Apis House and the Tower of Bombus

  Out on the road to Fayde, as one heads toward the city of Rognal, you can see for miles on a nice clear day. As you pass through the vale of Dalk, heading north of the Bune hills, there is a pleasant rocky expanse looking out over the plain of Thoon. The locals call it the Rankles, or at least they do in Crone. Over in Crune, they have a different name for it, but it's terribly inappropriate for polite conversation.

  Regardless, it's a beautiful place; Fine rolling meadows and grasslands full of wild flowers and bees. Some of the best honey in all of Thuhes comes from that region, and it's there that the Rabust Bee Farmers' Union was formed.

  One of its founding members, Nomi Croner, had a small cottage on a mound just steps from the rambling river Cuhli. She kept bees up near the wooded hills north of her cottage. After several local farmers began to gather there to share a local honeyed brew called Bombus, it became the default spot for the early meetings of the farmers union.

  Nomi expanded her bee colonies and began to grow fruit trees and a variety of nut trees and berry shrubs. She eventually took a liking to her neighbor down the river. A burly fellow from Rognal, down the plain for a more pastoral life, away from the bustling city. Andur Smolt was industrious and savvy, but a bit too urban to really make it as a farmer, even for all his wit and charm. Nomi would visit and try to get him on the right path.

  Sometimes they'd share a glass of Bombus when the work was done. Then it was a few mugs on a weekend ramble. Then a bottle over a long days punt. Then two; one before a romp in the meadow, and one after.

  Nomi decided that Andur had better just join her at her place. It was far better stocked, but it proved a bit too small. She decided to build a new place and maybe some room for handling the growing Bombus orders.

  With the newly expanded facilities, it wasn't long before she was ready to brew fruit wines, nut beers, berry brandies, and all manner of confectionary delights. Andur, ever the savvy fellow, had sent some samples of Nomi's Bombus up to Rognal for his old compatriots in the city to share. It became an instant hit at Libelmugs, and the proprietor had to get it in stock as soon as possible.

  So Andur helped Nomi's little farm grow and expand. Nomi helped Andur get his farm back on track growing good grains and a healthy harvest of produce. It was a good time; Good company, good business, good Bombus, and really good romps.

  It wasn't long before a few more additions were needed. The Bee Farmers had all agreed - The Union hall should be there, at Nomi's place. It had such a great view, by far the best of all the farms. the little property was really expanding.

  It was Andur's friend Addis that had the bright idea of creating a toll road through the property to fund the progress and projects of the Bee Farmers Union. The Union agreed. Andur agreed. The village elders agreed. Nomi wasn't so sure, but they won her over. And so the property grew.

  It swelled and spread and got so that Nomi could barely see the wooded hills or the Cuhli river out front. So Andur built her a tower, right there in the center of the quad. Nomi loved that tower. Andur loved Nomi, so he loved that tower too.

  On warm nights, Nomi would grab Andur and a bottle or two of vintage Bombus and head up to watch the stars and have a good old fashion farmers romp.

Copyright John Stevenson 2019