“It seems I owe you an apology,” Enais of Ariedel said.

Ray cocked his head, raising an eyebrow. “How so, Lady Enais?” he inquired politely.

Enais had welcomed the young drone with perfect courtesy and seemingly genuine enthusiasm. At least as far as Regina could tell. She hadn’t wasted too much time with pleasantries, though, and Ray wasn’t going to dawdle before talking about what he was planning to, either. They had waited long enough for Anuis, who was currently stationed in Ariedel as well, to arrive, though. Right now, the three of them were sitting in the Eltarianal’s house - which was really a manor that put the baron’s to shame - watching the city through large windows from a cozy sitting room.

Ray had just finished telling them what had happened with the gnomes, and now he, along with Regina, was watching their reactions carefully.

“I was aware of the gnomes’ attitude concerning Hivekind, at least in a general sense,” Enais answered. “I never expected them to react quite like this, however. Perhaps I should have.” She paused for a moment, then shrugged slightly. “I was not aware your Hive’s connections to the gnomes were developing this quickly, or that you had sent such an expedition into their Confederation. Still, I should have at least given you a warning.”

Regina considered that for a moment, but while she appreciated Enais’ apology, she didn’t think she could really blame the old elf.

Ray sensed her direction of thought, and shook his head at Enais. “We appreciate that, but this is certainly not your responsibility. It’s not like we didn’t have any indication of how the gnomes thought about Hivekind before.” He grimaced slightly. “We just didn’t know that they already knew we actually were Hivekind - assuming they really did - or that it was just that big of an issue.”

“I still don’t quite understand it, to be frank,” Anuis Eltarianal put in. She was wearing an official uniform, though its green and brown tones would probably allow it to blend into the forest easily. The holster for a sword at her side was empty. “They killed a diplomatic envoy — every civilized nation that hears of this is going to condemn such an act. And for what? And why then, and not when your delegation first arrived?”

Ray shrugged and nodded. He agreed with her, but he didn’t have a good answer, just like Regina. “Perhaps they really weren’t sure we were Hivekind, but watching us confirmed it,” he said. “Or perhaps it has something to do with their internal political factions. They’re definitely fractured.”

“Also, I think we should give serious thought to how and why they appear to have deliberately incited a war,” Enais commented.

Regina noted that Enais didn’t seem to have much doubt that the gnomes had, in fact, incited a war. Something for which you obviously need two sides. But I guess she understands our reaction.

“They did mention having a common enemy,” Ray said slowly, following information and impressions Regina sent. “We thought that referred to the past, when the other races united against the Hivekind to drive them to extinction, but it might certainly apply to the present, as well.”

Anuis winced slightly, and even her mother looked briefly uncomfortable at the reference to the past genocide. But the moment passed quickly. “Using external conflict to alleviate or suppress internal strife or division is an old tactic,” she said calmly. “I would bet that is at least a major factor in their thinking, if I were given to such things.”

“And they would presumably not see you as much of a threat,” Anuis added. “In their view, you only have a few villages, at best. Oh, I know that you have, or will have, much more strength than they expect, but that is most likely not apparent to the gnomes.” She frowned thoughtfully. “Unless they do have detailed records about the Hivekind, ones that stress your potential for growth, in which case they might have been thinking in terms of nipping the problem in the bud. I would be more inclined towards the first explanation, however.”

She probably had a point, and Regina’s thoughts went along the same lines. She also thought the first explanation was probably more likely, at least for most of the gnomish leadership involved, but she had to admit that she wasn’t exactly feeling charitable where the gnomes or their presumptive intelligence were concerned.

“My Queen agrees that is likely,” Ray said, echoing her thoughts.

Enais raised an eyebrow and exchanged a look with Anuis. “Not to devalue your own efforts, Sir Ray, but it might be better - or more efficient, at least - if we were able to speak to Hive Queen Regina directly,” she suggested delicately.

Regina paused for a moment. She hadn’t taken personal control of a drone and spoken directly through them in a while. She’d never really needed to. On the other hand, Anuis at least had to know she could do that already, considering the second time they met, when she and her squad had helped them escape from the village, and she must have told Enais everything. And it was clearly worth doing to cut down on the communication loop, if nothing else. Besides, she had to admit that having to speak through intermediaries was getting more than a bit frustrating.

She sent a questioning thought to Ray, who immediately acquiesced. “You’re right, Special Minister,” he told them. “One moment, please.”

Then Regina took control. It was a smooth transition. She’d already been watching through his eyes and hearing through his ears, so there was really only the one step of steering his movements as well. Regina took a moment to settle, then made Ray straighten up and lift his head, laying his hands on the table. The shift in his posture was mostly to emphasize the change, not because she needed it, of course. She didn’t have to give visual cues, but it was probably a good thing, at least in cases like this.

“Hello again, Special Minister, Commander Anuis,” she greeted them with Ray’s voice. “It is good to speak to you again. Although, of course, I have been following this conversation from the beginning.” She smiled slightly.

The elves both looked curious. Anuis actually leaned forward a bit, and even Enais showed a carefully controlled increase in attention. “Likewise, Hive Queen,” she responded after a moment.

“Was there anything you needed to discuss directly?”

Enais shook her head. “Not as such, although we are speaking of some rather sensitive matters. I simply thought this would be more effective, if you were going to watch this conversation anyway.”

Regina nodded. “A good point. Since I am here, though, in a manner of speaking, I’ll get right to a more important and sensitive question. Are the elves going to support us in this coming war against the gnomes?”

Anuis sighed slightly. “Much as I could wish, I’m afraid it’s not that simple, Lady Regina.” She shook her head. “Their murder of an envoy is appalling, but I’m afraid waging war against the gnomes is just too … alarming a prospect for Ariedel. Not to put too fine a point on it, but we only have a single city while they possess a lot more, and we do not stand to gain much from the gnomes’ territory.”

“You are valued allies,” Enais put in. She wore a polite smile, but from the intensity in her gaze, Regina knew she wasn’t just offering diplomatic platitudes. “But I am afraid my daughter is right. Few people are going to expect that you have any chance against the Confederation, which means they will believe that the burden of a war would rest mostly on our shoulders.” She tapped her fingers on the armrest of her chair and shook her head. “We have offered you protection and still stand by our word, but the treaty does not, and cannot, cover a situation like this. We guaranteed your safety against humans threatening the peace, against Cernlia. I’m afraid it’s not going to be held up if you tried to insist on applying it to fighting the Confederation.”

Regina sighed. She had expected that. After all, she’d read the terms of the peace treaty, and it definitely hadn’t included a blanket guarantee of protection against all enemies. For that matter, she wouldn’t have wanted to become an actual protectorate of the elves like that.

“I understand,” she said. “Still, if you will not actively join the war on our side, may we still count on your support in other ways?”

Enais nodded, looking thoughtful. “I obviously cannot make any promises, but yes, I believe you can count on that. It will take a bit of political wrangling, but it shouldn’t be too difficult.” She shook her head again. “Actually, this has some bearing on another point I intended to bring to your attention. We do have an ambassador from the Gnomish Confederation permanently in residence in Ariedel, and he has recently requested an opportunity to speak to our Assembly.”

Regina leaned forward slightly, or had Ray do that, anyway. “You think he intends to lay out their version of what’s going on?”

“Almost certainly,” Enais agreed. “I imagine they intend to get the first word in, so to speak, but they presumably did not count on your ability to communicate over large distances so quickly. In this case, that might well turn out to be a problem for them.” She smiled thinly. “You can leave this in our hands, Lady Regina. I already have some ideas on how best to cut him off at the knees. It shouldn’t be too difficult to make sure everyone understands what really happened, especially their unprovoked attack on your envoy. That is, after all, the truth. Assuming we can have Ray present to speak for the Hive? That would be helpful.”

“Of course,” Regina agreed. She felt a bit of trepidation from Ray, but also acceptance and determination.

“I wonder how they’re going to justify this,” Anuis muttered. Then she paused and cocked her head. “Do you think they will reveal you as Hivekind and base their arguments on that point?”

“We will have to expect them to make that public, I think,” Enais said, “but I wouldn’t count on it to be the cornerstone of their arguments. At least not if they’re smart about it. Using your race as a reason to attack you might actually hurt them. We don’t have the same kind of ideological opposition to the very concept that the gnomes do.”

Regina nodded. That was definitely good to know, and she felt assured that Enais would be able to handle the political aspect of the situation among the elves. She really was lucky she had her as an ally.

“That does bring us back to their motivations and another point I think we need to seriously consider, given its potential implications,” Enais continued after a short pause.

“By all means, I’m all ears,” Regina said.

“They need to put their reasoning, their version of events, forward — to control the narrative,” Enais explained with an intent frown. “Outside the Confederation, but especially inside, to their own people, as well. And this is true for much more than just their recent attack on Bea and your other drones, Regina. I’d be very surprised if not at least someone had realized - or suspected, at any rate - that you are indeed Hivekind after your first or second meetings with gnomes. Now, the issue for them is that you were clearly willing and even eager to trade, that you expanded peacefully, only fought the humans in self-defense and actually came to terms with them, and that you even became friendly with us elves.” She extended her hands, palms up, in a gesture of conclusion or ambivalence. “Now, how do you think that fits with their traditional understanding and opinion of Hivekind?”

Regina sat back in Ray’s seat, eyes narrowing in understanding. “Because that would make it obvious we are not the bloodthirsty monsters of their histories and ideology,” she said, exhaling hard. “And if their Office of Inquisition, or State Security, or whatever, is so obviously lying about that, what else might they be lying about?”

“Precisely.” Enais nodded sharply.

There was a moment of silence in the room as everyone clearly considered that reason for the gnomes’ actions.

“So, you’re saying that they forced a conflict because your Hive’s existence is a threat to their ideology or at least their credibility in some sense,” Anuis said. “And you were already starting to make trade deals and increase contact beween your drones and their population. Not to mention that the merchant and business class is the cornerstone of the Confederation’s political arrangement and their political parties.”

Regina nodded, as did Enais. “I wouldn’t discount that at least some of them do genuinely see you as a threat on your own merits,” the old elf pointed out. “It is not as if they are completely wrong about the Hivekind.”

Enais gave Regina, or rather Ray, an apologetic look, who only snorted softly and shook her, or rather his, head.

“This is all well and good, but the question is, can we use this?” she asked. “Because, I’ve got to admit, I’m not really feeling like letting them off, and to hell with it if that means confirming their suppositions.”

Enais looked slightly hesitant all of a sudden. She exchanged a look with Anuis, then shrugged softly. “Well, at least it underscores the need to make sure the truth gets out there. Otherwise, it depends on your own intentions.” She sounded a bit tentative. “At least, if you don’t want to wipe the Confederacy out completely, there may be a way to settle things without their present political leadership being in power.”

Regina frowned. She understood what Enais was saying, but she didn’t really think she could, or should, wage a propaganda war or try complicated political maneuvers, and if she won the looming war like she hoped, she doubted many gnomes would be feeling very friendly towards her, in any case, so they would still be a threat.

“To be perfectly honest, I’m not sure,” she responded. “Yet, at least. I’m disinclined to leave anything at my back that could shove a dagger into it. And don’t mistake me.” She fixed them with a steady gaze. “I will make the gnomes pay, and I will teach them, and hopefully anyone else who might feel so inclined, that I am not to be crossed.” She eased back a bit and shrugged. “That said, I don’t feel any pressing need to completely eradicate them.”

She could see the tension in both Enais’ and Anuis’ postures. None of them really seemed surprised, but it was still evident.

“I understand,” Enais finally said, sounding deliberately calm and steady. “Just something to bear in mind.”

“It certainly is,” Regina assured her, nodding.

“I suppose we’ll just have to see how things work out.”