Bloodimina repeated stoically:
"It's possible that they have been kidnapped, Father. We don't have any information yet, except that by headcount, they had to have all been Beemarines. Perhaps the dragon riders will find out more… In a few days."
The other bees present were scowling and clenching their fists in anger at this news. Their thoughts were written on their faces: 'Dirty monsters, they kill our people and now they kidnap them for whatever nefarious purposes they might have!'
I took a deep breath and forced myself to calm down.
As an expert in human mindset, I could easily imagine the nefarious purposes in great detail. My girls could be treated like a curiosity to sell to rich people, like prisoners to torture for information, like hostages, or even as scientific subject to vivisect.
But nothing could be done about it right now. I had to have faith in my daughters… They were Beemarines—the toughest and the most self-sufficient bees in the Bee Empire.
"Regalia," I addressed my daughter-Queen. "I trust you to hold Hive Rich in case any giant changes his mind and attacks again. And, of course, dismantle the corpses we got. A single train won't be enough to transport this much stuff quickly, so build more trains as necessary."
Oh boy, there was going to be so much crafting materials! The Empire will be all set for *months*.
"I will, Father. But… are you leaving already? You won't even stay for the funeral dance?" She pouted. "We could discuss some things while you wait for its arrangement..."
I sighed and patted her head. What a little manipulative brat… Ambrosia was raising them to be real nobles.
"I wish I could, but dead people won't get any deader, unlike living ones. I'm returning to Hive Supremo to meet with the dragon riders. You can deal with things on your own, I'm sure."
Regalia accepted my pat and nodded.
"We will make you proud here, Father. Hive Rich is the best of the sub-hives!"
I was about to leave for Hive Supremo immediately.
Then I realized I was hungry, so it was better to have a snack before the road.
Then Regalia found I didn't leave yet and assaulted me with questions about dismantling priorities and requests for more workers–the main reason she didn't want me to leave too soon, I was sure. She just wanted me to do her paperwork!
By the time I finally was ready to leave, a full hour had passed—but it was for the best.
I had just exchanged the last goodbyes with people from Hive Rich and set off flying over the railroad, when I heard a familiar "GRAAAW!" over my head and the flapping of wings.
I looked up and gasped.
"Scourge! What are you doing here?"
Did the dragons already smell carrion? But no, it was flying right toward me.
At my side, my bodyguards prepared for a fight—but then we all relaxed as we saw a Beemarine in a protective leather mask, clinging to Scourge's back with the help of some ropes attached to the beast's neck.
She threw a piece of meat in my direction and shouted something. Scourge lunged after the morsel, getting even closer to us, and finally landed a couple dozen meters from me.
I beat my wings to withstand the resulting blast of wind and immediately flew closer. Scourge tilted its neck to look at me, then ate another piece of meat given to it by its rider.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" I asked.
"Father, greetings! Mother-Queen sent me here to ask you questions! What should I tell Mother-Queen when I return to Hive Supremo? Were many giants killed already?"
I wasn't surprised that the dragons were used as messengers—I've suggested this a long time ago, before they were even slightly tame—but I was surprised that Scourge followed commands enough to come after me.
Then, an idea struck me, and I grinned. Finally, it was time for me to fulfill my dream!
"I will tell you all about it—later. Scourge, I'm sure you won't mind some extra passengers…"
"Father, you plan to ride this dragon?" Destroyer asked in alarm.
"Of course. You will come with me. Come on, Scourge wouldn't harm a bee!"
"I suppose so. This beast has some sense in its giant head," Destroyer muttered.
Scourge eyed us suspiciously as we approached, but its rider was all for the idea.
"It will be an honor to ride by your side, Father," she said. "Appease the beast with some food before you climb, or it might try brushing you off!"
"Of course. Here, Scourge! Scourge-Scourge-Scoooourge!"
I pulled out some of the dried meat taken for the road and showed it to the dragon, who immediately took interest. The morsel was tiny compared to the beast's size, but it clearly wasn't above picking at crumbs.
I flew closer to the dragon's head—but not so close to be unable to flinch away from a sudden bite—and threw the morsel at it.
Scourge snapped it out of the air in an instant.
"Good boy! Or girl. Now, let me just sit here…"
Scourge didn't protest as I landed between its wings, next to Invincible-13. She saluted me, then passed me her mask and a rope to hold on.
"Please, take it, Father. To protect you from the wind. I will be fine without it."
"Thanks a lot, Invincible-13." I patted her head. "I see that your dragon riding career is doing great!"
She puffed her chest a little.
"Yes, Father—thank you, Father!"
Meanwhile, my bodyguards, one by one, carefully repeated the ritual of getting on the dragon and gingerly took their places.
Although there were twelve people on Scourge's back now, the dragon was so huge that we all fit without problems. The hardest part was finding something to hold on.
Without a warning, Scourge growled and jumped in the air. The muscles on its back rolled under my feet as the gigantic black wings spread to full length.
When the beast took off, I clutched the rope to white knuckles and prayed like I never prayed before. The ground under our feet grew farther away with dizzying speed.
Only the knowledge that I can fly, too, was saving me from panic. Instead, euphoria came over me.
"LET'S GO, DRAGON EXPRESS! THE NEXT STOP IS HIVE SUPREMO!"