#gonzalo fernández de córdoba(six)
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Lost Stars in the Night
The following characters belong to:
Isabella I of Castile, Ferdinand II of Aragon, and Juan Trastámara: @weirdbutdecentart
Isabella Trastámara: @lexartsstuff
Marion Trastámara and Elizabeth 'Liz' Seymour: @vanessaseymour
Juana 'la loca' de Castile: @ellielovesdrawing
Maria Trastámara, Maria of Jülich-Berg, and Sibylle of Cleves: Yours truly
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Characters (Description and characters change with each chapter):
Isabel Trastámara - Age thirty eight years old, widow of Fernando and has six children. She is currently the acting leader of the group though she's unsure how long she'll be holding that title.
Isabella Trastámara - Age eighteen years old and she is the oldest child of Isabel. Her current priority is the safety of her family.
Juana Trastámara - Age nine years old and is the third child of Isabel. Looks up to Juan for comfort and reassurance. She is a little nervous about the new place and new people though she appreciates the sense of normalcy again.
Johann La Marck - Age twenty one years old. Readily does as he is told as long as it’s not to the detriment of his family. He is a proud father of two daughters.
Jocasta ‘Joyce’ Howard - Age twenty nine years old and currently a couple months along in her pregnancy.
Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Seymour - Age eighteen years old and one of the two survivors of the Seymour family. Currently serving as a patrol officer and vice captain of Campamento Zaragoza under Gonzalo Fernández's unit. She’s quite amused by Isabella's attempt to woo her.
Gonzalo Fernández - Age thirty six years old, widow of Luisa and had two children. He is currently the captain of his border patrol unit in Campamento Zaragoza and is the standing guardian for Liz and Jane.
Enrique Castro - Age sixty four years old and married to Joana Castro. He is Isabel’s older half brother and the founder and leader of Campamento Zaragoza.
Joana Castro - Age fifty years old and married to Enrique Castro. She manages the agriculture and the food supply of Campamento Zaragoza.
Gonzalo Chacón - Age sixty three years old. Isabel’s godfather and caretaker of her mother. He’s considered as Enrique’s advisor when it comes to making decisions for the camp.
Avarice James - Age thirty eight years old and married to Lilith James. One of the caretakers of the children in the nursery of Campamento Zaragoza.
Thomas Parr - Age thirty years old and engaged to Maud Greene. He and his fiance, Maud, came to Spain for an engagement vacation when The End happened. He is currently the head of Campamento Zaragoza’s security force.
(Before you proceed, be warned It's the story contains graphic descriptions of violence, blood, gore, death. Please proceed with caution)
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Chapter Seven: A Sense of Normalcy
"Everything's here. They didn't take anything at all. Not even a single bandaid."
"Everything except our weapons," Isabel mumbled. Closing the door to her room.
During their stay at Campamento Zaragoza, they were given a five-bedroom, two-bathroom, two-story house to live in. It was a nice location. There's enough room for five people, seven kids, and a newborn baby. Their vehicles had already been parked in the property's driveway, and their belongings had been brought inside.
They concluded that everything was present except their weapons after conducting a triple inventory check.
"Will they give them back?" Isabella asked.
"I sort of doubt it. They don't trust us fully yet," said Joyce, "it's always like this in those zombie movies."
"I'll talk to Gonzalo about this and see if we can get our weapons back," Isabel said.
"What do we do for now?" Joyce asked.
"Ich gehe ins Krankenhaus, um Mari zu besuchen," Johann said.
"He said he's going to go visit Mari in the hospital," Isabella translated.
"I'll go with him. See how she's doing and if there's a slot for me in the hospital," Joyce volunteered.
"Good. Isabella, can you go to the nursery and check up on your siblings? I'm going to Enrique's office to talk," Isabel said.
Her daughter agreed to her request with a nod. They then left the house to go do their own thing. Isabella walked over to the nursery, which was only across the street. A kind driver agreed to give Johann and Joyce a lift to the hospital in a cart.
Isabel was left standing outside.
"I just realized Joana never gave me any directions to Enrique's office," she muttered to herself.
"Hey you!"
She turns around to see who had called her. A man approached her and he was wearing the same bullet proof vest that Gonzalo and his team were wearing. He was wearing a walkie-talkie on his belt, as well as a pistol and an automatic rifle on his back.
"Are you Isabel? Enrique's sister?" he asked.
"Half sister but yes. Did he send you?" she asked and he nodded in confirmation.
"My name is Thomas Parr. I'm the head of security in Camp Zaragoza. Follow me," the man, Thomas, said.
Isabel goes to follow him. Along the way, they made small talk to pass the time.
"Are you really Isabel Trastámara? The owner of a big construction company?" Thomas asked. Isabel couldn't help but smile with pride.
"Sí. That is me," she said.
"I've read business articles about you and even watched an interview of yours when you came to London for a business convention," he said.
"Those were the days. It's hard to think that it's only been several months since the world ended," she said. Thomas nodded in agreement.
"What about you? What were you before The End happened?" Isabel asked.
"I was a police officer in London. I came to Spain with my girlfriend and our baby to propose to her. You can guess how that went," he said.
"I'm so sorry about that," she said. He shook his head in dismissal.
"It's alright. What's important is that they're safe now. Camp Zaragoza is the perfect community to raise a family in," he said.
Isabel frowns in thought. Campamento Zaragoza appears to be perfect, but she knows that everything that appears to be flawless conceals flaws and cracks beneath the surface. Her half-brother is a narcissist and a notorious hothead. She's curious about how he interacts with his people.
"May I ask you a question?" she asked.
"Go ahead."
"What's Enrique like as a leader?"
He appeared to ponder the question for some time. Perhaps he's trying to come up with the appropriate words to characterize his leader. Isabel had expected this in-depth consideration of her question.
"Well...at first he was aggressive. Declaring himself as the leader of our, then small, group and taking charge of everything and everyone," he started. Carefully watching Isabel's reaction. Her expression remained neutral so he continued. "But when Chacón, Gonzalo, and the other members of his advising team, me included, he started to mellow out a bit. He has these people who help him make rational decisions and reel him back when he starts getting aggressive."
Isabel remembered that Gonzalo had quickly drew Enrique back and talked him down from his rage at the old gym showers. Gonzalo and her godfather appear to have more power in this society than she had assumed. She could utilize this to her advantage in learning more about the community's inner workings.
"Here we are," Thomas said as they arrived at the old municipal hall.
"Zaragoza's municipal hall?" she asked as they entered the former government building.
"Yep. It makes sense that it'd be the leadership council's headquarters," he said.
They climbed up the steps that led to the mayor's office where Isabel presumed would be Enrique's office. Thomas told her to wait and knocked on the door first.
"Come in!" Enrique called from the other side of the door.
The head of security enters first. Closing the door behind him. Isabel waited outside while Thomas spoke to Enrique. A few minutes later, she was allowed inside the office. She immediately noticed three other people inside aside from her half brother and Thomas. Gonzalo, her godfather Chacón, and Joana.
"Bienvenida hermana, I hope you and your group are settling in well," Enrique said.
"We're settling just fine. Gracias for the shelter," Isabel said. Walking over to the large desk that used to belong to the mayor of Zaragoza.
Now it belongs to Enrique.
"Good, good. Now, I would like to introduce you to the leadership council but I'm well aware that you've been fully acquainted with each one," he said.
"Quite. Some more than others," she said. Sending Joana a sharp gaze. She glares back at her in response.
"Which will be very essential given what we'll be discussing about. Members of the leadership council, there is a large herd of Infected heading our way," Enrique announced.
Joana, Chacón, and Thomas all reacted to the news in the same way. Exclaiming in disbelief and demanding over and over how Enrique knew this. To silence them, he raises his hand.
"Mi querida hermana here has graciously informed me about this herd and she's here to help us prepare for the inevitable," he said. Gesturing to Isabel.
"Enrique, how are you so sure that she's not lying about this herd?" Joana asked her husband.
"Give me one good reason why I would lie about something I'm running away from for over a month now?" Isabel challenged. Glaring at Joana.
"Stealing my husband's position like you've done before with Castile Corp!" Joana said. Marching up to Isabel and angrily getting in her face as she poked an accusatory finger at her.
"I have no desire to take your husband's place! My focus is solely on my family and my group!" Isabel jabs back.
Gonzalo looked across to Enrique to see if he would intervene on behalf of his wife and half-sister, but he just smirked as he watched the women squabble. He sighs and walks over to separate the two women before a full-fledged brawl ensues. Joana is grabbed by the shoulder and pulled away from Isabel, who he stands in front of.
"Enough! Real or not, it is best that we prepare, so I suggest we stop arguing and start discussing what to do," he said.
"You reel in that bitch of yours, Gonzalo or there will be consequences," Joana threatened.
"¡Maldita perra!" Isabel spats back.
"That's enough!" Enrique said. Standing up from his chair. "Querida esposa, will you please shut the fuck up for once!" he snaps. Slamming his fist on the desk. His wife immediately shuts up and falls back. Looking down at her feet.
This annoys Isabel, who growls angrily. Since she's known him, her half brother has been a misogynistic, controlling narcissist. Sure, she despises Joana, but she pities the woman for being married to Enrique.
"Alright, let's get down to business shall we? Joana, the map," Enrique orders. Snapping his fingers at his wife.
Joana swiftly pulls the official map of Zaragoza from one of the filing cabinets. She hands it to her husband, who accepts it and lays it out on the desk without thanking her. Isabel examined the map more closely and spotted numerous markings on it with various colored markers.
"Now here is where our walls are. The walls are made of any material we could scavenge. Roof paneling, wood, scrap metal, anything," Enrique said. Pointing at the red lines surrounding the borders of Zaragoza.
"The walls can hold back maybe a small group of infected but not a herd of thousands. We need to build an actual reinforced fortress," Isabel said.
"And how are we going to do that exactly without proper tools and materials?" Thomas asks her.
Isabel examines the map carefully then a certain area caught her eye. She points at it.
"There's a Castile Corp. warehouse located around here if I recall correctly. We can use the materials stored there to build the walls," she said.
"Absolutely not," Enrique said. Stabbing a knife at the area his half sister pointed at. Almost stabbing her finger had she not pulled back quick enough. Isabel glares at him for this.
"And why not?" she asked. Frowning in confusion.
"That is outside the safe zone. Hence why the area is marked in black," Chacón explained.
"Then how are we going to gather materials or any supplies for that matter if you don't want to explore outside your safe zone?"
"It is outside the safe zone for a reason. There has to be another way," Enrique said.
"Enrique, the safe zone is slowly running out of supplies, I'm going to have to agree with Isabel here in going outside the safe zone to gather more. We can't just rely on it forever," Gonzalo said.
"The safe zone has kept us safe these past months and it will continue doing so. That's why it is called the safe zone!" Enrique argues.
"Enrique, have you forgotten that Gonzalo and his team go outside the walls everyday? I think it's safe to assume that he knows when the safe zone is running out of supplies or not," Chacón pointed out. Enrique glares at him.
"We have crops! If the safe zone ever runs out of supplies then we'll still have crops that can feed everyone," Joana defended.
"And what if a major drought happens? What if there's a massive winter that kills every plant life for several months? What then? Anything and everything can happen nowadays and it's best to be prepared for the nonexistent what ifs than not at all," Isabel reasoned.
"I still don't agree with going outside the safe zone," Enrique said. Staying stubborn with his decision.
"I'm sorry Enrique but I'm afraid you're outnumbered here. I agree with Gonzalo and Isabel's point. We're a growing population and the more people we have the more mouths to feed. We don't have to go outside the safe zone all at once, we can, instead, expand it slowly but surely. The more we cover, the more territory we have," Thomas proposed. Gonzalo and Chacón gave nods of approval to his idea of area integration.
"I agree with Thomas' idea. Enrique, you may have everything within these walls but over time, supplies will surely dwindle. It's the same thing that happened to our father's company and I had to venture out in order to save it from going under red ink," Isabel said. Enrique growls in annoyance at the mention of their father's company.
Castile Corp. A symbol of his failure and her success.
How he hated to be reminded of that.
"The other members of the leadership council have spoken, Enrique. What do you say?" Chacón asked.
Enrique inhaled deeply through his nose then sighs. "Bueno. I'll allow expeditions outside the safe zone. Gonzalo, I leave it up to you to make arrangements," he said.
Gonzalo nodded and said, "of course."
"Anything else?"
"Yes. We need engineers and architects. Experts who can make us blueprints and skilled workers who know how to use tools to construct the walls," Isabel said.
"Do you need a city document of approval papers too? We don't have engineers and architects anymore, Isabel or have you forgotten that?" Enrique said.
"I can ask around and see if there are former professionals among us," Thomas offered.
"There's bound to be someone with a professional background. The lives of you and your people rests upon the protection of these walls. The more efficient we are the better."
"Fine. Anything else anyone wants to add?"
Everyone looked at each other. Seeing if someone has something to suggest more.
"No. No one? Alright then, Isabel, I give you the responsibility of being my representative regarding this project. That means the members of the leadership and their teams all answer to you for the time being."
"I'll do my best," Isabel said.
"Good. Now if there's nothing else to discuss then the meeting is adjourned," Enrique said.
The others started to head out the door but Isabel was stopped by her half brother.
"Isabel, can you stay for a bit? I would like to talk to you privately," he said.
Isabel looked over at Gonzalo and he looked back at her in concern. He leans down and whispers, "I'll wait for you by the door." She nodded in agreement and he exited the office. Closing the door behind him. Having him nearby and listening gave her a bit of comfort.
Being alone with Enrique was the last thing she needed.
She turns her attention to Enrique's desk. He was tinkering about with his knife. Tossing it from one hand to the other. She wished he'd just drop the knife and injure himself.
"Yes?" she asked.
"How are you these past years? The last time I saw you was when…uh…oh when was it?" he frowns in thought as he tries to recall when he last saw Isabel.
"My wedding," Isabel answered for him.
"Right! Right. Your wedding. Look, I'm sorry about Fernando. It must be hard without a husband and a father to protect you and your children," he said.
"He died protecting our children."
"Yes. He's a good father but not a very good husband." Enrique looked at his younger half sister with a mocking smirk. He knew fully well about Fernando's infidelity.
Isabel's eye twitched a bit in annoyance. "What do you want, Enrique?" she asked.
"Nothing really. I just want to catch up with mi hermana. That's all."
"I highly doubt that's what you want to talk about."
Enrique stood up with a chuckle. He slammed his knife against the desk, which remained upright in the wood. He then walks over to Isabel, who was tense and on high alert. Keeping a close eye on him.
"How old is Isabella? Sixteen? Seventeen?" he asked.
"She's eighteen," she answered. She noticed a glint in his eyes when she answered his question.
"I see. Time flies. Quite the fine young woman she grew up to be," he said.
"She's very much independent of me. I know I can rely on her. Fernando would be so proud," she said.
"How did he die?"
Isabel looked at him suspiciously. "Who?" she asked despite knowing who he was talking about.
"Fernando. How did he die?"
"He died protecting our children."
"Oh no no no, Isabel. I mean how exactly did he die?"
Enrique looked into Isabel's eyes as he waited for her to give him an answer. She remained tight lipped and said nothing. The half siblings shared a silent staring contest. Seeing who would falter first. Enrique got his win when he said the following;
"You killed him, didn't you?"
Isabel's strong demeanor faltered and she looked away. Still refusing to say anything. Enrique, meanwhile, had a triumphant smirk on his face.
"Oh you are so easy to read, hermana," he boasted.
Isabel clenched her fists tightly and tried to restrain herself from punching him square in his annoying face.
"I had no choice. He was already Infected and was trying to attack me," she defended.
"That still doesn't excuse you from the fact that you killed your own husband," he said. She glares at him and his smirk just grows wider.
"Why do you do this, Enrique?" Isabel asked.
"Simple. I want to show you that I'm on top now and you have no choice but to answer to me."
Enrique mocks her even more by patting her like she was a mere child compared to him. She slaps his hand away from her and he just chuckles.
"You're free to go, querida hermana. It was nice talking to you," he dismissed.
Isabel quickly turned and marched out the door. Slamming it shut behind her and startling Gonzalo who was waiting for her outside.
"I take it the talk didn't go well?" he asked. Following her as she makes her way out of the municipal hall.
"I fucking hate his mind games!" she exclaims.
"I'll take that as a 'yes' then," he said.
Isabel finally managed to calm down once they were outside. She takes a deep breath and lets out a sigh. She turns to her long time childhood friend and asks, "can you give me a tour around the camp? I need to get to know the people we'd be protecting."
"Of course but it'll take us a whole day and a half if we go on foot. Do you still remember how to ride a horse?"
"Of course I do! It's one of my past times in the summer. I even got Juana into it."
Gonzalo smiles at her. "Then let's go to the stables to get you a horse," he said.
"Can we stop by the nursery first? I need to see my children," Isabel requested.
"Sure! I want to see the little ones too. I haven't seen them since last year," Gonzalo said. She chuckles at this.
"Oh believe me, they will pile on you when they see you."
"We'll see about that."
.
"Padrino Gonzalo!"
As soon as Juan, Juana, Maria, Marion, and Catalina saw Gonzalo, they tackled him. Isabel stood there, laughing at him, as her children piled on top of him. You could say that he's their favorite uncle because he constantly spoils them.
"Okay! Okay! Let your padrino up so he can hug you!" Gonzalo said. Laughing happily. He's very thankful that the little ones were alive and unharmed. Goes to show how well Isabel has protected and taken care of them.
"Excuse me, are you the mother of these children?" A tall blonde woman approached Isabel. She was cradling a baby in her arms.
"Yes?" Isabel asked.
"My name is Avarice James. One of the caretakers here in the nursery along with my wife. Are you perhaps the mother of these children?" the woman, Avarice, asked. Gesturing to the children running around Gonzalo.
"Sí. They're mine. I hope they're not any trouble to you," Isabel said.
"Oh no! Not at all. I just want to commend you for keeping these little ones alive and safe. I've never really seen newcomers with children let alone perfectly healthy ones," Ava said.
"Gracias. We prioritize our children first and foremost in our group."
"Your little ones are also quite the fighters."
Isabel smiles proudly. "I expect nothing less from the children of Trastámara," she said.
Gonzalo finally managed to escape his godchildren and saunters over to the two women.
"Hey! Oh, is that Jane?" he asked when he saw the baby Avarice was holding.
"Yep. She was being a bit fussy so I've been carrying her for hours," she said.
"Here. Let me take her off you for a bit so you can have a break," he said. Already scooping the baby from her.
"Thank you! I just need to go on a snack run and a bathroom break. I'll be right back," she said and rushed off.
Isabel approached Gonzalo and took a good look at the baby he was holding. He was cooing as he gently rocked the baby in his arms.
"You seem to know that little one quite well," she commented.
"Well yeah. I rescued her and her older sister when I was just wandering around on my own. Liz and Jane were starving when I found them. I took them in my care that very day and here we are," Gonzalo recalled. She smiles at him.
"You're one noble man, Gonzalo," she said.
"Padrino," Isabella calls. Approaching her godfather and mother.
"¿Sí?" he asked. Turning to Isabel's namesake.
"Mamá said I can join your team to help while we're here," she said.
"Oh really?" he asked. Looking over at Isabel.
"I figured she can help your team. She can hold her own," Isabel said.
"Well I suppose you can. We could use help from someone like you," Gonzalo said.
Isabella grins happily. "When can I start?" she asked.
"Right now if you want. I'll radio Liz and tell her you're coming over for initiation," he said. Carefully shifting baby Jane on one arm while he used the other to grab his walkie talkie.
Isabella's eyes twinkled when the brunette beauty's name was mentioned. Her mother didn't miss it, and she simply rolled her eyes and shook her head at her daughter.
She may be dependable and self-sufficient, but when it comes to the girls she likes, all logic goes out the window.
Isabel decides to leave the two alone for a time and go see her children to check how they are doing. In the corner, she notices Juana. Her nose is buried in the pages of a book. She walks over with a smile on her face.
“What are you reading there, querida?” Isabel asked. Sitting on the floor next to Juana.
"A story about cats. They live in clans and have warriors and leaders that lead and protect them!" Juana excitedly said.
Isabel gave her daughter a loving grin. Juana has always favored reading than playing games. She does play on occasion, but if there are books nearby, she will make a beeline for them.
"Mama, are we going to stay here forever?" Juana asked.
"I don't know yet, mija," Isabel answered.
"Because we have playmates here. Even Catalina is happy now," the nine year old said. gesturing to her younger sister, who was happily playing with Sibylle and the other toddlers. Isabel gave a warm smile. Catalina was sufficiently distracted by other children her age to take her attention away from her beloved Pancho for a time, and she is grateful for that.
"I know. I'm glad she's not upset anymore," she said. Isabel kisses her daughter's forehead.
"Me too, querida. Me too."
Juana smiles at her. Then suddenly her smile drops and this worries Isabel a bit. "What's wrong, mija?" she asked.
"Um…mama about–" Juana was cut off when Gonzalo came over to them. "Ready to head out?" he asked Isabel.
"Sí. The sooner we get going the better. We'll talk later, querida. Okay?" Isabel said standing up.
Juana looked at her almost pleadingly but nodded anyway. Isabel smiles and kisses her on the forehead before following Gonzalo. The nine year old sighs and goes back to her book.
Perhaps her father's secret can wait.
.
As she exits the cart, Isabella expresses her thanks to the driver. She took a quick look around and discovered the military camp and barracks that her padrino had mentioned.
"Now to find Liz," she said to herself and walked along the many barracks of the base. Lucky for her, she had quickly found who she was looking for around the fifth barrack. Liz was out on the porch with her teammate. Chatting about.
"Hey there!" she greets. Going over to them.
Liz and her teammate looked up when they heard Isabella greet them.
"Oh. It's you," Liz said while her teammate stifled a laugh. She glares at them and jabs their side with her elbow.
"¡Ay!"
"Yeah! It's me. My name's Isabella Trastámara but you can call me Bella. I never got your name," Isabella said.
"Elizabeth. Elizabeth Seymour but I prefer being called 'Liz'."
"Liz. Liz is a lovely name."
"Thanks. So what brings you here to the barracks?" Liz asked. Leaning against the porch railing.
"Oh! My padrino told me to wait for him here and maybe get to know my future teammates while I wait. He also mentioned something about an initiation," Isabella said. Liz raised an eyebrow.
"Your padrino?" she asked.
"Padrino Gonzalo," Isabella answered.
"Oh! You mean the capitán."
"Yup!"
"He did radio me about you earlier. Well then, Bella. Why don't we get your initiation underway. Follow me," Liz said. Walking over to Isabella and looking at her from head to toe with an interesting look. Isabella tries to act cool and suave.
Key word being 'try'.
Liz chuckles and motions for the Spanish girl to follow her. And like a lost puppy, she does so. Isabella made futile attempts to flirt with Liz and the former is just amused at her attempts.
"Here we are," she said. Stopping at a weapons storage. She uses her key to unlock the door. She lets Isabella in first before entering herself.
Isabella was so distracted by looking at the various weapons stored there that she didn't notice Liz close and lock the door behind her.
"So uh what's my initiation going to be? Weapons test?" she asked. Turning around to face her only to be surprised, pleasantly so, when Liz pushes her and pins her against the wall. Caging her between her arms. Isabella's eyes widened, her face flushed, and heart beating fast.
"Wow…," was the only word she could utter due to her brain's lack of function at the moment.
Liz smirks and chuckles. "You are pretty cute, I'll give you that," she said.
"I have been told that I am quite adorable. So…is this my initiation?" Isabella asked.
"If you want to, it could be," Liz said. Gently tracing a finger down the side of the Spanish girl's face.
"Can it?"
"Sure. I'll just tell the capitán that I tested your stamina and strength."
"Gloria a Dios por esta bendición."
.
The residents of Campamento Zaragoza made their way to the comedor for dinner as the evening approached. Thanks to Gonzalo's tour, Isabel has met the majority of the residents, and practically everyone knows about the herd and the plans to build their walls.
Thomas had found a few former engineers and architects, and Isabel had already briefed them of the plan to construct stronger walls. The former professionals agreed to collaborate in order to present blueprints and plans to the workers who would be building the stronghold.
It had been a long day but Isabel can now relax at dinner with her family and friends.
"Where's Isabella and Johann? It's almost time for dinner," Isabel asked as she sat down at the table where her group had gathered.
"Johann stayed at the hospital with Mari and Sibylle. I'm not so sure about Isabella though," Joyce said.
"This is the first time we'll be having a proper meal in months and that girl decides to be late," Isabel grumbles.
Isabella arrived at the comedor at last. Her face was lit up with a smug, contented grin. After a minute, Liz rushed inside and made her way to her usual table with her teammates, adjusting and readjusting her turtleneck collar around her neck.
"There you are, Bella! Where have you been?" Isabel asked when her eldest finally came to join them for dinner.
"Oh I was just doing stuff," her namesake said. Taking a seat next to Joyce who got a good peek at her neck.
"Oh yeah? How was it?" Joyce casually asked.
"It was great."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"How was she in bed?"
"She was amazing."
Everyone at the table shifted their gazes on Isabella when she made that obvious Freudian slip. Joyce looked rather triumphant with her interrogation.
"You really were doing 'stuff'. What's her name though?" she asked.
"Uh…"
"Isabella Trastámara II--"
"Oh full name you're in bloody trouble now, mate."
"--we've only been here for a day and you've already hooked up with someone!?"
"Um...I uh…"
"Mami what's 'hooked up'?" Maria asked. The rest of her children looked at her expectantly. Waiting for the answer. Isabel sighs and goes to do damage control first.
"It's something only adults do, niños, no need to worry about it or say it to others, comprende?" she explained.
Despite their dissatisfaction with the answer, the children followed their mother's directions. Isabel gave her eldest an earful but Isabella let her mother's words go in one ear and out the other.
She's too much of a winner to be scolded at the moment.
Isabel gave up when she noticed Isabella wasn't paying attention to her and went back to eating her food. The newcomers were enthralled by their hot supper and were immediately stuffed after only one serving.
"I'm going to stay up and talk more with the others here. Go over the plans and all that. Can you take the children back to the house?" Isabel asked. Standing up and gathering their plates to put away to be cleaned.
"Even your big baby over there?" Joyce asked. Pointing over to Isabella who had moved to Liz's table after finishing her dinner.
"No. She'll probably end up in that girl's bed anyways," Isabella said. Handing the plates to one of the sanitary officers.
"Alright. Up you get, munchkins. Time to go to bed so say goodnight to your mum," Joyce said. Standing up from her table.
Isabella bid her children good night with a hug and a kiss on the forehead each before letting them go to Joyce. She waits for them to leave before heading over to one of the tables.
"Isabel!"
She stops in her tracks and turns around to see Gonzalo walking over to her. In his hands were Fernando's cane and handgun. "Here. I managed to get them from the confiscation ward. I already gave your friend her bat and Isabella her bow," he said. Handing her her husband's weapons.
Isabel smiles and holds them close. "Gracias, Gonzalo," she said. Looking up at him gratefully.
He smiled and said, "de nada."
There was a moment of silence between them. Paying their respects to the departed Fernando. Isabel broke the silence first after securing the handgun on her belt.
"Gonzalo, can we talk? I…I have something to confess," she said.
Gonzalo felt his heart beat faster at the mention of a confession from his childhood friend whom he's had feeling for a very long time now.
"Of course," he said. Gesturing for her to follow him out of the comedor. He leads her outside and towards a nearby park that the survivors maintained for their leisurely walks. They sat down on a bench and waited. Waited for time to pass by and for Isabel to gather her courage to say what she wanted to say. Gonzalo patiently waits for her to say the first word.
Clutching Fernando's cane tightly, she finally confesses her sins.
"I…I shot him…"
Gonzalo was taken aback and looked at her in disbelief. His mouth was agape and his eyes were wide. Isabel's eyes welled up with tears as she remembered the horrifying memories of shooting her own husband. Her hands began to shake, as if she could still feel the gun's recoil after pulling the trigger.
"He had turned and was attacking me. I didn't want to do it but...I had no choice...I shot him with his own gun," she recalled. Fully breaking down.
"Lo siento, Isabel. It's not your fault. You did what you had to. To protect yourself and your children. He would have wanted that," Gonzalo said. His voice is soft and calming.
He was at a loss for what to do for a while. Isabel sobbed loudly and her shoulder shook. With every tear, she released all of her grief and guilt. Finally, Gonzalo summoned the courage to reach her and comfort her in his arms.
Isabel agreed to it.
She cried on his shoulder as she clung to him. She let it all out until there was nothing more to let out. He remained silent and just held her close. Rubbing her back in soothing circles. After a time, Isabel finally pulls away. She wiped her tears with the sleeves of her husband's coat.
"Gracias, Gonzalo. For listening to me and not judging," she said. Smiling gratefully at her friend.
He smiles back. "Don't mention it. Beatriz and I are always here for you to have a shoulder to cry on," he said.
"I'm counting on you and Beatriz to stay alive then."
The two shared a laugh and then fell into silence again. A comfortable one this time. Finally, it was Gonzalo's turn to break the silence.
"I uh…I also have something to confess, Isabel," he said.
Isabel looked at him expectantly. "¿Sí?" she asks. He takes a deep breath and looks at her before confessing.
"I'm still in love with you."
It took a moment or two for Isabel to process what Gonzalo had just said. "Gonzalo!" she exclaimed in surprise.
"I know! I know it's not right but...I just can't help these feelings," he said. Looking down and fidgeting with his thumbs.
"Gonzalo, we've tried dating before and it didn't work. You know that," Isabel said.
"We were still young and ignorant back then, Isabel. We're practically different people now," Gonzalo said. Hoping she'd see his logic in wanting to try a relationship again.
"You're right but we've tried and decided we're not for each other long before we even married our spouses. It...surprises me that you still harbor feelings for me...did Luisa know?"
He shook his head. "No. No she didn't. I honestly loved her during our relationship. I just kept my feelings for you hidden and moved on," he said. "But I guess I just suppressed them and they resurfaced once again when I saw you. I realized that I never got over you."
Isabel looked at him and Gonzalo met her gaze. They looked at each other for what seemed like years. Both contemplating whether or not to do something. The long silence was broken by Gonzalo.
"Isabel, may I?" he asked. Isabel knew exactly what he was asking her permission of. She nodded slowly. Granting him permission.
Trying not to scare her away with his excitement, he slowly leans in. Isabel merely stayed in place and closed her eyes as she waited for him to close the gap between them. And he did. Their lips meeting in a gentle kiss.
He savors the feeling and taste of her lips on his. They were each other's first kiss back when they were young and Gonzalo discovered that the fireworks never went away. He pulled away after a long blissful minute and slowly opened his eyes. Meeting Isabel's brown hues.
"Gonzalo," she said. Her voice barely above a whisper.
"¿Sí?" he asks. Waiting with bated breath.
"Will you keep me company tonight?" she asked. More or less requested.
Gonzalo nodded and gave his answer, "of course."
Isabel stood up from the bench and offered her hand to him. Gonzalo took her hand in his and stood up as well.
"Are you sure, Isabel?" he asked. Wanting to be sure first. She nodded in response. Satisfied with that answer, he follows her back to her place. Their hands remain intertwined.
Two lost souls who mourned the loss of those they loved came together to be each other's comfort and company for a single night.
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#six#six the musical#sixtended verse#isabella i of castille (sixtended)#fernando ii of aragon (sixtended oc)#isabella trastámara (sixtended)#juan trastámara (sixtended)#juana de castille (sixtended)#juana la loca (sixtended)#juana trastamara (sixtended)#maria trastámara (sixtended)#catherine of aragon (six)#catalina de aragon (six)#maria of jülich berg (sixtended)#sibylle of cleves (sixtended)#sibylle von kleve (sixtended)#johann of cleves (six)#jocasta howard (six)#elizabeth seymour (sixtended)#gonzalo fernández de córdoba(six)#enrique iv of castille (six)#gonzalo chacón (six)#joana of portugal (six)#lost stars in the night#post apocalypse au#tw major character death#tw graphic descriptions of gore#tw graphic descriptions of violence#tw zombies#my writing
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In Game:
Cesare Borgia was the illegitimate son of Rodrigo Borgia and a member of the Templar Order. He was also Captain General of the Papal armies, though he secretly plotted against his father to take over Rome, and then eventually all of Italy.
In 1496, when his father waged war with the Orsini Family to seize their territory north of Rome, Cesare joined the battle. Among the enemy's ranks was Bartolomeo d'Alviano, in an Assassin. When Bartolomeo's resources were down to three fortresses, Cesare cut off his supplies. Just when victory seemed within reach, Carlo Orsini arrived with his army and reinforced Bartolomeo, wounding Cesare in the face.
In 1498, the Assassin Perotto Calderon and Cesare's sister, Lucrezia Borgia, had an intimate relationship together, which led to Lucrezia becoming pregnant. However, Cesare had Perotto imprisoned for becoming close to his sister, and took the child away from them. Perotto managed to escape and took his son with him, but as he fled, the members of his Brotherhood executed him for having broken the tenets of their Creed. Cesare managed to once again take the child, somehow, and decided to raise him as his own, naming the child Giovanni Borgia.
In January 1500, Cesare led an assault on Monteriggioni, the headquarters of the Assassins in Italy at the time, in order to eliminate the Auditore family, who were the leaders of the Assassins. Cesare's forces overwhelmed the fortress defenders and captured the Apple, Caterina Sforza, and Mario Auditore, the current leader of the Italian Assassins. He taunted Ezio Auditore da Firenze, Mario’s nephew, as he shot Mario with a firearm that had been made by Leonardo da Vinci.
Ezio himself was then shot and wounded by a team of arquebusiers. Cesare immediately had Mario decapitated, his severed head placed on a pike. During Ezio's escape, Cesare showed Mario's head to him, claiming that he would kill him next.
After the Siege of Monteriggioni, Cesare commanded Ramiro d'Orco, Vitellozzo Vitelli and Oliverotto da Fermo to lead his armies into Romagna and claim it for their Borgia master. However, all three generals eventually rebelled against Cesare, to which he responded by butchering Ramiro. The two panicked and attempted to rejoin Cesare. However, with Romagna his, Cesare no longer required their service. Months later, Cesare threw a "dinner" in Vitellozzo and Oliverotto's honor where the latter two were ambushed and killed with crossbows.
By 1500, Cesare had Rome almost completely under his control as the commander of the Papal army, though he and his father occasionally disagreed on his choices. He used Borgia towers and their captains to keep control over the five districts of Rome, as he was often away for extended periods of time to oversee the advancement of his army, in a bid to unite all of Italy under his rule.
In 1502, Cesare continued to make use of Leonardo da Vinci's intellect, forcing him to design several war machines for his army. However, all of Leonardo's creations were eventually stolen and destroyed by Ezio, in secret, at Leonardo's own request.
Cesare attended Juan Borgia's pagan party in 1503, where he gave a brief speech on a soon to be united Italy. After Cesare commanded the party to begin, Rodrigo reminded him that they had not agreed to conquer Italy. However, Cesare told his father that he was now in control, although not officially, and simply told his father to enjoy himself.
Later that same year, due to the interference of the Roman Assassins, Cesare's army and funds had significantly diminished. Enraged, Cesare confronted Rodrigo, demanding to know what had happened. The two argued briefly, Cesare demanding that Rodrigo give him the Apple of Eden, before Lucrezia barged in, crying out to her brother that their father was attempting to poison him with the bowl of apples he had left out.
Cesare, furious, attacked Rodrigo and shoved one of the poisoned apples down his father’s throat, suffocating him. Lucrezia confessed under pressure that the Apple was hidden in the St. Peter’s Basilica. However, Ezio reached the Piece of Eden first.
From there, Cesare’s rule went down hill. He had ingested enough poison to leave him weak for months and the Vatican refused to support him. Cesare was eventually arrested under the order of Pope Julius II and escaped to Spain after a brief imprisonment in the Castel Sant'Angelo.
Cesare began to rebuild his forces in Valencia, with men volunteering to enter his service and setting up a large military encampment. Whilst Cesare was raising a small army, he spent most of his time coordinating battle tactics at the Lone Wolf Inn. Ezio and Machiavelli soon discovered this, however, and were able to destroy the encampment and twelve ships with Leonardo's hand-held bombs.
In March of 1507, Cesare commandeered John III's vast army during the Siege of Viana, after which, should he be victorious, he would regain the support of the French. However, unbeknownst to him, Ezio caught wind of Cesare's involvement in the battle and set out for Viana. Ezio eventually faced Cesare on the walls of Viana Castle and fought against him, with Cesare wielding a sword and a pistol.
Cesare vowed not to die at the hands of man, Ezio said that he would leave Cesare "in the hands of fate", and threw him off of the castle wall to his death.
In Real Life:
Cesare Borgia was a Spanish/Italian politician and nobleman born on September 13th, 1475. He was the illegitimate son of Cardinal Roderic Llançol i de Borja, (usually known as Rodrigo Borgia), who would later be known as Pope Alexander VI, and his long-time mistress Vannozza dei Cattanei. Pope Alexander VI, was the first pope who openly recognized his children born out of wedlock. Cesare was the brother of Lucrezia, Giovanni, and Gioffre Borgia. His fight for power was said to have been a major inspiration for Niccolo Machiavelli’s “The Prince.”
The Borgia family are said to have originally come from the Kingdom of Valencia and rose to prominence during the mid-15th century when Cesare's great-uncle Alphonso Borgia (1378–1458), bishop of Valencia, became Pope Callixtus III in 1455.
Cesare was described as ruthless, determined, and insatiably power-hungry. He was originally groomed for a carreer in the church, although he ended up studying law at what is nowadays Sapienza University of Rome. He was made Bishop of Pamplona at the age of 15 and archbishop of Valencia at 17. In 1493, he had also been appointed bishop of both Castres and Elne. In 1494, he also received the title of abbot of the abbey of Saint-Michel-de-Cuxa. Along with his father's elevation to Pope on August 11th, 1492, Cesare was made Cardinal at the age of 18.
(Image source)
Rodrigo “staked the Borgia family’s hopes” on Cesare’s brother, Giovanni Borgia, who was made captain general of the military forces of the papacy. However, in 1497, Giovanni’s body was found in the Tiber River with his throat slit open. There are several possibilities of whom might have been involved in the assassination, but many historians hold Cesare responsible since the death gave him political advantages. Others theorize that Giovanni may have been killed as a result of a sexual liaison.
Cesare now had the possibility of being dispensed from his clerical duties and of assuming his brother's secular titles, wealth, and position as military leader of the Borgias and the papacy. On August 17th, 1498, Cesare became the first person in history to resign the cardinalate.
Rodrigo put Cesare in command of the papal army. In alliance with the French the two of them set out to bring the central Italian cities back under direct papal control and carve out an Italian kingdom for Cesare himself. Machiavelli, who greatly admired Cesare, believed that he would have succeeded if it had not been for Pope Alexander’s death in Rome of malaria in 1503 and the fact that Cesare himself came down with the disease as well and was temporarily put out of action.
The new pope, Pius III, supported Cesare Borgia and reconfirmed him as Gonfalonier; but after a brief pontificate of twenty-six days, he died. Cesare's enemy, Giuliano Della Rovere, then succeeded by diplomacy in tricking the weakened Cesare Borgia into supporting him by offering him money and continued papal backing for Borgia policies in the Romagna; promises which he disregarded upon election. He was elected as Pope Julius II to the papal dignity by the near-unanimous vote of the cardinals. Realizing his mistake by then, Cesare tried to correct the situation to his favor, but Pope Julius II made sure of its failure at every turn.
(Image source)
Cesare was betrayed while in Naples by Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba, a man whom he had considered his ally, and was imprisoned there while the land that he owned was retaken by the Papacy. In 1504 he was transferred to Spain and imprisoned first in the Castle of Chinchilla de Montearagón in La Mancha, but after an attempted escape he was moved north to the Castle of La Mota, Medina del Campo, which was near Segovia. He did manage to escape from the Castle of La Mota with some assistance he made it to Pamplona on December 3rd, 1506, and was much welcomed by King John III of Navarre, who needed an experienced military commander.
He recaptured Viana, Navarre but not the castle itself, which he then besieged. In the early morning of March 11th, 1507, an enemy party of knights fled from the castle during a heavy storm. Outraged at the ineffectiveness of the siege, Cesare chased them only to find himself on his own. A party of knights discovered him was alone, and trapped him in an ambush, where Cesare received a fatal injury from a spear. He was then stripped of all his luxurious garments, valuables and a leather mask covering half his face (disfigured possibly by syphilis during his late years). Cesare was left lying naked, with just a red tile covering his groin.
Cesare was originally buried in a marbled mausoleum John III had ordered built at the altar of the Church of Santa María in Viana, set on one of the stops on the Camino de Santiago. Cesare's remains were later sent to Viana's town hall, directly across from Santa María, where they remained until 1953. They were then reburied immediately outside of the Church of Santa María.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cesare_Borgia
http://www.historytoday.com/richard-cavendish/death-cesare-borgia
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Cesare_Borgia
http://www.encyclopedia.com/people/history/italian-history-biographies/cesare-borgia
http://thepoliticalscienceclub.com/september-2015-essays-contest-ilinca-luiza-cristian-cesare-borgia-the-road-from-cleric-to-renaissance-king/
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Lost Stars in the Night
The following characters belong to:
Isabella I of Castile, Ferdinand II of Aragon, and Juan Trastámara: @weirdbutdecentart
Isabella Trastámara: @lexartsstuff
Marion Trastámara and Elizabeth 'Liz' Seymour: @vanessaseymour
Juana 'la loca' de Castile: @ellielovesdrawing
Maria Trastámara, Maria of Jülich-Berg, and Sibylle of Cleves: Yours truly
.
Characters (Description and characters change with each chapter):
Isabel Trastámara - Age thirty eight years old, widow of Fernando Trastámara and has six children. She is currently the acting leader of the group. Is unsure how to react to her older half brother being the leader of a survivor’s society.
Isabella Trastámara - Age eighteen years old. Is the oldest child of Isabel. Her current priority is the safety of her siblings and mother. Is very wary of her uncle and prefers to distract herself by flirting with Liz.
Johann La Marck - Age twenty one years old. Readily does as he is told as long as it’s not to the detriment of his family. He is now a proud father of two daughters.
Jocasta ‘Joyce’ Howard - Age twenty nine years old and currently a couple months along in her pregnancy. Is wary of the people in the camp. Especially it’s leader.
Gonzalo Fernández - Age thirty six years old, widow of Luisa Manrique-Fernández and had two children. He is currently the captain of his border patrol unit in Campamento Zaragoza and is very happy to have Isabel and her children in the camp.
Enrique Castro - Age sixty four years old and married to Joana Castro. He is Isabel’s older half brother and the founder and leader of Campamento Zaragoza. No one knows of his true feelings about his half sister’s reemergence and arrival to his camp.
Joana Castro - Age fifty years old and married to Enrique Castro. She manages the agriculture and the food supply of Campamento Zaragoza. She’s unsure how to go about Isabel and her group’s arrival in the camp.
Beatriz de Bobadilla - Age forty eight years old. She is Isabel’s long time best friend and is very happy to know that she and her children are alive.
Gonzalo Chacón - Age sixty three years old. Isabel’s godfather and caretaker of her mother. He’s considered as Enrique’s advisor when it comes to making decisions for the camp.
Isabela Aviz-Castro - Age sixty one years old. She is Isabel’s mother and has dementia. Regardless, she’s really happy and relieved to see her only daughter.
(Before you proceed, be warned that the story contains graphic descriptions of violence, blood, gore, death. Please proceed with caution)
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Chapter Six: Campamento Zaragoza
Enrique chuckles and walks over to Isabel. Pulling her in for a tight hug. “¡Mi querida hermana! You’re alive!” he said. Still laughing happily.
Isabel returned her older half brother's hug hesitantly. Given that her and Enrique's relationship had been rocky to say the least, this was unusual. The fact that their father married her mother, who was Enrique's wife's cousin and younger than him, was one of the reasons for their tumultuous relationship. Not to mention the fact that their father removed him entirely from his will and gave the, then dying, company to Isabel, who successfully revived it and turned it into the powerhouse it once was.
So him hugging her right now was both perplexing and uncomfortable.
“U-Um…it’s…refreshing to see you too, Enrique,” she said.
“Is that Isabella?” Enrique asked. Pulling away from Isabel and making his way over to her eldest daughter.
“U-Um…Hola tio,” Isabella politely greeted. Trying to maintain an arm’s length of space between them. He ignored this and pulled her into a hug anyway. “Look at you, you’ve grown into a fine young woman,” he said. Pulling away and looking at her from head to toe. Isabella squirmed uncomfortably under his gaze. Fortunately, her mother saved her by getting Enrique’s attention with a question.
“How did you survive, Enrique? And how did you manage to build a community as large as this?” Isabel asked. Isabella used this opportunity to step away from her uncle and stand next to Johann and Joyce.
“It’s simply a gift, Isabel. I knew Castile Corp. wasn’t for me but an entire community of survivors is! This is my calling, hermana! These people need me and without me, they would have been dead or Infected a long time now,” Enrique said. He turned to his half sister and smirked. Isabel always hated that smirk. Especially when he was smirking at her younger brother, Alfonso’s, funeral many years back.
“You saved our father’s legacy, Isabel. Now, it is my turn to save you. This is my domain now. I have things handled and in order for you and your group to earn your stay, you have to answer to me,” he said. Taking Isabel’s hand in his own but she promptly yanked her hand away.
“Gracias pero no gracias, Enrique but my group and I are leaving for Girona. It’s safer that way,” Isabel said.
Enrique frowns at this. Even Gonzalo looked at her in confusion. “Isabel, this is a fully functioning community, why decide to leave for the countryside?” he asked.
“This is a fully functioning community, Gonzalo but looking at your walls earlier, I’m not sure if it can handle the large herd heading this way,” Isabel said.
“Herd? What herd?” Enrique asked.
“A herd of Infected. They number in the thousands and they are slowly making their way here by using the main highway. We were driven out of our last safe house because of them,” Isabella explained.
“We’ve seen it. The herd may be slow moving but it was a scary and overwhelming sight. It’s like they’re endless,” Joyce said.
The two men looked at each other in shock then shifted their gazes to Isabel who was discussing quietly with the present members of her group about their changes in plans.
“So it’s agreed that the soonest Mari recovers we take our leave for Girona?” She asked, and the plan was approved by all three adults. They've all put their faith in her to make decisions, and she's never let them down.
“Hold on, Isabel. You tell us there’s a herd of Infected headed our way and you’re just standing there’ discussing your escape with your group instead of helping us?” Enrique asked. Or, more accurately, demanded as he yanks his half sister by the shoulder and spins her around to face him.
Isabel gives him a cold stare and wrests her shoulder free from his grasp.
“Why? I thought you said you have things handled in this community. Surely you have something in mind for the oncoming herd, hermano,” she challenged.
Enrique's hand connected against her cheek in a flash, as he slapped her hard in the face. Isabel stumbled a little but kept her footing. When she looked up, he was glaring at her with such hatred that she felt he could murder her right then.
“¡Mamá!” Isabella exclaimed when her mother was attacked and Gonzalo yanked Enrique away from Isabel. Scolding him for attacking her.
“Did I strike a nerve, Enrique?” Isabel continues to challenge her older half brother. Ignoring the stinging on her cheek.
This was basically their relationship dynamic.
She provokes him and he violently lashes out. Oh how their father hated this dynamic of theirs but it's his fault anyways. He bred and raised a cunning asshole then bred and raised a hard headed wise woman.
Such is the family of the Castros.
“¡Maldita perra! I offer you shelter and safety and this is how you treat me!?” Enrique shouts angrily. Swinging at her again, but this time Gonzalo and Isabel were ready. Gonzalo pulled him back, and Isabel simply stepped back to avoid his lashing fists.
"Enrique! Calm down and stop shouting before anyone outside can hear you!" Gonzalo warns him. Still restraining him.
Isabel said nothing and just looked at her older half brother with an unreadable expression. Then all of a sudden, she said, "Lo siento, hermano. I didn't mean to provoke you. I'm just stressed from all the events that have happened recently."
When Isabel apologized to Enrique, he stopped flailing and cursing. It surprised him because she had never apologized to him on her own volition. As a result, this was a strange situation. When he had calmed down, Gonzalo let go of his grip on him, but he remained close by in case the half siblings got into another fight.
Between these two, there's always a conflict. You never know when it will happen.
"Uh...you're forgiven...I guess," Enrique hesitantly said.
"Look, just let us stay here until our resident nurse has recovered and we'll be out of your hair. You won't have to worry about feeding extra mouths after," Isabel said.
"Isabel--" Gonzalo wanted to protest but Enrique cut him off.
"I'll do you one better, Isabel. I'll let you stay here for as long as you will help me and my people prepare for the oncoming herd," he offers. Isabel frowns at this.
"The only advice I can give you about the herd is to move from the city. I have a theory that the herd will stay in one area until every living being in that area is Infected or dead. It's like they have a hive mind," she said.
"Moving is simply not an option for my people and I. Especially when we have everything we need here. What we need are stronger fortifications and I know you have extensive knowledge in constructing large walls," Enrique said.
He's right for once, Isabel had to admit. Moving a huge group of people isn't an option here, especially since they've established a comfortable camp. Fortifications may work for a while, but with thousands of Infected pounding on them, they are likely to fall and everyone will most likely die. She must, however, concentrate solely on her group. Her and her group may suffer as a result of assisting a large community.
"Chacón and your mother are here, Isabel. And you're willing to just leave them here to die?" Enrique guilted Isabel.
Isabel looked at him in shock. Her mother and godfather are still alive and they're here?
"Y-You're lying…," she said. It's hard to believe that her dementia ridden mother and godfather were still alive. She came to terms with those losses months ago.
"I am not. Gonzalo, go and fetch them. Tell Chacón that Isabel and her children are here," her older half brother said. Gonzalo nodded and went to go do as he was told.
That was all the confirmation Isabel needed.
"Alright. I'll help. I'll help as best as I can," she said.
Enrique smirked triumphantly and clapped a few times.
"¡Muy bien! I'll have you and your group screened then prepare accommodations for your stay. Again, welcome to Campamento Zaragoza. I look forward to your contributions." With that, he turned and left.
Isabel breathes out a sigh of relief. This wasn't anything she had planned, and she despised doing things on the spur of the moment.
Take, for example, the entire apocalypse.
After her uncle had left the room, Isabella approached her mother. "Mamá, are you sure? He could be lying about abuelo Chacón and Avó being here," she asked.
"Your padrino went to go get them and I trust him to never lie to me about something as serious as your abuelo Chacón and Avó still alive," Isabel said.
"What the hell was that about? Is that bloke really your brother?" Joyce asked as she and Johann walked over to the mother and daughter.
"Unfortunately. He's hated me and my family since our father married my mother and had me and my younger brother, Alfonso," Isabel explained.
"He looks really old though. Like way older than you," Joyce commented.
"He is. He's around twenty some years older than I am. He's actually older than my mother."
"Bloody hell."
"You can say that again."
"Also was machen wir jetzt?" Johann asked.
"What?" Isabel asked. Turning to the young man.
"He's asking what we should do now?" Isabella translated. Johann nodded in thanks.
"Well looks like we're staying here for an undisclosed amount of time. Hopefully before the herd shows up. I'll handle Enrique and you all should just try to help around as much as you can while keeping your head down. As soon as Enrique is satisfied with my help then we can leave," her mother explained. They've essentially altered plans multiple times in a single day, and there may be more changes in the following days, but Isabel will be ready to adjust and prioritize her family and group.
"What can we do to help around here?" Joyce asked.
"Maybe you can help in the hospital as a midwife or nurse. Johann, you can maybe help with agriculture or construction. Isabella can stick with her godfather as his secretary or maybe as a temporary member of his team," Isabel said.
"Yes!" Isabella cheered.
"What made you so happy about that?" Joyce asked. Raising a curious eyebrow.
"That beautiful brunette is in my godfather's team. I have a chance to make her swoon for me. Maybe serenading her with a guitar and a song might work," the younger Isabel said. An excited smirk on her face.
"Ay dios mio…" her mother sighs. Pinching the bridge of her nose.
"Babes, Your gay is showing," Joyce pointed out.
"Hey you can't blame me. I haven't seen a pretty girl around my age in months," Isabella retorts.
"I swear you flirt like your padre. But don't get too attached, mija. We're not staying here permanently," Isabel reminded.
"I know. Do you think asking padrino to put in a good word for me would be too much?"
The old shower room's doors opened, and a group of people entered. Isabel recognized one of them immediately. A woman with a small, plump physique, braided blonde hair, and a tiny buck toothed smile on her lips.
"Mamá...isn't that…?" Isabella asked. Recognizing the person as well.
"...Beatriz…?" Isabel said. The woman who the name belonged to looked up from her clipboard and her eyes widened in shock when she saw Isabel.
“Isabel…? Isabel!” Beatriz exclaimed and ran up to her dearest friend. Crying tears of happiness and relief when she saw her alive and well.
“Beatriz!” Isabel cried as she caught her best friend in her arms. The two women cried as they hugged each other tightly.
Beatriz was another one of Isabel's childhood friends. She regarded this woman as a great friend and looked up to her as an older sister. Beatriz stayed by her side through all of her highs and lows. At her and Fernando's wedding, she was her maid of honor. She is also the godmother of her children. She is, above all, her confidante and platonic soulmate.
This is a woman she can completely entrust her life to.
"¡Dios mio! You're alive! And oh! Isabella! Mija, thank God you're alive and well!" Beatriz said. After letting go of Isabel, she hugs her goddaughter. Isabella returned her godmother's hug with joy. Relieved and happy to see another familiar face.
She couldn't help but cry when she saw close friends of her family alive and well.
"Beatriz, this is such a blessing to see you again," Isabel said.
"I thought I would never see you again! I'm so glad you all survived!" Beatriz said. Taking Isabel’s hands in her own.
"Well...not all of us," Isabella said quite somberly.
It took a minute for Beatriz to realize the missing adult in their group when she noticed Isabel wearing a man's coat instead of her own. She takes Isabel and Isabella in her arms without saying anything. Offering comfort and sympathy for their loss.
Isabel finally let herself cry on her friend's shoulder after months of keeping strong. Beatriz's comfort reminded her that she didn't have time to properly mourn Fernando's death.
"He's in a better place now, Isabel. He's not in pain anymore," Beatriz said quietly.
"But I am...my children and I are still suffering...struggling to survive everyday…," Isabel sobs.
"I know, Isabel. I know. But it's going to be okay now. You're in a safe place now."
Isabel took a few moments to gather her thoughts and pull away from her friend's embrace. Beatriz handed her a handkerchief with which she wiped away the stray tears that continued to fall. They then moved on to the screening process. It was a brief encounter. Just check out for bites (Joyce had to explain hers, and the others confirmed it) and temperature readings. They were advised to wait while their accommodations were being readied for them after they were all cleared.
Beatriz stayed with them to catch up with Isabel more.
“Avó…? Mamá! It's Avó and abuelo Chacón!” Isabella suddenly said. Running over to the people that Gonzalo was accompanying. When Isabel turned around, she saw the two people who had raised her to be the woman she was now, and her eyes widened and tears streamed down her face.
"Mamãe...padrino…," Isabella said. Walking over to them.
Isabela Aviz-Castro was seated in a wheelchair that Gonzalo Chacón was pushing. When Isabella approached them, he came to a halt. He extended his arms wide and embraced his granddaughter.
"Isabella! Querida corazon, you're alive!" he said. Hugging her tight.
"So are you and a avó! You're both alive!" she said.
Isabel had reached them. Her tears ran down her face. She walked over to her mother and knelt in front of her. She took her hand in hers. The older of the two had a blank expression on her face when she gazed at her.
"Mamãe, você se lembra de mim?" she asked.
"Quem é Você?" Her mother asked. Frowning in thought as she tried to remember who this person in front of her was.
"Mamãe, sou eu. Isabel. Sua filha," Isabel said.
"Isabel…? Minha filha…?"
She smiled and nodded. Her mother was still puzzled, but she didn't seem to mind that she didn't recognize her. What mattered was that her mother was still alive. Isabel lovingly hugged her mother and kissed her on the forehead. When Isabela returned the hug, she smiled and cried a little.
"Graças a Deus você está viva, mamãe. Graças a Deus," Isabel said.
"Isabel, it's a relief to see you alive and well," Chacón said. Isabel smiled and let go of her mother to hug her godfather. The man who stood up in her father's place since he died.
The man who she calls 'Mi querido padre'.
Isabella went to her grandmother to talk to her while her mother and grandfather had their moment.
"I'm so sorry about Fernando, Isabel," Chacón said. Isabel shook her head. "It was inevitable. He sacrificed himself to protect our children," she said.
He kissed her forehead in comfort and hugged her closer.
"Long time, no see, Isabel."
Isabel frowns and pulls away to look at who addressed her. Her mood soured when she saw her older half brother's wife walking over. Of course she'd be here as well.
"Joana," she acknowledged. Her sister in law gave her an obviously fake smile. "How are you?" she asked.
"I'm getting by just fine. You?"
"Never better now that you're here."
For a few moments, the two women locked quiet stares, with Isabel winning the battle when Joana turned away quickly. She smiled a faint triumphant grin at herself.
"So what brings you here?" Isabel asked.
"Oh right. Enrique asked me to bring you and your group to your living accomodations. Come along so we're not wasting daylight," Joana said. Turning heel and walking away without waiting for them. Isabel sighs and gestures for her group to follow.
"We'll catch up later," Chacón said to her.
"They can join us at el comedor later tonight," Gonzalo reassures.
Isabel smiled at him and nodded in thanks before going out to follow Joana with her group. Gonzalo had a small smile on his face as he watched them leave.
"After all these years, you still have feelings for Isabel?" Beatriz asked. An amused look on her face.
"I loved Luisa as a wife but Isabel is another kind of woman entirely. I just...I just can't describe how or why I still have feelings for her. There's just something about her that draws me in like a magnet," Gonzalo said.
"Be careful, Gonzalo. Isabel may not still be over Fernando's death," Chacón warns.
Gonzalo sighs and nods. "I know. I'm still grieving my own loss as well anyways," he said.
“Well maybe you two need each other to cope with your losses,” Beeatrriz said before leaving the facility. Gonzalo sighs and escorts Chacón and Isabela back to the elderly care center in the camp.
Joana was waiting for Isabel and her group by a cart drawn by two horses. "Get on the cart. The driver will take you to your place. Your belongings have already been transferred there so you just have to unpack. Also, no need to worry about your little ones. They're in the nursery near to where you'll be staying. It's an old elementary school. It's not that hard to miss," she relayed.
Isabel nods and she and her group get on the cart. "Oh and Isabel," Joana said. Preventing the driver from taking off just yet.
"Si?" Isabel asked.
"Enrique wants you in his office after you've settled in," she answered.
"Alright. I’ll just find my way there, I guess," Isabel said.
Joana nodded and walked away, allowing them to continue on their path. The horses moved forward after the driver snapped the reins. As the cart traveled past the various facilities of Campamento Zaragoza, they took a look around. Isabel had to admit that her older half brother had outdone himself in this community. Everything had its own dedicated facility. A functioning hospital, a warehouse for scavenged goods, training facilities and barracks for the community's armed protectors, a functioning school, and an entertainment venue. Stables and barns for horses and cattle are also available. Campamento Zaragoza resembles a normal city in many ways. Everyone who lives here doesn't have to worry about survival because they have all they need and more in one place.
Isabel made eye contact with Johann, Joyce and Isabella. Since the beginning of The End, all four of them have been searching for this kind of place. Maybe, just maybe, plans will change, and traveling to Girona will be a fallback plan in case things go south, which they almost certainly will. Isabel simply nodded in agreement with the others.
Maybe Campamento Zaragoza won’t be so bad after all.
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#six#six the musical#sixtended verse#isabella i of castille (sixtended)#isabella trastámara (sixtended)#johann of cleves (six)#jocasta howard (six)#gonzalo fernández de córdoba(six)#enrique iv of castille (six)#beatriz de bobadila (six)#gonzalo chacón (six)#isabella of portugal (six)#joana of portugal (six)#lost stars in the night#post apocalypse au#tw major character death#tw graphic descriptions of gore#tw graphic descriptions of violence#tw zombies#my writing
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Lost Stars in the Night
The following characters belong to:
Isabella I of Castile, Ferdinand II of Aragon, and Juan Trastámara: @weirdbutdecentart
Isabella Trastámara: @lexartsstuff
Marion Trastámara and Elizabeth 'Liz' Seymour: @vanessaseymour
Juana 'la loca' de Castile: @ellielovesdrawing
Maria Trastámara, Maria of Jülich-Berg, and Sibylle of Cleves: Yours truly
.
Characters (Description and characters change with each chapter):
Isabel Trastámara - Age thirty eight years old, widow of Fernando Trastámara and has six children. She is currently the acting leader of the group and is bending over backwards desperately trying to keep her people alive. Even going as far as refusing to eat until everyone has eaten.
Isabella Trastámara - Age eighteen years old. Is the oldest child of Isabel. Her current priority is the safety of her siblings and mother. Desperately finding a way to help keep her family alive and continuously trying to convince her mother to eat when there’s food.
Juan Trastámara - Age ten years old. The second child of Isabel. Readily takes the role of brave big brother for his younger siblings. He's dedicated to protecting his family and has been practicing how to use his knife.
Juana Trastámara - Age nine years old. The third child of Isabel. Looks up to Juan for comfort and reassurance. Starting to show signs of anxiety due to constant stress and overthinking.
Maria Trastámara - Age seven years old. She is the fourth child of Isabel. Often sticks close to her twin. Desperately want things to go back to normal and start school again to see her friends.
Marion Trastámara - Age seven years old and the fifth child of Isabel. Often sticks close to his twin. They try to cheer up their twin sister as best as they can even though he shares her sentiments of wanting things to go back to normal.
Catalina Trastámara - Age three years old. The youngest child of Isabel. Has been really restless and stressed since she lost her beloved plush monkey, Pancho. No other toys could cheer her up or comfort her.
Maria 'Mari' Jülich - Age twenty years old and seven months pregnant with her second child. She is currently the resident nurse of the group. Starting to get tense and desperate to look for a safe place to give birth in.
Johann La Marck - Age twenty one. Readily does as he is told as long as it’s not to the detriment of his family. He's been trying his best to cater to his pregnant partner and prevent her from getting stressed.
Sibylle Jülich - La Marck - Two years old. Daughter of Mari and Johann and relies on them for care and protection. Tries countless times to cheer up Catalina but it's futile and she starts to get upset as well.
Günther - A one year old german shepherd that is fiercely loyal and protective of his owners and his owners’ friends. Willingly takes the role of hunting dog and goes on hunts with Isabella.
Jocasta ‘Joyce’ Howard - Age twenty nine years old. Found in the backroom of a petrol station convenience store by Isabel and is currently the midwife for Mari. Currently a couple months along her own pregnancy.
Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Seymour - Age eighteen years old. One of the two surviving children of the Seymour family. Recently moved to Spain with her family a month before The End happened. Her entire family, bar her and her youngest sister, Jane, died or turned into Infected. Currently serving as a patrol officer of Campamento Zaragoza under Gonzalo Fernández's unit.
Gonzalo Fernández - Age thirty six years old, widow of Luisa Manrique-Fernández and had two children who unfortunately died at the very start of The End. He is one of Isabel's childhood friends and he harbored romantic feelings for her for over the entirety of their friendship. He’s an ex-military captain who had taken in Liz and Jane Seymour under his care and protection when he found them all alone. He is currently the captain of his patrol unit in Campamento Zaragoza.
(Before you proceed, be warned that the story contains graphic descriptions of violence, blood, gore, death. Please proceed with caution)
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Chapter Five: Dire Times, Desperate Actions
Isabel focused her gaze on the flames. Lost in contemplation.
They were back on the road again after a month of staying in the villa. Her group enjoyed a nice month in the villa. The villa provided them with refuge, food, and water. They had a gate. They have fences in place to keep any stray Infected from wandering inside the area. With all the prey Isabella and her bow and arrow caught, the adjacent forests also offered sustenance. Not to mention the nearby strip mall and grocery store, where they scavenged for supplies.
Things were really looking up for them back there.
Until it wasn’t.
They weren’t prepared at all when Isabella and Joyce had come back from a scavenging mission, frantic and telling everyone to grab whatever and head for the vehicles. They'd seen the herd, and it was going straight for them. They had only a few hours to gather everything, cram everything into the three vehicles, and leave. They couldn't get everything, so they had to leave some supplies behind. Even Catalina's beloved Pancho had been abandoned.
She had been crying uncontrollably as a result of it. Why wouldn’t she? Pancho was a gift from her father on her third birthday. It was the last thing she had from him, and it was now gone as well.
"Mamá," Isabella called as she approached her mother. Holding a bowl of soup that had been cooked over the fire and a bottle of water.
"Have the others eaten," Isabel asked. She had been doing this since they left the villa. Refusing to eat until everyone in her group had eaten.
"Sí. Everyone just finished eating. Here. It's your turn to eat," her eldest said. Handing her the food and water. Isabel gratefully accepted them and began eating after a little prayer of thanks. Isabella sat quietly next to her mother, watching the fire. She finally broke the silence by asking the question that had been on everyone's mind recently.
"What now?"
Isabel sighs and puts her empty bowl down next to her. Staring into the fire again. "We head to Girona as we had planned. We've been taking the back roads for days now so I think it’s safe to head back to the main roads since we've lost the herd," she said.
"We left a lot of supplies back at the villa. Food is almost running out," Isabella said. Grabbing a stray leaf and tossing it into the fire.
"I know. I checked Joyce's map earlier and the city that would be nearest is the community of Zaragoza. We can make a stop there and gather as much supplies as we can. Then we can take the highway from there to Girona," Isabel explained. Drawing up her plan on the soil with a stick. Drafting out their plans going forward. Isabella examined the schematics that her mother drew and pondered over the plan.
"When do you think we'll get there?" she asked.
"Less than a week at least. We'll have to get out of the backroads and into the main roads before taking the highway so it'll be a longer trip," Isabel answered. Tossing the stick into the fire. Fueling the flames more.
"We don't have that much time," her daughter said. She looked at her in confusion and asked, "why not?"
"Mari is starting to get anxious and worrying over finding a safe place to give birth in," Isabella pointed out.
Isabel shifted her gaze over to Mari. She was sleeping against Johann. Her hand was softly rubbing her belly, while the other rested above her sleeping daughter's head.
"She's seven months along now. She probably knows she's about to give birth anytime. What does Joyce say about her condition?"
"Joyce is trying her best to keep her calm but she told me that even she's worrying over finding a safe place for Mari."
"I'll check her map tomorrow and see if we can find any shelter nearby. That's the plan for now."
Isabella agrees with a nod. For the time being, Mari takes priority. When Mari is strong enough, they can think about traveling to Zaragoza. Isabel rose to her feet and took Fernando's cane and handgun. Isabella frowns and gets to her feet.
“Where are you going?” she asked her mother.
“Night watch. You should get some sleep. It’s late,” her mother answered.
“Oh no you don’t. You barely slept last night yourself. You get some sleep and let Joyce and I be tonight’s watch,” Isabella said. Taking her father’s weapons from her mother and setting them aside in the van.
“Isabella–” Isabel was cut off before she could protest.
“Mamá, rest. Please. You can lay down with Catalina. She’s been very upset lately and you know why,” Isabella said sternly.
Isabel gave in with a sigh and nodded. “Stay safe and keep an eye out,” she said before going over to where her children were sleeping. She laid down next to Catalina’s sleeping bag and gently pulled her close in her arms. The toddler instinctively snuggled closer in her mother’s embrace.
"Mama…," Catalina whimpers. Isabel lightly kissed her forehead to comfort her.
"It's okay, mija. You're safe," she reassured.
"I miss Pancho…," the toddler sadly said. Isabel sighs and says, "I know, Catalina. Lo siento." The little girl cried herself back to sleep and her mother followed suit by closing her eyes.
She could only pray for the wellbeing of her people.
.
“There’s a church not too far from this road. Think we can use that as a temporary shelter for Mari?”
“It’s better than nothing. We’ll have to make do with the supplies that we have.”
Joyce and Isabel were discussing where to put up a temporary refuge. On top of the van's hood, the map was spread out in front of them. The Spanish woman and the English woman talked about Mari’s current situation and what they should do moving forward.
“Do we have enough medical supplies for the birth?” Isabel asked.
“I did an inventory check the other day and I would say it’s enough for the upcoming birth but it won’t be afterwards. I’ll have to use a good number of them so I suggest going on a medical supply run,” Joyce said.
Isabel frowns in thought as she looks at the map. There were hospitals near the church they were planning to make camp in. The closest one would be in the city. Zaragoza.
“Looks like we’ll have to try not to injure ourselves or get sick in order to conserve what medical supplies we have left,” she said. Joyce just nods in agreement and folded up her map before returning it in her backpack.
“Everyone all set?” Isabel asked.
“Everything’s been packed and in the vehicles,” Isabella reported.
“And everyone is accounted for,” Mari reported as well.
“Then let’s get a move on.”
The group got into their vehicles and drove off. Continuing on the dirt road until they come to one of the main roads. Since Joyce was riding in her car, Isabella was in the lead as they utilized Joyce's map to guide them in the right direction. In the rearview mirror, Isabel saw Catalina crying over Pancho again, and her older siblings were attempting to cheer her up as well. She feels sorry for her youngest's situation.
Some hours into the drive, the walkie talkie that Johann had found during a supply run, crackled to life as one of them was trying to communicate.
“This is Joyce. Isabella’s running out of gas and needs to stop to refill,” Joyce said through the communicator.
“Got that. Mari, did you copy that?” Isabel asked.
“Ja. I already told Johann,” Mari replied. Isabel frowns in concern as she notices that her voice is a bit breathless. The group pulls over to the side to refill their tanks with gas and stretch their legs for a bit. Isabel was reminded that their jerry cans were almost empty as well and they needed to go on a fuel run soon.
“Ve’ll have to look for a petrol station to refill ze jerry cans,” Mari voiced out what was exactly in Isabel’s mind as her partner emptied a can to refill the caravan’s tank. She was still sitting on the passenger side. Her hands are constantly on her pregnant belly.
“Thankfully, there’s one nearby the church,” Joyce mentioned as she was reviewing her map.
“Do you think it has a convenience store that we can look for supplies in?” Isabel asks as she walks over to Joyce and peers over her shoulder. Johann and Isabella join them and they discuss whether or not to make a stop at the petrol station first or settle at the church before going on a supply run at the petrol station.
With Mari unable to look after the children and the other adults preoccupied by the map and their discussion, Juan has determined that for the time being, he is responsible enough to look after the children. His younger siblings were generally doing what they preferred to do, which was either playing with sticks or looking for rocks that were curiously shaped. Sibylle was merely playing with Güther while sitting next to her mother. For the ten-year-old boy, it was a fairly simple task.
“So it’s settled, we’ll settle first then Isabella and I will head out for supplies. Johann, Joyce, you’ll be staying with Mari and the children for that time being,” Isabel said.
Everyone nodded in agreement to the arrangement.
“Alright then it’s settled. Let’s head off now while the sun’s still high,” Isabel said.
“Vati! Vati! Mutti Bauch tut weh!” Sibylle said as she came running over to her father.
Johann immediately ran over to Mari, and Joyce was not far behind. Isabel and Isabella exchanged a shocked gaze before joining the others to the caravan to check on Mari. Joyce is doing her best to calm both the mother and the father so she can do her job while Johann was holding his partner's hand and worrying over her.
“Bella, take Johann aside and calm him down. Joyce can’t work if he’s fussing over Mari like that,” Isabella instructed her eldest.
Isabella nodded and went to go do as she was told. Taking Johann aside to calm him down. “Johann, lass uns ein bisschen hierher gehen und tief durchatmen,” she said.
Isabel took her children and Sibylle to the van and told them to stay put before going over to Mari and Joyce.
“How is she?” she asked Joyce. Mari was obviously wincing in pain and breathing heavily.
“She’s going into active labor. We need to get her to the church or somewhere that’s indoors as soon as possible,” Joyce said.
“Right. Can you drive the caravan? Johann’s panicking too much to drive and it’ll be a big risk,” Isabel asked and Joyce nodded. “I can. Let’s get moving,” she said. Going to the driver’s side of the caravan. Isabel goes over to Isabella and Johann and tells them about the urgent plan. Johann obviously didn’t like not being with Mari.
“Du kannst mich nicht von ihr fernhalten! Sie braucht mich!” he shouted at Isabel.
“Johann, du kannst bei ihr sein, aber du bist im Moment nicht in der richtigen Einstellung zum Autofahren,” Isabella explained.
“Let Joyce drive until we reach the church. This is very crucial in making sure of Mari’s well being, Johann,” Isabel said. Isabella translated to him what her mother had said and he defeatedly agreed.
“Alright, let’s go!”
Sibylle and Güther joined Johann in the caravan. Isabel climbed into the van and Isabella climbed into her car. They leave the scene without wasting any more time. They drove for an agonizing hour and a half. There were no buildings or houses to be seen, and the church where they planned to settle was approximately a half-hour drive away. Through the walkie talkie, Isabel could hear Mari's whimpers as Joyce updated them on her condition.
“Holy shit! Isabel, there are people on horseback riding alongside the caravan! They have weapons!” Joyce suddenly exclaimed frantically.
“What!?” Isabel exclaims. She could hear the thumping of horse hooves and shouting through the communication device.
“¡Volcar! ¡Ahora!”
She peered in the side mirror and could see people on horses and holding guns were flanking the caravan. A woman o n a brown sabino horse rides past her and towards Isabella's car at the front. Her eyes widened in shock when she saw the woman pull out a shotgun and point it towards her daughter's side window. Y yelling at her to pull over.
“Isabel! What do we do!?” Joyce asks frantically. Isabel could hear Johann shouting in the background.
“Everyone pull over!” Isabel shouts. Already slowing the van down. Isabella and Joyce followed suit. Pulling to the side and slowing down. While she unbuckles her seatbelt and gets out of the van, Isabel tells her children to stay in the vehicle. She reached to the passenger seat and grabbed the gun and cane. She looked and noticed Isabella was also out of her car with her weapon drawn. An arrow already set on her bow with the string pulled back a bit.
"¡Capitán! We found survivors!" The young woman shouts into her walkie talkie that was attached to her bulletproof vest. Her horse neighing a bit.
“¡Voy en camino!” the person on the other line replied.
Isabella took aim at the woman but she missed her aim when she heard her mother exclaim, “Bella don’t!” The woman was startled by the arrow brushing past her so she retaliated by hitting Isabella in the head with the butt of her shotgun and pointed it at her. Isabella goes down. Groaning as she holds her head in pain.
“¡No te muevas!” she orders.
Isabella managed to blink away the stars in front of her eyes and stared at the woman on horseback. The shotgun that was pointed at her appeared to have been sawed off, her gaze couldn't help but wander up the weapon's barrel to the woman's furious, piercing green eyes. The woman appeared to be around her age. Her brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail and framed her face with a couple strands of hair. Isabella's heartbeat sped up and her face flushed at the sight of her.
All brain function had ceased within her head.
Maybe it was because she was hit in the head with the butt of a shotgun that belonged to the beautiful brunette in front of her.
"Isabella!" Isabel shouts as she went to rush over to her daughter’s aid but she was hit in the back of the head with the butt of a gun.
“Mami!” Marion exclaimed as they watched their mother fall to the ground. Holding her head in pain. The young man that knocked her down removed all weapons from her person and confiscated them before forcing her back up to her feet.
“Search their vehicles!” the brunette woman commanded her group.
“No! Please we have children with us and we barely have any supplies left!” Isabel begs.
“Be quiet!” the young man snaps at her and goes ahead to open the van door. Juan lunged at him once the door opened. The young man lost his footing a bit but he managed to pull the boy off of him and toss him to the ground.
“¡Maldito bastardo!” the young man exclaimed in anger but looked on in horror when he realized he had attacked a child.
“Juan!” Isabel exclaimed in horror when her son was thrown to the ground like a ragdoll.
“Liz! There’s a pregnant woman in labor here as well as a toddler!” one of the brunette’s, Liz, teammates reported from the caravan. Güther was barking up a storm as he protectively stood in front of his owners.
“Oh my god…Just tie up the able adults and don’t hurt anyone else! We wait for capitán’s orders,” she instructed. Getting down from her horse and forcing Isabella up to her feet by yanking her up with her arm. She retrieves a rope from the saddle bag of her horse and ties her wrists together.
“What about the children and the pregnant woman?” another asked.
“Leave them be. They can’t do anything for the time being,” Liz said.
“¡Comprendida!”
Liz and one other teammate watched over Joyce, Johann, and Isabel, who were also tied up and ordered to sit together beside the van. Mari, who was still in labor, was rounded up and placed in the caravan with the children.
“Lass mich gehen! Mari braucht mich! Bitte! Sie geht in die Wehen!” Johann shouts. Struggling to get out of his binds.
“Johann, please calm down!” Joyce begged but it was futile. She looked up at Liz with pleading eyes and said, “please untie me, his partner is in labor and I’m a midwife! I need to help her!”
“Sorry but I can’t risk you escaping,” Liz said.
“Uh…Liz that girl is staring at you,” Liz’s teammate mentioned to her.
“What?” she asked and looked towards Isabella who was indeed staring intently at her. She glares at her and walks over. “Do you have a staring problem or something?” she demanded. Aiming her shotgun at her again in an attempt to scare her.
"Your eyes are as green as emeralds. I like emeralds," Isabella suddenly said. Breaking the silence and disappointing her devout catholic of a mother. Liz’s teammate couldn’t help but snort out a laugh.
“¡Isabella, ahora no es el momento!” Isabel hissed at her eldest but her scolding fell on deaf ears.
“Is she serious right now!?” Joyce asked. Looking at Isabel in confusion.
Liz looked at Isabella with a mix of confusion and amusement. "I'm...literally holding you at gunpoint," she pointed out. Even pointing at her shotgun.
"I know but it's not everyday I get to experience a pretty girl tying me up and holding me at gunpoint," Isabel's namesake keeps going. Giving her a suave smirk and a wink. Liz’s teammate bends over as she laughs more.
"Ay dios mio…," Isabel could only sigh in exasperation.
“¡Esa perra está tan cachonda por ti, Liz!”
“¡Ciérralo!”
The sound of hooves getting louder and louder as another rider on horseback arrives at the scene. The group of armed youth stood in attention and saluted the man that had arrived. Liz stepped forward and saluted as the man got down from his horse.
“Capitán,” she addressed.
“Status report,” he orders.
“We found these people trespassing on our territory. They were driving these three vehicles here and they had young children and a heavily pregnant woman in labor with them,” Liz reported to her commanding officer.
Her captain looked at her in shock. “A woman in labor and young children!?” he exclaims.
“Sí señor. One of them claimed to be a midwife and needed to help the pregnant woman.”
“Untie the midwife! ¡rápido!” he orders.
Liz nodded and hurriedly went to untie Joyce. Her captain followed her to see who his team had captured. Once she is free, she quickly rushes over to Mari to check up on her condition. Isabel looked up when she noticed a new person had arrived and her eyes widened when she saw those familiar brown eyes, unruly hair, and goatee. It was none other than her dear childhood friend, Gonzalo.
“Gonzalo!?” she exclaimed.
Gonzalo looked at Isabel in shock upon seeing. “Isabel!?” he exclaims as well. Liz looked at her captain and Isabel in confusion.
“You know her, Capitán?” she asks.
“Untie them now, Liz! They’re not a threat,” Gonzalo said. Liz and her teammate did as they were told. Isabel runs over to Gonzalo and leapt in his arms. Hugging him tightly as she sobs. She was so happy to see a very familiar face.
“You’re alive!” Gonzalo said. Hugging Isabel tightly. “So are you!” Isabel said.
He sets her down to her feet and the two just stand there. Smiling at each other. Just relieved to see the other alive and well after months of literal hell on earth. Gonzalo was about to ask her what happened when Isabella ran over and tackled him in a hug.
“¡Padrino Gonzalo!” she exclaims. Happy to see her godfather after a long time. The last time she’d seen him was at her eighteenth birthday last year.
“Isabella! Thank God you and your madre are doing well!” he said. Lifting her off her feet and spinning her around.
Gonzalo’s team was staring at them in abject confusion. Clearly their captain knew these people.
“We’re alive thanks to mamá. She got us out of every danger while making sure we’re all taken care of,” Isabella said. Hopping down from her godfather’s arms.
Gonzalo smiles at Isabel. “As expected of the wise, Isabela,” he said. Isabel smiles at this. Then Gonzalo frowns when he realizes someone was missing.
“Where’s Fernando?” he asked.
Both mother and daughter turned somber at the mention of the fallen father. Gonzalo was quick to read their change in demeanor and pulled the two women in his arms to comfort them.
“Lo siento por su pérdida,” he said.
“Fernando fought until the very end to keep us safe,” Isabel said.
“He was a brave man and his efforts were not in vain. You and your children surviving are proof of his love and efforts,” he said in reassurance.
“How did you survive, padrino?” Isabella asked.
“Barely. I barely made it out of Córdoba alive. I lost my family at the very start and I wandered alone for a long time,” Gonzalo said.
“Oh Gonzalo. I’m very sorry about Luisa and your children,” Isabel said. She gently placed her hand on his cheek to comfort him. Gonzalo smiled sadly.
“Gracias, Isabel.”
“Isabel! Isabel!” Joyce calls as she runs over.
“Joyce, what’s wrong?” Isabel asked.
“It’s Mari. She’s ready to push but this place isn’t safe enough for her to give birth in. We have to find a house or a building or even a shack! Anywhere that’s indoors!” she frantically said.
Isabel muttered curses under her breath as he tried to think quickly on what to do. Gonzalo thankfully gave her the answer she had been desperately looking for.
“We have a hospital. She can give birth there with proper equipment and doctors to tend to her,” he said. Isabel looked at him in surprise.
“You do?” she asked.
“Sí. Hop in your vehicles and follow us!” he said. Running over to his horse while telling his team to head back to camp.
Isabel and her group did so. Getting in their vehicles and following Gonzalo’s team. They finally arrived at the main entrance of the city of Zaragoza. The borders were barricaded with tall walls and the main entrance had a large gate with watchers patrolling on a platform above. Gonzalo signals to them to open the gate. Shouting over that Isabel’s group is with them and that they were not a threat. The gates were opened and he led them in.
“Get a stretcher quick! We have a woman in labor here!” he said. Getting off his horse and running over to the caravan. Mari was practically screaming in pain as Johann carried her out of the caravan and into the stretcher that was brought over. They took Mari away to the hospital and he was stopped when he was about to follow.
“Warum hältst du mich auf! Das ist meine Freundin und sie steht kurz vor der Geburt meines Kindes!” he demanded.
“Why can’t he go with Mari?” Isabel asked.
“I’m sorry but protocol for newcomers is that they should be quarantined for a day. Your friend is an exception because she’s in labor,” Gonzalo explained.
“What about Joyce? She’s a midwife.”
“We have a midwife, doctors, and nurses in our hospital. She’s in good hands so don’t worry. Now, come with me to the quarantine zone. The little ones will be taken to a nursery and will be looked after by the care takers so no need to worry about them.”
Isabella went to Johann to explain what was going on and encourage him to calm down. He reluctantly agrees to the terms and follows the others to the quarantine zone, which was an old gym that had been converted into a quarantine facility. Gonzalo takes them inside and into the facility's old shower area.
“You’ll stay here and wait until someone comes here and do a thorough screening to make sure no one is bitten or Infected. Once you’re all cleared, you’re given new clothes and be interviewed by the camp’s head to see what jobs you can do to earn your stay,” he explained.
“This is a really intricate system you have here, Gonzalo. Who’s in charge anyways?” Isabel asked.
"Uh…you probably won't like it when you find out who's in charge here," he said. Isabel frowns in confusion and looks at her longtime childhood friend.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
The door suddenly opens and in comes a man Isabel thought she would never see again.
"Hola, media hermana. I heard you were alive so I thought I’d come to see you myself,” the man said. Isabel's eyes widened in shock at the sight of him.
All she could do is utter the name she knew belonged to this man.
“Enrique.”
Enrique gave his half sister a triumphant smirk and proceeded to welcome her and her group to his domain.
“Bienvenido al Campamento Zaragoza.”
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#six#six the musical#sixtended verse#isabella i of castille (sixtended)#fernando ii of aragon (sixtended oc)#isabella trastámara (sixtended)#juan trastámara (sixtended)#juana de castille (sixtended)#juana la loca (sixtended)#juana trastamara (sixtended)#maria trastámara (sixtended)#catherine of aragon (six)#catalina de aragon (six)#maria of jülich berg (sixtended)#sibylle of cleves (sixtended)#sibylle von kleve (sixtended)#johann of cleves (six)#jocasta howard (six)#elizabeth seymour (sixtended)#gonzalo fernández de córdoba(six)#lost stars in the night#post apocalypse au#tw major character death#tw graphic descriptions of gore#tw graphic descriptions of violence#tw graphic descriptions of death#tw zombies#my writing
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Lost Stars in the Night
The following characters belong to:
Isabella I of Castile, Ferdinand II of Aragon, and Juan Trastámara: @weirdbutdecentart
Isabella Trastámara: @lexartsstuff
Marion Trastámara and Elizabeth 'Liz' Seymour: @vanessaseymour
Juana 'la loca' de Castile: @ellielovesdrawing
Maria Trastámara, Maria of Jülich-Berg, and Sibylle of Cleves: Yours truly
.
Characters (Description and characters change with each chapter):
Isabel Trastámara - Age thirty eight years old, widow of Fernando and has six children. She is currently the acting leader of the group though she's unsure how long she'll be holding that title.
Isabella Trastámara - Age eighteen years old and she is the oldest child of Isabel. Her current priority is the safety of her family. She’s happy with the new normal with people her age.
Juan Trastámara - Age ten years old. The second child of Isabel. He’s happy to be around children his age.
Juana Trastámara - Age nine years old. The third child of Isabel. Still wary about the change but she’s happy to see and be around children her age.
Maria Trastámara - Age seven years old. She is the fourth child of Isabel. Often sticks close to her twin. She’s happy to get to play with children around her age.
Marion Trastámara - Age seven years old and the fifth child of Isabel. Often sticks close to his twin. He’s happy to get to play with children around their age.
Catalina Trastámara - Age three years old. The youngest child of Isabel. Still upset about not having her precious Pancho but is quite happy to be around and play with children her age.
Maria 'Mari' Jülich - Age twenty years old. She is currently the resident nurse of the group. She’s now a proud mother of two daughters.
Johann La Marck - Age twenty one years old. Readily does as he is told as long as it’s not to the detriment of his family. He is now a proud father of two daughters.
Sibylle Jülich - La Marck - Two years old. Daughter of Mari and Johann and relies on them for care and protection. She’s now a proud older sister and is happy to get to play with other children around her age.
Günther - A one year old german shepherd that is fiercely loyal and protective of his owners and his owners’ friends. He’s happy to have another member of his little family.
Jocasta ‘Joyce’ Howard - Age twenty nine years old and currently a couple months along in her pregnancy. She’s slowly warming up to normal life in Campamento Zaragoza.
Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Seymour - Age eighteen years old and one of the two survivors of the Seymour family. Currently serving as a patrol officer and vice captain of Campamento Zaragoza under Gonzalo Fernández's unit. She’s excited at the prospect of having a relationship with Isabella.
Gonzalo Fernández - Age thirty six years old, widow of Luisa and had two children. He is currently the captain of his border patrol unit in Campamento Zaragoza. He is a little heartbroken but accepts his defeat to Fernando over Isabel’s heart.
Enrique Castro - Age sixty four years old and married to Joana Castro. He is Isabel’s older half brother and the founder and leader of Campamento Zaragoza. He’s making sure Isabel knows he’s in charge now.
Gonzalo Chacón - Age sixty three years old. Isabel’s godfather and caretaker of her mother. He’s considered as Enrique’s advisor when it comes to making decisions for the camp. He’s happy to have Isabel alive and well.
Beatriz de Bobadilla - Age forty eight years old. She is Isabel’s long time best friend. She’s helping Isabel’s group adjust to life in Campamento Zaragoza
Isabela Aviz-Castro - Age sixty one years old. She is Isabel’s mother and has dementia. Regardless, she’s really happy and relieved to see her only daughter.
Lilith James - Age thirty nine years old and married to Avarice James. One of the caretakers of the children in the nursery of Campamento Zaragoza.
Maud Greene - Age twenty three years old and engaged to Thomas Parr. She and her fiance along with their baby, came to Spain for an engagement vacation when The End happened. She is currently pregnant with her second child and works as a nurse in Campamento Zaragoza's hospital.
Juan Pacheco - Age sixty eight years old. He's a former truck driver that came to Campamento Zaragoza with his fully loaded truck that provided the camp with food and supplies for months.
(Before you proceed, be warned It's the story contains graphic descriptions of violence, blood, gore, death. Please proceed with caution)
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Chapter Eight: Secrets Unearthed and Fates Uncertain
Light streamed through the curtains and hit Isabel on the face. Effectively rousing her from her sleep. She opens her eyes, only to be blinded by the harsh light. Groaning, she adjusts the blankets over her naked body and rolls over to the other side to snuggle closer to Gonzalo. The only problem is that he wasn't there at all. The spot where he'd slept the night before was empty and cold. That meant he'd been gone for quite some time.
Isabel sits up in her bed, sighing. She recalls what happened the night before while holding the covers up to her chest and running her fingers through her curls.
She and Gonzalo found themselves entangled with each other on the bed. Having had discarded their clothes earlier. On sometimes, she recalls seeing Fernando instead of Gonzalo. It almost seemed like he was with her rather than Gonzalo. She might have fantasized Fernando in her moments of vulnerability and pleasure. But if she had been thinking about her late husband, Gonzalo would have noticed and stopped, but he didn't. So maybe it was just her inner thoughts.
It's best not to think about what happened last night. There are things to be done today.
She got out of bed and gathered her discarded clothes from the floor, where they had been thrown the night before. She goes to her bag and picks out a new set of clean clothes to wear. A simple yellow shirt with the print 'No Way' across the chest, a pair of jeans, and one of Fernando's many jean jackets. She first goes to her adjoining bathroom to clean up. She then gets dressed, puts on her boots, and puts her hair up in a messy bun before leaving the room.
Isabel goes downstairs and runs into Joyce, who was on her way upstairs.
"Oh there you are! I was about to go wake you up for breakfast," she said.
"Lo siento, Joyce. I sort of overslept a bit," Isabel said.
"I'm guessing you had a fun night last night?" Joyce teased with a raised eyebrow and a smirk at her direction.
The Spanish woman couldn't help but blush at this. "You could say that," she said.
"Yeah well I noticed your 'friend' went out of your room earlier in the morning so it wasn't hard to put two and two together. And here you scolded Bella for hooking up with someone on the first day," Joyce points out. The two of them leave the house and make their way to the comedor for breakfast.
"I needed the stress relief. Don't judge," Isabel defended.
"Don't we all? Maybe I can find someone willing to hook up with a pregnant woman," Joyce laughs at her own statement. Isabel was reminded that Joyce was also a pregnant member of their group aside from Mari.
"That reminds me, how's your pregnancy coming along?" she asks.
"The usual. Nausea, pissing every hour, cravings. The works. I had a consultation with a doctor yesterday and she said that I'm all good now that we're here," Joyce replies. Placing her hand on her baby bump. It was still small but it was there.
Isabel nodded and said, "well don't overwork yourself when helping around okay?" She was thankful to the heavens above that they managed to get in a camp that willingly helped them during their most dire situation.
"Speaking of pregnancy, how's Mari and her baby?" she asked.
"Oh they're doing good. The baby is obviously two months premature but she's as healthy as can be," Joyce said. Isabel smiles at this. It's good that Mari and her baby were doing well.
"I think I'll go and visit her after breakfast."
The two women reached the comedor and went towards a table where the little ones were already having their breakfast.
"Buenos días, niños," Isabel greets her children. Kissing their foreheads.
"¡Buenos días, mamá!" they greet her in return.
Isabel frowns when she notices one child missing. "Where's Isabella?" she asked.
"Oh she's over there flirting with her new girlfriend," Joyce said. Pointing over to the table where Gonzalo's team sat. Isabella was sitting next to Liz. Talking while they eat their breakfast.
Isabel shook her head and sighs. "Isabella!" she calls.
Her namesake looked up before turning to say something to the brunette. She takes Liz's hand and stands up before going over to her mother with Liz in tow.
"¡Buenos días, mamá!" Isabella greets. She let go of Liz's hand and went over to her mother to kiss her on the cheek and hug her.
"I see that you've been very busy," Isabel said. Looking at her daughter and Liz with a raised eyebrow. Isabella blushed and chuckled sheepishly while Liz looked away to hide her own blush.
"You could say that! I'm just happy to see other people my age. A few of my schoolmates are here too!" she excitedly said.
Her mother smiled at her. She's very happy that her daughter has found friends again and even someone new to care for.
"That's great, mija. Now who's this young lady you're with?" Isabel asked.
"Oh! This is Liz. She's the vice captain of Padrino's team! She's uh…she's also my new girlfriend," Isabella said. Taking Liz's hand in hers again. Smiling with a healthy blush on her cheeks.
"N-Nice to properly meet you, señora. I'm sorry about uh…the scuffle yesterday. Capitán told me all about you," Liza said.
"Of course he did. No worries, chica. I understand that you were just doing your job," Isabel dismissed. "I should thank you for making my daughter happy though," she added. Liz blushes again and smiles at the praise.
"Mama! Mama! Liz and Bella were doing kissies earlier! Like this!" Juan said and started making kissy faces and noises. Isabella sputters and goes to retaliate on her brother by picking him up from his seat and giving him a noogie. Their younger siblings and Joyce all laugh at this.
Isabel chuckles and makes her daughter let go of her brother. "Alright, mija. Don't let me stop you from your new friends. Go back and play," she teases.
Isabella pouts then chuckles before going back with Liz to their table. Isabel shook her head and joined Joyce and the little ones for breakfast.
"So what's the plan for today?" Joyce asked.
"The plan is to head outside the safe zone to see if we can get some construction materials in one of my old warehouses," Isabel said.
"We're going out, mama?" Juan asked.
"No mijo. Just me and your padrino Gonzalo," she clarified.
"Where are you going, mami?" Maria asked.
"We're going out to find some supplies that can help us secure the camp from the herd, corazon."
"Is the herd coming over here?" Marion asked. Their voice quivering in fear. The last time they encountered the herd was when they were happy living in the villa.
"Sí. Which is why we're going to do our best to protect everyone."
"Please be careful, mama," Juana reminded worriedly.
"I will mija. Don't worry," Isabel reassures.
"Mama," Catalina whines. Isabel stood up from her seat and went over to her youngest's side.
"What is it, pequeña?" she asked.
"Pancho…can you go get him back?" the toddler requested.
"Oh mi Catalina. I'm not really sure if we can get him back. It's too dangerous. Lo siento, mija."
Catalina's lip quivers as she tries her best not to cry. Isabel pulls her youngest in her arms and comforts her. The little one sobs on her mother's shoulder as she clings to her.
"I miss papa…"
Isabel sighs sadly and hugs her daughter closer. Letting herself shed a tear.
"So do I, Catalina. So do I."
.
Isabel thanks the driver as she hops out of the cart. She walked in the hospital and asked one of the nurses where Mari's room was.
"Oh! You must be Isabel. My fiance has told me about you. Then again, almost everyone in the camp knows you by now," A nurse said. She had curly dark brown hair and blue eyes and was very obviously pregnant.
"Your fiance?" Isabel asked. Following the nurse as she leads her to Mari's room.
"My fiance, Thomas Parr. I'm Maud. Maud Greene. Lovely to meet you, Isabel," the nurse, Maud, introduced herself.
"Likewise, Maud. And thank you for helping Mari," Isabel said.
"Oh no need. We're just doing our job here. I should thank you for volunteering to help us with the incoming herd of Infected. Lord knows what would have happened if you and your group hadn't stumbled here," Maud said.
Indeed. They wouldn't have known about the herd and would have been blindsided by the overwhelming number of Infected headed their way. Many would surely die and become Infected.
"Here we are. Just knock and her husband will let you in," Maud said.
"You mean Johann?" Isabel asked.
"Is he not her husband?" the nurse asked.
"Not yet. He's just her boyfriend though at this point, they're practically married in their eyes."
"He's very sweet and supportive."
"Indeed he is."
"Well I'll leave you to it. Nice meeting you again, Isabel." With that, Maud walks away to resume her duties.
Isabel knocks on the door and waits. Johann opens it and smiles when he sees her.
"Hallo! Alles Liebe, Isabel ist da," he said. Letting her inside the room. She thanked him as she walked in.
"Isabel! Hallo!" Mari happily greets when she sees her. She looked a bit exhausted still after giving birth yesterday but she was definitely glowing.
"How are you feeling, Mari?" Isabel asks. Smiling as she approached the younger woman.
Mari smiles back. "Better now than yesterday. Ze doctors and nurses here are a godsend," she said.
Isabel smiles. "What have you named her?" she asked.
"Anna. Johann named her Anna after his Schwester. Sister," Mari said. Smiling at her partner as he gently picked their newborn from her bassinet and cradled her in his arms. Cooing softly in german.
Isabel looked over at Johann as cradled his newborn daughter and showed her to Sibylle. She's probably being told that she's now a big sister. Günther was also in attendance. His tail wagging as he looked at his owners' new baby, he sat close to Sibylle. She recalls giving birth to Juan and Fernando introducing him to Isabella. Telling her that she is now an older sister. The twelve-year-old was immediately taken with her younger brother and expressed an interest in having more siblings.
Lucky for her, her parents gave her five more siblings to love.
Isabel and Fernando agreed to stop having children for her health after going through traumatic pregnancies and childbirth with the twins and Catalina. Especially because she almost died while giving birth to the twins. Months after Catalina's birth, Fernando got snipped and she got her tubes tied.
"I'm so lucky," Mari said. Snapping Isabel out of her memories. She looked over at the German woman who was smiling at her little family.
"I can tell. It's rare for boyfriends to stay when they accidently knock you up. Goes to show that Johann is a devoted partner and father," she said. Smiling at Mari. Indeed it was rare. Even Fernando almost ran off when Isabel found out she was pregnant at nineteen with Isabella. Both were still attending university at the time. Thankfully, he picked his balls up from the floor and stayed to support her.
"Johann has told me about ze herd heading zis vay. Vat's ze plan? Should ve leave as soon as possible?" Mari asked Isabel. Frowning in concern.
"I actually volunteered to help fortify their walls. My mother, godfather, and childhood friends are all here. I can't just leave them here to die," Isabel said.
"So vat do you plan on doing? Johann told me zat ze leader is your half brother," Mari said.
"Unfortunately. Though he has given me authority to oversee the project as his representative. So in a way, I'm a leader of sorts for the time being," Isabel said.
"You're a good leader, Isabel. You've led us to safety zis far. I'm certain zat you can lead these people to safety as vell."
Isabel smiles at Mari. Grateful for believing and trusting her.
"Gracias, Mari. Really. Well, I better get going now. I'll visit again soon. Congratulations again on your new baby," she said.
"Danke for ze visit," Mari said.
She left the hospital after that. Hailing a cart once she was outside the facility. Her next objective now is to look for Gonzalo.
.
Gonzalo was found by Isabel at the makeshift military base and barracks, which was actually an old repurposed university football field. Isabel decided to wait until he finished informing his team on their day's objective. When she spotted her daughter among his teammates, she couldn't help but smile. Standing close to Liz and wearing the same bulletproof vest as the rest of the group. Despite being given a few weapons, she continued to carry her bow and arrow.
"Liz, I'll be absent for today's border patrol so I'm leaving you in charge," Gonzalo said.
"Entiendo, capitán," Liz said. Saluting to her captain.
He nods in approval and sends them off on their patrol. Isabel mutters a quick prayer of protection to the young people going out on patrol before approaching Gonzalo.
"Gonzalo," she calls. She noticed him flinch a bit when he heard her call.
"Isabel," he said. Turning around to face her.
"I was looking all over for you. Why did you leave the bed so early?" she asked.
"I had some errands to do earlier," he said. Isabel raised an eyebrow at his statement.
"Even skipping breakfast?" she points out.
"I ate breakfast early," Gonzalo answered.
She decides to let this excuse slide. "Alright then. So what's our plan for today?" she asked.
"I already spoke to some of the former truck drivers here and they're willing to come with us to the warehouse," he said.
"Do we have trucks with us?" Isabel asked. He nods in response. "We do. I asked the mechanics to check over the two trucks we'll be bringing and make sure they're in tip top shape."
"Good. I'll borrow Isabel's car for the meantime. Let's hope there's still supplies in that warehouse."
Gonzalo looks at her. Looking conflicted over something. Like he was unsure whether or not to say something to Isabel. Something about what happened last night.
He decided to just say it and get it over with.
"You said his name last night."
When he said this, Isabel's blood ran cold. It wasn't her imagination or a dream, after all. Instead of Gonzalo, she had hallucinated her husband with her that night and had said his name. She raised her gaze to his. When she saw his hurt expression, her guilt increased.
"G-Gonzalo I…" she stuttered. Unsure of what to say to him.
"It's alright. I've made peace with it. I knew you never returned my feelings and I'll always lose to Fernando," he said.
She looks down in shame. It's true. She just used him for her own benefit last night. Her heart will always belong to Fernando and no other man can make her think or feel otherwise.
"Lo siento, Gonzalo. I…I really didn't mean to hurt your feelings," Isabel said.
"It's alright. I'm used to your rejections," Gonzalo half joked. Chuckling a bit but Isabel wasn't laughing.
"Here. You deserve to have this," he said. Handing her an old folded envelope. She frowns in confusion as she takes the envelope.
"When you told me that Fernando cheated on you the second time, I went to his office and punched him in the face," he confessed.
Isabel looked at him in shock and exclaimed, "¿¡Que!?"
Gonzalo nods in confirmation to this. No wonder Fernando came home with a black eye that day. He had lied to her about some criminal wanting to rob him while on his way home. But why would he lie about who punched him?
"He could've had me jailed for assault but he didn't. He admitted that he deserved it. Especially from me. He was…genuinely remorseful. We talked. For a long while. He knew of my feelings for you and that I was someone you deserve to have as a husband but he didn't want to divorce you. He still loves you and he's just a spineless coward who runs away from problems," he said. Isabel glares at him at the last sentence.
"His words. Not mine," Gonzalo quickly clarified. She found that hard to believe but let him continue.
"Anyways, he and I made an agreement. If you ever decide to divorce him or manage to sleep with me, he'll buy me a beer. He owes me a beer now but since he's not here, I already grabbed one earlier and drank to his honor."
Isabel looks at the envelope in her hands. The envelope was clearly one of Aragon Inc.'s custom made envelopes so it was no doubt it came from Fernando that very day Gonzalo confronted him.
"But…what about this?" she asked. Gesturing to the item in her hand.
"He wrote you a letter that day and gave it to me. Said to give it to you if our agreement happened," Gonzalo explained.
Isabel looked at the envelope again before slowly opening it. She took the letter out and unfolded it to read what Fernando had written. She immediately recognized his neat and perfect handwriting. For an anxious man, he often took his time to make sure his writing was perfect.
'Isabel,
If you're reading this then it's either you've already served me with divorce papers or you've finally slept with Gonzalo. Either way, I owe him a beer now. Anyways, I am writing this letter to say my deepest apologies to you. I haven't been a good husband to you and you've been nothing but a loving and loyal wife to me and an amazing mother to our children. You deserve someone better. Someone like Gonzalo who loves you longer than I ever had. I will get out of the way of your happiness and just fulfill my duty as a father to our children but not as a spouse to you. I love you still but I know that's not enough to pardon me for what I had done to you.
Sincerely,
Fernando'
Tears streamed down her face and onto the paper. Gonzalo gently wipes her tears away and pulls her in his arms for a comforting hug. Isabel sobs on his shoulder while clutching the letter close to her chest.
The important thing to note here is that their marriage dramatically improved after they reconciled for the second time. To celebrate their success, they had the twins, and Catalina was born three years later. Now reading his letter from the time he had cheated on her again, it shows how he readily gives up on their marriage for the sake of her happiness.
She pulls away from Gonzalo and wipes the last of her tears away. She carefully folded the letter and put it back into the envelope before storing it in her pocket.
"Muchas gracias, Gonzalo. Really," she said to him. Smiling at him in gratitude. He smiles back at her.
"De nada, Isabel. I know you can never return my feelings but I don't mind casual friendly hookups here and there," he said. Laughing when Isabel punched him in the arm.
"I wouldn't mind that type of arrangement. Thank you again, Gonzalo," she said. Hugging him. He hugs her back. Gently patting her back.
"To be fair, I did think about Luisa last night," he said rather sheepishly.
"I guess that makes us even then," she said. Chuckling a bit. He laughs along with her.
"We should go and get ready for the drive out. Meet up with me at the main gate when you're ready," Gonzalo said. Isabel nodded and went back to the house to prepare.
.
Isabel slung her backpack over her shoulder and entered Isabella's room to retrieve her car keys. She then stepped outside and placed her bag into the passenger seat of her car.
Before leaving, she decides to pay a visit to her children. She walks over to the nursery after crossing the street. She was about to go after saying her goodbyes to her children when she was approached by a woman with long red hair in a braid and glasses over her intelligent green eyes. A precious newborn infant was cradled in her arms.
"Hi there. You must be Isabel that Ava told me about," the woman said.
"Sí. You must be Lilith? The head of the nursery?" Isabel asked. Holding out her hand to her for a handshake which Lilith took.
"That I am. Lilith James. At your service. This little cutie here is Katherine. Ava and I recently adopted her after her poor mother sadly didn't make it past the birth," Lilith said.
"Ay la pobre niña."
"Yeah. Her mother got separated from her husband and other children. She came to Camp Zaragoza already heavily pregnant. She just gave birth to this little one last week and she didn't make it."
"Anything and everything can happen in this world we live in. At least she has you and your wife now."
"That is true."
Out of nowhere, Lilith suddenly grabs Isabel's wrist and she looks at the Spanish woman with a serious expression. Isabel looked shocked at this. She tried yanking her wrist free but the redhead had a surprisingly tight grip. Lilith then leans in close to her and whispers in her ear,
"Be cautious of the blind who follow the tyrant."
"¿Que?" she asked in utter confusion.
Lilith lets go of her wrist and smiles at her before walking away. Isabel stood there. Dumbfounded as to what just happened.
"Esa mujer está loca…," she muttered to herself before heading out.
She crosses the street and gets in Isabella's car before driving off to the elderly facility to visit her mother and Chacón first. She arrives at the facility and parks up front. She heads inside to her mother's room where she was living with Chacón. She smiles when she finds them in the room. Chacón was gently bathing Isabela on her bed. His sleeves were rolled up as he washed the cloth he was using with the warm soapy water.
"Hola," Isabel greets as she walks over.
Chacón looked up and smiled at her. He stood up and gave her a hug before letting go so she could hug her mother.
"Olá mamãe," she said. Gently giving her mother a hug. Isabel looked confused but hugged her back anyways.
"Você a reconhece?" Chacón asks. Isabela. Pointing at Isabel.
Isabela squinted as she looked at her only daughter. She pointed at her and said, "Isabel?" she guessed.
Isabel fought back tears and nodded. "Isso mesmo," she said. Kissing her mother in the forehead. Chacón smiled proudly at Isabela.
"I'm guessing you're off to go out of the safe zone?" he asked. Continuing to bathe Isabela.
"Sí. Gonzalo will be assisting me," Isabel said. Gently putting her mother's hair up in a bun so it was out of the way.
"You two be careful out there. It's not a part of the safe zone for a reason," he said.
"We will. Don't worry."
Isabel stayed for a little bit before leaving after giving her mother and Chacón a hug each. She gets back in her daughter's car and drives off to the main gate of the camp. Once there, she could see three large trucks waiting and ready to be driven out. She parks next to a jeep, Gonzalo's jeep, and gets out to speak with the men waiting for her.
"Isabel, you're quite early actually. We're still waiting for one of our truck drivers," Gonzalo said as Isabel got out of the car.
"These trucks should be enough for carrying several tons of material," she said as she examined the three trucks.
"Yep. Thankfully, these trucks are still in good, working order. It'll be easier transporting heavy materials this way than just stuffing it into our vehicles and taking multiple trips," he said. Patting the hood of one truck.
"So who else are we waiting for?" she asked.
"His name is Juan Pacheco. He's a truck driver. Well used to be one until The End happened. He came to Campamento Zaragoza with this truck right here. It was full of food and supplies and it helped us for a long time," he said.
"It sounds like he was a blessing brought forth by the Lord."
"Agreed."
They wait for almost half an hour more before a cart pulls up and a tall man with graying hair and beard jumps out. Saying his thanks to the driver before walking over to them.
"There he is. Isabel, this is Juan Pacheco. He volunteered himself and his truck to help us. Pacheco, this is Isabel. She's the one in charge of this project," Gonzalo said. Introducing them to each other.
"Nice to meet you, señor," Isabel said. Shaking his hand. Pacheco nods and smiles as he shakes her hand as well.
"Likewise, señora. Gracias for helping us fortify our walls. Who knows what would have happened have you not come to our camp," he said.
"Innocent people are all here. I can't just leave them all to die. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself for that," she said. Pacheco nods in understanding.
"I understand. Especially when there's very little of us left alive. The safety of the population is a must."
"Exactly."
"The trucks are all set and ready to go. Let's move while there's still more time," Gonzalo said.
Isabel and Pacheco nod before going to their respective vehicles. Gonzalo signaled for the gate to be opened before he got into his jeep. They then set off outside the safe zone to gather the materials they desperately need to live through the oncoming herd.
Isabel kisses her rosary and mutters a prayer of safety as she and the trucks follow Gonzalo down the road.
.
"That's the materials we can carry and bring back for now. I suggest we head back and show this to the engineers first so that they can see what we'll be working with," Isabel said as she and the men loaded construction tools and materials into the trucks.
"Actually, there are more trucks waiting back in Campamento Zaragoza. One of us should head back and lead them out here to gather more materials," Gonzalo informed.
"I'll head back then. You stay here and look around for anything else that can be useful," Isabel said.
"Alright. Do you have your weapons with you?" he asked.
"I have the cane and the…wait. Where's my gun?" she patted herself and searched in her bag for Fernando's handgun.
"Maybe you forgot it back at the camp?" Gonzalo suggests.
Isabel frowns in thought as she tries to remember if she had forgotten it back at the house. "Maybe…maybe I had. I'll just go and see," she said.
"Here. Take one of mine. Best to be prepared for anything on your way back." He hands her his own pistol which she takes. Checking the number of bullets before tucking it in her belt.
"I'm heading back now," Isabel said. Heading over to Isabella's car outside. Gonzalo follows her out.
"Be careful, Isabel," he said. Giving her a quick kiss.
"You too, Gonzalo," she said and drove back to Campamento Zaragoza.
Along the road, she couldn't help but have an awful gut feeling that gradually got stronger the closer she got to camp.
She got her answer when the gates were opened for her and she drove in.
Joyce frantically ran over to her when she saw her arriving. "Isabel! Isabel, you've got to hurry to the elderly home! It's Chacón, he–" she couldn't finish what she was saying because Isabel ran past her and made her way towards the elderly home.
People were crowding the main entrance. Wondering what had happened inside one of their, supposedly, safe facilities. Isabel pushed past the crowd to reach the front. Her ears picked up the sounds of wailing from someone. Someone who sounded familiar. "Mamãe!" she shouts as she reaches the front of the crowd. The sight that greets her was something she only thought she could see in her nightmares.
Isabela was wailing in despair as she thrashed in her wheelchair. Beatriz and Isabella were with her. Trying to calm her down. Chacón's dead body lay in the middle of the floor in a pool of his own blood. A hole through his skull, between his eyes. The security team went to cover his corpse with a cloth while they investigated the crime scene.
Enrique was there as well. Trying to calm down the rowdy crowd while asking for updates from the security team.
"¡No! ¡Mi padre!" Isabel cries out as she tries to go to Chacón's body. Enrique stops her from tampering the crime scene.
"Isabel! Isabel, look at me! We'll get to the bottom of this. Whoever killed Chacón will face hell," he said as he held his half sister. Isabel cries loudly as she tries to escape his hold to reach her fallen father figure. He drags her over to her mother.
"Look, just help Beatriz and Isabella comfort your madre. She needs you now more than ever," he said. She relents and he lets go of her before heading back to work with the security team. She turns to her mother and hugs her. Both of them were crying over the death of a man that had loved and cared for them.
"Señor, I think we found the weapon," a member of the security team said. Showing Enrique the gun he was holding in his gloved hands.
Enrique put on a pair of gloves and took the possible murder weapon. To see who it belongs to. "Wait…this is…" He looked closer and spotted something very compelling.
The letters 'F' and 'T' etched on the handle's metal.
It was none other than Isabel's gun.
"Maldita perra…Isabel!" Enrique roars.
Isabel jolts a bit out of startlement. She turns around to face her half brother. He glares at her as he marches over to her. Gun still in his grasp.
"¿¡Cómo te atreves, perra!?" he shouts and slaps her hard with his back hand. So hard that she stumbled and fell to the floor.
"Isabel!" "Mamá!" Beatriz and Isabella exclaimed as they ran over to her side.
"Não! Não machuque minha pequena Isabel!" Isabela cries out. Waving an accusing finger at Enrigue.
Isabel looked at Enrique in shock and confusion. Holding her cheek delicately.
"E-Enrique wha–,"
"How dare you kill him after he had raised you!?" he accused which caused a huge shock to everyone.
"Enrique, you are delusional! Isabel would never kill Chacón!" Beatriz defended.
"See for yourself!" Enrique tosses the gun at them. They flinched as they thought it would discharge a bullet from the impact. Isabel took a closer look at the gun and her eyes widened when she realized it was hers.
"Mamá…that's…," Isabella said. Looking at her mother in disbelief.
"No! I didn't kill him!" Isabel cried.
"Then give me one good reason why you didn't commit the murder!?" Enrique interrogated.
"I was outside the camp with Gonzalo! We were at one of the Castile Corp.'s warehouses!" she defended.
"Chacón had been dead for hours! That meant he was murdered before you left the camp!" he accused. "When did you last see him? Tell me, Isabel!"
"I-I…before I left…"
"Then you killed him! I can't believe this, hermana! First your husband and now the man who raised you as his own!?"
"W-Wait…what do you mean by that…?" Isabella asked.
"Isabella! It's not what it seems!" Isabel said. Grabbing her daughter by the shoulders and pleading with her.
"Oh it is what it seems, Isabella! Your madre here shot your padre with that very same gun!" Enrique revealed. Everyone gasped in shock and looked at Isabel in horror. Isabella looked at her mother with wide eyes.
"No! It's not like that! I had no choice!" Isabella cried.
"Mamá…you told me he died protecting us. You…you him yourself…," her daughter said. Tears streamed down her face.
"Mija, I had no choice! Your padre had turned and he attacked me! Please believe me!" her mother begged.
"Lies! Lies! Nothing but lies, Isabel! I'm afraid I can't have such a dangerous murder running free in my community. Arrest her and we'll hold a trial to see what we'll do with her," Enrique ordered.
The security team closed on Isabel who continued to cry and beg for anyone to believe her. Isabella just stared at her mother. Betrayed at the lie she had been told regarding her father's death.
Isabel thrashed and fought to get out of their restraint. Enrique walked over and knocked her out cold so the security team could handle her a lot easier. Isabel slowly lost consciousness and the last thing she heard were her mother's cries.
"Minha Isabel! Não leve embora minha Isabel!"
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#six#six the musical#sixtended verse#isabella i of castille (sixtended)#fernando ii of aragon (sixtended oc)#isabella trastámara (sixtended)#juan trastámara (sixtended)#juana la loca (sixtended)#juana trastamara (sixtended)#maria trastámara (sixtended)#catherine of aragon (six)#catalina de aragon (six)#maria of jülich berg (sixtended)#sibylle of cleves (sixtended)#johann of cleves (six)#jocasta howard (six)#elizabeth seymour (sixtended)#gonzalo fernández de córdoba(six)#enrique iv of castille (six)#beatriz de bobadila (six)#gonzalo chacón (six)#isabella of portugal (six)#lost stars in the night#post apocalypse au#tw major character death#tw graphic descriptions of gore#tw graphic descriptions of violence#tw zombies#my writing
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