219 A Route to the Stars (1/2)
In the end, negotiations between Arcavia and the southern kingdom had taken several days. While Corco had been able to put pressure on Devaerter early on and thus gained control over the talks, a contract between nations was never a simple matter. The exact details of the agreement had been worked out between Corco's advisors and those of the Arcavian kingdoms in long, drawn-out sessions over the course of several nights.
In the meantime, Corco and Pahuac had gone on prolonged hunting trips he had surprisingly enjoyed more than he had thought. Maybe it was because he hadn't had any time to relax in months now, but he really sank into the beauties of nature, while Pahuac and his dogs chased after the panicked wildlife. Despite his lack of involvement, the final result of the contract had been to the king's satisfaction.
Three times a season, the two sides would set up a sort of temporary market at the mouth of the southern pass. There, Arcavian merchants could come buy Saniya's goods for reasonable prices, at least compared to the prices they could demand back home. However, they would not be allowed to enter any deeper into Corco's kingdom, under the threat of death. Thus, any Arcavian killed inside Corco's lands from now on would have no recourse, as the actions were sanctioned by the two sides. If they still sent spies and got caught, the two eastern kingdoms had no reason to complain.
At the same time, Corco would tolerate Borna and Cahlia's occupation of Port Ulta and abstain from military action against them for the moment. While he would not acknowledge their legitimacy – something he would never be able to justify in front of his people – they were safe from Corco's army so long as they stayed within the confines of the one estate they had gained power over.
In return, the Arcavians had agreed to cease attacks on the southern kingdom's ships all throughout the Weltalic Sea. Not only would this allow his ships to sail north to Porcero and the bronze coast on their usual trade routes without interruptions, it would also allow Atau to finally start his journey; at least once the ships had been upgraded.
In the meantime, there were still many more issues to be handled, so the king didn't linger in the hill fort any longer. As soon as the ink had dried on the contract, he began his return trip to Saniya. Though on his way back, he picked up an old acquaintance who had waited for him in Cashan.
”Watachaychay greets King Corcopaca.” Even though Corco hadn't seen the young apprentice priest in a year, he recognized him nonetheless. Although the boy had grown, he still had the same bald head, and still the same youthful appearance with the same insecure posture.
”Wait, aren't you the kid from Mount Urquna? The one who gave me his koto when I was there on my way home to the capital? Don't tell me you're here to represent the priests.” Even though he liked the kid, Corco was incredulous. When he had sent a runner to the priests and asked them for someone to negotiate with, he hadn't expected some minor apprentice to be sent. It appeared as if the grand readers inside the mountains didn't put much thought in his offer even before they had heard it.
”Master and Lord Pachayawna thought it wise to send someone King was already acquainted with. While this- this mortal is no-one special by hims-self, he is still the apprentice of the grand r-reader.”
Despite his best efforts, it seemed like the kid still hadn't fought off his stutter. However, there was no reason for the king to look down on him.
”Yeah, you are huh?” Corco responded. Even though the kid had left a somewhat incompetent, if friendly, impression during their last meeting, his status was still enough to speak for the grand reader of Mount Urquna. There was no reason to play elitist and deny him the conversation now. ”In that case, how about we travel back together? I don't really want to stay in Cashan for too long, still got lots of work left to do back home. Some of that work concerns you, by the way.”
”This young mortal would be honored.”
After he had accepted the invitation, the young priest followed the king onto the ship that would transport them down the Tunki river and back into Saniya. Once aboard, the two entered the king's cabin and took a seat, as the landscape slowly drifted past them in the window to the outside.
”It's been a while, hasn't it?” Corco restarted the conversation. Now that they were alone, they could talk without all the etiquette needed in public, something he much preferred.
”Yes, more than a year since our first meeting, King Corcopaca,” Watachay replied, visibly uncomfortable with all the luxurious silk and satin around him. To ease the atmosphere, the king tried some small talk first.
”It's fine if you just call me Corco. You still playing the koto?”
”Indeed I am. In fact, I play every day.” The young priest smiled, already much calmer and rid of his stutter. ”Although I am afraid to say that I have not improved much over the past year, despite my best efforts.”
”Wait, didn't you say that you were only playing to help you focus during meditation? Why does it sound like playing became the main focus all of a sudden?”
The young priest stared at Corco with a confused look on his face, before his features began to lock up in fear. Maybe he understood only now why he had been sent out into the world by his master: He was being disciplined for wasting his time on music instead of focusing on his spiritual duties. Rather than shatter the young man's world any more than it already had been, Corco decided to distract him. In the process, he could even get to the purpose of Watachay's visit, so it was a win all around.
”You know I called for Urquna's assistance for a reason, right?”
”Of course, King Corco, but even Master cannot fathom King Corco's goals. Besides spiritual guidance and support during rituals, what help could the mountain readers possibly lend the southern kingdom? The local priests of the southern kingdom should be more than enough to handle these everyday issues by themselves.”
The mountain readers were the collective group of priests who had set up their temples within the Sallqata Mountain range. All of their temples were placed right next to sites of pilgrimage, and all of them were specialized in predicting the future, which meant that all of them were professional stargazers.