Chapter 14: The Treaty Problem

Seven months into their residence in the valley, the Continental Archive sent a representative. His name was Aldric, he was from the central administrative body that nominally governed the continent's territorial disputes, and he arrived with the specific energy of someone who had been given an assignment he found inconvenient. 'The ancient treaty,' he said, seated across from Sera and Drusse in the council hall, 'specifies territory of origin. Your people's claim under the treaty is to the mountain and its surrounding lands — which no longer exist in the relevant sense. The Archive's position is that the treaty's territorial provisions cannot be applied to a new settlement in another jurisdiction.' Sera had expected this. 'The treaty guarantees rights of people, not territory,' she said. 'The territorial provisions are procedural, not substantive. The core right — the right of sovereignty, the right of recognition, the right to exist as a people with legal standing — is not contingent on a specific geography.' Aldric looked at her with the expression of someone who had prepared for a simpler negotiation. 'That is an interpretation,' he said. 'It is the correct interpretation, as established by the Archival Commentary of the Third Council, which clarified the treaty's intent in a context not unlike this one.' She slid a document across the table. 'My tutor was thorough.' Drusse suppressed a smile. Aldric read the document. His expression shifted. 'You're arguing that the Archive must recognize your people's legal standing regardless of their location,' he said. 'I'm arguing that the Archive has already committed to this position in its own commentary and that failing to uphold it now would constitute a contradiction of institutional precedent.' She met his eyes. 'Which the Archive does not like to do.' A long pause. 'I will need to consult with the central body,' he said. 'Of course,' she said. 'I'll expect a response within thirty days. The commentary is quite clear.' Aldric left. Drusse looked at Sera. 'Did your tutor actually anticipate this specific situation?' she asked. 'No,' Sera said. 'But he taught me how to find the document I needed when I needed it. That's better than specific preparation.'