5
March 16, 1624
The past month Cisco was met with many challenges from the villagers. He was confronted by other land owners who did not feel the same as he did in managing the land. He is exhausted by the continuous strain but I have faith in him and know he will do the best for us and our people.
He learns fast and with Franco guiding him I know he can only succeed. He is now an accomplish rider and he and Furor are seen all over the estate, dashing over the plains at breakneck speed. Furor’s enthusiasm is contagious. The other horses, especially Rosa-Lee’s pony, are a struggle to contain in the stable.
The baby is growing fast and I struggle to walk properly. This is much to Cisco’s delight, but he demands that I rest as often as possible. He even gave the staff instructions to keep a close eye on me when he is not here. I miss him when he leaves in the mornings to do his work but the reunion at night makes up for it.
His tenderness towards me on one particular occasion reminds me when we were in the heart of Africa. We travelled for weeks by foot after we left yet another village. Many of our people, including the captain, had died of the fever and Cisco was the official leader. By his estimate we were very close to a fort in Mozambique and he decided to take several men and walk to the Fort to get some help. Our food levels were low and he made sure that there was enough to eat and drink before he left with eight other men.
He left Alfonso in charge and the small group of twenty four people were grateful for the rest. But the moment they left the fever once again swept through the group. Soon everyone was in a terrible state, with only myself, Kayla and Alfonso to tend to the sick. We buried people and by the fourth week only six remained. Faro himself was on his last breath and during this time we made peace. Rosa-Lee visited him often. The once brusque and impatient man turned into a loving father. I had a hard time with this. My loyalty and love belonged to Cisco, but I was still married to Faro. During one night of clarity he told me he welcomed the fact that I found love. He asked for forgiveness for the hard and cruel times I had endured under him. In a sense we made peace, but I could never love him. My heart was in turmoil because I knew I could not leave Cisco and never see him again. That was my train of thought all awhile Cisco was gone.
I missed him. Rosa-Lee missed him. I did the best I could and placed my feelings and concerns in the back of my mind while tending to the sick. Starved and tired, we went on. By then when someone passed away I simply covered the body, since every man was either dead or too sick to bury them.
Alfonso got sick and I was busy attending to him when Cisco and a small group of men appeared out of the bushes. It was not the same group that left with him. My heart went on a rampage the moment I saw him. He stood there, dumbfounded at the sight he saw. He searched for me and did not recognise me. At that stage I was a walking skeleton. My beauty had faded, my skin was like sandpaper and darker than normal. My once soft black hair was all tangled and without life.
He was rested, and very handsome in a new pair of clothing. The signs of our ordeal were still visible on him. But the moment he saw me, he wrapped me in his arms. I cried, not caring about the people and what they might say. For the second time since I knew him he kissed me. I would never forget that kiss. If there was any doubt in my mind left, he demolished it completely with that kiss.
Later when we calmed down and settled with the food he had brought, Faro called us over.
He said that he would no longer stand in our way and gave his blessing. From that day forward Cisco and Faro became friends until Faro’s death at sea weeks later.
We did have a disagreement a few days later on our way to the fort. I was so weak I could not walk, my feet troubling me once again. I expected his help but he was too busy to attend to me and ignored me, I was furious. But a week later Cisco convinced me of his love again. In my frail and weak state I easily saw things differently than what they were. Now we can laugh about it but then it was serious. It took a spider to bring me to my senses.
†††
When Rosa-Lee finally stood up to leave the cabin Roberto also stood up and asked, “Would you care to go up and walk with me on the deck?”
Hazelnut eyes met ochre ones and for a few seconds they just locked before she answered, her eyes revealing her shock at the invitation.
“Yes, I would like that.” It was still early and she was not in the mood to confine herself in her cabin. After three days of self-imposed lock-up, she wanted to feel the wind in her hair and the sea spray on her face. The fact that he asked her to walk with him shocked her the most.
Be alert Rosa-Lee. He cannot be trusted!
Darkness filled the starry night sky. The quarter moon made it even darker. Lit lanterns on the upper deck added a romantic feeling, she thought, not a scene she was comfortable sharing with the pirate.
You could barely see anything out on the sea as they walked along the taffrail on the deck. Only the sound of the ship breaking through the waters interrupted the silence. The few men that were on duty were quiet, nodding when they passed. If she did not know better, she would have thought that they were alone.
“Your brother has told me a lot of stories about what you endured during your adventures into Africa. Don’t you want to tell me a story?”
She glanced at him but could not see his face clearly, covered in darkness, his hands clasped behind his back. He sounded sincere in his request and his presence calmed her, especially his mentioning her brother. She asked hesitantly, “You know my brother?”
“Yes. I have spoken with him a few times.” There was no secret in that information.
“Was he still fine when you left?”
“Yes, he was,” came the honest reply. “Please, tell me a story,” he repeated, looking at her.
What do I tell him? Rosa-Lee stared out over the dark sea. Deep in thought, she began to relate a story very familiar to her.
“A horrific storm came up near the northeastern coast of Africa. The waves were higher than the ship and they towered over us terrifyingly, with a fierce and menacing anger, promising to crush us with every pounding.” He could see she was reliving it, closing her eyes.
“The wind was cold and it felt like it wanted to tear the skin from our faces. I was never as terrified as I was that night, clutching to my mother’s body. People cried out that we were going to die.
“Someone yelled that they must drink the liquor so that at least they would be drunk enough to dull the moment they drowned. People were stampeding all over the ship as if they were possessed, clambering to the barrels on the lower deck. Everyone was forced to drink; even the slaves that were shackled to the ship’s hull. With their heads forced into the liquid, many drowned under the pressure when they tried to resist. Blood mixed with the liquor but people still drank it. I will never forget the madness of that night. The fear that gripped us was so real that I cried tears mingled with the salty water.
“Finally, when land was visible, my father shouted that a rowboat had to go to the shore with a rope. A few still able to think with clarity reacted immediately. Once the rope was secured, those ashore sent a signal. Father strapped me to his back and my mother to his chest and jump into the angry, cold waves.
“I held on to him with everything that I had. My mother never made a sound from in front of him. A few times, we went under into the cold depths, and just barely in time, emerged again. Father saved us that day without wavering. Back then he was only a sailor who owed us nothing but his care for us. He was unselfish and we felt safe with him.
“From the first moment I saw him, I accepted him as my father and to him I was the daughter he never had. He was always gentle and kind to me. He and my mother are inseparable, even to this day.”
A soft sob left her mouth and she stopped talking the emotions very intense in her.
Roberto waited next to her. His hands clasped behind his back, he could hear her struggling for control. His own control broke and without thinking, he
placed an arm around the soft, delicate shoulders. She stiffened and stood still under his touch, his arm warm and soft on her bare skin, giving her a feeling of safety.
She looked at him. This time he was closer to her and she could see tenderness and understanding in his face. This was a contrast to everything she knew about this man. The stern and menacing look from the last three days had vanished. For a brief moment, she enjoyed the closeness they shared before she stepped away and he dropped his arm.
“He sounds like a great man and I would love to really meet him one day,” he said softly, the sternness gone from his voice. He had a beautiful, calming voice: strong and steady.
“He is a great man and father, and a great husband to my mother. I miss him awfully. I miss both my parents.”
“Maybe one day you will meet a man like that as well.”
“You confuse me, Captain.”
“My name is Roberto, not Captain,” he said with a chuckle.
“You confuse me Roberto,” she said, but with a grim smile.
“I have heard that many times.” He removed a strand of hair from her face, at the same moment she moved to put it behind her ear. Their hands met and he folded hers into his warm grasp, bringing it to his lips.
“Good night Rosa-Lee. Thanks for the story.”
Stunned by the intimate gesture, shivers went up her spine, but she could only watch him.
I must hate him! He is a pirate! She reminded herself. She removed her hand and abruptly said, “Good night Roberto.”
I will have to find a way to get free and help my brother. She thought as she watched his retreating back.
†††
April 18, 1624
Today I held my son in my arms for the first time. Manuel Francisco Almaida. I am a father now. My heart is too big for my chest. I, Cisco Almaida, once an ordinary sailor, am now the father of a beautiful daughter and a son. How fortunate I am to have my family. My dreams have changed into reality and I can love and enjoy them every day.
Qonchita was in labour for ten hours, ten agonizing hours, but it was worth it. She is even more beautiful than before. Once again she has blessed me beyond measure. How fortunate and happy I am.
Rosa-Lee is ecstatic about her new brother. She wants to help with everything. What a sweet, strong-willed child. She is everything I wanted in a daughter and more. I can hardly wait to teach them all I know, about the sea, the land, about people.
My family.