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

the first thing they

bring us

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

It was delicious.

thank them for the food,” she said, then turned and glared at her daughter. “Piris!

face with it in a most un-decorous manner. The girl flushed under

they preferred to be called, were an interesting case.

jewellery? They could adorn their Queens with the finest gems the fourth

seemed to have developed an entire culinary

think the Queens will like them, but they are willing to offer some,

“Very well.”

a selection of the highest quality pieces were

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

“Not currently, no.”

“Interesting.”

around her were wearing anything

some level of industry in

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

them. The level of stillness went beyond just their heads, they barely moved at all. Only the antennae shifted and

“They… hmmm.”

Irisod,” she demanded softly, no hint of her

troubled, perhaps even a

you dare show anger,” Eran warned. “Cultural differences can give rise to offence where none

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

far higher affinity for water mana than any other race, and were extremely accomplished when applying it in enchanting. She could see

It took decades to develop those Skills to an acceptable level, longer

she was approaching this from

of things would they be prepared to sell to us?”