Kundir Doroga, merchant extraordinaire, walked through the gates of Karuler’s capital, Tanachen. It always paid to show the commoners that you could walk as they did. The gates stood wide open to the most fantastic city on the continent of Fryst, at least by Kundir standard, and that was the only one that mattered really.

The desert lay for hundreds of miles in all directions. There was nothing close to this in the entire country for one excellent reason: Water. The most sacred commodity in the whole country and one of the reasons Kundir had been able to grow so rich.

Getting fat off the profits of holding one of the most significant water supplies, and soon Kundir would have more than just Tanachen, much more.

At least four stories tall, the Gates were a marvel of Earth Magic, a testament to what the Mages of Karuler could do. It was one more reason why Tanachen was at the pinnacle of human accomplishment.

As he passed through the city's walls, he met one of the regular guards three strides deep. A gold coin palmed, a firm handshake, and a surprisingly strong squeeze was all the greeting the man needed before he waved the head of the merchant delegation to Darf. Greasing the wheels is always best when done before the need arises. He had a few guards in his debt, and he would collect when the time came. Life was all about deals, and as long as Kundir came out on top, he wasn’t too bothered about what the other man thought. After all, there were always more scorpions in the desert.

The guard smiled and made the gold disappear as fast as any street rat. He might have been one, Kundir reflected. It was the most reliable way to make it out of poverty. Especially since the alternative is to leave Tanachen and join one of the nomad clans, some idiots chose that but only if there was no other choice.

Kundir was a valued contributor to the military ranks, which gave him specific...oversight. Also, as a highly valued member of society, he was afforded privileges that few others could boast.

“Bring all the caravans in and park them in the compound. Make sure none of them is touched until I get there. Guard them with your life. Hehe, that should keep them busy. The merchant suspected some of this staff that instruction should make them think he had valuables on board. As if he would be stupid enough to leave them with someone else. He kept all his most valuable possessions on his person.

See father! I am smarter than you ever were! He spat to the side, imagining it was his sorry excuse of a father’s ashes. Thanks to Phionix, he is dead and cremated, and I will never have to see him again. Kundir had done the right thing and poured his ashes into the pit in the centre of the Phionix temple in town, the only one. They were not like the heretics of Darf, with all four temples vying for control.

Kundir proceeded to the castle on the hill. The Emperor of Karuler, the glorified puppet, sat on his throne there. Kundir needed to visit and update him on his role in the upcoming tournament. As the true power in Karuler, it was his duty to keep them on the path for the most overall profit. Of course, nothing was more profitable than conflict in all its forms.

The rest of the procession that came behind him went off as directed. Including the fake ‘delegation’ he had taken to Darf. What a bunch of idiots. Some thought themselves his equal, but they were all just space fillers. He would only have vendors during the tournament, and only he would be allowed to turn a profit. If he had his way, none of the other countries would have any stalls or shops there either, but that would require more planning than he could manage right now. Darf, for one, would have their booths. It would be nearly impossible to stop those. Hmm, but it irritates me knowing I will have competition.

Kundir continued along the path, a lovely palanquin would have been perfect for keeping off the sun, but he was in a hurry and did not wish to wait for one. That was the beauty of not being royalty; you could travel however you wanted when the situation called for it. That was why Kundir would never vie for the throne, too much work and any appreciation. Someone was always complaining about not getting when they wanted.

Kundir recalled the conversation on the topic with the Emperor:

Two Years Ago

“Haha, Kundir, very funny my friend, you know what you should do? You should handle the throne! You make all the decisions for me anyway and free me to enjoy myself!” The bitterness in the Emperor’s voice was not well hidden, but Kundir ignored it. He was well into his wine, so he would likely not remember the conversation anyway.

“No, no, Salaar! Your highness, you are too kind to me, but you know I can’t be a public figure! I would make a terrible Emperor! The people love you, and I could never be half the leader you are. No, I could never be Emperor, and remember this! I never want to be Emperor!” Kundir retorted, idiot monarch, don’t you know that I want you to be the front for my business empire? Those are the only empires that hold my interest.

“Haha, you planning to keep me as an empty figurehead of this nation then while you pull the strings from the shadows?” Emperor Salaar replied. The conversation is starting to get out of hand, have some decorum, monarch!

“Salaar, how are you feeling, my friend? You seemed to be in a melancholic mood. You know I only want what is best for the empire. Have I ever led you to believe different?” Kundir said in as sincere a tone as he could muster. This idiot needs someone to put him to bed before saying something we will both regret.

The Emperor sighed, “I am not feeling so well, Kundir, maybe too much wine. It’s delicious.” He got a slightly dopey look on his face and hiccupped, and Kundir snapped his fingers for a couple of servants to come and help get him to bed. This night couldn’t have gone worse. Now he would have to pick up the slack for the supposed ruler of the country.

The two servants nodded to him. Of course, they were under his employ and guided the drunkard to his chambers. Along with three of his concubines. Kundir tsked. He had no time for those types of entanglements. He tired of the numerous predicaments the man got him into and now to clean up his mess. The merchant considered removing the troublesome man and installing someone else in his place for the first time. No, it will raise more questions he did not need, and finding a suitable replacement was easier said than done.

Inevitably the replacement would decide it was his place to make Tanachen a ‘better’ place. Didn’t they already know it was the best it was going to get? Maintain water scarcity, and people stay in line. They didn’t need to know that Kundir held it in abeyance so that people continued to need Doroga Supplies. The entire town would have fallen by the wayside decades ago without his company!

*************************************

Kundir sighed again as he neared Salaar’s palace, shaking his head at the unnecessary opulence and expense of the place. He was the benefactor of the throne, and he bore so much of the cost. He would need to check how the Emperor had been spending his coin. Another sigh escaped his lips at the thought of having to deal with the petulant child. He was only a little older than his captive, but sometimes it seemed that the man was still a child.

The guards standing at the gate bowed to him as he entered, more of his coin spent in the right places. He continued to walk unimpeded past all the servants and guards. A few of the Emperor's concubines eyed him as they passed. Uh, such waste! But if it kept the man happy, it also kept Salaar out of his hair. Speaking of, I need to shave this stupid rug off my face. He didn’t know what had possessed him to make this a fashion statement; it was itchy as all hell. But he knew exactly why he had made this fashionable; it was easier to hide your features when you had a beard and moustache. Even the King of Darf had not recognised him until he gave his name.

Tsking again in irritation, Kundir blew through the Salaar’s room’s door. Of course, he was in there with four of his women, and he would have to have a very long talking with the man about wasting his money. “Out! All of you! I need to speak with a ruler!”