Chapter 395: Bee-ceiving Invitations |
Beero wanted to continue exploring wards with the workers, but they were apparently out of mana. So, she sent them to drink mana honey and replenish their reserves. The workers filled up on mana and returned to continue learning. Each time they did, they could work on the wards just a tiny bit longer…
That evening, Belissar gathered his council once more and proposed conducting another expansion purification. With most of his available rooms filled, save for those reserved for the karnuq and fair folk floors, he wanted a new floor. After all, it was not clear if a single Farm room would be enough to feed the former Tower Guards long term. Besides, his Tower had grown tremendously recently, they had all of the new rooms, monsters, and perks gained during the fight with Starami and they now had Chief Rohsuak back in her prime. The Blazing Berserker alone might be enough to handle an expansion…
All of his defenders enthusiastically agreed, Chief Rohsuak most of all. They decided to hold it the day after the next so that they could inform their allies and make sure no one got caught up in it.
The next day, Belissar sent Chief Rohsuak to inform the sigmaka, while he told the fair folk via Wardmaster Varilold. Shortly afterwards, Belissar was informed that King Taranskare had stopped by and asked to see him. Belissar went to the nexus door room to meet him. At this point, the fair folk had built some structures in the room, Belissar sat down at a table inside of one with the silver elf king. A silver elf brought them both tea, while soldier bees brought them some mana honey to mix in.
King Taranskare stared at the mana honey and tea but started the conversation before drinking it.
“Thank you for meeting with me today, Tower Keeper Belissar, and for your exceptional hospitality.”
Belissar nodded.
“Of course. What did you need to talk about?”
King Taranskare took a deep breath.
Belissar tilted his head.
“Sure, I’d appreciate the help. I’m not sure why that’s a request, though, we’re allies and you’re helping out.”
King Taranskare frowned.
“Because…the silver elves need your help, Tower Keeper.”
Belissar blinked. King Taranskare moved to elaborate.
“The Silver Host is no longer strong enough to face the opponents of the day. We have decided that, to protect ourselves and our allies, that our warriors must become challengers in the dungeons and earn the blessings of the gods. The fair folk have no experience with this, however, while you and your people do. I must ask you…would you be willing to teach us? Would you be willing to train us as your Tower Guards do?”
Belissar paused and crossed his arms.
“…let me say something. I don’t use the same methods as the Tower Lords, I try not to in most cases.”
King Taranskare nodded.
“And we are grateful for it. Still, you have trained the karnuq as your defenders, correct? The sigmaka regularly challenge your dungeon as well, I believe.”
Belissar relaxed.
“Yes, I’ve tried to help them challenge in a way that fits my Tower and my patron, the God of Bees. If you want to join them, that’s perfectly fine. Same if you want to help us with purifications.”
King Taranskare smiled.
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“You are most gracious, Tower Keeper. What would you ask for such a boon?”
Belissar made eye contact with the silver elf king.
“That your challengers help me to defend my Tower and everyone in it. Also, you will need to bring gifts for the bees and offerings for the God of Bees, that’s the point of the challenge. Work hard and face danger on behalf of the hive, as all bees do.”
King Taranskare met his gaze and gave him a nod.
“I understand. We will stand by you as allies, Tower Keeper, and do our utmost to please your bees and your patron god.”
There was a brief lull in the conversation. At that point, both Belissar and King Taranskare mixed the honey into their tea and started to drink. King Taranskare had a huge smile on his face as sipped his tea.
After they both had relaxed, King Taranskare resumed the conversation.
“Tower Keeper Belissar, have you also considered what to do with your captives?”
Belissar mixed his tea a bit more.
“Right now, they’re working on the new farm we planted. We need to make sure they can grow their own food first and foremost.”
King Taranskare took another sip before placing his tea back down.
“Have you considered loaning them out?”
Belissar narrowed his eyes, unsure he liked where this conversation was going.
“Loaning them out? To do what, exactly?”
King Taranskare quickly shook his head.
“Ah, I meant as instructors.”
Belissar blinked.
“Instructors?”
King Taranskare nodded.
“Your captives were all well-trained soldiers who challenged dungeons, were they not? They could have a lot to teach us about how they grew as strong as they did. Additionally, I intend to speak with the other members of the Circle, perhaps the fair folk can begin challenging in their dungeons as well. But the masters of the Circle haven’t designed their dungeons for that purpose, we could use some advice on that front, if you are willing. We will, of course, pay you for the services of your former Tower Guards.”
Belissar considered that. He hadn’t thought too hard about that, but it was true that his captives included many formerly experienced and powerful challengers. There were even several captains who had both led and trained other Tower Guards before. Belissar didn’t like the methods of the Tower Lords in general…but training Tower Guards wasn’t a particularly bad thing, was it? After all, those Tower Guards had earned the blessings of the gods in the process, so they had done something right...
" The Circle has helped me and taught me a lot about how to build my Tower, I’d be happy to help them if I can. As for sending out the former Tower Guards, I’ll have to think about it. I don’t think it’s a good idea to send them to the Compact right now, they didn’t seem comfortable working together with the fair folk yesterday, but maybe if some of them are willing. I think I’d also have to talk to the Circle’s masters about it, as I said I use a different method from the Tower Lords, one that better fits my patron god. The Circle’s masters might want to make similar adjustments, rather than following what the Tower Lords did.”
King Taranskare nodded.
“I understand. I will leave it to you and the Circle to judge what is right for your dungeons. And if the silver elves can offer you any assistance, then know that we are at your service.”
While Belissar went to meet the fair folk, Chief Rohsuak prepared to travel to the sigmaka…only to intercept a group coming up from the Underway. Interestingly, Fourth Queen Pezuya was not with them. Instead, Second Queen Berbiya led the group today, though she was clearly not dressed for a challenge.
“Hello, Second Queen Berbiya. Do you have business with the Tower Keeper today?”
Second Queen Berbiya furrowed her brow and stared at her, but once Chief Rohsuak spoke the sigmaka queen’s eyes went as wide as they could go.
“Chief Rohsuak?! Is that you?! I mean no offense but…you look quite…different, today.”
Chief Rohsuak threw her head back and laughed.
“You mean I don’t look one step from the grave anymore.”
Second Queen Berbiya was clearly flustered and searching for a diplomatic response. Chief Rohsuak chuckled and decided to help her out.
“Tower Keeper Belissar has seen fit to reward me for my service. But enough about me, I’m here to inform you the Tower Keeper intends to brave an expansion purification tomorrow. Please hold off on visiting the Tower tomorrow, he does not wish for any of you to be caught in it.”
Second Queen Berbiya latched onto the new topic and regained her composure.
“I understand, thank you for the forewarning. I will inform King Ratuatapi and our people.”
Chief Rohsuak then motioned to her.
“Now then, do you have business with the Tower Keeper? Unless you are here to challenge in the Fourth Queen’s place?”
Second Queen Berbiya shook her head.
“I am here to convey an invitation to the Tower Keeper. King Ratuatapi would like to meet him for a friendly meal between sovereigns.”
Chief Rohsuak raised an eyebrow.
“Oh?”
Second Queen Berbiya inclined her head.
“It is our wish to strengthen the friendship between the Tower Keeper and our people. There will be no particular agenda, it is purely a social invitation.”
Chief Rohsuak smiled.
“I see. I will convey your invitation to the Tower Keeper.”
Second Queen Berbiya thanked her, then took her leave. Chief Rohsuak chuckled as she turned around and headed back. The sigmaka wanted a stronger friendship with the Tower Keeper, did they? In that case, Chief Rohsuak was pleased she was able to show off the benefits such a friendship could provide.
Though, if she was truly honest, she was also pleased she could show off at all, now.
