“Support might be weakening for the Labourer candidate after his new policy proposal landed flat yesterday. People weren’t happy with the idea of using the ants as farm animals. Unsurprising. This is interesting: apparently, there’s been a late surge by a new group,” Enid mused as she read over the pamphlet that had been delivered that morning. “I cannot believe …

“Thank you for everything, mayor.” A woman tearfully held Enid’s hand in a too-tight grip, looking down at the aged mayor. “You’re more than welcome, dear,” Enid smiled, patting her on the shoulder and diplomatically freeing her hand. “What we achieved, we achieved together. No one person can take the credit.” A few more words were exchanged and then she …

“Are you sure you want to retire now? There’s so much uncertainty around town right now,” Terrence asked. “Wherever there are people, there’s uncertainty,” Enid groused as she brought her tea to her lips for a drink. “Ah, that’s lovely. Is this a new blend?” “The Colony delivered a few bags yesterday. They said it was a test batch. I’ll …

“Congratulations,” Enid smiled down on the still recovering young woman. “Thank you mayor,” Lilin replied, radiantly happy despite what she’d just been through. “We’re very happy,” her husband Phillip said as he stared lovingly down at his wife. “And how has the care you’ve received been?’ “Oh, just perfect,” Lilin said. “We couldn’t be happier, mayor. Thank you,” Phillip said. …

“It’s all yours,” Magellant said magnanimously. “Are you sure?” Columbant replied, antennae flicking with indecision. “Of course. You and your team did the bulk of the work, I only arrived to provide cleanup at the end.” “Then I will claim it with gratitude. You have my thanks.” With one swift movement, she scooped up the powerful core sitting on the …

The ghostly serpent hovered above them for a short moment, its powerful core glowing bright in Columbant’s eyes. Then it bared its fangs and lunged for them. [Dodge, Garg!] The beetle-beast tucked her legs and rolled to the side as the others threw themselves from her carapace, barely avoiding the lightning fast strike. [Garg, up front! Slither, sneak attack. Rist, …

[Move quickly, Garg, we need to gain distance.] [Right.] Nothing brought monsters to an area faster than the sounds of battle. The chance to jump on others in the middle of a fight, or capitalise on an exhausted victor, was too good to pass up. Of course, what ended up happening most of the time was that a smaller fight …

It all started well, as things tended to, in Columbant’s experience. Usually in the middle was where things started to go all the way downhill. They hadn’t reached that moment, but she had plans in place in the event the inevitable happened. Slither was her stealth specialist, a creation she was incredibly proud of. The slug-like creature sank his body …

[What do you see?] [Much, prey. Dangerous.] [Let me take a look.] The vision was blurry, incomplete, but enough to show that the assessment was correct. They couldn’t go this way. [Alright. Come back. Make sure you aren’t seen.] Columbant withdrew her awareness from her distant pet, the small cavern in which she crouched snapping back into focus with disorienting …

“The tea is excellent this season,” one queen observed. “Indeed,” another noted, sipping again from her porcelain cup, “and the biscuits have elevated once again. This flavour is just divine.” There was a general chorus of agreement from the “table” the gathered royalty sat around. The special seats invented by the carvers had certainly evolved since the early days. Once …