A week later, Pêro crouched in the Fabrica Santa María’s courtyard organizing the tiles of a figura de convite. The life-sized figure would soon be inspected by the Archbishop’s tile-setter. Pêro adjusted the tiles of the guard’s welcoming hand, while the helmeted figure held a spear in the other.
figura de convite.Pêro paused from his work and cherished the last blooms of the red geraniums in the yard and the trellises of grape leaves turning from saffron to the color of claret wine growing along the walls of the court. The serpentine lines of the vines formed “S” shapes, reminding him of the de Sousa’s brand mark, seared onto the necks of their slaves. Pêro let out a long sigh, whispering a prayer for Bagamba’s ongoing safety.
A stout man in calf-high boots and a tricorn hat passed und
