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 this

thing they used

bring us

by a razor. On closer inspection, she could see

It was delicious.

she said, then turned and glared at her daughter. “Piris!

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

tapped a finger to her chin. The Colony, as she now knew they preferred to be called,

with the finest gems the fourth stratum has to offer,

on their Queens, considering they seemed to have developed an entire culinary culture around serving their ant mothers sweets. Perhaps they

mildly interested. To be more clear, they don’t think the Queens will like them, but they are willing to offer some, just

“Very well.”

would ensure a selection of the highest quality pieces were brought to the fortress as

of you talking to the large one?” she

“Not currently, no.”

“Interesting.”

Would they want arms and armour? None of the ants she saw around her were wearing

was some level of

the highest quality. Particularly, for metals and woods infused with water mana, we are the best

couldn’t move them. The level of stillness went beyond just their heads, they barely moved at all.

“They… hmmm.”

she demanded softly, no hint of her

troubled, perhaps

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

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

sapient race to live in it. They absolutely did have a far higher affinity for water mana than any other

to develop those Skills to

this from the

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