The Bee Dungeon

“Halt.”

Belissar watched from his Tower as two of the skunk people stepped in between the karnuq and the woman at the table. One appeared unarmed, while the other carried a spear that appeared to made of some sort of chitin.

“Present proof that you defend a Sacred Den before you approach.”

Some of the karnuq frowned at the aggressive tone but Chief Rohsuak simply smiled and nodded. Watching from afar, Belissar took that as the signal and sent his command to the soldier bees. The soldier bees gathered into formation and flew as a group, taking up positions around Chief Rohsuak. The other skunk people tensed and held up either their empty hands or the weapons they carried. One of the two in front’s eyes widened and they glanced at their partner, who raised an eyebrow.

“Monster bees?”

Chief Rohsuak held up her hand and, at Belissar’s command, one of the soldier bees landed in it. The calm skunk person watched for a moment before turning and bowing his head towards the woman.

“It appears they speak the truth.”

The woman nodded.

“Let them through.”

“You may pass.”

At that, the two skunk people in the way stepped to either side. Chief Rohsuak stepped forward, one of the soldier bees still in hand. The other soldier bees and karnuq hung back, while Metsaitti stepped forward until he was around the same distance as the two skunk guards.

The skunk woman smiled.

“I am Second Queen Berbiya of Clan Ratuatapi. Who do I speak with?”

Chief Rohsuak smiled back.

“I am Chief Rohsuak of the karnuq, disciple of Fire and sworn defender of Sacred Den Master Belissar.”

She then held up the soldier bee.

“This is one of his defenders, a soldier of his army.”

Second Queen Berbiya nodded.

“Welcome, and thank you for sending your representatives, Sacred Den Master. Please, have a seat.”

Chief Rohsuak sat on a stool around the stone table along with Second Queen Berbiya, placing the soldier bee on top of the table. Second Queen Berbiya motioned and skunk people brought three cups and plates. Chief Rohsuak thanked them and took a sip. The soldier bee extended her proboscis and dipped it into the cup…before rapidly beginning to lap up the liquid within. Belissar made a note to find out what it was. Second Queen Berbiya sipped from her cup as well, watching silently. When Chief Rohsuak made no move towards the food, she placed her cup down and folded her hands across each other on the table in front of her.

“Then, let’s get to it. King Ratuatapi and his people have lived in these halls for many a generation, and you are the first visitors we have had in many years. He wishes to know where you came from, and what the Sacred Den Master’s intentions for this land are.”

Back at home, Belissar’s face scrunched up as he crossed his arms. Chief Rohsuak had told him that in diplomacy, every choice of every word could have specific meanings. Unfortunately, knowing that this queen meant more than what she was saying out loud didn’t mean that Belissar could figure it out. Well, Chief Rohsuak also stated that as a Sacred Den Master he could choose to just ignore all of that and let others adjust to him but he didn’t want to be ignorant forever.

Fortunately, Chief Rohsuak said she would directly share her opinion this time and he heard her voice in his head.

“They are coming out strong, launching directly into the main topic like this. She has attempted to lay claim to authority by mentioning their history in this land and painting us as outsiders.”

“I see…”

Well, he understood, but he didn’t particularly know how to respond to that knowledge. Fortunately, he was not the one speaking.

“Sacred Den Master Belissar has recently begun purifying the Hunger from these lands, and my people have chosen to assist him in this sacred duty. He wishes for little more than mutual respect and, if possible, benefit with those outside his halls.”

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“I see. And what sort of benefit does the Sacred Den Master envision?”

Chief Rohsuak reached into a pouch and pulled out small carvings of wood, stone, and copper the karnuq had prepared.

“An exchange of goods, if King Ratuatapi is open to it.”

Second Queen Berbiya relaxed her expression slightly.

“That could be arranged. King Ratuatapi would be happy to exchange the bounty of our lands…should we achieve the mutual respect you speak of. What does Sacred Den Master Belissar consider respect?”

Chief Rohsuak motioned to the soldier bee still lapping up the drink before her.

“Respect for the lives of all denizens of his Sacred Den and the sanctity of the Sacred Den itself.”

Second Queen Berbiya nodded and narrowed her eyes slightly.

“And the lands beyond?”

Chief Rohsuak grinned at her.

“The Sacred Den Master shall patrol and utilize the lands he purifies as he sees fit to defend his Sacred Den and advance his sacred duty. Regarding King Ratuatapi’s land in particular…he has no designs and will leave you be, provided you do not present a threat to his den or his mission.”

They held eye contact for a second. Second Queen Berbiya nodded slightly.

“Then, allow me to inform you of where King Ratuatapi’s lands lie.”

From then on began an increasingly animated discussion between Chief Rohsuak and the Second Queen that Belissar struggled to follow as they began to discuss the twists and turns of the Underway. After all, borders were not clear lines along flat ground in the deep, where twisting tunnels could loop around, above, and below one another and where mining species could dig new ones at will. Second Queen Berbiya wanted the rot cap field and everything beyond it considered as their land...without mentioning the exact limits of those lands. Chief Rohsuak required more defined borders on the sides of their territory…and pointed out that no territory above ground existed prior to Belissar purifying the area. Second Queen Berbiya countered that demanding King Ratuatapi reveal the full extent of his lands and then denying his people the lands above would threaten their safety. Belissar grew worried as their voices rose, the two woman even shouting at each other at one point, causing the soldier bee to stop drinking and buzz her wings. Chief Rohsuak signaled she had it under control, however, so Belissar kept the bees calm…although he himself was absolutely not.

Eventually, Second Queen Berbiya frowned openly.

“You ask much of us. I will have to speak with the king on this matter.”

Chief Rohsuak gave her a light smirk as she reached into her pouch.

“Very well. But as you speak to your king, keep in mind that we ask for far less than most Sacred Den Masters would demand. And before you go, here, a gift for your king.”

Chief Rohsuak pulled out a small package and slowly unwrapped it. Second Quenn Berbiya’s eyes widened a bit as a small chunk of golden, lightly shimmering honeycomb began to glisten in the light. She quickly glanced at the soldier bee on the table before controlling her expression. Chief Rohsuak smiled at her.

“There are more where both of those came from.”

Second Queen Berbiya stared at her for a moment before nodding to one of her guards, who wrapped up the honeycomb and stored it. She then rose to her feet.

“Then, I will return here two days from now.”

Chief Rohsuak nodded.

“We shall as well.”

Back in his Tower, Belissar let out a sigh. On the bright side, things had not come to blows so far. But on the other hand, the talks had not concluded with an agreement, so he could not relax yet. And now he had to wait another two days before the talks resumed. He groaned at that.

Why did this all have to be so complicated?

Second Queen Berbiya now stood before a half-circle of stone thrones, each occupied save for her own just left of the center. It was rare for the whole royal family to gather, but her report today was that important. After all, what occurred next could seal the fate of their people.

On the throne to the right of the center sat the First Queen, her face now wrinkling with age, though she still held herself straight and tall. All the other queens held their tongues until she spoke.

“…so this Sacred Den Master may have designs on our lands after all?”

Second Queen Berbiya frowned.

“His envoy left it open. She emphasized trade and said he would leave us alone…but also said that he’d do anything necessary for his mission.”

On throne on the edge of the circle, a young queen dressed in armor instead of silk scowled.

“That is unacceptable. They could justify anything they wanted as ‘necessary’ and invade us at will. If that is their condition, then we cannot trust them. I say we strike now, while the Sacred Den is still young. We could lose everything if we do not act quickly.”

The First Queen did not react but looked to Second Queen Berbiya with a calm expression.

“Pezuya has a point. What do you think, Berbiya? Do you believe we should fight?”

Second Queen Berbiya shook her head.

“I would not recommend it. The Sacred Den Master sent monster bees as large as my hand.”

Pezuya scoffed.

“That is to our advantage. They will be lost in the dark and cramped in the tunnels. Easy prey for us.”

Second Queen Berbiya shook her head again.

“If they attack us, then yes, they did not look comfortable underground. But that means that the Sacred Den is up above, isn’t it? Will we be able to defeat a swarm of flying monsters up in the open sky? If we mean to attack, that is what we’ll have to do. On the other hand…if they do betray us, we should be able to defend ourselves down below as you have said, correct?”

Pezuya glared at her.

“For now. But the Sacred Den will only grow if we do not deal with it, so we may not have a choice later. And we have not shed the blood of generations building our civilization here just to bow to another Sacred Den Master in the end. I will not stand idly by and just let them do as they please!”

The First Queen shook her head.

“It is not your decision to make, Pezuya.”

The First Queen hummed and rubbed her chin before turning to the throne at the center of the room, whose occupant had so far remained silent.

“That is the situation, my lord. What is your will?”

All others fell silent as King Ratuatapi opened his mouth…

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