"Oh yeah, I don't know the full timeline, who remembers all that, but - within 5 years of each other, usually, and they come back pretty quick. Some people have to wait decades to come back. Though the waiting doesn't feel like anything, you can find your family all scattered and the villages different if it's too long."

The merchants hesitate to hawk as loudly around the Amentans as they walk, but are still displaying their wares and talking them up as they pass. Everything the other place had and more is on offer.

What do they want for instances of the stuff? Metal also?

Yes, metal! Three Bells uses these minted copper and silver coins as currency so those would do nicely. Or big rolls of the nice cloth their clothes are made of or exotic spices and dyes or samples of exotic wood and stone or Amentan souvenirs or-

Fabric, dyes, spices - they're not, mind, sure yet if they're biocompatible - wood, stone, souvenirs, got it! It'll take days for the stuff to arrive, because their planet is far away, but they will bring stuff.

Gosh, a whole other planet. Hmm well only a few of the merchants are willing to sell right now, on credit, and at worse prices, but they'll still be here in a few days!

Yup, they aren't urgent about any of it. If some brave soul wants to try some Amentan food they did bring some of that!

They will try Amentan food!

Lots of Dwellin offer to spar with the Amentans, again. One of them says they need weapons. Some of them ask if Amentans find them attractive? The Dwellin think they look interesting and exciting and that is mostly the same thing.

They're pretty sure that unarmed the Dwellin would win, and if the Amentans were trying to win it would be not much like a sparring match. None of these Amentans find them attractive but tastes vary very widely and some surely will, there is porn of imaginary aliens vaguely like them in many ways.

Oh, there's an idea, the merchants will buy porn too!

...just still images or is video okay too?

After another explanation of video... They're unsure? It feels a little taboo, they'll have to think about it and probably ask ethics-thinkers.

Yaowek, who has been sticking close and asking lots of questions about Amenta, gets a whispered message from a runner then says, "Good news! Mrr, well, news! King Leuu'k wants to meet you all."

They would be happy to go meet King Leuu'k.

The king apparently rules from a two-story stone building near the huge hall, instead of the hall itself. Brightly decorated hallways, lots of side offices, a bustling 'map room' full of various labelled maps and models, and an open courtyard with another Tree of Souls. Then the king's chamber, where he sits on a throne decorated with bright white furs.

"I thank my visitors for taking the time to answer my summons. As one might imagine, such a momentous occasion is concerning. I would not want to make new enemies by accident. I hope my escort has prevented any trouble?"

"There has been no trouble! Your people have been hospitable."

"I am pleasantly surprised. But Yaowek is rather infamous here, if anyone would deter trouble..." (Yaowek laughs.) "It seems to me that trying to fight Amentans without being forced to would be a terrible waste, but not all share that thought. I have heard some of what you've explained already from my helpers, and I say we should plan for trouble before you visit again."

"What kind of trouble?"

"You should review our laws. We must decide how to handle matters of accident and ignorant harm, or deliberate or reckless harm- By my people against yours, and by yours against mine. Also, I will choose someone to by my voice in the matter of Amentans. As king of Three Bells, I administer this village and nine others in the area-"

He waves a hand and a roll of heavy paper gently lifts itself from the table and floats towards the Amentans.

"This is a map of the area, a gift to you."

"..."

"- thank you! It seems prudent to appoint a diplomat and be aware of each other's likely patterns of behavior and of course we would like to know how to follow local law. Uh, how did you - do that?"

The map settles gently to the floor if they don't catch it.

"My salk? That- Mrr. Perhaps we will tell you when we have had time to trust each other."

They pick up the map once it's stopped moving. "...okay," says the spokesAmentan.

"I am sure you have capabilities you have not described to us. The methods you use to construct huge buildings of steel and glass. Weapons as strange as the shuttle or more. Trust takes time. But exchanging diplomats would be very good. If you wish to be granted a building to make your own while you visit, that would be acceptable."

The paper map shows that Three Bells apparently claims a large section of the local coast and riverine system, though not the whole biome. The nine other villages claimed are the larger towns, there are also dotted smaller communities here and there.

The Amentans would prefer to build their own building eventually if that's okay - they want things like plumbing and electricity. Is this blue they've brought along a suitable diplomat or are there particular traits they should screen for?

"You may also receive a plot of land, though it would not be as centrally located. I would be greatly pleased if you allowed us to learn by assisting construction in some small way. In Dwellin diplomats I look for someone patient, who understands their own group's priorities and is able to empathize with mine- If this describes your 'blues' I see no reason to ask for someone else."

This blue will be the ambassador to Three Bells, then! They would be happy to hire some local labor for some of the less complicated parts of construction, though they have a lot of advanced technology and can't promise that much will be learned that way. Trade goods and construction equipment for Amentan outposts and some construction workers are already on the way.

The King is glad to meet them and looks forward to trade! He still has to decide who would be a good ambassador to Tapa but expects whoever he picks to be fine with cleaning procedures and following Amentan laws as best they are able, he'll come to a decision within two days. In the meantime, the laws are written down in another room but do they have any questions directly for him?