The Andes Dream

There was an inn in the Plaza de San Pablo, a square not far from the Plaza Mayor — the center of power in the Captaincy of Venezuela. The place was run by a woman and her three children. Rumor had it that the father had died at the hands of bandits along the Magdalena River, a story that earned the family some pity. After all, the three women were strikingly beautiful; people joked that the late husband must have lost his luck after marrying the wife.

"Miss María, do you need help with that?" the young man asked as he looked around. "Where's your son?"

Miss María sighed. "Young Oscar, yes, could you help me carry these supplies to my house? That useless boy is probably wasting money gambling in some filthy tavern."

Oscar frowned. "If you want, I can bring a few friends and teach him a lesson. Maybe then he'll learn to respect you."

Miss María smiled kindly. "Don't worry, Oscar. At least he's not gambling our money. It seems he only bets what he earns from his new job."

Oscar raised an eyebrow, surprised. "A new job? What kind of job?"

Miss María shrugged. "I don't know exactly, but he's helping some merchants traveling through the captaincy — as a porter or something like that. I'm just grateful he thinks of us before wasting anything."

Oscar relaxed and smiled. "That's good then. A few games aren't too bad. But still, keep an eye on him. If he ever crosses the line, tell me and I'll make sure he learns his lesson."

Miss María chuckled softly. "Don't worry. If he dares, I'll teach him the lesson myself. And if I can't, then I'll ask you."

They walked together, exchanging smiles. As they passed through the streets of Caracas, several people stopped to greet them — especially Oscar, who was openly flirted with by many women, particularly widows.

Seeing this, Miss María asked with slight concern, "Young man, when are you going to get married? I'm sure your mother must be worried. You're already thirty, and still unmarried — that's not good for your sisters."

Oscar shook his head. "It's not that I don't want to marry. It's just that my job and my family already take so much of my time. As you know, I have a mother and two sisters. It wouldn't be fair to bring a wife into all that responsibility."

Miss María sighed. "Ah, if only your father were alive… Anyway, here we are. Thank you, and—" she reached into her apron, pulled out a few coins, and pressed two of them into Oscar's hand. "Here, for the trouble. Give my regards to your mother."

Oscar accepted the coins with gratitude, said goodbye, and headed back toward the inn. Miss María watched him walk away and sighed again, this time thinking about her own son, who also seemed in no hurry to bring home a daughter-in-law.

Oscar walked through the streets of San José like any friendly young man. Once he reached the family inn, he glanced around and stepped inside.

A young woman in her early twenties spotted him immediately. Her eyes lit up."Brother, you're back!"

The men around — guards, clerks, even a soldier or two — turned to look at Oscar with thinly veiled envy. The girl's beauty only sharpened their stares. Oscar noticed their looks but ignored them.

"That's right," he said, smiling. "Your brother's back. How's business?"

The girl beamed. "Today Mother said she wouldn't rent out any rooms — she wants to celebrate your return. Speaking of that, how was La Guaira?"

Oscar's expression softened; her curiosity was sincere."Beautiful as always. Lots of merchants. I even brought some exotic fabrics for you — though you'll have to wait until the carriage arrives."

Her smile widened. "Really? You're the best!"

An older woman emerged from the kitchen at that moment, wiping her hands on her apron."You're back. Good. Go take a bath and wait until we finish here. After we close, you and Ana will help me — the dishes won't move themselves."

"Coming."

Oscar nodded to her, then glanced briefly at the men seated around the tables — soldiers, bureaucrats, and even an officer of the Spanish Army. The officer, feeling Oscar's gaze, turned his head. Oscar smiled politely and gave him a nod. The officer returned it and went back to his meal.

Oscar went upstairs. The smell of food and aguardiente filled the inn — strong, slightly unpleasant, but completely normal for the place. He climbed to the third floor and began preparing his bath. As he stepped inside, another young woman followed him in.

Oscar frowned. "You shouldn't enter a bath when a man is naked, Rosa."

Rosa only shrugged. "After what those bandits did to us, I've got no shame left. And besides… I need to tell you something."

Oscar helplessly let her in. Once he settled into the wooden tub, he nodded."Tell me."

Rosa stood with her arms crossed, leaning slightly against the wall."We gathered some information about the current governor."

Oscar raised an eyebrow. "Give me the summary."

Rosa took a breath. "Pedro Carbonell Pinto Vigo y Sotomayor — he's the current governor. Since he only took the position last year, the information is limited. But we do know he fought in the War of Austrian Succession. I'm not sure how impressive that is, but from what I've heard, it was a major conflict in Germany."

Oscar nodded slowly. "That's right. Prussia fought the Habsburgs in that war. I didn't expect him to have been part of that conflict." His expression tightened with concern.

Rosa continued, "He's actually quite militaristic — similar to our viceroy. He knows about the Spanish-French war and has been drilling his men to defend the Venezuelan coast. He's harsh with the soldiers. Some minor agents were even captured and executed as warnings. This man may be a lot harder to deal with than we thought."

Oscar frowned, then sighed, water rippling around him."Still… it changes little. Someone from the group tried convincing the others to declare independence during the war, but most rejected the idea. Cowards, all of them." He rubbed his face, frustrated. "But the information is still useful. Go prepare for tonight's dinner."

Rosa nodded and quietly left the bathroom.

Oscar leaned back in the tub, staring at the wooden ceiling while cleaning himself. A deep, weary sigh escaped him. He wondered — not for the first time — whether everything he was doing was truly worth it, especially when the supposed leaders of the movement seemed more cowardly than each other.

After finishing his bath, Oscar changed into cleaner clothes and went downstairs to help Carmensa, the old woman who was supposed to be his mother. By nightfall, the four of them sat around the table — Oscar at the head, the three women on each side.

Carmensa, the old woman, spoke first."What did they tell you? How long do we need to stay here?"

The younger girl immediately protested."Why are you so worried? Living here isn't bad. We have a good inn, friendly neighbors, and a peaceful life. There's no need to move again." Her voice held a clear hint of disapproval.

Oscar leaned back slightly."It is a problem to stay too long. We didn't actually buy this place. And its connection to the liberal movement is too strong. If someone who knows about this inn is captured by the Spanish army, we'll become martyrs — and not by choice."

The young woman frowned."I doubt that'll happen here. We're far from the central government; nothing important ever happens around Caracas."

Rosa shook her head."I wouldn't be so sure. There must be a reason the governor is preparing the soldiers so aggressively." She looked at Oscar. "Did they mention any local leaders?"

Oscar sighed."No. They've always ignored this region. Their logic is simple: if Cartagena and Bogotá fall, all of New Granada falls. If Cartagena and Bogotá hold, everything else holds too. Personally, I think they're too focused on the center and blind to the rest."

Carmensa asked again, more insistently,"So how long should we wait here?"

Oscar shrugged."I don't know. But someone is supposed to come tonight with a message. Probably a mission."

Knock, knock.

The sound at the door made them all stiffen. Oscar frowned and raised a finger to his lips, signaling silence. He stepped toward the door and spoke loudly:

"The inn is closed until tomorrow. What are you looking for?"

The man spoke softly through the door:"Good evening. I left a molis in your house earlier. I trust it's still under your shadow?"

Oscar's voice sharpened just slightly:"Strange. I was told the shadow would not lift until midnight. Unless the sun has learned to rise twice today?"

A tense pause.

Then the man replied:"Dawn came unsettled. I must ensure the balance before darkness resets the scales."

Oscar exchanged a look with Rosa. She quietly reached for the musket, loading it and preparing to fire at the slightest sign of danger.

Oscar unlatched the door and opened it just enough. Upon seeing the hooded traveler, he gave a slow nod. He stepped outside for a moment, scanning both sides of the street. Nothing suspicious.

Only then did he open the door fully and let the man inside. He locked it securely behind him.

This night, it seemed, would be a long one.