Belissar raised an eyebrow.

“So, the tour is over, then?”

Nenavann hung his head with a pained expression.

“To be honest, we normally don’t require a tour in the first place. We were just…incredulous that a human could act in accordance with the Circle’s code and wanted to see your operations for ourselves.”

Tarwantrad rolled her eyes.

“You could have just believed me. The wardmaster did.”

Nenavann sighed but did not object.

“I…apologize for our excessive caution towards you, Tower Keeper Belissar. But rest assured, now that we have confirmed you are fit for the Circle, there is no need for us to see the rest of your dungeon. Please, show us as much or as little as you feel comfortable with. It could better inform what sort of boons and assistance we can offer you, but that is between you and your fellow dungeon masters. You only need share as much as you wish.”

Belissar crossed his arms as he considered that.

“Will the Circle tell the Compact about things I show you?”

Nenavann shook his head.

“Not if you ask us not to. The privacy of a dungeon is well-respected, so long as the master fulfills their duties to the Compact…none of which would apply to you given that you are not a member of the Compact, come to think of it.”

Belissar thought for a bit, furrowing his brow. The Compact didn’t seem to trust him, so he couldn’t trust them in turn. He wasn’t so sure about Nenavann either, given their initial interactions, though the man seemed apologetic at this point. Overall…something rubbed him the wrong way. The Compact was supposedly relying on him keeping the door open, but not only didn’t want to give him anything in exchange, but were also treating him with suspicion?

The more he thought about it, the more this situation reminded him of a particular village that never hesitated to inform him he was unwanted even as they took his mead.

Nenavann, at least, was going to offer him something for his Tower as an apology, but that didn’t mean Belissar trusted him just yet. Even that seemed to have been because Tarwantrad called him out. He gave her a glance. Honestly, it was mostly his interactions with Tarwantrad and her own affection for bees and flowers that kept him cooperating at this point.

Which actually gave him an idea. Belissar pointed towards her with his head.

“What if I show Tarwantrad around? Could she tell you what sort of boons would work then? I can trust her, I think.”

Nenavann rubbed his chin.

“It is up to her if she would take on that additional duty.”

Belissar glanced back at Tarwantrad and found her beaming.

“It would be my pleasure and honor!”

Nenavann nodded, making a complicated expression but with the hint of a smile.

“Very well then. Dungeon Master Tarwantrad shall be the main point of contact between you and the rest of the Circle then and will assist the other dungeon masters in choosing appropriate boons for you. I will take my leave and allow her to take over, unless you have further questions for me specifically?”

Belissar did not and shook his head. Nenavann reached into his robes.

“In that case, I shall make my report to the Compact as soon as possible and correct the faulty assumptions we have made about you. Before I go, though, it would behoove me to at least offer you my apology.”

He pulled out his hand and held a small box of wood. He gently opened it to reveal a few small seeds, causing Tarwantrad and Urubran to both gasp. He picked one between his fingers before closing and stowing the box once more, then held out the seed to Belissar. Belissar held out his hand in turn and Nenavann placed the seed in the center of his palm. He looked into Belissar’s eyes, his own trembling slightly.

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“Plant this where you wish to see nature bloom. Tend to her by hand, nourish her with your mana, and she shall do the same for your dungeon and every green thing that you grow. Please, care for her as you care for your bees.”

He turned and left without another word, leaving Belissar blinking. He turned a questioning gaze to Tarwantrad, finding her staring wide-eyed at Nenavann’s back. It took her a while before she began to speak.

“…it is said that when the Hunger reached the Great Forest, the Lady of the Woods, the greatest druid among all the fair, refused to evacuate, and fought until the last tree of the forest fell. She…was also Dungeon Master Nenavann’s wife. Before her end, she entrusted him with as many seeds of the forest as she could, and these he has spread to the land of the fair and to the members of the Circle. But there was one kind of seed he has refused to share with anyone, until now.”

She slowly turned to stare at the seed in Belissar’s hand, then looked up at him.

“There is no greater apology that he could have offered, nor any greater sign of trust. So long as that seed grows in your dungeon, Dungeon Master Nenavann will stop at nothing to protect it.”

Belissar slowly turned his gaze down to the tiny, innocuous seed in his hand. He trembled slightly as he wondered what sort of seed he had been entrusted with. The seed was about the size and shape of an apple seed, though it was green with an occasional shine. On closer inspection, Belissar realized it wasn’t an ordinary seed, but rather a small seed-shaped gem. He had to swap to his tower sight to really see the details on it, as well as the glowing mana held within. The seed became a bright star to his eyes, glowing even brighter than the swirling masses within the fairy circles.

As he tried to get a closer look, the Tower decided to help.

Heart of the Forest

Description: The combined memories, mana, and spirit of an entire forest, condensed down into seeds by Erynmor, the Lady of the Woods. The hope of a forest reborn and a world regrown made manifest.

Belissar’s trembling grew. He still didn’t fully understand what he was looking at, but he could tell it was something special. The Tower didn’t even offer to absorb it, nor did it mention anything about mana costs or types. It sounded like this seed could regrow an entire forest? The forest that Nenavann’s wife supposedly died protecting?

Belissar was even more confused as to what to think of Nenavann. What he did know was that this was a very special seed indeed.

“Um, could you give me a moment? I want to put this somewhere safe.”

Tarwantrad and Urubran both just nodded repeatedly as hard as they could.

Belissar headed to the core room and placed the seed there, for now. He asked the First of the Fifth to have the gardeners take a look at it before returning to the two remaining dungeon masters.

“So…I guess we’re working together now?”

Tarwantrad made a huge grin.

“Yes!”

Belissar couldn’t help but smile in turn.

“And…if I show you the Tower to help you pick boons, you promise you’ll keep what you see secret?”

Tarwantrad adopted a serious expression and nodded.

“Absolutely. I have already sworn an oath before my patron for what I see today, and I swear a longer one if it will reassure you. I promise, Belissar, whatever you share with me, I will use only to your benefit. And I will not let anyone harm you or your Tower, especially not the Compact. I will close the door myself before I allow that to occur.”

Urubran raised an eyebrow as he smirked.

“And doom us all? Didn’t take you for casual treason, Tarwantrad.”

She narrowed her eyes.

“If the Compact betrays Belissar after all this, then we deserve whatever fate befalls us.”

Urubran raised up his hands.

“Don’t look at me, I agree with you on that.”

Belissar turned to the other dungeon master, who had been quiet for most of the trip until now. Urubran caught his gaze and gave Belissar a nod.

“Do you wish for me to depart as well, Tower Keeper Belissar? I don’t mind if you’d prefer to speak with Tarwantrad alone for now.”

Belissar glanced at Tarwantrad. She gave him a smile.

“Urubran is a friend and I trust him. You can as well.”

For some reason, she had a flash of irritation across her face before she continued.

“Also, his patron is the God of Fire, so he might be able to share some insight if you have Fire-type monsters, rooms, features, or defenders. Like the fire honey you mentioned, or your sworn defender…?”

She glanced at Chief Rohsuak, who gave her a smile and a nod. Urubran’s eyes lit up.

“Did you say fire honey?”

Belissar slowly began to nod.

“I see. Well, if you trust him, Tarwantrad, then it’s fine.”

Urubran gave him a grin.

“Thanks, Tower Keeper Belissar. I look forward to seeing what you’ve come up with. But…first you might want to tell Tarwantrad what exactly that building over there is.”

Belissar found Tarwantrad bouncing about as she stared at the Bee Barracks with a huge grin. He glanced around and found the Firstborn had flown out to watch the outsiders with the bee army.

“Do you mind if I show them your home?”

The Firstborn gave him a salute dance.

“If King trusts, we trust.”

Tarwantrad paused, her eyes going wide as she followed Belissar’s gaze.

“They call you their king? That’s…”

Tarwantrad wiggled about and squealed.

“That’s just so adorable!”

Neither Belissar nor the Firstborn were certain how to respond. He ended up glancing at Urubran, who just shrugged with a wry smile.

“Get used to that. If your whole dungeon is filled with bees, she’s going to do that a lot.”