Chapter 2: Trapped

Trapped in a marriage arranged by her father with a cold-hearted older man, Faro Iago, Qonchita had no way to escape. The business transaction had been profitable to both parties. Faro did not care for her or for his four-year-old daughter. The fragile lady admired Cisco. Since they boarded, Faro Iago had made a beeline for the captain’s cabin which housed the best of everything, including fine whiskey.

Immediately drawn to the gentle giant, the little girl, spitting image of her mother, accepted him first as a friend, and then as her new father. Daily Rosa-Lee would seek him out; with Qonchita always close by and under much scrutiny of Captain Breno.

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Qonchita - September 13, 1621

AGAIN, WE SPENT TIME WITH CISCO TODAY. Rosa-Lee simply cannot leave him alone. At first, he was reluctant to encourage her, tending to his work at hand. But her constant chatter put a smile on his face and by lunch he talked to her softly. I could see his eyes were always seeking the captain.

I found Faro with some of the sailors gambling and it made me uneasy, but I kept quiet and spent my day with Rosa-Lee. To speak out of turn is unheard off.

I understand we are three hundred and forty-eight people in all, with slaves numbering two hundred. The Captain told me it was quite a large number but bragged his vessel can carry the load.

With the slaves in confinement in the hold of the ship the deck is not overcrowded but I wonder how they fair down there in this heat.

I can only hope that we will be well, and that the Lord’s protection will be with us daily.

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Cisco - September 14, 1621

The little girl’s persistent chatter and continuous company gets me in trouble. The Captain warned me today for the final time. He is within his rights of course. As a sailor I know this. But how can I ignore her? She is a pleasure to have around. And her mother (he smiled thinking of the raven-head) is gorgeous but I must keep my distance. She is married, a lady of good means. I am just a sailor. I can offer her nothing more than kindness.

But I can dream, even if it is futile. I know it is trivial but the feelings she invokes in me make me feel worthy to love and to dream of a family of my own.

Alfonso warned me that the men are talking, that they have seen the looks we give each other. I don’t want to cause her trouble. She is too much of a lady for riffraff to speak of her in that fashion.

I will have to keep my distance and the mast would be perfect; where the little girl cannot find me. I will have to speak to Tanur tomorrow.

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Qonchita - September 15, 1621

Cisco was on the mast today. Never once did he come down to speak with Rosa-Lee. Even when she called out to him, he did not look at her. I could see that it hurt her, but I had to explain to her that he must do his work. He is a sailor and cannot spend time with her. Unwilling she accepted it and played reluctantly with her doll. Her eyes fixated on the mast.

I cannot blame her; I miss his gentle ways.

Faro tried to talk to us today, but he was drunk, and Rosa-Lee feared him. He swayed on his feet; his eyes bloodshot. I heard there was trouble with the game and the Captain warned him to be careful around the sailors. Would he listen to the warnings?

I saw some of the slaves today. Met a young Indian girl. Her name is Kayla. We got to talk for a while before she had to go back into the hold. Rosa-Lee also liked her. She was very beautiful, and several sailors looked at her. I was uneasy at her common flirting with them while we talked. In the future I will be careful of her and the company she keeps.

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Cisco - September 16, 1621

I bumped into the lady today. It was by pure accident since I keep my distance, but when I touched her, I could not let her go. After the initial shock passed and she realized who held her she relaxed in my arms. For a few seconds I could only enjoy the lady in my arms. She fits perfectly. She is more beautiful up close. I had to struggle not to kiss her and I could see she wanted me to. That would be a mistake.

I know it is wrong, but I cannot help myself. The feelings I have for her are growing daily. I will have to work harder to avoid her as much as possible. A sailor and a lady are absolutely unsuited. It can never happen.

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Qonchita - September 16, 1621

I cannot believe i was in his arms today. He smelled of the ocean, clean and fresh. He was strong and enormous in size, but it was perfect. Those seconds were wonderful, I wish I could have more. It felt so right, although it was wrong.

My heart nearly beat out of my chest and I wished he had kissed me, but he was right. It could never happen. I am a married woman.

There is no future for us.

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September 17, 1621

What is that woman up to? Today I walked hand in hand with Rosa-Lee on the upper deck and Kayla was there. She spoke with Cisco. My Cisco, her hand on his arm. Did he welcome it? Oh, Please God. Don’t let him turn out to be just another man who wants to bed me, only to run off again. I cannot take that.

Rosa-Lee wrapped herself around his leg the moment she saw him. The captain was not pleased. I saw the fury raging in his eyes. Then I saw the pleading in Cisco’s eyes before he looked away.

I removed her from him immediately, but that left him in the presence of Kayla and for some reason the woman laughed at me. I am a lady of noble birth, my upbringing beyond reproach. Am I now in contest with a slave?

For the love of a sailor.

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Cisco - September 18, 1621

This day started well and ended in disaster.

Qonchita found me talking to that slave girl. She merely walked up to me and started to introduce herself while she placed her hand on my arm. She looked at me as if I were her last hope.

Just then I saw the disappointment, the hurt on Qonchita’s face. But I could not talk to her. To make matters worse the little girl refused to let go of me and cried when her mother took her away. Captain Breno saw everything, and his eyes spat fire.

I have been warned.

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Qonchita - September 19, 1621

Today was an unpleasant day on the ship. The captain worked Cisco almost to death. I heard the men talking. He received no water or food for the day and under the scorching sun it had to be unbearable. I wanted to offer him water at least but another sailor stopped me.

Cisco avoided me, and Rosa-Lee snivelled the entire day.

The Captain and Faro sneered down at him while they talked about me, as if I am a common whore! How could Faro do this to me? I felt so ashamed. Some of the sailors laughed at me. The man who stopped me asked me to leave the deck because I would make matters worse for Cisco. It was hard to leave him there. Tired, thirsty and bloodshed.

Rosa-Lee cried once again when I took her below and when I passed the compartment in the hull where the slaves were held Kayla laughed openly at me.

I felt betrayed at her actions.

It is all my fault. I cannot give in and make matters worse for him.

I explained to my four-year-old daughter, but I doubt she understood. She missed Cisco. That was all there was to it. But I will have to watch her.

I cannot allow him to suffer because of us.

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