Tag: bees

A Slippery Slope

Glad you could join us for the next precarious episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…

Elliot 086
Photo credit: Nathan Ng

“Well if it isn’t Vernon the Valet-ison,” Spike sneered, reclining on a curved leaf, attended by an impossibly handsome young wasp. “I hafta admit, I didn’t expect her to send you. Arturo, bring our guest something to eat; he’s looking a little peak-ed. Or is it ‘piqued’?”

He looked Vernon up and down as the blushing Arturo, eyes downcast, sped off in the direction of the battered butterfly. “Sit,” Spike instructed, “let’s catch up.”

“I don’t have time to indulge you, Spike. Show me the Princess so I can report back to the Queen before she wonders what happened to me.”

Continue reading “A Slippery Slope”

Spike’s Messenger

Glad you could join us for the next eye-popping episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…

Elliot 081, Eucharitid wasp
Photo credit: Rundstedt B. Rovillos

With that image fresh in his mind, Elliot easily resisted the Bols de Mort. He pushed headlong through the malodorous meadow to arrive at the Hive at the tail end of twilight.

Vernon, Liaison to Queen Lilian the Undisputed Monarch of Fen, notified the Queen the instant Elliot returned. She met him in the bower moments later.

“Your Magnificence, one of Spike’s rebels has taken Cassandra. He knows she’s King Arnie’s daughter. I’m afraid I’ve put her in grave danger.” Continue reading “Spike’s Messenger”

A Case of Mistaken Identity

Glad you could join us for the next identified episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…

Elliot 073
Photo credit: Craig Barrow

“Stand down, soldier,” the King laughed. “You’re alarming our ally.”

Confused but obedient, young Scout Philbin scanned the Knights’ faces before stammering, “Uh… King Arnie, I’ve located the… um, Marauders.” He threw a quick glance at Sirehta. “They’re less than five minutes ahead, raiding the winter stores of the tree dwellers.”

Continue reading “A Case of Mistaken Identity”

Demon Flambé

Glad you could join us for the next counter-intuitive episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…

Elliot 072
Photo credit: Marty Essen/Justincorkum7

King Arnie’s calm faced Sirehta’s anger. “You can see we are not demons, flaming or otherwise. We are only protecting our homeland from those who want to harm us. Where is your home, soldier?”

“My home is gone.”

“Destroyed?”

Continue reading “Demon Flambé”

Sirehta

Glad you could join us for the next freeing episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…

Elliot 071
Photo credit: Calum Williams/Mark Kostich

Weapon in hand, King Arnie faced the noise. Half a dozen Knights moved soundlessly into the bracken, encircling the suspected threat.

“You’re surrounded. Show yourself,” the King commanded.

Continue reading “Sirehta”

Brothers in Arms and Legs

Glad you could join us for the next brash episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…

Elliot 065
Image credit: Culpeo Fox

The column rushed forward fanning open, flowing to the sides like water round a stone as it poured into the roaring, hissing bedlam.

Barry and Trevor joined the barrier of warriors swiftly surrounding the reds and Marauders as they tore at each other in a melee so wild and unrestrained, fangs on both sides struck at anything that moved.

Continue reading “Brothers in Arms and Legs”

The Redeye Out of Fen

Glad you could join us for the next dark episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…

Elliot 063
Photo credit: Tom Vezo

Back to Bog, where the battle continues.

~~~

The first few Knights to meet the front line of Marauders outside Connie’s home were leaderless and astronomically outnumbered, but they fought with grim resolve: better to die than lose any of Bog’s children.

Continue reading “The Redeye Out of Fen”

She Didn’t Go Alone

Glad you could join us for the next cautionary episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…

“…condemning them both.” ~~~ Photo credit: Keith Balmer

Vernon continued, “Before another word escaped Benito’s mouth, the Queen shot from the Hive and stabbed him in his treacherous heart, condemning them both.”

“I hope someday I’ll be such a fierce and devoted mother.” Cassandra’s eyes glowed with determination.

Elliot’s eyestalks shivered and bent her way. “I am certain our children will never wish for a better mother,” he said, “but I shall be very careful never to threaten them without your approval.”

A slow smile spread to Cassandra’s cheeks.

Elliot turned to Vernon. “What happened next?”

Continue reading “She Didn’t Go Alone”

Benito

Glad you could join us for the next interrupted episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…

Elliot 061
Photo credit: Jason M. Hogle

Now it’s Vernon’s turn.

~~~

Buoyed by the verdant glow, Vernon’s voice drew them into Fen’s past. “Since Fen’s beginning, its people have been free. Each citizen may pursue education, bond with whomever they love, and aspire to any job regardless of their ancestry. Even in the Hive, where everyone is born a Royal, they are free to leave for love or other occupations.

“Young adults wishing to serve the Queen hoped to be called to join the Suns of Glory. In times of peace, they worked to keep it; in times of war they fought to win it back. Princess Lilian and her closest friend, the accomplished and beguiling Persephone, received the Call.

“Princess Lilian was betrothed to a devoted young soldier of the Hive, but Persephone resisted the pursuit of many hopeful suitors. Only the Princess knew Persephone’s heart: ‘I’ll know my love when I find him, but I know I won’t find him in Fen.’

Continue reading “Benito”

Vernon

Glad you could join us for the next fortunate episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…

Elliot 059
Photo credit: loboclerk

Rushed back into the bower, Cassandra strained her eye stalks and stretched on tiptoe to see beyond a wall of drones six drones deep that blocked her from leaving. Beyond that protection, the Hive Elite waged a vicious air battle against the renegade wasps.

Continue reading “Vernon”