POBee 115.1 - A Questionable Bee-cision
The Fourth of the Seventh rotated about in place, glancing all around her. A wall of wax now covered the one exposed entrance of their little alcove, protecting the interior from the elements. Cracks and gaps on the existing rock walls had been patched with wax and propolis for a tight seal all around, while workers continued to line the walls with more. Some honeycomb had been built and workers were currently beating their wings to dry the nectar even as the foragers brought more.
It was a humble hive, especially when compared to the palaces of the King, but it was a functioning hive. The scouts would now have a warm and dry place to rest and plentiful honey to drink, which meant they would not have to return all the way to their hive in the Orchard each day. They would be able to fly further than ever before and search the area for new flowers and more. So, the Fourth of the Seventh’s first task was now complete and she was ready to move on.
The Fourth of the Seventh decided on her next move. Part of her wanted to rush out into the beyond now that the mini-hive was established, but that was not what she did. Because before she did that, she found that the greater part of her…wished to return now. The Beyond was filled with all sorts of things she had never seen and proved every bit as exciting as she had dreamed. And yet…she missed the workers she had left behind, especially her communer. She missed the First of the Fifth’s First Daughter, who was always happy and cheerful whenever the Fourth of the Seventh saw her. Sure, she could keep tabs on them as the communer gave her daily reports, but the Fourth of the Seventh wanted to see them herself, to dance with them and brush their antennae.
Her own instincts were pulling on her as well, for it had been a while since she last laid an egg. She may have wanted to see the world as a worker would, but that did not mean she disliked her own job, and it had been far too long since she had done it. But…she did not want to lay her eggs here. As much as she wanted to see the Beyond, she preferred that her children grow in the warm embrace of the King’s realm.
And so, she danced to the communer in the mini-hive.
“Ok, going to go back now, check on hive. Can tell others?”
The communer danced a salute dance and relayed her orders. The Fourth of the Seventh almost immediately felt mana flow towards her, sent by the communer back home.
“Really?! Queen coming home already?!”
She danced happily as she replied.