Growth.

Prosperity.

Industry.

Advancement.

Hallownest experienced it all just in young Calidae's lifetime. By the time her wings could lift her of the ground, her father's agility program had been tightly woven in the training curriculum at the Hallowcrest military base. The wealthy of Hallowcrest kept trade flowing strong. Granted it was mostly to the city. But their appetites did keep the wheels of economy turning.

By the time Lucan and his family were relocated to an outpost in the Fungal Caverns, a massive deposit of crystal had been discovered in the crystal mines. Shortly after the miners were astonished when they broke through to a series of new tunnels and new veins. Industry, processing and refinement exploded in the area. Soon after the place known only as 'The Mines' was officially renamed Crystal Peak and considered its own territory due to its newly discovered size. By the time Lucan had finished at the outpost, hardworking miners had broken through to the surface world, a whole new and strange place to most bugs. Also at this time stagway stations had been finished across Hallownest. Bugs were going crazy, so excited to see new places so rapidly, communicate quickly and establish new trade arrangements. The stags were a hard working race of large beetles. They kept the kingdom connected and were as proud as any soldier to serve in this way.

Immediately after the outpost, the base of Fog Canyon asked Lucan to return. The timing couldn't have been more perfect for Callie was old enough to attend school. So close to the Archive, Fog Canyon was the best place to get an education.

By the time the Fog Canyon assignment was finished a great celebration had been held in honor of the queen. The claimed land west of Greenpath had been long-readied to be presented to her. The Mosskin had gently been parting paths to make clear ways while honoring all green and growing things. Marissa had been invited to sing at the grand revealing. Right away she sent word to Duva, asking and insisting she be part of her chorus. Duva's dream of performing before royalty was at last realized.

What was next for Lucan was a prime example of how things can come full circle; he was called back to his home town. His methods had not only succeeded in increasing soldier agility as a whole but had led to the refining of other areas of training. They wanted him back to share what experience had shown them and perhaps work further refinements into the program.

His return surprised many. Well, to the naysayers back in the day mostly. The beetle and the butterfly were still going strong and they had a daughter.

All the while young Callie was growing up strong. As soon as she was old enough Lucan had begun teaching her the basics of combat. She took to it like a spider to spinning. Once steady on her little feet, Duva taught her daughter to dance. As she grew into herself one could easily see most of her passions, hobbies and interests were directly inspired by either or both of her parents fairly equally.

With the stagways finished Lucan's family had took the opportunity to meet and visit their granddaughter and niece for the first time. All old doubts and hesitations had long since been buried and forgotten. In fact, Olypha was engaged to her secret dragonfly! At the wedding Callie fluttered down the aisle scattering tiny leaves and petals.

Nacus had once promised he would be Callie's favorite uncle no matter what. The way he doted on her during the few visits he could make because of his duties did well to secure that position. It worked. Callie adored her uncle.

Several times Duva's carnival family traveled through or near where she and her family were stationed. Naturally the opportunity was seized to reunite and allow Callie to know her other grandparents.

Now, we will begin to slow the telling of Callies' story. At this point she was almost old enough to officially join the ranks. Lucan had told his daughter it was never too early to seriously consider what her aim for future service might be. For a solid week afterward it was all she could talk about.

"I suppose since I can fly I would be good as a wandering scout. I'd be able to see the kingdom, report unique findings and help anyone I find along the way. Maybe I'll find something no one else has! Maybe it could help all bugkind! Oh...what if I were to find another territory that could become part of Hallownest?"

"What has to be done to train as a beastmaster?"

"I will be the greatest warrior Hallownest has ever seen. I'll earn a position at the Palace to serve at the feet of the king and queen. Maybe one day as their personal guard! What if-what if when not standing on watch duty I could sing for the queen and her court!"

Fired up by the possibilities Callie took to practicing every spare moment she had (when not indulging her love of art with her mother of course). Anyone who knew the family fondly often shook their head and smiled. She really was her fathers daughter.

"Darling, you're home."

"Da! Why are you back so late? We were just about to eat without you."

"I'm glad I didn't miss the chance to dine with my beautiful ladies."

"What held you up?" Callie asked again, laying out the plates and sitting down at the dinner table.

"It is something big," Duva said, pouring everyone a drink before sitting down herself.

"I haven't even said anything yet."

"You have tells, my love, when you are holding in something exciting."

"Are you suggesting I am that transparent?"

"In such an instance as this? As a fly's wings."

"You know me too well. And you! Stop giggling!"

Which of course, did nothing to actually stop the giggling.

"Well, then, I suppose my news can wait."

"No, no, no! I'll stop. So what happened?"

"Eh, perhaps it is best to wait until after dinner anyway. I doubt anyone will have much of an appetite after. How inconsiderate would that be to waste one of your mothers fine meals?"

"That's mean," Callie scowled. "Now I want to know even more."

"My love, you have once again seasoned this meal to perfection, thank you."

"It's no use, Callie. He's just going to pretend he never said anything now."

"Mother, how fast can one eat before it's considered rude?"

"It will do no good. Surely he intends to savor every bite to prolong the suspense."

"Elgh, you're right."

Lucan only sighed contently. "Could anything be better than a bug warm in his home, eating a fine meal with his beautiful family?"

"And you are also right, he is being mean."

"Alright, dinner is finished and the table cleaned up. C'mon, Da. Tell us what happened."

"I don't know. Perhaps it is better to wait until morning. There's no way you will sleep soundly once you know it."

"As opposed to not sleeping from anticipation? And I'm including you as well," Duva took her husbands' arm and leaned her weight into him. "Can you really hold onto a big secret you are just bursting to tell?"

"Again, you know me too well. C'mere." Lucan held his arms over his wife and daughter. "I have received transfer orders," He squeezed their shoulders. "To the Palace!"

"WHAT!" Callie jumped back.

Duva gasped sharply, her hands snapped over her mouth. "You don't mean-?"

"The Military Academy at the Palace. Teaching in the shadow of the home of the king."

"Oh Lucan," Duva breathed. "The Palace…"

"It was the king that gave his instruction and blessing to continue my program since I first saw his greatness at Fog Canyon. I was told a report was sent to the Palace at the end of every academy year with my progress, those of my students of that year and theirs in the years after. With so many strong reports, those results are now sought at the Palace academy itself."

"When do we leave?" Callie asked, holding her father's arm and hopping up and down.

"As soon as we get our affairs in order here," Lucan told his girls. "Lodging has already been prepared for us to move in once we get there."

"What's the Palace like?" Asked an awed Callie.

"Honestly? I'm not sure. I've only heard stories. Though, contrary to the name, 'The Palace' refers to the city itself. The White Palace is the dwelling of the king and queen."

"When will you begin to teach?" Duva asked.

"When their academy year begins." Lucan answered. "There is only about a week before the year ends down there so we will have time to get settled before work begins."

"Wait," Callie fluttered her wings so she was eye level with her father. "If we're down there at the same time the academy year begins...and I'm now old enough to join the service-?"

"That may just mean exactly what you think it does."

Bouncing off the walls takes on a whole new dimension when the subject of the phrase can fly.

"There are different standards of acceptance for getting into the royal academies," Lucan tried to continue explaining. "If you can't get in this year there is another base in the Ancient's Basin just outside the royal city. If, for whatever reason, you couldn't get in one year, reapplication is an option for the year after," He turned to Duva. "That's partly what took me so long to get home."

"You were working to get her enrolled already?" Duva asked, understanding his tone.

"I love you, Da!"

Callie hugged her father tightly, powder-blue wings fluttering non-stop with joy.

"Tomorrow we'll get to work closing things up, saying goodbyes and packing up so-C-Callie! I said tomorrow!"