As the Sparks Fly Upward (32 page)

“That wouldn't be wise.” Effingham shook his head. He was a cautious man, far more so than Drake. “We must prepare.”

John Hawkings, the second best sailor after Drake, agreed. “We must have the ships and guns, and the men must be ready.”

“Tell me more about this Spanish navy that is being built, Walsingham,” Elizabeth said.

Walsingham shrugged. “It's almost impossible to get accurate information. My agents have tried, but the Spanish have grown wiser. Any man they suspect of being a spy is taken before the Inquisition and ordered to be burned at the stake. It's become extremely difficult to get a spy into place.”

“You must do more, Walsingham!” Elizabeth said sharply. “What about the ships that we'll need, Sir Francis?”

“We must build a different kind of navy,” Drake said eagerly. He clasped his hands together, and the fighting spirit in him seemed to glow. “Always before, the fighting ships have been large, uncontrollable things. The only way to win was to put the ship right next to the enemy. Both ships would fire their cannons until one ship was destroyed. Sometimes both ships would sink. That will not do!”

“What sort of ship are you proposing?” Elizabeth asked.

“They must be small, fast ships. Most important of all, they must be armed with culverins. The old cannons didn't have to fire more than a few yards because the ships were locked rail to rail. Our new ships must be fast and agile. They must be able to stand off away from the Spanish guns. They must be able to shatter them from a distance.”

Elizabeth listened carefully as Drake went on speaking. Finally, she nodded. “Let it be done, then. I don't know where the money will come from, but money will do us no good if the Spanish conquer us. Go to it, gentlemen.” She turned and looked at the men. “Don't forget, Walsingham, we must know all we can about
The Invincible Armada,
as they call it.”

“It will be done, Your Majesty.”

The Duke of Medina Sidonia was not an impressive man. He was of less than middle height, small boned, and neatly made. He had a thoughtful mouth, an intellectual forehead, and brooding eyes. The duke had a sensitive face, but it was entirely unheroic. Now as he sat across from Philip, he wondered why Philip would send for him. He wasn't left in the dark long.

“You're aware, my duke, that Santa Cruz died?”

“Yes, it was a tragedy for our cause. I don't know who will replace him.”

Philip smiled. He leaned closer to the other and said, “
You
are his replacement, sir!”

Medina Sidonia couldn't have been more shocked if an emperor
had commanded him to fly to the moon. That seemed at least as possible as for him to gain a victory over the English!

“But Your Majesty, I'm not in good health. And I'm not the soldier needed for this war.”

“God has told me that you are.”

“But my illness, Your Majesty! This enterprise requires a strong man.”

“Then we'll get you healthy and strong.” Determination was in the king's eyes. “We'll get the best doctors to be had.”

Medina Sidonia shook his head. “My cousin Juan De Rosa had the same illness that has been troubling me. He came very close to dying.”

“I remember your cousin. Is he still ill?”

“No, he was in England when he was stricken. Many English doctors failed him, as did our own Spanish physicians. But there was finally a young English doctor who treated him, and he recovered. It was like a miracle.”

“You cannot go to England, but we will send for this doctor. Is he politically involved?”

“No. All his interest is in medicine.”

“What's his name?”

“His name is Sir Colin Winslow.”

“I'll send for him at once. If he's not political he will surely answer a medical emergency. Until your young doctor arrives, start all proceedings for assembling the Invincible Armada!”

Colin had been taken aback by the interview with the Spanish nobleman who gave his name as Basilio Lopez. Señor Lopez had appeared out of nowhere, it seemed. He had said immediately, “Dr. Winslow, you remember treating Señor Juan De Rosa?”

“Yes, he was very fortunate.”

“I've been sent by his cousin, who is afflicted with the same ailment. I've been instructed to ask you to take on his case.”

“I'll be happy to, sir. Just bring him in.”

“I'm afraid that won't be possible. I'm speaking now of the Duke of Medina Sidonia.”

Instantly alarms went off in Colin's head, for he had heard rumors that Sidonia had been selected by Philip to lead the Armada after the death of Santa Cruz. He said quickly, “I'm not sure that would be possible, sir.”

“You must understand that money is of no object. You may name your own fee. And as a physician, I am certain that you want to heal the sick.”

“Of course, that is what a physician does.”

“Not all of them, Doctor.” Lopez smiled grimly. “My master has tried everything. We beg you to come.”

“Give me a day to think it over. It would involve finding someone to take over my patients.”

“Certainly, I can wait a day. Not much longer, however, for the duke is very ill.”

“Please call tomorrow about this same time, Señor.”

“I'll pray that God will lay it on your heart to help this sick man.”

As soon as Lopez was gone, Colin left the house. After some difficulty, he found Walsingham at the Nonesuch Palace, where he was admitted at once.

“Well, Doctor, what can I do for you?” Walsingham said. “I'm very busy, as you see.”

Colin said immediately, “You need to hear this, Sir Francis.” He related what had happened, and he saw Walsingham's eyes darken with deep thought. Colin somehow felt that Walsingham could read his mind.

“What an opportunity!” Walsingham exclaimed. “It's fallen in our lap! It almost makes me believe that God is interested in small things. But of course this isn't a small thing!”

“I can't go, Sir Francis. I have my patients.”

“Your colleagues can take care of them. You
must
go.”

“But my brother, Adam—you know how ill he is. I think he's dying.”

“Your brother loves this country. If he were able to go, he wouldn't hesitate, but he cannot go. Therefore, you must!”

Colin argued desperately, but realizing it was a losing battle, he gave in.

Walsingham said, “Dr. Teague will take care of your brother and your patients. They will all be proud of you, Doctor. You must go.” Walsingham leaned closer to Colin, saying, “That phenomenal memory of yours will be our secret weapon, Colin. Don't write anything down. The duke will be busy building the Armada, and you must make it your business to stay close beside him. We need to know how many ships they have, what sort of guns, how many soldiers, everything! Most important, listen to what is said. When you come home, we'll have what we need to meet this so-called Invincible Armada!”

“You mustn't go to Spain! It's too dangerous!” Twyla was shocked to hear Colin's news and said, “It's dangerous for any Englishman to be in that country. They can arrest you and send you to the Inquisition.”

“That won't happen, Twyla.”

“You can't know that!” Twyla twisted her hands together nervously. “You need to be here with Adam.”

“I've already gone through that with Sir Francis Walsingham. He insists that Dr. Teague will be with Adam constantly. And of course, you'll be here, and my family. I have to do this, and you must not mention anything about this mission.”

“You know I wouldn't do that.”

Colin paused, then reached out and put his hand on Twyla's cheek. “I'm trusting you, Twyla. You're better for Adam than any doctor.”

“Oh, Colin, that isn't true!”

“I think it is.” He leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. “Keep me in your prayers,” he whispered. She didn't speak but she smiled, and her features were suddenly, for Colin,
full of beauty and grace. He had thought of her as a child for a long time, but now he saw that she was rich in all the ways a woman should be. She caught his glance and held it, and he wanted to touch her, for her nearness brought forth all his hungers in a way he'd never known. Without consciously willing it, he drew her close and kissed her. She was there for him, waiting for him, with a wild sweetness in her lips. He whispered, “I never knew you were so lovely, Twyla!”

He turned and was gone, but Twyla sat down because she found herself trembling. It was the first time Colin had ever seen her as a woman, and she knew he would not forget the kiss, any more than she herself would. She began to pray, “God, please keep him safe. Don't let him come to an evil end in that place!”

22

December 1587

C
olin stepped off the gangplank and was met by a large, burly man with blunt features and muddy brown eyes. “Dr. Winslow?”

“Yes, I'm Colin Winslow.”

“My name is Gaspar Chavez. I'm the chief physician of the court.”

Colin bowed slightly. “I'm happy to meet you, Dr. Chavez.”

“And I you.” Chavez seemed to be suspicious, which was natural enough, Colin thought. “I'm told you had success treating the duke's cousin.”

“That is true. It was difficult to diagnose his case, but in the end he was completely cured.”

“I'm sure you're anxious to see your patient. If you're ready, we'll go at once to meet the duke.”

Colin agreed, and the two got into the carriage that was waiting. All during the brief journey, Chavez fired questions at him. When the carriage stopped and Chavez turned to face Colin, he stated gravely, “The duke must be cured. All depends on him.” He hesitated for a moment. “Dr. Winslow, are you aware of the difficulties between your country and mine?”

“I've heard some things, yes. But I'm not political.”

“I'm surprised to hear that.”

“My brother is in the English Navy. He keeps me informed, but I see him rarely. I've given my life to healing. That's the only thing I'm interested in now. Of course, I hope there will be peace between our two countries.”

“Good.” Chavez nodded emphatically. “Come, I'll take you to the duke.”

The two stepped out of the carriage and Colin followed Chavez. He was aware of frantic activities going on everywhere. The building they entered was clearly the center of the direction of military affairs. The place was swarming with sailors and soldiers of all sorts. He said nothing, but followed Chavez down a long corridor. The two soldiers guarding the door, upon seeing Chavez, stepped aside. Chavez opened the door, stepped inside, and motioned for Colin to enter.

Colin went into the room, and the man seated at the desk rose at once. “Your Excellency,” Chavez said, “may I present Dr. Winslow? Dr. Winslow, the Duke of Sidonia.”

“I welcome you to Spain, Dr. Winslow.”

“I was very happy to come. I was quite fond of your cousin, Your Grace.”

“He speaks most highly of you, Doctor. When I wrote to him to tell him you were coming, he was most enthusiastic. You made quite a favorable impression on him.”

“I pray that I'll be of as much help to you, Your Grace.”

“I trust that will be the case, for time is of the essence. Would you like to begin the treatment right now?”

“Yes, I would. Let me give you a brief physical examination. I'm sure Dr. Chavez has done so already and he can fill me in with the details.”

“Of course, Doctor,” Chavez nodded. He moved to stand with his back against the wall, obviously with no intention of leaving. Colin understood that he would be watched carefully, for Walsingham had warned him that this would be the case. He
did a perfunctory exam, but almost at once he had made a diagnosis of sorts.
His problem isn't physical. His hands are shaking and he seems unsteady, and there's a nervous tic in his eye. Something disturbing is going on in his mind or in his spirit.
“I would like to follow the same procedure that I followed with your cousin, Your Grace. The treatment involves a series of medicines that will need to be administered faithfully, and I will need to observe you constantly. Would it be imprudent of me to ask to stay by your side during your waking hours?”

“That might be very difficult,” the duke shrugged, then said, “but I have no objections. Do you, Dr. Chavez?”

“Whatever Dr. Winslow says, we should follow.”

“Very well,” Colin said. “I have brought a store of medicines that was helpful in curing your cousin. It's imperative that we begin treatment at once.”

“Thank you, Dr. Winslow. You have our gratitude for coming.”

As soon as the two doctors left, the duke sat down and began to write a letter to Philip.

My health is not equal to such a task, Your Majesty. I know from experience that I'm always seasick and always catch cold. Since I've had little experience of the sea or war, I cannot feel that I should command such an important post as this. The Adelantado Major of Castille is much more fit for this post than I. He is a man of much experience of naval and military matters. He is also a good Catholic. I beg you to reconsider your choice for the leader of this great enterprise.