Ocean's Dagger

by NAK Baldron

  "Leave us." Nori said with the wave of a hand.

  Two guards dragged their comrade away by his shoulder, and the six of them were gone nearly as fast as they'd arrived. The curtains must hide several doors leading off into Nori's complex. With the Amethyst Lanterns casting their soft glow on the room, it was impossible to notice the passage of time.

  "You will—"

  "I will nothing." Shaya cut him off. "You forget yourself Gin-Tanken Nori. I am Kaito-Tanken Shaya, and you will remember your manners, or I shall have Akio instruct you in the ways of etiquette."

  "Please," his wife waved her hand. "We are all of nobility. For honor's sake, allow civilized behavior to win out."

  Shaya hadn't lost her temper, she meant what she'd promised. Clan Kaito was on the brink of destruction, she couldn't afford any level of disrespect to pass unchecked. The time of daggers was close at hand.

  "I ask that you return the necklace to us." Nori said with a slight bow of his head.

  "It can be arranged. But first, you'll tell me why you set me up to be caught."

  "Impudence." Nori stood up. "You besmirch my honor, with your false accusations."

  Shaya didn't rise to the bait. She kept her calm demeanor. "I demand answers, or there shall be no deal. Failure to answer will be taken as a declaration of hostile intent."

  Her threat was clear. Akio would make quick work of Clan Gin if she ordered it, but she'd never risk his life over such a little matter. However, the threat had to be implied, Akio was what kept the other lords at bay.

  "This meeting is over." Nori sat back down and slammed his fist on side table. A small bell rang out, which shook atop the table.

  The servant who let Shaya in, opened the doors behind her.

  "A name, Nori?" Shaya stood from her chair. "You've cost me one of my men, and I will have recompense."

  The servant placed a single finger upon her shoulder, the most he was willing to risk in way of insistence on behalf of his master. Even the lowest of the low had something to lose.

  She locked eyes with his wife. "This is your final chance. Cooperate, or face the consequences. This offer dies once I leave this room."

  They found their faces of stone.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  OUTSIDE WAS A SHEET OF DARKNESS. The city's conservation mode was enabled—street lamps were but a sprinkle compared to the sea they'd been but an hour earlier. Brandon sat in the same chair as last time he visited Pearl Power's board room. The view from the tower was even more impressive at night. It gave him the impression of floating in a sea of nothingness. According to Emerald Nation's philosophers, nothingness was the state of being from which all things emanate. Pointless drivel as far as Brandon was concerned, but on a clear night, with the vast blackness of the void above him—maybe?

  Henry Velden called out from behind Brandon, "Pardon the tardiness."

  Brandon turned his head just far enough to watch out the corner of his eyes, as the board members arrived. There were two new faces. Along with Henry, entered Jeremy and Jennifer Kolstad, Rebeca Monty, Johnathan Belfry Jr., a younger boy wearing a smug facial expression that only a life of privilege could buy, and a middle-aged man with a round belly—an unusual sight in the Pearl Nation.

  "This is Max Poulton," Henry introduced the pot-bellied man as the six of them took their seats. "He controls 8% via proxies and represents the employees interests here at Pearl Power."

  Max's voice had a rough growl, as if his words were fighting to escape the back of his throat, "Pleasure, Mr. Everly. I trust we'll be allies in most matters."

  Brandon flipped both palms up and gave a curt nod, as sign he held no ill will towards Max or the employees he represented. In truth, Brandon held no feelings whatsoever towards the employees of Pearl Power. Provided they carried out their positions with skill and dedication, he could care less about the inner workings of employee management. Profits. That's the only thing Pearl Power offered to Brandon.

  "And Johnathan Belfry the Third," Henry said. "As an active shareholder, he's entitled to attend votes if he chooses, though his father usually holds his proxy."

  The same receptionist from last time walked off the elevator pushing a cart of refreshments with her. She wore a skin tight dark blue dress. He noticed Belfry III's eyes were glued to the woman. By the time she'd placed the platters of finger foods, trays of drinks, and taken her rightful seat to take notes of the meeting, it marked twenty minutes Brandon had been seated at the table.

  How do they get things done, if they waste so much time with meeting comforts?

  "We left our last meeting with Mr. Everly on the matter of the lost prototype," Belfry Jr. said. "Mr. Everly, have you been able to retrieve the prototype?"

  "Yes."

  "For how much?" Henry asked.

  "500,000 as agreed. 562,500 for the company. I expect transference to my account presently." Brandon pulled out his personal portable terminal and slid the device—about the size of a small book—across the solid cedar table to Henry. "My public access key."

  "A vote." Henry called. "All in favor of paying Mr. Everly his 562,500 credits as promised?"

  It was unanimous.

  Henry used his own portable terminal to transfer Brandon's funds. "You should find the funds delivered to the specified account." He slid Brandon's terminal back to him.

  Brandon shielded his right hand from view as he typed in his account password. Sure enough. 562,500 credits had been transferred. Bringing that particular account up to 3,562,500 credits. A reasonable operating budget. The 62,500 credit profit, represented nearly 0.6% of his investment in Pearl Power. Not a bad return for two weeks work.

  "Now to the serious matter at hand," Belfry Jr. said. "When can we expect delivery of the prototype that you've conveniently acquired?"

  "You can't," Brandon said, and he pressed send on an encrypted message to Henry. "However, I've sent you the address of where you can find your prototype. Along with photos of the wooden crate it's stored in."

  Henry held up his portable terminal for the rest of the board members to see.

  "Now to the actual serious matter at hand." Brandon drew the attention of the board back to himself. "I call a vote for the immediate removal of Johnathan Belfry Jr. as CEO, and the elevation of Henry Velden to the position."

  "Does the board wish to hear a vote?" The receptionist asked.

  "I'm afraid you don't have the authority to call a vote." Belfry Jr. said, with a grin that made it clear nothing made him happier in that moment.

  "I'll second the motion." Jennifer said.

  "Motion seconded." The receptionist said. "All in favor of the removal of Belfry Jr. from his position as CEO?"

  Brandon, Jennifer Kolstad, and Henry voted yes. Giving them a combined total of 44%.

  "Against?" The receptionist asked.

  Belfry Jr., his son, Jeremy Kolstad, and Rebeca Monty all voted no. Giving them a combined total of 45%.

  "44% for, 45% against." The receptionist read off from her terminal. "No majority. Max Poulton, you are required to cast your vote."

  "You can't fire my dad." Belfry III said, and his father gripped his shoulder to calm him down.

  Abstaining from a board vote was only possible when the vote had already been decided. Had Max not been present, they'd have postponed the decision until another meeting where Max could vote. With 3% held by non-voting citizens, a vote could never account for a full 100% of the shares.

  "Think of the men and women who work for you." Henry said. "They count on you to represent them in this matter."

  Collectively the employees of Pearl Power only held 8% of the company. Usually nothing more than a gesture when it came to voting, but today it was the employees of Pearl Power who'd decide.

  "Can you honestly say that you're better off with Johnathan in charge?" Henry asked.

  "We're well paid, and even with the massive drop in value only two men were laid off." Max said. "Hell, those men deserved it." He looked betwe
en Henry, Belfry Jr., and Brandon.

  "Why?" Max asked Brandon. "Why do you care? Why do you want him gone?"

  Brandon cracked his neck, "Johnathan lacks honor."

  "He—" Belfry III began.

  "Yes," Brandon cut him off. "Your dad keeps his contracts. He pays his men well. He built Pearl Power, and the whole city prospers because of it." He looked directly into Belfry Jr.'s eyes. "But, you lack honor. You think of yourself king over this company, and by proxy of our city. You are one man, and a vile man at that. Your petty behavior is felt throughout the city, down to an orphan boy you took your anger out on recently. From what I hear your son enjoys beating orphan boys too. Have you been tutoring him?"

  Belfry Jr.'s face dropped as he realized why this was actually happening. It wasn't for profits, though those encouraged Brandon, it was vengeance for Ren and justice for their city. No one man should be powerful enough to control the destiny of a city. Brandon would risk his entire fortune to ensure his city didn't become another monarchy.

  "His corrupted mind, has begun to corrupt this company, and our city can't afford for Pearl Power to go dark." Brandon finished with special infliction which encouraged an audience to applaud.

  None of the board members clapped, but several said, "Here, here," in agreeance with him.

  Max hung his head. "I vote yes."

  The receptionist's voice was shaky as she read out, "52% for, the motion carries. Johnathan Belfry Jr. is removed as CEO of Pearl Power."

  "No!" His son screamed.

  Belfry Jr. grabbed him by his shirt as he stood, "Mark my words," He gestured to Brandon, right hand extended palm up, with his left hand resting in the crook of his elbow palm up. The damn blood oath. "I'll recover everything you've taken from me today, twice over. You think I'm vile now, you haven't seen how vile I can be."

  Belfry Jr. led his son away from the table and called over his shoulder. "You'll pay in blood."

  If he means to kill me, so be it.

  WANT MORE?

  REN'S TALE CONTINUES WITH BOOK 3, Sorcerer's Trial, and Chronicles of the Seventh Realm is only getting started. There are several stories yet to come, and Nations left to explore.

  If you enjoyed the story and want to learn about new books as they come out, join my email group. You'll also get access to book deals, free book giveaways, and exclusive insights into my life.

  Click the image above to join my email group. To find out more about me visit my website, NAKBaldron.com.

  AUTHOR NOTES

  FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT: THANK YOU! It's only because of you, my readers that I'm able to write these stories. While I would write no matter what, having readers who enjoy them motivates me to keep going when the work gets hard. You'll never know just how grateful I am to you. I know how little time there is in a day, and how many books there are to read—I'm honored you choose to spend your reading time with me and Ren.

  What started off as a way to entertain myself, and improve my skills as an author, has grown into an amazing story. In my not so humble opinion, Ren has grown into an interesting character, with whom I can explore this complex world of Fencura. Don't tell anyone, but Shaya is probably my favorite character. I've always had a fascination with honorable thieves, and there are none more honorable than Shaya. Unfortunately, this is the end of Brandon's part in Ren's Tale. But, there is great news. Brandon will get his own tale soon! The working title for his first book is CREDITS & BLOOD. What do you think? Feedback is always welcomed. Email me your thoughts.

  I have the lucky fortune to live in a small town right outside Austin, Texas. With a nearly endless supply of walking trials, and public woods to visit, I'm able to free my mind while I walk. Exercise has become one of the most important parts of my writing day. Without a daily walk my mind is foggy, and I'm unable to keep up my momentum when writing day in and day out. Momentum has become the key to my success. Without it, I'd fall behind and never hit my deadlines. By setting the deadlines to ship a story every month I'm able to push myself to new heights.

  I consider myself an apprentice wordsmith, learning the craft of writing in public. By framing my mindset around the idea that writing is a craft, and that I'm an apprentice learning said craft, I've been able to remove most of the self-doubt that use to plague me. The other key part to this, is the learning in public. Meaning that I ship what I write to receive feedback from my readers.

  If you hold aspirations to become a writer, or really any type of artist. I hope you'll adopt the mindset of viewing it as a craft. Just as a carpenter must learn how to use his tools, the types of wood, and so many other things—so too must a writer, or artist. In my view, there is no difference in the artist and the craftsman, aside from cultural labels, and perhaps mindset.

  I hope that this book is proof that anyone can become an author, or artist of any kind if you set your sights on learning the craft.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  MY WONDERFUL GIRLFRIEND, your constant support and belief in my abilities when I doubt myself, keeps me going. Our wonderful relationship keeps me grounded. Our home—full of love and jokes—keeps me centered and mentally stable. In short, you're my second half—like the Ancient Greek story.

  My critique group, thank you for the honest feedback, and willingness to explain your points of view so I can understand the mind of my readers.

  A special thanks to Brian, your feedback on grammar and word choice helped bring my story to life.

  My editor Nick Marsden at Pencastle Books for his long hours of dedication turned this story from a pile of words, into the wonderfully crafted novella you have in your hands.

  You, my reader. Your support enables me to continue crafting this wonderful story. I hope you enjoy Chronicles of the Seventh Realm as much as I love writing it. Your reviews, emails, and other feedback means the world to me. Not in a thousand years, would I have expected such positive feedback, and I'm eternally grateful to you. With the myriad of book options there are to read these days, I'm honored you've chosen to spend your reading time on mine. I wish I could thank each and every one of you in person, but please know I mean it when I say, you're why I write.

  Nicholi (N A K Baldron) is an author and an avid reader. Stories that take place in fictional worlds, with memorable characters, make his heart race like nothing else.

  He spends his days debating between whether it's coffee or tea time and pecking away at his keyboard to produce stories for his readers. Otherwise, he can be found strolling through one of the many wooded areas in the small town outside Austin, Texas that he calls home.

  Knowing how precious reading time is, he's always honored when his readers spend their time on his stories when there are so many to choose from.