bQuinda/b - A big city that I live in is Buffalo. If you need to though, it's the same time that New York City is on, and that's a relatively big city. Tristan is funny. I think I'm going to enjoy writing this meeting. And I know a few people who will agree with your assumption that Dutch people rule, since they're Dutch too. This chapter will probably be short too, sadly, but tonight I'm in one of my planning moods so after I get out of class (which is where I'm writing this at the moment) so everything should get better once I brainstorm a bit.
bTalin/b - I'm glad you like the story so much. Ashe is alright…but I do like Achmed much much better. And no, the F'dor isn't the same one from the first book. It's a completely different one.
baria-star/b - I love support. I'm glad you like it, to be honest if I didn't get reviews, I probably wouldn't continue writing this.
bJo/b - Don't worry, I love critics. I know some people here don't like them, but in my opinion without critics my writing would never get better. And I'm always under the opinion that there's always room for improvement. As for the typos, I'll fix those when I have time. With school, it's work to get updates up once per week. I doubt I'll have time to fix them until my first break. Upon rereading the wording of the conversation, I can't help but agree with you. In a way, it was kind of meant to be awkward, but I still think there's room for improvement. And Prudence is a typo. I was at school when I wrote that chapter, so I didn't have my books on me at the moment. And upon you mentioning that, it made me whack my forehead with my hand. It's another one of those blank moments where I can't believe that I forgot that. Especially since I've always liked her. And I'm always out for encouragement and critique when it comes to being true to the book, it's always difficult sometimes. So please continue to critique. Some people might think I'm weird, but I really do like it.
bCCLybi/b - She doesn't really look like Rhapsody…at least if she does it wasn't really intentional. But it's not the looks that matter, it's personality. And believe me; her personality is different from Rhapsody's.
And now on to the story.
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"Yes…err…business," Tristan replied. He glanced over at Achmed, and again hardened his resolve. Isis caught the glance, and immediately turned to Achmed.
"My Lord, please, do not allow such matters that could be handled by your loyal advisor interrupt your busy schedule. I seem to recall you mentioning that you had to check on some of the army's latest techniques for drilling. Much more efficient than the drills used outside of our borders." Isis gave Achmed a look that he read easily. Tristan's resolve hardened at the sight of Achmed. While Tristan didn't seem to
"Of course, thank you for reminding me. I'm sure you will get along well with the Lady Isis, Tristan." Achmed nodded his head briefly to Isis, who rose and curtsied to him as he left. Achmed walked down the hall, and a good two minutes later he ran into Grunthor.
"The meetin's alrea'y over, ser?" asked Grunthor.
"No, actually it just began. You know, I think I'm going to have to have a talk with Isis. She has kicked me out of two rooms in my own kingdom in the matter of a few hours." Achmed glared at Grunthor as he started to laugh.
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"Now that he's gone," purred Isis, "we can get down to business." She slowly walked over to the chair across from Tristan, who immediately rose, took out her hand, and led her the rest of the way toward the chair. It took all of Isis's self control not to grimace or roll her eyes as he did this. When she sat down, Tristan bowed and kissed her hand.
"Yes, m'lady, but before we begin, I really must know, what are you doing here in this…Ylorc?" he asked. Isis almost threw up, but managed to instead smile shyly at his display.
"I came to m'lord Achmed for protection," she replied smoothly. "He discovered an unknown talent of mine when it came to finances and trade agreements, so in return for his protection, I happily act for his representative."
"Ah. You could come with me back to Roland, if you'd like. I would protect you," Tristan offered.
"I'm sorry, my lord, I must turn aside your generous offer. Perhaps next time we need to discuss something I can visit you in your home. Now, I have here a treaty that is slightly changed from the last treaty. You say that you don't want to import Bolg furniture anymore, and King Achmed agrees not to sell it to you. I'm sure you're quite eager to be getting home, so all you need to do is sign here, and you'll be set," Isis said as she pulled out a sheet of parchment.
"Oh, can't business wait? I'd rather talk about our visit," Tristan said, clearly eyeing her up. Isis swallowed to contain her revulsion.
"There will be time for such matters later m'lord," Isis replied. There. That hinted that something could come out of it, but there was no promises. In reality, Isis would rather bed a pig instead of this moron, but unfortunately she couldn't tell him that.
"Oh, if you insist. We should get these matters of state out of the way before we deal with our matters of pleasure," he replied with a suggestive gleam in his eye.
iOh, lovely./i The disgusted thought ran through Isis's head, but she managed to, once again, keep her distaste under control. "On to these matters of state, I'm sure you're a very busy man, and that there are just piles of paperwork on your desk that need to be attended to," Isis replied politely.
"Perhaps you will be more understanding, but I must ask that Roland imposes a tariff on the goods coming from Ylorc," Tristan replied. "It is truly in our best interest."
"I don't believe that you need a tariff, as Ylorc does not seek to tariff the many beautiful goods that come from Roland's bountiful lands," Isis replied.
"Oh, but I think it's necessary. How else are we to make money?" Tristan asked.
"Why, m'lord, do your peasants not supply you adequately?" asked Isis innocently.
"Of course they do, they are hard working folk," Tristan said, confused.
"Then does Roland need a loan of money from Ylorc?" asked Isis, using the same tone of innocence.
"No, of course not. Roland is rich," Tristan assured her. Isis looked at him with a confused look on her face.
"Then I don't understand why you would need to request a tariff, m'lord. Roland doesn't seem to need the extra income."
Tristan now for the first time showed a trace of irritation. "But that is the way things work, m'lady. Countries impose tariffs on other countries to gain some money and an upper hand in manufacturing materials."
iAchmed, you owe me for this,/i Isis thought to herself. She leaned forward a bit, exposing a bit more of her cleavage. As predicted, Tristan's eyes were drawn to the display like a magnet to metal.
"M'lord," she replied, "I think that this talk is frivolous. I think that it is obviously of the better good to sacrifice the bit of gold you would get in the face of a better relationship with a country as powerful as Ylorc. Now, should, the one god forbid, anything happen to Roland, you will know that Ylorc will have to back you up, in return for the immense amounts of gratitude that you have shown her since she was formed. I think a friendship with Ylorc would be an excellent asset for a kingdom such as yours to have."
"You do have a point, m'lady. Are you sure that your tongue is guided by those of this world? I have never met one with your match in wit," Tristan replied smoothly. Isis couldn't help smiling, though for a different reason then what Tristan would believe. Despite the fact that the two of them were in the middle of a diplomatic conversation, he would not, under any circumstances, stop flirting with her.
"Many have told me that before, m'lord, but I must admit, with much sorrow, that I can not tarry much longer with idle chat. Perhaps you can sign the paper, and when you finish the work that you have to do back in Roland, you can send me a letter arranging another meeting to work out other matters of state," she replied. By emphasizing a few key words in that statement, she managed to make it sound like she could possibly be hinting at something. Again, it bore no promise.
"Yes, that is true. You are a kind and considerate woman as well. It is nearly impossible to find a woman of such character and beauty," he replied as he signed the document that he had originally rejected. Isis signed under him, and slid him another copy. He signed that as well, as did she.
"Now, I must bid you farewell, m'lord. Until we meet again." Isis curtsied and with her prize in hand she turned and left. Tristan took his copy as well and exited the other door. Isis walked down the corridor and over towards her room before she was intercepted by Achmed.
"Did you get it?" he asked.
"You owe me. I had to flirt with the pig," Isis replied, now letting her pent up disgust show. "The thing kissed my hand. I'm going to have to scrub it for a week straight to get that feeling out of it."
Achmed felt a flash of anger when he heard that, though he didn't really know why. He dismissed it and instead took the paper that Isis offered him.
"I wonder how long it's going to take him to realize that he'd been duped?" he asked.
"I don't care," muttered Isis. "I'm going to change into real clothes now. And Achmed?" she asked sweetly before leaving.
"Yes?" he replied, still reading the paper.
"Don't barge into my room while I'm changing again." Achmed's laughter followed Isis down the hall and into her room.
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A week later, Tristan was going over his agreements when he found the paper that the angel had signed. For what seemed like the first time, he read the paper…no, it wasn't the first time. He'd read this before. Read it, and rejected it. With a cry of fury he threw a paperweight that was on his desk at the wall. Achmed had done it again.
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I'm sorry for another short one, but I've had a busy week. The next one will be longer, I promise.