I needed more queens to join me, but I also don’t want any political rivals. From what I could gather the broodmothers didn’t participate in politics. The perfect queens to join my new nation. I would have more queens eventually, but not now. Although there was that one queen that was nice to me. Maybe I should try to act like I tolerate them?

Hmm, good plan. I need to move my people as well, so I can't let them get caught in the crossfire. And I want to find out more about how many guards the city of Tiat has. Okay the heist has been postponed. But I still think it would work pretty well. Or it wouldn’t, either way it’d be fun.

I sighed and turned towards Tetel. He was happily playing with my kids while also instructing various bruisers on what to do. I waved the commanders away before walking over to him.

He bowed his head as I walked up and said. “Tetel, We’re returning to the city now. I need to speak with my kids. Tell Uno to make sure his battalion is ready to go.” He smiled and walked away as I motioned towards my kids. They waddled over to me as I smiled and said. “Kids, I’m going on a trip for a few days.”

They looked confused but I just sighed and said. “You see the castle up there? That's yours now. That is our permanent home. No more moving around, we’re home.” The words hit hard as it was the first time I had actually thought about it. I had a home now, a stable environment.

It felt good. I hugged each of my kids one last time before turning towards Uno and his soldiers. “Troops, we may be returning home but you must be vigilant. We are going to be entering a hostile environment. I will be threatening the other queens with starvation if they don’t listen to me. We will most likely have to fight. If it does come down to that our goal will be to evacuate safely. I won’t antagonize anyone until our people have left the city and come here.”

There was no reason to rush and risk others' lives. The best thing to do was to try to grab some allies while the entire population of my district was fleeing. Actually, how many people lived in my district?

I turned towards Tetel and said. “How many skinks have I claimed?” He looked up at me and smiled. “You currently have over twenty three thousand claims, my Queen.” Good lord! I staggered back and asked. “How many in the district?” He frowned and said. “Not including the military, over two thousand live within your district. Many are hatchlings that were never helped by the guards. We try to help the oldest evolve but the brood mothers continue to dump more and more on us.”

I frowned and said. “I don’t want any hatchlings younger than a month to evolve. Let them play and learn before joining the real world. Have the bruisers hand feed them goblins to level the ones older than a month.” He nodded and told a nearby windclaw to relay the order.

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I shooed away everyone but Uno and Tetel. They moved towards me as I whispered to them. “We need to plan out what's going to happen if I die.” They both recoiled like I had just smacked them and Uno said. “Why would you die?”

I smirked and said. “There is a good chance that I do die. But we need to risk it, Zayan won’t survive without more queens. And we need to get our people out of there. If I die I want you two to protect my kids. No matter what. You still have political leverage so find a new queen to claim all of you. Just stay safe, no sacrificing yourself after I die. No point.”

They both glared and said. “We will die long before you do, my Queen. But we will protect your children.” I smiled and said. “That's all I needed to hear. Now come on, let's go headfirst into a nest of vipers.” They both looked a bit confused but I thought it was an appropriate comparison for the situation we were in.

The first battalion and I left the new settlement and made it to the city before the sun set. Before we entered I addressed my small group of soldiers. “Move through our district and tell everyone that I’ve ordered them to gather out here. I want twenty five of you to stay here and protect everyone. Once everyones here checks the district one more time. We can’t leave anyone behind. Once you’re sure you have everyone make your way to the castle. We have a good supply of food from the farmers so we should be good at that. Move out!”

The windclaws sprinted away as I slowly walked into the district. Tetel was by my side the entire time. As we walked I asked. “What queen should I try tracking down first? Do we know any who will for sure join us?”

Tetel paused for a second before saying. “Queen Tiktelazertoli is known to be an avid supporter of your new military. However I must advise you my Queen, she is an opportunist. If she thinks she can gain power and wealth by joining with you then she will. However if presented with a better opportunity she will leave you.”

Sounds like someone finally understands how this world works! Everyone lately has just been swearing their undying loyalty left and right! It’s nice to talk to someone who acts like a real noble. “She sounds perfect. I’ll never have to doubt her loyalty, because I know she isn’t loyal!”

Tetel looked a bit taken aback but he just chuckled and said. “Of course my Queen. I’ll request a meeting right away.” I nodded as he sprinted away. I turned down a random road and found myself facing a large crowd of my claimed.

They all stared at me for a few seconds before one stepped forward and said. “Is it true we have to leave?” I nodded and said. “The peace won’t last, this city will soon be turned into a warzone. I want to make sure you all stay safe, so please corporate.”

Most of them still seemed uncertain so I just sighed and said. “Please, I won’t be able to go through with my plan if you’re still in the city. If you’re truly loyal, leave the city and follow the windclaws orders.”

They all nodded and walked away. It was still strange how loyal they were. Is that what abandonment issues look like? Am I just taking advantage of their insecurities? I shrugged and continued wandering for the next hour.

Tetel showed up after a while, a tired but triumphant smile on his face. He stared up at me and said. “My Queen! Glorious news! Queen Tiktelazertoli has agreed to a meeting. She said to give her a few more hours to gather herself. She’ll send someone to guide you to her district. She seemed receptive to an alliance, my Queen.”

I smiled and said. “Perfect! We’ll help our district evacuate while we wait.” Tetel nodded and walked away as we spent the next six hours carrying hatchlings, goblins and food to the camp outside the city. Soon, we would leave. And then everything would start going to shit.