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…?”

in, during this

thing they

bring us

inspection, she could see glistening fruits embedded in each section, strawberries in the red layer, and peaches in the orange. She took

It was delicious.

said, then turned

and begun stuffing her face with it in a most un-decorous manner. The girl flushed under the withering glare

tapped a finger to her chin. The Colony, as she now knew they preferred to be called, were an interesting case. They didn’t want what most she negotiated with

finest gems the fourth stratum has to offer, cut

both protective and absurdly doting on their Queens, considering they seemed to have developed an entire culinary culture around

are mildly interested. To be more clear, they don’t think the Queens will like them, but they are willing to offer some,

“Very well.”

the highest quality pieces were brought to the fortress as quickly

are any of you talking to the large one?” she asked

“Not currently, no.”

“Interesting.”

she saw around her were wearing anything

of industry in the

us? Our forges produce materials of the highest quality. Particularly,

moved. No expressions crossed their faces and she had to constantly remind herself that she was looking at their skeletons. They couldn’t move them. The level of stillness went beyond just their

“They… hmmm.”

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

perhaps

Eran warned. “Cultural differences can give rise to offence where

they would love to purchase a sampling of our wares, but only so they could study them. The ants are confident they can make superior works themselves, given

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 been rankled by such a statement, but

much confidence in their own craftswork? It took decades to develop those Skills to an acceptable level, longer without training and guidance. The

approaching this from the wrong

they be