The Richest Man in Aros

It was a beautiful summer morning and Aros was glistening. 

A city that prided itself in its extravagance was brightest this time of year. The week leading up to the summer solstice was special for every Arosian. The celebrations of the Merchant God Waukeen lasted a whole week, culminating on the day of solstice. 

Every house, every storefront, every square of the city’s Main District carried the image of Waukeen - The Golden Lady. Gold and Silver tinsel adorned each light post along the Main District’s large avenues. Merchants displayed their finest wares in front of their stores. The city guard, while still on duty, were also in a festive mood, dressed in their fine parade uniforms. 

Even the city’s Cloud District up above carried the air of festivities. Its buildings, as if carved into the clouds themselves, shone in bright purple and gold today, signifying the final day of this year’s Festival. 

Aros had a reputation to uphold within the known world—one of prosperity and splendour. So, the Mayor together with the Diamond Members made sure that everything was perfect for the festive week. 

In Aros, wealth was the most important thing Sareen Lupin knew, and no Arosian was ever above showing off their riches to the world. Especially not when it came time for the Festival. After all, why have all this money if you can’t flaunt it during times like these? 

This was Sareen’s first Festival in Aros. In his years of adventuring, he’d seen plenty but even he was taken aback by the extent of the celebrations. It had been a hectic week of official speeches, public gatherings, parades, trade meetings, dinking, and gold… So much gold, in fact, that Sareen had started to become numb to the concept. 

Though it seemed surreal to think that he could ever control this city, the more he stayed here, the more he warmed to the idea. He wanted power and Aros seemed like the perfect place to be powerful. I will make a name for myself here, he thought as he headed to the Spice Bazaar. Today, I take the first steps. 

He joined the crowd on Saphire Avenue. The street was brimming even at this early hour. As he walked, he had to push through the stream of people, brushing strangers aside with both arms. He heard shouting in various languages from each store he passed. Holiday or not, trading had already begun for the day. Prices were being negotiated. Deals were being struck. Business was being conducted. 

As he walked further on, the crowd dispersed into Saphire Square - the second-largest square in Aros. This was the meeting point of Saphire Avenue and a dozen other streets. Each street led to a specialised market - fine silks, antiques, jewellery, spices… Aros had it all. 

In the middle of the square stood the grand sapphire fountain, built by Mayor Dovan some 180 years ago. The stone was blue, but each facet caught the light slightly differently, adding hints of every colour imaginable. The fountain’s water was painted gold for the Festival. A neat party trick that must have cost the Aros mages a small fortune.

The pool around the fountain was shaped like a star with thirteen points. Each point led to a street, like the spokes of a wheel. On the ground next to each point, there were small platinum insignias, each with a different symbol. Sareen walked around the fountain, looking at the symbols. He saw the saffron flower, pointing to the East. That was the alley he wanted.

He took the third left. At this point, the smell of exotic spices was starting to take over. The sweet aroma in the air told him he was headed in the right direction. He took another left down one alley, then a right, then the second left and soon found himself in the middle of the Spice Bazaar. Here, merchants from as far away as Ifrah were selling the finest spices that Vastinia had to offer- legal and otherwise. 

If you wanted to cook something special for your dinner party, you came to the Spice Bazaar. If you wanted to buy some tea or coffee from faraway lands, you came to the Spice Bazaar. Of course, if you wanted to have an extremely good time with some of the more... exotic offerings, you came to the Spice Bazaar. 

Sareen was here for something else entirely. Though he’d been in this part of town only once before, he walked with purpose. He knew who he was seeking. 

It didn’t take long for him to find the sign that read “The Saffron Wind - Rian’s Spices and Specialties” above a small rickety building. The store front had seen better days. The sign was slanted to one side. The building's wooden facade looked like it needed a fresh coat of lacquer. It looked out of place, compared to the rest of this market. That must be the place, Sareen thought as he swung the doors open and walked in.

He couldn’t help but gasp at the space before his eyes. What appeared to be a tiny shop from the outside had expanded into a two-story establishment. The shelves along the wall were stacked with boxes of different coloured powders, arranged from light to dark. Underneath each box, there was a golden plaque with the name of each product engraved. On the floor in front of the shelves, there were large open bags. Peppercorns of various colours, cinnamon sticks, coffee beans, teas, dried flowers - the variety made Sareen's head spin.

The aromas were intoxicating. It’s as if Sareen was breathing in everything he saw all at once. The symphony of smells was strangely alluring. He felt he could spend the rest of his days in this shop without getting over that aroma. 

 “Ah, welcome, young man!” a warm voice greeted him from above. 

On the second-floor balcony, some 10 metres in, stood a tall gentleman in his 50s. He wore a white robe with golden fringes. A simple garment for Aros, but it suited him fine. His well-kept black beard had three braids, each held together by a metal ring - one copper, one silver, and one gold. His dark complexion showed he was not from around these parts of the world. Desert tribes?, Sareen wondered. 

Wherever he was from, he certainly carried himself as a true Arosian merchant. 

“Come in! My name is Rian. Welcome to my store!", the man said with a shopkeeper's smile. "Have a seat," he pointed down to a table on the first floor. "I was just brewing some coffee - a proprietary spice blend. Let me pour you a cup and I'll be with you in a moment.” 

“Thank you…” Sareen pulled a chair and sat at the table which was already set with cheeses and exotic fruit, some of which he hadn’t even seen before. 

“You can’t negotiate a good deal on an empty stomach,” Rian’s voice came from above as if sensing Sareens curious gaze. “Please, be my guest. Everything was freshly delivered this morning.”

“Thank you,” Sareen said, taking a piece of goat cheese and a bright purple fruit he didn’t recognise. The combination of sweet and salty was rather pleasant. 

“There we are,” Rian said as he walked down the stairs with a cup of coffee in each hand. The aroma made Sareen’s mouth water. He gratefully accepted the cup in his hand, letting its warmth settle him into his seat. 

“Now then. What can I do for you today, Mr. Lupin?” 

“You know my name?” Sareen started. “How do you know my name?”

“It’s my job to know these things. I know a bit more than that, Mr. Lupin. I also know that you aren’t here for the spice, nor the coffee, as pleasant as this may be,” Rian lifted his cup towards Sareen. “You had other business in mind, correct?” 

“Yes”, Sareen tried to collect his thoughts. He cleared his throat and continued. “Well, I’m not sure if it makes sense for me to spell it out here, given you seem to have already read through me… But I need a favour. Several favours, actually. The elections are coming up next year and I intend to run for Mayor.”

Rian nodded with a smile.

“Now, I’ve collected considerable resources for my campaign,” Sareen continued. “But I need an edge over Mayor Galthor. And that’s where I’ve been told you can help me, Mr…?” 

“Rian. Just call me Rian.” 

“Rian, I’ve been told that you provide a particular type of intelligence service. And judging from this morning, it seems that my contact was correct. I need some information on Mayor Galthor Anything that can discredit him among the voting members.” 

“Blackmail, essentially,” Rian concluded before taking a sip of his coffee. 

“Yes… If you want to put it that way.” 

“I see. Well, Mr. Lupin. I have been watching your campaign from afar and I must say, I’m impressed. You may lack finesse but you’re ambitious. I like that. And you’re young. It would be a breath of fresh air to have someone new in charge.” 

“So you’d be willing to help me?” 

“Let’s not jump to conclusions here. I may have what you’re looking for. I understand what’s in it for you. The question is, what do I get from this “favour”? After all, this is a transactional economy.” 

“If all goes well, you get a friend in government. A powerful ally. You get a flourishing business.” 

“My business is doing well enough, Mr. Lupin.” 

“I understand that you’re not on best terms with Olrik Galthor. Sure, you’re doing fine. But maybe with someone else in charge, things could open up for you.” 

Rian paused, his fingers taping the table in an irregular rhythm. Almost as if there was an invisible abacus at his fingertips. He let silence fill the room as he weighed the proposition. 

“You make an interesting point,” he said. “Galthor’s regulations have been rather… limiting in recent times. But if I’m to involve myself, I need more than vague promises.”

“What do you want?”

“The most valuable commodity in the world, Mr. Lupin - information. If you were to enter office, you would have unique insight into Aros’ economy - new projects, trading routes, tariffs, supply chains – I want access to all of that in detail.” 

“I can do that,” Sareen hurried to put out his hand. “You help bring down Galthor, and in return, I’ll give you what you need to expand your influence. I’ll make sure your business thrives.”

“Tempting,” Rian said, eyes gleaming. “But I might need more favours down the line. Small at first, but when I call on you, I expect them to be honoured.”

Sareen made a fist with his outstretched hand. He hesitated, realising the implications of this deal. He had little choice. This was the only way. 

“Agreed,” he stuck out his hand again. 

Rian’s smile widened. “Excellent! We have a deal.”

A formal handshake sealed the contract. There was something binding in the grip. Sareen knew that both their fates were now tied. There was no going back. 

Rian leaned into his chair, coffee in hand. “Mayor Galthor has some secrets the public would find interesting. I’ll see to it that they come to light in the following months. In the meantime, we have other work to do. Come back tomorrow afternoon. We have matters to discuss. What I share with you would be enough to ruin any man, let alone Olrik Galthor. Just make sure you apply some tact when using what I tell you.”

“Of course,” Sareen nodded as he finished his coffee and got up to leave. 

“Pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Lupin. I have a feeling this will be a fruitful partnership for years to come!” 

“As do I,” said Sareen with a forced smile. 

* * * 

It was once again Festival time and Mayor Lupin made his way to “The Saffron Wind” together with his retinue. 

“Wait outside,” he told his two guards as he opened the door. They both nodded and took their post beside the shop’s entrance. 

“Mayor Lupin. You’re early,” Rian greeted him with open arms. 

“The city’s demands were lighter than expected today,” he said, glancing at the familiar spice boxes. “I came for my usual. Thought I’d start the day right.”

“You’ve developed a taste for the eastern blend, I see,” Rian remarked. “It seems I’ve spoiled you.”

Sareen accepted the warm cup with a smile. 

“You’ve done well,” Rian said after a sip. “Better than I expected.”

“I had help,” Sareen replied, his eyes meeting Rian’s. 

“Help’s only useful if you know what to do with it.” 

Sareen reached into his overcoat and took out a booklet. “I have some trade numbers for you. I’ve highlighted some new… developments which I thought you might find interesting. You’re the first to see this. After me and the Diamond Members, of course” 

“Thank you,” Rian said, laying a hand on the booklet. “I’ll take a look after breakfast.” 

The two men drank their coffee in silence. They spoke few words these days - there wasn’t any need, it seemed. 

Sareen finished his cup and set it down on the table “I best be on my way then.” 

Rian gave a small nod as Sareen stood up and made for the door. 

“Oh, Mayor Lupin…” 

“Yes?” 

“I might have a task for you soon. A small favour, if you will.” 

Sareen paused at the door and turned his head halfway, his shoulders rounded. 

“I’ll come by next week.”