THE ART OF BETRAYAL
Genre: Renaissance Romance, Love Triangle
Rating: R
Summary: A talented Moroccan artist finds love and intrigue in 16th century Spain.
I
“Ai!” Inez exclaimed as she came storming down the spiraled staircase….
“I want grandchildren!…When are you gonna find a nice girl to marry?” She said, throwing her hands up in frustration.
Inez was a sturdy–handsome women, who was clearly Mestizo, an African/Spaniard. Her golden skin and spiraled silver hair, clearly showed her African heritage.
…But she was proud of the Matrah name, an African name, that had been passed down from her ancestors. She could trace her lineage back four generations, when her Berber great-great-great grandfather toppled the dynasty of the Moorish king, Abeeb.
Her family had traveled to the Mediterranean coast of Spain and built a new life of status, in Valencia. Her Spanish husband had died while she was pregnant, leaving her a fortune and the opportunity to continue her line. She christened him with the Matrah name.
All, seemed to inherit a great gift of leadership. Inez, herself, had even been considered the island’s Vicereine, at one time.
“I will marry on my own time, Mama!”
Martin was her only son, and she worried, that her proud family line would end, with him. She was certain that his favor was with women, but his business affairs always took precedence. Martin purchased land, selling some of it for profit, and keeping the most beautiful swaths for himself. He became very wealthy doing this.
What he didn’t know, was Inez, as cunning as she was, would see him married, whether he liked it or not… “And perhaps…” She thought, “…obtain more status in the process.”
~~~
El Greco traveled extensively…He loved the colors, energy, and the aroma of spices in Morocco. The place was overrun with indigo clothed Berbers, Black’a Moors, and Arabs.
Peddlers were on every corner, selling, colorful cloth, saffron, and gold. A Black’a Moor king by the name of Jabaar, ran a tiny off-shoot of Nubia, just south of the city. He had twelve daughters by his Arab wife, Aisha. Galiana was the eldest and most beautiful. She was also most clever, of his daughters.
During the course of his many travels, El Greco became friends with Jabaar. Both were good-natured men, who loved good food, drink, and travel.
“Greco!! It is good to see you!! Ha-ha-ha!” Jabaar was a large man with high cheekbones and an easy smile. He hugged the tiny old man too tightly.
“Ouh!” He said… “Nice to see you, too….Where is that lovely wife, of yours??” Aisha appeared from inside the ornate caravan. Her face and body were completely covered in layers of brightly colored cloth. Her pretty face, however, against her own Arab tradition, was exposed.
She smiled when she saw their visitor “Greco!…It is an auspicious day!” She said, embracing him.
“And where are your daughters?” He said, angling his head towards the tent
“Well, my friend, all have been married off, except my two youngest and my eldest.” Jabaar said, holding his hands up, to show the numbers.
“You’re kidding...Why, it was only my last visit, when they were knee-high to me, playing mancala!” He said, genuinely amazed at how quickly, the girls had grown.
“I can understand Abiza and Hamir, they are only five and eight years old…but my eldest??” …Jabaar shook his head…
“She’s a stubborn one and far too picky.” Greco had, had the pleasure of naming her, when she was born, as she was the only birth, that he was around for, Aisha, thought the Spanish name, Galiana was pretty, like her baby..
He paused, sighing… “I could get a huge dowry for that one…” He said gesturing towards the tent. “She just gets lovelier by each turn of the earth…”…He shook his head, again.
“All she cares about, is her art…”
Greco, perked up at that. “Really?”
“Now, don’t go getting any ideas, Greco…”
But it was too late. He rushed past Jabaar, and into the immense tent.
He found her sitting Indian-style, leaning over a make-shift canvas, of treated papyrus stretched over a wooden frame.
She had several pots of brightly colored dyes around her and, he could see, she was using several different sizes of cloth to apply the paint…Her feet, ankles, hands and even some parts of her face, were stained with different colors… Abiza and Hamir lay slumbering, in a far corner.
She was so into her work, she didn’t even notice him approach.
It was an intricate, evocative, piece…A poor peddler dressed in rags reaching out to passerbys…fruitlessly.
She had captured the subtle lines in his face and the complex emotions in his eyes…In short, it was a masterful work.
Very quietly he said, in his native Spanish… “Galiana, this is an incredible piece.”
She tipped her head up, and replied, also in Spanish. “I do it, because I love it.”
He put a hand on her shoulder, smiling. She covered it with her own, in a greeting… “It is good to see you, El Greco.”
Greco nodded and slipped away, while she continued to paint…He frowned, his mind occupied by the girl’s rare talent.
That night they celebrated, heartily. They drank a rich brown drink, that always pleased his taste-buds, with it’s rich sweet, smooth, taste. They also drank the local spirits, and passed the time, smoking a hookah.
The ladies wore belled anklets and fringed hip-scarves. They clinked zills together, rhythmically by the fire.
As usual, Greco was impressed by their agile, snake-like, movements…They called out “Yi-Yi-Yi-Yi-Yi!!” when the rhythms felt particularly, good to them, spinning and bending back, almost touching the sand…Jabaar even joined them, swivelling his hips, just as well, while Aisha and Galiana laughed and clapped.
Greco, knew he was privileged to witness this. It was a very guarded thing, for them to dance like that. It was a private ritualistic, tradition among women, to ensure healthy off-spring. …But Greco’s mind was heavy. He hardly paid attention.
He badly, wanted to bring Galiana back to Spain with him, to become one of his apprentices. But he feared, Jabaar would never allow it. His was a restless sleep, that night, as he tried to figure out the best way to approach him.
On his last day…He finally gained enough courage, to ask.
“Jabaar.” He inhaled heavily. “Have we not been friends for many years?”
“Yes…” He replied. “Since before my first daughter was born…”
“I have something, to ask of you…but I fear your response.”
Jabaar looked on his friend, his face neutral.
“….I want to bring Galiana back with me, to Spain.” His words came out in a rush.
“I know that she is your last marriageable daughter, right now..but she is an amazing painter, I want her to be my apprentice.” He let out his held breath, and looked up at Jabaar.
He was chuckling.
“Friend...My daughter would never forgive me, if I didn’t let her go.”
“Take her. Teach her. So, that one day, I may be able to look upon her famous works, with pride.”
Greco smiled deeply and said “Thank you.”
When he approached Galiana with this, she lept into his arms, excitedly, rattling off names of famous painters, she hoped she would meet.
Jabaar and Aisha waved as the ship departed, her sisters running by the ship, until it disappeared from the coast.
~~~
Galiana had no idea about the challenges she would face among Greco’s other apprentices…There were four of them in total, all proud Spanish men.
Only one of them, Antonio, welcomed her with a kind greeting. The others scowled at her. One of them even spit at her feet. Women were not to be taught art, especially by one of Greco’s stature.
She had no idea how to use these new supplies, Greco provided for her…She fumbled and dropped them, several times, while the others laughed. Antonio picked them up for her.
“Gracias.”She said. Glad that her extensive education, included Spanish.
At first, her artwork was terrible...A child could have done better, but Greco was patient, with her.
“Don’t worry, it will come.”
Antonio watched her paint ,when he thought she wasn’t looking…
Greco snuck up behind him…” Stop looking at the girl and pay attention to your art.”
“Yes, Maestro” He said, sheepishly.
Greco dismissed the class…but Galiana stayed behind and focused intently on learning how to use these foreign tools.
Antonio, stopped at the door to say his goodbyes to the other men and went back into the room.
“Still having trouble, Senorita?”
She didn’t answer but continued to focus on her work…
“If you want, I can hel-“
“If you’re up to some cruel mischief, trying to make me leave…You might as well, not even try. I’m. Not. Leaving.”
Antonio stood back, smiling… “Ah, stubborn, I like that.”
“But of course, I have no interest in harming a pretty lady, such as yourself…” He said.
And she really looked at him, then…He had long thick lashes framing his light brown eyes, his sun-streaked brown hair, complimenting his even features, with full lips over a strong jawline. He was thin, but he was wiry.
“My only wish, is to assist you.”
Galiana knew the effect she had on men, though she was nowhere near the full-figured ideal of the time, in the deserts as well, as in Spain. But she was still, quite pretty. With skin the color of cinnamon, an oval face, set off by the perfectly clear almond eyes of her people, her eyes so dark, they appeared black, and the high shapely cheekbones of her father, she was lovely, indeed.
To fit in, she wore the required corsets, though they pained her back and ribs, but she still managed to keep some of the culture of her people in her dress, accenting her wide skirt with her colorful cloths from Morocco and she skillfully, wrapped a jeweled gele (head-wrap) high on her head.
Galiana, ignored Antonio. But he still crept up behind her, gently curving his hand around her fingers …
“…Like this.” He said, helping her hold the brush, properly.
She felt heat creeping through her face. He was too close, leaning over her, like this.
She shook him off. “That will be quite enough, thank you.”
She collected her paint and brushes and walked haughtily, out of the room.
~~~
Greco had arranged for a small room in a boarding house, near the ocean where Galiana would live, while in Spain. The view from her window, was awe-inspiring.
Her closest neighbors, were the Matrah family. Inez, being as nosy as she was, knew exactly who Galiana was…A lady from the homeland of her ancestors and a princess, at that.
She took every opportunity to try to get her, to meet her son.
“Martin, why don’t you stay in, tonight?…I’m inviting our new neighbor to join us.”
“Mother, is this neighbor a woman?” He asked suspiciously.
“Oh, what does it matter…”
“Mother…”
“A neighbor is a neighbor and it’s been months!” She said. “It would be impolite, not to invite her over, for supper.”
“Mother, you need to stop trying to marry me off…My business is too important…”
“–And who will run your business, when you are gone, -unh?”
“I don’t know, one of my prospectors, perhaps.”
His mother threw up her hands…“I give up…” She said, starting to feign a cry, in the manipulative way, she always does, to get her way.
“Mama…don’t cry.”
“Anhhhhh, anhhhh, annhha” she sobbed, covering her tearless face.
“Okay, okay…I will stay for supper.”
She jumped up and hugged him… “You have made your old mother, a very happy woman.”
Their long-time servant Maria shook her head, from a corner.
After Martin left, she met Inez’ eyes, knowingly, smiling… “Oh, be quiet, you’d do the same, in my position…” She said, waving her off.
~~~
Galiana took her time walking home, strolling through the winding streets saying “Buenos noches” to the Spanish, the Moors, and the Mestizos…
As she rounded the last corner, she saw Antonio leaned against a crooked rock wall.
“YOU!” She said angrily, walking faster, attempting to side-step him…
“Wait, wait…” I just want to walk with you for a bit. “Would you stop?” He said, flustered.
“I’ve done nothing to deserve this! I’ve only been kind to you, these many months. The other men, they show contempt, but have I? I admire you, for sticking this out for this long, Galiana.”
She sighed tiredly, knowing he wouldn’t give up, unless she obliged.
“Okay…I’m just, afraid of being taken advantage of…This is a strange place. It’s not what I’m used to.” She said, genuinely sorry, she had treated him so badly.
“Come with me.” He said. He took her hand and lead her to the island’s the rocky shore. He took her hand, assisting her down the more difficult spots.
He asked about her homeland and was intrigued by all the interesting customs, there. So different, from Spain.
She found out about his past… A butcher’s son, who painted and sculpted, when he wasn’t working for his father. His father kept on him, about it being a waste of time, until Greco drafted him, as his apprentice, that is…
“Yes.” She said, laughing “He does have a tendency to do that.”
She met his eyes…”You know…I really am having a good time.”
“And this surprises you?.”
“Not that I didn’t think I would, but-” He cut her off with a kiss…
After a moment she reached up and caressed his face, kissing him back.
After a long, blissful moment, they stopped…
“Galiana….” He said breathlessly. “I think, I lo–“
“Say no more–“ She said, afraid he might go too far, with this naive romanticism.
“I’ve been invited to supper, at my neighbors’….” She paused, looking at him in a new light, not really wanting to leave. Her feet were practically glued to the spot.
…And she knew what he would say. She had seen him, watching her, these past months…
“Then, you’d better get over there, before they think you’re rude.”
“Right..” she said…
~~~
Inez, opened the door, grinning widely.
“Galiana! I am so pleased you could make it!…Oh, so lovely...You know, our ancestors hail from Morocco, as well…” She said, beckoning her servant to take her colorful cape.
“Come, come…Have a seat! You will sit at our place of honor.” She did so tentatively, suspicious of Inez’s enthusiasm…And, why did she keep glancing at the door?
After a few moments, a man came rushing in through the door…sighing, “I’m sorry, I’m late, mother…”
She ushered him to the table, her hand outstretched to Galiana, seated at the table.
“This is our neighbor–Galiana.” His breath caught and Inez stood back, grinning so broadly, her face could’ve split open.
“Uh, I’m Martin… Very pleased, to meet you.” He said covering her hand in both of his, just a moment, too long.
Galiana squirmed uncomfortably, under his gaze. Not that he wasn’t handsome, but he had the air of someone used to getting what he wants. He had the same golden skin and spirally hair as his mother. He was tall with broad shoulders. He had a mustache and beard, both neatly trimmed. It fit his features, well.
He sat opposite of Galiana and began to talk about his business affairs…all night.
Galiana was bored, but she nodded politely. This man’s arrogance was insufferable. After what seemed like the longest night of her life, she finally said her goodbyes and headed home.
“So…” Inez said.. “She is a pretty one, no?”
“Yes” He said, watching her go…”She is.”
II
Galiana practiced her art, until she finally was not just good, but expert at using all of her art materials.
She was completely alone in the art-room, working on a difficult piece. It was a bustling outdoor market and she was trying to capture the state of mind of each and every person there.
She heard a knock on her door. Irritated that she had been interrupted, she ignored it for while, hoping whoever it was would think the room was empty and go away.
…But the knocking continued.
She sighed loudly and stomped to the door.
“Who is it? Because I am working on a piece and I need to focus. Could you come later?…At 5, perhaps?”
“Actually, milady…I’d love to see you, now…”
“Ugh” She thought “It’s that ass.”
She knew he wouldn’t give up, so sighing heavily, she let him in.
“Come in, Martin…”
She wiped her cheek smearing a bit of paint.
“You have a bit of…paint on your cheek, there.”
“I’m a painter.” She said…”It happens.”
She wiped her hands on her smock and headed back to her easel, hoping he would get the hint and leave.
“What are you working on?”
She stopped and looked up briefly… “Something I need to fully concentrate on.”
“Oh.” He said, taken aback. “Am I, bothering you?”
“What gave you that impression?” She said sarcastically, lifting her hands up, exasperated.
Martin smiled, sucked his teeth and walked over to her.
“Would you please, just leave me alone?”
He peeked around at her easel, which she hadn’t been able to paint on since, this idiot arrived.
“This is nice.” He said, genuinely meaning it.
Suddenly, El Greco arrived. Galiana had never been so happy to see him.
“May I help you?”
“No, El Greco…I’m just here to see the lady.”
“Well, you are disturbing my apprentice.” He said. “ I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
He took a deep breath, looked from Greco to Galiana and back again… He took her hand, kissed it and backed away.
“I’ll be seeing you, soon.”
As the door closed, Greco walked over to Galiana and said… “You may have a bit of trouble there…The Matrah family are known for getting what they want.”
He looked at her piece and rubbed her shoulders. “This is very good, Galiana…I look forward to the completed piece.”
He turned to leave, putting a key on the side-table. “Lock the door.” He said. “And do not answer until you have finished for the day.”
“Thank you, Maestro.”
~~~~~
She finally got to a stopping point in her piece and replaced all of her materials, covering it and putting it up, in a safe place.
She unlocked the door and jumped, seeing Antonio.
“Antonio!” She said “What are you doing here?”
“Well, I had heard you were leaving at five…”
“Yes, that was the time Greco gave me, until I had to leave this room, but I stayed a bit longer than I should have.”
“-You been waiting here for a half an hour?” She said, incredulously.
“Yes.” He said, lowering his head a bit shyly.
Galiana smiled a bit…
“I was hoping, I could walk you home?”
She shook her head…”Of course, Antonio.”
~~~~~
They passed the time, talking about the inspiration for their art and their various techniques.
Time flew by. Before she knew it, she was at the foot of the boarding house.
“Oh! We’re here.” She said, genuinely astonished that she had arrived so quickly…
“So…” He said “We can do this tomorrow, as well?”
She smiled…
“And the day after that?”
She chuckled.
“-And the day after that?”
“Let me get this right.” She said, tilting her head to the side. “You wish to walk me home, from now on, Antonio?”
“Yes.”
She mocked consideration for a bit and finally said..”Okay.”
He smiled broadly. “Then, I will see you tomorrow!”
He turned and jogged off.
She slowly turned to go up her steps, glancing back a few times…still smiling.
~~~~
Inez watched this from her bedroom window, pursing her lips.
~~~
“Senorita, Senorita…You have a letter…”
Galiana quickly broke the wax seal, and read it, knowing it could only be her father.
My Galiana,
We hope this letter finds you well.
Your mother, Hamir and Abiza miss you very much, as do I, daughter.
We are traveling quite a bit, for there are quite a few bandits in the desert, now.
Our family must be careful.
We have decided to relocate to Morocco, where the abundance of people will provide protection for our family.
We hope that you are progressing well, under Greco’s tutelage. I am certain you are, daughter.
Enjoy Spain. When I was there, as a young man, I remember it’s beauty. But, as you know it is no where near as beautiful, as our homeland.
With All the Love in Our Hearts,
Your Father and Family
Galiana frowned. She knew that her father was holding back. Bandits or no bandits, he would not so quickly abandon the desert. He knew the land so well, he could easily avoid them.
“Yes” She thought. “Something was wrong.”
~~~~
She worked on other pieces in class. Marco, one of her biggest bullies and the very one who had spit at her feet, when she arrived, “accidentally” shoved her, so she knocked paint onto her piece. Thank goodness, it was not her main piece…She only worked on it, on off-hours.
“Gracias…Marco”. She said sarcastically.
“De’Nada.” He said mean-spiritedly.
But she saw something in it. She painted around it and created a large vase held by a nude woman pouring water into a basin.
Greco was so impressed, he picked it up to show to the rest of his students.
“You see what she has done, here…The lines and shadow, this is what you must work on.”
Marco scowled.
~~~~
That day, as Antonio walked her home, Galiana confided in him about her concerns, for home.
He snapped his fingers…
“Makeba.”
“Who?”
“Makeba, has just arrived from Morocco.” He said.
“I know it is a large place, but your father is an important man…Perhaps, she knows something. She lives on the south-side of the island.”
“Oh thank, you Antonio!” She said leaping into his arms…Antonio looked at her and kissed her again. This time much more intensely. Galiana stood back, touching her lips.
“I must go…”
“Wait! Galiana…” But it was too late, she had taken off.
~~~~
She stopped in front of the woman’s doorstep and knocked on her door. A tall, striking, woman with very dark-skin and tribal markings on her cheeks, answered.
“Yes?”
She smiled and immediately recognized another from her homeland.
“Oh, my goodness, you too hail from the North African coast, do you not?”
“Yes, Senora.”
“Oh, come in, come in.”
“Now” She said as she ushered her to her seat. “What has brought you here, on this beautiful day.”
“My father.” She said. “He is Jabaar, an important man. Do you know of him?”
The woman sighed deeply…”Yes.”
“I received a letter from him recently, and though he said nothing, I worry that something may be wrong.”
The woman leaned back in her chair.
“Child” She said, heavily placing a hand on her knee…
“Your father has died.”
Galiana felt ill. She shook her head in disbelief… “But this cannot be. The letter!”
“He took ill from the water sickness and did not recover.”
“But he said, he was fine…That he had moved to Morocco.”
“Yes, he did, and paid for relatives to take his family in….Or so I’ve heard.”
“My God…She said standing up and backing from the chair.”
“No child, you must, sit down.”
But it was too late, she gasped for air, the gravity of the news and the tightness of her corset effecting her. She passed out.
~~~~
She awoke to Makeba and Antonio standing over her, a wet compress on her forehead.
“This man told me, he knew you.”
“Antonio!” She said and threw her arms around him…She wept on his shoulder.
“I am so sorry, Galiana…” He said, stroking her back.
~~~~
The next day, she was like a zombie, but she went to class anyway. Even Marco noticed and did not bother her that day.
At their break, Greco, approached her.
“Galiana, what is wrong?.”
“Father is dead, she said, tearing up again…”
“-Jabaar?”
He clenched his fist to his mouth and closed his eyes…He sat in a nearby chair, as silent tears rolled down his face.
He walked to her and hugged her, as they both cried.
~~~~
She did not have time to morn. She worried about her family’s wealth. If her father had paid for relatives to care for her sisters and mother, she knew it was only a matter of time before they were tossed out on the streets…And who knew what horrible fate awaited them there?
Even when he was alive, he did not speak well of them. He had to have been desperate to ask relatives to take them.
What would she do?
~~~~
Inez, of course, had heard about everything that had happened.
“Son.” She said, as she laid a hand on his shoulder. “This is our opportunity!”
“She cannot refuse you!”
“She needs you…” She said, smiling deviously…”You should offer your hand, in exchange for the care of her family. You can arrange to bring them here, to Valencia.”
Martin shook his head in agreement.
~~~~
The following day, he proposed.
Galiana felt ill at the prospect of being married to this arrogant, son of a bitch, but what choice did she have?
“Yes.” She said, slowly nodding her head.
“-I will.”
“Good.” He said, leaning in to kiss her…She turned her cheek, so he kissed her there, instead.
~~~~
When she arrived at Antonio’s flat, she was a mess, crying and confused.
“First my father, now this...The thought of being married to that man, turns my stomach!”
“Well, there has to be another way!” He said stroking her shoulders.
“Antonio-” She said, shaking her head “There is no other way.”
He looked at her tear-stained face and kissed her…She allowed him to, kissing him deeply, in return…
Galiana began to untie his shirt.
“Galiana.” He said frowning. “Do you know what you are doing?”
“Yes.” She said nodding her head… “I refuse to let him have this too. I’d like it to be you.”
She unwrapped her hair, which turned out to be the long, shiny, wavy, black hair, inherited from her mother.
She turned, so he could undo her corset. He hesitated. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.”She said, her eyes and nose still reddened by her tears.
And so he unlaced her…his hands trembling.
He leaned in and kissed her neck, gently as he did this.
Removing her layers of clothing had been a task, but it calmed him enough to focus on what he would do. She had layers of cloth, her skirts, and bloomers. All that remained was her delicate chemise.
He removed his shirt and lay her down on his modest bed on his floor.
They were both inexperienced, but instinct and what they had heard from family and others, lead them in the right direction. Antonio, slowly slid his hands up her chemise, causing her to tremble.
He kissed her face and slide his own breeches down, but only managed to get them to his thighs.
In his urgency, he began to rush…Kissing her all about the face.
“Slow down, Antonio.” She implored. And so they, grinded against each other slowly, arousing themselves in the process…
Galiana instinctively wrapped her legs around him…
He entered her, perhaps a little to harshly, and she winced… “Are you okay?”
“Yes” She breathed. “I’m okay.”
Their passion more than made up for their inexperience and Galiana’s pain, slowly melted away into a pleasure she had never known…
“Antonio…” She breathed, her eyes closed…
Her hands entwined in his hair while he lay on her breasts, caressing them as he built rhythm…
She crashed over, her eyes wide at the pleasant warmth flooding her body and soon after… So, did Antonio.
~~~~
They lay together like that until the first signs of the sun, the next day…
Antonio, helped her get dressed and escorted her back to her boarding house.
They kissed passionately in the doorway, before he finally bid her good bye…He lingered underneath her window for a moment and then departed.
~~~~
Inez, who was an early riser, had seen it all.
END PART II
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