Chapter 7: Auto de Fe and the Caraval

She was a beautiful ship and Pedro Menéndez de Avilés was glad to cross the threshold onto her deck.  He crossed himself muttering an almost silent prayer of thanks.   He knew the dangers of the crossing.  It was hard to believe that is was nearly 200 years since the first of his people had crossed and discovered the new continent.  While the path was well worn, he also knew it could be perilous.

He reflected as he looked back at his land on how staying there also was quite perilous.  The sickly King had called for a new acto de fe’.  He had watched the past trial in the Plaza Mayor, where his cousin had been accused and tried just a few years back.

He as well as many others had hoped that the sickly Kings marriage to the bride from Orleans would temper him.  They also hoped it would lessen the strife between the two countries, fresh from war.  It did neither.  The new Queen had yet to produce an heir, and with each passing year, the tensions grew anew.

Pedro shook himself to clear his mind of these thoughts.  He had a ship to provision and duties to attend.  The ship, a Nao’s, had  great capabilities and the largest of holds.  She would sail with faster lighter Caravels.  The Caravels could ply shallower waters as the draught was less, but could carry less plunder back to the King.

He looked at the crew busy in their work.  He noticed the chains on many of their ankles.  Nearly half the men had needed to be “provisioned” for the exposition. Still, when out to sea, they would in many ways be treated better than on the land.  Three meals for each. Biscuits, wine, rice and Horse beans.  Salted meats and cheese as well.  He would need them strong should they survive the voyage without disease, death from rough seas or needed discipline.

He went to his cabin and eyes his charts, though the route was well known.  An initial shipment of goods would be delivered to the holdings in the Southern Continent; From there the ship would sail west until she found the island chains. Virgin Gorda, Tortola, then onward to Cuba, then to the great land mass of the new world.

He had heard of the natives they were subjugating and converting to the true God.  A strange and violent people, if one could call them people.  Regardless, the ship was armed well and a full contingent of Arms for each crew member had been procured.

He went aft again and looked west to the setting sun, to the promise of a new day, a new land, after the long long night.