Chapter 2 The man

His office is a dark shade of cream, hinted with smell of manly musk and cigarettes. He stands at the far edge of his desk. "I'm here to see your father." He laughs,

"I'm aware. I saw your previous letters to us" "Not us, to him" I correct.

He turns to me, a hint of surprise and disdain in his eyes. He walks around the table to his seat. Taking his time to garner his composure. I must have caught him at a wrong time, he isn't as organized as I was made to believe. He lowers himself slowly and gestures for me to sit too. I do

"So, why are you here?"

"As I said, I'm here to see your father" "That's not possible" my brows furrow, "My family and I have had enough of your constant meddling, we do not care for your business proposals, or conference treaties. We do not want to be involved in anything that you have to offer or think you have to offer. My father is not in the mood to handle you or your family's theatrics, so take your crew and leave our town."

"You don't understand, we aren't here to cause an issue..."

"Oh no." he springs up from his seat making me flinch. "I know exactly why you're here" "Yes, I am here to speak to your father about the trading between our two towns, since he made the unjust decision of spiking the toll fee for inter trade exchange between us, our traders have had to suffer the consequences, hence our entire town too."

"That's not my concern. Business is business. Whatever you have to do to improve the economy of your town, do so, it doesn't concern us and you would not change the mind of my father."

"You are not listening to me. The only other place we trade with besides your village, is a smaller town, Araba"

"I know about Araba" he barks

"Good, then you know that they have taken the decision to provide for their town first before trading with any other, and If I recall that decision was taken by the help of your father also." He watches me slowly as I stand up from my seat.

"My father will not see you"

"Do you speak for him?" I ask taking a step closer to where he stands, "I speak for my entire Colony. We do not need you, nor do we need your worthless business promises, you may leave" he says sternly and begins to walk away.

"I know your father is sick." He stops dead in his tracks so I continue, "And I know that you are not telling the chiefs everything, I also know that in the next few weeks' production in the 5th sector of your town will seize because you haven't been able to meet up with the GC's yearly payments." He turns around to look at me utterly shocked. My bravado urges me to keep going so I do. "And I know that your strength is wavering as the time goes, your army has grown weaker since you attacked Araba in an attempt to conquer the town but lost. Your city is crumbling Cecil, I can see it, your people can see it, and I'm sure you can too. So are you going to hold unto some petty vendetta, or are you going to listen to what I have to say, when you very well know it may just save your town?"

The silence is deafening. I can hear the thumping of my heart beating louder than before, we stare at each other in complete contemplation; him on the next decision to make and I, wondering if I just maybe made a mistake. But then he looks around and walks back to his table. He sits with the same confidence and strut I saw him moving with and I sit too. He takes out a small book then finally stares my way.

"What do you want?" And with that I know I have won his time.

"My father is well known across the seas and towns. The people love and fear him, love our town and all it offers. But the people fear you more, tremble before your father and cower when they hear the name of your Colony. Together with lowering the toll fee, we would be able to help your economy by establishing an alliance."

He begins to shake his head in disagreement but I raise my hand stopping him, "Listen to me your pride isn't needed here. The Congress shore is planning a Confidential meeting with the GC. They plan to over throw your father before the next season, did you know this?"

"What?" he asks incredulously,

"You're about to lose the power you have" "You lie! How do you know this?"

"The same way I know everything that happens in your Colony. If you don't believe me, ask the Madare, she is a neutral presence today." He scoffs, rubbing the bridge between his eyebrows, and I can't help but notice his battle scars as his robe slightly falls back. They form some sort of unique design, they're gorgeous. He looks up and notices me staring and the rage I so carefully aimed to curb comes flooding back. "Madare isn't a neutral Presence. She made that clear when she betrayed my father years ago by lying to the court, So don't you dare talk to me about neutrality, she's as guilty as you all are"

I pause and take time to understand him. His tenacity to prove that we are the monsters he believes we are is fearful. I choose my next words carefully. But before I can utter any, he speaks with a gentle ease

"Your name, Ofure, named after your grandmother, yes?" he asks,

"Yes, and yours? Cecil, named after who?" "No one. Cecil, is what my father named me, I do not like the name, nor does it hold any sentimental value to me"

"So why use it then?"

"He says it's sophisticated" I laugh,

"I hardly think a name can ascertain if someone is sophisticated or not" he doesn't smile, but I see his eyes turn a shade lighter. "My real name is Mayit, it's from my mother's village" he seems to want to speak more on the tale of names, and I do not have the heart to cut him short, not after I've come this far, so I indulge him.

"What does it mean?"

"The man chosen to lead the weak"

"So you're some sort of savior?" he laughs quietly but quickly buries any emotion that may threaten his image. He clears his throat and dusts off the imaginary dirt from his collar.

"I have heard your proposal. I do not fully trust you or your family's word, but it seems this matter concerns us the most. I will report to my father, and if you do no hear from me within 3 days' time, know that we have decided to side against you"

"I would respect your decision"

"Good. You may leave now" I slowly rise from the soft velvety seat, and bow with a smile. "Thank you for your time"