Path of the Hive Queen

Janis understood why Regina was suspicious and hesitant at the gnomes suddenly waving a white flag. She couldn’t say that she disagreed. Still, her first reaction had been relief, not dread. Not that she didn’t feel uneasy about it as well.

As she walked, trying to hurry without running or looking too agitated, she dipped in and out of the heads of Swarm Drones in the psychic link to get glimpses of the gnomes who were coming. Three of them, riding two beasts, with the bigger one seating two gnomes. Interestingly, one of them was a woman while the other two were men, as expected of their soldiers. They appeared calm, as best she could tell. Regina might have more luck assessing their actual state of mind.

Janis could still feel the Hive Queen’s attention laying on her like a blanket fluttering in the breeze. It was something she’d become used to, even if she wasn’t often this present. Janis could still tell Regina was distracted, her focus split between several points, or several drones she was watching. Her mental presence was a comfort when she contemplated what she’d have to navigate.

Janis and her companions formed up quickly, trying to project the impression of calm, unruffled waiting, emphasizing their power. It was a bit awkward to have talks here, just outside their army camp proper, which was stirring like a kicked beehive. Dan and the others were already drawing smaller units of War Drones around them like protective wings stretched out to the side, distant enough not to seem immediately threatening but ready to pounce at any sign of trouble. Janis quickly sent an order through the psychic link to correct their formation and increase the strength hidden in the back, positioning some of the stronger drones in the shadow of the fortifications they’d built. She also detached several companies to guard the artillery; no point in taking chances.

“Remember, be courteous and civil but not weak or too solicitous,” she murmured to the others. “They are our enemies, but we are civilized. We will respect the truce of negotiations, but we don’t have to suffer insults.”

The others nodded, with various mutters of assent. She could tell Gwen Cern, who was standing close to her, was a bit nervous. Sir Owin was a bit behind her, his arms crossed and a frown on his face. Sir Willard and a few other Cernlian knights present stood immovable. For the Hive, Via and Dan stood closest to her, both outwardly calm even if she could sense their tension through the psychic link. Via was curious, Dan was hoping this wouldn’t interfere with the planned assault on the pass and the city. Janis resisted the urge to fidget.

Finally, the envoys came close enough to see more details, and she focused on the System notifications. They all had relatively martial Classes, from what she’d learned of the way typical gnomish Classes were named; an Unbroken Rock, a common defensive Class, and a Blade Stone and Calling Feather. Their levels were higher than she could see, though a quick check over the psychic link with the others revealed all of them, so they weren’t enormously high, still in the third or early fourth Tier; the highest was the blademaster at sixty-four. Impressive, but not a party that could hope to stand up against the army or even just her own gathered officers and escorts.

The gnomes pulled up a few meters ahead of them and dismounted. Their mounts stayed standing still as they turned to the Imperial party.

Jen, who’d been standing a bit further away from her, took half a step forward while Dan tapped the haft of his spear against the ground. With an even voice that carried across the field, she declared, “You are in the presence of Her Imperial Highness, Janis von Woltan, of the Starlit Hive, Crown Princess of the Central European Empire. State your purpose.”

Janis took note of the wording while she stared at them stonily. She could faintly feel something from Regina, a more complicated mix of emotions, as her name was announced. They didn’t use ‘Starlit’ as a last name, but hers, Janis noted. It wasn’t really the first time, though it was the biggest. She had an idea of what was behind this. Not that she minded; the acknowledgment that Regina saw her as her family in more ways than one was pleasant. It wasn’t really important right now, though, so she only spared it a moment of attention and focused on the reaction.

The gnomes bowed their heads stiffly. It wasn’t much, but still more than she might have expected. “Greetings,” the man in the lead, a guy called Delekin, greeted stiffly. He went on to introduce them briefly, but it was nothing she couldn’t tell from their appearance or System notifications. None of them used a military rank, which didn’t necessarily mean they didn’t have one. “We are here to discuss the possibility of a truce,” he finished.

“Well met,” she returned. “These ladies and gentlemen are here to advise me this day.” She continued with briefly introducing the rest of the notable people gathered to represent the Imperial side. It was apparently the polite thing to do in this situation, although it probably wasn’t anything new for the gnomes, either.

“You mentioned a truce,” she finally continued. “Tell me, why should we agree to such a thing? And how could we be assured that the Gnomish Confederation would hold to it?”

“It is the desire of the Executive Council to end this bloody war and all the loss and grief that comes from it,” the woman, Paliekel, spoke up. “We hope that a truce would allow room for a full peace deal to be negotiated. The earnest desire for peace of the Gnomish Confederation of the East calls for our brave soldiers to stand down, and none of our side will break the truce, for all know what damage it would cause.”

Janis raised an eyebrow despite herself. There was some shuffling and even a few whispers behind her. I didn’t expect them to go this all-in on claiming they want peace, she considered.

Neither did I, Regina replied. But we both know this sudden ‘earnest desire for peace’ — her mental tone was rather derisive — is born out of the current situation and their fear of losing.

“We’ll need a little more than that,” Dan said with a snort. “You killed our envoys the last time we came to treat with the gnomes regarding anything. Or have you forgotten what started this bloody war?”

Janis mentally poked him a bit, but didn’t say anything or even frown at him outwardly. Instead, she waited for the gnomes’ response.

The younger man almost glared for a second before he mastered his expression, and the other two were clearly unhappy as well. They must have decided on a relatively direct and straightforward strategy, given their opener, but this was a tricky point. “We did not come here to trade accusations,” the leader answered in a forcibly calm tone of voice. “The Gnomish Confederation rejects any such claims, however. The outbreak of war was regrettable, but we do not and cannot accept responsibility for it. We are not here for this, however. Shall we lose the chance for peace to get lost in arguing about past events?”

Janis wondered if he actually believed what he was saying, wondered what the members of this delegation thought about how the war had started. Surely they would have sent them here fully-informed? Given what she’d heard of the gnomes’ leadership, however, maybe not.

They’re definitely feeling defensive and nervous and even bitter, Regina said. I can’t get more than that, though. They sent people with basic mental shields and I’m pretty far away. So, I’m not sure what they know. But I wish I was there so I could punch him, she added.

Janis had to fight her own anger at their denial, too. “Is that so?” she said coldly. “I believe it is quite relevant, however. One of our conditions for peace will be a full accounting of what happened — that means an official acknowledgment from the Gnomish Confederation and having those involved in the murder or torture of Bea, Pat, Lou and Ken of the Starlit Hive brought to justice.”

The gnomes stirred, the younger man and woman exchanging a glance with obvious dismay, and even the leader shifted a bit. “Is that truly what you wish to focus on?” he asked. “Your Imperial Highness, I implore you not to let blind focus on the past stand in the way of the future, or to dismiss the chance to avoid bloodshed and death for many due to some desire for revenge.”

Janis crossed her arms, to prevent the temptation of doing something worse with them. “You want me to just let it go?” she asked derisively. “I wonder, if it was your siblings that died, would you dismiss the need for justice?”

“Siblings?” the woman muttered lowly.

“If one of your leader’s children were killed, would they shrug and ignore it? How can you expect Empress Regina to simply ignore the murder of her children?”

She could tell even without turning around that her people approved. Dan and Via’s fierce approval shone through the psychic link. Even Sir Willard, who was just fighting in a war he had little to do with, nodded slightly, clearly seeing the need for justice.

Delekin cleared his throat. “I see. Perhaps we have something strayed from the original point and the purpose of this meeting, however. We wish to make peace to ensure that no families on either side have to mourn more dead. Surely that is a worthy goal?”

Janis exhaled a heavy breath. “Of course, no one wants to drag this war out longer than it has to be and add to the death toll,” she agreed with a pleasant smile.

“Any more than it already is,” Via muttered.

“I wonder how you envision this peace you propose, though?” Janis asked. “I’m sure your leadership has put a lot of thought into it, but we can hardly enter into more involved negotiations without some clarification and basic agreements. Tell me what your proposal for peace is,” she invited them.

The gnomes had visibly relaxed a bit, if you looked closely, as the topic moved on from that incident and it was clear Janis would be willing to talk, but now they tensed up again.

“It is simple and straightforward, Your Imperial Highness,” the leader spoke. “After negotiations in a neutral location, both sides will stand down their armies and withdraw their troops. They may send observers to ensure that the other party adheres to the agreement and is not preparing another buildup of forces. Control of any occupied settlements will be returned to their rightful owners. We are willing to agree to a full withdrawal of any gnomish presence from the territory north of the mountains on the western side, leaving the no-man’s-land between the Gnomish Confederation and the Hive as such, and giving over control of this land to the Empire, as long as no military bases or outposts are built within fifty leagues of the border. Our borders will be opened to trade again, and both sides will swear not to interfere with the other’s internal affairs. Further treaties may be signed to promise no further warfare and perhaps prohibit participation in military alliances with foreign powers for a certain number of years, which will be up to negotiation. We are of course open to discussing further requests of the Empire, but will be arguing our own in return.”

Janis stared at the man, trying to master her growing anger. She kept her fingers from clenching into fists and her jaw from grinding. That’s it?

Interesting, Regina mused in a forcibly detached tone. That it’s what they argue for. This is basically just the status quo ante bellum. They never had control of that no-man’s-land in the first place, and they want everything under our occupation back. With some assurances and diplomatic attempts to prevent further wars tacked on. It’s anyone’s guess how well they’d hold up.

Janis took a deep breath. I imagine they could spin it as a win quite well for their own populace, she commented. I hope you’re not considering agreeing to these terms?

No, Regina answered slowly, clearly thinking deeply. We’ve talked about this, we need actual assurance that this won’t continue and that we won’t have to fight half a dozen more wars in the future. We would have gained absolutely nothing this way.

It would also be seen by everyone as folding like a wet towel, Janis hadn’t had a thorough political education yet and even she could see that.

“I see,” Janis said. “Effectively, your proposal would reinstate the status quo before the war, with some diplomatic treaties to follow? That is your suggestion?”

“How … optimistic of you,” Gwen drawled. “Usually, the losing side must be prepared to face some penalty for their misdeeds. Reparations in coin or otherwise, if they were lucky enough to retain all their holdings, which is rarely the case.”

“Be that as it may,” Paliekel replied, voice tight, “we have not lost this war yet.”

“Indeed,” Via agreed. “Yet.”

Janis said nothing for a moment. She reminded herself that this was only the gnomes’ initial position and they were probably willing to concede more in the negotiations. Still, it didn’t exactly look good. And somehow, she didn’t think they would actually make any major concessions.

But she couldn’t dismiss their attempt at negotiations out of hand.

“I have to admit,” she said, “your stated position does not fill me with hope for negotiations. It does not seem you quite understand the gravity of your situation. Your nation attacked the Hive unprovoked. You expect us to simply give up all that we have won? To go home with our tails between our legs and leave those responsible untouched?”

“You claim to want peace and an end to the bloodshed, Your Highness,” the woman replied, “and yet you only repeat your words of being wronged? We are prepared to talk, but such accusations should be answered at the negotiating table.“

“Do not your own soldiers deserve better, even disregarding our people?” the younger man added.

Janis frowned. That reply didn’t fill her with much hope for the negotiations. She quickly focused on Regina’s presence in her mind, presenting an idea of how she wanted to respond and receiving her answer.

“I see,” she said. “Perhaps a different setting will lead to more productive conversations, I suppose. We will meet tomorrow. No more than ten people of each side will be allowed to be present. We will make a good-faith effort at negotiations, but if you remain intransigent and simply drag them out in an attempt to delay our assault on the pass, it will not be tolerated, I warn you.”

The leader of the gnomes inclined his head. “If that is all you are prepared to do in search of peace, we will accept. Agreed, Princess Janis.”

Janis nodded and fell quiet to let the others hash out the details of where and when the meeting would take place, and any other requirements. In the meantime, she quickly took a glance through several Swarm Drones’ eyes, checking that no one had spotted an ambush from the gnomes or any suspicious activity yet.

This is probably not that kind of trap, I guess.

But who knew, maybe the negotiations would actually lead to something. If not, at least it would give them a bit more time to prepare for a follow-on attack on the city, and she could let Regina and the others worry about how to spin it.