Antvance into the Unknown

25. Royal High Tea, Part 2

Enid wasn’t sure if the three gigantic ants were just humouring her or were in fact genuinely interested in the tea. She’d brought it along for herself; a long conversation, even a mental one, needed a good cup of tea in order to keep one’s thoughts flowing smoothly. They were quite the curious trio, however, so she’d brought a few extra cups, the largest that she had, in the event they might want some. Even so, she was most surprised when the Queen took up her offer, quickly followed up by the other two requesting a cup.

So it was that Enid Ruther, retired merchant and mayor of Renewal, found herself pouring tea for three massive ants as they crowded around her table, watching her every move with agog fascination.

[After the brew has steeped for a while, the flavour seeps out of the leaves and into the water,] she explained. [Usually it doesn’t take long, but some plants require more steeping than others. Certain Mana-rich leaves might need to be soaked overnight, or so I’ve heard. I’m not certain where your children managed to source this particular variety, but the flavour is excellent, if I do say so myself.]

Pouring a cup for each of them, and ensuring that the pot didn’t drip, she then took a small pouch from one of her pockets.

[Would anyone care for some sugar?] she asked. [I managed to grab some from my hidden supply in my house during my last visit. It’s a bit of a luxury, but an old woman needs to keep her energy up, so I say.]

The three ants looked curiously at the small pouch.

[What is this sugar that you speak of?] the Queen asked. [I do not believe I have heard of it.]

[Oh, that’s surprising to hear, considering how the regular surface ants are crazy about the stuff. Though I don’t know where you would find a source of sugar down here…]

Enid pinched a small amount of the tiny crystals in between her fingers and brought it out for them to see.

[It’s a flavouring we make from sugarcane, a crop that is grown in some places on the surface. It’s quite rare in these parts. I brought this pouch with me when I fled my home during the last wave. There isn’t much left, I’m afraid, but you are certainly welcome to try it. It has a strong, sweet flavour, so rather than eat it directly, we normally mix it in other things, such as a nice cup of tea, or something like these biscuits I brought with me.]

The Queen brought her head closer in order to better inspect the contents of Enid’s hand, and the mayor forced herself not to flinch as the giant monster loomed over her, the hidden mouth behind the mandibles plainly visible for a rare moment. The antennae drifted over the sugar, smelling the tiny granules and brushing against them.

[It smells, energising. Like Mana packed into a small space.]

[It is known to house a lot of energy, which is why I suppose most insects will go out of their way to hunt it down. I have to be very careful with my sugar, otherwise it gets stolen by ants in a heartbeat.]

The Queen jerked her head up.

[Which ants have been thieving? My children wouldn’t dare!] Her antennae swished with rage and it appeared as if she would stride over to Coolant and thwack her right there and then.

[Ah! I meant non-monstrous ants, from the surface!] Enid clarified, holding up her finger and thumb, indicating the size of ‘normal’ ants. [Tiny little ones. They can smell the sugar from quite far away and will hunt it down relentlessly. As far as I know, no member of your colony has ever tasted it.]

The Queen—and Coolant—relaxed.

[I see. I would like some sugar in my tea. Thank you, friend Enid.]

Victoriant and Antionette also enthusiastically requested some sugar be added, so Enid happily mixed a generous spoonful into each of their cups, and then her own.

[Please enjoy,] Enid said.

It took Enid a moment to realise that none of them were moving, each of the Queens watching her intently rather than making any attempt to drink. It took her another moment to understand they had no idea how to drink and were waiting on her to demonstrate. Chuckling to herself, she picked up her cup, gripping it by the handle and around the brim, which she brought to her lips and sipped.

“Ahhhh,” she exhaled.

Where did the Colony manage to source these leaves? They were amongst the best she had ever tasted. Were they seized during the capture of Rylleh?

The three ants turned their attention to their own miniature drinking vessels. Enid had small, nimble hands, perfect for drinking from such a dainty thing, but how were they supposed to do it? Their claws were strong, possibly too strong. If they tried to grip the cup and bring it to their mouths, they would surely break. Pick it up in their mandibles? Impossible. Their mouth was beneath the mandibles. How could they drink from the cup if they picked it up that way?

In the end, the Queen solved the issue by having the three of them take turns lowering their heads to the table to drink their tea directly from the cup without picking it up. Generously, she allowed her daughters to go first, then she drank her own. The taste was… different. Unique. She had never eaten any ‘human food’ before, only Biomass, so was quite unprepared for the flavour.

At first, she wasn’t sure that she enjoyed it. The heat, the lack of meatiness, none of the tell-tale savour that Biomass provided. Yet, there was something compelling about it. The bitterness of the leaves combined with the faint sweetness that faded all too swiftly.

That flavour… was intriguing. Energising. She felt a slight tingle rush through each of her limbs as the sugar-laced tea slid into her stomach.

[How did your majesties find it?] Enid asked, amused.

Each of them had become immediately still upon drinking the tea. Even their antennae, normally constantly in motion, had become stiff with focus. It looked so comical that she had to force herself not to laugh out loud. Now she wondered if she might have made a mistake. Would introducing sugar to the Colony cause some issues? Surely not, right? They were a race of giant ants that fed on Mana and Biomass. They didn’t have any need for an energy-rich food source like sugar.

The Queen turned her attention to the biscuits.

[Friend Enid, do these also contain the sugar?]

Enid looked down at her small plate of ginger nuts, a family recipe that her husband had adored.

[Yes, they do. Would you like one?]

The Queen nodded her assent, her focus intent on the bikkies. Trying to hide her smile, Enid placed three biscuits around the table and watched as the huge Queens lowered their mouths and gobbled them down in half a bite.

[I apologise for their small size,] Enid said. [I had intended to eat them as we spoke, as they go perfectly alongside tea. If I’d been more thoughtful, I would have tried to bake some a little larger. Are you even able to taste them, given how small they are?]

[We can,] the Queen confirmed, somewhat dreamily. [The flavour is faint, but it is there, along with a slight crunch that I find appetising.]

[A good biscuit needs a good crunch,] Enid confirmed. [If they aren’t baked correctly, then they’re too soft. Overbake them, and they turn hard and bitter. Proper baking is all about the timing.]

[Interesting,] the Queen said. [I thank you for your gifts, friend Enid. May I enquire how your people fare on the surface?]

She wasn’t especially interested in humans, but she’d learned through repeated conversations with the mayor that enquiring about things the person you were ‘chatting’ with cared about was a common opening gambit. She listened with interest as Enid described the goings on of the people, and answered with great detail when Enid turned the conversation back to her, enquiring about life in the Colony and how her children fared. As usual, she took great pleasure in the exchange, although this time, a part of her mind lingered on something else.

That night, as Enid returned to her chamber to rest, the first of many hunting parties was launched. These ants would scour the Dungeon and surface with great zeal, for their mother had made a request, and what mother wanted, she would get!

No matter where this ‘sugarcane’ hid, the Colony would find it!