Port of San Julian. Winter Quarters. June 15, 1520.

It has been quiet these last few days. The Indians have not appeared again and there is little to do. I keep busy with my training and regular duties but time is dragging.

The Captain-General is worried for the Santiago and her crew. Captain Serrano was ordered to report back after a month but it has been a month and a half since she sailed and we have had no word from her.

But Magellan won=t allow us to be idle. He says that if we are to survive the harsh winter, we must keep resupplying our ships with water, food and wood. All of the crew work to accomplish this, even those that mutinied against the Captain. They still wear the chains imposed for their crimes.

I wonder if they know it was I who betrayed them and warned Magellan? Many of them won=t have anything to do with me and I have seen Del Cano and a few others giving dark looks. Is it jealousy because of my new position as Magellan=s apprentice or something else? Only Magellan and Enrique know the whole truth but I believe the rest of the crew must know something of it.

Is betrayal ever necessary to preserve the greater good?

Cuba 1519.

The door burst open behind me and the prone José. AWell done, Mendoza,@ a familiar voice said. AI see you have caught our thief.@

I turned slightly, taking my aim and eye away from José, who was stilling staring at me in shock and disbelief. ACaptain Gomez,@ I replied, standing at attention. He stood just outside the door surrounded by soldiers.

AGet him out,@ Gomez ordered the one next to him. The chosen soldier nodded to one of his companions and the two of them came inside. They roughly pulled José to his feet. ATake him to the prison. The Alcalde can decide what to do with him tomorrow.@ The guards took the unresisting slave away.

I walked to where Gomez stood and waited until the last guard had departed before I spoke. ASeñor, I believe there is something more going on here.@

AWhat do you mean, Mendoza?@ he echoed my earlier question to José.

AHe said something earlier that leads me to believe he may have been forced to do this.@

AFrom your position, I didn=t realize you had time for conversation. A man is likely to say anything when a gun is pointed at his head. All these Indians are thieves and liars anyway, you shouldn=t take anything they say seriously.@

Gomez was looking at me suspiciously and he definitely wouldn=t like what I was thinking. I decided to stick with my half true story. ASeñor, I would like permission to question the prisoner further,@ I requested.

AI don=t believe that is a good idea, Mendoza,@ Gomez replied, shaking his head. AHe will only tell you more lies.@

ABut Señor, I believe this only the tip of something bigger.@

AEnough Mendoza,@ Gomez said, his voice quiet but angry. AYou are obviously not thinking properly. You are relieved of your duties and confined to quarters until this matter is resolved. Is that understood?@

APerfectly, Señor Gomez,@ I replied, not believing it myself. I had to find out what was going on before they executed José. I owed him that much.

*****

Gomez went so far as to post a guard at my room to make certain that I stayed where I was. I waited until the night was almost over to make my move. My guard=s breathing was steady and regular and I believed he was asleep. I had changed out of my armor into dark clothes and I was amazed how much better I felt being out of uniform.

I carefully pulled the door open and crept out. The guard didn=t even stir. I smiled. At any other time, I would have reprimanded him and had him punished. Now I thanked him silently and continued out into the night. I quickly made my way to the prison, easily avoiding the guards.

José was imprisoned in the darkest corner of the building. Even in the pale moon light, I could see he had been beaten. My conscience hurt me and I couldn=t help but wondered if I had done the right thing.

I managed to find some water and went back to José. He did not move when I called to him. It was only when I flicked the water into his face, that he stirred and opened his eyes. He looked up into my face and his mouth opened in surprise. I quickly put out my hand to keep him from calling out but he pulled away from me.

AI suppose it is only justice,@ José said with bitterness. AThe betrayer becomes the betrayed. I betrayed the people of this island and now I have been betrayed by you. Why Mendoza?@ he asked quietly, his eyes cold and angry. AYou said you wouldn=t stop me, that you were in debt to me for saving your life. Why did you turn around and betray me?@

AI had no choice, José,@ I replied calmly. AI heard Gomez=s soldier=s outside. If I had not done what I did, we both would have been imprisoned.@

AThis way only I am in prison,@ he said with a bitter laugh. AYou will have to pardon me if I don=t seem very enthusiastic about this arrangement.@

ALet me finish,@ I interrupted. AIf we both had been taken, there would be no chance. As things stand, I can work on your behalf. But, only if you will trust me. I need to know why you did this. I know you are not a thief and yet here you are, in prison for that crime. I can think of only one explanation.@ I paused. ASomeone forced or coerced you into doing this. The question is, who?@

AI can=t tell you that,@ José replied and I saw fear in his eyes.

AThen I was right. You didn=t do this on you own.@ Thinking for a moment, I continued, AAll things considered, there can only be one person who could force you to do this. Gamboa, your master.@ José stared back at me but didn=t speak. AI am right,@ I said to myself. ABut, why would he do this? He is wealthy already and wouldn=t risk losing everything unless the potential rewards were enormous.@ Then it came to me. I gazed steadily back at José and spoke, AGamboa is trying to sabotage Cortés=s expedition and, at the same time, trying to further his own case. If Gamboa is appointed expedition commander, he will be in a position to reap all the benefits if it succeeds. But if he is only a follower of Cortés, he receives little of the gold and glory. But why did you help him, José. I know how much you hate him.@

AIf he became the expedition=s leader, he would be going to the mainland,@ José replied, Aand taking me with him. I would be going home and if the expedition was successful, he said he would release me. Unlikely, I know, but any risk is worth that.@

AGomez must know something of this also. That is why he relieved me of duty.@ I looked at José=s bound wrists. I took a knife from my boot and cut him free.

AWhat are you doing,@ he exclaimed.

ASetting you free, what does it look like.@

ABut why?@

ABecause Gamboa isn=t going to let you live long enough to talk. They will make sure you are dead before anyone becomes suspicious. I=m a little surprised your even still alive now.@

José massaged his raw wrists. ABut what will you do? Gamboa and Gomez will immediately suspect you. Then it will be you in prison.@

I laughed slightly. AI=m going to speak to the Alcalde.@

AYou=re insane! He won=t believe you!@

APerhaps, perhaps not. But it does provide a convenient alibi for my whereabouts.@ Growing serious, I told him, AYou had better leave this region entirely.@

He nodded.

AMove quickly. Good luck, José.@

AAnd to you, Mendoza.@

We managed to sneak out of the prison without being detected and went our separate ways. The sun was just beginning to light the eastern sky. I marveled at our luck to be able to move so freely without raising the alarm.

I finally reached the Alcalde=s residence, the largest hacienda in the settlement. It seemed, by the light in the window, that Cortés was already awake. Perhaps someone had already informed him of the nights excitement or maybe the plans for his expedition had made him rise early. The house guard I knew and, fortunately, was lesser in rank than myself.

AI have urgent news for the Alcalde. Stand aside,@ I ordered.

He looked me over, obviously disapproving of my attire but he did not protest. I was lead to Cortés study by a young slave girl who knocked on the door and calmly waited for a reply. I was not so patient. This was taking to long. At any moment, Gomez might arrive to make his report. I didn=t know how much longer my luck would hold out. Finally a voice from the inside said, AEnter.@

The girl went in first to announce me. ASergeant Mendoza to see you, Your Excellency.@ Cortés had only begun to reply when I pushed her aside and entered.

ABuenos dias...Mendoza, wasn=t it?@

AYes, Your Excellency.@ I stood at attention, painfully aware that I wasn=t in uniform.

His eyes took in my attire and calmly said, ADressing informally these days, Señor?@

AYour Excellency, I can explain...@

But Cortés raised his hand, silencing any explanations I could have come up with. AI already know, Mendoza. Captain Gomez was here earlier.@

I froze. I was lost.

ADisobeying an order from your Captain is a serious offence,@ he said, his eyes burning holes into me. Then his attitude changed entirely. ABut it does save me the trouble of sending for you to hear your report. And, in doing so, alerting Gamboa to my suspicions.@

I looked at him surprised. AI didn=t know you suspected him, Excellency.@

AI am not a fool, Mendoza,@ Cortés replied coolly. AI have known for sometime that Gamboa was attempting to undermine my position as leader of this expedition.@

AMy apologies, Alcalde. I was not aware of this.@

AYou and everyone else weren=t suppose to be >aware of this=,@ he mocked, walking to a window. AI couldn=t make those accusations without any proof. That Indian called José, he may be able to implicate Gamboa but the word of a slave thief will not be accepted by the Governor. So we have to find proof of another kind.@ He turned to look at me and I didn=t like his expression. AI need to conclusively link Gamboa and the thief together. And to do that, I need to know where the stolen items are. I suspect Gamboa=s hacienda but I need their exact location. You will get this information for me.@

AAlcalde, this is very difficult. Gomez believes that I am still in my quarters and Gamboa has probably learned of my suspicions by now. If I am discovered...@

AI would suggest, Señor,@ Cortés interrupted, Athat you try to avoid such an outcome. I, of course, will not be able to help you if you are caught disobeying an order and breaking into your Commander=s residence.@ He smiled unpleasantly. ABut, I will reward you handsomely if you succeed. You could name your reward.@ Sitting down, he rested his arms on the desk and pressed his finger tips together, still smiling. AI can arrange for Gamboa to be kept busy while you conduct your search and the orders will shortly be issued. I suggest you get to it.@

Knowing it was useless to argue, I saluted automatically and left. I carefully made my way out of the Alcalde=s hacienda and through the jungle that surrounded it, thinking of my predicament. This was all too much! How could I ever accomplish the task Cortés had given me? I was beginning to think soldiery was not my destiny. Even Gomez, before our falling out, had admitted that I had the potential to do well and rise in rank. But first, I had to survive the orders of my superiors and, right at that moment, I didn=t think I would ever make lieutenant.

I arrived at Gamboa=s hacienda and, like Cortés had promised, it did appear to be empty. I was able to get inside the house and search it thoroughly. There was no trace of the stolen items. I was beginning to believe the Alcalde was wrong when I stumbled across Gamboa=s secret. I had searched the house from top to bottom and ended up in the commander=s private quarters. I was pacing the floor trying to figure out where he could keep the stolen items. In the slave quarters? The jungle? But it might be found by chance and Gamboa was too greedy to hide it far away from him. So where was it? I was beginning to get desperate when I noticed something unusual. The wooden floor I was wearing down, sounded strange. A small area of it made a different, hollow sound when I stepped on it. Falling to the ground, I searched carefully and soon found a small knot hole. I pulled up the floor board with my finger and something in the dark of the hole glinted gold in the morning light. The stolen treasure was hidden right next to the commander=s bed.

I smiled to myself as I looked it over, but stopped suddenly as I noticed a problem. I knew a rough list of the items that had been taken and certain things were missing. Perhaps Gamboa had some other place to hide the stolen treasure, but I didn=t have time to search for that. This was taking too long and Gamboa could return at any time.

I carefully replaced the boards and, standing up, made sure everything looked as it had before I found the hidden compartment. I left the commander=s hacienda behind and was just beginning to praise my luck and skills, when I heard movement in the greenery somewhere behind me. I paused, not making a sound but heard nothing more. It was just some animal, I thought logically. But my instincts told me otherwise. I moved off, faster than before. I could hear the noise again, not as far away as before. There was no doubt now that something was after me. I didn=t have the time or the weapons to deal with whoever was back there. I had to get back to Cortés right away. Looking back on the event now, I know that was a mistake, but that is the benefit of hindsight. I moved faster and faster through the jungle, sacrificing silence for speed.

I neared the Alcalde=s property. I could no longer hear anything behind me, but was still anxious to report my find. I slowed to a walk and a sense of relief washed over me.

I didn=t hear the figure that moved silently towards me or see his shadow. I felt nothing until something hard connected with the back of my head. I fell without a sound. But before the darkness took me, I saw a face before my eyes.

Gomez.

*****

I awoke sometime latter, with the knowledge that I was being carried. I opened my eyes only to quickly squeeze them shut again. My head throbbed form Gomez=s blow and the pale light that was coming through the trees made it worse. I lapsed back into darkness but was awakened again when the persons carrying me tossed my body unceremoniously to the ground. A groan escaped my lips and I again tried to open my eyes.

AIt seems our guest is awake,@ a voice said. I knew it only to well.

AGamboa!@ I spat, or at least tried too. My head ached and I wasn=t capable of much venom. I managed to keep my eyes open and took in my surroundings. Gamboa, Gomez and two soldiers, the ones who had been carrying me, stood in a semicircle above me.

ASí, Señor Mendoza. Gamboa,@ he looked at me with contempt. AYou have caused me much trouble. And now you will pay for it.@

AYou won=t get away with killing me. Cortés knows everything and will have you hanged.@

Commander Gamboa smirked, AI=m afraid not, my young friend. We were merely doing our duty. Stopping a thief.@

I looked at him incredulously. AYou must be joking. No one will believe that.@

AOn the contrary, they already do. You see, Mendoza, my friend Gomez was quite surprised by your defense of a worthless, thieving slave and reported everything to me and Cortés. Our glorious Alcalde then ordered an inventory of the treasure to determine just what had been taken. But I believed it was our duty to first check on his prisoner and confined soldier. We found that both had escaped. This confirmed our worst fears and I ordered your quarters to be searched. Do you know what we found?@ Gamboa asked with mock politeness.

I felt sick and answered, AI would say you found the treasure missing from your hidden room, planted there by the supposedly incompetent, sleeping guard.@

Gamboa=s smile broadened with my words. AOf course! Gomez, being a good soldier, reported all of this to the Alcalde, who had no choice but to order your arrest. And see how fortunate we are? We have managed to find the traitor. But unfortunately he, you, will be killed while trying to escape.@

AVery clever,@ I said. Gamboa actually bowed. AI have one question though. Have I been set up from the beginning or did you do all of this only after I became suspicious.@ I looked to Gomez for the answer.

He had been standing a little apart from the rest, starring daggers at me. My question stirred him to life. AOnly after. Had you not done what you did, you might have joined us.@

ATo what are you referring? José...or Ayala.@

He strode foreword and struck me. My head snapped back and the throbbing, which had started to fade, came back with a vengeance. That might have been a mistake, I thought as Gomez drew his pistol and aimed it at my head.

ADon=t you dare speak to me of that, bastardo!@ The muzzle of his pistol trembled as he continued, AHow long would you have lived if you had stayed in Granada with your uncle. Perhaps until your grandfather=s death or sooner depending on how much of a nuisance you were. Even if you had escaped him, you would have been living on the streets, in squalor. I took you in! Gave you the chance to make something better of yourself, trusted you with my home, and my wife! And how do you repay me!?! With betrayal!@

I looked him in the eye. AI did not have an affair with your wife, Gomez. You used me from the beginning,@ I replied with cold anger, not caring at that moment whether he shot me or not. AYou took credit for what I had done and you say I betrayed you! You have changed since Ayala=s death. I don=t know you anymore.@

Gomez tightened his grip on the trigger and I was certain I was about to die. With dark amusement I thought, At least my head should stop throbbing if it is blown off.

But the bullet never came. Gomez, though he was shaking, seemed to regain control and backed away. ADo what ever you want with him.@

Gamboa, though he looked at Gomez strangely, shrugged. AAs you wish.@ He turned to the soldiers who had been standing quietly through all of this and said, AGet on with it.@

No response. They both stared strait ahead, seeing nothing.

ADid you hear what I said?@ Gamboa asked, angry at the delay.

The two soldiers fell foreword, stone dead, a dagger in each of their backs.

Gamboa, Gomez and I all stared in shock as a figure, cloaked in shadow, emerged from the jungle. José stood calmly holding my pistol, aiming it at Gamboa and Gomez.

AI would suggest that you drop your weapon, Gomez, unless you want to die.@ Gomez obeyed.

Gamboa looked sick. AWhere did you come from?@ he managed.

AYou thought I was long gone by now. But I had to stay,@ he said venomously. ATo see that justice was done.@

AJosé, don=t do this,@ I said, getting slowly to my feet. Gamboa deserved death but I didn=t want to see him die, more for José=s sake than his. AThe Alcalde knows what he is. Even after planting evidence against me, Cortés will never trust either of them again. They are finished in Cuba.@

AIs that what you call justice? They are clever and will find a way back into the Governor=s good graces. Gamboa should be stopped now!@

AIs that the only way to be free of him? If you have to kill him in cold blood to be free, you are more his slave than I thought.@

For what seemed like forever, José struggled with himself but, eventually, he lowered the pistol.

And it was at that moment that Gamboa struck. He lunged for the weapon Gomez had discarded. Before I or Gomez could move to help our respective allies, the commander had leveled his pistol toward José.

But José was even faster and fired his one shot. Commander Gamboa fell to the ground, dead.

José, breathing hard, spoke. AAm I free of him? Is this any different than what you said would happen if I killed him?@

AThat would have been murder. This was self-defense. You gave him a chance to live and he refused it. In my mind there is a big difference.@ I turned to Gomez who had not moved. AWell, my friend, it seems the tables have turned.@

AWhat are you going to do, Mendoza.@

I turned away from him. AI am going back to Cortés and informing him of all that has occurred, except for your involvement. I do owe you that much.@

Gomez turned and began walking back to the city. AI never betrayed you Gomez,@ I called after him. He didn=t acknowledge my words. He just walked away.

AHow can you trust him not to blame you for all of this?@ José asked.

AGomez is intelligent. With me alive, I can contradict all his accusations, and the Alcalde will believe me. And since I am leaving the army, I won=t be within Gomez=s reach.@

José looked at me in surprise. AYou are no longer going to be a soldier?@

AYes.@ I laughed slightly. AI=ve decided to leave our good King=s army. I=ll live longer this way!@ I turned to him. AHow is it that you managed to arrive at just the right moment? I thought you had gone.@

AAfter you set me free, I was going to do just that but my path lead me by your quarters. Gamboa and Gomez were there. I hid in the brush nearby until they left. I removed the evidence that they had planted against you and hid it again in Gamboa=s hacienda.@

I laughed, marveling at his audacity. AYou must have just missed me.@ He nodded. AFrom the bedroom window I saw you leave and I tried to catch up to you.@ AIt was you who was following me?@ AYes, but you moved to fast and I lost you soon after you entered the jungle. When I caught up, Gomez and the other=s already had you. I had taken your pistol with me when I left your quarters.@ I gave him a look. AIf I hadn=t, we=d both probably be dead now.@ He gave the weapon back to me.AAnd the rest you know,@ he finished. AWhere will you go now?@ I asked. He smiled. AI am going home,@ he simply said. AHow will you get there?@ AI=ll manage it.@ AI=m sure you will,@ I said, holding out my hand. ABuena suerte a usted, José.@ He took it but said, AI would prefer if you called me by my real name and not the one Gamboa forced on me.@ AWhat is it?@ I asked. AYaxche.@ AFarewell, Yaxche.@ Farewell, Mendoza.@ And with that we parted.

*****

I went back to Cortés and made a full report. He was as happy as I had ever seen him. AThe only was this could have been better is if I could have seen it for myself. Killed by his own slave,@ he laughed and I felt a bit ill. AAnd what of his friend, that Captain Gomez. You are sure he had no part in this?@

AI am sure, Alcalde,@ I lied.

AStill I can=t trust the man and must find something to do with him.@ He thought for a moment. AI will send him to Governor Padrarias Dávila in Darien. Gomez can serve under his commander.@

AWho is that?@ I asked curious.

AA nobody named Pizzaro. I=ll let him deal with Gomez.@ The Alcalde turned to look at me. ANow what should I do with you my friend?@

I had been waiting for this. AAlcalde Cortés, I request that you discharge me from the army.@

That did surprise him. AWhy would you want that? I was going to make you Captain in Gomez=s place. You can=t want to give that up.@

AI do, Your Excellency,@ I said seriously. AI know now that my destiny lies elsewhere. And you did say I could name my reward.@

He stared at me as if I were a lunatic, then shrugged. AAs you wish.@

*****

A few weeks later, I was a member of the crew of a ship, the Nuestra Señora de la Luz. Our destination was Spain or, more specifically, Barcelona.

The night before we left port, I stayed awake for a long time, staring at the stars above me and thinking of what the future might hold.

Barcelona, I thought. Perhaps I will find Maria. I fell asleep with a smile.