Author's Notes
(as included in the original email to the mcogold list)

Cities of Gold

This takes place sometime after Zias father dies. The person that writes as Tao can explain his adjustments later, since I really dont know what he did:P I tried not to make Mendoza sound too evil. I just thought it would be easier to write his character if he sounds like a manipulative bad guy. But if someone wants to turn him into a traitor, Icant stop you;)

Zia and I ran up to Mendoza. "Tao says the Condors ready to go."

Mendoza turned with a whoosh of his cape. "Good. That boy is quite a find, dont you think Esteban?"

"What do you mean, Mendoza?" Zia and I exchanged a look and then ran to catch up with Mendoza.

"I mean that he has been quite a helper on this journey. He can fix the Condor in a night, not to mention all his knowledge of the Cities of Gold and the new world."

"Oh that." I laughed. We approached camp, only to find Tao making some last minute adjustments on the Condor.

"Its about time you three came back. The suns rising and we have a lot of traveling to do. And you left me with those two." He jerked a thumb over at Sancho and Pedro. "They are too scared to even leave camp. They think some wild animal will eat them."

"Th-thats pre-pr-pretty b-b-big talk fr-from you, Tao."

"Yeah. Im sure some wild animal would just love Hevan on his dinner tray."

Tao turned and glared over his shoulder. I began to laugh.

"Sure. If we hurry up and leave now. Cmon Kokopetl. Well just leave those two chickens on the ground over there, where all the jungle animals can eat them. Sancho will make quite a feast."

"Chicken, chicken, chicken." Kokopetl repeated.

We waited a few minutes after sunrise. Tao insisted we test his adjustments before we leave the ground. Mendoza said that was a wise idea. I still dont understand what he did to my beautiful golden bird, but she is flying better than before. He said something about altering the wings or tail and aerodynamics, but then he went and stuck his nose in his encyclopedia. Someday Im going to slam that book right in his face.

Mendoza, Sancho, and Pedro were asleep in the back. Zia was gazing at them with a look of dislike on her face.

"Whats the matter, Zia?"

"Nothing. I cant believe how those two grown men can be so afraid of everything. Look! The suns starting to set!"

"You dont have to be afraid, Zia. Ill never let anything happen to you."

Zia smiled and turned to look out the window at the sunset as the Condor slowly began its descent.

We began to set up camp immediately. Mendoza shouted orders and we all did as we were told. Tao, Zia, and I were sent off to find firewood. Kokopetl tagged along, flying above us. Tao and I were in the middle of a race over who could carry the most wood for the longest time, when something shined in the moonlight, blinding me. I dropped my firewood. "Oh! Tao, Zia, did you see that?" They nodded and we crept up for a closer look.

"Danger, danger! Run for the hills, run for the hills!"

"Theres no danger, Kokopetl. Whatever it was is gone now. Lets go back to camp. Im starved!"

"Me too! Are you coming, Zia?"

"Oh yes. Wait for me, Esteban!" The three of us picked up our wood and ran back, laughing.

Mendoza had already started a small fire, but he looked very pleased when we came with the wood. He took it from us, then told us to go play. He said that he was cooking a surprise. "I can hardly wait." Tao muttered. I elbowed him and we walked off into the night. I knew where I wanted to go.

"Why are we back here?" Tao fumed. "I want to go eat. Youre wasting our time, Esteban."

"There was something here. You saw it, Zia saw it, I saw it, and Kokopetl said there was danger. If you quit whining, we can take a look around and then go back. I thought you hated being around Sancho and Pedro, especially when they eat."

"When you put it that way, exploring isnt the worst thing."

Zia laughed. "Where do you want us to start looking, Esteban?"

"Over there, by that grassy knoll. Thats about the right place."

"Esteban! Tao! Zia! Time to eat, time to eat!"

"Thanks Kokopetl! Were coming! Esteban, listen. Well wake up early tomorrow, before the adults. Then we will come explore. Is that a plan?"

"Yes! Now lets eat! Whatever Mendoza is cooking smells delicious!"

"W- w-wait un-until you f-f-find out wh-wh-what it is Esteban. Th-th-then you w-w-w-wont think it is so t-t-tasty."

"Huh? What do you mean Sancho?" I knelt down by the fire to see if there was any reason Sancho was warning me. All I saw was some smaller animals heating on sticks over a fire. I looked at Mendoza for a clue. He smiled smugly at me, then turned an icy glare to Sancho.

"Nevermind what Sancho means. Its good, if you will try it." He handed us one.

Zia and I picked. If Sancho wasnt eating, it must be something disgusting. Tao dug right in. "Come on, Esteban! Try it! It wont bite you. Its good, see?" He took another large bite. I stabbed at mine with my stick, then took a small bite. It was good. Really good. "Dont worry, Zia. Taos right. It is good." I finished off my portion and took another.

"Of course it is. Havent you ever eaten tarantula before?"

"What?! Tarantula! Excuse me!" My stomach felt tingly. I ran off into the forest, where I threw up everything I had eaten. I could hear Mendoza and Zia calling my name, but I never turned back. Then lights began to dance before my eyes. I sank to the ground.

I came to a while later. How much time had passed. I slowly sat up and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes. Where was I? Oh, thats right. I needed to get back to camp. Something grabbed me and I started to scream. It was Mendoza. He put me down and motioned for me to follow him. He looked concerned, but didnt say anything. I think he was waiting for me to talk. Finally, he spoke.

"Are you all right?"

"That was a dirty trick, Mendoza! Cooking spiders for dinner. I was hungry!"

He threw back his head and laughed. "Now you are starting to sound like Sancho and Pedro. It was no trick, I assure you. The spiders are native around here, some of the biggest in the known world. Why not take advantage and eat whats available? Was the meal really that bad? You would have eaten ten if Tao hadnt told you what they were. If youre still hungry, we have leftovers." He picked up a small spider, still on its stick. I looked at it and began choking. I would make myself throw up on him, if that was the game he was going to play. I couldnt. There was nothing in my stomach, but at least he put the spider back by the fire. I turned away from him, feeling dizzy. In the distance, I saw it again. The shining light. I rubbed my eyes, but it only blinked brighter. I stared for a minute longer, then shook Tao.

"Tao! Wake up! The lights out again! Tao! Stop hitting me! Tao! Stop it!"

"You shouldnt be so rude Esteban! I was having a wonderful dream! We found the cities and...." His sentence stopped as I whipped his head in the lights direction. "What are we sitting around here for?"

"Im coming too! Wait for me" Zia cried. I waited for her, took her hand and ran. Mendoza chased after us, probably hoping wed found the cities of gold.

The light shined and sparkled. Unlike last time, it never faded. It dazzled until we were sure we were right by it. Then it stopped, leaving us to wander around in the dark. Mendoza had taken the lead. "Careful, children. There is something mysterious in the air. Suddenly, he disappeared.

"Awk! Danger! Danger! Tao! Run for the hills! Run for the hills!"

"Whats the matter now, Kokopetl? Theres nothing here. AHHHHHHHH!!!!!"

"What is it, Tao? AHHHHHH!" Zia and I began to fall. We landed on Tao and Mendoza.

"Who would dig a hole this size in the middle of a field?"

"I would. Welcome Esteban, Mendoza, children. I havent seen you for quite some time."

"Gomez!"