Chapter 1587 - The View From on High

After our tour of the docks and the facilities there, Emilia makes a final offer that I simply cannot refuse, dear reader! It has been an invigorating day already, but there is so much more to see. The domain of the Colony in my home stratum is a wondrous and well developed place, its grandeur and scenery are truly awesome to behold and there is, so I’m told, no better way to behold them than from one of the two floating islands that orbit the mountain.

“The Colony fought hard to obtain these two floating islands,” Emilia says, filling me in on their history as we ascend.

Interestingly, the Colony uses specially trained and raised pets for the purpose of flying up to islands, so we find ourselves seated in a well-made and comfortable carriage that is carried upward by two enormous, sinuous dragon-type monsters. I’m quite curious as to why there isn’t a more mundane option, the Colony has been very deliberate with its transit methods, usually opting for higher-throughput than something like this.

I ask Emilia about it, and of course she is ready with an answer.

“The two islands are not open to visitors,” she says. “I enquired about seeing them, and the Colony has allowed you to make the trip. They are mainly military outposts. For the defence of the mountain.”

My two well-armed companions are less than pleased to hear this and object most strenuously but I am able to calm them before we land. After all, it wouldn’t do to refuse the hospitality being extended by our hosts, would it?

To think that the reputation of Travelling Tolly has even reached the antennae of the ants! They must have heard about this travelogue being written and have decided to throw open their doors! How thrilling, dear reader! Perhaps this heralds even greater access to come. Will I eventually meet The Queen, revered mother of the Colony, or even the Eldest? My hopes are up, I don’t mind telling you! Nothing gets the heart pumping like a good exclusive!

When we land upon the island, I spring forth from our carriage, eyes agleam, ready to take in the sights and report them all to you, dear reader!

Sadly, my expectations are somewhat betrayed. The islands themselves are fairly sizeable, but the surface on which we land is sadly a little more… unadorned that what I’ve come to expect from the Colony.

They carve ants on everything! I’m a little taken aback that there are none to be seen, none at all!

“Almost all of the ants on this island are beneath us,” Emilia explains before I can even ask. “The tunnels and chambers below are much as you would expect to see. The surface of the islands is used to house and train the non-ant members of the battalions stationed here.”

“Oh really!” I exclaimed.

How interesting! Naturally, as soon as I hear about these individuals, my desire to meet one ignites instantly. Emilia is initially reluctant, but my powers of persuasion are legendary across the Dungeon! Before long, we arrive at a square, undecorated building, so plain it almost looks like a box. The only interesting thing about it is the height of the roof, which is possibly twenty metres off the ground.

Filled with questions, I step inside, and suddenly many of them are answered.

Opening the door, I’m hit with a wave of raucous sound that causes my two guards to half-draw their blades. Emilia throws a hand out and hisses a warning.

“Don’t draw them! It’ll be much more dangerous.”

Inside the room is a mass of feathers, tables and rippling arms.

“Eyyyyy? EYYYYY! You wanna say that again, MATE?”

“I’ll say it as many times as ya want, MATE!”

“YEAH?!”

“YEAH!”

And just like that a sharp fistfight breaks out. 

This particular building is filled with Magpei, well known for their cantankerous temper and ability to endure seemingly endless fistfights.

The scene is repeated dozens of times around what appears to be a barracks designed for the winged menace. My two guards are both looking grim and Emilia is shaking her head, resigned.

“I didn’t really want to bring you here,” she says, “we can leave before they notice us.”

“Leave?” I say. “Whatever for? I haven’t gotten an interview yet!”

“OI. Old bag standing in the doorway. You gonna close it or what? EY?”

“Yeah! You got no manners? EYYYYY?”

“Did ya parents raise you right? Or did ya grow up in a barn?!”

Well, as you all know, I have the patience of a stone, dear reader. It was I, after all, who won the paint staring competition of the remote, wind-island Folk!

However, there are certain things that we, as civilised people, must not tolerate. Insults to my dear mother and father are, I’m afraid, well beyond the pale. Sometimes, it is necessary to teach manners! When the time comes, there is no other option but to roll up one’s sleeve and get the job done.

Some time later, we were shown out the door.

“I… I’m sorry for what I said about ya mum.”

“And… and you wasn’t raised in a barn, but I nice house. I know that now…. Sorry.”

“Oh, that’s quite alright, my dears. We all make mistakes in life!”

“Yeah… I think… yeah. Have… have a nice day… ms… ah… Tolly.”

“Of course, you as well!”

It was very nice of them to see us off at the door, and so politely! It goes to show that the light of civilisation will shine in even the darkest places with a little effort. All it takes is a chipper attitude and a little elbow grease!

“Emilia,” I had to say, turning to my strangely subdued guide, holding up my hand. “Is there any chance you could be a dear and get me a bucket of ice? My knuckles seem sore for some reason.”

The curse of age, reader, it comes for us all.