4

Easy, easy!" Alexius shouts at Therko before he can draw his ax. "Let's not crack any exoskeletons yet."

"Ah, yes, perhaps I was unclear," Queen Acma says as the guards move to flank Vecla. "Your herbalist is one of our own. Her metamorphosis has been intolerably delayed and must be carried out immediately. The process takes only a day or two, but I must prepare the royal jelly."

"I'm going," Vecla says, her breath coming in gasps. She looks like a pauper girl who just learned she's a princess.

"Unwise," Control tells you. "That will make Vecla their hostage for three days."