The bumblebee soldier stood before Juosiutik’s house. She began to groom herself, if only to have something to do. The little queens had asked her to fly here with the little soldiers, and that she had done. Now, the little soldiers asked her to stay here. So, that’s what she did.
The bear-King things were watching her, but she paid them no mind. She could smell the King’s mana on them, though fainter than on her sister bees, so she knew they were part of the same hive. So, she focused on her grooming, brushing her hair and antennae with her legs.
But then, one of the bear-King thing made a move. It was smaller than the others, though still taller than herself. The bumblebee soldier might have thought it was a worker but there weren’t enough bear-King things its size for that to be true, unless the bear-King hive was preparing for a winter hibernation. That was a bit confusing, since the bumblebee soldier didn’t notice any signs of the seasons changing, but she was just a soldier so winter preparations weren’t her job in the first place.
And neither was figuring out what the small bear-King thing was, so she went back to her grooming. At least, until the bear-King thing got closer.
“Um, hi?”
The bumblebee soldier turned towards the bear-King thing, the King’s mana telling her this was a greeting. She responded in kind, buzzing her wings and releasing friendly pheromones. The bear-King thing tilted its head. The bumblebee soldier wasn’t sure what that meant, so she went back to grooming herself.
Then, the small bear-King thing slowly crept forward, reaching out her upper legs. The bumblebee soldier paused as the bear-King thing touched her hairs.
“It’s fuzzy.”
The King’s mana indicated the small bear-King thing was expressing happiness as it began to help the soldier groom, brushing her hairs. The bear-King thing’s upper legs were warm and felt pleasant. The bumblebee soldier knew that mutual grooming could help clean spots she had trouble reaching, so she began to groom the bear-King thing as well, rubbing her legs across it. The bear-King thing made a noise that was also translated as happiness.
“It tickles!”
There was some commotion in the other bear-King things but then most of them began to disperse and return to their work. As did the bumblebee soldier, continuing to groom the small bear-King thing…and other bear-King things that began to approach her.
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Belissar went over to the karnuq settlement, hoping to ask for Muuraqi’s help. The Third of the Sixth could help provide Fire mana honey and fireproof wax for a Flower Meadow queen to evolve, but all that Fire mana honey would dramatically increase the temperature of its surroundings. Even with the fireproof wax, it would make the Bee Barracks uncomfortable for the rest of the bees if stored there. Belissar decided that it would be worthwhile to build a small stone structure where a queen could evolve without impacting the rest of the barracks, and with no risk of starting any fires.
On the way, he saw a bumblebee soldier outside of Juosiutik’s house, surrounded by a couple of karnuq children who were petting it. The soldier seemed to enjoy the attention and was petting the children back. Belissar couldn’t help but smile…and note that the bumblebees enjoyed pets. That was knowledge he planned to act on as soon as he completed his present tasks.
Chief Rohsuak soon met with him.
“Hello, Sacred Den Master, how can I help you?”
“Hello, I was wondering if Muuraqi was available? I’m trying to build some stonework, a small one.”
Chief Rohsuak smiled and nodded her head.
“For you, he is available anytime, Sacred Den Master.”
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Belissar smiled back.
“Great! Ah, I’ll give him some mana honey for the trouble, along with anyone else who comes to help.”
Chief Rohsuak’s expression waved for but a moment before resuming her smile.
“That is most generous of you, Sacred Den Master. I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.”
Belissar then realized this was a good moment to pitch another idea he had.
“Also…you’ve done a lot for me recently, talking to the skunk people and stuff. I feel like that could have gone badly if you hadn’t been there, so, um, thank you.”
Chief Rohsuak’s smile grew but she shook her head.
“Think nothing of it, Sacred Den Master. Those negotiations heavily concerned us as well, it is only natural we lent you our support.”
But this time Belissar shook his head.
“Still, I really appreciate the help. So, I was thinking maybe I could set up a beehouse feature by your house? They produce honey even without any bees somehow so you’d get a tray each day. Um, if you want it, that is.”
“YES!”
Belissar gasped as Chief Rohsuak pounced forward and clasped both his shoulders with her hands…only to quickly flinch and jump back as Niobee and the soldier bees began buzzing and moving in. She quickly waved her hands and then cleared her throat.
“Um, sorry for that, I did not mean any harm or disrespect. What I meant was…I would be most honored.”
Belissar shook his head a bit and then nodded.
“Got it. Um, I should mention that it would just be regular honey unless some of the bees move in. And, um, since I don’t know how it’s even making the honey, I don’t know exactly how good it will be. I, um, told the bees to give you space on this floor, but…”
Belissar glanced over at the bumblebee soldier and the karnuq children.
“…if you’re willing to share the space and the flowers and take care of the bees, I could see if there are any willing to move in?”
Chief Rohsuak stood still for a moment, blinking a couple of times. Then, she made the widest smile Belissar had seen yet.
“We would be honored that you would trust us to that degree, Sacred Den Master. If you and your bees wish to dwell if us, I swear to ensure their comfort and safety.”
Belissar was about to reply…but someone else beat him to it.
New mission received: Teach the karnuq the art of beekeeping.
His eyes widened. Chief Rohsuak tilted her head.
“Sacred Den Master? Is something the matter?”
Belissar shook his head.
“No…just the opposite, in fact. It seems the God of Bees approves of this…and wants me to teach you beekeeping.”
Now it was Chief Rohsuak’s eyes that opened wide. Then, she knelt down and bowed her head.
“We would be most honored.”
Belissar rubbed his chin.
“In that case…maybe we should do more than just one hive? Um, the God of Bees said she wants the karnuq to learn, so maybe more of your people can help too, then.”
Chief Rohsuak nodded.
“This is your area of expertise, Sacred Den Master, both beekeeping and fulfilling the will of the gods. Please, instruct us as you see fit and we will do whatever you say. If you wish, I will gather as many of our people as you need.”
At this point, Niobee flew before him.
“King! Bees help too!”
Belissar smiled and held out his hand for Niobee to land on.
“Thanks, Niobee, I know you’ll always help.”
Belissar then rubbed his chin with his other hand.
“Ok. I think…I’d like a bit of time to think about how to do this. You, um, are also talking with the skunk people again tomorrow, right? Um, is there another name for them besides skunk people?”
Chief Rohsuak nodded.
“Yes, we plan to work out the final details. They have not named themselves yet but perhaps they will once the final agreement is in place.”
Belissar nodded back.
“Ok, maybe we’ll start the day after, then?”
Chief Rohsuak hummed.
“About that…Sacred Den Master, I do need to ask you something. You are aware that you and King Ratuatapi will need to confirm the final agreement, right? And since it is supposed to include you promising in the name of the God of Bees…you will likely need to invite them into the Sacred Den to complete the deal in-person. Would you agree to this?”
Belissar paused, and then his face fell. So, he would have to speak to them himself after all. He had hoped that Chief Rohsuak might be able to handle everything, but apparently not. He was about to agree…but then he had a thought.
“So, they have to come into the Tower before agreeing? Could that be dangerous? There’s a chance they were planning to attack us, right?”
Chief Rohsuak nodded with a solemn expression.
“Indeed. And since you will be there before them, that would be their best chance to attack as well. It is indeed dangerous.”
She then glanced back at the bumblebee soldier and smiled.
“On the other hand, it will be on your territory and your terms. You will have all of us and all your bees at your disposal. We can negotiate limits on who they can bring for that very reason…and even the gods would disapprove if they used such an occasion for treachery. It is still not without risk, but so long as we prepare I believe we can maintain control of the situation.”
Belissar frowned…but slowly nodded.
“In that case…I’ll, um, do what I have to. Just…make sure they know I won’t forgive them if they hurt the bees.”
Chief Rohsuak made a fierce grin as she narrowed her eyes.
“No, we would not.”