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
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.
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
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
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
Conor did his best to help the bellman get the ladies luggage into the hotel suite but the pile was truly massive.Parker only had one suitcase and a separate bag for his uniform suits. For his part, Conor had brought about the same.Kerrigan didn’t seem to have much, but her three guards had a mountain of cases between them.“What on earth did you bring?” Connor asked as the pile tipped, spilling across the floor of the sitting room.“Just the essentials,” Reilynn answered as she let Faolan (pronounced as FWAY-lahn) into the room.Connor gawked at both her and then at the room they had entered. “Are we in an imperial suite or something?”Kerrigan didn’t seem to notice the grandeur as she made for one of the rooms to the left, “It is one of the rooms we established for visiting nobility. The King would never stay here, but other dignitaries have in the past. The king would stay at the temple or with one of the dukes.”The way she said it so casually caught Conor off guard as she vanis
“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 fi
Kerrigan ordered a few dishes for Conor to try and he was excited to let her show off her city and its wonders.The first course was apparently a Velyki special, though Conor wasn’t quite sure what was special…Small rolls of bread the size of his fist were served with cheese and a very creamy butter.“Its yak cheese. They are hard to raise but there are a few farmers who have managed to raise them. You will not find a better flavor in all of Targu province. The butter is also cured with a sage that is only grown in the southern slopes of Velyki.” Kerrigan explained as she happily served herself and piled samples onto Conor’s plate.When the main course came, Conor took the opportunity to savor the hearty stew with fresh venison before he broached the dragon in the room.“Kerrigan, Dragon Corporation is a fascinating beast. I have been studying the notes Mr. Nuri and miss Quinn had prepared for me and it seems your nest is surrounded by predators. In such a hostile terrain, how is one
Kerrigan looked up from her notes, her brow furrowed. “What do you have in mind? I already told you, I don’t want to hurt the staff. If he falls, it needs to be without collateral damage were ever possible.”Conor smiled, appreciating her concern for her people. It was one of the many things he admired about her—her ability to balance ruthless efficiency with genuine care for those under her leadership.“What if we let Kelan take on a task that’s beyond his abilities?” Conor suggested, his voice measured. “Something that would require real leadership skills and deep knowledge of the company’s operations—skills he clearly lacks.”“Possible, but what exactly are you suggesting?”Leaning forward, Conor began, “We suggest to the board that Dragon Corporation needs a fresh perspective. Given Kelan’s self-proclaimed ‘innovative’ approach, he could be the perfect candidate to lead a major restructuring. Something complex and high-stakes, where his incompetence will be exposed for everyone t