"Anger, has the kingdom's navy that sailed south recently brought any news from the kingdom?..."
"News? You mean?..."
"Ahem! For example, the situation in the kingdom, changes among the governors... Something like the Governor of Azores—has he reported anything?..."
"The situation in the kingdom? The Governor of Azores?... No, I haven't heard of any changes! Bruno, I hear you've attached yourself to Steward Nuno. Do you know some inside story about the nobles and the court?"
"Ah... not really. It's just... just trade routes and commerce. It seems the Azores has also begun producing cane sugar, so perhaps they need... mm... right, perhaps they need a batch of plantation slaves! Also, Steward Nuno once told me that the ivory products from Sierra Leone are simply perfect works of art! Especially the ivory horns that can be blown!..."
"Haaha! So that's it! Bruno, don't worry! Since it is Steward Nuno's request, I will certainly send him a set of exquisite ivory wares! The finest ivory horn, ivory saltcellar, ivory spoon, and comb... Mm, there will be a share for you too!..."
The noble mayor Miguel laughed loudly, appearing extremely generous. Only, the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth still revealed the ache in his heart.
In this port of Sierra Leone that connected to the inland Great River, the most valuable goods produced were, without question, the ivory traded from the hands of the dark-skinned tribes. In the early days, perhaps there had also been a little placer gold, but after nearly twenty years of trade and plundering, the dark-skinned tribes for several hundred li around had already been squeezed dry of gold. And Sierra Leone's ivory output, in truth, had a fixed amount each year as well. The trading post would take one-third of the profit, the local