“I think Zaybeth’s face looks as beautiful as ever,” Alejandro said, smiling at Zaybeth while dipping his bread in olive oil.
Overwrought by shame, Zaybeth allowed her curly, mane to cover the bruise. She kept her eyes down low and avoided looking at Francisca and Tomás. Nervously, she began twirling her hair.
A courier, escorted by two guards burst into the great hall. The man bowed and handed Tomás a sealed letter.
Tomás broke open the seal and read the letter. “Well, dear?” Francisca inquired.
“It’s a letter from Felipe,” Tomás said.
Zaybeth forgot about her bruised and swollen face and smiled wide. Her short lived smile was quickly followed by a painful grimace.
“He is inviting everyone to Palacio del Sol for Easter.”
“Oh, Tomás, can we?” Francisca asked.
“Yes, dear, of course.”
Francisca leaped up from her chair. She ran over to Tomás hugging him, spilling hot coffee into his lap.
Tomás yelped. Servants ran over to Tomás with cloth napkins, dapping at his crotch.
“Get away from me!” Tomás angrily pushed the servants back and taking the napkins, draping them across his saturated lap. Tomás reached into his pocket and tossed the courier a gold coin.
“Tell Señor de Hayos we accept his invitation.”
The messenger bowed before leaving the room.
* * *
Maria stepped out into the hall. The courier eased a letter out of his breast pocket and secretly placed it in her hand.
Zaybeth brushed past her mother, heading straight to her room. Maria followed her Zaybeth to her room and handed her the letter.
Zaybeth kissed the envelope and clutched it to her heart before opening it.
“My dearest love,
I hope all is well with you. I miss you terribly, God help me!
I wear the crucifix every day, as I promised I would. You were right, it has kept me safe from harm.
A few weeks ago, I met with the Sultan Said at his palace. It was truly one of the grandest places I have ever seen. It looked as if someone had stolen heaven and placed it right here on earth. He sat on a throne completely covered with gold and precious jewels. Even the fireplace was made of solid silver and covered with gold.
I have been learning about Moors and their growing concerns with the increasing intolerance in Spain. I have been truly moved by their plight. Perhaps it was God’s plan all along for me to help them. Well, if any good can come out of us being separated, I suppose doing God’s will make our separation tolerable.
I hope you will come for Easter.
Your soul mate,
Felipe
P.S. Zaybeth, you will always have my heart. I love you.
Zaybeth fell asleep clutching the parchment to her chest.
FAMILY REUNION
22 Tuesday, March, 1456.
At dawn, two lavish carriages arrived at the de Hayos estate complete with an entourage of servants and guards. The interior of the carriage smelled like fresh cut roses. It was spacious and decorated in a pale blue, brocade silk dome, trimmed with pure handspun gold and strings of pearls.
Gertrudis giggled as a manservant took her bags and helped her into the coach. “My goodness, I’ve never been inside such a fancy carriage,” she said, playfully fingering the pearl trim.
Still fearful of Tomás, Zaybeth was thankful she and her mother shared the carriage with Gertrudis and Eduardo. She stared blankly out the carriage window. The very thought of seeing Felipe made her anxious. Would she tell Felipe that his father tried to ravish her? Zaybeth twirled her hair nervously with one hand, while she coiled her mother’s arms around her, rested her head in her lap.
The further south the caravan traveled, the once-gloomy, wintry skies of Toledo slowly gave way to the warmer, sunny skies of Andalusia, the land of white mountain-top villages and coastal cities and beaches.
* * *
Tomás beamed with joy when he saw villagers rushing out their homes, onto the road, to catch a glimpse of the ornate carriages making their way down the rolling countryside.
“I told you Francisca, making that arrangement with Abraham all those years ago would pay off,” he said, grinning from ear to ear. “I am so proud of Felipe. In just a few short months, he has impressed the sultan. Since Felipe is fluent in their tongue, the people trust him.”
“Yes dear, Felipe is a very smart young man,” Francisca said.
“What about me, Papa?” Alejandro asked.
“I haven’t forgotten about you Alejandro. Now that Felipe is married and successful, I can turn all of my attention to you. It took me some time to discover your talents. Unlike Felipe, whose talents were quite apparent from early on, your gift was kept hidden, lying dormant until I discovered it.”
“And what is my gift, Papa?”
“You my son, have the gift of strategy. You like playing games, which has given you logic. As I recall you have excellent tracking skills. I know just the profession that could use those talents.”
“What profession is that, Papa?”
“Alejandro, you have the makings of a fine soldier, like me. Look at you, my son, following in my footsteps.”
“Really, Papa? Do you think I would make a fine soldier like you, one day?”
“Yes of course, son. The army could use your talents for strategy on the battlefield. As soon as we return home, I will make all the necessary arrangements.” “Tomás, do you think Alejandro would make it in the military?” Francisca asked quietly.
“Why, I’m surprised at you Francisca, not believing in our son. Of course he has the makings of a fine soldier, a captain or even a general.”
* * *
Zaybeth slept throughout most of the four-day journey. It was Good Friday, just after sunrise when the carriages stopped at a massive, decorated stone gate. Zaybeth’s head popped up from her mother’s lap. She looked anxiously out the carriage window. They had arrived in Granada. She read the inscription engraved on the gate.
“To all that enter Palacio del Sol, may God’s grace fill you with peace and eternal sunshine.”
Just beyond the gate, high on a hill sat a whitewashed, stone palace bordering what locals referred to as the Valley of the Sun. The palace was cleverly built and angled to capture the sun on all sides. There were two large, pointed, octagon guard towers overlooking the property and three courtyards. Fruit trees lined the courtyard, along with sculpted hedges bordering the fountains.
The carriages came to an abrupt halt to allow three colorful peacocks strut across the mosaic pathway. A manservant stepped into the roadway and guided the carriages to a private courtyard. The patio was an oblong court, surrounded by white marble columns and a flowing fountain in the center. Flowerbeds and mosaic white stones framed the garden.
A servant guided the de Hayos family through a pavilion. Zaybeth marveled at the filigree walls and a domed roof. The roof contained bright blue and yellow tiles, while the colonnade was white marble with an enameled blue border inlaid in pure gold.
Lilith and Felipe stood in the entrance hall and greeted everyone as they entered the palace.
“I see you’ve done well for yourself. I have heard many reports of your dealings with the sultan. I am very proud of you, son,” Tomás said, patting Felipe on the back.
“Thank you, Papa.”
Zaybeth followed her mother into the palace. She was filled with anxiety. She greeted Lilith with a curtsy. Her eyes widened. There was Felipe looking more handsome than she remembered.
Felipe walked over to her, leaving a great deal of distance between them. He placed his hands behind his back and bowed.
“Zaybeth, thank you for coming.”
Zaybeth curtsied.
Felipe bowed again and returned to Lilith’s side. “I know you must be weary from your long journey. Servants will take you to your rooms. At noon, we will go to the chapel in the hanging garden where we can pray,” Felipe said.
/> A female servant showed Zaybeth to her room, which was just as grand as the rest of the palace. Zaybeth was surprise, her room was equipped with a bathroom that not only had running water, both cold and hot, but pressurized water for showering. She thought he had died and gone to heaven. Although the de Hayos’ family was wealthy and had indoor plumbing, with engineered hot and cold running, they did not have a pressurized shower.
* * *
Lilith’s parents arrived for dinner just after sunset. Nashiema made sure she was seated directly across from Zaybeth. She wanted to make sure there were no more stolen glances between her and Felipe. Nashiema was happy to see Zaybeth enthralled with Alejandro instead, the two of them whispering in each other’s ear. Zaybeth throwing her head back with laughter.
Maybe she’s gotten over her infatuation with Felipe.
* * *
During dinner, Felipe was shocked to learn Alejandro was going to follow in their father’s footsteps and join the Spanish army. Felipe could not wait to hear his brother’s side of the story.
It was late by the time Nashiema and Abraham left the palace. Everyone had retired for the evening, leaving Felipe and Alejandro alone in the parlor.
Alejandro stretched out lengthwise on the sofa, propping his feet up on the satin, embroidered cushions.
“May I interest you in a cup of wine, little brother?”
“Yes, please.”
Felipe poured two goblets of wine and handed one to his brother. He was surprised to see Alejandro sniffing the wine like an aficionado, just as his father had taught him, which caught. Felipe recalled his brother mocking their wine lessons.
“I see Papa has finally gotten around to mapping out your life.”
“At least that’s what he thinks.” Alejandro took a sip of his wine. “You see, I found a way around Papa’s dictatorship.”
Felipe reclined on a settee across from the sofa. “How’s that?”
“By acting like a simpleton. It was a relatively easy role to play since I was born prematurely and Mother always coddled me. The way I figured, if Papa thought I was an incompetent fool, he wouldn’t expect anything of me.”
“Ingenious,” Felipe said, astounded. “So, you want to go into the army?”
“Absolutely! Long before Papa shared his stories about his military exploits I’ve been fascinated with the military. Papa’s adventures only feed my curiosity. Do you recall all those games of war I forced you to play with me?”
“Yes, I remember.”
“I was simply honing my skills. I knew if I told Papa my ambitions, he would have squashed them. But, if I could convince him that it was all his idea I could get what I wanted.”
“I have to hand it to you, Alejandro, you certainly have a talent for strategy.”
“The making of any truly successful general is to know your opponent’s weaknesses and manipulate it to your benefit, thus winning the war.” Alejandro took another sip of wine. “Before long, I shall have the life I have always dreamt of, and the best part of all, Papa will think it was all his idea.”
Alejandro gave a quick laugh and stood up. He walked over to Felipe and placed his hand on his brother’s shoulder.
“You see Felipe, you should have played dumb—always the dutiful son. Well, at least you got a palace made of gold and a beautiful wife out of the deal. Not a bad trade, I would say. And soon, I shall have my beautiful bride as well.” Alejandro gave Felipe a sincere look. “I love Zaybeth and I promise I will take good care of her and her mother. I may not have your broad shoulders, big brother, but I am every bit as capable as you are.”
“Alejandro, are you certain Papa will allow you to marry Zaybeth?”
“Yes, I am certain. Do I have your blessing?”
Felipe stood and put on a brave face. “You have my blessing.”
“Thank you, Felipe. This means a lot to me.”
The two brothers embraced each other.
Felipe’s eyes followed Alejandro as he left the parlor. He poured another cup of wine and sat down. He was stunned by his brother’s admission and questioned Alejandro’s loyalties. Did his own brother use his simpleton act intentionally against him, making certain he would marry Lilith, so he could pursue Zaybeth? Felipe took a sip of wine.
“No!” He shook his head. “No, my brother wouldn’t betray me. Alejandro has a good heart. He simply wants to marry Zaybeth to protect her and her mother.”
By the time Felipe finished his cup of wine, he had convinced himself Alejandro’s intentions were selfless and not malevolent.
Felipe relaxed allowing his thoughts to wander. During dinner, Eduardo and Gertrudis were a tad more familiar with one another than he last remembered. Gertrudis was also wearing a silver ring on her middle finger that clearly belonged on her ring finger.
Felipe reached inside his pocket and pulled out a small brass key. He stared at the key for a moment before standing up and walking into the library. Felipe made his way to a glass-enclosed bookcase and opened the door, pulled out a mahogany and brass chest and placed it on a large oak table in the center of the room.
His face saddened. “I guess I won’t need this after all.” He composed a letter and then sent a servant to escort Gertrudis and Eduardo to the library.
“You wanted to see us, Felipe?” Gertrudis asked.
“Yes, come in.”
Eduardo and Gertrudis stepped into the library.
“I’m sure you are wondering why I called you here. I know you must be tired, so I will get to the point. Are you two married?”
“No, we’re engaged, but you mustn’t tell your father. If he knew, he would fire us,” Gertrudis begged. “You know how he frowns upon servants intermarrying.”
“No need to worry, Gertrudis. I have no intentions of telling my father anything.”
Felipe reached in his pocket and handed Gertrudis the brass key. “Go on, open it,” he said.
Gertrudis unlocked the chest and she and Eduardo looked inside.
“Since you both have been so kind to me and my family, it is only fitting that you shall live the rest of your lives not as servants, but as stewards of good fortune. Consider this your wedding present.”
“My God, Felipe, this is a king’s ransom. Why look at all the gold, silver and precious jewels,” Eduardo said, awestruck.
“Complements of my in-laws.”
“Felipe, I don’t know what to say,” Gertrudis said, holding back tears. “I’ll have a trusted servant hide the chest amongst your belongings. Oh, there is so much to do. I hope Rosaria, one of my best cooks, can run the kitchen without me.”
“I guess I can trust Hector to take care of the manor,” Eduardo said.
“Well, it’s settled. Go and live your lives. Just promise me you will love one another other. Will you do that for me?”
“Of course, we will,” Gertrudis said.
Eduardo gave Felipe a hug and kisses on either side of his cheeks.
CAUGHT IN THE ACT
28 March. Easter Day.
Lilith looked at her stomach in the mirror and inhaled as her handmaidens finished dressing her for the Easter Vigil. She was two months pregnant. Although Lilith was not certain what Felipe’s reaction will be once she tells him she’s Saturn’s immortal High Priestess, she was certain Felipe would be overjoyed to learn she was pregnant.
Heeding her mother’s warning, Lilith kept a watchful eye on Felipe and Zaybeth, making make sure they were never left alone. Apart from exchanging polite greetings, Felipe hardly looked in Zaybeth’s direction.
He’s over her, I’m sure of it. Just as soon as his family is leaves, I will tell him about Saturn, the baby— everything!
The maid reached for Lilith’s favorite floral shawl and wrapped it around her shoulders.
* * *
Zaybeth danced in the mirror, gazing at the brightly colored dress and beaded shawl, Lilith had given her to wear. It definitely had a Moorish flair to it. The dress hugged her body in all the right places and
the colors accentuated her gold caul headdress.
Zaybeth hurried to the small white stucco chapel, which sat directly across from a small mosque on the palace grounds.
Once Easter Vigil was over, everyone returned the palace for lunch, except for Zaybeth. She decided to take in the beautiful scenery. Zaybeth strolled down winding paths, occasionally stopping and looking up to watch birds flying from the canopies of the many flowering fruit trees. She admired the delicate, blossoming wildflowers.
Walking for an hour in the midday sun had taken its toll, and Zaybeth was hot and thirsty. She walked over to a nearby gazebo and sat on a wooden bench beside a drinking fountain made of sandstone. The fountain had cold running water coming out of a six pointed star.
She dipped her hands in the cold, clear water and splashed her face. Zaybeth sat back and relaxed on the bench, enjoying the sweet, melodic sounds of songbirds playing in the juniper trees when a large, blue monarch butterfly fluttered past her. Hoping the butterfly would rest on her finger, she stretched out her hand. The insect flew closer, but instead of resting on her finger, it landed on very tip of Zaybeth’s nose. At first, she tried not to move, but the fluttering insect tickled, causing Zaybeth’s nose to twitch. The monarch took flight. Zaybeth was so intrigued by the carefree creature, she followed in pursuit.
“Where did you go?” she said, losing sight of the butterfly. She pulled back a tree branch expecting to find the monarch, but instead lifted her eyes to a lush hillside lined with three breathtaking ascending tiered gardens, comprising of colorful exotic flowers, trees, and plants, supported by high walls and white stone pillars. Zaybeth had never seen a hanging garden. She had only read about the ancient Babylonian gardens built by Nebuchadnezzar II for his wife, Queen Amytis, in the Bible.
Zaybeth walked down a set of stone stairs to get a closer look. Coming upon a clearing, she sat down in what she swore was a patch of the softest, greenest grass she had ever touched. Zaybeth looked around, marveling at the garden’s splendor when the blue monarch that had eluded her earlier, suddenly fluttered in and around her. It was joined by an orange monarch butterfly that comfortably rested on Zaybeth’s index finger. The insect flexed its wings.
Eye of Saturn (The Daughters of Saturn Book 1) Page 17
