Heroes Return VI: Book One London Chapter 18

 

18.

 

In the wild, the chimpanzees are known to catch on to the scent of the predators from afar, and they will warn the others by their callings. It is an instinct built by the primates. Another preference of the chimpanzees is the high elevation to see the predator before it gets nearby.

Lord Greystoke saw the migration of the birds at the forest. It was an unusual event for the Waziri warriors even in their hunt to blend in with the animals there and create less commotion.

“Thirun, take the warriors to the house. I will scout ahead.” Lord Greystokes had stripped to his loincloth over his pelvis and had on the dagger made by him from the bone of the lion. Thirun signalled to the warriors and then grabbed his shield and spear. Lord Greystokes was seen then running towards the forest treelines.

The Lord knew that the trees there had no vines to swing with but improvised with these thick ropes that he strung on the thick branches. He grabbed one of them and propelled himself forward. His momentum allowed him to reach the upper branch, and from there, he then took his run across the branches, familiarizing himself from his daily runs there. He improvised the trails with ropes that are strung across from tree to tree or a fallen log to act as a bridge to cross. He does miss the dark continent jungle, but the forest was equally as challenging.

Lord Greystokes made the run across one hectare in the short burst and then climbed to the top to check his prey, which he saw then at the distance: a group of three dressed in the dark green garbs and wielding the bow with the arrows. He took no delay and intercepted the trio at the clearing.

“Yield now, intruders!" Lord Greystokes called out. The trio stopped in their tracks and then notched the arrow onto the bow.

“I am Lord Greystoke, and on this ground, I am the king. Yield now, and leave.” Lord Greystokes looked at them. He had not seen such warriors, but their body stance displayed their training.

“We come for the lady.” The leader of the trio spoke up. “Give her and we leave.”

It was then Thirun arrived with eight warriors.

“You are outnumbered.” Lord Greystokes cautioned them.

“Outnumbered but not outfoxed." The leader said. Lord Greystokes heard the caution and knew the trap was set for his house. He turned to look at the house. He heard gunshots, and it was then he ran. Thirun knew the concern, but he was to subdue the intruders there.

“Fool!” The trio released their arrows at the Waziri leaders. Thirun had his shield up to block the arrows while his warriors had thrown their arrows at the intruders. One of the intruders went down with the spear piercing his groin, but the other two had drawn their swords, the ninjatō (忍者刀), often referred to as a ninjaken or shinobi gatana. It is characterized by a short, straight katana blade, distinguishing it from the curved samurai katana and a square guard (tsuba), typically designed for concealment, utility, and close-quarters combat. 

The one on the left charged at the Waziri’s warriors with the sword held at the mid-level on the left side to perform a right swing at the warriors. Orunga, the warrior, stepped up to meet the intruder and used his shield on his left arm to deflect the sword while his right hand, holding a foot-long rungu, swung from the side and impacted the intruder on the left shoulder. The intruder fell to the right, and Orunga followed up with the blow with the rungu at the right knee. That blow impaired the intruder from escaping.

The other intruder retreated while the Waziri warriors gathered around the fallen one.

Meanwhile at the house, Kimbel had gathered the warriors at the house facing the five intruders dressed in green garb.

“No one gets past us," Kimbel cautioned the intruder. He then saw the intruders had produced guns to level at the warriors: Colt revolvers. Their shields may not stop all the projectiles, but they will stand to defend their bwana’s lady.

"A true warrior is invincible because he or she contests with nothing. Defeat means to defeat the mind of contention." Kimbel reminded the warriors of Mugumbi’s words, who was their departed leader.

Two shots rang out, and Kimbel was shot in the left side of the chest and right shin. He went down on his knees with the shield holding him up. It was then more shots rang out, not from the intruders but from the house.

“Never bring a revolver to the play when you have a rifle.” The five shots rang out in succession, and the intruders were brought down face up to the rear. Kimbel turned and saw the ladies of the house had formed a firing line at the left. They lowered the rifles and then attended to the lady.

“Have not felt that kick for a long time.” Lady Greystokes gave her rifle to the other ladies. “Thank you for the double shot too, Imani.”

“I like the long barrel.” Imani, the lady of the house, smiled. She was a fine marksman with the Sharps rifle.

Lady Greystokes was helped to the nearby seat. She saw the lover of hers running like an antelope across the field.

“Tend to Kimbel. Bring the healer.” Lady Greystokes told the ladies. “I will be fine.”

“Jane, are you okay?” Lord Greystokes reached her.

“We should go back to Africa. It is safer there.” Lady Greystokes smiled.

It did not take long for the Waziri’s warriors to get the surviving intruder to speak the truth. Lieutenant Gavin McLeod had joined in when he was told of the gunshots. The healer was called in and treated Kimbel.

“He said the sensei sent them. They were to find Ms. Kewala and bring her back.”

“Who is the……. Sensei?” Lord Greystokes asked.

“Their bwana, the master. He……" Thirun explained.

“Name?” Lord Greystokes asked.

“Ogata.”

“I need to tell Mycroft.” Lieutenant McLeod said and then asked. “Where is Mindy?”

“Ms. Kewala is safe. She is away.” Lord Greystoke looked at the Lieutenant. “Are you close to her?”

“We ……. I have been assigned to her ever since she landed in London. I am her personal aide.” Lieutenant Gavin McLeod then turned to leave. “Sir, may I know where she is?”

Back in the proper London city, to be exact, at Baker Street, Watson had just washed his hands again after his tasks at the mortuary. He stepped up to the late lunch spread at the table, where Sherlock was seated.

“Bacons and eggs? I am sure Mrs. Hudson does not serve that for lunch even though we are late at it.” Watson sat down.

“I asked for it, Watson. After our fascinating conversation about bacon tests, I had a sudden craving for it.” Sherlock used his fork to punch holes at the bacon. “Bacon is primarily made from pork belly or back cuts, cured with a mixture of salt, sugar, and nitrites, and often smoked for flavour. It consists of roughly fifty-six percent fat, which renders during cooking, along with lean muscle meat, creating a crispy texture. It is a processed, salty meat preserved for longevity.”

“And it originated from China. I was told that from my butcher whose father and his father before then told him from his grandfather then……" Watson looked at the serving.

“Elementary, my dear Watson. The news of such is derived from their past generations, but who cares? We are to eat bacon now.” Sherlock’s eyes perked up. “Mycroft is here.”

“Hello, everyone. I am back. Is that bacon? The greasy strips? I loved them.” Mycroft took himself a seat and the plate. “Not eating, Watson?”

“Not anymore. I will have a sandwich instead.” Watson stood up.

“And you will make Earl of Sandwich proud of you.” Mycroft grabbed a slice of the bacon and stuffed it into his mouth. “Do tell Mrs. Hudson, I would like one sandwich too. Cheerio, lad. We are to have the whole afternoon to ourselves.”

“Spare me the details.” Watson turned to leave and then stopped. “Will the sandwiches come with the playing cards? The Earl then had his while playing cards.”

“Poker? It is a new game I heard played on the steamships on the Mississippi.” Mycroft smiled. “Beats the game while (prelude to bridge) anytime.”

Watson was past listening and went to look for Mrs. Hudson.

 

Heroes Return VI: Book One London Chapter 17

 

17. 

 

“Ah, you're drunk!

You're drunk, you silly old fool.

Still, you cannot see.

That's a lovely scarf that my mother sent to me.

Well, it's been many a day I've travelled—a hundred miles or more.

But a saddle on a sow, sure, I never saw before."

Adapted from Seven Drunken Nights – The Dubliners, 1770s.

“Aye, I am that fool. Aging may do that to one.” Professor Moriarty sat behind his desk, holding the glass of Irish whiskey, a spirit distilled in Ireland from a mash of cereal grains, usually barley, corn, wheat, rye, and/or oats; contains no additives except for water and caramel color; and is stored in wooden casks.

“I am not Irish, though my name is.” The professor was drunk, having spent hours at the unresolved equations and one too many bottles of whiskey. He was upset and withdrawn. He sang that song to remind him of his father, who came home one night to find another man with his mother.

“A Dhia, cé hiad na daoine atá ar mo leaba? (By golly, why are you on my bedding?) " The old man had asked while in his drunken stupor. It did not take long for the other to leave in haste, and the couple was in a heated argument.

“Tá mé chun an fear sin a mharú" (I am going to kill that man). The father is in his rage shouted.

“A Edward Galley, ná déan tada de sin, agus fág do chlann gan athair. Edward Galley, do nothing of that, and leave your children without a father. "The wife told the drunken fool.

“An mise a n-athair? Ní dóigh liom é sin tar éis an lae inniu. (Am I their father? I do not think so after today.)”

Two days later they found Nathaniel Moriarty dead in the pigsty at the next village. And the ramrod in the throat.

Such a sad way for that Paddie to die with the ramrod in his throat. I reckon I much prefer mine to be the Guinness bottle down mine … full content, please. The solemn saying at the pubs, and Edward Galley went missing and never was seen.

As for James Moriarty, as he was named James Galley Moriarty then, he was sent to a boarding school in Paris, France. It was unplanned for the middle-class family, but an unforeseen inheritance from a distant aunt gave the mother the means to send the boy away.

“You go on to become an ‘uasal’ (gentleman in Irish Gaelic). Déan go maith agus mair go maith (Do well and live well.)” The lad was told before he boarded the train to the coast.

James Galley Moriarty then had his name changed to James Moriarty, and he was senior in age there, pulling the difference of age of five from the other students. He focused on the studies and found his affinity for the complex mathematical equations.

Life was not easy there for James; he was picked on for his age, and the boys ganged up on him. He was older but not stronger, but he had a friend there named Sebastian Moran. The latter was his protector, and soon he was not harassed any more. The two boys became good friends, and later Sebastian went to Sandhurst to be a soldier, and James went to Glasgow for more education. He was considering majoring in medicine but stayed on as a student of mathematics.

It was then he heard of the passing of his mother, but his family trust was enough for him to continue. He pursued his desire to know his mother’s side and found them.

“The Moriarty is a landowner in your old country. They leased the land to the locals, who will pay them rental.”

In the 1800s, Irish land rental was characterized by a landlord-tenant system, where a small number of (often absentee) landlords owned most land, leasing it to tenants on short terms or "at will." Rents were high and frequently increased, leading to insecurity and poverty, particularly pre-famine, and were often managed by middlemen. 

“Your mother was a wild lass who eloped with your father and was disowned by the family. However, her trust fund was maintained by her aunt, who, however, paid for your education.” The solicitor who was hired by James told him.

“Even upon your mother’s death, they will not accept her back. You are Irish and not blue blood like them.”

That last remark was etched onto James’s mind, but he returned to pursue his studies. He got himself a position as an assistant lecturer there and was fair to living on his own. It was to be a good life until he met Tommy Meager, a fellow young Irish lad who was his student then. Tommy was a member of Young Ireland, which was aggressive toward the English ruling over. Ireland was also still reeling from the impact of the Great Famine.

The British government's reaction had been too little and too late to prevent the Irish people from suffering great hardship. This delayed reaction was criticized by Irish officials, to little avail.

Tommy died later that year in a battle with the authorities.

James Moriarty was then enraged with the handling of the ruling. He felt injustice was done and got himself into the meetings with the rebels. He was still a mathematician and weighed the variables to produce the equation, and none of it then was conclusive, except to fail to manage the variables. He then retired to the background and did his own scheme of things.

James Moriarty knew that he was not a strong leader physically, but his intellectual skills were exceptional. He worked with some of the rebels, applying his variables to get them to work for his end. He found the relationship among the members was leaning towards rivalry. It was the winner-takes-all. He worked on that and became the kingmaker of the rebels. He manipulated their mindsets, applying variables that would lead them to his equation. His influence grew, and eventually, he was the leader among them, but unseen or unrevealed.

It was then he wrote the binomial theorem; the purpose of the binomial theorem is to be able to take a binomial, which means a parenthesis with two terms on the inside, and raise it to a power.

And applied it.

James Moriarty moved to London to expand his works. He felt that the epicentre of power was there. He worked his way through the echelon of powers, from the lowly clerk to the executives, by coercion or monetary gains, and soon established a network of operatives.

With the wider circle of operatives, there were other opponents who took offense to him. James Moriarty, or later named Doctor Moriarty, was then targeted, and attempts were made on him discreetly, and cases were closed without investigation. The latter was on his request, as he was not keen to be known. Despite his life being threatened and the need for an unseen profile, Doctor Moriarty did not leave any variables out in his vengeance equation.

It was then he had the protection of one named Sebastian Moran, a colonel by rank, retired on his own accord, according to the records. Sebastian emerged as the man who took care of Doctor Moriarty’s well-being, and his efficiency was undeniably excellent. 

“Sebastian Moran, you are the exemplary variable I will apply to my safety equation. I shall offer you the rank of Chief of Staff.” Doctor Moriarty praised the other. “Be at my side, and we will do wonders.”

His love for his land and country was always there in his heart and mind. He works his influence on the politicians and sponsors for the land.

“The older the fiddle, the sweeter the tune." Professor Moriarty raised his glass to the banner strung across the fireplace. He saw the arrival of Sebastian Moran, a rarity to his study, for they agreed on discretion in their alliance.

“I got news the doctor Mitsui Ogata may not be dead. Coroner’s office. There was another person in the chamber.” Sebastian stood at the far corner, dimly lighted and his back to the wall. “More to that, the Oni Society is on alert. They had discovered the whereabouts of Mindy Kewala. She was seen at Greystoke's estate.”

“Interesting.” Professor Moriarty looked to the wad of notes on his desk. “I am intrigued by the Oni Society. They had not been here too long ago, like the Chinese triads, but they had been growing.”

“We are growing in China, along with the others.” Colonel Sebastian Moran was not an avid historian; except for a stint in India as an officer, he cared little for other nations.

“True, but without guarding our own backyard, others are here. England, for one, is becoming a cosmopolitan, particularly London, profoundly cosmopolitan, diverse space, challenging the traditional image of a purely homogeneous Victorian society. England had attracted individuals from Europe, the Indian subcontinent, Africa, and East Asia, creating a bustling mix of cultures in urban centres," Professor Moriarty said.

“We dredged them here through the canals, and now they flood our streets. Oh my, dreadful in my view.”

“The Oni Society?” Sebastian asked.

“It is obvious. They are here to expand their influence. Their government wants to modernize their treasury; hence, they are here to learn from us. They could be in Germany for industrialization needs.” Professor Moriarty looked at the banner strung across the fireplace. “They are learning from us while we degenerate into oblivion. They learned that mining is a form of richness, and what better place to get it than from the unexplored lands?"

“We did it too. We forcibly open its markets, exploit its economic resources, and correct a trade imbalance favouring China. We used opium smuggling to reverse a massive silver deficit, resulting in the Opium Wars.” Professor Moriarty drew the variables together.

“As Ireland was done then, we worked our farms for them.”

“I placed in a set of variables, which may add deviations to the equation. I had not killed the three operatives. Not stating my claim to the reign. I opened a new set of variables when I found out that they may not be operating under the Oni Society’s instructions. That brought in the doctor to my backyard. The question was who acted on those three operatives to do the tasks. I am sure the doctor will be investigating that now.”

“And soon to be, Holmes.”

“There were attempts on Holmes and Watson on that day.” Colonel Sebastian Moran reported in.

"On whose orders? The Oni Society or someone else? And why?” Professor Moriarty laid his hands on the wad of notes. “Unfactored in variables perhaps? I cannot wait. Get the operatives to find out more. Who planted the bomb at the hotel? And where…… Just get solutions."