Negotiations

One month later, Nicolas arrogantly walked into the room and took a seat at the head of the table while his General, Gorki sat down to his left. Darius and Iopolo sat down at the other end of the table with Darius taking the opposite end from Nicolas. Several military men from the Fursia and the Holy Chadtom Empire sat around them. Finally, Teslaimia walked in and sat next to her Father on his left leaving four seats open to her right. Emily walked in to sit next to Teslaimia with Roger and Jon who sat to her right.

Nicolas looked at the two women with obvious desire and asked rudely, "Which of you two beauties is the Empress that has the power? Or are you just here to bring us drinks?" He stared at Emily and said, "Why don't you come over and sit on my lap while the men here discuss the important matters."

Emily gave him a smile and then said softly, "We have come in good faith for this supposed peace talk, stop wasting our time with your childish taunts. I wonder why it is that you only invited me to come when you have never even crossed my border?"

Nicolas smashed his fist down on the table and shouted, "Who have we been fighting in this war if it isn't Connaissance!" He slowly pushed himself back from the table and started to talk in the arrogant smarmy tone once again, "You ants can leave, you being here serves no purpose." He started at Darius and Iopolo."

Darius put a hand on Iopolo's arm and then said confidently, "Our three nations have a mutual defense pact. By attacking my nation and Emperor Iopolo's nation The Empire of Connaissance was treaty-bound to come to our defense. That is why we are all here today. My forces were the ones who turned your army away at the coast. Emperor Iopolos men are the ones you face at Diamondtown."

Nicolas laughed and then pointed at Emperor Iopolo, "His men dig ditches while a woman defends him. I again ask, what makes him think he has the right to be seated at a table with men?"

Emily spoke up once again, "If this is all these peace talks will be, I'll be leaving. I have a nation to conquer." She pushed her chair back and started to leave.

Gorki finally cleared his throat, "Empress, please, stay."

Nicolas sat down and then softly spoke, "Empress, you came here today which means you have an interest in stopping this war just as I do, let's get down to business. I propose the following." Gorki laid out a map on the table that showed the border of Kreussia coming to the edge of Connaissance and the current line just outside of Diamondtown. "We will maintain this border and cease any and all military actions along this border other than defense for the next ten years."

Emily nodded and said, "I see. That's interesting but we have a similar proposal." Jon stood up and laid a new map over the top of the Kreussian map that showed all of the old borders in place. Emily stood up and then said, "We will, of course, need to speak of reparations for the Holy Chadtom Empire. My Fursian allies have no such demands.

As for ten-year non-aggression pacts, that will be sufficient between the Tzardom of Kreussia, the Holy Chadtom Empire, and Furisa. The Empire of Connaissance will not be signing such a treaty as we are not currently engaged in this war other than fulfilling our obligations from the treaty of Connaissance."

Nicolas stared at Emily and then said, "So you haven't come here for peace, instead you came here to threaten me?" He moved his map to the top and said, "This is the territory I control as of today. I am willing to take these gains and cease military operations. If you insist on pushing me, I will bring the full might of my nation to your front door."

Gorki spoke up and said, "We have only used less than a quarter of our available military power in this war."

Emily rubbed the bridge of her nose when Teslaimia smiled at her gave her arm a pat. Teslaimia looked at Gorki and spoke confidently, "I wonder if you'll be able to maintain that arrogance once you know that we have intercepted a ship off the coast of Injia carrying quite a bit of gold."

Emily looked at Nicolas and smiled, "Will your mother and her friends will be willing to wait for you to use the other three-quarters of your available military power? Not that it concerns me, you could send ten times the amount of military power you have used and we could still defend the Holy Chadtom Empire."

The arrogant face Nicolas had been making seemed to melt away, "What are your terms?"

Emily looked him in the eyes and said, "I'm unwilling to release your gold, the Empire of Injia can't have those weapons yet." She nodded to Jon who unrolled a different map showing a new dividing line between the north and the south. "This map gives our two nations a divided share of the unclaimed desert between us. The gold taken from the ship being sent to your nation for those weapons will be given to the Holy Chadtom Empire as reparations. You will also agree to that non-aggression pact with our alliance for a period of twenty years. This is the only way you can return with gains to show and what's left of your army intact to maintain your control over your nation."

Gorki quickly whispered into his ear. Nicolas frowned and then said, "Alright. We will take your deal."

*****

Less than a month later things in Connaissance had returned to a sense of normalcy. The troops slowly began to return from the front lines as the Kreussian forces moved back to their own lands. Emily and Teslaimia were seen hovering around the Future War offices more often as new ideas and innovations learned from the war with Kreussia kicked off a race between designers for resources.

Teslaimia returning to the Palace from one such visit when Roger intercepted her at the gate, "Your Majesty, I wonder if you had a moment?"

Teslaimia smiled and replied as they walked, "Of course, Roger, what's on your mind?"

He looked over his shoulder and saw Sir Killington walking within hearing distance, "Charles, if you don't mind, could you give us some privacy?"

Sir Killington gave him a quick salute and then disappeared into the Palace. Teslaimia came to a stop and smiled, "You are wondering if I can help you find a date?"

He nodded and said softly, "Please? If you wouldn't mind."

"I can't promise you that the two of you will have anything in common or that you'll be able to enjoy a pleasant evening together, but she is single and has a thing for knights. She also agreed to accept the date with you. Here is her address, make sure that you dress nicely. I will tell her to expect you promptly at eight tonight. The club is anonymous, so don't wear your uniform." Teslaimia spoke softly, she paused and then continued, "I was going to warn you not to kidnap her, but she might actually enjoy that." She giggled and then turned and continued into the Palace leaving a confused Roger standing there with an open mouth.

*****

Beaux Morely sat down at the head of the table looking out at the men seated around the table with hollow eyes, "What is it that you have for me this time?"

One of the men presented a folder and said, "My Duke, we need you to authorize the expenditures for the new school system and your mother has selected a new assortment of bridal candidates for you to look over."

Beaux read over the documents and then gave them a signature. He waved his hand at the bridal candidates and asked, "Which is these women does mother prefer?"

"Countess Hawthorne she feels would be the best Candidate." He brought out her folder.

"Which of these women does she absolutely not wish to see me marry?" Beaux asked.

The man pulled out a thin folder, "Miss Wendy Baronsdotter, an illegitimate daughter of Baron Davis. She was raised as a commoner and is now attending the Academy."

Beaux picked up the folder and started to read. "This is the one. Notify the Academy that I would like to meet with her in a supervised setting. Also, send a letter to Captain Staughler of the Connaissance Defense Force that I wish to meet with him and his wife at their convenience."

The man looked curious, "Then you intend to court this girl? She's only recently turned sixteen."

He nodded and said, "I do, our wedding can wait until she finishes her time at the Academy, but I would like to meet her and see if she finds me acceptable."

The man raised an eyebrow, "Didn't you swear to your mother that you would never marry?"

Beaux looked at him and said, "I understand now why mother insists I have an heir, she means well for me and would like to see the best for our family."

"Then why only look at the woman that your mother hated the most out the available daughters of nobility?" Beaux smiled, "Because that is the woman Lucas would have thought needed me the most."

*****

Roger felt very uncomfortable dressed in a nice suit. Without his other hand, it was almost impossible to get his tie to look right. He was still very self-conscious about the scars on his face and his missing arm. It was only by falling into familiar habits learned on the battlefield that he was able to overcome his fears and arrive in front of the address Her Majesty had given him. He knocked on the door a little more violently than he had planned.

A few moments later a woman opened the door slightly and looked out before opening the door completely, "You're early. She smiled and said, "If you don't mind, could you wait on the couch, I still need to freshen up. She set a Tesla Wasp down on a table near the door before walking into the other room. "My name is Grace by the way. You're Sir Colton. I saw you get your medal at City Hall a couple of years ago."

Roger's eyes were glued to the Tesla Wasp that shouldn't be in the hands of a civilian and asked, "May I ask, are you in the military? How do you have this weapon?"

She laughed happily, "I work for Her Majesty, Teslaimia, all of us girls have them for self-protection." What seemed like an hour later Grace walked back into the room wearing a black silk floor-length dress with a slit along her right leg that did little to hide her figure along with a pair of four-inch heels that made her attractive legs look even longer and focused his attention on her feet and ankles. "Are you ready to go? I am sorry I took so long to get ready, I wasn't sure what I should wear, I am glad you came early so I could pick an outfit that went with your own."

Roger stared at her for a long time before he softly spoke, "You look beautiful. I hope that you aren't embarrassed about having to escort me like this..."

Grace laughed, "I'm just an office manager from Mia's Secret. I get to go on a date with a genuine hero and celebrity, do you even know how many girls are dying of jealousy to have my spot tonight? Honestly, I am just sad no one will know about this because we are going anonymously." She giggled, "Shall we?"

Roger looked at her with a blank look in his eye like he never imagined something like that. "Right, of course, please, after you, Grace. Oh, and please, just call me Roger."

Grace stopped at the door and then turned and walked up close to him. Her hands gently touched his chest and then she ran one hand up to the base of his tie while the other firmly held it in place, she gently adjusted it and pulled it a little tighter, "There, it was a little crooked. I imagine it was a nightmare trying to get it right with one hand."

Roger followed behind as she walked through the door he never noticed her open. "I am not really sure what kind of club we are going to tonight, could you explain it a little?"

Grace thought for a moment and said, "It's a sex club, theater, restaurant, and night club. A place for adults to forget their troubles and enjoy themselves freely without being shamed for their wicked desires."