Chapter 4 ARRIVED AT LAST

After three weeks at sea, our shipped docked at a port in Liverpool. I was glad to see land after a long trip aboard the HMS Sultan. While Afia and I and the rest of the nobility of the Niger river arrived on the Sultan, the lower class servants were traveling on a different ship, one that would pass as a slave ship.

We had long established a system of commands and coding to aid our plans in Europe. Most of our spies were sold off as slaves to British Lords and aristocrats. This would help in gathering information from the roots while our nobility were to serve as ambassadors and business partners to the unsuspecting British.

We were hosted by a local British Baron in his large manor, while we were trying to get settled. I introduced myself as an African businessman. My plan was to establish the palm trade across Europe as well as having control over illegal businesses like the slave trade in Europe.

"Hey you, I said to a local slave trader, "how much for these ones?"

"Are you trying to sell yourself to me as well, young man?" he replied clearly not knowing who I was.

"Mind your words, Alfred, he is the business partner of the lord." said one of the men who were with us one the ship."

"You could lose your tongue for spitting such unseemly words to the Lord's biggest supplier he continued."

"I'm so sorry sir, please forgive me." begged Alfred."

"Say my Lord." I corrected, "I'll let this one slide but the next time such "incident" repeats itself, you won't be so lucky, am I understood?"

"Yes my Lord." he replied.

"Great, now where were we? yes I want a list of every supplier and supply point." I said.

"From now on, I'll be in charge of the trade." I continued "let the others know about this as I wouldn't want any inconveniences later, of course you should know no one likes inconveniences, so whatever I tell you to do, do it fast and do it right, you are dismissed."

After making sure to establish myself in British businesses both legal and illegal, it was now time to integrate into British high society. Firstly, I started the construction of my manor in Birkenhead, as well as attended a few of these British parties.

Much sooner than I expected in less than 6 months, we had already become a part of British society, well at least to an extent. There were still so many Lords and Ladies who weren't happy with our presence in their social gatherings but you know there's nothing money cannot do. I made sure to create a network around Liverpool where I was involved in every business directly or indirectly. I became indispensable, maybe not but I made sure of it that getting rid of me would be very difficult.

"Good morning my Lord." said the maid, "a letter has arrived for you from Ikot Expene.".

I hurriedly got off the bed to retrieve the letter from the maid. I was excited because this was the first letter sent from home. A system was established in such a way that our letters wouldn't get intercepted by enemies on the way. We didn't sent much letters because a lot of people were keeping close tabs on us, people who weren't happy about the fact that we not only walked freely in their country but even had control over the lives of their people.

"Who sent it?" I asked the maid. Immediately I said those words I regretted it, I shouldn't have. Well I guess I was still half asleep.

"I'm sorry my Lord but it's not in my place to ask who sent the letters, I'm only supposed to deliver them, I'm sorry." she said

"Is she afraid of me?" I thought to myself noticing how many times she said sorry, "well that's good, one should always take advantage of other's fear.

"Drop the envelop on the table." I said waving my hands as a sign that she's dismissed.

I picked the envelop from the table and tore it open, I removed the neatly folded letter from the torn envelop and read the contents.

To Akaninyene Ukpeme Ndaeyo

How are you my son? I haven't seen you in a long time and although I don't like being sentimental, I have to say I miss you my boy. I hope you don't expose my words to your mother and siblings when you return, let this be our little secret.

A few weeks ago, one of the young lords sent a message to Arochukwu, it said that one of our ships was hijacked. This ship carried important goods to Calabar, what worries me isn't the losses we've incurred but the fact that there were hidden weapons and messages on that ship. We will have to be even more careful from now on. About the missing ship, we are trying our very best to find out who is behind this and you should try to find out on your side as well. If you find anyone of them, you shouldn't hesitate. I hope you know what I mean.

I really hope everything goes well my boy, very soon we'll rid ourselves of those usurpers and enjoy out lives the way we are supposed to. Goodbye my child.

Yours truly

HRM Idongesit Ndaeyo.

"Hmm, so there is someone who knows something." I thought to myself.

But one thing was for sure, whoever this person was, he sure has a lot of power. This only meant that we had to get rid of this thorn in our flesh anyway we could. But what does this new development mean and would we be able to survive unscathed?

"Nothing ever changes does it?" I asked myself.