Chapter 350 - The Moonshadow Trading Company Short Stories: 5 - The Birth of Moonshadow Coven (I) (1/2)

*Eldovian Era 1715, 3rd day of the 8th month*

The snow that fell lightly across the mountain top barely looked as if it made a dent in the thick white powder that already covered the peak of Shigeni Mountain. It was blisteringly cold up here, more so than far below where the lights of Moonshadow Trading Company dominated the side of the Mountain. Even with such colossal structures far below, no one would dare to suspect there was anything so high up.

And yet, a dark shadow reached up and seemed to delicately brush a layer of snow off the side, revealing the glass surface beneath. It did the same thing a few more times, revealing the cave below that had been furnished and made hospitable, the skylight above revealing the sky. On a clear night, the moonlight would shine down to light the entire room, but now, when the snow fell, the skies were covered in thick clouds that one would have to surpass to see the night sky. Winter in Eldovia rarely saw a clear day.

Directly below the skylight, lying on a stone bench in a relaxed position, his short, dark hair ruffled as if he had just woken up, Rassa watched the snowflakes fall, pulling his shadows back.

He'd spent much of the past two years building this place. His sanctuary. A place where he could look out over what he had built as well as dream of the night sky and moon high above that he so loved to admire. It had always been a place he could escape to.

Until two months ago when Ebony had discovered it.

She'd made it a point to check here first whenever he disappeared from his duties for too long. He detested the thought, but also knew that she could do a lot worse. Since she'd awakened, she'd become a formidable force. While she'd never win in a fight against him, Rassa never relished having arguments with her. Or with Iah for that matter.

He heard the flap of her wings now, even over the sound of the winds at this altitude. He sighed, his eyes straying to the cave entrance just as the door opened and she strolled in, closing the door behind her to shield the room from the onslaught of high winds and bone chilling snow.

”Thought I'd find you here,” she said.

Rassa rolled his eyes and turned away, ”I usually come here so that I'm not disturbed. You seem to have become a frequent unwanted visitor”.

”Oh, boo hoo,” she replied without a hint of remorse, ”I thought you might like to know that they've all arrived”.

Rassa sighed, ”Alistair, Eon and Wil are not among them, yes?”

”You are correct,” Ebony replied, ”But it was their choice”.

Rassa sat up, ”I'm well aware, I just loath to see them grow old”.

”It will happen,” Ebony sighed, ”We cannot prevent it if that is what they wish. And it is their wish”.

Rassa turned to look at Ebony, ”And Neva?”

Ebony nodded, ”She is here. I am thankful for it considering you were only asking the Reapers beforehand”.

Rassa rolled his eyes, ”You could ask others too you know. So could Iah”.

”I could, but I think it will be a few more years before we think of it considering how my first attempt ended so badly,” Ebony stated.

Rassa stepped down from the stone slate he'd lain on and stepped over to Ebony, ”He's got four months left on his sentence, from the contact I have had, I know he regrets it. Whether or not he will do something similar again is yet to be seen, but he won't try for at least another decade or two”.

They were talking of Mathius of course, who was locked in the depths of the Mountain, only allowed to feed once a month when Rassa brought him a meal, and otherwise locked in Anthrite Chains. The punishment was one that Rassa knew from experience was quite unpleasant, and his hope that Mathius would learn from the experience was looking to be fulfilled.

”Still, it feels strange to have so many come to join us and to have him not present,” said Ebony.

”That was his choice to make,” Rassa stated as he walked towards the door, summoning his wings, ”Come, I'll leave this place behind for now seeing as I likely won't get any peace and quiet for some time. Is everything prepared?”

Ebony followed him out, her own black-red wings sprouting as she joined him amongst the whistling wind. Her long thick braid whipping away, ”It is”.

”Then lead the way,” Rassa stated. Ebony grinned and stepped to the ledge before she leant forward, and dropped spreading her wings a little to control her fall. Rassa smiled as she dove down, just a metre from the cliff-face before she spread her wings wide and levelling out a little. She'd been so terrified of heights before. Now, with her wings, she was the most daring out of them.

Rassa gave a half-hearted jump out from the ledge and plummeted down after her.

The Moonshadow Base he had built had become known as a Village to those who lived there. They simply referred to it as Moonshadow. It was not a village in the traditional sense however. Rassa would be the first to admit that he had taken some influence from the Jerrica Mines and carved Moonshadow into the side of Shigeni Mountain. Upon their first arrival, many of the new crafters and workers had deemed it far too large to accommodate just them, but it became clear in the months to follow that they had not been able to picture the scale of Moonshadow's operation, and of Rassa's vision.

From the outside, Moonshadow appeared almost like a castle, with spires carved nearly a third of the way up the colossal mountain side. There were three spires that rose above the bulk of Moonshadow, each with a different purpose. The Eastern-most Spire was the Administration Tower. Staff Records, Orders, as well as offices for those of higher authority were all placed here.

The Central Spire was primarily for meetings. It was also where the main communication Charm was located. At the top of this tower was also Ebony's personal quarters. Technically, it had originally been Rassa's. But since Rassa had taken up residence at the mountain peak, he'd happily handed his rooms to Ebony. She hadn't been one to complain.

The final tower, located on the Western Side, was built for Research and Development. It was where Kit and Olly spent most of their time. In fact, Rassa had had to build their quarters there considering they often ended up sleeping there overnight because it was too far to go to the actual staff quarters.

Below the Towers sat the main buildings. These were built further back into the mountain, so despite them appearing quite small on the outside, they were many times larger than they appeared. It was an average of six floors high, though it differed based on the Towers above it. The Eastern Wing tended to be where storage was for all materials as well as the main Vault for funds. Each Staff member had their own account here that they could deposit and withdraw from. Far easier than making their own way to other banks. Beneath the central Spire was the largest area. This was also the area that had earned Moonshadow it's Village status. The large opening at the entrance was twice as wide as a city gate, and down either side of the long, cavernous hallway beyond it was a stretch of supply stores and accommodations that were arranged to look like a traditional village or city street. Those under the employ of Moonshadow had been able to bring their families, and this space was large enough to accommodate them all. Only those under contract with Moonshadow were allowed to go beyond Moonshadow Village though, and security was very tight.

In the Western Wing was where most of the Crafting took place. Separate warehouses for different types of crafting, whether metal work, leather work or the charms themselves, but all of them were well respected and valued at Moonshadow.

All in all, since Moonshadow's inception, it had grown to become quite the busy place, and had drawn attention from outside parties as well. Of course, Ebony had allowed outside parties to visit. But they had to have a Transport, Trading or Visitors pass, and they were heavily monitored once inside. It was not an exaggeration to say that Moonshadow was the most secure place in Eldovia.

Ebony broke her fall by spreading her wings wide, the thump of them catching the wind resounded enough for Rassa to hear high above her, and he did the same. He glided down after her, both of them circling towards the main balcony just below the top of the central tower.

Iah waited there for them. A warm smile on her face as always. Even after she'd been Unsealed just a few months before, she'd managed to keep her warmth. Or, more accurately, learned to balance it with her darker impulses. Rassa had never been around her for longer than a month at a time, but he'd been around long enough to know that she was perhaps the scariest among them because her anger was always calm. She did not shout or scream. She expressed her disappointment, then acted before protests could be heard.

Iah approached Rassa as he landed and drew in his wings. She nodded her head in greeting.

”It's nice to see you again, Iah, I trust the journey was not too taxing?” asked Rassa.

Iah shook her head, ”The brief flight allowed me to clear my head. That Priestess is getting rather bold”.

Rassa sighed. Ever since he'd denied any meetings with Devina Lightbringer, the young Priestess had been intent on earning the trust of both himself and his coven. She'd brought together a group of followers whom she trained. For what exactly, Rassa wasn't entirely sure, but he knew it was not malicious in nature.

Still, there were times he had to question her sanity, and he often left Iah to deal with it seeing as the Priestess and her following were based on Rouke. Iah, frankly, was sick of them.