Chrysalis

Chapter 1402: Wave Breaks [This… this is remarkable,] Rathwyn tells me, then turns to say something to the goggle-eyed gaggle of mages behind him. They all nod enthusiastically, each jabbering as quickly as the next.

[Why don't you just hook all of them into the mind bridge?] I ask him, a little exasperated. I've been watching him pass on my words for an hour now, and the lack of efficiency is starting to bug me. [You know I'm safe, as far as giant ants go.]

The group is standing inside one of the mighty gates that separates the inside of the fortress from the platforms and intakes outside. They were extremely keen to learn how the safe-zone was created and maintained, and there didn't seem to be a problem showing them. Just to be safe, I checked with Solant, and she didn't seem to care, so here we are.

They were fascinated, and somewhat charmed, by the wuffers, happily wuffing away on their platforms, chewing through prodigious amounts of toxic mana without breaking a sweat. Only half of the wuffer platforms in the fortress are active right now, so there's still a long way to go before this place is running at full capacity, but from what I've heard, the core shapers are really cranking them out, so it shouldn't be long.

[You're right,] Rathwyn chuckles. [I should connect them up; it would make my life easier, if nothing else. Give me a moment.]

He goes silent for a brief period, and I'm given another opportunity to witness his masterful control of mind magic.

[There, that should have all of us connected. Introduce yourselves, please.]

[I'm Anthony,] I say, giving a wave, [nice to meet you.]

[Englebert.]

[Horatio.]

[Lady Meritious.]

[Camsworth.]

[Kathy.]

hard at the woman in question without letting her know I'm staring. Easy

spotted the bodyguard they 'snuck' in. The rest of them are as bookish as Rathwyn himself.

don't all die in the next few months. Anyone

is the fortress defended, militarily?] Kathy asks, folding her arms across her chest, inadvertently showing off the

lady. Don't make it obvious! Still, there's

say. [Just to check, we're all comfortable getting a bit closer to the action? Beyond this gate is an active warzone, after

any windows?] one of them,

If you want to see it, you've got

fine,] Rathwyn

the mechanism which opens

is a scene straight out of a nightmare. There's a bridge, blazing with light as massive amounts of mana are channeled through it, beyond which stands the platform itself. Tens of thousands of ants and militia hold the line, defending the intakes and holding

of figures moving to and fro between the field hospital set in the centre of the platform. Burned individuals and those contaminated by toxic mana are rushed in

has a sickly look on their face as they witness

is where the mana intakes are located, so without them, the entire fortress

duration of the wave?] Rathwyn