[h2]Elite & Cath collab[/h2]

Zey carefully turned her translator off, blinked at Vigdis over her shoulder and through her mask. The beasts of burden down the hill issued a chorus of screeches.

“This one seems happy for us to leave again.” She subtly flicked her head towards General Kvarr. 

“I’m more worried about Lord Silbermine, which is why I’m going to send some of you to learn more about him.”

The Glen noble spoke up as if on cue. His voice was polite with a subtle gravelly undertone. 

“My good General, your offer is most generous and yet unfounded in reality. This land belongs to Sudenúr, of which I am Lord Protector.” 

Kvarr’s expression betrayed nothing, but as his private conversation with Nellara before had shown, this was just what he had been hoping for from Silbermine. “Unfortunately, Lord Silbermine, I believe you are mistaken in that regard. By treaty, the Ascendancy’s domain is the mountains, and a hill is still part of its mountain. But, such distinctions are also not terribly relevant here, I believe. Would you truly wish to deny the Humans their own domain in this world? It should be a show of good faith from the people of Kanth-Aremek that we give them the ability to live by their own command, rather than to force them to live by the rule of another while they are still trying to learn their way around our world. It would be quite unfair of us to try to force them to make binding agreements with those whom they know so little about.”
Silbermine snorted and tapped one hoof on the rocky ground.

“Surely not. The Humans are welcome to this scrap of hillside. I pray we can uncover this treaty and settle the matter of sovereignty once and for all.”

Esedel piped up, keen to keep her master in good spirits.

“My lord, building walls to keep the Humans sssafe will give you a chance to solidify the border in a new agreement. Bards will sing songs of this moment for years to come.”

“If we must build walls, my XO will forward Human designs from the database of our shipboard AI.” Zey chimed in.

Kvarr chimed in as well. “If it is to be your land, then it is your choice what you would like to put on it. If a wall is what you wish, then it sounds like Silbermine’s offer is generous. If you would prefer other means of keeping yourself safe, then I would certainly be happy to discuss it with you. As would the Archmagister, if you would wish to meet with her back in Arcaeda.”
Zey allowed herself a small smile. For a moment, she felt supremely powerful to have foreign dignitaries fawning over her. There was a pregnant pause for thought before she replied.

“We have decided to send one party to the Ascendency, and one to Mythadia. We want to pay our respects to both nations for extending their hospitality.”

[hr]

For the moment, the three groups had an agreeable course of action. No doubt, the representatives of both of the neighboring nations believed that a more private meeting in their home territory would go in their favor, while the crew of the Jotunheim at least had some means of avoiding a war on their doorstep. It simply took a few hours worth of discussion, both between one another, and among themselves, to hash out the details of who would be traveling where, and when.

Among the Ascendancy, General Kvarr ordered Castigator Nellara to take a small force, enough to fit on one of their boats, and join in escorting the Human representatives back to Arcaeda. Seeker Kareet also requested to join, as she had reason to return to the Order of Sages, deliver a report, and consult with her superiors. She extended an invitation to Shirik and J’eon to do the same. Despite all that had happened, she had not forgotten about what had initially drawn them together. Her report on Shirik was the whole reason she had left Arcaeda to begin with, and the creature they had encountered with J’eon still stood out in her mind. The Humans might have overshadowed both in importance, but there was no harm in allowing the Sages to interview both. By a similar token, Kareet also invited the Kriliteran, as it was quite obvious why they might want to interview him. Of course, whether they accepted her invitation, found a reason to go to Mythadia, or simply went off on their own was entirely up to the three of them. Kareet was far too absorbed in her project with the Humans to put up much of an argument.

Zey ordered Mallory to take Eva, Dr Ibarra & Arancini and return to Keraknúr with Lord Silbermine. On the way there, they were to survey the Jotunheim’s approach vector to look for the lost shuttle. She stressed that it was important to build rapport with the nobleglen, learning as much as possible about his position in the wider Mythadian apparatus. She gave them trinkets and a list of other things they could offer in exchange for substantial aid.

The Captain herself would lead the expedition to the Ascendency, along with Fret Chappel, Vigdis and Dr Lambert, their resident xeno-biologist.

Zey was especially loathe to take the engineers away from their work. But it was obvious that they had made a connection with the locals, and had proven they could be diplomatic. Those were both things she needed for this mission to go well.

Ezra would continue guarding the Jotunheim and its contingent of civilians. The remaining crew would focus on training them up and putting them to work. Clara Anselm would be in charge in the Captain and XO’s absence.

It was agreed that they’d depart at first light tomorrow. Following the negotiations Zey ordered everyone back to work. Lunch was over.

[hr]

Thunder and lightning lingered over the Jotunheim through the night. Zey barely slept,choosing instead to stare through the small windows on the ceiling of her quarters. It was loud even behind the ship’s reinforced hull, and she could feel every vibration as the ship settled.

After hours the thunder was replaced by torrential rain, which only began to subside at dawn. When the Captain came out to check conditions, a strong smell of ozone pervaded her nostrils. Puffy clouds filled the sky; a chill whispered down the back of her shirt.