CHAPTER 399: CHAPTER 399 - FORMING THE THREE QAT-ATEERS... HELPERS, FRIENDS, DISCIPLES?

Qatrand er Yecine listened to the offer, but had some concerns. Namely that this didn’t immediately fit into what her wife had been setting into motion, which relied a lot on the Silversky Group she was technically a part of.

"You’re suggesting a business partnership. I think I can take that into consideration going forward. But I can’t agree to anything right away."

However, it was not that she didn’t find it an attractive offer or even something that Elua might pull her away from going through with. She actually thought pushing toward it would be better... and that the brunette cultivator would as well.

’I’ve tried to study well, but mercantile acumen is just... not in my heart. I wish she were here to deal with it. But the fact that she is not, feels like she is telling me the same thing that her avatar did. To trust in myself.’

"Much more than that. I’m suggesting we position ourselves as your primary trade allies from the beginning. Schedule caravans and add a direct line traveling south from the eastern plains - or at least to the nearest hub."

"You’re thinking very far ahead."

Nysoi’s sharpness returned, tempered with the fire of money being moved, spent, and progress being made towards generating more. The very sort of assertive qualities being shown that made Qat sure El would like her - *other than* the Clairvoyance. Just like she was sure she’d get along with the healer... other than the Empathic part.

’Though she has not spoken at length to Navuill since then, really. I should make them sit down together when she returns.’

"A good merchant uses foresight regardless of their actual Astralism. The more I’m here the more sure I am that I want this. My father gets his valuable political connection, you get resources and logistics support, and I... get to perhaps..."

"Work with people you actually respect rather than whoever he arranges for you to marry next."

Leysah finished for the girl, pretty much getting it right - enough for the reddish-blonde to nod. Respect was there for Qatrand... and while she ’respected’ the curved blade wielder, she also had ulterior motives on that front. Namely, to find the way to get over the crush by being rejected softly enough that she could remain friends.

’Which means becoming friends first!’

"And those of us who know about... the situation... we become something like a trusted inner circle?"

Zonnel trembled where she stood. The same way she had when she was picked for the strikeforce over two of the other potential healers. It felt like she’d never been chosen so much in her life!

Qatrand thought about her phrasing with a tilt of her head. Rapidly, under the view of those watching, her hair made that change from blonde to black. Unlike her declarations before... this was back to being duty and outward facing in mentality, which prompted the shift.

"A small group of people who understand the full picture and can help manage information, provide support, and protect what needs protecting. It’s not a terrible idea."

The swordswoman also understood that all the things she described was more or less exactly what her wife had been doing all this time, in her own way. She didn’t like her momentary thought... of how this was replacing the ’purpose’ of the Goltbred heiress. Or that she was looking for substitutes while she was away.

’El means more to me than how useful she can be. Plus, she knows the merit of good people aimed in the right direction.’

"How do we explain this-"

"Trade opportunities trump personal feelings in our family’s business."

Having had a few short looks ahead, Nysoi already knew the gist of her coming question. She normally wouldn’t have interrupted, but she was too excited. Almost as much as the healer who looked like she wanted to tell anyone and everyone but knew she could say nothing.

"Besides, after tonight’s rejection, I think I can convince him that my interests lie in different directions entirely. A partnership with the rising hero of your region serves our family’s long-term goals regardless of romantic considerations."

"...This could work."

Leysah admitted grudgingly. Having allies who knew the truth could be valuable, especially if the political attacks against her Commander’s family intensified. And the Valmenf shipping connections could indeed prove crucial for developing the competition grounds within the next cycle.

"There would need to be strict agreements and clear boundaries about what can and cannot be discussed. For instance, I appreciate you using that ’slip’ to inform Zonnel about what we were talking past. However..."

"Oh, of course. Actually, I do apologize for that."

A deep bow came from the merchant’s daughter toward the Yecine. Perhaps the deepest she’d ever given to anyone outside of her family.

"I hastened the flow of conversation on my own initiative. I’ll try not to do that among our group in the future. But more importantly, I called you something you were uncomfortable with... Young Master Qatrand."

"Thank you. I’d love to say it was no big deal, but hearing someone call me Lady Qatrand for the first time sounded so... wrong."

"Excuse me..."

Pigeon blues shifted onto the Empath, whose spirit had grown confused again.

"Not that I don’t believe what any of you have been saying, but why is it that you don’t... seem like a woman? Is it some sort of Yecine spiritual technique?"

While she had been willing to tell Leysah the truth when on her way to deal with the disappearance of Elua, the pair before her now was a different matter. It was possible, she thought, that the Clairvoyant knew. If - in a possible future - she had admitted what her family had done to her.

But she did not find that likely.

Her goal had never been to paint her family in any especially ill light. It seemed more likely to the teenager that if she was forced to explain it, she would claim to have had the masking tool placed of her own accord rather than call attention to the elders behind the deception.

Yet, she was just as sure she would never *immediately* choose to do anything of that sort, either. Because it gave those who made the choice - like her father - and coerced her into choosing it through indoctrination... a path out of blame that Qatrand did not want them to have.

"Something like that. We’ll call that another boundary. And I’m not just picking the topic you asked about because of your reputation."

"My reputation?"

"For... sharing interesting news."

The healer flushed but nodded firmly when Leysah broke in to clarify. She knew her own bad points as much as anyone.

"I understand the stakes, Commander. This goes far beyond gossip. This is about protecting someone I’ve come to respect and serve under. I won’t let anything you tell me out in either public or private. If I had a sword I’d make a vow like you did!"

Slipping something from the decorative belt at her waist, Nysoi flipped it softly into the air before catching the blade point... while paling from the results of a few looks into the short term. She slowly moved her hand out while holding one of her two thin daggers, hilt first, toward the healer. Trying not to shake or look into the face of the curved blade wielder.

"H-here. Feel free to keep it to remember this meeting. I really don’t need it back."

She especially didn’t need it deflected back into her own torso just for lobbing it in the other young woman’s direction without saying anything! The healer looked a little unsure of whether it was okay to take it or not - the teenager looked quite pained to part with it... but she took it anyway with a grateful nod before repeating her promises with it held out on her palm.

"Lady Nysoi, moving forward I’d like you to draft your proposal for a trade partnership between the Valmenf family and the future development of the competition grounds. Make it comprehensive enough to justify the level of collaboration you seek. But keep in mind I’ll be having others read through it before signing anything."

"Of course."

"Uhm. Can I ask one more thing?"

Waving the blade in her hand to get attention, Zonnel looked sheepish when the others watched it’s movement rather than look at her face.

"Ah... just, I was curious if the Goltbreds know about this? I mean, I’m sure they must, but-"

"No. Elua is the only one. She has never been deceived by me. However, I intend to tell my in-laws the next time I see them. I can’t justify letting any of you in the loop and not them."

"O-oh. I see. Actually, I have so many more questions now but I feel like we would be here for hours more if I don’t just... stop being myself. Please order me to be quiet?"

"Be quiet."

Leysah immediately tried to solve the *problem*, but instead received what almost sounded like a ’raspberry’ out of the healer woman. Such childish behavior from someone only a couple years younger than her made the curved blade wielder’s eye twitch. And that made a reddish-blonde grin and hide her smile.

"My secret only exists in public still to protect my family and my goals within it. However, I am very serious about both of those things. I don’t usually make threats... but if you betray my trust, you’ll discover why Voidlings flee from my presence."

All three women nodded solemnly, understanding the weight of what they’d just committed to. Though only Qat knew that she didn’t mean *she* would do anything to them. It was rather the person coming back someday soon that might hold intense grudges if they mucked up anything.

’I should do my best to make it work even if they do. Their nightmares would be on my conscience.’

"We should return to the celebration. I’d prefer to do anything other than be the center of attention, but it’s part of what gathered everyone together."

"So humble."

As they all started into motion, the Valmenf praised the Yecine. Only for a short chuckle to draw her attention toward Leysah once more. She had a feeling that it would be hard to pay attention to anything else for long until leaving in the morning.

"You’re not wrong, she is humble. But give it time. You’ll see that she just calls it as she feels and sees it. That includes confidence in her own capabilities, without overestimating them. Even when it sounds like she is."

Nysoi was honestly looking forward to seeing that... alongside these three other powerful women.