Chapter 84: Bee-come a Defend-Bear

Chapter 84: Bee-come a Defend-Bear

Belissar and Chief Rohsuak then discussed some details.

“I see, so you’re planning to expand tomorrow?”

Belissar nodded.

“Yes, it’ll probably be best to wait and see what I have available then.”

Chief Rohsuak rubbed her chin.

“I’ll have the clan move just outside the Sacred Den in that case. Will you require assistance with the expansion?”

Belissar’s eyes widened.

“Ah...actually, yes. It’s basically a fight against a big shade, like the little ones that your hunters fight but as big as me. And, um, that spit clouds of death mist or something. Or that can fly and summon lightning.”

Chief Rohsuak nodded.

“I see. If you wish, I can bring our hunters to help?”

Belissar slowly nodded.

“If you’re sure...the help would be appreciated. I believe my bees can handle it but we’ve been surprised before.”

Chief Rohsuak narrowed her gaze.

“Yes, we, too, have suffered from the unpredictability of the Hunger. Very well, you will have our support.”

Belissar smiled and nodded his head.

“Thank you, that’s appreciated.”

In more ways than one, in fact. Not only would the karnuq give him a good backup plan if a shade managed to overwhelm or escape his bees, the fact that they were willing to help him fight reassured Belissar that he wasn’t making a mistake with this. They really did intend to make good on their promises and become his Tower Guard.

With that, he and Chief Rohsuak hammered out some other details. Belissar was already providing them with food and supplies, so, to his surprise, there was very little he needed to do that he wasn’t already. Ideally he would prepare a place for them to stay within the Tower, but that would have to wait as Belissar wasn’t sure what rooms he’d want to place after the next expansion. Additionally, there was the issue of Remnant spawning, which Chief Rohsuak was a bit surprised to find Belissar had little control over. He had seen a Rest Zone feature, however, so they both hoped they’d find a way to make it possible.

So, to Belissar’s continued surprise, most of the discussion was on what the karnuq would do for him. Chief Rohsuak basically told him that the tribute they offered him when they gathered stuff from his Tower would now apply to everything they did, seeing as they were his people.

“Um, are you sure about that?”

Chief Rohsuak nodded.

“You are offering your protection and we are becoming your people. It is only natural. And, Sacred Den Master, may I offer some advice?”

“Um, sure?”

She looked him in the eyes, causing him to flinch a bit.

“It is not wrong for you to seek your own benefit, you know? You have been extremely generous and we trust you to be fair.”

She sighed as Belissar frowned. She then placed her finger on her chin and glanced up at the bees hovering above.

“How about this? Think of us as part of your bees. You take care of them and they obey you and offer you the fruits of their labors, correct? It is something similar for us.”

Belissar paused. For a brief moment, he imagine Chief Rohsuak flying around on a pair of wings, attempting a “King best king!” dance.

He couldn’t help but burst out laughing. Chief Rohsuak blinked and tilted her head.

“Oh, um, you’re welcome? It feels like I should be thanking you for promising to protect the Tower.”

Chief Rohsuak’s smile grew.

“If all goes well, perhaps we shall both thank each other?”

Belissar slowly smiled at that.

“That sounds nice.”

But the biggest surprise was yet to come. Niobee flew down in front of Belissar and began to dance.

“King! Outsiders now King’s workers?”

Belissar smiled at her.

“Something like that.”

She turned to face Chief Rohsuak and began to dance.

“Good! Work hard for King!”

Chief Rohsuak paused only for a moment before nodding.

“Yes, of course.”

The rest of the karnuq were not so calm.

“...did that bee just talk?”

“Um, I didn’t hear anything but I somehow did? What?”

“Maybe we can hear her dancing? Is that the blessing of the God of Bees?”

“L-Look, the other bees are dancing, too!”

The bees, for their part, were also conversing.

“Outsiders...can dance now? Part of King’s hive?”

“Part of hive of hives? But...they’re not bees?”

“Not bee...but like King? So, ok?”

Niobee flew up before the soldier bees and began her own dance.

“Not bees, but belong to King now, so ok! As long as work hard for King, can join hive of hives!”

With that, all the soldier bees saluted as one.

“Yes, Conduit!”

With that, the soldier bees began greeting dances to the karnuq. The karnuq were left with wide eyes as they said hello to the soldier bees. Belissar crossed his arms and nodded at the sight with a smile.

Well, there was a lot going on, but he was very much happy that they could talk to the bees now. And very happy to see them doing so without issue. That was a crucial step if the karnuq were truly going to make their home in his Tower. He was also pleased to hear the bees were ok with this and accepted the new defenders. He...probably should have spoke with them before accepting the karnuq’s oath. He should probably speak with the queens regularly, in fact.

And in particular, he should probably talk to Niobee and the queens about the karnuq before she started putting them to work, from the sound of things...