Duty Bound

Harvest

It was an unremarkable patch of ice near the location of where the crystal empire once stood. All that remained was a network of mountainous crags that surrounded where the great city state had stood in a semi circle. The wind tore across the open snowy plans raising up and sculpting pointed snow dunes. A Pegasus pony clad in winter gear was approaching. Slowly plodding through the deep snow drifts he left long deep holes in the snow in his wake. He had copper goggles over his eyes and a scarf and a hat pulled down low over his head. His jacket had cuffed holes for its wings which the wind tore at and disturbed its feathers.

He would have made it back here quicker if this damn storm hadn't blown up, but so many things had gone right this day it only figured that one thing would go wrong. The wind wasn't as bad as the cold. Out on the surface of his desert home the only difference would be that the winds would be kicking up dust storms instead of snow. His trek completed he approached the patch of ice. He stood next to it and tapped it several times with his hoof. He lowered his head and removed his hat trying to get an ear to the ice. He did his best to cup a hoof over his ear to try and block out the howling winds. From the other side of the ice there was a series of taps in response. He did some quick figures in his head and then did another series of taps and stood back. The piece of ice slid back revealing a rough hewn stair case leading down into darkness. The Pegasus quickly descended into the darkness the ice closing behind him rapidly. The ice was transparent enough to act as a window and some wintery blue light lit up the floor in front of him as he came to the start of a long passage. Two sets of pale pupil less eyes stared at the Pegasus from the darkness. In a burst of green flame a changeling nymph appeared in place of the Pegasus, he had orange dorsal platting, long orange mane and tail.

"Welcome back."

"Thank you Thorax. How much time do you think we'll have till Phalanx arrives?"

One of the changelings advanced out of the darkness. He was a drone, had teal dorsal plates and a stocky build.

"We were spaced about three clicks apart on our approach, after I got here you got in around 40 minutes later. It'll take him at least that long. If he doesn’t get lost."

Thorax rolled his eyes. Maxillus nodded.

"We should wait for him. I don’t want to deliver this crop, in parcels. That will only make her majesty mad for having to wait for each one. Plus, she isn't expecting us."

"Order as all ways…"

Thorax droned. Thorax approached the stairs and peered up at the ice patch from underneath.

"It'll be nice not to be cold again."

Maxillus laughed.

"Come on Thorax! Were the best harvesters Howling Caverns have. We weren't out there that long."

Thorax waved a perforated hoof.

"Aaah! I know. The cold isn't the problem. Its that gods forsaken wind. Once that starts blowing the air around so much my shell cant keep it out. Then! …I have a problem."

Maxillus looked over Thorax at the other changeling standing in the dark.

"I'm sorry for the intrusion. I know you weren't expecting us."

"Not a problem prince. These shifts are down right boring. This is the highlight of my day. How'd you guys make out? Pretty good if your back this early."

Thorax laughed and turned to face him.

"We hit the mother load. Another one of Prince Max's crazy schemes."

Maxillus tapped Thorax on the shoulder causing him to whip his head around.

"Its only crazy if it doesn’t work. Got you out of that cold for now, Right?"

"Good point. Don’t look a favor in the mouth."

A shadow appeared across the patch of ice, and the watch drone trotted up the stairs and cocked an ear. All three heard a different series of taps. The watch drone pulled out a chart from the wall ran a hoof across it and made another series of taps on his side of the ice. He then listened and looked at another part of the chart. After hearing the correct number of taps he put the chart away in a pocket on the wall and grabbed a large wooden leaver that was recessed into a step. With a great tug the piece of ice retracted letting the wind and light howl into the passage way and Thorax and Maxillus shielded there eyes with there perforated hooves letting small spots of light cast across there faces. Another Pegasus pony in similar garb nodded at the watch drone and the two of them headed back down the stairs. A lode weight shifted and the wooden handle slapped back into place on the stair way closing the ice slab with a bang.

There was another bright green flash of flame, and another drone stood before them. Slightly taller and lankier then Thorax but with the same teal dorsal plate.

Thorax gave him a playful shove with a forelimb.

"Good! I see you didn't get lost!"

The other changeling shook some residual snow from his shell with a flick of his wings.

"In this storm? It’s a miracle! You don’t get to nock me for my bad sense of direction after this."

Maxillus approached the pair.

"With you Phalanx that’s the three of us. Lets not keep the Queen waiting."

"She's not expecting us. Is she?"

"It will be a happy surprise, and the sooner we drop off our haul the sooner you two can get some rest."

"Your not scarin' me!"

Thorax lead the way and motioned for Maxillus and Phalanx to follow. They made there way down the tunnel. Inset in the walls periodically were crystal orbs that gave off a dull yellowish light giving some definition to the dark hall way they plodded through. At the end of it, it opened into a vast cavern and a wooden platform with a series of wooden steps that wound there way down to the cavern floor. Through out the cavern was the general hoof and wing traffic of a hive. A few drones darting about the stalactites' on the ceiling trying to make there way across the massive atrium, many others streaming around stalagmites on the floor on well trodden paths. Puffs of steam would periodically shoot through a few of the stalagmites that had slanted tops with white cuffs of calcified minerals at there mouths. Various tufts of moss and mushrooms and cavernous plant life were clustered around the bases of the stalagmites and on the sloping inner walls of the cavern. Some of the plants were luminescent and would periodically release spores into the air that would glow and drift about spreading light through out the cavern.

Maxillus breathed in the wonderful warm steam and must and smiled before he and his team mates began to start making there way down the steps. It was good to be home. Maxillus had only hailed from Howling Caverns for a little over two years but it was always welcome after a mission long or short. He enjoyed his time here now. He had been a stranger when he arrived. Knowing only his mothers cousin the queen of the hive Diaphene. But through a willingness to work hard and let no task be beneath him he had earned a good reputation through out the hive. Even as Maxillus and his team wove there ways through the dense hoof traffic in the major mix master of the hive, a few drones, some he didn’t even know, would lift there heads and smile and wave a hoof as he passed. A few even called out.

"Welcome home Prince!"

There were so many in the hive that Maxillus still had not met, but his positive reputation and appearance meant he was easy to spot by other drones, considering he stood practically a head taller then tallest of them.

They approached the royal chambers. A flat wall with a massive set of wooden doors inset in a space hewn from the rock. There was a series of evenly spaced stalagmites and stalactites which had been artificially grown by the changelings to make the entry way to the throne room look like a gaping fanged maw with the massive wooden doors looking like the tongue. There were guards wearing chitin plate taken from the large burrowing beetles which had been domesticated by the swarm long ago to aid in tunneling. They stood inter spaced between the stalagmites with wicked spears at there sides. The spears were black and had tooth and claw like blades sticking out of them at there tops and sides. Maxillus' team approached the main entrance which had two guards posted there each saluted, a salute Maxillus returned.

"Maxillus and company returning from our love gathering mission, here to report to her majesty the queen."

"The queen is currently un occupied. She will receive you."

The guards turned to the massive wooden doors and began to pull them apart. Unlike the rest of the hive they had created some artificial air ways here and torches lined the walls and lead into the smaller ante chamber where Diaphene held court over her swarm. Diaphene sat upon her throne carved from the rock wall that was on the back of the chamber. It raised her so she sat highest in the room a few steps leading down from it.

Engraved into the wall with interlaced borders were two rampant changeling drones opposing the throne.

At either side of the throne stood two Changeling Praetorian guards. Praetorian guards were a rare breed. They were like other changelings save for one thing. Using there changeling powers they had learned to reconfigure and essentially grow out parts of there chitin shells in very controlled ways. This meant the jet black armor they bore was something that was apart of them. It moved with them and gave them far more protection then the average drone, even with armor. There snouts had spikes and there shoulder chitin had grown into thick overlapping plates. As heavy as they looked they were fast and flexible and were trained rigorously to make the most of there valued talent. It was one Maxillus envied.

Diaphene was a tall and slender Changeling queen. Her long teal mane was almost as long as Maxillus, save the fact she endured the pain of having it trimmed more frequently then he. She had elegant sharp features and petite fangs set in her slight muzzle. She had smaller eyes compared to most changeling princess' but that only added to her sleek predatory appearance. She wore only one accessory, a leather interweave band that she used as a mane tie that kept her mane out of her face. On her back she had the teal dorsal plate, the mark of her hive. She was graced with a set of four diaphanous wings that appeared as two when folded.

As Maxillus and his team approached they stopped before a large Blood colored rug that sat in front of the throne. A changeling adjutant rose to the side of the throne and Diaphene cocked her head in his direction, after he whispered something her eyes flared, then narrowed. She raised her head peering at Maxillus and his team. The adjutant trotted up to them and gave a quick shallow bow.

"Her Majesty will see you now your highness."

The adjutant nodded then left the room. Maxillus and his team stepped on to the rug all three bowed. Diaphene raised her voice.

"Back so soon Maxillus!?"

"Yes your majesty."

"I certainly hope this is not your first report of failure since your arrival in Howling Caverns. That would be permissible but still …disappointing."

"On the contrary, your majesty. we are returned successful."

Thorax took a step forward and knelt on two limbs. She nodded in his direction.

"Yes drone?"

"Your Majesty, Prince Maxillus' keen insight spotted and made use of a situation that presented itself two days after we left the hive."

Diaphene leaned forward flittering her wings.

"…Continue."

Phalanx stood forward and dropped to a knee.

"His highness spotted a group of earth pony and unicorn explorers attempting to make there way over the mountain and we intervened."

"How?"

"By placing explosives along a ridge we set off an avalanche that threatened to kill the ponies. When they fell off the mountain under the guise of pegasi we saved there lives. There out pouring of thankfulness and elation after being that close to death after our intervention on there behalf was…overwhelming."

Thorax continued.

" Considering there proximity to a hive entrance we later escorted them to the nearby village and…advised them against making another attempt near that side of the mountain."

Maxillus did not raise his head.

"Our mission is complete, your majesty."

A small smile spread across Diaphene's lips and she sat up right in her throne again.

"Show me."

Maxillus and his team closed there eyes and tilted there heads forward. There horns glowed green and sparkling green smoke began to rise from them into the air forming a cloud. Diaphenes eyes and horn glowed teal and she began to rotate her head. The green sparkling energy was drawn toward her and it was woven up in her horn. Her mouth opened and she drew in a sharp breath as she began drawing the rich emotions into her reserves. When the drones horns ceased to glow they returned to Maxillus' side there heads now lowered. Maxillus continued to pour out the emotional energy like a fountain.

Diaphene loved having a nymph in her hive again. Maxillus had proven to be so capable but in addition to that nymphs could store vast amounts of emotional energy in there bodies in comparison to the average drone. Maxillus' team of three could do and store the work of five with him among them. Maxillus stores ran dry and Diaphene  finished absorbing the smoky green cloud. She closed her eyes breathed deeply and sighed. Her eyes snapped open and she smiled broadly baring her fangs.

"I am most pleased! This is surely a delight I did not expect this early. This assignment was projected to take two weeks and here it is three days and you have returned successful."

Maxillus and Phalanx responded.

"Thank you, your majesty."

"Thank you, your majesty."

Thorax stood forward again head still bowed.

"More of her Majesties cousin's fine leadership. The credit goes to him."

Diaphene closed her mouth and smiled at Maxillus.

"Hmmm…The credit goes to all of you. Phalanx. Thorax, I shall conceive of… some reward to give you for your work. For now, Maxillus and I have much to discuss."

Thorax and Phalanx shot each other side glances and grinned bearing there own fangs.

"Thank you! Your majesty!"

"Thank you! Your majesty!"

Diaphene waved a hoof.

"You are dismissed."

Phalanx and Thorax bowed and took several steps backwards then turned and exited the chamber. There was silence in the chamber save for the crackling of the braziers in the corners which cast an eerie flickering light on Diaphene's shinny black shell and glistening dorsal plate. Diaphene raised a hoof.

"Leave us."

The two praetorian guards bowed to there queen, then Maxillus, and left through side entrances on either side of the throne room. Diaphene readjusted herself in her throne and rested her hooves on her limb rests sliding her forelimbs against the smooth stone a few times. Maxillus' head was still bowed.

"I am most pleased with your work Maxillus. Because of this, the emotional harvest is now complete. It has come swiftly do to your tireless efforts and zeal to serve me and this hive."

"Thank you. Your majesty."

"I have chosen how best to put this vast emotional energy to use."

"Yes your majesty."

"I have chosen that is finally time that our hive once again celebrate the Rite of Beltane and I have decided It shall be this night."

Diaphene watched Maxillus carefully as she spoke these words. There appeared to be no change in his body language.

"Yes your majesty."

"It is yet early afternoon. There will be more then enough time to prepare for the feast and the ceremony once I have sent word to the rest of the hive."

"Yes your majesty."

"There will be great revelries and celebration this night. There will be great joy through out the hive."

"Yes your majesty."

Diaphene tipped her head up slightly as she peered down her nose at Maxillus.

"…You and I will not be excluded from this…revelry."

Maxillus remained silent. Diaphene gently tapped the limb rest of her throne waiting for a response. When she was given none she continued.

"Maxillus since being sent to my hive you have fulfilled every roll and task I have set before you. You have been my personal body guard, you have eliminated those that would seek to reveal us, and have gathered love energy far more efficiently then those before you and brought excellence from those that have served you."

Maxillus still did not respond.

"All of these things I have attributed both to your excellent character and raising as a nymph by Queen Arista."

Maxillus continued his silence.

"You have done everything that could be asked of a nymph. Save the most basic duty. You shall fulfill that duty  tonight."

Maxillus began to think. Diaphene as a queen was a shrewd ruler. When it came to the operation of her hive she chose not to play at chance. When she was forced to she always stacked the odds in her favor. Clearly that would mean that Maxillus would factor into her plans regarding Beltane. Maxillus knew this day would come. It was the sole reason nymphs were sent to other hives when they were of age. It was to keep the royal lines strong. His only wish was that he would have had more time to prepare himself. His mother, Queen Arista, had always told Maxillus that it was a nymphs duty to put the needs of the queen and the hive before his own regardless of what that might be. But Diaphene was his mothers cousin and therefore his own. He had known her since he was a whelp and she was his senior by nearly 30 years.

"Maxillus?"

Maxillus shook his head, snapped out of his mental pause.

"You normally choose not to speak when you disagree with me. Do you disagree with me on this?"

"No your Majesty-"

Maxillus bent his head more and spoke softly. He pawed at the ground with his hoof.

"It is just…Awkward."

Diaphene smacked a hoof onto her limb rest and leaned forward in her chair and shouted.

"Akward or not! You will serve your duty to this hive-!"

She raised her head and her eyes narrowed.

"…And. To. Me."

Maxillus stood at his full height and with more confidence looked Diaphene in the eye.

"Of course your Majesty! And I hope that we will be successful in our… efforts."

Diaphene nodded and smiled she rested her cheek on a hoof.

"Always concerned with the end goal of the mission. Maxillus…Beltane is a wonderful time for any hive! There will be enjoyment in this night for all."

Maxillus bowed again.

"Yes. Your majesty."

"You are hereby relieved until the feast where you shall be attending with me. Understood?"

"Yes! Your majesty!"

Maxillus took a few steps backwards. Before he could turn to leave Diaphene interjected and raised her head to peer down at him again.

"And Maxillus…"

She waited. Maxillus opened his eyes and turned them up to meet Diaphene's appraising gaze.

"Get some rest-"

The corners of her mouth curled up into a sneer.

"-you will need it."