>>5473950>>5473738>>5473625>>5473144>>5472920>>5472896>>5472798>>5472765>Open trade would be welcome, but some way of dealing with the safety of travel would be needed...Progress is what you'd hoped for and progress seems to be what you've gained. It might have been that the leaders of Hewe could have taken your gift and offered nothing in return, but now there's an ongoing and open line of dialogue between your peoples. Now of course, it may only be possible because Hewe is in such a desperate position against the enemy, same as Bexley once was. So you probably should not expect as much ease of negotiation with other towns or even neighbors, but together with this your closest neighbor, your situations are similar enough to find common cause. In time who knows, perhaps an alliance? If you truly fancied yourself a god-queen, then you'd need more than just a single town... a domain of two at least, by way of marriage even, would certainly mark the formation of a kingdom rather than just some cooperating city-states.
Well this <span class="mu-i">is</span> some real progress you've made and you want to keep it that way, so continued interaction seems for the best. More than just the leadership as well, you want the people both sides are responsible for to be able to interact, and trade is the basis of interaction. The trouble though, is that both towns are beset upon by enemies and travel between is unsafe, and exceedingly difficult.
<span class="mu-b">"You are aware that the constant attack upon Hewe demands all of our attention, from peasant to noble. If there was to be some route or road that could be created or patrolled, we would not be able to assist until after its completion."</span>
<span class="mu-r">"Well about that... my people have their own... uh, problems. We are very... busy you see, with our own enemies so it may be difficult..."</span>
In as kind a way as you can put it, that your people have such wonderful and cushy lives full of love now, that everyone is too lazy to get anything done. From the labor itself of forging a path, to patrolling it, you unfortunately have fostered an environment too soft and sweet to accomplish such a task. Of course the blade of your love cuts both ways, and there's no worry about your people being to soft or weak now to survive, when any enemies attempting to take advantage would also fall under your influence and charm. Hells, they may even be inclined to simply give up on your differences and choose to stay!
