Breaching the Hive Core

A fallen pine branch blocked my crossing into the open meadow, its bark cracked and swarming with red ants defending a hollow knot. I did not detour. Drawing the straightened metal tent peg from my harness, I jammed its sharpened tip directly into the compacted wood grain, testing the core density. The structure groaned. With one measured downward drive of my greataxe poll against the iron stake, the weathered pine split clean down the center. The defenders scattered into the grass, abandoning their timber fortress. I reclaimed the iron peg, wiped the pine sap on the turf, and secured the advance through the open clearing.