"Kindly, I’d pass on that offer, Your Majesty. I’m satisfied with the concept of potentially new introductions to our lands that would better them, especially when it’s in your hands and those of the Archons," Archon Kaeryt leaned back into her chair as she said it, while Ralori kept silent.
Aithara massaged the bridge of her nose, not with a sigh but with a smile.
"Thank you, Archons, for your contributions. Archon Auytus, I will ensure that the next time, if there is a next time, that Lord Astrael speaks to me, the questions you have kept with me will be given to him, and I’ll return the answers to you." Her gaze shifted, fixing on Archon Tasero next. Lord Astrael is loving and benevolent, and so should we, as his followers, emulate him; if foreigners step foot, and they will step foot, in our land, we will welcome them, no matter how it reflects on us." She silently recounted his other questions with a momentary pause: "Human nature can be cruel, yes, inherently evil even, so much so that they found ways to bypass the restrictions of the shelter and endure the soul suppression that came with it," the sound of her heels clicking sharply on the polished floor stopped behind Tasero, "but that’s why we have a military, that’s why we have you, and I trust that you’ll do the right thing" her hand presed reassuring on his shoulder as she continued her pacing.
"Archon Miyero," the sound of her heels stopped behind Miyero’s seat. "I’ve thought about all your questions, but to be honest ... I don’t have all the answers. But! That won’t stop me from giving you all the answers I do have. The new expanded land is a gift from Lord Astrael; it’s not about ’can people settle there’; it’s how quickly it can be urbanised enough for people to settle there, and how quickly the expansion can be put into motion. You’re the one in charge of the economy; you should be able to put these things in motion. The ruins and resources out there will remain a mystery if we don’t fan out the settlement. As for currency, let’s continue with what we have and in due time we’ll adjust if necessary."
"And with that, I believe this council meeting is now closed!"
...
Over the next few weeks, the council and their workers began the development plan; surveyors and cartographers fanned out, mapping the entire land. It took more than a week to return, but they made it back, and more so with information; the land beyond was a sprawling expanse like a textile thread waiting to be spun; it could become anything; all it needed was the right direction and the right direction they gave it.
One thing they found was a lake. Yes, I know, it’s just a lake; what’s the need to tell you? Well, this one was different; the lake was clear, not sea-blue crystal clear, but drinking-water-grade clear, with massive dandelion-like plants growing on the lake’s floor; it was unknown and yet to be studied by them. I, on the other hand, already knew what it could do, but that’s a secret for another day.
With the survey done, and even yielding unexpected results, the expansion slowly gained way, with roads being stretched out of the kingdom in all directions, forming intricate pathways and, more importantly, the layout for soon-to-be settlements and districts.
The Archons had already fallen into a rhythm; Raeyra and her workers had begun the extension of existing agricultural belts and the creation of new ones. While Kaeryt and the blacksmith’s guild focused on the formation of new mining and processing settlements near the newly discovered ore veins. Miyero was already setting new systems in place: land taxation, grants, leases, and even rights to claim, adjusting the economy silently, but certainly.
During this time, individuals of foreign identities came into the lands, not the merchants they heard of, or the dignitaries they imagined, just humble scouts, the kind that asked questions like ’when would this be complete,’ then offered farewell greetings and were never seen again.
Eventually, the new residences were built, and suddenly, what seemed like a problem in a meeting weeks ago, had turned into a new reality as one-by-one, people, sometimes alone, sometimes with their families, moved into their new homes further away from the heart of Vasyti, maybe it was for a more quiet life away from the hustle and bustle, or maybe, it was a simply decision pulled out of a hat.
...
The sounds of hurried steps echoed within the palace hallways, as the throne room’s doors swung open.
"Y-your Maj-Majesty," the out-of-breath servant wheezed, folded over with his hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath.
Aithara waited.
After a moment, the servant straightened his spine, then he spoke.
"Your Majesties," his eyes lingered on the occupied throne beside Aithara as he offered his greeting, "there are visitors, foreigners. They looked like you- I mean, not like you; some tall and pale as unrefined glacite, others dark and heavyset. They looked dignified." Aithara’s eyes sharpened as she processed the news "And", the servant continued, "at the time the information reached me, they had just crossed the borders and were traversing the central road straight to the royal district"
"And how long ago did you get this information, and would you be able to give an estimate of their current location now?" The questions were simple: how much time did she have to prepare before they arrived, and how much time did they have to set things in place for their guests?
"News travels fast in Vasyti, Your Majesty; they were barely past the 4th ring when a messenger was sent, so by now they likely would be just past the 3rd ring into the 2nd, or at the 2nd, depending on their pace. I also need to mention this doesn’t apply to all of them; they are coming from different parts of the border, and—"
"That’s fine, what matters is that there’s time; have the cooks prepare the traditional five-course meal, ensure they use one of the newer recipes the chef’s curated, have them do that wide triangular pastry, that one with all those tiny layers inside that I like," the servant stood confused, "Those ones with Ivara cream inside, I know you know what I’m talking about, I usually call them stuffed Veyra cakes"
"Do you mean Royal Sunfolds? Your Majesty"
"That, right, thank you, I’m sure our guests would share the love all Vastyri have for ’Royal Sunfolds’ " she cleared her throat as she schooled her expression back to the neutrality of a queen who definitely wasn’t talking about her favourite food a couple of seconds ago"The domestic staff should have the pond gazebo in the royal district’s west wing primed for visitors, and tell the butler and housekeeper that our guests should be ushered to the guest chambers if arrangements are not complete upon or before their arrival"
With a sigh and a dismissive wave of her hand, she sent the servant on their way.
"One last thing!" The servant froze, their hand already halfway to the door handle. "Also, inform the cooks to prepare honeyed Nymra, alongside whatever closing drinks and dishes they may deem fit. You may now leave"
"My queen, who are these people he spoke of?" The voice came from the throne beside Aithara’s
"You would know who they were, assuming you were at the last council meeting"
"Don’t be like that, Aithara; you know I had matters to attend to"
"While seated upon this throne, and while this crown rests on my head, you shall address me as Her Majesty the Queen, not Aithara" The correction was harsh, but yet somehow it didn’t carry the bite of someone who felt affronted
"Apologies, Your Majesty the Queen, not Aithara" The voice snickered in response. "But jokes aside, who are they?"
"Alerith... please." Her sigh was a telltale sign of her exasperation with the man beside her. "Those people, though, are most likely diplomats or royals from bordering territories"
"Royals? Bordering Territories? Since when do we have neighbours"
"Since Vasyti’s expansion...which you would know if you actually attended council meetings in the first place"
"Yeah yeah, I’ll attend the next one... maybe"
"You—"
"Ok! I understand they are ’neighbours’, but why are they here? They couldn’t possibly come all this way to ask to borrow salt"
"Very funny, I assume they’re here to discuss the interconnection"
"Wh—"
Aithara’s pointed finger flew to Alerith’s face, causing him to flinch, her hand stopping just short of his lips,
"Not. another. question. from you. Am I clear?"
"Yes, Aithara"
"Good," her finger lowered as she said. "Now", she got up as she added, "Escort me to our chambers; we need to get ready for our guests... More importantly, I need to ensure you don’t show up looking a mess in front of our guests"