Two days later.

Mare paced the space between two trees. The three of them were still hidden by the trees and brush. "You two don't seem nervous."

Cal and Shade exchanged looks. "You tell her I don't feel like being shocked right now." After the last two days of being shocked for being too vocal and the times when Mare's ability surpassed his own expectations, he was not going to say anything that would give him another little jolt, although Shade was sure to find it entertaining.

"If you didn't argue about every little thing I wouldn't have to shock you."

Shade fell on his back and laughed, "Watching you two is almost as entertain as watching are brothers fight over who is better at fighting."

"Oh be quite or I'll shock you to."

A blink and he was standing next to her then several feet away... finally back again. "You could try. Personally I think it might be fun to see which of us is faster."

"Shade." Cal looked over the ridge and pointed. "Did the General say who he was bringing?"

"No." He turned and let out a low whistle. "That looks like every person from the Choke and the surrounding area."

"Yeah. I thought about that too."

"You sure you want to do this?"

Slowly Cal stood up his eyes never leaving the ridge and the hundreds of military unites it was now holding. "Worst case scenario you teleport us back across the border."

Shade nodded, "I'll go inform the General of the meeting spot. It should take him a few minutes to gathers those he thinks should attend."

Quickly Cal grabbed his arm. "Be careful. I trust General Marcus but I don't know who is down there with him. Nor what they know."

Amusement lit Shade's eyes, "Do you really think I came here and didn't have a backup plan? Hell you think Mare is bad and bossy, I should let you meet Clare. You would never complain about being shocked again."

Mare placed her hand on her hip and asked, "Who's Clare?"

"Not now, Mare. Maybe I'll introduce you maybe I won't either way know this I made a promise to her and nothing that happens here will make me brake it." Then he was gone.

"How many secrets is your brother keeping?"

"That is a question I'll make him answer once I get him alone with pa. He may be able to keep things from me but you can bet he won't keep them from him. Or at least won't after I tell pa that he's keeping a secret involving a girl."

A quickly made tend was put up near the base of the nearest mountain, the troops were close enough to assemble but far enough away where if things went wrong they wouldn't be any help to any one... or at least not in the moment where it might make a difference.

When Shade brought them to the meeting place, they were not in the tent that had spent the last half hour being built. They were in an old stone building... factory by the look of it. Six silvers making sure they had enough room to fight yet still looking like they wanted to be here. One of the ladies hissed, "You son of a ..."

"Tsk, tsk. Such a mouth on such a lovely princess."

"Oh shut up Tiraxes, no one was asking you."

The man placed his hand over his heart, "Tiraxes is my country not my name madam. Perhaps you would like to guess it before you run out of air."

"Enough." Another young man growled

"Shade, We gathered as requested. Perhaps we should get this ... Summit... over before blood is shed."

Shade nodded to the young man, "Kyle, thank you for helping in this little venture." then he turned slightly to Cal, "Since I'm sure you don't know the names of anyone here I'll make it brief. Crown princess Cersei of Ciron. Crown Prince Davos of Tiraxes, Crown Princess Blair of Prairie, Crow prince Collin of Piedmont, The one with the mouth is Crown Princess Coralline of the Lakelands, And prince Kyle of Montfort." each gave a small nod at their names, " Please be seated."

Cal didn't move... neither did anyone else. Mare took a deep breath. "Shade what is this?"

He let out several curses before saying, "If they would sit down everyone in this room has the ability to end this damn hundred war, and perhaps do something good with all their damn power and abilities."

Taking one look around the room and seeing the twitch of sparks in Mare's hand Cal very calmly went over to the long table and took a seat. No matter what anyone else did it would not be said that he didn't try to end this war. Besides, if he did somehow managed to pull this off he was going to make sure the wording in the treaty was contingent for his rule as king and his heirs, and no others.

A young princess in a tight bodice and leggings that looked like a second skin took a seat across from Cal, "Will anyone else be joining us at the table?"

"Who said I want to end this war. The Choke is undefended I could order my troops all the way to the capital and there would be none to stop them."

Slowly Kyle took a seat next to Cal at the long table. "Who do you think is going to win this?"

Not taking his eyes off of the two girls who where squaring off, and still keeping track of where everyone else was as well, Cal answered, "What's Coralline's ability?"

"Earth I think. Nothing as glamorous as lightning."

"Oh I think Mare has this. She's already mad about being here and not at our other meeting." It was then the ground shook but only for a heart beat... then lighting arced around the room. Bolts of electricity landed at the feet of several of the other royals. Too quickly the slivers that had been standing were trying to take cover under the table that had been supplied. Even quicker was the Lowlander Princess was on the ground using the earth to cover her. "Mare, I think that's enough."

Mare shrugged, "If you insist."

"Yes, well I'm sure we can find time later for you to electrocute someone."

Adopting the tone that she had heard her first day training in the summer palace, Mare said, "Oh, fine. I'll play nice."

Kyle leaned over, "She's getting better." A puzzled look from Cal was enough to add, "I saw the ... um... arena. Don't worry no one else here did."

Shit. "If you saw..."

"After everyone can leave I'll answer that. But you should know Montfort is an ally in more ways than one."

Cal nodded, "Shade, would you mind telling the general that I will be late. It seems this meeting is taking precedence for the moment."

"Of course, I trust Mare will be enough motivation to keep everything peaceful."

"Either everyone is going to remain civil or she will be having a bit more fun."

Shade paused and looked at his sister, "I'll be back shortly."

"Oh, go. This meeting will be over by time you get back."

He turned back to Cal. "Maybe I was wrong, she is worse than Clara." Then he was gone. Only Kyle was laughing.

"Mind sharing the joke." Blair hissed.

"Oh I'm sure he meant that as a compliant, but you would have to know Clare to understand."

Once everyone was seated Mare took her place standing behind Cal. Besides not having an empty chair she was a Red... so her opinion was not needed. Then again who in this room knew that she wasn't a silver? After all, she had just scared the lot of them... so that didn't mean that she wouldn't speak. Not when everyone who wasn't Cal was watching her. "Shouldn't you be discussing something?"

The princess that sat across from Cal nodded, "As I am from Prairie this war doesn't as yet involve my country. However there is one thing I would like to discuss." She waited until Mare nodded her head. "There should be some rules for this summit. Mainly that No Silver shall cause harm to those that are here."

This time Cal nodded, "I agree. I wouldn't want another war to start over something that can be avoided today."

Everyone agreed then Princess Coralline stood up and hissed, "She didn't agree."

Kyle leaned back, "Of course she didn't. She isn't a royal and has the task of keeping the peace. How do you expect her to do so if she has to be polite?"

"Fine, She the exception." Davos squared his shoulders and begun to speak, "As I see it, Lakeland and Piedmont are allies in this war as are Norta, Montfort and Ciron. Both Praire and Tiraxes have remained neutral for most of the Hundred years."

"Yes we have." Blair agreed. "Therefore we are here to be witnesses and arbitrators for the treaty. Nothing more."

Davos locked eyes with Cal, "Tiberius, do you agree?"

Do I have a choice? "I agree."

She was peacekeeper but she had an idea, "I have a suggestion."

"Of course you do, why I would ever think a peacekeeper would be able to stand there and not speak."

Mare rolled her eyes at Davos, "The war was started over the Lakelanders wanting a way to use the harbors that don't freeze in the winter and a steady trade route. Am I correct or there something else that wasn't put into the history books?"

Coralline sat back in her chair at the far end of the table. "It was that and The King changed his mind about sending his daughter to marry our future king."

Cal looked stunned by this. He had never heard that. Ever. As far as he knew The King married the strongest female in the country. He never heard of any king having a daughter. Which had been odd when he was taught the family history but he had never questioned it? "What proof do you have of that?'

"Would the marriage contract suffice? I'm sure your messenger could go retrieve it." She snapped back.

"No that won't be necessary. But after I would like to review it for my own curiosity."

Mare waited till the two who had been on opposite sides were once again looking somewhat relaxed. "Should I continue?"

Kyle smiled, "By all means. After all it seems that we all need a history lesson today."

"And Norta wanted farmlands." Cal nodded, "I propose this since the route to the harbor is massive and both countries want use of it."

"Mare, The Harbor belongs to Norta."

She patted his shoulder, "Of course it does. And it will continue to do so. However, A trade may help."

"What kind of trade?"

"Norta will rent a reasonable amount of land for farming use. It should be run by Reds I think. In return Lakelands will have use of the harbor to transport anything that is not military. Both lands will be owned by the prospective country and be open for delegates to come to make sure no trouble is started nor that weapons are being stored or moved."

Cal sat there for a long minute. If this was a military meeting he would be able to see where to move troops. What tactics would work best or have the best chance... but coming here to talk treaties, he had been lost. Mare hadn't been. "I would be willing to agree to that and add that Piedmont be also allowed to have use of the harbor."

"If that is the case, Montfort would like use of the farm land as well or set up a trade route for things that are grown there."

"I think my father would agree to trading some of our fishing lands for a bit of farm land. As long as the land itself remains a part of our country, and is equal to the farming rites."

Prince Collin and Princess Coralline exchanged looks, "It is reasonable. I will pull troops out..."

"No."

"What. Are you mad? You get what you want ..." Collin gapped.

"We have to make sure the high born families in Norta take notice of this historic day. So I would like your help to do so."

Cal looked over his shoulder at her, "Mare, what are you doing?"

"Making sure once we are home, we don't have any more problems."

R&R always welcome