Pools of the Estherol Mining Estate

"I am no timid schoolboy"
Meryn would say with a slight smirk, allowing himself to be disrobed by two more attendants. They gathered his clothes and items, carrying them off to a nook on the side. His body was clearly old and slightly wrinkled, but was toned to a degree that it was by no means disgusting to look at. As the women undressed him, Firgov would notice the knot of an arrow wound in the banker's right shoulder, along with a long-since healed burn scar on the outer side of his right arm. Settling into the water, Meryn would let out a slight gasp, the cool water an immediate and refreshing relief from the desert heat. Cupping his hands he would gather water before releasing it over his head, the water dampening his black hair, slicking it back. With his right hand Meryn would adjust his hair, smoothing it out of his eyes.

"You cannot imagine how nice it is to bathe again, after my time on the road." Meryn would say as he adjusted his hair. You have my thanks. Swimming a bit closer, within range of conversation, Meryn would stop. The presence of the other men was a bit disheartening: that meant onlookers and listeners. He was glad he had let the attendants remove his heavy gold ring of office, as he wished to keep his presence in The Phoenix State a secret for as long as possible, or at least until necessary. Perhaps he would have to wait to explain his masterstroke until the following morning. Fearing awkwardness, Meryn would wait for Firgov to signal for more conversation. be it through body language or speech. For now he would enjoy himself in this marvelous bathhouse.

"That is sufficient. As for Part B, there is the issue of diffusing the growing conflict between our two states. If war breaks out, each of us will have to withdraw our forces and resources."

Meryn leaned in, a conspiratorial grin plastered across his face.

"So we shall take both nations hostage. Alone our two institutions can only manipulate the markets of a single country... or at least that is how it would appear to the political elites of both our nations. What is necessary then, is to make our union public, and official."

He leaned up against the side of the pool, stretching out his arms. Both men swam in the shallow end of the pool, so it was possible for them to stand rather than tread water.

"The specifics can wait for tomorrow, but I intend to "buy you out", at least by official market metrics once you gain exclusive minting rights for the region. What you actually do with the bank is up to you, I am only concerned with how the stockholders and politicians perceive the merger. Yes you heard me correctly. Where two banks stood, one will remain. One with the combined power to completely dominate the world's economy, with the power to shape politics for centuries, to mobilize armies and start wars. You, of course, would be compensated generously... part of my payment would be in the form of Bank shares, enough to propel you deep into the Imperial Bank's inner council of shareholders. I could even give you the sole rights to the administration of The Phoenix State's currency, if that would allay your concerns."

Smiling, Meryn would look the man right in the eyes. If he showed indecision, he was certain Firgov would be able to detect it.

"My intention is not to rob you of your power, but are rather purely pragmatic and benevolent. A combined entity would have the legal authority to hold both economies hostage under threat of hyperinflation. Without a merger, their threats would have no weight, even if we were capable of collaborating in secret."

He would gauge Firgovs reaction before continuing.

"So, what do you think?"

Meryn waited patiently for Firgov to finish speaking.

"A merger is exactly what I desire... though I have no particular interest in anything but your mint. You seem to have misjudged me, at least to a certain degree. My desire for wealth is in itself another avenue for the pursuit of power. I am no megalomaniac, I simply wish for my will to be done, for my vision of the future to come to fruition. Wealth is a vehicle, as are you, our banks, and the nations we represent. If all I desired was wealth, I would have expanded my operations at home, or something of the like. I do not desire money, but rather control over the money supply."

Meryn breathed in deeply. It was growing dark outside and torches had been lit along the walls of the room. Meryn's golden eyes appraised Firgov.

"War looms on the horizon, a war between our nations. The wrong nations. To avert the coming crisis and redirect the warhawks, pressure will have to be applied down onto the governors and the military commanders. I see little room for profit in a war between Ivelius and The Phoenix state... though it must be noted that warhawks rarely think in terms of profits and losses in the same way we do. All I ask is for a nominal majority share. 51%, if you currently hold 100% of your bank's shares, or 1% over whatever you are holding if you do not hold the full share. In exchange you will be granted that which you already have, namely authority as regional director to oversee and dictate all activities of our merged bank in the Phoenix State... along with what was once most of the Sancturian Church's share of the Imperial Bank. You would be the first non-native councilmember, and the one with the fifth largest share of the twenty-four. If my calculations are correct, based on the current valuations of both of our enterprises that deal would be an undervaluation of about 14% on my end, not that I particularly mind."

Echoing Firgov's earlier smile, Meryn returned a good-natured grin.

"I would loathe to draw out negotiations with penny-grubbing bargaining. I seek equal partnership, each contributing in their own way. As for your military plans, I currently don't field more than a nominal force to my own name, along with the more sizable but currently preoccupied Garrison of The Imperial Bank in Lorikar. I do have my own finances, however. I could scrounge up some mercenary forces if needed, saboteurs and the like. I figure these would augment your more traditional forces well. I will leave the governance of whatever we conquer to you alone, consider my ongoing support an offering of goodwill in acknowledgement of your contributions on the other side of our deal.

"Finally, and perhaps most importantly, I offer my experience to our joint venture. I have governed the economy of Ivelius for almost twenty years, and worked through it for far longer. I have studied the economies of the rest of the world from afar, and exploited that knowledge to create the most sophisticated banking system seen since the First Age. I offer my tutelage, and my friendship. I reckon my life is nearing it's close, and the only heir I left was..."

Meryn's face suddenly dropped, appearing utterly depressed and sombre. Firgov could tell Meryn was attempting to hide his expression, but it nevertheless seeped through.

Meryn smiled, the sides of his mouth perking up in satisfaction.

"Then it is done."

As Firgov rinsed himself, Meryn took a moment to submerge himself, rubbing his fingers through his coarse black hair. Rising, he wiped the water from his eyes, proceeding afterwards to the poolside shallows. He ascended after Firgov, taking his time. The water had done wonders for his muscles, but nevertheless his muscles ached terribly. Seizing his towel he dried his body, taking special care with his hair. Leaving the loincloth unattended, he would instead wrap the towel around his waist, tucking the loose end in at the side. Glancing over at the nook he had left his possessions in, he noted it had been emptied by an attendant. Now that both men were clothed, Meryn took the opportunity to shake Firgovs hands, sealing their pact.

"I am already excited for what will come of this pact. Some day in the future this day will no doubt be recorded in the history books as the beginning of a new era."

His things had been taken to his room, no doubt, so Meryn felt no need to linger further in the room. Taking one last look at the baths, Meryn would follow Firgov out into the hall and to his bedchambers. As he followed his new ally through the bath's doors, he would have one last quip, delivered with a good-natured smile.

"Oh, and could you throw in a set of that dragonscale armor? I think I would look rather fetching in gold."

The estate quaked and roared from the activities outside. It was unlike and rumble he had heard felt before. Then the screams from the dragons made it much more intimidating. Firgov had a little worry put into him from the event.

It wasn't long till Masu would walk in. All worry washed away as Masu spoke and Firgov could relax.  For whatever it was to make the commotion it did, he knew it was good.

"Masu, you had me worried for a minute... I thought mages and siege weapons were attacking... and yes, i'd like to see, but can we wait till the morning? I am exhausted and a hair away from shitting myself in this loin cloth... Whatever it is, it'll be there in the morning. 

If this man is interested, you can show him,  but i'm going to bed. Tomorrow is going to be a big day."

Mattium waited for Meryn on the balcony. He had enjoyed the night with the scout union soldiers, and had drunk his fill. Currently he was only slightly buzzed, not that it would matter.

As Meryn slid into bed, Mattium would lazily knock on the door, eliciting a jolt of terror from his master, followed by recognition as Meryn recognized Mattium's face in the light of the pale moon.

Perhaps he will learn to always check for intruders and onlookers, Mattium mused to himself. Meryn was under-cautious, a dangerous trait Mattium intended to eradicate eventually. Meryn would walk over to the oak and glass door, sliding it over on iron rails to allow his agent to enter the room.

"Lord Digrazia, I am here as you requested."

Meryn answered in an irritated hiss.

"I told you to knock on my door. You nearly scared me to death!"

"To be fair, you never indicated which door."

"Enough of this, I am too tired to verbally spar with you. Firstly, retrieve my robes and posessions, and bring them here. I wish to wear my ceremonial robes in the morning. I expect the same of you: I brought that armor for a reason, and it wasn't to sell it."

Mattium answered with a smooth smile.

"It will be done, anything else?"

"Yes, after tomorrow I want you to return to Ivelius and hire an army for me. I made some plans, and will need to commit a small group of spies, assassins, and saboteurs. I don't care if you have to hire mercenaries of a smaller faction, just get it done. I will write down the specifics and details before you leave, so that you might make the best decision possible."

Mattium nodded, then returned to the balcony. With a slight wave he would jump off, leaping from balcony to balcony until he hit the street. The shadows would mask his movements, his footpads the sound. Retriving his things from a bush, he would remove the half-filled bottle of liquor he had acquired earlier. Ruffling his hair and clothes he again became a disheveled drunk, free to wander the streets unimpeded. Regardless of what Meryn might tell him, Mattium always behaved as though he was in enemy territory. Only the hallowed halls of the bank were friendly ground, in his eyes. The stables only held a superficial guard, who let him in to recover the things he needed. In the morning, his master would find everything he needed tied in a bundle on the balcony.