GODS AT THE CENTRE ( EDITING)

CHAPTER XVII, IKAN:IN THE NAME OF PEACE

Ikan sighed. The droning was still going on.

"These were her majesty words.... We humbly...."

Ikan reluctantly opened his eyes and gave the speaker his best languid pose.

But the speaker remained unfazed. His diplomat smile didn't waiver.
His voice mellowed a bit, while his beady eyes relaxed. "Your excellencies, the great and honourable Alamarian Assembly. It's important to for us to know that the gods above have seen it fit to appoint our two nations as the Masters of this world. Each to keep a side of the sea...."

Lies, lies, lies. Diplomatic fodder. Although, he speaks good Alamarian for a foreign. But any thug in an alley would pick out his accent.

"That's why , we praise the power of the Alamaria known from shore to shore, and your valour is undoubted. Once again I congratulate you on your victory."

And your defeat.

"We pray you to stay your enthusiastic hands by considering this hallowed task the gods have placed upon our nations-" What's this nonsense? "And consider our kind gestures towards peace. To maintain peace between our two great nations, a balance to the world! My lords, a task most noble."

You can't hide your defeat behind words.

Ikan made sure his sigh was heard, yet the emissary spoke on. "My lords, I ask you victorious ones to consider the humble terms of our gentle Queen-"

Story for the brainless.

Impatiently, he looked over the emissaries. They were the usual of the Thigian stock. The speaker at the centre of the chamber was sallow. The other at his right reminded him of the colour of the of mud sloughed over by several feet. The other seemed nearly as fair as a new Alamarian.
They were all in long and narrow hats with pointy tops that Thigian nobles wore attimes, black and billowing. They were all tall too, except the one speaking. What was his name again? Zaros or was it Zoros? What did it matter? He was too loud for a smallish man. See how he stretched himself to his full height as he spoke, a pity it wasn't much.

"To finish my message, let me borrow one of your proverbs. 'Let the eagle perch and let the hawk perch."

The one that refuses to allow the other to perch let its wings fail. Quote it in full and it sounds like a threat? What are you hinting at?

He had paused, looking around for some hint of approval. On getting none, he continued. If he thought he would impress them with that, he was wrong. "Let the great Alamaria hold the northern shores, let the humble Thigia hold the south as the gods have given us." His bow was most servile.

"You have given much to think of, mouth of Thigia. You speak most eloquently. Your words are well oiled like a hot and delicious soup." Ikan barely trying to stifle his yawn.

Zaros or Zoros smiled sheepishly at him. "As you wish, your Excellency."

Fool, give up. Ikan smiled back but abruptly took up a bland disposition. "You may leave us now. Let's think of what you have said to us. As our people say 'Gently, gently is the way to lick a hot soup."

Another bow, and the trio matched out of the chamber.

He eased himself back into his seat. He exhaled. The real work was about to begin.

Already Asila was waving his Assembly tab.

Here we go again.

"Yes, Asila. Go on and speak."