“The Calwaskon Compact is an agreement between all the fair peoples and dungeon masters to work for the common good so long as we are threatened by the Hunger. You can think of it as the governing body of the land of the fair.”
Belissar tilted his head.
“Fair peoples? Land of the fair.”
Tarwantrad’s eyes widened a bit.
“Ah, that is, all peoples blessed by the innate touch of mana and a deeper connection to the world, and the land we are from. A land separate from but connected to the rest of the world.”
Tarwantrad’s face fell a bit as she saw Belissar’s confusion continue to grow.
“The point is…my people need your help. We need to keep this nexus door open to power the wards we use to keep the Hunger out of the land of the fair. It’s only just been decided, but I am sure we will make it worth your while to do so. For right now, I can offer you some assistance as a fellow dungeon master.”
Belissar slowly nodded. He still didn’t know what exactly was meant by fair peoples or land of the fair, though he could guess that meant fairies and their home. The whole connection to mana and the world and a separate but connected land business was beyond him. He could, however, understand the desire to keep the Hunger out. He had no idea how keeping this “nexus gate” or whatever it was open helped with powering wards, whatever those were, so all he could do was take Tarwantrad’s word for it that it would help.
What he did understand was that Tarwantrad and her people wanted to make a deal for this, and he saw no specific reason why he shouldn’t. There was the general wariness of people he didn’t know plus the vague implication of doom that might result from dealing with the fey, but the God of Bees’ hand in this gave him confidence to proceed unless Tarwantrad gave him a reason to doubt her.
Which meant what he needed to know was what they were offering.
“I see. I have…two questions. First, are there going to be any rules on people coming and going from the door? Are your people going to want to come through whenever or can I decide who to let in? What about my bees and defenders crossing to the other side?”
He winced as he realized he was starting to ramble a bit.
“Sorry, guess I had more than two questions. But the second big one is what sort of assistance can you offer?”
Tarwantrad nodded.
“Your questions are perfectly reasonable. As for the first set, as far as we know we only need the door open and it is not necessary for anyone to cross over in either direction. Since the door leads between yours and my dungeons, you and I can come up with our own arrangement on who is allowed to either side.”
Her face then scrunched up.
“As for the Compact…that could get complicated now that I think of it.”
Belissar frowned.
“How so?”
Tarwantrad glanced around at Belissar and the karnuq, then took a deep breath.
“So, please don’t take offense, but the issue is that you are human, with an army of those hybrids your people made. The fair peoples have not had positive interactions with humans in the past, and none of our records speak kindly of your people.”
She quickly waved her hands about.
“Ah, but this is not regarding you personally! I know just from the care you took in making your beehouses that you are not any sort of destructive brute crushing everything in your path! It’s just that…others in the Compact may not realize that, so I cannot say for certain if they will be willing to let you visit our lands. I can allow you in my own dungeon, but beyond that will take approval from the Compact. They definitely want the door open and definitely will work with you to keep it that way, but any more than that I cannot say.”
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Belissar opened his mouth to object on that description of humans before thinking back to his treatment at the hands of the Tower Lords, or even his fellow villagers. Or the Tower Lord’s son behaviour when he arrived at Belissar’s Tower. He slowly closed his mouth.
“That’s…well, we can talk about that later. I don’t need to visit the Compact as long as the Compact leaves me alone in exchange.”
Tarwantrad’s face fell.
“I…understand, that is only fair. But...would you be willing to allow me personally more visits in the future, even if you want to keep the rest of the Compact out?”
Belissar thought for a moment before slowly nodding.
“You said we can work that out between our dungeons, right?”
Tarwantrad quickly smiled and nodded.
“Yes! We should! I think you and I could really help each other’s dungeons! You see, I am a disciple of the God of Flowers, and you are one of the God of Bees!”
Belissar’s eyes widened.
“Ah…yes, I could see how that could help. I just got a minor blessing from the God of Flowers, actually.”
Tarwantrad beamed.
“And I recently got one from the God of Bees, with the help of your beehouses even! I think our gods are already working together, so we should too! In fact…”
Tarwantrad reached into one of the pockets on her apron and removed a small pouch.
“This is a gift I wished to offer to you as a token of friendship between our dungeons. They are the seeds of the moon lily, a type of lily I have personally cultivated. They glow softly in the moonlight. Not only are they beautiful in the night, they also provide an easy place for bees that couldn’t return home before nightfall to rest, as they can be easily located even in the dark.”
Belissar could only smile at that as he took the pouch.
“Thank you, I’m sure the bees will enjoy them.”
Tarwantrad nodded and smiled warmly.
“I know those who dwell in my dungeon do, so I hope yours will as well. And that, Belissar, is what I can do best for you. I am well-learned in the art of caring for flowering plants, both in wild settings and in guided cultivation. And as a dungeon master, my knowledge extends beyond beauty, as I’m sure you well know. Should you agree to keep the nexus door open until the Compact negotiates with you, I will offer you one of my more potent children. A monster or trap to help keep your dungeon safe, or perhaps one with helpful properties to support the defenses you already possess, whatever you would desire most.”
She then looked up at the soldier bees hovering overhead.
“I hope, too, that this will only be the beginning of our friendship. I do not know how it is for you humans but the dungeon masters of the Compact work together to support one another, exchanging knowledge, products, and even defenders to strengthen one another. I think you and I especially would benefit from what each other’s dungeons have to offer. And, even if you are not invited to the Compact right away, I can connect you to the community of dungeon masters if you wish to exchange with others as well.”
She turned back to him and smiled.
“So, Belissar, master of the bee dungeon, would you be willing to work with me as one dungeon master with another? And to consider the offer of the Compact when they have decided how to treat with you?”
Belissar was still processing all of her words when she made her request. There was a lot to consider, from the existence of some kind of fey nation that apparently didn’t like humans all that much, to the idea that Tower Keepers…or dungeon masters, as Tarwantrad called them…apparently had some sort of community? Well, the Tower Lords also had the Conclave and the High Council, so that much wasn’t surprising in retrospect.
But as he thought more about it, Belissar began to nod. Tarwantrad was not exaggerating when she said she could really help him. Flowers were the most important element in his Tower after bees, or perhaps even alongside bees, for the two could not function without the other. Someone who could offer him more flowers? Who had specialized their entire dungeon in flowers? Belissar would offer much to have access to such a dungeon, and Tarwantrad was asking little.
And a friendly exchange between them, even working together? The cross-perks between the God of Bees and the God of Flowers had been exceptionally well-suited for his Tower. He couldn’t help but think that cooperating with a flower Tower could have similarly impressive results.
But there was one thing Tarwantrad offered that Belissar realized he desperately wanted. How many times in the past had he made mistakes because he didn’t know what the Tower could do, or how it functioned? How many times had he wished for someone to teach him what to do? Right here, he had a fellow Tower Keeper who was not one of the Tower Lords, or even one of the Sacred Den Masters that Chief Rohsuak had not spoken kindly of. One who had come in friendship, offered gifts, and cared for bees.
He had everything to gain from this deal and could not see any reason why he shouldn’t accept. So, he gave her a smile.
“I would be happy to.”
Tarwantrad made the brightest smile he had seen yet.