“WHAT DO YOU THINK, PIP?” Henbane watches as the little white rat scrambles over the knotted, winding roots of the tree before them. They’re deep in the dungeon, deeper than she thought this level even went, and far enough down that she’s starting to feel the ground warm beneath her hooves, instead of the endless cold of stone. The water that burbles through this vast chamber is warm, also, bathing the walls with steam, and she wonders if that’s the reason this tree has managed to take hold here.

    But… Henbane raises her gaze upwards, following the twisting branches that sway in intangible wind. Not a drop of light exists here except for the glow of cave lichen, and that is far too faint to nurture a tree this strong and healthy.

    Near her hooves, there’s a scrabbling sound as Pip clambers over a particularly big root. Dropping her head, the dappled courser lets her pet grab at her forelock and pull itself up. Her mane shivers as the rat darts along the crest of her neck and vanishes into a pouch.

    Henbane takes the time to investigate the tree, sniffing along the bark and stretching up on hind legs, head straining, to investigate the leaves. Around the base she finds old, fallen leaves and rustles around in those, too, until she finds something round and hard.

    Shoving some leaves to the side, she eyes the two perfect seeds beneath the detritus. Glancing around, she can’t see any seedlings growing. The only life is the lichen and the strange tree itself.

    Moving on, she circles the tree and then comes back to the seeds, staring down at them. Maybe they would grow on the surface? But Henbane is no green thumb. That sort of hobby is better kept by Moon or her apprentice.

    Moving on, again, Henbane investigates the rest of the cavern instead. She finds nothing, and once again finds herself standing above the seeds.

    “I can’t grow you,” she says aloud to them. The seeds don’t respond.

    “I’m serious,” she says. “And I’m going to leave you here.” She doesn’t move.

    Finally, squirming inwardly, she carefully picks up each seed and tucks them into a pouch on the opposite side of Pip. Only then does something in her relax. With one lingering glance backward, she leaves the cavern and it’s odd inhabit behind.