The Emperor of Sovran

A dispute between rival kings in Renaissance Europe led to a wager proposed by a wealthy merchant: The first to be recognized by one of the principal monarchs within a designated time would be awarded a generous amount of land, making one more influential than the other. But a sharp contrast in objectives and a lust for power amongst them leads quickly to strife and places the wager at risk. Who will emerge victorious? The kings? The merchant?Or someone else?

-- Joseph A. Russo