Magistrate Vellun had just finished pouring the drinks when the door to his
office slid open. He turned and watched the young woman enter. She was dressed
in very rich, old-styled clothing.
Vellun remembered that her father had had such extravagant tastes as well.
Her long golden hair was curled and held back from her face with ribbons and
circlets. Indeed, she was a beauty; the likes of which were not normally seen on
the Detrius Colony. She was just so... natural. Seeing her, Vellun wished he
was 50 years younger... and 50% less artificial.
Kashen also moved from his seat to greet the woman as she walked into the
room. Vellun knew that Kashen had no love for her family, but the man played
politics well, which was why he had risen so high amongst the Ophidian ranks.
Higher perhaps than any human before him. The circular serpent, the symbol of
the Ophidian Games, was tattooed onto his forehead, letting all know his rank.
"Lady Diamond," Kashen nodded, a sneer slightly visible on his
lips.
Vellun smiled at the beautiful young woman. "My darling, darling
Dreena," he drawled. "So good to see you again. It has been too long.
Far too long. Oodles and oodles of lonely, lonely time."
The Magistrate offered a glass to Dreena Diamond. She accepted but did not
drink. The scent of Byrdarian Wine tickled her nose.
"It has indeed," she replied, throwing her rich cloak to one side
before taking the seat Vellun offered her. Kashen joined them.
"So, this is the daughter of Dasher Diamond, hmmm?" Kashen said,
eyeing the shapely woman. "The late great Handler-Extraordinaire?"
"My father was a handler," Dreena said, tilting her head just
barely in Kashen's direction. "I am a manager."
"Manager?" Kashen laughed, a high-pitched screech that set
Dreena's teeth are on end. "Of what?"
"Now, now, Kashen," Vellun warned. "You're being rude."
"That's as may be," Kashen said. "But the question remains.
Your father may have had a great stable at one time, but those fighters are all
retired, or dead. Tell me then, Lady Diamond, what exactly are you a manager
of?"
Dreena smiled. She took a sip from her drink. The blue wine teased her lips
and warmed her throat. She waited a few moments, savoring the liquid. "I
have a new team of gladiators," she said at last. "I want to enter
them into the field."
"K'eepstl Vrrta Nosh!" Kashen snorted. "Just as I thought,
Vellun. She's trying to weasel in. I knew this was a waste of time. The Grakkan
Union is not for uppity-snips, Lady Diamond!"
"Silence, Kashen!" Vellun yelled, his composure slipping away for
just a second. Dreena thought she saw a flash of red across those deep-set
eyes. Quickly though, Vellun was back to his old self. "You forget
yourself. Lady Diamond is my guest."
Dreena gauged Kashen's reaction to Vellun's outburst. She could sense
resentment underneath that trained political countenance. He didn't want Dreena
entering the Union's competition, but Vellun was one of the largest human sponsors
of the Games and he had to acquiesce. "I have all the proper
paperwork," Dreena added. "And more importantly I have the entrance
fee ready to transfer into your account, with the Ophidian's proper taxes added
of course. And if I'm not too much mistaken, I haven't missed the deadline for
entries."
Kashen nodded curtly. His masters were only interested in the fee. He
didn't like the fact that the daughter of Dasher Diamond was continuing the
family legacy. Oh, it would make good press, but the Diamond name always
carried baggage.
"Very well," Kashen said. "Since you have the backing of
Magistrate Vellun, I will inform my masters. I do hope your team is ready, Lady
Diamond."
Kashen nodded to both and left the room. He cursed under his breath as he
walked down the corridor towards the landing bay.
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