San Lázaro Archipelago. May 2, 1521.
Tragedy has been our constant companion. Who could have foreseen this! And yet the signs were there had I only seen them in time.
Since Magellan's death, all has gone badly for us. All good will remaining for us was destroyed when it became clear we were abandoning Cebu. Enrique was despondent over the death of the Admiral and brooded aboard the Trinidad, nursing his wound.
The day after the battle, Barbosa sought him out in his bunk. "So here you are, you lazy slug! I need you to go ashore and recruit some natives to guide us." Enrique didn't respond. "Are you deaf, boy!" the new Admiral of the fleet demanded angrily. "I have given you an order!"
At this Enrique finally stirred. "Senhor, I cannot go ashore. My wounds are too painful."
"You will do as you have been ordered, slave!"
Enrique glared at him. "I am no longer a slave, Captain!" he replied angrily. "Before we left Seville, Magellan showed me his will and told me if he died, I would be free. So as a free man, I respectfully decline to go ashore."
Barbosa was furious. Trembling with rage, he spoke again, "I swear as the brother of Magellan's wife, I will make certain you are never freed. You will remain a slave for the rest of your life! Now, get out of that bunk before I have you flogged!"
Eyes burning with hate, Enrique finally got up and went ashore to negotiate with Rajah Humabon. It would have been better for all of us had he not.
Yesterday, Enrique finally returned to the Trinidad. He announced to the new Admirals that the Rajah had extended an invitation to the captains, officers and the other ranking men of the fleet to come ashore. The Rajah had prepared a banquet to present our leaders with fine jewels for our King.
"Of course we shall all go!" Admiral Barbosa replied eagerly undoubtedly already seeing the riches he would be entrusted with.
Admiral Serrano, on the other hand, advised caution. "Is not strange to be having a celebration three days after a disastrous defeat?" he asked hesitantly.
"What is wrong, Serrano?" Duarte Barbosa mocked. "It isn't like you to be a coward!"
Serrano was visibly stung by the retort and quickly ordered the longboat readied. When they departed, he was the first one to board it.
While the preparations were being made, Enrique walked over to where I was sitting with the niño, who was doing his best to stand despite the roll of the deck. "Will you and Antonio be coming to the celebration," Enrique asked, his voice tight.
I looked at him. "I don't think so," I replied. "Antonio's face is swollen from the poison arrow that grazed his forehead and is in no mood to go ashore. Nor am I," I added, gingerly touching my own injured shoulder.
Strangely, Enrique seemed relieved by this response. "That is probably for the best." One of the others called to him, saying that the boat was ready to depart. Enrique was about to leave but hesitated. "Your friendship has meant a lot to me, Mendoza. Take care of yourself and the niño."
I looked at him, startled by his words and didn't reply. He had gone by the time I had gathered my wits and realized he had spoken as if he would never see us again. Why didn't I realize what was about to happen!
All together twenty-six of our officers went ashore leaving only a few behind on the ships. Included were Duarte Barbosa and Juan Rodríguez Serrano, our two Admirals, Alfonso de Goes, the new captain of the Victoria, San Martín, whose horoscopes failed to detect any danger, the Captain of the Guard, Espinosa, my old friend Carvalho, and Enrique.
From the deck, we watched as the shore party was warmly greeted and disappeared into the village. We had settled in to wait, believing it would be very late that night or possibly the following morning before they returned. But to our great surprise Espinosa and Carvalho returned within half an hour.
Curious, I approached the Master-at-Arms and asked, "Is something wrong? Why did you return so quickly?"
Espinosa looked out over the water to where our crewmen had disappeared. "Something strange is going on. While we were being led to the banquet sight, I noticed the prince, the one who was healed, take Father Valderrama aside and lead him to his house."
Carvalho stepped up and continued, "We suspected a trap and came back for reinforce..." He was cut off by the distant sound of shouting and fighting in the direction of our companions ashore.
Espinosa cursed under his breath. With clenched teeth he turned to Carvalho and spoke, "You, sir, are the ranking officer in the fleet now. What are your orders?"
"Move the ships closer to shore and fire the cannons on the village!" Carvalho said coolly and I saw a smile play across his lips as he turned away. We did as he commanded.
I stood at the rail holding the niño, who was crying from the noise, and watched the unfolding destruction. Antonio quickly joined me. "What is happening!"
"Enrique has betrayed the fleet," I heard myself answer. His eyes went wide with surprise.
Soon after the bombardment began, figures appeared on the beach. We all gasped in surprise at the familiar figure in their midst. Serrano! The Admiral of the fleet was dragged bound and bleeding onto the sand. He managed to break free of his captors and ran for the water, but could not escape his pursuers and was viciously subdued again. One of the keepers prodded Serrano and we heard him call across the water, "Cease firing! Cease or they will kill me!"
Carvalho gave the signal and the guns fell silent. "What has happened?" he shouted.
Serrano shook his head. "All have been killed! They...they cut their throats. All save Enrique."
"What do we do, Sir?" someone asked in a low voice.
Carvalho seemed unfazed. "What are their demands?" the navigator called.
"They want two cannons brought to the beach," Serrano shouted back. "But don't waste time, Carvalho! Leave now before their reinforcements arrive and they try to capture the ships. Go! It is better that I should die then all in the fleet should be slain!"
"You heard our orders," Carvalho said quietly. "Prepare to sail." After a moment, the crew sadly set about carrying out their orders and I saw Carvalho smirk. We sailed away leaving one of the bravest and most loyal seamen I have ever known to die on the beach of Cebu.
Since we abandoned our comrades at Cebu, much has changed.
We ceased sailing several days after our flight to elect our new officers. As Espinosa had said, Carvalho was the senior officer left in the fleet. He was elected Admiral of the fleet and Captain of the Trinidad. In spite del Cano's experience and rank, he was not given the command of the Victoria. Instead, Espinosa was entrusted with the command of my former ship. It seems I am not the only one who still doesn't trust the former mutineer.
Of the two hundred sixty-five men who sailed from Seville, one hundred fifteen remained, to few to man all three ships. Carvalho decided to scuttle his former ship, the Concepcion, and for the last few days we have stripped the vessel of all useful material. Every nail and piece of rope that was worth saving has been divided between the Trinidad and the Victoria. The Concepcion's crew has been divided between the two ships and Carvalho brought his nine-year-old son aboard the Trinidad with him.
Finally, it was time to light the pyre. At the last moment, I saw Carvalho carrying something back onto the ship. I quickly moved to stop him. "Captain," I said horrified, "those are Magellan's logbooks!"
He gave me a cold glare. "I am the Captain General of the fleet, Senhor! And you have other matters to be concerned about." He glanced at the niño and back to me. He pushed me aside and deposited the Admiral's records of our journey in the captain's cabin to be burned with the doomed Concepcion. Before long, flames had engulfed the once proud vessel and she sank, sizzling into the sea.
This may be the last that I am able to write in my own log for some time. I have no doubt that Carvalho would destroy it if he knew of its existence. Nothing good will come of his command, of that I am certain. Perhaps del Cano would have been the better choice.