Paradise & More (Torres Family Saga) Read Online Free Page A

ventured. I fought by his side in the war. He is brave and steady but of a single-minded resolve.”
           “He is obsessed!” Benjamin interrupted, scowling.
           “I am neither a geographer nor a sailor, but I believe in Cristobal. If he brings back riches from Cathay and Cipangu, he will receive great royal favor.”
           Benjamin smiled gently. “And you would share in that favor?”
           “I would never trust the patronage of that Trastamara bastard, Fernando, or his zealot of a wife, but the knowledge of lands beyond the sea might bring us refuge in an uncertain future,” Aaron replied, still pacing across the thick Moorish carpet in front of his father.
           Benjamin stiffened. “Do not call our king a bastard!”
           “My pardon,” Aaron replied cynically. “You have spent years serving the House of Trastamara. You know what they are. They succeeded to the thrones of Aragon and Castile by murder—Fernando's mother had his elder half-brother Carlos poisoned and Ysabel arranged for her brother Alonzo to have a riding accident.”
           “Neither tale has ever been proven. But Fernando and Ysabel rule the Spains now and that is a fact,” Benjamin said with finality. “Let us put aside your spleen for the monarchs. I wish to know your feelings about supporting the Genoese.”
           “I would join him on his voyage. Has he other supporters among your Jewish friends at court?” Aaron asked, his eyes locked on his father's weathered face.
           Benjamin stroked his blond beard thoughtfully. “Several.”
           “What of Ysabel?” Aaron asked. “Cristobal has often said he felt she favored his cause more than her consort.” He smiled cynically. “Of course, Colon's own religious zeal is convincing. He has often said how the riches of the Indies could finance the reconquest of Jerusalem. I know not whether he really believes that possible, but he is a devout son of Rome.”
           “In spite of her childhood confessor Torquemada's opposition, Queen Ysabel agrees with those who would sponsor Colon,” Benjamin replied. “Perhaps she has spoken to him of this taking of Jerusalem. Think of how many Muslims and Jews could be converted en route and then be subjected to the Inquisition.”
           A soft knock sounded and then Serafina entered with a serving girl who placed a tray laden with food on the low brass table between them. Dismissing the servant, she sat beside her husband and reached for a cluster of grapes. “You are tired, Benjamin. Eat now, then rest,” she commanded. Smiling, he complied.
           “Father,” Aaron said hesitantly, “I...I do not wish for us to quarrel.”
           Benjamin looked at his younger son, the mirror image of himself nearly forty years ago. “Yet we always seem to do so,” he replied gently. “These are evil times we live in, Aaron. The strain of surviving them wears on us all. Only remember that we, all of us—my brother Isaac and sister-in-law Ruth, their children—all of us are one family. The House of Torres will live on in the Spains and our children's children will honor us.”
           His father's impassioned words echoed in Aaron's mind during the rest of that day as he waited for darkness. He was eager to see his uncle once more. He remembered the old man as gruff and outspoken, proud of his heritage. How can he stomach serving the Trastamaras?
           Darkness fell. Horses' hooves sounded on cobblestone. The call of the watch echoed through twisting streets as the night passed without incident, chill and foggy—a good night for an assignation.
           “I remember Seders at this house during my childhood,” Aaron whispered to Benjamin as they tied their horses in the stables and walked quietly toward the rear entrance.
           “You remember so much then,” Benjamin said sadly. He knocked once, a sharp low tap.