He waggled his head, indicating that it wasn't REALLY extortion. "No, not really. More like that they knew that my innovation was the cause of their problems, and they rightfully requested that I do something about it. Taking down the teleportation circle wasn't an option, my town needs it to survive, and they understood it, but their towns need the passing merchants. I went over the logs and records we have been collecting over the last five years or so, see, it did have a use, and I determined that that was as fair a price as I could charge. It encourages the smaller merchants to make trips to the smaller towns to get the money for the teleport fare, and the revenue of the larger caravans allows them to expand more. More all around, and more for you too."<br/><br/>He picked at the plate in front of him, before looking up with a sly smile. "So, the merchants complained about the price hikes, especially the first four groups that thought they could lie about it, and got hit with the fine for it. Double price on top of the original fine must have hurt. But they were warned before they came through, they were warned about lying on the other side by both the guards and a posted sign, and they still did it, so I have no guilt over their lack of integrity. The nobles that have agreements with them, likely backing the merchants, complained to you, and... 'forgot' to mention a few key facts, if they bothered to get the whole story beforehand. What were they calling for if the story had been true? And your people can go ask the towns themselves, they have copies of the agreements as well, and they send me the part during the harvests, though I did add a part about sending a messenger during bad years to waive their 'tribute.' I don't need it, and starving them does me no good."<br/><br/>He took a bite, and began plotting revenge, though he would run some of the ideas by the Emperor first, he might approve of them, or have a better idea.