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

my suggestion, and

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

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,

without the author's approval. Report any appearances

be more willing to spend

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

like to know what

clack my mandibles

have to negotiate with

would

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

deals for themselves exhausted, there is little option but

how many members of your esteemed Colony

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 an honest

absolutely no idea. As much as I would like to spend my time tickling the grubs and

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. It’s going to be a lot harder

Another idiot priest.

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

leans forward and speaks to Rathwyn in a deep,

like to know if the rumours of the

all centipedes that they could bring us. A bounty, cleansing the

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

to get Cobalt in the warehouse so I can ask her directly. As a member of the Council, I hope she has some idea what’s been going