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?!]

around and her

shiny are we talkin’? If you’re pullin’ me leg, I’m

of ‘EYYYY’ ‘EYYYYY!’ from the other Magpei.

to give me all the

listen to it, then so do you,] she

Yeesh.

border town called 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 asking who we are and what

has been stolen; if detected on Amazon,

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,

it's lovely to see you

too kind, Eran. How is your esteemed husband,

is well, thank

Piris I see? Such grace and beauty. Clearly,

little girl giggles and

a nearby Magpei

him any mind and he slowly de-puffs before being distracted by something

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 man, Lowyn, who greeted us, just to ask

the giant ant in front of you,

as he turns

to meet you too,] he says, warmly. [I hope you and your people have a pleasant stay

I wanted to ask you. How the heck

Lowyn smiles gently.

you are referring to

I was talking about

them,] he assures me. [Though it does help to cultivate a

crash to the ground between the two of us, tangled around each other as

us will be regrettably short, but I will lead you to the area designated for your people to