Panic reigned among the Miaxi
How could this happen to them? Just a while ago the hive was immersed in its usual quiet routine, and then that thing emerged from the woods. None in the hive had seen that manner of creature before, mud and soil and algae-clogged rocks forming its lumpy frame. Was it an elemental? They couldn’t say, for they were too busy mobilizing their numbers. Before the rest of the colony found out what was happening, the behemoth had plunged its front limbs into the hive walls and ripped it open like bread crust.
They couldn’t stop it. Weapons did nothing but splash the soft mud, and those that opted to used their stingers found themselves stuck and unable to fly away. And the titan seemed unfazed by the assault, only sometimes swatting the bee-women away or crushing the trapped ones as it tore deeper and deeper.
It had reached the chambers of the larvae. Younglings stacked in vertical rows screamed and pleaded and struggled to escape in absolute, helpless terror. None of those helped as the gargantuan mud-claw scooped them in writhing handfuls, shoved them into a crack on the beast’s surface. Faint popping as dripping, slobbering teeth closed on the grubs that weren’t swallowed whole. And the Miaxi got even more agitated, yelling in powerless rage at the attacker, their numbers swelling and descending on the monstrous shape. All of this only got it even hastier in its movements
A terrible noise followed, and yet more chunks of the hive fell to the ground. The mud giant had broken a slab the size of a small building, and every inch of that object was made up of combs glistening with thick honey. Then, as quickly as it had arrived, it dashed back to the forest, pushing its way through the bracken and brambles. Thunderous steps resonated amidst the trees, and eventually, silence.
And the Miaxi could do nothing but wail in vengeful anger, their forces spent at this sudden attack. Desperately they rushed to tend to their wounded, started gathering the broken walls to repair the damage done. They had suffered, certainly, and the losses were big, but at least the queen was safe and the colony would live. They’d make it through this.
But still they looked at the unforgiving horizon and the feeling of impotence crept on their faces. What was all that just now? What was that thing? Was…was there more of them?
Had the bee-folk made pursuit of their assailant, they would have seen it crunch a path towards the nearby river, clutching the precious honey so dearly, making contented muffled noises. They would have watched how it slowly crumbled to reveal scales and claws underneath as it touched the water. They would have seen it submerge completely and vanish in a cloud of brown silt. And from that cloud, a dark figure would swim downstream for a few meters, ultimately emerging at the roots of an overhanging tree.
Grendel tumbled out of the river clumsily, as his lower limbs sank on weeds and the black soil of the humid edge. With relaxed, if tired movements he shook the water off his body and then lied down at the base of the tree, back against the trunk. He looked at his catch, drenched in water but just as edible, and a triumphant grin appeared on his face. He couldn’t believe that actually worked! A little longer, and he would have been in serious trouble. Maybe next time he should put more layers…but then he would have to seek another hive, they probably wouldn’t fall for it if he went there again. It didn’t really matter, thought. After all, wasn’t such a savoury dessert worth the effort?
Grendel twisted around to make the spot more comfortable and swatted away the dirt that still clung to the honey slab. Licking his drooling maw in anticipation, he finally sunk his teeth on the sweet treat.
OW!!!!
An intense jolt of searing pain, and the squamataur thrashed in the tree roots for a little while before finally reaching inside his mouth and pulling out what caused it.
In his hand lied a dying Miaxa. Probably she had clung on the honeycombs as he took them away, hitched the ride all the way to the river. He had bitten on the portion that had her, and she must have taken the chance to exact revenge on him. Indeed, her stinger hadn’t completely severed itself from the abdomen, but it had stains of red on the tip and Grendel could taste blood at the moment. And there she was, laughing at him with a little raspy voice even as her life was slipping away.
Grendel’s response was a loud, annoyed grunt, followed by the Miaxa being thrown against a nearby tree with all his strength and a quiet splat. He felt around his palate with his own tongue. It was a big sting, all right. He wouldn’t be feeling part of his mouth for a while now. Just great
With a resigned sigh he gave another bite to the combs, and took a big chunk of it this time. The numbing was already taking effect and he could hardly taste the honey, but he continued chewing regardless. He wasn’t going to let his prize to waste.
It served as a lesson, Grendel guessed. You can’t always have the last laugh.
Subject: Trick 
Sat Oct 09, 2010 4:58 am
