The Young Warrior: A Stroke Of Luck

“Now that we know Pharynx is going to be okay, I-I think we should try to find out where these rogue unreformed changelings came from.” Ocellus suggested as she, Apex, and Thorax left Pharynx’s room.

“I know, but we don’t have any leads anyway. Most of the guards are too scared to go out and search.” Thorax replied.

“Reasonable. Following the logic that if these unreforms were able to injure Pharynx that badly, they wouldn’t stand a chance.” Hunter spoke up, trotting up to join the three. “Sorry about the interruption, Thorax, but I actually just came back from scouting where Pharynx fought those changelings.”

“You did?” Thorax blinked, and Hunter nodded, pulling his crossbow off his back and holding it in one hoof – the appropriate stance for speaking to royalty.

“As you know, I’m one of the only competent soldiers left now, and I figured since Pharynx was out of commission I should do what he would want done and survey the area where the fight took place.”

“Full repor’ Hun’er.” Apex ordered, and Hunter nodded at the little nymph respectfully. Hunter was a more experienced warrior, and Pharynx would often defer leadership to him when needed, but Apex was the deputy, so his word was still law.

“I scouted the area for any suspicious activity, but found nothing. It seems the attack was a hit and run. They waited for one of the royal family to arrive, then struck. I found an arrow in a tree, probably misfired, and a broken arrow on the ground, likely the one that actually struck its mark.” Hunter produced the two arrows from under his carapace, laying them out on the ground.

“An’thing else?” Apex asked

“Aside from dried blood and dents in the trees from where they either put Pharynx or he put them, no. Although… I did find this.” Hunter held up the folded blanket Ocellus had left after pulling it from under Pharynx.

“That’s the thing that Pharynx’s head was propped up on.” Ocellus noted.

“Which is weird. Attackers wouldn’t have done that.” Hunter pointed out, unfolding the blanket. As he did, a golden flash caught Thorax’s attention. He lifted the blanket up in his magic, examining it.

It was only a golden swirl of fabric in one corner of the brown blanket. He blinked in confusion and put it down, sighing. “There was no clue where this came from at all?”

“I could only tell it’s been unfolded and folded in this same style multiple times, as if it was being used regularly. Probably being slept on by someone.” Hunter replied.

“And the changelings couldn’a d’opped i’ in the fight. They wouldn’ve brought an’thing unnec’sary.” Apex added.

“I agree. So either this is some form of freaky magic… or someone else was there with Pharynx between the attack and when you three showed up.” Hunter concluded.

“But if they were friendly enough to give Pharynx this blanket then why didn’t they show themselves when we arrived?” Ocellus asked.

“Maybe they just didn’t want to be found.” Hunter shrugged. “Who knows, they could be like Thorax, Pharynx, and Apex were. Rogues who weren’t sure if they would be welcomed anywhere.”

As Apex slung the blanket over his back, Ocellus hummed thoughtfully. “Do you think they’re worth looking into…?”

“Not at the moment. Whoever it was didn’t seem to harm Pharynx in any way, so they likely don’t pose a threat.” Hunter told her, looking back at Apex and Thorax. “In the meantime, what should we do about investigating the unreforms?”

“Ge’ some of the o’er good soldiers to help you search around the border. Repor’ the second you find an’thing that looks suspicious. Also put some scoutlings ‘round the Hive so they can warn us.” Apex instructed, and Hunter nodded, saluting him.

“Right away, Apex-legatus.” Hunter bowed to his King before trotting off. Thorax paid him no mind, though, instead smiling softly at his nymph.

“Good job Apex.”

“I'm just doin’ what Uncle Pharynx would wan’.” Apex objected, but Ocellus hugged him.

“Yes, but it’s your command! Good job!”

Apex giggled and squirmed in protest as Ocellus began to nuzzle him. Thorax smiled sadly as he watched his son, a melancholic thought drifting into his mind long enough to halt the momentary happiness.

“Apex is a wonderful deputy, and he’ll make a great general one day… I just wish he were leading now under different circumstances.”

Thorax sighed sadly, but managed a proud smile as Apex looked up at him. He picked the nymph up, nuzzling him.

“Come on my little warrior, let’s go get a snack, then we’ll see about investigating those rogues.”

“Okay!”

Thorax smiled softly and carried the youngling off, Ocellus following behind. Soon after, they were seated in the throne room, going over all the records of the reformed changelings and comparing them to old records from when the Hive was unreformed.

“Not a single changeling is missing from the roster. We actually added some since new nymphs have been born.” Ocellus said, scanning through the records.

“Then where did these changelings come from?” Thorax murmured.

“Wai’ a minute.” Apex dragged over a file labeled Fatalities and opened it. “...Papa Thorax, Celly, how many of these ‘re confirm’ed?”

Ocellus reached over and took the file, opening it and scanning the contents. “Wait… I think you’re onto something Apex. Some of these deaths are unconfirmed because they happened during battles and no bodies were ever recovered… what if…”

“They were just hiding out until someone found them, and they were found!” Thorax finished the thought.

“By Chrysalis herself or a high ranking general, no doubt.” Ocellus added, shutting the file with a soft hiss. “That’s why they suddenly attacked– they had a leader.”

“Ocellus, cross-reference the unconfirmed deaths with what we know now. That should give us an estimate of how many could be out there.” Thorax instructed, and Ocellus nodded. “Apex, could you help Hunter with organizing the more capable guards into regular patrols?”

“Yes Papa Thorax!”

“Thank you sweetie.”

“What will you be doing then, Thorax?” Ocellus asked, and Thorax sighed.

“The only things I can do. Keep everyone’s hopes up, and pray Pharynx wakes up soon.” He trailed off, mumbling to himself as he looked away from the nymphs. “He’s the only one who knows the full story of what happened…”

Ocellus looked at Apex, and the pair shared looks of concern. They could see the lines under Thorax’s eyes, sure signs of fatigue and stress.

“Papa Thorax?” Apex asked hesitantly.

“Yes Apex?”

“Maybe you shoul’ go sleep?” Apex asked, trotting over and nuzzling his father’s hoof. “Y-You haven’ slept a lot.”

Thorax sighed and nodded. “You’re right, I should get some rest, I just… I really want to be alert in case something happens.”

“We could come get you if anything drastic occurs.” Ocellus suggested.

However, something happened at that moment which rendered her offer quite pointless. Cilia and Needle came running into the throne room, catching their attention. The two medics skidded to a halt in the doorway, Cilia panting for breath.

“C-Cilia? Needle? What’s–?”

“It’s Pharynx!” Cilia gasped out, cutting off Thorax in her hurry to tell them.

“W-What about him? Is he alright?!” Thorax asked immediately.

“He’s fine, your highness.” Needle said, instinctually calling Thorax by his royal title, too frantic to make the correction. “He’s waking up!”