Chapter 122
I'd never thought that running through a feel of wheat could be quite so thrilling . Perhaps everyone had been wrong on that front? As I hustled along, Tiny in tow carrying my precious monster cores in one large paw and the rest of the colony following along behind, I couldn't help but panic the entire way, worrying that we'd be spotted .
Who exactly was going to spot us crossing a farm field at dusk, the sun having fallen almost completely below the horizon, I'm not sure . Perhaps the Dragon Guards of legend would swoop out of the sky and smite me with a thunder hammer or something? I have no idea how things operate up here! For all I know there are wizards that could vaporize the entire colony from kilometres away .
Right up until the moment the last worker is safely under the cover of trees I keep stressing . When finally the entire workforce is safe and the Queen, surrounded by her dedicated cadre of ants has been escorted into the forest, I sigh in relief .
Feeling a little more comfortable I make my way to the head of our monstrous ant convoy as we plunge into unknown territory .
There is something faintly magical about this forest, it's old, even I can tell that much with my limited outdoors experience . The trees look wrinkled and wise beneath their broad canopies, stretching to the sun like the elderly doing morning exercise .
At this late hour a mist is beginning to rise from the damp litter of the forest floor, further concealing our movements as we rush further into these woods .
Wait a sec! Heat!
My antennae are constantly scanning and sweeping as we advance and eventually I detect a heat signature ahead and slightly to the left, as if some creature were waiting crouched in the growth as we approach .
I decide to continue to advacne as if I had no knowledge of this interloper, wanting to see exactly what kind of action it would choose to take . Will it attack? Will it flee? I don't know anything about this forest or about the creatures who live here . Any chance to learn something should be seized . Knowledge is power to the monster!
My antennae continue to twitch about as I lead the trail of ants . The heat source has continued to remain still as I draw closer . I even adjust my path so that I'll be right next to the source as I pass but it doesn't twitch in response .
Eventually I move within only a few feet of it . I can clearly see the hiding place now, a dense shrub with thickly intertwined branches providing total visual cover . Sadly for this beastie my advanced senses are completely aware of their location .
My main worry in the event of an attack is the larvae I'm carrying in my mandibles . This feisty grub refuses to sit still, insisting on wiggling about as if admiring the view . You don't have eyes you little grub! What is the point of trying to get a better view?
If I'm attacked I'll have to ensure the grub remains unharmed, and somehow retaliate without using my mandibles, which are fully occupied with said grub .
Sure enough, just as I pass by the bush suddenly rustles and the creature attacks .
Thin, twisted flesh, furred sin, vicious fangs and a crude dagger are all I can see clearly as the creature emerges in a rush, bringing its weapon down in a vicious slice!
I've seen it all you chump! Curling slightly I present my diamond carapace to the weapon, shielding the grub with my body and rotating my face away from it .
The blade flashes down!
*Ting!*
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