Kelan Benedict's POV
Kelan Benedict knocked on the office door.
"Come in," came the slimy voice of Prima Zadok.
Kelan slinked into the room and plopped himself down in a chair across from the Prima. "Hello, Prima."
"And who do you think you are?" sneered Prima Zadok.
"I am your last hope for power if the letters you sent to my father are to be believed."
Zadok's eyes lit up, "Ah, young master Benedict then. What brings you to my office today?"
"Well, I have decided to spend the winter here in your frozen kingdom. I was hoping you might help provide me with some entertainment while I am here."
Zadok's eyes narrowed, "What did you have in mind?"
"Well, if the rumors I hear are even half true, you know which of the temple girls are... shall we say, available to keep my bed warm."
"I don't know where you would have heard such rumors," scoffed Zadok, a fake look of revulsion crossing his face.
Kelan laughed, "Your poker face is horrible, Prima. It's a wonder you can con anyone to believing your tales. Regardless, I am here and plan to be around for a while. If you can assist in making sure my bed stays warm over the winter it would be much appreciated."
"And to what do we owe the privilege of your company? Most choose to winter else were."
"Ah well, there are some intriguing business opportunities I seek to exploit while here. Perhaps over the coming days, we can discuss some mutually beneficial deals. Especially if it involves a dear Miss Kerrigan coming home with me in the spring."
Zadok sat forward, "You have designs on Kerrigan... you are aware that I have plans to marry her next year?"
"Really? An old geezer like yourself thinks a hot pepper like Kerrigan is going to marry you? I think she is more likely to slide a blade between your ribs. A mare like her needs to be broken first, and everything I have seen would indicate you have failed to even begin taming that one's fire."
Zadok frowned, "Kerrigan will come around in due time, regardless of her personal feelings, I am not about to let that kind of influence be left up to the whims of the heart."
"Dear Zadok... Don't tell me such an old geezer really has a hard on for our dear Kerri? She is what? Half your age? I mean damn man, I thought I was ambitious."
Zadok was about to retort but a cunning grin crossed his face as he considered Kelan. "You seem to have something up your sleeve. Speak plain, man."
"I do admit to having an interest in Miss Lokir. Dragon Corporation holds several northern mines that could be a large asset to the Benedict Group. I understand they are having a challenging time transporting goods. If they were to come under Benedict Group, they would of course receive the same discounts I have negotiated with Bayan Rail Line, and the workers would keep their jobs. It would be a win-win for the locals. Now, I would be willing to make a generous contribution to your temple to help make these things happen."
Zadok frowned, "You think I can just be bought and my ward stolen from me? The Lokir family may have fallen with the death of her parents but the name is still remembered."
Kelan considered Zadok anew, unsure what to do with that last bit of information. "Or perhaps in addition to a generous donation, a good word from the Benedict family to the house of lords about a certain Prima and his wisdom might be of more interest... you know our family meets every quarter with the minister of economic affairs."
Zadok spat, "What does the minister have to do with our discussions?"
Kalen frowned at the dismissal, wondering if he had misjudged Zadok's ambitions. "Well, for the mutual benefit of the kingdom of course, If the people of Bayan were to hear that the Benedicts are favored by the Prima of Abraxas, it would be a small matter to mention your name at the next council of lords. In addition, for helping me acquire the northern mines, I would be sure to provide a generous negotiation fee, of course."
Zadok rubbed his temples, "You know that the bitch controls Dragon Corporation. It pains me to admit this, but so long as she is in the picture...I am limited on how I can manipulate the organization, even if I wanted to. The board of directors favors her right now, since she was instated by Rania when she was high priestess."
Kelan smiled, "I would be pleased to use her for a time, and patiently milk her of what physical value she may possess before removing that thorn from our sides."
Zadok blurted "I get the medallion she wears. It belongs to the temple anyway."
"Of course, Prima. I wouldn't want to deprive the temple of its holy relics. I will endeavor to do this service for the Temple, of course, knowing that you will, in turn, grant your favor for my acquisition requests."
"Benedict, what of the mission I set your father to? Has there been any word from your own mines?"
"The black crystals? We have found only the shard we sent you. However... If I were to find more, say in the northern mines... would it be worth various parts of Dragon Corporation?"
Zadok waved a hand impatiently, "Find the Crystals, then we will talk. You and your father are the same, all talk and little action."
Kelan stood, "It is always so enlightening meeting with one of your station. However, I believe before you say something we will both regret, I will take my leave for tonight. Never fear, I plan to stick around this winter, so we shall speak again. If you will excuse me, there is a secretary I wish to meet for dinner. Her face is a tad more pleasant to look at than yours."