Kallen had thought the negotiations would end by evening, but neither side at the negotiating table showed any intention of letting up. They kept arguing.
Then food carts were wheeled in, and attendants delivered simple meals to both sides of the table. The negotiators began eating while continuing to argue.
What had been flying spittle became a collision of food scraps from their mouths;
the forks and spoons in their hands were like blades and swords, constantly brandished at the other side from far across the table;
their flushed faces, coupled with their vigorous chewing, made them look as though they were devouring their opponents' flesh and blood raw.
But this made things miserable for Kallen and the others. No one brought them food, and they had only eaten breakfast today. However full they had been then, it could not sustain them into the night.
On an empty stomach, even the liveliest argument lost its appeal. Kallen could distinctly sense the irritability of the two women beside him.
But there was nothing they could do. When they came down, they had discovered that this floor was sealed off. They could not order food up themselves, much less leave the floor now to find something to eat.
Their duties, the rules, their assignment-there were too many constraints. All they could do was find a moment to use the restroom.
However, Kallen noticed something unusual: quite a few people around him were going to the restroom much more frequently.
Naturally, Kallen, Fanny, and Peige were not the only ones seated below. There were also negotiation support personnel from both churches, taking notes, offering advice, and supplying documents.
After the passenger liner was bombed, Derius had rescued the dozen or so people accompanying him and brought them ashore. But the Pamireth Church already