Janis Starlit glanced at the terrain passing by beneath her. She couldn’t see any threats or, really, any changes, so she closed her eyes again, focusing inward. Or rather, outward — into the psychic link.
She’d been working with the new Drone Keeper for a while. Partly to test his capabilities, but mostly to preserve some of her knowledge for the Hive.
Janis was the only member of the hive who had personal experience living among the humans, and she still knew a lot more about their technology, economy and martial capabilities than the rest. There was only so much she could teach someone in a few months of occasionally talking about the subjects, compared to living in Cernlia for eighteen years. And Janis had always been curious, making a point of gathering as much information as she could, even living in a remote village like Forest’s Haunt.
Of course, she was working to filter out the personal experience and concentrate on the knowledge itself. Besides the fact that she wasn’t enthusiastic about revealing her personal feelings like that, this would make it easier and more efficient. Transporting emotion was a different thing than transporting information, and the former could muddle the latter.
Right now, she was focused on both her connection with Jem and the knowledge in question. She didn’t know the new drone very well, but they had met and talked, and the improvements to the link made that kind of thing much easier. Besides, she felt like he was facilitating it somehow, anyway. Janis kept meditating, running through several conversations she’d had with adventurers not too long before she first met Regina and the others, working with Jem to pick out the relevant facts. She could vaguely sense him sort of putting them into the psychic link through his own connection to it. She wasn’t sure how they were going to be able to store it, or even if they really could, but she had a good feeling about it.
Then she felt her body descend rapidly, and stopped her meditation, blinking her eyes open.
She’d left the Winged Drone Mount carrying her mostly alone, since it didn’t need her steering it. It was level 37 and quite smart for a Swarm Drone, and besides, the others could intervene if she was too distracted. Right now, she realized after a moment that Bea had called it down, while the small caravan below her was slowing down.
They had been traveling for a short while already, much slower than if Janis had just flown the whole way. But, of course, they were accompanying the gnomish traders, so that wasn’t an option. And it wasn’t like they were pressed for time, anyway. She was just feeling a bit impatient.
Janis shook her head and tried to shake off the lingering effects of her meditation and immersion into the psychic link. Right now, she knew without looking where every sapient drone in the group was. She was just glad she didn’t have to worry about them. Janis was arguably the highest-ranking Hive member in the expedition, but it was Bea who had taken the leadership role. Of course, they were also being watched over by Regina, who would presumably watch even more closely when they actually entered the gnomes’ city that they were heading for, so that kind of detail wasn’t too important, either. Janis put it out of her mind and concentrated on flying to the ground to meet the others.
"Are we there yet?” she asked with a wry smile as she hopped down from her mount and joined Bea and the others.
The leader of the gnomish group, a man called Deliken, shook his head. He didn’t let any annoyance or any other reaction show. “Not quite, Miss, but we are getting closer. From here on, it is best if we all continue on foot. We should reach the city by this evening.”
Janis nodded, telling her mount to head back. “What was its name again?” She didn’t think he’d ever actually told them the name of the place they were going.
“Telimelekilete-En. It translates as Above-Ground Outer Two. If everyone is ready, let us set off. This way, please.”
Janis had never been this close to the mountains before. They were still at the outskirts, and only barely that, really, but she could almost feel the heightened danger in her surroundings. She wasn’t sure when they’d crossed what was technically the border of Cernlia, and they now traveled in what seemed to be no-man’s-land between it and the southern nations. If she understood correctly, the Gnomish Confederation of the East should be southwest, actually, although it wasn’t like she’d seen a map. The gnomes had given vague descriptions, but she wasn’t really sure how far or in what directions their Confederacy spread out. It didn’t help that the territory they claimed wasn’t exactly compact, but curving around the more dangerous parts. And it seemed to be at least in part in the mountains, or perhaps under them - or both, she wasn’t sure. She did realize that the really dangerous, central parts of the mountains were still uninhabited wilderness, so the Confederation probably extended much further in the other direction — the southeast of their current position?
As they moved closer into mountainous terrain, starting to climb uphill, the gnomes led them on a path that was hard to make out from further away. Somehow, it was always good enough for the two wagons they’d brought along, although Janis certainly appreciated their sturdy construction and wide wheels now. The path was winding and occasionally seemed to almost disappear between rocky terrain dotted with scraggy bushes, or the outskirts of forests climbing up into the mountain’s peaks.
Janis tried to watch her steps, but she couldn’t help but stare at the mountains whenever she had the chance. The Alps. She caught a hint of nostalgic melancholy from Regina at the sight of them, although she didn’t think her Hive Queen actually knew how they’d changed. Even if they were the only real landmark from her own time. But the path the gnomes led them on didn’t come too close to the mountains. Instead, they dipped down a chain of hills into a shallow valley that sported a few interesting rock formations. As they got closer, Janis saw the end of a trail disappearing between the shadows of a rocky hill.
From there, the path was a weird mix of caves and open air. Parts of it were clearly hewn out of the rocky ground, but they never actually descended into the earth. Tall trees loomed to either side and sometimes above them, probably hiding the trail from the air. The frequent turns made it hard for Janis to keep track of where they were going, or how far they’d actually traveled.
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Then they finally reached the first settlement, though evidently not the city yet. The sun was already sinking, but there was still plenty of light to see the scattering of small buildings and the rather impressive wall surrounding them, complete with several guard towers. Some kind of outpost, clearly.
“Welcome to Travel Outpost Fifteen,” their guide said, this time not even bothering with the untranslated name. “If you are tired, we may spend the night here, or we could press on to reach the city.”
Janis shared a glance with Bea. They didn’t need to speak, and she faintly sensed the drone establishing quick channels of communication with the others. The response was rather clear. “Thank you for the consideration,” Bea replied with a smile, “but we would prefer to press on if possible. I’m sure you’re eager to get home, and we are looking forward to seeing it for ourselves.”
The gnome grunted and nodded, but she had the impression he preferred this decision.
They continued on their way. If the path had previously been half in the open and half underground, it was now more like three-quarters underground, or at least covered. A few rocky walls loomed over them, almost touching at the top, as they made their way deeper … south? Without being able to see the sun, Janis wasn’t certain of their exact heading. She didn’t think she’d be able to find this place again without retracing their path step by step, anyway.
The sun set, but the lack of light didn’t bother her. Janis had always been able to see pretty well in the dusk, though not complete darkness, and the Hive drones with her had even better low-light vision. The gnomes didn’t seem bothered, either. Janis saw a few of them, riding on the wagons, using what looked like strange spectacles or monocles, but she presumed that those were for a different purpose. Maybe something to do with finding their way?
Eventually, they emerged from a passage through a steep, craggy hill to see another low valley spread out before them. The city was hard to miss, given the occasional streetlight and other light source flickering in the gloom, though she did not see as many as a human city would have had. That made it look deceptively smaller than it was, Janis realized as they came closer. The gnomes had an odd architectural style that seemed to combine low, sprawled-out and tall buildings, but this settlement had to house as many people as any city she had ever seen.
Quaint, Regina commented in her head, and Janis felt a moment of disorientation as differing expectations and frames of reference clashed.
Is there anything we should do? she asked.
Nothing beyond what we’ve already talked about, Regina answered. I just wanted to let you know that you’re approaching the edge of my range. You’ve gone deeper into their territory than I thought. She paused for a moment. Also, I can see that their technology level is higher than you’re probably used to, but not as high as I’d almost hoped. Those are almost certainly steam engines, but they seem pretty rudimentary. And they don’t seem to use them for transportation, I can’t find any sign of tracks or anything. Be careful about their magic, though. I’m sure you can sense that as well as I can.
Janis nodded, sending a mental acknowledgment. Regina’s presence quieted, but she didn’t quite withdraw from her mind, and Janis knew that her Hive Queen was still watching. Probably through several drones, too. She turned her focus to her magical senses. While it was hard to get any details, she could make out a line not too dissimilar to the protection that ran along the border to the forest - or used to - around the city. There were a few other large-scale enchantments too, and many other smaller eddies in the mana that signified magic in use. It was nothing beyond what she’d expected.
As they approached the city, she saw a group waiting at one of the gates. The city’s wall itself was strange, built rather low, but she could also tell that it had been integrated with the large-scale enchantments protecting the city. It had several gates, though the one they approached now seemed to be a minor, relatively unused one. There were few other people in sight, anyway.
The gate stood open, and they entered the city without delay. One of the gnomes waiting for them stepped forward and bowed politely. “Welcome to the Gnomish Confederacy, honored visitors.”
Bea and Janis, who were at the front of their Hive’s group, returned the gesture at the same time. “Thank you, Tikimaken,” Bea responded. “It is good to see you again.”
Janis was glad they had at least sent a familiar face, although she had mostly avoided meeting the first gnomish visitors to their Hive. The gnome nodded and smiled in response to the greeting, then took a moment to introduce the others. Not that it was necessary, since Janis could see their names and Classes. Regina informed her about the levels she couldn’t make out herself; there was no one above level forty.
After a few pleasantries, they were escorted into the city. Here, they split off from the group of traders they had accompanied. Janis noted that these were met by two other people, presumably to debrief them. She didn’t quite understand the way the government and political factions in the Confederation worked and apparently ran some businesses, but she didn’t think there was any reason for concern.
As they entered the city, Janis noticed the looks some of the gnomes gave her. She suppressed a sigh. She’d expected it, but she still found herself feeling vaguely hurt at the thinly disguised wariness. At least it wasn’t the same kind of hate she’d seen directed at demihumans in some human places. Well, for the most part.
That aside, the gnomes were treating them quite well. Very respectfully. Janis hadn’t really appreciated it before, but she was starting to realize that the escort they’d put together was quite big for a group from a new trade partner, which only had a few villages. And when they reached their destination, a tall, looming building made of stone, they were greeted by another welcoming party.
Janis set her shoulders and resolved to be as diplomatic as possible, but to leave most of the actual talking to Bea. This was not something she ever thought she’d have to face. Not that her life for the last few months had been anything like she would have expected before.
Janis shook off those thoughts and made herself focus on the conversation. Bea was exchanging pleasantries with the gnomes, an even mix of men and women, she noted.
“I take it your Queen is not coming to visit personally?” a female Rising Mirror (what an odd Class name) asked.
Bea smiled apologetically and shook her head. “Unfortunately, that was not possible, for which she sends her regrets. Her duties are keeping her quite occupied, although she would very much have liked to come and see your marvelous city in person.”
“Naturally, we understand,” the gnome assured her. “With the civil war in Cernlia growing in intensity, it is apparent that Queen Regina would be preoccupied and unable to leave your territory.”
“Quite so,” Bea agreed. “You can be assured that we have her confidence and can speak for her and our Hive.” Janis caught a faint hint of Regina’s amusement at that, though she didn’t comment.
“Splendid.” They started to gently usher the group inside, while the gnome kept smiling. Whatever else was going on, Janis was fairly sure they had sent actual diplomats. “I am sure we will be able to come to satisfactory agreements, regardless.”
Janis narrowed her eyes a bit, before she smoothed her expression again. She glanced at Bea and focused on the psychic link.
I get the feeling they want something from us, she commented.
Bea didn’t visibly react and glanced back at their hosts, but Janis felt her agreement.
Well, she was curious what that something might be, but it would probably be rude to just come out and ask. Instead, Janis focused on the gnomes and her fellow Hive members. This was definitely an exciting experience, if nothing else.