billion book
20
The young one in the center looked to his companions and made a chuffing sound like he was clearing his throat. “What is it?” it said to its companion who made some gesture that Jack couldn’t read. It turned back to Jack.
“Altarian Ambassador? You aren’t even Altarian!” the brash one barked.
“And yet they were so impressed with me that they made me their ambassador. I’m originally from Earth but the horns were an unintentional gift from the Altarians.”
Eyes widened. “You’re Human?!?!”
“And part Altarian too, it seems,” Jack admitted. He was glad the Phem Kalos had heard of Humans. That saved him a little time in explaining.
The three seemed unsure how to proceed so Jack fell back on the instructions Denee had given him. “It is my understanding that you will be informing me of the members of your group who will be attending the banquet two days from now in the evening?”
The older Phem Kalos on the right took a step forward and dipped his head.
“I am FennHark De Kurk, Councillor of Long Sight. It is my privilege to speak the names of the honored. You are graced to be in the presence of FennLann De Jark, Prince Regent of Phem Kalos.” The young Prince nodded to Jack who returned it. “Next is FennDurr De Dent, Councillor of the Fist.”
Jack quickly suppressed a snort as his mind latched onto ‘Dent Fender’. He solemnly nodded to the third male who showed significant scarring under his fur. Then Jack noted the sharp retractable claws on their three fingered hands. Probably deadly in hand to hand combat.
“The greatest honor to the Altarian people is the final member of our party. Princess SennLann Du Kess, cousin of the Prince Regent will also attend the Banquet.”
Jack recalled Denee’s words about how Phem Kalos females were not allowed to travel. He took a chance with his next words. “This will be a historic banquet indeed. We are greatly honored.”
The Prince Regent looked very pleased but the two Councillors stiffened and glanced sharply at Jack, eyes filled with suspicion. When they saw him look back curiously they looked away quickly and tried to affect a casual air. The hairs on the back of Jack’s neck prickled. He pushed onto the next item in the agenda.
“It is also my understanding I may receive a listing of additional issues you might be bringing up in the formal meeting?
“No issues at this time,” FennHark stated tersely.
“Excellent. Did you have any questions?”
“No questions at this time,” FennHark said.
“Alright. Well, I suppose I will see you at the Treaty Signing.”
“It was refreshing dealing with a male,” the Prince blurted and his Councillors scowled.
“Have you been responsible for attending these treaty signings for long?” Jack asked him, ignoring the other two.
“Fark yes! This is my tenth journey to Altaria. The same things happen every time. The Ambassador visit, the Asset Disclosure meeting, the Treaty Reading and Signing, the Banquet with endless dancing, then back to Phem Kalos. This is the first change in that pattern in ten years. I mean aside from the last minute inclusion of my cousin,” the youth growled. His councillors looked especially agitated when he mentioned the cousin. Jack filed that away.
“The nature of diplomacy takes comfort in repeating traditions as change often brings unexpected consequences,” Jack said and the Councillors stared at him again. “I’ll try to think of something fun we can do at the Banquet. Something Earth based.”
The Prince’s eyes lit up. “Yes! That would be welcome!”
“Until then?” Jack said. They shared nods and the two councillors hustled their ward away with quiet growls he responded to with snarls.
Jack made his way back to the office pondering the odd behavior of the two councillors. The Prince’s behavior was much easier to understand. He was bored! Young, brash and far more comfortable in the presence of males, sticking him with diplomacy duties for Altaria must seem like a punishment to him.
Denee was sitting at her workstation watching him approach with half lidded eyes. He could imagine where her thoughts were taking her.
“Hello? Denee? Altaria to Denee, time to get your mind out of the bedroom and back to your work.” Jack tapped her on the forehead and she jumped guiltily.
“Do I have any other Ambassador duties today?” he asked.
“Nothing on the schedule. What were the secondary issues the Phem Kalos will bring up at the meeting?” she asked preparing her notation device.
“Nothing.”
She looked up sharply. “Nothing?”
“They said they had no issues to bring up at this time. Is that unusual?” he asked.
“It’s never happened before. They always push for access to our outlying territories at least. Any more unusual behavior?” she asked.
“Well, at the banquet we are going to have a special guest from Phem Kalos. The Prince Regent’s cousin Princess SennLann Du Kess will be attending.”
The office went quiet. Jack looked at their shocked faces.
“A Phem Kalos female is on Altaria?” Denee gasped.
“We’ll see in a couple days’ time,” Jack said wondering what all the fuss was about. Denee picked up the phone to contact someone immediately and ignored Jack. Having been dismissed he left the office and walked across the broad courtyard to the Trade Commission building. When he reached his office he received smiles from his staff there.
Petite Mella rushed up to him with a wide smile and a twinkle in her eyes. She was a honey gold Altarian who fell just an inch below baseline for standard adult height. He once mistook her for a young teen but now he realized she was an enormous ball of energy, happiness, and lustiness in a compact package. She crushed herself up against him in a hug… and grabbed his ass. He was used to this so he just peeled her off of his body and gave her butt a little pat to send her on her way. She blew him a kiss then suddenly stopped to look at him.
“Your hair isn’t braided!” she squeaked.
Joe caught the sudden attention he received from all of the staff within hearing of Mella’s voice.
“Yes, I had a meeting with several Phem Kalos this morning and apparently having my hair loose was a tactical advantage. It seemed to be,” he suggested.