The Queen grimaced at the harsh assessment but it was the simple truth. She turned to Jochi, forcing a calm smile.

"I'm honoured that you believe my influence stretches as far as this Academy but I'm afraid the treaty specifically mentions that it is independent of all nations; indeed, it is its own nation. The Headmaster himself is not from Elianst, he even fought against us several times during the past wars so I really have little control over this Academy in reality. No more than any other ruler, that is." She turned to Revaz, her smile turning slightly darker.

"I would not take hostages, it is not my style of conducting negotiations or warfare. We either fight with complete honour or none at all, there is no middle ground in my reign." There was a sharp edge to the Queen's words; few understood how dangerous and deadly a mind hid behind the beautiful, smiling facade she put up. She turned back to Jochi, the calmer smile returning to take the edge off of her words.

"Well, I will start by winning your complete attention. The land on your northern border which gives you access to the sea and the rich fishing grounds there... I will cede it to Helgland as a gesture of faith." She pushed on, ignoring the half-voiced complaints of her companions. She had seen the gleam of interest, as well as surprise, in Jochi's face. She had read him well, it was apparent.

"You could, of course, return to raiding our lands for your food and wealth but there are mutually beneficial ways of obtaining this. For example, I can issue a charter giving Helgland's merchants exemption from import tariffs and taxes as well as priority for our food surplus; the main resource I believe your nation lacks. Again, you could simply side with the enemy and take it but that's if the enemy wishes to ally themselves with any nation." She closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath before she continued.

"They appear to have had spies in every court for some time now, they certainly knew when my double and the Privy Council were due to meet and attack at the precise moment. Their strength of arms alone makes them a problem for you; not once has anyone come close to breaching the city's walls let alone the Palace gates but they did so in a single day. They have no need of an alliance when a mere expeditionary force can accomplish in one day what entire nations have failed to do for centuries." She smiled sadly as her vision was dredged up again; 'her' head and those of the Privy Council mounted on poles and paraded back out of the city. These aggressors had no honour, none at all.

"Finally, if you still feel that Elianst may turn around and betray you at any point then I speak to you alone in this, Prince Jochi." She was well aware that he would not inherit any wealth or authority himself and she needed a strong, cunning man to sit next to her. "I suggest that in exchange for that which I've already detailed and to solidify our alliance, not simply for the near future but in perpetuity, that we tie our royal houses together to ensure a lasting, mutually beneficial, relationship between our nations. As far as I'm aware, you're the only unmarried member of your dynasty and I am the only surviving one of mine. I don't think I need to spell out what it is that I am suggesting."