Noigakkuq ran out of the tunnel as fast as she could. But, the moment she stepped out into the Underway proper, she was assaulted by a heavy, acrid scent. Her eyes widened as two glowing eyes lit up the darkness, and then a dark shape pounced right towards her. She didn’t even have time to scream.

But just before her end arrived, something shot past her face. She heard metal stab into flesh and the roar of a cave panther before someone grabbed her hand.

“Come on!”

She was pulled away into a run before she could process what was happening. They passed by a glowing mushroom which gave her a glimpse of the figure pulling on her arm.

“Metsaitti?!”

He just shook his head.

“Later!”

Noigakkuq swallowed her words and focused on running. Once she did, Metsaitti let go of her arm and fell back behind her, holding his spear at the ready as they retreated up the Underway…

Ultimately, though, the two made it back to the smaller river tunnel without issue. They kept on until they were back out above ground. Noigakkuq bent over, resting her hands on her knees while she panted for breath. When she had finally recovered enough to speak…

“Why…are you here?”

Metsaitti raised an eyebrow as he gave her a knowing smile.

“That’s what I should ask you. As for myself…I’ve been tailing you since the first night.”

Noigakkuq’s jaw dropped and Metsaitti chuckled.

“You’re good at sneaking, Noigakkuq, but did you really think we’d leave the entrance to the Underway that unguarded?”

Noigakkuq frowned. Metsaitti sighed, then walked over and patted her on the shoulder.

“I know the others can be dumb at times. But your contributions have not gone unnoticed. I’d hate to lose you.”

Noigakkuq furrowed her brow.

“Then why let me go? And why not let me come with you to the Sacred Den?”

Metsaitti sighed again.

“I already told you, didn’t I? We needed you by the camp until we scouted the area.”

Noigakkuq crossed her arms.

“That’s just an excuse, isn’t it?”

Metsaitti frowned.

“It was not. To be honest…if I had the choice, I would have stopped you. Your ability to sniff mana is crucial to keeping the camp safe while we don’t fully know the area. But the chief insisted we give you this chance, since you were not willing to wait.”

Noigakkuq froze.

“…the chief did?”

Metsaitti made a small grin.

“She did. I guess the Blazing Berserker knows a thing or two about sneaking out into danger.”

He then chuckled and shook his head.

“I didn’t expect you to go that deep, however. So answer me this, did you find what you were looking for?”

Noigakkuq was silent, but slowly nodded as Metsaitti stared at her. Once she did he nodded back.

“Good. I hope that’s enough, then, but if you do need to go that deep again, you need to take hunters with you, understand?”

Noigakkuq frowned but did not object. Metsaitti sighed and then turned towards the camp.

“In that case, let’s get some sleep. You can come with us to the Sacred Den tomorrow to offer up whatever it is you found.”

Noigakkuq stood still, staring at Metsaitti. Metsaitti noticed she wasn’t following and turned to her.

“Is something the matter?”

“You’re…letting me keep it?”

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Metsaitti nodded.

“Whatever it is, you found it. As far as I’m concerned, it’s yours. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to get some sleep.”

With that, he left. Noigakkuq stared at him for a moment longer before clutching her bag tight, and then followed after him. She…knew that Chief Rohsuak respected her, even if the others didn’t, but she was the chief. She couldn’t spend much time with any one karnuq, nor favor one over the others. But…to find out she was valued to the extent that Metsaitti would come after her…

She shook her head. In any case, she had what she needed, though this was apparently the last one she would acquire with her own power. She could only hope it would be enough.

----------------------------------------

The next morning, as Metsaitti’s hunters and the gathering team were preparing to head to the Sacred Den, Noigakkuq joined them. Tyhgak’s eyes widened when he saw her, and then averted his gaze.

“Um, why is she here?”

Noigakkuq narrowed her eyes at him.

“And what is that supposed to mean?”

Tyhgak gulped.

“Um, n-nothing, it’s just…”

The spearwoman sighed and elbowed him in the gut.

“Tyhgak, shut up.”

Tyhgak decided to listen but kept stealing glances at Noigakkuq, who did her best to ignore everyone around her. She walked over to Juosiutik instead.

“Noigakkuq? I thought you normally stayed with the camp? Are you going to come help with the gathering?”

Noigakkuq shook her head.

“You’ll see, maybe.”

Juosiutik tilted her head at that but said no more. With that, the group made their way to the Sacred Den. Most of the karnuq began their daily gathering, but Noigakkuq separated from them and made her way to the Shrine of Bees. She ignored the gazes of Juosiutik and Metsaitti’s hunters on her back as she reached into her bag. She took out the Ground mana flower and placed it inside the chest, without letting anyone else see. She then looked up at the Shrine of Bees.

“Please…I’ve done as you asked. Please give me your power…”

But even as she spoke the words, the Shrine of Bees began to glow far brighter than Noigakkuq had ever seen it before. She could vaguely hear gasping behind her but she wasn’t paying attention to them. As the light died down, her eyes went wide.

The God of Bees offers her full blessing. If you wish to accept, please select one of the following blessings:

- Blessing of the Forager

- Blessing of the Scout

- Blessing of the Geomancer

- Blessing of the Bee-ssassin

She stood there completely still, just staring at the words for a moment. Then she began to grin. Then she began to laugh. Soon she was full on cackling.

She turned around to face the rest of her people. All the karnuq were staring at her with eyes opened wide. Tyhgak was glancing around every which way.

“What…is this? What’s going on? What happened to her?”

Metsaitti just made a small smile and nodded at her. Juosiutik, on the other hand, came up to her smiling.

“Congratulations, Noigakkuq. Or should I say, champion?”

Noigakkuq grinned back.

“Yes, yes you should.”

Tyhgak jumped at that.

“Wait…seriously? Noigakkuq got a…seriously?!”

Noigakkuq turned and narrowed her eyes with a grin still on her face.

“Better step it up, all of you. You’re falling behind me now.”

Tyhgak’s jaw dropped at that.

But the surprises weren’t over yet. All the karnuq turned as they heard the buzzing, and saw the Sacred Den Master approach with his army. He walked up to Noigakkuq, holding two trays of honeycomb in his hands.

“Looks like you got a blessing, um, congratulations?”

She flashed a grin at him.

“Thank you, Sacred Den Master. Is that…?”

The Sacred Den Master nodded and handed the trays over to her.

“Thanks again. And it looks like I have enough to make those now. They’re, um, a bit expensive, so I can’t make one for you here, but I can share some with you if that works?”

Noigakkuq blinked and then grinned again.

“Yes, that will be fine.”

The Sacred Den Master nodded and then turned to Juosiutik.

“I’ll wait until the gathering’s done, then?”

“O-Ok.”

Tyhgak then exclaimed.

“Just what is going on?!”

----------------------------------------

Noigakkuq was all smiles as the gathering team walked back to the camp. Everyone kept staring at her whenever they thought she wasn’t looking but, for once, she didn’t mind. In fact, for once, she basked in the attention.

After all, the second champion in the clan was not one of the hunters, nor one of the craftsmen. It was her, the little runt that was good for nothing but her nose. Not only that, but now everyone was wondering what sort of relationship she had with the Sacred Den Master…and what exactly he was planning to give her later. In a single morning, she had gone from the most expendable member of the clan to one of the greatest.

And, best of all, she now had the power to ensure that would remain the case. She grinned as she stirred up her mana, just enjoying the feeling of it flowing through her body. Now, no one would ever look down on her. Now, they'd regret begrudging her presence.

When the camp came into view, she saw Chief Rohsuak waiting there, motioning to her. She separated from the group and walked over to the chief with a grin. Chief Rohsuak smiled warmly at her.

“I take it we have a new champion?”

Noigakkuq’s grin grew.

“We do.”

Chief Rohsuak reached out and patted her shoulder.

“Congratulations, and well done. We’ll have to arrange a celebration tonight, then.”

Noigakkuq couldn’t help but giggle. She couldn’t wait to rub it in everyone’s faces…

But then she felt the chief’s grip on her shoulder tighten.

“However, you are aware how dangerous and reckless your actions were, correct? Going into the Underway alone, much less when you have not been trained as a warrior. And are you aware of what sort of consequences it would have had for yourself and the clan had you failed? I’ve told you before the important role you plan, have I not?”

Noigakkuq’s smile faded.

“R-Right…I’m sorry.”

The chief was still smiling but for some reason Noigakkuq did not feel reassured.

“There’s no need to apologize. It was our failing not to train you. But, now that you are one of our champions, that is a task of the utmost importance. I will personally ensure you will be fully prepared before the next time you leave the camp.”

It was strange. Personal training by Chief Rohsuak, presumably in the art of combat, was exactly what Noigakkuq wanted for most of her life. And yet, now that it was finally happening, she could not help but feel a chill go down her spine.