[CENTER][img]https://i.postimg.cc/L5GsZ5sv/a195ca2580892c2f64767511da4ce176.png [/img][/center] The moment Nellara heard Silbermine's threat, saying he could slay her where she stood, instead of being offended or angry, her reaction was simply to laugh. Not a sarcastic laugh of someone who was trying to get back at Silbermine's threat, but a genuine laugh of someone who couldn't see his words as anything else but a joke. [color=d3c28b]"You, slay me? Don't make me laugh..."[/color] Nellara said as she looked to Silbermine, with a contemptuous expression. [color=d3c28b]"If I really wanted to kill you, you would be choking on your own blood before you could even draw your weapon. Neither you, your pillager-knights nor your precious god would be able to do anything about it. You are nothing but a pitiful 'noble'. Your position wasn't earned, it was given on a silver platter, no matter if you are worthy of it or not. The same cannot be said for me. I am a Castigator because I have the skills necessary to be one. Because I trained and studied for years and showed nothing less than excellence to the Ascension."[/color] Nellara said, with an acid smirk as she looked at Silbermine. It soon became clear that Nellara wasn't the only one that was getting tired of Silbermine's arrogance, as Shirik quickly made his dissatisfaction known. Upon hearing Shirik's threat towards Silbermine, Nellara looked to the humans, raising an eyebrow almost as if asking if they still thought that Silbermine really deserved to be treated politely. [color=d3c28b]"He speak of all around him as lesser beings. As creatures that should feel grateful to serve him and Mythadia. Even Shirik, who is a third party, completely unrelated to either Mythadia or the Ascension... Such is the way the Mythadian 'nobles' act and see the world around them... One should be firm with their boundaries around Silbermine and his 'ilk'... Lest them start feeling that they can step over your rights without any consequences... History has already shown that they would do so without hesitation if given any opportunity."[/color] Nellara said, looking to the humans. As Zeynep arrived, she heard her words with a growing concern, visible in her expression. To think the humans were entertaining Silbermine's outrageous proposals, despite him saying he clearly wanted to use them as pawns, speaking as if both him and Mythadia were something the humans should be proud to serve was simply ridiculous. [color=d3c28b]"Offering them coin and glory? You speak as if they should be proud to serve you and Mythadia. You offer them no respect with your outrageous requests. You talk as if they should be honored to have the chance of serving Mythadia. Even claiming you already have a 'role' for the humans. I have honestly never met anyone as arrogant and pretentious as you, Silbermine."[/color] Nellara said, rolling her eyes. When Vigdis asked for her and Silbermine to calm down, mentioning she doubted her motives were as 'pure' as she claimed them to be, Nellara couldn't hide the confusion on her expression. [color=d3c28b]"I didn't try to hide or sugarcoat my motives, Vigdis. Our motives were clear and honest since the beginning. A trade agreement. Both of us have things we want from the other part, you need our electricity, our mages and supplies, we would like to study your knowledge and technology. That is all there is to it."[/color] Nellara said, turning to Vigdis with a confused expression. While Nellara's words were honest and genuine, she didn't mention that she hoped to sign an 'exclusivity' contract with the humans, in order to prevent other nations from having their knowledge... But they didn't need to know that. At least not yet. [color=d3c28b]"War is not on our best interest either, but I assume you can understand that when people from Mythadia, who have an history of taking what they want, start invading your territory and ignoring the agreement dividing plains and mountains, no matter how peaceful a nation is, such actions cannot be ignored."[/color] Nellara replied to Vigdis and Zeynep. [color=d3c28b]"Considering your people's story, you should be well aware of such 'territorial disputes' and what happens if one lets a religious, warmongering nation do what they want and disrespect the borders without any consequences... Especially when the other nation not only brings a small army and establishes a military encampment, but also has the audacity of asking for reinforcements."[/color] Nellara said, looking to Zeynep and Vigdis. [color=d3c28b]"The Ascension is merely coming here to enforce the treatise between our nations, respecting each other's territories. Even if a war do starts, you have my word not even a single arrow will land next to your ship or your people."[/color] Nellara finished. Listening to Ixtaro's inquiries, Nellara let her speak before replying. [color=d3c28b]"While there are no 'formal' borders, the natural division between the plains, marshes and the mountains is clear. If we let Silbermine and his people claim these hills as part of their territory, they will certainly not stop with just that."[/color] Nellara said, looking to Ixtaro, her tone clearly indicating that no matter what happened, she wouldn't concede not even a single meter of mountainous terrains to Silbermine and Mythadia. When Ixtaro mentioned that other tekeri were approaching the ship and weren't too happy with their equipment, Nellara furrowed her brows, specifically upon hearing how Ixtaro called them 'hunters'. [color=d3c28b]"You said 'hunters' and not soldiers? They might not be part of the Lenkik army that was dispatched here."[/color] Nellara said, looking to one of her soldiers and nodding towards him, silently giving him the permission of going to those so called 'hunters' and investigate if they were part of the Ascension or not. [color=d3c28b] "Whether they are part of the ascension or not, try to bring them to our encampment."[/color] Nellara said, clearly wanting to avoid any problems involving locals that weren't aware of the humans yet and the humans' machines and equipment.