Akil Tibeshu
Trade prince Akil Tibeshu
Akil Tibeshu is the head of the The Usefari Dynasty. Although not technically of royal blood (whatever that may mean), the Tibeshu family has been head of the vast trade empire which spans the whole continent of Ra'dishra for centuries. As such the Tibeshus undisputably can be called trade princes and princesses.
One could mistake Akil Tibeshu for an arrogant man and an autocrat. That although is not the case. Akil is not an idle nor cruel ruler. Coming from a very industrious family he is aware of his ancestors' achievements. And his own achievements as trade prince are in no way inferior.Ruling a vast empire though is not without complications. His government is bogged down by bureaucracy, accountants are constantly trying to synchronize and match the ledgers across half the continent! An impossible task. Unrest is not unknown to house Tibeshu (they have long abandoned their affiliation to tribal culture). Pockets of dissent are spread throughout the Empire and Akil Tibeshu is making every resource available to his commanders to quell the growing unrest.
Akil Tibeshu's seat of power is the Ibis Throne in the Sunfire Spire, his palace in Charatis, the fertile capital of the Empire which is otherwise dominated by desert and steep cliffs. He has a sister, Maharene Tibeshu and she presides over the family enterprise in Iastradore. Although it is common knowledge that she is more busy throwing banquets and maintaining multiple lovers of all genders than conducting business. As of yet, Akil is unmarried. A fact that is quite enviously observed by some of his distant relatives... But people close to him, and to be honest most of his court, are aware that he has already lost his heart to a woman. The Lady Abzeba is Akil's lover and mistress. Lowborn and a courtesan, she is not deemed fit to be asked for her hand in marriage. The Usefari society might be progressive and sophisticated, but political matters, power struggles and courtly stratagems are involved in Akil's day to day life and decisions. He needs to manage expectations as well as an empire. His actions need to be measured and his reasoning tempered. The Usefari Empire is vast and its influence reaches far beyond its realm. Furthermore House Tibeshu is respected far and wide. A condition which needs to be maintained at all costs. Even at the expense of Akil's personal happiness... Akil though seems to be intent on eroding expectations surrounding his involvement with Abzeba by regularly appearing publicly with her by his side. Abzeba is smart, proud and beautiful and able to hold her own amongst the jackals at the palace. She is out of her depth though dealing with the devious ladies at the Ibis Court, who taunt her every chance they get. They have to tread carefully though to not incur Akil's wrath and thus they veil their hurtful insults in devious innuendos and honey-coated remarks. All this Abzeba bears stoically. For the look in Akil's eyes when he gazes upon her face makes up for any hardship.
Comments