Cochan family gathered around a

e previous priest had died from old age, sadly. Conor's mother had been the last true high pr

h, brother Brantley! It is good to see you. I am sure you don't remember me, but

r praised. Mr. Cochan cleared his throat. "Hehem, Mr. Arios, we have gathered the family and now our

enedict walked in.

What are you doi

his mother-in-law, "Kelan was invi

nor huffed. All the scorn and rejection of the last few years moun

m like a pack of hungry wolves. "Umm, Right. Today, the temple recognizes its honor, and oblig

offed Kelan Bened

gasped and tu

ng with fury. "W

ll me you didn't know why that

's minds. "What do you mean Mr. Benedict? Are you bl

any of the dragon gods. But the Dovari..

e needed to be purged to cleanse it back to the pure worship of Celia. Our dear brother Arios h

ashen and fist clenched. She subconsciou

hand looked downright ind

r dignity. Sister Raina was a wise and respected priestess. You know nothing at all of her greatness, and

g Brother Arios completely,

awkward tension. "Brother Arios, yo

o had quickly calmed down, read a long letter to the crowd about how honored the A

o impart to Mr. Brantley our heartfelt condolences at the loss of your mother and he

old dragons and han

under Arios's nose, without anyone in the room seeing. As Conor turned back to the

t of the family, he tried to maintain his composure as he said, "Well, two gold coins

supported you, one of these is due to us. One is also due to your wife, for all

, snatched one of the gold coins from Conor's hand faster

f vipers, but he could hard

anything, since his mother had already sent him two drag

d this was to see you through THIS year, so when he

at

n't believe

existing? "What do you mean again? Do you really think the temple is just going to

ed to the other gold coin still in Conor's other palm, greed

concubine, and be done with this son of a Dovari bitch" he spat, "Witch or whatever you want to call her. Do this, and my family wi

Jessica recoiled at almost the same mome

is better than me? I can provide you

Jessica turned pleadin

. But his personality stank of a rough upbringing and of the mines his family ran. The

ght in Kelan's wake. Few were ever seen again, and the few on

l filled Co

ry word. "Kelan Benedict, you will cease your slander and attacks against this f

nd gripped his arm tight

o Mr. Benedict like that! He is worth 10 of you! Oh, why did we ev

o anything, but I suggest you talk reason to her. I can provide your family with

hing that might get him in

u will be out of the streets begging before the sun sets! Perhaps Kelan would be kind enough to toss you into one of his mines for work. I hear the w

ed, and Conor

today and have it exchanged and the proceeds deposited into our account. I ca

slightly, "It would be a relief to hav

st you to handle this, right? You are not going to just disappear

you know me better than that! I have never done

actually pay our expenses for once. If the Benedict family turns against us, That is likely the only money

pulled out his cellpho

today." The tone was business like, b

coins he now had. "Also, a teen by the name of Yuri will hopeful

help?" Came Mr.

. I was hoping that you might be able to meet with him and see if

services for my clients, including what you mention. If there are investments to be made, well, if Celia guides and the deal is

s sound to you and

ve field. When this Yuri kid calls I will have my team

or the month, so if you could help me exchange the gold and get me

nient. I actually have to step into a meeting momentarily with my partners, but Anna, my top-tier assista

!" Conor said sincer