(Pedra said,)


You've found strength in the face of death; it would be better
If you gave up playing cards and smoking pipe that could affect
Your health; '' ''I’ve learned from my friends; I need them to get up setter!
The leverage of our vast economic power I can't neglect.''



(Pedra replied,)



''Is it about those secret goals, which drive some unethical
Billing practices? '' Cruz began to kiss her while laughing,
'' I'm not capable of doing this; by the way, you're sensual.''
If you were that kind of man, I would not marry you, darling.''



(Cruz embraced her tightly saying, ''I've never betrayed you. I love you too much. Don't be jealous.'')
(He continued,)



‘‘ I like the fact that after making love, you become silent
While reading; '' '' I enjoy this; when I'm around people, I suffer
The problem of not being heard; then, reading becomes a talent.
I need to curl up next to you and read this book 'til it's over.



(Pedra continued,)



I love you; you were lucky that the bullet penetrated
The left shoulder and not an important part of your body.''
'' I passed out and woke up in pains; I felt I was terminated.
The stranger fell over me and covered me with blood; some ******



(Cruz continued,)



Guys took the guns and left the room; Ibrahim crept up to me
Washed my wound and bandaged it; he gave me some cold teas to drink.
He told me that Maya had taught him to make tea; let this be
A divination unto death, in which I could sink.



(Cruz continued,)



After Marco's death, at night, I dragged myself to a secret room.
Ibrahim took care not to leave any trace of our presence.
After making the effort, I fainted again; a feeling of doom
Persisted inside me; I wanted to protect my essence.




(Pedra replied,)



''I've heard that, on the ship, the people were caught and tied.''
''Ibrahim escaped; the secret room was next to the food store.
It was situated under the stairs as a perfect hideout.
I entered there while using a movable wall; '' ''It had no door! ''



(Cruz continued,)



''This room and the food pantry had two ventilation pipes,
Which were united inside and open outside to create
The mirage that only the pantry was aired; usually, the ships
Don't have their secret rooms; '' ''Well, this subject is a worth debate.



(Pedra continued,)



This room was very intelligently built; when they entered
In a hurry to take the weapons, they didn't see these details.
You're lucky to be alive; '' '' on this subject my mind is centered.''
''About sailing and ships, you haven't read enough secret tales.''




(The third night, the sailors were talking in their bedroom. Brisbon told Sam,)




''You combine the religious practice of meditation
With the verse; '' ''The Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome; '' '' not all
Conflicts are quarrels; '' '' this idea requires some confrontation.''
Fargo said, ''Sam, do you compose poetry? '' '' My muse is small.''




(Answered Sam. Brisbon asked him,)




''Those songs are created by you? '' Sam answered, '' some of them are
Composed by me; Sulim likes music; he's a man of strength.''
'' I'm only a listener of your songs beneath the polar star.''
Brisbon tried to divert this discussion by talking at length




About the command of that carrack; ''Sulim, you helped me a lot.''
''Geraldine oversaw the crew's work when I was at the helm, ''
Said Sulim; '' Freddy was near me and confidence was all I've got, ''
Replied Sam; ''when in the unknown the carrack sought to whelm,



(Brisbon continued,)



Sam paid attention to the sea at the helm while being
Dedicated and loyal; '' Sam said, '' Freddy is honest,
Enterprising, dynamic and thrifty; his way of seeing
Means stimulation; '' ''Do you remember when he promised



(Sulim continued,)



To hire us to work on his galley, someday? He gave us
The freedom to work as true sailors; life on other ships
Was much more difficult; '' Fargo said, '' he refused my offer; thus,
I hire my own crew; '' Gian laughed, '' It's better to take fishing trips.''



(Brisbon said,)



''The governor gave our Frederick a new carrack, a small
Property and money to help him recover his damages.
His wife is a distant cousin of Geraldine; above all,
They don't have children; '' Fargo narrowed down his challenges.



(Aldo told Fargo,)

'' If I had money to buy a ship, I would not work for others.''
Fargo replied, '' Firstly, I had to learn to work as a sailor
And to live my life on board; all of you are like my brothers.''
'' To be at a helm is different; aren't you terrified of failure? ’’



(…Sam asked Fargo.)

(..to be continued…)



Poem by Marieta Maglas