*Eldovian Era 1716, 14th day of the 12th month*

Rassa Moonshadow, dressed in formal maroon attire and for once showing off his Moon Stone cuff rather than hiding it beneath his sleeve, appraised the massive ball room before him with a smiling ease. Beside him, Ebony, in her silver ball gown, smiled with a genuine appeal as she spoke with a silk trader from the south.

A wine trader from Varkevia nodded to Rassa respectfully and Rassa returned it with a smile that he hoped was warm. He was never sure these days. Most people’s reactions were to shiver in fear rather than smile back. It was not as if he could blame them. He’d brought it on himself for the most part. It was not as if that fear had stemmed from nothing.

Fear of his tactics.

Fear of his products.

Fear of his ambition.

Fear of his exponentially growing influence and power.

Fear of something that most couldn’t quite put their fingers on.

Rassa tended to operate in shadows, but that did not mean that he actively tried to erase himself from the light. Even less so now that his Coven had grown to seven members aside from himself, all of whom were fully unsealed Vampires.

Ebony was in charge of Moonshadow’s Eldovia Headquarters, as she had been for the past three years. Iah had yet to hand over her position as head of the Rouke Island Branch, though she had been grooming a successor for a few months now by the name of Tahli.

Talo had become head of Moonshadow’s Fleet of Merchant ships. He had quite the hands-on approach, spending most of his time on one of the ships. As such, he had been the first of the Moonshadow Coven to take on Sanguine. He currently had 2 under contract. Though they made themselves useful as his deputies as well. Talo was not one to allow them to sit idly by as ready-made meals. Not on his ships.

Rassa had stopped trying to correct him some time ago that the ships were in fact Rassa’s. Talo still went where ordered after all.

Neva had resumed her position as head of the Lovolon Branch, though she too had begun to groom possible successors. The name of Neva Goldmen was quite famous in the Port City. So much so that there were few things that happened there that Neva didn’t know about. Her influence in the city was astonishing.

In fact, the influence of every Moonshadow Branch office was nothing to turn one’s nose up at. Especially after the implementation of the Rail Carriageway, or Railway.

The months of construction at the end of the previous year has been quite something. Nobody had been sure of whether or not this endeavour of Moonshadow’s was about to be of benefit or would finally be something that the young owner was too ambitious for and fail.

When the Railway’s construction was complete though, and the first carriages left Moonshadow headed for the various stations, everyone had simply stood back and watched in shocked amazement.

After a fortnight, the first requests had come in to Rassa for cooperation. Rassa had had Mathius take control as soon as he had emerged from his punishment, instructing him to create deals lasting three-months.

Three months of transportation via the railway, for a price of course. All varying depending on how often the businesses needed a spot and how large their cargo was. After the first three months saw those businesses double their profits now that they need not wait so long for supplies, even more businesses approached, and Rassa found himself not only having to increase the power output of the crystals and adding more carriages, but also adding two passenger carriages to every second transport. The public were shocked by the development, and cautious at first, but within a week tickets were being bought rapidly. Why? Because Rassa had made the tickets affordable to the public. Just 8 silver coins per person, per station they passed through. To have such tickets at the same price as leather belt or a nice shirt…the public praised him for such benevolence.

In truth, Rassa had been earning so much money from both his endeavours in the south and his new transportation routes, that he’d told Mathius that the Railway would be the one part of Moonshadow that would always be affordable to everybody. Yes, everybody, even those that transported their goods were impressed by the low prices. 5 silver per cubic metre of space per station.

With 100 passengers per carriage, or 450 spaces for cargo per carriage, when you added the stations, routes and the 6 scheduled carriages all together for a day’s profits, the projected number for city to city transport was just under 12,000 gold per day.

The only people that were unhappy were those that were jealous of Rassa’s knowledge and ingenuity. That, however, was typical and expected for Moonshadow’s business.

“You’re looking positively regal, I see,” Falla stated as she appeared through the crowd wearing a royal blue dress, Linc at her elbow as always.

“I do believe you aim to fit that bill, Miss Startree, I just dress in whatever Iah insists on for special occasions,” said Rassa.

Falla rolled her eyes, “Then I suppose I should be praising Iah’s tastes then, not yours?”

Rassa flashed her a more genuine smile, “Well, giving credit where credit is due…”

“Speaking of credit, at the rate my mine is digging up crystals, we’ll run the mine dry in under just six years,” said Falla.

“Are you telling me to pace myself?” asked Rassa.

“I’m saying that if you have any more rapid expansion plans, you best keep in mind that the Startree mine will struggle to keep up,” said Falla.

“Ah, but you will earn your money’s worth, will you not?”

Falla sighed, “You’re going to need to start transporting from the south soon”.

“That was not even up for question,” Rassa stated.

Falla raised an eyebrow at him.

“Eldovia is not a place rich in crystal mines, let alone Evanine. We will need to go elsewhere for a continued supply,” said Rassa.

“Then you will make inroads to the West?” asked Falla.

Rassa’s smile turned somewhat sad before he sighed, “One day, perhaps”.

“Is Rassa Moonshadow hesitating?” asked Falla with a raised eyebrow upon seeing his expression.

Rassa huffed at her question, “He is exploring other options”.

Falla chuckled, “Exploring other options? How terrifying”.

Before Rassa could respond, a figure appeared on the stage, the head of the Rouke Island Trader’s Association, Finnic Willow.

The older man spread an arm wide over the crowd, “Welcome, esteemed guests! Tonight, we celebrate another successful end to the Trader’s Festival. Over the past several years we have come far in our ventures, even the past several months have seen many grand and exciting achievements, but only a few can truly set themselves apart from the rest and claim their positions on the Trader’s Association’s Business Ranking, and only a few of those can claim the esteemed Tokens. Without further ado, let us reveal the Rankings…”

The tenth position was revealed, the Riven Merchant’s Association from the South. Cheers and applause rose up from the left where their representatives were gathered. Falla and Rassa giving a polite clap each.

Ninth position, the Kildare Trading Company. They had been dropping the last few years, a polite clap rose up from the crowd, Rassa unable to help the satisfied smirk on his face.

In Eighth position, The Mauda Merchant Group, another cheer rose up from another part of the room.

In Seventh, Lirauda Trading Company.

In Sixth, the Yilish Trade Association.

In Fifth, the Igrado Merchant Group from the West.

In Fourth, Anvil Trade. A Blacksmithing company. This was a surprise. They had been fighting with Token Trading Company for the Bronze spot before, but they’d been above Token for the past two festivals.

It was at this point that the crowd paused, anticipation spreading as to who the top three were. Now that the previous winner, Golden Sands, had been inundated with losses that they would take years to recover from since their leader was no more, the top three spots were heavily debated.

Of course, Token Trading Company had to be there. They had not left the top ten in decades, and they had had considerable profits over the past two years, or at least nothing short of their usual. If Anvil Trade was in fourth, surely that meant Token had taken back their spot in third.

Then there was the Elenius Trading Company. Like Token, they were rarely out of the top ten. Their products and trade routes were too influential to ignore. That just left the final group. The wild card that everyone was wondering about.

Rassa felt the gazes on him as he watched Finnic light the match for the Bronze Fireworks that would reveal the third place.

Everyone watched with baited breath as the fireworks shot up into the sky, then exploded above Rouke Island. The reddish-brown colour revealing a circular symbol, with a crescent moon.

“Moonshadow! The Bronze Token is hereby awarded to Moonshadow Trading Company! The Company that has without a doubt made this achievement in the shortest amount of time, just seven years since the inception of the company!” Finnic waved Rassa over.

Rassa moved forward to the stage, nodding elegantly to Finnic in recognition as he received the Bronze Token Plaque.

Finnic gestured to the crowd. Rassa bit back a retort. He was not one for speeches.

“Thank you for this acknowledgement,” Rassa stated, “I’m forever grateful to my family, my employees, and my business partners for trusting in my endeavours. I fully believe that the path forward will be in the unknown, and I will strive to take that path in the many years to come. Thank you”.

Rassa then nodded once more to Finnic as he descended the stage and headed back towards Ebony who was now standing beside Falla.

She grinned as he arrived, “I have the perfect spot for it”.

“If you put it behind that gaudy chair, I will throw it from the balcony,” Rassa warned.

Ebony smirked, “You will not”.

It sounded more like an order than an observation, because Ebony knew he very well would throw it.

The silver fireworks lit up the sky. Token this time. Rassa watched as Gabriel Token got up to receive the award. Rassa bowed his head in silence for Jeremiah’s loss. He’d been a great man. Rassa had not been there at his death, but from what he had heard from Ebony, it had not been anything resembling grand or peaceful.

The gold fireworks this time. Elenius Trading Company.

Rassa smiled as he turned to Falla, the formal part of the celebrations ending for the night.

“It seems I have some good news to deliver to my employees,” Rassa said.

“Some year-end bonuses as well?” asked Ebony with a raised eyebrow.

Rassa sighed, “Sure, why not, just don’t go overboard”.

Falla looked between Rassa and Ebony, “Sometimes I wonder Rassa who the real head of your company is”.

Rassa just smiled, “When it’s something ambitious and ground-breaking, me. Everything else? Ebony or Iah can take the credit for that”.

Falla shook her head as she sighed in disbelief, “You are advancing quickly in the world, Rassa. Are you prepared for what that means?”

Rassa raised an eyebrow, “If I am not, I will pay the price for it, but if I am, it will be everyone against me that suffers for it. Good thing I’ve always thought of you as being an ally, Falla”.

Falla hummed in agreement, “Good Night, Lord Moonshadow”.

Rassa, sick of correcting others by this stage, just took Falla’s outstretched hand and planted a light kiss upon it, “And to you, Lady Startree”.

***

*Eldovian Era 1716, 15th day of the 12th month*

Rassa smiled as those in the meeting shared their joy and success with one another, talking animatedly via the communication crystal. Mathius stood silently to the side, seemingly looking over whatever papers were before him. Rassa sat down beside him with a sigh.

“Well don’t you look like you’re celebrating too hard,” Rassa smiled in amusement.

Mathius sighed, “The new timetable for the next three months is due to come out in a little over a week, and given this, I’m going to assume that there will be even more individuals clamouring for the service. I was just trying to figure out if we can afford to add two more trains a day on each route”.

“You mean have 8 a day rather than 6?” asked Rassa.

Mathius nodded.

Rassa thought for a moment, “At the moment that would be stretching it. The crystals need at least 4 hours to recharge once they stop at a station, which was why we had them leaving every 4 hours. They would overlap if you have them leave every 3 hours instead. More than one at a station…we would either need to increase the capacity of the station or increase the size of the charm”.

“The charms are already quite large,” Mathius sighed, “If only we could somehow lessen the time it takes to recharge them…”

“It has to recharge so often because it is not only pushing an object faster, but the added weight puts strain on the charm as well,” said Rassa, “It may be that we need to introduce another charm to the mix. One to bare the weight and another to control the speed”.

Mathius turned to look at him, “That’s possible?”

Rassa shrugged, “In theory, but if the carriages are made too light then they could affect the safety of the cargo or passengers within. I will need to think on this more. For now, keep it at six, if anyone complains tell them that we are currently looking into it”.

“I doubt they will complain, this is a one-of-a-kind service,” Mathius stated.

Rassa nodded, “Yes, but this celebration is one-of-a-kind as well, hence why you should be celebrating”.

Mathius frowned, “With the rate the business is developing, we should be able to surpass all others by the next festival. We will have a celebration like this again”.

“Aye, we will surpass them,” Rassa nodded in agreement, “But a celebration for the Bronze Token will only come around once”.

Mathius sighed in agreement, a small smile on his lips, “I see, I shall endeavour to celebrate as you instruct then, Lord Moonshadow”.

Rassa frowned, “Who even thought up such a ridiculous title? What exactly am I Lord of? My business? That seems silly. I’m already the owner, I don’t need a title to go with it. Besides, Lords have so many more responsibilities. I’m far more content with the life I currently live”.

“A life where you spend most of your time with only yourself for company, and the rest of the time either spending fraudulently or proposing some overly-ambitious plan?” asked Mathius.

Rassa nodded, “Exactly”.

Mathius rolled his eyes, “It is a good thing that you have so many who are willing to follow you, Lord Moonshadow. I doubt you could tie your own shoes without them”.

Rassa frowned, “Now, now, I admit I would certainly miss sleep if they were not present, but what do you think I do in those months on my own? Lie down like a statue and watch the world pass until I can’t stand the smell of my own body rotting?”

Mathius raised an eyebrow expectantly.

Rassa sighed, crossing his arms as he turned away, “The point is that I’m capable of looking after myself. Besides, ever since Sel and Layton insisted on becoming my Bodyguards I’ve barely had a minute alone”.

“A state which the rest of us are grateful for seeing as you can now be contacted without so much effort,” said Mathius.

Rassa’s eyes narrowed, “Mathius, you are a cruel and judgemental old man”.

Mathius raised an eyebrow, “I am as spritely as a spring chicken. Besides, if we only count our years of rebirth, I believe you are the old man between us”.

Rassa turned away, “You are always so damn exhausting to argue with. I’m going to go out and get a bite to eat”.

“Happy Hunting on this Festive Occasion, Lord Moonshadow,” Mathius smiled.

Rassa turned away from the meeting, waving to Iah on his way out who paused before she smiled and turned back to the image of Neva she was conversing with. Rassa left the room, Layton and Sel appearing in the hall before him.

“You can go and celebrate yourselves if you want,” said Rassa.

“It would do no good for us to leave our posts on such an occasion, Master,” Sel nodded his head respectfully.

Rassa sighed, then turned as he heard the door open behind him. Ebony, Iah and Mathius all emerged, looking at him expectantly. Well, Ebony and Iah expectantly, Mathius somewhat reluctantly. No doubt the women had pulled him away from his work as they closed down the meeting.

Rassa rolled his eyes, “Go and get Talo then, we’ll wait at the peak”.

Layton grinned and vanished with a blast of wind. Rassa rolled his eyes as the papers pinned to the wall fluttered violently, some falling to the floor.

“Tell him to clean up after himself, Sel,” Rassa stated.

“Of course, Master”.

Rassa then left the Ruin, Ebony, Iah, Mathius and Sel in tow as they made their way over the late-night celebrations towards the top of the mountain at the centre of Rouke Island.

Standing at the forested top that dipped down into a long, dark drop to the base of the mountain, Rassa could not help but think of what he had learned from Victor all those years ago. If this truly was a volcano as he’d said, if it ever erupted it would be devastating for the Island, likely for the Islands surrounding it as well.

“I hear we’re going Hunting,” Talo said as he appeared with Layton. Rassa turned from the dizzying drop to look at his Coven, bar the missing members, they all looked back at him expectantly.

Rassa raised an eyebrow, “I think it should be a challenge tonight. You always find my other suggestions far too easily”.

“You make it easy,” Layton scoffed, “Pick pockets? I could toss a coin and have one snatch it out of the air before me. Those inflicting violence? Any bar or inn is bound to have one. Murderers? Slightly more challenging in villages, but not in cities or Islands like this where the population is abundant. As for Rapists-”

“You seem to enjoy that one a little too much,” Ebony cut in, looking at Rassa with a raised eyebrow.

Rassa just smiled back, “What can I say? They deserve it”.

Nobody argued with him.

“But this time, this time I think we’ll play the long game,” said Rassa.

“Can’t be too long, Sunrise is in just under four hours,” Talo said, looking to the east.

“So, we will play with them first?” asked Layton with a tilt of his head.

“In a manner of speaking,” Rassa said with a smile, “Your hunt will not end until your prey comes to you”.

Iah frowned, “Are you suggesting seduction?”

Rassa shrugged, “That is one method, probably the easiest too. Though you are not allowed to use the allure until after you have fed”.

“Well, Sel’s last place then,” Layton grinned. Talo chuckled with him. The Eunuch showed no reactions.

“I’m not comfortable with this,” Iah stated.

“I will not force you to take part,” said Rassa, “And I’m not suggesting you actually sleep with them either, though by all means…”

He left the rest of the sentence unspoken.

“The location?” asked Ebony. Rassa raised an eyebrow at her, surprised. He’d expected her to be as reserved as Iah was.

“The Apartment Building,” said Rassa.

“Just the entrance?” asked Talo.

Rassa nodded, “I’ll get a message to Rida to note the order. We’ll inquire as to the winner tomorrow evening”.

“So, we must get them into the building without the allure?” asked Talo.

Rassa nodded, “And your Sanguine don’t count as usual”.

Talo rolled his eyes, “I’m no cheat”.

Rassa looked over the eyes of his coven, all looking back at him with anticipation, “Let the hunt begin”.

The Coven vanished from the mountain top.