Union in Tithes

Nray-K’ went beyond the traditional definition of a savant. Where others talked, he spoke. Where others bargained, he gathered.

Where others waited, he acted.

His name did not have two syllables because he tried to be a good diplomat, but because he was a good diplomat. He was the one who dealt with The Conclave, who finagled with the Tao’oi, who built bridges where borders once stood. And he would be the one to make this scheme work. Thousands of hours had been spent refining and redefining diplomatic skills and techniques for this moment.

To put it simply, he would be uplifting.

Not all nations had the technological and cultural advantages of the Nuew, the Tlanta’tlan, and others. They may be water dwellers, limited by their environment, or newly united, limited only by time. But they were weak, vulnerable, ripe for the taking, and in great need of… protecting. The Nuckelavee, willing to trade though they may be, were personifications of the reasons the Nuew must do this. Each race they indentured was one which could not flourish, and made those that would oppress ever stronger. The Nuew needed loyal trading partners, and not to be conquered. Large allies, of course, assisted in both of these activities greatly – but nations of that size necessary to protect often reach that point by conquest. Be that military or otherwise.

The newly formed nation of Ethus was the perfect test range. Eager to reach out, rich in natural resources, and in desperate need of technology – and a guardian to help them develop it. Of course, this aid would need to be paid back at some point, perhaps as a favour, or a raw material – but if the nation could not gather enough metal in enough time, then of course the Nuew would assist in developing their infrastructure. It would only be the right thing to do, after all.

The Nuew would not call in these debts, of course, just make simple requests. Open borders, stronger ties, lower tariffs, more favourable trade deals… Perhaps even support in international diplomacy. The main benefit, of course, would be the nature of Ethus as a staging ground – an extension of one of the Hive’s many tentacles into the depths of Zemostros.

First, however, the deal had to be made.

Nray-K’ had a number of skill batteries, labourers, diplomats, and thinkers to assist him, as well as a huge amount of wealth-fingerers. Technological samples were brought as demonstrations, lavish gifts if their culture thought well of it – all blindspots from previous encounters with new nations were covered, as far as the speaker could tell. Nray-K’ docked with his entourage, awaiting what guides the Ethus might provide to the negotiation grounds. While he was excited as the rest of his party due to the sheer potential this interaction could have, he forced himself and his closest comrades to remain dignified, and sensible. As he wondered vaguely of name-shortenings and luxuriously low tariffs, he noticed their hosts arriving. He put a warm emotion on his face, and greeted them.

“Thank you for arranging this meeting, sir. I cannot wait to gain your company.”

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J Submitted May 04, 2019 at 12:47AM by TheJungleDragon http://bit.ly/2GSsLu0