Truly, there is nothing so terrifying as being put in a social situation with someone who has mastered the Skills that impact those interactions. Masters of Speech, Negotiation, Persuasion, Haggling, Diplomacy, Intimidation, the other related Skills, the many, many fusions, and those who have levelled the various Classes which give bonuses to one’s words.

To the unprepared or undefended, these people can talk them into, or out of, almost anything. Naturally, this can prove difficult for normal people to navigate, but at the higher level of diplomatic and trade negotiations, every empire, kingdom or conglomerate comes heavily armed, metaphorically speaking, to the table.

- Excerpt from ‘The Power of the Word’ by Zathus.

Enid felt like she had been wrung dry of every ounce of water in her body. Her eyes were dry, her skin felt parched and itchy. Even her tongue felt as raw as sand in a desert.

Still, she clung to the table, her teeth clenched and a rictus grin entrenched on her face.

Her opponent, seated opposite, could not have appeared more relaxed. The brathian sat comfortably in her chair, sipping tea and cutting small wedges from her double-layered chocolate cream surprise with the side of her fork. When they had gotten down to discussing prices, things had gone about as well as Enid had expected.

Which is to say, she’d been torn to shreds.

She was far from an expert on brathian culture, but she knew enough to know who and what she was dealing with. Eran Thouris was who she was negotiating with, but Eran was not her name, but her title. This was the title given to the person the conglomerate trusted as their commander in battle. Of course, which battlefield did the brathians take most seriously? This one, the negotiating table.

“Now of course, we are yet to discuss the risks of transportation through the fourth stratum,” Eran smiled pleasantly, “nor the burden of suspicion that will be placed on my people for cooperating with an emergent race of monsters such as yourselves. Naturally, these difficulties must be compensated for, which can be reflected in the price.”

Her words were so persuasive, so reasonable, it was almost insidious how easily they snaked into Enid’s mind. She resisted.

“You come to the Colony asking for trade, and then demand compensation for it?” she rebuffed, forcing the words out from a throat that constricted to prevent her from speaking. “If you want to trade, then trade. If you don’t, then leave. The Colony doesn’t care.”

Eran Thouris leaned forward, a look of polite exasperation on her face.

“The Colony stands to gain thousands of cores every month. I’m sure they very much do care about that. Considering they are producing these goods already, with no market to sell them to, they stand to benefit the most. All I’m asking for is that my people receive a fair share of the profits.”

Again, it all sounded so reasonable, but Enid knew from personal experience that the brathian would happily slice the amount they needed to pay the Colony down to the bone if she could. After all, the cheaper they acquired the goods, the more money that would flow into the coffers of her conglomerate.

The old mayor knew when she was beaten, and in truth, she’d been beaten a long time ago. All she’d done was run a desperate defensive action, pushing off the woman's demands and holding as much ground as she could, but eventually, she would be worn down and forced to concede to her conditions, which would see the Colony earning a pittance for everything they sold.

Thankfully, she had a secret weapon, one that no negotiator could hope to win against.

“At this point of our talks, I would like to bring in a member of the Colony to give their input on our final discussions,” she managed to force out.

She reached a trembling hand onto the table and took a sip of tea to soothe her ragged throat.

Eran Thouris pursed her lips, looking thoughtful.

“Are you not empowered to negotiate on their behalf?” she enquired.

“It was made clear to me that they would have the final say over any terms we settled on,” Enid replied, truthfully.

Being honest was critical in talks at this level, since there were many who could detect lies and turn them against you. Skirting the truth was an artform as old as time for merchants of all levels.

“Very well,” the brathian conceded, as if she were the one giving permission.

She didn’t have a choice, she had to accede to this request; since the Colony had the final say, they had to be included in the talks. Enid permitted herself a small smile. She turned to the giant ant who now lay, legs splayed, against the wall of the chamber, and pointed to her head. A few moments later, she felt that vast mind reach out to hers.

[Hey Enid, how’s it going? You look…. You’ve looked better, I have to say.]

[How rude,] she sniffed. [Who do you think I’m enduring this for? I told them I was going to bring you into the talks at this point since you will have final say on everything.]

[Oh? Why me? I don’t think I’m equipped for this, Enid. I don’t exactly have a mind for logistics.]

[Don’t worry about any of that. Just know that you will be put into direct mental communication with their representative, Eran Thouris, which she will only agree to if her mages can join as well to ensure she is protected.]

[Who’s going to protect me?] the big ant asked, and Enid scoffed.

[Do you need protection?]

[Probably not….]

[Fine then.]

“And who are you bringing into the conversation?” Eran asked with unwavering confidence.

Enid gestured toward him.

“The Eldest of the Colony. The Eldest is highly regarded within the family and the others will follow their words.”

Eran eyed the gigantic monster while the mages behind her grew extremely agitated. Connecting the mind of their leader to such a monster was an obvious risk, but there was so much money at stake, the brathians could hardly refuse.

So they didn’t.

[Hey, nice to meet you. You want stuff, we want cores. This shouldn’t be too complicated.]

Enid smiled. Let the games begin.