Chương 13: Diplomatic Ties
The presentation went on with the scholars also explaining about Vathrian governmental system, economics, various industries, social systems, and so forth. The presentation ended after they already spent three hours in that room. The elves arrived in the castle around afternoon. Now, it was already around three hours before sunset.
After the briefing presentation ended, it was now time for the discussion and negotiation between the two parties. King Adrian escorted the elves to a special room designated for these kinds of diplomatic talks. The room was different than a normal meeting room that usually contains an elongated table where the members can discuss with one another. This negotiation room was instead separated into two parts with two tables parallel to one another in the middle of the room for the two parties to discuss with one another. Behind the tables, they also have seats and small tables in order for one party to discuss with themselves.
"Yes. You won't have to worry about anything. This room is not only secure, but it is also fitted with magic that will block sounds coming out." King Adrian answered.
The two parties then sat opposite of one another in their respective sides. The truth was, the elves' faces were all still stupefied and full of dazes. The presentation before not only tell them of the truth of the evil forces but also...
'This kingdom is much more advanced than the kingdoms of this world!' All the elves thought inside their head. It was true that Vathia was now reduced to just one castle and less than 1% of their previous population, but the elves learned that the knowledge possessed by the kingdom was leagues ahead of this world.
In the middle of the empty line separating the two parties, a moderator was standing.
"I am the moderator for this discussion and negotiation. I will now give the two parties ten minutes to discuss with themselves." The moderator said.
Immediately, the two parties started talking among themselves. But it was also very noticeable that the elven side was louder and full of disagreements with one another. After ten minutes, the moderator called the time.
"We will now begin the discussion and negotiation. I, as the moderator, will appoint the Vathrian side to talk first." The moderator glanced at the Vathrian side. In the table, King Adrian was seated with Braum and some of the department heads.
"My name is Braum Vanderlinde, the right-hand man of the King, I will be representing the Vathrian side in this negotiation."It was also a rule to not to have the leader of the nation or group be the one representing the sovereign power.
"We will now list out in general terms what we desire in this negotiation. A more detailed treaty can be ratified at a later time. The terms are:
The Vathrian side desire:
1. The freedom to use the lands and resources of the surrounding region, including the area near the elven tribe borders.
2. A cooperative and friendly relationship with the elves.
3. An exchange of information about various subjects with the elves.
In exchange, The Vathrian side will:
1. NOT intrude upon the elven tribe territory itself.
2. NOT incur harm upon the elves.
3. Help the elves with issues and requests they have if we are capable to do so.
4. Protect the elves from any harm.
Thus, we conclude our terms. We would now like to hear the elven side's opinion on this matter." Braum finished his speech.
"I will now give the elven side ten more minutes to discuss the terms." The moderator said.
The elven side discussed with themselves before finally ready to begin their statement. The table of the elves has only three people: Chief Kylantha, Elder Galather, and Elder Edea. Elder Edea was the female elder elf who always reprimanded Elder Galather every time he lost his temper.
It was Elder Edea who spoke. "I am Elder Edea Vaeri, representing the elven tribe. We agree with the terms but we would like to also add another term. We, the elven tribe, would pledge our allegiance with the Kingdom of Vathria in the condition that:
1. All the terms above will never be broken.
2. A convention granting full rights to the elves not to be treated with discrimination or enslavement.
3. The liberation of the 10.230 elves who have been taken by the human kingdoms and enslaved. And finally...." Elder Edea was hesitant on revealing the final condition. The elder glanced at the elven chief sitting next to her.
"W-what is it? I thought those were all the conditions?" Elder Galather was confused as they have discussed and agreed upon those conditions.
Suddenly, Chief Kylantha stood up. "Form a blood oath with me, King Adrian." She said.
All the elves in the room sudenly erupted.
"C-chief! That is!" An elf shouted.
"With a bloody human!?" Another elf voiced out.
Elder Galather, who has been voicing out disapproval since the start, had the biggest reaction.
"Chief! That is like selling our race and yourself to the King! I shall not stand by this!" He shouted.
"SILENCE!" Chief Kylantha said. Her face was full of anger. "Where have all of you been today!? We just lef the presentation room did we not? We just learned of the Kingdom's capabilities did we not? We just learned the existence of the evil forces DID. WE. NOT?" Chief Kylantha bellowed.
"Well...yes...but..." Elder Galather replied timidly. He was scared of the chief's sudden change in behavior.
"Then we all understand the implication of this! We must do this! Not only as the elven race, but as people of this world!" Chief Kylantha continued her anger-filled speech.
The Vathrian side was utterly confused on why the elven side was suddenly arguing with one another with such intensity. All the legends and images in their heads about the elves as creatures who were always calm and collected in any situation was destroyed. In a sense, it was also 'humanizing' for them to discover that the elves were quiet similar to them; they were just people trying to survive.
King Adrian interjected her angry speech. "Forgive me for interrupting, Chief Kylantha, but what is this blood oath?"
The elven side went silent for a while but Chief Kylantha replied. "A blood oath is an elven magic to strengthen the power of an oath or agreement. If you make a blood oath with me under the agreements, both of us must fulfill the conditions or we will die."
"I see...then why were your people so upset?" King Adrian was genuinely curious.
"T-that! The implication of a blood oath is different between the leaders of tribes! A blood oath with our chief also means our whole race is also tied to the oath! That's not all....it is akin to a marriage with the chief! I do not stand by this!" Elder Galather said with conviction.
Now, it is the Vathrian side's turn to be erupted with discussion. They were considering if it was appropriate for their King to be tied with such an oath that may harm the King.
Braum whispered to the King's ear. "King Adrian, I don't know about this. Remember, we're the stronger party here, we are supposed to be the one with more negotiating power."
King Adrian replied his whisper. "I do not wish for such kinds of domination with the elves as it will create inequalities between the two races and that is the first ground of discrimination."
General Tobias also approached the table and whispered to the King. "King Adrian, if you may very well wish, the Kingdom's royal army is ready to be deployed at any time. We do not have to negotiate and be burdened by the terms."
"Are you implying genocide, General Tobias!? Remember, we are the settlers here. Are you implying we should wipe out their race? The natives?" King Adrian said in anger.
Grant Holmes, the head of intelligence, who had been standing behind the table also approached the King. "I also agree we should not propagate straight-on genocide, King Adrian. Instead, we could dwindle their numbers slowly through the years by placing them in a special reserve where we could slowly cut out their resources. We could also deploy measures to ensure that the female elves are infertile so they do not produce any more offsprings. By your grandchildren's time, the elves will no longer be the natives of this land." Grant whispered.
King Adrian was terrified of Grant's proposition. In a sense, it was much crueler than General Tobias' plan. King Adrian has saw such tactics used before in his previous world where the settlers will then claim the spot as the majority and the native people dwindled and marginalized from society, stripped away of their dignity and cultural meanings.
King Adrian did not even bother to reply to Grant's whisper. In fact, he couldn't. He was not ready to deal with such horrible plan and did not know how to respond. Instead, he was now even more sure of what kind of decision he should make thanks to his subodinates' evil suggestions.
"I, King Adrian, agree with all the conditions set by the elves and I will also agree to conduct the blood oath." King Adrian said.
Both sides erupted at the same time.
"Then King Adrian, please do it with me now." Chief Kylantha walked to the front of the table to the empty space separating the two tables.
"Chief!!!" Elder Galather voiced out his disapproval.
King Adrian also walked to approach Chief Kylantha. None of his subordinates protested verbally but they all had worried looks on their faces.
"So how do we do this?" King Adrian asked.
Chief Kylantha smiled in response. She suddenly closed her eyes and chanted in an ancient language that even the magical translation necklace that King Adrian was wearing could not decipher the meanings.
A red mark in the shape of a leaf started to form in the right arm of Chief Kylantha. She approached King Adrian and suddenly kissed him on the lips.
"Wh—" King Adrian muttered. He was shocked.
King Adrian felt a surge of magical force entering his body. Chief Kylantha removed her lips from his and step back. King Adrian then witnessed an identical red leaf in his right arm.
"What...." King Adrian muttered while examining his right arm.
"Wait! How do we know you conducted the blood oath according to the agreements?" Braum stood up and asked the chief.
"I said all the agreements in ancient elven language before. I guess it was not translated by the necklace? Rest assured, the agreement needed the consent of both parties. The success of the blood oath means that the contents of the agreement was also correct." Chief Kylantha replied.
King Adrian was still standing in a daze. In truth, he was extremely happy inside as he has been eyeing the beautiful Chief Kylantha ever since he met her but he couldn't make a move as they were both leaders of an opposite side.
"King Adrian?" Chief Kylantha called out to the King after she noticed he was not responsive.
King Adrian snapped out of his daze and smiled. "Now that the agreement has been ratified and our two parties are officially partners...shall we have dinner?"
SUY NGHĨ CỦA NGƯỜI SÁNG TẠO 
KingSquidward
KingSquidward This novel will be full of these kinds of negotiations and diplomatic talks....because it's also related to my area of interest/Major haha.
In this chapter, the elven side realized that they wouldn't be able to defeat the Vathrian side even if they tried to resist...so might as well use the situation to their advantage.
Tình trạng nguồn điện hàng tuần
-- Xếp hạng
Quyền lực 
-- Đá
Quyền lực