THE BLACK FLOWER: An Elena Duran Story 17/18
Vi Moreau (vmoreau@ADELPHIA.NET)
Sun, 4 Mar 2001 01:45:02 -0500
THE BLACK FLOWER: An Elena Duran Story 17/18
Chapter 17
The Don picked up an old pipe and lit it, puffing away. Mariaelena had told
him everything that had happened since her first encounter with the warrior
on the pampa, and all of it had been to this man's credit. He leaned
forward, intent, and said, "My daughter speaks highly of you, Corazon Negro.
She told me what happened. What do you have to tell me?"
Corazon Negro moved his head a little, thinking about what Curi-Rayen must
have told her father. Surely the Senorita had been very careful about her
description of himself, and although he was sure she had told him the truth,
he doubted that she had confessed her little night ride to the Mapuche
ritual. That would be a secret between Corazon Negro and Curi-Rayen. "I
don't know what your daughter told you, sir, but I'm sure it was the truth.
I'm also sure anything kind she might have said about me was an
exaggeration."
"Really?" The Don took a deep puff on his pipe. "Let's see: you came to my
lands speaking about an ancient prophecy. You stayed at my rancho* and
befriended my daughter without my permission." He gave the other Immortal an
angry look, then relaxed once more. "On the other hand, you saved the life
of Paco's grandson, probably Fulgencio's life, and, thank God, Mariaelena's.
For that, I owe you a debt of gratitude that I will be unable to pay."
Corazon Negro shook his head. "I wish we had been able to save the lives of
Paco and the others. As for the Senorita and I, we saved each others' lives,
as I said."
"When faced with Carlos, she didn't try to run?"
Corazon Negro shook his head again. "No. Never. I yelled at her to ride
away, to save herself. So did your man Paco. She absolutely refused, and she
fought like a cougar against those ..." here he hesitated, knowing the Munoz
brothers had once been Don Alvaro's sons, but he decided he didn't care,
"... those bastards. I hope you do not blame her for what happened," he
ventured.
"Where I put my blame is a matter between myself and Mariaelena, hombre*,"
the Don replied. "Although I believe there is blame to you as well." He
stood and came around the desk, standing in front of the Aztec. Their eyes
were at an equal height, and blue ones bore into brown ones. "How could you
and Paco let her go riding when you *knew* there was an Immortal nearby,
when you'd even met him?"
The Indio* replied evenly, "If you had been here, you could have made that
decision for her, Don Alvaro. Neither Paco nor I presumed--"
"Paco paid for his mistake with his life!" the Don exclaimed. "And you are
now 'presuming' to judge *my* actions!"
"I am very sorry about Paco, sir," Corazon Negro replied with feeling. "And
I do not judge you--nor should you judge me. However--I realize I was wrong
in letting her go riding," he admitted.
"And that's all you have to say?" Don Alvaro asked angrily; but he was
impressed. The other Immortal could have pointed out that Don Alvaro had not
supplied the facts to them--about there being two Immortals, about how much
they hated their former teacher, about what murderous, malevolent bastards
they were. Corazon Negro could have come up with many explanations and
excuses; instead he had readily admitted he'd been wrong. Well, Don Alvaro
could be just as generous. He sat back down at his desk, murmuring, "She--or
you--might have made a different decision if I'd given her more
information." He sighed. "Or maybe not. I know how willful and stubborn she
can be. She only obeys me out of love."
"I will not interpose myself between you and your child," Corazon Negro
rushed to say, holding his palms up and taking a half-step forward. Then he
put his hands behind his back again. "But allow me to agree that she does
love you very much and that I believe you have taught her well. You should
be proud of her."
"I should have been with her when she took her first Quickening," Don Alvaro
said regretfully. But then he sat a little straighter. "I expected nothing
less from her. I am proud of her, but I can't take credit for Mariaelena and
at the same time disown Carlos and Lucas, as I taught them the same things
I'm teaching her. The difference was in them, in the darkness of their
hearts and their souls. Mariaelena has a great heart, and a good soul. But
that would not have saved her life. I know that without your help, right now
I would have nothing left--not my rancho*, my people, my dearest horses, and
especially my beloved Mariaelena. I salute you."
The Aztec bent his head, embarrassed by the Don's praise. "I did what anyone
else would have, in my place. In fact, it is I who am grateful to you. If
you hadn't taken Mariaelena as your own child, perhaps I never would have
been able to fulfill my father's prophecy."
The Don's eyes narrowed. "Ah, yes, your immortal father's prophecy ... You
feel you have fulfilled it?"
"Yes, I do."
The Don nodded. "Good. But I must say that, like my daughter, I don't
believe in such things. Nevertheless, whatever your reasons, I thank you
again."
Corazon Negro nodded. "It was an honor to serve the Senorita, and I'm
certainly glad to have done you a good turn, too, Don Alvaro."
The Don puffed deeply on his pipe again and studied the Aztec some more. "It
occurs to me that you have been very bold to enter my house and this room,
alone with me and without your fancy weapon. Why? We are Immortals, after
all. How can you be sure I won't challenge you, as is my right?" His smile
was cold and calculating.
The Aztec smiled back. "We both are men of honor, sir. You would not betray
your own Immortal father's teachings any more than I would. Even if there
can be only one, this is not the time or place for that. It's not a matter
of my being confident or bold. I simply trust you."
Don Alvaro nodded, pleased. The warrior was right, and the older Immortal
asked himself how the brothers Munoz de Magana might have turned out if only
they had had Corazon Negro's soul. Nevertheless, he still had a couple of
concerns. "My daughter told me that you speak Latin and Greek, and that is
good. Back in my old country, we used to say, "Ho chresim'eidos uch ho
poll'eidos*," the Don said, smiling openly for the first time.
"Indeed, and I gerasko d'aiei polla didaskomenos*," Corazon Negro answered,
knowing that Don Alvaro was testing him again.
Satisfied with that, Don Alvaro took from his breast pocket the note
Mariaelena had given him on the pampa. "The deceased Padre Teodoro, may God
have mercy of his soul, intended to send this letter to Buenos Aires'
Monsenor Bishop. It seems that the old priest wished to notify the Holy
Church--the Inquisition, actually--about you. He believed you are a bad
influence on my daughter. Is that true?"
There was a moment of silence while Corazon Negro tried to think of a
suitable answer, and Don Alvaro continued. "I wonder: what are your beliefs?
Do you believe in our Almighty God and in his Holy Mother, La Virgen
Maria*?"
Corazon Negro took a deep breath. Religion! Now he knew he had to tread very
carefully. The warrior knew that this answer would color his relationship
with the Spaniard forever. "I've been doing a lot of traveling, sir. In my
voyages I've met a great number of Franciscan friars. Most of them were good
to me, and they taught me the gentle ways of your Christ ... But I will
offend neither your hospitality nor your intelligence by lying to you. I
believe in one true God, but I don't know His name, and frankly, with all
respect to you and yours, I don't care that much about it, either. I believe
that this God gave us this beautiful life and our precious souls. Whatever
we do with both of them, is within each man's soul."
Don Alvaro rose abruptly from his chair and went over to the window. It had
been a long day, and he looked up at the first stars that had started to
burn in the evening sky. If he was to have any kind of relationship with
this Indio*, to whom he owed so much, and whom Mariaelena had so strongly
defended, this question was important. "So, what do you think about God?"
Corazon Negro clarified his thoughts, then answered in Latin, "Est Deus,
quod es homo, sed novus homo, ut sit homo quod Deus, nec ultra vetus*."
"God is what we are, but He is like a new man; that way, men will be like
God and not the way we were before," Don Alvaro translated. "Very well,
then," he replied, somewhat satisfied. It was not what he wished. He was
deeply devout, and would prefer that the Aztec shared his own True Faith,
but he could not fail to respect the other Immortal for being both honest
and true to his teachings, as Don Alvaro was to his. Besides, he had met
plenty of men and women--both mortal and Immortal--in his long life who were
not Christians and who were still good and honorable. So be it.
Still looking up at the sky, he stated his last concern. "There is one more
thing. For most of my life I've been a warrior, as surely you have been. But
right now, I am first and foremost a father." The Don turned to look
directly into Corazon Negro's eyes. "I have seen the evidence with my own
eyes, and I am not a fool. Mariaelena is in love with you, as I'm sure you
are well aware." Watching very carefully for the Aztec's reaction, he asked,
"What are your intentions toward her?"
This time Don Alvaro could see that the Aztec's pride was pricked. "You do
not approve," Corazon Negro said calmly.
The Don walked toward the warrior until they were very close. "Whether I
approve or not is irrelevant. I believe that you are a man of honor and you
have proven your courage against my enemies--and hers. But Mariaelena is
young and impulsive. What concerns me the most is the Gathering. You know
that in the end, there can be only one. Relationships between Immortals
could make for dangerous situations. She may not always love you, and I
still do not know if you love her. Even if you do, that may not last,
either. And besides all that, right now she needs to train. She does not
need a distraction."
Corazon Negro couldn't help agreeing with the Don. Curi-Rayen was
young--perhaps she wasn't ready for a relationship with any other Immortal
that did not involve her training to learn to survive. The Spaniard was her
father--he knew her best and cared for her. And she felt nothing but love
and respect for the Don. It was well deserved. In spite of his words to the
contrary, Corazon Negro *had* judged the Spaniard, and found him to be a
hard but honorable man. Besides, he could clearly see that Don Alvaro would
not be the type to abide peaceably with another strong Immortal, especially
another male. The Aztec knew he had to go. "I have never meant any dishonor
towards you or the Senorita. I should leave this very day."
"Agreed," Don Alvaro said immediately. "And by doing so, you have proven
that you do care for my daughter, and that you are a man of honor, which is
the quality I most appreciate in men. And women. And don't worry. I have
looked into Mariaelena's eyes and I know her very well. She forms firm
attachments, and her love for you is strong. I am sure that when the time is
right, when she's ready, she will come to you."
Corazon Negro said nothing to this, although he fervently wished it also.
And he knew something else Don Alvaro did not--he himself had looked into
Curi-Rayen's soul, shared her heart and learned that she did, indeed love
him.
Don Alvaro walked back to his desk and sat in his chair. "You rode well on
Goliath on the way back. My daughter told me that you have shown a great
appreciation for Goliath, and it seems that the animal cares for you too. I
will not insult you by offering you payment for my daughter's life--that has
no price. But I'd like you to take the Andalusian with you as proof of my
gratitude and good will for all the things that you have done during my
absence. Consider him as a gift from one warrior to another."
Corazon Negro nodded in gratitude. "I accept your gift gladly. And I wish
the Don a long and prosperous life then." With a *little* bow, the Aztec
turned to walk out the door, but he turned back with his hand on the knob.
"Perhaps you would be so kind as to allow your daughter to escort me to the
limits of your lands?" Seeing the doubt in Don Alvaro's eyes, he added,
"With the proper chaperones, of course."
The Don didn't think the Indio* meant to harm Mariaelena, as he'd had plenty
of opportunity to do so. But before he answered, Don Alvaro considered the
possibility that the Aztec might want to take her with him. To kidnap
her--or perhaps to convince her to run away with him. He didn't think so,
but it wouldn't happen anyway. Corazon Negro would be alone against the
small army that the Don intended to send with her. And he trusted that
Mariaelena would not do such a thing in any case.
Don Alvaro looked into the Indio*'s eyes and saw nothing to worry him. He
trusted his judgment of men. This man was honorable. "She has my permission,
with a suitable escort, of course."
Without another word, the Aztec left the room.
Once alone, the Don thought for a moment, then went to the door to call for
his daughter. "Mariaelena!"
A servant girl came in and bowed. "Your pardon, Senor, but the lady asked me
to tell you she is with Paco's family," she said.
"Find her and have her come to me," the Don ordered.
He didn't have to wait long. "Yes, Father," she said a few minutes later,
rushing breathlessly inside and sitting on the same chair that Corazon Negro
had deliberately not sat on.
"How is the boy?"
"Crying for his mother," she replied sadly. "He's with Isabel. I'd like to
take him to one of the Mapuche villages in the morning, if you will permit
it."
"Of course," he said, waving his hand. The Indios* would take the child in
and make him one of their tribe. The child was either strong enough to
survive or he wasn't. There was nothing more the Don could do for him. "My
child," he said to his daughter, "you have made some mistakes in this whole
matter, as have I. As I said, we will have that conversation later. I know
you cared about Paco, as I did, and that you were comforting the families of
the dead. But now you need to get ready to ride again. Your friend desires
that you escort him outside our rancho*. He is leaving right away."
Mariaelena looked confused and crestfallen. "Right away? But why? Did you
order him to leave, Father?" she asked.
Don Alvaro saw the uncertainty in his beloved child's face. It was obvious
how much she cared for the Aztec, and she didn't bother hiding her feelings.
He'd have to work with her on that. He was tempted to simply demand her
obedience, but secretly he was glad every time she challenged him. She'd
need that independent spirit to survive as an Immortal. "No, it was his
idea, and I approved of it."
Mariaelena shook her head. "But ... why does he have to go today? Can't he
stay for a while? The others like him, accept him, and I--"
"You care about him, I know," Don Alvaro smiled, amused. This was more than
just the flirting she'd done in the past--she was truly serious about this
man. Which was precisely why Don Alvaro was smart enough not to attack
Corazon Negro. There were ways to get his own point across without making
her defensive of the Aztec. He stood and went to her, putting his hands on
her shoulders, rubbing down the length of her arms, smiling down at her.
"God knows that I do not want to go against the desires of your heart. But
my duty, m'hija*, is to protect you. You and he are very close, especially
after that Quickening at the same time, eh? And you feel some lust for him
as well, do you not?"
She colored. "Father," she began. Then she was silent.
"He is a brave and strong young man--your avowed protector; you are a
healthy young woman. It's only natural. You have faced deadly dangers
together, which can only bring you closer. And the Quickening also does
something to us," he explained. "There is joy at having won, at being alive;
there is pride; but there is also pain, and there is a struggle against the
other Immortal's soul--you felt all that?"
"Yes, I did."
"It leaves us thrilled and exhausted. But it also leaves us ... susceptible
to the opposite sex. Lustful. You felt that as well?"
"Father, please," she begged, lowering her eyes in shame. "Don't ask me
about this." But Don Alvaro knew her honesty. He waited, and after a moment
she admitted, "Yes. I felt it."
"Of course," he said, hugging her again. He looked into her embarrassed
face. "There's no shame in this, Mariaelena. It's simply a fact of
Immortality. He felt it too, I can assure you, as have I, after taking a
Quickening. But right now you do not need a lover or a husband. You need a
teacher. Unless," he ventured, raising one eyebrow ironically, "you think
Corazon Negro would make a better teacher for you than I would."
"Of course I don't think that, Father!" she protested vehemently.
"Neither do I. And neither would he, I'm sure." He loves you, Don Alvaro
thought, but he didn't want to stress that, did he? "But he would try to
teach you just the same, want you to learn from his experience. And his
methods may not match mine. You can have many friends, even many lovers at
the same time--but only one teacher. He would distract you. Do you
understand?"
She nodded, clearly unhappy. "Yes. I do understand."
"Besides," he continued, not wanting her to have second thoughts, "think of
what it would mean for me. I am master here. He is not my child or my
student, and he could never be my servant. But you must realize that you
can't put two jaguars together and not expect them, sooner or later, to go
for each other's throats. You wouldn't want that, would you?"
Mariaelena lowered her gaze to the floor once more. "No, Father," she
whispered.
"It's settled then. In the future, when you are older and more ready, you
may seek him out. We Immortals have the luxury--and burden--of time. But for
now, Corazon Negro and I have departed as caballeros*, as equals. Let's
keep it that way."
Mariaelena looked up into his face with a smile. "I'm glad you consider him
a caballero*, that you think highly of him."
Don Alvaro nodded, pleased that she wasn't fighting him; that she had not
allowed her heart to rule her head. He patted her hand. Then he added, "One
other thing; I have given him Goliath."
She looked at him incredulously. "But I thought you were going to breed
Goliath to the mares that are arriving from Spain any day now--"
He shrugged. "Samson is still young, and there's always his other son,
Titan." He smiled sardonically, and a little cruelly. "Besides, I just got
myself two purebred Lipizaners, didn't I?
Mariaelena smiled back. She hugged him, and he held her tightly against him
for a long moment. "It's so good have you back, Padrecito. Gracias."
Don Alvaro looked at her seriously. "Don't be so quick to thank me. Tomorrow
you and I will discuss what happened. Now go get ready."
Mariaelena smiled again and ran out.
Don Alvaro leaned back against his desk as he watched her leave, realizing
that he had almost lost his whole world by making one bad decision. He
tortured himself with thoughts of the pain that Mariaelena's death would
have caused him. But then he considered the fact that Mariaelena had taken
care of herself, had fought and won against an Immortal. She'd faced her
challenge, stood her ground. Although she was only a woman, and a half-breed
on top of that, she had not disappointed him. His heart sang--he'd never
felt so proud of anyone in his life!
But he also felt guilty for the mortals' deaths: Paco, his right-hand man;
Manuel; Padre Teodoro; and the other innocents who had been killed by Don
Alvaro's enemies. As much as he wanted to collapse into bed, he had to stay
awake and alert to see to the grieving relatives, talk to his people, mourn
with them. He was going to miss Paco badly ...
Don Alvaro got back to his feet and rubbed his eyes, then twisted his neck
to get the kinks out. He would have to rethink the security of the rancho*
now that these bastards had hurt the mortals he was sworn to protect. And
he'd have to get himself a new foreman--Fulgencio was young, but he had
steel in his spine. And he had seen the beheadings and the Quickenings. Paco
had trusted him; Fulgencio would be a good choice.
He looked out his window at this land, this rancho*, these people he loved.
No other Immortals would ever approach the rancho* so easily again. Neither
friends, nor enemies.
Notes & translations:
Ho chresim'eidos uch ho poll'eidos (Greek): Wise is the man who know useful
things, not the one who knows a lot of things.
Gerasko d'aiei polla didaskomenos (Greek): Then, I should grow old to learn
some more.
La Virgen Maria (Spanish): the Virgin Mary
caballero (Spanish): gentleman or knight
m'hija/o (Spanish): my daughter/son