Chapter 343 - The Moonshadow Trading Company Short Stories: 3 - The Expansion of Moonshadow (II) (2/2)

Talo paused, ”Lovolon?”

”We'll be establishing a proper and exclusive Moonshadow Warehouse on the Eldovian Mainland. I need you to head over to Lovolon and acquire a warehouse, you'll need to ferry some supplies there for construction as well. Communicate with Iah for the details. I'll meet you in Lovolon in two weeks,” Rassa explained.

”Two weeks?” asked Talo, ”That'll only be enough time for two trips…and that's if the winds are favourable”.

”I can wait if I need to,” Rassa replied, ”Besides, if you're going to be selecting and training a new crew, I'd be more inclined to let you take your time”.

Talo frowned in thought, ”I suppose the extra days at sea does give me time to get to know any newcomers better. But the ship will be overcrowded”.

”It was overcrowded for three weeks on the journey from the south,” Rassa said, ”You'll make do”.

Talo rolled his eyes, ”Yes boss, I'm assuming I'll be seeing Iah for the details?”

”Go tomorrow morning, she's…well, just give her the rest of the day off,” said Rassa, ”I'll be going to Eldovia again. I'm taking Mathius and Ebony with me this time”.

Rassa's gaze went over Layton, who appeared somewhat deflated after being ignored, and Sel, who continued to await orders once more. Rassa hesitated only a moment before he nodded, ”You two can come with me as well if Talo doesn't need you?”

Talo shook his head, ”Take 'em”.

Rassa nodded, ”Then be at the Charm Shop at sundown”.

Sel nodded, and Layton grinned with a savage excitement.

”Sel, let Elsbeth know she'll need to be on the second trip to Lovolon with Talo. Get her to pick seven others whom she trusts. At least 3 of them need to be capable of making decisions on their own and need to be fast learners. Understood?” Rassa instructed.

Sel nodded, ”It will be done, Master”.

”Good,” said Rassa, then Sel disappeared, Layton turning to go and grab his things from below decks. Rassa sighed. He barely knew these men, but they were willing to follow him so explicitly because he was a friend of Aegin.

”Something wrong, Mr Moonshadow?” asked Will.

”I am no longer human, Will,” said Rassa, ”I haven't been in a long time. But sometimes I remember vaguely what it was like to be ordered around with no tangible benefits. I am not doing that to you, am I?”

Will snorted in amus.e.m.e.nt, ”We lived for many years in a place where there were no tangible benefits. Perhaps we are just used to it. At least with you as our Master, we are able to go where we wish and are free to earn our own coin and live our own lives. I don't think any of us could d.e.s.i.r.e anything more”.

Rassa frowned, ”It feels strange, you calling me Master. I know you fought for your freedom yet you choose to call me as such”.

”Better to serve the Master we have chosen, than the one we have not,” Will replied.

Rassa glanced at Will, seeing the steady and calm resolve on his face, ”Then you'll let me know, won't you? If I am no longer a Master you choose”.

”You'll be the first, Mr Moonshadow,” said Will.

Rassa flashed a fang from beneath his dark hood, ”Then I promise not to drain you where you stand for telling me”.

Rassa disappeared at Will's pale face and Talo chuckled behind him.

”He's a good master, sure,” Talo said, ”But his sense of humour is an acquired taste”.

”I imagine blood is as well,” Will said as he relaxed, ”Want me to put out a call for new crew?”

Talo nodded, ”Twenty will do. More and I won't know what to do with them all”.

Will turned and walked back down towards the Warehouse.

***

Ebony knew that Iah would not welcome her. She'd known it since she'd awoken from her hunger and looked down at Mathius' corpse-like body. Still, the cold detachedness with which Iah greeted her hurt.

”Ebony”.

Ebony just nodded as Iah had already turned to look at Mathius, her eyes widening from the change in him. To anyone who had not met him before perhaps the change would not be so obvious. But the way he moved and carried himself, the way he appeared just slightly younger than before, that was all very different. Find authorized novels in , faster updates, better experience, Please click for visiting.

”Mathius…are you…okay?”

Mathius looked at Iah, then gave an ever-so-slightly nervous glance at Ebony. Ever since Ebony had managed to shake him from his hunger that morning, he'd avoided the subject of Iah. Ebony didn't exactly know what he felt, only that Iah was somebody he didn't wish to hurt. His rebirth had made him powerful, but it had also filled him with a hunger that could never be satiated. One that he could very well lose himself to if he wasn't careful.

A calming breeze brushed the curtains, and Ebony turned to acknowledge Rassa as he stepped into the Office via the balcony, his hood shielding his face from view. Ebony felt the slightest sense of relief settle on her shoulders at his presence.

”I'm okay,” Mathius said to Iah, ”Don't worry about me. I was stupid for walking in there without permission anyway. At least half of the blame should rest on my shoulders”.

Iah gave a glance over at Ebony, then Rassa, then back to Mathius, ”Forgive me if I don't agree, but there is nothing I can do but accept it as reality now”.

Iah stepped forward, but Mathius took a step back. Iah looked surprised.

”Sorry, I'm just…not ready. Next time we meet, I promise I'll greet you properly,” said Mathius.

”Ah, right,” said Iah.

The atmosphere drifted into the awkward before there was a knock on the door and Iah turned to it, ”Come in”.

Sel and Layton stepped in, both carrying small bags with their belongings.

”Everyone's here, then,” said Rassa, ”Good, we should be able to meet up with Kit and Olly without much delay. Mathius, Ebony, you can hunt when we reach the Mainland. There should be ample land for you to stretch your legs”.

Rassa took a few steps forward to Iah, then, much to everyone's surprise, wrapped her in a hug. Iah froze momentarily, but when Rassa didn't seem to react, Iah relaxed and returned the hug. She understood that despite his apparent lack of sympathy for her current emotions and mindset, he still wished to offer her some form of the human emotion.

”Thank you for holding down the fort, Iah Moonshadow. Now and always,” said Rassa.

Iah huffed out a laugh, shocked to feel her emotions clog in the throat. She closed her eyes, hugging him tighter for a moment before she stepped away, ”Safe travels”.

Rassa gave her a warm smile, ”We'll talk soon, remember to keep an eye on that charm”.

Iah sighed, ”As you instruct, Mr Moonshadow”.

Rassa looked somewhat amused at her address before he turned and nodded towards the door, ”Let's go”.

Iah watched them from the third-floor window as they marched up the street towards the centre of the Island, the Lamp Lighters passing them by as the sun dipped below the horizon. Coming and going like the wind. Iah couldn't help but wonder if Rassa would ever feel content enough to settle down in one place.