"Do you really think the ants are protecting us because the Great One approves of our holy pilgrimage?" Alis wondered.
Jern looked at the ranks of ants marching alongside them, guarding the pilgrims on both sides.
"I think… they probably just came along to make sure we're safe," he suggested.
His friend looked up at him irritably.
"That's all? Priest Beyn says it because they are guiding us along our blessed path and into enlightenment."
"All they really do is fight Dungeon monsters for us," Jern pointed out.
Alis scowled.
"Sometimes we have to fight for ourselves, don't we?"
He sighed and hefted the oversized axe on his shoulder. Surprisingly, an ant had given it to him, which had caused people to whisper and point. Eventually, he'd found a mage, (who did turn to keep him in front of her, which he tested by taking a few steps to either side), who'd explained that, since he was so large and strong, they'd made a weapon he could use to help protect the pilgrims.
"Yes, sometimes we have to fight for ourselves," he told his red haired friend. "Your fire magic has improved a lot since we left."
She folded her arms across her chest.
"Of course!" she declared, puffing herself up with pride. "I've had the chance to turn my flames on Dungeon monsters before. It's only natural that my Levels are increasing quickly."
Jern had to agree. Fighting against monsters really was Levelling him quickly. It wouldn't be that long before his Class maxed out and he'd need to change it into a new one.
"Still," he said, turning back to look at the long train of pilgrims behind them, "I never expected we would gather this many people."
"You really doubted how persuasive priest Beyn can be?" Alis scoffed. "Every place we go, we end up with more and more followers. I feel like we got a thousand at Rylleh alone."
"Good thing the ants are feeding us," Jern noted.
"Of course! The Great One is with us!"
The young man scratched at his cheek and said nothing. He wasn't particularly smart, so he was probably wrong, but he figured the Great One was just making sure they didn't starve to death, rather than urging them onwards.
Not that it really mattered, he was enjoying himself and Alis was having a great time, so he didn't have any reason to turn around and go back.
"Do you think this next city will be as welcoming as the last?"
"Why wouldn't they be? We are coming on a holy pilgrimage! They've got no reason to turn us back."
"But… isn't this city outside of the Colony's territory?"
"So? The light of the Great One is universal! I'm sure it'll be fine."
He turned and looked at the ants around them. They certainly didn't seem to be as relaxed as Alis, constantly on alert, with messengers running up and down the column at all times. Suddenly, two of the nearby soldiers turned toward a patch on the wall, their mandibles flexing as they readied themselves. He stepped toward them without hesitation.
When they looked up at him, he tapped himself on the chest.
"Allow me," he said.
They couldn't understand his words, but they knew what he was getting at, and stepped back a fraction. Jern hefted the massive axe off his shoulder and gave it a few swings to warm up his arms, then he waited.
A minute later, a frenzied, mad-eyed beast lunged from the wall, spraying the young man with stone fragments. He got a flash of fur, and claws, and a red maw before he completed his swing, smashing his axe deep into the beast.
With a wrench, he pulled his weapon free and stared down at the monster. When he was sure it wasn't moving, he turned to the soldiers, gave a dip of his head, which they returned with their antennae, and then jogged back up the line to catch up with Alis, leaving the soldiers to their meal.
"The ants can take care of that, you know. If anything, you're just taking experience away from them."
Jern rolled his shoulders uncomfortably.
"It must be hard shepherding this many humans through the Dungeon during a wave. I just feel like we should help out as much as we can."
Alis opened her mouth to reply, thought for a second, then closed it.
"You're right," she begrudgingly admitted. "I'll get the next one."
~~~
"Greetings, young ones," Beyn greeted them as he made his way to their fire. "Another hard day following the Divine Path has come to an end. I hope I find you well."
Jern ducked his head in acknowledgement as the priest approached, holy antennae bobbing on the top of his robe. Alis beamed with excitement, clasping her hands together.
"It was fine, thank you, priest Beyn. We did our best to help protect the column and even supported the soldiers as they fought Dungeon spawns."
"Yes, our friends informed me of how helpful you two were today," the priest gestured with his one remaining hand toward the ants, still on duty alongside them. "They are grateful for your assistance. It has been very difficult for them to protect us along this journey, given the state of the Dungeon. I fear we must step up and do more to defend ourselves if we are to make it to the journey's end."
Alis surged to her feet.
"Not to worry, priest Beyn! We are more than happy to do our part. Aren't we, Jern?"
Surprised at being suddenly included, all the young man could do was nod, jerkily.
Beyn laughed warmly.
"With brave souls like you amongst us, my heart is put to ease. Tomorrow we will reach our current destination, and I hope we will be well received, but we must be prepared to be rebuffed. We are outside the lands of the Colony at this moment, and the citizens of Torpin's Rest are not obliged to take us in."
"The Great One will persuade them," Alis gushed, "I'm sure of it!"
"Your faith is strong," Beyn beamed at her. "But the Great One may see this as a trial for us to overcome. In any case, I thank you for the warmth of your fire, but I must be off."
They thanked him for his time, but the priest was already moving, walking down the column toward the next fire. He would greet every pilgrim before the night was done, as he did every night.
"He's incredible," Alis sighed.
Jern nodded. He really was.
~~~
Jern winced and Alis bristled by his side, ready to explode, and he felt similar anger boiling from the pilgrims around him, but priest Beyn remained calm.
"Peace, friends," he said, his sonorous voice rolling over the gathered pilgrims along with the force of armed guards who had greeted them outside the gate of Torpin's Rest. "We are on a holy pilgrimage and have no desire to anger or quarrel with the people of your city. We simply –"
"Good," bellowed the man leading the procession from the Dungeon city, draped in his purple robes of office. "Then take your filthy insect masters and leave this place! You are unwanted, heathen monster-worshippers, and the sight of you soils my eyes!"
Jern blinked. He felt that was uncalled for. Alis nearly exploded.
"There is no need for this disrespect," Beyn said smoothly, but Jern thought he may have detected a slight hitch in his tone. "The Colony are a holy miracle who have saved and uplifted our people. I beg you, do not disparage them, for they have done nothing to you."
"And they never will," the man snorted. "Everyone knows the ants are too scared to approach Torpin's Rest, for they fear our righteous fury! We walk on the true Path, and won't bow to these pathetic creatures. Now, if you can find what is left of your spine, turn yourself around and LEAVE. You are not welcome here, and never will be!"
Jern thought he saw Beyn's eye twitching, but the priest retained his calm. He turned to the pilgrims and spoke to them soothingly.
"We will leave this place in peace," he said. "Let us depart."
"Yes," sneered the official. "Cowards all of you, just like your 'Great One'. If that pathetic beast showed its face here, we would smash it beneath our shoes like the bug it is!"
Beyn's calm expression twisted in an instant.
Jern sighed and picked up his axe, rolling his shoulders. Somehow, he'd thought this might happen.