POBee 196.2 - Bee-havioural Challenges
The Firstborn finished her pondering as she laid another egg. The karnuq told of her of many things and the blessings of the gods. The Firstborn was not so sure about that after some consideration. Initially, she thought it would be a given that she would grant her devotion to the Queen of All Bees…but was that the case? She was innately a member of the Hive of All Bees as all bees were, but her first loyalty was to the King and his hive of hives. If she were forced to declare her allegiance, would it be to anyone other than the King? Would the Queen of All Bees approve of a bee who followed a hive other than their own, even hers?
The Firstborn could not answer those questions. But the blessings of the gods was not the only thing the karnuq spoke of. The Firstborn decided to focus on one particular aspect of the fighting one’s advice and in doing so found she knew what to do next.
She turned to the nearest communer and sent her decree through her hive.
“Will train with soldiers now. One day, will fight with.”
Her hive’s reaction was immediate.
“Queen mother, no!”
All of her nearby workers began to swarm over her, forming a protective ball that also served to restrict her movements. The soldiers on guard at the barracks entrance flew inside and lent their bulk to the pile. Even her daughter queens ceased their own hive management and crawled over, antennae flicking and wings buzzing in concern.
The Firstborn remained still and allowed them to express their refusal. Monster bee hives were normally ruled by their queens, but her authority was not absolute. If her children felt her life was in danger or the very existence of the hive was at risk, their instincts would take over. She could guide those instincts but to refuse them outright would be difficult, to say the least.
And that is exactly what she needed to do now.