The Bee Dungeon

Tarwantrad’s eyes sparkled as she took in the interior of the Bee Barracks.

“Incredible, so there are different types of soldier? That one lacks a stinger, is it for another purpose? That big one…looks like it would be good at charging, or likely diving if it can still fly. And…if I’m seeing this correct, there is more than one queen and hive in this home?”

Belissar nodded.

“Yeah, all of the queens in this room live here.”

Tarwantrad’s eyes went even wider.

“Amazing…did you command them so? It was my impression that individual hives treat each other as rivals?”

The Firstborn was the one who answered.

“Is hive of hives! All bees serve King, all hives King’s hives, so all hives work together!”

Tarwantrad blinked.

The Firstborn danced a salute dance. Tarwantrad glanced at Belissar with a smile.

“That’s incredible.”

Belissar fidgeted, unsure of how to respond to this turn of events.

“This is…the Hive of the Fallen, you say?”

Beero danced her confirmation and Tarwantrad rubbed her chin.

“How does it work? I don’t feel any Death attribute mana, so I’m guessing it’s not that?”

Beero danced the negative.

“Queens bring wounded soldiers here! Teach how change mana to tiny lightning or fire. Once learn both and grow mana, can evolve and get wings back.”

Tarwantrad took a step back.

“You’re saying…the bees save their wounded instead of exiling them and then train them in magic until they evolve?”

Beero danced her confirmation. Tarwantrad clasped at her chest and hunched over.

“That’s…that’s…that’s just too precious!”

This time, it was Urubran who was glancing about with sparkling eyes.

“You made a Lava Field? You have the God of Fire as a secondary patron?!”

Belissar nodded. Urubran took a step forward and took a deep breath of the hot air filled with sulfurous smoke. He let out a contended sigh, even as Tarwantrad covered her nose.

“And this fits with your bee theme? Wait, is this where the fire honey is made?!”

Belissar took a step back from the intensity in Urubran’s gaze, but managed to nod.

“Um, yes, over this way…”

Urubran grinned wildly as he ran towards the lava river where the Third of the Sixth’s hive gathered from flame radish and Fire mana flowers.

“Fire bees. You have fire bees! This is amazing, I didn’t know that was even possible! We must arrange a trade, or you must tell me how you acquired them! Was it one of the choices the dungeon offered, or did you evolve them yourself?”

“I…uh…evolved them? Or, more like, they evolved themselves.”

Urubran rushed over as close to the flowers as he could without alarming the bees, smoke drifting out of his nostrils as he examined the burning bees more closely. Tarwantrad rolled her eyes with a wry smile.

“Better get used to that. If you have more fire-related stuff in your dungeon, he’s going to do that a lot.”

“Hi! What doing? Where come from? What are? Like King? Look like King, but mana different! And have flowers! Can try?”

Tarwantrad blinked as the Fourth of the Seventh zipped around her and then smiled.

“Exploring Belissar’s Tower! I came from the Land of the Fair, I am one of the green elves. I am not of your king’s species, though I suppose in comparison to bees I am far closer to him than not. And yes, please help yourself! Now, what sort of bee are you? What do you do for the hive of hives and your king?”

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The Fourth of the Seventh did a happy dance before landing on Tarwantrad and drinking from one of the flowers she had woven in her hair.

“Am queen! Explore Beyond, scout for new flowers and enemies! Came from Beyond?”

Tarwantrad blinked.

“I did come from beyond your king’s tower, but I traveled through a nexus door so I did not come from your immediate surroundings. A queen that explores? How curious, then who raises your children and takes care of your hive?”

“Communer and First of the Fifth’s First Daughter!”

Said communer and First of the Fifth’s First Daughter, along with Belissar, Urubran, and Chief Rohsuak, could only glance back and forth at the rapid exchange between Tarwantrad and the Fourth of the Seventh. But they certainly seemed to be getting along, so Belissar and Urubran just shrugged and left them to it.

“Ah, so it’s called a Fairy Grove in your tongue?”

Belissar nodded before wincing. He recalled that the Tower Lords' name for the karnuq...wasn't the most polite, and so had no idea if the same was true for his guests.

“Ah…do you mind be called fairies? That’s the only name I knew for your people but if it’s offensive…”

Tarwantrad waved her hand.

“Not that I am aware of, though I suppose it has been a while since our peoples have interacted.”

Urubran shrugged.

“Not the worst name I could think of. We call those from the land of the fair the fair folk, I can see where the name came from.”

Belissar slowly nodded and exhaled his breath.

“Ok, I’m guessing then that you would call this room something else?”

Urubran shrugged again and glanced at Tarwantrad, who rubbed her chin.

“For the room in general, we would only call it a grove, since any grove in the land of the fair would have the same mana flows. The number of nexuses is abnormal, however, so perhaps this would qualify as a nexus hub? I’ve not studied nexuses in great detail, save to open the door that led to your tower.”

Belissar crossed his arms. Apparently, even the fairies didn’t know everything about fairy circles? Or maybe just these two.

“I see, any advice on the room? Anything I should watch out for?”

Tarwantrad shook her head.

“Nexuses are said to have a mind of their own, but these are clearly formed by your tower, and acknowledge you as their master. You may get unexpected results if you attempt to control them, or harness their power haphazardly, but so long as you are careful they should not harm you, or your towers’ residents.”

Urubran made a slight smirk as he tilted his head, barely moving out of the way of a branch that just so happened to fall towards him.

“Visitors of all sorts, on the other hand, would do well to be cautious.”

Tarwantrad nodded at that and paused for a second.

“I will read up more on nexuses and let you know if I learn anything more.”

Belissar gave her a nod.

“Thanks, that’d be much appreciated. I’m still worried I don’t understand this room.”

Urubran shrugged and smiled.

“Don’t worry, Tower Keeper Belissar. From what I’ve heard of nexuses, no one truly does. It’s only those that think they do that get into trouble.”

“This floor is where the karnuq live.”

Belissar glanced at Chief Rohsuak, who had her usual smile.

“We are your sworn defenders, Tower Keeper. We will welcome your guests to the best of our hospitality. Shall we prepare them a meal?”

Belissar started and turned to the two elves.

“Ah, are you two hungry?”

Urubran chuckled.

“Depends, will there be fire honey?”

Tarwantrad smacked the back of his head lightly.

“Don’t be rude, Urubran! You need not concern yourself with us, Belissar. We do not mean to intrude upon your sworn defenders’ homes.”

Belissar, however, noted Chief Rohsuak’s eyes sparkle at the mention of fire honey. He quickly used his tower sight to check their reserves.

“Ah, actually, that can be arranged. Niobee, could you ask the Third of the Sixth to deliver some fire honey to the karnuq? Ah, maybe ask the First of the Fifth for some regular mana honey too.”

“Ok!”

He turned back to the two elves.

“It…might take some time for that so should we finish the tour while they cook?”

Urubran grinned while Tarwantrad smiled.

“That would be wonderful, Belissar. We thank you for your hospitality, it is truly gracious of you to welcome us like this.”

Belissar fidgeted again.

“Uh…you’re welcome?”

Urubran shared a look with Chief Rohsuak, sparks lighting up in both their eyes.

“Oh, we will be. We will be.”

While the karnuq prepared, Belissar brought the two to the Apiary floor…and found all of the queens and hives assembled into an army of workers, all in neat and organized formations. The First of the Fifth flew at their helm and led them in a synchronized salute dance.

“This is the First of the Fifth. She…kind of runs a lot of a the Tower, come to think of it. She manages the honey supplies, the flower allocation, and figures out how to raise new bees.”

Tarwantrad rushed up to her.

“So, you’re the one evolving the bees based on the flower nectars?”

The First of the Fifth seemed unsure of how to respond, so Belissar gave her a reassuring nod.

“All queens work together for King. Try to keep track of flowers, though, and help queens.”

Tarwantrad beamed.

“Amazing, your bees have developed a truly cooperative culture! You must tell me all about your flowers and the bee types you’ve raised!”

The First of the Fifth looked to Belissar and he nodded once again. The First of the Fifth saluted and then began to introduce the Apiary bees.

“This Second of the Sixth, evolved from medicinal flowers.”

Tarwantrad hopped in place.

“Medicinal bees? That’s incredible! Is that why your stingers are so thin? Do you fill your venom sacs with a more medically oriented compound?!”

“This Third of the Eighth, evolved from water lotus.”

Tarwantrad squealed slightly.

“Look at this! Look at your legs, look at that chitin! You must be an aquatic bee!”

The Third of the Eighth kept her distance but danced a hesitant confirmation.

“Amazing! I’ll have to let Nenavann know, if you have aquatic bees there’s so much he could offer…”

“This Fourth of the Fifth, evolved from digging flowers.”

Tarwantrad squealed not so slightly.

“You must specialize in subterranean plants! Or do you gather from fungi instead? Do you prefer burrowing tunnels to making comb?”

The Fourth of the Fifth buzzed her wings as Tarwantrad leaned over her, but was calmed down by Niobee and the First of the Fifth.

“This is Sixth Daughter, evolved from slime flower.”

Tarwantrad squealed quite loudly.

“Slime bees? SLIME BEES?! That’s…this is…”

Urubran chuckled as Tarwantrad descended into incoherence.

“Perhaps it would be a good time to take a break for a meal?”

Belissar just slowly nodded.

“Ah, yes. Probably.”

But as they turned to gather Tarwantrad, the First of the Fifth introduce another bee.

“This Fourth of the Fifth’s First Daughter, evolved from Third of the Sixth’s drone. Mines with heat.”

Urubran came to an immediate halt.

“I’m sorry, did you just say that bee mines with heat?”

Belissar ended up having to gather both elves before they could head back to the karnuq settlement.

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