Book 6: Chapter 14

Book 6: Chapter 14

Tafels expression darkened as she waved her hand, removing her phoenix flames from existence. Although it couldnt move or show any reactions to outside stimulus, Tafel swear she heard a breath of relief escape from the red ant pupas unmoving body; after all, the heat source underneath it had just vanished.

Vur blinked and raised his head, looking up at Tafel. Whyd you stop?

If I knew you were going to use my flames to cook the pupa, I wouldnt have started in the first place, Tafel said. She looked around, and the surrounding ants stopped buzzing. It was a strange sound to hear since she always associated buzzing with bees, but the sheer amount of ant legs and mandibles grinding against more legs and mandibles droned much louder than any bee she had ever heard. Did you really trade away a diamond for a meal?

Vur glanced around, but there really werent any phoenix flames left for him to roast the pupa in his hand. He considered using some of his own flames on it, but he liked the taste produced when cooking meat using Tafels flames. The smokey flavor was a bit spicier. Vur looked up at Tafel, and judging by the look on her face, he determined the question she had asked wasnt a rhetorical one. Did he trade a diamond for a meal? It wasnt his fault he thought it was rhetorical; the answer was obvious. Yes.

Tafel extended her arms and grabbed the pupa, gently but firmly removing it from Vurs grasp, though his fingers did latch on pretty tightly as the pupa slid out from underneath. We are not going to eat the pupa.

Vur blinked. Were not going to eat the pupa?

No, Tafel said and shook her head. She glanced at Kim Hajun, who was wrapping the Heart of Fire in a handkerchief. Tafel tucked the pupa underneath her left armpit and placed her hands on her hips.

Vur tilted his head. Why not?

Tafel gestured towards the pupa with her right hand. Other than the fact it looked like more like a statue than a living creature, the ant pupa looked like a dog-sized ant with wings. This can conquer empires.

Alright, Lindyss said. A hand emerged vertically out of her shadow with a jar in its grasp. The shadowy hand moved through the ground, leaving a trail of darkness on the ground. It approached Kim Hajun and held the jar out at knee level.

Kim Hajun blinked before bending over to retrieve the jar. That certainly saves me some time, he said and nodded at Lindyss. He brought the jar up to his face and inspected the amber liquid inside. Do you perhaps have an extra three jars? I know some individuals whore willing to exchange some items for some.

Know them through your dreams? Erin asked. She was still staring at Kim Hajun.

More precisely, I know them through one very long dream, Kim Hajun said and tilted his head to look upwards despite the ceiling of the cavern having nothing on it. He seemed to be staring past the rocky layer as if he could see the upper floors of the tower hidden behind it. It feels almost like Ive climbed the tower before.

Were we in your dream too? Erin nudged Lindyss head and whispered, See? People do dream about you!

What are you going on about? Lindyss asked with a dark expression.

Do you remember that conversation we had back then, Erin asked while nodding her head. Yeah? Yeah? Well, Im right.

If I had to remember every conversation Ive had with you, there wouldnt be any space in my head for anything else, Lindyss said and rolled her eyes before looking at Kim Hajun. Anyway, you need three more jars, right? Three shadowy hands emerged from below, each holding a jar of ant honey.

Kim Hajun bent down to grab a jar, but the shadowy hand retreated, keeping the glass just out of reach. Kim Hajun looked up, and Lindyss raised an eyebrow at him. You didnt think those would be free as well, right? Pay up.