Chapter 184: Chapter 172: Commitments

The village Regina had specified as a meeting location was a relatively big but not very important one called Hamlet, for some no doubt historical reason. She only arrived there an hour before Earl Whitor’s men, but it had already been secured by the drones she’d sent ahead. As she walked through the gate in its wooden palisade, she saw people peeking out of their windows, but no one dared to approach her or her companions. The hive was out in force, with more drones around than there were human villagers, from what she could estimate.

Of course, choosing this location had been a bit of a risk. She’d deliberately named a settlement inside the borders of Nerlia, and it looked like Whitor had taken the hint she had intended for him.

Hopefully, she’d find out what he thought pretty soon now.

One of those who’d come here earlier was Tia, and she’d set up a security checkpoint - more like a barricade - outside the village’s townhall. Regina exchanged a few words with the sapient drones present there before she entered. Tia had clearly looked for the biggest chair in the village and set it up at the head of the actual hall, then added the bastard cousin of a conference table. As soon as Regina sat down, Ira brought her a silver-plated goblet. Assuming it didn’t come from their own stores, Regina hoped they’d compensated whatever merchant or minor noble they took it from. She gave Ira a look and only received a beatific smile in response, then sighed and took a sip.

The wine was actually pretty good, she judged. She already knew Hivekind didn’t process alcohol like other races did, but that was a good thing, since she didn’t want to actually impair her faculties. Instead, she just enjoyed the taste while she watched Ira set up a pitcher and other table settings along with some prepared refreshments.

“Hopefully, they’ll think we’ve effortlessly taken control and held the village for a while,” she commented.

“That’s the idea,” Ira agreed. “And it’s even true, at least the first part.”

Regina sat back in her chair, allowing herself to slump, and closed her eyes while she reached out to the psychic link again. The morning was no longer young, and she’d already been up for a while. Considering her recent adventures underground, she was still pretty tired. She’d just have to cope.

She watched their visitors as they approached and entered the village. Max came out to greet them, as one of the highest-ranking members of the hive. Regina herself stood to greet the visitors as they entered the townhall.

“Sir Edmund, a pleasure to see you again. You and your companions are welcome here. Please sit with me.”

While they replied politely, she glanced at their status windows, focusing on the leader’s.

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