The next meeting started about half an hour after the three Reeves departed, which was good because we had a little decorating to do in preparation for the ambassadors.

  Leomys was able to get a number of Lodge servants to fetch items out of storage. He and the commander both had some ideas that sounded good, and we went with them. I had little to contribute other than the motivation.

  I helped as best as I could. And after twenty minutes of frantic dashing around, the room’s atmosphere was about as good as I was going to get it on such short notice. Subterranean elves preferred warm, dry spaces, while Aquatic elves were quite the opposite, preferring cool and wet conditions. Both tolerated the temperate zone of their Woodland Elf cousins, but neither would be truly comfortable here.

  I had requested that a master elementalist create a zone within my chambers just larger than the chairs I had specially arranged for them to use, and asked that the seating be placed at equal edges of what would be a triangle facing each other equally at my oval table, with me at my typical seat. That would place each of them at what would be considered the head of the table. They could each assume the other ambassador sat at the foot of the table.

  It was a lot of preparation for what could be very little gain. Maybe even a very short meeting, depending on how they reacted to me.

  The two ambassadors were shown into my offices at the same time. The Aquatic elf, a relatively young male elf by their nearly immortal standards, nodded and motioned for his counterpart to enter. The subterranean elf who, while not elderly by elvin standards, was probably around a millennium old if the file on him that was given to me was accurate.

  Hovering above the round, wooden table were five elemental decorations that had been a last-minute ambience suggestion by the unflappable commander. I was unaccustomed to his insights into non-military matters, but trusted his instinct by now.

  Each decoration was a floating sphere around a yard in diameter that hovered a few inches over a plate made from pure gemstone. Not surprisingly, the gemstones reflected the nature of their elemental denizens, of which I had become very familiar. Above the gemstone and in the sphere was a minor elemental, both nurtured and contained by the magical gemstone plate. To be more precise, each creature was lower than what I would identify as a level one minor elemental. They were known as elemental pets. I was assured that these were simple creatures and not merely infant elementals. I did not want to be seen holding babies of any race, caged and floating above my head for decoration.

  In fact, they were one of several types of pseudo-elementals made from the raw stuff of their elemental realms but lacking an intellect that even animals possessed. Still, they were entertaining. They moved about with a flourish and performed many feats of elemental acrobatics.

  The ambassadors paused to look at each of the creatures before approaching their individualized seats.

  It was not hard for them to locate their intended seats. Their chairs were chosen to accommodate their climates through magical means. Both chairs were made of stone. The aquatic elf had a smooth and slightly reclined stone chair made from sandstone, while the subterranean elf had a porous, volcanic rock that had been partially smoothed to remove sharp edges, but still was far more abrasive than I would prefer. Out of curiosity, I sat in both seats to test them for comfort. I also wanted to be able to say that I had placed myself upon them first to ensure their safety if such a question arose.

  I really had no idea how this meeting would go. I knew very little about either of these branches of elvin cousinhood. But I was briefed that they were both brilliant, cunning, and by Elvin standards, far more aggressive and assertive than their woodland relations.

  The younger Aquatic Elf wore clothing that both reflected his cultural heritage and also trends that I noticed among the wealthier Woodland Elf citizenry. Either he was more adaptable by age to such fashion trends, or given the deep and fluid nature of their culture, it was a natural part of their personalities.

  His colors followed a blue motif with a mixture of dark and lighter variations that seemed to give off depths and shadows. While fashion was not a strength of mine, I had to admit it had a certain flair to it. His clothes were also thin and loose-fitting. He looked like he was dressed in several layers that moved and flowed with his movements or the air. And then again, it could have been slightly charmed to that effect as well.

  By contrast, the older Subterranean Elf was dressed in dark browns, grays, faded reds, and very dark orange trims that had a more volcanic and earthly look versus the Aquatic Elf’s watery appearance. The older ambassador wore clothing that was made of rich fabric, undoubtedly the Elven weave that Master Downwin had so prized, but the cuts were simple and practical. While the Aquatic Elf had some whimsy in his dress, the Subterranean Elf was stoic and almost severe by comparison.

  The Aquatic Elf Ambassador was unarmed, at least at casual inspection, although I suspected some magical means of offense and defense given both his race and station. If I had prepared myself and cast my special enchanter’s magical detection spell, which I keep forgetting to do, I would have a better idea.

  But now was hardly the time to cast a spell.

  The Subterranean Elf Ambassador, by contrast, was armed. The Commander had warned me about the family schlith that all these elves wore at their waist. It was a part of their identity and would not be removed in the presence of their own king, and therefore could hardly be demanded to be removed by others. In fact, to do so would be a direct challenge that Subterranean Eleves took seriously. Honor combat was typically fatal for at least one of the two combatants.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  It was time to move this along.

  I interrupted their viewing and stated, “Ambassadors, I sincerely appreciate your willingness to meet with me and apologize for interrupting your viewing pleasures.”

  They both looked at me. The Aquatic Elf smiled. The Subterranean Elf did not.

  “Gentlemen, please be seated, and I’ll briefly discuss why I asked to meet with you on such short notice.”

  They took their seats. The Subterranean ambassador, Lord Elion Sanether, spoke first. “It is a pleasure to meet with you, Seneschal. Your invitation came as a surprise and was not unappreciated.” His voice was deep, and he had a slow, methodical manner to his speech as if every word was weighed and syllables counted before being released to the world to hear.

  Ambassador Hubyr Allitorn had a higher-pitched voice, but it was not shrill and had an almost musical quality to it that was soft. “And I was also pleased to receive your invitation. Despite our roles, we are not always included in the daily lives of our cousins. In fact, getting an audience in this Lodge often takes many weeks of persistent requests.”

  I had been warned that complaints by the two ambassadors could start very early in our discussions, both as a bid to gain better attention and also by their natures of privilege and entitlement. At least, that was the perception of the ambassadors by some of the elves near me.

  “I will say that I don’t disagree with my esteemed colleague,” Lord Sanethor said, “but I’d like to start my discussion by saying that your thoughtfulness in this chair and atmosphere is delightful.”

  He still did not smile, but I got a nod, and he seemed to sit back and relax in his chair.

  The Aquatic Ambassador shot him a frown, but it quickly turned off and into another smile like a light switch. “Yes, I can breathe easily for the first time in a meeting since my arrival here.”

  I smiled back and nodded to them both. “I am glad. First, let me acknowledge that I am not a politician, nor will I delve deeply into matters that I am ill-suited or ill-prepared to discuss. But I get ahead of myself. Please allow me to offer guest privileges, and I have three gifts for each of you.”

  I nodded to Leomys, and he departed through the portal to my personal home and returned with servers each carrying a platter of delicacies, which were placed before each ambassador.

  “I took some liberties and chances with these, and if there are any that do not appeal to you, please feel free to disregard the sample. You are not expected or required to taste them all. Or, for that matter, any of them if it violates a cultural or personal prohibition.”

  Both ambassadors showed surprise at the samples before them, but after careful examination, they did try some of the delicacies.

  Ambassador Allitorn made sounds of pleasure and a show of trying each morsel. Ambassador Sanether did not say anything, but after one of the breaded delicacies, he looked at me and smiled briefly before trying a few more.

  I allowed them to explore the foods for a while in silence. Aquatic elves and Woodland elves were very sociable while eating, but subterranean elves were the opposite.

  Nevertheless, it was Lord Sanether who spoke first. “Have you tried any of these yourself, Seneschal?”

  They both looked at me curiously.

  I smiled. “In fact, I tried one of every delicacy on your plates.”

  “And?” The Subterranean elf prompted.

  “And, I can say that there was something on each that I found delicious and others that did not appeal to my palate.”

  “Indeed?” Lord Sanether stated, also suggesting more detail.

  “Indeed,” I answered. “The flavors overwhelmed me, and in one instance, I feared that my insides were set ablaze.”

  The Subterranean ambassador laughed out loud, surprising both the Aquatic elf and the commander. “That would have been off my tray. The scarabee is an acquired taste for even my people and is well known for that effect. I admire your fortitude and bravery.”

  After another couple of minutes, they both put down napkins and glasses of sparkling water that had come on the trays (both at different temperatures).

  Ambassador Allitorn stated, “My compliments to your chef. Some of my favorites were included on the tray, and a few that I had not eaten since I was a youth.”

  The older ambassador smiled briefly as his youthful colleague mentioned age.

  “The delicacies were my gift as host and in appreciation for your coming at a time when you may have missed a meal in your homes.” I nodded to Leomys again, who retrieved two letters from my desk and brought them to me.

  I regarded each briefly and handed one to each of the ambassadors.

  With carefully neutral expressions, they opened their letters and read the contents.

  “This second gift is from me as Seneschal.” I awaited their reactions.

  Lord Sanether was the first to react despite his usually slow and taciturn manner. “Is this document official?”

  Ambassador Allitorn gasped visibly. “My people have been seeking something of this kind for decades.”

  “Centuries.” Lord Sanether agreed as he looked at me. “And you ask nothing in return?” His features remained neutral, but I detected suspicion on his part.

  “I asked what some of the important topics were that you each had petitioned for over your time here, and this was common to you both. Effective immediately, the home you are living in and that has served as your embassy under the authority of the King’s Lodge is now the property of your respective people and is considered sovereign ground unless abandoned or relinquished by you or your government.”

  “No conditions?” Lord Sanether asked directly. “Your response, while appealing, did not answer my direct question.”

  I looked him in the eyes and stated, “No conditions. It is now the property of the Kingdom of Subterranean Elves.” I looked at Ambassador Allitorn. “And in your case, the property of the Kingdom of Aquatic Elves. It is our hope that you use the location in good faith and seek to create a reciprocal location in your own kingdoms that we may utilize in good faith, but it is not a requirement.”

  They both nodded gratefully but did not say anything more. They were, no doubt, wondering what my third gift could possibly be that surpassed their embassy independence.

  “As I said, ambassadors, I am not a politician, nor do I pretend to be especially wise and clever in such matters of state. My gift of hospitality was as a host. My gift of your autonomy and recognition as equal sovereignty was given as Seneschal. My third gift, I present as Gwydion. My offer of friendship.”

  They both just stared at me.

  The Aquatic Elf looked at me and then at the older ambassador. He then turned back to me. “You offer us your friendship?” He asked in a tone of voice that poorly hid either disappointment or confusion.

  I suddenly had the feeling that I had grossly overestimated my own worth and that something I had attempted with a fair bit of success with others had just made me look young and foolish in the eyes of these nobles.

  They sat in silence for a full minute.

  Lord Sanether was the first to speak. “I, for one, do not underestimate the value of true friendship. We Subterranean Elves are highly suspicious as a people and have very few close ties that are not those of direct kinship.”

  I looked at him, an apology still teetering on the tip of my tongue in embarrassment.

  Let him finish, Gwydion. Bella urged, but her voice was weak and distant.

  He turned to the Aquatic Elf. “We have noted on more than one occasion to each other that Wood Elven gifts are sometimes dissatisfying to us because they come in order of reverse priority based on the perspective of the giver, not our perspective.”

  The Aquatic Elf nodded to his counterpart and relaxed slightly. “This is true.” And he made eye contact with me. “Thank you for the courtesy.” He said with the slightest of smirks.

  Lord Sanether sat up a bit straighter and looked at me, although he initially spoke to Ambassador Allitorn. “You misunderstand my meaning.” And here he addressed me. “Seneschal, let me explain, and please understand that I do not imply insult merely clarity.”

  I was not sure where he was going, but I said, “Please continue.” I grew more tense as he spoke, caught off guard and not as familiar with the subtleties of our subterranean cousins’ customs as I should be under the circumstances.