There was a tap on his shoulder and he jumped, but it was only Rogue who sneaked quietly behind his back.
“Oh, you startled me. I didn’t notice you have returned.”
“Come, Scout,” said Rogue, his face expressionless. “Let’s take a trip right now. We’ll visit a place I call the Creek.”
“The Creek? I don’t recall ever being there before.” Xe buzzed his air-screw. He was eager for a trip to some amusing new place which would occupy his thoughts.
“That’s a dead-end branch of the Stream, close to the meadow border. A very interesting site, you’ll see.”
The weather was reasonably warm with the sunbeams shining through the holes in the thick clouds. With the border being far away, the voyage took them a considerable amount of time. Rogue let his friend choose the conversation along the way, and Xe was picking abstract topics, avoiding the decision he needed to make.
The Creek turned out to be a fairly narrow with immensely overgrown banks. Heavy with brassy metallic leaves, dense plants were leaning low over the dark rippling water.
“Don’t near the water,” warned Rogue. “Follow me to the lookout on the spiky crag over there.”
The weathered top of the rocky spire had only a few steps across, barely enough for two friends to stand abreast, but from there the large section of border came into view. It was the area where the hilly terrain was turning into flatlands, with the first meadows beginning at that point, though not yet particularly lush. A strange rotund hill was browning in the proximity north of the crag while an even and sand-covered zone stretched to the south.
“You like Pletoriam nectar the most?” asked Rogue, continuing their previous conversation.
“Like everybody else,” said Xe. “Not to say local flowers around here aren’t fine–”
But then, before his surprised eyes, the brown hill they were looking at MOVED.
Xe’s heart skipped a beat.
26.
Evil of the Maya Flower
An enormous brown mass was rising and rising.
It blocked the sun, casting a huge shadow upon the land, and grew unstoppably until both the horizon and sky vanished behind its immense form. For a moment, it seemed like there was nothing else existing in the world except that squirming ball of rough brown hair.
Legs tremendous as pillars appeared from within the unruly fur. The giant paws were armed by long hooked claws. From the farthest part of the mass burst an elongated cone-shaped head with small black eyes, and started sniffing. The massive shaggy tail stretched out from the opposite side, seeming almost never-ending. Juddering once more, the live mountain headed northwards to enter the first meadows.
Ten times higher than the largest meadow plants, the monster was progressing quickly through the brassy metallic vegetation with a horrid crashing noise. It made its way with unresisting force, leaving behind a broad trail strewn up with shattered plant remains as even the hardest and thickest metal-bound stalks were trampled down with ease. Ahead of its course, Grasshoppers and other meadow dwellers were fleeing in panic, leaping wildly out of herbage and appearing like dots in comparison with the horrible giant.
Xe just glared at the scene, frozen and too scared to make the faintest sound, barely daring to breathe. His heart pounded like it would break through his chest armor.
He knew straight away what that creature was. There was no Eeol alive who wouldn’t recognize it. His kind was always whispering when mentioning its name, because for Eeols, it was the worst thing in the world; the monster dire above all others. It was the Evil of the Maya Flower; a dreaded beast called the Anteater.
This peculiar creature was by far the most gigantic being living in the plains. Also, the most voracious and insatiable of all predators, as its incredible strength, coupled with powerful claws, enabled it to ravage Eeol Hives. Rending thick outer walls like dry leaves and shredding the inner wax structure to bits, the Anteater would dig all the way to the deepest subterraneous levels gobbling on honey and the brood and killing the Queen, inevitably destroying the whole community.
While the odd monster didn’t have a bit of metal in its body and no armor whatsoever, its sheer size protected it from any attack, and the Swarms were completely powerless. There was no defense against the Evil of the Maya Flower, and its appearance by any Hive always meant a death sentence; nobody ever heard of one surviving its visit. With its keen sense of smell, it wasn’t uncommon for a single Anteater to find and annihilate several neighboring Hives, wiping out Eeols from the entire area.
Rogue waited patiently by Xe’s side until the deafening noise of the Anteater was lost in the distance. Once the giant was gone, there was absolutely nothing stirring and an unnatural silence fell upon the wide trail stomped flat in the brassy vegetation.
Rogue grinned wryly at the pale-faced and trembling Scout who was looking like he was going to collapse. “I managed to shake you a little, didn’t I?”
“But… that…”
“Yes, that was an Anteater. I knew one would be here.”
Xe’s glassy eyes widened. “You did this on purpose? How could you?”
“I’m sorry.” Rogue’s voice didn’t sound like he was sorry, but rather like he was having fun. Still, he paused for a while until his friend settled down to some extent.
“Don’t be afraid, the creature’s gone now. And you were in no danger, I assure you. At this distance we would have sufficient time to soar high in the air long before the Anteater could get us. It wouldn’t go for such meager prey anyway; these beasts seek much bigger meals, digging out roots and Ant nests.”
Xe looked at him with horror in his eyes. And our Hives, they were saying.
“Ah, again that dumb fear or yours. Yes, I know, the worst nightmare of Eeols and more gibberish like that. I vaguely remember being fed the same crap during my youth.”
“But it’s the Evil of the Maya Flower!”
Rogue snickered.
“And that stupid idea with Mayas! It’s sheer nonsense that Maya plants have something to do with appearance of the creature. They just happen to come in blossom at the same time the Anteaters start to show up. Overlapping of their seasons is nothing more but a coincidence.” He turned and gestured toward the hazy horizon. “The monsters come from there. Far away in that direction lays a vast barren territory, the rocky highlands that are the true home of the Anteaters, and they only enter our meadows by mistake. I believe they are migrating this time of year. By the way, Greater Millipedes also dwell over there; that’s why they are so rare in our parts.”
“How do you know all that?”
“I had done a great deal of trailing the Anteaters. Yes, you heard it right. Why would it be a problem for me? I’m not afraid of them. They can’t harm me.”
“But to go after the Evil…”
“You wonder why? I discovered they could be of use to me. Or, more accurately, I figured out that some honey tends to remain in the Hives the Anteaters destroy. I stock up for the winter mostly in such places. Don’t stare at me like that; those Swarms were already dead, or dying. Come on, I’m trying to teach you something.”
“That’s why you brought me here?”
“Partly. You don’t know everything as you like to believe, Scout. But I wanted to jolt you out of the lethargy that you fell in. Have you heard yourself lately? You babbled and occupied yourself with irrelevant stuff to evade thinking about things which really matter.”
Xe looked down.
“Have you reach your decision? Will you stay or not?”
“I thought I had, but now I’m not sure… I don’t know what I want anymore.”
“It’s time you make up your mind, Scout,” warned Rogue. A lot of time passed since Xe had arrived in the badlands, and the prelude to fall could be sensed blowing in the northern wind. “It would be best if I leave you alone in our quarters for the day. Think it over and give me your final answer.”
The next day has been a very long one for Xe.
> First of all, he was still shaken with the sighting of Evil. That was something no Eeol could easily forget, and he had awoken in the morning with his throat dry and his heart throbbing. But the smothering grip of fear receded by the second half of the day, allowing him to clear his head and focus on his problems.
Xe was pondering hard. Rogue was away, just as he had said he would, and Scout had their quarters to himself. He walked slowly through all three rooms and down the corridor to the entrance just to turn back. Then he passed the same way again, buzzing in low speed and hovering slightly above the floor. He kept circling like that while the Galahas’ muffled buzzing emanated silently from the wax-coated walls.
In the end, Xe had to admit the truth to himself. He didn’t feel complete without his Swarm.
He truly ached for his cramped, vibrant, bustling Hive. In spite of the many problems associated with living in large community, he would be lying if he didn’t find pleasure in it. There would always be good days and bad days, just as Supreme BeraX7719 had said. Though not great, life in the Swarm was the best possible life for him, and no matter how much he loved it here and how strongly he bonded with Rogue, he realized he couldn’t stay forever.
Xe waited the return of his friend with confidence.
“I have reached my decision,” he said after Rogue arrived with the last rays of the setting sun. “I was thinking long and hard, but I have no more doubts what I really desire. I’m part of the Swarm and I’m going back.”
Rogue nodded.
“Just as I expected. You are so predictable, Scout. I was certain it would end this way since you brought the subject up the first time there on the cliffs.”
Xe’s pompous posture eased. “You always have to be such a know-it-all!”
“Cool down, I mean nothing by it. You are an Eeol and simply can’t go against your nature. You suffered from a burn-out and required a rest, that’s all.”
Xe smiled again, and his wise friend patted him on the back. “Come, Scout. Let’s plan our trip to the Hive.”
“Our?”
“I’m going to escort you, naturally. You didn’t assume I’d let you go solo? You would get eaten by the first Fly you encountered.”
Excluding that last remark, Xe was very thankful for the Rogue’s offer.
27.
Going Back
Xe opened his eyes just before daybreak, feeling fresh and in high spirits. Rogue was already strolling around their dwelling, and he could hear him from the second honeycomb room. Going there, he found his friend just finishing his meal.
“Stocking up for the trip,” Rogue said grinning, pulling the tip of his suckling pipe out of the honey. It was all covered with viscous orange paste, and he shook the pipe clean and retrieved it with a muffled click. “Want some?” But Xe was full from the last evening.
“Judging by what you said, your Hive can’t be too far,” contemplated Rogue. “We should be able to reach it in one day.”
“If we depart immediately,” agreed Xe. “We simply follow the Stream and there’s no chance for getting lost.” That involved some risk with the Dragonflies, but Rogue was able to catch the buzz of savage insects over great distances which would give them sufficient time to hide.
“Let’s seal the quarters, and then we are ready to go.”
The dawn was breaking, tinting the light-gray skies with pink. The wind whistled around the hillside and some rusty leaves flew by. The two friends closed the dwelling entrance with large shards of the old honeycomb, waved farewell to the Galahas Gate which was still quiet, and then they were on their way.
“You slept out of your quarters before?” asked Xe conversationally while they were flying over the foul-smelling mire. Disturbed by their passing, a lone Peaceful Fly skittered low above the dirty water and disappeared among the rocks.
“Often,” confirmed Rogue. “I used to be absent for many days, especially in the spring. Sometimes I travel very far, beyond the meadows, further than you would believe; actually, further than any Rogue or Eeol has ever gone. A lot of interesting things I have seen on those ventures, Scout, strange and incredible things.”
If I only had the time to hear those stories, thought Xe sadly.
“I was making provisional shelters along the way, in the caves or deep cracks in the ground. But, in the end, I would always return to the Galahas. This is my home, and here I spend my winters next to my Queen and her Song.”
Flying fast, the two friends were already over the Stream. Here in the rocky zone, its banks held nothing more than bare weathered rocks, gravel strips, and infrequent thickets. Blazing with pure silver, the Stream was flowing gently. There weren’t many rains recently and the mighty water turned tame and tranquil again, withdrawing to its old bed. Xe couldn’t believe it was the same Stream which dragged him away on that terrible day of a sudden cloudburst.
Fortunately, there was no sign of Dragonflies in any direction. The wind was muffled, but it was still fairly cold due to the sun dozing behind the thick shroud of clouds.
“We are nearing the meadow border,” Rogue warned after they flew in silence for some time. With the passing of the morning, he has grown less talkative. “From now on, we have to be more careful.”
The vast plains adorned with green and brassy patches flashed ahead and delighted Xe’s heart. It was the place where he belonged, he got it at last. With the main flowering season over, the blossoms turned less abundant, yet pastures remained reasonably plentiful, and the Scout reckoned the Hive honey stock had to be in an excellent state.
The two friends were hovering aloft, high above the glaring waters of the Stream, and checking the situation for a while.
“Clear. It’s safe to proceed,” declared Rogue, following the Stream into the flatlands. “Do you recognize any of the scenery?”
“Not yet. But we are not far from my territory, I’m sure of it.”
Xe was surprised at how much warmer it was here than in the rocky zone. As noon drew past, the sun began to beat down from the gorgeously blue sky, and if he didn’t know better, the Scout would swear the summer was at its peak.
From this point, their voyage ceased to be a peaceful one. While the Greater Grabbing Flies were long gone from the meadows, returning to their usual habitat at the south, many other foes still lurked around, and they encountered quite a few.
To begin with, there was a flock of Long-legged Hunting Flies bouncing after them out of one huge creeper. Six monsters in total, armed with ferocious metallic jaws and sharp claws; but they turned to be no match for the Rogue’s weaponry.
First he opened fire at the flock leader, a robust insect armored in especially vivid-blue metal, taking it down with ease; the ugly creature fell like a rock, crashing on the hard clay deep below. Rogue then methodically shot down all five of the remaining Flies, so accurately that Xe had to admire his technique. The fighting gears of Rogues were truly surpassing anything seen on regular Eeols, similar to powerful weaponry bore by Kings.
“We are good to continue,” said Rogue without excitement, pulling his smoking blasters in.
Traveling further into the great meadows, the duo wiped out more than a dozen Hunting Flies in their path. Or, more accurately, Rogue was doing all the shooting and taking Flies so fast the Scout didn’t even have the chance to pull his blasters out.
After a while, Xe waved to Rogue to halt and indicated to the point at the distant part of the Stream bank.
“There. That’s the grove where my scouting company ran to take cover from the rain. Somewhere around here is where I fell into the water.”
Shaking off the unpleasant memories, he turned left leaving the Stream and sped up knowing his Hive was waiting for him at the end of this route. Rogue was tailing him without a word. It looked like something was troubling him, but his friend was too excited to notice.
There were several more Hunting Flies that came across their path, and each met the same ill fate. The Rogue blasted nasty insects off the sky, but h
e was scowling and completely mute, and that finally drew Xe’s attention.
Realizing something wasn’t right, he started monitoring his friend from behind.
They were to part, and that undoubtedly made him miserable, but what about the Rogue? Xe wasn’t sure. Was he content before the lost Eeol appeared in his land? Absolutely. Did he like living in solitude? He claimed to. But didn’t he yearn for company at the same time? After all, that was the very reason he rescued Xe from the Spider and kept him around until he recovered. Could he grow attached to him, regretting he had to let him go? That was a possibility. Perhaps Rogue needed company more than he was willing to admit.
Xe raised a hand, signaling his friend to stop.
“What is it?” Rogue turned to face him, hovering in midair. “We are losing precious time.”
“We should talk. Besides, the Hive is close now.”
“Nightfall is also close. Haven’t we said all that needed to be said?”
“We skipped the part discussing the splitting of us two, and I have the feeling it was not by accident. You don’t look happy with that.”
“I hate it. So what?” Rogue hissed, looking aside. “Look, Scout, it was nice to know you. I enjoyed your company, and we had a good time together, but the story is over now. You’ll go back to your life, and I’ll go back to mine. It simply has to be this way.”
Xe dropped his glance. For a moment the two friends were buzzing in total silence.
“But I could stick around for a little longer,” said Rogue abruptly. “Yes, that I could do. I’m in no hurry. I’ll make a concealed shelter somewhere in the vicinity where you might come to visit me in secret. What do you say?”
Xe crossed his arms, weighing the proposal. No matter how much he desired to hang with his weird friend a little longer, there was the question of his safety.
“That’s dangerous. If my Eeols find you, it won’t be pretty. Trust me, I’m an Eeol so I know how it works; we shoot first and ask questions later.”
The Call of the Swarm Page 27
