| Chapter 19 - Throwing down the gauntlet |
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I tried to blink the flashing lights out of my vision and focus upon the hulking brute of a man who stood over my now ungainly seated form on the floor. At first, I could see nothing but blinding sunshine but then it was eclipsed by the tanned and battle scarred features of my bearded assailant. He seemed to be somewhat confused as if unable to comprehend what he was looking at - my clothing wasn’t that outlandish surely?... "Master Percival? He enquired tentatively. I nodded confirmation and he fell to his knees wringing his hands in anguish. "I'm right sorry I am sir, I didn’t have no inkling that someone such as yourself would be here sir, how could I? He babbled - I feared he was about to cry. "Yes..., well..., I'm... awfully sorry to get in the way of your fist old chap" I replied, attempting to grin and rubbing my sore chin ruefully. The man had a punch like a sledgehammer blow. "You seem to have me at a disadvantage, you know who I am but I don’t believe I have had the, ah, pleasure?" I enquired. "Abel sir, at your service sir, I'm sorry sir - I thought you were one of them, come to take the rest." he hissed.
Abel had been one of my father's strong arm men, and it soon became apparent that what he lacked in intellect he made up for with unswerving loyalty and huge physical presence. He had been ejected by the Export Company upon their takeover and had been scraping a living bare knuckle boxing and protecting baggage trains in the area. "They squeezed us out they did, when Mr.Percival refused to sell, shipments went missing and our people started disappearin', with no trace of 'em at all - it had to be them. Everyone else was too afraid not to sell after." he explained. "It’s all gone now but I come back to check on whats left - don’t know what else to do" he continued sadly, extending a hand and lifting me to my feet. I brushed myself down as best I could, my head spinning from both the blow to my chin and with the revelations which Abel imparted to me. I had felt sheltered in my upbringing to a certain extent but it was now becoming clear to me just how much corruption was afoot in the world. I felt a sudden obligation to improve Abel's station in life, having served my father so loyally and continuing to do so in this small gesture even afterwards. "Well then my good man, we must find a way to take it back. Here is some coin. Get yourself cleaned up and get some new clothing, we are going to get to the bottom of this." I resolved. "Yessir, right away sir" he said. "Who is in charge over there?" I enquired, inclining my head towards the main port office. "Mr Fielding sir, but I wouldn’t be in no hurry to talk to him if I was you." He replied. I arranged to meet him at the bazaar the next day to discuss what to do next and he departed with a bow. My gaze swept back to the main office of the trading company, it was there that I would find my answers and I strode purposefully towards it. I strolled into the reception area and up to the clerk of the office, asking to see Mr Fielding immediately. "Mr Fielding doesn’t see just anyone you know" he replied dismissively. I slammed a brass working of my family crest onto desk. "Tell him Mr.Percival has come to discuss business" I uttered in my best deadly tone. I wasn’t sure how convincing this would be, as I hadn’t previously used it before - thankfully it had the desired effect, my name seemed to unnerve him slightly and he hurried off upstairs, returning in a few minutes breathlessly and with what appeared to be a bruised eye - his employer obviously was not concerned about "shooting the messenger". "Mr Fielding can spare five minutes now, it’s up the stairs and first on the left" he shuddered. I thanked him and marched up the stairs, suddenly realising that I had no idea what I was going to say. The child in me wanted to simply demand our business back but this was a man's game, and a potentially deadly one. As I forcefully pushed open the door I decided to stick to my original tactic, to shake things up and see what happened. The door swung open to reveal a very grand oak panelled office adorned with expensive paintings and an ornate paraphernalia of items, many of which carried the gleam of highly polished gold and silver. In the center of this opulence sat a severe looking middle aged man staring at me sternly and hawk like over the rim of his half-moon glasses. He was dressed in an understated and almost puritanical manner and also wore a thoroughly disapproving look. "Mr.Fielding I presume. I have questions which require answers and you sir, will give them to me." I opened with a false bravado, hoping this would not be too translucent. "You are in a position to demand nothing young Percival, I see your powers of negotiation are as inept as your father's." he replied evenly, his gaze icy. "I am new to these surroundings it is true, but I learn fast and have already uncovered intelligence regarding your companies ‘activities’, which I'm sure the authorities would be very interested to hear of.” I only knew the scant beginnings of such things of course but a slight twitch of his left eye suggested that it was likely I would uncover something if I was to dig deep enough - I had his interest. "It seems that you may have some talent after all, perhaps I was hasty..." he intoned. "I'm sure we can come to some kind of ... agreement." He continued, with a slightly sickly smile spreading with reluctance on his face. "I regret though sir, that I do not have sufficient time in which to discuss such matters now. Perhaps we could do so later today in more relaxed surroundings. Are you familiar with the Bopara steam rooms?" he enquired. "I can find them." I replied. "Good. Meet me there at 6:30pm sharp and we shall discuss arrangements." he said, dismissing me. I turned and walked toward the door. "Oh, and Percival? Do be careful in Calcutta, it can be such a dangerous place for the unwary..." he murmured. I half turned, meeting his gaze. "Oh don’t worry old chap, I'm quite well prepared." I observed, patting my pistol before nodding and exiting the room. |
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