The Eternal Jew’s Tale, #144, Batkol’s Tale, 5

In this episode we come to the conclusion of Batkol’s tale. And then… things will get hairy.
Warning: there is a bit of unsavory language in this episode.

The Eternal Jew’s Tale
Nineteenth Era, Part 3, ~1432 C.E., Palma
Batkol’s Tale, part 5

…Saadia pounds on my cell door, and seeing Reina he immediate knows something roused a fury in her….

Now look at him! He takes a seat on the bed beside her and lifts her hand into his, and soft and father-like begun to soothe her stormy heart. I ain’t seen such a side of him since our orphanage days in the Caucasus.
“Reina, I know you and me crossed words, and shown each other our nasty sides. But in my world there ain’t no way people get sent off to be secertly killt, to be butchert like some kind of goat. If they send you away, I’m comin’ along. And I’ll pertect you like my own kin. And before you says a word, just look at the way Batkol be gapin’ at me.”

I realize a look of horror and wide-eyed shock come over me, and I washed it off. But Reina seen it, and the boiling broth of her furies been taken off of the fire, and tho she be scaldin’ still, it ain’t a growl but a wounded hiss coming thru her clenched teeth:
“Why should I believe that shit comin’ from you. How do I know this ain’t part of their wicked plan? Maybe it’s you that will stick the knife into my back; maybe it’s you that will throw me overboard in the night. I don’t trust neither of yous.”

“Hold on, girl. I hear you plain. You ain’t got a reason to trust me yet. So let’s think. What can I do to prove I won’t let you come to harm?”
“Then don’t send me away at all!”
“Heard, but Reina, here’s the thing. How can you prove your trust to us. Both of us bein’ tested here. So what can I do to prove myself? Hire a sailor, one that you know, to be your witness and be your guard? Or how about a letter you write and seal and give to one of the nuns to hold, revealin’ we’re Jews if you don’t return?”

We sits here awhile, and finally she says,
“Let me think on this over night. But you, old man, you stay here, locked in this cell and I have the key. And also, I want a butcher knife, which I’ll use on you, if I’m betrayed.”
Me, I’m adamant,
“Aint no way I’m giving you a butcher knife!”
But Saadia says it’s fine by him.

Hot words. Cool words. Then palaver, and I go and return with knife and key. That night I dream a pool of blood seepin’ out from under a door. That were an interminable night of dreams. Morning I knock on Reina’s door, and there’s Saadia with a big smile. Jealous fears wrinkle my thoughts. Says he,
“I think we gots a plan. Now let’s see if this bird will fly.”
Says me,
“Don’t keep me standing here. Tell me already! What is it?”
“It’s very simple. And clever too. Gabby Vallseca will sail with her. She’s come to know him in recent months and they seem to be on friendly terms.”

“You out of your mind? You lunafied? First off, Juan won’t never agree.”
“And second off?”
Saadia asks of me. Speechless, I couldn’t think of a thing. And yet it were obvious madness to me.
“Well, Gabby also won’t agree,”
I stutters. And then from behind the door Gabby Vallseca steps into sight.
“How the hell did you get in here?”
I gasp, him just grinning at me.
“Be Juan here too?”
I snippish ask, but they just laugh at my ruffled mood. Casual-like, Reina then says,
“And it’s time you should know my real name. It’s Florita. Reina’s just a name Lilah guv me to lift me up when all I could do was wail and moan.”

Well, I were right about one thing. Juan agrees it’s utterly mad; nor will he allow Gabby to go alone with a maiden, especially one such as her. So he decides to sail along too!
“There are matters in Genoa that need my attention, so it’s all good. And I would like Saadia to come along to help examine some documents.”
And sudden, I’m feeling all left behind.

So, off they go, and since I’m in charge of maintaining this book and it’s histories, and all its wisdoms and Jewish tales, I have decided to insert my own wondrous tales of higher states, of which my eyes were opened to see, in my body’s anguish and ecstacy, when I were wandering Genoa’s hills.

~~~~~~~~~~

In the next episode we will begin part one of Batkol’s secret journal. Be forewarned, it’s not for those who are prim and proper.