Chapter 176: The Beginning Of The Negotiations 2

Tanaka returned Lynessa to the academy. “Thanks,” she said, before disappearing. Tanaka watched her go before turning back to Raizen, who had been silent since his failed spell chant. He couldn’t help himself.

“Cutting Gale.” Raizen looked up. “Don’t.” Tanaka chuckled and walked back to the guest residence. The negotiations began again two days later. However, no one wanted to argue for six hours again.

King Aldren made that clear. “We’ve had two days to think about our positions. If you’re going to repeat the same arguments, don’t waste your time.” Garrath Goldmane smiled. “I like you better like this.” Aldren ignored him.

Tanaka was comfortable slouching on Raizen’s back and Zephyr was sitting on the railing. The broken areas had been repaired although there were still new stones where the secret attack formations had been uncovered. The Foxfolk delegation had changed. They were missing Veyra.

Instead there were three high ranking Foxfolk officials, all under the supervision of the Wolf Crown. They didn’t seem keen to draw unwanted attention. Tanaka was fine with that. Aldren raised a piece of paper. “We’ll start with the borders.”

The borders were sorted first. Eldoris officially recognised the current borders of the Beastfolk Lands. The Beastfolk rulers recognised Eldoris Dominion and Varkesh as part of Tanaka’s territory. No beast armies would enter Eldoris without permission. Eldoris would do the same.

Tanaka was happy. “Simple enough.” A Boarfolk rep raised his hand. “Hunters?” Tanaka replied. “Same as above. Ask before entering.” “What if they enter our borders?” Tanaka shrugged. “Congratulations.”

A few leaders chuckled. The boar didn’t. “If it’s a standard hunting argument then our local leaders can sort it. We don’t need to go to war because someone chased a deer too far.” Aldren nodded. “Agreed.” One issue sorted.

Next was trade. Not as nice. The Bearfolk wanted direct access to the metals and materials in the dungeon. The Rabbit Kingdom wanted access to the medicinal plants in the Great Verdant Forest, especially ones that wouldn’t naturally grow in their lands. The Foxfolk wanted trade rights.

The Boarfolk wanted transport contracts. Everyone wanted something. Tanaka listened to the requests. He then raised a pseudopod. “No.” The room fell silent. Aldren looked at him.

“No?” “No to you all trying to negotiate individual special deals.” A few faces fell. Tanaka carried on. “We will trade with everyone. However if a particular country has something valuable that we want to make a deal with, we will discuss it individually.” The Bearfolk chief crossed his arms.

“What do you mean valuable?” “Something we actually need.” “Like?” “Magic knowledge, enchantment techniques, farming techniques, rare materials and transport systems.” Tanaka paused. “Teleportation crystals.”

Garric, who was near the wall, sighed. He knew it was coming. Aldren raised an eyebrow. “You’re interested in the teleportation network.” “Yes.” “It belongs to the Wolf Crown.” “So I would like to negotiate with them.” Aldren smiled slightly.

“Later.” Tanaka bounced. “Fine.” They continued with the trade deal. After another hour of arguing they came up with a simple solution. Eldoris would allow Beastfolk merchants to trade along set routes once the roads between their territories were well developed.

While they are in Tanaka’s territory they must follow Eldoris laws. If Eldoris traders enter Varghelm they must follow Beastfolk laws. Taxes would remain local. No country would have exclusive access. The Foxfolk reps were unhappy. Tanaka noticed. But he didn’t care.

The airspace issue was Zephyr’s. The Hawkfolk wanted to be informed in advance if any Mana Birds enter their airspace. Zephyr agreed, however the Hawks would have to follow the same rule if they send scouts near Eldoris. Aeryn Skytalon folded her wings. “Fair enough.”

Tanaka looked between them. “That was easy.” Zephyr looked at him. “Not everything has to be argued about.” “Tell that to everyone else.” Garrath chuckled. Aldren tapped the table. “Continue.”

They moved onto the magic exchange. This was the most productive part of the negotiations. Tanaka explained that Eldoris was setting up a school and increasing the formalised magic education. While they had human mages who knew how to cast spells, they didn’t have the centuries of magic history the Beastfolk had. Everyone was interested.

Queen Elowen spoke first. “We could send teachers to teach basic nature magic and herb growing.” Tanaka immediately looked at her. “In return?” “Access to certain medicinal plants in the Great Verdant Forest.” “Deal.” Elowen smiled. Aldren raised a hand.

“As long as they pass inspection and aren’t restricted or dangerous.” Tanaka looked at him. “Right, that too.” The wolves offered combat magic books and teachers with experience in mana boosting. The Hawks offered air navigation techniques. The Bears even offered earth boosting and building magic knowledge.

The Foxfolk rep cleared his throat. “We could offer enchantment and spirit based magic theory.” The room was suddenly much quieter. Tanaka looked at him. The official didn’t flinch. “Just because the former Matriarch Veyra did something doesn’t mean all Foxfolk settlements and houses do.”

Tanaka thought. He hadn’t blamed all the Foxfolk. That would be stupid. “Fine.” The rep relaxed slightly. “However, any teachers we send will be checked.” “Fair enough.” “No secret assassination magic.” Garrath burst into laughter.

The rep closed his eyes. “Understood.”

The hardest question. Recognition. One of the elders from the wolves stood up. “If Eldoris is recognised as a sovereign monster nation what is your relationship with the Beastfolk Lands?” Tanaka looked at Aldren. “Neighbours?” The elder frowned.

“Politically.” Tanaka shrugged. “Still neighbours.” Aldren smiled. The elder didn’t. Queen Elowen spoke up. “What he means is do you want to be part of our political system?” Tanaka now understood. “No.” He answered quickly.

The room tensed. “We aren’t a Beastfolk nation. I don’t want to sit under the Wolf Crown and I don’t expect the Wolf King to take orders from me.” Aldren nodded slowly. “So what do you want?” Tanaka replied. “Recognition.” He looked around the room.

“We exist. Varkesh exists. We have our own laws, leaders and territory and I want that to be recognised.” He paused. “And in return we will recognise yours.” Simple. Straightforward. No hidden meanings. Garrath leaned forward. “What if another Beastfolk nation attacks Eldoris?”

Tanaka looked at him. “We fight back.” “What if we attack first?” “Then you fight back.” Garrath smiled. “Good.” Aldren sighed. “Lions really do bring everything down to fighting.” “It saves time.” “No, it creates paperwork.”

A few people laughed. The tension eased. Aldren stood. “The Wolf Crown recognise Eldoris Dominion as a sovereign neighbouring nation.” Silence. Tanaka stopped moving. “They can all make their own deals with Eldoris as they see fit, as long as they don’t break any Beastfolk laws.”

Queen Elowen stood. “The Rabbit Kingdom recognise Eldoris.” Aeryn followed. “The Hawkfolk recognise Eldoris.” Urgath Ironhide stood. “The Bearfolk recognise Eldoris.” More people stood. The Boarfolk. The Deerfolk.

A few minor clan leaders. Garrath stayed sat until most had spoken. He then stood. “The Lion Territories recognise Eldoris.” He looked directly at Tanaka. “I’m looking forward to seeing if your nation is worth all the attention.” Tanaka bounced. “You could always come.”

Garrath’s grin widened. “Be careful, I just might.” The Foxfolk reps were last. Their top official stood slowly. “The Foxfolk council recognise Eldoris Dominion.” Tanaka nodded. That was enough for now.

—

Finally the meeting ended, just before sunset. There wasn’t a big alliance formed and no one pledged their loyalty. Tanaka was fine with that. They had borders, trade rules, magic exchange deals, airspace rules and recognition. More than they had when Tanaka entered Varghelm.

Aldren walked over to him as the room emptied. “You did well for someone who moans about meetings.” Tanaka shifted into his human form. “I still hate them.” “Eventually you’ll get used to them.” “I’m scared.” Aldren chuckled. “However the official negotiations are over. Politics rarely stops there.”

Tanaka looked at the leaving delegations. Garrath was talking to his lions. The Rabbit Queen was already surrounded by her advisers. The Foxfolk left quietly. “I know.” Aldren looked where Tanaka was looking. “You’ve made allies today.” Tanaka nodded.

“And enemies.” “Probably.” The Wolf King stared at him for a while. “Definitely.” Tanaka smiled. He didn’t mind. It just meant he didn’t know which was which. And someone out there had already started working out what they would have to pay for Eldoris’ recognition.