An audible, communal gasp echoes throughout the Great Hall in reply to your accusations and outright refusal to cooperate. Hostile energies swirl in the air. This is clearly not the anticipated direction for this meeting, and now every delegate questions whether he will make it home.

Nightshade bristles in his chair, his face visibly changing colors until it turns a purple hue reminiscent of his name.

"Gardener," says the man seated next to him as he rises, "having so recently lost your parents, your response is understandable." Now it is your turn to bristle. "I believe if you give pause and consider the reasoning behind our request you will see that the intention is to prolong peace, not to expand the war."

"Ah," you say, "the diplomat reveals himself. Your name shall be Ivy - your tangled lies are likely beautiful, but they will choke out the entire garden until they are all that is left. Please, by all means... proceed." Your impudent attitude surprises even yourself. You may have already sealed your fate, and the release pervades every part of your being.

The man clears his throat as if choking down your bitter words. "Forgive me, Gardener. My name is Stephen Williams. I hail from the Eastern shores and have authority to speak for all regions in the Eastern State."

"This direct connection between East and West is as much a benefit to the Central State as it is to your neighbors. With these channels in place you no longer need worry about skirmishes taking place on your soil, affecting your citizens. Regulated travel is the only route to prevent unsanctioned hostilities, thus ensuring that our States' recent peace agreement remains intact. This strengthens the safety of your lands."

"Ivy," you respond, "besides the logistical vulnerabilities that your... solution... introduces for my State, it demonstrates that you lack the perception required to understand my position, and I fear this is a sight you will never gain no matter how many words I attempt to give you. So, let me try to put it simply."

You stand for the first time during the meeting then brush aside the map parchment, your eyes never leaving Ivy's. You place your palms on the heavy wooden table surface as if to draw its strength in through your arms and use its permanence to steady your patience. You lean forward, creating a singular tunnel between you and Ivy to forcibly capture his entire attention.

Your breath feels hot in your lungs as you prepare your ultimatum.

"The Central State's people are free, and this freedom is paramount - it gladly precludes our safety. Our lands will not be militarized by you or anyone and defiance will be met swiftly and without tolerance. With that in mind, our borders will remain open to all citizens of the realm."

"Our State will not be sliced up as a prize to the supposed victors of your war. You no longer have the means to defend your position from the vengeance of our people whose lives have been disrupted with your constant strife. While you may have intended to use my parents' murders to facilitate your land-grab, their deaths have only served to further stoke the anger of an already enraged people. I fear you have traded one war for another in your short-sightedness."

"Lastly, you will remove yourselves from our capital immediately. You will not rest in our city tonight. This is for your own safety and is my final act of grace towards your delegation. Return to your people with the message that the Central State remains strong and will not enable your treacherous maneuverings. If you wish to build a bridge between the coasts, you will do so through the oversight of the Central State."

You hold Ivy captive for a moment longer, then conclude the proceedings, "Safe travels, gentlemen."