Chapter 320 Mother of Planning (1/2)
THWACK!
HIYA!
SNAP!
The moment I entered the Queen's chamber, a powerful antennae came flying at my head. This time though, I was prepared, I'd thought ahead, inspired by Morrelia's thoughtfulness I had antic.i.p.ated how my reception would begin.
Thus it was that I stood upside at the entrance, clinging to the roof with one of my mother's antennae clasped between my own. Sword catching is for fools, antennae catching is a whole new level.
”Hold on a second, mother! It isn't like you to be hasty!” I appealed.
The Queen's eyes lay on me like a weight, peaceful, serene, but heavy.
”I see you have brought a gift for me child” she replied evenly.
I tried to shrug my antennae whilst still gripping hers and largely failed. I wouldn't weaken my hold just yet, in case she felt I was being particularly foolish.
”Oh this old thing?” I deflected, ”there are so many of them up on the surface that I'm starting to think they don't hold any value at all. Why, I almost feel bad giving you something of such low rarity.”
”In that case” mother answered, amus.e.m.e.nt rippling through her voice, ”perhaps it would be best if you kept it for yourself.”
Dang it! Operation downplay the core was a failure.
”Is this the kind of welcome you give to your child who was away from home, slaving away as a scout in dangerous territories for the colony?” I try a different tack and divert the conversation.
I may have struck a chord with mother on that one, since she retracts her antennae from my grip before she responds.
”Welcome home child. I am, of course, very pleased to see you, even if I am concerned at what mischief you might have caused whilst you were away.”
Oh, she's definitely amused now. I reply whilst climbing down the wall to the chamber floor, hoping to put myself on more solid ground.
”You wound me, mother” I say reproachfully even as I sweat inside.
Truth be told there is some bad news coming our way but it isn't my fault this time! I may have caused Garralosh and company to come down this was earlier than they had planned, but considering the Kaarmodo lizard was actively utilising scrying magic, chances are they already knew the human survivors were congregating here.
The Queen loomed above, still so much larger than myself. Her chamber still rests under the surface level, within the Dungeon, which necessitates her guard to be constantly on-alert, seizing monsters the moment they sp.a.w.n from the walls, subduing them and more often than not bringing them to the Queen to kill, feeding experience and Bioma.s.s to the monarch.
”There might have been a couple of things that came up whilst I was away. Nothing we can't handle…” I hope.
Mother's antennae waggled with frustrated amus.e.m.e.nt.
”I had a.s.sumed as much the moment you walked out of the nest.”
Ouch.
”Where is Aphy? I haven't seen her about?” I wondered, trying to s.h.i.+ft the focus of conversation away from myself.
The Queen was only too happy to take the bait. Her eyes shone warmly as she discussed her beloved pet.
”I was worried that Aphy would be at risk here in my chamber, she is currently positioned with the brood under the watchful eye of the tenders. Did you know she'd already evolved?” she said proudly.
”Congratulations, Mother. I'm pleased to see your pet has brought you such joy.”
And I was. Mother cared deeply for every member of the colony and we all loved her back, but we had stuff to do. It's nice to have someone be your devoted companion. I only had to think of the ever loyal Crinis resting on my back to remind myself of the security a devoted pet brought to the owner.
”Not much longer now and she'll be able to add her own eggs to the brood chambers” I mused.
”Yes” the Queen nodded happily, ”it will be so helpful for the family.”
Nice. Now that I've reminded her of all the good work I've done, it's time to bring her attention back to my gift.
”So about this core…”
THWACK!
Ouch!