Negotiation

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

In the large tent, the leader of the grasslands orcs, the Great Chief Abal, welcomed his guests. 

The Crystal Glare nobles, dressed in splendid attire, including Prince Jassim and his entourage, entered the tent with serious expressions.

"Please take a seat, honored Prince and distinguished guests," Abal said, sitting cross-legged in the main seat to the north and pointing to a row of tables on his left.

To his right, his trusted high-ranking officers sat, all of them eyeing the human guests intently.

Prince Jassim nodded, leading his entourage to their designated seats. He sat cross-legged like the orcs, though he felt quite uncomfortable. His unease only grew as he was not used to this manner of sitting.

The two sides introduced their members. Just as Prince Jassim thought they would get straight to the point, the orc Great Chief waved his hand.

"Let's not rush into the negotiations. You've traveled a long way, and I'm sure you're tired. Let us entertain you first, and serve the food!"

At Abal's command, servers entered carrying massive platters, laden with roasted pigs and sheep, whole and placed directly in front of the guests.

Prince Jassim frowned; this food was far too tough for the Crystal Glare people, and his stomach was no longer as young as it once was.

"We'll eat first, then we'll talk," Abal said, and began eating heartily.

Once the food was laid down, the orc commanders tore into it, ripping off large chunks of meat or slicing it with knives, devouring it hungrily. After swallowing, they drank large gulps of alcohol to wash it down.

The Crystal Glare nobles exchanged glances, shocked by the crude manner in which the orcs ate. They were accustomed to cutting such meat into small pieces, accompanied by various condiments, and eating with forks, taking small, polite bites.

"Barbaric savages!" Many thought to themselves, but the thought of their kingdom's army being defeated by these wild beasts made them feel even more despondent.

Abal, seeing that the humans were frozen in place, chuckled. "Guests, are you dissatisfied with our hospitality?"

"Ah, no, of course not!" Prince Jassim quickly replied, though he was somewhat relieved that the orcs had at least provided human-style knives and forks on the table, so they wouldn't have to eat with their bare hands.

"Now, let us get back to the matter at hand, dear Prince," Abal continued after a hearty meal. "I believe it's time to discuss the purpose of this meeting."

Prince Jassim replied solemnly, "Your side has no justification for the war in Aldor. You should withdraw from Aldor's land immediately."

"Boom!" A younger orc slammed his fist on the table, shaking the food violently. "This is revenge and punishment for humanity!"

His face was somewhat similar to Abal's, and Prince Jassim recalled the introductions earlier, recognizing him as Abal's eldest son, Ajil.

Possibly fueled by alcohol, the young orc prince became agitated, his cheeks reddening even through the fur.

"Rude!" A knight from Jassim's retinue stood up, glaring angrily.

"Arrogant humans!" With a sudden clatter, the orc warriors around the table stood up as well, glaring at the knight in return.

"Sit down!" Abal slammed his hand on the table, his face darkening. "We are here to negotiate!"

He shot a glare at his son. "Get out! You've embarrassed me after drinking a few cups of horse urine!"

"Father!"

"Immediately!"

Ajil left reluctantly, and the other orcs sat back down, clearly dissatisfied.

Abal looked at Prince Jassim with some surprise. The human king's father had remained remarkably composed during his son's outburst, not even batting an eyelash.

Hmm, I wonder how calm he'll remain as this negotiation continues, Abal thought to himself.

"Prince, I apologize for my son's rudeness," Abal said, his tone somewhat sincere, but he quickly changed the subject. "However, I must say, he has a point. Our presence in human lands is driven by justice and fairness, as a proportional response to the years of harassment the grasslands has suffered."

Prince Jassim felt a deep urge to spit at Abal's words.

The conflict between humans and grasslands orcs was a tangled mess, with both sides feeling wronged. When it came down to it, neither could claim complete innocence.

Ajil's outburst earlier, whether intentional or not, had been a clear signal from the orcs that they intended to seize what they could.

"My perspective is quite the opposite," Prince Jassim replied, ready to argue. "The Watcher Legion hasn't operated on the grasslands in years, whereas the orcs raid south of Rocky Mountain every year."

"No! Those are not raids, they are retribution, and it doesn't compare to the harm your people have done to the grasslands throughout history," Abal shot back.

The two went back and forth, arguing fiercely.

Finally, Prince Jassim sighed. "So, Great Chief, what price are you asking? What must be done for you to withdraw from human lands?"

Seeing his opponent's hesitation, Abal's face lit up with joy.

"The Neron Corridor, the Yellow Earth, the Black Stone Pass, and the Giant Elephant Plains."

He listed his demands one by one.

"What do you mean?" The members of the delegation exchanged confused looks.

"This... This is absurd!" Prince Jassim's beard quivered in disbelief. He had already realized what Abal meant: the orcs were asking for land.

The Lord of Light above, these four territories amounted to the entire northwest region of the Aldor Kingdom.

Others quickly realized it too, and gasps of outrage filled the air.

Before the official meeting, the delegation had discussed their bottom line. They could offer the orcs a large sum of money, or the buildings they desperately needed, in exchange for them leaving the kingdom's lands.

But they hadn't expected the orcs to demand so much more than they could offer.

Prince Jassim spoke sternly: "This land is home to countless humans, and we cannot concede it to you."

Abal responded casually, "Oh, we would govern them fairly. I believe the people here would welcome more enlightened rulers."

"Enlightened? The grasslands model doesn't work for humans."

"We are eager to learn your ways. Since entering Aldor, many humans have come to join us. Would you like to inspect my human army? They are loyal and brave, and our military campaigns have gone smoothly, thanks to them."

Abal laughed heartily.

Meanwhile, the Aldor delegation members were all seething with anger, their faces turning red.

(End of the Chapter)

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