The Bee Dungeon

Belissar now planned to let the gardeners handle planting for the Fairy Grove, but he at least checked the flower and resource plants lists to see if there was anything new. There wasn’t…but, curiously, the Fairy Grove could grow every plant and mushroom he had available. Mushrooms otherwise limited to subterranean environments would work as long he place them in the shade, Ground and Fire mana flowers could grow without any increase in mana cost, and even the underworld phlox previously limited to the area around the Memorial was available. In fact, all of the plants and mushrooms could be grown here for their base cost, save one.

Manage flower types? Available types:

- Mana Flower (Mana upkeep: 3, 1 due to suitable environment)

Available Resource Plants for Fairy Grove:

- Mana Flower (Mana Upkeep: 5 per node, 3 due to suitable environment)

Mana flowers were notably cheaper here, the first time he had seen their upkeep change. Between that and the Fairy Grove’s ability to grow every other plant, Belissar was tempted to replace the foraging rooms of his Tower, if not for the unpredictable nature of the room and its own high mana cost.

In any case, Belissar went ahead and enabled mana flowers since the room seemed so favorable to them, though he held off on resource patches for the time being. Some mana flowers began sprouting immediately by the fairy circle he was watching, attracting the worker bees’ attention. Belissar smiled at that and then made his way out of the room…keeping close watch through his Tower sight to ensure he was headed the right way…

The night’s purification featured two small bird shades, which were ironically tougher than their larger counterpart. They both managed to fly through the Dirt Tunnels without being caught in any of the traps…only to find the soldier bee army waiting for them. The soldier bees’ training paid off and they were able to form two encirclements around each of the small birds and bring them down. He ended selecting mana again today, wanting to ensure he had enough to add features to the Fairy Grove if needed. And with that, the day came to a close.

Which meant that it was now time for Chief Rohsuak to meet the skunk people once again. Belissar moved the Lava Field to the side of the battle meadow as he had before so that the karnuq could leave without crossing burning rivers, and then they were off.

They safely made their way into the Underway and to the rot cap field, where they found the skunk people waiting for them. Second Queen Berbiya stood with a serious expression on her face.

“You’re here, good. If you don’t mind, let’s begin right away.”

Chief Rohsuak raised an eyebrow but sat down at the table, along with one of the soldier bees. The soldier bee glanced around but no beverages were brought out this time. Second Queen Berbiya glanced around at the guards around her before taking a deep breath. Chief Rohsuak broke the silence first.

“Is something the matter? Forgive me but you seem a bit tense.”

Second Queen Berbiya locked eyes on Chief Rohsuak.

“A great deal rests upon the outcome of our talk today, Chief Rohsuak.”

Chief Rohsuak nodded.

“Indeed. Then, shall we get started?”

Second Queen Berbiya nodded back, taking another deep breath.

“King Ratuatapi has considered your terms and offers this. He is willing to define and map out the current boundaries of his territory, including a reasonable buffer and room for future expansion. He is willing to concede ownership of the surface to the Sacred Den Master but demands that no settlements be established above his lands without his approval. He likewise demands that he be prioritized and granted first offer should the Sacred Den Master seek to give away those lands to others. He is willing to open up a friendly trade relationship. But, in turn, he demands that his sovereignty over his lands be respected in full, and that the Sacred Den Master agree not to interfere with or encroach upon them, even should the Sacred Den Master consider it important to either his defense or his mission. He requires a promise in the name of the Sacred Den Master’s patron that the Sacred Den Master and his servants will never violate our borders under any circumstances, save by explicit invitation of King Ratuatapi himself, and the kings that will succeed him. Is the Sacred Den Master willing to accept these terms?”

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Chief Rohsuak folded her hands. Second Queen Berbiya glanced at the soldier bee before holding Chief Rohsuak’s gaze and diverting no further.

“Well, Sacred Den Master Belissar, are you willing to accept this?”

Back at the Tower, Belissar rubbed his chin and frowned.

“Um, I mean it sounds ok? We get the surface and trade as long as we don’t mess with them, right? And…something seems weird here, right?”

Chief Rohsuak showed no change on her face even as she replied.

“Yes, though you would have to give up all claim to their current territory. There is a risk to allowing someone to do as they please within your Sacred Den’s territory…but I agree that something is not right here. Look closely at the Second Queen.”

Belissar did as Chief Rohsuak suggested. Second Queen Berbiya was keeping her face mostly expressionless and gazing intently at Chief Rohsuak…but as Belissar focused in he caught a faint quiver to her eyes.

“She’s…afraid?”

“That’s my understanding as well. Moreover, she is not managing to hide it from us. She has also skipped all hospitality and maneuvering to present her king’s terms immediately.”

Belissar furrowed his brow.

“And what does that mean?”

Chief Rohsuak remained quiet for a moment before replying.

“The situation may be dangerous so I will speak plainly. I feel that she has a time limit to get us to agree and there will be an outcome she wants to avoid if she fails. And given the terms she’s emphasizing…they may launch an attack against you if you reject these terms for fear that you intend to conquer them, either now or in the future.”

Belissar quickly shook his head.

“I don’t! Um, shouldn’t we agree then?! And quickly?!”

Chief Rohsuak didn’t reply right away. But then, she slowly began to nod. Second Queen Berbiya held her breath.

“Yes, I agree if you wish to avoid a conflict. It is not always wise to do so, especially due to ultimatums but…in this case, the terms are mostly acceptable and include reasonable compromises. The promise they ask for, though, means that you will never be able to go back on your word, so make certain that this is something you will not change your mind on.”

Belissar took a deep breath, holding his chest to try and still his pounding heart. What was there to think on? Was he going to change his mind in the future when war was the alternative? He didn’t see a reason to refuse, particularly not in this circumstance! But Chief Rohsuak had gone out of her way to caution him while she was the one sitting right in front of the skunk people that might attack her, so Belissar tried to calm down and consider it as she said.

He thought over Second Queen Berbiya’s words. He wouldn’t be able to enter their land without permission. At first, he didn’t see why he’d want to…until he considered that it would include his bees. So, for example, if they found a flower they liked but that was on the other side of the border, he’d have to ask for permission before his bees could forage from it. And for the no settlements on the surface above…maybe that would include beehives? So, no hives there without permission? If he thought about it like that he guessed there was a downside after all. He didn’t like the idea of restricting his bees in the land that they had fought to purify. And the skunk people would attack them over that? Just over the possibility that Belissar might do something to them, when they knew nothing about him and he had no reason to do so? That thought made Belissar clench his teeth.

But was he going to risk a war over it? Was he going to watch bees die to the skunk people just in case they one day found a flower the skunk people wouldn’t let them have? No, he was not. At the end of the day, Belissar wanted them to leave his Tower and his bees alone. So, it only made sense that he agree to do the same.

“Yes. Do it.”

Chief Rohsuak made a smile.

“The Sacred Den Master finds those terms acceptable, at least as a starting point. We'll need to discuss the details further before he makes any oaths but you can consider his response as favorable.”

Second Queen Berbiya spun around to look at one of the skunk people, who took off running into the tunnel they came from. She then turned around and let out a huge sigh, allowing her shoulders to droop in the process.

“Thank you, Chief Rohsuak, and Sacred Den Master. I’m immeasurably pleased to hear that.”

She then waved and the skunk people brought out drinks like last time. A small corner of Belissar’s mouth curled up as he watched the soldier bee immediately scramble over and begin drinking from hers.

Yes, at the end of the day, Belissar just wanted his bees to be happy and safe. So, the last thing he wanted was for them to die in a fight he could avoid. If he could save his bees, then the skunk people could keep whatever land for all he cared. He had everything he needed right in his Tower.

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