Page 26 of Earth Girls are Easy… To Dominate
My husband needed respite more than I had. It wasn’t a difficult decision to put my new acquisition to work to allow him a break.
Speaking of breaks, it was time to return to the private conference room. My trunk swung nervously, tapping against my chest as I made my way through the halls. We had been in peace talks with the people of Atania for two weeks.
Weeks.
Their demands of our botanical exports were becoming hostile, and, as a planet of peace, this was not going well.
Our prime export was from the Burstag Toe trees. These unique trees grew in Xa’Karth, and their nuts were delicious in recipes and used for medicine.
We were keen to harvest and export the delicacy, but their demanded quantity would diminish our ability to export to other planets.
Atanians were a bird-like species from one of Umaldi’s moons and were known to be violent and manipulative.
I advised Treasurer Bazi that trading with them would prove difficult and could cause problems for our people, but he only thought about money.
Beside me sat my closest friend and fellow Keronian, Olivis. “This was not how we planned this going.”
“I know, Olivis, I know.” A soft sigh left my lips. “Perhaps we should suggest a longer recess?”
His head bobbed, tossing his trunk about. “We all need time to reevaluate.”
“Excuse me.” I stood up from my place at the large conference table. “May I suggest a recess until the crone?”
The leader of the Atanian trade scowled and clacked his beak at me.
My quelled nature trembled in fear. This entire race rattled my nerves. Drawing a deep, slow breath in, I raised my voice, praying it wouldn’t tremble as I spoke.
“I am not suggesting. I am informing all parties that we are taking a well-needed recess for one crone.” To punctuate my words, I steadily rotated my head, making eye contact with everyone around the table.
Treasurer Bazi stood, nodding. “Master Fosti is correct. I believe we need time to renegotiate terms.”
“This is deplorable.” Gaiwk stood up, slamming his hands on the table, shaking it.
Holding my hands up, the cleric in the room chanted a prayer his people used to harness and enhance peace. I watched confusion fill the eyes of the Atanian’s and soon they nodded.
Gaiwk shook his head. “How your kind can calm a room with some lyrical crap, I’ll never know. We will reconvene in one week.”
“Thank you for understanding and giving us time to find a workable solution for us all.” I bowed my head.
He snapped his beak again as his people filed out of the room before following them. Once the room was clear of the tension, we all dropped to our seats, and a growl emanated from my chest.
“Fosti, do not let him get to you.” Bazi patted my shoulder. “You did very well in negotiation and were more accommodating that I’d have been.”
“That is because you crave the revenue.” I leveled my eyes with his. “Somehow, you have allowed greed into your spirit and have forgotten the peace that sustains us on Xa’Karth.”
“How dare you speak to me that way?” Anger filled his aura, and the others rapidly moved back.
Olivis jumped between us. “Please, Treasurer Bazi, see reason. Fosti has worked hard for you.”
We watched as he turned and paced the room. “Hmm.”
My nerves were completely shot, and my patience worn thin.
“Fosti.” He cleared his throat. “Fosti, I have a thought. As we have a week before we attempt negotiations I feel that you need a holiday. Would you like that?”
“Of course.”
“Very well.” He turned to leave the room with his robes flowing behind him. “I shall request the premium suite here for you to enjoy with Levee.”
