Arrival at Macau

"What's that group over there? They all look quite emaciated. Could those be Japanese people?"

Two days had passed since abandoning Hainan Island and deciding to go to Macau. The ship, carried westward by strong winds, had arrived at Macau more than half a day earlier than expected. From the deck of the anchored Aurora, Raquel carefully observed the bustle of the port.

Those emaciated people in her line of sight. Though not bound by ropes, that was clearly a group of people being sold. Raquel, having witnessed slave trading at ports around the world, could tell immediately. Those people moving their heavy feet sluggishly while being hurried along by what appeared to be Portuguese merchants at Macau's port did not look like locals. They seemed somewhat differently dressed from the Chinese people she had seen in Malacca. When questioned by Raquel, Diego responded in a low voice with the expression of someone who had bitten into something bitter.

"Who knows? I hear there are islands large and small in these waters, with various peoples. I can't say whether those are Japanese or not. But if so, it would mean we're seeing Japanese people before reaching the Philippines."

Raquel replied without changing her expression.

"That would be the case. But if that many slaves are being sold, it means their land is also in the midst of warfare."

There was something like resignation drifting in Raquel's words.

"We could be in the same situation tomorrow. There's no time to feel sympathy."

Diego replied while waving toward a single rowboat approaching the ship. It appeared the apprentice sailor they had sent to scout the town was returning.

"Sister. Just as you said, I delivered the letter to someone at the residence of a person named Pereira. Pereira seems to be quite an important figure around here. He lives in a place so huge it's like three neighboring mansions put together. He said he'd send an escort soon."

Rodrigo said this to Raquel with an animated voice. He was still a boy. The excitement of coming to an unknown foreign land far outweighed his anxiety, and his eyes overflowed with the sparkle of curiosity. I was like that too when I was around his age. Raquel thought such things while looking at Rodrigo. But becoming cautious with age isn't a bad thing. That's how she had survived. In Macau too, she would do the same thing. Carefully and timidly. Raquel told herself this.

"Rodrigo. So we should show our travel permits to that escort, right?"

"Yeah, that's right. But more than that, he said to properly prepare the goods that the escort will carry. If we come empty-handed and return empty-handed, that would be truly suspicious."

"Exactly right. Diego. Redistribute the cargo so it can be transported. For spices, small amounts but many varieties. More pepper and cardamom. And let's leave half the silk and green glass beads, and give the rest to Pereira."

Diego nodded lightly and descended into the hold with Rodrigo and several others.

Pereira

Young people tend to exaggerate everything. Their expectations of themselves, their expectations of the future, their groundless confidence that they can accomplish something. Such things might make the world appear a little larger to young people. However, what Rodrigo had said was not an exaggeration. Pereira's mansion was even more magnificent than Rodrigo's words had suggested. The imposing presence that overwhelmed the surroundings made Raquel feel tense instead.

"With a mansion like this, surely a considerable number of people must come and go. Even Lord Pereira probably can't keep track of what kinds of people are among them all. Diego. Rodrigo. Don't give yourselves away."

Raquel quietly spoke to the two while gripping the cross hanging from her neck, then passed through the gate. Beyond it stood a man with dozens of attendants. He could appear to be in his late thirties, but if told he was past fifty, that would seem plausible too. However, his sun-darkened skin and the robust physique that couldn't be hidden even by loosely draped clothing eloquently testified that the man's spirit was not dominated by the passage of time.

"Comrades. Welcome. I am Marcos Pereira. It must have been a long journey. You shall want for nothing in Macau. Rest leisurely until your next departure."

Pereira's voice was high-pitched, unlike his imposing physique, yet somewhat hoarse. However, that voice possessed the power to make everyone understand that its owner was a person with a strong soul. And Raquel sensitively detected that behind those words of welcome, a little fear and suspicion were mixed in.

"I am called Raquel. Don Marcos Pereira. Blocked by strong westerly winds, we were unable to call at Hainan Island and have ended up imposing upon Lord Pereira's kindness. Despite the sudden nature of this, I deeply thank you for Don Pereira's personal welcome. Though modest, I have brought some spices, silk, and such as tokens of gratitude. All of these I dedicate to Lord Pereira."

"Lord Raquel. Right now, no matter how much spice and silk we have, it's never enough. I gratefully accept your kindness. I pray that the Lord's blessing be upon your party. By the way, Lord Raquel. I heard you are a physician. Among these spices, there seem to be several I don't know well. What kinds of medicinal properties might they have? Would you teach me?"

Raquel responded quickly to Pereira's words.

"Lord Pereira. Yes, I am a humble physician. Though right now, Diego here calls me a pirate."

Gentle laughter spread among the group. Diego scratched his head looking embarrassed. The tense atmosphere relaxed a little. Not missing that moment, Raquel casually approached Pereira and guided him to the bags containing spices. Then, bringing her face close to Pereira's as he peered into the bags, she quickly whispered in a small voice. She used not Portuguese, but Ladino.

"Anque estemos en tierras lejanas, la alma todavía se akodra."

(Even in distant lands, the soul remembers).

Raquel didn't miss the flash that ran through Pereira's eyes upon hearing this. And after that instant, Pereira again peered into the spice bag as if nothing had happened and murmured.

"Good color. Cardamom, perhaps? Like yourself, this spice too must have come from distant lands."

While convinced that the code had gotten through to Pereira, Raquel replied calmly without changing her expression.

"Yes, it's cardamom. It has traveled with us from Goa in India. It's effective for stomach upset. Also, as you know, it has a good aroma and is useful as a palate cleanser. When mixed with saffron, cloves, and such, it better warms the body, promotes circulation, and induces perspiration. Raising body heat draws out life force. It's an important spice."

In Pereira's expression as he listened to Raquel's words, there was no longer the initial suspicion and fear. Raquel sensitively perceived this and felt some relief.

"Lord Raquel. Thank you for these wonderful gifts. I express my deep gratitude once again. You must be tired tonight. Please rest well. I would like to invite you to dinner tomorrow night."

Saying this, Pereira disappeared into the mansion with his entourage.