandering Isle leadership who came to greet us seems to be fairly typical of her people, from what I’ve seen so far. They don’t wear a lot of clothing, covering the essentials, basically, and she seems annoyed to be here, looking down on all of us.

[We ‘welcome’ you to OUR isle,] she says, sarcastically, glaring. [I hope you can get your business done and get the HECK out of here, quick!]

For some reason, she turns to glare at me.

[You think you’re all that? EYYY? All big ’n stuff? You aren’t tough!]

What the heck?!

[Anthony is here as a representative of his people, who have brought many wonderful and shiny things for you to purchase,] Eran attempts to soothe her.

Only one word seems to catch her attention.

[Shiny?!]

snaps around and her eyes

shiny are we talkin’? If you’re pullin’ me leg, I’m gonna punch ya right in the

a chorus of ‘EYYYY’ ‘EYYYYY!’ from the other Magpei. I turn to the mage translating

to give me

have to listen to it, then so do you,] she

Yeesh.

Mackaw, which is where imports and exports are handled, apparently. Every now and again, a new Magpei flies overhead, challenging us all to a fight and then

tale has been stolen; if detected on

arrive outside the town, we are greeted by the head of the local trading guild, who is, mercifully, a human. He bows low and respectfully toward Eran as she draws near, greeting her with a

it's lovely to see you

are too kind, Eran. How is your esteemed husband, the

well, thank you

little Piris I see? Such grace and beauty. Clearly, she

little girl giggles

at, EY?] a nearby Magpei squawks. [EYY?

mind and he

pleasantries are exchanged, Eran gets down to business working out the trade arrangements, when and where the Colony will set up their temporary market and for how long. When it’s all said and done, I sneak a mind bridge over to the unbelievably polite

it’s me, the giant ant in front of you, nice

slightly as

and your people have a pleasant stay

what I wanted to ask you. How

Lowyn smiles gently.

are referring to the

about the

he assures me. [Though

the ground between the two of us, tangled around each other as they engage in a furious fist fight.

you to the area designated for your people to rest. I hope you will