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

they used it for

bring us

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

It was delicious.

them for the food,” she said, then turned

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

The Colony, as she now knew they preferred to be called, were an interesting

could adorn their Queens with the finest gems the fourth

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

the Queens will like them, but

“Very well.”

ensure a selection of the highest quality pieces were brought to

you talking to the large

“Not currently, no.”

“Interesting.”

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

of

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

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 twitched, but she

“They… hmmm.”

demanded softly, no hint of her irritation

looked troubled, perhaps

rise

only so they could study them. The ants are

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

Skills to an acceptable level, longer without training and guidance. The Colony was young,

approaching this from

things would they be prepared to sell to