Song of Tides

Nineteen

 Nineteen  He hadn’t intended to stay so long in Spain, just long enough to secure the King’s support and financing. But when Pedro Menéndez arrived in Madrid,back in July the year past,he’d had to refute the slanders of Governor Osorio of Havana and of the handful of deserters from La Florida who’d returned safely to Spain. Osorio’s motives, Menéndez told King Felipe, were a transparent attempt to cling to his governorship, and the deserters were weak-willed cowards. What really convinced the King, though, was the parade of Indians Menéndez had brought with him. The six chiefs strutted their naked, painted bodies in front of Felipe, whooping and grunting in their native tongues. Then they bowed before Menéndez. Felipe declared Menéndez Captain General of the West and Governor of Cuba, charged him with defending the Indies against all enemies, and gave him the means to do so: 200,000 ducats, 2,000 soldiers, and 12 galleons . The Adelantado’s biggest problem was that the King trusted him too well. Felipe asked him to ready a fleet to take the King to Flanders. Menéndez wasted months doing so, only to have Felipe change his mind. It was December 1568 by the time he finally returned to Havana. 282 joseph Too long had he been absent from La Florida. A year and a half, and in that time, his forts had been overrun, his soldiers murdered. Only San Antón at Carlos remained. Menéndez called Father Rogel, who had lived with those Indians, to the governor’s quarters. At the mention of Carlos, the priest took on the look of a sailor in his first high seas.“You mustn’t return there. It’s far too dangerous.” “Let me be the judge of that,” the captain general said as softly as he could. “Just tell me what has occurred there since I’ve been gone. I am aware only that the chief, Carlos, is dead.” The priest poured out his story. “Carlos was killed by Captain Reynoso at the fort. The new chief is friendly. He took the name Felipe to show his devotion. I’ve spent many long hours with him and know his heart. He sincerely wishes to become a Christian and awaits only your return.” “Yet, you just told me that would be too dangerous.” The priest’s eyes jumped in quick, jerky movements.“There’s another factor.” He looked at the floor.“The priestess Aesha. I’m convinced she’s ruled by the devil. She has much power, that one, as much perhaps as the chief. She’s poisoning her people and Felipe as well.” Menéndez’ eyebrows arched. “Aesha. She was the wife of Carlos, as I recall.” “With the death of Carlos’s father, she’s become the defender of their heathen ways.” A dash of bemusement brightened the Adelantado’s face. “Ah, yes. I remember the first time I met her. I thought her the sister of the chief. Not one of my finest moments. Quite beautiful she was. Charming, too. I remember her smile.” “Please,” Father Rogel bleated. “Don’t underestimate her. She is the daughter of those Indians’ greatest chief. Some say the chiefdom should rightly be hers.” Menéndez considered the enemies he’d faced over the years: priva- song of the tides 283 teers and savages, slaughterers and backstabbers. Then he pictured the slender, bare-breasted beauty . . . and feared he would laugh aloud. He bit his index finger hard, composed himself. “And the situation now in Carlos?” “Felipe’s hold on his chiefdom is tenuous. Upon my last departure, he was dancing around the heads of four of his own tribesmen: three who had betrayed him and a fourth whom he called a false Christian. But I know”—the priest dropped dramatically to one knee—“as God is my witness, that Coyobea was sincere. It was Aesha who turned him from the light. I pray, don’t blame Felipe.” Menéndez cradled his bearded chin, stroked it with a thumb and two fingers.“You’ve gained the confidence of the new chief, then?” “He dined at my table countless times,”Father Rogel replied.“Through the interpreter, we delved into the deepest spiritual subjects. I cannot overemphasize Don Felipe’s importance. He’s the most powerful chief in all of La Florida. If we can turn him to the Lord, all the rest in those vast lands will...