Elon/Wolfwyrd Clan

Jordan was somewhat surprised by all the activity, for some reason he'd expected the new nation to seem sparse and small, but Erlantz was busier than Christallo castle at home.

Giving Bihotz a polite nod as she introduced herself, Jordan stood with his hands folded behind his back. He'd never seen anyone with blue hair, orc or otherwise, but he managed to do an excellent job of not starring. He could use a good wash and a meal after the long ride, but at the same time he was growing more and more eager to learn of these people and he was the sort of man who wasn't satisfied until he'd finished the job he'd been tasked with. All the same, he decided to accept the invitation to refresh himself. This would be the Wolfwyrd's first impression of Elon, afterall and he might as well take the opportunity to become more presentable. "If accommodations are ready, I would be grateful for a room to refresh myself in."

"Thank you," Jordan said nodding gratefully to her. He couldn't help but take a short moment as she turned to go to scrutinize the blue color of the orc's hair. He'd never heard of orcs naturally having such bizarre coloring in their hair, so he determined it must be altered in a some way. A curious custom, but he found it actually made for an interesting impression, especially with as long as Bihotz's hair was. Ducking into the room he'd been shown to, Jordan made use of the bath while it was still hot.

Once he was clean, shaven and dressed in a fresh outfit, Jordan tucked his letter of introduction from the queen into his doublet and strode out the yard to find Bihotz again. Dressed in a forest green doublet, over a brown shirt, with loose slashed sleeves and matching colored trousers rather than heavy fur coats, Jordan seemed taller and slimmer. His his face, while still showing the signs of his age looked less rugged after the shave. His prominent cheek bones accented his narrow features and brown eyes and his wavy hair was still damp, appearing nearly black in the day light.

He gave Bihotz a nod of greeting as he approached, "If she is willing, I would like to see the matriarch now," he told her, "I appreciate her hospitality and patients."

Jordan bowed to Otsana from the waist, before taking the chair indicated. "The pleasure is mine, Matriarch Otsana. We have heard much of the Wolfwryd people in the south. On behalf of King Azlyn and Queen Chello I bring deepest regards. The courage and faith of your clan has been an inspiration to all the north and they wish to extend the friendship Elon to you, Chieftess Lukene gra Otsan and all your people."

Jordan took the letter written and sealed by the queen from his pocket an passed it to Otsana. Inside it held an official greeting and a confirmation that Chancellor Jordan Delaney had been sent to represent Elon and her interests. "Queen Chello met your cheiftess briefly a few seasons ago and is curious if the Wolfwyrd are still interested in establishing a trading rout between our nations." Jordan explained, once Otsana had had the chance to read over the letter.

"Queen Chello has been working on drawing up arraignments for a northern trade alliance, which will hopefully involve multiple nations, including the Wolfwryd Clan," Jordan explained, "But such things take time to implement. In the meantime, Elon would like to establish a regular over land rout west of the Ryn River and Urag mountains, as you propose. We can build a trading house and have half the funds for the cost of establishing the rout ready by the end of the next season."

"Yes, though it is no great matter."

Jordan still was trying to get a peg on Otsana and her people. So far they all seemed polite, accommodating, but to the point with little pomp, dallying about or showing off. It made them hard to read. Over the years, Jordan had learned that what people bragged about or showed off usually told a lot about them. Fanfare and seemingly useless customs were opportunities to gain insights to the heart of a culture. Except for the strong show of female leadership, Bihotz strange hair, the strict attention and careful placement of the guards and the fact that these people used a lot of pillows in their interior decorating, there hadn't been a lot to get a read of of so far. They were clearly a nation of warriors, a young nation that had yet to fall in to habits of comfort and security that strong walls and secure cities often led to. That much was clear from the guards at the door and Otsana's own war-battered appearance. But it was hard for Jordan to imagine any orc nation that wasn't woven by a culture of battles and the spirit of the Warrior. He couldn't tell if they had the warrior's arrogance pride to go with their warrior's spirit and discipline and there political views were still just rumor and speculation. It was pretty common knowledge that the clan was close to the Aedak faith and that they'd quickly won over the favor of the Veakirate, but their ideas on the Empire were much more vaporous. Jordan decided to dabble at the matter, do a slight bit of bragging himself and see what sort of reaction if any he got in return.

"Elon recently built a grand palace, in anticipation of the Grand Surveak Emperor making a royal court for himself here in the north. We have completely depleted our supply of stone and have no native resources ourselves. Until this autumn we had been trading for stone with Hessnya, but the recant turmoil there has forced us to seek suppliers elsewhere."

If Jordan had said these things to a Firetooth Elder or diplomat, he knew he would likely have seen faint levels of contempt and a dash of unease as well. The Firetooth's pride chaffed at every mention of the Empire and the reminded of the powerful overlord which had forced their nation to bow the knee and accept the collar of subjugation. The idea of the Emperor making court in the north was a sour one to them. Also, though they didn't ever say it to anyone's face many of the Firetooth orcs viewed nations like Hessnya and Elon with slight contempt for the ways in which they sought the favor and attention of the south. If the Wolfwyrd had similar political leanings as their neighbors, Jordan could expect to seem some similar expressions appear in the lines of Otsana's and Bihotz's faces. However, his careful attention to their reactions and his inner considerations didn't show at all on his own face. His voice was pleasant and calm, seemingly only concerned with the exchange of trade and resources.

"If your people have stone to sell, or would be willing to trade stone for food or lumber, Elon might very well be interested in establishing an exchange."

"I believe that price would be satisfactory," Jordan said "And by all accounts, despite the fact that your nation has so recently joined the Empire, you are a faithful and industrious people. I have seen such today and shall carry news of what I have seen back south with me. I wouldn't be surprised at all if the Empire took an interest in the Wolfwyrd clan, in your story and industrious settlement here on the frontier." He gave a small smile. "Indeed you almost put the rest of the north to shame by the speed and efficiency you have shown. What others have done over the course of centuries you are achieving in a matter of years. I think it is safe to say Aed smiles upon your clan and I have no doubt the Emperor shall as well."

It had been encouraging to see that the neither Otsana nor Bihotz seemed to show much of a negative reaction to the Empire. Far as he could tell these orcs were mostly concerned with the production, safety and settlement of their people and had no strong political leanings or investment in international politics. It would be good to develop friendship with such a nation, since they were likely to remain stable in turbulent waters and when or if they ever did grow more invested the the affairs of the other nations, it would be well to have already established a good report with them.

"Elon will be glad to establish this rout and trade of resources and I am certain that if progress is made on a larger trade alliance Queen Chello shall involve your people in that venture."