Chapter 341 - The Moonshadow Trading Company Short Stories: 2 - The Remnants of Old (IV) (1/2)
Iah stared across her office at the empty desk Ebony had taken to working at. She hadn't been in all day. Iah didn't want to impose, but she could tell that something was wrong even without asking for a report from Mathius.
Iah massaged her temples as she looked down at the numbers in front of her. In all honesty, the girl had been more of a hindrance than a help ever since Rassa had left. Iah never thought she'd see the day when she was better at this whole business thing than Ebony.
A knock sounded on the door and Iah sighed.
”Come in,” Iah called.
Mathius entered, closing the door behind him again, ”The orders scheduled for pick-up have all been collected and payments have been done in full”.
Iah nodded, taking the report from Mathius tiredly, her eyes straying to the empty desk again.
”Elsbeth is doing well, she handled some of the clients and though surprised upon seeing a new face, none of them seemed unhappy when they left,” Mathius stated.
Iah nodded again. After a short pause, ”Ebony?”
”I'm pretty sure she hasn't left her apartment today,” Mathius admitted.
”At all?” asked Iah, turning to look at Mathius
Mathius nodded.
That was unlike her. Ebony had always been one who had to be doing something.
Iah stood, her decision made, ”I should check on her-”
”Miss Iah, you have a dinner with Miracle Lasvorn,” Mathius stated.
Iah's head dropped in realisation. The head of the Rouke Island Magician's Guild. She'd completely forgotten, but it was something she couldn't miss.
”Right,” said Iah, her eyes not leaving the empty desk.
”I can check on her,” said Mathius.
Iah turned to look at Mathius.
”Are you sure?” asked Iah.
Mathius nodded, ”I may not have known her long, but I know something is bothering the poor girl. Maybe she just needs someone to talk to”.
”And you think she will talk to you?” asked Iah.
Mathius gave a warm smile, ”I'm told I have a gift for such things”.
Iah sighed, ”Thank you, Mathius. But if something is wrong please send someone to fetch me right away. Miracle Lasvorn may be an important client but Ebony is a friend”.
Mathius nodded, ”Of course, Miss Iah”.
Iah nodded, then listened as Mathius gave the rest of his daily report before he bid her good luck for the dinner and ventured off as the sun began to descend.
Iah sighed. She hoped Ebony was okay. Iah knew that Rassa would likely have something to say on the matter, but the way she was now, Ebony wasn't helping Moonshadow. Iah would have to cut her off from the business if this continued.
***
Varkevia was everything Kit had dreamed of and more. It was so different to the port cities on the Islands and Port Lovolon, Varkevia rested on the side of a small mountain that on the east side flowed down towards a wide river at the bottom of a valley that flowed towards a large bay. On the west side there was a great intersection of roads leading in every direction, and villages spotted over the grasslands between.
The spires and grand houses of the rich and powerful looked down on the more humble lives of those beneath, but no matter their origin, everything seemed to congregate in the grand square just short of the base of the mountain. It seemed to come alive as the sun set, with business booming for all those that were there.
”Is this the Night Market?” asked Kit as he looked around at the vastness of what was available.
”It is,” Rassa nodded, ”I'll go and get us a room at the Pig's Pint Inn. It's about 3 blocks up the mountain, you can't miss it”.
”You're not taking us with you?” asked Kit.
Rassa smiled, ”Enjoy yourselves. You go shopping for whatever takes your fancy. I'll go shopping for a building”.
Kit was about to protest, only to realise that he probably wouldn't be of much help anyway when it came to looking for a shop-front for Moonshadow. It begged the question why Rassa had brought them along in the first place, but before Kit could ask, Olly was already dragging him through the crowd, not even bothering to wave goodbye to Rassa.
Rassa watched them disappear into the crowd before his eyes strayed up the street. If he was looking for the best spot for a storefront in Varkevia. It would have to be somewhere close to this square, but it was highly unlikely that he'd find anywhere near here. Besides, Moonshadow was not like any other company.
Rassa began walking up the hill towards the inn he'd mentioned, his eyes scanning the streets and buildings. It wasn't long before he saw the inn, paying for the rooms like he's said he would and placing Kit and Olly's belongings in them. It was when he took a glance out of the window of the inn that he saw it.
Just outside the city limits, in a more heavily wooded part of the city, stood a building four stories tall and as large as one of the mansions in the upper parts of the city. The building was dark, and appeared abandoned.
Rassa immediately asked about it from the Inn Keeper.
”Ah, the old Bennett House? It's been abandoned ever since the line died out a decade ago,” the Inn Keeper explained, ”No one wants to buy it because the Bennetts' were pretty fond of the elves, let them stay in the house whenever they visited. Rumour has it that the daughter of Lord Bennett went and had a son with one of them. Though, since they all mysteriously died most people just view it as an eyesore. A family trying to be noble by building a mansion, but not having the dignity to build it higher”.
That explained it then, why no one currently wanted to associate with it. Rassa would make bets that that would change as soon as people knew it was a Charm shop.
It only took one more question to get the name of the one who held the deed.
Hence, an hour later, Rassa sat opposite the man who held the deed as the man came to the revelation of who Rassa was.
”Moonshadow…I heard tales of a company called Moonshadow in the Isles that possessed a fascinating and unique product,” he said, ”It would not happen to be the same Moonshadow, would it?”
Rassa smirked then reached into his pocket and drew a protection charm from the shadows, ”You mean this fascinating and unique product? I admit they have a certain charm to them”.
The man looked positively greedy as he eyed the charm, ”What would one who shares the name of that company be doing on my doorstep I wonder?”
Rassa placed the charm on the table in front of him, ”Well, with business doing so well, I'm looking to expand. Varkevia is the most successful Trade city in Eldovida, it simply makes sense. But I find that there are few buildings that meet my requirements for a storefront. I understand that you hold the land deed to the Bennett mansion”.
The man looked up at Rassa in surprise.
”You wish to purchase the Bennett House?” asked the man.
Rassa smiled, ”If it is possible”.
The man seemed hesitant, ”Well…”
One of the claws on Rassa hand extended inconspicuously and he tapped the protection charm.
”I would be grateful if you could sell it to me,” Rassa smiled.
The man looked at the charm, then at Rassa, then back at the Charm before he huffed and turned to a servant in the corner, ”Retrieve the Bennett House's Deed for Mr Moonshadow”.
The servant nodded and left the room. The man turned back to Rassa, ”I'm sure we can come to an agreement Mr Moonshadow. The Bennett house is worth at least four million gold, but I could sell it to you at…perhaps three million?”
The man's eyes flicked down to the charm.
Rassa smirked, his claw fl.i.c.k.i.n.g the protection charm across the table to where the man stopped it and held it greedily.
”Three million it is, take that as my gift for your cooperation,” said Rassa. The shadows around him revealed the crates of gold bars, and the man's eyes widened in shock as he met Rassa's gaze.
Rassa delved into his memories, using the allure to capture the man completely. Why had he hesitated? Why hadn't he wanted to sell until the greed got the better of him?
Ah, so that was it. The land wasn't his to sell in the first place. The Bennetts were not completely dead.
”You will take a pen and paper and write to the young Bennett Heir. Tell him what you did, and that you are willing to give up two thirds of your payout to him. Then, tell him the new owner is willing to pass all possessions within the house to him if he wants them, but he must show up within three years of today,” said Rassa, ”Is that clear?”
The man nodded, ”It is clear”.
”And forget my oddities whilst you're at it, I am but a man with a powerful vision,” said Rassa.
”I thank you for your business, but I really must be off, I've work up quite the appetite,” Rassa stated.
***
”Miss Ebony?”
Ebony flinched at the sound. She'd been wallowing in her own fear all day. She hadn't expected to hear from anyone. Not until Rassa got back. She wouldn't risk it until Rassa got back.