The day was here, and the tension in Tialla had mounted. General Castor was due to arrive today. He was arriving by airship, flying over the magical forest surrounding the world tree. Which was just as much a show of force and elven technology as it was a convenience thing.

Tialla and her two personal slaves had moved from their seclusion of the royal pyramid into one of the larger more populous ones. At this moment in a war room just below the top part of the pyramid. Tialla was in a fierce and commanding outfit. An ornate and regal set of shimmering silver light armor, with accents of purple. The armor was hiding the inner turmoil she was felling, but it was doing that effectively. The two Miqo following her were also dressed to the nines of their respective roles. Rosewood was in an enchanting but revealing outfit. What was basically a slightly more ornate biking with sheer see through fabric "covering" the rest of her body. In a way the light clothing accentuated how little she was wearing. Eranor was contrastingly mostly clothed, in a short, fluffy, and pink and white dress. Short enough that her matching pink diaper was easily seen. It even had a matching pacifier clip.

No one in the room was phased by the strangely dressed Miqo though. Today was just as much a show of force for the Naga as it was the Elves, and everyone was focused on making the right impression. Currently Tialla, Eranor, and Rosewood were all staring at a holographic display. Projected from a very complicated looking light rune embedded in the table.

"Is the cannon ready?" Tialla asked Aldyn who was on the other side of the table of light.

"We have coverage over all three pyramids," Aldyn answered. "But it is only the one cannon, and it is still untested."

"This is all still very impressive Aldyn," Rosewood marveled at the technological display.

"We're in a race against time," Aldyn said seriously. "And the elves are winning."

"Which is why I was so adamant that we capture some of their magic armor." Tialla said in thought. "How is the progress on that?"

"Progressing," Aldyn answered. "Though our prototype will not be ready in time for Castor."

"That's fine Aldyn," Tialla said calmly. "I wasn't expecting you to reverse engineer magic armor in two days. The progress you've made so far is astounding."

"It really is," Eranor said passing her hand through the holographic display.

"It's the future for sure," Tialla agreed. "One we're being forced to get to remarkably quick."

"And you seem to be getting there!" Eranor said excitedly.

"As fast as we can," Aldyn agreed.

"I want the cannon to stay locked on to Castor's air ship when he arrives. I'm still not convinced this isn't just an excuse for an invasion. If it is, we can at least make sure the general doesn't see land fall."

"That's an appealing thought," Eranor pouted.

"Aldyn, you will meet the envoy with me?" Tialla asked.

"Of course, my queen," Aldyn spoke while giving a small salute.

"We should be getting ready they're due to arrive any moment," Tialla said seriously. "You two ready?" She gestured to the two Miqo behind her.

"Ready," Eranor said determined.

"Same here," Rosewood echoed the determination. Tialla nodded clipping a lead to Rosewood collar and one to Eranor's chest harness.

"We should head to the dock," Tialla said walking that way with her entourage. The dock she was talking about was a recently constructed addition to the middle tier of the pyramid. A platform extending out of the pyramid with enough room for two airships and some support to allow them to dock without need fuel.

The group waited on the dock for a good while, scanning the direction of the forest for the approaching envoy. Finally, three airships emerged over the horizon. Eranor recognized the sleek shape of the military grade airships. Their balloon and cabin were wrapped inside one lightly armored shell.

As the group of three ships approached, the top of the pyramid they were on opened and inside a large cannon emerged, being lifted on a circular platform, and immediately turning and following the group of three airships as they approached. Not to be outdone the elves seemed to answer this innovation with one of their own. As they three larger airships approached sever small single person airships emerged from the inside of the larger airships. They group of five or six person airships made a brief flyby of the pyramid before circling back over to their larger carriers while they settled into position on the dock.

Several Naga workers, now finally over the awestruck feeling of single the single person airships, got to work securing the larger airships to the dock. Tialla did her best to contain her amazement and keep a straight posture. Taking in a deep breath Tialla prepared herself for meeting with the elf general.

Out of the three large airships several groups of human guards with their elven commanders. Humans were a genetic offshoot of elves, or perhaps it was more accurate to say the opposite. The Elves and humans both hailed from the land of Hyur. Off the coast of Hyur was an island, that was actually one of the four great crystals, the air aligned one specifically. These were great sources of magical energy essentially a very large version of the magical crystals used in rune making. The effect of living so close to one of the crystals for an extending time had turned normal humans, into the taller, pointy eared, and longer-lived elves. Being so close to a large exposed crystal was also how the elves were able to quickly study and master rune making, the secret to their advanced technologies like the single person airships they had just wowed the Naga with.

The effect of the change on their society was obvious here. Legions of normal human soldiers commanded by their elven captains. In their society, the elves were seen as the more evolved species compared to the humans, and the humans were treated as second class citizens, mostly used in the elves' armies as their foot soldiers or as basic laborers. They were typically physically stronger and more resilient that their elven masters, though they couldn't match the elves' affinity for magic, no other race could.

As the majority of the entourage emerged and stood ready and intimidating, Castor finally emerged. Castor himself was wearing light armor similar to Tialla's, though his was black and decorated with magical runes that seemed to make the armor shimmer. In his hand he was holding the leads to his own two personal salves who both obediently followed him out of his airship.

The two Miqo that followed him looked more like animals than the two behind Tialla. They were both "dressed" identically. The most striking thing about their outfit was that both their arms and legs were tightly bound up folded closed, in such a way that they "walked" on their elbows and knees. Thankfully the wrapping keeping their arms and legs bound like this also gave their joints significant padding, but this was the only kindness they were given and it was likely for practicality's sake. Their clothes were a series of tight thin metal wires. They went around their boobs, lightly squeezing them with sharp claws, and similarly around their privates. The metal was visibly, and uncomfortably holding all their holes open. A similar looking ring gag was tightly wrapped around their head, keeping their mouths forced open like the rest of them. The two were heavily drooling from the gags already.

Eranor and Rosewood both noted the two Miqo slaves, Tialla kept her eyes steady onto Castor, so she didn't pick up on the subtleties the two Miqo did. Mainly that one of the two Miqo slaves following the general was very obviously beaten into submission. She had a look of fear in her eyes and was constantly alert for commands. The other however, had eyes full of fury. She was still outwardly obeying all her rules and directions, but it was evident from her expression that she was looking for any opportunity to strike.

"Ah you must be the princess Tialla," Castor said with a smirk.

"Queen Tialla," Tialla said sternly. "I suggest you remember that."

"Oh my. I may have touched a nerve," Castor was still smiling.

"General Castor," Tialla spoke loudly. "Let me go ahead and dissuade you from what I know you are thinking. I may be a young ruler, but I will not be pushed around. If you will not show me the proper respect I am due in my own country, then these talks are over and we can start this war with me destroying these three airships and your guard!" At the threat both the elven entourage and the many Naga guards all drew their weapons and were ready to strike.

Rose and Eranor were struggling to maintain composure. One of the two Miqo slaves by Castor was panicking, and the other was subtly tugging at her leash eager for the conflict. Tialla didn't move and locked eyes with Castor for a few tense moments. Finally, the tension was cleared by a hearty laugh from Castor.

"I have mistaken you my queen," Castor said stopping his laugh. "You have the right of it. I had thought I might be able to push one as young as yourself around, but you have proven me wrong. Spoken with the conviction of leaders many years your senior. I admit I am impressed."

"You should be," Tialla said quickly.

"Well, I still would like to negotiate if you'll have me," Castor respectfully bowed.

"We may negotiate," Tialla nodded, and the soldiers in the room put their weapons away. "We have a room on this level of the pyramid. I hope you'll understand that I cannot allow you or your soldiers on any other levels or any other pyramids."

"It is your country my queen," Castor answered.

"Follow me," Aldyn said quickly. He left the room, with Tialla following behind, and her two slaves following her with practiced elegance. Castor followed them, his own slaves struggling to keep up.

It was a short walk to the meeting room Tialla had arranged. Not very far from the airship dock to keep the elves from exploring as little of the pyramids as possible. The room was spacious, and exceedingly well decorated. Tialla left the design of the room up to a trusted interior designer, to make the room as impressive a room as possible, and it was. It wouldn't make a large advantage in the coming verbal battle, but every advantage would help. Despite how well decorated the room was the table in the middle was small. A circular table with ornate legs and two ornate chairs. Notably the chairs each had two hard points on either arm.

"Ah even attachments for my new pets," Castor said happily, attaching the leads of his two Miqo slaves to the hard points.

"I was informed you would have two of your own," Tialla said attaching the leads of Rosewood and Eranor to her own hard points. "I wanted to be hospitable. I must say I wasn't quite prepared for the dress you have chosen for your slaves."

"I could say the same," Castor sat down and took a leisurely stance in his chair. Leaning onto one arm of the chair and resting his head on his hand.

"I see you've noticed Eranor there," Tialla said donning a more dignified sitting stance.

"Eranor?" Castor repeated the name. "You mean the princess of Pal Miqo?" Castor looked at Eranor, who took the moment to give a slow curtsey.

"The very one," Tialla confirmed. "Introduce yourself Eranor."

"I am princess Eranor of Pal Miqo," Eranor said in a cutesy voice. "Personal slave to my Nana queen Tialla of Vas Naga."

"I thought to dress her in a way that signifies our new relationship with Pal Miqo," Tialla explained. "They are a protectorate now. They answer to us and our whims, but at the same time we protect them and nurture them. Not unlike a child you see. So, keeping the royal offspring of Pal Miqo as a perpetual child seemed appropriate."

"A very inspired idea Nana," Eranor added.

"I'm glad you think so," Tialla smirked at Castor.

"Well," Castor said donning a frown for once. "It seems we do have quite a lot to discuss."

AUTHORS NOTE: Here's the next chapter everyone. Sorry for the wait here, I actually have a few other projects going on at the moment which is why I haven't been able to focus on this as much. Anyway here we finally get the arrival of general Castor and a taste of the peacocking bot he and Tialla are going to have to do. Hopefully you all are entertained by all the political posturing here. Stay tuned for the next chapter and as always I hope you all enjoy.