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[Scar]

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The rune took Scar to the bank in Papua. Unable to see his face behind the dark skull helmet, the banker and those present took no note of him; just another warrior-come-lately. He did not bother to converse with them, but exited the building and headed south to survey the town he once governed on behalf of Lord Thrax.

Things were far different than when he had left it years ago: some of the structures were badly in need of repairs; the town's population had increased remarkably; fashions had changed back to more of their original, colorful, sort (away from the foreign, oriental, garb that Thrax had introduced). He had not completely lost contact, even during the intervening years of his service to the Magnate Isk; he had known too many Papuan women for that. And with Lady Temptation's subsequent disappearance from the lands, and his life, his visits to the town for female companionship had intensified.

As a result he knew by name the governing body left by Lady Ishtar before she, too, dropped out of sight. They were a foursome, two men and two women, all merchants and now considered the nobility class, if that could be said of a rustic people who eaked out a living in a jungle setting.

He rode to the Inn and purchased a room; spent the afternoon with an old friend, and then went to the Pier building which had served as the city courthouse, to locate the council members. He found them arguing over trade problems with Delucia.

"Who are you?" one of them challenged as he entered the room unannounced. "How dare you intrude upon this meeting without invitation! Get out before we have you thrown out!" The others alternately nodded or frowned to display their concurrence with his threat.

Scar recognized the man as Nathaniel, a former Cartographer, one he had helped obtain the position by recommending him to Thrax, and, apparently, Thrax to Lady Ishtar. He removed his helmet. "Is that any way to speak to an old friend and colleague, Nathaniel?"

"Scar?! It's been a while! Forgive my outburst... do come in... have a seat!"

The others chimed in their own welcomes and salutes, though they were not as cordial.

Scar found a chair and pulled it up to the table where they all sat. "Good to see all of you, and good to see that you have managed to keep order in the town lo these many years. I commend you for that, at least." He noticed that Zane kept looking at the dark grey robe he wore, and the helmet. "I have traded jobs again. I am now in the employ of Stonegate. I spoke to the noble lord there and he asked me to come and utilize my services for the benefit of the town once more."

"Who... or what... is Stonegate?" Karlyn asked. "I've never heard of them," she inquired. The others all agreed.

"Stonegate is an idea... a philosophy built around the principle that only the strong are fit to lead and rule. I come to extend this concept back into what I once governed. While I commend your efforts to maintain order, I have sadly noted that you have failed to keep the town in good condition: I saw too many rats, buildings in shambles, a complete lack of discipline and the like to make me happy. In short, friends, you have failed miserably and may now consider yourselves out of a job."

It was too much for them to take. Zane was the hot-head among them. He stood up and slammed his palm down on the table. "I knew it!! The minute I saw you, I knew what you came here to do! Well, you can forget it! We have a few friends of our own!" He clapped his hands, and from behind a door came three large, burly, dock workers, sweat dripping from their heads. Zane pointed to Scar. "Take this interloper and throw him out in the street! Don't let him back in!"

Scar had anticipated this. Even seated, he was able to unsheath his sword quickly. Rotating in the chair, he let the blade whirl in an arc that neatly sliced the ropes that served as belts for the men's trousers. And they, at the same time, had started forward so that when their pants got to their knees, they got tangled up and fell forward, onto the table and one another. The table splintered and the four councilors fell backwards as they attempted to dodge the careening mass of flailing limbs and bodies. Scar had stepped deftly out of the way and back. He held his sword out, pointing it toward Zane who stood shaking in a corner of the room, and glared at him. "Consider this act of mercy all the grace you will have from me! To make it plain: if you do not formally relinquish control of this town to me, and Lord Myrddin, you will not see another sunrise. I have friends here as well, and I will make sure they keep me informed on your actions. I know you have families, and I know where you all live. I advise compliance if you wish to enjoy old age with them."

"Villain! Scoundrel!" shrieked Nathaniel. "You cannot do this!!! Lady Ishtar will..."

"Lady Ishtar is gone! Lord Thrax, is gone! I am here and I represent Stonegate. Order WILL be restored to Papua once more. Accept it, or face your doom. Decide... and decide now!"

The foursome looked sheepishly at each other. Scar ordered the workers to leave and watched them closely as they quite willingly complied. He turned his gaze back to the council and pointed at the writing materials on the floor. "Prepare the document that officially announces my resumption of the governorship of Papua. Have it announced. You will know for certain just how many more friends I have here than you do, when you do, by the loudness of the cheering."

That afternoon the decree was announced and posted for all to see. The transition of power went as smoothly as he had expected. The rule of Papua was now officially in the hands of Scar, and through him, Stonegate.

[Scar]

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Scar knew that there would be opposition to his rule, but he knew how to diffuse it. Whether by blackmail, direct threats, or bribes, most any man, or woman, had their limits, or price. The four councilors were eventually bought off: he made them his advisors and paid them handsomely. Zane had to be watched, but he had a large family, and as long as he did, Scar knew he would play it safe and walk a straight line.

He next sought and obtained a full report on Papua's trade relations. Most of it was with Delucia, but some had been with Moonglow. Delucia remained in a state of semi-anarchy since the disappearance of Thrax who had attempted to seize power there. As is usual when a governmental vacuum occurs, a group of rich and influential merchants and their hired bodyguards assume control. That was the case, and the current masters were charging Papuan merchants a high tariff for imported goods, ostensibly to improve their own failing economy. The Papuan council had protested, but did nothing more. Scar decided to put an end to that issue as soon as possible.

"Why is this sales tax so high? What sort of people do you think these are?" he asked the four. "Ten percent is outrageous. I want it lowered to three immediately."

Zane puffed. "But that has been the main source of our... I mean... the town's revenue! We cannot afford to keep the..." he halted before he finished with "guards."

"Do not worry about protection. Let me handle that from now on. I can afford it. I want you to raise the tariff on all Delucian goods an equal amount. If they can stand the pinch, then so can we."

Courtney, the less vocal female of the group, felt inclined to speak. "M'lord, it is not so simple. We had thought of that ourselves, but they threatened to retaliate if we did. Their... forces... are much greater than ours. We had no choice but to comply."

"You are sure of your information?"

All four nodded simultaneously.

"Our spies have reported they have at least thirty armed bodyguards that run the place at their behest. Many are mercenaries well trained in war. We have less than a third of that number," Nathaniel explained.

"They sent us a little message about a month ago by burning down the stables. They did not admit to it directly, but witnesses saw and heard them. We know it was Delucian soldiery," Karyln stated.

"Delucian thugs you mean," Nathaniel added.

Scar nodded. "All right then. Leave that to me. Send them word about the tariff. Send someone you can afford to lose. I imagine they will not like the new arrangements in Papua and they may take it out on him."