As Janis left them to go to bed, Regina used the opportunity to collect herself and take stock of the situation. She had to get her thoughts in order.

Madris’ proposal had surprised her, but she was probably going to accept it after discussing things with the others and making appropriate preparations, including precautions and planning for contingencies. Not only did the hive need all the allies it could get with the current situation, she got the impression Madris meant what she said. Of course, the dark elf was probably centuries old and a psychic, so for all she knew, she could be a masterful liar. If she was, though, she’d imagine Madris would have handled some things differently, previously. And if they had really dug up something around the old city, Regina needed to know what it was. She wasn’t sure if she was going to send someone else or go herself, though.

For now, she turned her attention to the battles they’d just fought and their aftermath. The drones were handling the cleanup, but she at least wanted to check that there were no issues. Once more, they found themselves suddenly having a large number of prisoners and little in the way of preparation for dealing with them. At this rate, she might really have to start just letting them go soon.

The closer battle was the easier one. The reinforcements they’d brought here also increased their logistical capacity, and they were closer to villages and outposts the hive controlled or had built up already, so getting food for the humans wouldn’t be as hard. And they’d be deeper in her territory if they tried to run.

It was different for the battle farther away, which she’d mostly left to Ben to handle while she focused on the other situation. Here, while the surrendered army was only composed of Nerlians and they didn’t actually have more prisoners — somewhat fewer, in fact — they were already hungry. The plan had been to starve the enemy out, at least in part, after all, and while they’d had to accelerate their schedule, it had still started to take effect.

She also had to admit that the area was affected to the degree that it would hinder the logistics. The ground was churned up and marked with furrows and trenches. Part of that might have been from the Nerlians’ fortifications, but more came from the hive breaking these down.

Regina reached into the psychic link to look at the memories the Keepers had carefully put there, pursing her lips at what she saw.

They didn’t have many guns, since they were still quite hard to make. Ironically, the gunpowder was actually a lot easier. Regina and the others had been experimenting with several formulas and they would still need further testing, in addition to this battle, but in the end, creating some cordite wasn’t that hard. Not with Conjuration. Actual rifles, on the other hand, were pretty complicated. Conjuring the metal for them took quite a lot more mana, and while they could do the general shapes, few people were good enough to Conjure even most of the more finicky stuff. That meant the Workers needed to put in the work to finish them, at the very least. With Galatea’s help and the schematics she’d provided, it was at least doable, thankfully. Of course, even somewhat modern rifles were a huge deal, so she considered it worth the effort.

Bigger guns were correspondingly harder to make, but also a lot more effective in this situation. They’d had several cannons and even some experimental mortars prepared, not to mention a number of grenade launchers. They were still finicky and she’d lost a few Swarm Drones in an explosion. One sapient drone had been severely injured until an Attendant could heal him. The artillery had been really good at reducing the Nerlians’ palisades to so much dust, though, supported by magic-users and Winged Drones.

Are you sure we have things in hand? she asked Ben, unable to put a bit of nervousness and concern out of her mind. This is already a risk, and if we have to deal with a breakout from prisoners or anything like that, it would only get worse.

I don’t think that’s going to be an issue, he responded confidently. And we controlled who else was here to see anything. Except for scrying, of course. I hope the Nerlian mages were either here or occupied, with the battle down south, but we can’t rule out someone observing us. Actually, the Delvers are supposed to be good at that, and to be doing it a lot, right?

I wouldn’t worry too much about the Delvers for now, Regina said, after thinking about it for a few seconds. They seem to be trying to get on our good side, if Madris is any indication. Besides, they know who I am now — Madris certainly does, at least — and they’ve got to have an idea of what we can do, anyway.

Good point, he conceded. I suppose we just have to get on dealing with the Esemen, then.

Yeah. Regina sighed a little. That’s the priority now. Well, at least one priority. I’ll do another sweep with the scouts and see if I can pick up anything, too. If nothing else, I want to check on Marianne, and maybe we can find Ria after all. She wasn’t holding out hope on that front, though. By now, Ria was probably deep in the other country and she had no idea where to start looking. Even with better scrying, the chances of finding her would be minuscule, and the same went for scanning for her mind with psychic powers.

Regina excused herself and retreated to where the drones had set up a seat, even if it was just a tree stump, and drank some more of the tea Ira had made. It did taste pretty good, even if it was an acquired taste, and sugar would really improve it. Briefly, she wondered about the feasibility of getting some. She didn’t think the plants grew here. Trade with other continents seemed almost nonexistent, at least when it got to this region. Probably because of sea monsters or something, if I had to guess, she mused. It was definitely something else to find out when she had the time and opportunity, along with a steadily growing list of other things.

Then Regina checked on the Esemen again. It had only been a short time since the last time she’d looked, so not much had changed, and they were still apparently advancing into Whitor’s territory. She’d have to talk to him soon, anyway. Before that, Regina made sure she had a good understanding of their forces’ distribution, then closed her eyes and focused on her psychic senses. She tried to find Marianne once more.

It took longer this time, probably because they’d moved her back. She still seemed healthy and unharmed, if a bit nervous and anxious. She was also growing frustrated because the Esemen wouldn’t talk to her, at least not for anything important. That was the impression Regina got, anyway. She wished she was good enough to get more from it, but at this distance, even if it was someone she knew, she struggled just to assess their overall emotional state.

Either way, they were clearly keeping her around to talk. Regina wondered how the hive defeating the Cernlian-Nerlian army would change their plans. The Esemen had sent a sizeable army, but it wasn’t to the point where they could actually conquer all of Nerlia. She assumed that wasn’t their goal. Although they’d clearly like some land. They might have been trying to sell their aid to the highest bidder, either for gold or concessions. But that would be harder now with the decisive battle between the human allies and her hive already over and decided.

Regina turned her attention away and checked on the larger area. I’ll have to contact Marquis Lyns, too, she recalled with a bit of annoyance. She’d basically won this battle for him. Hopefully he’ll step up, I’m not going to just hand the win to him on a silver platter. Maybe he can capture the king himself.

For a moment, she even wondered if she should ask for further concessions. But, all things considered, there really weren’t any other ones she could demand without ruining Cernlia. Or at least damaging it. And Regina had no intention of letting it become some unstable third-world country with constant regime changes. Even if she didn’t want it as a trade partner or anything, that didn’t tend to make for good neighbors. The civil war is probably enough of an issue. I might have to arrange targeted development help for the rebuilding as well.

Regina shook her head and made herself stop thinking about it. She was tired, too, and she needed a bit of a breather. So, she simply observed as her drones finished up, organizing the new prisoners and taking control of the supply train and the rest of what they’d left behind. She penned a quick letter to Lyns, letting him know what happened, and arranged for a more in-depth conversation later.

Then she was forced to admit that she’d probably procrastinated enough. She had the impression the drones closer to her had talked about what happened as well, including Madris’ words, and their opinions were pretty clear. Unsurprisingly, they differed. Max and Ada had an argument that was just short of a fight, arguing about the relative risk and merit of going with her. Regina tended to be on Ada’s side in this.

Still, she supposed she shouldn’t rely too much on her impression of Madris. Just because the psychic hadn’t attacked her yet didn’t mean she was really trustworthy. And for that matter, how much the other Delvers would follow her decision was an open question. Sure, she was very powerful and led a party that was just as powerful, but she was still a non-human from elsewhere. At least Regina was pretty sure Owin and Gwen would be among those in favor of cooperating.

Regina looked for Madris and set off as it seemed like a good time. The Delver was waiting off to the side, watching some War Drones digging ditches and erecting simple walls to set up an improvised prisoner camp. She turned when she saw Regina coming and inclined her head.

“Hive Queen,” Madris greeted her. “You have come to a decision?”

“Sort of. I’d like to go with you, but I have a few conditions.”

“Of course, I’m all ears.” Madris cocked an eyebrow.

Regina glanced at her ears, wondering if that was supposed to be a pun. Probably. She hadn’t really noticed before, but the dark elf’s ears seemed a bit shorter and broader than the other elves she’d seen. Then she focused on what she was here to talk about. “First of all, I would be bringing a lot of protection. And no, I’m not going to tell you the details.”

“Fair enough,” Madris answered. “That means you will probably outnumber us significantly.”

Regina nodded. “Is it necessary for me to be there in person?”

Madris answered without hesitation. “Perhaps not strictly necessary, but it would be much preferable. I believe you’ll want to see this personally, and it would probably be better for other reasons, as well. I can assure you we will take all necessary precautions to ensure your safety, as well. Not that it would be any more dangerous than a trip about there would usually be.”

Regina nodded again, not surprised to hear that. “Then I’ll want to take you up on your offer of leaving Armin with my hive, if that’s still open. No offense.”

“He is still prepared for it,” she responded calmly. “I can also give you assurances that we will be considering you a guest and give you diplomatic immunity and our protection. I also have formal papers to that effect.”

Regina cocked an eyebrow. They were really serious about this. “It will be common knowledge that I have met with the Delvers, although not where,” she warned her. She didn’t really think so, but if they were planning to betray her, it would seriously damage their reputation if they’d offered formal assurances of guest rights or protection.

Madris didn’t look particularly thrilled, but unconcerned. “If you wish.”

Regina took a deep breath. This was the trickiest part. “There’s one more thing,” she began hesitantly. “When we first met, you wanted to assure yourself of the claims of my origins, of our veracity. I’d like to do the same now, to take a look at your mind.”

Madris didn’t answer for a few seconds. “I am willing to do this reciprocally. If you wish to take a look at the surface levels of my mind, I will do the same regarding yours.” She smiled a little. “I believe this might be a good idea, as it stands. It should help us understand each other. I promise I will not pry into things that are too personal, if you will do the same.”

“Agreed,” Regina answered. She’d half-expected this. “Now?”

“I don’t see why not.”

For a moment, Regina just stared at Madris. She wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but the other woman would presumably know what she was talking about. Tentatively, she reached out with her mind towards Madris’.

It felt like someone grabbed her hand and pulled her closer. Madris was clearly much more skilled at this. Regina felt her mind open up to her, at least somewhat, while at the same time, the dark elf’s presence approached her own mind and started to enter it. She tried to relax and let her in, at least to the surface.

It was fascinating, an experience unlike any she’d had before even with the psychic link. Perhaps it would be different if it wasn’t both of them doing this. She could read Madris’ feelings and surface thoughts, which was a bit strange since the psychic was currently occupied looking at Regina’s own mind, but it was more than that. She felt like she got a sense of who Madris was as a person. It didn’t give her any details, but a general understanding. Her history, what had shaped her into the person she was today, the way she responded to challenges or success, and her current curiosity and determination.

After what felt like much longer than it probably was, they separated, both instinctively recoiling a little. Regina closed her mind down again, trying to relax, even as the connection that had just taken her into Madris’ inner life was cut.

Regina stared at the person opposite her, breathing hard. It would take her a while to process what she’d learned, she realized. She still felt like she understood her much better now, though. And as Madris looked back at her, she could also read her expression much better. She was thoughtful, contemplative, but she also felt a little relieved. It was almost a bit strange for the combative Delver she’d met.

“That was … rather interesting,” Madris said.

“Yeah?” Regina asked, smiling wryly. “What’s my mind like?”

“Odd, but that should not come as a surprise to you,” she replied bluntly. “It’s like there are holes which are somewhat grown over. The combination of a human mind and a Hive Queen is also quite interesting.”

Regina narrowed her eyes. She was sure now, after looking like this, that Madris didn’t plan to betray her trust and hadn’t set some kind of trap for her. “So you believe that part, at least,” she muttered.

“To tell you the truth, I think I did even before coming here,” Madris said. “This certainly feels like confirmation, though. I’m sorry I can’t tell you anything more about your past, however, it simply wasn’t there for me to see.”

“That’s alright.” Regina shook her head. “Well. Shall we make plans?”

And if things went well, maybe she could get Madris to teach her. There was a lot she wanted to learn.