by ML BINELLI
Vidal said goodbye and left the gathering. He needed to think this through. After everything he had heard, he could hardly carry on conversing with the others. He walked around the city aimlessly thinking of the proposal. He found himself in front of a brothel. He entered. What he had to do now was cool his head and there was no better way to do this than with a woman.
Alicio looked around for Vidal but couldn't find him. Teodoro approached him.
"Alicio, the proposal has been made to Vidal. He excused himself and left. He has a lot to think about now."
"Do you think he’ll accept, Teodoro?" said Alicio.
"I don't know but when he looks for you, don't hide anything from him. He needs to know what he is getting into."
"I will do that, Teodoro, don't worry."
3. Room
Vidal lay on his bed staring at the ceiling, his hands clasped behind his neck and his legs crossed. The night was warm and pleasant. The warm weather allowed him to sleep shirtless. The open window let in the light of a large new moon and the vastness of the stars, a picture created by a master painter with the power to make the biggest of egos realize that they are nothing more than a tiny grain of sand under the heavens. Although his eyes were open, he was seeing nothing. What he saw in his mind was a projection of the strange proposal put to him.
All the details, the gestures, Teodoro's breath, time flowed slower until it stopped at a single question. What are the true motives behind this plan? He found it very odd that a father would hand over his daughter to a stranger because of a simple threat of loss of fortune. He seemed to be treating her as if she were merchandise, despite this being quite common among wealthy families. Family alliances were built upon this strategy. The Portuguese State charged taxes, but who took care of the inhabitants were the families and, in a broader sense, this included even neighbors and friends.
This was Vidal's problem, he had no family to speak of. If he needed help, money, or someone to stand by him, he had no one. But returning to the motives of the girl's father, it was clear that he was attempting to create an alliance to save his fortune. Usually these agreements were arranged by both sides but, in this case, Vidal had nothing to offer in exchange. That is what was most odd. This simple fact said a lot about the character of the father, who must not have many connections outside the Lodge, and of Teodoro also, who so gladly stepped into the role of matchmaker. Should Vidal get involved in this story? It seemed to him that the merchandise in question was not the girl, but himself, or more precisely, his freedom.
From what he gathered, there were problems in Braga, it is true, but they didn't involve actual persecutions by the crown nor by the church, as institutions.
There certainly must be something larger behind the plan for it to have been concocted and for all participants to so willingly want to take part in it and execute it.
And what about the girl? Was she in agreement with this whole crazy scheme? Was she agreeing to a marriage without having met the groom simply to help her father out of a difficult situation that may never happen?
He must be an ogre, or better yet, she must be an ogress.
Most certainly a woman of no opinion. If they were the same age, as stated by Teodoro, she should already have been a bride or even married and with children. But from what it seemed, there had been no suitor, hence the need for the proposal, which strengthened his suspicion that the woman had no appeal, in other words, she was probably ugly.
But what about the financial situation? He could get a loan maybe for a small business, a hostel, a tavern or a small imported goods shop. His earnings would be minimal. He would be able to survive and nothing more.
When would another opportunity like this arise? Sometimes opportunities passed us by in life and went completely unnoticed. Would there be others? When? When he is too old and too tired to take advantage of them?
All he had to do was endure a marriage with an ogress. As for her father, if he was as old as Teodoro, he would have only a few years to live. Vidal would inherit everything and in a short period of time - maybe in twenty years.
If the woman was not interesting, hell be damned, he'd find a few lovers. Maybe he could acquire one or two slaves to make his nights more enjoyable. He was not made of stone. There would certainly be some European, or maybe even native prostitutes over there. In this aspect, he had no preferences.
After all, in the rural town where he was raised, the young boys were introduced to sex through animals. Depending on where they ended up, there might even be a few indigenous girls around. He had heard stories that in Brazil the natives walked around naked, maybe it was the same in the other colonies in America. Could that be true?
Were there any Portuguese men over there? he asked himself. But why was he thinking about that?
What really mattered was the money. He could lead the life of a king in this new land. He would simply have to provide for her. He would be an important figure in the colony. The land was vast over there and he would also get the incredible opportunity to start a Lodge. He would climb the ranks quickly. There would only be two brothers at first. Yes, he would create a brotherhood in this land with the best people around.
Maybe a title of nobility too - Baron Bueno or Count Bueno. Yes, yes, the rewards would make up for it and it would be a very small price to pay for his freedom.
He would only have to leave Portugal and, most certainly, never return. What kept him here? No family and bankrupt. The country had not been good to him, maybe it would be better to start over.
Anyways, it was better to be a rich slave than a free pauper. So, amid dreams of fortune and wealth, Vidal fell asleep.
4. Vidal and Alicio
On the following day, after having thought much about Teodoro's proposal, Vidal looked for Alicio and, over a few drinks, told him about the strange conversation.
"Vidal, careful. I have a few things to say and am going to say them because I consider you a good friend. It is not exactly the way Mr. Teodoro put it. Please don't mention anything to anyone about what I am about to say here since it would sound like I am betraying the trust placed in me."
"What do you mean, Alicio? Is this some kind of joke? Am I still in the initiation process at the Lodge?"
"No, Vidal, but the marriage may not be for the reasons given. It is true that the father of the woman is being persecuted by the Archbishop of Braga but the reason may be something other than the fact that he is a freemason. It is also not true that you are the only one to whom this matrimony has been offered. Twenty days ago, Teodoro made the same proposal to me. Like you, I asked for some time to think about it but what I did instead was a little investigation of my own. One of my cousins lived for a time in Braga at our grandfather's house. I asked her to give me any information she could gather about the Pallister family and about the persecution of masons currently in progress in the city. She confirmed the archbishop's story but said there is no indication that they know or suspect that Leonardo, Barbara's father, belongs to a Masonic Lodge.
"Well then, what is the reason for all this?" Vidal didn't know her name until then, Teodoro had not mentioned it nor had it occurred to him to ask.
"She told me she studied with Barbara at the catholic school for a year while she was there and they had become friends for a short time. It was only for a short time because Fatima began to avoid her.
Fatima told me that Barbara is a woman like no other. She is beautiful from head to toe and with a body that can drive an angel to madness. Along with her colleagues, she seemed like a normal girl, a bit foolish and shy. But Fatima, over time, noticed a change in her behavior. She began insinuating herself on the professors and one of them was none other than the current archbishop himself, who was simply a professor at the time. He was there waiting for his predecessor to die so he could take his place because he had been appointed to the position. They were seen many times talking to each other after the priest's lessons. Fatima said that on one day, when she turned a cor
ner in the corridor, she came face to face with them, and she had the impression that the Priest had been smiling and rubbing the nape of Barbara's neck through her long golden hair. Her surprise at finding them in such an intimate position made Fatima blush and come to a halt. She was about to turn back but chose not to and continued on her way, making eye contact with both of them. The priest turned his gaze towards the floor and gave a step back to distance himself from his student but Barbara's expression was different, she looked at her coldly and offered her a half smile full of malice and sin. After this event, Fatima began to watch Barbara more closely. She noticed that Barbara was no longer interested in normal conversations with girls of her own age. She seemed older as each day passed, more adult and less of a girl. She also began to caress her friends, she would approach them from behind to play with their hair. She would also touch their hands, sometimes their thighs, normal things between girls, but to Fatima the touches now seemed lascivious, with second intentions. She noticed how she insinuated herself on the priests who taught her, making them crazy with desire. She always ran away though when any of them seemed to want to go to further. And that is how it went. Of course my cousin's description of her actions may be the result of an overactive imagination but who's to say?"
"Yes, so? Does she suspect that the relationship between the archbishop and Barbara still exists today? Is your cousin still looking into this?" asked Vidal.
"Today it is like this. the archbishop is making strange comments about the behavior of Leonardo to certain dignitaries in the city. He is saying that Leonardo has a grave flaw and he must pay for it at the opportune time but he won't say what it is. He seems to be working to try to get the support of these respectable men, so they won't oppose him and so they'll support him when the time comes. Maybe the old man is getting in the way of their relationship, if there is one, I simply don't know. It is very strange that Barbara does not have now, nor has had in the past, a relationship with a suitor. She has never lacked them and probably doesn't lack them now either. She seems to always disdain those who kneel before her and kiss her feet. She turns them away as if they were vermin. She has shown no admiration nor respect for any of them. From what I gathered from my grandmother, her behavior continues the same today. Leonardo seems to think that the archbishop's background, of persecutor of masons on Madeira Island, may cause him to do the same in Braga and he is afraid he will find a reason to accuse him of something."
"And if the old man is brought to court by the religious order he will be tortured and, if he has nothing to say, he will certainly turn in his brothers. A complicated situation," said Vidal.
"Very complicated. But any way, Leonardo is smart and has his spies in all of the city's castes. He knows that the archbishop is up to something. That is why he plans to leave Portugal. The rest of the proposal is what it is - marriage to Barbara and a partnership with her. If she is really as beautiful as Fatima says, it is hard to say what the prize is and what the price to be paid is," Alicio laughed loudly.
"You didn't accept it, Alicio? Despite all else, it seems to be good business!"
"Not for me, it isn't. My father, as you know, is ill. He has passed on all his businesses to me and makes me promise daily that I will take care of mother and my sisters if anything happens to him. As such, I can't abandon my family at this time or else I would have gone to see if Barbara really is so beautiful and if she were, hell, I'd disappear with her to America. But now the decision is up to you. What do you plan to do?"
Vidal lifted the glass of wine to his lips, swallowed and cleaned his lips with the back of his hand. He turned to Alicio.
"You are well aware of my current financial situation. This proposal seems like a divine gift and if things work out the way Leonardo expects them to, it will be good business."
"It is true Vidal. But don't forget that America is a new, hardly-civilized territory. Those who have gone there are nothing but a band of adventurers looking for an easy fortune and who don't think twice of making a living at the cost of slave labor. They expect to become rich and return home with fortunes never looking back at the bodies they have left behind.
"Ah, but slaves are slaves. They were already slaves in Africa and they continue to be so in America. What difference does it make? We have them here in Portugal - the moors were also slaves and still are."
"The education I have received does not allow me to accept this as normal. My father always told us that our fortune needs to grow from the sweat off our own brow, not by taking advantage of others."
"Right, Alicio, right," Vidal interrupted his friend's speech. He wanted to change the subject. "But what do you say about the deal? Do you have any objection or any more warnings?"
"No, that is everything I know. If you accept, I will visit you in those lands someday, maybe we will be able to do business together, which would be very productive and pleasant. I also hope that, if you accept, I will be asked to be your best man. I would like to accompany you on this journey even if only at the very beginning of it. If you do not accept, I bind myself to opening a company with you when my father passes away. For now, I cannot do it even though I have tried to convince him but he won't hear of it because he considers you a gambler. He knows that you have been controlling yourself but he would never accept the risk of doing business with you, nor does he approve of those who do."
This put an end to the conversation about the proposal and, with the wine flowing, they moved on to other more mundane topics.
5. Meeting at the Market
The Ribeira Market was a trading spot for fresh fish, fried sardines, fruit and vegetables. Vidal arrived at around 2:30 in the afternoon to purchase a pouch of tobacco before the meeting. He then looked for Vitalicio and found Teodoro with him, enjoying the fried sardines.
"Vidal, so good to see you again. Do you want a sardine? I love this fish and always stop here whenever I can. My father liked them too and would bring me here every Saturday to enjoy them. Vitalicio is the son of the owner of this establishment and he took over when his father passed away. We have known each other since we were boys. I feel here as if I've gone back in time and I can sometimes see my father standing next to me. A very happy place."
"I would love one, Mr. Teodoro. When I smell the fried fish, I start salivating like a dog and the best part of it is that it is very cheap. It wouldn't surprise me if the queen herself disguised herself so she could come here to savor a few of these delicacies."
Teodoro laughed loudly, almost choking on the fish spines. "It is true. I sometimes see around here a few characters who don't act as they seem. It is a gift that a tiny fish like this can serve the needs of kings as well as slaves."
After the meal, they left Vitalicio’s stand and walked through the market. Teodoro led Vidal to a quieter part so they could talk in public without being heard.
"So, Vidal, did you have time to think? Did you talk to Alicio?"
Vidal lied and said no because he didn't want it to look like he knew more than he should nor did he want to get his friend in trouble at the Lodge.
"Yes Teodoro, I have decided to accept the proposal. As you well know, my current financial situation is quite troubling and I am in no position to refuse an opportunity like this. The only thing that saddens me is to have to leave my country but everything has its price. If this is the price, I am willing to pay it."
Teodoro sighed with relief upon hearing the news. Vidal was young, he would adapt to any place in the world. As for him, it would be difficult to make such a great change. He was no longer suited for these types of adventures. Much less marrying a girl a third of his age. What would his sons think?
"Let me be very honest with you Vidal. You have taken a great weight off my shoulders. From now on, consider me a friend! No, not a friend, that wouldn't be enough! A blood brother is more suitable. I have a picture of the maiden here with me. I didn't show it before so you could think of the most important part of the proposal without being blinded by h
er looks. Here, look and see how the proposal is not all that bad after all."
When Vidal saw the image, he was taken aback. The picture showed a girl wearing a hat and firmly holding a parasol with both hands, thrusting her young breasts forward, as she stood in front of a lake on a sunny day. It was hard to tell which was more heartwarming. Large dark eyes, silky pale skin, her long hair, tied at the end with a ribbon that rested on her shoulder, and fell around her like a cascade. Her thick lips and the upturned corners of her mouth could drive even the saintliest of men mad. The artist who painted her was either a genius or was looking for the first time at a demon who had crazed his mind and heart. Alicio's cousin had not lied when she described the girl's beauty.
"Of course it is a painting but I can assure you that this looks very much like Barbara," said Teodoro. "What do you think now of the proposal, Vidal? Want to give up?" Teodoro chuckled as he watched Vidal, whose eyes were getting rounder and rounder as he gazed at the picture.
"Mr. Teodoro, if you had shown me this beforehand, it would have saved you the work of having to convince me. I would have agreed without having heard the half of it. I will be honest, my main concern and what worried me since we spoke was the loss of my freedom to marriage and to someone I had never met before. But if the girl is the same as the one in the portrait, I'll go now to the Estrela Basilica to thank God for a gift that only he could have sent me.