2024-08-22 04:41:40“What is it?” Conor asked as they reached the SUV and climbed into the back.
“My grandfather has formally requested my presence at his estate at the end of the month,” Kerrigan said, slumping heavily down into the seat.
“I thought you were on good terms with your grandparents, or at least not at odds with them,” Conor asked.
“Not really. We are not on bad terms that I know of, other than never seeing them in many years. I don’t know, I guess I still harbor some resentment for them leaving me at the temple. I get it, it was safer that, at least until Zadok came to power. Under your mother’s care, it wasn’t too bad.” Kerrigan huffed and was quiet for a time and Conor simply let her collect her thoughts.
“I miss having a family. MY family. They were never unkind to me that I remember but they also were not there for me either. I guess in their own way, their distance was meant to shield me. But that seems to be at an end. I guess…. I guess I am not sure how to feel towards them.” She finally said.
“Well, in my limited experience, it would be best to reconcile any lingering issues if possible sooner than later. We are not guaranteed tomorrow, and we both know that far to well.” Conor said softly.
Kerrigan placed a hand on his as the SUV neared the restaurant. “Thank you, Conor. I hate that we are in the same boat, both our parents gone. But I am glad to have someone that understands.”
She took a deep breath, “Well, it was inevitable. A month is at least enough time to get things moving here. The Duke’s estate is a few hours south, but if he wants us there, I am sure he will sent the helicopter.”
“You say that so casually,” Conor commented, reaching for the door as the SUV pulled to a stop.
Kerrigan took his offered hand as they stepped out, “You get used to it. A few years as CEO and it will become second nature.”
“I am not sure I want to get used to it.” Conor said, his own thoughts drifting to the orphanage and the state meany of those kids live in. “I for sure don’t ever want to lose touch with what common people deal with every day.”
Kerrigan gave his hand a squeeze, softly smiling up at him, “We will remember. I could never forget little Hannah even if I tried. Now come, you must try the best Velyki has to offer.”
She pulled him inside, where a young lady in a black uniform waited behind a podium.
“Do you have a reservation?”
“I forgot to call ahead but there should be a standing one under Hassel,” Kerrigan said, trying to take a peak at the list.
“Hassel?” Conor whispered.
“Natalie. My assistant. I really should invite her out with us next time.”
“If there is still time, you still can,” Conor offered.
Kerrigan shook her head. “Next time.”
The hostess cleared her throat, “I am sorry but that box is already occupied. The third floor is open though. Would that be ok?”
“Occupied? By who?” Kerrigan asked, shocked.
“I cannot give out that information. Is the third floor ok?” the hostess asked, doing her best to maintain a professional tone.
“Its fine.” Conor said. Kerrigan looked like she wanted to protest but she finally relented when she saw Conor’s determined expression.
“You sure?”
Conor just chuckled, “I don’t want to deal with a hungry dragon if we need to find somewhere else. Best to feed you as soon as possible.”
Kerrigan glowered at him, which only made him smile more as he placed a hand on her lower back and guided her to follow the hostess up the stairs.
Conor glimpsed a sparsely filled second floor dining room as they made their way to third floor. There were only a few tables and currently no other patrons up here. Large windows looked out over the city as early dusk settled on the surrounding mountains.
“Its beautiful” Conor said. He had never been to Velyki, and as he watched the sun vanish behind the tall mountain peaks, the city seemed to come alive with evening lights.
“It’s cold.” Reilynn replied dryly as she claimed a seat with her back to the window, giving her a clear line of sight to the door.
“Not a fan of this winter wonderland?” Conor asked, pulling out a seat for Kerrigan before taking the one next to her for himself while the rest sat at the next table over.
Reilynn leaned over the table and pointed a finger at him, “Come back to me when you have spent a full winter here being snowed in, nothing but grey clouds for months on end, and when it isn’t snowing, its shitting ice balls all over the gods damned place.”
Conor wasn’t sure if he should laugh at her sincere vehemence or start booking his return trip well before winter ever reached this place.
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Chapter 205:
The warm air of late spring greeted Conor and Kerrigan as their convoy rolled through the winding roads of Pinon Province, its rugged landscape starkly different from the lush forests of Lokir. The mountains stood tall and jagged, casting long shadows across the rocky terrain, as if guarding the secrets buried deep within the earth. It was here, beneath these formidable peaks, that the natural gas reserves lay, a potential treasure that could reshape Golan’s energy landscape—but only if Conor and Kerrigan could break through the iron resistance of the Pinon nobility.As the convoy slowed upon reaching the outskirts of Pinon’s provincial capital, Conor glanced at Kerrigan, who sat beside him, her face a mask of quiet determination. Faolan, her ever-loyal wolfhound, sat at her feet, head resting on her paws but eyes alert. Tom Ridley had already deployed the Dragoons ahead of them, ensuring the streets and the meeting venue were secure. Still, there was a tens
Chapter 204: Economic Crisis and Political Maneuvering
The sun hung low over the Lokir estate, casting a soft glow over the rolling hills and distant forests. Conor sat at the long oak table in the estate’s grand conference room, staring down at the map of Pinon Province spread out before him. The lines on the map marked the gas fields they were hoping to tap, though, at this point, hope felt like too generous a word. Kerrigan stood beside him, her fingers trailing over the routes of potential pipelines, her brow furrowed in concentration.“They’re stalling,” she muttered, her voice tight with frustration. “We’ve been at this for weeks, and the Pinon nobles still won’t commit.”Conor sighed, running a hand through his hair. “They don’t want outsiders telling them what to do. It’s not about the gas fields. It’s about power.”Before Kerrigan could respond, the door opened, and Marina Ellis entered, followed by a handful of engineers and busi
Chapter 203:Tension in the Air
The atmosphere inside Lokir Estate was growing heavier by the day. The spring air might have been fresh and crisp outside, but inside the estate’s stone walls, tension had settled like an unwelcome guest. Conor sat at the head of a long, rectangular table in the estate’s smaller war room, surrounded by military advisors and defense experts. Maps, charts, and reports were spread out before them, detailing Golan’s current military situation, a stark reminder of the pressure Serret’s sanctions had placed on them."We’ve secured the Jinstain port for now," Colonel Eli Johnson said, leaning over the table to point at a map of the coastal city. "But with Serret cutting off our access to electronic components and military hardware, we’re more vulnerable than we’ve been in years."Conor frowned, his fingers drumming lightly against the polished wood of the table. "That’s the part that bothers me," he muttered. "Serret knows we&rs
Chapter 202: Patchwork Solutions
The atmosphere in Golan was growing more tense by the hour. The streets of Jinstain were filled with unrest, and protests were becoming a daily occurrence in Lokir as well.The people were feeling the sting of Serret’s embargo, and the energy crisis was hitting harder than anyone had expected. Fuel prices had spiked, and the kingdom was feeling the strain. The one saving grace was that winter had broken so at least people where not freezing in their homes.In the face of this escalating tension, Conor and Kerrigan had no choice but to act swiftly and decisively.Conor stood by the window of their study in Lokir Estate, staring out at the rolling hills and distant lake. Kerrigan sat at the large oak desk, papers spread out before her. Both of them were silent, each lost in their own thoughts as they prepared for the public address that would take place in just a few hours. The protests had grown too large to ignore, and the people needed reassurance.
Chapter 201: A Kingdom Under Pressure
The sharp, early morning wind blowing through Lokir Estate carried the unmistakable chill of unrest. Even within the estate's thick stone walls, the tension was palpable. Conor sat at the large mahogany desk in the study, staring at reports that seemed to grow more dire with each passing day. The impact of Serret's sanctions was finally starting to show, and the kingdom of Golan was feeling the pinch.Energy prices had nearly doubled in the past week alone, and the latest reports from Jinstain confirmed that people were starting to take to the streets in protest. The same unrest was spreading to Lokir, and Kerrigan had received word just the night before that angry mobs had begun to gather in the main square. What started as a protest over fuel prices was quickly morphing into something more dangerous.Conor rubbed his temples, trying to stave off the growing headache. They were caught in a tightening grip, and Serret's sanctions were only the beginning.The doo
Chapter 200: The Ripple Effect of Sanctions
The quiet hum of Lokir Estate was deceptive. Outside, the air smelled of blooming flowers and fresh spring, but within, a storm was brewing. The sanctions Serret had imposed on Golan were starting to take their toll, and Conor and Kerrigan knew that the real challenges were only just beginning. Seated around a large table in the estate’s meeting room, Kerrigan was surrounded by her most trusted business leaders, heads of the Dragon Corporation, and representatives from the Jinstain Group. Across from her, Conor reviewed updates from their economic advisors, his brow furrowed in thought."Textiles and spices are our biggest short-term problem," Marina Ellis, Vice President of Jinstain Group, said, tapping the papers in front of her. "We’ve got nobles calling us every day, demanding their orders for high-end fabrics. Silk, cashmere, and wool—Serret’s embargo has cut off the majority of our supply, and Golan’s luxury market is feeling the pinch. The
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