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

they used

bring us

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

It was delicious.

them for the food,” she said, then turned and glared at

a most un-decorous manner.

be called, were an interesting case. They didn’t want what most she negotiated with wanted, as

finest gems the fourth stratum has to offer, cut by

have developed an entire culinary

the Queens will like them, but

“Very well.”

the highest quality pieces were brought to the fortress as quickly as

of you talking to the

“Not currently, no.”

“Interesting.”

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

some level of

Particularly, for metals and woods

them. The level of stillness went beyond just their heads, they

“They… hmmm.”

with it, Irisod,” she demanded softly, no hint of

perhaps even a

show anger,” Eran warned. “Cultural differences can give rise to offence where

a sampling of our wares, but only so they could study them. The ants are confident they can

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

much confidence in their own craftswork? It took decades to develop those Skills to an acceptable

this

things would they be prepared to sell to us?”