by ML BINELLI
He stood up and took the letter from Jonas' hands. He quickly ripped the letter open. He started to read it and turned his back to Jonas. He turned and looked at Jonas. His face was getting redder. He looked like a wax doll. His lips trembled. While he read the letter, his countenance changed from someone feeling ashamed to a caged lion. He seemed to weaken at one point and stumbled. One of this guards hurried over to his side, but he sent him away. He walked over to his desk and sat down as if he was carrying a very heavy weight on his shoulders. He continued reading the letter. His eyes showed his confusion. Jonas tried to remember the atrocities that Barbara and Aia had concocted and a smile appeared on his face.
"Damn him... the wretch, son of a whore. How could he do this?"
Torres walked over to Jonas.
"Jonas, is this true? I can't believe it. You were with her, how is she?"
"Suffering, archbishop. Suffering a great deal. I do not know what is in that letter but I noticed blood stains on her clothes, more precisely on her back. It was not my place to ask her about them. During the trip, she cried out in pain every time we went over a rougher patch of road. Poor girl."
"No, no, this could not have happened. I can't believe she went through this. It was my fault, my fault..."
The archbishop stopped talking. He seemed to be suffocating, the air leaving his lungs. He couldn't take anymore and collapsed howling into a heap in the middle of the room.
Everyone ran over to help him. They lay him down on a settee next to his desk. Jonas quickly grabbed the letter from Torres' hands because he could no longer hold it. He didn't want anyone else reading it.
Somebody brought Torres a mug of water. The archbishop began to recover and drank some of the water.
"Water no! Bring me wine! Where is the letter?"
Jonas hurried over to give him the letter he was holding. He had not yet read all of it. He snorted like a bull facing a toreador. He took great gulps of air and drank the wine that was handed to him with a trembling hand, while he held the letter with the other, holding the page as far away from his eyes as possible. When his breathing normalized, he sighed deeply and turned to the letter again.
Tears rolled down his face. When he finished reading it, he seemed exhausted but his look was of pure hatred.
"All of you, leave me. I need to speak to this man alone!"
Everyone left the room and Torres and Jonas stood face to face.
"Jonas, where is that wretch? And Barbara?"
"She left a few days ago, archbishop. I believe she is on her way to Brazil, I am not sure. In Lisbon, she married a man I had never seen before and both departed on a ship."
"Why didn't you stop her? Why didn't you help her, you scoundrel?" bellowed Torres. The spit rolled out of the corners of his mouth. He looked like a mad dog.
"I tried archbishop. I told her we could run away to another place. I could take her to a small town. I would return and tell Leonardo that everything went as planned, giving her time to think about what to do. She said no, she could not bear having other people suffer for her escape, knowing that her father would come after her. She said he would follow her to the ends of the earth and she did everything that Leonardo wanted her to do."
Torres sat on the floor. His clenched hands covered his eyes. He began to sway back and forth, murmuring senseless words. Jonas thought he was losing his mind. Then, suddenly, he stopped.
"Where is Leonardo?"
"He went out as I told you. He went to the vineyard yesterday."
"Did he have any traveling chests with him?"
"Not that I saw. Why?"
"The wretch will go after her. I think he has already gone. But I won't allow it. I will wash my hands with the blood of that bastard. Guards, guards!" he yelled.
The archbishop rushed out of the room with the letter. Jonas had nothing left to do there. He needed now to wait and see what the archbishop would do. He would wait for him to return from the vineyard empty handed. He would wait for him to leave to Lisbon. After his departure, Jonas would be free.
21. Persecution
The archbishop went with his personal guard to the vineyard. He looked for Leonardo everywhere. He asked the peasants if they had seen him. He was informed that Leonardo hadn't visited the vineyard in months. It was at this point that the archbishop realized he had been had. He returned to his residence and wrote a letter to the church asking to set up a tribunal in Braga because freemasons had been found in the city.
The then went to his office. He asked to be served a jug of wine and not to be disturbed. He drank the wine and refilled the glass. Sitting at his desk, he took out Barbara's letter from a pocket in his robes. He trembled as he held it. He had to see her again. Barbara had given him the evidence to lock up Leonardo but he couldn't recall all the details.
He kissed the letter. He could smell Barbara on it. He touched the paper as if he were touching her skin. It gave him pleasure. He imagined the heat from her body emanating from the paper. When he reread the letter containing the atrocities committed by Leonardo, he felt hate for Leonardo and blame for not having acted in time to spare her from such suffering. Now she was far away and in the hands of some ruffian. She might even have been raped. What was she going through? And how she must be longing for him, his counsel, his love and his touch.
He wept in desperation. His sweetheart was gone. She was tortured because of him, for the love she had for him. Tortured in the vilest manner, humiliated and beaten and even whipped. He ran through the scene in his mind, her naked body being licked obscenely by Leonardo, the kiss of the whip on her flesh and her unable to scream. It was too much for him. He couldn't decide if what he was feeling was remorse or hate.
And now? Would he be able to find her? How was he going to do it? There were too many thoughts racing around his head, as if he’d had taken a blow. He turned back to the letter. What should he do now? He needed to search Leonardo's house and find the evidence of his masonic ties. After that he would go to Lisbon to find the bastard. He would get him arrested and then kill him. No, he needed to be tried by a court. When he was covered in blood from head to foot, he would tell him where Barbara had gone. But Torres wouldn't kill him. Leonardo had to suffer, he had to suffer for the sins he had committed.
What about himself? How many sins had he committed? He had let his flesh speak louder than his holy duties. He fell in love and had a carnal relationship with a girl. He made her fall in love with him and then he abandoned her, leaving her in the hands of a monster. These sins could never be removed from his soul. He had given her hope that they would be together some day and in the name of this hope she bore the tortures, waiting for him. And what did he do about it? Nothing. He abandoned her. Barbara's final words about how he did not deserve her love burned in his mind. How could he proceed in this way? Would he be able to get her back some day? Would she ever forgive him? What if she was suffering torment even greater than what Leonardo had inflicted upon her, would she be able to stay sane? She was talking of taking her own life.
He knelt and began to pray. He asked God to give Barbara strength so she wouldn't, in desperation, commit the act. He asked God not to allow her to walk in the Valley of Death alone. He asked for her not to have to pay for a crime that she had not committed. He asked for her not to suffer for his lack of action. He prayed for her soul and cried in frustration.
He walked over to his desk and wrote a note.
"Your Eminence, watch over Teodoro Cliburn's house. I will be arriving for a visit in five days. If you say any of this to your brothers, you will be burned alongside them. Torres, Archbishop of Braga."
He folded the letter carefully and opened a drawer to remove a small tube in which he placed the message. He called his secretary, Caveral.
"Caveral, do we still have the messenger pigeons from Lisbon?"
"We have two, your Eminence. Do you want me to send something?"
Torres handed over the small tube to Caveral who bowed and left the r
oom with no more questions asked.
Torres made his way over to Leonardo's house and there met Jonas.
"Jonas, can we talk?"
Jonas kissed the archbishop's hand and invited him into the home. He asked for a jug of wine and both men sat down in the drawing room. The guards remained outside.
"What brings you here, archbishop? How can I help you?"
"Barbara told me in the letter that there is evidence in this house that Leonardo is a mason. Do you know of this evidence?"
"I know nothing about it, archbishop. But feel free to look around. The house is now mine."
"How? Did Leonardo turn it over to you?"
"Yes, before Barbara traveled. You must already know that he has fled."
"Why didn't you tell me before, Jonas?"
"Because I was scared, archbishop. Leonardo is a very violent man. He gave me orders to put the house and the vineyard in my name. He also ordered me to put it up for sale and to meet him in Brazil."
"So you know where Barbara was sent then? It must be the same place that Leonardo is going."
"He only told me to find him."
"Have you already found a buyer?"
"I haven't yet placed the properties on the market. Do you know anyone who might be interested?"
"Me. I would like to own this house. Since the vineyard comes with it, I'll take that too."
"But I must tell you archbishop that I have no intention of following Leonardo. He treats me like a slave. We have known each other for many years but I have never been his friend. I plan to rid myself of him. If you are interested in these properties, pay the price you wish. I am going to leave this place that brought me such grief. Why would you want to buy this property?"
Torres thought a moment before answering. His real reason was so he could have a remembrance of Barbara, so he could walk on the same floor she walked on and lie in her bed. Have something that was hers.
"The girl suffered a great deal, Jonas. If I can find her, I will give her the properties back so she receives some compensation for her misfortune," said Torres.
"But she is already on her way to God knows where. Do you plan to search for her around the world, archbishop?"
"I will try Jonas. You don't know why I am doing all of this. Did you know that Leonardo treated Barbara liked a wife?"
"What do you mean, archbishop? I don't understand what you are saying."
"I am saying that he bedded her as if she were his wife!"
Jonas stood up with feigned surprise. The hate that showed on his face, however, was real.
"Filthy scoundrel, swine of hell! Are you sure of this, archbishop? How would you know?"
"Barbara confessed this to me. But my hands were tied. And the wretch threatened to kill her, Jonas, if she didn't accept her fate."
Jonas covered his face with his hands and closed his eyes.
"I can't believe she suffered so much and said nothing to me!"
"She didn't tell you because she loved him as a father, Jonas. She was scared that if you knew about it you would intercede on her behalf and she would wind up dead. Excuse me, Jonas. I am going to ask the men to search the house. Do I have your permission?"
"If you plan to buy the house, consider it yours. Do whatever you please."
The priest went to his men and gave them the order. Jonas smiled contentedly. The men excused themselves and began searching the house. The archbishop sat back down at the table.
"Jonas, could you bear witness that Leonardo is a freemason?"
Jonas thought for a moment. He was searching for an excuse. If he accepted, he would be bound to Braga.
"No, I cannot, archbishop. I know nothing of this matter, he never spoke to me about it. I cannot lie in church."
"Alright, Jonas. We are going to Lisbon tomorrow. I will go myself with my men. I want to get my hands on this damned man, before he manages to escape. He has had a head start. I will go by horse. If I go with the litter, it will take much longer."
"Well then, we must formalize the sale now, archbishop."
"You don't want to wait until I return, Jonas?"
"No, I don't want to ever see him again. If I do, no angel in heaven will be able to hold me down. I'll kill him with my bare hands!"
The archbishop thought for a moment and agreed with Jonas.
"Let's deal with this then while my men are searching the house. Do you have the documents?"
"Yes. Let's prepare the transfer. The earlier the better so I can forget what you told me went on under this damn roof!" said Jonas.
The archbishop told the men where he was going. The captain of the guard asked if he needed to be escorted by one or two men.
"It is no longer necessary. I am no longer afraid for my life. But when you have finished here go to the vineyard, you know where it is. Search Leonardo's house there too. After that go to my house. I have things to settle here with Jonas and I cannot accompany you."
"As you wish, archbishop," said the captain.
On the following day, Torres and the guard left for Lisbon. They went by Leonardo's house early so the archbishop could say goodbye to Jonas.
"Good day, archbishop. Did you find what you were looking for?" asked Jonas.
"Good day. We found nothing. The wretch must have taken it all with him. I came to say goodbye, I don't think we'll be seeing each other again. Where do you plan to go to Jonas?"
"Bragança. I have family there and I plan to make a home for myself over there."
"Good luck, Jonas. May God be with you."
"May God be with you and protect you too, archbishop," said Jonas.
Jonas watched as the archbishop and his men disappeared into the distance. He was now free to go to Dorival. For him, the story had come to an end. He only regretted not being able to see Leonardo hung from his ankles but the risk was too great for him. He needed to leave and forget. Create a life with Dorival and pray every day for Barbara's wellbeing. His savings and the value of the properties paid by the archbishop would assure a life of comfort for him and Dorival for the rest of their lives.
22. Escape
Leonardo finally reached Teodoro's house. His back hurt because he was not used to riding a horse anymore. The distance was great, six infernal days. He was greeted by the servants. Teodoro was not home. Leonardo asked if he could wait for him. They served him lunch and let him rest in one of the rooms.
At the end of the afternoon, Teodoro found him sleeping. He let him rest. Close to supper time, he asked for him to be awakened and invited down to supper. They made small talk and ate their meal. At the end of it, Teodoro asked Leonardo to come with him into his office.
"Leonardo, so what are you doing here? I was expecting you next month."
"What do you mean, Teodoro? From the letter you sent me, the ship will be leaving in a few days."
Teodoro looked confused.
"Do you still have the letter I sent you?"
"No, I no longer have it. I burned it before leaving. But what did you mean by 'next month?' England is not that far away."
"You must have mixed up the dates."
"Are you sure, Teodoro? How could I have made such a big mistake? A whole month? I need to look for an inn then."
"No, you will stay here! Tomorrow we will go to the port. Maybe you can embark to England on another ship and find Barbara there."
"I will accept your offer. I think the risk is minimal."
"Are you worried about the archbishop coming after you? He won't know where you are staying."
"No, he won't. I kept away from the busier roads, and traveled through the fields. I did not sleep in any inns on the way."
"So you lived in the wild..."
"Yes, I was fed up of eating biscuits and chorizo. The wine finished."
"He didn't look for Barbara?"
"Yes, he did, it is what I heard from a servant I paid to keep me informed. Torres was agitated when he tried to get information from her. He must be desperate now; his info
rmants must have already told him that I disappeared."
"Who knows you came here? Only Jonas?"
"Only him."
"If the archbishop pressures him, will he tell on you?"
"No, you can be sure of that. I trust Jonas, not because of our friendship nor because we have worked together for years, for another reason. I have something on him. If anything happens to me, he will himself have to face the archbishop's rage."
"So he also has his flaws."
"Who doesn't? We don't have to worry about Jonas. Now Teodoro, I'd like to lie down again. I am very tired!"
"Go then. Tomorrow morning early, after our morning meal, we will go to the port."
Three days after Torres' departure, Jonas set off to Santiago. After four days traveling, he reached the city. On his way, he came across several pilgrims, considered to be sources of wisdom.
The only wisdom Jonas needed was to find Dorival as soon as possible. He couldn't wait to be with him again. During the trip, he went over his life plans with him. He was happy because the money left by Leonardo plus the amount the archbishop gave him for the properties would enable a good life for both of them.
He looked for Dorival in the inns closest to the city's entry points and from the description he gave the innkeepers he was able to find him. He was informed that the boy spent his afternoons on the Tambre river. He had asked for information about fishing points as soon as he arrived in the city.
"He loves to fish. There is a boy from Angola here, a free slave, who helps me with the heavy work. His name is Getulio. I asked Getulio to show him the parts of the river that had the most fish," said one of the innkeepers. "Now, every afternoon they go there and bring me a basket full of fresh fish. I even lent him a fishing rod," he added.
Jonas excused himself so he could leave his traveling bags in the boy's room and went out to meet him. He asked for instructions to the river and went by horse.
When he arrived at the site, he rode along the margin. At one point, he saw the lad's horses tied to a tree trunk. He knew they must be close. He dismounted and tied his horse along with the others and looked around but could not see anyone. He saw footprints heading inland where the vegetation was denser. He took a few steps in and noticed a bend in the river. He continued down the path.