"We desire an audience with your queen," Dyna said while retrieving some gifts.
Examining the glyphs surrounding Eden's forces, and sensing the powerful artifacts in their hands they sent word to the queen. They flew around watching them carefully but didn't dare encroach the spell circles. A few of the workers were interested in their gifts but were worried the spells would activate.
"Are you sure they will let them go?" Chris asked.
"They only took them to mate so they were never meant to be kept for long. If they gathered enough seed to ensure some offspring we may be able to trade for their release." Haruna replied.
"The hornets were the ones stinging us so I think they will be reasonable. I hope the others are okay though." Miguel stated.
"With Zack leading the charge they will be fine," Dyna replied.
A group of honeybees appeared wearing armor, and weapons scavenged from fall adventures. They are all members of the royal guard and appeared to escort a few representatives to their queen. With only two people being granted a visit Dyna, and John went. They needed John to point out the proper captives, and Dyna was the best candidate to convince them.
"If anything happens just give the signal." Haruna relayed to Dyna.
They continued through the jungle with their armed escort, and after ten minutes of walking, they reached the palace. It was a hive similar to Christina's just on a grander scale. Their numbers weren't as vast as the hornets, but the majority of them were armed. The bees relied more on formations, and tactics to match their rivals.
With no one aiming their weapons, and workers carrying their gifts with smiles it seemed things were off to a good start. Even so, Dyna didn't let her guard down and committed the route out to her memory. As they entered the throne room they could see their queen laying on luxurious garments their soldiers have scavenged from the remains of caravans.
The queen's name is Alyssa, and she's wearing a skimpy purple dress that barely covered her thighs. She has curly black hair trailing down her shoulders and bright orange eyes that examined the guest in her hall closely.
"I thank you for the gifts, but why do you bring them? If you wish safe travel through the forest I could grant it just this once." Alyssa said as she slowly sat up.
With the queen sitting up a human quickly approached massaging her shoulders with a smile. Alyssa was stretching her four arms back as her ample figure was exposed from her top. The man behind her was staring down with eyes filled with lust. Alyssa looked up to see his reaction and caressed his cheek while calling over a few workers. They drizzled a little royal honey down her collar bone, and it slowly trailed to her chest.
"Your such a sweet man you deserve a reward."Alyssa declared calling him in.
The man's eyes lit up with excitement as he carefully kissed, and licked up the honey on her chest. John was feeling a little awkward over the situation, but Dyna was trying to contain her desire. Observing them being intimate made her lust for Lilith and Zack's touch. Dyna loosened her armor slightly to cool off before adjusting it.
"Not sure you can call him a captive," John mumbled to Dyna.
"The effects of the royal honey can be a heavy influence, but there are usually a few men who give in to their desires willingly. They typically get free roam of the palace." Dyna relayed to John while stepping forward.
"The gifts I provided were only to gain an audience, and I brought delicacies to enjoy together. If that pleases your majesty." Dyna said while bowing politely.
Given the polite nature of Dyna, and with the curiosity over their purpose here Alyssa agreed. They dined together, and the queen seemed to enjoy the fish. For them traveling to the coast was too risky of a journey, and the ones from nearby lakes were lacking in large fish.
"I've never seen a satyr in this jungle before. What village do you come from?" Alyssa investigated.
"We come from a kingdom named Eden," Dyna replied.
"The only kingdom in this area belongs to the Long family." Alyssa stated.
"It's a new kingdom along the demon border," Dyna told the queen politely.
"What interest do you have with us then?" Alyssa inquired.
"The humans you captured recently are members of our group," John replied.
Hearing this the guards stepped forward to surround the exits discreetly. John noticed out of the corner of his eye but remained calm.
"You desire their return?" Alyssa asked.
"We do. Some of them had families, and they are eagerly waiting for their return." Dyna replied.
"The gifts you provided could benefit us greatly, but without males, our species will decline. With the reduced numbers the hornets could easily overrun us." Alyssa said while standing up from the table.
The queen motioned a few guards to approach.
"Retrieve them," Alyssa ordered while returning to her throne.
'Can you hear me?' John stared at Dyna.
Dyna glanced at him while taking a drink of her water. He pointed at the exits with his eyes showing the guards at arms.
"I noticed, but we need to play this out. Acting now it would be difficult to reach them. If they try something I'll charge the guards, and you seize the queen." Dyna relayed.
Knowing conflict could rise any minute John calmed himself trying to get a feel on the mana around him. Hidden on his waist was a dual set of daggers, and he was already sizing up the closet guards to Alyssa as he ate.
Ten minutes passed, and a group of humans was brought into the hall. John recognized some of them, but the rest seemed to be native to the jungle. Seeing John several of them ran up surprised to see him alive. While glancing through the crowd he noticed one missing.
"You can leave now, but don't return or I will consider it a sign of aggression." Alyssa declared.
"Where's Jordan?" John asked.
"You asked for the captives, and here they are. The hornets took captives as well so the man you're searching for is likely with them." Alyssa replied.