Chapter 48: Negotiations

It’s late in the afternoon by the time a delegation from the besieged elves meets with us. The delay wasn’t their fault. The officer in charge of the besieging troops was reluctant to allow any of the elves to leave the cloisters despite the Chief Procurator’s unambiguous orders. If anything, the delay illustrates the limited control the Chief Procurator has over those fighting in his junta’s name.

Cassandra and I meet with the three elves from the cloisters as they leave their barricade. Given the losses the elves have inflicted on the besieging troops, we don’t want any misfortune to befall the elves as they pass through the Thurnian soldiers’ lines. The delegation’s leader is DF19, which makes her a clone-cousin of Defina35 and Defina36. We are delighted to discover the other two elves are AN332 and BH632 whom we haven’t heard from since they parted company with Aputa on an earlier foray from Atene into Thurn.

Cassandra and I have a group of twenty-five elves as our escort as we approach the location the Chief Procurator has chosen for our parley. I expected the Chief Procurator to insist on our leaving most of our escort at the gate, but we are all allowed through. Not wishing to be outdone by the size of our escort, the Chief Procurator has assembled forty soldiers and no fewer than ten administrators and advisers.

We are escorted to a huge courtyard known as the Sun Court. Apparently the Chief Procurator prefers to meet in the open air. Whether that’s to avoid the distraction of the Elf Maidens in heat, or the pungent natural defensive odour of elves, remains unsaid.

The armed escorts line up around the perimeter of the Sun Court with the two groups scowling at each other from opposite sides of the yard. A table has been set up in the centre of the courtyard, with seats for ten negotiators, five for each side. Cassandra and I are joined by Aputa, DF19 and Pania, the spokesperson for the wilderness elves. Facing us is the Chief Procurator and four of his advisers. All the others stand behind their respective group while remaining within earshot.

“Are the other two members of your junta here?” asks Cassandra once the introductions are complete.

“I haven’t seen either of them in months,” replies the Chief Procurator. “I will make any decisions to be made here.”

Cassandra takes charge of our side of the negotiations. It soon becomes apparent that those with the Chief Procurator would happily accept any deal that would end the suffering caused by the chaos around them. However, the Chief Procurator is not so readily persuaded, much to the annoyance of his four advisers sat either side of him.

“If we might break for a moment so that my colleagues and I can discuss your proposal with the Chief Procurator in private,” says one of the Chief Procurator’s advisers.

“Yes, certainly,” replies Cassandra. “That will give us a chance to confer as well.”

The Chief Procurator and his advisers walk into one of the nearby buildings, leaving us alone ... apart from forty armed Thurnian soldiers who look as though they would rather be somewhere ... anywhere ... else. So far the negotiations have proceeded much as we anticipated. The stubbornness of the Chief Procurator is the only thing holding us back from reaching a satisfactory deal.

About ten minutes later the advisers return to the table without the Chief Procurator. Another of their number sits in the seat previously occupied by the Chief Procurator.

“Our apologies for the delay,” says the new negotiator. “The Chief Procurator has relinquished his position. As First Minister, I have been authorised to negotiate on behalf of Thurn. I believe we are close to agreement, so shall we continue.”

We resume the negotiations, which proceed without undue difficulty now that the Chief Procurator isn’t raising spurious issues. The only amendment to Cassandra’s initial proposal is that the newly merged territory is to include Thurn city and the valley towards Stormguard. Cassandra had assumed that those in Thurn city and surrounding towns would baulk at joining a confederation of Thurnians and elves. It appears that war weariness has exhausted the citizens of Thurn and the promise to call the new confederation ‘Thurn’ is all that is required to gain majority support ... at least among those present here. Only Thurn’s ‘western’ cities are to remain independent, although Cassandra intends to invite them to join us.

Having obtained a broad agreement on the way forward, the mammoth task of implementing the plan requires much debate. Cassandra is in her element organising multiple groups to take responsibility for different parts of her grand plan. I don’t think any of us are under the illusion that all this is going to be easy. It could take months, if not years, for every rogue band of bandits and mercenaries to be brought into line. Mines, farms and factories need to be repaired and put back into operation. Food supplies need to be distributed to everyone. And the potential threat from Merope needs to be countered. It’s a massive task requiring the cooperation of everyone involved. However, we’ve made a start on the long journey ahead.

I notice that now we all seem to be friends, several of the Thurnian soldiers have taken the opportunity to approach those Elf Maidens in heat. Several couples have quietly withdrawn from gathering, presumably to explore their own union. For the moment, I’m surplus to requirements, and Defina35 is still in heat. We slip away during an energetic debate on restoring Thurn city to normality. The debate is still in progress when we return twenty minutes later. I doubt anybody has noticed our absence.

Messengers are dispatched to various parts of the city announcing an end to hostilities. In reality, only the siege of the cloisters is an active battle zone. The truce agreed as a prerequisite to the negotiations has held so far, although I doubt the two sides will be as eager to get together as their counterparts were in the Sun Court. Fortunately, the First Minister sends Colonel Stein, one of the few remaining senior officers of the Thurnian army, with DF19 to ensure the mercenaries and soldiers besieging the cloisters withdraw from their positions without causing trouble.

“We need to make arrangements for completion of our own tasks ahead,” says Cassandra when she meets with me in private later.

“What do you propose?” I ask.

“I intend to return to Atene with Defina35 and AN332 to put the agreement we’ve signed here in motion,” says Cassandra. “Pania and Aputa will join us as far as the southern forest. They will be needed there to help resettle the Thurnians who have taken shelter in the forest, and check on the elves still trapped in the area between Thurn city and the Reakie River.”

“What about BH632 and me?” I ask, mindful that BH632 is nominally part of our small group.

“I need you to stay here for a few months. Your skills with the Thurnian administration will be essential to ensure the First Minister delivers on the promises he has made. Also, we need to ensure that the mercenary soldiers disband or align themselves with the new regime.”

“ ... and BH632?” I add.

“I’m leaving her here as your assistant and liaison with the elven population,” says Cassandra. “Besides, I need you to keep your cock in good condition, and I know how you love fucking BH632.”