The Bee Dungeon
Chapter 280: Our Bloody Bees-iness of the Day

As the group made their way through the dusk elf settlement, Hesfalle walked up beside Belissar.

“How is your Death room coming along?”

Belissar furrowed his brow.

“I’m not sure, we’re hunting a lot of rabbits, but between the karnuq, the spiderkin, and the butcher and bloodsucking bees, we’re eating them all, so we’re not really hunting excessively anymore. I just got animal dens and added a few, but I haven’t seen any changes in the room yet.”

Hesfalle hummed to herself.

“I see.”

She walked in silence for a bit. Belissar waited for her to continue, seeing as she hadn’t said enough for him to respond to. Eventually, she spoke up again.

“It’s true that normal hunting likely won’t produce enough Death mana to change a room, it might grow closer to Blood if anything. I may have underestimated how much those carnivorous bees could consume, if they’re eating everything they hunt it probably won’t work for a Death room. You’re already scaling up the prey species so you know your capabilities best, but you may want to create a second room to be the corpse repository. I’m not sure, I can come by and take a look at it if you want.”

Belissar nodded.

“You’re welcome.”

Soon after that, their destination came into sight. Another dungeon, this one with red banners and deeper red drops of blood painted on them. The dungeon’s exterior was also decorated with black metal spikes…lots of spikes. Many of which appeared bloodstained. Belissar gulped, but Tarwantrad and Hesfalle continued on without a care, so he followed along.

Inside he found a hall made of black stone and jagged black metal, with plentiful spikes everywhere he could see. A red carpet led the way to a fountain of some red liquid, which Belissar feared he knew the identity of given the circumstances.

A figure hooded in red and black robes stepped out from behind a pillar and gave a raspy chuckle.

“Welcome, succulent fleshbags. Have you come for the bloodletting? The moon is not yet right for the spilling of blood.”

While Belissar was deciphering those words, Tarwantrad took charge.

“No, I donated last time. We’re from the Circle, this is Tower Keeper Belissar, here for his boon from Lomedys.”

The figure let out a disappointed sigh.

“Very well, I will lead you to the master.”

Hesfalle leaned over and whispered to Belissar.

“He means blood donations. Lomedys uses his blood magic to pull harmless amounts of blood from volunteers. Mainly for his dungeon and blood magic, but there are healing applications as well.”

Belissar blinked.

“I…see?”

Hesfalle made a small grin.

“Your bees would probably be good at that.”

Their guide was starting to lead them behind, so they focused on following along. The guide led them through a shortcut to an even grander hall, with even more spikes and blood fountains and torches giving off blood-red light. At the end of the hall was a tall and spiky throne, upon which sat their host or so Belissar presumed. It was another dusk elf like Hesfalle, dressed in spiky black armor with a bright red cloak, and holding a wine glass full of some sort of red liquid. Belissar really hoped it was wine.

“Ah, the lady of the meadows has come to the domain of the blood lord. Have you brought an offering to spill before the gods?”

Tarwantrad rolled her eyes.

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“No, Lomedys, we’re here because you wouldn’t get off your butt to come and see Belissar.”

Lomedys shook his head and chuckled darkly.

“Foolish, you should know the mortals fear the shedding of blood most. What disaster might befall should a blood lord descend upon the mortal realm?”

Hesfalle leaned over to whisper to Belissar.

“He means he was nervous about leaving the Compact.”

Lomedys narrowed his eyes.

“Oh, mistress of death, where have you gone? Did we not promise to indulge in the carnage together, to spread blood and death to the masses as one? I recall a time our hearts beat as one.”

Belissar turned to Hesfalle for another translation but she looked away with flushed cheeks.

“…I was young.”

Lomedys raised an eyebrow.

“Does not the blood of youth still flow through our veins? None of us have approached even the third century if I recall.”

Tarwantrad let out a deep sigh.

“We should have brought Finnakynne after all. Ok, Hesfalle’s embarrassing past aside, can we get to the boons? Preferably without another blood speech? Belissar here is supposed to meet with a representative of Queen Vanieskon later and I don’t suppose you want to explain why he was late?”

Lomedys blinked.

“Mortal…you are dealing with the pixie queen? With mortal blood running through your veins? I do not know whether to call you brave or mad.”

He shook his head and then sneered down at Belissar.

“Still, this is but a mortal, lady of the meadows. Do you expect the blood lord to grant a favor without taking the measure of his blood? There is always a price to be paid…”

Tarwantrad rolled her eyes.

“Ok, let me stop you there, Lomedys. Putting aside that the Circle is requiring you to help, I know for a fact you have blood flowers, because I grew them after you kept begging me. Belissar here has bloodsucking bees, so just hand over the flowers and we’ll leave you to your…bloodletting.”

Lomedys stood up, placed his glass on the armrest of his throne, then marched right up to Belissar.

“You…have blood bees?”

Belissar blinked, still catching up with everything going on.

“Yes?”

Lomedys knelt down and bowed his head.

“I beseech you, oh lord of the bees, please give me some for my dungeon! I’ll pay you, whatever you want! Want some of my blood?”

Belissar quickly shook his head when the dusk elf pulled out a knife and brought it to his own palm.

“Ah, that won’t be necessary.”

Belissar cleared his throat and took a deep breath. He did his best to ignore all the spikes and blood and long sentences he didn’t really understand and then adopted the tone he used in diplomatic meetings.

“We can discuss that, I am not unwilling but I must be certain that the bees will be happy with you first.”

Lomedys nodded his head as quickly as he could.

“Yes! Of course! Whatever you want! Or rather, please teach me, oh lord of bees!”

Suddenly, Tarwantrad’s eyes began to sparkle and she grinned.

“Belissar won’t be an easy teacher. He’s had to fend off and slay humans and beastkin and Hunger alike. He won’t be satisfied with a half-hearted defense, you’ll have to prove you can keep his bees safe.”

Lomedys look up to Belissar, his eyes widening as far as they can go.

“You…have spilt mortal blood in battle? For real?”

Belissar frowned. He wasn’t sure where Tarwantrad was going with this, but figured she was doing it for a good reason, so did his best to answer.

“Not personally…but my Tower has, unfortunately.”

Lomedys once again bowed his head.

“Blood lord…no, blood master, please teach me your ways! Please, show me the true bloodletting!”

Tarwantrad lifted her head high as she crossed her arms.

“In case you didn’t notice the signing of a second Compact, Lomedys, the fair folk are now Compact-bound to defend Belissar from his enemies, mortals included. If you were to volunteer, perhaps you could even send your forces to participate. Maybe even do so yourself…”

Lomedys whipped his head around to stare at her.

“Truly?”

Tarwantrad made a smug smile as she nodded.

“Princess Finnakynne already has. Of course, you should probably start with fulfilling the Circle’s own request to give Belissar assistance via a boon if you wished to be considered…”

Lomedys popped up with a smile on his face.

“Yes! Of course! Anything for the blood master! Flowers, was it? Just give me a second and I’ll bring you as many as you want!”

Lomedys sprinted out of the room before anyone could respond. Belissar glanced over at Tarwantrad.

“So, he’s going to want to help if the Tower Lords or spiderkin show up?”

Tarwantrad nodded.

“He’s always been fascinated by combat, especially between the fair folk and the mortals. I was worried about introducing you, a mortal, to him with his whole wanting to shed mortal blood thing…but it looks like we can use that.”

Belissar glanced to his other side.

“And…is she ok?”

Hesfalle was currently curled up and holding her head with both hands.

“…I shouldn’t have come.”

Tarwantrad chuckled.

“Don’t mind her, she’s just remembering some things she’d rather not.”

Belissar could understand not wanting to think of bad memories, so he let the dusk elf be. Fortunately, it didn’t take too long for Lomedys to return, holding bundles of red roses in his arms. Red roses that had stabbed into his face, which was now dripping blood.

“Are…you ok?”

Lomedys chuckled.

“Oh, don’t mind me, they’re just a bit thirsty. But here! Vampire roses! They make blood sap and blood nectar! They like to drink blood too, normally from blood-soaked soil but they will also drain anything they can impale upon their thorns.”

Belissar smiled.

“That sounds perfect for the bloodsucking bees, I’m sure they’ll love them.”

Lomedys grinned.

“I’m sure they will! Please, you have to show them to me as soon as possible!”

Belissar wasn’t sure what to make of this dungeon master at first, but now he was starting to believe they’d get along just fine.