I still wanted bees. Really, I wanted honey and pollinators. Queen Seraphina would never complain about the tasks I gave her but I could tell it weighed heavy on her to do such menial tasks.

Fernando had searched as far he could go from me. There seemed to be a limit. But on the very edge of his magical perception he thought there might be something there.

I decided to leave the village. They seemed to be doing well without me. Everyone was going about and debating who they should vote for. Right now it seemed to be a toss up between Carlos and Scott. I was rooting for Scott but Carlos’ class was tactician and he was doing surprisingly well.

I could feel the magic before I saw the hive. The magical energy was pulsing across the land. The hive pulsed with mana, each comb glowing with a soft luminescence.

I approached the hive with a mix of awe and curiosity. As he neared, the air thrummed with energy, and the usual hum of bees turned into a melodious chant that resonated with the ambient magic of the land.

The Royal Bee Queen emerged, her wings glistening like delicate stained glass, casting prismatic reflections on the foliage around her. She was larger than any bee that I had ever seen, with markings that shimmered like liquid gold. She hovered gracefully before me, her multifaceted eyes reflecting a wisdom as deep as the roots of Sylvanus itself.

“Greetings, Gavrin,” her voice buzzed, each syllable vibrating with power. “I am Regina Apis, queen of the mana-forged swarm. To what do I owe the honor of this audience?”

I bowed slightly, a gesture of respect to the majestic creature before me. “Queen Regina, I seek your wisdom and partnership. I wish to learn the secrets of your magical honey, and in return, I offer the protection of my realm for your colony to flourish.”

Regina Apis regarded me for a moment, the air between us charged with anticipation. “Your offer intrigues me, Guardian. The nectar we harvest is not merely food; it is a repository of the arcane. Each drop is a blend of the this land’s magic and the essence of blossoms. Our honey can heal, energize and even awaken latent magic within the worthy.”

“I understand its value,” I replied earnestly. “And I wish to use it to craft meads and potions, to help those who dwell within my lands and beyond.”

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Regina Apis circled me, her wings creating a gentle breeze scented with the sweet promise of nectar. “Very well, I sense your intentions are pure. We shall share with you our enchanted harvest. But know this, Gavrin; the bond between our kind and your realm is now sacred. Protect us, and we shall provide.”

I nodded in agreement, the pact sealed. “On my honor as the guardian, I will let no harm befall you or your subjects. Together, we shall witness the growth and prosperity of this world.”

I sat down and opened a portal back to my dimensional shard. “This will be your new home. Will you need any assistance in moving?”

“Nay, my liege.” Regina Apis buzzed. Her buzz rose in pitch and the hive was suddenly a swarm of activity as bees appeared from every direction.

I turned to Fernando. “Can you show the ladies where they can set up the hives? And take note of requests they might have.”

Fernando nodded in agreement.

I decided to take the opportunity to mediate and channel mana into the dimensional shard. The transfer of the bees into the dimensional shard was like witnessing a grand, orchestrated ballet. As the hive began to migrate, each bee took its place in the elaborate dance, weaving in and out in perfect harmony. Fernando, understanding the gravity of the task, led the way with a diligence I had come to expect of him.

Sitting cross legged near the portal, I closed my eyes and reached out with my senses, feeling the pulse of the land. The mana here was rich, a lifeblood that coursed through every part of this world. I thought there was a natural treasure here. There was something that had attracted the bees. As I focused, my awareness expanded, and I could almost see the flow of mana as a radiant river, its tributaries spreading out into the environment.

My mind drifted further, following the river of mana to its source, feeling its ebbs and flows, its surges and its whispers. I understood then that mana was more than just a tool or a resource; it was the very essence of life and magic in this world. It connected every creature, every plant, and every drop of water in an intricate web that was both delicate and resilient.

As I delved deeper into mediation, I became one with this flow, feeling it respond to my presence, to my will. The mana seemed to welcome me, to guide me in expanding the root network of my shard. My intentions merged with the energy, and together we reached further, intertwining with the soil, the plants, and the lifeforms that called this place home.

In this trance-like state, a vision crystallized before me. I saw the land as a living entity, with the mana as its heartbeat. It showed me how every action, every spell, every birth, and every death affected the balance. And in this balance, there was a rhythm, a harmony that I could tap into and enhance.

As the vision faded, I realized Regina Apis’ greeting of ‘guardian’ was more appropriate than I thought. The connection to the shard surged with energy and I felt the world grow.

I opened my eyes to find the bees settling into their new home, their buzzing now a part of the shard’s sympathy. I smiled, knowing that together, with our combined strength and shared purpose, the shard would see a new blossoming of life.