The fake Greer was waiting outside for me when I stepped from my rooms. It was pleasant to see that my four guards were still on duty. My guess was that their shift would be ending soon and another four would take their place. The corridors were dark now save for well-placed candles along the path.
I could hear the Great Hall already. Wooden chairs squealing and scraping across the wooden floor. The hustle and bustle of the servants and the kitchen staff coordinating the service. Plenty of chatter and the occasional laughter.
But this wasn't an occasion for fun. Not really. This was a grand show, bringing all of the parties in this amber war together to thump chests or however that looked in the diplomatic arena. I was shown to my seat at the table against the far wall, the center of which was reserved for Queen May. Count Pelisir sat to her right and my seat was next to his. A terribly provocative move on their part, I thought. Seating me so close to the decision makers. I guess being a delegation of one has its privileges. The other guests had already arrived except for Prince Anoresti and Mag'stula. King Mestil, II of the Wood Elves was to Queen May’s left.
The Gnolls were at the table against the left wall of the room and the Swalesians to the right. I tried to pick out Margrin Ephisieryón and was certain I had him. Longish hair for a Gray Elf, wearing clothes and jewelry that could buy a small kingdom.
I asked Count Pelisir as we waited for the Queen's arrival. “Yes, indeed, that's the Elf himself. Cuts a figure, does he not?”
I had to agree, but the Elf also looked evil in a way I can't explain. Like someone who abuses animals or picks on the weak for sport. Just something in the eyes, predatorial. He caught me looking at him and gave me a smile and a nod. I wasn't entirely certain, but I had the sudden image of him being at our house in Almsbury Court when I was a child. But then I was sure. My father had entertained this horrible creature at some point, and it made me question my mission here even more. Was I as pure as all that, after all?
Hiding my mouth with my hand to deter lip readers, I let Count Pelisir know of my memory.
“That wouldn't be entirely unusual would it, Mister Bascombe? I mean both men are well off, primarily merchants. Though your father is known as a very effective advocate in criminal proceedings. Perhaps he had been sought out for that purpose?”
That made good sense. My father did have a reputation for getting his hands dirty with his legendary criminal defense work. He didn't even need the money; he just enjoyed the fight and the attention he garnered in the courtroom.
Had I not known better, I would think Margrin Ephisieryón couldn't possibly remember me. But, like the rest of us, he's certain to have done his due diligence before showing up here. He has a biography for every seat at these three tables.
I should make a disclaimer. I did not do my due diligence, obviously. There was far too much that I didn't know.
One thing that has tugged at the back of my mind over the course of this long day was why the Gray Elves wanted to dispense of the amber concession in the first place. That was something I needed to bring directly to Queen May. It would have been her decision, at any rate. But why?
Count Pelisir leaned over to me and said, “You have so many questions, Mister Bascombe. And no, I'm not reading your thoughts. It's on your face like newsprint.”
“I don't mean to appear distracted or distant, My Lord. But you're correct. I have many questions. Eventually I'd like to know how we plan on pulling this off.” And it was my turn to chuckle.
“We haven't come that far just yet, Mister Bascombe. Rest assured the greatest minds in the kingdom are on it.”
“Meaning you and Queen May, My Lord?”
“Your senses grow keener by the hour, Sir.” We both laughed out loud , drawing unimpressed glances from the Gnolls and Swalesians.
Finally, a single trumpet indicated the arrival of the Queen and King Mestil. The assembly stood until they had been seated. Mag'stula and Prince Anoresti were still absent. It was horrible etiquette to come in after the Queen and they knew it. Just some sort of power play. I wondered if they were together.
And just like that, the main doors opened and both stepped in to take their seats to much murmuring. Once they had been seated, Count Pelisir rose from his chair and waited for quiet before he spoke.
“It's good to see all of our friends, old and new, gathered for this occasion. If anyone is unaware then I've done a poor job, but I am Count Pelisir, Chief Trade Advisor to the Queen. I welcome you all.”
There was a brief round of applause as everyone congratulated themselves for being in attendance.
“We're not here to talk about me, of course. We're here to talk about amber. Particularly, about Éliks, the most pure, most radiant, most expensive …”
Numerous greedy chuckles here.
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“It's the most desired amber in this world, without question. In fact, it's one of the most prized substances in this world. More so than the costliest spices from the South and East. By carat weight, it fetches more gold than rubies, sapphires, emeralds; only diamonds have kept even with Éliks on the market.”
Many murmurs of agreement.
“To this point, we've skirted the main issue, however, and it's time we began to include it, pun intended, in our conversations regarding the Éliks. We're all keenly aware that the pure amber isn't the biggest prize here, rather it's the stones which carry inclusions, particularly the trapped bodies of ancient insects.”
At this point, there was utter confusion. No one in attendance would have thought the matter would be addressed directly. Above all the conversation this had started, Count Pelisir tapped his water goblet with his table knife until quiet was restored.
“Yes, my friends, there's no sense in dancing around the issue. We know what's in the Élicks and we know how it might be used. This ups the ante considerably. The included amber must be considered to be worth at least twice as much as the pure product.”
There were numerous gasps at this announcement. Many in attendance were hoping to pay market value and take the haul of ancient Mana as well.
At this point, Queen May stood, and a shocked Count Pelisir took his seat. Obviously this was unscripted.
“Quiet!” Queen May bellowed. Like a lion's roar from a house cat. It got the attention of everyone gathered.
“The fact is my friends, that we have much deliberation ahead of us on this issue. It's not a simple matter of who takes what to market. There are considerations of abuse of the power. War is a very real outcome, potentially. We Gray Elves would as soon be done with the whole mess. We don't want the concession, and thus, why you're here. But we'd be doing the world a disservice by being poor stewards of the amber while we still have options. We will not go down in history as the race that allowed genocide and despotism. Nay, not allowed, but facilitated it. Collectively, our conscience is better than that!”
As she paused, the room was as quiet as a mausoleum. No one was quite sure what to make of all this honesty being thrown about. That wasn't diplomacy. That was lunacy.
Queen May resumed, “In the end, no one party will leave here with the concession along with all of the included amber. All of the amber with inclusions, along with included amber from the Wood Elves stores, will be divided among the various parties here, including the Aardgnolls.”
At this point, Mal'friq showed himself, coming to sit in the heretofore empty seat to my right. As he entered the room, Mag'stula’s glare could burn holes through steel.
“I object!” she bellowed slamming her great paw down on the table, knocking over wine and candles. As servants rushed over to contain the mess, she said “There was nothing in our invitation that suggested that the Aardgnolls would be represented! They have no power! No authority!”
Queen May addressed Mag'stula calmly, “They have gold, My Queen. And much of it. That's the common denominator between all the representatives here — the desire and the ability to pay.”
Mag'stula was having none of it. “Him being here unannounced is an ambush! It endangers the trust we have in the process!” she shrieked.
Queen May attempted to calm the Witch Queen, “Your Majesty, Mal'friq, the Aardgnolls’ lone representative , made a sufficient case that his safety was at risk if his presence was to be announced aforehand.”
Before Mag'stula could fire off more objections, Queen May said in as calm a voice as she could manage given the situation, “For now, good friends, let us enjoy one another's company, have some wonderful Elven food and drink, enjoy some Goblin's Nog if you wish but only in moderation!” She looked at me as she said this last bit.
Mag'stula stood again and yelled over the din of servants bringing in the food. “And, as usual, there will be no meat for those of us who are carnivores?”
Queen May quickly responded, “I think you'll be surprised, My Queen! Our Wizards have been hard at work in an attempt to satisfy all appetites!”
With this announcement, eight servants brought in two halves of a spit-roasted bull, placing a half on either end of the Gnolls’ table. It was quite pleasant to see Mag'stula at a loss for words as her entourage began to feed with gusto.
Count Pelisir leaned over to me and said, “Our Wizards created all that meat using beans and magic, Mister Bascombe. Basically out of thin air. No animals were harmed at all.
As impressed as I was, I found myself wishing I was at the Gnolls' table. The smell was intoxicating. We did have an excellent lentil soup with garlic loaves, cheeses and fresh tomatoes, mushrooms sauteed in olive oil, and the wines were heavenly, but the meat. I sighed.
I was having a wonderful time eating and chatting with the Count, Mal'friq, and Queen May, but I kept catching the same three glaring at me: Mag'stula, Margrin Ephisieryón, and Prince Anoresti. They were not at all happy with my place at the table. My whole presence there would take some diplomacy to smooth over. I was the outlier.
They all knew the incredible wealth and power of the Hard Coast Company. Perhaps I put too soft a face to that reputation.
As the evening wrapped up, there was still some tension in the room, but a full stomach will quieten the loudest voice. I made my goodbyes and slipped out before I got trapped in conversation for which I wasn't prepared. I hadn't overindulged on the wine, but I was definitely feeling its effect.
Before I could reach my rooms, I could hear the quick clopping of shoes on wood and quickened my pace. My guard was with me so I don't know why I was so anxious.
“Mister Bascombe!” the cry came. And I turned to see to whom the voice belonged. It was Margrin Ephisieryón. Of all the luck! I didn't stop.
“Mister Ephisieryón! Well met, Good Sir! I'm afraid you must forgive me. My stomach is at war with itself as I speak! Too much cheese, I believe!”
I could hear his footsteps slow, “Oh dear, Mister Bascombe! Have your guard bring you some water from the mineral springs anon! It does wonders. I shall accost you tomorrow Sir. We've much to discuss! Goodnight!”
“Goodnight, Mister Ephisieryón. I look forward to it!”
Finally back in my rooms, I disrobed and put my head directly to pillow, shutting out the world as I shut my eyes.
image [https://i.imgur.com/947ZeeM.jpeg]