The Empire with its assorted territories and interests was large enough now that it was actually starting to come up to the end of Regina’s range. Said range had not really grown substantially in a while, either. She wasn’t sure if it was simply a matter of scaling to exponential growth, if she needed to increase her hive exponentially for the range to double again, or if it was running up against some inherent limits.

  Or, perhaps, it was a matter of age. She was still technically only a few years old. It would make sense for something like this to grow with age.

  Perhaps the soft limit of her range increased with her age and level and the actual extent was decided by her drones. Either way, Regina knew that it wasn’t a perfect sphere, or even a circle. There were dents and bumps, for lack of a better word, where there were large aggregations of drones, the area covered by the psychic link stretching and shifting accordingly.

  Regardless, it limited her reach where she really wanted to look, where she could send few drones. A few across the Alps certainly wasn’t enough to let her psychic link reach there. The enemy territories to the northwest and northeast were still partly beyond her reach as well. Regina would just have to trust in Tim and the others to do what they could.

  She’d prepared what she thought might be helpful and sent them reinforcements with instructions that were hopefully enough to cover their bases but still open-ended enough to grant them flexibility.

  Now all she could do was wait for news.

  To distract herself from driving herself crazy with questions about what they might find at the actual Hivekind base and who was trying to use it or for what, Regina threw herself into her other projects. She wasn’t exactly lacking for those.

  Janis had returned to the capital for a brief while, to work on integrating the newly restructured Imperial military, but she would leave for the Gnomish Confederation again soon. It was honestly a weight off Regina’s mind that she didn’t have to worry too much about the details on that front. Either of those things, actually. The Confederation had been pretty quiet so far, clearly falling in line under Aliekin’s guidance even as their elections were being prepared, and the rapproachment with the Empire was going well. Mia and the others had already started learning from gnomish artifacts and books and incorporating insights into the hive’s production. At the same time, drones and other scholars had been sent out to share their own technology and build lasting cooperations. And their soldiers had settled down as well.

  Regina also enjoyed spending a bit of time with Janis during her visit, even if she had to carve the time out of her busy schedule. It was still a little weird to hear her talk about visiting her aunt, though.

  Apparently, said aunt wanted a job as Janis’ household manager or something similar. Janis was unsure and had asked Regina about it. “I’m not sure I really want to be living in such close proximity to her again,” she confessed, winding a strand of hair around her finger. “But I have been missing her the last few months. Still, I don’t really know what I could even offer her.”

  “I think it’s best not to rush that, especially given the situation,” Regina had advised. “You’re going to go back to the Gnomish Confederation soon, anyway. For which I’m grateful. It might be best to delay it until you’ve completed your tasks there and return on a more permanent basis. Maybe, if all goes ideally, we can even start thinking about moving to the new capital at some point, which would probably require a reorganization of our ‘household’ setup, anyway.”

  “Makes sense,” Janis blew out a breath. “Thanks, Regina. So, you’re not intending to keep me in the Gnomish Confederation permanently. I’d assumed as much.”

  “No, I need you too much,” Regina replied with a grin. “I’d like you there right now because I can’t go myself. That doesn’t mean you need to be stuck with the gnomes.”

  Janis smiled and nodded, and Regina could faintly sense she was pleased at the implied trust and validation. They didn’t speak more of it that day.

  Since she was there, Regina also took the opportunity to devote some time to practicing magic and training with Janis. Her ordinary magic had suffered a bit from her focus on the psychic arts, so it was just what she needed to refresh herself. Janis had also made impressive progress, even if she complained about not getting enough time to focus on her magic. The Class choice of Archmage had really worked out for her, Regina felt. Which didn’t necessarily mean it was the best choice to keep it for the fourth tier, but Regina wasn’t going to harp on Janis’ choices.

  Eventually, though, Janis returned, and Regina focused on her actual students when she wasn’t busy with her duties to the Empire.

  There were half a dozen of them now, give or take a few that might not properly count. Regina was feeling pessimistic about a few of them, who didn’t seem to make any progress trying to learn to reach out psychically, and probably just didn’t have the talent she’d hoped for. But it might still prove to be otherwise in time, so she’d keep them trying for now. There were a few others who had achieved some progress. They might still stall out at a later point, as Madris had warned, but even then, it at least wouldn’t be a wasted effort. Regina was starting to have June train the others, too, even without her supervision on occasion.

  She wasn’t really sure what to do with them in the long term. She could create some kind of psychic corps for the Empire, but Regina could see a lot of problems with that. She also wasn’t feeling like taking on several new apprentices, either, though. That didn’t give her an obvious answer, especially since they would need to be integrated into the official structure somehow.

  Perhaps the easiest solution, she realized in a flash of inspiration, was to have them join the hive. But while she wouldn’t dismiss the possibility, she certainly wasn’t going to do it before she was absolutely sure she could trust them and they’d proven themselves.

  So, for now, the new students were living in the palace, and going about their usual duties or receiving other eduction when they weren’t learning psychic skills. Regina had touched each of their minds — after asking permission, obviously — and was confident they were reasonably trustworthy. Most of them seemed to consider it an honor to be here, and while there were inevitably a few issues with adjusting, they didn’t make trouble. It probably helped that none of them were from exceptionally powerful backgrounds.

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  The most issues might actually be relating to Madris, who was also taking part in teaching sometimes and could admittedly be abrasive with strangers.

  “You’re sure you don’t want a larger role in their education?” Regina asked her as they stood together on a balcony looking down on the inner courtyard garden, which had become an unofficial practice spot for the group.

  Madris shook her head. “There’s a reason I only rarely taught anyone,” she said. “I only enjoy it in reasonably small doses. Besides, these are your people. You’re certainly proficient enough to teach a psychic hopeful the basics without my help.”

  “Well, thanks,” Regina answered. “Are you not getting bored, though?”

  Madris chuckled. “Not enough to change my mind. Besides, I’ve been helping Icnes to shore up her mental defenses, and she’s talked me into teaching some of her people, as well.”

  Regina paused for a moment. That could be innocent enough, but she suspected there might be a reason why Icnes might want people loyal to her taught how to defend their minds. Or just to have them spend more time with Madris, even, come to think of it. “Whatever is going on with you guys .. I don’t want to meddle in your personal affairs. Or political affairs. But, you will tell me if it’s something I should know, right?”

  Madris regarded her silently for a moment. “If there was anything going on, I’m sure it would be a private matter of the Eternal Dark or the dark elves, and not something I should necessarily inform a foreign Empress about, at least at this point, out of consideration to everyone.”

  “I understand. Then I’m just happy you get to spend more time with your little sister.”

  It was probably better if she could honestly claim she didn’t know anything. Even if Regina suspected Madris, Icnes and their supporters were preparing some political moves. That was, strictly speaking, their business, though. Regina didn’t know enough to tell what kind of moves they would even consider, although she doubted they would be violent. If they succeeded, it would presumably only move their people closer to an alliance. And if they failed, it would decrease the chances of that; but, honestly, Regina wouldn’t lose that much — it wasn’t like the dark elves were particularly close to the Empire, in either a political and geographical sense.

  She was probably better advised to focus on diplomatic relationships with or political developments in nations that were closer and more threatening, like Esemen and the Western Confederation.

  “What about your other little problem?” Madris asked, clearly changing the subject and inadvertently getting closer to what she was considering. “The little spy still hasn’t sung yet?”

  Regina grimaced. “I’ve taken a look at their mind,” she admitted, “just without trying to force entry. He’s definitely been taught some mental defense, and is keeping the shields up now. They must also have trained him to resist interrogation. Conventionally, I mean. Our interrogators haven’t been able to get anything of substance, yet, and investigation into his background is also still ongoing.”

  “Then it’s not just a random servant they bribed, clearly. Do you want me to try?”

  She gave Madris a look. “That would hardly be better than doing it myself.”

  “Alright,” Madris waved her off. “I admire your commitment to ethics. Although, honestly, I wouldn’t have expected you to be this intransigent — Ah,” she cut herself off, looking down at the students in the garden again. “You’re trying to set a good example, aren’t you?”

  “Maybe.” Regina sighed. She shouldn’t be surprised that Madris could see through her this easily. And she had to wonder if she was right, and she’d have been more … flexible if she didn’t have this consideration. She suspected so.

  They said knowing yourself was half the battle, or how did that go again? Right … she’d prefer not to have to fight a hundred battles anyway.

  “Are you going to respond in kind, then?” Madris asked. “Put more effort into spying on your enemies?”

  “I think I’ll have to,” Regina pulled a face. “I need to know what’s going on in those countries. I’ll send more spies. I don’t like the risk it means for those of my people who are involved, but I suppose that’s just the way it goes. If they freely agree to take the risk …”

  “As long as you can trust them,” Madris muttered. “But I assume you’re going to personally check on anyone in a sensitive position or anyone who you will try to place in one, won’t you?”

  “If feasible, yes,” Regina confirmed. “But it won’t always be possible. If a junior agent in Liongen sees an opportunity and is suddenly in a much better position, we can hardly ask them to come back to Cera for an interview. It’s a shame that I can’t travel easily.” She looked at Madris.

  The dark elf huffed. “So you want my help, is that it?” She glanced down again. “And I assume this is part of what your students will be doing eventually. Well, you realize it’s somewhat odd to have compunctions about using psychic abilities to peer into people’s minds and violate their privacy when you also send people to spy on them and ferret out their secrets and by definition violate their privacy?”

  Regina rolled her eyes. “Obviously. But it’s different using it on my own citizens or as part of intelligence operations against other nations. It’s not like I’m fundamentally opposed to using my abilities for intelligence gathering … despite moral compunctions.” She shrugged. “Besides, you have emphasized ethics and restraint in teaching me, so don’t pretend you’re above such concerns.”

  Madris laughed. “Oh, I’m certainly not. To the chagrin of some of my fellows. But what I felt forced to do in war …” she trailed off, shrugging. “There are lines. It’s good if you know where they are. Ours won’t be precisely the same, and we might fight about it on occasion in the future, but at least I trust you to not to throw morals out the window for power, Regina. See that doesn’t change.”

  “Of course,” Regina muttered.

  She was aware that Madris was still the better psychic, and would remain so for a while no matter how well Regina progressed. There was just no making up for the wealth of experience she possessed. Although she didn’t have the strength of the psychic link. Still, Regina trusted Madris. And, while Regina was an empress with impressive physical defenses and guards at her disposal … if Madris ever really felt forced to stop her, she probably could.

  On the other hand, Regina was starting to think it might be true the other way around, too. Even if she wasn’t as good as Madris, she had her own strengths, and the allegiance of a lot of people. Even the best psychic couldn’t control everyone in a city at once. As far as she knew.

  "Where’s the upper limit on psychic power?” she asked.

  “Interesting question,” Madris mused. “Perhaps you’ll be the one to find out.”

  Regina snorted. “Somehow, I doubt that,” she said drily. “If nothing else, my lifespan is limited.”

  “True,” Madris conceded. “Well, I will tell you that I have never encountered a psychic that I know was stronger than I am now, but that does not mean there isn’t one, or hasn’t been. And even with all my centuries, I am still getting better, if slowly. I imagine if your friend Galatea has any talent for it and devoted herself to the psychic arts, she might eclipse both of us one day. She would have all the time in the world.”

  Regina hummed thoughtfully. It was weird to think about it; that Galatea was apparently immortal, while she would die in a century or so, assuming that guess was at all accurate. Yet another thing for the list of what she wanted to ask Leian. At least it was one question she was confident she could answer.

  “But there’s no inherent limit?”

  “Not as far as I know,” Madris said, regarding her thoughtfully. “It’s like a lot of other magic. We are only mortal and by nature limited. Mental capacity and focus, distance, available mana … all of it constrains us. You have an advantage in some areas, considering your Hive Queen nature, but you are also the nexus for your psychic link and need to constantly bear its weight.”

  Regina nodded. She was mostly aware of that already. It was still nice to get an answer from her teacher.

  And she felt pleased at the answer. Inherent limitations or not, she wanted to explore … she wanted to find the limits. Maybe not of psychic ability in general, but at least push her own limits.