Along the bottom of the pillar, built into it, were what looked like the hills his kin made every summer. A facade of hills that had the colour of roses, and they curved their way around. The pattern must ring itself around the pillar. Ant pinched at the pillar and his two eyes gleamed with sunlight when it crumbled off and into his mouth. He swallowed. His body was flooded with energy. He was vibrating. His body knew what his mind suspected...the tower was filled with the stuff of diamonds, the diamonds of their dreams, the diamonds that sustained them during the months without sun or wind or moon.
If he brought some to Queen, then she would send an army to get the rest. Yes, it would be the expedition that future generations would sing about. They would whisper his name like a god's name is whispered. Children would be named after him. Cities would be built in his honour. He would be the champion of their kind, a hero above heroes, an explorer of the bravest category.
He could become king, even! He would take his seat alongsi--
