Chapter 5.17 - The Banquet

Jeffrey and Iris were the first to arrive at the banquet. Had the representatives from the Kingdom of Thul not already interacted with Serin, Dana was sure that they would have seen Serin's nation as another group of Warmongers. However, Jeffrey and Iris were also victims of violence from the big 3 nations on numerous occasions. Such that this diplomatic mission was only undertaken by Jeffrey and Iris because they were guaranteed protection from the other nations involved.

However Serin's threats towards the other nations were understandable. Jeffrey's Kingdom was only safe because of his the obscuring mists that confused all who travelled there unwelcome. Unbidden travellers would normally wander away, but Jeffrey was afraid should enough scouts come in. That is why, as a nation of tamers, the town's infrastructure was built high on the sides of cliffs, accessible only through special elevators and ropes. The remaining lands were roamed by wild beasts constantly battling for superiority. The tamers ensured the lands below and above were constantly stocked with ferocious beasts. That way no matter who came to investigate their region, they would wander in the mists, having only the worry of predators.

So Jeffrey and Iris arrived first to the banquet, and were surprised to find that their seats were close to Serin's. Serin's seat at the head was flanked by one empty chair to the left, then seats reserved for Jeffrey and Iris. On the right, Ephraim and Dana sat as representatives for the evening's festivities.

Shortly after Jeffrey and Iris Serin arrived and took his place at the head of the table. Serin watched as the Sarween came in with a rather nervous demeanor, followed by The Grand Wood Alliance, also showing a rather large attitude adjustment. Finally the Northern Kingdoms arrived. Narissa then walked in last, as her presence was optional. Although her seat was reserved right next to Serin since she was his oldest trade partner, Narissa asked for an extra chair to be set between herself and Serin, which prompted gasps from the table.

Although completely against etiquette, Serin obliged, sharing part of the head of the table with an extremely embarrassed Uriel, who seemed to be everywhere Narissa was. Serin was all too happy to acquiesce to the needs of a guest. Jeffrey smiled at this. Although Serin had shown the capability of mass destruction, he also showed a great capacity for helping with Jeffrey's current dilemmas.

Then proceeded announcements from Mast. "Tonight's banquet will feature several of our highest rated meals from last year's meal exchange. Additionally we will prepare several desserts and wines. The menu from the banquet is presented in front of you. Please use the provided pen to strike through any foods you feel might not be to your liking and they shall not be provided. For those you enjoy, please put a star next to them and a copy of the recipe, as well as appropriate ingredients, will be made available in a special trade package."

Jeffrey watched as Serin ate his meal and chatted with Narissa. The meals were delivered by what Jeffrey could only assume were near divine creatures. The most beautifully dressed young men and women brought in delightful dish after dish. Jeffrey looked over and saw as Iris was blushing. It seemed he was not the only one in awe of their beauty.

It was then that Jeffrey looked and saw that the Northern Kingdom's diplomats were not eating, and had scratched every item from their meal. Serin watched as there seemed to be a silent exchange between The Northern Kingdom's diplomats, whom Serin learned were named Paris and Michael, and Simon and Arch from the Grand Woods Alliance.

Then, before Dana saw it and could react, dinner was interrupted. One of the servers, a younger changeling, was having difficulty keeping her form, as the strain of the effort was starting to show. Dana then figured it must be the cancelling presence of Simon, a previous Inquisitor of the Grand Woods Alliance.

Simon took a glass of ice water, and while the maid was turned around, poured it on her neck. It was not enough to be considered an attack, and therefore did not violate the diplomatic treaty. But the shock was enough to cause the changeling to revert to her original form.

Simon smiled, "So the rumors ARE true?! Monsters!"

The diplomats stood and drew their swords. Serin also stood, "I will have to ask that you refrain from raising a blade against my subjects." Jeffrey looked over.Although she looked alien, Jeffrey could see she was quite young and if she were human he would have assumed that The small girl must have recently plated. She looked extremely scared, as swords were still drawn.

Serin walked over. He smiled and patted her on the head. "Rika, right? You are a mage. Must have been difficult to keep up your change."

Rika started to cry. Serin smiled, "That cold outfit will get you sick in this crisp autumn air. Go change, you are dismissed for the evening. Tomorrow feel free to arrive and stay as you are now."

The other diplomats watched as this young girl smiled and wiped her tears away, then bowed and quickly exited out of a side door.

Simon smiled, "You harbor dangerous monsters in your midst? Hell from how you act you probably lay with them and pervert the natural order. This is what we needed to know. Your nation is a stain and you can't stop this from being reported back. You cannot harm us as you are bound to the same rules we are."

The other diplomats, other than Jeffrey and Iris, smiled. It seems that they thought they had learned some politically damaging information.

Serin smiled through their stares. "I would inform you, it is in your best interest to calm down and to please not use such harsh words, for your own safety. Also I believe an apology is in order from both the Northern Kingdoms and Grand Woods Alliance."

The diplomats smiled, and the first to speak was Paris "The unplated monsters of this world are not bound by diplomatic treaty. We can scour your town and kill any who we see fit, if only for our safety, and you and any other humans could not lift a finger."

Then it was Simon from the Grand Woods, "When the people of our nation find you harbor such disgusting things, and live with them, it won't take much to convince all of our nations to attack."

Serin smiled. Then he looked at Dana. "Dana, would you be so kind as to show your plate."

Dana, shifted from the human form she had been inhabiting to that of a changeling, then projected her plate for all to see.

It was stunning to the diplomats, as not only was this woman they had interacted with one of the 'monsters', but she was plated, and a high level at that.

Serin continued, "Thank you Dana. You may take any form you choose." Which Dana shifted to that of Iris sitting across from her, and smiled. Iris nearly fainted.

Serin then smiled, "You are of course correct, Paris of the Northern Kingdoms. The unplated are not bound by diplomatic cause. But this does not make them monsters. Monsters are the unthinking callous creatures of the world and I suggest for your safety you not use that term so boldly to describe those who dwell in my nation."

Paris, snarled again. "I care not if they have a plate. They are inhuman, and deserve to be scoured from the land. And I will call them Monsters. They are unthinking, unfeeling beasts that only have the use of being target practice and to be purified so our nation can grow strong."

There was the audible wine and snap heard. The group stopped.

Serin smiled, "You seem to misunderstand. And it seems I can't hold her temper back any longer. If you belong to the nations of Haven or Thul, please follow me as we will be serving an after dinner refreshment under the open sky. The rest of you, if you value your lives, I suggest you beg for them. I hereby call this banquet to its end and wish you all a pleasant evening."

This was when the diplomat realized the error of his words. Sitting there with a broken mithral fork was Narissa, Golden queen of the glassback mountains. Her golden eyes now betrayed the pride that was known to golden dragons. And even if she was in her human form, she still retained all the powers of an adult dragon. Paris had thought that this woman was at best an envoy of Narissa or a proxy, not the actual dragon. He realized now he had erred.

Then Narissa spoke "Clearly you lack etiquette boy, a failure on the part of your masters. Allow me to teach you manners."

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