Belissar eventually managed to get the two elves back to the karnuq floor, at least until they arrived at the karnuq’s beehouses.
“Ah, that’s Velebee’s hive. She’s the Oracle of Bees.”
Tarwantrad came to a halt. Belissar turned around and saw her blinking repeatedly.
“Belissar, you have the Oracle of Bees in your tower?”
Belissar nodded. Tarwantrad took a deep breath.
“I would love to speak with her sometime.”
Belissar nodded again.
“Sure, I’ll call her over. The bees will be joining the banquet in any case.”
Tarwantrad made a warm smile at that, while Urubran chuckled.
Urubran gave her a smirk.
“After all, the way that we, the Circle, or even the Compact does things is not necessarily the right or only way. You, the girl who has saved the Compact by breaking one of its strictest rules, should probably know that by now.”
Tarwantrad flushed and looked away.
“They never said we couldn’t open a nexus door inside a dungeon!”
Urubran just chuckled.
After the banquet, Belissar and Chief Rohsuak escorted the pair back to the nexus door. Tarwantrad gave him a bright smile.
“Thank you so much for showing us around, Belissar. Your tower is truly amazing. I must show you around mine in turn.”
Belissar found himself returning her smile.
“I’d like that, and the bees would too. I can’t imagine what sort of flowers you must have.”
Her smile grew at that and she gave a nod to Niobee as well.
“I hope they will be to both your likings.”
She then adopted a more serious expression, though still kept a smile.
“In any case, I will speak with the rest of the Circle and return with the boons as soon as I am able. Urubran and Nenavann should have theirs ready quickly, but it might take a bit more time for me to speak with the others.”
She glanced at Urubran and he just smiled.
“Oh, I’m sure I can think of something you’ll enjoy, Tower Keeper Belissar. Let me know when you’re ready to trade more of that Fire honey, too.”
Belissar gave him a nod before turning back to Tarwantrad.
“Sounds good, you’re welcome anytime, Tarwantrad.”
She beamed at that. The two elves waved at him one last time before stepping back through the nexus door. Belissar took a deep breath, letting it out with a smile.
He smiled up at Niobee and brushed her back.
“Yes. That was…it actually felt good, showing them around. I…don’t really know how I feel, but it feels good.”
“If King feels good, then good!”
Chief Rohsuak chuckled.
“Friendship can be a wonderful thing, Tower Keeper.”
Belissar froze and blinked repeatedly. Friendship? Is…that was this was? The only friend he had ever had before was Niobee.
But having Tarwantrad and Urubran as his friends…didn’t sound so bad.