Secrets & Mysteries of the Sephardim
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He went to the mirror and stared at his reflection – a pale, frowning face with puffy eyelids and red eyes. “I have to pull myself together,” Fernando thought. “It’s a hard day, but I'm not used to giving up. I have to endure and not show anyone my weakness.”
The classes took Fernando's mind off the painful thoughts. But during the second to last lesson, Fernando felt a great physical weakness and slight dizziness. However, he decided to ignore it. Putting on his knight's armor, he got on his favorite horse, took a wooden spear, and galloped toward the moving target. Ten paces from the target, Fernando felt very dizzy. His eyes grew dim, the spear fell out of his hands, and he collapsed to the ground.
Fernando woke up in his room. The doctor was sitting on a chair by his bed to his left and was touching his elbow. On his right was the maid, waving a fan in his face. At his feet stood Philippa, and the rest of Fernando's cousins stood at the door.
“Oh, you are awake, Your Highness,” the doctor exclaimed. “I can see your face, which is already quite pink, is quite focused. Tell me, Your Highness, is anything troubling you? Do you feel dizzy or have pain anywhere in your joints?”
“No,” Fernando answered, trying to get out of bed.
“Oh, take your time, Your Highness. Let me examine you first.” He took Fernando's hands, gently lifted them, moved them to the side, and bent them at the elbows while gazing intently into his pupils. “Splendid! I can see from your eyes that your hands are not feeling any pain. Now gently bend your knees, Your Highness. Do you feel any pain at all? Now extend your legs and lift them. Splendid! Your bones are intact! Now sit down and turn your head. Do you feel dizzy?”
“A little,” Fernando answered.
“That's not good. Do you feel pain in your spine?”
“A little,” Fernando replied.
“And in the shoulder joints? Make circular motions with your arms at your bent elbows.”
“My shoulders don't hurt,” Fernando replied.
“Now, carefully get up from the bed. The servants will hold you up. Try to walk around the room and let me know if you feel pain in other places, such as your ribs, legs, etc.”
“No, it doesn't hurt anywhere else,” Fernando replied.
“Very well,” said the doctor. “You are fortunate, Your Highness, that you fell from your horse like that. Forgive me, Your Highness. I meant the fall might have been more unfortunate and could have had worse consequences. You will need rest today, and I will probably examine you again tomorrow to see if your condition has improved.
“I will prepare an herbal infusion for you to drink immediately after meals, three times a day, one tablespoon at a time. Now, Your Highness, drink this medicine,” said the doctor, pouring the liquid from the bottle into a glass of water. “This root tincture relieves the excitement of fright and will help you recover.”
“I wasn't afraid when I fell, doctor,” Fernando replied.
“This medicine is harmless. You will simply relax. All your muscles will relax, you will not feel pain in your spine, and you will soon recover, Your Highness. Please drink this. I think you will be completely well in two or three days.
“Actually, it might be better if I visit you again this evening. But if you do not feel well, ask for me at any time.”
Wishing the infante a speedy recovery, the doctor headed for the door and warned the infantes and infantas standing at the door that Fernando needed rest. Everyone also wished Fernando a speedy recovery and followed the doctor out. But Philippa stayed behind. The nurse was in the room by the window table, putting out the vials the doctor had left, and Philippa stood by the bed with her lips pursed in frustration. She was wiping tears from her eyes.
“I thought you were dead when they carried you down the corridor. I was frightened," Philippa said. “When the doctor said you fainted, I calmed down.”
“What did you think, Philippa,” Fernando said, smiling. “That I would die so foolishly? My destiny will be bright and meaningful. I will die in battle like a hero, and my death will not last long.”
“I don't want you to die at all,” Philippa said. “When you are an adult and go off to war, I will pray that you will survive and not die in any battles.”
“Thank you, Philippa. God will surely let me live for you if you pray from your heart.”
Philippa smiled and said, “Fernando, I will pray very hard. You will always be alive and with us.”
“Philippa, how long have I been unconscious?”
“Not long, Fernando. You came to your senses very quickly when they put you on the bed.”
“Оh! I have a dance class that should be starting soon! Could you let Isabel know that I won’t be attending today?”
“Of course! I’ll run and tell her. Otherwise, she’ll be worried. You know, Fernando, Isabel is the kindest and best senhorita in the palace. After you, I love her the best. She has a good heart, a pure soul, and the most beautiful eyes in the world.
“I'll run to her and come to you again tonight, OK?”
“Thank you, Philippa.”
When Philippa left, Fernando tried to remember everything that had happened until he fainted. Soon, he began to fall asleep. “The doctor's potion must be working,” Fernando thought as he closed his eyes.
After a while, he heard a knock at the door. He reluctantly opened his eyes and saw a nurse hurrying to the door. Behind the door, he heard Philippa’s voice. She was asking the nurse something.
“He’s asleep,” said the nurse.
“Who’s there? I haven't fallen asleep yet,” Fernando muttered faintly.
The nurse immediately moved away from the door, and Philippa’s head appeared in the doorway.
“Fernando, that’s me, Philippa. Isabel is here with me. Can she see you?”
“Who? Isabel?” Fernando asked once again, unable to believe his ears.
“Yes, Isabel,” Philippa answered.
Fernando felt his heart and temples beat heavily. The effects of the root infusion ceased immediately. “Of course, come in,” Fernando replied in a raspy voice, trying to rise and assume a sitting position in bed. He was dizzy from sitting up too quickly and grabbed the back of a chair. The nurse, noticing this, sprang to his side and promptly arranged cushions behind his back so he could sit up comfortably. When the dizziness passed, he saw Isabel sitting on a chair beside his bed.