It was still dark, still quiet, when the door of the inn opened. It was not night. But it was not day either. This was the brief moment before dawn, the quietest, most empty time. The sun had not risen, but the sky was no longer quite as black.<\/p>\n
The door to the inn slowly opened, and someone came out. They moved very slowly; the rest of the inn was completely asleep at last, an hour after all the magic had occurred. As it turned out, even something as dramatic as an inn becoming a magical inn couldn\u2019t keep people awake that much longer.<\/p>\n
But the lone figure was still up. It closed the door and then peered upwards at the side of the inn.<\/p>\n
This is what someone would have witnessed if they were waiting outside. A slight scraping sound, the sound of indrawn breath, scuffling. The figure climbed up onto the roof of the inn, muttering as snow cascaded down around them. But in the end, they were on top, and then quiet crunching followed their slow movement across the top of the inn.<\/p>\n
A small flurry of snow swirled downwards as a small patch on the rooftop was cleared. After a few more seconds, the figure sighed as she took a seat, letting her legs dangle over the edge of the roof. Only then did she speak.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, hey Klbkch. I didn\u2019t see you down there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Klbkch stepped out of the darkness and away from the wall he\u2019d been standing next to. He nodded up at Erin Solstice.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood morning, Erin. I hope I did not alarm you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was about to scream, or throw something. I nearly had a heart attack. But why are you out here?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a matter of fact, I was hoping to speak with you. But I did not anticipate you coming out here so early in the day. Or rather, late at night.\u201d<\/p>\n
The two spoke very quietly, their voices swallowed up almost immediately by the snow and night. But now Erin\u2019s voice was filled with quiet amusement and astonishment.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat, you were going to wait outside all night? That\u2019s so weird. Why were you waiting? Come on up!\u201d<\/p>\n
It took Klbkch only a few moments to leap upwards and pull himself onto the rooftop. He was far more agile than Erin and stronger, too. She moved over and he sat next to her. Erin was still warm from the inside; Klbkch seemed like a cold block of ice.<\/p>\n
\u201cWas it something really important? You could have just woken me up.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo. That would be discourteous. And my issue was not so pressing\u2026I simply found talking to you last night to be difficult, so I decided to wait outside while I determined what exactly I should say.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n
Erin fell silent. She turned her head and looked at Klbkch. He sat still, not shivering, more like a statue than a living thing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry I didn\u2019t get to talk. I really am glad to see you. It\u2019s just I had so much to do\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand. And the fault is mine for expecting complete attention.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo it\u2019s not. We\u2019re friends.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026It is good that you are well, Erin. Your departure was alarming as it was mysterious.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah. It was.\u201d<\/p>\n
Erin exhaled slowly, letting a small trail of vapor fly upwards. Klbkch watched it dissipate.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am told your skeleton was the cause.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah. He was.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is regrettable.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n
Klbkch was used to maintaining both sides of a conversation. He had worked with Relc for years and was used to the Drake\u2019s moodiness. But with Erin, he found it was easiest to wait. Or rather, he wanted to wait and hear what she had to say rather than talk.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know, I was surprised by Lyonette. She really changed while I was gone.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was dramatic, certainly. I was not aware of her transformation until this point.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe really did do a whole lot. She helped save Mrsha, took care of the inn\u2014she even learned how to steal honey from those evil bees. By herself! And she got me new guests to stay at my inn.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Gold-rank adventurers are certainly a boon.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah. I\u2019m glad they\u2019re my guests. But that Zel Shivertail guy? He\u2019s important too, isn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n
Erin\u2019s face turned to Klbkch. He couldn\u2019t see her exact features in the dim light, but he saw her eyes meet his. He knew what question was coming, or thought he did. If it were anyone else, Klbkch might have hesitated or considered an untruth or partial truth. But with Erin he just nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes. He is a Drake [General]. A famous one.\u201d<\/p>\n
She shrugged as if that made no difference. Erin stared out at the walls of Liscor to the west. They were gray, imposing, a darker blob of color amid all the snow.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe doesn\u2019t like me. He thinks I\u2019m irresponsible, silly, and sort of a jerk. Which is fair. But he hates you, Klbkch. I mean, really<\/em> hates you.\u201d<\/p>\n Klbkch stirred, looked at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cYou could tell?\u201d<\/p>\n She just smiled a bit.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was obvious. I saw him look at you a lot while I was serving food and chatting. The innkeeper sees everything, after all. Just like the butler, the maid, and the kids. It was obvious he didn\u2019t like you\u2014or Ksmvr or Pawn. And you\u2014were the two of you enemies? In the war, I mean?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay.\u201d<\/p>\n The two paused, and then the conversation moved on. Klbkch looked at Erin, but saw very little behind her calm, somewhat tired expression. He didn\u2019t know how she felt and was\u2026afraid\u2026to ask.<\/p>\n \u201cThere were many guests in your inn. I take it these were all acquaintances?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFrom Celum, yeah. It was good to see them, although they did get a bit crazy and trash Octavia\u2019s shop. I was happy to see they were all doing well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIndeed?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. Jasi\u2019s doing well. So is Grev, which is great. I mean, he\u2019s not stealing anymore and he looks halfway cute now that he\u2019s cleaned up. Even if he has a big nose.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI see. Will you tell me who Jasi and Grev are?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh\u2014right. You don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked sideways at Klbkch. He stared back. She smiled, and the night lit up a bit.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s so much that happened. I mean, I know there\u2019s a lot that happened with you over here\u2014adventurers and dungeons and new Antinium and stuff. But would you like to hear what I did?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI believe I would.\u201d<\/p>\n The two sat on the roof and talked for a while. It was the first conversation they\u2019d had that was really between the two of them just catching up. Talking. Briefly, Erin told Klbkch the story of how she\u2019d started putting on plays in Celum. Klbkch listened, nodding a few times and trying to imagine this strange activity Erin was performing.<\/p>\n \u201cSuch performances sound quite extraordinary, not to mention profitable. I would like to witness one if the occasion permits. Indeed, the city of Liscor may be receptive to such activities as well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWould your Queen like it, do you think? Would that be one of the things which helps your Hive\u2014putting on a play for her?\u201d<\/p>\n He paused. And then he shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cI do not believe she would care to view a play. And if she did, I do not think she would understand it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n Klbkch nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are many things my people do not understand.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLike what?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFriendship. Laughter. Happiness. Ambition. Joy. Tears.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally? You don\u2019t understand tears? I mean, I know the Antinium don\u2019t cry, but you don\u2019t understand them?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI understand it is an action meant to express sadness. I do not understand why those who weep feel better after having done so.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI guess it\u2019s because being sad helps. And crying is very sad.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIntriguing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIsn\u2019t it? Us Humans are so intriguing. Except that I think Antinium are way more interesting.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat is a rare perspective.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know. A lot of people don\u2019t like the Antinium. Well, everyone, really. When I was in Celum I heard terrible things. And I\u2019ve been told you guys are evil by all kinds of people. You know Lady Magnolia?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know her, yes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe doesn\u2019t like you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am aware.\u201d<\/p>\n Klbkch felt Erin looking at him again.<\/p>\n \u201cKlbkch, will you promise me to tell the truth if I ask you an important question?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Yes.\u201d<\/p>\n The Antinium closed his mandibles slowly. He gripped the tiles on top of the roof, hard enough to crack one slightly as Erin stared at him. At last, she asked.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do the Antinium want? Really want, I mean?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTo live. We want to live.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh.\u201d<\/p>\n The two sat in silence as the sky grew a bit brighter. Just a bit. Erin shivered and mumbled about bringing a blanket. Klbkch sat in the cold, feeling it chill his entire body.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you guys want to live so badly, do you think you could live in peace? Not go to war, I mean? Be\u2026nice to other nations?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt is doubtful.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n Klbkch shifted in his seat, dislodging more snow.<\/p>\n \u201cUnderstand I speak of all the Hives, not just my own. I may be unfamiliar with recent events that have transpired, but I understand the way the Queens think. For them, peace is a strange concept. We do not think in terms of peace and war. We simply build up to wars, the next conflict. We have only known war, never peace.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo this isn\u2019t peace. You\u2019re really planning on going to war?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSome Queens are. Others think we should ally against our true enemy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho? Wait, what about your Queen? Would she be friends with the Drakes and Gnolls and Humans?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI do not believe she knows how.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. She does not understand friendship any more than I do.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut you\u2019re friends with Relc, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am his partner. And I have been so for years. I have accompanied him on many occasions, and yes, I consider myself his friend. But I do not understand how I came to be one. And my Queen has no friends.\u201d<\/p>\n He heard Erin take in a slow breath.<\/p>\n \u201cNot even you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot even me. What we have is different.\u201d<\/p>\n It was more than five minutes before anyone spoke next. Klbkch could see Erin\u2019s eyes and head drooping. She was tired. So was he, but neither moved to get out of the cold. At last, as the sky grew brighter, foreshadowing the dawn, Erin stretched. Then she stood up. She stood on the roof of her inn and stared around the wide, open plains filled with snow. Everything was motionless, as if she was looking at a painting rather than reality.<\/p>\n \u201cThe world\u2019s gotten a lot bigger, Klbkch. I know it\u2019s usually the opposite way around, but I feel like every time I think I understand things, it turns out I don\u2019t really get anything at all.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin paused, and stared at the cold, pale snow stretching in every direction around her.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Or maybe it\u2019s that I was looking at the wrong things to begin with. Does that make sense?\u201d<\/p>\n Klbkch shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cNot at all. Your statement was quite incomprehensible to me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, good. I don\u2019t think I understand it well myself. What I\u2019m trying to say is\u2014did you know I leveled up last night?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI noticed an odd phenomenon around your inn and surmised this was the case, yes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI got to Level 30. I\u2019m a [Magical Innkeeper] now. My inn is also magical, or it has a lot of mana in it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCongratulations. This is a great accomplishment.\u201d<\/p>\n Klbkch inclined his head to her. Erin smiled a bit, and then grew serious.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah. It\u2019s great. But\u2014it\u2019s strange.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow so?\u201d<\/p>\n She spread her arms wide, turning to take in her inn and everything around it.<\/p>\n \u201cJust look, Klbkch. I\u2019ve got so much now. A new inn, a magical inn, a helper, friends, guests, a lot of money\u2014even a magical portal door. And that\u2019s great, it really is. But it\u2019s not as important anymore as it used to be. Money\u2019s just\u2026money, now. What\u2019s important is something else.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd will you tell me what that is?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPeople. We went past Esthelm on the way here, did you know? It was attacked by Goblins.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am aware. But the city repelled them and retook the walls, did they not?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey did. But they\u2019re hungry, Klbkch. Hungry. A lot of people died and they\u2019re afraid the Goblins will come back. They\u2019re going to fight to the death if they do, but this Goblin Lord is hurting everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. Over fourteen villages have been destroyed and a Drake city took heavy casualties fighting off a Goblin army to the south.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t know about that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt is not a pressing concern. Such occurrences are common during calamitous events.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin frowned at the sitting Antinium.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, you don\u2019t get it. I didn\u2019t know, but I wanted to know. I need to know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy? It does not impact your life here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut people died. People are suffering. What happened to the survivors? Did anyone survive?\u201d<\/p>\n Klbkch paused.<\/p>\n \u201cI did not inquire. Such information would be obtainable I believe. Again though, I must ask why you wish to know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause I care.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou care about Goblins.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI care about a lot of people. I\u2019d like to help them, if I can.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin stared at the distant mountaintops, where something bright was rising.<\/p>\n \u201cBefore I went to Celum, I was really only concerned about surviving. But now\u2014now I care about my friends. I care about people, Klbkch. I care about whether they live or die. I care that Jasi couldn\u2019t find work and that Grev felt he had to steal to survive. I care about Rags and why people hate Goblins. And I care about the people in Esthelm, how they\u2019ll do, and about Krshia and her shop, about Mrsha and Lyonette and you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI guess because we\u2019re friends? Or\u2014no. Because they\u2019re people. Because caring is important. Because I think I can help. Look at my inn. I\u2019ve got money, friends\u2026why shouldn\u2019t I help?\u201d<\/p>\n Klbkch stared at the young woman standing on the roof of her inn. He stood up and tried to see from her perspective.<\/p>\n \u201cI do not understand, but I find myself admiring your perspectives. And yet, I must point out that aiding strangers has no benefit.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s a very Antinium thing of you to say, Klbkch.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWho cares if it doesn\u2019t help me? If it helps them then I\u2019m doing a good job. And then we might be friends.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFriends. How are friends created? How does friendship work? How do you make friends?\u201d<\/p>\n Klbkch stared at Erin, wishing there were an easy answer. Something he could tell his Queen, tell the others, so he could change them. He did not expect a reply. But to his astonishment, Erin Solstice smiled and laughed out loud in pure amusement.<\/p>\n \u201cFriends? That\u2019s easy!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n She reached out and tapped Klbkch on the chest, right where his heart would be if he were Human. Erin smiled as dawn broke.<\/p>\n \u201cAll you have to do is give.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGive? Give what, precisely?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSomething. Anything. Give your time to someone else to talk, give a bit of trust, or a helping hand. Give them a second, and maybe you\u2019ll get something back.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut what if you do not?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen you don\u2019t. Maybe you\u2019ll never get anything no matter how much you give. Maybe you\u2019ll never be friends. That\u2019s how it works. But to make a friend, you have to try. Just try.\u201d<\/p>\n The Human and the Antinium stood on the rooftop for a while staring at each other. Klbkch stared at Erin, and then nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe I understand. If that is the case, anyone may be your friend. So then you care about everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause it\u2019s the right thing to do. Because they\u2019re people too. Because I can.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have not heard that perspective before.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin turned and looked around. She walked towards the edge of the roof and stared back at Klbkch, perplexed.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy wouldn\u2019t you think like that? Where I come from\u2014well, some people think like that. We\u2019re all people, aren\u2019t we? Shouldn\u2019t we help each other?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have heard it said Humans help only Humans. I have seen Drakes help only their relatives. Gnolls help their species, but seldom others. Each race has their enemies, their rivals. The Antinium see nations and politics as a competition for resources.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin stepped off the roof. She landed on the ground and looked up at Klbkch.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on. I\u2019ll make breakfast, and then you can help me.\u201d<\/p>\n He leapt off the roof and landed next to her.<\/p>\n \u201cDo what, exactly?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin smiled. It was a big smile, open and without guile. It was her smile, and it lit up the world.<\/p>\n \u201cSomething awesome.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Lyonette woke up as dawn broke. She got out of bed, feeling her muscles aching and exhaustion on every line of her body. Mrsha was sound asleep next to her, snoring gently. Lyonette would have liked nothing better than to go to sleep, but she had<\/em> to get up now. She had to feed all her guests, get ready for the day.<\/p>\n She trudged downstairs, automatically reciting the list of chores for the day when she heard the pop<\/em> and sizzle of meat frying. She poked her head into the kitchen and saw Erin, frying and cooking away a storm in her kitchen while Klbkch sat on a stool next to her and peeled potatoes.<\/p>\n \u201cMorning, Lyonette! I\u2019ve got breakfast started and Klbkch got us a lot of water already. Do you want to bring in the rest of the dishes and help me wash them before everyone gets up?\u201d<\/p>\n Lyon blinked at Erin a few times. Then she nodded and got to work.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t believe it. Can you sense the ambient mana in the air, Pisces?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI can and do, Ceria. It is simply astounding\u2014when I consider the ramifications of such a Skill\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n The next morning, the inn was in an uproar. Well, a quiet uproar. Mainly confined to all the mages, really. The other adventurers just stared at their magic-using comrades when they exclaimed over Erin\u2019s new Skill. Ulrien blinked constantly as Typhenous raved about the mana in the air, Halrac ignored Revi, and Yvlon plugged her ears rather than listen to Ceria and Pisces discuss what had happened.<\/p>\n To show solidarity, Ksmvr put two of his hands over his earholes. Jelaqua and Seborn listened to Moore out of politeness, but the Selphid\u2019s eyes kept wandering in different directions.<\/p>\n In the end, the mages congregated at one table where they could properly express their amazement and get back more satisfactory responses.<\/p>\n \u201cSo? What\u2019s the verdict? Is my inn cool or is it magical?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Erin smiled as she brought over a basket of rolls to dip in the honey. Typhenous levitated the soft butter up and sliced some off. He accepted a roll with a smile for Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cMy dear, your Skill is nothing short of extraordinary. Why, I consider it quite an achievement to have created for all intents and purposes a magical leyline in your own inn. When I think of the positive applications\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, it\u2019s cool, but I can\u2019t do magic. Does this mean all your spells are super-powerful now?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin propped her hands on her hips as she regarded the mages with amusement. Ceria shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not as if they\u2019ll become that<\/em> much more powerful, but we could cast the same spell almost twice as many times here. And like Lyonette found out, if no one else is using the magic here, it can accumulate and boost a low-level spell to a great degree.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s super-powerful. Well, I\u2019m glad it helps. I just hope it\u2019ll recharge my door faster.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAt the very least it will!\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces seemed outraged by Erin\u2019s lack of enthusiasm. He ripped one roll apart and dipped both ends in the honey, glaring at her.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you understand\u2014mph\u2014what this\u2014nmf\u2014could mean? You could use the mana supply here to power any number of enchantments\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEw. Don\u2019t talk when you\u2019re eating. You mean, like the [Field of Preservation] Skill?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt certainly seems that way.\u201d<\/p>\n Moore smiled as Erin presented him with a roll that was more like a loaf. She thought about this as the mages\u2019 conversation about what they might use the mana source for devolved into an argument over who would get how many rolls. But their conversation had<\/em> given Erin an idea.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Lyonette! Want to try an experiment?\u201d<\/p>\n She called the young girl over and brought out an apple. It was a small one, and slightly wizened\u2014not to mention expensive! Erin sliced it open and both she and Lyonette stared at the pale slice of apple.<\/p>\n After a while, Lyonette coughed.<\/p>\n \u201cUm, shouldn\u2019t we come back later?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Erin slapped her head and left the apple. She bent down to catch Mrsha before the Gnoll could leap onto the table and grab the apple for herself.<\/p>\n \u201cHey there Mrsha, how are you doing on this fine day? Do you think my new Skills are cool?\u201d<\/p>\n Mrsha licked at Erin\u2019s face frantically, making the young woman laugh and let go.<\/p>\n \u201cHey! Stop that!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMrsha, don\u2019t bother Erin! You can play after breakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette pulled Mrsha back. As she put the reluctant Gnoll on the ground, she saw Erin giving her an appraising look, far different from yesterday.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re pretty good at handling Mrsha, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2026I suppose I have had practice.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood! Actually, that\u2019s great.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin smiled at Lyonette, and the girl flushed with pride. Erin turned and frowned around her busy inn.<\/p>\n \u201cLast night you told me you stole something else from those evil bees, right? Honey, dead bees, and\u2026uh, what was it? A larva? Where is it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh! I put it in my room so it wouldn\u2019t bother anyone. I can go get it\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t you show me?\u201d<\/p>\n The two Humans went up the stairs, Mrsha right on their heels. Erin peered at the fat, yellowish-white grub sitting in the bowl of slightly congealed liquid and shuddered.<\/p>\n \u201cAw. It\u2019s so\u2026gross.\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette giggled.<\/p>\n \u201cIsn\u2019t it? I was going to feed it to Klbkch, but then I got a [Beast Tamer] class! Um\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou want to keep it?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin gave her the fish eye. Lyonette nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cIt grows on you. And it\u2019s not hard to feed\u2014I keep adding more royal jelly to the bowl. Actually, I\u2019ll need a bigger bowl; it keeps getting bigger.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin studied the slowly wriggling grub. She frowned at it pensively.<\/p>\n \u201cHave you named it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve gotta give it a name. How about Pudge?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPudge?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, it sort of looks like Pudge, don\u2019t you think? No? Okay, what about a bee name? It\u2019s going to turn into a bee someday, so how about\u2026Buzz?\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette frowned at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know. Those names sound a bit\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWait, I\u2019ve got it! Bee<\/em>yonce. That\u2019s perfect! No\u2014wait, that\u2019s horrible. Let me try again\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just a grub. You don\u2019t have <\/em>to name it yet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cApis? That\u2019s the word for bee in uh, Latin. I think. Buzzana? Buzzany? Is it a boy or a girl bee?\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette just stared. Erin tried out several more names, and then realized she was getting a funny look from Mrsha as well. She threw up her hands and walked away.<\/p>\n \u201cFine! You can name the bee whatever you want when it gets big. But for now I\u2019m calling him Mr. Ugly Fat Worm. It is a him, right?\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette and Mrsha exchanged a glance. The Gnoll reached out to poke the big larva and Lyonette smacked her paw away.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are<\/em> you planning on doing now that you\u2019re a Level 30 [Innkeeper]?\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua asked as Erin went around the room with a pitcher, refilling cups. Erin paused and then shrugged.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got some ideas. I mean, I\u2019m not going to expand or anything; this is plenty for me as it is. But I might do more with what I have.\u201d<\/p>\n The Selphid raised her eyebrows.<\/p>\n \u201cOh? Such as?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll see. In fact, you\u2019ll see in five minutes if you wait. I might need your group\u2019s help for something I have in mind.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally now. In that case, I think I\u2019ll have a refill.\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua smiled and leaned back in her chair as Erin filled her cup and moved on. Seborn leaned over to her.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you think she has in mind that involves <\/strong>us?<\/strong><\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo idea, but I\u2019m curious, aren\u2019t you? I heard stories all over Liscor about the crazy innkeeper, but we missed all the action. I want to be up close and personal for this one.\u201d<\/p>\n One table over, Zel turned his head to frown at Erin\u2019s back. He wasn\u2019t so positive as the Selphid, and his premonition only got worse when Erin marched back over to the table full of mages.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, can I ask you guys to do an estimate for me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course. About what?\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria frowned as Erin pointed to the door.<\/p>\n \u201cNow that I\u2019ve got mana coming out of the walls and stuff, how much do you think I\u2019d be able to transport through the door? I mean, in pounds? Or is it kilograms?\u201d<\/p>\n The mages glanced around the table and began to speak. Pisces was the first person to come up with a response that wasn\u2019t immediately shot down.<\/p>\n \u201cI would wager the door could transport, oh, sixteen to thirty bodies between Celum and Liscor on a daily basis. I say sixteen as a lower estimate given the increased costs based on weight and mass, you see. If you had a group of armed warriors, sixteen would indeed be\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, that\u2019s not bad. But what if you all added your mana to it? How many then?\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces broke off, looking confused. Revi exchanged glances with Typhenous.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, we could add a lot. If you mean like last night, to bring a lot of people through\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I mean as much as you can. What if you drank mana potions, and put in everything<\/em> you had into the door? How many people could you transport then?\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cAt least a hundred. But why? Erin, you aren\u2019t planning on actually turning your door into a big shortcut between the cities, are you? Because mana potions aren\u2019t cheap, and neither are mages. We could do it once or twice, but adding our mana to the door isn\u2019t that<\/em> easy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo problem. You\u2019d only have to do it once. And I guess one hundred people is good, but not enough. What if you went and got more mages?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Erin leaned forwards and put her hands on the table as she stared at the astonished mages. The other Gold-rank teams had stopped eating and were listening closely. Klbkch, sitting alone at his table, raised his head and waited, uncertain of what was coming next, but certain that it would be \u2018awesome\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cMister Typhenous and Miss Revi\u2014can I call you guys Typhenous and Revi? You\u2019re big shot adventurers, right? And so are you, right Moore?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d say so.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBy some standards, yes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAmong local adventurers, we are somewhat well known.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin turned to look at Pisces and Ceria.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you two guys are Wistram mages, right? That\u2019s important too, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n The two Silver-rank adventures fidgeted. Ceria coughed, blushing slightly.<\/p>\n \u201cNot as important as Gold-rank, Erin\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s fine. But if I asked you to, could you get all of the mages in Celum and Liscor to come here and charge the door?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone looked astounded, but Erin just grinned.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to bring in supplies. And people! Adventurers, [Guardsmen], [Guardswomen] too\u2014I know there are some in Celum, food, clothing, blankets, pillows\u2026I want as much of it as this door can teleport, today.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy? What is this all for? And where would you put it?\u201d<\/p>\n Revi looked exasperated as she asked. Pisces\u2019 mouth formed an \u2018o\u2019 of comprehension as Erin smiled at the Stitch-mage.<\/p>\n \u201cEsthelm.\u201d<\/p>\n The room fell silent. Halrac blinked, and Ulrien sat up at the same time Jelaqua nudged Seborn with an elbow. The Selphid\u2019s whisper was quite audible.<\/p>\n \u201cSee? What did I tell you? Isn\u2019t she great?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou want to send aid to Esthelm?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s right.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin turned and met Zel\u2019s eyes confidently. Revi frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cNo offense Erin, but why would you want to do that? Esthelm isn\u2019t your home, is it? Why would you waste your coin and energy helping them out? I heard they already had control of the city, anyways.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut they need food. I went through there the other day\u2014they might be in control, but their walls aren\u2019t great, and they need blankets, supplies\u2014more people. If Celum and the other cities are too afraid to send help down the roads, why not come up from Liscor instead?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s still danger on the roads, though. The area around Liscor isn\u2019t safe from Goblin attacks.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, but what if we sent a huge Antinium army and a bunch of Gold-rank adventurers with all the wagons to protect them?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n Halrac and Jelaqua said it at the same time as Zel. At opposite ends of the room, Ksmvr and Klbkch sat up.<\/p>\n \u201cMy Queen would never allow\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cErin, I do not believe I could persuade my Queen to\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Both Antinium broke off. Ksmvr shrank down in his seat while Klbkch stared, until the Antinium looked away. Erin stared around the room, frowning slightly.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, why not?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cErin, you can\u2019t just ask an Antinium<\/em> army to go marching\u2014and you want Celum to just hand over all the goods? Your idea is\u2026I mean it\u2019s crazy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria shook her head, frowning. But to her surprise, Yvlon stood up.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone looked at her. Yvlon looked at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it could work.\u201d<\/p>\n Revi raised her eyebrows incredulously.<\/p>\n \u201cYou do? Because I think it\u2019s crazy too, like Miss Half-Elf said.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think it can be done. Celum has the supplies and manpower to send\u2014it\u2019s just a matter of convincing their leaders to act. And if Ksmvr and Klbkch talk to their Queen\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm. I am technically banned from entering my Hive\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I do not know if I can convince my Queen.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin stared at Klbkch. He was giving her an odd look. She walked over to him.<\/p>\n \u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n He stared into her eyes. Klbkch\u2019s face was inexpressive, but Erin could tell by the way his mandibles opened and shut repeatedly that he was troubled.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2026could try. But I do not have high hopes of convincing my Queen.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd are we just going to ignore the part where you get an army of wagon drivers to take everything to Esthelm? Where are you going to get that? And are you going to pay for all of this, or do you expect Celum to foot the bill? I don\u2019t think Liscor would pay to help Humans.\u201d<\/p>\n Revi kept talking, determined to point out the obvious. She indicated Typhenous, Ulrien, and Halrac with one hand.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd what\u2019s this about volunteering us to guard the wagons? We might be guests here, Erin, but we don\u2019t work for free.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll let you stay for free if you help. And I can pay.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin turned back to Revi, putting her hands on her hips. She stared challengingly around the room.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy can\u2019t this work? Okay, it\u2019s sudden, and okay, it\u2019s crazy, but so what? There\u2019s a city that needs help, thousands of people that could starve if someone doesn\u2019t do something. Why not us?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy should we do it?\u201d<\/p>\n That came from Ulrien. Jelaqua glared, but Ulrien\u2019s face wasn\u2019t hostile. He was impassive, questioning. Erin stared at the big man without flinching.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause it\u2019s the right thing to do. And I\u2019ll make you a huge lunch for the road. Plus, you\u2019ll be famous if you help.\u201d<\/p>\n Ulrien thought about that for a few seconds, and then glanced at Halrac. The [Scout] nodded. Ulrien looked back at Erin and gave her a slight smile.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re in. We\u2019ll help\u2014free of charge.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Revi cried out in shock, but Typhenous smiled and stroked his beard.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t fuss, Revi. This is for a good cause. Besides, I think this might prove to be quite an entertaining diversion.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re in too!\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua shot to her feet, visibly disappointed not to be the first to offer. Moore stood up as well.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a big undertaking for one day. Are you sure we can do it in the time given?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin smiled up at him. Moore\u2019s lips curved upwards in reply.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we can do it. And if we split up, why not? All we have to do is get someone to yell at the Mage\u2019s Guild in Celum\u2014why not Revi and Typhenous and you? I bet you could scare the socks off of them. And if Halrac, Jelaqua, Ulrien and Seborn all go to visit the Council\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think they\u2019d listen to a few Gold-rank adventurers?\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua frowned, but Ulrien nodded confidently.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve talked with city leaders before. It can\u2019t be worse than persuading them to evacuate a neighborhood or muster the local army.\u201d<\/p>\n Halrac was decisive. He seemed to be the most passionate, if his scowl was any indication.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can do it. Gold-rank adventurers have the pull, and this is an issue that the city-states agree on. They support one another or they all fall.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh. Using our authority and good name to influence others. Well, it\u2019s never worked for our<\/em> team, but I\u2019ll try and help.\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua grinned as she pushed her plate back. Erin turned to Klbkch.<\/p>\n \u201cCan you go and talk to your Queen? If she can send, I dunno, some Soldiers and a lot of Workers to help, that would be great. And if your Hive has supplies they can spare like wood and stuff\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Klbkch seemed torn. At last, he nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI will speak with her. I cannot promise you she will agree, but I will try, Erin.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin smiled at him.<\/p>\n \u201cThanks, Klbkch.\u201d<\/p>\n He stopped, wavered. And then Klbkch nodded firmly.<\/p>\n \u201cForget my last statement. I will obtain what is needed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks. And uh, I hate to ask, but I guess we need to talk to someone in Liscor. Do you know if Watch Captain Zevara could\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLeave the Watch Captain\u2014and the city leaders\u2014to me, Miss Solstice.\u201d<\/p>\n Zel Shivertail walked forwards. He didn\u2019t look at Klbkch as the Antinium stood aside, but he smiled a bit as he stared down at Erin. He seemed bemused, but he too was smiling.<\/p>\n \u201cI think I can get them to pay for a few wagons, at the very least. I\u2019ll head down and talk with them now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, would you really? Thanks so much!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin was full of gratitude, but Zel just shook his head slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2014it would be my pleasure, Erin. This is a good idea, and a good cause.\u201d<\/p>\n He headed towards the door, catching Lyonette\u2019s eye on the way over. Zel shook his head as she beamed at him.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about us, then, Erin?\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria stood with Yvlon, Pisces, and Ksmvr. Erin turned to them, full of excitement and energy as the adventurers began to argue about how best to approach things.<\/p>\n \u201cI need you guys to coordinate Liscor\u2019s Mage Guild. They do have one, right\u2026? Okay, so you guys can charge the door up as much as you can here\u2014Pisces and Ceria, you know how to do that, right? And Yvlon and Ksmvr can help me organize the wagons. There\u2019ll be goods coming through that door fast, so we need a lot of people to haul stuff away\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about us?\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette came over, excited, Mrsha leaping from table to table as she did. Erin laughed as Moore snagged Mrsha out of the air and put the Gnoll gently down on the ground.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can help me clean up and cook more food!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCook? But what about helping\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n Lyonette\u2019s face fell. Erin shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got to feed everyone, right? All the people hauling food through from Celum and the wagon drivers\u2014not to mention the Antinium and adventurers\u2014we need to make food for all of them!\u201d<\/p>\n The [Barmaid] paled at the thought and Erin laughed again. She turned to the others.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, let\u2019s get to work! Spread the word if you can\u2014we need all the help we can get! I mean, these are a lot of wagons, right? Even with the Antinium Klbkch can get, we need protection in case of monsters or Goblins or\u2026Rock Crabs.\u201d<\/p>\n Jelaqua raised her hand.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t we go to the Adventurer\u2019s Guilds instead of the city leaders? We could probably talk a good number into some easy guard duty, especially if the cities will hire them for a day.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood idea!\u201d<\/p>\n Yvlon nodded towards the door.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I\u2019ll go find Termin. He\u2019s sure to know all the wagon-drivers in the city.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn that case, why don\u2019t I go find Garia and Fals? A few dozen [Runners] could carry quite a bit, especially if they made several trips.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria nodded towards the already open door as Halrac, Ulrien, Revi, and Typhenous walked through. Erin spotted Octavia trying to intercept the Gold-rank adventurers and they nearly ran the [Alchemist] over. The Horns of Hammerad headed towards the doors, the Halfseekers split up and in moments, the inn was empty save for Lyonette and Mrsha.<\/p>\n The girl and Gnoll stood together, staring around the room. Lyonette stared at Mrsha; Mrsha stared at the open portal door, and then at Lyonette.<\/p>\n \u201cI guess we\u2019d better get to work, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n Mrsha nodded, and stood up on two legs to help carry plates. Lyonette smiled, and stared towards the door Zel had walked out of.<\/p>\n \u201cI told<\/em> you she\u2019s weird. In a good way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The city was in an uproar. Which city? Well, Celum was mainly full of chaos, as all the normal day-to-day foot traffic and vehicles found themselves blocked off by [Guardsmen] who escorted rumbling wagons down the street. There was a lot of shouting and confusion. What was happening?<\/p>\n Word spread throughout the city. Apparently, aid was being sent to Esthelm! That news amazed all those who heard it. So soon? Of course, Esthelm needed help, but the roads were not safe! Had something changed?<\/p>\n But the wagons weren\u2019t going towards the gates. Rather, they were going to a small but well-known [Alchemist]\u2019s shop that looked like it was under siege. Countless people were going in and out of the doors, [Laborers] bringing in bag after bag of grain and crates of goods and [Runners] going into the shop but never going out.<\/p>\n In fact, as the day wore on someone created a second door in the shop, and then just knocked the entire wall in, much to Octavia\u2019s displeasure. People streamed towards the shop, not just adventurers and workers, but [Mages] as well!<\/p>\n Something was happening. Something big. People could feel it. Why else would the newly famed [Actors] all rush over to the shop and disappear there? Why would Miss Agnes suddenly throw open her doors to her inn and announce drinks were on her for all the people helping to unload the wagons?<\/p>\n And what, in the name of the Five Families, did an [Alchemist] <\/em>have to do with sending aid to Esthelm?<\/p>\n Some people knew, but most were out of the loop.<\/p>\n And that was only in Celum. In Liscor, the uproar was more like a furor in truth. The city had not turned out its warehouses to support a Human city, but it had commandeered every Runner, [Wagon Driver], [Rider], and transportation-based class that could be spared, all under the orders of the legendary Zel Shivertail himself.<\/p>\n Mages, drivers, runners, and a gaggle of adventurers milled about outside the city, shouting and being shouted at by a young woman who had developed quite the reputation in the city by now. A lot of the Drakes and Gnolls just resigned themselves to it; it was that crazy Human doing something weird again. But more stopped their work to watch the fun, and more still found themselves joining in when they heard what was going on.<\/p>\n Some were friends of Selys or part of Krshia\u2019s clan, and found themselves lending a paw, claw, or hand to help. Others were more impressed by the legendary Gold-rank adventurers and Zel Shivertail, and helped because he was lifting supplies effortlessly into wagons. Some just cared about Humans, as odd as it was.<\/p>\n But all that was a backdrop, meaningless babble to what was going on below. The Queen of the Free Antinium under Liscor sat in her throne room, staring down at the strangers standing before her.<\/p>\n The Antinium of four Hives stood before her, each one in their own group. The Prognugator Tersk, leading the three Armored Antinium who had come with him. Revalantor Pivr of the Flying Antinium and his cohort of six. Two soldiers of the Silent Antinium, almost invisible in the darkness. And Xrn, of the Centenium, now a Prognugator to the Grand Queen with her six bodyguards.<\/p>\n Of this group, it was only Xrn that the Queen of the Free Antinium was interested in, and only her that she respected. But annoyingly, it wasn\u2019t Xrn who was speaking right now.<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026And after my extensive surveying of your Hive, I have found only four of these so-called Individuals who have obtained formal designations. Moreover, they have not obtained any significant levels, Skills, or classes as of yet. In my role as Revalantor for my Queen, I must ask whether this is truly an accomplishment that merits the attention of the Hives.\u201d<\/p>\n Pivr\u2019s voice echoed throughout the Queen\u2019s chambers as all the Antinium stared at him. It was hard to read the other\u2019s expressions, but the Queen felt they were getting annoyed by him. She certainly was.<\/p>\n His voice was higher in pitch than the other Antinium, and he moved about restlessly, fanning his wings when he stood still. Was he showing them off? The Queen had seen the true winged soldiers of the Antinium, long ago. She wasn\u2019t impressed by the Queen of the Flying Antinium\u2019s half-baked copies.<\/p>\n \u201cSo you have said. Repeatedly. But my achievement is extraordinary regardless of number. In fact, the rarity of such Individuals proves their worth. How many Prognugators does your Hive have, Pivr? How many Individuals has your Queen created?\u201d<\/p>\n He ignored that question, as he had the ones before. Pivr seemed uniquely gifted at ignoring things he or his Queen didn\u2019t want to see. As the Queen, so followed the Prognugator.<\/p>\n \u201cI must simply ask how feasible the use of these Individuals is. Surely, if their creation is a workable method, you would seek to convert the entire Hive thusly? I ask, on behalf of my Queen, what formal plan you would put before the Hives.\u201d<\/p>\n She had<\/em> no formal plan, just this one accomplishment as the Queen of the Flying Antinium very well knew. The Queen of the Free Antinium tried to keep her temper, but it was hard.<\/p>\n She was angry the other Queens could not understand what they were doing, that they doubted her commitment to the Hives. She was angry that not all of them had sent their Prognugators to witness what she had done, that they questioned, or at least, didn\u2019t trust that what she was doing was significant. She was also angry that Pivr was a pus-filled sack, and she was trying to restrain herself from ordering him killed\u2014or just picking him up and crushing him herself.<\/p>\n The Queen tried to come up with a reply that didn\u2019t include some form of violence, but she was distracted by another matter as well. Klbkch. Why wasn\u2019t he here?<\/p>\n She knew<\/em> he had returned to the Hive thirty minutes ago, but he had not come directly here, despite her mental summons. What was so important that he would not help her get rid of Pivr, preferably by shoving a sword through the other Antinium\u2019s head?<\/p>\n To mask her irritation, the Queen turned her massive head towards Xrn. The female Antinium\u2014the only one in the room besides the Queen\u2014was standing still, her blue carapace shimmering slightly from the swirling lights reflected in her eyes. How beautiful.<\/p>\n The Queen knew she was the height of creation, an untouched remnant of the original Centenium forms, but she couldn\u2019t help but feel envious. She was so graceful, so perfect. She had been created to embody true perfection, not the flawed shells all the other Antinium here wore.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat say you, Xrn of the Centenium? What opinion do you have of what has been created here?\u201d<\/p>\n Pivr make a choked clicking<\/em> sound from the side. But the Queen had addressed Xrn by her old title. It wasn\u2019t exactly correct, but that definitely put her authority far above a Revalantor\u2019s.<\/p>\n Xrn nodded slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe my Queen, the Grand Queen, will wish to explore what you have created a great deal further, oh Queen of the Free Antinium. At the very least, we will request one of the Individuals accompany us back to the Grand Hive to be appraised there. There is significance in this, even if the Individuals cannot be replicated on a large scale as of yet.\u201d<\/p>\n That sounded quite nice to the Queen of the Free Antinium. But she could sense Pivr getting ready for another comeback, probably to discredit her. She was just about ready to tell him he could go back to his Queen and tell her to eat all her eggs when she felt Klbkch approaching. She cut off Pivr with one feeler.<\/p>\n \u201cAh, I sense my Revalantor returns. Klbkchhezeim will answer any questions you may have, Pivr.\u201d<\/p>\n All heads turned towards the entrance. The Queen waited, hearing the faint footfalls growing louder. Klbkch strode into the room, twin sheathed swords swinging at his waist, light on his feet, slim.<\/p>\n So close to how he used to be. And yet, indescribably far away. The Queen watched Xrn react to Klbkch\u2019s presence. Tensely, and then relaxing. Yes, she felt it too.<\/p>\n This was more like the old Klbkch, the Slayer. But ah, it could never be him, not fully. His form was lost. Lost\u2026<\/p>\n But he was hers, now. The Queen felt satisfaction in that. Klbkch stopped in front of the gathered Antinium and bowed to his Queen first, before nodding to them.<\/p>\n \u201cMy Queen, Antinium of the Hives, I must render you all my apologies. I was unavoidably detained last night, and was not able to meet with you as I had hoped.\u201d<\/p>\n She could never be angry at him, not for long. The Queen waved a feeler graciously.<\/p>\n \u201cYour absence was noted, but as always you work for the Hive\u2019s greater good, Klbkchhezeim. All of the Hives.\u201d<\/p>\n The Antinium nodded. He looked up at his Queen, and she felt the slightest thought pass between them. The Queen went still. What was he\u2026.?<\/p>\n \u201cThis is so. And I am aware of the scrutiny of the other Hives at this instance, so I have attempted to reveal much of where the true effort of our Hive has gone. In fact, I hope you will join me on a small expedition to demonstrate the true value of the Free Antinium of Liscor.\u201d<\/p>\n What was this? The Queen didn\u2019t speak to contradict Klbkch, but her mind was awhirl. Pivr turned to Klbkch, ready to pounce on any imperfections.<\/p>\n \u201cIndeed, Klbkch? Your absence speaks to a lack of resources in the Hive. Could not an Individual have performed such tasks? What is this errand which will occupy a Revalantor of the Hive when he is needed elsewhere?\u201d<\/p>\n Klbkch gave Pivr a look that made it clear the other Revalantor was not worth the syllables in his name. He turned to face the others, especially, the Queen thought, Xrn.<\/p>\n \u201cThe nature of the upcoming mission at hand is simple. I, as well as a group of one hundred and fifty Soldiers and twice that number of Workers, are travelling north to the Human city of Esthelm, escorting a convoy of supplies. We will be staying in the city for several days to provide aid to the citizens there.\u201d<\/p>\n The Antinium did not waste time on shocked silence. Instead, they all spoke more or less at the same time. Pivr was the first. He exclaimed, spitting a bit of venom in surprise.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Xrn next. Her voice was flat.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat.\u201d<\/p>\n Tersk, spreading his arms, open, honest.<\/p>\n \u201cI do not understand.\u201d<\/p>\n And the Queen. She couldn\u2019t help it. The word slipped out.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n Fortunately, no one noticed. Tersk addressed Klbkch, speaking for the others.<\/p>\n \u201cRevalantor Klbkch, I would ask that you explain your Hive\u2019s reasoning for sending aid to this city. I see no immediate merit in such an action.\u201d<\/p>\n Klbkch nodded. He ignored his Queen\u2019s furious mental probes and explained to the other Antinium calmly.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is true that the benefits of such an act will not provide us with any immediate benefits. However, there are intangible benefits to such an act, and it costs the Hive very little in terms of resources. What we give will be repaid in the form of goodwill, trust, and friendship. Concepts which mean little to the other Hives, but which I\u2026and my Queen\u2026have grown to understand.\u201d<\/p>\n She could sense<\/em> the Workers and Soldiers in the Hive moving already! So that was what Klbkch had done! The Queen fumed, but she couldn\u2019t gainsay him, not in front of the others. Why was he doing this? She didn\u2019t understand, not one bit. Rendering aid without reward to a Human city not affiliated with the Hive? Why?<\/p>\n \u201cI see. In that case, I will follow and observe, if you will permit it.\u201d<\/p>\n Tersk nodded. The Queen supposed that was a victory, but she dearly wanted the Antinium to clear the room so she could have Klbkch explain to her<\/em> what was going on. But Pivr was already talking again, refusing Klbkch\u2019s offer.<\/p>\n \u201cI<\/em> will not. I will stay and observe this Hive, and perhaps see what dangers lurk in this dungeon which consumes so many resources. An expedition is not what I came here to witness.\u201d<\/p>\n A pity. But, the Queen thought to herself privately, she might be able to organize it so a monster broke through and slaughtered Pivr by accident. The Flesh Worms were quite lethal, even when she deployed many Soldiers to counter them.<\/p>\n \u201cI will go as well.\u201d<\/p>\n Xrn spoke up, and the Queen saw Klbkch\u2019s mandibles part and raise in an Antinium smile. She really<\/em> didn\u2019t like that, but it was too late to stop any of them. She stared down at Klbkch.<\/p>\n \u201cI wish you success on your task, Klbkch. Do not take too long, however. We have much to do\u2026and discuss\u2026when you return.\u201d<\/p>\n He didn\u2019t so much as flinch at the tone in her voice. Well, he wouldn\u2019t. Klbkch bowed and left the room, leaving the Queen in the darkness to think.<\/p>\n And wonder.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cSo tell me, is this what made you abandon our discussion last night and not return?\u201d<\/p>\n Xrn\u2019s tone was slightly acidic as she and Tersk\u2014and their escort of lesser Antinium\u2014followed him through the Hive. Klbkch nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is merit in this, Xrn.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI understand that, even if your Queen and the others did not seem to. But I do not understand why you<\/em> of all beings would see it.\u201d<\/p>\n Klbkch made no answer. He clicked his mandibles together in embarrassment, the Antinium version of clearing his throat\u2014although he could do that too.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will join up with the Antinium escort shortly. I have been specially approved by Liscor\u2019s Watch Captain to take the force out of the city.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh? How exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. It is, in fact. As you will soon see. For this mission, I have chosen one of our newest Soldier units to escort the convoy. They are\u2026uniquely prepared to foster goodwill and reduce alarm among the other species.\u201d<\/p>\n That made Xrn pause, but she followed Klbkch out of one of the secret tunnels in the Hive and onto the snowy plain. The instant she and Tersk entered the sunlight they stopped and gasped.<\/p>\n All of the Antinium did. For a second, they paused and stared. Not because they hadn\u2019t ever seen Soldiers before, but because they had never seen Soldiers like this.<\/p>\n Painted. Colorful. Some with every color of the rainbow\u2014and several colors not of the rainbow\u2014on their bodies, and some with only a few markings. But each one was unique. Distinct.<\/p>\n Individual.<\/p>\n Klbkch stopped next to Pawn, Belgrade, Anand, and Bird. They stood at attention, nervous, silent, in front of the ranks of Soldiers and Workers. Tersk and Xrn came forwards to inspect them.<\/p>\n \u201cThese are the Individuals? Well met.\u201d<\/p>\n Tersk greeted the four. Belgrade, Bird, and Anand didn\u2019t speak, but Pawn opened his mandibles until Klbkch shot him a look.<\/p>\n \u201cThese are Anand, Belgrade, Bird, and Pawn.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou did not introduce me to this Pawn before.\u201d<\/p>\n Xrn spoke as she observed the Soldiers. Tersk had already moved past the Individuals, much to Klbkch\u2019s relief. The armor-wearing Antinium\u2019s voice was puzzled as he turned to Klbkch.<\/p>\n \u201cRevalantor Klbkch, I am uncertain as to the reason behind decorating these Soldiers so. It seems to be a waste of resources.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you? I would assume the reason is obvious. They are Individual. Unique.\u201d<\/p>\n Klbkch nodded to the Soldiers, not sure if he was lying or only telling a partial truth. Tersk\u2019s breath caught and he closed his mandibles slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cI see. I see. This changes much.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEverything.\u201d<\/p>\n Xrn walked past the Soldiers as they stood in perfect ranks. Klbkch knew their attention was on her; the azure body of the Small Queen was as striking as their paint. She too was like them; completely separate from the nameless mass of other Antinium.<\/p>\n \u201cI take it you approve?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI love it.\u201d<\/p>\n She turned to him, and Klbkch saw the swirling colors in her eyes grow brighter. He opened his mandibles in a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cI shall apprise you of the decision to paint the Soldiers as we march. We shall proceed, unless there are objections?\u201d<\/p>\n She shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cNone. Let us go see what defines the Free Antinium.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Later that day, the road leading from Liscor north to the Human lands was empty. Empty, that was, except for one vehicle.<\/p>\n The lone wagon rumbled slowly down the road. It was a familiar group sitting in it. Ceria, Erin, Yvlon, Ksmvr, and Termin all sat, eating a quick mid-day lunch as they headed north through the snowy landscape. Well, Erin, Yvlon, Ksmvr, and Termin sat. Ceria and Pisces were more comatose bodies slowly chewing their food as they lay in the back of the wagon on some crates.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just saying, it makes no sense! Why wouldn\u2019t you want to go see your brother at all? I get that you don\u2019t want him to be annoying and fuss over you, but you don\u2019t ever<\/em> want to see him?\u201d<\/p>\n Yvlon sighed and brushed away some crumbs Erin had accidentally spat on her.<\/p>\n \u201cThe instant he finds me, he\u2019ll try to take me back to our home, no objections. He\u2019s not just protective. He\u2019d never accept me being\u2014crippled and continuing to adventure like this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh. But he\u2019s got your best interests at heart. What if your family could help? I mean, with your arms\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n Erin gingerly indicated the fused metal and flesh on Yvlon\u2019s forearms, but the woman shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cIf our family had a potion or artifact that could regenerate bones or limbs, we wouldn\u2019t be a minor house in Izril. We\u2019re known for having an adventurer or warrior in each generation\u2014and having the first letter in our names be \u2018y\u2019. That\u2019s all.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I guess I understand. But you can\u2019t run from your brother forever.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t need to. As soon as he gets word of a village in trouble he\u2019ll drop everything and run off. He is<\/em> a [Knight].\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHold up, you lot. There\u2019s something on the road ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n Termin suddenly called out in alarm, and Erma and Fox stopped in their tracks as he halted the wagon. All the adventurers immediately sat up, but they relaxed when they saw what it was.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not a monster!\u201d<\/p>\n Erin chortled as she pointed at the creature that had caused Termin to stop his wagon. It was a beaver, sitting in the middle of the road.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a beaver. Why are you afraid of a beaver, Termin?\u201d<\/p>\n Termin glared at Erin as he pointed to the beaver.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s no ordinary beaver, Miss! It\u2019s a Fortress Beaver, not one of your cute little rodents. See how large it is, even from here? It could bite my wheels in two in one go and probably take your leg off if you angered it. And where there\u2019s one, there might be more. I\u2019m not risking my wagon or my horses if I accidentally agitate it.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin looked again, frowning. Now that she thought about it, the beaver certainly did look\u2026big<\/em> from so far away. It would be up to her chest\u2014maybe up to her neck if she got close. She gulped.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay, don\u2019t pet the beaver. Well, can\u2019t we get rid of it?\u201d<\/p>\n Both she and Termin turned to look at the adventurers. Yvlon shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not killing a beaver.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI volunteer\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, no.\u201d<\/p>\n Erin hastily pushed down Ksmvr\u2019s hand and turned in her seat. She poked the person lying behind her.<\/p>\n \u201cCeria. Hey, Ceria.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWuh?\u201d<\/p>\n One of the two comatose bodies raised its head. Ceria looked pale and exhausted, drained from using up all her mana, but she managed to get up to stare at the beaver.<\/p>\n \u201cCan you get rid of it? You can talk to animals, right? Can you get it off the road so Termin can keep going?\u201d<\/p>\n The half-Elf glared in outrage at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cDead gods. Erin.<\/em> Just because I\u2019m a half-Elf, doesn\u2019t mean I\u2026well, I do<\/em>, but why do you always turn to me to\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n She looked around the wagon. Everyone was staring at her. Termin cleared his throat.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, do you or don\u2019t you? I don\u2019t speak beaver.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria growled, and pushed herself up. Grouchily, she stood up and moved to the front of the wagon, grumbling under her breath.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not like I want <\/em>to learn this stuff. Fine, I\u2019ll get it to move.\u201d<\/p>\n She cupped her hands and took a deep breath. Erin was expecting her to chitter to the beaver, or make whatever sound they made, but Ceria just started shouting. The beaver\u2019s head turned as she yelled at it.<\/p>\n \u201cHey you! Yeah, you! Piss off!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The Fortress Beaver stared as Ceria shouted at it. It seemed to think about what the half-Elf had said, and then waddled off of the road.<\/p>\n \u201cThere. Done.\u201d<\/p>\n Ceria let her hands fall and turned. Everyone was staring at her, Erin with a betrayed look in her eyes. Ceria shrugged defensively.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? That\u2019s how you talk to animals if you want them to move.\u201d<\/p>\n She sat back down and Termin flapped his reins, shaking his head. Erin felt a rumbling on the ground and looked around.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, hurry up Termin. I think the others are catching up.\u201d<\/p>\n The Fortress Beaver, which had considered going back to take a bite out of the wagon anyways, felt the rumbling and made itself scarce. A good thing too, because the army of marching Antinium would have squashed it flat if the sea of wagon wheels didn\u2019t do that before them.<\/p>\n As Termin got his cart moving, carts appeared in the distance behind him. Carts driven by Humans, Gnolls, Drakes, and in one case, driving itself since the driver had fallen off but the horses kept going. Each one was loaded to the brim with food, supplies, and people. There were more than a hundred adventurers, [Guardspeople], and other experts such as [Healers], [Masons], [Hunters], and more who had come to aid Esthelm.<\/p>\n And marching to one side of the road came the Antinium. Rows upon rows of Workers, dragging primitive wooden sleds loaded with materials of their own\u2014nails, wood, hammers, but no food since what they ate was disgusting\u2014led by a group of Antinium including Pawn at the front.<\/p>\n Erin beamed as the massive group began to catch up. Termin had left with a good lead on the others, but everyone was moving fast. It wasn\u2019t evening yet, and they were nearly at Esthelm!<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re lucky so many of these wagon drivers have movement Skills.\u201d<\/p>\n Pisces commented to Erin as he raised his head from his bed in the wagon. Termin cackled.<\/p>\n \u201cLuck\u2019s got nothing to do with it, necromancer. Around here you either move fast or you get eaten by something sooner or later. A Skill like [Continuous Rolling] is common for all us folk.\u201d<\/p>\n The necromancer sniffed.<\/p>\n \u201cWell then, she was lucky you all decided the roads were safe. Why did you decide to take the journey, pray tell Mister Termin? Surely you are aware such a convoy would be at risk of being attacked? Why not travel with an army from Celum?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHah! Any army the Human cities could put together wouldn\u2019t be half as powerful as an army led by Zel Shivertail himself! Add two groups of Gold-rank adventurers to the mix, the famous Horns of Hammerad\u2014not to mention the Antinium Soldiers, and the Goblin Lord himself would look twice before taking us on!\u201d<\/p>\n Before Pisces could open his mouth again, Erin leapt up in her seat and nearly fell off the wagon.<\/p>\n \u201cOh look, look! I can see the city from here! Wow, it still looks terrible!\u201d<\/p>\n Esthelm came into view, and as soon as their wagon approached, Erin heard people on the walls shouting. But as more wagons were spotted, the shouting grew confused, and then jubilant. People began cheering and streaming out of the gates before Termin\u2019s wagon had gotten close\u2014then they saw the Antinium and ran back into the city.<\/p>\n In the end, Erin drove up to the gates. The people of Esthelm didn\u2019t exactly shut the gates, but they met her and the wagon at them. The [Soldier] who had met Erin and the Horns of Hammerad two days ago was there, with a group of armed men who looked incredulously at the approaching force. Erin waved down at Umbral excitedly.<\/p>\n \u201cHi! Remember me? Well, I came back and I brought a lot of stuff to help! And a lot of people!\u201d<\/p>\n His jaw dropped.<\/p>\n \u201cYou? You\u2019re that [Innkeeper]! But how did\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s supplies and a relief force! From Celum and<\/em> Liscor! And the Antinium! They\u2019ve come to help fix your walls and guard your city!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Antinium? Here?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n He seemed unable to process it all. Erin jumped down from the wagon and then sat down hard. Her legs had gone to sleep.<\/p>\n \u201cOw. Um. Well, it\u2019s a long story, but these Antinium are really nice. They\u2019ve brought a lot of stuff, and we have food, blankets, pillows, and so on. We even have\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n She got no further, because Umbral pulled her up and into a hug. Erin heard the cheering begin again as word began to spread.<\/p>\n \u201cAid has come to Esthelm!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLiscor! The Drakes have come to help us!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEsthelm is saved!\u201d<\/p>\n Everyone was being thanked, except perhaps the Antinium. But Pisces summed it up best. He smiled, perhaps arrogantly, but with genuine pleasure at Umbral as the man let go of Erin. He nodded to the huge convoy and then at Erin.<\/p>\n \u201cYou may attribute this delivery to Erin Solstice, proprietress of the Wandering Inn. We can discuss remuneration for goods and services rendered at a later\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n He got no further then that, because Erin kicked him.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The city of Esthelm was saved. Only, it had already been saved. In a sense, you could say it was saved again, at least from the pressing needs of hunger, thirst, and the need for shelter. Pawn considered that this was less glamorous than saving the city from invading monsters, but no less necessary.<\/p>\n He stood in the ruined center of the city with his group of painted Soldiers, staring in awe at the buildings, the people, and the broken sewers that stank beyond belief. It was all new to him. He had never gone beyond Liscor, never seen so many Humans, or seen a city this badly destroyed. He knew his Soldiers hadn\u2019t seen anything like this either, and he was glad to have shown it to them.<\/p>\n And yet, Pawn was also uncertain. Because while the others who had come seemed to know what they were doing, he did not. And that was a problem, because he <\/em>was in charge of the Antinium here.<\/p>\n Klbkch had explained it to him quickly, which was to say confusingly, a few moments before they had left. Pawn was in charge because Klbkch had to deal with the Antinium from the other Hives. He had to speak with the Antinium in armor and the beautiful blue female<\/em> Antinium for reasons unknown to Pawn. Thus, Pawn was in charge.<\/p>\n Which again, would be fine if Pawn knew what to do.<\/em> But he didn\u2019t. Oh, the Drakes, Gnolls, and Humans seemed well-organized enough. They were already unloading the wagons, the soldiers and guardspeople keeping order while carpenters, masons, and other groups split off to help aid the city. But Pawn was standing with over a hundred Soldiers and three hundred Workers in the middle of the city with not a clue of what to do now.<\/p>\n He badly wanted to go find Erin and ask, but Pawn realized that might not be an option right now. He had to do something. So he cleared his throat and looked around.<\/p>\n What could be done? Well, what couldn\u2019t<\/em> be done? Pawn was no expert on cities, but he felt sure that walls shouldn\u2019t be falling down, there shouldn\u2019t be exposed sewers, and that Humans preferred a roof over their heads as they slept. He pointed randomly at a particularly bad section of the wall and turned to his sub-leaders, Belgrade and Anand.<\/p>\n \u201cOur job is to assist in repairing this city. Thus, I think that wall is\u2026a good place to start? Belgrade, Anand, if you will take that wall and uh, effect repairs on it? Reinforce it? Make it taller or something?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCertainly, Pawn.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt will be done.\u201d<\/p>\n The two [Tacticians] nodded immediately and began walking towards the wall. Workers and Soldiers both streamed after them, making Pawn jump. Belgrade and Anand needed no spoken instructions to command the Soldiers. Somehow, they\u2019d learned the trick of Prognugators, to command without speaking, mind-to-mind.<\/p>\n Well, that was easy. Pawn turned and nearly had one of his hearts stop when he found Bird standing right in front of him. The Antinium seemed\u2026focused as he held a bow in his hands. An arrow was already nocked.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are many birds here. I must go hunt them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh? Certainly, Bird. Go ahead. Ah, be sure to bring the birds back so they may be eaten, alright?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n Bird hurried off, already staring at the sky. Pawn turned around, and then around, and realized everyone had left. Belgrade and Anand were already having Soldiers clear the rubble while Workers moved about preparing tools and forming neat rows to expedite the workflow.<\/p>\n Now Pawn felt lonely. He thought about what he should do next, and remembered something Erin had told him last night. He looked around, saw a familiar tail, and hurried towards it.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI see what you mean. I see it.\u201d<\/p>\n Zel Shivertail muttered to himself as he walked through the city of Esthelm, gazing at the destruction. He felt a small pang in his heart as he saw how much devastation had been done, but the rest of him just felt mystified.<\/p>\n Why was he here? How had he come to be here, in Esthelm, helping to distribute aid to the citizens? He could have sworn he was eating rolls with honey just this morning.<\/p>\n It was all because of that girl. Erin Solstice. It hadn\u2019t been a unique idea, to help Esthelm. Anyone with at least one heart would have thought of that. And it wasn\u2019t hard to think of a door being used to transport things like goods. That was an obvious use. But convincing two cities to send supplies and help, and asking the Antinium, the Antinium<\/em> no less to render assistance?<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026Who is she?\u201d<\/p>\n That was what Zel Shivertail asked himself. He could admit when he\u2019d misjudged someone. He\u2019d done that with Erin Solstice. He still kept part of his original opinion, but now he revised the rest. Something was off about that girl. Something was extremely off, in a way he could only attribute to one other Human before\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me, General Shivertail?\u201d<\/p>\n Zel turned. He expected to see one of the Drakes, asking for him to sign his tail or something silly like that, or a Human, asking for help. But he froze when he saw the Antinium standing meekly in front of him.<\/p>\n Instinct told Zel to rip the Ant\u2019s head off. He restrained himself\u2014with effort. Zel growled as he took a few steps back.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d<\/p>\n The Antinium nodded politely.<\/p>\n \u201cMy name is Pawn.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou have a name?\u201d<\/p>\n Zel was incredulous. But he caught himself\u2014this was one of the new Antinium, the ones all the damn Drake politicians and leaders were telling him to find out about. Pawn nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cI do. I ah, have been sent to aid in restoring Esthelm.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood. For you.\u201d<\/p>\n Zel didn\u2019t want to talk with any Antinium, even a new one. But Pawn clearly wanted to talk with him. The Antinium cleared his throat nervously.<\/p>\n \u201cI was hoping I might converse with you, General Shivertail. I understand you are a famous General among the Drakes\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI fought in the Antinium War. Both<\/em> Antinium Wars.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n The two stared at each other. Zel forced his fist to unclench. Pawn studied him carefully.<\/p>\n \u201cI am not hostile towards you, General Shivertail. I do not wish to offend you either. I simply wish to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah? Well, I don\u2019t want to talk to you.\u201d<\/p>\n Zel forced himself not to shout. Pawn tilted his head sideways.<\/p>\n \u201cMay I ask why?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re an Antinium. I saw your kind ravage my continent. You still do. You infest part of my home. I saw your Soldiers slaughter thousands of innocents.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. They did. But I was created long after those wars. I am not like my people. I am not like anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n There was something in the Antinium\u2019s eyes\u2014Zel looked away. He controlled his voice, spoke levelly.<\/p>\n \u201cLook, An\u2014Pawn. I came here to help the Humans here, because it was the right thing to do. Because it was a good cause, understand? And I tolerated your Hive sending an army here, though I\u2019d rather kill you all, because you lot are helping too. I won\u2019t pick a fight with your kind, but it doesn\u2019t mean I have to like you, or talk with you. I lost too many friends, too many comrades to your species to ever think of you as anything but the enemy. Understand?\u201d<\/p>\n Silence. And then Zel saw Pawn nod out of the corner of his eye.<\/p>\n \u201cI understand. But I did not come here to be friends. I came to ask\u2014you see, I have been placed in command of my own force. I am a\u2026leader. But I do not know how to lead.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo? The Antinium lead themselves, or the Queens do, don\u2019t they?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, but she has entrusted that role to me. I must lead, but I do not know how. That is why I have come to you. You are a Drake [General], one of the greatest leaders on this continent.\u201d<\/p>\n Zel Shivertail stared incredulously at Pawn.<\/p>\n \u201cYou want me to give you\u2026advice<\/em> on how to lead an army?\u201d<\/p>\n Pawn nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy in the name of the Ancestors would I do that?\u201d<\/p>\n The Antinium shrugged. He seemed at a loss in front of Zel\u2019s questioning stare.<\/p>\n \u201cI do not know. I simply hoped you would. Because you understand the burdens of leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n Zel turned away in disgust.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve never taken on a pupil. If you want to ask for training, go find Niers Astoragon, or some Human [Lord] like Lord Tyrion Veltras.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey are far away.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t care.\u201d<\/p>\n Zel turned to go. Pawn called out behind him.<\/p>\n \u201cOne question, please. Answer me one question, General Shivertail.\u201d<\/p>\n General Shivertail gritted his teeth and lashed his tail.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I do, will you go away and stop bothering me from now on?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFine. Ask.\u201d<\/p>\n Pawn was silent for a moment. Zel was about to snap when the Antinium spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you tell a soldier under your command when he is dying?\u201d<\/p>\n The world paused. Zel turned back. Pawn went on.<\/p>\n \u201cYou see, I do not know what to say. I can only hold them, but I do not know what is supposed to be said. But there must be something. What do you say?\u201d<\/p>\n The Drake stared at the Antinium. Down at the Antinium. He realized that Pawn was small. He wasn\u2019t a Soldier. He was a Worker, no fighter. He didn\u2019t even have a weapon at his side. For a second, Zel wrestled with himself, and then one part won. He sighed, and gingerly beckoned Pawn.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on. Walk with me.\u201d<\/p>\n Pawn hesitated, but then followed Zel. The Drake stared up at the sky, at the Antinium swarming over a wall and putting it back together bit by bit, and at the Humans, Drakes, and Gnolls all working together in this city. Because of a girl. Because of an innkeeper. And he walked side by side with an Antinium and told him what to say, what you could say, what you had to say when you held a soldier in your arms.<\/p>\n \u201cYou tell them this. You tell them they did a good job, that they can rest. That you\u2019ve never seen anyone fight that hard, that it\u2019s only a scratch. That it\u2019s going to be okay\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEven if it is not?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEspecially then. You tell them what they need to hear. And sometimes, what they need to hear is nothing. Sometimes you just hold their claw and say goodbye. Sometimes\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u2014\u2014<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Klbkch saw Pawn walking next to Zel Shivertail and couldn\u2019t believe his eyes. He almost didn\u2019t believe Xrn\u2019s, but she had seen it too.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat a strange thing.\u201d<\/p>\n That was all she said. She hadn\u2019t said much, just taken in everything on the march to Esthelm. Klbkch got the impression Xrn was saving up all her words for when she\u2019d sorted out her feelings. Guiltily, he was looking forward to her reaction when it all came out.<\/p>\n But for now, Klbkch just walked with Tersk and Xrn through Esthelm, explaining things for the other two Antinium, but Tersk mainly. Klbkch kept having to pause and stare at the people working, though. He felt a little twinge in his chest every time he saw a Human look up, jump at the sight of him, and then gingerly wave, or at the very least, not flee screaming.<\/p>\n They came to an open square, where the smell of cooking was making Klbkch long for dinner already. He had already explained to the others that they would be eating Human, Drake, and Gnoll foods on this expedition\u2014this seemed to have raised their morale quite a bit.<\/p>\n But now Klbkch saw Erin, standing in the center of the square, next to a grave blooming with flowers and a rather tall stone marker, speaking energetically to a small group of Humans, two Gnolls, and a Drake. She had found a [Flautist], a man with a crude bell that was probably used to sound the alarm, a man holding a harp, and a group of people who could sing.<\/p>\n \u201cRevalantor Klbkch, what is that group of people doing?\u201d<\/p>\n Klbkch paused. He was unsure, although he thought he knew.<\/p>\n \u201cI think they\u2019re\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n All at once, Erin broke into song. She sang loud and clearly, startling everyone around her. They stared at her as the girl started singing a song that Ryoka Griffin would have recognized instantly.<\/p>\n \u201cDashing through the snow, in a one-skeleton open sledge, o\u2019er the fields we go, screaming all the way! Bells on Gnoll-tails ring, making spirits bright\u2026<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n She gestured, and the man with the bell began hitting it rhythmically. The Antinium watched as Erin tried to teach the rest of the appropriated lyrics to the others. He could hear her shouting.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on, you don\u2019t know this song? It\u2019s famous! Don\u2019t tell me you guys don\u2019t have Christmas!?<\/em> I\u2019ve got so much to teach you all! Alright, on three, okay? One, two\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRevalantor Klbkch, I do not understand. What is the purpose of this?\u201d<\/p>\n Tersk whispered it to Klbkch as the group began to sing. Klbkch heard the melody drifting throughout the city, caught by a breeze of wind. It was such a simple song, and yet it had a power of its own. People began to hum the song, or join in after a few repetitions.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat confuses you, Prognugator Tersk?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is the purpose of such an activity? Could not these people aid in some other task to better effect?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPerhaps. But this is important too. It will inspire others to work faster. And\u2026it has a value of its own.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhich is?\u201d<\/p>\n Revalantor turned his face up to the sky as the music began to spread. He smiled, and wished he could close his eyes. He could not, so he just said one word.<\/p>\n \u201cListen.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Previous Chapter<\/a> Next Chapter<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It was still dark, still quiet, when the door of the inn opened. It was not night. But it was not day either. This was the brief moment before dawn, the quietest, most empty time. The sun had not risen, but the sky was no longer quite as black. The door to the inn slowly […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":52856846,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"patreon-level":0,"patreon_level":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11693083,349],"tags":[7224,250708,4330244,4472517,11693079],"twi_volume":[11693132],"twi_collection":[],"class_list":["post-3767","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-volume-3","category-writing","tag-fantasy","tag-inn","tag-web-novel","tag-web-serial","tag-writing"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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