The Martial Unity

The Sage Council of the Martial Union didn't mess around too much. While emperors and rulers of nations would often take weeks, months, and in some extreme cases, even years to plan out such an important meeting, they didn't care for all that.

The invitation was a handwritten letter.

[Respected Matriarch of the Silas Clan, Matriarch Nephi,

On behalf of the Sage Council, we, the Flickering Elder, the Mountain of Fortitude, and the Hugging Hegemon would like to invite you to a summit to discuss the prospects of any potential cooperation between the the Martial Union and the Silas Clan. We hope to formally welcome you to the Kandrian Empire and explore each other's interests and objectives to potentially come together in a powerful, mutually beneficial agreement and understanding between us for the betterment of both parties.

We would like to nominate Prince Rui Quarrier Silas Kandria as a neutral mediator who truly wishes the best for both parties and understands what each party needs and desires.

We hope that you will accept our invitation, and we look forward to speaking with you.]

Three signatures from each Martial Sage were at the bottom of the invitation card, along with other details such as the venue and the time period.

"Hmph, I didn't expect the Martial Union to be so suffocatingly formal," Matriarch Nephi snorted once she read through the letter.

"That's actually not all that formal," Rui replied. "A formal invitation would be much more tedious in its verbiage and sentence structure. That's semi-formal at best."

Matriarch Nephi stared at her grandson with deep skepticism.

Rui heaved an amused sigh. "Listen, grandma, don't be too casual with the Martial Sages of the Martial Union; this is a formal meeting, and not reciprocating the formality they show you could be interpreted as a sign of disrespect."

"Hmph, I know."

Of course, Rui wasn't all that worried. He had already highlighted Matriarch Nephi's severe lack of diplomatic experience on multiple occasions. Thus, he had no doubt that the Martial Sages of the Martial Union would not care.

What was some rudeness before the prospect of gaining a new Martial Sage and the power of prophecy?

He continued to prepare her until, eventually, the time for the meeting had arrived. She had dismissed the formal attire that Rui had offered, choosing to wear the leather fashioned from game and cloth fashioned from tree fiber.

"This is our tradition," she insisted.

Eventually, they set out for the Town of Vargard to the headquarters of the Martial Union. Naturally, Rui didn't take his bodyguards this time around. He didn't need them when he was traveling with his grandmother.

STEP

They descended before the Martial Union, where a delegation of Martial Masters had awaited their arrival.

"Welcome to the headquarters of the Kandrian Martial Union, Matriarch Nephi Silas," They bowed, clasping their palms over their fists. "Their Sagehoods await to welcome you themselves."

"Hm," She nodded perfunctorily. "Lead the way."

With each step they took, the world seemed to shift.

Rui had grown accustomed to this, but it was still unnerving. The impact that Martial Sages had on the world was almost impossible to articulate, yet it was one of the most real experiences a person could have.

Matriarch Nephi, on the other hand, was unperturbed even as she contributed to it as a Martial Sage herself.

STEP

They arrived before a large gate.

Rui composed himself as the pressure upon the mind had intensified.

There was no doubt about who awaited them on the other side.

CLACK

The gates opened, revealing three Martial Sages standing on the other side.

The Hugging Hegemon, the Flickering Elder, and the Mountain Fortitude.

"Welcome to the Kandrian Empire and the Martial Union, Matriarch Nephi Silas," the Flickering Elder began with grace in her child-like voice. "We are grateful and pleased that you have accepted our invitation. I am Maya Heln, a leader of the Martial Union and the Lightning Sect."

"I am Kalyn Dullahan, matriarch of the Dullahan Family and leader of the Fire Sect."

"I am Kreinwol Vintar, patriarch of the Vintar Family and leader of the Earth Sect. Together, the three of us are represent the will of the Sage Council of the Martial Union."

"I am Nephi Deborah Silas," Rui's grandmother spoke with a measured tone. "Matriarch of the Silas Clan. Thank you for inviting me."

Not the most elegant response, but it would do.

The Flickering Elder smiled at her good-naturedly. "We have heard much about you and kin from the many tales that have trickled across human civilization. We have also learned about you from your grandson, our ambassador and committee member, and hope to come to an understanding and a mutually-beneficial agreement."

"The Silas Clan, too, hopes to establish a relationship with the Martial Union," Matriarch Nephi replied.

"Then, let us begin without further ado.

The five of them settled around a large and extravagant table and chairs with the three Union Sages on one side and Matriarch Nephi on the other side. Rui sat at the side of the table to fulfill his role as mediator.

They glanced at him with a pointed look.

"As an individual with deep relations with and understanding of both parties," Rui began with a calm and confident tone. "I shall endeavor to establish the interest and objectives of both parties regarding a partnership with each other."

He gestured to his grandmother lightly. "On one side, we have the Silas Clan. They seek security from power-mongers who pursue the Silas Clan for the power of prophecy. Secondarily, they also seek a supply of longevity potions that can ameliorate the price of the forbidden prophecy technique they employ. Tertiarily, they seek Martial Art resources that can help them elevate their prophetic Martial Art, mitigate its drawbacks, and grow stronger as Martial Artists. These are the three primary desires and objectives that the Silas Clan seeks from a partnership with the Martial Union."

He turned to his grandmother. "Is that an appropriate representation of your stance, grandmother?"

"It is." Matriarch Nephi affirmed firmly.

"Very well," Rui nodded. "On the other hand, the Martial Union seeks to be able to harness or employ the Martial power of the Silas Clan with appropriate remuneration as well as the prophetic power and prophetic services from the Silas Clan, also with appropriate remuneration, is that accurate?"

"Definitely," the Hugging Hegemon confirmed nonchalantly.