Chrysalis

Negotiations were always a delicate matter. There were many things to consider, after all. What was culturally and economically acceptable to both sides? What did each side want from the other? It was around these things that discussions would focus.

The first thing Eran Umizan needed to discern was what it was the Colony desired.

“Do they need food?”

Clearly, they had an interest in foodstuffs, as evidenced by the tea and scones. There was a brief consultation.

“They don’t,” Irisod told her. “Apparently, they grow all of their own food. Their own sugar, wheat, tea leaves and everything else they consume in large quantities. For satisfying their hunger, they generally use Biomass or… aphids? I’m not sure what those are.”

Interesting.

“We can negotiate a price for access to our gates?” she suggested. “Would they be interested in discussing terms for such an agreement?”

The price would be hideously expensive, of course. If you couldn’t make your own gates, then you were at the mercy of whoever was in a position to offer you access to one.

An ant entered with another tray covered in delectable-looking slices of layered cake, each topped with a twirl of pink cream. Eran’s brow went up as the tray was carefully placed before her, and another was distributed amongst her retinue.

Again, no poison.

“I thought they were short on supplies?” she asked her Court Mage, quietly.

“Apparently, they just developed their own gate.”

“What? When?”

“Just now.”

“As in…?”

during

the first thing they used

bring us

defined as if cut by a razor. On closer inspection, she could see glistening fruits embedded in each section, strawberries in the red layer, and

It was delicious.

she said, then turned and glared at her

with it in a most un-decorous manner. The

a finger to her chin. The Colony, as she now knew they preferred to be called, were an interesting case. They

adorn their Queens with the finest gems the fourth stratum has to offer, cut

doting on their Queens, considering they seemed to have developed an entire culinary culture around serving their ant

they don’t think the Queens will like them, but they

“Very well.”

was something. She would ensure a selection of the highest quality pieces were brought to the

you talking to the large one?” she asked

“Not currently, no.”

“Interesting.”

the ants she saw around her were wearing anything of the sort, though she saw some wore clearly

was some level of industry in the

quality. Particularly, for metals and woods infused with water mana,

to constantly remind herself that she was looking at their skeletons. They couldn’t move them. The level of stillness went beyond just their heads, they barely moved at all. Only the antennae shifted and

“They… hmmm.”

it, Irisod,” she demanded softly, no hint of her irritation crossing

perhaps even a little

give rise to offence where none is intended. Tell me what

suggested they would love to purchase a sampling of our wares, but only so they could study them. The

that their mastery over the waters would never be questioned, since they were the only sapient race to live in it. They absolutely did have a far higher affinity for water mana than any other race, and were extremely accomplished when applying it in enchanting. She could see why Irisod might have

craftswork? It took decades to develop those Skills to an

this from

be prepared to sell to