“That’s life, Albornoz. Just the way it is…”
Happily, Madelena was there that day. He embraced her, and they kissed with a youthful lustiness. It would be their final meeting.
After dinner, he sat on his bed staring out at the starry void beyond Cuenca. Those stars comforted him and fired his determination to succeed in the next chapter of his life. As he drifted into sleep, through half-closed eyes, he looked at his beloved model cog boat and was so sad he could not have it with him in Calatrava.
* * *
Calatrava, Kingdom of Spain, autumn 1319
Calatrava, Kingdom of Spain, autumn 1319
The postilion reined the horse and cart to a halt outside Garcia’s house, then leapt agilely from the front seat to the ground. He gave the animal a hearty slap to its flanks and tied it to an iron tethe
