12

"Step forward, Crowchar of the River People," Queen Acma says.

Workers have cleared away the dead on both sides and set the throne room back to order. Queen Acma sits on her raised chair just beneath the prism. Alexius, Control, and Therko wait behind you.

You step forward, and the queen glares imperiously down at you.

"My soldiers believe you have saved this hive," the queen says. "They fail to entertain the possibility that the swarmwalkers only attacked because you were here."

There's a momentary ripple of confusion that passes through the hive as multiple impulses and rationales struggle for dominance. At last two soldiers remove the prism from above Queen Acma's head and hand it to you.

"You are owed this much," the queen says. "But we have suffered terribly. Do not return."

"Fools," Therko whispers as you step back. "They'll return to trading with the False Icon, until the swarmwalkers or ophidians grow frustrated again and destroy them."

The hive still requires extensive repairs, so guards usher you toward the main entrance.

Vecla is waiting.

It takes you a moment to recognize the young black-and-gold woman, who keeps poking at her antennae. But at last she recognizes you.

Next