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?]

cut the brathians out

as I’m aware. You need to deal with Eran Thouris if you want to

raises her brows at my suggestion, and the mage passes her words

fiercest traders in the world who will squeeze every drop of profit they can from the goods you are

her husband are robbing us blind and we’re too young and naive to realise what’s happening. Probably all the merchants we’ve dealt with during

purloined without the

hurt us for them to believe that. In fact, it might even be better. The average consumer may be more willing to spend on Colony goods if they believe the brathians are taking the lion's share and the monsters are

go and speak to Eran Thouris and see if she thinks the same. There’s a reason I said this situation is

Wynn would like to know what that reason

clack my

otherwise, you’d have to negotiate

that would be

don't have to find out. Only the Brathian Island Conglomerate will have to suffer

deals for themselves exhausted, there is little option but for the merchant to

like to know how many members of your esteemed

just going to come out and ask as well?! Seriously?! You want to count the chickens this far ahead of the hatching, they practically haven’t been laid yet! I suppose I have to give him an answer, and

idea. As much as I would like to spend my time tickling the grubs and counting the brood, I’ve had other things occupy my

tell by the gleam in his eye that he knows exactly 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

Another idiot priest.

Alliance to speak. So far, he’s been extremely reserved,

speaks to Rathwyn in

like to know if the rumours of the Colony

a commission for any and all centipedes

excuse me, I need to consult with one of my

the warehouse so I can ask her directly. As a member