Grub awoke upon a bed. He felt the give of the soft mattress. There were even feather pillows; he wondered whether it was made from Pegasus feathers. He snuggled his face into the cushion. A luxury like this he had never experienced. One could be absorbed in such comfort, he sighed as his muscles relaxed.

“Amused?”

He shot up as the impatient voice scarred him. Lifting his head he saw her. Princess Chrysalis sat at the end on the bed. He was in her royal chambers. Trepidation gripped him, her heard others killed for lesser infractions.

“Grub, I have questions for you.” She got uncomfortably close as her eyes scanned him. “Are you an assassin sent by my sisters?”

“No!” said Grub. “I told your two guards as much!”

“Look upon me when speaking.”

For years he had been told to directly gaze at royalty was a crime. It was a prohibition, Changelings had been blinded for breaking. He squirmed from her gaze. “It is taboo.”

“At the gate you challenged two fully trained soldiers. Where is that spirit? I was one of those guards.”

“You were? I did not know then that I was fighting a Princess.” He murmured to himself.

“Look into my eyes with yours. If you avert your gaze, I shall reduce you to a station lower than worker.”

Lower? He wondered whether there was a level less than. He did not want to find out. Slowly his eyes traveled from her lengthy legs to her chest. A blush appeared on his face, the Princess was beautiful even in the corrupted state shared by all his and her kind.

Chrysalis noticed his appraisal of her form, her face heated slightly. She coughed pointing a hoof to her face. “Knave, my eyes are up here.”

Their eyes locked. In her pupils emerald fire became alit burning away his consciousness.

She licked her fangs. “Warnings to avoid eye contact with nobility were not unfounded. The superstition was rather prudent.”

Inside his head he felt a force probe through his collection of memories. However as this entity busily sifted through his mind he saw in the corner a door with a crack of an opening. It was a door that ought not have been open. The light in the crack beckoned his exploration. Throwing caution to the wind he stepped through the darkness as the entity behind was distracted. Opening the door he was blinded by the light.

Within the memory he saw through Chrysalis and her eyes. She was amongst her sisters. “Please do not tell mother!”

“Little Chrysalis has hots for a soldier!” teased Cerci as she jumped about.

Beezleba spoke sternly. “Sister, you know the law.”

“You told her didn’t you?!”

Neither Cerci or Beezleba spoke.

Chrysalis slammed the doors open to the throne room. Blue fire torches lit the walkway. Queen Gossamer was amidst issuing orders to several soldiers.

“What is the meaning of this interruption?” The stern Queen voiced.

She nervously spoke. “Mother, have my sisters told you anything?”

“I know,” said Gossamer.

Chrysalis bowed to the ground. “No! I beg of you spare him exile and a lonely death! I claim responsibility for everything!”

“Daughter, it is forbidden.”

She intoned more urgently. “Please spare him! I love Clavius!”

Queen Gossamer swung her hoof smacking Chrysalis to the floor. “You shall not say love of a lower caste if you are royalty.”

Chrysalis nursed her bruised and bleeding cheek. “What about my father!? He was a soldier!”

Chrysalis’s confession drew stares from some soldiers in the room. Gossamer noted this.

Their monarch’s voice thundered in the confines of the chamber. Some stone of the ceiling was dislodged by the boom. “SILENCE! Do you wish you revoke your right as royalty?”

“For Clavius, I will.”

The stern face of Gossamer did not move. “Then you are most foolish. It has already been done. I gave the execution orders moments ago.”

“Ex-Ex-Execution?” she stuttered.

“Be gone, speak of this again and I shall banish you. It is law.”

“No!” Chrysalis sunk low as she limped out of the chamber.

Cerci moved beside Chrysalis. Her sing song teasing tone was absent. “We didn’t know mother would—”

Chrysalis shrieked. “I hate you all!”

Even Beezleba spoke with a hint of sympathy. “If you’re fast, you might be able to stop it, but you wouldn’t be a Princess. Please reconsider, sister.”

“No! I will go! Where is he?”

Beezleba said. “The city outskirts to be impaled.”

Outside in the dark edge of the city were poles planted into the ground… attached to them were Changelings impaled. She lifted a buglantern to each of the faces of the condemn. Among the dead she spied hers. Jutting from the nape of his neck was the end of the spear point.

The Princess fell to the ground sobbing. “No! No! No! You cannot be dead…”

The eyelids of the corpse opened. “Chyrsalis?” murmured the impaled Changeling weakly.

“Clavius! You are alive!” She sobbed into his chest. “I was so worried. I thought you had been killed.”

Each word from his mouth was punctuated by a tenor of agony. “I am already dead. The damage is beyond healing.”

She shook her head. “I shall bring all the city’s healers. I’ll threaten them if they will not accept payment.”

“The spear is enchanted no magic may heal. Kill me. Please!”

“No!” She paced about. “I surrendered my crown for you.”

Clavius spoke coldly. “Princess, do not forsake your birthright. Go back to the Queen and apologize. Forget about me.”

“How can you say that?”

“I am glad to have my last words with you. Every moment I am here is pure suffering; if you love me you will end it.”

“My love you are lost but not forgotten. I will change things… when I become Queen. By the monarch of old, dead and cold, I swear I shall become Queen!” She touched her hooves to his head. She kissed him… the memory faded to black with snap.

As the waking world came back to focus he was seized by fear. He was privy to an intensely private memory. He dare not reveal what he saw.

“I believe you. You are not an assassin. I have searched your memories.” Chrysalis retracted, giving him room. “By the way… you didn’t see any of mine did you?” Her eyes became piercing.

“No, how could I?” His reply was the best casual tone he could convey.

She chuckled. “What was I thinking; it takes more than skill to do so.”

He exhaled with immeasurable relief.

“Now tell me how you came by magic. Worker castes are forbidden to learn it.”

“Couldn’t you search my memories again?”

“It is not polite nor do I wish to live the drudgery of a worker’s years. Speak.”

He tightened up again. “I was visited by my mother… she was a worker. She emphasized the importance of books and learning magic.”

“Save for royal blood, all nymphs, of the hive, are raised collectively in their caste. It is forbidden for a parent to visit their spawn until they are of age.”

“My mother wanted me to become more. I was told my father was a soldier.”

She said dryly. “Inter-caste coupling is also forbidden.”

“Indeed, it is why my father abandoned my mother.”

“…” Chrysalis contemplatively paused. “It is difficult to believe you know magic forbidden to all but our elite soldiers.”

“Mother secretly passed along my first books, some of which were my father’s spell books. I have a secret storage of books hidden in my home’s false ceiling, if you don’t believe me. I practiced hidden away in the old tunnels. You keep saying forbidden… am I forbidden to become something more.”

“I said forbidden, not impossible. The story of your birth and your defiance of circumstance is hard to believe but it is plausible,” said Chrysalis, “This is because to deny your circumstances would be to deny my own.”

Grub’s brows were fully raised. He had recalled it being mentioned in her memories, yet for her to reveal it herself was shocking. “My Princess?”

“If you are tempted to tell another, I shall have your tongue removed and your vocal cords cut for extra measure.”

Grub nodded, fearfully.

“My father died in battle before he was raised to Royal consort. I am also the youngest; my claim to throne is weakest… if there is a claim at all.”

“I am sorry.”

She smacked him in the face. “Never pity me.”

“Forgive me.”

“Do not grovel. I hate groveling.”

He saluted. “Yes Princess.”

“You came here seeking to serve me. Is that still your wish?”

“It would depend on your answer to my question.”

Chrysalis chuckled lightly. “I have questioned you. It is fair enough you ask one.”

“Princess, do you want the throne for your own?”

“No, however I must… my sisters selfish ambitions will lead to our people’s destruction.”

       Bioluminescent plants curled their vines around archways and fences. The glowing flowering bulbs attracted insects to their brilliance. Upon contact the bulbs the outlying petals snapped shut trapping the flies. Surrounded in this subterranean garden two figures stood.

Princess Beezleba breathed deeply the fragrance of her flowers. She remarked. “In world starved of sun even the plants have grown cruel. What say you, Mandible?”

Her stoic guard was a Changeling lived to his name, his pronounced jaw moved to mouth words. “Yes Princess. Kindness is a luxury of the overworld. Here we must do what we must to survive.”

“Well said, my Captain. Tend to me, brush my mane.”

Mandible nodded as he grabbed a brush and gently wove it through the purple strands of his liege.

The Princess cooed in the pampering. She frowned when he stopped. “Mandible?”

The burly Changeling planted his legs firmly on the ground in an assumed battle stance.“Your sister Cerci approaches.”

Sure as his words, the golden maned Princess appeared. She was accompanied by a half dozen of her ‘Captains’. She smiled ear to ear. “Sister Beezleba, still only a single Captain? Have you not heard these are dangerous times?”

The Elegant Princess countered dismissively. “Among your quantity, I doubt to find any of quality. None can match my one.” She turned towards Mandible.

One of Cerci’s guards spoke out of turn. “Bah, methinks the brute is not so tough.”

Cerci snapped at her guard. “Silence Thorax, royalty are speaking.”

Beezleba raised an amused brow. “Undisciplined too? They truly are your followers.”

Her sister simply smiled harder revealing her fangs. “Dearest sister let us not talk of toys.”

“Why have you come to my garden?”

“These are the palace gardens,” sneered Cerci.

“Exactly.” Beezleba gave another haughty laugh.  

“You think the crown is already yours? I recall recently your failure. Really? Sending a worker to play assassin?”

Beezleba pouted in her best innocent expression. “You assume it was I.”

“Sister, you were most sloppy.”

The Elegant Princess gave a smug smirk. “What have I to gain from the death of our littlest sister? Chrysalis is not even a factor in my plans. You on the other hoof could control her soldiers if she were to come to an unfortunate accident.”

“Arrogant as ever. You underestimate everyone. If ever our little Chrysy was to succeed in her expeditions, the balance we’ve established just might tip. Favor of our sovereign Queen might shift. Chrysy is tenacious and desperate enough to succeed.”

Beezleba nodded. “Then for once we are in agreement, she is a problem.” She yawned. “However you seek control of the other castes so the problem is closer to you. I’ll let you handle it.”

“Sloth.” Cerci spat as she stormed off with her half dozen guards.

“Slut.”  Beezleba shot off.

Chrysalis spoke bitterly. “I doubt also they would advance our true cause. Not even my mother has made any headway.”

“True cause?”

“Substantiation, the end of the Changeling curse, true freedom. We could be whole and never need to feed upon the emotions others.”

“That’s a fairy tale isn’t it?” Grub asked, skeptically. He lowered his head. “Generations upon generations have done nothing. I do not believe there is hope.”

Chrysalis arose from the bed. “You came to me looking for change. In the streets I mistook you for a soldier. You think like a worker worm. Return to your hovel, I have no use for you.”

Grub immediately jumped and bowed his head at her feet. He pleaded. “Please Princess, I wish only serve!”

“What did I say of groveling?” Chrysalis said, sneering.

Against his instincts Grub stood upright. He stiffened his body. “I mean, I wish to serve.” His head was still lowered.

Chrysalis spoke grandly. “Good, a worker you are no longer, instead you will be a soldier. See to Husk, he shall show you your new living quarters. In a month’s time we shall strike forth into the overworld. We shall bring back the conquest of a city!”

“Could you do it?”

“You dare doubt me! Success is assured!”

Her confident display did not impress him rather it was everything else. She was not invulnerable, stealing into her memories he knew as much. He reflected upon how his stereotype of graceful royal had been shattered. She was harsh but as honest as a Changeling could be. He felt he should be glad to serve her as a soldier. In thoughts he dare not bring to surface maybe he wanted to be more. “Yes, my Princess.”

The Changeling guard known as Husk was waiting outside the doorway. He smirked as Grub left.

“So? You looked into her eyes?”

“Yeah.” Grub felt his head throb from what he had discussed with Chrysalis and the memory of hers he had peeked into.

“The Princess does that test with all her new subjects. I’m surprised you weren’t taken out with a stretcher like most are.” Husk shuddered.

“It wasn’t pleasant.”

“You maintained consciousness; did you see any memory of hers?”

“No.” He was calm so that Husk’s scrutiny revealed nothing.

“I would be silent if I did. Our Princess is something of a mystery. ”

“Princess Chrysalis accepted me but what is my role?”

“Most the competent mages are Infiltrator Caste and they’re under Princess Beezleba’s command. You’re an asset, if you can be trained. We have a month before the next expedition.”

“Expedition? Another one in just a month?”

“Yes and usually it takes years to become a competent battle mage.” Husk shook his head. “Chrysalis wants to train us in a few weeks.”

“Us? Aren’t you her Captain?” he asked.

“No, I am but a soldier. That spot has been forever vacant. Our Warrior Princess mostly assumes those responsibilities herself. Do not ask why that is so.”

He had suspicions as to the real reason. The memory still haunted him. He decided to change subject before he accidentally revealed he knew more. “Wait, the princess will train us personally?”

Husk nodded. “The few mages we had were lost in the last expedition, it is a desperate measure.”

Grub wondered aloud. “Have I jumped onto a sinking ship?”

The other Changeling laughed hollowly. “You haven’t even seen a ship… but yes we’re doomed.”

His new friend had the same dark humor as Arista. They both laughed a moment at the irony.

Chrysalis was alone in her chambers again. She sighed he had been company even if he was weak and meek.

“I have fooled them all, including myself. My confidence is counterfeit. An expedition? What was I thinking?” Her horn lit up as she levitated a pillow to her face. She screamed into it.

She looked up and upon her reflection in her mirror. She spied a tear. “Why am I crying? Did he see?” She shook her head of the thought and set aside her mirror.  Her mental defenses were supreme. Powerful dream walkers, natural empaths, were rare.

“Still he is another chess pawn piece to add to my box.” She buried herself in her pillows. “Thinking like that? Am I becoming like my sisters?” She growled. “Or my mother?”

She tossed and turned onto her back and staring at the black ceiling of her room. “My forces were not as strong as I first left. My spirit isn’t either. This expedition shall be the death of me…”

Unshed tears choked her. “However if I succumb and if I fail, what will become of my promise to you? What of my schemes and dreams? What about myself?”

She surrendered as her limbs limply fell unto her bed. Monologuing was always cathartic. Her troubles would be for another day.

Husk led him to the soldier’s barracks. The honeycombs carved into the stone walls were even smaller than the one one workers were given.

Grub grumbled in disappointment. “I thought soldiers had better homes.”

Husk chuckled. “We’re just better fed. I envy the freedom workers enjoy.”

“Wait you envy us?”

“You can still walk the streets without patrol orders. You’re not subject to the power struggles of royalty,” said Husk. His expression became grim. “If tomorrow I was ordered to I would have to march to my death.”

“The grass is greener on the other side,” He offered.

Husk tilted his head in confusion. “Below the earth, we are on other side of the grass. Where is it that you get these topsider expressions?”

“Books.”

“Hey, Grub.”

He jumped in surprise as he saw a familiar wingless worker Changeling behind him.

He shouted in glee. “Arista! Why are you here?”

“A squad of soldiers were looking for your dwelling. They asked… well ordered me to move your stuff.” She whispered her next words into his ear. “Your books are under the sheets.”

“Thanks,” He smiled gratefully.

“Okay Mr. Grub. Now you’re a big shot, could you get me a job?”

“You are dismissed, worker,” said Husk, curtly.

Grub turned to Husk. “Arista, is a trusted friend. You said you lost a lot of soldiers, couldn’t you take her?”

Husk was unmoved. “A wingless worker would compromise the combat effectiveness of a squad.”

Arista smiled her brightest for Husk. “Don’t expedition teams impersonate pony infantry? We workers are strong, physically. I’m sure you take some earth pony disguises. Pretty please?”

The soldier was slightly flustered by the closeness of the female worker. “It’s not my decision to make. Normally you’d have to ask a captain. We don’t have a captain.”

“Yet,” Grub said softly however his words were heard.

Husk laughed. “You just got here. Already scheming and dreaming of bigger things?”

“What if I am?”

“Go ahead, it’s a death sentence.” Husk chuckled hollowly as he left.

Arista pouted “I don’t like him.”

Grub said. “He shares your sense of humor.”  

Two dark shadows conversed. One had a regal bearing while the other slinked.

The lesser one spoke. “Isn’t her mission suicide? Why not let it be?”

“That is not your decision.”

“She will be well-guarded now.”

“Curse my sister’s incompetence, she has made things hard for us.”

“I expect double payment.”

“You and yours have been already well bribed. I expect results. Fail me and you’ll find yourself fighting Quarray Eels in the dark reaches, alone.”

“Yes, mistress.”

The larger shadow moved closer to her subordinate. Cerci’s strands of golden hair draped across the lesser Changeling’s shoulders. She whispered in his ear. “I am not without compassion. Succeed and I shall invite you into my inner circle, Thorax.”

Thorax frowned and recoiled from her touch. “My mistress, you have suitors aplenty. I have labored long for you yet I do not feel you care for any of us truly.”

Cerci spoke tenderly. “My heart is great enough to accommodate you all. My love is like a cup that never empties.”

He murmured. “Doesn’t the drink become diluted as it’s split?” Sighing, Thorax was quick to change the subject. “What shall we do for infantry?  I can secure the soldiers however vows of silence seldom hold under interrogation.”

Cerci rolled her eyes. “You’re planning to be caught now?”

“No, I meant if an royal inquiry comes forth afterwards.”

His superior smiled. “That won’t be an issue. There are those outside the Queen’s justice. I have the perfect soldiers for you.”

Several bipedal shadows joined them. “Dark pony mistress, you called?” said a shrill voice.

“Excellent, I have a mission for you with giant gems upon your success.”

“No more gems.” the figure meekly proposed. “We want home back.”

“Dumb dogs dare question me?”

The dog shook its head fearfully. “Never mistress.”