Family Matters (part 1)
Silas left the Isle with a sense of urgency, determined to uncover the truth about Malik – Obi Ouma Abhumali. The journey was fraught with peril, as Silas and his crew navigated treacherous waters and faced fierce storms. Finally, they arrived at the mysterious land of Ianda, where they were swiftly directed to the imposing house of Malik’s father.
The man who greeted Silas was old, with a stern and unyielding demeanor. Silas knew he had to tread carefully. “Greetings, Sir,” he said, his keen eyes taking in every detail of the man’s quarters. “You have an extraordinary home,” he complimented, trying to ease the tension. “I imagine a man of your stature has a long line of successors?” he inquired, moving through the room with a confidence that belied his caution.
The father eyed Silas suspiciously. “I have one son, but he has vanished. My brother Obeté has been a great help as my health declines,” he revealed.
Silas nodded thoughtfully. “My question is not without purpose,” he said, producing a small piece of paper and unfurling it before the man’s eyes. “I have a strand of hair from your son, if the man who gave it to me spoke truthfully. Do you have any idea what might have happened?”
The father examined the strand of hair, hoping it wasn’t his son’s. “He was given a task by my brother and never returned. The captain of the ship claimed he fell overboard, but I don’t believe it. I think my son was too weak to stand among those firm men. Perhaps there was a mutiny or a fight he couldn’t win,” he admitted.
Silas listened intently, gauging the man’s words. He wondered if the father wanted the truth or preferred a comforting lie. Before he could respond, another man entered the room.
The father’s demeanor softened as he greeted the newcomer. “Ah, Oboté, you’re just in time. This captain believes he may have found my son,” he said, pointing to the paper with the strand of hair. “I just told him we doubt the captain’s story.”
Oboté glanced at Silas with cunning eyes, assessing whether Silas posed a threat to his inheritance. “A pleasure to meet you, erm?” he stalled, seeking Silas’s name.
Silas bowed slightly. “I am Silas, captain of the Stormcrow,” he replied, omitting the Black Compass for now. “Which captain and ship are you referring to? We might be able to compare notes,” he suggested, his gaze challenging Oboté.
Oboté realized he had met his match in Silas, who seemed to know more than he had revealed. The father waved dismissively. “I don’t know much about what happened. My son was supposed to accompany a high-caste woman named Aleisha, and I need to speak to her father. They don’t want to wait any longer. But if you bring us news that he is alive?”
Oboté saw an opportunity and interjected. “Perhaps it’s wise for you to speak to the father while I compare notes with Silas,” he suggested.
Silas sensed a hidden motive behind Oboté’s suggestion but waited. He was surprised that neither man had asked about Malik’s condition. Silas felt a pang of pity, wondering if they truly cared or if they simply hoped for good news from him.
Suddenly, the door burst open, and a group of armed men stormed into the room. Silas instinctively reached for his weapon, but the father raised a hand to stop him. “These are my guards,” he said, his voice trembling slightly. “They will ensure that no harm comes to anyone.”
Oboté’s eyes narrowed as he stepped forward. “What is the meaning of this?” he demanded, his voice laced with anger. “Why are you here, Silas? What do you really want?”
Silas met Oboté’s gaze with steely determination. “I want to establish if the man in my possession is a hoax or your true heir.” as his eyes moved to the father of Malik. “Or your nephew.” As his eyes again cut to Obeté.
The tension in the room was palpable as the two men faced off. The father’s eyes darted between them, unsure of what to do. Finally, he spoke. “Oboté, if you know something, you must tell me. Why do I have the feeling you are more aware of this than you letting on?”
Oboté hesitated, then sighed. “Very well,” he said. “I will tell you what I know. But be warned, the truth may be more dangerous than you realize.”
Silas had not anticipated the guards or the sudden change in Oboté. In fact he now worried that he would lose that advantage of playing these two out for the highest reward.
The father frowns and his hand reached to his heart as if he already felt the truth would challenge each beat of it. “Well speak !” he demanded.
Oboté nodded “The captain tried to blackmail us.” He stated while his gaze challenged Silas. “This man is sent to collect what was agreed. But only to have him comprehended and tortured so we learn where your son is held.”
The guards were moving towards Silas as to apprehend him, but Silas had instantly guessed what was to come when he spoke of blackmail. His hand on his sword, while his other gripped the whip.
“Wait!” the father shouted “This does not make sense.” He added as he would move to lock his gaze with that of Oboté. “If this were true. You would have come forward with this information hands ago. Why now ?” his eyes narrowed now. The guards would now turn towards Oboté.
Silas relieved that the guards did not proceed when it came to him. Surely he was skilled but to master two guards and two men in one room was even for him a little much. He was quick and swift but no MacGyver.
The father turned back to Silas. “You see. I made my fortune not by being ignorant. I know my brother wants my fortune. So when he came up with this scheme to sent my son, I knew he would try to establish his position.”
Silas was surprised and amused. The father suddenly earned that rare gift of respect from him. As he kept observing. Not yet given any insights in the cards he was holding. Surely the play of poker had become on the head table.
Oboté tried to escape the grip of the guards but they held him firm. “You make a mistake. I have always been there for you. I am the only one that remained loyal.” He pleaded.
The father did not have it and continued “You see, Silas. I thought it might bring me knowledge that I needed when I played ignorance at the plan to sent my son. You see my son troubles me. He is more like his mother than he has any resemblance to me. I at times had this wonder if his mother might not had an affair. But his appearance shows clearly otherwise. Nor do I think his mother capable of such deceit. “
The father continued. “Did you bring my son with you ?” he now asked.
Silas shook his head.
The father nodded “Than he failed me.” He replied resentful. “Is he dead?” he asked further.
Silas shook his head again.
The father frowns “If you think I will pay you for him to return ?” he questions.
Silas would shake his head again. “Based on your words I doubt you would pay me one copper as he failed you. Yet he is your heir. The one that holds him must know of this. Perhaps that is valuable to you?” he suggests.
The father laughed. “You are keen, Silas.” His eyes would lock to those of Silas ignoring the pleads of Oboté for now “I want to make you an offer.” He started. “I want you to take Oboté with you. I want you to have him on your ship as the figurehead. I will compensate you for it. Just as I will compensate you for ensuring my son will not claim my fortune when I am gone. “
Oboté screamed and struggled in the hands of the guards as they took him on the signal of the father.
Silas would remain silent as to wait how the father would proceed.
“I will pay you 20 golden double tarns to ensure that man is no longer alive than before you return home. I want my son to see his uncle. So he knows that I am aware of him and choose not to pay for his release. Perhaps that will make him a stronger man.” The voice of the man had become bitter and dark.
Silas had not expected such coin and was pleasant surprised by it. This was easy – perhaps too easy ? “What about your son ?” he asks.
The father sighed. “Is he a deckhand upon your ship?” he asks now.
Silas shook his head “No. Your son was collared and branded as his life was in debt of that of my quartermaster.” He replied placing all the cards open upon the table.
The father nodded with defeat “I figured as much.” He replied. “If this is the case. He is no longer my son nor my affair. You can do as you please.” He would turn to Silas “I will companion Aleisha myself. She will give me an heir and I will establish a firm house.”
Silas arched a brow at the mentioning of the fiancé of Malik “Is the companionship all arranged ?” he asks now curious.
The father nodded “Yes. Her father and I came to terms not long after we understood something must have happened to my son. Her father was pleased that our houses will merge regardless if my son was to return or not.” He paused “But Silas … as I am sure you are a man with balls of steel and courage as big as Ar. Those twenty golden double tarns are also a gesture of my good will. I would very much like to establish a good trade with the more Northern parts of our planet. Can you see to such ?”
Silas grinned and laughed. “I could have known that such large sum would come with a cost. But if that is the cost than still you are very gracious. I own a trading company. If there is anything I can do it will be that.”
———–
Silas understood that the man wanted his brother to serve as a grim example of the consequences of betrayal. As the evening deepened, Silas took Oboté and had his men bind him to the prow of the Stormcrow. The man cursed, shouted, and pleaded, making promises of fortune he no longer possessed.
As they moved from the harbor into open water, the man felt the icy grip of the sea and the crushing waves battering his body. The relentless force soon rendered him unconscious, unable to withstand the rock-solid waters. Sharks and other sea creatures might have taken a bite, but the man’s cries ceased quickly.
In the days that followed, some of the crew checked on Oboté and confirmed that his life had been forfeited. They shared their findings with Silas, who nodded knowingly. “It was to be expected,” he replied. “A sign for those who think they can double-cross an old man. This shows that none of us should ever be underestimated.” He laughed, a sinister sound that echoed through the ship. “But we men already know this.” He grinned. “Now prepare, for we are to find the dock of our isle soon. Do not take the man away just yet. The thrall Malik needs to see it first.”
Crows Murder 
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