Old Allies, Old EnemiesMendoza stood on the hill where days before he had watched the Olmecs preparing to attack the Village of the New Sun. Now, as the sun rose on another day, the village was already bustling with activity as the Mayans worked to repair their homes. The Spanish navigator had delayed departing from the village to give himself, Pedro and Sancho time to rest and gather supplies for their long journey back to Spain. Wynacocha, despite their past differences, was very grateful for the three Spaniards assistance when they had fought the Olmecs and was providing them with everything they needed. As he stood in the warm morning sun, Mendoza considered his options. From his calculations, the navigator knew where they could find the main Spanish cities of the region, Mexico City and Vera Cruz, but he had no desire to visit either of them. It had been eight years since he had last seen them, yet he knew it was unlikely that he would receive a warm welcome. The best chance the three sailors had was to set out for the sea and search for new settlements along the coast where they could possibly gain passage on a ship bound for Spain. From his conversations with Wynacocha, Mendoza knew that the river that flowed from the Mountain of the Burning Shield eventually joined the ocean, so it would be a simple matter to follow the river to the coast. His course of action determined, Mendoza turned and walked back toward the Mayan village. As he drew closer he heard the sound of running feet and looked up to see Sancho and Pedro hurrying towards him, each tripping over each others feet which resulted in Sancho falling to the ground in front of his employer. "O-o-o-oh, Mendoza," Sancho stuttered, "where were you? We've been looking for you everywhere!" "What is so urgent?" Mendoza asked. "In the village," Pedro gasped, "Gomez and Gaspar..." "What?!" Mendoza could hardly believe what he had heard. "How did they get here?" He immediately rushed back the way Pedro and Sancho had come, back into the village. "Wait Mendoza," Pedro called after him, "there's more!" But the navigator was already out of earshot. "Well, I guess he'll find out soon enough," Pedro sighed as he pulled Sancho to his feet and they set out again. As Mendoza entered the village center, he could see people gathered around the house that Papacamayo had once lived in. The Spaniard pushed past them to the door of the hut where he met Wynacocha, who was just exiting the structure. "Mendoza," the young Maya nodded in greeting. "Pedro and Sancho said that Gomez and Gaspar were here in the village." "If you mean the two Spaniards, they are in there," Wynacocha said gesturing to the house, "along with their companion." Mendoza looked surprised. "Their companion?" The navigator moved past the young chief and entered the dwelling. Gomez and Gaspar were standing in the corner, their swords nowhere to be seen and two Mayan soldiers watching them. "Ah, Mendoza," Gaspar said gruffly and stepping forward only to be forced back by the weapons of the Mayas and the arm of his commander. "Gaspar," Gomez said warningly, nodding towards the opposite end of the house. Mendoza turned to see Myena and an older Mayan woman standing next to a narrow bed. The navigator moved to stand next to the young Mayan girl and gasped in surprise when he saw who was lying on the cot. "Marinche!" ***** Mendoza and Wynacocha stood a little ways from the entrance of the hut, facing Gaspar and Gomez. The village healer and insisted that everyone but Myena leave so she could treat Marinche's injuries. His eyes never leaving the pair opposite him, Mendoza quietly questioned the chief about the prisoners. "They entered the village about an hour ago, saying they needed help for the woman," Wynacocha explained. "I didn't see any reason to send them away." Mendoza nodded and then cautioned, "Be careful with these men," he gestured toward the other Spaniards. "They are not trustworthy." "Not to worry," one of the village women put in. "We know how to put them in their place," she said looking meaningfully at the two prisoners, a large club in her hands. Mendoza swallowed a smile when he saw Gomez and Gaspar wince and take a step away from the woman. Having learned all he could from Wynacocha, he proceeded to question his fellow Spaniards. "Mendoza," Gomez said coolly as he approached, "would you inform these people that we mean them no harm." "I'm afraid, Gomez," Mendoza replied, amused, "that they, or rather, the women of this village already know you too well to believe that." "We didn't harm anyone," Gaspar grumped, "we were just trying to talk to the brats." "Speaking of them," Gomez put in quickly, "where is the Golden Condor?" Mendoza regarded him carefully. "Esteban, Zia and Tao left three days ago if that is any of your business." Gomez and Gaspar looked at each other in surprise. "But that isn't what I wanted to talk to you about," Mendoza continued. "How did you survive the destruction of the City of Gold? Pedro and Sancho said that you were still collecting gold when the city was abandoned." "It was a near thing," Gomez admitted, paling slightly. "The lake was draining away and the city melting as we struggled to get onto the bank." "We lost everything," Gaspar said angrily, but then he paused a moment and admitted with a smile, "well, almost everything." "Gaspar!" Gomez hissed as he shot his companion a sharp look. "Oh sorry, Commander. I forgot..." "Be silent!" Mendoza pretended this exchange didn't interest him and asked his next question. "Where did you find Marinche?" Gomez glared at Gaspar a moment longer before answering. "I assume you are talking about the woman. We found her in the forest not far from the Olmec base. She was injured and couldn't speak very much. We couldn't just leave her there to die so we brought her to this village." Mendoza suspected that Gomez knew he and Gaspar wouldn't have received the welcome they had if they had they come by themselves, but kept the thought to himself. Instead he asked, "Didn't she have any companions?" "No," Gomez replied, "there was no one with her." ***** Hours later, the healer emerged from the hut and motioned for Wynacocha to join her. Mendoza, Gomez and Gaspar also walked over to hear what she had to say. "...serious, but not fatal," the woman was saying. "A few days of rest should bring about a great improvement." "Can I speak with her?" Mendoza asked. The healer looked at him appraisingly before answering, "Not now, but perhaps later." Mendoza nodded his acceptance just as two of the village's warriors came running up to Wynacocha. "What is it?" the chief asked in concern. "The Golden Condor..." one of them managed to gasp. "What was that?" Mendoza asked in a shocked voice, yet before he could say more the Condor soared over the village. The golden bird banked quickly and came back on a course that would allow it to land in the village center. The Condor touched down and skidded across the ground, slowing...but not quickly enough. "It's going to crash into us!" Gaspar yelled. "Run for your lives!!" He and Gomez quickly vacated the area and the rest of the people in the square rapidly followed their example. The Condor ground to a halt in the empty plaza, just short of several houses. Mendoza and Wynacocha immediately ran forward as the dome slid open. To their amazement, it wasn't Esteban who stood up from the command chair. It was Tao. As the boy half slid, half fell down the Condor's nose to meet him, Mendoza could see that he looked like he was going to be sick. "Didn't think it would stop in time," Tao gasped as he dropped to the ground. "Tao, where are Esteban and Zia? What has happened?" Mendoza asked as he helped the boy to his feet. "Captured!" Tao said, his voice becoming stronger, his face more determined. "I...we need your help." Everyone listed intently as Tao explained how he, Esteban, and Zia had discovered the ruined city, the Temple of the Winged Serpent, the great chamber, and ended his tale with the words of the Spanish soldiers. "And as I flew the Condor here, I saw a large city on an island in the lake." Mendoza's face was grim at these words. "It could only have been Mexico City," he said after a moment. "You have been there?" Mendoza nodded. "And I had hoped never to see it again." "But if you want to help Esteban and Zia, you will have to face Cortez again," a woman's voice said weakly. Tao jumped in surprise. "Marinche?!" The Aztec woman had appeared at the edge of the crowd being supported by Gomez, Gaspar with Myena following just behind them. The young Maya girl shrugged as Wynacocha looked at her in surprise as if to say 'I couldn't stop her.' Marinche ignored Tao and the others, looking steadily at Mendoza, her old nemesis. "And you will need our help," she informed him. Mendoza regarded the trio suspiciously while Tao gave a snort of laughter. "Why would we need you?" Marinche smiled, looking like her old self. "Gomez, why don't you show them what you found." Gomez looked hesitant for a moment and then pulled something small from the pocket of his coat. He held up two small, golden disks. Tao gasped in horror. "The medallions!" "Yes," Gomez confirmed. "And if you want them returned, you will take us to Mexico City with you," Marinche stated. Tao didn't know how to reply and looked to Mendoza for guidance. Mendoza stared steadily at his adversaries, considering his options. Finally he said, "I can't trust any of you… yet, it seems I have no choice. Be ready to leave at dawn." With that, the navigator turned and walked away, leaving Tao, Pedro, and Sancho staring after him.
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