Oran Fennel (The leader of Fennel Potion Company) POV
Oran Fennel adjusted the cuffs of his jacket and stared out the tall window of his office, watching the morning mist slowly lift from the streets of Fortified City 50.
Today was the day. His careful planning was finally about to pay off.
He turned from the window just as his secretary entered, a tablet in his hands.
"They're setting up the stalls as we speak," he reported. "The first shipment of grain is being unpacked now. Also, Radiant Dawn has confirmed they've stationed two squads nearby. No one will interfere this time."
Oran nodded with satisfaction. "Good. Very good."
Outside, the marketplace was already buzzing.
The grain—Isaac Hargrave's grain—was finally going on sale. Not under Isaac's name, of course.
Oran's company, Fennel Supplies, had snapped up every shipment from the boy's shop for the last few days, rerouting and storing it under tight guard.
That initial surge of hype had slowed, just as he'd planned.
