The Bee Dungeon-Chapter 258: Modest Bee-mands

Nenavann’s smile fell, however, as he furrowed his brow in thought.

“Hm, it would go both ways though, wouldn’t it? Tower Keeper Belissar wouldn’t be subject to any restrictions or authority, but neither would he benefit from any rights and privileges, particularly the terms on mutual defense, correct?”

Henilett clasped her palm to her chest and gasped.

“Why, Dungeon Master Nenavann, you’ve grown! It is a few centuries late for you to begin asking such questions but I am still very proud of you.”

Nenavann sighed, earning a giggle from Henilett.

“You have indeed identified the crux of the issue from Tower Keeper Belissar’s end. Yes, if Tower Keeper Belissar is not subject to the terms of the Compact, then neither will the other signatories have any responsibilities to him based on them. The signatories will not even be required to interact with Belissar as a single group. Given the opinions of various signatories on the issue and the precedent set by his interactions with the Circle apart from the Compact, it is my queen’s prediction that once the issue with the Compact is revealed, relations with Tower Keeper Belissar with the fair peoples will be arranged as bilateral agreements between him and individual signatories, citizens, and organizations.”

She then turned to Belissar with a more serious expression, though still with a slight smile.

“Therefore, it is of utmost importance that you pay close attention to the additional terms when you agree to sign the Compact, as they are likely the only ones that will apply to the signatories as a group. And, thanks to Forgemaster Ughlarer’s insistence on the lore restriction term, all parties involved now have precedent to include additional terms of their own.”

Her smile grew as she took out another scroll and a quill pen.

“So, Tower Keeper Belissar, what demands do you have for the signatories of the Calwaskon Compact?”

R𝑒ad lat𝒆st chapt𝒆rs at free𝑤ebnovel.com Only.

Belissar’s eyes were spinning at this point. In this conversation alone, the situation had progressed from the Compact trying to put him under their thumb like the Tower Lords to apparently the Compact making some big mistake that he could take advantage of, with the support of the pixies. He had thus gone from rapidly growing rage to bewilderment and still had no idea what the conflicting mix of feelings in his chest even were at this point.

Eventually, he took a deep breath and narrowed his eyes. One thing he did know was that this whole situation with the Compact had been somewhat frustrating, if he was to be honest about it. They never thanked him like Tarwantrad had initially been so sure of. Instead, they had questioned his intentions, had insulted the karnuq, and even now came across more like the Tower Lords than not. Which was to say, Belissar was not inclined to just agree with things as they were.

“Ok. First of all, I was told the Compact would be grateful for me saving them, or something like that. I left you a door open past my defenses for that reason, if you want me to keep doing it, then do…something about it.”

Henilett glanced about. Tarwantrad crossed her arms and rolled her eyes.

“I’m sorry, Belissar. If I had known the signatories would act like they have, I wouldn’t have recommended you help us.”

Henilett didn’t seem bothered by any of that and simply began scribbling on her scroll.

“I see, so an expectation of material gratitude from verbal agreements with Dungeon Master Tarwantrad and compensation for ongoing risk presented by the nexus door, was it? Dungeon Master Tarwantrad’s statements are unfortunately non-binding as far as the Compact is concerned but you are free to insist upon expressions of gratitude as a condition for establishing bilateral relations with individual signatories. I will inform my queen of your expectations for our own agreements. We can, however, include regular and mandatory contributions for the mutual defense and maintenance of the nexus door in the overall agreement. I suspect Wardmaster Varilold will lend her authority once that issue is raised, so I’m confident that term can be arranged with minimal resistance. Next?”

Belissar grunted to himself while Tarwantrad huffed again. So, he’d have to talk to the signatories one by one if he wanted any thanks for this? That sounded annoying, but if they’d at least help with defending the nexus door then it was a start. He took another deep breath and looked around at his bees. He reminded himself that, as annoyed as he was, the Compact helping with the defense would help him protect his bees. It was worth doing even if they weren’t as grateful as Tarwantrad had thought.

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

“Next…that part about the purified lands belonging to the Compact? That won’t work. I already have an agreement with the sigmaka, another group of beastkin, to let them keep their lands within the purified zone. And…my bees and my sworn defenders are using that land. They fought to purify it, they get to keep using it.”

Henilett brushed her cheek with the feather side of the quill for a second.

“Yes, I could see how that is a concern…how about this: if we specifically list that condition as ‘the lands under Tower Keeper Belissar will fall under the terms of the Compact,’ any authority the Compact claims on your territory will be invalidated by the aforementioned issue with the Compact regarding mortal signatories...and the fact that those lands are in the mortal realm, for that matter. Additionally, we will have acknowledged on record your own authority over those lands, so they will default to your control once the issue is recognized.”

Tarwantrad narrowed her eyes at the pixie.

“I thought Queen Vanieskon wanted those lands?”

Henilett once again shook her head.

“Dungeon Master Tarwantrad, I have already explained why it was necessary to propose that condition. While Her Majesty does have an interest in establishing a pixie presence in the mortal realm, that is ultimately secondary to establishing trade relations with Tower Keeper Belissar. Indeed, we prefer it this way, where any exchange of land rights would be conducted as part of bilateral agreements.”

Tamosmed raised an eyebrow.

“Let me guess, because Queen Vanieskon is currently the only signatory aware that there needs to be bilateral agreements? Well, besides the Circle…and aren’t we specifically restricted regarding land purchases outside our dungeons?”

Henilett grinned.

“You’re catching on, Dungeon Master Tamosmed. Next?”

Belissar immediately thought of the very first term he wanted.

“Don’t hurt the bees, whether in my tower or elsewhere. My sworn defenders too.”

Henilett nodded.

“Of course. That should be covered under your participation in the Circle, but for clarity’s sake we can specify it in the agreement as well. Next?”

Belissar blinked. More demands? He had been preparing to argue for some of these…but he had already reached the end of the ones that immediately came to mind and Henilett was still asking if he had more?

While Belissar thought, Nenavann spoke up.

“If I could interject, I’d advise specifying mutual defense, since that would not be covered under the Compact as normal.”

Henilett smiled.

“Whew, I was worried I’d have to remind you of that one. Next?”

Henilett glanced up when a minute of silence passed.

“I should clarify that you are merely proposing additional terms at this stage. Please consider that some of your demands are likely to be rejected or modified over the course of the negotiations. Please proceed with that assumption.”

Belissar glanced about. Fortunately, Tarwantrad’s eyes lit up.

“Ah, so you’re saying…Belissar should ask for as much as he can, even if it’s unreasonable?”

Henilett gave Tarwantrad a sly smile.

“There is no limit on the number of terms that can be requested, just as there is no guarantee as to the number of terms that will be accepted.”

Tarwantrad hopped over to Belissar.

“Here, Belissar, let me help you think of stuff! Let’s get as much out of those stubborn old signatories as we can!”

Belissar blinked, but began to nod.

“I see…ah, let me get Chief Rohsuak and the queens. We should ask them too if they have any ideas.”

Belissar slowly found himself beginning to smile. As this conversation carried on, he slowly found his annoyance giving way to expectation…

Chief Rohsuak and the queens joined the conversation, along with several of Chief Rohsuak’s karnuq advisors and Hirkolos. Everyone pitched in to think of possible requests and conditions, with Henilett advising on wording and feasibility, but recording every proposal regardless. Only once Henilett’s scroll was rolled down to the ground did she put away her quill.

“Well then, I think you have a good basis for an initial counteroffer. It’s a bit modest in my opinion, but it should be sufficient for us to work with.”

She rolled up the scroll and then offered it to Nenavann.

“As I am not officially authorized as a mediator, it will fall to you to present the offer, Dungeon Master Nenavann.”

Nenavann took the scroll with a nod, then rubbed his chin.

“I understand. Though, it will be fairly obvious you had a hand in it. I have to admit that I would not have been able to help Tower Keeper Belissar produce a counteroffer like this. Will that be a problem?”

Henilett smiled and turned to Belissar.

“Tower Keeper Belissar, as per my official mandate, can you confirm if Princess Finnakynne is present in your tower?”

Belissar tilted his head at the sudden change in topic but ended up nodding.

“Yes, she is.”

Henilett’s smile grew and she turned back to Nenavann.

“Well then, I shall report it to Queen Vanieskon upon my return. And to alleviate any concerns she may have concerning her own flesh and blood, I shall be sure to report it to her immediately, no matter where she finds herself at the time, even if in public.”

Nenavann’s eyes widened and he nodded back.

“Ah. And if word gets back to the other signatories, they will assume it’s her doing. That should work.”

Henilett kept her smile for a moment and then turned back to Belissar. She pulled out her quill again, along with a new scroll.

“Now then, on to our next order of business. Tower Keeper Belissar, Queen Vanieskon is most interested in opening trade and bilateral relations with you once your agreement with the Compact is concluded. I’ve already noted your expectation of material gratitude for the nexus door, what else would you require to make it happen?”

At that point, the group had been on a roll with requests. Belissar glanced over at Tarwantrad, Chief Rohsuak, and the bees. The humanoids all grinned at each while the bees danced around happily.

“Well, I think I can think of a few things…”

The conversation with Henilett carried on long into the day…