Saorise had known he was imposing and dominant when she'd stood on the opposing river bank, but up close it was even more prominent. He held the pale skin and dark features of a typical Wendolan, his midnight hair an oddity among Easterners, but then, so was her blonde. He was smaller than the General, but broader in the shoulders and taller than Lyle. Taller even, than what she could remember of her elder brother and father. Easterners were known for leaner bodies, the burly muscles of General Lowan, while becoming slightly more prevalent thanks to mingling with the south, were still rare compared to leaner builds.

He was wearing all black. A cotton shirt with billowing arms covered by a black vest that was more plainly shaped to his torso. His collar was open, exposing the silver metal choker he wore that had an orange topaz the size of a grape placed at it's centre. From what Saorise recalled, it was a King's privilege to wear that particular ornament in Wendolan, though she couldn't imagine that it was comfortable considering how snugly it fit beneath his Adam's Apple.

He wore black leather pants and boots that enhanced his muscular thighs, and his belt was clearly missing its sword. The clothing was not as form fitting as that of Easterners, and the Wendolan party seemed to realise it, what from their shocked expressions when they took in her outfit. It had amused her somewhat. In the interactions she'd had with men at Caramort Keep, evidently, she covered her skin too much for their liking. Her mother's influence had rubbed off on her. She liked the form fitting clothes of the East that allowed for easier movement, but she also appreciated the kingdom's customs in propriety. She'd found a happy medium over the years.

Still, as Saorise introduced herself and met the eyes of the young Wendolan King who could not have been more than a few years older than herself, she could not help but feel like she was too exposed. His amber eyes, more prominent thanks to the colour of the topaz at his throat, were piercing and arrogant. They seemed to undress her despite his customary glance. Saorise, knowing that these negotiations were important for her people, ignored the implications of his gaze.

After both parties were seated and the food was presented, Peter was the first to speak. His posture was quite relaxed, he did not appear like your typical king who sat straight and firm to convey his presence. No, Peter’s posture was perfect, yet he seemed calm, his accompanying aura in contrast seemed to convey twice as much.

"So, I assume the reason you asked for these negotiations was to retrieve your people who are now our prisoners, and possibly recover some of your territories," Peter stated, "Please correct me if I'm wrong".

Saorise smiled. The King was arrogant, he knew exactly what the other party desired and was simply dangling it over their heads. She had to respect his confidence, "We of course desire both, however, we are not naive enough to think you would simply give it to us. Your father invaded these lands to gain territories, yet he made no progress in three years. You take over his operation upon his death and outmanoeuvre us into a standstill within a month. A feat never before achieved by an invading party here in the East. You have wounded our pride as a people, but that does not mean we are willing to part with what is left of our homeland. So, keeping this in mind, exactly what do you desire of us?"

Peter stared at her for a moment, his earlier smile fading with every word she'd spoken. She'd warned him clearly not to ask for too much. She knew that there was a reason he'd accepted negotiations. After all, for two parties to agree to such a thing, they each had to possess something that the other desired.

When the moment passed, Peter straightened his posture and leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table as he spoke.

"Well, since you asked," Peter began, "What I desire for the release of the prisoners we have captured and the end of this war, is the unanimous surrender of the East".

The Eastern lords began to sputter in displeasure, but Peter continued.

"All Eastern territories will be placed under Wendolan Sovereign rule, and required to pay taxes to the crown as such. In addition, in order to integrate the eastern population into my Kingdom, young men will be distributed among the Wendolan Army. The East will not be allowed to maintain a private army of its own. Your young women…well, whilst I will not force the matter, I would appreciate and fully support any worthy marriages between Eastern and Wendolan Nobility to solidify our bonds as a unified nation," Peter finished.

The Eastern Lords protested quite passionately to such terms. It seemed their pride did indeed run deep. When they realised that Saorise had yet to speak, they quietened and waited for her.

"Is that all?" Saorise asked.

"Well," smirked Peter, "Additions to my harem would not be unwelcome either".

Lyle slapped the table angrily as he stood. Saorise moved quickly. Peter could not see her leg move from his seat opposite them, but from the way Lyle fell back into his chair and turned to look at his sister angrily, Peter could tell she had swiped his legs out from under him to make him sit back down and stop causing a scene. Saorise let out a breath, and the Eastern nobles waited, half fearful of what she would do and half angry for her considering she would no doubt be the first to be considered for a harem position.

"Apologies, but I don't think your harem will be growing with Easterners, we are a monogamous people, we believe in only a single partner for life. Considering our pride, you can imagine how unforgiving we would be at the prospect of having to share our spouse," Saorise stated, "As for your other demands…while I can understand a king's desire for territory, what I do not understand is your clear desire to assimilate the East rather than suppress it. What is your goal?"

"My goal?" asked Peter, "My goal, the purpose of my entire reign, will be to unite the continent under one banner. To create a long-lasting and powerful Empire".

Silence befell the table before Saorise spoke again, "It is a noble goal, but I'm sure you can understand our speculation. After all, only an exceptional entity would be able to unite a continent that has never before been united".

"You are not wrong," Peter replied, "But I think I've already proven by conquering a place that has never been conquered that I am an exception".

"You have not conquered it yet," Saorise replied sharply, "I don't think an exceptional entity would be so arrogant as to jump to conclusions on such a sensitive topic. Do you?"