The Emperor's Treasure by Daniel Leston

Author:Daniel Leston [Leston, Daniel]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: archaeology mysteries, thrillers suspense, deception, betrayal, Aztec, ancient gold, action adventure, protagonists, treachery
Published: 2013-10-27T04:00:00+00:00

Central Mexico. August of 1521 C.E.

The dreadful news reaching commander Xaca came when just six days march from Tenochtitlan. It couldn’t have been worse. If all reports were to be believed, after a month long bloody siege by the Spaniards their glorious capital city had been effectively reduced to ruins, its smoldering remnants now entirely in enemy hands. What few staunch defenders who survived the fierce street-to-street combat had eventually succumbed to a combination of starvation and disease—the latter early on taking the life of Emperor Cuitlahuac. His equally young cousin and successor, Cuauhteoc, was eventually given no recourse but to surrender.

The affect all this grim information had on everyone was nothing short of stunning when a weary Xaca then immediately called a general meeting to review its dire implications. Their otherwise successful mission in the emperor’s name—everything that they’d accomplished—was suddenly placed in jeopardy, its importance on the greater scale of things now become problematic.

The discussion of how they were to proceed ran on through much of the night, the final conclusion being that they were all honor bound to search out and join whatever military resistance was surely being formed. Brave men that they all were, no other alternative was deemed acceptable—or even seriously considered.

This settled, Xaca kept Chimuli at his side as everyone else gradually dispersed to their respective sleeping mats. Once beyond the hearing of others, he said in a low voice, “Your purpose in our long mission has been unique, my young friend, thus I have one more request that you may find at first distasteful. May I count on your willingness to obey me a last time?”

“Of course, my lord.”

Xaca paused, clearly choosing his words carefully.

“I don’t doubt for a moment your willingness to join me and the others,” he said, “but I believe it’s of paramount importance that you follow a different path. Despite the passing of Emperor Cuitlahuac, your sworn oath to him regarding the mission he assigned to us cannot be dismissed as no longer being relevant. The detailed map you created must be preserved at all costs—therefore I can see but one way to ensure that this happens.”

Puzzled, Chimuli awaited further explanation.

“With all we now know,” Xaca continued, “I cannot guarantee its safety as we move closer toward Tenochtitlan. No one can predict what dangers the future holds—or how easily the map might perhaps fall into Spanish hands. Considering all we’ve been through, that would be a disaster for us all. Do you see where I’m going with this?”

“Not really.”

“Then I’ll make myself clear. Do you recall the small village that we skirted around sometime ago near the eastern edge of the great desert—the one our scouts said was pleasantly situated with adequate wells?”

Chimuli gave a hesitant nod.

“Well, it’s my strong wish,” said Xaca, “that you take the map and return to that site, making it your home until a time comes when it can be safely retrieved for the benefit of our people—either by me or someone I’ve designated. As to how long this might take, only the gods know.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.