The Last Song

announced. I am certain that I must have told you before that Abravanel is their majesties’ most faithful servant.”
    “Yes, you did say how loyal he was to Isabel and Ferdinand, how he used his own wealth to finance the Reconquista.”
    “Not only that. He had recently negotiated with Christopher Columbus on their majesties’ behalf. Who knows what riches Columbus will bring to the kingdom when his ships sail? Rabbi Seneor is no less a friend to the royal couple than Abravanel. He was instrumental in arranging their marriage many years ago. He remained steadfast and loyal during the dark days of the civil war. He is the head of the hermandad, the police. When the queen and the king saw their old friends approaching, they smiled.”
    “Smiled? How could they smile when they already sealed the fate of these men, when they exiled them from their homes?”
    I could feel Mama’s anger.
    Papa cleared his throat. “Royalty is different from the rest of us. Let me tell you what happened next. The two courtiers fell to their knees in front of the monarchs. The queen leaned forward as if to help Seneor stand up. The old man must be at least eighty years of age.”
    Papa paused.
    “The two men reminded Isabel and Ferdinand of the loyalty of their Jewish subjects to the crown over many generations, and of their own devotion to the queen and the king, and of their love for their kingdom. They begged the monarchs to cancel the Edict ofExpulsion. They advised Isabel and Ferdinand to tax the Jews even more than they are already taxed, instead of expelling them from Sefarad.”
    “Why would they say that?” Mama asked.
    “The crown would gain the Jews’ property if they expelled them from the kingdom. Abravanel and Seneor were suggesting another way for the crown to get hold of Jewish money.”
    “Will their majesties’ greed never be satisfied?”
    “Hush now, and listen to what happened next,” Papa said. “Abravanel made a most extraordinary suggestion. He offered the king and the queen thirty thousand gold ducats if they allowed the Jews to stay in their homes.”
    “His own fortune? What a noble man.”
    “Yes, Isaac Abravanel is a true cavalier. He is a man of principle.”
    There was a long moment of silence, then Mama’s voice. “Isabel, are you awake?”
    I knew there was no use in trying to pretend any longer, and certainly no use in trying to fall asleep. Mama adjusted the pillows so I could sit up and she poured a goblet of wine for me.
    Papa continued his story. “As soon as Abravanel made his offer, the queen sat up straighter on her throne. A nasty little smile appeared upon the king’slips. ‘Thirty thousand gold ducats you are offering us, Don Isaac?’ he asked. ‘In that case, we must reconsider …’ At that very moment, a side door opened and Tomás de Torquemada burst into the throne room. He was trembling like the leaves of a fig tree in a storm and waving a crucifix.”
    Papa took a sip of his wine and went on. “ ‘Behold the crucified Christ whom Judas Iscariot sold for thirty pieces of silver!’ Torquemada cried. ‘Your majesties are about to sell him again for thirty thousand pieces of gold. You shall have to answer to God!’ Torquemada threw the crucifix down on a table and left the throne room without another word.”
    “Oh no!” Mama said. “How did their majesties respond?”
    “The queen’s face was as white as the wings of a dove. Seneor could only stare, but Abravanel tried to address her. She silenced him with a wave of her hand. ‘Do you believe that this comes upon you from the king and me?’ she asked them in a terrible voice. ‘The Lord has put this thing into our hearts!’ Ferdinand touched her arm. ‘Let us not be hasty,’ he said. ‘If Don Isaac offers us thirty thousand gold ducats –’ But the queen interrupted him. ‘It is God’s will,’ she said angrily. ‘Go!’ she commanded Abravanel and Seneor. ‘Go now! You have your answer!’ ”
    Although I wanted to hear more, and I knew that it was unusual for Mama to let me listen in on the two of them talking, the wine was doing its work. “I’m going to bed, Mama, Papa.”
    “Remember, not a word of any of this to anyone.” Papa’s warning sounded desperate and forlorn.

C HAPTER 10
 
S UNDAY , A PRIL 29, 1492 –
M ONDAY , A PRIL 30, 1492
    T he clanging church bells made my head pound. My stomach churned with fear. I had to warn Yonah somehow. I longed to tell Mama what I wanted