Читать книгу The Valley Beyond - T. A. Nichols - Страница 10

Chapter IV

Four years had passed since Doña Lucía’s birth, and she was taking on the characteristics that would suit her well later in life. She was a beautiful child with fair skin, an oval face, a wide smile, long reddish-blond hair, and blue eyes the color of a bright azure fall sky. She could be stubborn at times and cooperative at others, depending on what was at stake.

Her nurse, Yamina, originally from Cordoba, was a Mozarab who came north to escape the strict laws of the Moors of al-Andalus. Both her parents were superbly educated and provided for her education as well. She came highly recommended by the Mendoza family, where she was nurse to all four of their children. She was a strict disciplinarian who loved to work with the young.

An empty room in the large palace served as both learning and play area for the young condesa. Yamina taught Lucía her letters and numbers, as well as basic Latin, French, and Arabic. At night, she read Bible stories to Lucía in French or told lurid stories of her homeland in Arabic. Lucía was a very bright girl who loved to learn. In her spare time, when Lucía was not learning her letters or the basics of how to run a household, she would dance to whatever lyrical note would come to her head from the music of the troubadours who would frequent her father’s court in Segoia or from her aunt’s court in Burgos.

Although she loved to dance, she also enjoyed her dolls. Her favorite was a rag doll named Cassandra, which had belonged to her mother. The doll’s name was based on a Greek myth, a story told by Yamina, about a young girl from ancient Troy who was given the gift of prophecy but was cursed by Apollo. As a result, her prophecies were never believed. Lucía related to Cassandra because sometimes people would not believe her when she got into trouble. The doll had dark curly hair of yarn and dark painted brown eyes just like Cassandra.

One day, Lucía did not pick up the toys that she had played with and wandered off on her own and could not be found. She was playing hide-and-seek. As a result, a commotion occurred, and the household guards, under Captain Gómez, as well as Yamina and Don Fernando, looked high and low but could not find the child. She had hidden in a tight place where no one would find her, and she would giggle every time someone passed by. She then, when no one was around, sneaked out to the large fountain in the garden, where she sat in the cool water on a hot summer day and played with her toy boat.

Lucía was eventually caught and punished for having had committed three offenses: not picking up her toys, wandering off without having told Yamina, and playing in the fountain. Lucía’s punishment consisted of three wallops on her backside with a wooden spoon and three days in her room. Lucía often said throughout her childhood that if Yamina was as handy with a wooden spoon in the kitchen as she was on her backside, she would have the makings of a very great chef. When Don Fernando addressed her bad behavior and told her he was very disappointed in her, Lucía was very apologetic, as she did not want to disappoint her father.

One day, Lucía was walking along the arcade with her doll, enjoying the spring air, when she noticed a girl who appeared to be the same age as her seated on a bench in the palace garden, which ran between the great hall and the living quarters. Lucía had a nose for curiosity and walked over to meet her. As she approached the girl, she noticed that she was also playing with a doll. Lucía sat on the bench next to her.

“What is your doll’s name?” asked Lucía.

“Aldonza,” responded the girl, who glanced over to Lucía.

“That is a pretty name,” said Lucía as she eyed the doll with its black yarn hair and two buttons for eyes.

“You have a pretty doll too,” added the girl, who was trying to be complimentary.

“I’m Lucía. What is your name?”

The girl turned to Lucía. “Isabella. My father said for me to wait for him here while he takes care of business and to enjoy the garden. Everything smells so nice here,” said Isabella with a big smile.

After several minutes of sitting on the bench and swinging her feet back and forth, Lucía gave a deep sigh and turned her attention to Isabella, who was calmly minding her doll.

“Would you like to play a game, Isabella?”

Isabella turned to Lucía and, with a smile, said emphatically, “I would like to, but Papa said for me to wait for him here.”

Lucía, taken aback by Isabella’s statement, was in a state of ennui. She wanted to play with her new friend but wondered how to engage her. Suddenly, she had an idea on what to say. “We could play in the garden, and you would be where your father could find you,” said Lucía, confident that would be a reasonable solution to the problem. However, Isabella didn’t say a word, and Lucía became fidgety for a response.

She finally turned to Isabella with her eyebrows raised and, with a big smile, said, “Well, what do you say, huh?”

“Well, I guess it would be all right,” responded Isabella, unsure of herself.

“What do you want to play?” inquired Lucía.

Isabella shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know.”

Lucía thought for a moment. “How about hide-and-seek?”

“All right,” said Isabella, who sounded more confident. She put her doll down and rose from the bench. “So pretty. Now I can hide among the pretty flowers and trees,” she cried in joy.

The palace garden was a great place to play. It measured one hundred yards by fifty yards. There were four potted palm trees on each of the four corners of the garden. There were also three gray-stone pathways, one vertical and two horizontal. Each pathway was lined with a small hedge with an opening that led to a smaller garden. In each of the smaller gardens, there were various nut and fruit trees, along with a floral bouquet of fragrant scents that tickled the nose of all those who ventured into this oasis. In the middle of it all was the great fountain surrounded by various hues of blue tile in a geometric design. An enclosed arcade surrounded the entire garden, along with benches in each of the smaller gardens, the pathways, and the great fountain.

While the girls were having fun hiding among the trees and behind the hedges, the king’s council was busy discussing certain matters of state in the anteroom of the great hall. The council was seated at a table to discuss any matter of state that could be of importance to the kingdom.

The king was seated at the head of a polished oak table, which seated about eight people. Since Don Fernando was the host, he sat at the other end with Don Alfonso Coronado, Don Raimundo and the Conde de Ávila all seated in the middle. A candle chandelier hung over the table. The walls of the one-hundred-by-fifty-foot room were masterfully covered with woolen tapestries depicting Bible stories in vivid color. The floor was covered in smooth gray stone, and under the table was a woven Persian carpet with a geometric theme in orange, blue, and gold. A dais with a wooden worktable was in the background, along with two chairs below. Off to the right of the dais in the corner of the room was another more decorative carved chair, which Lucía loved to climb on and sit in.

Among the affairs to be discussed was a delicate matter concerning the settling of Lady Margaret’s estate, which involved the two countries of England and France.

“Señores,” said the king as he put down his silver cup of wine, “as you are probably aware, it has been four years since the death of Lady Margaret, and we have been waiting patiently to settle her estate. It becomes difficult when a deceased person of noble rank has property outside the realm in foreign countries, especially in England and France. Unfortunately, there are political considerations, which take time, as we do not want to upset our allies. If not properly handled, it could lead to a misunderstanding and embarrassment. However, just yesterday, I have received notification from King Henry, my father-in-law, that Doña Lucía will be able to inherit her mother’s land in England and the title of Countess of Bickford. I also received notification from King Philip of France a short time ago that she will also be able to inherit her mother’s lands in France and the title of Duchess of Pomeroi. Her lands in both countries will be administered by a trusted official who has been appointed by royal authority, and all income from rents, tolls, fees, and tribute minus taxes, fees, and scutage will be sent to her treasury in Segoia by any conveyance thought safe and feasible at the time.

“Since Lady Margaret did not spend any large amounts, Doña Lucía has an untold amount of wealth. Don Fernando and I both agree that if anything unfortunate should happen to Doña Lucía, her wealth will be taken to Burgos for safekeeping until an inheritor is named. It is also up to you as council members to be aware of this and to ensure that this be done if anything were to happen to either myself or Don Fernando.”

“Why doesn’t Don Fernando take charge of his daughter’s treasury personally, and how much is in this so-called treasury? Don’t you think we should know if we are to have such a responsibility?” asked Don Raimundo.

“If Your Highness will permit me, I would like to answer Don Raimundo.”

“Very well, Don Fernando,” said the king.

“First of all, let there be no misunderstanding. I am in charge of my daughter’s wealth until such time as she marries, which then becomes part of her dowry. Also, unlike some people,” said Don Fernando, who stared directly at Don Raimundo, “I am involved in the defense of the kingdom, and if anything should happen to me, it is reassuring to know that there are trusted friends honest enough to take care of this matter in my absence. As far as the sum of gold coins involved, we have not fully counted the two chests that have arrived from France, but it is substantial. I hope that answers your question satisfactorily, Raimundo.”

Don Raimundo shook his head in the affirmative with a polite bow.

“If there is no other business, this meeting is concluded. Good day, amigos,” said the king as he drained his cup of wine.

Don Fernando and Don Alfonso Coronado entered the palace garden and found the girls had entertained themselves joyfully.

Isabella ran over to her father upon seeing him enter the garden and said with great enthusiasm, “Can we stay longer, Papa? I love it here, and I have made a new friend.”

“Well, I see that you have,” said Don Alfonso Coronado with great enthusiasm as he lifted Isabella high in the air.

Lucía was close behind her new friend, running at such a speed and echoing the same sentiment that she almost ran into her father. Don Fernando was able to catch her as she wrapped her arms around him. As she pulled away, he noticed that Lucía had a couple of leaves and a small twig in her ankle-length hair, which she refused to have cut. Also, her blue garment had several tears in the shoulder and back.

“What have you been doing?” asked Don Fernando as he pulled the debris from her hair.

“Isabella and I have been hiding. We have been playing hide and seek, Papa.”

“I see, and I do hope that is not a new dress,” said Don Fernando, who inspected the garment.

“Hmm,” responded Lucía.

“I see. Well, another garment to be repaired and sent to the poor,” said Don Fernando, not wishing to start an argument with guests present.

“Lucía, this is my good friend Don Alfonso Coronado, Isabella’s father.”

“I know, Papa.” Lucía tried to curtsy but fell on her backside, to the amusement of all. Lucía, although embarrassed, laughed and tried again successfully.

Don Fernando looked over to his guest. “As you can see, Lucía needs more practice in the finer points of courtesy.”

Don Alfonso Coronado bent down, took her small hand, and kissed it, which caught Lucía slightly off guard. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Doña Lucía.”

Don Fernando extended the same courtesy to Doña Isabella, who giggled.

Suddenly, Don Fernando turned to his friend and said with a big smile, “Remember, Don José stated that our children would become good friends.”

“Ah, sí, my friend,” said Don Alfonso Coronado as he nodded in agreement.

“Who is Don José, Papa?” asked an inquisitive Lucía.

“He was a good friend who gave his life for Castile and the Christian Church.”

“And now we must be going, Isabella. Say goodbye to Lucía.”

The girls said their goodbyes with the promise of seeing each other again.

Lucía had finished her studies in time for supper, and she now walked down to the great hall with Yamina. As Lucía and Yamina entered the hall, servants were precipitately in preparation for the evening meal. Lucía noticed that her father was seated at the head table on the dais, already having indulged in eating stuffed olives.

Lucía and Yamina joined Don Fernando and took their places at the table. Don Fernando always sat on the right, Yamina on the left, Lucía in the middle. The household servants sat at the tables below. Don Fernando always had Yamina join him at the head table for supper so he could obtain from her on how Lucía had progressed that day with her studies.

“Ah, would you like some grape juice, mi pequeño sol?”’ asked Don Fernando as Lucía was busy squirming to get seated in her chair.

“Sí, please, Papa,” responded Lucía.

Don Fernando motioned to a servant who stood to the side of the dais, holding two pitchers. The servant immediately came to the table and poured a cup of grape juice for both Lucía and Yamina and a cup of wine for Don Fernando. At the same time, servers appeared with their platters of food for the evening. Lucía watched as the large silver serving platters, heaped with food, came around. The servers holding the platters would stop if she was interested in a particular dish. However, Lucía was a very picky eater, and sometimes either her father or Yamina had to intervene to ensure Lucía had as balanced a diet as possible. They both realized the importance of eating greens and vegetables.

The evening’s menu was simple and consisted of a creamy lentil soup, roasted chicken or mutton, greens, chickpeas, and carrots. Bread and dipping sauce were readily available, along with both Lucía’s and her father’s favorite stuffed olives. Supper was served on trenchers so they could be given to the poor. Servers would always check and refill cups of wine or grape juice. Lucía enjoyed the bowl of lentil soup but only took a very small piece of chicken, a small carrot, and a couple of stuffed olives. Yamina looked at what was on her trencher.

“Lucía, you have to eat more than that.”

“But I am not hungry,” said Lucía, whining.

“Well then, I guess you are too full for dessert,” snapped Yamina.

Lucía had a sweet tooth, and the prospect of not indulging in dessert was out of the question. She knew that if Yamina said no to dessert, her father would agree.

“All right,” said Lucía, agitated at the prospect of her dessert held hostage to a larger piece of chicken and a few more greens.

While the table was being cleared for dessert, Don Fernando discussed the progress of Lucía’s studies with Yamina.

“Hmm,” said Don Fernando after having listened to Yamina’s critique. “It sounds to me as if you will have to spend more time on your Arabic. It is important to be able to speak the language of the Arabic people in your condado.”

“Can you speak Arabic, Papa?” asked Lucía, who turned to look at her father with her inquisitive blue eyes.

“A little from what I learned here and there. But, Lucía, you have an opportunity to study the language in depth, an opportunity I never had and one that could prove invaluable to you in the future. Don’t you agree?” asked Don Fernando, who looked at Lucía with the hope that she had paid attention.

“Sí, Papa. I will try harder,” responded Lucía in a bored tone.

“That’s mi pequeño sol,” responded Don Fernando.

Lucía began to fidget with her fingers and squirm in her chair. “Papa, what do you suppose is taking dessert so long to be served?”

Don Fernando motioned for a servant and told him that they were ready for the next course.

Lucía looked with glee to see the assortment of sweet tarts, a beautiful prepared flan with cinnamon on top, and various assortments of cheeses and dried fruits, along with almond milk to wash it all down.

When the tray came around, Lucía had no problem helping herself to her favorite sweet tarts. Sometimes her overindulgence would lead to a look of askance from Yamina, which meant that she had to put a second helping of sweet tarts back on the server’s plate, to the utter frustration of her sweet tooth.

“Papa?”

“Sí, Lucía.”

“Do you suppose that we could visit with mother after supper?” asked Lucía, who was chewing on a sweet tart.

“Sí, of course. I think that your mother would appreciate that very much.”

With supper over, Lucía left the dais to walk with her father to the crypt of the chapel to visit the sarcophagus of her mother, but on her way, she noticed an unattended tray of sweet tarts left inadvertently on a serving table. As she walked by the table, she quickly assessed the situation to make sure no one was watching and quickly grabbed several of the sweet delicacies, putting them in her pocket for later. A real feeling of satisfaction came over her for being astute enough to find such an eating treasure and to having had put one over on Yamina.

As they entered the chapel, a font filled with holy water awaited them, which they dipped their finger into and blessed themselves. Then they followed the corridor to the end of the chapel, where they turned and went down a series of steps, which led to the rough stone floor of the crypt, a foreboding place lit only by several torches that lined the walls of the underground chamber, casting eerie shadows. Two braziers on tripods stood on either end of the sarcophagus, emitting a sweet smell of aromatics for both heat and additional light.

Don Fernando and Luca knelt on the kneeler on the side of the sarcophagus and, after having blessed themselves, put their hands together in prayer, resting them on the prayer stand attached to the kneeler. A bench was in the back of the kneeler, where Don Fernando and Lucía sat for reflection after prayer.

“Papa, do you suppose Mama knows we are here?”

“I am sure she does, and I am also sure she looks proudly upon you, as I do,” said Don Fernando, who rubbed her back lightly as a sign of comfort.

Lucía turned to her father with a smile and said softly, “Sometimes when I come down here by myself, I swear I feel her presence, Papa.”

“That means your mother is and will always be with you,” responded Don Fernando.

“Do you miss her, Papa?”

“Very much,” said Don Fernando, clearing his throat. “Very much, Lucía.”

After a while, it was time to leave the crypt, and Don Fernando accompanied his daughter to the care of her nurse and tutor, Yamina, who was waiting to read Bible stories to her before bedtime and maybe, if Lucía was cooperative, to tell a tale from her homeland.