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

Part 11 Darkest Before the Dawn

At long last...the Chain Story has returned to the list! After months of writing and rewriting, here's Part 11!!! I owe you all a big apology for taking so long. Classes and many other things, like losing the story for a while....oops! I'm writing from Esteban's point of view. Given his predicament, this part of the story has Esteban's more serious side.

"Since young Esteban has so willingly chosen to tell what I need to know, he may be returned to his room. His friends will be released. Only after he tells me what I wish to know, his freedom will be granted as well." His guards nodded their obedience, then walked towards me.

"No!" I yelled, backing towards Mendoza. "I want to see my friends released! How can I trust what you say?"

Cortez gave me that smile again. "Very wise, Child of the Sun. But you will have to take my word. Unfortunately, you don't have much choice in the matter. Guards, bring young Esteban back to his room. He will need all the rest he can get."

The guards returned me to my grand room. They were a bit more gentle with me this time. I sat down on the large bed and sunk into its feather mattresses. Growling, I pulled myself out of the bed and sat on the floor. I needed to think, not be swallowed. I sighed. How was I going to get out of this? At least my friends were to be set free. I had to pray Cortez was telling the truth. Oh Father Rodriguez, what am I going to do? What would Tao do? He'd pull out his encyclopedia and start talking about things we don't understand or he'd ignore us while he read. I tried to think of the building's floor design. I hadn't been here long, but I had been in many temples. Cortez had only taken over an Aztec temple to use as a palace. How different could each one be?

I was awakened by feet shuffling and soft whispering outside my door. I sat up groggily, rubbing my eyes. When had I fallen asleep? The last thing I remembered was planning my escape. Feeling more aware of my surroundings, I wondered if the sun was about to rise. I stood in my best defensive stance and waited. Tao would tell me I was acting without thinking again. The door slowly opened and I began to charge at whoever was on the other side. What did I have to lose? The door was completely open now. I could see who stood in front of me.

"Esteban, what do you play at?"

"Oh! Zema!" I stopped running, lost my balance, and landed inches away from the door, flat on my face. "I'm sorry. I thought you were..."

"..One of Cortez' soldiers. It's all right. Now come with me quickly. I will explain on the way."

Happy and confused, I ran after her, Jubal-Cec, and a group of Aztec warriors.

We ran down a flight of stairs and came to a stop in front of a large cloth tapestry hanging on a wall. Zema checked to see if anyone, other than our group, was watching. She pulled back the tapestry to reveal a hidden staircase. She motioned me to follow.

Once inside the tunnel, Zema turned to me. "Esteban, I believe your friends have managed to escape, all except the man named Mendoza. He's still prisoner in the courtyard. Your friends escaped with two other Spanish soldiers, who were also taken prisoner by my sister and Cortez. Do not worry about Mendoza, we'll free him." She smiled at me. She reminded me of our "mother" from the Cloud People. Jebal-Cec is lucky to have one kind sister. I shook my head. No time for those thoughts now. What about the other Spanish soldiers? They couldn't
be Gomez and Gaspard, could they? I sighed. At least Zia and Tao would be safe with them. They weren't our friends, but they wouldn't let us be harmed either. They wanted gold too much and they needed us for that.

We rounded a corner near the courtyard. It was empty. One of the Aztec warriors signaled us to halt. He crept slowly into the yard and glanced around. He turned in a full circle, then walked back to us.

"It is strange, Zema. No one is guarding the Spaniard. Marinche has made this too easy. That snake woman is up to something. We should leave this place before her snare catches us all."

"We don't have time to waste, Mixtli. I don't know what she plans. We have to save Esteban's friend."

Mixtli nodded and headed toward the cage in the courtyard's floor. Warriors followed him, watching the shadows for movement. Mixtli reached the grid, knelt down, and peered into the dark hole. He began to pull the
grid open, but suddenly slammed it down again.

"Run Zema!! Take the boy and run!"

"What? What's wrong?"

"Who's in there? Where's Mendoza?!" One of the Aztecs shoved me toward Zema.

Mixtli was trying to call his warriors to position. "Just go! Now!"

Zema yanked my arm and pulled me a few feet from the courtyard. I fought her off and ran back. Something grew out of the prison cell, towering above Mixtli and the other warriors. Tetiola rose and knocked some of the
warriors to the ground. They didn't get up. Even from my distance, I could see his face twisted into an evil smile. He was more like Cortez than he knew. Mixtli yelled at his Aztecs to regroup. Zema was screaming for me to run. Tetiola moved like a rhinoceros and plowed the surprised warriors out of his way. He saw me and grinned. I turned and ran.....straight into Cortez.

"Well, well Esteban. It would seem you've grown tired of my hospitality. The time for games is over, boy. Guards! Bring Esteban to my personal quarters. It's time we had a long, convincing talk."

In Cortez' quarters...

"Esteban, I don't think you understand our agreement. My bargain was that your friends would be released if you stayed behind. Only after you told me what I want to know would you also be freed. But that wasn't enough for you was it, my boy? You backed out of your word. Do you know what the consequence of betrayal in an army is? You would be exiled or simply killed, disappearing from existence."

"You betrayed your word too! You kept Mendoza prisoner."

"Don't interrupt boy! It would not be in your best interest. I suggest you start talking about your cities of gold now, while you still can. Only a small number would notice if one little boy disappeared and they can easily be disposed of as well."

There was that smile again. I scowled at him. Tao could learn something about annoying faces from Cortez.

"Start talking, boy. Your time is limited."

"You can threaten me all you want to. There's nothing you can do to my friends. You've probably killed Mendoza, but the others are free and far from here." Be brave Esteban.

Cortez laughed. "I have some advice for you, Esteban. Never underestimate and never overestimate your opponent. Guards, bring our prisoner."

A single guard brought Mendoza to the room. Mendoza wasn't even restrained by more soldiers. He was so tired and weak, he didn't put up a fight. The guard's head was bowed, his eyes on Mendoza. There was something familiar about the guard. He's someone I know. Mixtli raised his head slightly to wink at me, then lowered it again.

"As you can clearly see, Mendoza lives. Barely. Now, you were saying something about a certain city of gold. You have one hour before the sun rises."

I sighed, pretending to have lost. "I don't know very much about the cities, but I'll tell you what I do know."

Cortez leaned closer to me. Mendoza wearily raised his head. He looked horrified. Unfortunately, I know Mendoza too well to believe that was all an act for Cortez to see. Mixtli nodded at me.

Father Rodriguez, forgive me. "Whoever built the cities never wanted them found. We were told by a traveling prophet that one city was built in an intersection of navigational lines. Do you have any idea where those lines are supposed to meet? They meet in the middle of a deep lake!" I paused, pretending to catch my breath. Mendoza
and Mixtli were slowly sneaking up behind Cortez. Mendoza looked much more relaxed, now that he knew I was speaking lies. I continued. "Also, highly trained warriors guard the lake. The prophet told us a local legend. Sometimes, the warriors sneak up behind travelers and attack. The traveler is scared away because he thinks the cities' spirits are after him. It's for the lake's protection."

"Enough silly Indian tales. I want to hear more about the city's location. Which lake is it, my boy? I must know...erk!" He gasped as an arm slid around his throat.

"I think that's the last command you'll give Esteban, don't you agree?" Mendoza asked. "Now I have one command for you. Have a fine nap!" With that, he brought the butt of his sword down to meet the back of Cortez' head. Cortez slumped over, unconscious.

Mixtli was in the doorway. He glanced around, signaling to us. "We must hurry, my friends. Cortez' guards will soon check on Esteban's interrogation. Follow me."

For the second time that night, I followed the winding tunnels of the temple. We traveled at a slower pace. Mixtli explained that the palace's court was beginning to awaken and that we needed to use stealth. The tunnels of the palace began to change until they were no more than dirt-walled caverns. I didn't know how long we'd been
traveling. Mixtli stopped and pushed upwards. Mendoza and I gathered around him as he opened a panel in the cave's ceiling. Faint light poured through the opening. Mixtli pulled himself out and held his hand for me.
Mendoza gave me a boost and then he climbed out too. With the rising sun, we could see the remaining Aztec warriors waiting for us.

"Esteban! Mixtli!" Zema ran to greet us. "I'm so glad to see you alive and well!"

Mendoza bowed. "Thank you for your assistance. We couldn't have escaped without Mixtli. Esteban's tales were just the distraction we needed for the element of surpirse. That was very quick thinking."

I nodded in agreement and gazed at the distant city as the sun continued to rise. We were safe.

I could only hope the same for Zia and Tao.