“How are you Great Aunt?” asked Karash.
“That boy is none of your concern, where did you run off to again, join the circus wasn’t it?” Bloral scowled at Karash with a great sense of malice.
“No, I joined the army.” Karash replied.
“They must be desperate if they are accepting pathetic specimens such as you. I knew you father shouldn’t have left you in charge or that fat idiot.” She said gesturing towards Herrick.
“Always a pleasure aunt.” Karash said with the sarcasm becoming apparent.
The old woman then became extremely agile and flew round whacking Karash on the arm with her walking stick, she then turned and limped off in the direction of the bar mumbling about how she was surrounded by ingrates.
“She hasn’t changed.” Said Karash.
“She always was miserable, only her kids were good enough to run the business but never mind about her come and meet Gradon.” Ellia said glowing with excitement.
Karash could remember Bloral’s children they were evil bullies they always used to beat up Karash and steal anything he had and Bloral would always blame him for being a bad influence on her babies. One was now running a crime syndicate and the other was in prison but he wasn’t meant to know that.
“What does Gradon do?” asked Karash.
“He is a business man, him and father are planning to merge the businesses.” replied Ellia.
Karash suddenly why Herrick was slaying on all this luxury for his daughters wedding, because it had the ability to make him even richer than he already was; this was the tell tell sign that Herrick came from Karash’s fathers side of the family. Never the less Gradon must have been very rich and powerful because the walls were lined with statues and ribbons and every room Karash passed had fine furniture, food, drink, music and in some there were fountains and ice sculptures. It look as though a Imperial banquet was happening, now Karash really was interested in meeting Gradon, to find out exactly what he does.
“Here he is!” screeched Ellia. At which point she ran over to the man in the corner of the room and passionately kissed him. “Gradon meet my cousin Karash.”
“Nice to meet you Gradon.” Said Karash shaking his hand.
“Karash, I’ve heard so much about you. I hear you are in the army.” The man said with a great grin on his face. Karash could he was a business man because of that awful sales grin.
Gradon then turned to Ellia whispered something into her ear to which she nodded and then ran off back out of the room. Karash drew himself up to his full height because he was unnerved as to why they had been left alone.
“Karash come and sit down, I want to talk to you about something.” Said Gradon pointing at two seats.
Karash went over and sat down still clasping his pistol that was concealed under his shirt, “What is this about?”
“Well, I own a business similar to yours and to that end this marriage would see the unification of the two.” Gradon had put on that salesman smile again. “And as I am sure you know Herrick has decided to sell me his share of the business.”
“What?” Karash was now listening to his full ability.
“I am sorry if you didn’t know but he wishes to take early retirement, so could you please sell me you share…”
“No I will not. I may not be here in the day to day running of the business but it has been in my family for generation and will be here for generations to come!” Karash said instantly standing up.
“Your family is stagnant, they have not made any significant growth in years and I will be able to expand this business beyond your imagination.” Gradon also stood up the grin disappearing from his face.
Ellia then came back into the room and instantly noticed the tension but did not say anything because of the look she was getting from Gradon. Karash did not stay to watch the conversation; he stormed off to find where that idiot Herrick was and sort him out.
“Boy, come here!” boomed Bloral.
“Shut up you old buzzard,” Karash barked.
The old woman stood for a moment in shock and then began to shout and thrash about on the spot but no one paid any attention because she quite often did such things. Karash didn’t really care because now Herrick was in sight and he was about to get the full brunt of Karash’s anger.
“Herrick!” Karash shouted.
The fat man tried to run away from his cousin but it was unsuccessful as he ran into a door. He looked as if he was about to have a heart attack.
“Cousin I’m sorry, but I don’t want to spend the rest of my life working.” Herrick was visibly squealing.
“Why? The business has been in the family for generations and I left you in charge.” Said Karash.
“You ran from the business, why can’t I?” Herrick replied taking a superior stance.
“Besides that Gradon is a horrible man and you are not acting in the best interests of your daughter but the best way to line you pocket.” Karash ignored Herrick’s previous statement.
“How dare you two little ingrates talk to me in such away…” Bloral had entered the room.
Karash and Herrick both told her where to go before continuing to argue, they went on for another twenty minuets before coming to an end.
“You can’t let the marriage go ahead!” shouted Karash.
“You have no say in the matter Karash and you don not have to sell your share of the business, now get dressed the wedding is at dusk.” At which point Herrick turned and left the room.
“The wedding is today?” Karash asked himself. This was about to turn very bad for everyone involved. Bloral was still fuming, Herrick was about give his daughter to a man who only wanted the money and poor Ellia was going to spend the rest of her life in horrible relationship. But what could Karash do about it now, he had to go and get dressed the wedding was in only 3 hours.
