Chapter 148 A Truth Bomb (1/2)

'Diamond amongst Coal' was probably to generous in describing The Ruin. At least in Falla's opinion. But that wasn't to say that it didn't have potential. It was the best-looking place on the street, though the street was for all intents and purposes, full of unsavoury folk who preferred the shadows. It was not until she got closer that Falla realised the place wasn't completely constructed. Still, it Rassa had only purchased the place recently, he'd done well to get it this far in such a short time, and it looked sturdy too.

Layn was not so optimistic, ”Are you sure about this Miss Falla?”

”It's a bit late to be asking me that, Layn,” Falla sighed, ”We've already signed the contract, we must keep our word”.

Layn sighed, ”Yes, Miss Falla. Though please note I am not optimistic about this venture”.

”I will do so,” Falla smiled.

Layn had been her late husband's assistant before he became Falla's. Over the several months the three of them had spent together, Layn had grown to understand and respect Falla, as young as she was. He was a good decade older than Falla, older than her late husband by half that. Still, he'd been quick to reassess his judgements of her age when he'd seen the scale of the Evanine Crystal Mine she'd managed to come into possession of.

To put it simply, it was a good thing the mine was underground, or else it would have been difficult to hide it.

The carriage came to a halt, and Rassa walked out into the daylight right on time, his hood up to shield his eyes. Most would think of this as him lacking any decorum, but Falla was just used to it. She could hardly imagine what Rassa looked like without his hood during the day anymore.

Layn alighted from the carriage first, turning to help Falla down. Falla looked up to the Ruin, as Rassa had told her it was called, and then to Rassa.

”It's certainly new,” she commented.

Rassa sighed, ”Good morning”.

”Morning,” she replied, stepping forwards to greet him as he led her inside.

”I suppose a tour is in order first,” Rassa said.

”That would be nice, yes,” Falla replied.

Their conversation was quick and to the point. It was also somehow awkward and not at the same time. Layn had been thinking to make his own greeting as well, but seeing their interactions he'd simply snapped his mouth shut and kept quiet.

The three of them entered through the main doors, greeted by a large room with half-constructed shelves around. They appeared to be bookshelves, but their shelves were slanted down and they had glass panes blocking them from being touched.

”The store,” Rassa stated, ”The shelves have all been constructed to both display the charms and to keep them from the public. Each glass pane can only be unlocked be removed by a staff member, who are only to do so should a purchase be evident”.

”How many charms are you selling?” asked Falla.

The room was quite large, to fill the entire thing with the Protection Charms seemed pretty boring.

”Six,” Rassa replied, and he handed over a list, ”They'll be arranged by size and I thought of selling accessories as well to compliment the Charms. Perhaps pouches and the like to hold them”.

”Not Jewellery?” asked Falla, ”After all that is what the crystals are currently used for”.

”We could sell Jewellery, but I don't have anyone amongst my people who specialise in inlaying gems. Besides, the charms are most affective when they touch the skin of the person who wishes to invoke them. Putting a metal barrier in the way could inhibit them from working,” Rassa replied.

”Then why the pouches?” asked Falla.

”You can take them out of the pouches,” Rassa replied.

”And you can touch the gems inlaid in jewellery,” Falla argued back.