With a smile, or at least, whatever my reptile lips could make in an approximation of it, I flared [Absolute Dominance] while speaking with [Disastrous Discourse] and [Conqueror's Rebuke]. My sudden appearance combined with the deliberately and magically imposing aura I brought served to make every one of the Misti Hawar step back at least one pace each. I thought that the deep purple of my robe looked striking over my bright silver scales, but the terrified looks on the weak minded Misti Hawar gave me no true answer as to what their thoughts might be regarding my appearance. Other than that of a terrifying tyrant. They stayed silent for long enough to allow Sybil to bow deeply. The rest of the Saharliard in the room followed suit, each one speaking in unison, "Hail the Zaaktif."
I flared my frills in acceptance of their acknowledgment, then turned my attention entirely back to the feline looking creatures in front of me. Their spokesperson initially looked to be terrified, but she seemed to gather strength from somewhere, then looked up into my face. I towered over her, more monster than person when looked at side by side.
"Are you the one who I should be negotiating with? You're the leader of the country, I believe. You must know, this one you've trusted to speak with me? She is a disappointment to your kind."
"I had known that your people would be my enemies from the time your leader appeared in a nursery and slaughtered infants and unborn children. It would appear that I shouldn't worry too much about having you as enemies, though. After all, having a fool as an enemy is the best kind of enemy someone can hope for." I shook my head in disbelief, deliberately putting on the mannerisms of humans as I was forced to scoff at the fool's idiocy. I couldn't know if the Misti Hawar even knew the ways that humans carried themselves, much less used those same mannerisms themselves, but it was worth the effort either way.
"A country run by a vulgar leader, such as yourself cannot hope to prosper!" She retorted, incensed by my insult.
"And what would you call the leader of a nation that allows an enemy nation's so-called 'diplomat' to insult his chosen representative without calling them the fools that they are? Surely, given your response and vehemence, you would expect your prestigious Nyust'taa to genuflect and beg for forgiveness from a foreign would-be dignitary and then exchange with them for less favorable terms. Surely."
She opened her mouth, closed it, opened it again, and was finally able to gather her composure. Behind her, strangely enough, most of the other representatives seemed just as taken aback by her foolishness as I was. I was struck by the realization that she was up to something, something hidden from her fellows, and it wasn't a poor faith possibility for exchanging prisoners. If they had any hope of getting their people from us, they would be at least a little more eager to engage in conversation, even if they had to briefly take a position as if they were in the weaker position. So what was it?
"I apologize. Please call me Wuarmi, I am the representative of the Principality of the Misti Hawar. I come on behalf of the Nyust'taa to look for any possibility for exchanging your prisoners with anything that may be of value to you."
"And that's why you've negotiated with my Zaaktifi. She knows the greater needs of my people as well as I do, if not better. I'm sure that you've been able to come to a decision together."
I cocked my head and flared my frills in a way that, to her, I suppose seemed benign enough. For any of my people, though, it would be more than obvious that it was the arrogant, sarcastic stance of one who knew what the answer was and challenged you to call them on their supposed ignorance.
Regardless of if she understood what I was saying, Wuarmi simply nodded once.
"We have spoken. I do not know if we are able to come to a decision at this time. Is there nothing else that can be considered to free my people?"
"I'm not the one to ask." I shut down her attempt to circumvent Sybil, internally scoffing at her. After she was shut down, Wuarmi nodded.
"Is there somewhere that we can rest in order to consider the options available to us? I trust that this possibility is not one only possible to take advantage of right this moment?"
Sybil looked at me for the final decision, as if we hadn't already rehearsed this possibility. "You can take a couple days. There's a clearing in the woods where you can stay while you come to a decision. I'm sure a pack of my people can show you there to ensure you don't go losing yourselves within our borders."
"Is there not somewhere that we can stay within the city? After all, we have entered into your home under the understanding that we would be offered protection." Her tone was incredulous as she insisted, but I flicked my tail in dismissal as I clacked my teeth in finality.
"The last time your people were inside my city, my eggs were nearly ripped to pieces. My hospitality extends to your continued survival while still breathing in my vicinity, nothing more. If you wish to consider your options, go to where we can watch you, make sure that you are not continuing to attempt communication and subterfuge while before me. After all, I have seen what you once attempted, and I will not hesitate to cease your continued communications more forcefully the next time. Now go, you're not welcome in my city, regardless of if you're going to make your decision right now or not."
Wuarmi's tail thrashed for a brief moment, something that her fellows seemed to take special note of before she bowed her head once and turned on her heel to leave the room. I gestured for Brutus to escort her, and he wordlessly stepped up beside them as the Misti Hawar were escorted from my land. It was almost humorous to see his hulking form, nearly three times the size of the Misti Hawar, walking beside these strange enemies of ours. If they reached up their hands, perhaps they could have swung on Brutus's arms as he walked, like children.
Once they were gone, I flared my magic through my sonilphon, vibrating everything around us. I could feel three separate locations of lurking shadow magic that were vibrated into nothingness at my purge. I looked at Sybil, now speaking in our tongue as I asked, "What do you think is their real objective? It isn't the prisoners. Assassination? They're too weak to have any chance at that, though. Reconnaissance?"
"I do not know." Sybil gave her response as her tail twitched behind her, nearly the equivalent of a vocal outburst in such a controlled individual. "However, I intend to find out."
"Do so. Report back to me." As I said it, I strode from the room, ready to throw myself back into training. After all, I didn't trust that any discussions of lasting peace were held in good faith. Might as well prepare for the war until it began.
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