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.]

so… wait a second… Kathy?! I stare hard at the woman in question without letting her know I'm staring. Easy to do with eyes

putting it mildly. I think I might have spotted the bodyguard they 'snuck' in. The rest of them are as bookish as Rathwyn himself. Certainly more believable that they're

to the fortress. I hope we don't all die in the next few months. Anyone have

the fortress defended, militarily?] Kathy asks, folding her

there's no reason to

a look, then?] I say. [Just to check, we're all comfortable getting a bit

windows?] one of

it, you've got to head out

fine,] Rathwyn states encouragingly. [Let's

and they activate the mechanism which opens the massive thing, letting it swing wide enough for me to

gate 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 back the nightmare

stream of figures moving to and fro between the field hospital set

of the academics has a sickly look on their face as they witness the full horror of

with over forty-thousand ants on each of them,] I tell the group. [This is where the mana intakes are located, so

to defend these platforms throughout the entire duration of the wave?] Rathwyn asks shrewdly. [How do you intend