The Storm Queen
Chapter 6: 6 - Negotiations and Relations: Talks (Edited... Once Again)
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I yawned loudly as I walked down the halls of my castle. I was up practically all night with Ventus working on making ships. Specifically, a new kind of airship, one I was calling, The Pilgrim. It was going to essentially be the first of a series of battleships, one that would employ our first cannons. We had already made a set of four, but we still needed a more steady supply of charcoal and saltpeter in order to make more gunpowder and continue to do so, especially enough to put in such large bags for the cannons. Still, this new airship line would certainly deter any who saw it from attacking us.
I hoped so, at least. I continued walking, my destination being the dining hall. Of course, I made sure to wash up, especially since I fell asleep at my desk in the study and had been drooling on the papers and myself. Ventus had decided to be an ass and just tape me as I mumbled and drooled in my sleep.
I'll have to get back at her for that sometime. Anyways, I soon made it to the dining hall, the guards, as always, opening them for me. I walked in to find that my guests, the Equestrians, were all in their own seats on the fifty foot long, thirteen foot wide dining table.
The tables and chairs were all made from solid iron, the backs of them emblazoned with my crest. They weren't the most comfy, but it's not like we had an abundance of cloth to make cushions.
Something I was hoping to remedy with these talks, along with quite a bit more.
I took my seat at the head of the table, this chair sporting a taller back and more elaborate etchings of storms and the like.
"Good morning, everyone. Sleep well?" I asked genially.
"We did, thank you," Celestia said with a smile.
"It was hard to perform our duties, though, what with so many storm clouds obscuring our view," Luna added. "We had to resort to our magical senses and instincts to make sure the celestial bodies were in the correct positions."
"I'm sorry to hear that. Although there is little anyone can do about it. After all, the storms are the product of an ancient spell, and divine spells are always hard to break," I explained with a small shrug.
"Really? That's fascinating!" Twilight said with a smile that foretold an eagerness to learn.
"I have to agree. I can't say I've ever heard of any spells that can do that," Luna concurred.
"Well, maybe I can regale you with the tale once we get our food. Grubber!" I called out, and the stocky little hedgehog rushed from the kitchen doors, his white mohawk bouncing as he waddled as fast as he could to me.
"Whatcha ya need, boss?" He asked with a salute.
"Could you get the servers out here? We need to give our guests a proper Skili feast," I requested. He nodded.
"You got it!" He then waddled off into the kitchen. I smiled and turned back to the others.
"So, I imagine you all have a few questions," I began. They all nodded. "Well, ask away."
"Well, first, Ah think we still have some introducing to do," said the orange mare with a tip of her stetson. "Name's Applejack." She pointed to the buttery yellow pegasus mare next to her. "That's Fluttershy. She's a bit... Well, shy." I smiled.
"Nice to meet you two," I said genially. "So, questions?"
"I have one that's been on my mind since we got here, actually," Shining Armor began. I raised a brow and motioned him to continue. "What exactly is that strange weapon on your hip? It looks so..." he paused, trying to find the words.
"Dangerous? Threatening?" Cadance supplied. He nodded.
"Yes, thank you honey. It looks threatening, despite being so small," he finished. I paused. Shit, didn't think they actually noticed. I'd even moved the holster to my backside, so my cloak would cover it. How to deal with this...
Screw it, I'll just keep playing close to the chest.
"Let's just say it's a weapon that you never want to be on the receiving end of," I said, patting it.
"But what does it do?" The prince pressed. I sighed and gave him a look.
"You don't want to find out. Now please, let's just change the subject," I responded.
"But-!" he tried to say, but his spouse stopped him with a hoof on his withers and a look.
"Just leave it be, Shiny. She obviously doesn't want to tell us yet," she said softly. He looked to her, then sighed and nodded.
"Fine..." he conceded.
"Next question?" I queried, looking to the others.
"Yesterday, your...partner said you were a soldier. What army were you enlisted in?" Luna asked. I sighed, trying to think of a proper answer. After a few seconds of pondering, I came up with something.
"I was a Master Sergeant of The Reef, past the channel separating the Bug Bear Territory, Minotian Isles, and the Yaket Range. I was a part of the 3rd Pilgrim Corps. Division," I explained, idly tapping my foot as I waited for the servers.
"Fascinating... I'd no idea there was a nation that far to the north..." Celestia said, hoof to her chin. She put her hoof back down and looked to me. "Is there any chance you could introduce us to the leader of The Reef?"
I shook my head sadly. "No, I'm afraid not."
"Why? Did something happen?" Twilight questioned.
"I'd rather not talk about it," I said despondently, now staring at the table as I rapped my fingers against it. Thankfully, they didn't push further, and the servers finally came out and took our orders.
They avoided the meat, and instead went for the Storm Fruit dishes mixed into a salad. We didn't have much in the way of plants here, so the few greens we did have were reserved for special occasions like this.
They seemed to really like the Storm Fruit, too.
"This is soo good!" Pinkie said, digging into her food of diced Storm Fruit and cabbage like an animal.
"I have never had a fruit with such a unique flavor before..." Luna mused as she took a bite of her own diced Storm Fruit and greens. She puckered her lips each time she ate of the Storm Fruit, but quickly got used to it.
"It has a strong taste of grapes, but it's just so...so fizzy and sourrrrr!" Twilight said, pausing each time she ate the Storm Fruit to try and get used to the taste, taking big bites and humming in content afterwards.
"My thoughts exactly, dear! It's like grape wine, but stronger and, well, fizzy and sour!" Rarity concurred.
"This is almost as good as Zap Apples!" Applejack noted, likewise enjoying the flavor.
"Amen to that sister!" cried Rainbow Dash, who was eating her food ravenously. Guess she can really hold her sour foods.
"Well, I think I know one thing that we'll definitely be asking for more of," Celestia mused as she delicately lifted a bite of Storm Fruit to her mouth and hummed in content at the flavor.
"Oh yeah, you totally gotta let us bring some of this stuff back!" the pink unicorn, Starlight, agreed with a nod.
"I like it too..." Fluttershy said softly with a gentle smile.
"I wouldn't mind having some at the Empire either. It would definitely give us some more variety," Cadance concurred.
I chuckled as I tucked into my own food of Cragadile Steak and fried Kraken. The food they have here was certainly exotic, especially to me, but it was definitely good. I never thought I'd ever be able to say I'd eaten a kraken, after all.
After a short while, we all finished our plates, the ponies talking amongst themselves, until I tapped my glass of Storm Fruit Juice with a fork. They all turned to me.
"So, onto the main reason for your visit," I said, clearing my throat. I immediately took note of Celestia's metaphorical mask dominating her face. Tempest had described it as cold and hard, like stone, but I preferred steel.
"Yes, that would be good," she replied. I steepled my fingers together.
"In your letter, you said you wanted to make an alliance, correct?" I asked. She nodded.
"Indeed. We wanted to make sure that relations between our nations did not sour simply because of the late Storm King's influence," Luna informed.
"You also mentioned bringing me into the International Council of World Leaders," I continued. Celestia nodded this time.
"Correct," she affirmed. I closed my eyes in thought. This would certainly garner a good reputation for me, but it could also embroil the country in a war that we really have no part in. On the other hand, the Equestrians would be obligated to help us with any war we became embroiled in...
"...Very well, I accept your offer," I said finally. They all smiled and Celestia opened her mouth to speak, but I stopped her with a hand. "But I want a trade agreement and a promise that you will stay out of any personal matters that arise in my nation." Celestia frowned, and all the others looked towards me.
"Wha... Why would y' assume we'd just step into yer affairs?" Applejack said, stomping a hoof.
"Yeah! It's not like we'd disrespect your privacy!" said Rainbow.
The other Elements voiced similar concerns, though Twilight seemed to be hesitant.
"Aunty isn't one to nose into the affairs of others, why would you assume so?" Cadance asked. I noted Shining Armor, Celestia, and Luna were all very quiet. The others noticed this.
"Shiny?" Cadance asked her husband worriedly.
"Princess...?" Twilight began.
"...Where are you going with this?" Celestia said finally. I snapped my fingers, and Tempest trotted over from her position near the main doors.
"Tempest, please recount the times we found several spies from the Equestrians in or around our lands," I told her, and before the others could so much as widen their eyes, she nodded and started, clearing her throat.
"Scout Report #1. Twilight Age: Year 22nd, 7th Month, Day 30. Pegasi were seen in Storm Queen Airspace, seemingly doing reconnaissance. Could not track down in time to question before they were well beyond Macintosh Hills," Twilight, Cadance, and the Elements looked at the Sisters with wariness. "Scout Report #2. Twilight Age: Year 22nd, 8th Month, Day 3. Unicorns wearing insignia of the Diarchy were sighted at Klugetown, questioning residents and even going so far as to bribe them for information." Celestia and Luna tensed, along with Shining Armor. All the while the others were looking increasingly worried. "Scout Report #3. Twili-."
Shining Armor slammed his hoof on the table, startling everyone but me and Tempest. "What the hay would you expect?!" He roared. I simply quirked a brow. "No more than a month or two ago half the bucking world was owned by the Storm King, and now we hear someone has overthrown him?! What do you expect from us? We had every right to be suspicious!"
"Captain Armor!" Luna shouted. Shining faltered. "That is enough. You have proven your point." He grit his teeth but nodded and sat back in his seat. She turned to look at me. "What is your point here?"
"Simple," I began, before tapping the table with a finger. "Keep your spies away from my lands, unless I give express permission. Otherwise... Well, crimes for espionage won't be taken lightly, to put it simply."
Celestia looked to her sister briefly, the others still taking in the news. Finally, they turned back to me. "Very well. We apologize for offending you, Your Highness." They bowed their heads, and I just nodded.
"Good, now, onto what I'm looking for in terms of goods..."