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

thing they used it

us

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

It was delicious.

turned and glared at her daughter. “Piris! Manners!” she

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

as she now knew they preferred to be called, were an interesting case.

in jewellery? They could adorn their Queens with the finest gems the fourth stratum has to

they seemed to have developed an entire culinary culture around serving

be more clear, they don’t think the Queens will like them, but they are willing to

“Very well.”

of the highest quality pieces were brought to the

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

“Not currently, no.”

“Interesting.”

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

of industry in the

highest quality. Particularly, for metals and woods infused

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

“They… hmmm.”

she demanded softly, no hint of her irritation crossing

perhaps even

give rise to offence

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

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

those Skills to an acceptable level, longer without training and

was approaching this

would they be prepared to sell to us?” she