The forest canopy shimred bright green, excited birds chirped all around. Little animals sprinted through the bushes. Sienna adjusted the straps of her protective gear, the hum of her drone hovering above, capturing every step she took as part of her livestream. Her voice, calm yet tinged with excitent, filled the air.
"Good morning babies," she smiled and waved, "Today, instead of the ordinary workout session, I am taking you on a hike in the Silver vein forest. We are not simply walking, but, we are also here to hunt for bees. I have been getting a lot of questions about honey and I will answer them soon. Is this slightly dangerous? Yes. But, it is worth the risk." She narrowed her eyes and pointed at the drone, "That said, do not try this recklessly because I don’t want to be blad if you encounter an accident. I also want to make it clear that I am not alone."
The cara swept behind her. A dozen guards, mixed beast n with weapons and all dressed in proper armor. Six servants, clad in reinforced outfits carried smoke canisters and long poles tipped with protective nest. And beside them, silent as a shadow, stood Geo in a mask. His aura was sharp like a blade hidden in velvet.
The hunting party had one more companion. A five year old favorite fox baby among Sienna’s fans. Ali was skipping lightly between the guards, her tiny protective suit making her look like an astronaut.
"Mama, will the bees like my song?" she asked, her voice muffled by the helt.
Sienna smiled. "Of course they will. You have the beast singing voice on the Beast continent."
So of the servants giggled. One silly fox cub and one deaf mother, was what the pair was.
****
Far away, on the estate of the Fox Lord, Eli was sitting out in the gardens, ready to do his morning exercises with the estate guards. Normally, he watched Sienna’s livestream and told himself that it was only because Ali joined sotis.
He plopped down on the grass, his small fists clenched, envy burning in his chest. He had never been to the Silver vein forest. He had never seen a bee! Bitterness twisted his young face. Why hasn’t called to talk to since she left? Why does she take my sister everywhere but not ? Why does she carry Ali but not ? Why does she smile at her, but frown at ? His heart throbbed with resentnt.
"Bad woman," he whispered. Hot tears spilled from his eyes, and yet he did not look away from the broadcast.
A worried servant ran in doors to summon Lady Cadelaria. The fox lord had been behind closed doors for a week, dealing with his heat which had lasted longer than usual and refused to be controlled by any suppressants. But with the young lord in tears, he needed to be summoned too.
****
Back in the forest, Sienna led her party deeper to find the place that Geo had said had many bees. The guards snorted, their nostrils flaring at the scent of nectar, the closer they got. The servants were more nervous, hive territory could be dangerous. One mistake and you ended up disfigured.
They all hoped these suits Lady Sienna had made them wear would be enough to protect them.
Geo touched Sienna’s shoulder. "We are here." He could hear the buzzing, like the guards. His intention was for Sienna to only peruse the outer area and take the easiest hives.
"Prepare the smoke." she ordered. "These are wild bees, they will not yield easily."
In the livestream, viewers beca more excited. So could not wait to see Sienna stung or embarrassed. Others were worried about Ali’s safety or her safety. Many younger ones, were ready to see bees for the first ti in their lives.
The servants obeyed, igniting the canisters. Pale clouds drifted upward, curling through the branches. A faint hum began, low and resonant, vibrating through the marrow of their bones. Ali clutched her mother’s hand, eyes wide with awe.
The drone cara zood in, reacting to the change in the environnt. From the first colossal tree, a hive revealed itself. It glowed like a lantern, honey combs dripping with golden light.
Thousands of bees sward, their wings shimring golden yellow. The air thickened with their singular hum, a chorus that seed to echo across dinsions.
"System has detected dormant pets that can be bound. Does the host wish to bind?]
Sienna frowned. "Is it the bees?"
"Yes, host. Binding them is possible, but they won’t give you any special abilities."
Sienna grinned. They would give her honey, and that was all she wanted from them. Best of all, they would not harm people when she moved them to her cottage. "Bind."
She raised her pole, steady and precise. "Now," she whispered, to the servants and audience. "Let’s begin the harvest."
The servants advanced, nets poised. The guards ford a protective circles. Geo leaped in the air, moving with uncanny grace. His claws flashed as he deflected a sudden swarm.
Ala clapped her hands, squealing in delight.
Sienna’s heart raced. There were many bees, only the ones she captured would be considered her pets. She swung her pole, knocking down a dripping comb into the net. The live stream zood in, capturing every detail for the audience.
Comnts flooded the stream--praises, warnings, wagers on whether she would succeed.
Comb after comb fell into the nests. The guards bellowed and used smoke to drive back swarms. The servants sweated beneath their suits, their arms aching. They were almost finished and many in the group were relieved.
But then, the hum changed. It deepened, resonating like a drumbeat from the abyss. The bees that had not been captured scattered, their formation breaking. From the heart of the hive, deep inside the place where the group had not dared to tread, sothing stirred. It was a shadow larger than any of the bees they had seen so far. Its wings were vast enough to blot out the canopy.
Sienna froze. Her drone trembled. its lens pushing in on the enormity. Ali gasped, clutching her mother’s leg. The guards roared, claws, tails and weapon slashing. Even Geo stiffened, his gaze narrowing.
From the depths of the trees erged a colossal creature, her body glowing like stars, her eyes burning like twin suns. Her wings beat once, and the forest shook. The servants stumbled, smoke canisters falling from their hands.
Sienna’s breath caught. "Oh no, this is terrible."
The livestream exploded with frantic comnts. Viewers were screaming warnings, others were in awe because this was a legendary queen bee.
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