Things are progressing well.
My royal guard shows excellent training results and we've got further deliveries with weapons to equip them.
I ordered for the last delivery some sets of black fabric, so I could give those who will accompany me something to wear.
In hindsight, black might look a little bit threatening, but I just thought this color would serve best to hide the insect features, while brown is a bit shabby.

Naturally, the total number of my brood increased too.
At the moment I might be somewhere between two- and three thousand.
God, I would be troubled to even count so many not to speak of directly interacting with them.

However, one issue still stands; I'll need to decide eventually about establishing a hive of my own.
The numbers might be neglectable at the moment and I can distribute my brood to fill in between the different departments, but essentially they're simply extra workers which aren't directly needed but put a burden on the food supply.
In addition to what I already delivered to the humans.
Soon I won't be able to justify this anymore.
So I'll need to pursue my family's idea about using the Garanas to provide water to the mushroom fields I want to build.

There might be other options.
The Formicea have quite the detailed intel about their tunnel system and now about several smaller underground reservoirs.
But not one of them will be as big and lasting as a direct connection to a river.

Another issue is that the place I'm fetching from should be close in front of a town.
The reason is, that they can't poison it as easily if it's also going through their own place.
But such a thing will require extensive negotiations with Tarsona.

Yet for now, this is still something to think about in the future.
So I'm sitting on my throne literally pushing through another difficult laying session.
Yes, I'm using it, no comments.

 

<Princess!> (Sk)

"Skiras? What is going on? You feel distressed." (E)

<Humans. Greater numbers. They're armed.> (Sk)

<Screak!/What!?> (E)

 

Naturally, I directly freak out.
Is it an attack?
Why would this happen?
Don't they have to fight a war?
I decide that I don't have enough information and start asking for details.

 

<What else can you tell me? Did they do anything yet? Where are they heading? Context!> (E)

<They entered at the Osari base, claiming they're coming for negotiations. No unit stopped them yet. But in relation to numbers, we'd certainly be able to take them out in an instant.> (Sk)

<God, no! We're informing Liseti, though she probably already knows. Aside from that, we're going to assume they don't come to fight and receive them as envoys.> (E)

<As you wish, my princess.> (Sk)

 

I simply can't believe that Tarsona would during a war unnecessarily attack us.
Even more, it wouldn't make any sense to only send such a small unit.
No, I rather think that they want to show strength to negotiate from a better position.
At least I should go and receive them.
Yet according to Skiras' pheromones, I should take some security measures, like checking for assassination weapons or taking enough guards with me, if I don't want him to lose it completely.

So I wait till my escort assembles and walk towards the entrance where they should appear if they're coming from Osari.
Because I don't want to leave my escort behind I have to walk all the way down.
Not that I'm too keen on jumping again.

The way down is quite long, but it's much easier to walk downwards and so it still goes rather quickly.
However, when I arrive things are already in full progress.
Several men in armor stand in line in front of the entrance.
Did they truly send knights?
They look apprehensive, maybe slightly intimidated by the knowledge that if things go badly they have no realistic chance to make it out here.
Countless insects around focusing one can do this to you.
Nonetheless, I am quite sure those are elites.
They show fitting determination and posture.

In front of them stands a blonde man in a gaudy robe.
Maybe not made from unnecessarily expensive materials, but enough to draw attention.
Mine he has.

The other noteworthy thing is that Liseti arrived before me.

 

"Speeak humaenzz! What leeadz youu intoo our rEealm?!" (Liseti)

 

As always, her voice produces not the most pleasant sounds.
In addition, she called out from afar, which made her speak louder but didn't help her to produce the right tone.
Though, I doubt she's in a hospitable mood.
Yet as she wasn't too close it was still possible to endure it.
At least I hope so, as none of the humans had to hold their ears.
Still, they have strained expressions.

The gaudy man steps forward.

 

"We're here to deliver a message to your leaders, insect." (envoy)

"I am Princess Liseti and can be referred to as such. What kind of message?" (L)

 

The man retrieves a huge scroll, breathes in, and speaks with a bellowing voice.

 

"In the name of our great king Kiran Redora, we ask for "Ambassador Erys" to live up to her word and come to lead the negotiations on behalf of her kind with our country of Tarsona, in our capital, the great fortress city of Valera!" (envoy)

 

Wh-what?

I step forward.

 

"E-excuse me, I thought if anything I'd have to go to meetings in Osari?" (E)

"Princess Erys? No, the agreement says that you're expected to come to our grounds and state your intentions, so a way for coexistence may be found. Upholding your part will be necessary if your former contract shall be seen as valid." (envoy)

 

The man speaks loud and clear, yet not necessarily haughty.
I think I can determine this because of my experiences in previous encounters I've had with humans of greater status.
It's actually quite the positive reaction that my contract with lord Hawkspear isn't completely disregarded.

 

"A princess, confined on foreign ground!? Such impudence!" (K)

 

I can't have a diplomatic incident here.

 

"Kyska, please. Ehk, you see, a princess being out of this place is quite a big thing. It's not an easy demand." (E)

"Still, we're required to escort you to the negotiations. As such we won't leave before this happens." (envoy)

"I-I understand.> (E)

 

Now Liseti approaches as well.

 

<What is this about, Erys.> (L)

<You've heard them, right? They want me to accompany them into the capital.> (E)

<Ridiculous.> (L)

<Well, not so much. Really important things should usually be negotiated between leaders. And with the war, I doubt that the king can easily leave the capital. That might be devastating for them.> (E)

<I understand their point, but for us, there is no reason for taking such a risk. We're talking here about foreign territory which isn't under our control.> (L)

<Didn't you say you would support me in this?> (E)

<Your royal guard is far from ready and this isn't as simple as a meeting in the relative vicinity of the hive. We'd need preparations. And guarantees.> (L)

<Then why don't we do so? It's important. We might earn lasting good relations through this.> (E)

I understand that there's a risk, but what we could gain here is worth it in my opinion. Also, I put my word on this contract. I don't want to be the one to break it.

<This is no simple matter. Certainly none we can decide like this. I hoped we'd have more time and maybe possibilities to take measures and gain information. This would've improved our position for such a request.> (L)

<And now?> (E)

<We need time. They'll have to grant this or leave with nothing.> (L)

 

The man looks a bit uncomfortable, not knowing what we're talking about.
He instantly catches up when I focus back on him.

 

"Ahem, may I inquire about which conclusion you came to?" (envoy)

"This is a bit sudden. As I said princesses are leaders here. Wanting that one leaves means to ask for a huge concession. At least we need to debate that first among us." (E)

"Still, we have our mission and can't leave before we've completed it." (envoy)

"W-we will prepare quarters and provide meals for you while you're waiting." (E)

 

Most of the knights don't look too pleased.
Probably because they're not expecting too much from insect cuisine.
The envoy meanwhile maintains a professional neutral face.

I walk some steps away and turn to Kyska.

 

<Kyska, would it be possible to serve them a bit of cooked flesh and other vegetables?> (E)

<It will be prepared, my princess.> (K)

 

This should do to improve their impression of us.

 

<Now get ready. This interval a meeting of the broodmothers will commence!> (L)