Читать книгу Theopolda's Quest - Linda Wisely - Страница 9

They arrived at the harbor in plenty of time to board the ship and stow their things in their tiny berths. Then they stood on deck and watched as the supplies were loaded. It wasn't long before the gangplank was drawn in. It was exciting to hear the captain say loudly, "Weigh anchor, unfurl the sails!"

Theo's breath caught at the beautiful sight of the white canvas sails billowing with wind as the ship slowly began to glide over the water, out of the harbor. It would be a couple of days before they reached Naples.

Supper was served to the guests in the ship's mess. Sailing with them, there were only a few merchants and a young couple who stayed to themselves. After supper they walked the deck and talked about their day. When night fell, they bid each other a fond goodnight. Theo was glad to go to her small cabin for a much needed rest. As she squirmed around on her bunk, trying to get used to the movement of the ship, she remembered Will's arm around her waist. Her face got hot as she realized how it made her feel. So many new feelings. This trip is definitely getting interesting. Her breath quickened as she contemplated the last few days. She drifted off to sleep fitfully as she was sucked into a dream about being chased in the catacombs by a skeleton with glowing eyes.

Will and Sagan were still talking cheerfully about the day's adventures as they went next door to the cabin they had been assigned. Brother Justus flopped down on one of the lower bunks, exhausted. Will and Sagan each took an upper bunk. Will lay for a while thinking about Theo and the new relationship they were forming. He wondered why he had never noticed how pretty she was. He drifted off to sleep with a smile.

The next morning, Theo, accompanied by Will and Sagan, strolled the deck of the Pinta. Brother Justus approached them with a dark, surly looking man following close behind.

"I was just talking to our ship's captain here, and he requested to be introduced to you," Brother Justus said, as they drew closer.

"This is Captain Christopher Columbus, a world renowned mariner and explorer. I know his father Diego, who is the very fine weaver who wove the beautiful tapestry 'Christ on the Cross' that hangs in our main hall at home."

Theo felt very uncomfortable at the way the captain was looking at her, like a prize object and not a person. To be polite, she acknowledged the introduction.

"This is a very fine ship, Captain. I thought the captain always steered his ship. Who is at the helm when you are attending to other things?" Theo asked.

"My long-time friend and pilot of the vessel is Martin Alonso Pinson. You must meet him. He is quite a character!" the Captain said, as he took Theo's hand and gave it a courtly kiss. At the touch of his clammy lips, Theo had to stop herself from abruptly pulling it away.

"You should hear some of the tales Captain Columbus has to tell," Brother Justus said, as he moved to Theo's side, sensing her discomfort. Will and Sagan also stepped a little closer to her.

Apparently Captain Columbus got the message that Theo was off limits. Though he raised his eyebrows slightly, he changed the subject.

"You must meet my wife, Dona Filipia, and my two sons, Diego and Fernando. They should be up on deck soon. I am taking them to stay with my family in Genoa while I make a voyage west across the ocean to explore a new trade route."

"I have heard that some explorers believe they can reach Japan by sailing west, but most people are skeptical. However did you get financial support for such a venture?" Brother Justus asked.

At first it looked like Captain Columbus was going to take offense and not answer. He stood twirling the ends of his mustache, and his eyes took on an angry expression. But after a short uncomfortable silence, he said slowly, "It wasn't easy, as you surmised. Even though I have been a master mariner in the Portuguese merchants service for over seven years, King John wouldn't be convinced to fund me. He has absolutely no foresight! He's such an idiot. I finally had to leave the Portuguese court and seek funds elsewhere."

Brother Justus shifted uncomfortably from side to side. He didn't know what to say to such cockiness.

"I just can't abide stupid people," the Captain continued his tirade. "Even some of the mariners that know me well scoffed at such a 'foolhardy adventure' as King John II called it.

"I know how difficult it can be to get funded in these dire times," Brother Justus said, though a little put off by Columbus's loud and angry recital.

Then, as though nothing had happened, Columbus said in a calm voice, "I would like to continue this discussion, but I have duties I must attend to right now. I would be pleased if all of you would join myself and my wife and sons this evening in my quarters for supper. I know Filipia would greatly enjoy speaking to another woman, especially one as lovely as Signorina Theo."

Brother Justus hesitated slightly, then accepted the invitation, "Yes, we will be pleased to hear more of your adventures at supper."

Columbus nodded, turned, and briskly walked away.

"He's kind of an obnoxious fellow, isn't he?" Will grimaced. "I sure didn't like the way he was looking at Theo." Theo could see the muscle in his cheek tighten in anger.

"Yes, I agree. However, we are here to get a diverse look at Italy, and I am interested in hearing more of his story."

"He's about as diverse as it gets," Sagan added. "He's so passionate and angry when he talks, he makes me uneasy."

"Nevertheless, he is the captain of this ship and we will be respectful," Brother Justus ordered.

That evening Theo put her good, dark blue velvet gown on over her new white shirt with the fashionable loose sleeves and joined Brother Justus, Will, and Sagan. They had also put on the best clothes they had brought with them. Brother Justus had just brushed his brown monk's robe, since his other one was the same. Will and Sagan had donned clean tights and their new doublets, which were made fitted at their waists in the most current style. Will's was black velvet with gold trim and Sagan's was forest green wool with black velvet trim. Theo noticed how handsome both young men looked in their new finery.

When it was time for dinner, the ship's steward led them to the captain's quarters. They were very luxurious compared to the rest of the ship. On one end sat a large mahogany desk covered with maps and charts. Behind a red velvet curtain could be seen a built-in bed that was big enough for two people. It was covered with a gold satin spread with matching pillow covers. In the middle of the room was a long, highly polished mahogany table with lions carved on the feet. The table was set for seven people.

Standing beside Captain Columbus was a tall young woman, maybe ten years older than Theo, with long, dark hair hanging loosely about her shoulders. She was also dressed formally in a light blue, billowy gown of pomegranate patterned silk. Two small boys were chasing each other around the table.

"Children, please sit down," their mother said softly.

When they didn't pay any attention to her, Columbus turned towards them.

"If you don't quite that running around immediately, you will go to bed without any supper," he said sternly.

The boys immediately stopped and sat in the seats nearest to them.

Looking at the three visitors, Columbus drew his wife forward and said,"Ti presento (Let me present) my lovely wife, Dona Filipia."

"Benvenuto," (Welcome) Filipia smiled at them.

After they all greeted her, Columbus motioned for them to be seated.

The ship's cook brought in a large, baked fish surrounded by cut-up vegetables. There were also puddings and a big dish of fruit.

"Back to our earlier conversation on deck," Columbus began while eating. "As to the funding for my voyage, it has taken me several years to convince anyone that I am right about being able to get to trade routes by sailing west. I finally convinced King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella in Spain, so now they are backing me. After I drop Filipia and the boys off at my family's villa in Genoa, I will start getting ready for my voyage. Everything has to be planned very carefully. Thirteen years ago my ship hit a huge storm, and it destroyed the ship and most of my crew. This was because we left too late in the season and the winter storms overtook us. We were shipwrecked on the Portuguese coast. Fortunately, my younger brother Bartholomew, who is an expert chart maker, was living in Lisbon. I had not met and married Filipia at that time. I had to stay with my brother until I could afford to go back to my family estate. While I was with him, I learned chart making and was able to get a job making charts for the maritime center of Lisbon. Then, through connections at the maritime center, I got a foot into the sugar buying trade in a Portuguese island off Africa, Cape Verde, and Madeira. Now I was making good money being employed by the Genoa Mercantile firm!" Columbus talked on and on, all the while eating. The rest of the people just ate and listened, as no one could get a word in edgewise.

"By the time I was 31, I was a master mariner with the Portuguese Merchant Service. At last, I received the respect I deserved," Captain Columbus boasted.

Brother Justus stood up from the table when Columbus finally paused. "It's been a very interesting evening, Captain, but I think it's time we retired for the night. It has been a long day. It was a pleasure to meet you Dona Felipia and boys. We will wish you a goodnight." Theo, Will, and Sagan, who long ago had tuned the captain out, jumped up eagerly.

"Va bene (okay)... buona sera,"(good evening) Columbus stood also and bowed slightly.

"Maybe we can talk tomorrow on deck," Theo said to Felipia.

"I would like that," Felipia said, with a shy smile.

On their way to their quarters, Will said, "What a windbag. I didn't believe half the stuff he was saying."

"He certainly has had some interesting adventures. It's the way he tells his stories that gets on my nerves," Sagan observed.

"He is quite obnoxious." Theo cringed. "I did enjoy meeting his wife though. She was very nice."

"Buona note (good night) Theo, we will see you in the morning," Brother Justus hugged Theo as they left her at the door of her berth, then turned and followed Will and Sagan to their cabin.

The next morning Theo slept late. When she knocked on the door of the men's room, no one answered, so she began to make her way down the narrow hall that led to the deck. Looking ahead, she was surprised to see Captain Columbus coming toward her. It was too late to duck back into her room, so she stopped and tried to push herself against the wall so the Captain could pass.

"Well, well, imagine meeting you here," Columbus said with a lascivious grin, as he came close to Theo. He reached out and caught hold of both of her arms above her elbows. At first, Theo thought he was just going to move her to the side so he could get by her.

"My lovely Signorina Theo, dammi un bacetto, (give me a little kiss) then I will release you," he said, as he began to bring his face with lips pursed toward her mouth. She was stunned. She had lived all her life with monks who had always treated her with respect.

She quickly pulled back out of his arms and almost made it past him, when he grabbed her around her waist and began to force her towards him. Her mouth twisted in revulsion as she caught a whiff of his foul smelling breath. His face was so close, she could see a piece of black food stuck in his teeth. "Yu-u-ck," she gagged, turning her head to the side, as a wave of nausea hit her.

"Really signor, take your hands off me!" Theo screamed as loud as she could. She suddenly realized that she was in real danger and began to struggle violently. He had her pushed up so close to the wall that she could feel the rivets and seam cutting into her back.

Suddenly a fist smashed into Columbus's face, and down he went, out cold.

Theo threw herself at Will. "I have never been so glad to see anyone in my life," she sobbed. Will bundled her protectively into his arms. She could feel his heart beating wildly as he held her close to his chest.

"I will always protect you Gattino (kitten), you know that," Will whispered tenderly into her ear. "I just came down to see what was keeping you. I'm sure glad I did," he said, his jaw tight, a vein throbbing in his neck.

He gently put her behind him and went to stand over the unconscious captain, his fists clenched, his legs braced, hoping he would have a chance to hit him again. But Columbus wasn't moving a muscle as he lay on the floor of the narrow hall. A little trickle of blood had began to run from a small cut above his right eye, which was already beginning to swell shut.

"What should we do now? Do you think he will have us thrown off the ship?" Theo cried.

"Not if I have anything to say about it. Let's get you up on deck away from this scoundrel," Will said in a gruff, angry voice, as he guided her towards the stairs.

As they got to the top of the stairs leading on to the deck, they ran into Brother Justus. He had gotten concerned and was on his way down to see what was taking them so long. Will and Theo both began to talk at once. He drew them over to the rail, away from the other people on deck, so they could tell him what had happened. Finally he got the whole story out of them.

"I think the best thing to do is tell his wife and let her deal with her husband." Brother Justus was advising them, when he saw Columbus coming towards them, swaying from side to side like a drunk man. He was just close enough to catch what Brother Justus had said.

"No, please don't do that," Columbus whined from behind them, clutching his head. "I meant the signorina no harm. I was just teasing her. I apologize sincerely for my rude behavior. I...I beg you, let's just put this unfortunate event behind us," he said in a halting, remorseful voice.

All four turned towards Columbus. Will and Sagan had their hands on their swords. Will was still seething from their encounter. Just make a move towards Theo. Let me really teach you a lesson. Will was surprised at the intensity of his anger. He didn't usually stay angry like this. He looked at Theo, who was looking at him and Columbus in shock. He felt a rush of tenderness towards her and moved to stand in front of her protectively.

Brother Justus, not wanting to make a scene, decided to let the matter go. He could see that they were beginning to enter the Naples' harbor.

"We will be disembarking soon. Just stay away from us or I won't be responsible for what may happen," Brother Justus said through clenched teeth.

Columbus turned and hobbled quickly out of sight. True to their agreement, he stayed out of sight until the Pinto docked in the Naples' harbor.

Theo was horrified at the events that had just taken place. She had no idea that Will could be so ferocious. She had a new respect for him as a man who could protect her, instead of the boy whom she had grown up with. She sincerely hoped she would never see Christopher Columbus again.