Chapter 346 - The Moonshadow Trading Company Short Stories: 4 - The Dominant (I) (1/2)

*Eldovian Era 1714, 1st day of the 12th month*

They came from every known corner of the world. Sh.i.p.s from Empires, Kingdoms, Republics and Merchant Fleets, all clamouring for a spot in the harbours of Rouke Island. Still, even with the hundreds upon thousands of sh.i.p.s that had come over the past several weeks, none had stood out more, nor drawn more attention than those with the deep red sails and the Moonshadow Crescent.

It had been a year now since Moonshadow's expansion to Eldovia, and of course their introduction of the new range of charms.

The Communication Charms especially had unlocked a new era, with 'relay houses' popping up all over the world that were set up specifically for those in possession of the charms to relay messages across vast distances. It had meant an incomprehensible shift in power. It was clear to any who could see it that whomever possessed a Moonshadow Charm wielded more power than their opponents.

Of course, rumour had it that Moonshadow always kept the best for themselves. The rumour was not unfounded.

There were some things, Ishta thought to himself, that Moonshadow had been able to do that would have been impossible before the introduction of their charms. Well, that and their none-too-ordinary founder. Setting up five new locations and a production house in under a year was one thing, but having a head known for frequenting all of them. One had to question whether or not he had a charm that could not just transfer his voice, but his body as well. Ishta was only partially convinced. He'd had a taste of Rassa Moonshadow's presence before, and Ishta couldn't help but think that the man was capable of making those trips in a night that should have taken a month without the aid of one of his miraculous charms.

Ishta stood from his desk, stretching his arms up and to the side. Much preparation had gone into preparing for this Trader's Festival. The Gold Token had been his for four years now, he was ready to make it six. He smiled out at Port Cresh, assured of his victory despite it only being the first day of the festival. Moonshadow may have been renowned and formidable, but they were still an infant. One continent was nothing compared to Ishta's Golden Sands Trading Empire.

”You seem deeply contemplative, Ishta”.

Ishta froze in surprise. He had not even heard the other man arrive. He turned his head ever so slightly to see the head of Moonshadow himself running his fingers across the bookshelf to the side.

”This is the second time that you've come into my office uninvited,” Ishta grumbled.

Rassa gave a small smirk of amus.e.m.e.nt as he turned back to Ishta, ”Relax, I'm not here to threaten or coerce. If anything, it's just to offer my greetings”.

”We're businessman, Mr Moonshadow,” Ishta replied, ”Even greetings have a purpose”.

Rassa chuckled as he walked over to Ishta, turning to glance out the window, ”Then, formalities aside, how willing are you to talk about the deal we discussed a year ago?”

Ishta raised an eyebrow, ”Expanding too quickly will have devastating consequences for new companies”.

”Are you giving me advice?” asked Rassa.

”Just an observation from experience,” replied Ishta.

Rassa nodded in acknowledgement, ”I don't share your concerns. I believe Moonshadow has already proven itself to be beyond the norm, no?”

”You'll have to forgive me then,” Ishta replied as he sat down in his seat, ”For I've become far more cautious since…well, our last meeting”.

Rassa stared at Ishta a long moment, a half-smile on his face that looked every bit a King looking down on an ignorant Peasant. For once, Ishta didn't feel offended. He knew instinctively that Rassa was not wearing a façade. But the same could not be said for his company.

”Then, should I provide the proof you seek?” asked Rassa.

”Then, I would be open to discussions,” said Ishta.

Rassa smiled, stepping around the desk towards the window, ”Then I'll be sure to return with proof”.

A slight breeze blew in and the hulking shadow that had seemed to cover the room disappeared. Ishta released a long breath. He had never felt as weighed down by another's presence as he did when he was with Rassa Moonshadow. A sinking reality began to settle over his head like a storm cloud. Ishta may be able to keep his Golden Token for now, but it was only a matter of time before Rassa Moonshadow took his place. Ishta no longer felt like the King of Trade. He felt like a puppet sitting on a throne in the place of the Shadow King behind the curtain.

In Rouke's Southern Port of Leis, on the famed Charm Street, on the second floor of the building that had started it all, a single room emitted a low light even after all the staff had been dismissed for the day.

Within the room, sat on one of the eight chairs surrounding the massive crystal in the centre, was the Lady of the Ruin herself, Iah Moonshadow.

Her olive toned skin was clear and without blemish, her honey coloured eyes tinged with just the slightest hint of red. Her brown locks pulled up into an elegant bun on top of her head. She wore an elegant blue dress that was also a fashion statement started by Moonshadow. The elegant dress that rather than flare out, fell straight down to the ankles, slits on either side of the skirt up to the mid-t.h.i.g.h allowing for easier movement. Her neck and ears were adorned with matching jewellery, small sapphires that spoke of her wealth and status.

Those that appeared in the other seats around the table appeared just as wealthy despite the fact that they were but images. Their likenesses transferred hundreds of kilometres so that they could converse on this special night. The fourth anniversary of Moonshadow's Founding.

Mathius Silvermoon, the head of the Barday branch, sat on Iah's left. To be deceived by his elderly look was the downfall of many a customer. Mathius had proven a ruthless businessman, a quality often needed in a central location such as Barday.

Beside him was Neva Goldmen, the ex-slave from the south whom had proven herself a worthy leader of the Circle Quay branch of Moonshadow. Her dark skin had been an oddity amongst a population that was largely pale, but she had never let it impact on her business dealings. She'd taken the same last name as her past mistress, Elsbeth Goldmen, the head of the Varkevia branch who sat three seats from her.

Between them were also ex-slaves from the south, Logan Lythal, a overbearingly large man who'd taken the name of his birth village as his surname, and Josephine James, who'd taken the name of her late brother who'd died in the Warrior's Arena.

Following Elsbeth, with her always regal and m.a.t.u.r.e bearing, was Ebony Moonshadow, Iah's sister for all intents and purposes, with her golden hair and green eyes. For a while, Iah had been at odds with her thanks to Ebony's unplanned turning of Mathius who had always been a dear friend to Iah. But once Iah had been turned herself following the beginning of the new year, she'd found it impossible to keep up the grudge. She had come to understand impassively just how much of a burden the hunger could be, and had even struggled with it herself. Ebony had helped her, just as she had helped Mathius, and they had grown closer in their roles. Iah as head of the Rouke Island branch, and Ebony as Rassa's second and head of the Moonshadow Base at Shigeni Mountain.

The chair between them, which Rassa was supposed to be occupying, remained empty. Iah glared at it with the same annoyance as Ebony before she leaned forward to address the others.

”I believe our esteemed leader would offer congratulations and of course a heartfelt thanks for our work,” stated Iah.

Ebony pursed her lips, ”He left late last night, he should be there by now, Iah”.

”Oh, both of you stop it,” Elsbeth sighed, ”We all know what he's like, flitting from here to there. He's barely taken a breath the past year thanks to the Expansion, and now he's to spend two weeks in the one spot for the Trader's Festival”.

”Aye, he's likely out keeping himself occupied,” Mathius agreed, ”Something that is well-earned”.

Iah and Ebony both looked at each other before they calmed, ”Very well, Ebony, Mathius, your rooms are prepared for your arrival in a few days. Hopefully by then our fearless leader will have deigns to show up for the festivities”.

”You three remember to stop and enjoy yourself to,” Elsbeth smiled warmly, as she looked at the three Vampires in turn, ”The Moonshadow Empire will not be worth building if you do not enjoy it”.

Iah returned the smile, ”Thank you for the reminder, Elsbeth. And all of you, take a break for this anniversary. Enjoy yourselves”.

A chorus of agreement rose up as Iah leaned forward and touched the Communication charm, it's glow, and the images in the seats surrounding it vanishing until the room was dark once more. Iah sighed, pushing back her chair and standing as she turned to walk out. Only to pause at the figure in the doorway who watched her with a warm smile.

His crimson gaze and dark hair all too familiar to her. Unlike the rest of them, Rassa Moonshadow could be mistaken for a commoner with the way he dressed. His only adornment the moonstone cuff that had been given to him by a business partner and childhood friend, Falla Startree.

Iah froze for a moment as she took him in.

”Did you miss me?” asked Rassa with a smug smirk.

Iah's gaze turned to a glare, ”You could at least have the decency to show up on time for these meetings”. Iah shoved passed him and out into the hall, ”Really, I don't know why you organise them if you're just going to miss them anyway”.

”Have you ever seen the Moon from the top of the Volcano?” asked Rassa as he followed her, ”It was very pretty”.

Iah paused, huffing a laugh as she looked over her shoulder at Rassa, ”For a man who leads such a world-renowned and integral business chain, you're incredibly…”

”Charming?” Rassa suggested.

”Free-spirited,” Iah rolled her eyes.

”That wouldn't be so bad if you didn't say it like it was an insult,” Rassa sighed.

”I'm just saying,” Iah replied, ”Maybe you should try and take your business meetings more seriously. Seeing as it is your business”.

Rassa sighed as they entered Iah's office, plopping down on one of the couches, ”But what's the point of running this business for eternity? It will get incredibly boring. Surely, I can just push it in the direction I want and let everyone else take care of the details”.

”And if those details are handled in a way they shouldn't be?” asked Iah.

Rassa huffed haughtily, his eyes flashing red, ”As if any of them would dare”.

Iah sat down on the couch opposite him, ”You say that…but it has been quite some time since you last had to threaten anyone. They follow you now because you took those measures before, but with how you act now, people could take that as you loosening the leash so to speak”.

”So, you're saying I should threaten a few people to remind them to keep in line?” asked Rassa.

Iah sighed, ”No…I'm saying you should take your job more seriously so they do as well”.

Rassa leaned back, ”It sounds like too much hard work”.

Iah rolled her eyes, as she stood, whispering under her breath, ”Lazy Blood Blister”.

”What was that?” Rassa chuckled.

”Yes, O Fearless Leader. Whatever you say, goes,” Iah replied.

Rassa chuckled once more before he looked out at the dark sky, ”Up for a hunt?”

”I ate earlier,” Iah replied.

Rassa's smile faded, ”Oh. I guess I'll just go on my own then”.

Iah gave a small smile, ”I left a gift for you in your Pent House. Pretty bows and all”.

Rassa sat up quickly as he looked at Iah in surprise, ”Seriously?”

Iah shrugged, ”Think of it as an anniversary gift…and as motivation to take this Festival seriously”.

Rassa relaxed somewhat, a smile on his face as he stood and approached Iah, leaning forward to give her a brotherly kiss on the temple, ”You didn't have to”.

”I know. Call it a whim. Ebony thought you were a little down lately so she suggested it,” Iah replied.

Rassa turned to look away, ”I can't sneak anything past you girls”.

Iah tilted her head to the side in curiosity, ”Are you okay?”

Rassa gave a small smile, ”I'll be fine. Always am. Thanks for the gift”.

Then Rassa vanished without providing a further answer. Iah's eyes narrowed. Over the past year, she'd come to realise there were two sides to Rassa Moonshadow. There was the side who wanted something and would work to achieve it as quickly and efficiently as possible with an air about him that was dark and dominant. Then there was the side of him that at first seemed content, only for him to miss appointments and disappear without a word for sometimes weeks on end before he'd reappear. It was that side that worried her and Ebony. The side that seemed to be shrouded in a loneliness that they barely had a chance to help with.

After discussing it at length, Ebony and Iah had come to the conclusion that Rassa was missing somebody. By their guess, it was most likely Aegin Bloodthorn.