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

they

us cake,

down at the delicate confection, each layer as clearly defined as if cut by a razor. On closer inspection, she could see

It was delicious.

turned and glared at

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

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

They could adorn their Queens with the finest gems the fourth stratum has

have developed an entire culinary culture around serving

Queens will like them,

“Very well.”

selection of the highest quality pieces were brought to the

any of you talking to the large

“Not currently, no.”

“Interesting.”

wearing anything of the sort, though she saw some wore clearly

level of industry

in purchasing equipment from us? Our forges produce materials of the highest quality. Particularly,

constantly remind herself that she was looking at their 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 couldn’t begin to interpret such movements.

“They… hmmm.”

Irisod,” she demanded softly, no hint of her

mage looked troubled, perhaps

warned. “Cultural differences can give rise to offence where none

our wares, but only so they could study them. The ants are confident they can make

it. They absolutely did have a far higher affinity for water mana

develop those Skills to an acceptable level, longer without training

approaching this from the wrong

sort of things would they be prepared