Keep It Cool

Hamat tallied the votes on his screen, recording them in the official ledger, and leaned in to the microphone.
Hamat: "I have compiled the votes. The tariff for Ezorod is set at five percent, the Pact Worlds standard."
Hamat slammed the gavel on its striking plate, and silence erupted into conversation. He'd fought hard against the Pact Council for weeks, doing his best to get Ezorod the best deal possible, in spite of recent complications... The crux of his argument had surrounded the "innocent until proven guilty" ruling in this culture, which still seemed foreign to him. In the City of Brass, you could be put on trial for anything, and would sit in irons until you could properly defend yourself.
If only the Efreeti could have it so easy.
As the Council's attendants prepared for the next subject, Hamat moved away from the podium, and to his seat in the back of the room. It was labelled twice -- as a representative of the monarchy of Ezorod, and a diplomat from the Plane of Fire. Despite his dual role, Hamat had very little power among these political titans, especially with Alexander Marcus and his cronies working against him. Thankfully, he still had friends on the Council.
Imryll: "You couldn't have done any better."
Klendalikh: "Says the woman paying the tariff."
Imryll Novaheart scoffed, and patted Hamat on the back as he sat down. Klendalikh looked back from the row ahead, and gave him a thumbs up.
Klendalikh: "Any word from the Queen?"
Hamat: "None. Or the Esowath Conservancy. I think they're feeling the pressure..."
Imryll: "My contacts haven't seen them either."
There was an uncomfortable silence, and then the attendants at the front began to settle, as the next meeting was underway. Alexander Marcus strode up to the podium, one side of his head still covered in bloodstained bandages. Hamat wondered at that... Whatever Valentina had done to him at the Culinarium, it couldn't be healed with magic. This was his first appearance at a Council meeting in weeks.
The Prime Executive raised his hand for quiet, and then began.
Alexander Marcus: "My colleagues, and friends. Thank you for coming... We have much to discuss."
From the front row, Alexander's allies grinned.