Year: 1885
The first month of Oba Akenzua's reign began with counting.
One hundred and ten rifles per month. The production reports spread across the strategy chamber's table. Igue delivered them personally.
"We can push higher. Night shifts would add another thirty."
"Authorize them."
"The workers are already exhausted."
"Pay them more. Arrange family support. But increase production." Akenzua moved to the window. "Time is the one resource we can't manufacture."
"Artillery?"
Silence filled the space between them.
"The larger calibers are still beyond us," Igue admitted. "The metallurgy for heavy cannon barrels requires steel we can't produce consistently."
"Timeline?"
"Six months. Maybe more."
"Make it four. If we're building naval facilities at Warri, we need ship-mounted weapons."
Igue's jaw tightened, but he nodded.
---
Osarobo materialized from the shadows. "Osaro. Meeting tonight. Six chiefs."
"He's building his coalition already."
"The council vote wounded him. Now he's adapting."
"And the British?"
"Hewett has returned to Calabar. Our sources suggest they're cautious for now."
"How long will caution last?"
"Depends on their other problems. Egypt. India. The Sudan." Osarobo paused. "But they don't forget. Eventually, they'll come back."
"Then we need to be ready before eventually arrives."
---
Esohe entered with documents.
"The Sokoto contact bore fruit. The Caliph proposes alliance discussions."
"When?"
"He invites a delegation within six months. Information sharing first. Military cooperation later, if trust develops."
The northern alliance. Strategic depth that could change everything.
"Accept."
"He'll want you personally. Eventually."
"Eventually. First we secure what we have." He paused. "What about the south?"
"The Itsekiri succession is becoming critical. The Olu is ill. Three factions are positioning for power. Two would accept Benin overlordship in exchange for support."
"And the third?"
"Pro-British. Meeting with Royal Niger Company representatives."
Akenzua's expression hardened. "Then we move before they consolidate. The Itsekiri control our access to the coast. If the pro-British faction wins and signs a protection treaty, we lose Warri permanently."
"What are you proposing?"
"Prepare a delegation. Formal overtures to the two friendly factions. Make clear what we offer: military support, trade privileges, protection from their rivals. In exchange, full integration. Warri becomes Benin territory with naval facilities."
"And if they refuse?"
"Prepare a military assessment. If diplomacy fails, we take Warri by force."
"You'd invade traditional allies?"
"I'd secure strategic territory before the British do. The Itsekiri have been nominal vassals of Benin for generations--Prince Ginuwa's descendants carry our royal blood. It's time to make that vassalage real."
---
When they were alone, Esohe spoke again.
"The Sokoto delegation. They'll want proof of what we can offer."
"Then we show them the forge."
"That's a risk."
"We can't defeat the British alone. We need the north. We need everyone who understands what colonization really means." He paused. "And we need the Caliph to understand something else. We're not just defending. We're building an empire. Warri first. Then the Ijaw delta channels. Then the Igala territories. Eventually, we'll share a border with the Caliphate."
"You're proposing a partnership for expansion."
"The British are going to carve up Africa. Either we carve first, or we get carved."
---
Oronmwen arrived at sunset.
"The northern trade routes are stable. The Nupe are cooperating. I've established the contacts you requested."
"Any trouble?"
"Some bandit activity near the confluence. Local chiefs are dealing with it." Oronmwen hesitated. "I had to make some promises. Reduced tribute rates. Guaranteed protection."
"Those promises are authorized. The northern routes are too important."
"The council won't like it."
"The council likes what I tell them to like. That's what it means to be king."
Oronmwen smiled slightly. "You sound like Father."
"I learned from watching him."
They talked until the stars appeared. Oronmwen would return to the northern territories, building the network that would support the Sokoto alliance and eventually the Igala integration.
"I won't fail you," Oronmwen said.
"I know. That's why I chose you."
---
Alone, Akenzua compiled his first monthly assessment.
Production: Increasing. The forge was exceeding expectations.
Training: Progressing. Three hundred soldiers now, with more joining every week.
Alliances: Forming. The Sokoto connection was promising. The Itsekiri situation was dangerous but manageable.
Territorial Strategy: Phase Two officially underway. Warri for naval facilities. Ijaw for waterway control. Igala for the northern rivers. The Urhobo providing agricultural support. The Isoko maintaining trade networks.
Opposition: Persistent but contained.
The gap between what he had and what he needed remained vast. But narrower than a month ago.
---
Osarobo returned. "There's been a development. Henderson. The British trader. He's left for Lagos unexpectedly. Fast boat, traveling light."
"Meaning?"
"Someone gave him something important enough to rush back with."
"Osaro?"
"Possibly. Or someone we haven't identified yet." Osarobo's face was unreadable. "I've put people on the route. If we're lucky, we'll intercept his communications."
"And if we're not lucky?"
"Then the British will know more about our preparations than we'd like."
"Find out what he's carrying. Whatever it takes."
"It will be done."
---
Esohe found Akenzua at the window.
"You should sleep."
"Too much to think about. Henderson's message might reveal everything."
"Or it might reveal nothing useful. We don't know yet."
"The not knowing is the worst part."
"No. The worst part would be knowing and being unable to act. At least now we can prepare."
She took his hand.
"One month as king. What have you learned?"
"That it's lonelier than I expected. And harder. And more dangerous." He turned to look at her. "That I can't do it alone. That I need people I can trust."
"Come. Eat something. Rest. Tomorrow brings new challenges."
He let her lead him away from the window.
Tomorrow would bring answers. Or new questions about the naval empire they were building, the territories they were claiming, the future they were fighting to create.
Either way, he would face them as king.