THE INSURGENCE of CHAN SANTA CRUZ

BOOK FIVE: THE BOOK of STONE

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

The matter was shortly resolved and José Macias had nothing to do with it. On the following morning, Tomas Bravo gave orders for his father's offerings to be taken from the trees over the sputtering objections of the ineffectual Tavares. The rotting flesh and viscera were buried and, because Tomas had no other means to cleanse the air, he ordered the band to play martial tunes to distract the inhabitants of the capital from the frightful stench. Despite his initiative, the odor and... consequently... the music each continued for seven more days, exactly such time as his father had ordained for his purification.

On the eighth day, Ignacio Bravo returned.

Drawing the full story from those loyal to him and, also, a few selected prisoners, the General had Tomas taken into custody and tied to the flagpole beneath the banner of Mexico, which snapped briskly above.

"You have taken from me everything... the last hope I had of shaking off the discord of this cursed territory," José had heard him tell Tomas, when father and son confronted one another in the General's quarters. Consuela Kan, as ever, peeked out from behind a curtain, casting only a shadow which, José noted, seemed fuller than in the past. "By you I am condemned," the General decreed, "and you shall not escape my justice."

"Father!" cried the Captain as the Jackal and Lo Matochino marched Tomas outside and stood him up against the flagpole.

"I am not your father," was the answer as Ignacio Bravo gave the order to fire. "I am your General!"

RETURN to HOMEPAGE – “THE INSURGENCE of CHAN SANTA CRUZ”

RETURN to GENERISIS HOMEPAGE