Chapter 1171: Anthony On Tour pt 23

Chapter 1171: Anthony On Tour pt 23

It only takes a couple of minutes before I'm swept into what can only be described as a tornado of well-intended coddling.

[We'll get you back to your nest immediately,] Eran assures me.

[We managed to get all of your people off the ships,] Marzban follows up. [We received permission once the Folk spotted the Legion fleet coming in.]

[They didn't come through a gate?]

He looks at me like I'm insane before rushing off to organise the brathian guards who are running alongside us. After a little thought, I realise that it's unlikely the Deep Legion are allowed to use a gate to travel here, since they likely aren't welcome.

Next to me, Grey is managing his own little firestorm as various Folk run in and out, trying to organise themselves. I mean, it seems weird that they didn't manage to notice a fleet of their enemies sailing toward their capital, but hey, the Folk seem pretty laid back, maybe someone just forgot to pass on a message.

For my part, I keep my mandibles shut and my mind quiet while everyone around me panics and tries not to show that they've panicked.Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

Eventually other wolf-Kin appear, dressed somewhat more importantly than the other commers and goers, judging by their robes. Grey listens carefully to what they have to say before the reserved warrior clicks his tongue in irritation.

[Bad news?] I venture.

As nice as it would be to leave all the worrying to everyone else, I wouldn't mind learning what's going on around here.

[Of a sort. It appears the Legion fleet was granted permission to sail by the Wind Clan, which would explain why they weren't spotted for so long.]

.

[And why is that?]

[Because the Wind Clan does much of the scouting around this mountain.]

[That might be a mistake.]

[It would appear so.]

"Eldest! Thank goodness you returned. Are we under attack?"

Sloan is agitated, which is to be expected under the circumstances. She runs up to me along with a host of other generals and scouts, an ad-hoc command post, I suppose.

"No, we aren't under attack," I try to soothe her. "The Legion is landing on the mountain with a fleet, that's all."

"The Legion?! That's terrible!"

Emergency soothing has failed.

"Look, we don't even know they're here because of us. Could just be a friendly visit."

"Is that true?"

"No."

"So we are under attack!"

"Just calm down for a second. The Folk aren't going to allow the Legion to just start attacking us in the middle of the city. We are guests, and so are the Legion. From what I gather, the Folk are planning on watching them very carefully to make sure they don't start anything they shouldn't. In the meantime, we bunker down, make sure every ant is accounted for, and wait it out. Alright?"

"We'll do as you suggest, Eldest. I do want to ask that you consider that they may have come for you, rather than for all of us."

"For me? Why?"

"If they identify you as a threat like they did Garralosh, won't that mean they subject you to the same treatment?"

Oh nards. I certainly hope that isn't the case. From what I know, the Legion does do their best to hunt down monsters who may be a candidate for becoming an Ancient. Even if I don't want to be, I am a candidate, and I even have the Call yanking at my guts on a permanent basis to prove it. The pain hasn't been all that bad back on the fourth, but it's getting worse day by day. Tiny little increments of pain, barely noticeable, but they add up, and eventually I realised what was happening. If I were to hang around on the fourth for a few years, it would eventually become utterly unbearable, and I'd be forced deeper just to find some relief.

Stupid Ancients.

"Look, I hope not, but if they are, then that reduces the danger to the rest of the family, which isn't a bad thing. If we only need to keep me safe, then that's a lot easier than protecting ten thousand individuals, and I can take care of myself for the most part."

Sloan's antennae twitch, but she lets that statement slide past.