Ruthless and Deadly

by ML BINELLI

  There seemed to be a small waterfall ahead, the sound increased at every step he took. He then heard voices and knew he was on the right track.

  He was finding it all very odd when suddenly he encountered Dorival naked on all fours being mounted by a black man, who was caressing his back while Dorival groaned and rocked back and forth.

  The man pulled Dorival's head back by his hair. Dorival's back arched, one of the man's hands reached around his chest. Dorival turned his head and they kissed, while rocking back and forth.

  Although the blood was rushing to his head and his heart was pumping, Jonas remained silent. He watched Dorival's enraptured expression as he kissed the other man with half-lidded eyes. Jonas picked up a rock and walked towards them. He smashed open the black man's skull, who stumbled and fell onto Dorival's back, rolling to the side and falling to the ground. Without understanding what had happened, Dorival looked to the side and saw his companion's head smashed in, blood all over and Jonas' hands reaching for his throat. There was no time even to scream. Jonas' strong, bloodied hands wrapped around his throat so tightly, he wasn't able to make a sound. His eyes bulged. He tried to free himself but Jonas was no match for the boy. After a few more seconds, Dorival's body went limp.

  With the dead boy in his arms, Jonas sat up and pushed the body off himself. He raised his blood-soaked hands to his face and began to weep. Everything was over. The boy he loved so deeply was nothing more than just an errant child. The life he imagined was nothing but a dream, nothing more. There was nothing else for him to live for. He thought of his past life, his loves and those he lost. His platonic relationships. The boys he enjoyed spending time with, although they were there only for the money. He thought it had been different with Dorival. He really thought he had found someone who needed what he needed, not only in sex but also in love. He realized that the only person who really loved him his whole life was from the opposite sex - Dalila. Poor woman. He shared her love but could give her nothing more than that. He considered her and loved her like a sister, nothing more.

  "My damn life!"

  He stood up, still weeping, and picked up Dorival's trousers, which were hanging from a tree along with the rest of his clothing. The garment still smelled of the boy. He walked over to Dorival's body and kissed his lips. He then walked towards the river. He tied the trouser legs together and filled them with rocks. he wrapped the trousers around his neck and jumped into the river.

  While he sank, he was dragged along by the current. The water filled his lungs. His head hit a rock at the bottom and he lost his bearings.

  He looked up and saw a hazy sky with a few birds flying overhead. He drifted into a school of fish that darted away when he approached. The light from his eyes was fading but they were still filled with hate and remorse. His body sank slowly until he was enveloped in darkness. He gave one last cry, expelling the last bit of air from his lungs.

  "Fool!"

  The last bubbles of air floated to the surface and they were the last thing his eyes saw.

  23. Torres in Lisbon

  Archbishop Torres rode like the devil, leaving his guards behind. Since he was riding on familiar roads, he gained more ground, reaching Lisbon only three days after Leonardo.

  As soon as he arrived, at night, he asked for instructions to archbishop Arlindo's house. He sent an emissary to warn him of his arrival and stopped at a tavern for wine. His throat was dry from the dusty roads and he did not like arriving anywhere without being announced.

  He sat down and asked to be left alone for a while. He ruminated over the reason why nobody on the road had any information about a traveler matching Leonardo's description. He thought he must have traveled through the fields. If so, it may be that he had not yet arrived in Lisbon. Arlindo would be able to inform him since he must have been watching the house of the other scoundrel.

  His emissary returned and informed him that the archbishop of Lisbon was waiting for him. Torres asked the tavern owner if he had a room where he could change his clothes. The man offered his home, which was adjacent to the tavern. He was welcome to have a bath, if he wished. The archbishop thanked him and accepted the invitation. He didn't want to appear at his colleague's house looking like a highwayman.

  After washing up and dressing himself in noble garments, not his priestly robes, he gave the tavern owner a gold coin, asking him to keep his arrival a secret. He set off to Arlindo's home.

  When he arrived at the Archbhisop of Lisbon's house, he was greeted by the man himself at the door. His hands were sweaty, as well as his shirt. The message sent by Torres had caught him by surprise. He didn't imagine that his ties with the local lodge were known by anybody outside of it. Now he was in the hands of Torres, who knew him by name. He knew Torres hated freemasons and persecuted them. And worse, he knew he was one of them.

  "How was your trip, your Eminence?" He hurried to kiss Torres' ring. Despite both men having apparently the same position in the Church, Torres' Archdiocese was higher ranking than the archdiocese of Lisbon.

  "Very last minute. Can we talk?"

  "Yes, let's sit at the table. I asked for supper to be served. Your men can lodge at the Gavião Hostel nearby. I will ask for them to be taken there. As for you, you can stay here with us. Do you accept?"

  "Yes, thank you for your hospitality."

  They walked side by side towards the dining room.

  "Excellency, did you receive the message? What do you plan to do about it?"

  "Archbishop, Teodoro is a prominent person in this city. Prominent and influential. Could you please tell me why you have come?"

  "Your Excellency well knows that I fight and have fought my whole life against heretics that hide within our churches during the day and meet at night for orgies with the Devil..."

  Arlindo made the sign of the cross three times.

  "Don't tell me that you suspect Teodoro to be one of them. Who are they? Jews?" said Arlindo.

  "Don't pretend you don't know about this!" said Torres firmly. An association that was protected by the Marquise of Pombal and that he was a member of, damn him. I am referring to masonry! And I am very aware that your name appears on their list! How could you turn your back to Christ and embrace this heresy?"

  Arlindo began to sweat profusely. He knew that the next words out of his mouth could lead him straight into the horrors of the inquisition. He breathed deeply to calm himself. His heart was pounding like a drum and the sound seemed to be reaching his ears. After a few minutes, he regained control.

  "Well, archbishop, as I said earlier, they were protected by the Marquise. I was invited to join them during that time but I can assure you that I did not collude with the Devil, as you yourself put it."

  "While you pretend not to see anything and even take part in it, the seed of hell that was planted on this land flourishes and gives rotten fruit that spreads more seeds of hate and injury to good men."

  Arlindo again made the sign of the cross three times.

  "How did you know that I was a member of the lodge, archbishop?" Arlindo hands trembled. He knows that now he was in the hands of the man standing in front of him. If he managed to escape alive, it would be a miracle.

  "I have my informants. If you want to continue alive, keep your silence about this matter. If this man escapes, I will hold you personally responsible. If he does not go to court, Your Excellency will do so in his place. But if you help me, we will say that you were acting as my spy; however, we will have to get our hands on all the other members. And you sir will testify against them. The time of evil has come to an end. My first mandate on Madeira island was marked by the fight against these scoundrels. That land today breathes easy on the air bestowed by God, our Lord. No longer the sordid vapors of idolatry to the dog. And now, free from the malignant influence of Pombal, I will bring this air to Portugal. I need your help and I will get it no matter what has to be done!"

  Arlindo was deep in thought. He couldn't deny help to the archbishop of Braga
but it was also not in his interest to go after his parishioners. The same parishioners that filled his coffers with gold, but he had no choice. The time of calm had ended. When he was invited to become a member of the Brotherhood, he did so thinking of the advantages it would bring to his archdiocese. Now the weight of his position had to be thrown in the opposite direction so that his head would not be separated from his body.

  "Don't worry, archbishop Torres. You can count on me for help with anything you need. But my heart is heavy, the men that belong to that lodge are good men. I fear for them."

  "Very well. Better a heavy heart than a tortured body. I asked you to monitor Teodoro's home. What have you to say?"

  "As soon as I received your message, I placed a few agents around the house. I can tell you that he received one visitor. Could this be the man you are looking for?"

  "So the scoundrel is already here! I thought he might not have arrived yet. Yes, it is for him that I have come."

  "What do you plan to do, your Eminence? Do you want to keep the sentinels there?"

  "Yes, to keep him from running away. Be vigilant. We need to catch him in his satanic temple with the proof of his crimes against God. That way, there will be no way out for him. And we'll catch him together."

  "And after?" Will you reactivate the inquisition here in Lisbon?"

  "Yes, the saints of the inquisition will have a lot of work to do here. They are recompensed but have had little to do in these areas for quite a time. This will change as of now. Time flies and is slipping through my fingers. We need to act fast."

  "Time for what?"

  "For nothing! You already know more than you need to know. Now, please, I would like to rest. The trip was tiring. And another thing, I don't want my presence here to be known by anyone, understand?"

  "I will do as you say. Anisia, please take his Eminence to his room."

  As they said goodbye, Arlindo kissed Torres' ring again. Torres left rubbing his hand on his robe. "Your Excellency, you sweat like a pig!"

  "May God be with you."

  "With you also."

  On the following day during their morning meal, Torres asked for them not to be disturbed. While he chewed a slice of chorizo, he looked severely at Arlindo. He drank the fresh milk while holding the chorizo slice between his teeth. He swallowed the mixture and dabbed at his lips. He leaned towards the archbishop of Lisbon.

  "When do your brothers meet?"

  "Every week."

  "Has this week's meeting already been held?"

  "Not yet, archbishop. It will be held on Thursday."

  "Good, we'll get them on Thursday. What time does the meeting start?"

  "At around eight o'clock."

  "Very well. You will go to the meeting as usual. At around 8:30 we'll surround the lodge and break in. Everyone will be arrested."

  "Everyone? Even me?"

  "Yes, you will be put in the cell along with them. When the inquiry stage begins, we will interrogate one by one. In this stage, when it is your turn Your Excellency, you will be freed and will act as a witness in the accusation."

  Arlindo became agitated. "And this too, I have to be arrested. What will my parishioners think? Do you really think it is necessary, your Eminence? I do not want to be thrown in a cell. What will the rest of the city think of me."

  "If you weren't one of them, you wouldn’t be thrown in jail." He smiled. "Take advantage of your time in prison to pray for forgiveness from our Lord for your criminal conduct and pray not to follow them into hell when your time comes!"

  Arlindo was almost in tears. Torres' words were harsh. What guarantee did he have that things would go exactly the way Torres described? His head was heating up. He looked for a way out. He could run away but then what? Where would he go? He would be persecuted for the rest of his life. He could not see himself hidden away in some village leading the life of a pauper with no luxuries or pleasures. No, he would have to trust damned Torres. After all, he got himself into this mess and would have to act according to the instructions of his colleague to free himself of the accusations that could end his life.

  Torres noticed Arlindo's worry.

  "But don't be like that. Everything will go well. And after the trial, you will be praised for your conduct."

  "What do you plan to do? Rome will have to be informed. I may lose my post."

  "I'll let the Pope know that everything was part of our plan, that Your Excellency warned me of the activities of the masons in Lisbon, you were invited to join them and after being suitably scandalized you came to me for advice. We together decided to destroy the lodge and arrest the members.

  "You will tell him that I entered the group to spy on them?"

  "Exactly. I hope you realize now that we will be bound to each other through our lies. But for all the penalties you will undergo, I have a way to reward to you."

  Arlindo seemed surprised. He did not expect to receive a reward for his past deeds.

  "And what is the reward? Can you tell me?"

  "I plan to ask the Pope to place us on the Cardinal list. That would please you, wouldn't it?" said Torres with a smile.

  "It is my greatest dream, archbishop Torres! I have saved money for this grace, but I am far from having the amount needed to buy this position. Do you think we will manage?"

  "Yes, we will but you will be owing me. If any day, any time, my name is mentioned to sit in Peter’s throne, I will count on your vote and your influence to get me there. Is that good with you?"

  Arlindo fell to his knees and kissed Torres' hand.

  "Thank you, your Eminence, thank you! I do not know how to thank you for such honor!"

  He sobbed and hiccupped like a child given absolution for something. This behavior made Torres sick and he rose with the intention of moving away from Arlindo.

  "Well then, take me to where my men are. I need to plan what we will do next."

  "Yes, yes. I will order for the horses to be prepared."

  "And dress yourself in a way that shows your position. I don't want the fish to escape the net."

  "Excuse me, archbishop."

  Arlindo left the room. He believed in none of Torres' promises. He knew he probably wouldn’t have to stay in jail but he doubted the promise of the reward. And what's more, he would now always be in a servile position in relation to the archbishop of Braga, owing him a favor for saving his life. Arlindo might look like a fool, but his gestures and his words were hiding his true nature. He needed to free himself of Torres in any way he could.

  "The Herbalist! Why didn't I think of that sooner!" He tapped his fingers on his forehead. "He will be of use to me once more."

  Back in the room, Torres returned to the table, sat down and served himself another glass of milk. He imagined the torture that was in store for Leonardo. He would pay for the suffering he had inflicted on Barbara.

  Barbara, where was she? Poor girl, what was she going through? He kept her letter in a reliquary around his neck. He placed his hand on it through his clothes. It seemed to be red hot. The simple thought that her hands had touched the same piece of parchment that he now carried around his neck filled him with passion.

  He carried the letter but never reread it. Barbara's words and the torment she described were like a hot iron burning through his flesh. He blamed himself for everything that she had to endure and for not having acted sooner. And now she was alone, fearing she would never see him again. His eyes filled with tears when he thought of her hair, her perfect face, her red lips. He closed his eyes and tried to imagine her standing in front of him with her angelical ways but also her voluptuousness. He did not know to which caste she belonged, if from the angels of heaven or the angels of hell.

  "Are you napping, your Eminence?"

  He was startled by Arlindo's sudden entrance. He was in the world of conscious and manipulable dreams. Barbara's image faded away slowly as he opened his eyes. He kept them half closed because he was reluctant to let go of the apparition his mind had
created. He slowly acknowledged the outside world.

  "Is everything ready?"

  "Yes, the horses await us."

  "Make an appointment here with the inquisitors. We need to let them know about the situation. They will need to prepare for what is coming."

  "So it shall be done."

  "Another thing, do you know any slave merchant?"

  "Yes, your Eminence. I do. Do you wish to buy one?"

  "Yes, I need three or four slaves to help us with the interrogations."

  "Do you really think it is necessary, your Eminence? The three inquisitors are very capable."

  "Actually, the slaves will be used for another service but this matter does not concern you."

  24. Archbishops

  At the Sodré Port, the arrival point for the sale of slaves, Arlindo looked for a specific merchant. His name was Joshua. A beautiful biblical name for a man who made a living buying and selling human beings. He set sail every month in his slave ships to the African coast in search of the 'merchandise' that fattened his pockets.

  He was a strong man, not accustomed to showing his feelings. He seemed almost like a puppet, a man with no emotions. A robot. Cold eyes and a voice like thunder.

  "How can I help you, your Excellency? Have you come looking for some new bitches for your little gatherings?"

  Arlindo drew back. That was all he needed, for Torres to find out about his night time exploits with African slaves. From the corner of his eye, he could see his colleagues displeased expression.

  "No, I am not your customer today," he hurried to change the subject. "My newly arrived friend here needs your services. But wait a moment."

  Arlindo turned to Torres.

  "I will leave you now so you can carry out your business undisturbed. I have some things I need to look into and I don't want to bother you. Will you be able to return to my house without an escort?"