Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Trixie had spent the past few days oscillating between terror and exhilaration about her impending diplomatic journey to the underground kingdom of the spider-people. Terror because no matter how many times Krivax reassured her, she knew that there was always a possibility that she would not leave Northrend alive, and exhilaration because she was about to see things no gnome had ever seen before.

This was why she had chosen to join the Explorers League instead of becoming a Tinker like the rest of her family at least not as her main profession.

A part of her wished that they could have gone immediately after they finished negotiations with the tuskarr, but there were preparations that needed to be made first. However, today would be the day that she, Malzie, and Oscar would meet with the leaders of the spiderpeople and plead their case for a peaceful and diplomatic future between them and the Eastern Kingdoms.

Now she was just waiting in the middle of the tuskarr village for Krivaxs mage mentor to teleport in and open a portal that they could use to travel to the spider kingdom. She did wish that he would hurry up though; unlike the spiderpeople, her clothes didnt completely protect her from the cold.

Are you ready for this, lass? asked Malzie, looking just as nervous and excited as she felt.

As ready as Ill ever be, big man, Trixie said as confidently as she could. How about you? How are you feeling about all of this?

Not entirely sure how I should feel, Malzie admitted reluctantly. This aint really something people can prepare for, is it? Still, if we make it out of here then well probably end up the most famous members of the League next to the Bronzebeard brothers and Muninn Magellas themselves!

Trixie smiled at her friend's optimism. If she truly managed to become so famous, it would do a lot to help convince her family that she made the right decision in becoming an Explorer.

Who cares about fame? scoffed Oscar. The man was shivering and pulling on his fur coat, but that didnt seem to dampen his spirits at all. If we succeed in forming a relationship with these spiderpeople, we could all potentially become fabulously wealthy. What does fame matter in the face of that?

I dont see how that would apply to me, Trixie said dubiously. Im an Explorer, not a merchant.

Thats simply because you lack vision, said Oscar bluntly. If we make it back to the Eastern Kingdoms, then the three of us will be the ones who have the most experience dealing with these creatures. That fact alone will see any number of Merchant Guilds eager to solicit your aid at the least.

She thought about the merchants words and decided that while they had merit, it didnt matter much to her. She wanted to be an Explorer, not run off to work for a Merchant Guild.

Trixie turned her attention to the spiderperson wearing black and red robes who was quietly speaking to his friend in his harsh chittering language. Two smaller spider-like creatures with a thin membrane between their legs were currently sitting on his back. According to him, the creatures were the same species as him, except they werent sapient? Except when they were?

These two particular flyers were only about as intelligent as one of the hounds that humans seemed to like so much, but there were apparently some that were as intelligent as a person.

Trixie was doing her best not to think about it.

Krivax, how much longer until your mentor arrives? Trixie asked while speaking tuskarr.

He should be arriving any time now, answered Krivax in the same language, turning his attention to her. Im not certain why he has not arrived yet, but Vizier Hadix has always preferred to move at his own pace.

Trixie hummed in acknowledgment, even if she was not fully satisfied by the answer. She didnt appreciate being made to wait out in the cold, but Krivax was not the one who she should take her frustrations out on. He had been nothing but friendly and helpful these past few days and had done a lot to ease her worries.

Trixie was just about to ask more about what they could expect from the spider kingdom when a bright violet light suddenly began to shine a few feet away from them.

If she werent wearing her goggles, then she would probably have been forced to turn her gaze away from the dazzling light, but as it was, she was able to watch as arcane glyphs formed on the ground and Vizier Hadix appeared in the center of the light.

As Trixie strained her neck to look up at the spiderperson, she was once again befuddled by the variety of appearances of this race.

Standing at what she estimated to be ten to twelve feet tall, Vizier Hadix possessed four legs, four arms, and was wearing a set of extravagant teal robes and a headdress that would put even the wealthiest of mages to shame. He also seemed to exude a subtle air of danger that had the hairs on the back of her neck standing up.

Trixie wasnt sure if it was just because she knew that he was a powerful mage, but her instincts told her that Vizier Hadix was not someone she wanted to get on the bad side of.

The Vizier completely ignored everyone aside from Krivax and began speaking to him in their language. Trixie had no idea what they were saying, but she could tell that Krivax was acting much more respectfully while talking to the Vizier than he had ever acted with her or even the tuskarr Chieftain.

After a few moments, their conversation seemed to finish and the Vizier immediately began to cast a spell without any further comment.

Trixie watched in awe as a portal quickly opened up a few feet in front of the Vizier, revealing several armored spiderpeople waiting for them on the other side. She was no mage, but she was fairly certain that creating a portal was not a simple matter.

Its time, said Krivax. Vizier Hadix wont hold the portal open for long, so wed better get moving.

With that said, the two spiderpeople quickly made their way through the portal. After sharing a nervous glance with Malzie, she decided to follow after them.

The first thing Trixie noticed as she stepped through the portal was the relative warmth and complete lack of breeze. This was not particularly surprising given the fact that they were underground and there was a brazier in the corner of the room lit with a blue flame.

The second thing she noticed was the intense focus that the armored guards were directing toward her. Trixie had the distinct feeling that if she had not been explicitly invited that she would have already been skewered by their spears.

Repeat those details for those who are listening, ordered Underking Kukarak.

Trixie winced. This was probably going to take a while.

Trixie spent the next few hours answering all the questions asked of her in regard to the Eastern Kingdoms while doing her best to make the continent sound like one the spiderpeople would want to cooperate with. For the most part, the Spiderlord asked her about the Eastern Kingdoms politics, governments, and potential threats while the Queen asked her about its races, especially the elves and the trolls. Trixie answered what she could while Malzie and Oscar contributed by answering about subjects that they knew better.

Some of the muttered responses to their answersthe source of which she could never quite findwere very interesting.

It seems that these Eastern Kingdoms are politically stable enough and face only minor threats. Nothing that should drag us into anything unpleasant at first glance.

So the foolish elves didnt wipe themselves totally out after all. We will need to update their status from extinct to merely misplaced.

It is unfortunate that these new lands also have trolls. The Drakkari are an annoyance enough as it is. Its possible that their damned Loa knew about this the entire time.

These other races sound fascinating. So much to study

Once they were done with those topics, one of the Viziers stepped forward and asked them questions about magic. Unfortunately, she was able to answer very few of those questions, although the Viziers did seem interested when she told them about Dalaran. After they finished answering questions about magic, the Viziers switched to asking about the Eastern Kingdoms technology. Thankfully, Trixie was more than able to answer questions like that and a demonstration of her Shrink Ray on an offered skittererwhich she was assured wasnt sapientsent many of the Viziers into a short frenzy that the Underking had to calm down himself.

How in the world did such a small device reduce the mass and density of a living creature to such a degree without killing it? Does it function similarly to the Reduce spell?

Not only that, but this technology can be used by anyone. It's not unlike some of the low-level spellweaves.

This goes far beyond the device that we studied earlier.

Apparently, the small ones are the most technologically adept races on the continent. This opens up many possibilities.

This will no doubt lead to the Technological Research Division getting a raise in funding

The Vizier that Trixie recognized as Krivaxs mentor stepped forward to ask about the potential for trade and Oscar stepped forward to give his best presentation on the subject. The merchant spoke at length about the value of the spiderpeoples silk and ores, and the various goods that the Eastern Kingdom could offer them in turn; focusing on foodstuffs, technology, and magical knowledge and supplies.

To think these foreigners would be lacking in such basic resources. Pathetic.

While it's doubtful that these lesser beings have much to offer that we cant produce ourselves, their knowledge and novelties might have some interest, at the very least.

This Church of the Holy Light seems like an interesting research subject.

I very much doubt they have anything we could not replicate ourselves.

I wonder if they have any foods as delicious as shellfish

By the time they were done answering questions, Trixie could tell that the Underking was the only thing keeping the audience from breaking out into loud conversation.

Does anybody have any more questions for the outsiders? asked Underking Kukarak. The room was quiet for several more moments before the Spiderlord continued. Very well. The outsiders will be made to wait elsewhere while we discuss everything that we have heard.

Thank you for your time, Underking Kukarak, said Trixie as diplomatically as she could. I hope the future of our people's relationship is one of cooperation.

With that said, she and her companions turned to leave the room under the escort of the armored guards who had brought them there. Trixie had expected Krivax and Masruk to join them given they were the only ones who could communicate with them without magic. Apparently, they thought so as well since the two spiderpeople moved to follow them before Krivax was stopped by his mentor.

Trixie was barely able to hear what the Vizier said to Krivax as she passed by them.

Not you, said the Vizier. You need to be here for the rest of this meeting. Your Warrior friend will go with them.

Yes, Vizier, said Krivax. After saying a few words to his friend that Trixie could not make out, Masruk nodded and moved to follow their group.

As they left the room, Trixie couldnt find it in herself to wonder about the little by-play, because she had more important things to think about. Trixie was not entirely certain what caused it specifically, but halfway through the meeting, her instincts started to tell her that she had seriously underestimated the xenophobia of the spiderpeople.

Trixie had a very real feeling that there was a chance that they would not be allowed to leave safely.

Now, the only thing she could bring herself to focus on was praying to any god that was listening that the discussion that the spiderpeople were about to have would result in a decision that would allow her to see her family again.