Shakra was not prepared for this! Not even in her worst case scenarios had she anticipated having one of the most fervent Rebels burst in & derail negotiations. Thankfully, if there's one thing working in Intelligence prepared you for it was thinking quickly.

"Ms Sweet Bee, before we begin, kindly humor an old woman. What makes a respectable soldier & successful merchant drop everything & run away from home to become a Rebel?"

If the question caught the Andreenid leader off guard, she didn't show it. "Because I never believed that The Horde was going to stop at defeating the Runestone Kingdoms. And i will be damned if i allow the Princesses to claim all the credit for winning the greatest war in modern history"

Clever girl. But perhaps an opening had been revealed?

"But they've already claimed credit my dear. Why else would they rename the Great Rebellion into The Princess Alliance?"

The Rebel's already thick muscles tensed but she still sounded calm as she replied "We never agreed to that"

"Be that as it may, they're the ones who seem to be making all the decisions. For all the talk at the Rebellion's founding of the Crownless & the Princesses working together. From an outsider's perspective, it seems that they're the ones giving orders while the Rebels do all the work"

"You know, I could swear we came in here so you could convince me of the merits of the Federation signing a treaty with the Horde." Sweet Bee's honey sweet voice had a bit of venom in it "Not so you could dismiss me as a servant to the Princesses."

"Oh i would never suggest such a thing. I would however suggest that in your zeal to serve your home & the cause of the Crownless, you failed to take the long view."

"Is that a fact? Well please do enlighten me" The venom had receded a bit but could still be heard.

"As you wish" Shakra had to play this next part carefully. "As you may be aware, after an eternity of anarchy, The Crimson Waste has something resembling an actual government. A government which is working to deal with what may be the most pressing issue facing the desolate isle, its lack of drinking water. To their credit, they've realized the task may be beyond their capabilities & have reached out for assistance. And they're getting answers. Both Salineas & Snows are at this very moment working on a solution which they will gladly make available to the Crimson Waste...in exchange for them surrendering their sovereignty & joining the Kingdom who aids them. That is what i mean by the long game. A young Crownless nation, barely finding its footing on the world stage, being coerced into giving up its freedom so its people don't die of thirst. All so some Runestone Kingdom can increase its own wealth & power by claiming sole ownership of the First Ones tech that flows from those desserts, tech that could benefit the entire world."

She paused to take a breath...and gauge the Sweet Bee's reaction. Slowly, as the seconds ticked by, the Rebel leaders face contorted in anger. Now Shakra decided to play what she hoped would be her trump card.

"And the Princesses plotting does not stop there. When it seemed as though the Horde was going to collapse. They gathered among themselves to decide what they wanted to do about the Fright Zone. At this meeting Salineas declared its intention to demand from whatever leadership emerged, reparations in the form of a number of southern ports. It is their intention to use these ports to extend their trading into the western seas. This would have a highly damaging effect on the economies of those nations. After all, how is some Blackmoor merchant supposed to compete with Salineas' vast fleet. And yet, not one objection was raised by any of their fellow Runestone Kingdoms. They seem perfectly content to allow Salineas ruin the established trade on the western coast solely our of their arrogant belief that they actually own the ocean."

Sweet Bee's face was actually starting to turn red.

"All this i should mention, is in direct contrast to your own Senators, who's ideas of reparations is the Horde use its own expertise in the fields of tech & excavating to lift Phlax's own capabilities in this are & turn over one of our surplus Minor Runestones so you can advance in the field of magic. Ideas that improve the Federation without actually harming anyone else. Suggestions i had agreed to before your, forgive me, rather dramatic entrance"

The Abdreenid leader's face was a mixture of anger, shock & confusion. Shakra adopted a calming tone before she came to the climax.

"You're proud to be a Crownless, that much is clear. You want what's best for your people. I can respect that. Admire it even, I want the same thing for the Horde. And the conclusion Lord Adora & I agree on is that what's best for the Fright Zone is peace. And we're starting with the Crownless because when you get right down to it, We have more in common with each other than not. We're all just regular people trying to survive in a world that has so often been shaped for the worse by people who thought themselves superior based on magical powers handed to them without having to earn it. We have to look out for each other because even after you have spent decades fighting to defend their lands as they sit in their castles, they still can't be trusted to look out for you. We don't expect you to trust us right now, trust has to be earned after all, but are we really any less trustworthy than the Princesses who conspire against you even as we sit here?"

They sat in silence for several moments as Shakra waited for Sweet Bee to make up her mind. Shakra knew she was gambling a lot on the Rebels reported resentment about how the Princesses had historically treated their Crownless neighbors. Yet her gut told her it was their best bet. Sweet Bee didn't strike Shakra as the type of person to be bought with a few favors. But a way to improve her own nation while simultaneously striking back against her nations historic oppressors & ensuring they could never exploit them again? That Shakra was betting would win her over, if only grudgingly.

Before the Hiveling could respond, there was a knock on the door & Cory slowly poked his head inside the room, "Excuse me ladies, but the Senators are ready to deliver their decision."

"Shall I go?" Shakra asked. "Or am i going home."

Sweet Bee thought for another moment before finally replying "Go on, I trust them to do the right thing."

Shakra got up, nodded her head respectfully. "My thanks madam" she went to leave before stopping & saying over her shoulder "If i may be so bold. you might consider a trip to Seaworthy some time soon. We have a mutual friend who'd be very happy to see you"

And with that she went to receive the verdict.

The next day.

Shakra, Josephine & Scalia stood outside the inn they'd stayed at for the night while she awaited Lord Adora's pickup. The Dragon had contacted them via trackerpad a few moments ago letting them know she was approaching their location. Shakra was feeling quite pleased with herself as she looked into her pocket to make sure the freshly signed treaty with the Federation hadn't fallen on the ground. Seeing it secure, She allowed herself to relax, listening to the hustle & bustle of Phlax citizens going about their day,

"Here she comes" Josephine exclaimed pointing at the fast approaching skiff. As the vehicle approached, Shakra was surprised to see what must have been the target of her Lords expedition north. The stone was half less than half the size of the Black Garnet -which still made it quite large but she could see a person carrying it- & was a beautiful mix of orange & red shaped in the form of a campfire.

A dragons flame A voice in her head said. She wasn't sure where it'd come from.

They exchange greetings as the Dragon helped them aboard before starting the autopilot. They sat in silence until they'd cleared the city limits at which point her Lord removed her helmet. The younger women looked exhausted both physically & emotionally, but also happy? Her Lord wore a look of utter joy as she knelt in front of the fire shaped gem. Finally she spoke.

"So Shakra, any good news?' She handed her Lord the signed treaty which prompted the younger woman to pull her into a tight hug.

"I know you could do it!" The Dragon cried "Between the two of us, the Horde has been made so much stronger during this trip"

"Well my Lord i'm very glad you found your....What is this exactly?"

Lord Adora released her from the hug "The only thing on this entire planet like me"

She turned back and knelt beside the gem again "My sister"

"Sister my Lord" She can't have meant that surely.

The Dragon leaned forward pressing her forehead against the glimmering jewel "My sister in sin"

Shakra had no idea how to respond to that.