Chrysalis

While the representative of the beautification committee recovers, the chap from the mayor’s office decides to chip in.

[Mr Ers would like to ask if you have any designs to enact the same level of destruction you visited upon Greystone against the Silver City?]

Really? They’re just going to come out and ask me that?

[Is the Silver City planning on dropping a mountain upon my head?]

[He says they aren’t.]

[Well, I don’t see that we’ll have a problem, then. To be clear, I didn’t intend to harm Greystone at all. My only intention was to protect my family, the brathian trade fleet, and myself.]

Some words are exchanged.

[He asks if you expect them to believe you damaged the mountain by accident?]

Rathwyn, the mage doing the translating, doesn’t seem convinced either, judging by his tone. I shrug my antennae.

[Doesn’t really matter if you believe it or not, does it? I don’t intend to harm the Silver City at all, and I’ve been isolating myself here in this warehouse to minimise the chances something goes wrong. I’m here under supervision day and night. I can’t see what I could possibly do to reassure you more than this.]

They must have some manner of determining intent, otherwise what would be the point of that line of questioning. Perhaps Rathwyn is such an advanced mind mage he can sense whether or not I believe my own words? That’s pretty crazy, if true.

The theory gains credibility when Mr Ers leans back in his seat, seemingly satisfied with what the mage has had to say to him. Then Georgia Wynn, from the Merchant Cooperative, whatever that is, has some questions for me.

These are easier to answer; all she’s interested in is sweet, sweet cash money. We ants are here to sell, and she is one of those looking to buy. Rather quickly, the general inquiries about quality and volume give way to what she is truly interested in.

[She would like to ask if all trade with the Colony is required to go through the Brathian Island Conglomerate, or if it is possible to negotiate directly with you or a representative?]

want to cut the brathians

Thouris if you want to

her brows at my suggestion, and the mage

fiercest traders in the world who will squeeze every drop of profit they can from the goods you are attempting to sell. Ms Wynn wonders if you realise just how badly

us blind and we’re too young and naive to realise what’s happening. Probably all the merchants we’ve dealt with during the previous stops thought the same, thinking that the Brathian Island Conglomerate

purloined without the author's

be more willing to spend on Colony goods if they

speak to Eran Thouris and see if she thinks

would like to know

my

otherwise, you’d have to

would be

of us, you don't have to find out. Only the Brathian Island

exhausted, there is little option but for the merchant to

would like to know how many members of your esteemed Colony there are right

of the hatching,

have absolutely no idea. As much as I would like to spend my time tickling the grubs and counting the brood, I’ve had other things

what he’s doing, and that he knows I know as well. Cheeky. You think you can feast on my family? Before long, this city is going to be flooded with fine ant merchandise that they’d rather not live without.

Another idiot priest.

Delvers Alliance to speak. So far, he’s been extremely reserved, listening to the responses the mage has translated with interest, but without offering anything

speaks to Rathwyn in a deep, clear

if the rumours of the Colony establishing their

totally forgotten about that. I do remember offering a commission for any and all centipedes

need to consult with one of my own people for an update on that. I

the warehouse so I can ask her directly. As a