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northern Africa. The mines Tobaygu had found as a boy didn’t mean anything until he learned to harvest them, but when he did, he transformed not just his world, but the world of everyone he knew, including Rodion.
     
    The first time they met was a chance encounter, and Rodion almost killed him, but when Tobaygu pledged to offer aid to Rodion when he called up on it, he promised that he would make Rodion rich. At the time, he had no need for wealth, at least not in gold, but he chose to let the boy live. His father had always told him that a man who owed you his life was more apt to give you what you wanted in the future. And now the time had come for Rodion to collect his payment.
     
    “Production doesn’t stop,” Tobaygu stated proudly. “We substitute workers in at night. We’ve opened three new shafts this past year, and I hope to have another one before the winter. Dry season makes it easier to dig, although the workers tend to get thirsty quicker.”
     
    “What about transportation?” Rodion asked, watching the dirt-covered workers toil down in the pits of rocks and jagged earth. “The ore does me no good here in the pit.”
     
    “We’ve agreed to a trade route with the remaining Saudi families in the north.”
     
    Rodion scoffed. “They can barely feed their own people. How do you expect them to have the strength to build the infrastructure we need? Taking ships around to the dead coast would be quicker.”
     
    “But more dangerous for the cargo and the cargo’s travelers. The wastelands there are still fresh, my friend. A problem you still face in your own country, I would expect. Or else why would you be here?”
     
    It was true. The wars of his ancestors had crippled his people, and what was left of the old nation was nothing more than a shadow. Staying out of the foolish Island Wars the Chinese started helped somewhat, but the west still had little sympathy for the Reds. “And what makes you think we can trust the Saudis? They’re just as likely to steal our cargo as they are to survive the journey across the sands.”
     
    “The agreement grants them ownership of five percent of lands once you start to expand your empire. A small price to pay for rebuilding your former glory.”
     
    “And where will this five percent of land be?”
     
    “The agreement states that will be your decision.” Tobaygu gave a light bow. The man had always been more talented with his tongue than a sword. It was what saved his life all those years ago from a piece of steel sliced across his throat, and it was what had grown the small village around him into the mecca Rodion laid his eyes upon now.
     
    “Done.” Rodion gripped Tobaygu’s hand firmly and squeezed hard enough for the bones to pop under the pressure. “My men and I will take the first shipment back with us now while the Saudis prepare for weekly shipments.”
     
    “Weekly?” Tobaygu asked, raising his eyebrows. “General, that is a tall order, even with the shafts I will have opened by the end of the year. We produce more than just ore here, my friend.”
     
    Rodion stiffened. He walked slowly to Tobaygu, the gravel and loose dirt from the mine waste crunching under his boots. The heat and talk had finally worn his patience thin. “Your gold and silver may be able to buy you trinkets and baubles, Tobaygu, but it cannot stop the lead of bullets. Once I have my materials, you will be able to produce all the gold and silver your heart desires, but until those that threaten my people have been disposed of, your mines will produce the ore I need. Is that understood?”
     
    Tobaygu broke the tension with his white smile. “My friend, I have always understood our relationship. I would hope that does not become forgotten when you have what you desire.”
     
    “It won’t.” Once the papers were signed and seals stamped, Rodion and his men loaded up the ore Tobaygu had already produced and started the long journey back home. The thought