Dangerous Discoveries

Tao stood examining the hieroglyphics that ran along the walls of the great chamber. Holding his encyclopedia in one hand, he ran his fingers along the strange writing. Behind him, near the base of the stairs, Esteban and Zia slept quietly. It had been hours since the children had discovered the mysterious room hidden deep within the pyramid of the Winged Serpent and the great golden gateway that only the medallions of the sun could open.

Despite this discovery, Tao was certain that there were other secrets about the Cities of Gold to be learned in this strange city. The Hevan boy stood in silence in the great chamber using his encyclopedia to decipher the writing on the walls.

Behind him, Esteban sat up and yawned. "Find anything Tao?" he asked his friend as he stood up and stretched. He walked over to his friend as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

Tao sighed, sat down, and allowed his book to slide into his lap. "There is so much information here it is hard to know where to begin," the Hevan boy replied. "It is going to take a long time to translate all of this."

Zia, awakened by their talk, moved to stand by Esteban. "Maybe Esteban and I should go find something for us to eat," she suggested.

Tao nodded, picking up his encyclopedia again. "That would be very helpful," he said as he went back to work.

*****

Esteban and Zia emerged from the pyramid into the sunlight, with Kokapedl flying just above their heads. The sun shone done upon them, the time being only a little past midday. As they walked through the maze of buildings, the pair studied their decorations.

"Who could have built such a huge city?" Esteban wondered aloud as he stopped to admire another temple covered with carved images.

"I don't know," Zia replied. "We have traveled far beyond the lands of the Maya. This city must have been built by some other people."

Esteban thought for a few moments before shaking his head in confusion. "There must be people living in this valley. Perhaps we could learn something about this city from them."

Zia nodded and added, "We may also be able to get some provisions."

"Yes," Esteban agreed enthusiastically and he turned in the direction of the Condor.

The two children took their time walking through the ruins, exploring and marveling at its size and complexity. Kokapedl eventually settled on Esteban's shoulder, tired from flying around the area.

They finally reached the wide avenue at the center of the complex. Esteban stared up at the towering pyramid that dominated the thoroughfare. Deep in thought, he didn't notice Zia stop and gasp, nor Kokapedl fly from his shoulder in alarm. But his attention was snapped back to the present when he heard an unfamiliar voice calling out, "Hey you, stop right there!" Esteban stared in horror at the sight before him. The Golden Condor, perhaps two hundred feet in front of him, was surrounded by Spanish soldiers. The commander of the Spanish forces yelled to his men, "Bring me those children!!"

Esteban stumbled back as the soldiers ran forward to capture them. "Come on Zia!" he yelped, grabbing the Inca girl's hand as they ran back the way they had come. They stumbled over crumbling masonry as they desperately tried to lose their pursuers, yet the soldiers were relentless. Kokapedl flew in front of the children, helping them find their way in the labyrinth of structures.

Making a quick succession of quick turns, Esteban ducked into one the stone houses and crouched into a corner of the building with Zia beside him. Hardly daring to breath, the two children listened as the soldiers passed by their hiding place and continued farther into the ruins. An eternity seemed to pass before either dared to speak.

"I think they are gone," Esteban whispered.

"But where could these soldiers have come from?" Zia shook her head.

"I don't know, but we must get back to Tao," she said.

Esteban nodded and crept to the doorway. Seeing and hearing nothing, Esteban took Zia's hand and stepped into the open. They moved stealthily towards the great courtyard and the temple of the Winged Serpent. Clinging to the edge of the buildings to give them some cover, the two children crossed the open space, nearing the temple. But just when safety seemed assured, a voice bellowed from above them, "Commander, I've found those children!"

The children looked up to see soldiers coming over the walls of the courtyard, practically on top of them. "Halt in the name of the Viceroy!" one soldier called as another jumped into the courtyard knocking Esteban to the ground.

"Esteban!" Zia screamed.

"Run Zia!" Esteban yelled. "Get away!!" As the boy struggled to free himself from the grip of the soldier, a golden disk fell from his pocket and rolled to Zia's feet. The Inca girl grabbed up the key to the Condor, but stood rooted to the ground where she stood. "Zia run away!" Esteban shouted again though he was unable to break free of the soldier who had captured him.

Zia finally turned to run as the other soldiers jumped to the ground. She fled in the direction of the Serpent's Pyramid, desperately clutching the golden disk as Kokapedl flew above her squawking, "Danger! Danger!!"

The soldier's were only a hundred paces behind the girl when she reached the first step of the pyramid. She rushed to the temple and carefully made her way around the opening of the secret passage in front of the mural of the Winged Serpent. She pushed in the eye of the Serpent and turned to Kokapedl as the passage sealed itself. "Take the sun disk and fly away, Kokapedl," she said, holding the disk out to the parrot. "Take it and hide!" The intelligent bird gripped the disk and flew out of the temple as the first soldier entered.

The soldier smirked as he walked toward Zia. "You chose a poor hiding place, little girl." Zia didn't respond and calmly followed the soldiers who led her back to Esteban.

What fate awaits Zia and Esteban now that they have been captured by Spanish soldiers? And where did these Spaniards come from? Find out in Chapter Four of The Ancient Legacy: The City on the Lake.