Direct fighting was an unacceptable option. But even though the fire was useless, there was still something hornets weren't immune to…
'Malevolence, you must bring this cave down on the hornets and their nests. Gunpowder is the most primitive explosive I can think of, but enough of it will cause a ceiling collapse either way.'
Malevolence's eyes lit up. Of course she liked the idea of explosions, and her almost innocent (and a bit bloodthirsty) smile made me smile myself.
"What a wonderful idea, Father! It really sounds like the best option. It still won't be easy from what you told me, but it's real. If you bring us the gunpowder for the operation, since the hornets are pretty deep in this cave, we could place the explosives closer to the exit quietly and stealthily… at night, when they are asleep…"
