Kerrigan was greeted at the entrance to Dragon Corporation by Natalie and handed her normal morning roster. "Today is not as busy, but you still have a full schedule. The drones from marketing want you to approve a new ad campaign for Pinon Province. I have a phone conference scheduled for you with a Mr. Nuri at Dreadnaught Law firm at 11. There is a women's axillary conference at 12:30 that would like you to stop in. They promised to feed you lunch, and we earn a 20,000 dragon fee for you to show your face there."
"Am I expected to speak? You didn't tell me I had to speak today!" Kerrigan said as they stepped into the elevator.
"No, they are not expecting a speech, but just in case, I included one in the green folder."
"They better serve good food then," Kerrigan grumbled as they exited the lift. Kerrigan paused at grabbed Natalie's arm, "Why do I have a phone call with Dreadnaught? I didn't tell you of my intention to call them..."
"After your talk with the spice merchants... they wanted to know more about the one behind the Spice of life... That is Mr. Nuri of Dreadnaught Law Firm... I am sorry, was there something else you needed to talk to them about?" Natalie asked, perplexed.
Kerrigan relaxed, "No... Well yes actually. I need to ask him about some things with Bayan Rail line. I guess it all works out that you already have him scheduled. I was going to ask you to set it up."
As they came toward the secretary's desk, Kerrigan noticed a huge bouquet of flowers. "Katie... who are these for?"
Katie blushed madly, "They came this morning. From Mr. Benedict."
Kerrigan's smile fell into a glare, "Toss them. I don't want to see them."
Katie gave her an odd look and hesitated as she hugged the bouquet.
"Katie? Is there something I need to know?" Kerrigan asked seriously.
"Well... Miss Lokir, if you really don't like them I will take them home with me after my shift of course... but they are so beautiful. Mr. Benedict was such a gentlemen."
"He is a womanizing petty ass, who lives off his families dollar, and the kingdom's slave labor." Kerrigan steamed.
Katie stared at her with a look of shocked horror, "He was not like that at all. Miss, I know you may not like him, but he was so kind to me."
"You?" It was Kerrigan's turn to look shocked. "Kelan sent flowers to you? Did more happen than just him talking to you yesterday?"
"Well..." Katie blushed, "After he gave me that necklace... he asked me to dinner last night."
"Katie!"
"What? It's been a while since anyone has asked me out, and he is so handsome! Besides, you are not the only one allowed to be treated to a nice meal around here, " snipped Katie, hugging her flowers tight again.
Kerrigan sighed, "Katie, I don't want you getting hurt by Kelan. If you want a nice meal, fine, I am not going to stand in your way. But remember where you work. Kelan is competition and him taking my secretary out for fancy meals reeks of corporate espionage. If you want to keep working here, please keep that in mind. You are an adult and can do what you wish on your time off, but don't jeopardize my company."
"Yes ma'am." Katie hung her head chastened.
Kerrigan waved to Natalie and the two filed into her office and closed the door. "Keep an eye on that one. She is young and Kelan is clearly trying to sink his claws into my staff. And watch your own back as well."
"Of course. I will do what I can to keep Katie out of trouble." Natalie said, taking her seat behind her desk.
Kerrigan sat behind her desk and glanced at a small metal counter with tiny numbers. Today it read 278. "Two more?" She asked Natalie, pointing to the counter.
Natalie sighed as she flipped through her own papers. "Yeah, some disgruntled suiter was unhappy that you rejected his love and threatened to blow up the building... and I think the other one was the widow of one of the miners who died last year."
Kerrigan frowned, "I thought we took care of that?"
"We did. I saw to the scholarship funds myself, and as for the safety board... our northern mine is still rated as one of the safest in the whole region."
"Didn't I order a review with oversight from miners as well?" Kerrigan asked.
"Yes, and they have a strong voice on the oversight committee. I personally meet with a different representative every month just to be sure nothing is being missed, and the oversight board has quarterly meetings with a team of ten miner foremen. I am not sure there is much we can really improve. That accident was a freak event. But the widow has several young children and I think grief just has the better of her."
Kerrigan sighed. "Follow up again with her. If she is willing, I will meet with her next week with a team from her husband's mine. If the other miners have any suggestions, we will see what we can do. let her question them herself."
"Yes ma'am."
"You will be able to reset this counter soon! The new year is almost upon us."
They both let out a dark-humored chuckle. After her morning meetings, Kerrigan was ready for a change of pace, but Natalie reminded her about her conference call with Mr. Nuri of Dreadnaught Law Firm.
"Right, ok well, let's patch him though. I will take it in here."
The phone rang twice before Mr. Nuri answered, "Would this be Miss Lokir?"
"Indeed. It is good to finally talk with you."
"Same with you. To what do I own today's call?" Nuri asked politely.
"Well, I actually have a few questions. The first has to do with one of your clients. Dragon Corporation was able to negotiate a franchise deal for Spice of Life from the Spice Emporium. Several of the merchants that I deal with on a regular basis were wondering if such a deal would be possible for them as well in Pinon Province."
"Miss Lokir, am I to understand you have called me on behalf of other businesses?" came Mr. Nuri's incredulous voice.
Kerrigan checked herself and realized that was exactly what she had done which was very out of character. She quickly covered with, "As they are partners, I simply want to put it out there for you to consider when they call and make their own negotiation. Whatever deal you reach is of course between you and them."
"Miss Lokir, the deal offered was uniquely crafted by the spice creator for the Dovari Kendov. It is unlikely to be offered to any others. But I appreciate your concern. Is there other business?"
Kerrigan was taken aback. While is was not uncommon knowledge that she had a close association with the temple, the title of Dovari Kendov was one only known to the inner circles, and even then...
"Mr. Nuri, you know much of the temple theology and hierarchy." She hedged.
"I was favored by the late Priestess Rania, and know of her fondness for you, Miss Lokir."
Kerrigan smiled to herself before continuing with her other business, "If you are willing, I do have another issue I hope you can help with. I would like to seek Dreadnaught Law Firm's assistance with a sensitive matter."
"Of course, my services are available to you, so long as they don't violate any of my other clients' privacy or interests. How can I assist?"
"Well, with that in mind, my I inquire first what Dreadnaught's official position is toward the Benedict Group?"
"Miss Lokir, Dreadnaught has no ties to the Benedict Group. As of right now, we have no cases that would put us in opposition to them, but they are also not a client of ours."
"Understood. Well, in that case, I am having some... shall we say, disagreements with them. I don't plan to start any legal trouble, but there is a joint venture I would like to pursue with interested parties. Do any of your clients rely on Bayan Rail Line that might be suffering from their recent increase in rates and limitations on cargo allotments?"
"Miss Lokir, as you can guess, that is confidential information. If any of my clients did fit such a perimeter, what would your intention be?"
"If there are any businesses in Bayan that are even capable of such a thing, I am of a mind to secure our supply line with joint ownership of Bayan Rail line."
"I see. I will take this to our partners and present it to the CEO's we represent and let the decide if they wish to reach out to you for a partnership."
Kerrigan listened as Mr. Nuri paused, as if he was considering something. "Mr. Nuri, was there something else?"
"This may seem forward or awkward. If it means nothing to you, please forget I ever said it." He paused again, seeming to consider before says, "when the queen and warlord are of one mind, much can be accomplished."
Kerrigan was confused by the statement but felt Abraxas surge within her mind. His presence took over her voice and replied in a deep tone, "When the queen commands, the warlord obeys, her will is his. Enemies shall fall before his blade." Kerrigan snapped back to her senses, barely able to suppress her displeasure with Abraxas, but heard Mr. Nuri breathe a sigh that seemed relieved.
"My suspicions are confirmed then. I will leave you with this. Dreadnaught also controls Dreadnaught Investing. Should Dragon Corporation desire to make investments that are not directly tied to the corporate name, you are welcome to utilize our services. Also," Mr. Nuri cleared his throat again, "The Queen's coffer is active, should you choose to make a donation."
Kerrigan tried to wrap her head around what was being said, "The queens coffer? What?"
"Miss Lokir, it may also interest you to know, in the near future, there may be some humanitarian opportunities in Jinstain that might be of interest. Likely it would be good to plan a trip this way at the end of winter for a charity event. I look forward to working with you more in the near future, Miss Lokir."
"Charity? What queen?" But Mr. Nuri had already hung up. "What the hell was all that?"
Natalie looked concerned as she handed Kerrigan a glass of water, "Are you ok?"
"What? No. but why do you ask?"
"Your voice was much gruffer than I ever remember hearing it. I can get you some tea if you think you might be coming down with something."
Kerrigan sighed. "Tea would be nice. If you don't mind, I need a few minutes alone."
"Of course. I will return shortly."
When Natalie stepped out, Kerrigan whirred to face... she wanted to face Abraxas but found herself staring at her office wall. She turned her attention inward, frustration bubbling over, "What the hell was that?" she demanded aloud.
The gentle brush against her mental walls attempted to sooth her, 'Peace, Priya.'
"Don't call me that. Right now I am not anyone's beloved, you long dead lizard."
'Priya,' Abraxas pleaded, 'hear me out. There is good news to share'
Kerrigan fumed for a few minutes before she assented to let him continue. "What is this news?"
'Dovajun has sent word. She is awake in the world again, and is active.'
"What?! Where, how? Is she with Nuri?"
'I do not believe this man Nuri is Celia's avatar. However, I do sense that he is Sahvot, and likely in contact with the Dovari Deinmaar of Celia, her guardian and chosen vessel.'
"Abraxas, I have heard you use this term before, Deinmaar, in reference to me. What does it mean?"
'Deinmaar, the guardian. Kendov, the warrior. The loyal Dovari are Sahvot, the dragon's sacred order, thus, you, my chosen vessel, are my Deinmaar, my avatar, my guardian of the soulstone. As such, you take on the role of the Kendov, the dragon warrior. It is a sacred right to bear the soul stone of the dragons of old, and to be our host. This is why even the Royal court are willing to heed your wisdom as they seek the counsel of myself and Celia.'
Kerrigan considered the information. "So Celia has chosen... what is this coffer?"
'Long ago, Celia and I established a trove separate from either of our chosen guardians. It was a fund that would be managed by trusted Dovari in secret, that would aid our cause yet not be able to be tracked to any one person. In this generation, I suspect Mr. Nuri is the trustee. I have been dormant for many years, and Celia would have cultivated him. Likely even her Deinmaar does not know the full extent of the trove we have stored up. For the right project, Celia can authorize the use of the trove."
"You mean... if Celia wishes, she could likely buy Bayan Rail for us?" Kerrigan asked, incredulously.
Abraxas chuckled, "Celia could buy the kingdom five times over if she so chose. Remember, we had been hoarding gold and gems for nearly five millennia before our corporal bodies gave out. It has been another three millennia since you mortals have taken over the world. Time is the greatest multiplier of investments."
Kerrigan stared at the wall in utter disbelief, 'Then, will she?'
'The Dovajun does as she sees fit. More often than not, she wants you to pave your own way. She will have her trustee ease the path, but rarely hand you the kingdom. If you set a course, you will likely find willing sellers in Bayan Rail line when the time comes, and ready allies but not a handout,' Abraxas explained.
"Fine, I can forge my own path. At least we know Celia is in play and has made contact. What should I do about Nuri? I don't feel like we got anywhere."
'In due time, Priya. Play the field before you, and Celia will make her moves. Her sight is likely higher than either of ours with things already in play. She will expect you to continue to push forward.'
'So, pursue Bayan Rail, and business as usual?'
'Business as usual, making your plans known to Mr. Nuri when possible. The more you pass to him, the more Celia will ease your paths. She may use rather... unexpected avenues... to achieve her goals. She is sly like that. Once you make your designs known, don't be quick to reject any help, no matter how absurd the source.'