[center][h2][b]General Kvarr[/b][/h2][/center]

[hr]

General Kvarr hummed to himself for a moment before answering. “With respect, Castigator, it sounds quite like you [i]do[/i] agree with me. I do not want to diminish the effort you have placed into finding these conclusions, but rest assured you are not the first to think of them.” Kvarr gestured to the map, particularly to the Ascendancy’s northern border. “I am sure one in your position is aware of the territory disputes we have been having in the north. The discussions there have centered around the Sovereignty, though the true threat is Narkant. It is fortunate for us that S’toric nations are often mostly concerned with fighting each other, as they would have already turned their attention southward without that distraction. Yet, I know them; I know them quite well. If they were to see blood in the water, to identify a weakness, they would pounce without a second thought. You have correctly recognized that Mythadia faces a S’toric threat from the north themselves, but unfortunately, we also have that same weakness.”

The S’tor general shifted his focus to their present location on the map, right at the border of the Ascendancy and Mythadia. “We [i]could[/i] put forward a military defense. Demand that our foes leave and defend this ground with force. Make no mistake, with everything I have heard of these Human visitors, it would be worth the risk. Yet, there is another way we can play this game. You have been trained extensively in the ways of war, Castigator, so I do not begrudge you approach the threat with war at the center of your mind. A few lifetimes ago, war was [i]all[/i] that occupied my thoughts. Then I met a wonderful woman who opened my mind to other ways of thinking. Mythadia is a land where tradition reigns supreme. If we give them no justification to fight, it is much more difficult for them to muster support among their factions for a war. So, we present the Humans as a [i]neutral[/i] entity; representatives of a foreign nation. Give them that status, and it is no longer the Ascendancy that Mythadia would be declaring war on. If we cede this little stretch of land to the Humans, for their use, then by Mythadian law, they would have to declare war on [i]their[/i] nation to march upon it.”

Kvarr leaned back from the table. “From what you have said, we should have the advantage in negotiations with our visitors, yes?”

[hr]

[center][h2][b]Kareet of Arcaeda[/b][/h2][/center]

[hr]

Kareet quietly looked up at the Jotunheim as Vigdis drew her attention to it. Most of what she described seemed to confirm the comparison between Humans and the S’tor. They preferred to use former soldiers as explorers, and had even been driven to Kanth-Aremek as a result of warfare, albeit unintentionally. At least, as long as Vigdis was being honest. This interview, and any others she could have with the Humans, would be useful, but she would need to be careful about relying purely on their testimony when she was writing the encyclopedia. 

“Written records would certainly be of immense help.” Kareet responded. “I mean no offense by this, but, every answer you give seems to ask more questions than I can even think to write. Your world, your people, are so entirely alien to anything I have considered before. I do not know what it means to move faster than light, or why you question if it is possible.  I do not even know how fast it is that light moves. Or why you would go through [i]that[/i] much effort for just a spice trade. I feel like other goals would be more valuable. I could ask a dozen questions on every sentence.”

Kareet laughed briefly. “Well, I suppose I will never learn anything if I do not start asking. You didn’t come here on purpose, but if your ship can move as fast as you say, then how far away do you think we are from Earth?”

Kareet did hear the Shirik shouting about the invitation to eat, though regardless of how hungry she may or may not have been, she would not be the one to end their interview.