Lady Mirelle Shadowglass's Arc

Chapter 1 of 1

Mirelle stood before the harbor master's office, measuring the building with her eyes. The stone facade needed repair. The location was perfect. Control the docks, control the trade. Control the trade, control the city. She had spent two years building the network that would make this moment possible. But the harbor master refused to sell. He cited tradition, legacy, duty to the merchants. Mirelle listened without expression. That afternoon, she purchased the building through a third party at twice the asking price. The harbor master signed before sunset. By morning, workers hauled a marble statue to the entrance. The figure stood eight feet tall, draped in flowing stone cloth, one hand pressed to its heart. Passersby stopped to stare. The harbor master's office was gone. In its place stood Mirelle's headquarters, and everyone who passed would know exactly who owned the docks now.