Blue Core

Day 184 - Taelah

Excuse us, do you have a moment? The woman who asked the question had the image of a cattail embroidered on the shoulder of her tunic, which meant she was one of the representatives of Kinul. Compared to almost everyone else, both she and her companion were underdressed, and certainly underequipped, with nothing more than some basic nature Affinity infused into their clothes.

I have some people from Kinul wanting my attention. Taelah sent to Iniri over the Concord just in case she hadnt already noticed. Ever since the Orrelin representative had blown up at poor Tissaria shed been somewhat on edge, though she could tell Blues attention was on her at the moment and there wouldnt be any repeats of that incident. The Village was slated to cook and bring food throughout the entire summit, and they had so far, but if people kept pestering them Taelah might have to rethink that.

Tell me if you need me to come by. Kinul has been fairly shy so far, though, so Id appreciate it if youd talk with them. Taelah barely stopped herself from making a face. She wasnt at all interested in playing with larger politics, and so far Blue hadnt really asked her to, aside from using her truth-sense that one time, so she was willing to help out Iniri even if she had doubts about dealing with international issues.

Yes? Taelah asked them, setting down the pitcher she was carrying. What can I do for you?

Im Elder Wren, and this is Elder Carrul. She gestured to herself and her companion, who gave her a nod. I understand youre Elder Taelah?

I am, Taelah admitted. She wasnt sure how theyd found that out, but it wasnt like there was a real attempt to keep her anonymous. The fact that they called themselves Elders as well was a surprise, though they both looked like they were more of the proper age, with lines and wrinkles and greying hair. Despite whatever age they had, both of them carried themselves with ease.

They say theyre Elders, like me.

Kinul doesnt have a monarchy or nobility. Theyre just a loose collection of villages, so it does make sense theyd send village elders as representatives. Iniri told her, and Taelah relaxed slightly. If they were like her, that explained why they werent comfortable with the emperors and diplomats running around.

Do you think we could talk less formally? Elder Carrul asked. Were interested in trading with Tarnil and Blue, and we dont have any problem recognizing Blues sovereignty, but were not sure what either of them would want from us.

Especially something worth rot Sources. Those are very hard to come by, Elder Wren added, displaying her own dark blue-black sphere. No village in Kinul has enough to buy them.

Oh, I see, said Taelah, biting back the urge to tell them that Blue could provide a hundred sources a week if he really wanted to. What does Kinul have that Tarnil needs? She asked Iniri, while considering the question herself. Blue himself didnt need much, of course, but Tarnil and the Village both had a use for people. Taelah really missed good cheese, for example, and since the Village lacked anyone with rot Affinity they could only do so much in that regard.

Food and labor. Iniri replied promptly, which mirrored her own thinking. So long as Taelah considered Kinul just another village, the answer was easy.

Im sure you have quite a few of the younger generation who are restless, Taelah told them. That was always the case in smaller villages. Most preferred to be [Farmers] or [Ranchers] but some would always want to go out and see the world. Tarnil just came out of a war and The Village is fairly small, so they and we could use some energetic people to come help teach and rebuild. Ones that arent all that likely to stay. Some would, inevitably, but that was all to the better. The Village would need at least a little new blood.

The two elders glanced at each other, communicating silently. Taelah was pretty sure it was just that they knew each others body language, rather than something like Companion Concordance. She could tell they were still uncertain about it, possibly because they wouldnt have any idea who would volunteer to go see another country for a while.

Tarnil could also use food. It would just be for this year and maybe the next, but we would be willing to buy as much as you have. Especially since I understand that you specialize in preserved foods? Taelah didnt know much about Kinul, but she did remember trying a jar of fermented pickled taro root, and while it was strange it wasnt bad, and it certainly would last a while. Wren nodded, looking more confident.

Would your Queen agree to those sorts of terms? She asked.

Oh, I just asked Iniri a moment ago and those terms are exactly what she wants. But to make things clear, shes not my queen. Taelah smiled at the Elders. Im Blues wife, not part of Tarnil. The pair of them gawked at her, then started to stammer apologies that she waved away. No, no, my role as Elder of The Village is all you need worry about. For personal deals with Blue, youll want to talk to Shayma. I dont do any of that.

But if youre Blues wife, why are you helping carry dishes? Carrul asked. Before Taelah could reply, Wren elbowed him.

Well someone has to carry it, right? Wren told him. Would you just stand and watch if your village was helping out? Carrul had the good grace to look embarrassed.

My apologies, Elder Taelah, he told her.

Honestly, Ive gotten the same question from my own people more than once, Taelah confided. If you want, Id be happy to show you around our Village, one Elder to another. That wasnt an invitation she felt comfortable extending to anyone else shed seen so far. Nor did she think any of them would be interested. Wren and Carrul, though, reminded her of her fellow Elders and wouldnt really look out of place.

We would be honored, Elder Taelah, Wren said, then paused as Carruls stomach growled. after we eat, perhaps?

Of course, Taelah said with a smile. Im going to be taking Elders Wren and Carrul to the Village to discuss things after we eat. She sent to both Shayma and Iniri.

Thank you, Taelah. I know this isnt what youre here for, so I greatly appreciate you securing Kinuls support. Iniri replied. Shaymas message was shorter and to the point.

Go Taelah!

Taelah suppressed a laugh. She and her fellow Companions were very different people, but she liked having them around. They made it easier to deal with people outside the Village.

The other Elders bid her a temporary farewell as she returned to oversee the teleportation and transportation of the food. It didnt take too much more time, and when she returned everyone to the Village, they had their own spread to take from. It wasnt ferried by servants, but she preferred the buffet-style layout anyway, especially since it meant she could sneak an extra berry tart or two since shed been craving them recently.

She carried her plate with her as she walked around the people eating lunch there, chatting now and then and making sure that nobody had any problems or complaints. The work of cooking and cleaning was just that, work, but with everyone together and with all the unusual food it had more the feeling of a celebration than of a burden. The Village was done and cleaning up long before Iniri told her that the official luncheon was done with, and Taelah teleported back to the summit to pick up Wren and Carrul.

The moment they appeared in the Village they both turned to look in the direction of the tree. Taelah couldnt sense anything unusual from it, and while it certainly had an unusual appearance, so did any number of mana-enhanced trees. All she could figure was that something about the fate mana inside it prickled the instincts of people since everyone turned to look at it when they first arrived.

Welcome to the Village, Taelah said, gesturing around at the various buildings and the temporary outdoor cooking facilities that theyd put together for the summit. Were in the Caldera, even if you cant see us from as far up as the summit site. The Elders broke their gaze from the tree and surveyed the village square.

I expected it to have more marble, Wren confessed.

Blue provided forests and quarries, but we built this all ourselves. She told them. It was an important distinction, one that showed they were Blues people but not Blues servants. Even all the work they were doing for the summit was simply because they were asked, not because they were ordered.

Oh, that is interesting, Carrul said, nodding sagely. Taelah had the feeling he followed her logic.

Yes, we live well, but by our own hands. Blue provides us with access to things we would not have in a normal village, but we still have to actually harvest and process stone or lumber or fruits. She guided them away from the still-ongoing dishwashing and along the smoothly-paved path of the village square. I think it says a lot that we are Blues people, and he appreciates us for that.

He does? It is rather difficult to really grasp what Blue is. Weve met Shayma, of course, but she isnt him.

Oh, I quite understand where youre coming from, Taelah assured them. It does take some getting used to, but Ive always found Blue to be quite fair. In fact, I rather like him, obviously. She chuckled, and Wren and Carrul joined in politely. Quite frankly I dont think you have anything to worry about when it comes to Blue. With Iniri, her kingdom and Blues interests come first, but I dont think shell be anything less than fair.

That was more or less what we were thinking, Carrul said. Weve been considering the potential trade. Were quite willing to send most of our stock of preserved foods to Tarnil, but sending people is more of an issue. Youre right that there are youths who really ought to see more of the world, but I would feel more comfortable sending them to you. Tarnil might drown them.

I see. She quite understood what Carrul meant. So long as there arent many at a time, I think we would welcome some visitors, but we have our own quirks they will have to get used to. She pointed to where Dreams-Ahead was lugging a cart full of cut wood. He was less imposing than Cuts-Like-Cold but still clearly a monster to every sense. Wren and Carrul stiffened, glancing at her. Hes one of Blues, she said, by way of partial explanation. The full story was too complicated to get into right off.

Oh. I suppose Wren glanced at Carrul, who looked back and shrugged.

I suspect it will be good for them, in small doses.

Why dont I introduce you to the other Elders, Taelah suggested. And we can talk about who youre going to be sending.