Ocean's Breath Plateau Living hard cause dying's too easy

the ease with which tybault entered negotiations marked him of the same noble blood which senmut had seen in his sister. he listened with genuine interest, nodding at the man's description of what was offered.

the glimpses of ocean between the wending trees took his gaze now, his breath, and for a time senmut did not speak. he was thinking of nazli, and how very much would never have politics come between them in such a matter. in this, and because of her, he did not consider himself for this marriage.

he considered racharra. "a young noblewoman of akashingo seeks a marriage. she wishes to expand our influence and that of her own line out into the flatlands. it would be important work, but your departure from hearthwood would be subject to the decisions of the nebet."

and with no children upon the near horizon for the greatwater aspirations, senmut would need more of an assurance from hearthwood. "your excursions would have the full support of royalty in two palaces. in return, until she is settled, akashingo will give succor and healing to your wolves in return for tribute. three deer, delivered once every two months."

after this, terms could be negotiated. this way, if tybault lost interest, racharra's wealth would only have grown, and if he remained, the exchanges between hearthwood and akashingo would deepen with the promise of noble children and the gifts to be given to reverie's throne, should this should come to pass.

"of course," senmut added with a light look, "your agreement is only the first step."