Matatora; Book II: matatora, #2

By r cane

They say a life, our bodies, our cells, the cosmos, even our karma, cycle every 7 years.

Is it possible that how we come into the world colors every other day of it? Born of tragedy, what might  the twins expect of life.

Book I: The first two cycles: Living in the confines of a hacienda in New Spain in the 1700s, with a driven, broken father whose hopes of restoring his family's good name rest on his son's shoulders, things are not easy to begin with.

Once the young Matea steps in for her reluctant matator twin brother, to save them from the father's wrath, their lives will never be the same.

In Book II the secret stretches on.

The weight of their truth mixed with the matatora's growing attachment to her meant to be temporary role deepens. Now juggling new challenges of adulthood, including the charming, curious, possibly smitten Marquise, it is almost most than they and their squire Arturo can hope to manage.

Still, they are clever all.

Only by joining Matea, her twin, and their beloved Arturo, on their role swapping adventure, might you learn how they fair into adulthood

NOTE: Contains minimally necessary references to bullfighting, and the consequences for the bull.

• Language: English
• Publisher: r cane
• Release date: Feb 14, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224061228

r cane

Life is endlessly fascinating, why not write about it? + Hope you like the story, characters. If you like it, say it, please review! :) Send comments or questions to [e-mail]. If you don’t like something it’s ok to say so, but please be constructive if criticism. Check out my other work! Mostly queer wlw character-driven stories, almost always with a healthy dose of humor, always with wonder ;) Follow on Insta Twitter FB  @rcanewrites  https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=r.+cane You can also search for R. Cane at most of your favorite ebook retailers. Or even better, ‘subscribe for author alerts’! Thank you :) + Things that sadly need to be said: License Notes - This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only, and not intended to be re-sold or given away to other people. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of authors. If you enjoy this, please encourage your friends to download their own copy. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. Your support is appreciated :) + Disclaimer This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, events, incidents, etc., are the products of the author’s imagination. In most cases, resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events, or circumstances is unintended. Where there are references to real people or events, details of the story/fiction surrounding same should not be presumed to be factual, or accurate. Credit to others’ words always implied! I love to mix real people, places, events, into the stories but please understand that does not mean every single thing is ‘real’ or ‘accurate’ or reflects ‘truth’ – this is fiction after all – made up things spun together for the purpose of entertainment (hopefully). If you have any questions, or want to know what’s ‘real’, get in touch. Or search the ole interwebs. :) Thank you so much for choosing my story ;)

Book preview

Matatora – Book II

They say a life, our bodies, our cells, the cosmos, even our karma, cycle every 7 years. Book I contains roughly the first two cycles of a young woman named Matea. She is a twin with her brother Mateo, the crux of her story. When we meet her in the 1700s she lives in a vast estate, hacienda, of a very infamous and wealthy Condesa in New Spain (now Mexico).

We learn that their overbearing father is the product of several breaks of heart. That he pushes a not well-suited Mateo to achieve the things an injury robbed him of.

There is also Arturo, trusted family friend and mentor. His central role plays a large part in keeping their family in order. Especially when circumstances lead to Matea secretly masquerading as her matator brother, embroiling them in a scheme to then hide the truth, especially from their generally angry, very prideful father.

As if that weren’t enough, enter the Marquise, a beautiful, inquisitive foreigner who becomes fascinated by the lot, and determined to learn more. A distinct concern for the secret bearers.

+

Is it possible that how we come into the world colors every other day of it?

Matea’s life will not be ordinary, because she is not. Her life will not be simple, because she will never choose the easy path. The rest of her extraordinary story you will learn along the way.

So begins Book II, where the twins are mid-15.

Note: Contains minimally necessary references to bullfighting, and the consequences for the bull.

Matatora

Book II: Age 15.5

Matea and Mateo lope into mid-15. Tall, strong, very much at comfort in the hacienda of the great Condesa, the only world they have known.

They sit on a favorite hillside overlooking the pastures. The wind is gentle here, sun warm, the view stretches on for miles across the land. There are redbrown rocky hillsides in the distance, much less green than the one on which the hardworking bones rest. Off to one side, the faint outline of the greater city in the distance.

Do you miss it?, asks the brother.

Sometimes, but not the bruises, entirely. Though they are part of knowing you have truly engaged the bull.

Yes, he smiles, nods.

Do you?, she echoes.

He shakes his dark hair. Maybe only the challenge? Watching the horizon, some gauchos working cattle. I think the ring was not for me.

With a sigh. It was barely for our father, if you listen to Arturo. He was driven to please his family, but maybe not a natural talent.

Like you, it is out before he can consider what makes sense to say. I’m sorry, quickly. It must not feel good to hold back something you are good at.

If it were so simple, possibly. But there was nothing simple about it. Not being in the ring does make her sad, but this is the truth of it as well, being in the ring carried so much more with it.

Patting her shoulder. I know.

And I am at least in one piece, as are you, brother, she smiles, trying to cheer herself up.

Yes!, jumping to his feet, Mateo taps her arm. You can’t catch me!, flies off down the hill, repeating an old game they played when small.

At that very same moment, Luis finds Arturo in the plaza. We must speak! Pulling him to a corner, continues in a harsh whisper. Mateo must re-enter the arena!

The squire’s heart pulses. We are lucky we have him in one piece. We agreed to keep it that way!

When it made sense!, Luis nearly spits. But now there is talk, and it must be stopped! I must remain in good graces!

++++

When later Arturo finds the twins, shares the story, Mateo is quite determined. Absolutely no!, swinging his arms.

And so Luis believes he heard someone say that the Condesa is disappointed in him after Juan’s death, the storyteller pushes on. He believes Mateo returning will lift everyone’s spirits, and keep him in good graces.

For her part, Matea listens to the tale as the squire finishes telling it. Always calm, serious, asks, are we sure it was said?

Not at all, shaking his handsome head. But does Luis believe it was? Yes.

So the truth is of no use, she sighs.

I will not, Mateo holding back tears, see my sister hurt for me again.

Catching Arturo’s eyes measuring her tall, strong brother. And Mateo will not risk his life in the arena. That, I will not allow.

The poor man looks between them, also remembers Luis’s sharp eyes, lets out a groan. Perhaps we do a one-time special fiesta? Pacing, turning, while it is not our favorite, it will limit the commitment. Compromise?, again looking between them.

I can do it, Matea suggests, facing her brother. You know Papa will not leave you alone if he is in a state.

I hate him, her brother mumbles, stalking out.

The day of the fiesta a few weeks later is quite hot and Matea is tired. She has been working with Old Vincenzo. The cattle and horses. Training.

The bull will be Salto, a lively, bouncy, energetic sort of fellow. She knows she must be on her game. This animal will not be forgiving.

Biting into fresh pina, considers her game plan.

Mijo – .

The voice is her father’s, who luckily seems to think she is her brother, as she is already dressed for the corrida. Si, senor?

He looks the form up and down, reaches out to shift a suspender slightly. Handsome. Matea as Mateo barely breathes. Which the man notices, slaps her back so hard she is forced to take a step. You must be relaxed, at ease! Especially for a bull like this one!

Surprised, back stinging, the torero nods, yes, sir.

Let me see it. She knows he means the family sword, hands it to him.

Running a thumb over the blade, watches a tiny trickle of blood rise up. Oh yes, he all but whispers, this is perfect. Looking at whom he believes to be his son for the longest moment in some time, it is good you go back to work. We all need you in the ring again. Preparing to leave, adds, be careful with that bull. He is a lively one. You have improved so much, but he will be a lot for you. Quickly kissing the young cheek, remember what I said. Taking a step to leave, I am off to see the Marquise. Exito, mijo, waves a hand as he moves away.

The crowd begins to roar. There is little time left. The visit makes her feel strange, oddly unsettled. Was that the man’s version of a thank you? If so, it would be the first one his fifteen-year-old child has ever witnessed. Not to mention that he is off to see the Marquise? For what reason?

++++

Unable to delay any longer, the matator’s mind is half a beat behind at first, but then she pushes it to catch up, reminds herself that this animal is all in!

She is holding her own. The toro is very lively, does not seem to tire, but she is focused, anticipates his moves, stays ahead of him.

Luis’s comments surface in her mind, she considers whether she is properly relaxed after the nerves of his visit. As she wonders this, the bull pushes into a spin, a change she misses. While able to bend mostly out of the way, his hind hoof catches the edge of her back, just outside of the shoulder blade.

For an instant, she has no wind, thinks she might go down. A thing no matator ever wants! But when the beast kicks again, in the twist to dodge the shiny black hoof, her breath comes back, though with no small pain.

Matea catches her trainer’s worried expression, hand signal to end it. She prefers to lull the bull more, calm it first, to be sure it will be a clean kill. But Arturo is right, she is in a lot of pain, and cannot afford another kick or worse. Knowing it will be uncomfortable, raises the blade, watches for her moment.

The bull, he is baffled by her sudden stillness, pauses a moment to study what the torero is doing, and that is his demise. Back burning with every move of her raised arm, soon plunges downward through the shoulders into the thing’s noble heart.

She feels especially depleted moving from the ring. It was not the best fight, and so much attention was on the fiesta.

Arturo rushes to the edge of the arena. Burro – how badly did he get you?

A good piece of rib, she notes, trying not to breath any more than absolutely necessary.

Helping her move away, takes them to the first side room. By the grace of god they are barely in it, nothing tell-tale showing or removed, when Luis rushes in behind. I told you to watch him! I told you to be at your best! He heads for what he thinks is his son to begin unraveling layers to look at the injury.

Luis! Arturo warns sharply, do give it a moment! Matea/Mateo is bent over a table trying to find an angle that hurts less, and best allows breath. After a moment the quire adds, Luis, I have this. Why don’t you go on about your business? You must have more important things to do than tend a battered torero. As usual, the squire knows just what to say.

Well I do, in fact, replies the self-important man.

Then go on, says the other, waving the impatient one away.

Mios dio! Matea sighs as soon as the father is gone and the door is locked fast. Arturo begins to unwrap the layers. Finally gets to a close-fitting tunic of soft material. Lifting it, he winces at the red, black and blue, angry injury. I must see if it is broken, burro, he warns softly. Proceeds to touch as gently as possibly, while the injured grits their teeth. While he does not feel a full break, possibly a weak spot that could be a fracture. What happened? You knew that bull would not allow you to be lazy.

I don’t know.

Arturo leans back against a table. Good we are done with this.

I was just tired, the young one suggests.

More to my point then, Arturo notes. All of your work is too much. And given no one else knows this is also you, they will give you no extra consideration. It is good this was one time.

Matea hangs her head, "Father thinks I am out of