Enid was tired, yet energised. She found herself constantly in this state as of late. There were never enough hours in the day for all the things that needed to be done, which meant she was constantly on the run, difficult for a woman of her age. At the same time, she was enthused every day to rise to the challenges of her new home.
From the tragedy that Garralosh had inflicted on the people living on the frontier, they had brought about a miracle of rebirth with the help of the Colony. The town of Renewal grew every day at a pace that could only be described as dizzying. If someone had told her how well the people would be able to grow a new community as quickly and with this level of harmony when they’d started, she’d have refused to believe it.
She’d returned to the community after negotiations had been completed with the representatives of Rylleh. They’d bargained as hard as any merchant in the end, a testament to what people with their backs against the wall were capable of. With the threat of Colony behind her though, there was little they could do to enforce their bluster. The terms were settled to the satisfaction of the nest and for the most part the city was satisfied.
“Mayor,” a voice called her back to the present.
Enid turned to see her assistant, Ruth, approach from across the room, a rather worried expression on her face. Usually a steady young woman, it was a rare day that she looked so unsettled. Enid could immediately guess the root of the problem.
“What’s he done this time?” she sighed.
How the hell that damnable priest had managed to screw something up so quickly, she could only imagine. When she’d checked on him yesterday, he was still convalescing from his mana poisoning. He should be barely out of bed!
“He and the faithful have gathered in the square, he’s really preaching up a storm down there.”
Enid frowned.
“Sounds like normal behaviour to me. What’s the issue?”
Ruth hesitated.
“It’s just… some of the claims being made are quite extraordinary. The crowd is really being whipped into a frenzy. Half of Renewal is down there already.”
“What? What are they saying?”
In the square, a large crowd had gathered to listen as the Priest spoke to the miracle that had occurred, his booming voice captivating the attention of everyone who heard it.
“THE TIME HAS COME!” he orated, “TO RISE! TO STEP FORWARD AND BE COUNTED! OUR SAVIOURS, THE COLONY, BATTLE FOR THEIR VERY SURVIVAL BENEATH THE GROUND. THEY SAVED OUR LIVES, REBUILT OUR HOPES AND DREAMS AND GAVE HOPE TO THOSE WHO HAD NONE!”
He took a breath before he continued with even greater fervour than before.
“I KNOW HOW YOU HAVE FELT! TO STAND ON THE SIDELINE, POWERLESS TO GIVE AID! I TOO, HAVE EXPERIENCED THAT CRUSHING DISAPPOINTMENT. NO LONGER! NO LONGER! THE SYSTEM HAS HEARD THE PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL AND OUR PATIENCE HAS BEEN REWARDED!”
Beyn was never more in his element than when addressing a crowd. His Skills in this area were high level and more than that, his experience over years of delivering fiery sermons had honed his instincts to a fine point. He could already sense the restless energy building in his audience, getting ready to reach a fine crescendo.
“WITH OUR NEW CLASS, THE ANTMANCER, GRANTED TO US ON THIS VERY DAY, WE SHALL BE ABLE TO STAND SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH OUR ANT SAVIOURS AND REPAY OUR DEBTS!”
The rumbling in the crowd grew stronger as he continued to exhort them with this great miracle. Beyn possessed a stellar reputation for honesty and good dealings within the community, there were none who would doubt his word. Even in matters of the Colony he was strictly factual (according to his worldview). It’s not like he had to make things up to impress on people the good works of the Colony.
“REMEMBER EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!” He thrust forward an accusatory finger. “THE PEACE YOU EXPERIENCE NOW, A PEACE THAT THE COLONY FOUGHT AND DIED TO ACHIEVE, IS FALSE! EVEN NOW THE WAR CONTINUES BENEATH OUR FEET!”
Some shifted in the crowd at his words. Love for the Colony was strong amongst these people, they weren’t happy that their saviours were forced to fight whilst they themselves were powerless to help them.
“TAKE HEART AND PREPARE YOURSELVES, MY PEOPLE! WE ARE PREPARING TO LAUNCH A GREAT CRUSADE INTO THE DUNGEON! WE WILL FIGHT ALONGSIDE THE COLONY AND ENSURE OUR FUTURE TOGETHER WITH OUR OWN HANDS! GATHER TOGETHER ALL WHO ARE WILLING! ONLY TOGETHER CAN WE -“
Beyn’s mind was razor focused on the audience and his own speech. They were his instrument and modulations of his powerful voice seized their attention and didn’t let it go. His presence demanded their attention, they were razor focused on him. Similarly, speaking in such a precise, weaponised way was draining on the priest. His focus on the crowd was absolute.
Which is why nobody saw the book flying through the air until it slammed into the side of his head.
WHAM!
Both the audience and Beyn were stunned as he stumbled to the side and fell to the ground. After he gathered his senses, he turned to see Enid storming towards him from the council building.
“WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING YOU IDIOT PRIEST?!” She roared when she got her hands on him.
Beyn looked up at her, shocked.
“I’m spreading the word of our miracle and calling the people to action. What else was I supposed to do? We need to help the Colony, Enid!”
The mayor leaned down to glare at him from point blank range, the fire in her eyes burning bright.
“We’re talking about people’s lives, Beyn! They’ll die! Remember that!” She hissed.
“I am prepared to die for the Colony!” he said.
“I don’t care about that! Any idiot can die! Are you willing to raise the orphans who will be left behind? Are you willing to do that?! Are you willing to bury the dead and speak solace to those who grieve?! You should have brought this to the Council first! We would have been able to find a way to do this and keep it safe! Now we have no control, you’ve whipped them up into a frenzy. If we’re lucky, they won’t be rushing down into the Dungeon by the end of the day!”
Only then did Beyn realise the folly of his actions. His powerful Skills in oration were a heavy responsibility, his ability to persuade was almost magical. What’s more, he had a responsibility to this community as its priest! He’d been so eager to spread the word of this new miracle, he hadn’t paused to consider the best way to do it.
Frantic, he looked out over the crowd only to see the intense energy he had generated in them hadn’t decreased, if anything the opposite was true. Men and women were shouting and cheering, hoisting weapons into the sky. Already some had found nearby Colony members and were kneeling and praying before them in readiness. The euphoria that he had felt only moments ago faded away with the grim reality of the miracle that had been granted to them. Fighting alongside the ants meant dying alongside them. It was something to be celebrated, but also mourned.
But nothing could stop it now. The humans were coming.
