Chapter 363 - The Moonshadow Trading Company Short Stories: 8 - The Coven City of Lyserna (II) (2/2)
Neva raised an eyebrow, ”So it's true then?”
Rassa's eyes flashed red and Neva averted her gaze, ”Whether it's true or not holds no bearing on me or this company. That family lost their rights to call me a son of their blood before I was even born, let alone reborn”.
”Understood,” Neva replied.
There was a long silence before Rassa sighed, ”I'll speak to you tomorrow, Neva”.
”Of course,” Neva replied before she too disappeared and the Communication Charm's pale light faded.
Layton huffed from behind him, ”Well, I suppose that explains your passive-aggressive attitude towards the Kildare Trading Company”.
Rassa sighed, ”Do you have a mildly good proposal for us moving forward, Layton?”
Layton sensed the underlying anger in Rassa and decided to speak no more on the matter, ”Well, whenever my masters wanted something done, they bought or stole more slaves”.
”Sla-”
Rassa looked up at Layton, somewhat shocked that the young man who thought of little more that battle could propose such a cost-effective business plan.
”What?” asked Layton, then he registered Rassa's expression, ”Did I say something?”
Rassa, despite his allegiances, did not approve of slavery. But this…this could not only solve his labour problem, but also what would undoubtably become a population problem in the future.
”Layton, I am shocked to tell you that perhaps you actually have a brain”.
Layton's expression dimmed, ”I'm not an idiot”.
”No, but you tend to think with your fists and fangs more than your head”.
Layton could say nothing more to that as Rassa vanished. Layton was left to close the door behind himself and follow after his Master.
***
Layton had not returned in the day following his abrupt departure. Rumours had swirled the island that the head of Moonshadow had made a reappearance though. Was that what Layton had been talking about before he left? It seemed the most likely option.
Still, Allyra kept faith that he'd be back as soon as he'd dealt with whatever business he had with Rassa Moonshadow. After all, he'd kept her company for at least an hour every night for several months as she cleaned up her store after a day of business.
He arrived just after the sun went down and stayed to ensure she got home safely before he disappeared into the night. He rarely walked beside her on the way home, but Allyra was always positive he was there somewhere in the shadows. It was like she could feel his presence.
Yet, as the sun dipped down again and the lamplighters did their work along the streets, there was no sign of Layton for a second night in a row.
Allyra looked at the little cakes she'd baked, this time a cold desert rather than one she had baked so that the blood was still somewhat fresh.
With a sigh, she picked up the tray of cakes and threw it in the bin, washing the tray before she picked up her basket and scarf, heading for the door.
She opened it, then turned and locked it. Pocketing the key, she turned again to head home only for a figure to meld out of the shadows before her, speaking her name.
”Allyra Cavahall”.
Allyra knew those maroon eyes, pale skin and dark hair instantly. For being one of the ric.h.e.s.t men on the continent, Rassa Moonshadow certainly didn't show it off. His clothing, though made from the finest materials, was plain black with hints of red and silver. The Evanine Necklace badge of his company hidden in the labels of his jacket, a simple silver bracer embedded with a moonstone visible beneath the sleeve of his left wrist.
”Rassa Moonshadow,” Allyra spoke, gathering her courage, ”To what do I owe the p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e?”
Rassa gave a small smile, in looked somewhere between indulgence and amus.e.m.e.nt.
”What is it you want, Allyra?”
Allyra raised an eyebrow, ”Sorry?”
”From your life, what is it you want?” asked Rassa, ”I admit you have done well for yourself since your family banished you. You have your own shop, a respectable enough social life despite it being beneath the circles of your birth, but, it seems to me that you don't appear to be going anywhere despite your clear talent and newfound independence”.
”And may I enquire as to why a man of such high esteem and so beyond my 'circles' as you call them, is even interested in what I want?” asked Allyra.
Rassa smiled, ”Our circles may be closer than you think, so indulge me”.
Allyra raised an eyebrow, ”And you think I would give such information for free?”
Rassa chuckled, ”You are a loss for your family”.
”Besides, what makes you think I even want something beyond what I have?” asked Allyra, ignoring his statement.
Rassa raised an eyebrow, ”Because you spent three years looking for a man from a fragment of a memory that was stolen from you. Seeing as I am interested in your answer, I will answer one question from you in return”.
Allyra raised an eyebrow, contemplating his deal, then she spoke, ”What I want? I want to be beside someone who will challenge me to be more than the meek young lady I was raised to be. I don't much care in what capacity or form that is, so long as they don't allow me to retreat into the shell of a girl I once was”.
”Am I correct in thinking that Layton is that individual for you?”
Allyra said nothing for a moment, ”I answered my question, now you answer, the same question”.
Rassa pulled a charm from behind his back, tossing it to Allyra who caught it. She looked at the rune. A truth charm. Was he testing her? He turned away from Allyra, gazing up at the moon in the sky, ”My people are both very old and very new in this world. It is my duty to protect them and build a world where they are not seen as merely monsters. That is what I want”.
Allyra frowned as she felt the warmth in her hand, ”You're lying”.
Rassa raised an eyebrow, ”Am I? Charms are quite ambiguous things. Did you want to hear my truth, or yours? Or perhaps you didn't want to hear either answer?”
Allyra stared at Rassa for a long moment before he turned away from her and walked off down the street, ”It was nice speaking with you, Allyra Cavahall”.