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 this

first thing they used it for

us cake,

each layer 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, and peaches in

It was delicious.

she said, then turned and glared at her daughter.

upon her dessert and begun stuffing her face with it in a most un-decorous manner. The

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

with the finest gems the fourth

to have developed an entire culinary culture around serving their ant mothers sweets. Perhaps they

the Queens will like them, but they are

“Very well.”

would ensure a selection of the highest quality pieces were brought

of curiosity, are any of you talking to the

“Not currently, no.”

“Interesting.”

want arms and armour? None of the ants she saw around her were wearing anything of the sort, though she saw some wore clearly enchanted rings metal rings around

some level of industry in

us? Our forges produce materials of the highest quality. Particularly, for metals and woods infused with

They couldn’t move them. The level of stillness went beyond just their heads, they barely moved at all. Only the antennae shifted and twitched, but she couldn’t begin to interpret such movements. Her negotiating partners were a blank wall. Another thing she had never encountered

“They… hmmm.”

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

troubled, perhaps even a

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

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

pride would suggest 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,

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

approaching this from the wrong

they be prepared to sell to