Wanna know why the strong keep to their word? Some’ll tell you it’s because they stake their path on it or that lying somehow inherently damages their foundations. I think it’s because all the assholes get killed first. –Han Suri, farmer from the Prinean Delta.

* * *

Pharyx blinked several times at me, his sulky expression melting into a cold, calculating mask. Those dark eyes searched my face for any misgivings, then he shrugged.

“Surely, I don’t know what you mean.” His expression returned to the same cold smile he’d been wearing before. “I’m just a silly little drone. Don’t you know that hornets are ruled by queens?”

“Oh, I think you’re far more than a drone.” There wasn’t a single ounce of doubt in my mind. In a society built on the Queen’s ability to subjugate others, why would said queen suffer an unruly subordinate? She could humor a rebellious concubine all she wanted, but there was no reason to allow that concubine to continue the insubordination in front of guests. It would be a sign of weakness.

Pharyx pondered my answer carefully. As he did, he paced back and forth, letting his gold robe swish with his every step. The flowing fabric did wonders to hide his uneven steps from any casual bystander, but I was anything but.

“I think it has merit.”

“What?”

“Your proposal from Queen Pollen,” he continued. “You asked me my thoughts, and I think it has merit. The spiders are a grave threat, one we allowed to grow to unreasonable proportions with our attention so turned inward as it was. Though, my Queen has a point that accepting the bees help with this matter would cost a great deal of face for us, as it would reflect quite poorly on our ability to maintain the region.” He rubbed his chin for a moment before shrugging. “But what do I know? I’m just a concubine.”

I stared at Pharyx, openly studying him with the same intensity which he gave to me earlier. That phrase… “What do I know? I’m just a concubine.” It was delivered with the same tone as the Commander had used the other night.

Of course. Pharyx had a limp. It was slight. He’d clearly received some healing in the last few hours, but it was definitely the remnants of the crushed limb he’d received from the spider witch.

It also explained why the other hornets were so wary of the Commander. If they were really a member of the inner court, that would explain why they obeyed every order without question. Either he was using his bloodline to control them, or they were too deferent to his station to argue.

“I guess I learned your name after all,” I noted. Pharyx suddenly froze, his stony expression shattered as he coughed in surprise.

“I…uh…don’t know what you mean?”

“Of course not. And the larger wasp who saved me from the spider witch was some other wasp, yes? The one with the shorter wings?”

Pharyx spluttered, and his face began to turn red. “Look! It’s not my fault that queen hornets have wings too short to fly fast! It’s just how I was born! I can’t-”

I raised an eyebrow. “So, you are the Queen?”

“Yes, he is.” Suzume sighed. “May I introduce, High Queen Taiya Pharyx of Hanai.” Then she turned to him. “And, brother, if you harass another guest of the nest like that again, I will sew your wings into a cape. Apologize at once!”

The true queen clasped his hands and bowed before me. “I’m terribly sorry for deceiving you and invading your personal space. It was all part of a test you passed with flying colors.”

“Apology accepted,” I answered. “It’s really no problem.”

“Oh?” Pharyx’s expression turned wicked once more. “Then, in that case…”

“Taiya Risu, what did I just say!?” scolded Suzume. Pharyx flinched and hid behind me.

“Oh dear, she used my given name,” he muttered. “Tell you what, why don’t I go get changed and we reconvene in a less formal setting? I promise to behave, and Suzu will still chaperone.”

I bowed respectfully. “Whatever works for you.” Pharyx scurried from the room under the watchful glare of his sister. Only once he was out did she sigh and relax.

“I am dreadfully sorry about his behavior,” she apologized. “Please, this way. I’ll have some refreshments brought to us.”

I followed the regal hornet down a hall lined with more moss. The material didn’t shine quite as brightly as it had when it reacted to Pharyx’s presence, but it was still enough to see by. The tunnels were clearly part of an immense system that descended deep beneath the earth, but somehow Suzume seemed out of place amidst the stones. She was dressed regally enough to be in a palace, not in a cave.

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

“I thank you for weathering my little brother’s deceptions,” Suzume began as we walked. “He’s dreamed of pulling that stunt for years, but this was his first chance to actually do so. I’m pleased to say you passed his trial with flying colors.”

“He’s your younger brother?” I noted and she nodded. “So, are you a queen as well?”

“Yes, we overthrew our elder sister a few months ago,” she explained. “Pharyx’s idea, really. Visai was a terrible leader, and the reason the spiders are a problem today, but my brother hatched a brilliant plan for governing our people. I supported him in the duel for power, and, thus, he granted me the title of Brood Queen when he chose his new name. Pharyx deals with stately matters, and I tend to the nest. Thus, we can focus on our tasks with fewer drains on our time. I couldn’t ask for a better arrangement.”

For spirit beasts to so completely overcome their nature was nothing short of miraculous. They’d done away with the elements of hornet society that didn’t serve them and made it their own. For that, I had nothing but respect for the Hanai hornets.

Furthermore, I could think of a thousand ways they could benefit by being Pollen’s trade partner. If they were advanced this far in their governance, they could only benefit from the craftsmanship of the honeybees. Meanwhile, Pollen could benefit from their army and delegation techniques. The two could end up being quite the formidable pairing if they could see past their differences.

Suzume led me to a small room with a few cushions around a central table. They weren’t nearly as fine as the cozy rooms Pollen had, but it would certainly serve our needs. I sat on one of the cushions across from Suzume. Several minutes later, two hornets buzzed in, one carrying a wooden tray with a few wooden cups and the other carrying a tray with little cubes of meat arranged in the shape of a hornet.

“Please, enjoy.”

I reached out and picked up one of the meat cubes. Like many spirit beasts taking humanoid form, it seemed that Pharyx and Suzume had developed a taste for cooked meats, which reflected in their servant’s cooking. These were slightly crunchy and smelled like delicious curry. I popped the cube in my mouth.

It was surprisingly delicious, with just the right amount of curry to be spicy but without reminding me too much of Xinya’s stew. I conveyed my compliments to Suzume for her chef, before eating another.

“You have no idea how hard it was to explain the concept of cooking to the Groomers,” Pharyx said, entering the room. “It took lighting the fire and showing them for them to get it.” He sat down next to me, now dressed in a much more appropriate outfit of black robes with gold trim. Wrapped into his ponytail was an ornate crown of gold, held in by a sun diamond hairpin that would make Chiho jealous, if it were here. He noticed my attention to the pin. “It was a gift from mother to mark my coronation,” he explained.

“It’s quite lovely.”

“Thank you!” He practically glowed with happiness, and, as he did, the sun diamond began to shimmer in response to his qi. “Now, shall we discuss the proposal from Queen Pollen?”

He poured a cup of fruit juice and offered it to me as I repeated most of what I’d said in the throne room. Once I’d said my piece, I sipped the sweet juice. It tasted like strawberries.

“A deal with the honeybees wouldn’t be without precedent,” he noted. “Mother rules over many species at the main hive, but hornets are always on top. I’m not sure there’s ever been a true diplomatic arrangement between insects.”

Suzume scoffed. “They’re prey animals. Regardless of their intentions, the truth is that an arrangement between us would be extremely unlikely to yield any better chance against the spiders than we currently possess. We would make ourselves beholden to them for nothing in return.”

“They have several humanoid spirit beasts, and I’ve personally seen them in action and can attest to their skills,” I offered. I certainly didn’t want to be on the receiving end of Rose Thorn’s lance, and the way they cooked Shen Yaoxan’s man alive was truly frightening.

“You’ll forgive me if I have my doubts,” Suzume insisted. “My brother might be impressed, but, the way I hear it, you were defeated by the spiders.”

“He was fighting four to one!” Pharyx protested. “And, Suzu, you should have seen him! He so valiantly stood up to her, drawing her away from the town center so he could identify the locations of her brethren before ducking into a shop, grabbing a weapon, and WHAM! That shot from the stick spitter was a thing of beauty!”

The hornet Queen certainly did have a lot to say when the physical limitations of insect life were removed. The words practically tumbled out of his mouth, and, with every word, he sat up just a bit straighter. By the end, he’d leapt to his feet altogether. I had no idea he was so passionate about combat.

“Then, he needed you to rescue him.”

“Even Ascendents need help now and then,” Pharyx countered. I felt my ears grow warm at the praise. “If he believes the honeybees could be helpful, then I believe him. This could be our chance to be rid of the spiders once and for all.”

“There are too many of them, Pharyx. They have too much territory and are in far too great a number. Their numbers will only grow.”

“Not if we have a clever plan in the works!”

“And what clever plan did you have in mind?” Suzume’s words were harsh, but there was a softness in her eyes that held affection for her brother. Given what she’d said of their recent history, I suspected she had a great appreciation for Pharyx’s plans.

Pharyx rubbed his chin. “What if we directed the Hanai scouts and windwings to the south to engage the spiders there. Then, a small force of cultivators could sneak in from the north and go straight for the nest. Slay the matriarch, and the rest will fall in line.”

“And who would make up this small force?”

A classic diversion plan, but one that hinged on the tactical strike team being exceptional. Without knowing exactly what awaited them, they’d also need to be flexible and able to make the most of what information they had. Who better to accompany such a team than someone who could see all the possible realities?

“I will,” I volunteered. Pharyx nodded in agreement.

“I will, as well,” he said. “We may need our bloodline to get past undetected, and I’m a fair hand in a fight, six legs or two.”

Suzume sighed and looked away. “I was worried you’d say that. What if you get hurt?”

Pharyx scooted around the table to lean his head on his sister’s shoulder. “I’ll be fine, Suzu. If we have one more from the honeybees, then we’ll have more than enough to take on the matriarch, just you see.”

“I can relay this to Pollen, given enough time to get back.”

“Very well. We’ll meet in Heimian once the parties are set, and the diversion is in motion.” Pharyx raised his cup. “Here’s to new friends.”