Most recently, Ria had felt like she was dreaming. Or maybe starting to dream. The world had gained an unreal tinge, like there was a layer of isolation between them and her. She supposed it might be like being sick, with some diseases, though she’d never experienced that herself. Or perhaps being high. The closest she could compare it to was sleeping, or maybe dozing or daydreaming.

This unreal quality was starting to peel away now, though. She was glad about that, even if it felt like her emotions were raging in exchange. It was ironic that she felt more tumultuous emotions now that she was back safely than when she was actually parted from the Hive. But she’d managed to stay calm and follow the plan, which was good.

Ria gripped tighter onto Dan’s arm, where the humans hopefully couldn’t see it. She had to stop herself from taking a step forward and grabbing onto her Queen instead.

Luckily, she could still inch closer in the psychic link. Regina was keeping her mind pretty open and didn’t mind how close Ria got, letting her feel her presence and emotions. Right now, she was focused on the Esemen in front of her.

It meant that Ria could sense the irritation underneath the calm, in-control surface of her mind. Regina was upset about the Esemen taking her as Alianais’ Champion, probably more so about being unable to effectively deny it. She didn’t like them — a sentiment Ria couldn’t help but approve of — but she was cautious enough to try and take them seriously, even if she’d rather focus on something else.

In contrast, the others around them were steady anchors. They trusted Regina and were happy to follow her lead, or just stand around representing the Hive. Some of them would rather be somewhere else, but none of them minded too much. Ria tried to draw on their solidity a little to steady her own heartbeat.

The Esemen across from them were unfamiliar to her, but she’d picked up enough in her time with them to read the little social cues in their attire and equipment, in the way they stood and talked. It helped that she’d heard of most of them. The obvious leader was General Nightsen, who was rather popular in his home, even if she’d have expected him to be taller. He wasn’t easy to read.

“Monetary recompense is really quite a generous offer already,” he was saying. “You cannot truly expect more than that. Anything else is impractical.”

“Your money is not going to be much good to the families affected by this war,” Regina said. Especially because it would be going to their liege lords rather than the people directly, she didn’t say. “And what we need is a guarantee you won’t simply decide to come back and kick the door in for kicks again.”

He frowned, maybe parsing the idiom. “Asking for guarantees like these, closer to treaty provisions than reparations, is quite a demand for what is ultimately a skirmish in the greater scheme of things.”

“I’m not demanding a huge time frame,” Regina said patiently. “Even just assurances that you won’t start a war for a year will put quite a few minds at ease.”

“We will need to consider this,” Nightsen responded stiffly.

Regina’s irritation spiked, and it took Ria a moment to grasp that it was probably because of the subtext — she expected the Esemen to clear the proposed course of action with their divine backers.

“Consider quickly,” the Hive Queen replied simply. Her voice was still soft and calm, but with a hard edge to her words underneath it.

The tension crackled for a moment longer, before Nightsen smiled slightly and it seemed to dissipate. The other drones shuffled a little and Ria stared at the Esemen.

Hesitantly, she tried to get her Queen’s attention and started talking. They’re going to accept the deal as it’s laid out so far, I’m pretty sure. They probably know that we don’t have much need for money, but they’re not exactly up to date on modern economic theory. Their idea of the economy is still money coming out of land because peasants pay taxes, and maybe spending some money back as an investment so the next years’ taxes are paid. Plus getting horses and armor and stuff.

Makes sense, Regina replied with an amused undertone. You talked to Esemen merchants as well?

A few, but merchants really don’t have much say in their policymaking, Ria admitted.

She thought back to the Esemen she had talked to. They’d at least kept up the pretense of her being an honored guest and diplomatic envoy, so they couldn’t have forbidden her from talking to any people at all. Quite a few members of the court had also sought her out specifically, to get information on the Hive, something they didn’t really hide. She’d been a bit of a curiosity, attracting stares and gawkers, which only made it easier to constantly have guards around her ‘for her protection’. They hadn’t actually let her enter any of their famous temples, though, which was pretty much the only thing that really stood out now.

She tuned back into the conversation just as they seemed about to wrap up. “Guarantees of peace for a year regarding Cernlia, Nerlia, the Starlit Hive and any of its other allies,” Regina stated.

“We understand your demand,” Nightsen replied. “We will not invade any of your territory unless provoked.” He paused for a second. “Will not representatives of Cernlia and Nerlia be present to accept their part of this deal?”

“Our close allies in Cernlia trust us to safeguard their interest,” Regina said. Or at least help them as a side effect since we’re already dealing with the Esemen, it’s not like they have much choice.

“And Nerlia?” he pressed. “We do have some of our forces in their territory as well, and you demanded safety for this country in addition to your Hive and allies.”

That was because Nerlia would soon be counted among their allies if it wasn’t already, Ria knew. She hadn’t had the time to delve deeper into the information the psychic link held for her, but that much she was pretty sure of.

“Nerlia has also given us leave to work out a deal agreeable to all parties,” Regina said casually. That’s actually a stipulation from our talks, more or less, she added mentally to Ria.

Ria signaled her understanding. They probably know about your deal with Nerlia already, then, she said. I wasn’t told anything about their diplomatic sources or other intelligence, obviously, but I’m pretty sure they have spies in the Nerlian court, at least.

Regina sighed silently. It would have been too much to hope for otherwise.

At least information should still take a little while to travel between them.

Nightsen didn’t seem very happy with her pronouncement, but after a few more questions which Regina evaded he grudgingly accepted it. The other men behind him were shifting around and Ria could tell they were getting impatient. Probably not many career diplomats on this team.

“Excellent,” Regina said with just the slightest hint of sarcasm, which they hopefully wouldn’t notice. “Then we will pick up Marianne Neralt and be on our way. I expect to sign the drafted contract as soon as possible.”

“Wait just a minute,” one of the other men protested.

“We have already returned your drone to you as a sign of good will and cooperation,” Nightsen said. “Lady Marianne is perfectly comfortable with us. It would be rather foolish to send her back while our agreement is not set in stone yet.”

Regina cocked her head. She didn’t show the renewed irritation she was feeling. “Marianne is under my protection,” she said. “I do hope you are not attempting anything so foolish as to take her hostage.”

“Of course not,” Nightsen lied baldly. “But it would be easier to coordinate our next steps if we had a middleman - woman - like her with us.”

Regina sighed lightly. “Then, if she is purely to work as middleman, you will not object to me assuring her safety.”

“Oh?” He looked cautious.

“I will send a pack of drones to make sure no unfortunate accidents befall her and to protect her should she encounter trouble. I will also require her to stay close, in reach of our position. Should you attempt to coerce her into moving back towards your own country, I will take it as a breach of agreement.”

Nightsen was silent for a moment, before he nodded. Judging by his expression, he was not happy. “Fine,” he said curtly.

Ria exhaled and took half a step away as the tension seemed to fall again. She almost jumped when someone else laid a hand on her arm, even though she could sense them in the psychic link.

You doing okay, kid? Tia asked.

I’m doing fine, she answered and sent a mental smile. Glad this is over. I feel like I could sleep for a week.

I’m sure you’ll get the chance to do that, Tia replied, amusement in her words.

The talks ended quicker than they had began, but Ria was too distracted to pay attention to the specifics.

In the end, the Esemen departed quickly, and she focused on the drones keeping an eye on Marianne to see if they were keeping to the deal. It seemed like it. A group of drones that Regina had sent approached them and were soon surrounding the human woman, and they started slowly making their way towards the Esemen positions, although they would stay in the periphery. It might mean a little rougher accommodations for Marianne, but this shouldn’t take long. Ria was still relieved. She’d liked the noblewoman when they’d traveled together, and she didn’t want to feel like she was even indirectly responsible for her getting hurt by the Esemen. Besides, Regina would blame herself.

She just hoped Marianne wouldn’t blame them for not prioritizing getting her back to her son immediately.

As soon as the Esemen were out of earshot, everyone relaxed. Regina stood up and a few of the Swarm Drones that were hanging around started carting off the chair she’d used. The rest of the drones also started to relax their positions and mill around as Winged Drones descended to carry them back to the base. Ria glanced at them and smiled. She couldn’t wait to get home.

If it wasn’t Regina, Ria would have probably jumped in surprise when someone else put a hand on her shoulder. But she knew even before she turned to look who it was, ignoring the Hive Queen would have been harder than that. She still stiffened slightly under her attention.

“Ria, are you okay?” Regina asked, sounding concerned.

“I’m -“ Ria nodded and blinked. “I’m fine,” she repeated.

After a moment, Regina nodded, then Ria stiffened again in surprise as she pulled her into a hug. Ria quickly relaxed and laid her head on her shoulder, basking in the moment. Regina was a bit taller than her, and despite the hard shell of her skin she seemed to radiate warmth.

The others gave them privacy, although she could dimly feel them smiling at the sight. Ria didn’t pay any attention to them, however. She blinked again and was surprised to feel a bit of wetness gathering in her eyes.

“It was terrifying,” she finally spoke, the words rushing out of her. “Being cut off from the Hive link. I felt so alone. And the Esemen were okay, but I could tell they didn’t see me as a normal person, just a demihuman monster or a freak. I was afraid I was going to fail you, to betray the Hive by letting them dig information from me.”

“Shh.” Regina’s arms around her tightened. “You did everything I could have asked for. You went above and beyond. Even if they had gotten information from you, it wouldn’t be your fault. I’m sorry for putting you in that position, Ria.”

“Don’t —“ Ria lifted her head, seeking her eyes. “I’m happy to take risks for the Hive, or to sacrifice if need be.”

“That doesn’t mean you should have to.” Regina loosened the hug, drawing back enough so they could see each other’s faces. She sighed. “I think I failed you, not the reverse.”

“That’s not true! You acted for the good of the Hive. You’re the Hive Queen, that’s — it’s our job to follow your lead.”

They were both silent for a moment. An expression twitched across Regina’s face she found hard to interpret. She’d drawn her presence in the psychic link in tighter, which made it harder to tell what she felt. “I’m your mother. You’re my children,” she finally said. “It’s my job to protect you.”

Ria could feel the reaction in the drones around them, as if everyone paused what they were doing for an instant. The emotional response that swept through the psychic link was harder to pin down, a confused tangle of feelings.

Their Queen clearly felt it as well. She cleared her throat, then stepped back. “Let’s get back to the base,” she said.

“Thank you, Mother,” Ria said quietly, then she turned and started walking to the Mounts, too nervous to look at her expression.

They climbed on their rides and left quickly, but this time, Ria found it harder to pay attention to her surroundings, or the way the landscape passed beneath them. Letting out her emotions like this must have torn down a wall, and she felt a little unbalanced, a little raw, now. She wasn’t even sure what she felt.

Actually, Regina must have been uncertain herself. Ria wondered if the current of excitement in the mix of what the others felt, which she also felt, upset her.

Glancing back, Mother had her eyes closed and was probably focused on the psychic link, although it was still hard to tell what she was really feeling. Probably just focused on her duties and the upcoming and ongoing negotiations with the human kingdoms.

They descended quickly, to a base that appeared to have recently grown a lot, relatively close to the front with the Esemen, rather than the Hive’s main base. It took her a moment to place it beside the human village.

When Ria hopped down from her mount, Regina was there, and laid a hand on her shoulder again in a comforting touch. “We’ll get everything sorted out. For now, just focus on feeling better, okay, Ria?”

Ria nodded.

Having a mother who obviously cared about her was nice. She still didn’t want to be a burden, but hopefully the information she’d already gathered for the Hive would be worthwhile.