Chapter 35

The banquet was gradually drawing toward its close.

Guests clustered in twos and threes, enjoying the freshly replenished food and drink as they talked.

To match the mood, the drinks had shifted too — from the light, refreshing kind to heavier, richer wines.

"Everyone, are you enjoying the party?"

Standing at the front of the hall, Raymon Oster gestured for the music to stop. The nobles, deep in conversation, all turned their eyes to him at once.

"I thought I might take this opportunity to briefly introduce a venture the Oster family is preparing for the coming spring, and so I've committed the rudeness of interrupting your enjoyment for just a moment."

Raymon Oster bowed deeply at an exaggerated ninety degrees.

A light laugh rippled through the nobles.

"As you may know, over the past year, the Oster family has broken free of the old, rigid shipping routes and pioneered…