Vellia watched as the girl slowly tried backing away, probably ready to make a run for it again. [b]"Hold on,"[/b] Vellia said. [b]"If you're on unfriendly terms with Ylisse like you make it sound when you insult their royalty, then that makes you the enemy of our enemy, and according to my father, you could easily be our ally, if only for a short time. Honestly, I see one of three options: you give the pot back and come with us, or you can give it back and go home, or we all lose out on a meal when I force you to spill it all over. It wouldn't be hard, either."[/b]

She felt odd. This was the most she had ever tried to negotiate. Maybe it was because she saw that this girl perhaps had been struggling just the same as she had not long ago. Not that things were altogether better right now, but she wasn't fighting a war on her own anymore, which gave her a sense of comfort. [b]"I would prefer it if you chose the first option. I'm hungry, you're obviously hungry, or you would have gone for our gold rather than our food, and I'm sure everyone else in our company is hungry."[/b]

Returning the sword to its scabbard, Vellia made eye contact, allowing a look of neither kindness nor animosity, but understanding, form on her face. [b]"So what'll it be?"[/b]