Book 4: Chapter 40: L_The Wandering Inn

Book 4: Chapter 40: L

 Beneath Liscor, the war continued. It was a quiet war, one that the Drakes and Gnolls living above were unaware of. It had gone on for years; it could rightly be called a war of attrition, although neither side truly viewed it as such. How could a war of attrition take ce when both sides were functionally inexhaustible?

 The Hive of the Free Antinium versus the monsters of Liscors dungeon. Both groups were able to reproduce at speeds that allowed them to continually sh with one another. The monsters in Liscors dungeon were numerous and had established vast nests within the dungeon. The groups that continually assailed the Antinium Hive were a drop in an ocean of bodies. So long as they were not purged in their homes, they would keeping.

 On the other end, the Antinium were adept at repopting themselves. They had developed it into a science, such that they could weather any number of losses with few issues. After all, so long as their Prognugator and more importantly, Queen survived, what were the deaths of a few hundred Soldiers that died to stop a group of Flesh Worms, or the Workers who perished each day rebuilding their tunnels and fortifications?

 Neither side cared. Not the Queen and certainly not the monsters. But if anyone had bothered to ask the Workers and Soldiers, they would have said

 Nothing. Soldiers did not speak and Workers had few opinions of their own. They were born loyal to their Hive and fought and died in service to it. What was despair to a being that had been alive for hours? New Soldiers hurried to the front lines, fighting monsters with the fluids of their creation still wet on their carapaces. They were faceless, voiceless. And alone. There was no one to champion them.

 In a section of tunnels adjacent to the dungeon, a group of Soldiers struggled alone. They fought desperately against an equal number of enchanted suits of armor. These metal guardians were the equals of Soldiers; incredibly tough and difficult to kill, they cut down the Antinium one by one as the Soldiers hurled themselves desperately against their foe. The newly born Soldiers fell back, desperate. Fighting. Dying.

 And yet they fought on. Because if they fled, who would fight? The Soldiers ignored the wounds on their bodies, and yet despair crept into their limbs, weighing them down. They cried out, silently, without a voice to speak, without words or knowledge of what they wished for. They needed someone to give them hope, to give them a reason to fight. Someone, something they could believe in. In their darkest moments the knowledge of their Hive was not enough. They needed

 One of the suits of armor bashed a Soldier down with a mace. It strode forwards, red light leaking through the slits in its visor as the enchanted guardians approached. A Soldier raised a broken arm as the other three battered the armor of its foe futilely. He knew he was going to die and the knowledge was bitter and cold. But then he heard a different sound.

 Click.

 It was thunderous, collective, a sound made of many parts. A hundred mandibles snapped together. The enchanted armor paused, and the Soldier heard it again.

 Click.

 This time the echo was louder, and there was a drumming noise, the sound of heavy footfalls. The Soldier stumbled backwards through the tunnel and saw something running towards him.

 A foe? No. Another Antinium. But this one was different from the Soldiers and Workers, the faceless multitudes. It wasbigger? Bigger, yes, a bit. But what set this Antinium apart was the color. The young Soldier with the broken arm stared.

 Yellow stters of paint covered the Soldier who ran down the tunnel towards the enchanted suits of armor. They turned, weapons covered with green Antinium blood. The mace-wielding armor turned towards the Soldier, weapon ready. It swung and the young Soldier tried to look away rather than see this new Soldier cut down

 The mace struck the Soldier with yellow stters on one raised forearm. The chitin cracked under the force of the mighty blow, but unlike the other Antinium who had broken from the crushing impact, this Soldiers body was tougher. Two of his arms shot out, pinning the arms of the enchanted suit of armor. The other two began to pound it, making the ancient steel ring with the impacts.

 The other Soldiers stared. The enchanted suits of armor abandoned their foes to help theirrade, but now more Soldiers were streaming through the tunnels. The Soldier with the broken arm stared. These Antinium were like the one who had charged into battle. They were all painted, all colorful! One had a star on its forehead, another a rainbow of droplets all over its body, like rain.

 They were all unique, all different. And as they charged down the corridor, the young Soldier saw an Antinium holding a strange, object that released plumes of sweet smoke every time he shook it. The Worker pulled the Soldier with the broken arm out of the battle, shielding them as the colorful Soldiers charged ahead. And the young Soldier now had an image, a name for what he had cried out for in hisst moments.

 He stared at the Soldier with yellow stters as he pointed and the other Soldiers charged ahead. Yes, that was what hed wanted. Someone to lead them, to show themhope. He had no words for what he felt, for what the other Soldier was. But if he had heard the word, he would have agreed with it immediately. The other Antinium were different, braver, more certain, and they fought for something rather than because they had been told. They were unique. They were hope.

 They were heroes.

 -

 Yellow Stters ran down the tunnel, his legs pumping as his arms rose. He didnt feel the cracked chitin on his arm. He was alight with battle fury. And each second he ran was another second, another life he could have saved. He charged into the backs of the second group of monsters on the front lines and caught a suit of armor with a two-armedriat. He flung the hundreds of pounds of armor to the ground and began stomping on the metal guardian, ignoring the other suits of armor as they turned towards him.

 Enchanted armor this time. At least they didnt seem to be apanied by any other types of monsters. Yellow Stters had learned to dread monsters working in tandem with each other. At least the enchanted suits of armor were few in number.

 But deadly. This corridor was filled with the bodies of Soldiers and Workers alike. Yellow Stters had arrived toote. He gave vent to his fury as the other suits of armor assailed him. They cut at his body, struck him with metal fists and tried to bear him down. But Yellow Stters refused to fall. He couldnt.

 He was a [Sergeant]. The Soldier felt another part of his outeryer of chitin crack as something struck him in the shoulder. But the de that cut into his side, the fist that smashed him in the side of the head, none of those blows could fell him. He had a Skill. [Tough Carapace].

 One Skill, but it made so much of a difference. And anotherYellow Stters turned and his fist sent a metal suit of armor flying with a dent in the chest te.

 [Power Strike]. The other suits of armor closed in, fearless. Yellow Stters raised his arms to guard his body and saw one of the suits of armor disappear. A Soldier had crashed into it with a running tackle. This Soldier had white wings painted on his back and he rolled around on the ground, bashing the armors helmet in.

 The other Soldiers had arrived. Yellow Stters abandoned his guard and leapt into the attack again. He and another Soldier tore the arms off a suit of armor, and then he found himself bashing at another suit with the arm hed ripped off. And then?

 It was all over. At least, for now. Yellow Stters rose, breathing heavily, and heard a voice.

 Sergeant Yellow Stters, we are ordered to take Tunnel E4J!

 He turned and saw a smaller Antinium standing at the back of the group of Soldiers. Pawn, censer in hand, was bending over a wounded Soldier. Yellow Stters rose and immediately pointed. The Soldiers under hismandforty of themraced down the tunnel.

 War. That was what he fought. Yellow Stters mmed into another group of monsterrge maggots that spat acid at him, and then found himself fighting a horrific moth that was sorge it had to crawl down the tunnel. The Face-Eater moth, one of therge insects that the dungeon housed, ripped off a Soldiers arm and buried its mandibles in another before it died.

 Both had been marked. After the giant moth was dead, Yellow Stters stood over the dead Soldier. His body had been shredded, but Yellow Stters could remember what had been drawn on his chest. A white circle with a question mark drawn on the inside. In ck paint. Yellow Stters didnt know what it meant, but that wasnt important. It had defined that Soldier.

 And now he was dead. The symbol would be redrawn on the walls of the barracks. He would be remembered so long as the walls and the Soldiers living within remainedbut the Soldier was dead.

 In the aftermath of the battle, as the remaining monsters retreated back to the dungeon or were finished off, Yellow Stters found Pawn again. The Worker was standing with two other Workers, both of whom were poring over maps of the Hives tunnels. These maps were a new thing; all Antinium knew theyout of the Hive through the collective mental link they shared, and their Queen knew all, so what would be the purpose of maps? But these two Antinium were [Strategists], and they had insisted on the need to make them.

 Belgrade and Anand, the two coordinators of the Hives defenses, were speaking with Pawn as Yellow Stters waited to be given orders. The fact that they were Workers and he was a Soldier was important; they could talk and he could not. Thus, they gave orders to the Soldiers, and Yellow Stters, the highest-level and only leader among the Soldiers was often tasked with implementingmands.

 He led the Individual Soldiers, the ones who had distinguished themselves with paint and begun to level within the Hive. They were a small unit assigned to Pawn, but they were growing and they had distinguished themselves in battle, holding ground and defeating monsters with far fewer casualties than regr Soldiers and Workers.

 But the casualties did ur. Each day, there was usually one death. On bad days, there were more. And ofteYellow Stters ached inside, remembering the deaths. Holding the dungeon against the influx of monsters who attacked regrly was difficult, but it had been harder ofte as well. In fact, the Workers were discussing that very issue now.

 We have held the tunnels nearest the lowest southeastern breach into the dungeon. Casualties wereminimal given the attack. I regret that my static defenses were overwhelmed. Thankfully Anand had already redirected your division, Pawn. And there have been no other attacks today.

 Belgrade was pointing to a map. Yellow Stters knew he was pointing to the location he had just been in. He stared at Belgrade.

 It was a new idea, to think of each Antinium as separate. A few weeks ago Yellow Stters would not have been able to understand the concept. But now he did, and he had already begun to appreciate the difference between Belgrade and Anand. Both had taken over for Klbkch and the Queen in leading the defense of the Hive, usually from the dungeon attacks. And both had different styles.

 Belgrade was a fan of fixed formations, of chokepoints and static groups of Soldiers who would hold a particr tunnel while he reinforced areas at risk at need. By contrast, Anand seldom kept Soldiers and Workers under hismand in one ce. He preferred to send roving strike forces out to attack monsters, usually choosing to ambush them or attack from all sides with superior numbers.

 Apparently, that preference for strategy was derived from the games of chess both yed, and Yellow Stters understood that Anand was considered the better yerand [Tactician]of the two.

 He agreed. Yellow Stters had developed opinions in the time since he had be [Sergeant], and one of his opinions was that Belgrades method of defending was too costly. If a powerful monsterlike one of the giant Face-Eater Moths, or a Crypt Wormattacked, regr Soldiers would be quickly killed. By contrast, luring the enemy and setting up tactically advantageous situations was infinitely better and saved lives.

 That wasnt to say that Yellow Stters didnt appreciate the need for Belgradehe was efficient at intercepting smaller monsters or ones that tried to dig into the Hive. But wherever possible, Yellow Stters would prefer Anand to lead. And that was often the case when both [Tacticians] were on duty and neither one was injured.

 So why had todays battle seen Belgrade take the lead? Two tunnels had been overrun by monsters, two tunnels that were practically entering into the dungeon. They were not the usual areas of conflict.

 It seems like the radius at which monsters will begin to attack each other is indeed around four thousand paces from the dungeons outer walls. As you said, Anand.

 Belgrade turned to the other Worker, who nodded. Anands voice was different from Belgrades. While both had the same body, Anand spoke more confidently to the softer voice Belgrade had.

 Indeed. Holding these areas

 He touched on four spots on the map, each one indicating an entrance from the dungeon into the Hive through a copsed wall or open breach in the dungeon.

 is far more costly than if we pulled back. Redirecting the monsters into kill zones where they be aware of each other and reduce their numbers is the most expedient strategy.

 Precisely put. Yellow Stters shifted from one foot to another. His upper right armthe one hed used to block a mace earlierwas dripping blood from between the cracks. Since it was the only wound hed taken and very minor, he ignored it and the pain. He waited, trying to understand why no one was listening to Anands sensible advice. Why were they so close to the dungeon, taking casualties? Was this Belgrades idea? It was foolish. Stupid.

 Wrong. Yellow Stters thought the word deliberately, although he couldnt speak it. Belgrade nodded.

 I think it will be difficult to hold this area. But of course, we must. For now, I rmend doubling the Soldiers guarding each entrance, and keeping Colored Antinium in reserve. Pawn, how many of your Soldiers can you spare?

 Pawn hesitated and nced at Yellow Stters for the first time. The [Sergeant] willed Pawn to give the correct answer.

 Colored Antinium. That was what the two [Tacticians] had begun calling the Soldiers with paint. As if they weredifferent. And they were. They were elite warriors, in a Hive where there had been only uniformity before. They were few, though. And growing fewer. It was hard to show a Soldier what it meant to be Individual, and daily losses meant they were slowly losing more than they converted. Yellow Stters thought on that often.

 I can spare twenty, I think, Belgrade. I would like to rest the injured, and if I am not here to pray for the wounded, casualties seem to

 Belgrade was already nodding his agreement. Neither he nor Anand ever really contradicted Pawn, except in matters of strategy. The sole [Acolyte] and first Worker to be Individual was deeply respected by all of the Antinium. Yellow Stters considered Pawn a fine helper. But he was not a leader.

 At least he had given a good number. Twenty. Yellow Stters had a running tally of wounded Soldiers under hismands and the ones who were tired from battle. Twenty to be sent for active duty left a margin of aroundsixty three for emergencies and tomorrowsbat. eptable.

 Agreed, then. Send them here and I will keep them in reserve. No sense losing any if it can be avoided.

 Belgrade was speaking to the others. His words made Yellow Sttershurt. What he said was of course correct, but by preserving the lives of the valuable Individual Soldiers, he was sacrificing more regr Soldiers instead. To Yellow Stters, any Soldiers death was uneptable. He had been a regr Soldier, once. Now he was a leader, the leader of Soldiers. He would save them all if he could.

 And indeed, as the Workers turned they had to look up at him. Yellow Stters was a Soldier and taller than Workers, but he was actually taller than other Soldiers as well. Just by an inch or two, and his body was a tiny bitrger, but it was noticeable given the uniformity of other Antinium. Pawn had spected that it was a product of his leader ss. Yellow Stters felt it was a mark of rank.

 Sergeant Yellow Stters, thank you for your efforts. I believe todays wave will be all for the next four hours at least. The dungeon seems to influence monsters to attack at semi-predictable intervalsyou may rest for now.

 Yellow Stters nodded his head towards Anand, deliberately shifting his body so he wasnt nodding at Belgrade. If the other Worker noticed itno, he did not. He was still looking over the maps.

 Holding the tunnels closest to the dungeon. Why? They should be fighting in the more distant tunnels and blocking these ones with dirt to slow the monsters as they burrowed to the Hive. Yellow Stters fumed as he marched back with Pawn towards the other Soldiers. They were all waiting for him and all, save for their one fallen brother, rtively unharmed. There would be no need for the precious few healing potions that Pawn had been given by Klbkch.

 Yellow Stters, let us return. I would like to speak with you in the barracks.

 Pawn deferentially let Yellow Stters proceed in front of him. Yellow Stters pointed, and the Soldiers formed up into a double line and marched out of the distant tunnels and back towards the heart of the Hive.

 The [Sergeant] tried to grapple with his anger as he marched down the main tunnels, letting Workers move quickly out of his way. However, emotion was a rare feeling for him. It was practically unheard of among Soldiers. But Yellow Stters had begun having opinions. Again, it was probably part of his ss, but those opinions made him question things.

 Things like his ce, orders hed been given, and certain things Pawn said. Of course, it was necessary for Soldiers to fight, and guarding the dungeon was essential to preserve the Hive. Yellow Stters was loyal to his Queen, despite never having seen her. But orders that wasted lives, like the ones Belgrade had given and continued to give? Hold the entrances? Why? Yellow Stters disagreed with those orders.

 And sometimes, with Pawn. Yellow Stters turned his body as he walked to look back at Pawn. The Worker was maintaining the censer hed used, cleaning it of incense as he walked. He was important. He had given Yellow Stter identity, promoted him to [Sergeant]. But he did not understand war and battle by his own admission. And yet, hemanded the Soldiers?

 Was that wrong? Yellow Stters turned forwards and noticed the staring. Soldiers and Workers alike had paused in their endlessmute to stare at him and the other Colored Antinium. They usually did, but today Yellow Stters sensed that most of the gazes were on him.

 Because of his height. Of course. It was probably less than an inchmore like a few centimeters. In a crowd of Drakes, Gnolls, Humans, or any other race it would have beenpletely unnoticed. But among the Antinium it was like someone was shining a beacon on Yellow Stters.

 He stood tall as he marched towards his barracks. He was not proud; that was a foreign emotion to him when Pawn had exined it to him. Rather Yellow Stters was dedicated. He fought enemies. He killed to save as many of his fellow Soldiers as possible. He mourned the deaths of hisrades and strove to level up further, to be stronger in order to save more. That was all that there was to live. All that was meaningful.

 -

 The barracks of the Individual Soldiers had changed in several ways since Pawn had first wandered into it. It had been expanded and given several ess points for convenience and a speedier connection to the front lines in the Hive. Space had also been cleared on one wall for amural of sorts.

 Symbols decorated the wall, each with their own space, but each close enough so that it seemed they formed a pattern. The marks of fallen Soldiers rested there. Yellow Stters looked up and saw patterns he recognized.

 A paw print in white. Eight lines and a curvy wave. A golden quartet of stars. So many already. And a Soldier was already dipping his finger in white paint, drawing out the circle and question mark onto the wall.

 It hurt. But Yellow Stters embraced this pain. It was right that the wall be here, reminding the Soldiers of who they had lost, who they had sacrificed. This is why they fought. For the Hive, for the Queen, but for each other above all else.

 A few more details of the changed barracks caught Yellow Stters eye as he turned from the mural. There was now a storage area in the barracks, a ce where a small crate of healing potions had been ced, a stockpile of bandages and other healing agents usually reserved for the most wounded of Antinium

 And in one corner, slightly dusty fromck of use, a pile of books. They had been Pawnstest addition to the barracks.

 No one had touched them. Yellow Stters stared at the books. He considered them a waste of space. He understoodvaguelythat these books had images in them and were meant to tell stories like the ones Pawn told to the Soldiers each night. However, what was the point?

 Stories were fine for helping new Soldiers be Individual. But they were not practical, not useful for Soldiers who were already Individual. If a Soldier had realized his potential, it was more important to do other things.

 Like train. Yellow Stters strode over to a cleared area in the barracks where several Soldiers were already sparring. It was an unheard-of idea for Soldiers, but once Pawn had suggested the idea, Yellow Stters had immediately seen it was one of the Workers good suggestions.

 The Soldiers were fighting in pairs and sometimes in groups. It could be a duel between two Soldiers, but since battle was rarely that fair, sometimes there were as many as five Soldiers beating on one. Not hitting with full force of course; that would be too dangerous. But they swung fast and hard enough to sometimes crack chitin, dodging, punching, learning to fight more efficiently.

 A Soldier approached as Yellow Stters walked into the sparring area. He was a new Soldier, one with a pink stripe on either side of his face. Twin Stripes raised his four fists, each one a bludgeoning tool that could gouge, grab, or bludgeon as necessary. Yellow Stters raised his own arms and the two Soldiers charged towards each other.

 At first, Twin Stripes went to grab Yellow Stters, but the [Sergeant] punched him back. Twin Stripes circled,shing out with careful punches and keeping two arms back for a guard. Yellow Stters ignored defense and went for a full-out assault. Hegentlyhammered Twin Stripes, dominating his opponent. Despite that, Twin Stripes kept fighting, doggedly avoiding blows and blocking where he could until Yellow Stters decided it was time to rest.

 Exhausted, the new Soldier lowered his guard. The exchange of blows had been intense, and the carapace on his upper right arm and shoulder was slightly cracked. Nevertheless, he was ready for Yellow Stters to continue.

 Good! Yellow Stters radiated approval and the other Soldiers sensed it. This is what was important. Not books, not storiesthis was practical. Aside from rest and food, this was all a Soldier needed. Because the next battle would be upon them soon, and when it urred, Yellow Stters wanted his unit as prepared as they could be for it.

 Oddly, it seemed fewer of them were leveling up as fast as they used to be. Of course, higher levels meant they slowed down, but even Yellow Stters was only a Level 12 [Sergeant]. The other Soldiers should be leveling faster, not slower.

 He wondered why that was. Maybe the training was too light? But full-power blows were too dangerous. Well, at least the Soldiers were learning to fight in their off-time. Yellow Stters beckoned to three Soldiers, wanting to increase the intensity of his sparring when he heard a voice.

 Sergeant?

 Pawn. Yellow Stters paused and reluctantly turned. The Worker was waiting for him next to the pile of books. The Soldier trotted over and noticed Pawn carefully dusting the books off, arranging them to face the barracks. He stared at the books and then at the Worker, impatiently.

 I mourn the loss of one of our Soldiers. I prayedbut my prayers do not always work. Nevertheless, thank you for fighting as you did. Those Soldiers might have been ughtered had you not charged in.

 The Worker looked up at Yellow Stters and he nodded. Pawn always thanked Yellow Stters and the other Soldiers after a battle. However, this time the Worker hesitated. He clicked his mandibles lightly together and made a weak clicking soundthe Antinium equivalent of clearing his throat.

 I wonder, though, if you are not bing too brave, Yellow Stters? It was a very risky maneuver you made. Brave, yes, and it did save lives, but it put you in great danger.

 The [Sergeant] stared at Pawn uprehendingly. Of course he had been in danger, charging ahead of the others. Shouldnt he risk his life?

 Pawn seemed to understand his point. He usually did. The Worker nodded his head, clutching the censer with one hand to his chest.

 It is important. I know. But I worry about you. If you should fall

 The other Soldiers would lose their leader. Yellow Stters understood atst. That would weaken them, possibly leading to more casualties. Already, he was able to influence his unit as a whole in small ways, like leading a charge with his Skills and so on. He readjusted his view of his usefulness inbat. He was a leader and care was important. Still, Yellow Stters couldnt fault his actions. Saving a Soldiers life was paramount.

 Pawn seemed to agree, because he dropped that line of conversation. He looked to the books again and opened his mandibles, then hesitated.

 I ahnotice you have put yourself onbat duty every day for thest two weeks.

 Yellow Stters nodded. Pawn reached out and touched at Yellow Stters arms. The blood had stopped, but Yellow Stters had broken chitin on multiple ces on his carapace. Pawn looked distressed.

 It is important to have a [Sergeant], but it is not necessary that you fight every battle, Yellow Stters. You need rest.

 Not yet. The Soldier stood tall, disregarding this suggestion from Pawn. Once he had agonized over everything Pawn said; now he recognized the Worker spoke out of ignorance at times. Misced worry and concern for his wellbeing, true, but ignorance all the same. He had to fight, to keep fighting. The battle was all that mattered. So long as his people were dying, he had to fight.

 If Pawn understood that, he didnt show it. Rather, he looked down at the censer and then up at Yellow Stters.

 I believe you need rest. Or rather, a different kind of rest in addition to your regr sleep, Yellow Stters.

 Sergeant. Yellow Stters had no eyes to narrow, but he stared hard at Pawn. What did he mean?

 I am assigning you to tonights surface patrol, Yellow Stters.

 The Soldier recoiled. A surface patrol? That wasludicrous. He didnt need to go above!

 Above was different from below. Below was realbat, dangerous fighting. Whereas aboveYellow Stters could remember the joy of first seeing the sun, of walking around and staring at the strange Drakes and Gnolls and people and buildings andeverything! But that enjoyment had be a distant memory. Now he only cared for what really mattered, which was doing his duty.

 He wasnt some new Soldier who needed to be Individual. But Pawn clearly disagreed. He rested a hand on Yellow Stters arm, speaking softly.

 Some food and different scenery will help, or so I believe. And I would like you to meet the Soldier in charge of leading the patrols aboveground. I am considering making him the next [Sergeant].

 That got Yellow Stters attention. He stepped back, letting Pawns hand fall off his arm. Another [Sergeant]? Yellow Stters would be only too willing to see another leader to help protect the Soldiers, but who? Of course he shared the barracks with all the Individual Soldiers, but he was not familiar with the one Pawn mentioned. He had not gone aboveground since he had been promoted.

 The Antinium in question is named Purple Smile. I believe he is taking some Soldiers and new Individuals up in a few minutes. Over there.

 Pawn pointed, and Yellow Stters saw a group of Soldiers gathering to go to the surface. Among them was Twin Stripes. Yellow Stters strode over, cutting the rest of what Pawn was saying off and saw the Soldier in charge standing by one of the exits to the barracks.

 He was a Soldier. And in that, he was like the others. Only, this Soldier struck Yellow Stters as somewhat odd instantly. He had paint markings on his body of course, but instead of putting them on his arms, legs, chest, or back, hed put them on his face.

 In fact, hed carefully painted a purple ring around both of his insectile eyes, and drawn what looked like a smile across his mandibles and lower face. The effect was well, horrific if you werent another Antinium. But it was a smile on his face, and his posture wasnt the military-straightness of most Soldiers either. He leaned against the dirt wall. Since Antinium had problems bending backwardstheir carapaces got in the wayhe was doing a crazy tilt with his body, leaning his head back against the wall.

 It looked ridiculous to Yellow Stters. However, Purple Smile seemed to be enjoying the activity, and two other Soldiers had already tried to copy him. Yellow Stters marched over and Purple Smile propelled himself off the wall. He nodded and Yellow Stters nodded back.

 The Soldiers had nothing as borate as hand signals. In battle, Yellow Stters could direct other Soldiers with his mind to a limited degree, which is why pointing is all he needed to do. By contrast Purple Smile pointed, waggled his fingers, and walked them in mimicry of what they were supposed to be doing already. He led the way out of the Antinium Hive at a rxed, slow pace.

 Yellow Stters already disliked him. And he could not understand why this Soldier of all Soldiers was being considered for a [Sergeant] position!

 They went above. Yellow Stters strode out onto the cobblestone street, not pausing to stare up at the sun or around at the city like all the new Soldiers were doing. Even the ones whod been above once or twice, like Twin Stripes, were staring.

 Purple Smile let them do it. In fact, he kept staring up at a cloud so long that Yellow Stters had to click his mandibles to get him to move. Atst, the other Soldier led them down the street, towards the western gates and the inn that was their regr starting point for each patrol.

 It was a mark of the trust Liscor had in the Antinium that a patrol could now be led by one of the Soldiers and not by Pawn himself. Yellow Stters marched, staring directly at Purple Smile as he meandered down the street. Of course, non-Antinium still got out of the way for their patrol, but Yellow Stters appreciated that.

 What bothered him was the clear awe the other Soldiers held their surroundings in. Every now and then Purple Smile would let them stop to stare at a passing Drake, or at a brick wall, oror a patch of melting snow!

 It hurt to see Soldiers like Twin Stripes, who were pathetically grateful to see the sky, who stared upwards with awe. It hurt because Yellow Stters understood how mundane the sky was. These other people, the Drakes who passed by on the other side of the street, the Gnolls who sniffed the air and sneezed as they passed by, they saw the sky every day! But most Soldiers would die without this smallest of privileges.

 Yellow Stters snapped his mandibles together irritably and Purple Smile turned to look at him curiously. Pointedly, Yellow Stters looked ahead and Purple Smile reluctantly picked up the pace.

 Atst, they marched out of the city and through the wet snow to the inn. There Purple Smile knocked on the door. It was some time before it opened, and when it did, he heard muffled voices and a lot of shuffling sounds.

 Hi, hi! Sorry for the dy!

 The door opened and Erin Solstice opened it, smiling widely. Yellow Stters stared at her, and saw Purple Smiles open and raise his mandibles in a smile. Erin peered at him and then smiled back.

 Hey, its you! Scary-purple-smile-guy! Hows it been? Youre here for food, right? Wheres Pawn? Not with you this time? Well,e on in and

 She opened the door wider and Yellow Stters froze. Inside the inn were monsters.

 Goblins. Five of them, sitting around a table, eating. They froze when they saw the Antinium. One reached for a sword until another grabbed his arm. Yellow Stters was quicker, though. He raised his fists and the Soldiers around him stared. Btedly, copying his example, they raised theirs. Erins eyes went round and wide.

 Wait, what are you doing?

 The Goblins in the inn reacted to the threat. They surged upwards, pushing their chairs back and now all of them did draw their weapons. Immediately Yellow Stters and the other Soldiers tensed up, grouping together, getting ready to rush in.

 Goblins! Yellow Stters buzzed with anticipation. So, there was real fighting to be had above, was there? He hadnt ever met this kind of Goblin beforethey were farrger than the pallid, small Goblins who sometimes rushed the tunnels, but hed take them down anyways. He began to charge when a set of four hands grabbed him.

 Purple Smile yanked Yellow Stters back and barred the way into the inn. He pointed at the Goblins and shook his head, to the surprise of all the Soldiers. Meanwhile, Erin was yelping, waving her hands and saying the same thing.

 Dont attack! Theyre friendly! I thought Pawn told youthese are good Goblins, okay? Theres no need to fight! Does anyone read the sign?

 Erin looked exasperatedly towards Purple Smile. He raised an authoritative hand and Yellow Stters realized that Pawn had said something of the kind, only hed walked away too fast to hear. Slowly, reluctantly, he lowered his fists and the other Soldiers copied him.

 Thats the first time Ive had towhos the big guy? Wait, weve met, havent we?

 The [Innkeeper] stared at Yellow Stters curiously. He returned the look for a second and then nced at Purple Smile. The Goblins sat down cautiously and Purple Smile walked into the room as if nothing was the matter. Warily, Yellow Stters followed.

 The other Soldiers entered the inn, sitting at a group of tables far away from the Goblins, staring at them curiously. Those whod been to the inn before were clearly eager for food. Yellow Stters sat in a seat with a good view of the Goblinsjust in caseand focused his attention on the young woman rushing in and out of the kitchen, calling for help.

 Sorry, sorry! I was feeding Mrshaoh! The Antinium are here! Ill be right with you all with your orders!

 Lyte rushed downstairs, smiling as soon as she saw the Antinium. She seemed to know Purple Smile too, and waved to him as he hurried into the kitchen. Yellow Stters continued staring at Erin every time she came out.

 He couldnt understand why Pawn held Erin in such high regard. He had taken Yellow Stters to see Erin, and told him about how he had be Individual thanks to her. And yes, Yellow Stters acknowledged she was willing to cook for the Antinium and had taught Pawn to y chess. What of it? Could she help save Soldiers lives?

 Her soup could. But the food that was ced in front of the Antinium wasnt the enchanted mixture they sometimes ate before battle. Rather, it was a scramble of eggs, bacon, and cheese, a hot bowl of filling food. It was ideal since Antinium couldnt handle gluten. And it was also useless.

 Useless. Yellow Stters felt his innards gurgling as he stared at the food and inhaled its aroma. He wanted to eat it, and yet something stayed his hand. Purple Smile was already munching down his food with gusto, as were the rest of the Soldiers, but the longer Yellow Stters stared at his bowl, the angrier he got.

 It was hard to exin. Yes, the food smelled wonderful. However, Yellow Stters couldnt focus on it. His thoughts were below, with the Soldiers whom Belgrade had assigned to the dungeons entrance. How could he eat while they were suffering? There were Soldiers dying in the Hive right now. Soldiers who would never taste this food. And here he was being served thiswhile his people might never have such luxuries!

 Yellow Stters didnt know what he was doing until he was on his feet. Erin had paused as she wasing out with hot honey milk for all the Soldiers. Yellow Stters lifted his bowl. Deliberately, staring at her the entire time, he overturned it, letting the hot food fall to the floor.

 Erin blinked. The Soldiers sitting around Yellow Stters froze. He folded both sets of arms, looking around challengingly. The Goblins had paused in eating and they were poking each other and staring at him, muttering. But Yellow Stters didnt care about that.

 He looked at the other Soldiers. They were free to eat if they wished, but Yellow Stters wouldnt waste the Hives resources purchasing food when there were more important things to do. He received enough nutrition from the food in the Hive. This patrol aboveground, paying for food, eating with monstersit was all pointless!

 The other Soldiers stared at him, and then at Purple Smile. The Soldier had paused when Yellow Stter overturned his bowl. He looked at the stter of food on the ground and bent. He scooped up the fallen eggs and cheese and bacon and slopped a handful into his bowl.

 Oh dont do thatI can make more. If you dont like it, I can uhwhats the matter?

 Erin raised her hands, looking uncertainly at Yellow Stters. But then the other Soldiers moved. As one, all except for Purple Smile, they pushed back their bowls and stood up. Yellow Stters saw Twin Stripes hesitate before pushing back his bowl of eggs, untouched.

 What?

 Erin stared around, and Lyte poked her head out of the kitchen, disbelieving. Purple Smile stared around in silence, and then clicked his mandibles together softly and got up without a word. Yellow Stters looked around the inn, at Erin, at the Goblins, and then turned.

 The Antinium left the inn as one. They marched quickly back into the city and into the Hive. Once there, they began to train. Or rather, Yellow Stters did and the others followed his example. Yellow Stters worked his arms and legs, trading blows, pushing himself harder. Pawn wasnt thereprobably thinking hed be out of the city for several hours.

 Yellow Stters didnt mind the patrol with Purple Stripes after an hour of sparring and then eating brown paste at one of the mess halls. He felt good about the entire affair, actually. He had established what should be done and the other Soldiers had followed his example. Hopefully, now theyd stop going above altogether and they could focus on what was really important.

 Fighting. Fighting in order to save lives. Compared to that, eating, seeing the skyit was all pointless.

 -

 You did what?

 It was perhaps the first time Pawn had ever raised his voice when speaking to a Soldier. He stood in front of Yellow Stters, his mandibles opened wide and lowered in disbelief. Yellow Stters looked ahead, waiting for Pawn to finish talking.

 The patrol is what Soldiers look forward to each day! The food was already paid forwhy waste it?

 Yellow Stters didnt bother trying to exin to Pawn. He was a Worker. That was bing more obvious. He nced towards the pile of unread books and then away. Yellow Stters turned.

 Sergeant! I am not done speaking with you

 But he was done listening. The Soldier marched back to the sparring area and raised his four fists. The other Soldiers stared at him uncertainly, looking back towards Pawn. Yellow Stters ignored them and gestured.

 Theyd have to expand the fighting area soon. It was too confined to allow more than a fifth of the barracks to practice at once. Too, they needed arger barracks. More Soldiers should be Individual. Yes, a lot more. Pawn could take them on patrols to the surface rather than waste time here.

 Yellow Stters looked around for a partner since none wereing to him. He spotted a familiar Soldier, punching weakly with another one in a corner of the sparring area. Twin Stripes wavered as Yellow Stters approached, but he put his fists up and tried to spar.

 This time Yellow Stters made Twin Stripes go on the offensive, blocking blows, thrusting aside weak punches. He put force behind his blocks, making Twin Stripes work hard for every hit hended. He kept the spar going until someone thrust himself between the two Soldiers.

 Pawn again. The Worker pushed Twin Stripes back since Yellow Stters wouldnt move. He clicked his mandibles together repeatedly, looking angrily at the [Sergeant].

 Enough. He is exhausted.

 The Soldier looked towards Twin Stripes. Yes, he was wavering on his feet. So what? That was the point. Soldiers had to fight when they were tired. Sparring like this was the only way to level up, to be stronger. He tried to push past Pawn, but the Worker barred his way.

 I said, enough! I am your leaderI order you to stop, Yellow Stters!

 Yellow Stters stared at Pawn. Then he carefully put one of his spade-like hands out and pushed the Worker out of the way.

 The barracks, never loud to begin with, wentpletely silent. Every Soldier stared at Yellow Spatters and at Pawn, frozen where they stood. They stared at Pawn. The Worker seemed as stunned as the others. He looked to Yellow Stters. The Soldier turned his back on the Worker and raised his fists.

 Every Soldier in the room stared to their [Sergeant], and then to Pawn. They hesitated. They looked back and forth, and then, silently, chose. They turned their backs on Pawn, looking to Yellow Stters instead. He smiled, and turned to Twin Stripes. The other Soldier was looking at Pawn, but he jerked back towards Yellow Stters. He too raised his fist and Yellow Stters beckoned. Heshed out and Twin Stripes dodged back wearily.

 Helplessly, Pawn stood, watching the other Soldiers. Now they were all sparring, all carefully not looking at him. He looked around, but none of the other Antinium would meet his gaze. Guiltily, they looked away and followed their leader, Yellow Stters. He smiled as he continued to spar.

 Yes, this was how it should be. Pawn was aWorker in the end. He had his role, but that was only to assist the Soldiers. They were doing the important job. Fight, train, and die. Fight to make sure the other Soldiers would live longer.

 Wasnt that all that mattered? Yellow Stters looked into Twin Stripes multifaceted eyes and saw his reflection looking back. Yes. It was the only thing that mattered.

 -

 The inn had never been so quiet, never been as empty as thesest few days. Lyte sat at one of the tables, cleaning up bowls of food, barely touched. She poured some lukewarm eggs from one bowl into another and paused.

 Its so much. We cant waste this, can we?

 Dunno.

 Drassi shrugged, looking concerned. She had arrived a few minutes ago to help with what should have been the evening rush. Instead, she was helping clean up from the Antinium after they had left abruptly. Lyte had no idea what had happened there, only that it had something to do with that strange Antinium with the yellow sshes on his body.

 I know the Antinium have eaten some of it, but it seems a shame to waste. Couldnt wefeed it to someone? Give it away somehow? I mean

 She didnt really want to eat food the Antinium had been nibbling on, but it did feel like a shame. Drassi paused and eyed the table.

 What if we scooped it all up and found some pigs to give it to? Theres at least one [Farmer] around here who keeps pigs. Or goats. We could give it to them. I know this old Drake who raises these huge pigs that taste really greatI could ask him if you want. I dont think the pigs will mind the bacon, I mean, they eat everything and I mean everything.

 Thats a good idea, Drassi!

 Lyte smiled. The talkative Drake [Barmaid] grinned at her and emptied another bowl into arger container. Then she froze and her scales turned pale as she looked up. Lyte turned her head and froze.

 A Goblin stood in front of their table. He was just standing there, but the Hobgoblin was taller than either Drake or Human, and both their eyes were drawn to the sword hanging at his belt. He was wearing pants and a beltawkwardly, but that didnt disguise his Goblin features, only emphasize them.

 Uhuh

 Drassi trembled and took a step back. Lyte made herself stand taller and smile at the Hobgoblin, although her heart was pounding.

 Hi there. Headscratcher, isnt it? Can I help you?

 The Goblin nodded. Gingerly, Headscratcher pointed to the bowls of eggs and mimed eating them. Lyte blinked.

 What, you want them? Dont you mind that theyve been eaten?

 Headscratcher shook his head. Lyte traded nces with Drassi.

 Okay thenuh, let us bring them over.

 She waited until Headscratcher retreated to the table where the five Goblins were sitting. They were already eating a pile of greasy baconand several loaves of buttered bread, but Lyte knew their appetites were endless. She turned to Drassi and the Drake gave her a pleading look.

 Lyte, I

 You just collect the bowls here, and Ill bring them over, okay?

 The Drake gave her a pathetic look of gratitude. Lyte hurried over to the table. The Goblins cleared a space and the one called Badarrow grunted in what might have been thanks. He was definitely the grumpy Goblin of the five. Not that Lyte had gotten to know them that well; they kept to themselves.

 They kept eating, and Lyte finished putting thest bowl on their table. She retreated to finish cleaning up with Drassi. Both [Barmaids] got out rags and soapy water and began to scrub, chattering amongst themselves.

 That scared me. I mean, Ive been here two days with them and I know theyreokay. But I juste in and

 I know.

 Lyte sighed as she looked back towards the Goblins. She caught one of themNumbtonguelooking at her and both Goblin and Human quickly nced away. Lyte grimaced.

 The Goblins. Of all Erins ideas, and she had had many good ones, crazy ones, and extraordinarily bad ones, this might be the worst. Not that Lyte didnt have sympathy or understand why shed done it. It was just that the consequence of her actions had really sunk in by now.

 The inn was deserted. No one hade in today, from Celum or Liscor save for the two adventuring groups staying here. Added to that, the one employee who came byIshkr still hadnt returned after Brunkrs deathwas scared stiff of the Goblins. If it came to that, so was Lyte.

 How could she not be? They were Goblins, no, not just Goblins, but Hobgoblins, the terror of little childrens dreams! You heard stories of Hobs sneaking into houses to kidnap children, and the way they could kill Silver-rank adventurers. It was all very well for them to sit around and just eat, but every time Lyte saw their crimson eyes or caught them staring at her, she felt afraid.

 And she never knew what they were thinking, either. The Goblins rarely spoke, just poked each other and grunted. And if they did speak, it was in their own gutturalnguage. She couldnt tell if they hated her, if they liked what was going on or anything. Whenever they came out of the cer Lyte felt like she was walking on eggshells.

 Drassi clearly felt the same way. She was chattering, as usual. And whenever Drassi was upset, she chattered more than usual. Lyte had gotten used to it and tried to tune most of it out.

 Its just, I mean, Im cool with Gnolls. Grew up around them my whole life, dated twonot that fun, let me tell you. Gnolls get so serious when youre in a rtionship, talking about the tribe, never wanting to just have a flingand theyre furry. Hair everywhere, especially in beds. Scales I can handle, but hair? I dont know how you Humans stand it. But then, you dont have much hair, do you? But Gnollsand the Antinium are fine. I dont see them much. Klbkch has been around ever since I was young, so Im totally used to him

 Mhm.

 And Humans? Hah, totally cool. Okay, every year there are drills and rms when the Humans send an army to the Blood Fields and were not supposed to like them and ancient history and all that but, Ancestors, at least theyre fun to party with! That door to Celum is greatand the ys! I liked them, I really did, although a bunch of my friends hated the Juliet and Romeo one. You know, because of interspecies rtionships? I dunno, I dont mind, do you?

 Yeah.

 Exactly! So Goblins. Totally get what Erins saying. I think. No killing Goblins. They dont kill us, we dont kill them. Easy. Except for the Goblin Lord. And Goblins who steal. Thats a problem. But I wish theyd talk, you know? Raise their voices? Itd be better than scaring my scales offI might go bald! At my age! If they just said something

 Toote, Lyte realized where Drassi was going and saw a Goblin moving. One stood up from his table and Drassi shut up quick. She backed up and Lyte stepped in front of her. The Goblin who was walking towards them wasNumbtongue. She smiled at him, remembering where Erin had told her all of Octavias alchemy weapons were hidden.

 Hi, sorry about that. Drassi was just talking.

 Hm.

 He narrowed his eyes are her. Lyte could feel Drassi shaking. She smiled, and then, amazingly, Numbtongue grunted and spoke.

 No offense. rify. To Drake. Why Goblins not speak.

 She gaped at him. Behind him, Drassi had frozen.

 You can speak?

 Numbtongue gave her an exasperated look and nodded. The other four Goblins were leaning out from their table, peering at his back. They looked away as Lytes eyes slid towards them. Numbtongue grumbled a bit, and then looked at Drassi. He narrowed his eyes at her and spoke again.

 Goblins can speak. Speak all kinds of word. And can hear. Can listen. Dont speak because we dont need. Understand?

 The Drake quivered and nodded repeatedly.

 Y-yes! I totally understand! Youre good? Thats good! Im d everyones good! Please dont get mad! I was only

 Drassi shrank back against the wall, serving tter clutched in front of her like a shield. Numbtongue looked at her, snorted, and then stomped away. Lyte wavered between going after him andforting Drassi. She chose thetter.

 Dont worry! He was just trying toto well, exin, I guess. Goblins can speak, they just dont want to. And they can hear us, okay?

 Got it! Got it. I was justI was talking and I didnt mean

 Im sure theyre not offended.

 Lyte peeked at the Goblins. Badarrow rolled his eyes and shook his head. Shorthilt looked up, halfway through inhaling a rash of bacon, and waved a hand. Drassi rxed a bit.

 Okay.

 But why dont we talk about something else instead? Or not talk?

 I can do that, I think. Not talk. I did that for an entire day once, on a dare. Selys bet me two silver coins I couldnt do it, and it was worth it seeing her face. And I dont talk all the time, I just like to talk, you know? Who doesnt talk to people? Its better to talk than not talk is what I say, which is why I thought about being a [Receptionist], but Selys said that if I applied shed quit, so I decided

 Smiling, Lyte rolled her eyes and turned around. She frowned as she saw a sh of white by the stairs.

 Mrsha?

 Every head downstairs turned. The Gnoll cub froze as she crept downstairs, the wand shed stolen from Pisces in hand. Her eyes went wide as she saw the Goblins looking at her. She looked to Lyte.

 Its okay. Theyre just eating. Sorry

 Lyte looked at the Goblins and they turned back to their food. Erin had exined to the Goblins that Mrsha was afraid of them, although they hadnt brought up the details of Goblins actually ughtering her tribe. Lyte approached the stairwell, holding her hands out. Mrsha was trembling as she stared at the Goblins backs.

 Mrsha, honey

 The Gnoll looked at her, made a hissing sound, and fled back upstairs. Lyte nearly went after them, until she heard Erins voice.

 Okay, I am done making bread! Ive made enough bread for an entire month, so if we need itbreads done! Whew!

 She emerged from the kitchen in a small cloud of flour, dusting her hands. Erin had been cooking a lot in order to keep up with the Goblins appetites. She spotted the Goblins and waked over to them, smiling carefully.

 Heeeeeey.

 They looked up at her warily. Erin paused a few feet from their table and raised her voice. She was trying a bit too hard to be friendly, Lyte thought.

 How are you guys doing? Good? Sorry about the Antinium. Dont know what was up with that. You liking the food?

 They nodded. Erin stared at them.

 Hows the bacon? Good? Anyone want more?

 They nodded, and then shook their heads. Lyte stared at Numbtongue, but he didnt seem inclined to say anything. Erin hesitated. Clearly she would have preferred conversation.

 Youre cool? I mean, you dont want more food?

 The Goblins nodded. Erin stared helplessly at them.

 Okay, then. Let me know if you needanything.

 They did not. And when they were done eating, they got up, went to use the outhouse, and then opened the cer door and went into the basement without a word. Lyte collected the bowls and utensils. Theyd been licked clean.

 I guess you can wash these if you want.

 She suggested that to Drassi. The Drake nodded, and then looked anxious.

 Lyte, lookI havent been doing much, and theres not a lot for me to do right now. Are you sure I should be here? I can work less time if you think

 Lyte forced herself to smile at Drassi reassuringly.

 What, and rob you of your pay? Dont worry about it. Erin tells me we have a lot of money, and I dont want to wash all these dishes.

 Still, wiping a few tables and washing dishes isnt exactly a lot, you know?

 She had a point. Lyte thought and replied carefully.

 If you want to take care of the Horns of Hammerad and Halfseekers when theye by, I could use a break. How about that?

 Drassi beamed in relief.

 Oh, yes, thanks! I cant just go back and not do anything; Id feel like a total sponge, just like Wessa! Have I told you about her? Dreadful. Shes got no ssor sses! I think shes what, a Level 2 [Laborer]? She sponges money off of everyone. Now, I try to talk to her, but she never listens. Do you know what she told Selys one time? Selys nearly decked her for saying it. Okay it was

 Lyte listened to her for a few more minutes, nodding mechanically, and then excused herself to go into the kitchen while Drassi wiped the Goblins table down. Erin was sitting in the kitchen, in front of about forty loafs of pristine bread. Lyte stared at the bread pile and then looked at Erin.

 Everythingokay, Erin?

 Yes. No.

 Erin stared at the bread shed baked all day, looking glum. She turned towards Lyte.

 No. Its the Goblins.

 Whatprecisely about them?

 The [Innkeeper] sighed.

 I dont know if they like it here, Lyte. I dont know if Im talking with them or if its all pointless, you know?

 I think I do.

 Erin nodded, ticking off problems on her floury fingers.

 They dont like chess, other games, talking, or hanging around upstairs, Lyte. I guess I cant me them, since no one likes them. And no one wille here until theyre gone, which I know might not be a bad thing, but if they go now

 You want to be friends with them first?

 Lyte rested her backside on the counter. Erin looked at her, shrugged, tried tough, and gave up.

 Not that. I dont need to be friends with them, but I want them to understand me. I want to understand them, just a bit. Oror I want them to leave and know how I feel about them. Im just trying to tell themI dont know.

 Erin sighed, her shoulders slumping. She looked at Lyte, worry in her eyes.

 If they disappear in the middle of the night Lyte, or decide to try and find Rags oror do anything, I think theyll be killed. Zevaras watching the innI can feel it. And Im not sure the Halfseekers wouldnt follow them either. And if they got around all of them, if they go back norththe Goblin Lords soldiers will kill them, right? Theyre the enemy tribe.

 Maybe. But theyre used to living alone, arent they? Dont you think theyd prefer to find their own people?

 Carefully, Lyte peeked at Erin. The young woman sighed.

 Probably. Its just that I dont think they know where Rags is. Andtheyre lost, Lyte. Lost. Thats what I get from them. I want to help them a bit. And I just dont know if I can, or if theyre willing. I cant understand them.

 I think they understand more than they let on.

 Yeah. Probably. But even if they do, thats not the same as connecting with us, as liking us oror getting to really know us.

 Mm. Maybe they dont want to. Have you thought about that?

 Erin looked up. Her gaze firmed a bit as she met Lytes eyes.

 I have. And I dont believe that. Rags wanted to know. I think these Goblins are justafraid.

 Afraid? Only Erin would characterize them that way. Lyte sat with her, not knowing what else to say.

 Theyll have to do something sometime. Theyre already starting to eat less.

 Yeah. I think itll end soon, one way or the other. Thanks for putting up with this, Lyte. I know Mrshas

 Yes.

 Mrsha. She refused to eat downstairs anymore, and she had grown increasingly agitated as days went by. She refused to y with Lyte, refused to give back Pisces wandnot that hed tried hard to recover itand Lyte knew she was growing more upset. She might have tried to get Selys or Krshia to look after her, but Mrsha refused to go. She refused to leave and she refused to go anywhere near the Goblins.

 Both girls were silent for a moment, and then Erin looked up.

 Thank you for all the help, Lyte. Can you bear with it for a while longer? I think it wont be long.

 I can, dont worry about me.

 Thank you.

 Lyte smiled. And she was telling the truth. But as she left Erin to sit by herself in the kitchen, she thought that she wasnt the one Erin needed to be worried about. The inn had been empty for days, Drassi was afraid, Mrsha wouldnt go downstairs or interact with Lyte, and the Goblins were growing restless.

 The Horns of Hammerad and Halfseekers barely came back except to eat and sleep, and sometimes not to eat. And the Antinium had been acting very oddtely. Especially the one whod refused to eat his food. If they all started refusing to eat at Erins inn, how long could it stay open with almost no revenue?

 Yes, she wasnt the one Erin should be worried about. It was everyone else.

 -

 Night fell. But that didnt mean there wasnt work to do. Yellow Spatters knew the dungeon sent monsters to attack be it day or night, so he took the first rotation on the front lines. They had been pushed up right to the dungeons entrance, so he took neen Soldiers, including Twin Stripes, to be on alert.

 They shed with monsters twice, both times smashing the enemya wave of Shield Spiders and then giant centipedesinto pulp. Yellow Stters kept the Soldiers at their post for four hours, and then brought them back to the barracks.

 He was tired now, but he still had enough energy, so Yellow Stters began to spar with the Soldiers on the night rotation. Train, train! He wanted to get to Level 13 today or tomorrow. He was so engrossed in his mockbat with the two Soldiers that he only noticed Twin Stripes when he walked into the sparring arena.

 The new Antinium Soldier was battered from his days activities. The cracked chitin from Yellow Spatters blows, the fatigue of going above and then patrolling with the other Soldiershe was clearly tired, but Yellow Spatters appreciated his willingness to spar. He stepped towardsTwin Stripes, ready for a bout, when the other Antinium began to suddenly shudder.

 Yellow Spatters stopped in surprise. Twin Stripes was trembling in ce, in the center of the sparring area. He was shaking, bending to clutch at his antennae, backing up from Yellow Stters. His mandibles shed together wildly, and then his body convulsed.

 His head lowered, and then it rose. All four of Twin Stripes hands clenched into fists, and as he looked up, towards Yellow Stters, there was something different about his gaze. His mandibles opened as wide as they could, and a strangled, half-scream emerged from his mouth.

 The Soldiers in the barracks froze. Soldiers didnt speak! They couldnt make real noises, but Twin Stripes

 There was madness in his gaze. No, not madness. Something worse. He trembled as he lurched towards Yellow Spatters, and the [Sergeant] Antinium realized with a cold chill what had happened.

 Aberration. Twin Stripes had be an Aberration.

 But how? He was Individual! He shouldnt beSoldiers almost never became

 It was toote for questions. Twin Stripes lunged at Yellow Spatters, hands reaching to tear him apart. He bit, his mandibles trying to pierce Yellow Stters body, his fists pounding on therger Antinium.

 Other Soldiers rushed forwards, yanking Twin Stripes off Yellow Spatters. There were over a hundred in the barracks, but Twin Stripes fought with possessed strength, throwing Soldiers off him, battering the ones who tried to hold him down, all the while trying to attack Yellow Spatters.

 In the end, Twin Stripes was contained, bars of iron bent and hammered into crude restraints to prevent him from attacking anyone. He still thrashed around on the ground though, staring at Yellow Stters. Withhate in his eyes.

 It was iprehensible. Yellow Spattersy where he had fallen, even when Pawn and Klbkch rushed into the barracks, demanding answers. He stared at Twin Stripes, as the Aberration gazed in fury at him and was taken to a holding cell. A holding cell that had to be constructed before he could be taken there.

 Yellow Spattersy on the ground, seeing Soldiers look at him, avoiding Pawns despairing gaze and sensing Purple Smile staring at him across the room. But all the while, he was looking at Twin Stripes, at the Soldier who had abandoned who he was. Why? For what reason? They were doing this for Soldiers like Twin Stripes. Everything Yellow Spatters had dhe war was still continuing. Why had Twin Stripes be Aberration?

 He did not understand.

 -

 Miles from where Yellow Spattersy, far higher and aboveground, a young Gnoll was awake. Mrsha had not slept, though Lyte was already wrapped up in her nkets in the room the two shared. No, Mrsha had been awake. Her nose twitched as she padded past Lytes head, tail tucked between her legs. How could she sleep when there were monsters, killers, murderers in the same building?

 She crept around in her room, her nose full of the smells of the Goblins slumbering below. She could smell them throughout the inn now, no matter how much she buried her face in theforting smells of Lytes pillow or opened the windows to let the cold air in.

 Killers. Tribe murderers. Monsters. Mrsha could remember them streaming through the snow, cutting down her friends, family. The Stone Spears tribe, everyone

 Urksh.

 The memories tore at Mrsha. Mrsha, the [Lone Survivor]. That knowledge weighed on her hardest of all. She sniffed, and knew the Goblins were sleeping. They were right below her, right below.

 She prowled, and her teeth ground together as her ws clicked across the floor. The wand shed stolen from Pisces was grasped awkwardly in her paw. Mrsha swung it again, but it didnt do any magic.

 They were here. And they would be in the inn, eating, <emughing, living, while her tribe was dead. Not right. It was not right. Mrsha growled, and Lyte stirred. The Gnoll quieted, but the feeling remained in the silence. She sat up as the night grew longer, her paw gripping the wand tightly, smelling the Goblins.

 Hating, hating, hating.

17kNovel

Book 4: Chapter 40: L