Chapter 38: Chapter 37: Back Home

As soon as she established contact with Tim’s mind again, Regina felt like a rock she’d been carrying dropped from her shoulders.

They hadn’t been caught completely unprepared, of course. It was one reason Regina had decided not to send some War Drones with Tim and Bea. She suspected there might be a range limit to her link with the hive, and she didn’t know what would happen if they got outside of it. It was something to test, but not with the elves there and on an important trip that was supposed to be quick. And that caution turned out to be warranted.

They’d been gone for a few days now. She’d tried to check in every few hours and she’d felt the connection growing weaker as they traveled. At around fifty kilometers, she hadn’t been able to talk to them or take control of the drones anymore. That limit would hopefully grow as she leveled up, but it was already not as bad as she’d feared.

Are you okay? she asked first.

She felt Tim nod. It was still hard to get a clear impression of his senses, although that was improving as he traveled closer.

“I’ll just talk out loud,” he murmured. “That should be easier.” He glanced back, and she saw that he was walking alone with Bea, ahead of a group of three elves, who were apparently escorting them back.

Tell me what happened. How was the city? What did you learn?

Tim hesitated for a moment before he began describing the city. Regina listened with rapt attention, only faintly feeling the heat on her skin from where she sat close to the campfire in their hive’s settlement. It really was a shame that she hadn’t been able to see the city through his eyes, it sounded interesting.

“They brought us to a wooden building in the center that probably belonged to the government. There, we met alone with an old elven woman, an Enais of Ariedel, high-level Mistress of the Forest, a Special Minister of their government. She gave us a lot of information. I’ll try to retell it as closely as I can …”

Regina frowned to herself as she listened to Tim narrate their meeting. That really was a lot of interesting information. She stayed quiet and simply tucked it away in her mind.

“We met her again a few times after that, but only briefly,” Tim concluded.

From what you said, it sounds like this Enais knew more than she was letting on.

Tim hesitated, and she could sense the faint echo of a flash of uncertainty. He must have trouble parsing her message. Her telepathy still wasn’t that clear. “I think she did know a lot, maybe even more about us than she admitted,” he said. “I didn’t think it was wise to push her, though.”

You’re right. She wanted to meet the elf herself at some point. Hopefully, she’d be able to get more information. How did the rest of your stay go?

Tim continued his tale as they traveled through the forest. There was a lot of interesting knowledge and observations in his tours of elven workshops, but even more in the library. They hadn’t been able to bring any books with them, but Tim and Bea had both spent some time reading. Regina was already planning to gather other drones and have the two of them recount what they’d read in as much detail as possible as soon as they got back. If only they had proper writing materials.

Making paper was something she’d thought about. Along with making a printing press. That shouldn’t need particularly advanced technology. Who knows, it might even exist in this world already.

“I didn’t see many signs of the war,” Tim finally said. “Of course, I’m not sure what I should look for, anyway. There were few soldiers in the city, or at least few elves carrying weapons. It’s possible they are all somewhere else, maybe gathered at the border. I didn’t have the impression that they were concerned about enemies making it into the city, and if those defenses they have are as powerful as they seem, I can see why. I would have to have been in the city before to actually tell if there was more of an atmosphere of concern now than usual.”

Regina nodded. I understand. Good work, anyway, Tim. Did you find out anything more about their military strength?

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“I didn’t find much else, my Queen. They didn’t give us a close look at their fortifications or any defensive enchantments they’re probably using. Most of the elves seem to favor bows and swords or similar weapons, and I didn’t see any mounted soldiers, but they do have horses. Besides that, they also seem to rely on mages for fighting.”

Regina recalled what Anuis had said when they first met. That made sense.

Then she became aware of a sudden clamor. It took her a moment to realize that it was not coming from Tim’s surroundings, but that someone was yelling on her side.

I need to go, she sent, but you two are doing good work. Keep hurrying back.

She turned her attention to her own body, blinking as she opened her eyes. After a second, she realized that Max was calling for her.

“I’m here,” she said, standing up. She felt a bit stiff, but it faded quickly as she took a few steps. “What’s up?”

Max looked relieved. He’d been hovering a few meters away. Now that she focused on it, Regina could see that a group of War Drones and most of their remaining warriors were streaming towards the edge of the forest.

“The Workers seem to have encountered a problem,” he said. “We should hurry.”

Regina didn’t ask any more questions, but started running towards it. As she did, she briefly dipped into the consciousness of other drones in her hive, skimming along the surface to get a quick picture of what was happening. She never stayed long, since she needed to keep some of her attention on running. But it was enough to give her a general sense of the situation.

“You, go fetch our medical supplies,” she called to one of the War Drones. Then she slid to a stop in front of the entrance to the tunnel Tia and a group of drones had been digging.

It was broader now than it had been, but still too cramped. Just as she arrived, Tia stumbled out, one of her work-limbs hanging limply down and blood dripping down her left leg. At the same time, Warriors tried to head in.

“Everyone back off,” Regina barked. “Max and I will go in first. Max, protect Ina and get her out.”

Max didn’t hesitate, but charged forward right away as the other drones immediately gave him space. Regina followed him in as quickly as she could.

In the cavern beyond the entrance, she found Ace kneeling on the ground, cradling one of his arms. He must have been closest and been the first to respond. Beside him, Max slid in front of Ina, covering her, while the young Worker was stumbling back, falling onto her back. She didn’t manage to get up again.

Regina took it all in at a glance, her attention focused on the threat.

The creature Max had just pushed back looked a bit like a mole, but much bigger, with thorny spikes on the front of its body, large teeth and claws that were clearly good not just for digging. Behind it, a group of several more crowded in where the cavern transitioned to the tunnel. After a moment, the System gave her its information.

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