William's POV

 

As I walked with Ava, I tried to keep my mind focused on the task at hand.

 

“The port was a bustling hub of activity, with merchant ships coming and going, carrying all sorts of exotic goods from the far reaches of the world.” I looked around. “And yet, despite the chaos and noise, there was an unsettling feeling of stillness in the air, as if everyone was just going through the motions.”

 

I had left Thomas to oversee the ship's unloading, trusting him to handle the logistics while I set off to find Mallam Abu's place.

 

“Who's Mallam Abu?” Ava asked me suddenly.

 

“He seems like a...