The sun shone over the cobbled street of Macau, glistened its surfaces. The whole venetian-esque city is very impressive, with the architecture similar to Italy’s renaissance building. It is the first time Matthew step into Macau’s land-it was the first time he ever got out of Sarawak! Matthew went strolling down the street, gawking at the locals who are doing their daily basis. Amazing! He thought to himself. He rolled his sleeves up to his elbows and put on a sunglass. He looked at his digital watch on his wrist. The driver is late. He was supposed to be picked up half an hour ago. Just as promise.
Matthew cannot wait to meet the man who sent him the letter. He brought along the letter and kept it safe in his rucksack. His mind travels back to Sarawak, his homeland. He was born and bred there, but he is not like any other Sarawakian. He is different from his Sarawakian brothers- he is white and his face is fairer than any girls in his school. He did go to the public school where everyday he was brutally abused by his roommates especially in the shower room. His grandmother pulled him out of the school immediately upon hearing the harsh treatments. He went to International School, which also he felt he did not fit in. The International students are from wealthy, influential family quite the opposite to his background. He had been friendless since the day he was born.
Just a month ago, a lady escorted with two bodyguards came to their house. The lady, who introduces herself as Ms. Schon, giving an invitation letter addressed to Matthew. His grandmother was intrigued, thinking that good fortune will come to their family. Matthew had to accept the invitation letter and inside contain one-way ticket to Macau. Matthew studied the letter and found a name underneath the signature. His name is Edward Tenner. Matthew was quite unsure about the invitation. He did not even know who this man is and does not even know anyone related to Tenner. Despite his suspicion, he accepted the invitation letter after his grandmother forced him to. Maybe it will change our luck, he thought.
“Mr. Sihon.” Matthew was startled by that authoritative voice. He turned around and found a man in a suit, wearing a sunglass. Matthew thought he look like the guy in Men in Black. “It’s cee-john.”
“My apologies, Mr.Sijon. Mr. Tenner is waiting for you at his Chateau. Let me lead you to the car.” Matthew nods his head and followed the man. He felt quite awkward when more bodyguards wearing black suit followed him behind. Matthew looked around and saw people whispering as if he is the most important people. Mathew was surprised when he saw the car. A black Rolls-Royce with black window-it looks as if it was recently bought. Matthew became more curious about the man who invited him. So far, he can only say that he is filthy rich but still could not find the motives. The men in black escort him to the back door and open it for him. He found the inside is even more luxurious- leather seats, dark tainted windows, a small TV.
As the car drove along the road, Matthew looked around the streets of Macau. The buildings resemble the Portuguese architecture, with many churches on the side of the roads. Matthew looked at the back of the car and he saw more black cars followed them. He became more aware that this mysterious Edward Tenner is an important man. Soon afterwards, the car slowed down as it drove along the narrow street and eventually it stopped in front of the big gates. Matthew peeked through the front window and he was very impressed by the size of the Chateau. It has large front yard covered with green grass which looks like a polyester carpet. The Chateau itself almost looks like a castle own by the royalty.
The big gate opens abruptly without warning. The car drove through the gate and Matthew can closely view the chateau. It is more like Versailles palace, more like medieval palace. The driver opens the door for him, and escorted him inside. As the huge door open, Matthew thought his jaw could have dropped. The outside looks like a medieval palace, but the inside is what strikes him the most. The marbled floor is shiny as if he walks on a wet floor. IT was a mixture of medieval and modern furniture. On the wall, Matthew saw a lot of paintings. At the corridor, he saw a lot of antiques like a sword and some vases which has Chinese inscriptions on it.
“Awesome...”
“I’m glad you like it, Mr. Sihon.” Matthew looked to his left and found an old man with his stick walking towards him.
“It’s cee-john, sir. You’re Mr. Tenner?”
“Ah... I believe I am. How are you, my boy?”
“Good.” He offers his hand to shake Mr. Tenners’. Mr. Tenner grabbed him by his hands and gave him friendly hug. “Good, good. I see that you have corrected your last name. Excuse us. We are so used with Latin language. Sometimes it slipped up.”
“No worries, sir. Just call me Matthew or Matt.”
“Alright, it is Matthew then. Let’s go to my library. I hope you don’t mind the smell of old books in there.”
“Not at all, Mr. Tenner.” Both of them walked along the corridor until they had found a door, labelled ‘private’ on it. Matthew could not help but gawk at the automated door. Mr.Tenner uses his fingerprint to access the door. “Come on in! Make yourself comfortable. There’s a very comfy sofa for young man like you.” Matthew sat down and put his rucksack on the floor. He looked around and he saw the room was full of bookshelves, filled with books. The bodyguards shut the door and leave them both alone in the room. Matthew felt his journey to Macau had been exciting and anticipation builds as he waits for Mr. Tenner to sit on his sofa.
“How’s your grandmother, Matthew?”
“She’s alright. And she sends her regards for you”
“Ah such a lovely woman, God blesses her soul.”
“I’m sorry, sir. I hope you don’t mind me asking you this. Why are you inviting me here?”
“I see that you are very curious about it.” Mr. Tenner rests his stick on his arm chair. “Are you aware of these terms: ‘The White Caliph’ or ‘The Little Sultan’?” His eyes looked directly at Matthew’s reaction, hoping that he had at least knowledge about it.
“No sir. Never heard of it.”
“Okay. What about ‘Kris Si Naga’?”
“Nope.”
“For God sake, Matthew. Did you ever ask your grandmother about your ancestor?”
“No, sir. Why?”
“You see, you are the descendant of Gerard MacBryan.”
“Ummm... who?”
“Dear lord, you never heard of him? He’s famous in the Sarawakian history.”
“I’m sorry, Sir. I have no idea.”
“Well, it is not your fault. They kept that information for good.”
“I’m sorry, Sir. I’m a bit confused.”
“Okay, as I said just now, you are the descendant of Gerard MacBryan. He is private British officer for Brunei during the Japanese occupation. My father use to tell story about Gerard, he is handsome, very polite, but everyone who knows him, know that he is very delusional. He had this idea about taking over Borneo Island and wanting to rule as a legitimate sultan.”
“Mr. Tenner. I still don’t understand what this has got to do with me.”
“I’m getting there. You see, he works for Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin. He became his private secretary and the sultan only trusted him. Before the Sultan died, he gave one of the most precious possessions to MacBryan. No one knows why he gave it to MacBryan. The sultan gave him the Kris Si Naga.” He took a book besides him and showed him the picture of the dagger. “One thing you have to understand that during that time, the Kris Si Naga is the symbol of the power of the Sultan. Whoever possesses the Kris, they are the ruler of Brunei.”
“He wants to rule Brunei? He is that ambitious?”
“Now, don’t fret over it, Matthew. Well, when the British Empire knew about the dagger, they decided to stop MacBryan once and for all. It is quite controversial to the nature of his death. A lot of historians try to link the murder and connect it with the British involvement. No one still knows who killed MacBryan.”
“What happen to the Kris? Did they return it to the Brunei government?”
“The Kris. Yes... MacBryan kept it hidden in a safe in the Hongkong Bank. His last will was found and said only the direct descendent of him can access the safe, which is you.”
“Does that mean it is mine?”
“Yes, you are the descendant of the White Caliph. Your grandmother thought it is time that you know the truth.”
“After I access it, then what am I going to do with it? It is no use for me.”
“You’ll figure it out soon, Matthew. You’ll figure it out.”
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