Hassan has loyally served the Emir for some time, keeping a close eye on the economic state of Al Kharid. As the Emir's adviser, his voice is one of the strongest in Al Kharid, and has largely been responsible for the city's financial success. The Emir, at the time, was starting to die of cardiomyopathy, thus being in no fit state to rule. As such, the Emir's position was temporarily given to Hassan. Hassan, hoping to save Ali with paying Keli's massive ransom, began to work with Osman, the city's trained spymaster.