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The Foundation of Heaven
by David Carter (davidcar1973@yahoo.com)

Rated: PG-13   Genre: Drama   User Review: ****
The Foundation of Heaven is an epic screenplay about the fall of the Aztec Empire, old Mexico. Set in the early 16th century the work shows the collision of cultures that takes place between the old world and the new. Historic figures such as Cortez and Montezuma are brought into focus and their relationship is explored. The characters is this drama bring the story to life, leading the reader through the treacherous turns of the story of Spain's conquest of old Mexico.


This screenplay is copyrighted to its author. All rights reserved. This screenplay may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of the author.



FADE IN:

INT. COURTROOM - DAY
                                                            
SUPER: "SPAIN 1529"
                                                            
The CHIEF PROSECUTOR, dressed in period clothing, rises from
his bench to question PEREZ SAN FERNANDO.
                                                            
                       PROSECUTOR
Describe to me the events that led
to MONTEZUMA'S capture.
                                                            
Perez pauses a bit, then responds.
                                                            
                       PEREZ
Well, let me start by saying the
city of Tenochtitlan was a
magnificent construction...
                                                            
FLASHBACK SEQUENCE
                                                            
View of the ancient city.
                                                            
                       PEREZ (V.O.)
It stood on an island, 7,000 feet
in the air, on the edge of a great
lake, nestled in a wide valley,
surrounded by majestic mountains.
                                                            
Images of the city continue to show.
                                                            
                       PEREZ (V.O.)
We compared it to Venice, with
it's long history of construction.
The island it had been built on
was extended with stakes, mud and
rocks. It contained lavish
palaces, well built homes, of
adobe, and a system of commerce.
Like Venice, there were canals
that ran through the city. In the
center was a holy district,
surrounded by walls where several
pyramids stood. On top of them
were temples where the priests
carried out rites. Streets and
canals ran from the district, in
alignment with the compass, and
the Emperor's palace was located
nearby...
                                                            
 

2.

EXT. TENOCHTITLAN - DAY
                                                            
SUPER: "TENOCHTITLAN 1517"
                                                            
PLAXETOTL stands on a small grassy rise, watching the city
as the sun shines down on it through the clouds. He rises
and heads down the hill to the causeway that bridges the
mainland and the city.

He walks the streets as the people go by, about their daily
business, buying products at the marketplace. He stops,
buys some produce and heads towards his childhood
neighborhood to see his family.
                                                            
On his way there, he sees a former neighbor of his,
ANNAPOLTET.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
Hello.
                                                            
                       ANNAPOLTET
Hello.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
I'm on my way to see my family.
Are they home?
                                                            
                       ANNAPOLTET
Yes, your mother is there with
your little brother.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
Thank you.
                                                            
He continues on.
                                                            
He approaches the doorway of his adobe walled home, where he
sees his brother, COATEPEC, standing.
                                                            
                       COATEPEC
      (jokingly)
Do I know you?
                                                            
Plaxetotl gives him a wide-eyed look.
                                                            
                       COATEPEC
Just kidding. Welcome home.
                                                            
The two embrace.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
Where is ZUATLA?
                                                            

3.

                       COATEPEC
He is with papa, at a meeting with
the capullec.
                                                            
A look of concern comes over Plaxetotl's face. Coatepec
notices.
                                                            
                       COATEPEC
It is nothing more than an
accounting clear up.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
How are things with you?
                                                            
                       COATEPEC
Oh, ok. Been working with papa,
and Zuatla. Our output has
increased lately, and the crafts
are still at a high demand.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
That's good. Keep it up.
                                                            
Plaxetotl eyes his mother, resting on a beautifully designed
mat in the dwelling. He approaches her, kneels down and
nudges her slightly.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
Mother I'm home.
                                                            
                       YECAPXTLA
For how long?
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
      (luaghing a bit)
Long enough to keep my wits.
                                                            
Just then, Plaxetotl's father enters the domicile. He
stands to greet him.
                                                            
                       OAXTEPEC
Hello.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
Hello father.
                                                            
His older brother enters behind his father. He holds his
shoulders and looks down upon his face.
                                                            
                       ZUALTA
Good to see you again.
                                                            

4.

                       PLAXETOLT
Good to see you too. How is
TETZUAHTL doing?
                                                            
                       OAXTEPEC
Your brother is doing fine.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
How are the business affairs?
                                                            
                       OAXTEPEC
Things are going well. However,
goods being brought in by the
pochteca are flooding the
marketplace and decreasing the
sale of our goods. We are being
pressured to lower prices...But
we've got things under control and
are looking at ending the strain.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
Okay.
                                                            
Oaxtepec smiles.
                                                            
 
EXT. OUTSIDE CORDOBA - DAY
                                                            
SUPER: "CORDOBA, SPAIN-PROVINCE OF ANDALUSIA"
                                                            
JUAN MIGUEL MARTINEZ steadies his sword, making a straight
line towards his opponent. He holds his left hand in the
air, and glares into the eyes of his adversary, probing for
any signs of weakness.

As he searches, his foe, FRANCISCO DENARDO, lunges forward,
seeking some element of surprise. His thrust is thwarted
with a deflecting block by Juan, who counters with a stab at
his attacker's right shoulder. The parry-and-counter-thrust
ends the contest, leaving the wounded man clutching his
upper body and screaming in agonizing pain.

At this point, Juan chooses not to finish off his opponent,
rather he sheaths his 16th century weapon and walks away.
Every few paces, glancing behind himself to check for any
attempts at revenge.
                                                            
He joins his buddy, DON EDUARDO HERRERA, and the two mount
their horses.
                                                            
                       JUAN
Don't fool around with my family
or friends again!
                                                            

5.

The wounded Francisco scowls at him with a menacing look.
The two stare him down as they ride off.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
Don't worry. He won't try
anything.
                                                            
 
INT. TAVERN - DAY
                                                            
Juan and Eduardo drink beer at a table in the establishment.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
Its time for a change.
                                                            
                       JUAN
Yeah.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
Ever since Columbus' discovery
overseas there has been new
opportunities for men like us.
                                                            
                       JUAN
      (sipping his beer)
I know.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
We missed the wars of our fathers'
generation, against the Moors, and
for Granada. Now we have the
opportunity to do something
different.
                                                            
                       JUAN
Ever since you got back from over
there you have talked about
nothing different.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
It is as they say my friend. A
whole new world!
                                                            
                       JUAN
Yeah...people have a desire for
freedom from the old obligations.
A man told me he was emigrating by
his faith, to die and leave his
sons in a free and happy land.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
Then what's your holdup?
                                                            

6.

                       JUAN
None. I have heard the stories of
Columbus, Ponce de Leon and
others, and wondered what the land
looked like-
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
Beautiful!
                                                            
                       JUAN
      (hesitating)
what the people looked like, and
how they lived. When you
returned, you brought that all
back.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
Good! I know of an expedition
that is heading out of Sanlucar de
Barrameda two weeks from now. We
could head down by the end of the
week and look for passage from
there.
                                                            
                       JUAN
Who's heading it?
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
Perez San Fernando. My cousin.
                                                            
Juan smiles.
                                                            
 
EXT. SEVILLE - DAY
                                                            
JULIO ANDRADE MARTINEZ treads down the narrow street,
counting the riches in his well stocked purse and smiling.
As he approaches his carriage he notices someone other than
his driver on a horse that looks familiar.
                                                            
                       JULIO
Juan! How are you doing son.
                                                            
                       JUAN
Fine Papa.
                                                            
The two embrace.
                                                            
                       JUAN
How was the trip?
                                                            

7.

                       JULIO
Delightful. The North Africans
are always good customers. They
paid a fine price for the slaves I
provided them.
                                                            
Juan cringes a bit, but tries not to let it show.
                                                            
                       JUAN
I came to tell you that I will be
leaving soon, for Hispaniola, and
I won't be back for a while.
                                                            
                       JULIO
Good, I hope you find what you're
looking for, but you will be
missed...
                                                            
Julio pauses for a while.
                                                            
                       JULIO
Hispaniola?
                                                            
                       JUAN
Yes. I know of someone who is
planning an expedition from
Sanlucar to there, and hope to be
joining him as soon as possible.
                                                            
                       JULIO
Do I know him?
                                                            
                       JUAN
      (reluctantly)
Yes, he's Perez San Fernando, Don
Eduardo's cousin.
                                                            
Julio smiles.
                                                            
                       JULIO
I know you'll be needing money for
your expenses.
                                                            
He reaches into his purse and hands him a lofty sum. The
two embrace again, and Juan mounts his horse to leave.
                                                            
 
INT. HOSTEL - DAY
                                                            
                       JUAN
I told him. We're definitely
going now.
                                                            

8.

                       EDUARDO
Great! I'll send word to my
cousin.
                                                            
                       JUAN
I'm going to miss all of the
lovely ladies here.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
Don't worry. There will be enough
Spanish women on the island to
quench your thirst. And don't
forget about the natives! I've
heard stories-
                                                            
                       JUAN
No need to convince me friend. I'm
going already.
                                                            
 
EXT. SANLUCAR DE BARRAMEDA - DAY
                                                            
Juan and Eduardo travel the streets, marveling at the
different people they see: Moorish, African, European and
even some American Indians.

The scene resembles a modern international airport. Everyone
is going to and fro, buying themselves with their affairs.
The scene on the waterside is tremendous: huge ships with
large masts are docked on the bay, with people walking up
and down the planks with cargo.

Don Eduardo eyes his cousin, standing on the stern one such
ship, directing traffic.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
There! There he is!
                                                            
Juan follows the direction of his friend's pointed finger
and recognizes his cousin.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
Perez! Perez!
                                                            
Perez hears him calling, and heads towards the gangplank to
exit the ship.

When he reaches them the two cousins embrace.
                                                            
                       PEREZ
Hey cousin! Hello Juan.
                                                            

9.

                       EDUARDO
We're here to join you.
                                                            
                       PEREZ
      (smiling)
Okay.
                                                            
                       JUAN
How much will we have to pay?
                                                            
                       PEREZ
Don't worry about it.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
Yeah.
                                                            
                       PEREZ
You will just need to provide for
your storage and weapons, if you
don't have any, in case there is
any danger. But I wouldn't worry
about that too much. Your room
and board are covered.
                                                            
Eduardo and Juan look at each other excitedly. They follow
Perez up the gangplank with their horses.
                                                            
 
EXT. HISPANIOLA - DAY
                                                            
SUPER "SANTO DOMINGO, HISPANIOLA"
                                                            
Hannibal Matienzo stands on the beach and watches the
horizon for incoming ships.

He sees three tall masts of Perez San Fernando's expedition.
He turns to the workers on the dock.
                                                            
                       HANNIBAL
Ships coming in!
                                                            
The local officials, nearby, of Santo Domingo turn their
heads from their duties.

Juan and Eduardo look over the bow of the lead ship,
watching the exotic island appear as the morning fog lifts
off into the air.
                                                            
 

10.

EXT. TENOCHTITLAN - DAY
                                                            
Plaxetotl sits with the fellowship of "divines" he belongs
on a hill outside of the city where they gather and listens
to what they have to say.
                                                            
                       YOPI
The stories are true! The reports
have come out of the trading
outpost at Xicallanco. There have
been seen bearded white travelers
on the shores!
                                                            
The fellowship listens in awe.
                                                            
                       YOPI
I also found out about a
mysterious trunk found on the
shore that was brought to
Montezuma. Inside of it several
suits, jewels and a sword were
found!
                                                            
A group of guards from the Emperor approach the divines'
retreat.
                                                            
                       HEAD GUARD
Where is Matlaluege?
                                                            
A member of the fellowship finds Matlaluege and brings him
to the guards.
                                                            
                       HEAD GUARD
The Emperor needs to see you and
your people right away!
                                                            
Matlaluege gathers Plaxetolt, Yopi, ZOZOLLAN, and TEHAULLA.
They follow the procession of guards into the city.

They approach the large, finely constructed walls of the
holy district, and near Montezuma's palace. As they enter,
the great rooms and courts create an air of royalty. They
are covered with awnings of cotton, and the walls shine with
lime, decorated with stonework and paintings.

Montezuma's throne room is filled with priests and
councilors, as the guards lead the fellowship in. They all
turn and stare at the philosophers, and Montezuma walks
forward to greet them. A mysterious bird that was found
lies dead in the center of the throne room floor. It is
surrounded by the priests, who are searching for some sort
of meaning in its lifeless body.
                                                            

11.

                       MONTEZUMA
I have brought you here because of
the strange incidents that have
been occurring throughout the
Empire as of late. As you know
there have been signs indicating
difficult times on the horizon:
The tongue of fire seen in the sky
for nearly a year, the fire on top
of the great pyramid in the temple
of Huitzilopochtli that would not
subside, the noiseless thunderbolt
that destroyed the temple of
Xiuhtecuhtli, god of fire, and the
comet that fell from the sky
dividing into three, causing the
lake to foam and flood. Then
there is the woman who cries on
nights, "O my beloved sons, we are
all going to die" and "O my
beloved sons, where shall I hide
you?" The reports of strange
two-headed people who were taken
to my zoo, then vanished, and this
bird like a crane whom the
fishermen found and brought to me.
I saw a mirror on its head and
saw the heavens and stars and men
riding on deer coming for war.
What do you make of all this? Can
you help me?
                                                            
                       MATLALUEGE
We'll try our best.
                                                            
Matlaluege approaches the strange body that lay on the
floor. He motions for the rest of the group to join him.
                                                            
                       PRIEST
They don't know what they're
doing!
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
      (sternly)
Silence!
                                                            
                       MATLALUEGE
The heavens and the stars that you
saw represent that this vision
comes from the gods, and that the
men riding on deer are the wrath
of the gods in the form of
something alien to the entire
            (MORE)

12.

                       MATLALUEGE (cont'd)
Empire.
                                                            
The divines glance around the room, noting the startled
faces of all their critics.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
Who is this enemy?
                                                            
                       MATLALUEGE
I don't know. It could be a city
we have not conquered or-
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
These mysterious peoples on the
shores.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
Is there any truth to what he is
saying?
                                                            
                       MATLALUEGE
Yes. These people represent the
most alien presence I can think
of.
                                                            
The room goes silent. The Emperor turns, walks to his
chair, sits down, and rests his chin on his hand.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
Thank you for your insight. You
may go now.
                                                            
 
EXT. HISPANIOLA - DAY
                                                            
Hannibal finishes his inspection of Perez's cargo. He
smiles with satisfaction and shows Perez to the shore
official for further processing.

Juan notices a troubled look on Hannibal's face as a few
slaves onboard are brought ashore. The greedy slave
merchants quickly gather together their merchandise for
preparation of their expected sale to the local lords of the
many encomiendas.
                                                            
 
INT. FR. PABLO HERNANDEZ'S VILLA - NIGHT
                                                            
Juan, Eduardo, Perez and Fr. Hernandez eat dinner and
discuss the affairs of the colony.
                                                            

13.

                       FR. HERNANDEZ
Columbus believed that God led him
to his discoveries. It is even
suggested that he was searching
for Jerusalem not China, from the
rear.
                                                            
                       PEREZ
Even the most ruthless
conquistador fears God Father.
                                                            
                       FR. HERNANDEZ
Yes, the conquest of Cuba was seen
as a religious triumph. Thus it
is logical that these islands are
run by four Jeronymite priors, who
are not royal governors, but
gatherers of information.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
Yes, but on the question of the
natives there seems to be
controversy.
                                                            
                       FR. HERNANDEZ
That is true. We were led by Fr.
Pedro de Cordoba who turned the
natives away from their primitive
beliefs.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
But Fr. Montesinos evangelized are
the natives not men? Don't they
have rational souls? Are we not
supposed to love them as we do
ourselves? What authority do we
have to wage a war on them?
                                                            
                       FR. HERNANDEZ
Yes, but Martiaz de Paz later
argued that Christian princes
should not wage war on infidels
for domination or wealth-only the
spreading of faith could justify
this.
                                                            
                       PEREZ
Rubios did argue that the New
World was given to Spain by the
Pope.
                                                            

14.

                       FR. HERNANDEZ
Yes, and that the natives were so
barbaric that they had to be
natural slaves.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
However, Italian philosopher, Pico
della Mirandola wrote in a
dialogue that "he who looks
closely will see that the
barbarians have intelligence-not
on the tongue, but in the heart."
                                                            
LATER
                                                            
Don Eduardo and Juan, sharing a room, talk about the night's
conversation. Eduardo rises up in his bed.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
Why didn't you say anything
tonight?
                                                            
                       JUAN
I...I don't know.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
I know how you feel about the
issue. At least when it comes to
slaves.
                                                            
                       JUAN
I know. I just didn't want to
wear out my welcome.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
Well don't worry about that. Like
I told you before, everything is
all right.
                                                            
Morning on the exotic island sees a rebirth of the sun,
whose rays pierce the tiny windows of the Spanish villa.
Juan slowly wakes and rises to prepare himself for the day.
Eduardo likes to sleep late so he doesn't bother his travel
weary friend.

Once dressed in the contemporary European style, he goes
outside on the verandah to gaze at the sunrise on the
island. With a distant view of the ocean, the sight is
magnificent. All types of exotic birds, he's never seen
before, float above his immediate horizon. The palm trees
are gorgeous, and the vegetation of the island mixes with
them to form a cornucopia of abundance. It is everything he
expected and more.
                                                            

15.

                       EDUARDO
Beautiful isn't it?
                                                            
Juan glances back at his friend who surprises him with his
early rising.
                                                            
                       JUAN
Yeah.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
I had never seen anything like it
'till I came. Back at home, they
are content with their
surroundings. Everything is
monotonous, and they don't bother
to break out of it.
                                                            
                       JUAN
Well, we did.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
Yeah, that's right. We did.
                                                            
Perez joins the two on the verandah.
                                                            
                       PEREZ
Its time for breakfast.
                                                            
                       JUAN AND EDUARDO
Ok.
                                                            
They head to the dining room, where Fr. Hernandez's servants
have prepared another wonderful meal. They sit to eat.
                                                            
                       FR. HERNANDEZ
I have suffered many battles with
the colonists over the treatment
of the Indians, at the behest of
Montesinos, Las Casas and those
like them. I mean well, but do
believe that the condition of the
Indians is largely up to them, if
they truly denounce their former
gods.
                                                            
                       JUAN
Yes, but you have several of them
working for you.
                                                            
                       FR. HERNANDEZ
This coming from the son of a
slave trader?
                                                            

16.

Fr. Hernandez pauses.
                                                            
                       FR. HERNANDEZ
I'm sorry. For years I have tried
to temper the colonists' attitude
toward the Tianos. But there is a
lot more involved to it than that.
                                                            
                       JUAN
I did not mean to offend you.
                                                            
                       FR. HERNANDEZ
What would you propose I do?
                                                            
                       JUAN
I don't know, but I have heard the
arguments of Bartolome de Las
Casas and Father Montesinos, and I
think they have some merit.
                                                            
                       PEREZ
      (luaghingly)
Well, as you can see I have
brought you politicians and not
conquistadors.
                                                            
                       FR. HERNANDEZ
No, the young man has a point.
                                                            
 
EXT. SANTO DOMINGO - DAY
                                                            
Juan, Eduardo and Perez take a tour of the city, led by Fr.
Hernandez. While watching the natives perform some menial
tasks, Juan eyes a beautiful young Tiano named MAPECHA. He
catches her eye and the two share a brief moment. Later he
approaches her.
                                                            
                       JUAN
What is your name?
                                                            
                       MAPECHA
Mapecha.
                                                            
                       JUAN
You're beautiful. Are you mixed?
                                                            
                       MAPECHA
My father is Spanish. My mother,
Tiano.
                                                            
                       JUAN
And your father's surname?
                                                            

17.

                       MAPECHA
Diego.
                                                            
MONTAGE:

--Juan and Mapecha walking along beach.
--Juan and Mapecha kissing.
--Juan and Mapecha at the altar-Eduardo by their side.
                                                            
LATER

Hannibal is enjoying a decent lunch of island foods. He
can't keep his eyes off of the swirling marketplace, hosting
a slave auction.

Nearby, a priest gives the sign of the cross over a group of
slaves siting down near the market square. He approaches
the slaves after the priest leaves, and makes conversation
with one of them, HECTOR ESPERANZA.
                                                            
                       HANNIBAL
How can you take this?
                                                            
                       HECTOR
      (calmly)
It is the way it is. You should
know that.
                                                            
                       HANNIBAL
I do, but my God demands more of
me.
                                                            
                       HECTOR
Who is your God?
                                                            
                       HANNIBAL
The one and only, Allah!
                                                            
Hector's master, VINCENZO ESERANZA returns from the auction
block. Hannibal exits.
                                                            
LATER

Juan marvels at the riches of Santo Domingo's wealthy
inhabitants, as he carries out his duties as a tax
collector. A voice from behind distracts him.
                                                            
                       RIBERA
Second house on the left!
                                                            
His boss, Panvel Ribera, points at the house he is referring
to and Juan, humbly, knocks on the door. A MAN answers
                                                            

18.

                       MAN
Yes?
                                                            
                       JUAN
Your taxes are due.
                                                            
Juan hands him a manifest.
                                                            
 
EXT. STABLES OF SANTO DOMINGO - DAY
                                                            
Don Eduardo carries out his duties as a stable hand. He
sees some conquistadors and overhears their conversation.
                                                            
                       CONQUISTADOR 1
Francisco de Garay became
restless. He tried to discover
the secret of the island of
Guadalupe, but was repelled by the
Caribs. He then traded pearls.
They named him Governor of Jamaica
later.
                                                            
                       CONQUISTADORS 2 AND 3
Oh.
                                                            
                       CONQUISTADOR 1
Ponce de Leon was the first
conquistador, however. He came
here with Columbus and searched
for gold in Florida. But if you
want to secure financing for your
own expedition, DIEGO VELAZQUEZ is
the man you need to know.
                                                            
 
EXT. OUTSKIRTS OF TENOCHTITLAN - DAY
                                                            
Plaxetotl smokes a pipe of peyote. He is in deep thought,
and, after a while, gets up, grabs his walking stick and
heads out of the hills he is on for the countryside.
                                                            
 
EXT. MILITARY TRAINING FIELD - DAY
                                                            
Tetzuahtl lunges forward with his maceuauhuitl, and strikes
the feather covered, wooden shield on the arm of his
sparring partner. The blow from the obsidian bladed weapon
cracks the center of the defensive object, as his partner
reels backwards from the force of it.
                                                            
                       ILTEXTUAN
Good strike.
                                                            

19.

                       TETZUAHTL
Thanks.
                                                            
                       HUAPITOALTET
Press forward! Always press
forward!
                                                            
                       ILTEXTUAN
      (smirking)
He does mean business.
                                                            
Tetzuahtl presses harder, crashing his sword into
Iltextuan's shield, once again, who falls to the ground this
time.
                                                            
                       ILTEXTUAN
      (smiling)
That's even better!
                                                            
Looking up from the attention of his downed partner,
Tetzuahtl notices the familiar strides of his brother, with
walking stick, nearing the edge of the training grounds. He
approaches Huapitoaltet.
                                                            
                       TETZUAHTL
Permission to break?
                                                            
                       HUAPITOALTET
Permission granted.
                                                            
Tetzuahtl heads over to meet his brother, who comes forward
to greet him also.
                                                            
                       TETZUAHTL
Good to see you again.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
Same here.
                                                            
The two embrace.
                                                            
                       TETZUAHTL
What brings you here?
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
Well, I had a vision. In it a
representation of danger to Ayalca
was given-
                                                            
                       TETZUAHTL
The girl you've been seeing.
                                                            

20.

                       PLAXETOLT
Yes. She was surrounded by palace
guards, and Montezuma held her
neck by a yoke. I thought of
going to see her, but thought I
should see you first, seeing how
you are close with some at the
palace.
                                                            
                       TETZUAHTL
I saw her recently when dining
there, but saw no signs of danger.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
Did she speak to you?
                                                            
                       TETZUAHTL
No, but there were many officials
around, and I think she did not
want to arouse any suspicion.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
Good. How are you doing?
                                                            
                       TETZUAHTL
Fine.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
It looks as if you're training
more extensively.
                                                            
                       TETZUAHTL
We are. But we have no official
orders...I heard you went home.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
I did. And I found things well.
However there was this one thing
about the capullec-
                                                            
                       HUAPITOALTET
Tetzuahtl! Time to get back to
your training.
                                                            
                       TETZUAHTL
I have to go.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
I know. Go ahead.
                                                            
                       TETZUAHTL
We'll talk later.
                                                            

21.

Tetzuahtl returns to the field and resumes his activities.
Plaxetolt turns and walks away for the divines' campsite.
                                                            
 
EXT. SANTO DOMINGO - DAY
                                                            
Juan sits in a chair outside of his small village home and
watches the natives go about the business of their daily
chores.
                                                            
                       MAPECHA
Come inside.
                                                            
Juan looks back, then gets up and goes to her. The two
begin to kiss. He removes the few threads of clothing on her
scarcely clothed body, and holds her close, falling down
gently on the blanket covered grassy mattress they use for a
bed.

LATER

Don Eduardo stops by to see his friend. Mapecha quietly
leaves as the two discuss things.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
Perez is heading out to Cuba soon
to get financing for an expedition
from Diego Velazquez.
                                                            
                       JUAN
How soon?
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
About a month from now.
                                                            
Eduardo notices Juan's lack of excitement.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
We aren't getting any richer here.
                                                            
                       JUAN
I know, but things are changing. I
hope this trip leaves on time or-
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
Or what?
                                                            
                       JUAN
Jesus, I might have a family.
                                                            
 

22.

EXT. PIER - DAY
                                                            
Hannibal reviews the manifest of upcoming departures from
the island. He smiles as he sees the name of one
conquistador heading an expedition to explore islands to the
west.

INSERT - MANIFEST: "Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba."
                                                            
 
EXT. FR. HERNANDEZ'S VILLA - DAY
                                                            
Juan and Eduardo have a conversation with Perez.
                                                            
                       PEREZ
It seems that Cordoba has found
new land to the west, and named
the point Cape Catoche. He found
natives there also that wear
cotton shirts, loincloth and
sandals.
                                                            
                       JUAN AND EDUARDO
Oh.
                                                            
                       PEREZ
They have organized cities,
priests, a religion, and many
gods. They have writing that is
the most elaborate of any seen
amongst the natives. However, the
people are greatly divided. Wars
are constant, and there is no
imperial center.
                                                            
                       JUAN
Amazing!
                                                            
                       PEREZ
The expedition was invited to
land, and were received well. They
named the place Yucatan. They
moved inland next. The vegetation
there seemed more lush than in
Cuba. They were later attacked,
and 15 conquistadors were lost,
but they put the attackers in
flight.
The expedition moved on and found
a fortified town on the river
bank. Inside of it were "houses
with towers, magnificent temples,
regular streets and marketplaces."
Stone buildings were built my the
            (MORE)

23.

                       PEREZ (cont'd)
naturales and they had pyramids!
                                                            
There is a knock at the door of the villa. And Hannibal is
shown the way in.
                                                            
                       HANNIBAL
Is Perez San Fernando in?
                                                            
                       HELP
Si, I will take you to him.
                                                            
The native servant takes Hannibal into the room where Perez,
Juan and Eduardo are conversating.
                                                            
                       HELP
Sir, Someone to see you.
                                                            
Hannibal extends his hand to greet Perez, who extends and
grasps it in return.
                                                            
                       HANNIBAL
Hannibal Matienzo.
                                                            
                       PEREZ
Yes, I know you from the docks.
                                                            
He shakes Juan and Eduardo's hands as well. Who introduce
themselves.
                                                            
                       JUAN
Juan.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
Eduardo.
                                                            
                       PEREZ
I was just telling my cousin and
friend here about the findings in
Yucatan, by Cordoba.
                                                            
                       HANNIBAL
Yes, I have heard of it.
                                                            
                       HANNIBAL
I have also heard that you are in
line to head an expedition there,
and am interested in joining.
                                                            
                       PEREZ
Well, then you might want to hear
this...While guests there, the
expedition saw several crosses.
The Maya, the natives' name,
            (MORE)

24.

                       PEREZ (cont'd)
worship rain goddesses.
                                                            
                       JUAN
Could Christians have been there
before?
                                                            
                       PEREZ
The answer to that question has
yet to be found. The Mayans later
attacked Cordoba's group, and they
left, but they brought two
interpreters with them who told of
gold mines in the land. Some
conquistadors told Velazquez that
they "discovered a new land and it
was very rich". And showed him
some gold they'd received and said
that "better lands had never been
discovered."
                                                            
Juan and Eduardo are flabbergasted. Hannibal is astounded.
                                                            
                       PEREZ
Now, in answer to the question I'm
sure you all have, yes I am in
line to head there soon, but need
to secure the financing from
Velazquez. As soon as this is
done I will let you know.
                                                            
                       JUAN, EDUARDO AND HANNIBAL
Thanks.
                                                            
 
EXT. SANTO DOMINGO - DAY
                                                            
Juan and Eduardo head for Juan's home, leaving the Villa.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
My God, we could be rich!
                                                            
                       JUAN
Calm down buddy. It may not be a
sure thing. Perez is going to
have to do some serious
politicking.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
He's good at that.
                                                            
                       JUAN
I hope so.
                                                            
 

25.

EXT. TENOCHTITLAN - DAY
                                                            
Plaxetotl walks to Ayalca's house in the city. Reaching it,
he calls out to her in a low pitched whistle, similar to a
bird call.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
Whhhirrr!
                                                            
Ayalca comes outside to greet him. Plaxetotl reaches out
and gently raises her outstretched arm, kissing her on the
wrist. Ayalca smiles and blushes.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
I had to see you.
                                                            
                       AYALCA
What is the trouble?
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
I hope it is nothing grave. I
don't want to worry you any...but,
since our welcome into the
Emperor's chambers, there seems to
be a growing mistrust of our
fellowship, and I want to make
sure you're safe. I had a vision-
                                                            
                       AYALCA
Its okay. I'm sure I'll be
protected whatever it is.
                                                            
Plaxetotl smiles wryly.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
When will your father be
returning?
                                                            
                       AYALCA
I don't know. But you know how
his business trips are. It could
be any time.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
Until next time.
                                                            
He kisses her on the cheek. She smiles.
                                                            
                       AYALCA
Goodbye.
                                                            
 

26.

EXT. DIVINES' CAMP - DAY
                                                            
Matlaluege sits on top of a hill and notices Plaxetotl
approaching him.
                                                            
                       MATLALUEGE
What's going on?
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
Nothing much. I just returned
from Cueopan.
                                                            
                       MATLALUEGE
That girl.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
Correct. You talked with
Montezuma further?
                                                            
                       MATLALUEGE
Yes, he told me some things about
the matter that were very
interesting. I believe he is
going to send his emissary to the
coast to investigate further.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
Does he believe these visitors
come from Quetzalcoatl?
                                                            
                       MATLALUEGE
He did not say, but there is a
large suspicion around the palace
walls that this is the case.
                                                            
Matlaluege places some peyote in a pipe, and lights it. He
passes it to Plaxetotl, who partakes also.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
I dearly love Quetzalcoatl. But I
think we have underserved him in
some capacity.
                                                            
                       MATLALUEGE
Yes, I know you do. I often
meditate on Ometeotl, the male-
female supreme force for guidance.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
I hope Ayalca is not in any
danger.
                                                            

27.

                       MATLALUEGE
Why would she be?
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
I had a vision from the Gods that
suggested this may be the case.
That's why I went to see her.
                                                            
                       MATLALUEGE
I know you're well aware of the
danger that your relationship is
in, being that she is pocheta and
close to the Emperor.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
I know. We are often seen as
"bums" and looked down upon by the
ruling class, but in times of
trouble they look to us for
answers.
                                                            
                       MATLALUEGE
Yes. Nezahualpilli, King of
Texcoco, told Montezuma that the
signs seen of late were of great
calamity. They had a series of
games to decide who was being told
the truth. Montezuma lost two to
three. Nezahualpilli also
predicted the Triple Alliance
would not win another battle of
the flowers. He said the Mexica
would be ruled by strangers.
                                                            
 
INT. MONTEZUMA'S PALACE - DAY
                                                            
Montezuma sits on his throne. He summons magicians.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
Send in the magicians.
                                                            
The magicians timidly enter the throne room.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
Have you seen strange omens in the
sky? Or on the earth? In the
caves under the earth or in the
deep lakes?
                                                            
                       MAGICIANS
No we haven't lord.
                                                            

28.

                       MONTEZUMA
Are we going to be struck down by
sickness, by hunger, by locusts,
by storms on the lake, or by
droughts? Will it rain
torrentially . Tell me if we are
menaced by war, or if we must
expect sudden death, or deaths
caused by wild beasts. You must
not hide the facts from me. Tell
me if you have heard the voice of
the earth goddess Cihuacoatl for,
if something unpleasant is going
to happen, she is the first to
predict it.
                                                            
                       MAGICIANS
We know nothing.
                                                            
Montezuma extends his hand in the direction of the prison.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
Take away these scoundrels and
lock them up in Cuauclhco prison.
                                                            
The guards arrest the magicians and lead them out of the
throne room. When heading to prison some of the magicians
complain.
                                                            
                       MAGICIAN 1
What can we say? The future is
already determined. What has to
come will come.
                                                            
                       MAGICIAN 2
A great mystery will come to pass.
It will come quickly. If this is
what our lord Montezuma wants to
know from us, so be it. Since it
is bound to happen, he can only
wait.
                                                            
                       MAGICIAN 3
I saw men with beards coming to
this land!
                                                            
LATER

Montezuma summons his MAJORDOMO.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
Bring me my Majordomo.
                                                            

29.

The majordomo enters and bows.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
Ask whence the danger will come,
whatever it is, from the sky or
the land, from what direction,
what place and when.
                                                            
The majordomo bows his head.
                                                            
 
INT. CHUAULHCO PRISON - DAY
                                                            
The majordomo approaches the cell, led by the guards, who
point at the empty room and show no one is there. The
majordomo returns to the throne room.
                                                            
 
INT. MONTEZUMA'S THRONE ROOM - DAY
                                                            
The majordomo bows timidly before the Emperor.
                                                            
                       MAJORDOMO
My lord, command that I be cut to
pieces or whatever else you wish,
for you should know that, when I
reached the prison, there was no
one there. Yet I had special
guards at the prison, trustworthy
men, whom I have known for years.
None of them heard the magicians
escape. I believe they flew away,
for they know how to make
themselves invisible. They do
that every night and can fly to
the ends of the earth.
                                                            
 
EXT. DIVINES' CAMP - NIGHT
                                                            
The divines sit by a camp fire and listen to the stories of
the happenings in the city.
                                                            
                       YOPI
Montezuma imprisoned the
magicians, who escaped. He also
imprisoned commoners who had
simple dreams and has starved
them, and killed the holy family
of the lord of Cuitlahuac for
disagreeing to build a new shrine
to Huitzilopochtli! We must leave
the outskirts of the city or we
            (MORE)

30.

                       YOPI (cont'd)
could be next!
                                                            
                       MATLALUEGE
Yes, but where could we go that is
safe?
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
I have an old friend, a mentor of
mine, who lives near the city of
Tacuba. We could go there.
                                                            
                       MATLALUEGE
Sounds good.
                                                            
 
EXT. MEZOPAN'S FARMHOUSE. - DAY
                                                            
Mezopan greets Plaxetolt and the following.
                                                            
                       MEZOPAN
Quetzalcoatl has brought you to
me!
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
Quetzalcoatl has allowed
Tetzcatlipoca to reign free!
                                                            
                       MEZOPAN
This is not true. What you, your
fellowship and I as well are
experiencing are the effects of
change. Everyone has to go
through it.
                                                            
 
INT. MEZOPAN'S FARMHOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Mezopan and the fellowship sit down and conversate.
                                                            
                       MEZOPAN
We are experiencing what we, our
ancestors and yes, the calendars
have all forewarned of. Even the
Maya, to the south, saw their
eventual destruction.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
I know this, but we are being
drawn into this and will have to
react in some way. I'm just
afraid of what that reaction will
be.
                                                            

31.

They pull out their pipes and start to smoke peyote.
                                                            
 
INT. MONTEZUMA'S COURT - DAY
                                                            
A common laborer enters Montezuma's court.
                                                            
                       LABORER
My lord, I have seen a range of
mountains, or some big hills
floating on the sea.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
Take this man and imprison him,
pending further investigation, and
send me the TLILLANCALQUI.
                                                            
The guards remove the man. The tlillancalqui enters, and
bows.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
Head to the coast and see what
this matter is about. Then report
back to me.
                                                            
 
EXT. COAST - DAY
                                                            
The tlillancalqui and his envoy check the coast and see what
the laborer has seen: two towers moving back in forth in the
sea. He also sees men coming to the shore to fish, using
hooks and a net. They hear unrecognizable talk. They see
the men returning to the floating towers, and leave the
coast to hurriedly tell the Emperor.
                                                            
 
EXT. MONTEZUMA'S COURT - DAY
                                                            
The tlillancalqui returns and bows before Montezuma.
                                                            
                       TLILLANCALQUI
It is true that there have come to
the shore I do not know what kind
of people. Some of them were
fishing there with rods; others,
with a net. Until very late they
were fishing. They got into a
canoe and went back to the thing
on the sea with the two towers,
and went into it. There must have
been about fifteen of them, some
with red bags, some blue, others
grey and green... and some of them
had red handkerchiefs on their
            (MORE)

32.

                       TLILLANCALQUI (cont'd)
heads and others, scarlet hats,
some which were very big and
round, in the style of little
frying pans, against the sun. The
skins of these people are white,
much more so than our skins are.
All of them have long beards and
hair down to their ears.
                                                            
The court is astounded.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
Craftsmen, prepare gifts for the
strange visitors. Guards, free
the laborer from prison. I want a
watch on the coast.
                                                            
Montezuma looks at the tlillancalqui.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
I want you to return as well. Give
the visitors the gifts.
                                                            
                       TLILLANCALQUI
      (bowing)
Yes, my lord.
                                                            
 
EXT. COAST - DAY
                                                            
The EMISSARIES row out to the ships. An INTERPRETER calls
out.
                                                            
                       INTERPRETER
      (In Nahuatl, with
       subtitles)
Who are you? Where is your home?
Where have you come from?
                                                            
                       EMISSARIES
We have come from Mexico.
                                                            
                       INTERPRETER
If in truth you are Mexican, what
is the name of your ruler?
                                                            
                       EMISSARIES
Our lord's name is Montezuma.
                                                            
 

33.

EXT. MONTEZUMA'S COURT - DAY
                                                            
The emissaries return.
                                                            
                       EMISSARIES
O our lord..., mayest thou destroy
us! for behold this we have seen,
behold, this we have done, there,
where thy grandfathers stand guard
for thee before the ocean. We
went to see our lords...in the
midst of the water. All thy
mantles we went to give them. And
behold they gave us of their noble
goods.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
You have suffered fatigue. You
are exhausted, rest. No one shall
speak anything of this, no one
will spread the news, you will
keep it to yourself.
                                                            
 
EXT. TACUBA - DAY
                                                            
Matlaluege and Plaxetotl take a walk into the city.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
If everyone did not see the signs
from the heavens, could it mean
that some may not experience this
great change to come?
                                                            
                       MATLALUEGE
The signs mean that those who saw
them need to be ready for it. Even
before we came to the 'Cradle of
the Gods' those before us
perished. They must have seen
similar things before they met
their demise.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
I know. But what can we do to
prevent the same thing happening
to us?
                                                            
                       MATLALUEGE
Of course we must remain vigilant.
But also we must continue to
intercourse with one another,
sharing our thoughts and feelings,
only by doing this can we
            (MORE)

34.

                       MATLALUEGE (cont'd)
strengthen ourselves for the
future.
                                                            
The two stop at a local merchants shop and buy supplies for
their stay: blankets, pipes and robes. After purchasing the
goods they leave, heading for the exit of the city. They
notice armed soldiers maintaining order. Matlaluege looks
them in the eyes.
                                                            
                       MATLALUEGE
The authority they have rests in
physical properties. Not
internally.
                                                            
They continue to head out of the city, and keep their
silence.
                                                            
 
EXT. DIEGO VELAZQUEZ'S ESTATE - DAY
                                                            
Perez San Fernando heads up the small walkway that leads to
the estate of the Cuban Caudillo.
                                                            
 
INT. DIEGO VELAZQUEZ'S ESTATE - DAY
                                                            
The heavy set Cuban leader sits at the head of his dinning
table, finishing off what is left of this morning meal.
                                                            
                       VELAZQUEZ
      (grinning)
San Fernando! Welcome. How are
things on the Guadalquivir?
                                                            
                       PEREZ
      (humbly)
Well sir...I came to give you a
manifest of my desired crew, in
reference to a possible journey to
Yucatan.
                                                            
Perez pulls from out of his vest the manifest.
                                                            
                       PEREZ
I heard-
                                                            
                       VELAZQUEZ
I know what you heard. The fact
of the matter is there is no
expedition. Nothing has been
approved. Cordoba did not start a
colony there, and neither did my
nephew Grijalva. What I need from
            (MORE)

35.

                       VELAZQUEZ (cont'd)
you, young sir, are your eyes and
ears. What is the mood down there
in Santo Domingo? Maybe you can
help me.
                                                            
                       PEREZ
      (taken aback a bit)
There are many who want to go sir.
                                                            
                       VELAZQUEZ
No, my friend. How willing are
the priors to permit such a
journey?
                                                            
 
EXT. DIEGO VELAZQUEZ'S ESTATE - DAY
                                                            
Perez heads down the walkway looking somewhat dejected. He
looks up at Cuba's beautiful horizon, as dusk settles in,
and sighs.
                                                            
 
EXT. JUAN'S HOME - NIGHT
                                                            
Juan Miguel gently caresses his wife's warm body.
                                                            
                       JUAN
You know I will be leaving soon.
                                                            
Her eyes begin to tear, and she points to her belly. Juan
winces and gets up from the bed. He pauses to gather his
thoughts.
                                                            
                       JUAN
      (compassionately)
I'll be back.
                                                            
                       MAPECHA
I know.
                                                            
                       JUAN
Are you sure you're pregnant?
                                                            
She smiles and nods her head.
                                                            
                       JUAN
Then I'll definitely return.
                                                            
 

36.

EXT. STABLES - DAY
                                                            
Don Eduardo strides towards the stable master, and extends
an upturned hand.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
I'll take my pay now.
                                                            
The stable master places his earnings in his hand, cynically
smirking.
                                                            
Eduardo notices.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
I won't be here long.
                                                            
                       STABLE MASTER
      (sardonically)
You're such a good worker, I just
hate to see you leave.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
Ha! You're right.
                                                            
 
INT. HANNIBAL'S HOME - DAY
                                                            
Hannibal takes stock of the belongings on his floor. He
peers out of his small window, gazing at the village street.
Colonists are heading back and forth, busying themselves
with their daily chores. Several natives are bartering for
food from a local merchant.
                                                            
 
INT. FR. HERNANDEZ'S VILLA - DAY
                                                            
Fr. Hernandez and Perez are talking in the living area of
the villa.
                                                            
                       FR. HERNANDEZ
Velazquez has decided on a captain
for his next expedition. You may
have heard of him. Hernan Cortes.
                                                            
                       PEREZ
Yes, but why didn't he tap someone
in his family?
                                                            
                       FR. HERNANDEZ
Don't know. It may be that he was
so fed up with Grijalva that he
looked elsewhere. Anyway, you and
your friends will be able to go
            (MORE)

37.

                       FR. HERNANDEZ (cont'd)
along. I have secured that.
                                                            
                       PEREZ
Thank you Father.
                                                            
                       FR. HERNANDEZ
No need to thank me, I need
someone I can trust on that voyage
to watch over matters, and report
back to me. You're just the man
for the job.
                                                            
 
EXT. HANNIBAL'S HOME - DAY
                                                            
Juan and Eduardo cautiously walk up to the door and knock.
                                                            
                       JUAN
      (hesitating a bit)
Are you sure this is the place?
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
Positive.
                                                            
                       HANNIBAL
Hello.
                                                            
                       JUAN AND EDUARDO
H-Hello.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
We're here to take you to the
docks
                                                            
                       HANNIBAL
Good, I've been expecting you.
                                                            
 
EXT. DOCKS IN HISPANIOLA - DAY
                                                            
Juan, Eduardo and Hannibal walk through the crowd of men
arriving to board Perez's and others' ships for Cuba.
Hannibal spots the slave, Hector, whom he'd met before, his
Master Vincenzo Esperanza and another slave, RONALDO.

Juan admires his long steel sword, as it reflects the dim
light of the sun, hidden behind the clouds of the overcast
day, and prepares to stow it away in his trunk for now.
Eduardo passes him, smiling, carrying his own trunk, over
which lies the shinny steel of the conquistador's helmet and
armor.


38.

The tall ships bob on the surface of high tide, as the
conquistadors load their supplies. Then Perez gives the
orders to set sail.
                                                            
 
EXT. SANTIAGO, CUBA - DAY
                                                            
SUPER: "SANTIAGO, CUBA"
                                                            
Arriving at Santiago the voyagers are astonished to see the
progress Cortes has made. Perez reports to the Admiral and
gives him a firm handshake.
                                                            
                       PEREZ
Hello Senor Cortes.
                                                            
                       CORTES
      (smiling)
Hi my friend.
                                                            
                       PEREZ
I have brought you more ships.
                                                            
                       CORTES
More will be needed. Thank you.
                                                            
From the deck of Perez's ship, Juan and Eduardo watch the
scene of the busy port.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
Word around the ship is that
Velazquez and Cortes aren't on
that good of terms.
                                                            
                       JUAN
Well then, its best we depart as
soon as possible. Before he
changes his mind about the
expedition.
                                                            
Perez boards his ship and the expedition casts off.
                                                            
 
INT. PEREZ'S SHIP - DAY
                                                            
Juan and Eduardo continue to conversate.
                                                            
                       JUAN
I'm glad we departed, but the
timing of things has me worried
about the surety of the journey.
                                                            

39.

                       EDUARDO
Don't worry. If things don't go
well between the Admiral and
Velazquez, its not our throats
that will be cut.
                                                            
                       JUAN
Yeah, but it could ruin our
chances of going on this
expedition.
                                                            
 
EXT. TRINIDAD, CUBA - DAY
                                                            
SUPER: "TRINIDAD, CUBA"
                                                            
Perez has a conversation on the pier with the other captains
of the expedition.
                                                            
                       ORDAZ
The magistrate was ordered to
delay the armada by Velazquez. He
wants to replace Cortes.
                                                            
                       PEREZ
I don't understand what the
problem is between the two, but we
can't keep on making stops on the
island if Cortes wants to remain
Admiral.
                                                            
 
INT. CORTES' SHIP - NIGHT
                                                            
Cortes has a conversation with Ordaz in his quarters.
                                                            
                       CORTES
I have heard of Velazquez's
intentions towards me, and know
that you are related to him.
                                                            
ANGLE ON ORDAZ
                                                            
Ordaz has a wide eyed look of fear.
                                                            
                       CORTES
I want you to join me. There are
rich lands to the west, and
monarchs as great as our kings!
                                                            
 

40.

INT. ORDAZ'S SHIP - DAY
                                                            
Ordaz's vessel seizes a vessel carrying chicken, bread and
bacon. Ordaz talks to the CAPTAIN.
                                                            
                       ORDAZ
If you will join us the riches of
the land will be ours.
                                                            
                       CAPTAIN
Okay.
                                                            
                       CREWS
Hurrah!
                                                            
 
INT. PEREZ'S SHIP - DAY
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
Ordaz just seized a vessel of food
headed to Darien!
                                                            
                       JUAN
      (shocked)
We're not conquistadors. We're
pirates!
                                                            
From Trinidad Cortes sails to San Cristobal la Habana. He
gets caught up in the archipelago of Los Jardines de la
Reina, and his flagship runs aground. PEDRO DE ALVARADO and
his brothers make their way to Havana. Captains, FRANSISCO
DE MONTEJO, ALONSO DE AVILA and CRISTOBAL DE OLID are with
them. Perez's ship stays behind, and the crew works to free
the Admiral.
                                                            
 
EXT. HAVANA - DAY
                                                            
Once freed, Cortes meets his other captains.
                                                            
                       JUAN
This town is loyal to Velazquez. I
wonder why the Admiral is stopping
here.
                                                            
Juan and Eduardo notice the malcontent on the faces of the
settlers there. Cortes stays at a friends house, and
displays his banner outside of it.
                                                            
                       CRIER
Here ye, here ye! His majesty's
servant, the Cuadillo, Hernan
Cortes has need of crewmen for an
expedition to the new islands of
            (MORE)

41.

                       CRIER (cont'd)
Yucatan! All who are interested
please report here for employment
in service of the King Charles V,
Diego Velazquez and the Cuadillo
Hernan Cortes!
                                                            
The momentum of Cortes' movement begins to sweep the town
soon. Four more adventurers report to the house.
                                                            
 
INT. DIEGO VELAZQUEZ'S ESTATE - DAY
                                                            
                       CONQUISTADOR 2
I wish to travel with Cortes.
                                                            
                       VELAZQUEZ
I do not know what Cortes'
intentions really are towards me,
but they must be bad, because he
has spent everything he had and is
in debt. He has taken my
officials into his service as if
he were one of the lords of Spain.
In spite of that, I wish you
would go with him. It is not
fifteen days since he left this
port, and you can soon catch up to
him. I will help you and one or
two others who also want to go
with him.
                                                            
 
EXT. HAVANA, CUBA - DAY
                                                            
SUPER: "FEBRUARY 18, 1519"
                                                            
From the docks, Cortes stands in front of his captains, and
some crewmembers of the fleet. Perez stands in front with
the rest of the captains, and Juan and Eduardo stand behind.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Gentlemen, today we stand on the
verge of a great enterprise! To
the west lie large lands rich in
gold, and kingdoms that are
greater than those we know! There
will be great rewards wrapped
around hardships! But we will
succeed in our venture!
                                                            
Cortes points towards the banner on his ship.
                                                            

42.

                       CORTES
Friends, let us follow the cross
and, if we have faith, let us
conquer under this banner!
                                                            
 
EXT. COZUMEL - DAY
                                                            
When they land, like Grijalva, they find that the natives
have gone to the interior. Alvarado begins to behave
terribly, and seizes the local people's turkeys, men, women,
and objects from the temple.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Alvarado! That is no way to
pacify the country.
                                                            
Cortes imprisons Alvarado's pilot, Camacho, briefly. Perez,
Juan and Eduardo marvel at the temple to the goddess Ix
Chel, in its magnificent, multi-stepped pyramid form. There
is also curious honey, new fruits and vegetables, and sea
birds.

They find "beds of native cotton called hammocks". And also
find "most Holy Father books."

As they probe the remnants of the deserted village, Juan and
Eduardo come across a woman, with children and servants.
They report to Cortes.
                                                            
                       JUAN
Senor Cortes, we found this woman
and children and servants and
thought you should know.
                                                            
Cortes gives the woman clothes, the children toys and the
servants scissors and mirrors. He turns to a conquistador
next.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Bring me my interpreter.
                                                            
The conquistador returns with the interpreter, and Cortes
begins to speak to the natives through him.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Tell her that we wish to see the
village chief and others.
                                                            
                       MELCHOR
      (in Nahuatl)
We wish to see the village chief
and others.
                                                            

43.

                       CORTES
Tell her we have great things to
tell them, and will treat them
well.
                                                            
                       MELCHOR
      (in Nahuatl)
We have great things to tell them,
and will treat them well.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Ask her will she bring them to us.
                                                            
                       MELCHOR
      (In Nahuatl)
Will you bring them to us?
                                                            
                       WOMAN
      (In Nahuatl)
Yes.
                                                            
Melchor turns to Cortes.
                                                            
                       MELCHOR
She says yes.
                                                            
The woman goes to get the chieftain and villagers. They
return and Cortes makes Alvarado return all of their stolen
goods. The Chief gives the Spanish fish, bread and honey in
return.

Cortes addresses the Mayans.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Your human sacrifices are
unnatural. They should stop.
                                                            
                       CHIEFTAIN
To whom should we submit to then.
                                                            
                       CORTES
The one and only God.
                                                            
Cortes arranges for a mass next. He orders some of the men
to cast the natives' idols down the temple steps. A hollow
idol is left. He also builds a Christian altar and puts the
Virgin Mary's image on it. He dresses the Virgin in native
clothes. Two carpenters build a cross, and place it on top
of the main pyramid. The MAYANS also put the Virgin's image
on their boats.

The Mayans approach Cortes.
                                                            

44.

                       MAYANS
In the next door land known as
Yucatan, there were two Christians
who had been carried there a long
time ago in a boat, and a lord of
that land had held them as
captives.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Where are they. Show me.
                                                            
                       CHIEFTAIN
We cannot. For if we go my men
will be eaten.
                                                            
LATER

As the expedition prepares to leave, they are visited by
natives from Yucatan, travelling by canoe. Their hair is
tied as a woman's hair is, and they carry bows and arrows.
They make a sign that the Castilians should not be afraid
and reach the shore. One of them approaches the Spanish.
                                                            
                       NATIVE
Gentlemen, are you Christians?
Whose subjects are you?
                                                            
                       SPANIARD
We are Castilians. Subjects of
the King of Castile.
                                                            
                       NATIVE
      (Weeping)
Please give thanks to God! I am
Geronimo de Aguilar, and Spanish!
                                                            
                       SPANIARD
My God!
                                                            
The Spaniards take the men to Cortes.
                                                            
                       NATIVE
We had been shipwrecked and
captured by the Mayans. Five of
us had been sacrificed and eaten.
I had been put in a cage, with
others, to be fattened. We
escaped and were received by
Xamanzana, a Mayan chief of
another tribe. He gave us shelter
but kept us as slaves.
                                                            

45.

                       CORTES
Amazing!
                                                            
                       NATIVE
I survived by my faith. I
resisted temptations to fornicate
with the native women offered to
me, counted the days, and kept my
focus. The other captive Gonzalo
Guerroro chose a different path,
and remained with the Mayas. He
has a Mayan wife.
                                                            
Cortes orders the fleet off. Before he boards his ship, he
turns to the natives.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Remember your need for salvation!
                                                            
The Castilians finish destroying their idols.
                                                            
 
EXT. GRIJALVA RIVER - DAY
                                                            
The Spaniards board the ships and head to the river
Grijalva. Cortes takes smaller boats up it with a large
company of men. As they travel up the river, they notice
many Indians watching them from it's banks. They find a
settlement with many houses built of adobe. Natives in
canoes approach them before they reach the town.
                                                            
                       MAYAN 1
What do you want?
                                                            
                       CORTES
We want food, and are willing to
pay for it. I am a brother of
Grijalva's whom you know.
                                                            
                       MAYAN 1
Come back tomorrow.
                                                            
Over the night, the Mayans evacuate their women and
children. The Castilians take more men off of their ships.

Juan and Eduardo, carrying their swords and lances, travel
silently up the Grijalva river. They join the rest of the
detachment on the river bank and wait until morning.
                                                            
 

46.

EXT. GRIJALVA RIVER - MORNING
                                                            
The Mayas bring turkey and maize to the Castilians. They
also bring a golden mask and jewels. Cortes accepts the
gifts.
                                                            
                       MAYAN 1
You must leave now.
                                                            
                       CORTES
No. Give us more gold.
                                                            
Juan grips his sword handle more tightly.
                                                            
                       MAYAN 1
We do not want to trade nor war.
We have no more gold. If you do
not leave you will be killed.
                                                            
Cortes brings more men from the fleet. He sends Pedro de
Alvarado and Alonso de Avila, with fifty men each, up river
to cross beyond the town. Ordaz, on a scouting trip comes
across 30,000 Indians, he reads them the Requerimiento.
                                                            
                       ORDAZ
      (on horseback)
On behalf of the King, Don
Fernando, and of Dona Juana I, his
daughter, Queen of Castile and
Leon, subduers of the barbarous
nations, we their servants notify
and make known to you, as best we
can, that the Lord our God, Living
and Eternal, created the Heaven
and the Earth, and one man and one
woman, of whom you and we, all the
men of the world at the time, were
and are descendants, and all those
who came after and before us. But,
on account of the multitude which
has sprung from this man and woman
in the five thousand years since
the world was created, it was
necessary that some men should go
one way and some another, and that
they should be divided into many
kingdoms and provinces, for in one
alone they could not be sustained.
                                                            
The next day, the Indians bring more turkey and maize.
                                                            

47.

                       CORTES
I want to see the town. And can
you bring more food?
                                                            
                       MAYAN 1
We will think about it.
                                                            
That night, the Indians evacuate their families and property
from the town, and bring in soldiers.

Some of the Castilians try to find provisions in the town,
and are surrounded. Cortes addresses his men.
                                                            
                       CORTES
If you are afraid head back to the
ships! The rest prepare for war!
                                                            
Cortes addresses the Natives.
                                                            
                       CORTES
It is inhuman to let us die of
hunger. If you would let us into
the town, we would grant you good
advice.
                                                            
                       MAYAN 1
No.
                                                            
                       CORTES
If only you would listen, you
would prosper. I need to see the
town for myself, so I can describe
it to my lord, the King of
Castile, the greatest in the
world.
                                                            
                       MAYAN 1
Leave, and stop trying to bully
us.
                                                            
                       CORTES
I will come into the town tonight.
                                                            
The Mayans laugh.
                                                            
Cortes has a statement read, demanding that the natives
accept the authority of the King of Spain.
                                                            
                       CRIER
On behalf of the King, Don
Fernando, and of Dona Juana I his
daughter, Queen of Castile and
Leon, subduers of the barbarous
            (MORE)

48.

                       CRIER (cont'd)
nations-
                                                            
The Mayans attack. The natives walk into the river,
flinging stones from their slings. Cortes puts his cannon
ashore and fires at them. The Indians are frightened, but
rally back. They fire their bows and arrows, and fling
spears. The conquistadors meet them with their steel
weapons. Juan pierces forward with his lance, felling an
attacker with a stab to the belly. Eduardo holds off some
more with his lance, thrusting at the natives in knee-deep
water; the natives fighting back with obsidian bladed
swords. Twenty Castilians are wounded, however they are
helped by Alvarado and Avila's men who find a back way into
town through the marshes. They occupy the town next, and
sleep by the main temple.
                                                            
 
EXT. POTONCHAN - NIGHT
                                                            
Juan gazes up at the stars, reflecting on the day's action.
                                                            
                       JUAN
I killed a man. Several of them.
Natives of a land where few have
gone before. What could be the
reason for this? And just why are
we here?
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
I killed some men too. We were
defending ourselves. Those
natives know where the gold is and
we're going to find it.
                                                            
 
EXT. POTONCHAN - DAY
                                                            
Cortes gathers the prisoners together, and addresses them.
                                                            
                       CORTES
What happened yesterday was your
fault. I wish to talk to your
king.
                                                            
Cortes lets the prisoners go.

The Maya prepare to attack again. Juan and others are sent
out to reconnoiter for them around the town. They bring
back many prisoners. Cortes addresses them.
                                                            

49.

                       CORTES
You will be treated as brothers if
you lay down your arms.
                                                            
 
EXT. POTONCHON - MORNING
                                                            
Twenty Indian chiefs approach the Castilians. They touch
the ground with their hands, and kiss them - a greeting.
They address Cortes.
                                                            
                       CHIEF 1
Please do not burn down the town.
We will bring you more food.
                                                            
                       CORTES
We intend to do good, and know the
truth behind great mysteries that
you will want to hear.
                                                            
The next day, the Mayans bring fruit, and nothing more. They
address Cortes.
                                                            
                       MAYAN 1
We are sorry for not bringing
more, but we have nothing else.
The populace is scattered, and
hiding. May we have some of your
beads and bells for presents. Our
lord has gone away.
                                                            
                       CORTES
I will seize the food.
                                                            
Cortes sends three companies out to search the cornfields
for maize. They are to offer to pay for what they want.
Juan and Eduardo join the parties and head for the
countryside. They find many fields near a village called
Centla, but they are guarded. The conquistadors approach
the natives.
                                                            
                       CONQUISTADOR 4
We want some maize. We will pay
for what is needed.
                                                            
                       MAYAN 2
You may not have any.
                                                            
The two parties begin to fight. The size of the native
force is massive, and the Castilians are outnumbered. Juan
and Eduardo fight well, but they are forced to retreat.

Cortes comes to their aid, with the help of the other

50.

companies. Brandishing his sword, the head conquistador,
battles past the ranks of Mayans, who dodge in and out of
the fields, using the high vegetation for cover. Near the
forest they retreat to, Juan, Eduardo and the rest of the
conquistadors thrust forward with lances and swords, pushing
back their stingy attackers.
                                                            
The following day, more fighting occurs. Cortes sends the
wounded back to the ships, and orders the rest of his army
from them, and the horses too. Perez San Fernando, on
horseback, leads a detachment out, with Hannibal Matienzo
and Vincenzo Esperanza. His slaves help attend to the
wounded, with other slaves. The Castilians meet the Mayans,
again, in the fields. There are five large squadrons of
them. The crops get bloodied by the human carnage, and
Hannibal charges forward, with his sword, cutting down man
upon man. Perez, mounted on his steed, stabs down with his
lance, on the crowds of natives. Arrows sally forth,
arching through the mid-day sky, finding unwilling targets
in the ranks of Castilians advancing through the vital
crops. The irrigation ditches make it difficult to fight.
The crossbowmen and arquebusiers find it hard to make out
targets. Thus, more pressure is put on the hand-to-hand
fighters, like Juan, Eduardo and Hannibal, who are now
immersed in the thick of the fighting, cutting and stabbing
at every copper-toned assailant.

Cortes has the cannon brought up, but to no avail. The
Indians have conquered their fear of it. However, the
horses provide a breakthrough, and the natives are
psychologically effected by them. They think they are
dragons, and they might as well have been. It is the first
time they are used in battle in the Americas.

Conquistador FRANSISCO DE MORLA gives inspiration to the
embattled Spaniards, and battles with such ferocity that the
Mayans think he is a centaur. The Castilians think he is
the knight Santiago who had fought against the Moors. He
provides an excellent omen.

The Indians withdraw, giving victory to the Castilians. No
one has been killed, although sixty are wounded. Some of
the Spaniards become ill because of the heat, and bad water
they drink from one of the streams.

The natives have lost hundreds.

LATER

Thirty Indians, "in good cloaks", bring food. They speak to
Cortes.
                                                            

51.

                       MAYAN 2
May we bury the dead.
                                                            
                       CORTES
I will allow it, upon seeing your
lord.
                                                            
Their lord comes, and brings more food and offerings. He
also brings twenty women to cook for them. Thinking the
conquistadors have none. Cortes divides the women among his
captains. Cortes arranges for a horse to be placed next to
a mare to cause it to behave wildly. The Maya become scared
and offer it turkeys and flowers.
                                                            
                       CORTES
The apostles are angry that we
were attacked.
                                                            
The natives become more afraid. Cortes then fires a cannon.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Where are the gold and silver
mines? Why did you accept
Grijalva and rejected me? And why
did you flee from so few
Europeans?
                                                            
                       MAYAN 2
We have no mines. We are not
interested in gold. But the
Mexicans are. Grijalva had
smaller ships and fewer men. And
your swords dazzled us. Although
we did not understand what you
said of the Christian God, we want
to learn more.
                                                            
They accept the destruction of their idols and the authority
of the King of Castile.
                                                            
 
EXT. MEZOPAN'S HOME - DAY
                                                            
Far from the coast of Yucatan, Plaxetolt, and the fellowship
of divines, gather around Mezopan, in a circle, and listen
to his words of the Maya, unaware of what was happening to
them that very moment.
                                                            
                       MEZOPAN
They were a very resolute people,
the Maya of the past. I spent day
and night there, learning of their
gods and culture.
                                                            

52.

The group share peyote, passing the pipe to one another
around the small fire, in the middle of the circle, in front
of Mezopan.
                                                            
                       MEZOPAN
No one can say how and why their
civilization decayed, but this is
certain. It did. If we can learn
anything from them, it is that all
things come to an end. So will
we.
                                                            
                       MATLALUEGE
He's right.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
Maybe not. Maybe these
experiences we've been sharing
with one another, all our lives,
and what we've learned from the
Mayans are telling us that there
can be something more...maybe a
rebirth?
                                                            
                       MEZOPAN
Good. Quetzalcoatl is the very
nature of rebirth. He was a son,
one of four suns, who was reborn
into the one sun of our
genarations.
                                                            
                       ZOZOLLAN
But what of Tlaloc?
                                                            
                       MEZOPAN
What of him?
                                                            
                       ZOZOLLAN
He comes and goes as he pleases,
and returns with storms and
floods.
                                                            
                       MEZOPAN
Ah, yes. Tlaloc is descendant of
another god. One who was sung
about by the poet-king of Texcoco.
A one and only God.
                                                            
The group is wide-eyed and astounded.
                                                            
                       MEZOPAN
The Totonacs came from
Teotihuacan, bringing this idea
with them. It was only through
            (MORE)

53.

                       MEZOPAN (cont'd)
Tlaloc that this could be
translated to our people. It is
the reason for our separation from
them now.
                                                            
 
EXT. POTONCHON - DAY
                                                            
Cortes gives a speech to the natives.
                                                            
                       CORTES
You will be allowed to return to
the city if you abandon human
sacrifices and demons, and
henceforth lift up your souls to
Jesus Christ. God is the master
of all things. He rewards those
who do good, and punishes those
who do bad. I am under the King
of Spain's command, and sent by
him as God's vicar.
                                                            
The Spaniards then smash the remaining idols, and put up an
altar and cross.
                                                            
 
EXT. SAN JUAN DE ULUA - DAY
                                                            
The fleet anchored next off San Juan de Ulua, where Grijalva
had been very well received. ALONZO HERNANDEZ PORTOCARRERO
looks at the shore.
                                                            
                       ALONSO
It seems to me that those of us
who have been twice already to
this land are saying to you:
Behold France Montesinos, Behold
Paris the city! Behold the waters
of the Douro which flow down to
the sea. I say that you are
looking at rich lands and may you
know how to govern them well.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Let God give us that good fortune
which he gave to the paladin
Roland. After all, with you, and
these other gentlemen, as leaders,
I will easily learn how to manage
things.
                                                            
Some Indians in canoes visit the Castilians.
                                                            

54.

                       TEUDILE
What is the purpose of your visit?
                                                            
                       CORTES
We want to see your Governor.
                                                            
He gives the natives some beads and wine.
                                                            
                       TEUDILE
May we have some for our governor?
                                                            
Cortes gives them more for their Governor.
                                                            
The next day, Cortes receives no reply from the Indians
about seeing the Governor. He sets off for the coast with
about two hundred men. Juan and Eduardo (now on horseback)
and Hannibal join the venture. Artillery, servants and a
few dogs are taken also. Hector and Ronaldo Esperanza come
with their master, Vincenzo as well.

The Totonacs receive them at the shore. The Castilians are
welcomed with "signs of love". The Totonacs remember that
Grijalva was benign, like the Mayans of Potonchan. They
give Cortes plenty of food, cloaks and copper and silver
plates.
                                                            
                       TOTONAC 1
      (presenting the
       cloaks)
Even a god has to don his proper
attire.
                                                            
                       CORTES
      (accepting)
Thank you.
                                                            
                       TOTONAC 1
Where are Grijalva's men? We
enjoyed our time with them.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Most didn't come this time. A few
however, are on the ship.
                                                            
Cortes gives their Chiefs some fancy Castilian clothes, some
being red, which was the color Quetzalcoatl painted his
body.
                                                            
Watching the exchange, Eduardo turns to Juan.
                                                            

55.

                       EDUARDO
      (inspired)
Something grand could come out of
this journey!
                                                            
                       JUAN
Grijalva must have truly made a
good impression on these people.
                                                            
The following day, Easter Sunday, one of Montezuma's
emissaries comes, with servants. It is a slave
CUITLALPITOC. He brings food and more jewels. Cortes has a
table set up to receive such items now and trade.

The steward, Teudile, visits next. He brings many men with
him, unarmed, but finely dressed in feathers and embroidered
cloaks.
                                                            
                       TEUDILE
I come representing Montezuma, who
has heard of your arrival, and of
the battle at Pontonchan.
                                                            
He gives Cortes several jewels and feathers. He also offers
incense and straws with his blood on them. He and his
entourage eat dirt to show respect. Cortes gives Teudile a
silk coat, glass beads and other trinklets. Teudile has his
men build huts for the visitors, and gives Cortes two
thousand servants.

Cortes orders a mass, and has a cross put up on the sand.
Teudile looks on in interest, as they humble themselves
before pieces of wood. A dinner is held later.
                                                            
                       CORTES
I am the subject of Don Carlos of
Austria, the King of Spain, who
rules most of the world. The
King, having heard of Mexico, sent
me and my men to tell Teudile's
King many interesting things.
Where is Montezuma? And when can
I see him?
                                                            
                       TEUDILE
Montezuma is no less than the King
of Spain. He is also a great lord
who is served by lesser lords. I
will find out what he wants.
                                                            
                       CORTES
I want you to set up in your city,
in where you keep the idols you
believe to be gods, a
            (MORE)

56.

                       CORTES (cont'd)
cross...and...an image of Our Lady
with precious son in her arms,
which will cause you to prosper.
What is Montezuma's age and
appearance?
                                                            
                       TEUDILE
He is a mature man, not fat but
spare, small and thin.
                                                            
Juan, Eduardo and Hannibal are called up with other men from
the expedition to put on a military show for Teudile
afterwards. They parade in military fashion, and Alvarado
leads some horsemen, including Juan and Eduardo along the
beach in a gallop. The cannon fires several times, and
Teudile admires the show, but falls to the ground, along
with his entourage, when they are detonated.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Does Montezuma have gold. I know
that it helps a bad heart.
                                                            
                       TEUDILE
Yes.
                                                            
 
INT. MONTEZUMA'S PALACE - DAY
                                                            
Teudile's report reaches Montezuma within two days. It is
carried by messengers, rather than relay, the normal
practice. He receives it with alarm. Locusts are swirling
around Tenochtitlan, monsters of the twilight, and their
circle is tightening.

The Emperor almost dies of fright. He is filled with dread,
as if swooning. His soul is sickened, his heart anguished.
At first he doesn't want to hear the message. He cant dream
nor eat. No one can console him either. He sighs often.
Nothing gives him pleasure.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
What will happen to us?
                                                            
Montezuma weeps.
                                                            
 
INT. HOUSE OF SEPRENTS - DAY
                                                            
Montezuma sacrifices two captives, and sprinkles their blood
on the messengers.
                                                            

57.

                       MESSENGER 1
The strangers' food is like human
food. From this, we know they are
the same we met a year ago. They
cover their bodies with clothes.
Their faces are white. Their eyes
are chalk colored. And their hair
is often fair. Most of them wear
long beards. They have iron
weapons, and cloth themselves in
it for war. Their heads are
covered with iron. They have a
device which shoots fire and loud
thunderbolts. They also ride on
deer that are as high as rooftops.
They had animals with them that
were large and spotted, with
blazing yellow eyes and flanks
with ribs showing. Their lord
also asked of you. Your age and
appearance and if you had any
gold.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
Might they be coming to
Tenochtitlan?
                                                            
                       MESSENGER 1
I don't know.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
Should I hide?
                                                            
                       PRIEST 1
An Emperor has to keep his post.
                                                            
 
EXT. DIVINES' CAMP - DAY
                                                            
The fellowship decides to return from Mezopan's. When they
reach the outskirts of Tenochtitlan, a great cloud hangs
over the city.
                                                            
                       MATLALUEGE
We must go see the Emperor.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
This will be difficult. I hear he
wishes to see no one outside of
his close circle of advisors.
                                                            

58.

                       MATLALUEGE
No doubt he is questioning who
these visitors come from and what
their intentions are.
                                                            
                       ZOZOLLAN
The Totonacs believe they are sent
from heaven and are immortal. They
believe they are new gods, not old
Mexican ones.
                                                            
                       YOPI
I am told the Spaniards conduct
themselves gaily, however, Gods
are not saints.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
True. Even Quetzalcoatl was
expelled once for seducing his
sister. Huitzilopochtli stole our
people's clothes once.
Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca are
constantly arguing. And they are
not all powerful.
                                                            
                       TEHUALLA
There is also the possibility that
the newcomers are returning gods:
the bloodthirsty Huitzilopochtli,
the humane Quetzalcoatl or the
mischievous Tezcatlipoca.
                                                            
 
INT. MONTEZUMA'S PALACE - DAY
                                                            
                       PRIEST 1
These intruders might be
representatives of Quetzalcoatl,
who was once the Toltecs' king.
                                                            
                       PRIEST 2
In Tollan, Quetzalcoatl represents
learning and culture and is
opposed to human sacrifices. Many
times...certain sorcerers
attempted to shame him into making
human offerings...But he would
not. He was expelled from Tollan.
He wandered and vanished into the
eastern sea.
                                                            
 

59.

EXT. DIVINES' CAMP - DAY
                                                            
The divines continue their discussion.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
This year, I-Reed, is
Quetzalcoatl's year. He was born
on this year and died on it. It
is also a bad year for
kings...According to the sings, if
he comes on I-Crocodile, he
strikes the old men and women; if
on I-Jaguar, I-Deer, I-Flower, he
strikes at children; if on I-Reed,
he strikes at kings.
                                                            
                       ZOZOLLAN
We do not believe in anything
happening by chance.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
Right...The years of the Reed come
from the east, where the newcomers
come, where Quetzalcoatl vanished.
They say they were dressed in
black, this is one of
Quetzalcoatl's favorite colors.
And their leader criticized the
human sacrifices. Quetzalcoatl
was against them too.
                                                            
 
INT. MONTEZUMA'S COURT - DAY
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
Has Quetzalcoatl, white hero of
the day, returned?
                                                            
                       PRIEST 1
This is possible my lord.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
He has appeared! He has come
back! He will come here to the
place of his throne and canopy,
for that is what he pronounced
when he departed.
                                                            
 

60.

EXT. DIVINES' CAMP - DAY
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
We all know that Quetzalcoatl
prophesied that the miss-treatment
of him would cause strangers in
multicolored clothing to come from
the east and destroy us.
                                                            
                       ZOZOLLAN
The strangers could be lead by
Tezcatlipoca, "Smoking Mirror, the
omnipotent god who tricked
Quetzalcoatl, dispossessed people,
the god of "affliction and
anguish", who brings all things
down and mocks and ridicules
men...he quickens vice and sin.
Wherever he is, he causes
confusion. He is arbitrary, but
also stands for total power. He
brings wealth, heroism, valor,
dignity, and rulership. He is
capricious...He likes to be
coaxed...He mocks us...As he
wishes, so he wills,...It is as he
may want it: he puts us in the
palm of his hand...We roll about
like pebbles...
                                                            
 
INT. MONTEZUMA'S COURT - DAY
                                                            
                       CUITLAHUAC
This Cortes and his group are
nothing but criminals brother.
                                                            
                       CUAUHTEMOC
Yes dear cousin, you are only
procrastinating by thinking they
are gods. Mexican legends before
Cortes' arrival do not mention
returning lords.
                                                            
                       PRIEST 2
However and old proverb runs:
Another time it will be like this,
another time things will be the
same, some time, some place. What
happened a long time ago, and
which no longer happens, will be
again, it will be done again as it
was in far-off times: those who
now live, will live again, they
            (MORE)

61.

                       PRIEST 2 (cont'd)
will live again..
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
We will appease the visitors. They
are to be given all they want.
Teoctlamacazqui, my tillancalqui,
Keeper of the House of Darkness,
lead them once more and give the
strangers more presents. All of
us will die at the hands of the
new gods and those who survive
will be their slaves and vassals.
They are the ones to reign now,
and I shall be the last ruler of
this land. Even if some of our
relations and descendants survive,
they will be subordinates, like
tax gatherers. Go, do not delay.
Make reverence to our lord...Tell
him that his lieutenant Montezuma
has sent you here. Here is what
he gives you in honour of your
arrival in your home in Mexico.
                                                            
 
EXT. THE COAST - DAY
                                                            
Teoctlamacazqui asks for Cortes. MARINA and AGUILAR
translate for the Castilians.
                                                            
                       TEOCTLAMACAZQUI
May we see Cortes?
                                                            
                       MARINA AND AGUILAR
Who are you/ Where do you come
from?
                                                            
                       TEOCTLAMACAZQUI
We come from Mexico.
                                                            
                       MARINA
You may or you may not come from
there. Perhaps you are teasing
us.
                                                            
Teoctlamacazqui shows her and the Castilians the presents he
brought: gold jewels, quetzal plumes, obsidian, and
necklaces.
                                                            
                       TEOCTLAMACAZQUI
We bring these gifts.
                                                            

62.

                       MARINA
You may come aboard.
                                                            
The emissaries board the vessel, and address Cortes.
                                                            
                       TEOCTLAMACAZQUI
Pray that the god will hear us.
Your lieutenant Montezuma comes to
give homage to you. He has the
city of Mexico in his charge.
                                                            
They then dress Cortes like a Mexican deity. They put a
golden dragons head on him. They put a rich cloak of
feathers on him also, and lay ornaments at his feet: an
obsidian mirror, a tray of gold, a golden jar, and a
mother-of-pearl shield.
                                                            
                       TEOCTLAMACAZQUI
Are there any other lords?
                                                            
The Castilians point out fair haired Pedro de Alvarado,
Cortes' chief captain. He is dressed as well.
                                                            
                       TEOCTLAMACAZQUI
We will call you Tonatiuh, a name
for the sun in the daytime...Will
you be going to Tenochtitlan?
                                                            
                       MARINA
Senor Cortes highly respects
Montezuma, and will be going to
enjoy his presence. He hopes you
will guide him.
                                                            
When hearing this, the Mexicans cut themselves, and offered
their blood to Cortes. The Admiral becomes angry and
strikes them with broadside of his sword.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Could these be all your presents?
                                                            
                       TEOCTLAMACAZQUI
This is all we came with, O lord.
                                                            
Cortes then has them shackled in irons, and fires a canon,
which frightens them.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Listen, I have known and heard
that you Mexica are very strong,
exceedingly brave; tremendous
people. It has been said that one
Mexica can pursue, drive on,
overcome, turn back even ten or
            (MORE)

63.

                       CORTES (cont'd)
twenty of his enemies. I wish to
test you to see how strong you
are, how powerful.
                                                            
He gives them swords and shields.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Early in the morning a dawn we
shall fight and try our strengths.
We shall joust in pairs and see
who falls.
                                                            
                       TEOCTLAMACAZQUI
But this is not what your
lieutenant Montezuma commanded us
to do. We have only come to
salute our lord. We cannot do
what the lord asks of us. If we
were to do such a thing, we would
annoy Montezuma and he would
punish us.
                                                            
                       CORTES
No. It must be as I say. I wish
to marvel at your prowess. For it
is known in Castile that you are
very powerful and valiant. Now
let us eat, and, in the morning,
we shall fight.
                                                            
The natives leave on their canoes for shore, paddling fast.
Once there they head straight for Tenochtitlan.
                                                            
 
INT. MONTEZUMA'S COURT - DAY
                                                            
                       TEOCTLAMACAZQUI
O lord. We gave the strangers our
presents and they said they would
be coming here to see you. When
we offered blood to them, they
bade us fight them.
                                                            
Montezuma calls on his supreme council. They meet in the
House of the Eagle Knights. Cacama, King of Texcoco, and
Totoquihuatzin, poet-king of Tacuba are present.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
If these men are Quetzalcoatl or
his sons, they will come here to
dispossess us. Therefore, we
should do anything we can to stop
them. On the other hand, if they
            (MORE)

64.

                       MONTEZUMA (cont'd)
are ambassadors of a great lord,
they should be heard. We will
fight gods, but receive humans.
                                                            
                       CUITLAHUAC
My advice is not to allow into
your house someone who will put
you out of it.
                                                            
                       CACAMA
My advice is that, if you do not
admit the embassy of a great lord
such as the King of Spain appears
to be, it is a low thing, since
princes have the duty to hear the
ambassadors of others. If they
come dishonestly, you have in your
court brave captains who can
defend us.
                                                            
The majority decides it will be best to prevent Cortes'
coming to Tenochtitlan. They will openly offer help, but
insist that it will be difficult for him to meet Montezuma.
The road is long, and full of Mexican enemies. They also
arrange for the magicians to use all their knowledge and
power to harm, impede and frighten off the Castilians in
order that they will not dare to come to Mexico.
                                                            
 
EXT. DIVINES' CAMP - DAY
                                                            
Plaxetotl grabs his walking stick and heads towards the
Iztapalapa Causeway that links the southern portion of the
city with the southwestern coast of the lake of Texcoco,
while viewing the beautiful southern skyline of the city.
The clouds are beginning to break, and small rays of
sunshine are finding their way to the center of it,
highlighting the Temple Precinct. Almost as if telling him
where to go.

He walks through the guards at the palace with no difficulty
and heads to Montezuma's chambers.
                                                            
 
INT. MONTEZUMA'S CHAMBERS - DAY
                                                            
The Emperor sits in a large chair, studying some of the
presents he plans to send to Cortes. He looks up and sees
Plaxetotl.
                                                            

65.

                       MONTEZUMA
How did you get in? Who let you
in?
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
It is of no matter. I am here to
tell you of the extreme and
certain consequences that
confronts your empire if you do
not cease the human sacrifices,
which oppress your people.
                                                            
Montezuma is taken aback. A look of great confusion covers
his face, which changes to submission at the heaviness of
the divines' words.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
It is too late. I have already
sent men to coast to deal with
this threat.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
No it is not. You still have a
chance to change the domestic
practices of our people. If you
do not then all you have done and
plan to do will fall apart before
your eyes.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
Who sent you? In who's name have
you come? Huitzilopochtli?
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
No, I have come in the name of
Quetzalcoatl.
                                                            
With that he exits the palace.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
Wait, come back!
                                                            
 
EXT. COAST - DAY
                                                            
Teudile returns bringing the presents with him: cotton, gold
and featherwork, jewelry, and two gold and silver disks,
begun for Grijalva.

Teudile also brings food: turkeys, eggs and tortillas, which
disgust the Spaniards.
                                                            

66.

                       TEUDILE
Montezuma is happy to hear of the
King of Castile. He hopes the
King will send more of these
unusual, good, strange and
never-before-seen men. You are
free to have the gold to cure the
strange sickness your men have. If
you wish to send things back to
the King you should only ask for
them. As for meeting with
Montezuma, however, that is
impossible. He cannot travel to
the sea. He has to attend the
forthcoming ceremony of the
flowers. You will not be able to
travel to Tenochtitlan, because
the route is impassable.
                                                            
Cortes gives Teudile some clothes.
                                                            
                       CORTES
I need to see Montezuma. If I
can't my King will be displeased.
                                                            
He sends Montezuma a glass cup, of Florentine ware, and
three Holland shirts.
                                                            
Twenty Totonacs visit.
                                                            
                       TOTONAC 1
We are from Cempollan. We
represent our lord, who is
independent of Montezuma. We pay
little tribute to the Mexicans.
                                                            
LATER

Teudile returns to the Castilian's camp with cotton goods,
featherworks and pieces of jade.
                                                            
                       TEUDILE
You should leave because you will
not be able to see Montezuma.
                                                            
                       CORTES
No.
                                                            
The emissary becomes irritated and leaves with the two
thousand Indians who had been attending to them.
                                                            
Believing the Mexica are preparing for war, Cortes has the
supplies put back on the ships. Juan and Eduardo are sent

67.

out under Alvarado, along with 100 soldiers to look for
maize. They make a magnificent discovery inland. A
deserted village is found, on a river. In the middle of it
is a large house decorated with gold. Scouting inside, Juan
and Eduardo discover a temple, with evidence of a recent
human sacrifice inside.
                                                            
                       ALVARADO
Don't touch anything but the food.
                                                            
Alvarado begins to behave badly again, and the men become
rampant. Juan and Eduardo witness the kidnapping of two
Indian women.
                                                            
 
INT. CORTES' FLAGSHIP - NIGHT
                                                            
Cortes talks with some of his captains.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Your actions have given those who
want to leave more cause now.
                                                            
                       ALVARADO
If some town was burned or another
was robbed, I did not see it, nor
did I know of it, much less did I
approve.
                                                            
                       ORDAZ
The human sacrifices are deeply
troubling to me. The natives of
Hispaniola and Cuba did not
practice this.
                                                            
                       VELAZQUEZ DE LEON
If we get captured by the Mexicans
we could be next. To my manner of
thinking, there is no other
kingdom on earth where such an
offence and disservice has been
rendered to Our Lord, nor where
the devil has been so honored.
                                                            
                       PEREZ
We should push further. You have
seen the crosses of Yucatan, freed
the Castilian captive, and gotten
more gold. We should settle the
land.
                                                            

68.

                       CORTES
I have no power to establish a
colony. Velazquez told me to look
for Grijalva. We should leave. I
order an embarkation.
                                                            
                       SANDOVAL
In the name of God and the King
found a colony. The Mexica
probably will not allow us to land
again, any settlers to a new
colony will demand to stay here.
Those who want to leave can do so.
You should cease trading for
gold, since the country will be
ruined if you continue, and only
you and Diego Velazquez will
profit from it.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Perez, you go with 50 men to find
a good place to settle the land.
Ordaz you take 50 men and look
also. Velazquez de Leon you go
into interior with another group
of men. I will cease trading for
gold, and found a city called
Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz. The
expedition will be its population.
It is obvious that the Mexicans
are civilized, intelligent and
reasonable. They also have a vast
territory. We should build
fortifications. When this is done
we can send the ships back to
Cuba. We can trade with the
Indians hostile to Mexico. Each
member of the expedition will be a
citizen, with voting rights.
                                                            
 
EXT. CEMPOALLAN - DAY
                                                            
The Totonacs of Cempoallan give the conquistadors more
turkey and tortillas. The expedition passes by rows of
maize fields. A hundred Totonacs bring even more turkeys.
                                                            
                       TOTONAC 1
Our lord did not come because is
too fat to move.
                                                            

69.

The conquistadors move on, seeing gardens and orchards.
Cortes enters the city to sounds of trumpets. The chief,
TLACOCHCALCATL greets him.
                                                            
                       TOTONAC CHIEF
Please, stay.
                                                            
                       CORTES
We will.
                                                            
The Castilians are housed in a palace, and given mats to
sleep on.
                                                            
                       JUAN
This place is remarkable.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
Yes, very.
                                                            
Cortes fears a trick. He places guns at the entrance, and
has it guarded all night. Tlacochcalcatl came the next day,
bringing more food and the usual presents.
                                                            
                       TLACOCHCALCATL
Please, have dinner with us.
                                                            
Cortes takes fifty men with him, and cotton goods as
presents.
                                                            
                       TLACOCHCALCATL
We are irritated at having to pay
tribute to Mexico. They are
taking everything. They came in
the name of religion, then seized
our arms, and enslaved many
people. Before we had lived in
peace, quietness, and liberty.
Tenochtitlan is very strong. Being
built on water, it is impregnable.
However, we the Tlaxcalans and
Huexotzincans hate the Mexica.
Ixtilxochitl, rival for the thone
of Texcoco, also hates them, and
might help you. If you ally with
those mentioned, you can beat
Montezuma.
                                                            
                       CORTES
I have come also to calm disputes
and reduce tyrannies.
                                                            
Checking out the city, Juan and Eduardo come across another
harrowing discovery, as a temple pyramid is found with a

70.

ceramic skull rack in front of it. Cortes sees five slaves
destined to be sacrificed, and releases them.
                                                            
                       TLACOCHCALCATL
You will ruin me and all this
kingdom if you rob me of those
slaves. Our infuriated gods will
send locusts to devour our
harvests, hail to beat down,
drought to burn them, and
torrential rain to swamp them if
we offer no more sacrifices.
                                                            
Cortes returns them in friendship.

The expedition moves out to Quiahutztlan. The chief of
Cempoallan gives them four-hundred porters. They carry most
of the Castilians' equipment.

Juan and Eduardo ride with other horsemen up a steep hill
that leads to the town. The natives there have been alerted
by the chief of Cempoallan, and they receive the men well.
They enter the town square, and the natives marvel at their
beards. The lord sits down with Cortes and explains their
problems.
                                                            
                       LORD OF QUIAHUIZTLAN
My people too have been driven mad
by the Mexicans' demands. They
have even sacrificed some of our
sons and daughters, and took some
for servants.
                                                            
As they talk, a Mexican delegation arrives, expecting
tribute. They wear embroidered clothes, and their hair is
shining and drawn back. They enter the square, with crooked
sticks, carrying flowers and smelling them. They completely
ignore the Castilians, as the townspeople quake with fear.

Juan and Eduardo are fascinated by the entourage. The lord
is less enthused. He starts to carry out the normal paying
of tribute, but Cortes stops him.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Seize the emissaries instead, and
imprison them.
                                                            
This he does.
                                                            
 

71.

EXT. QUIAHUITZTLAN - NIGHT
                                                            
Cortes orders two of them released and pretends not to know
who they are.
                                                            
                       PRISONER 1
We are Mexican stewards. Why are
we being treated this way? Did
you put the people of Quiahuiztlan
up to it?
                                                            
                       CORTES
You have been freed because I
can't stand this sort of treatment
being given to agents of
Montezuma. Tell Montezuma I am his
friend. In the meantime I will
prevent the other stewards'
execution.
                                                            
The lord of Quiahuiztlan becomes angry when he finds that
the two have escaped. He wants the rest put to death, but
Cortes intervenes.
                                                            
                       CORTES
The men were probably obeying
superior orders, and thus acted on
natural law. I can imprison them
on my ship, instead.
                                                            
                       LORD OF QUIAHUIZTLAN
The people will be happy to assist
you in a rebellion against
Montezuma.
                                                            
                       CORTES
I haven't officially made up my
mind on the matter yet, however I
will command and defend you
because I value your friendship.
How much men can you provide?
                                                            
                       LORD OF QUIAHUIZTLAN
One hundred thousand.
                                                            
 
EXT. QUIAHUITZTLAN - DAY
                                                            
More of Montezuma's ambassadors arrive, lead by MOTELCHIUH.
Two of Montezuma's nephews are with him also. They
represent Cacama, King of Texcoco and Montezuma. They
return the helmet given to Teudile, and it contains gold
dust, as Cortes wished.
                                                            

72.

                       NEPHEW 1
The Emperor is pleased that you
saved his tribute collectors, and
will overlook your staying with
the evil Cempoallans. He is sick,
and too busy with wars and
negotiations to meet with you.
However, we are sure in the end
you will meet.
                                                            
Cortes receives the men well, and gives them good lodging.
They are astonished at the determination of the Spanish to
settle there. Cortes gives them some presents, and has
Alvarado perform another military display.

Cortes then privately requests the lord of Quiahuitzlan.
                                                            
                       CORTES
You should not look on Montezuma
as your lord anymore. May I have
your blessing on releasing the
rest of the Mexican prisoners?
                                                            
                       LORD OF QUIAHUIZTLAN
Yes.
                                                            
Soon the chief of Cempoallan calls Cortes on his commitment
to them. Twenty miles to the south there is a Mexican
garrison stationed at Tizpancingo. Although the tributary
collectors have fled from there, the Mexican army is being
positioned to suppress the Totonac rebellion.

Cortes leaves immediately for the town. Juan and the others
are called for battle. The don their appropriate attire.
The Totonacs from Quiahuiztlan join also. The Mexica come
out to meet them, in battle array, as well, but flee at the
site of the conquistadors, and their beards and horses.
Cortes cuts them off however. The horses, unable to follow
the Mexicans up a steep rock where the town is, are left
behind, and their riders dismount. They force their way
into the town, and capture the remaining Mexicans and give
the town over to the chief of Cempoallan.

The Totonacs are impressed, and the rebellion extends.
Cortes' confidence grows as well. He finds out the Mexicans
have no special military skills, weapons or discipline.

Passing through Cempoallan, Cortes now removes the idols in
the temple. When the chiefs and the people see their idols
broken and lying on the ground, they set up a miserable
howl, cover their faces and beg forgiveness of the idols
that they are unable to protect them. The chief's
lieutenants begin to attack the Spaniards. He intervenes. A

73.

frenzy takes over the Castilians as they destroy the graven
images. They all become disugusted at how foreign the
natives' culture is, and do not know, or understand its
purpose.

They put up an image of the Virgin and cross in the temple.
FR. OLMEDO holds a mass. Four Indian priests' hair is cut,
by Cortes, and they are put in charge of the Christian
altar.

The Cempoallans absorb Christianity. Eight girls are given
away, as well, and baptized. They are given to the
captains. Perez San Fernando is pleased he receives a
prettier one than the chief's niece, CATALINA.

Returning to Villa Rica, Cortes finds sixty reinforcements
of men, and several horses from Cuba. They are under the
command of FRANCISCO DE SAUCEDO, el pulido, the neat.
                                                            
 
EXT. VILLA RICA - DAY
                                                            
                       FRANCISCO DE SUACEDO
Diego Velazquez has received, a
license to seek, at his own cost,
islands and mainland territory
which has up till now not been
discovered.
                                                            
Cortes drafts a letter to the King and Queen of Spain.
                                                            
                       CORTES (V.O.)
Your Majesties, Seeing that
Hernandez de Cordoba and
Grijalva's journeys to Yucatan
were not fruitful, I was obliged
to create a council here, and am
asking for confirmation of their
positions. I also would like an
official inquiry into Diego
Velazquez's activities. The land
here is vast and lush and their
are many riches within. However,
the natives have a disturbing
practice of human sacrifices. The
Totonacs are highly evolved
politically and rationally. The
devotion, trust and hope they have
for their religions should be able
to be changed to serve the true
God. If they could serve Jesus
Christ with the same faith, fervor
and diligence, they would work
many miracles...Your servant,
            (MORE)

74.

                       CORTES (cont'd)
Hernan Cortes.
                                                            
Perez enters Cortes' lodging.
                                                            
                       PEREZ
Sir, I have been informed by one
of my men that there is a plot led
by the priest JUAN DIAZ to seize
one of your vessels.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Thank you. It is obvious I can't
rely on some of the men in the
expedition any more. I must
destroy the fleet, without the
army knowing.
                                                            
                       PEREZ
Several of the ships are not even
seaworthy anymore.
                                                            
                       CORTES
If it be so, we must make the best
of it! Heavens will be done!
                                                            
Cortes meets with his men to explain the situation.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Gentlemen, I know some of you are
distraught at the loss of the
fleet, but most of the ships were
unseaworthy. Mine is the greatest
loss, as they were all my
property. We will have one
hundred more recruits now that
they are no longer needed to man
the ships, and we will not need
the vessels if we succeed in
reaching Tenochtitlan. If we fail
we will be too far inland to
benefit from them anyway. Focus
on successfully reaching the
Mexican capital. That is what a
brave soul would do. We have
already started, so why give up.
As for me, I have chosen my part.
I will remain here, while there is
one to bear me company. If there
be any so crave, as to shrink from
sharing the dangers of our
glorious enterprise, let them go
home, in God's name. There is
still one vessel left. Let them
            (MORE)

75.

                       CORTES (cont'd)
take that and return to Cuba. They
can tell there how they deserted
their commander and their
comrades, and patiently wait till
we return with the spoil of the
Aztecs.
                                                            
                       CROWD
To Mexico! To Mexico!
                                                            
 
EXT. DIVINES' CAMP - DAY
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
Get your head together! It is
obvious to all, that Quetzalcoatl
has returned! Either he, or this
one God we've been told about!
When will you all wake up?
                                                            
                       MATLALUEGE
Divine will bends towards all who
respect it. No matter who this
person is, if we honor the gods,
then we will be spared.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
The gods are bowing down to him!
                                                            
 
EXT. CEMPEOLLAN - DAY
                                                            
As the expedition reaches Cempeollan, a messenger brings
word that Spanish vessels are off the coast of Villa Rica.
Four vessels commanded by ALONSO ALVAREZ DE PINEDA have come
from FRANCISCO DE GARAY, Governor of Jamaica. They bring
documents for Cortes, requiring him to share Mexico. Cortes
returns, with 100 men, inviting them to leave. When they do
not, he has them arrested. They soon join his army. More
land, and are tricked to surrender. The rest depart.
                                                            
 
EXT. ZAUTLA - DAY
                                                            
The expedition stops in the town of Zautla next. OLINTECLE,
the chief, receives them warmly. He is a tributary of
Mexico. The Castilians sleep under roofs, for the first
time since Villa Rica. Juan and Eduardo enjoy this comfort
thoroughly, resting their tired legs from the long walk
there. However, they are shocked by the racks of human
skulls in front of the temples. Cortes talks to Olintecle.
                                                            

76.

                       CORTES
Are you a steward of Montezuma?
                                                            
                       OLINTECLE
I cannot conceive of anyone who
isn't.
                                                            
                       CORTES
I have some things to tell you
about another belief, and another
lord greater than Montezuma. It
is imperative that you stop your
human sacrifices, and cannibalism.
Montezuma will soon be a subject
of Charles V. You should submit
to the throne, and provide gold as
a sign of your commitment.
                                                            
                       OLINTECLE
I cannot give you any gold unless
Montezuma allows it.
                                                            
                       CORTES
I will have Montezuma order it
soon.
                                                            
                       OLINTECLE
Montezuma has thirty major
vassals, with 100,000 men, and
sacrifices 20,000 a year. He
lives in a palace that is the best
defended and most beautiful in the
world.
                                                            
While there, a dog barks all night.
                                                            
                       NATIVE 2
Is it a lion or tiger?
                                                            
                       CEMPEOLLAN 1
The Castilians take dogs to kill
anyone they dislike.
                                                            
                       NATIVE 2
What about the horses?
                                                            
                       CEMPEOLLAN 1
They can catch anyone they want.
                                                            
                       NATIVE 2
And the guns?
                                                            

77.

                       NATIVE 2
They can kill from a distance
anyone the Castilians desire.
                                                            
                       OLINTECLE
Well, they must be gods then.
                                                            
The chief offers Cortes presents, as do some chiefs from
nearby towns. Cortes sends four Cempoallan chiefs ahead to
Tlaxcala, warning of his arrival. They take with them
tokens of peace.

During their stay in Zautla, Juan, Eduardo, Hannibal and
others witness a bloody sacrifice of 50 men. Some of the
expedition are carried around in hammocks during the
festival.
                                                            
                       JUAN
What type of butchers are these
madmen?
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
None like I've seen before.
                                                            
 
EXT. IZQAQUIMAXTITLAN - DAY
                                                            
The expedition waits at Izqaquimaxtitlan for the messengers.
When they don't come, they set off for Tlaxcala with over
1,000 soldiers. Heading down the valley, they run into a
large stone wall runs for several miles. It is a barrier
between the people of Iztaquimaxtitlan and Tlaxcala. Passing
through it, Cortes repeats his earlier slogan.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Gentlemen: let us follow the
banner, the sign of the Holy
Cross, and by this we shall
conquer.
                                                            
Cortes moves on, in front of the army, with a few horsemen.
They are on the slopes of Mt. Matlalcueyatl when fifteen
Tlaxcalan scouts approach them. They flee when they see the
horses, but Cortes chases them to negotiate. They call out
to the rest of their army, lower down the valley. Two
horses are felled by their obsidian-bladed swords. Three
others are wounded.

A large force of Tlaxcalans come up with painted faces that
give them a terrible look. They let out war cries and leap
in the air. The Castilians become frightened by this, and
their large number. Alvarado and Avila come up on
horseback, with the rest of the horsemen. They kill close

78.

to 50 of them, and the rest fall back.

The wounded tend to themselves with fat from a dead Indian.
They continue on. They sleep in the open that night. They
are short on food, and Juan and the others dine off baby
dogs from a nearby town.

When the Cempoallan messengers arrive in Tlaxcala they are
taken before a council of leaders. The Tlaxcalan chiefs
discuss the matter of the Castilians.
                                                            
 
EXT. TLAXCALAN PALACE - DAY
                                                            
                       MAXIXCATZIN
I am in favor of peace. They
might be gods.
                                                            
                       MERCHANT 1
We agree with you.
                                                            
                       GENERAL
We should fight them.
                                                            
                       TEMILOTECATL
I propose a compromise. We should
accept the newcomers formally, and
secretly prepare an army, mainly
made up of Otomis. If we win, we
can sacrifice the prisoners. If
we loose, we will blame the
Otomis.
                                                            
 
EXT. OUTSIDE TLAXCALA - DAY
                                                            
Resting near a stream, Juan and the rest of the
conquistadors awake to preparations of warfare with the
Tlaxcalans.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
Looks as if we have some rough
weather ahead.
                                                            
                       JUAN
Indeed.
                                                            
The expedition soon came across two of the other Cempoallans
that had been sent to Tlaxcala. They were in tears.
                                                            
                       CEMPOALLAN 2
We had been tied up to be
sacrificed, but escaped.
                                                            

79.

A little while later they come upon another force of
Indians. The Otomi attack. They shoot arrows and fling
spears. The Castilians advance forward. Arrows nestle in
and bounce off of Juan's cotton armor, but do him no harm.
The others fair similarly. Hannibal cuts down several
opponents with his sword, the obsidian blades failing to
break through his armor to find flesh. Eduardo uses his
lance to fend off assailants, as spears launched by atlatls
fly around his body and over his head.

They fight for hours, the Castilians matching their
state-of-the-art technology against the less formidable
weapons of the Otomi. Juan deflects spears with his sword,
and lunges forward with it, hacking and stabbing at the
natives' penetrable cotton armor. Eduardo, after impaling
many attackers with his lance, looses it, and replaces it
with his sword, which comes in very handy as he decapitates
a native opponent, captivated for a second by his head
sailing through the air onto another Otomi locked in combat.

The Spanish, and their allies force the attackers back.
However, pursuing them, they run into an ambush. A larger
number of Otomi man both sides of a ravine which the
conquistadors enter. Cortes estimates them at 100,000.
Somewhat resembling an American western, the natives rush
down the sides of the hills, firing arrows, once again, and
launching their spears. At this point, Juan wishes for his
steel armor, as his cotton padding has taken a severe
beating. However he, and the others, continue their
resilient struggle. His bloody sword, once more, finds more
native flesh to disassemble. He reels back from the blow of
an obsidian sword to his helmet, but a large body of
conquistadors push back in the opposite direction, stabbing
his assailant, and others' with their lances.

The Otomi make several attempts to capture a horse, and are
finally successful. Noticing their desire to rob him of
his, Vincenzo Esperanza stabs determinably at the desperate
foot soldiers, finding his lance dividing their skulls and
intersecting their shoulder bones. Perez San Fernando is
bleeding from the leg, as he has been wounded by a spear,
the back of which he breaks off with his sword. However, he
still has the weapon's head in his leg, and ignores his pain
to deal with the seemingly infinite threat of more of them.
Lance in one hand, sword in the other, at one point, he
stops on the horse and battles, in a still position, the
attackers that swarm beneath it's bridle.

The captured horse is later sacrificed by the Tlaxcalans.
Diego de Ordaz is the first to make it through the ravine on
his horse. The Totonac allies provide a marked effect on
the battle, assisting the Castilians. The guns, crossbowmen

80.

and arquebusiers provide significant help as well, felling
many Otomi leaders at the start of the engagement. When
this happens, many of the Otomi regulars leave the
battlefield. When the rest of the conquistadors make it
through they rest on the hilltop called Tzompachtepetl. A
small temple there will be christened Victory.

Juan and Eduardo, both extremely exhausted, tend to their
minor wounds, as do a large number of conquistadors.

The next day, there is no fighting. Cortes offers peace.
But leaves Ordaz behind, and takes 200 Spanish troops and
several hundred Indians, and pillages the countryside. He
cuts off the noses, ears, arms, and feet of the natives he
can find. Hannibal, a part of the terrible force, finds
himself committing atrocities he never would have carried
out in Hispaniola. By now, he is fed up with the trickery
of the native populace, and uses this as an excuse to assist
his leader in this horrible form of payback.

When he returns, Cortes is given a reply to his earlier
offer of peace.
                                                            
                       TLAXCALAN 1
We will give you our full answer
tomorrow.
                                                            
That night Juan and Eduardo sleep with their armor on. Their
swords are kept next to them, in anticipation of a Tlaxcalan
attack. The rest of the conquistadors do likewise, ready
for another engagement. However, it does not come. The
next morning the Tlaxcalans surprise the camp with offerings
of food: 300 turkeys, and 200 baskets of maize cakes. This
is not charity.
                                                            
 
EXT. TLAXCALAN PALACE - DAY
                                                            
                       GENERAL
Once they are filled up with food,
let us attack and then we shall
eat them and, in that way, they
will pay us for the turkeys and
cakes. We shall learn why it is
that they came here. If Montezuma
is responsible for sending them,
let him set them free. If they
have come out of their own
foolhardiness, let them pay...
                                                            
 

81.

EXT. OUTSIDE TLAXCALA - DAY
                                                            
They then assemble their army in front to the conquistadors.
Their number is "large enough to eclipse the sun". They
are not only Otomi. They dress in feathers and war paint:
in wooden, leather and cotton armor. They carry the usual
obsidian-bladed swords, with bows and arrows and lances and
slings. They are arranged in squadrons. The conquistadors
cannot hear Cortes's orders. As the attack proceeds, Juan
and Eduardo stand close to one another in the rank and file
of the Castilian line. The horsemen stand out in front with
lances held short, to poke the Indians' eyes out. The
swordsmen are told to aim for the enemy's bowels.

Once again, Juan finds himself in the thick of combat,
slicing down native upon native. As they advance forward in
their tight ranks, dismembering them seems an almost
assembly-line task, as the conquistadors stab through their
padded armor and successfully find 'soft spots'. Cannon
balls are fired at the Indian squadrons, landing in their
centers, causing much havoc. The crossbowmen and musketeers
fire steadily, but slowly, hoping to save ammunition.

Perez San Fernando, upper leg wrapped in cloth, and Vincenzo
Esperanza aim for the heads of their adversaries, as
instructed, along with the rest of the horsemen. Attacker
after attacker is defiantly pushed back, sometimes headless.
By battle's end the Tlaxcalans retire from the battlefield,
and the conquistadors, breathe a great sigh of relief. Only
a few of them are killed, however, sixty are wounded, and
all of the horses. They sleep by the temple on the hill
again, and tend to their wounds with the fat of dead
Indians, once more.

The day after, Cortes punishes the countryside another time.
He burns ten towns, and kills many. Juan accompanies on
this stint, and momentarily looses his humanity in the
butchering that commences. When they return the Tlaxcalans
are attacking the camp, yet again, and he speeds from one
method to another.

The Tlaxcalans repeatedly push for the perimeter, but
Eduardo and the others hold the line firm. Once again,
their steel making the difference for them, cutting down the
assaulting waves. Arrows from the crossbowmen further make
matters worse for the Tlaxcalans, finding homes beneath
their soft armor, once more. However, "Only the simple use
of steel swords" saves the Castilians, and the Tlaxcalans
soon leave the field, unsuccessful still.

After this encounter with the Tlaxcalans, Cortes receives
emissaries from Montezuma.
                                                            

82.

                       EMASSARY 1
The Emperor is happy you have won,
and he is delighted you are so
near his city.
                                                            
They give the Castilians 1,000 castellanos of gold, cotton
clothes and good featherwork pieces.
                                                            
                       EMASSARY 1
He also sends word that he will
happily be a vassal of Charles V.
He wants to know how much tribute
he will have to pay. However, he
still does not want you to come to
Mexico. The road is bad, rough
land is ahead and the city is
lacking in provisions...You should
not trust the Tlaxcalans, for they
will kill you.
                                                            
                       CORTES
I am going to Tlaxcala anyway. I
am glad you are at odds with them.
Every kingdom divided against
itself will be brought to
desolation.
                                                            
 
INT. TLAXCALAN PALACE - DAY
                                                            
The Tlaxcalans hold another council. The generals dispute
with one another over their losses, and the priests are
summoned.
                                                            
                       PRIEST 3
The Castilians are men. They eat
turkeys, dogs and bread. Their
guns do not shoot lightning, and
the dogs are not dragons.
                                                            
                       GENERAL
The Cempoallans believe they are
however, and have told us their
power wanes after dark. We will
attack at night.
                                                            
Fifty men are sent to study the Castilians' camp.
                                                            
 
EXT. OUTSIDE TLAXCALA - DAY
                                                            
                       TLAXCALAN 1
We are here to negotiate a peace.
                                                            

83.

They offer Cortes four old women to sacrifice. Cortes
refuses.
                                                            
                       CORTES
We have come on behalf of Christ
and the King of Spain to entreat
you to stop such behavior. Me and
my men are of flesh and not gods,
thus we should be taken seriously.
                                                            
The Cempoallan Teuch realizes the men are spies. Cortes
does as well noticing their "spying manner and want of
frankness". He questions one of them. The man breaks.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Who are you really? Why were you
sent here?
                                                            
                       TLAXCALAN 1
A night attack has been planned.
                                                            
Cortes seizes them and cuts off their hands, ears and noses.
He sends them back to Tlaxcala with a message.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Tell your chiefs that it is
unworthy of brave soldiers and
upright citizens to stoop to such
odious stratagems...we are ready
to receive you in battle at any
hour...by night or by day.
                                                            
The Tlaxcalans seem undisturbed by this act, and continue to
prepare for their night attack. The Castilians attack
before night falls. The horses and cannon have their usual
psychological effects. Cortes places bells on the horses to
improve them. Perez San Fernando and the rest of the
horsemen charge forward, bells ringing, lances steady.
Cortes commands their movements. The Tlaxcalans flee from
the battlefield, back to their city.

Afterwards, Cortes falls ill, as do many of the men.
However, he is temporarily cured by another Indian attack
three days later. The Castilians fight all day, and the
sickness lifts.

That night the massacres continue. 100 soldiers and all of
the horsemen, and some Indian allies, maraud the
countryside, yet again. However, before they can do much
damage, Cortes' horse falls. Then five others' do as well.
They all refuse to go further.
                                                            

84.

                       CONQUISTADOR 2
We should go back, for this is an
evil omen.
                                                            
                       CORTES
No, we shall continue.
                                                            
Before dawn, they attack two towns. At dawn he reaches a
bigger town, where many Otomi warriors are sleeping.
                                                            
                       CORTES
I mean no harm. We only want some
food.
                                                            
They return to camp, to the relief of those there. 45
Castilians die of wounds sustained in combat, or disease.

ALONSO DE GRADO, a senior member, argues eloquently the
benefits of leaving Mexico.
                                                            
                       ALONSO DE GRADO
We should build a ship and go to
Cuba for help. Caesar did not
face odds like ours. May God take
me to Castile!
                                                            
                       CORTES
I am confident the Tlaxcalan war
has ended. If we return to Cuba,
the Totonacs might turn on us. So,
gentlemen, if one way is bad, the
other is worse.
                                                            
 
INT. TLAXCALAN PALACE - DAY
                                                            
A discussion is held on whether to continue the war. Two
soothsayers are sacrificed to calm the leaders' minds.
                                                            
                       MAXIXCATZIN
We must seek peace with the
invaders. They have decimated our
army.
                                                            
                       XICOTENCATL
Yes, in no time, in but the
flutter of an eyelid they
destroyed them. We should look
for peace.
                                                            
 

85.

EXT. OUTSIDE TLAXCALA - DAY
                                                            
The Tlaxcalans go to the Castilian camp, asking forgiveness.
                                                            
                       TLAXCALAN 2
Be not astonished that we have
never desired an emperor, have
never obeyed anybody, and dearly
love liberty, for we and our
ancestors have endured great
evils, such as no salt and no
cotton clothes, rather than accept
the yoke of Montezuma and the
Mexica...but we now promise to
obey your commands, if you admit
us to your alliance.
                                                            
Food arrives, with feathers, incense and slaves.
                                                            
                       TLAXCALAN 2
If you are those gods who eat
flesh and blood, eat these slaves,
and we shall bring you some more;
if you are benevolent gods, see
this incense and these plumes; if
you are men, take these turkeys,
cherries and berries. You have
tired yourselves, you have
labored, O lords. But you have
come and reached your poor home.
                                                            
                       CORTES
You are to blame for your
difficulties. I came thinking you
were friends. The Cempeollans
told us this. I sent messages
that I wanted peace, but you
attacked me. However, I pardon
you. I am a man, not a god. I
want our peace to be long lasting.
                                                            
 
EXT. TENOCHTITLAN - DAY
                                                            
Tenochtitlan prepares for a ceremony known as the "sweeping
of the roads". It celebrates the coming winter rains, and
approaching season of war. Plaxetotl, Matlaluege, and the
other divines visit the city and enjoy the festivities. They
drink pulque (beer), and feast on tortillas and other
delicious foods. The people dance for four days, before the
House of Song. A female slave is circled around. She
represents Teteo Innan, "the mother of the saved". She is
teased, adorned and sacrificed. After she is sacrificed,

86.

her skin is worn by a priest, who chases the warriors before
inaugurating the season of war. Plaxetotl chooses not to
participate in this event, as do most of the divines. His
brother, Tetzuahtl, and the rest of the Jaguar and Eagle
knights, wear quetzal plumes and are presented with insignia
from the Emperor, who runs with them. Instead, the
philosopher takes advantage of the festivities to talk to
Ayalca, who is attending with her friends.

She wears a long, brown tunic, adorned with a beaded
necklace. They eat and drink together, choosing to
participate in the lighter aspects of the ceremony.
                                                            
 
EXT. TLAXCALA - DAY
                                                            
When Cortes enters Tlaxcala, he is warmly received. The
priests come out to greet the Spaniards, with baskets of
live coals. They make their usual disgusting impression on
the Castilians - with their long matted hair, clotted with
blood.

The Spaniards are lodged in "very pretty houses and palaces"
near the main temple. They and the Totonacs are given food.
As well as the dogs and horses.
                                                            
END OF FLASHBACK SEQUENCE
                                                            
 
INT. COURTROOM - DAY
                                                            
Perez continues to answer the prosecutor's question.
                                                            
                       PEREZ
Had it not been for the Totonacs
we shouldn't have won.
                                                            
                       PROSECUTOR
About Montezuma.
                                                            
                       PEREZ
Let me continue. The stay in
Tlaxcala lasted twenty days...
                                                            
FLASHBACK SEQUENCE
                                                            
 
EXT. TLAXCALA - DAY
                                                            
Juan, Eduardo and the rest of the conquistadors get much
needed rest.

Walking the streets of the city Juan and Eduardo notice how

87.

clean they are and how well dressed the inhabitants are,
irregardless of the restrictions on cloth from the Mexicans.
They wear maguey fiber cloaks, with a knot on the right
shoulder, like the Romans. Underneath is a hip-cloth, tied
at the side. The women wear tunics, as a rule, with maguey
fiber skirts underneath. Which Eduardo notices right off
hand, as he exercises some of his playboy instincts on the
natives.

Cortes is told about the route to Tenochtitlan. They are
well over halfway there. However, they have to cross the
next mountain chain.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Where is Mexico? What manner of
place is it? Is it distant?
                                                            
                       TLAXCALAN 2
It is not far distant, it can be
reached in three...days, it is a
very good place, the Mexica are
very powerful, they have very
brave warriors who go conquering
everywhere.
                                                            
A lasting alliance is formed between the two parties during
the conquistadors' stay.

Because of the trade blockade, they could only give the
Castilians food and girls as presents. These they accept
thankfully. They are given "three hundred beautiful and
well-adorned slave girls.

Among the women, the captains take the nobles. However,
Cortes wants the girls to work for Marina, and the nobles to
remain with their parents.
                                                            
                       TLAXCALAN 2
Why do you wish to return your
gifts?
                                                            
                       CORTES
The King of Castile wants you to
discard your idols and stop human
sacrifices. If you want us to
accept your daughters they should
worship the Christian God.
                                                            
                       MAXIXCATZIN
How can we abandon our gods? What
would the populace say?
                                                            
FR. BARTOLOME DE OLMEDO pulls Cortes aside and advises him.
                                                            

88.

                       FR. OLMEDO
I would not like you to make
Christians by force. Wait till
they gradually feel the weight of
our admonitions.
                                                            
Gradually, the Tlaxcalans agree to accept the religion, but
they want to see more of Spanish customs first. One temple
is cleared of idols, however, and Christian images and a
cross replace them.
                                                            
Montezuma's ambassadors stay with Cortes during this time.
                                                            
                       CORTES
I want to reach Tenochtitlan
without fighting.
                                                            
                       AMBASSADOR 1
You should leave Tlaxcala and go
to Cholula, friendly to the
Mexica.
                                                            
LATER

Cortes talks with the Tlaxcalans.
                                                            
                       TLAXCALAN 2
You should avoid Cholula, and head
to Huexotzinco, where we have
friends.
                                                            
Cortes takes the Mexicans' advice and decides to go to
Cholula. He takes new bearers and warriors from Tlaxcala
with him. He sends two men to look at Tenochtitlan: Pedro
de Alvarado and BERNARDINO VAZQUEZ DE TAPIA. Also, if they
can, they are to speak to the "great Montezuma".

They travel 60 miles to the city, on foot. Mexican guides
accompany them. They go to Cholula, then to Texcoco. They
meet a delegation from Tenochtitlan.
                                                            
                       CUITLAHUAC
Montezuma is ill, so you cannot go
in.
                                                            
Meanwhile, Cortes begins his expedition to Cholula. He
sends messengers ahead.
                                                            
                       TLAXCALAN 2
There are certain plots against
you in Cholula. The streets there
are already blocked so that you
can be captured once inside.
                                                            

89.

Cortes has the plot's leader strangled. He also sends out a
reconnaissance party. They return with some Cholulan lords.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Why didn't you come out to welcome
me?
                                                            
                       CHOLULAN LORD 1
We had been too ill.
                                                            
                       CORTES
      (angered)
Come back within three days, with
more senior lords, worthy of a
representative of the King of
Castile, or I will look on you as
in open rebellion.
                                                            
Some senior lords come to visit.
                                                            
                       SENIOR CHOLULAN LORD 1
We did not come earlier for fear
of Tlaxcalan treachery.
                                                            
They take an oath of vassalship.
                                                            
                       TLAXCALAN 2
If you meet the Mexica in battle,
you will have to kill them all,
leaving no one alive; neither the
young, lest they bear arms again;
nor the old, lest they give good
advice.
                                                            
They sleep in the open, the first night after leaving. They
are met by several Cholulan leaders the next day. They come
with a large escort, bringing maize and turkeys.
                                                            
                       CHOLULAN LEADER 1
We have come out of fear that you
have been told terrible things
about us. You should not believe
them.
                                                            
Priests fumigate the Admiral and his captains with incense.
They are dressed in sleeveless cotton robes.
                                                            
                       CORTES
We have come to entreat you to
stop worshiping your idols, cease
your human sacrifices and accept
the Christian God.
                                                            

90.

                       CHOLULAN LEADER 1
We can't be expected to give up
our gods at this moment.
                                                            
 
EXT. CHOLULA - DAY
                                                            
The expedition enters Cholula and are given lodging and
food. The Tlaxcalans and Totonacs stay outside of the city,
however, 5,000 are permitted to enter, to carry the
Castilians' equipment.

Juan marvels at the statue to Quetzalcoatl there. He turns
to Eduardo.
                                                            
                       JUAN
I am reminded of a verse from the
Bible, Revelation, 22:16, It is I
Jesus, who sent my angel to you
with this testimony for the
churches. I am the root and
descendant of David, the bright
morning star. The Cholulans see
Quetzalcoatl as this also.
                                                            
The Castilians are told of Quetzalcoatl's role in Cholula.
                                                            
                       CHOLULAN LEADER 1
That principle god was a man who
lived before, and founded the
city. He told the people not to
sacrifice men. He wore white
robes, like a friar's, with a
mantle of red crosses.
                                                            
Meanwhile, the Mexican ambassadors, again, try to dissuade
the Castilians from heading to Tenochtitlan.
                                                            
                       AMBASSADOR 1
Montezuma will die of fear if you
come. The roads are impassible,
and you will not find provisions
on the way. The zoo there is full
of dangerous animals and reptiles,
like alligators, which will rip
you to pieces.
                                                            
Cortes is unimpressed. Alvarado and Vazquez de Tapia
return.

The Cholulans begin to deny the Castilians food. On their
third day there, the citizens only bring them wood and
water.
                                                            

91.

                       CORTES
I would liked to see TLAQUIACH,
the temporal lord.
                                                            
                       CHOLULAN LEADER 1
He is too ill to see you.
                                                            
Juan and Eduardo notice the streets being blocked. The
Cholulans pile stones on the roofs of the houses. Some
Tlaxcalans and Cempeollans inform the Admiral.
                                                            
                       TLAXCALAN 2
The Cholulans are conspiring with
the Mexica, and some of your Cuban
servants to kill you.
                                                            
                       CEMPEOLLAN 1
They plan to ambush you when you
leave Cholula.
                                                            
                       MARINA
A noblewoman told me the Mexican
army is close by.
                                                            
Cortes sends for two priests.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Why are the people so nervous?
                                                            
They don't answer.
                                                            
                       CORTES
I would like to see Tlaquiach,
again.
                                                            
He comes.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Why are the people so nervous?
                                                            
                       TLAQUIACH
Montezuma ordered them to deny you
help.
                                                            
Cortes sends for the two priest, again. He gives them jade
gifts, then tortures them.
                                                            
                       PRIEST 3
The people are nervous because of
Montezuma. He knows you are on
your way there. He can't make up
his mind, to peacefully receive
you, or kill you. 20,000 warriors
have been assembled on the road to
            (MORE)

92.

                       PRIEST 3 (cont'd)
Mexico. The Mexica plan to ambush
you on your way to the mountains.
                                                            
Cortes has a discussion with his captains.
                                                            
                       ORDAZ
Maybe we should retreat to
Tlaxcala?
                                                            
                       PEREZ
Maybe we should replan our route
to Tenochtitlan through
Huexotzinco?
                                                            
                       ALVARADO
We should launch a pre-emptive
attack.
                                                            
                       GENERAL
I agree.
                                                            
                       CORTES
I agree also. We will ask the
Indians to place a flower in their
headdresses so they will be
recognized.
                                                            
Cortes has the Cholulan lords assemble at the temple of
Quetzalcoatl, so he can say goodbye to them, before leaving
for Mexico. Over 100 of them come, unarmed. The Spaniards
close the doors of the courtyard there.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Why have you planned to kill me?
All we have done is warn against
idols and human sacrifices. I
know of the plot against me and my
men, outside of the city.
                                                            
                       CHOLULAN LORD 1
Montezuma ordered it.
                                                            
                       CORTES
This goes against Spanish law, and
is treasonous. I order your
deaths.
                                                            
An arquebus fires, to give a signal, and the Castilians fall
upon the lords, with their swords, and kill them. They
don't stop there, killing the people who have gathered
outside the gates also. The town is sacked next. The main
houses and pyramids are burned. The temple of

93.

Huitzilopochtli burns for two days. Priests jump from the
temple's summit to avoid capture and death by the
Tlaxcalans. Juan and the others become one with revenge, or
justice, depending on the point of view. Two days later
Cortes calls off the sack. The Tlaxcalans take many
Cholulans back to their city to sacrifice them. Cortes then
orders the remaining priest to set up crosses and icons in
the temples. And has all the idols destroyed.

Next, Cortes sees the Mexican ambassadors who are "half dead
with fear".
                                                            
                       CORTES
The Cholulan chiefs told us
Montezuma was responsible for the
plots against us, therefore we
will not enter Tenochtitlan in
peace.
                                                            
                       AMBASSADOR 1
We did not know of any such plans
by our Emperor. May we send a
messenger back to him to discover
the truth?
                                                            
                       CORTES
      (reluctlantly)
You may.
                                                            
Learning of the massacre at Cholula, Montezuma becomes
panicked again, as do the people.

When the messengers return from Tenochtitlan, they bring ten
plates of gold, clothes and food.
                                                            
                       AMBASSADOR 1
Montezuma apologizes for the
alleged rebellion. He says he had
nothing to do with it. He says
the army leaders are to blame. He
also says that he will give you
anything, if you do not come to
Mexico.
                                                            
 
EXT. OUTSIDE CHOLULA - DAY
                                                            
SUPER: "November 1, 1519"

The Totonacs return home, with lots of presents from Cortes.
The Tlaxcalans remain; 1,000 of them. They assist the
conquistadors with the cannons, and prepare tortillas. The
Mexican ambassadors stay as well.

94.


Cortes leaves Cholula and sends ten scouts out, with Diego
de Ordaz, to get a look at the volcano Popocatepetl, which
is smoking dangerously. He scales the mountains of it, and
gets a look at the lake and Valley of Mexico. He reports
back to Cortes.
                                                            
                       ORDAZ
Sir, I saw another new world of
great cities and towers and a sea
and, in the middle of it, a very
great city.
                                                            
The Castilians head to the city stirring up the dust. Their
iron lances, their iron halberds, glisten from afar, and
their iron swords move in a wavy line as if they were a
water course. Their iron is gleaming, hence they cause
astonishment. And their dogs go ahead in the lead, panting.

The expedition reaches Calpan the first day. They are
visited by several lords.
                                                            
                       LORD 1
You should not go to Tenochtitlan.
It is too powerful. However, if
you do go, take the road that is
blocked, and not open. For an
ambush might be prepared for you
on the other one.
                                                            
The conquistadors march ten miles the next day. They climb
thousands of feet up the mountains. They reach a ridge that
sits between the volcanoes.

The expedition reaches the fork in the road.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Why is one road blocked?
                                                            
                       AMBASSADOR 1
The blocked road is windy,
indirect and bad.
                                                            
Cortes orders the Tlaxcalans to remove the obstacles, and
they travel down that path. It begins to snow.

Making camp, Cortes is visited by some local Indians. He
addresses them.
                                                            
                       CORTES
You should know that those who are
with me never sleep at night; and,
if they do sleep at all, they do
so a little during the day. At
            (MORE)

95.

                       CORTES (cont'd)
night they are in arms and,
whoever they see walking about or
entering the camp, they kill; and
there is nothing that can prevent
this. Make this known, therefore,
to your people ensure that, after
sundown, nobody comes to where we
are since, if they do, they will
die. And it would distress me if
people died.
                                                            
Still, the locals want a peek, and are killed as Cortes had
promised.

The next day, the weather clears up, and Juan and the others
can see, magnificently, all the way to Tenochtitlan. It is
beautiful. The lake shimmers in the sunlight, and the other
cities around it can be seen as well. Juan turns to Eduardo
and Hannibal.
                                                            
                       JUAN
Awesome.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
Yeah.
                                                            
                       JUAN
It is as if we have been through a
sort of purgatory, since our
departure from the coast. Spain
and Hispaniola was hell, and
heaven awaits.
                                                            
                       HANNIBAL
I've come a long way. I've been
through things I could not have
even imagined before. This place
had better be worth it.
                                                            
Eduardo addresses Juan.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
I may have understated my opinion
of the New World to you.
                                                            
The Castilians are met by another delegation from Montezuma.
It is led by a nobleman named TZIUACPOPOCATZIN. He is
dressed as the Emperor. Some of the magicians accompany
them. They bring presents of gold, and quetzal feathers.
The Spaniards smile and rejoice exceedingly. They seize
upon the gold, and are satisfied, sated and gladdened. They
move the golden streamer back and forth, and show it to one

96.

another all the while babbling. What they say is gibberish.

Perez turns to Cortes.
                                                            
                       PEREZ
I think that Tziuacpopocatzin is
Montezuma.
                                                            
Cortes turns to the Tlaxcalans. And points out
Tzuiacpopocatzin.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Is that Montezuma?
                                                            
                       TLAXCALAN 2
No.
                                                            
Cortes then asks Tziuacpopocatzin.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Are you Montezuma?
                                                            
                       TZIUACPOPOCATZIN
Yes.
                                                            
The Castilians laugh.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Go back to where you came. We are
determined to see Montezuma.
                                                            
The magicians fail to work a spell that would stop the
Spaniards from advancing. On returning from the Castilian
camp they find a drunken man, who is bound up with ropes.
                                                            
                       DRUNK
What have you come here to do?
What do you want? What would you
still like Montezuma to do? Has
he perhaps come to his senses? Is
he now filled with a great fear?
For he committed a great fault. He
abandoned the common people. He
destroyed men...
                                                            
They attempt to help the man.
                                                            
                       DRUNK
Why do you stand wanly there?
There will be a Tenochtitlan no
longer. It is gone forever. Turn
about, look what is going to
befall the Mexica.
                                                            

97.

They turn, and see the temples, palaces and houses burning.
They turn back to ask the man more questions, but the man
has vanished.
                                                            
 
INT. MONTEZUMA'S PALACE - DAY
                                                            
The returning entourage addresses the Emperor.
                                                            
                       TZIUACPOPOCATZIN
My lord, we came across a man, who
must have been the mischievous god
Tezcatlipoca. For he showed us a
vision of the city burning, and
predicted our demise.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
What can we do?...We are
finished...Perhaps we shall climb
up the mountains, perhaps we shall
flee...Unlucky are the poor old
men and the old women. And the
children, who have no
understanding, where may they be
taken? Where in truth can one go?
For now we have taken the
medicine...
                                                            
Montezuma meets with his council again. His brother,
Cuitlahuac, and nephew, Cacama are there. They further
discuss if they should receive the Castilians. They also
discuss how to receive them, if they do.
                                                            
                       CUITLAHUAC
I am still against accepting the
newcomers.
                                                            
                       CACAMA
As am I.
                                                            
                       CUITLAHUAC
We must fight them every step of
they way.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
We must not hide nor flee nor show
cowardice, and let us not imagine
that the Mexican glory is going to
perish here. We are now resolved
to die in defense of Tenochtitlan.
                                                            
 

98.

EXT. DIVINES' CAMP - EVENING
                                                            
As the festivals of late October conclude, Plaxetotl
retreats to the camp to recuperate from all the celebration.

Matlaluege and some of the others return as well.
                                                            
                       MATLALUEGE
Zozollan and I were successful in
preventing the sacrifice of a
young woman during the
celebrations. Tetzuahtl, your
brother, noticed the disruption,
but did not try to prevent our
success.
                                                            
Plaxetotl smiles.
                                                            
 
EXT. MEXICAN COUNTRYSIDE - DAY
                                                            
The Castilians continue their movement towards Tenochtitlan.
Juan notices the beautiful valley scenery, as they march
across the Mexican countryside. He sees the Mexican
mountain shrines that cover the mountainsides, the oak
forests, the lilac, and the whitetail deer. The mid-day sun
seems, for a while, to threaten them with desert-like
conditions, but the cooler temperatures of Autumn prevail.
The path bottoms out at the town of Amecameca. There they
receive the usual presents of gold and food, and are given
forty slave girls.
                                                            
                       TOWNSPERSON
We are constantly robbed by
Montezuma.
                                                            
                       CORTES
I hope to relieve you of that
burden.
                                                            
                       CHIEF 2
The Mexica certainly plan to kill
you after you arrive.
                                                            
                       CORTES
I am going to go anyhow, to
explain what God commanded.
                                                            
They reach Chalco the next day. Into the night, canoes come
to the shore, to get a look at the Castilians. Juan and
Eduardo stand near the shore area, at dusk. They look
across the marshes, and reeds, at the small crafts that line

99.

the water's edge. The moonlight shines on the small ripples
of water that reach the marshy area in front of them.
                                                            
 
INT. MONTEZUMA'S PALACE - NIGHT
                                                            
Montezuma holds yet another council at this time. The Kings
of Texcoco and Tacuba are present. They are concerned about
the Spanish presence in Chalco, previously rebellious to
them.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
O mighty lords, it is fitting that
we the three of us should be here
to receive the gods and,
therefore, I wish to find solace
with you and also to bid you
farewell. How little did we enjoy
the realms which were bequeathed
to us by our ancestors! They,
mighty kings and lords as they
were, left this world in peace and
harmony. But woe is coming to us!
How do we deserve this fate? How
did we offend the gods? Who are
these men who have come? Whence
have they really come? Who showed
them the way? There is only one
remedy: we must make our hearts
strong to bear what is about to
happen for they are at our gates.
                                                            
Several lords weep. Montezuma then heads out into the city
and weeps in public.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
Oh, gods: Huitzilopochtli,
Tezcatlipolca, Quetzalcoatl have
pity on the poor, the orphans, the
aged, and those who would surely
be widows.
                                                            
He then draws blood from his ears, arms and shins, and
offers it to them.
                                                            
 
EXT. DIVINES' CAMP - DAY
                                                            
More and more citizens visit the camp, looking for guidance.
                                                            

100.

                       CITIZEN 1
The Emperor wept in the street and
gave an offering to the gods
outside of the palace.
                                                            
                       ZOZOLLAN
He surely feels the weight of the
gods' admonishment now.
                                                            
 
EXT. CHALCO - DAY
                                                            
Montezuma sends Cortes another delegation. It is headed by
four chiefs, who bring more gold and cloth.
                                                            
                       CHIEF 3
Montezuma could not come because
he is ill. However, we are at
your disposal. Montezuma is
concerned of your hardships on the
journey. Montezuma has provided
much for you and your gods, and
begs you not to come to
Tenochtitlan. The people are
protesting of your arrival, and,
if you return, Montezuma will pay
you regular tributes of gold.
                                                            
Cortes offers the emissaries his usual presents of glass and
beads.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Montezuma is inconsistent. Now
that we are so near to
Tenochtitlan, why should we
return. I am determined to see
Montezuma because the King of
Castile demanded it.
                                                            
The expedition reaches Ayotzingo the next day. They leave
the following morning, and are approached by Cacama, King of
Texcoco.
                                                            
                       CACAMA
Malinche, master of Marina, here
we have come to place ourselves at
your service and to give you all
that you may need for yourself and
for your companions, and to
arrange for you to settle in your
home, which is our city. For so
the great Montezuma, our prince,
has ordered, and he asks your
pardon once more that he has not
            (MORE)

101.

                       CACAMA (cont'd)
come in person, it is on account
of ill-health, and not because of
ill-will.
                                                            
They travel with Cacama, and pass the little town of
Mixquic, capital of Mixquica. Juan and the others marvel at
the sight of it, all the while remembering to keep their
eyes forward, as more things are being revealed.

A causeway lies ahead. It is as wide as a lance. It leads
to an island that houses the city of Cuitlahauc. The
Castilians note the pyramids along the way.

They head across the main causeway to the capital. Four
horsemen, wearing traditional European armor, ride in front,
followed by the standard bearer. Behind them is the
infantry, with swords drawn. Juan, Eduardo and Hannibal are
among them; their steel weapons held high in the air,
announcing their entry. They are trailed by more horsemen,
in cotton armor, wielding lances. Perez San Fernando and
Vincenzo Esperanza rides with them. Next are the
crossbowmen, quivers at their sides, wearing cotton armor
also. They wear helmets with plumes on top. Following them
are the last horsemen, and the arquebusiers. Cortes rides
in the rear, surrounded by several other horsemen, and more
standard bearers. Their Indian allies come next, dressed
and painted for war, carrying supplies, and the guns.

The final leg of their crossing finds them on the broad
causeway that is twice as wide as the former. People on the
causeway and water stop to get a look at the strangers as
they near the city. Plaxetotl and the divines join those on
the causeway to get a look at the visitors. They wear long
cloaks, with hoods that cover their heads. Peering out of
them, their eyes gaze upon the travelers, for the first
time.

The horses make large gestures, pawing the ground, when they
halt, jingling ad sweating. They neigh loudly, and their
riders are attentive to everything around them. The dogs
run ahead, sniffing and panting. The standard-bearer walks
alone, waving the banner back and forth. The Indian allies
make war noises, shrieking and patting their mouths with
their hands. They wear half red and half white cloaks.

Plaxetotl turns to Matlaluege
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
Strangers in multicolored clothing
to enslave us.
                                                            

102.

                       MATLALUEGE
Indeed.
                                                            
A mile and a half from the main gate they reach Acachinanco,
where the houses begin, and the causeway stops. A fort
stands there, with two towers, surrounded by thick walls.
Some richly dressed noblemen come out to greet them, kissing
their hands, which are placed on the ground. Matlaluege,
Plaxetotl and the others follow the parade of visitors,
along with the many onlookers, up the causeway, closer to
the city's gates.

The noblemen don't look at the Castilians while they make
their greeting. Cortes waits for them to do so, then they
head together for the city.

Montezuma arrives on a throne with a canopy of green
feathers. It is embroidered with gold and silver, and
fitted with jade. He is carried by noblemen. More of them
sweep the ground in front of him. A man carries a stick
ahead of him, signaling his authority. Montezuma wears an
embroidered cloak, green feathered headdress and gold
sandals on his feet. He brings presents with him.

He descends from his throne. Cortes dismounts to greet him.
He moves to hug him, but is stopped by his attendants.
Cortes shakes his hand instead. Aguilar and Marina
translate for them.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Art thou not he? Art thou
Montezuma?
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
Yes, I am he.
                                                            
Cortes places his pearl necklace around the Emperor's neck.
Montezuma has a servant give Cortes two necklaces of red
snails' shells, adorned with gold shrimps.
                                                            
Montezuma turns to Cuitlahuac.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
Stay with me while I lead them
into the city.
                                                            
The noblemen follow. The roofs of the adobe houses are
filled with the people of the city, who show their
admiration.

The divines watch the procession head into the city, with
the rest of the citizens, astounded by what they see.


103.

The conquistadors go to a palace. The arquebusiers fire a
shot in the air, signaling the end of their journey. The
artillery fires in triumph. The volleys astound the Mexica.
                                                            
 
INT. PALACE OF AXAYACATL - DAY
                                                            
Montezuma leads Cortes to a large throne, and proposes he
sit there.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
Malinche, you are in your own
house. So are your brothers.
Rest.
                                                            
They are given food.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
Our lord, you must be tired, you
have experienced fatigue, but you
have arrived at your city...So be
assured that we will obey you and
hold you as our lord, in the stead
of that great lord. In that there
will be no mistake or deception of
any kind. And in all the land
which I hold in my power you can
command as you will, for you will
be obeyed. And since you are in
your native country and in your
own house, enjoy yourself and rest
from the labour of your journey
and your battles.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Have confidence, Montezuma, fear
nothing. We love you greatly. Our
heart is today well satisfied. We
see you face to face, we hear you.
We have wished for a long time to
see you, to hear you speak in
person.
                                                            
 
EXT. DIVINES' CAMP - DAY
                                                            
The divines return to the lakeshore.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
They arrived in year I-Reed. Today
is I-Wind. All of these are dates
of Quetzacoatl.
                                                            

104.

The whole city is now quiet.

Plaxetotl stands in front of his fellow divines and tries to
reassure them that they would be okay.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
It is our faith in the gods that
has sustained us thus far, and
will continue to provide us with
blessings. In our darkest hour,
coming from dry lands and the
mountains, they gave us our home,
Tenochtitlan. We have nothing to
fear.
                                                            
                       MATLALUEGE
If the serpent god helped give us
all of this,
                                                            
He motions to the city beside them.
                                                            
                       MATLALUEGE
then why is he allowing our
apparent destruction with these
strange men?
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
You know. You among all of us, as
well as ourselves, have neglected
him for too long. We have
accepted the barbarism and wars
that intoxicated our people, and
glorified our empire with material
things. We have only ourselves to
blame for what is befalling us.
                                                            
                       DIVINE 1
What of this one and only God
spoken of by Nezahualcoyotl, King
of Texcoco and told to us by
Mezopan? If we have overlooked
him then what can we do to remedy
that?
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
Of these things I am not certain,
but I have come to believe that he
is the same as Quetzalcoatl. He
is the representation of
Quetzalcoatl's former preeminence
in our society.
                                                            
Many of the divines raise their eyebrows.
                                                            

105.

                       MATLALUEGE
How could we have overlooked this?
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
We have succumbed to the barbarous
habits of our people. We have not
done our job...How is it your
devotion to the supreme natural
force has lead you so far? How
can you justify the continuance of
this belief?
                                                            
                       MATLALUEGE
The natural force resides in
me...in us all. It resides in
these newcomers...In the
Emperor...in we divines.
                                                            
                       ZOZOLLAN
Remarkable. All of this time we
have recognized and often upheld
the gods, but you ally yourself
with this force. How do you
justify this?
                                                            
                       MATLALUEGE
Ometecuhtli and Omecihuatl, female
and male deities, are
representations of this force. You
know this.
                                                            
He looks at Plaxetotl.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
So what have you to say now...in
light of our current situation? We
are seeing what is likely an
incarnation of the forgotten
Quetzalcoatl.
                                                            
                       MATLALUEGE
Do you support these people? Do
you condone their behavior across
the countryside?
                                                            
                       ZOZOLLAN
It is not a matter of justifying
the actions of the newcomers, but
recognizing the effects of their
presence in the land, and
realizing what power has given
them such authority.
                                                            
 

106.

INT. PALACE OF AXAYACATL - DAY
                                                            
Juan and Eduardo are dumfounded by the beauty of the
architecture that makes up their current environment.
                                                            
                       JUAN
I never thought I'd see such
things.
                                                            
ANGLE ON EDUARDO

Eduardo smiles knowingly.
                                                            
                       JUAN
It is as if we've entered another
world.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
We have.
                                                            
Juan admires one of the wood carved chairs of the Mexicans,
rubbing his hand across the surface of its arms, trying to
sense the pride that went into its crafting.

The large expedition is housed in several of the rooms of
the palace - one large and two smaller. Their belongings
are stashed in the corners of them, and some are nestled
along side the men who brought them. Their Tlaxcalan allies
are mainly housed in one of the smaller rooms, but some are
interspersed among the Castilians in the other two.

Juan observes them.
                                                            
                       JUAN
I wonder why they would help us
against those whom they neighbor
so closely?
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
      (coyly)
Help us do what?
                                                            
                       JUAN
Let's not mince words. We're
certainly not here as friends of
the Mexica.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
That, my friend, is the decision
of the Admiral.
                                                            
Eduardo motions his finger in the direction of the Caudillo,
Cortes, who is standing near the center of the largest room,

107.

talking with some captains.

At that moment, Perez San Fernando approaches them.
                                                            
                       PEREZ
      (smiling)
Gentlemen, don't look so glum. We
have arrived. Is it what you
expected?
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
More.
                                                            
Hannibal walks over to Hector and offers him a cigar. The
two smoke and conversate.
                                                            
                       HANNIBAL
Remarkable place.
                                                            
                       HECTOR
Yes sir.
                                                            
                       HANNIBAL
You don't have to call me that.
I'm no one's master.
                                                            
                       HECTOR
I know that sir, but you seem to
have mastered yourself.
                                                            
Hannibal smiles. They smoke some more, gazing at the
magnificent designs on the walls of the Mexican palace.
                                                            
                       HANNIBAL
Where in Africa are you from?
                                                            
                       HECTOR
The west coast. Ghana.
                                                            
                       HANNIBAL
So what you see here cannot be
surprising you too much.
                                                            
                       HECTOR
No, not too much. Some of ours
have been here before. The
pyramids we see were learned from
Khamit. It is a sign of the
universal trinity. Three points
of the triangle that harness the
energy of their environment. These
people are not going to lay down
and accept any domination. If the
Caudillo means to suppress them
            (MORE)

108.

                       HECTOR (cont'd)
then he his in for a shock.
                                                            
Hannibal nods in agreement, and finishes his cigar. He
rises to return to the others, all the more aware that the
grandest of larceny was about to be committed.

Vincent Esperanza turns his head from watching the
conversation of his slave and the Spanish moor. He rubs his
brown beard, then sits down to write his father a letter.
                                                            
                       VINCENZO (V.O.)
Dear father, We have now reached
the grand city of Tenochtitlan,
capital of the Mexican Empire. As
I have written before, the
struggles along the way were
fierce. I have fought like never
before, and at some times did not
know if I would get the chance to
write to you again. Everything
here is marvelous. The Mexica are
remarkably cultivated and know
much about art, beauty and
architecture. Their work would
fit well in Naples and Rome, and
in some instances would put those
cities to shame. There is much
gold and treasure here, and as in
the cities we visited before, we
are offered much of it. The
Admiral has done well to see that
we all get our fair share, and I
will be sending some more back on
the next ship to the islands.
Please give my regards to mother
and tell her I love her and miss
her. I hope to be writing again
soon. Your son, Vincenzo
Esperanza.
                                                            
 
EXT. TENOCHTITLAN - DAY
                                                            
The Spaniards see the zoo which is nearby the palace. The
different species, that do not exist in the Old World,
confuse the Spaniards. The large number of reptiles and
snakes of great size there shock them. The snakes are kept
in long cages lined with feathers. The larger animals and
birds of prey are housed in apartments large enough to allow
them to move around. Humans, who do not fit the model of
Mexican perfection, are also held there.


109.

When the see the great market, the Spaniards are astonished
by the mass of people that patron it and by its dimensions.
They see traders from all parts of Yucatan, bringing goods
unique to their respective regions.

Cotton is piled up in bales, or made into dresses and
domestic articles, like tapestry and curtains. The
goldsmith quarter contains various ornaments and curious
toys that imitate birds and fishes with scales, feathers and
movable heads and bodies.

They see raw and dressed hides and various leather items in
the booths. They also witness the sale of wild and tame
animals and slaves, with collars placed around their necks
to show they are for sale.

Next to the market place, on the streets, are stone, lime
and timber. Also meats of all kinds: poultry and game from
the mountains, fish, fruits from all the temperate regions,
vegetables and maize find their place in the market square.
Pastry bread, cakes and confectionary occupy a space, along
with cooling or stimulating beverages, such as chocalatl and
pulque. All of these items are stocked in the booths and
stalls, which are decorated with flowers.

What impresses the Spaniards the most is the order that
reigns over the exchanges. Officers patrol the square,
keeping the peace, collecting duties, watching any fraud,
and bringing offenders to justice at once. Twelve judges
sit in one area of the market to decide on matters of
impropriety.

The Spaniards are fascinated by what they see at this great
marketplace. They see the beauty of the union of all the
various Yucatan civilizations gathered together for the
purpose of commerce.

From here the Castilians visit the great teocalli, which
neighbors the palace were they stay. It stands in a vast
area, surrounded by a stone and lime wall, which is
ornamented with serpent figures. The square wall has huge
gateways, which open up to the four main streets. Over each
gate is an arsenal of arms. Barracks join them, garrisoned
by 10,000 soldiers. These men serve as a type of military
police.

The teocalli is a solid pyramid of earth and pebble coated
with hewn stones. It is divided into five stories, each one
receding smaller than the one that preceded it. It
resembles, like most of the pyramids of the Mexica, those of
ancient Egypt. It can be ascended by flight of stairs on
its outside, which leads to a narrow platform on the second
story. The stairs circle around the building to second

110.

stairway that reaches a similar platform on the third.

This series continues so the visitor passes around the
building four times before reaching the top. This has an
imposing effect on religious ceremonies.

Cortes finds two priests and several attendants when he
reaches the pyramid, to help him if fatigued. However, he
declines this service and marches up with his own men. When
they reach the summit, the conquistadors see a vast area
paved with stones. They also see a large block of jasper
that is used as a table for the sacrifices of the Mexica.
The convex shape of it raises the victims' breasts so that
the priest can more easily remove their hearts. At the
opposing end is two towers, three stories high, the lower of
stone and stucco and the upper two of wood. Images of
Mexican gods are carved in the lower division; above it
religious utensils and ashes of Aztec princes are stored. In
front of each altar eternal fires burn. Also a huge
cylindrical drum of serpents' skin stands here.

Montezuma comes forward when Cortes arrives at the top.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
You are weary, Malinche, with
climbing up our great temple.
                                                            
                       CORTES
The Spaniards are never weary!
                                                            
Montezuma then takes his hand and shows him the bird's eye
view of the neighborhoods.

Cortes turns to Fr. Olmedo.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Do you think he will allow us to
place a Christian cross here?
                                                            
                       FR. OLMEDO
Its too early to make such a
request.
                                                            
Cortes turns to Montezuma.
                                                            
                       CORTES
May we be allowed to enter the
sanctuaries and view the shrines
to the Mexican gods?
                                                            
Montezuma confers shortly with the priests. Then turns to
Cortes.
                                                            

111.

                       MONTEZUMA
Ok.
                                                            
The Spaniards find themselves in a spacious room walled with
stucco containing the sculptures of various figures,
representing the Mexican calendar. At one end of the recess
stands a richly carved roof. Before the altar a colossal
image of Huitzilopotchli stands. His right hand wields a
bow, and left a collection of golden arrows. A huge serpent
circles around his waist, covered with pearls and precious
stones, which also cover his person. His left foot is
decorated with feathers of the humming-bird. What stands
out is a chain of hearts made up of gold and silver. Three
human hearts, smoking and almost beating, are laid out on
the altar in front of him.

Next to it is the sanctuary of Tezcatlipoca. He is
represented as young, in polished black stone, richly
garnished with gold plates. A shield, burnished like a
mirror, stands out on him. Five bleeding hearts are seen
before his altar, in a golden platter.

The walls of both altars are stained with human blood.

The Spaniards gladly leave the sanctuaries to the open air.
Cortes turns to Montezuma.
                                                            
                       CORTES
I do not comprehend how a great
and wise prince, like you, can put
faith in such evil spirits as
these idols, the representatives
of the Devil! If you will but
permit us to erect here the true
Cross, and place the images of the
blessed Virgin and her Son in your
sanctuaries, you will soon see how
your false gods will shrink before
them!
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
Who have led the Aztecs to victory
since they were a nation, and who
send the seedtime and harvest in
their seasons? Had I thought you
would have offered them this
outrage, I would not have admitted
you into their presence.
                                                            
                       CORTES
My apologies.
                                                            
Cortes and the Spaniards take their leave.
                                                            

112.

Montezuma turns to his priests.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
I must make a law outlawing such
profanation by the strangers.
                                                            
 
INT. MONTEZUMA'S PALACE - DAY
                                                            
Several stewards approach the Emperor.
                                                            
                       STEWARD 1
My lord, the strangers want to
know if they can build a church in
their quarters.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
I will allow it. Supply them with
all the necessary materials.
                                                            
The Spaniards build the church in two days, and place a holy
cross in front of their rooms.

While assembled in their quarters a soldier, ALONZO YANES,
notices marks on a wall indicating the former presence of a
door. The conquistadors open it. Cortes and some of the
captains go in first and see a large number of jewels, slabs
and plates of gold. Soon the news spreads, and everyone
goes in to have a peek.
                                                            
END OF FLASHBACK SEQUENCE
                                                            
 
INT. COURTROOM - DAY
                                                            
                       PEREZ
At this point four captains took
Cortes aside, along with a dozen
soldiers, and considered the
situation we were in. They talked
about the strength of the city,
the stability of the causeways and
bridges and of the words of the
lords of the towns they'd been
through, who warned them that
Montezuma would kill them. They
told Cortes to consider how
changeable the hearts of the
natives were, and not to trust the
current kindness of their host.
However, they knew that Montezuma
had a large guard in his defense.
How could they (the conquistadors)
attack or defend their position?
            (MORE)

113.

                       PEREZ (cont'd)
And how could they depend on more
aid from their allies, the
Tlaxcalans, if the city they were
now in was surrounded by water?
They thought Cortes should think
this over, and, without further
delay, seize Montezuma. They also
reminded him that all the gold
they had seen and all the food
they had been given would soon
mean nothing in light of the
realities that surrounded them,
and, that if he were told
otherwise by any of the other men,
he should see those members as
hypnotized by the treasures they'd
seen, and not capable of realizing
the dire situation we were now
in...Hearing all this the Admiral
replied...
                                                            
FLASHBACK SEQUENCE
                                                            
 
EXT. PALACE OF AXAYACATL - DAY
                                                            
                       CORTES
Don't you imagine gentlemen, that
I am asleep, or that I am free
from the same anxiety, you must
have felts that it is so with me;
but what possibility is there of
doing a deed of such great daring
as to seize such a great prince in
his own palace, surrounded as he
is by his own guards and warriors,
by what scheme or artifice can we
carry it out, so that he should
not call on his warriors to attack
us at once?
                                                            
                       ALVARADO
It should be done with smooth
talking. We should coax him out
his halls and to our quarters, and
tell him he must remain our
prisoner. If he makes a
disturbance we should tell him
that he will pay for it with his
life.
                                                            

114.

                       VELAZQUEZ DE LEON
If you do not want to perform the
task you should allow us to do it.
The stewards are becoming
discourteous in bringing us our
food, and two of the Tlaxcalan
allies said the Mexicans appear to
have ill feelings about us in the
last two days.
                                                            
Cortes takes five captains: Pedro de Alvarado, Gonzalo de
Sandoval, Juan Velazquez de Leon, Perez San Fernando, and
Alonzo de Avila along with BERNAL DIAZ, Marina and Aguilar
to capture the Emperor.
                                                            
 
INT. MONTEZUMA'S PALACE - DAY
                                                            
Upon arrival Cortes addresses the Emperor.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Senor Montezuma, I am very much
astonished that you, who are such
a valiant Prince, after having
declared that you are our friend,
should order your Captains, whom
you have stationed on the coast
near Tuxpan, to take arms against
my Spaniards, and that they should
dare to rob the towns which are in
keeping and under the protection
of our King and master and to
demand of them Indian men and
women for sacrifice, and should
kill a Spaniard, one of my
brothers, and a horse. Being such
a friend of yours I ordered my
Captains to do all that was
possible to help and serve you,
and you have done exactly the
contrary to us. Also in the
affair at Cholula your Captains
and a large force of warriors had
received your own commands to kill
us. I forgave it at the time out
of my great regard for you, but
now again your vassals and
Captains have become insolent, and
hold secret consultations stating
that you wish us to be killed. I
do not wish to begin a war on this
account nor to destroy this city,
I am willing to forgive it all, if
silently and without raising any
            (MORE)

115.

                       CORTES (cont'd)
disturbance you will come with us
to our quarters, where you will be
as well served and attended to as
though you were in your own house,
but if you cry out or make any
disturbance you will immediately
be killed by these my Captains,
whom I brought solely for this
purpose.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
      (terrified and
       dumfounded)
I would never order my people to
war against you, and will order my
Captains here at once so that the
truth would be known. I cannot be
taken prisoner against my will. I
will not go.
                                                            
Velazquez de Leon turns to Cortes.
                                                            
                       VELAZQUEZ DE LEON
What is the good of your making so
many words, let us either take him
prisoner, or stab him, tell him
once more that if he cries out or
makes an uproar we will kill him,
for it is better at once to save
our lives or to lose them.
                                                            
Montezuma looks at Marina
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
What are they saying?
                                                            
                       MARINA
Senor Montezuma, what I counsel
you, is to go at once to their
quarters without any disturbance
at all, for I know that they will
pay you much honor as a great
Prince such as you are, otherwise
you will remain here a dead man,
but in their quarters you will
learn the truth.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
Senor Malinche, if this is what
you desire, I have a son and two
legitimate daughters, take them as
hostages, and do not put this
affront on me, what will my
            (MORE)

116.

                       MONTEZUMA (cont'd)
chieftains say if they see me
taken off as a prisoner?
                                                            
                       CORTES
You have no alternative but to
come with us.
                                                            
Montezuma agrees, the conquistadors pat him on the back, and
beg that he not be annoyed.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Tell your guards that it is your
choice to go, because you
consulted with the god
Huitzilopochtli and your priests
and it is better for your health
and safety that you leave with us.
                                                            
He brings his attendants along, and the Castilians watch
over him with guards and watchmen.

Cortes and the conquistadors give Montezuma as much
attention and amusements as they can. He is not personally
restrained, and soon all of the principal Mexican lords, and
his nephews come to learn why he was taken away.
                                                            
 
INT. PALACE OF AXAYACATL - DAY
                                                            
Montezuma and Cortes play a game of patolli, a dice game
similar to backgammon, and discuss religion.
                                                            
                       CORTES
It is the nature of God that we
love one another. You really
should stop the practice of human
sacrifices.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
O Malinche, how can you want us,
the Mexica, to lose the whole
city? Our gods are very annoyed
with us, and I don't know if they
would even stop at your lives were
we to do as you ask.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Where are the gold producing
areas?
                                                            

117.

                       MONTEZUMA
Most of it comes from Zacatula in
the central south. The Mixtecs,
of that region, are the best in
working the gold.
                                                            
                       CORTES
I want you to summon the leading
lords of the Mexican Empire.
                                                            
LATER

The lords arrive and Montezuma speaks to them.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
Legend states that our lands would
one day be subjugated, controlled
and governed by a great lord from
the east. I have become a vassal
of the King of Spain, and ask that
you do the same.
                                                            
END OF FLAHSBACK SEQUENCE
                                                            
 
INT. COURTROOM - DAY
                                                            
ALONZO DE NAVARRETE, a witness, is now on the stand.
                                                            
                       ALONSO DE NAVARRETE
All replied to Montezuma...that
they agreed to be vassals and
Flores believed that the
concession was made in the right
form, since Cortes had, as usual,
a notary with him. All replied to
the said Montezuma, and this
witness, did not understand what
they said but that it seemed,
according to the interpreters,
that they accepted and took for
good what Montezuma had asked.
                                                            
FLASHBACK SEQUENCE
                                                            
 
INT. PALACE OF AXAYACATL - DAY
                                                            
                       CORTES
I too have heard of this legend in
the ancient writings, which
predict the subjection of the
Mexica by a great lord from afar.
            (MORE)

118.

                       CORTES (cont'd)
I have been sent by that lord.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
We do not want to complain. We
are glad to be alive to see the
arrival of the Christians and
learn of the King of Castile. We
will happily accept that monarch
and live under his protection.
                                                            
Montezuma gives his oath with many tears. Afterwards, he
and the kings and nobles give their brothers, daughters and
children to the Spaniards to guarantee their solidarity.

In the next room, Eduardo listens to the rumors of what is
occurring in the meeting room amongst the captains of the
journey and the lords of Mexico. He glances across their
quarters and sees Juan, sitting on bags of equipment, with a
wide-eyed gaze on his face, looking out of the window of the
rather large room. He walks over to him.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
It is done. If I had a glass of
wine this would certainly be time
for a drink.
                                                            
Juan doesn't respond.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
What's the matter?
                                                            
                       JUAN
Nothing.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
Well something has to be wrong,
you look as if you've seen a
ghost.
                                                            
                       JUAN
      (frustrated)
It's all wrong okay!
                                                            
He looks around the room to see if anyone is watching them,
but they are all minding their business.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
You don't want to draw any
attention do you?
                                                            

119.

                       JUAN
What does it matter? We'll have
enough of it when the courts back
in Spain find out about what we're
doing here, won't we?
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
Man, that isn't even our concern.
We're getting richer by the hour.
Soon we won't have anything to
worry about...anything.
                                                            
 
EXT. DIVINES' CAMP - DAY
                                                            
                       YOPI
It has been said that Montezuma
and the rest of the lords have
given fealty to the newcomers.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
There is a spiritual dearth. The
people think the gods have failed
them and maybe they have.
                                                            
 
INT. PALACE OF AXAYACATL - DAY
                                                            
Cortes addresses Montezuma and the lords.
                                                            
                       CORTES
We demand to be given more gold.
There are heavy expenses of the
Spanish crown after our wars in
Italy. Therefore, everyone should
pitch in to help, including you.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
We will support you.
                                                            
He sends out a new delegation to insist on special
deliveries of the much coveted material.

The Emperor's men take Cortes friends to the House of Birds,
where more gold is stored. The Caudillo takes the whole
treasure collected there into his own quarters.
                                                            
END OF FLASHBACK SEQUENCE
                                                            
 
INT. COURTROOM - DAY
                                                            
FR. BERNARDINO DE SAHAGUN is now on the stand.
                                                            

120.

                       SAHAGUN
The Spaniards demand gold! And
Montezuma led them to the
Totocalli, the treasure house, and
there were brought out all the
brilliant goods, quetzal fans,
shields, golden discs, necklaces,
golden head bands...all the gold
was torn out from these things,
detached...and the Spaniards
melted it into bars...Of the green
stones, chalchihuites, they took
as much as was good for their eyes
and the rest was taken by men of
Tlaxcala...The Spaniards looked
eager and content. They clapped
each other on the back, as if
happy...they scattered everywhere,
bustled everywhere, as if greedy
and covetous, they took goods
which were exclusively
Montezuma's...Most of the tribute
given to the Mexica over the years
was handed thusly to the
strangers.
                                                            
 
EXT. HOUSE OF BIRDS - DAY
                                                            
FLASHBACK - MARINA'S STANCE
                                                            
Marina, the interpreter, now stands on the rooftop of the
House of Birds and calls out to Mexica.
                                                            
                       MARINA
O Mexica, come here. The
Castilians have suffered great
fatigue. Bring here food, fresh
water, all that is required. For
they are now...tired and
exhausted. They are in need.
                                                            
No one comes.
                                                            
                       MARINA
Why do not wish to come? It
appears that you are angry.
                                                            
The Mexica remain silent and inactive. Finally, they do
come and leave some food. They leave it on the ground and
run back.
                                                            

121.

BACK TO PRESENT DAY
                                                            
 
INT. COURTROOM - DAY
                                                            
Conquistador ANDRES DE TAPIA testifies.
                                                            
                       ANDRES DE TAPIA
While myself, Cortes and some
others were walking in the
courtyard of the Great Temple, we
saw once again, its numerous
towers. It was very large and
numerous sacred buildings
surrounded it. The cell where
child victims of Tlaloc were kept
was one of these as was the larger
one for adults. Also skull racks,
two round stones used for
gladiatorial combat and a rock
garden were there. Cortes
suggested I climb up the steps of
the pyramid to examine the
shrines. I went up followed by
some astonished priests. At the
top I walked through a curtain to
the supreme shrine to Tlaloc. I
saw the goggle-faced stone diety
and a unidentified companion. At
each figures' neck hung skinned
human faces. Cortes followed me
up along with more priests. The
Caudillo asked the priests to put
up effigies of Christ and the
Virgin Mary immediately. The
priests laughed, saying if they
did so the whole Empire would rise
against the Spaniards. Annoyed by
what he heard, he seized a bar
which was there and began to hit
the stone idols. And I promise on
my word as a gentlemen, and I
swear by God that it is true, that
it appeared to me that the Marquis
gave a superhuman leap and
balanced himself taking the bar so
that it hit the eyes of the idol
and so removed the gold mask,
saying: "Something must be done
for the Lord."
                                                            
FLASHBACK SEQUENCE
                                                            
 

122.

INT. PALACE OF AXAYACATL - DAY
                                                            
Montezuma soon learns of these actions. He asks for Cortes.
Cortes arrives.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
May I come to the temple to see
what you have done. And please
stop doing damage to the idols.
                                                            
Cortes allows him to come to temple.
                                                            
 
INT. TEMPLE - DAY
                                                            
Montezuma arrives and sees what Cortes has done.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
Can you put our gods on one side
of the shrine and your ones on the
other?
                                                            
                       CORTES
No.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
I will do everything you want if
you allow us to take our idols
elsewhere.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Okay. They are only stone.
Believe in our God who made heaven
and earth and, by His works, you
will know who the Master is.
                                                            
Several hundred priests come to remove the idols from the
temple. They lower them, and a "sacred bundle" of other
things down carefully greased planks.
                                                            
END OF FLASHBACK SEQUENCE
                                                            
 
INT. COURTROOM - DAY
                                                            
                       ANDRES DE TAPIA
They did this with such great
harmony and so silently that it
amazed our people, for they would
usually do nothing without
shouting...One or two pieces of
the idols fell off, and they
enveloped these in the folds of
their cloaks as if they had been
            (MORE)

123.

                       ANDRES DE TAPIA (cont'd)
relics of some saint.
                                                            
                       PROSECUTOR
And the remnants of the idols?
                                                            
                       ANDRES DE TAPIA
They placed them on litters, and
carried them off to a place that
remains secret. No one would tell
where they were, "even for money".
They may have been taken to a
shrine in Montezuma's palace, then
to Azcapotzalco and afterwards
vanished.
                                                            
                       PROSECUTOR
Nothing further.
                                                            
FLAHSBACK SEQUENCE
                                                            
 
INT. TEMPLE - DAY
                                                            
After the removal of the idols, Cortes cleans the shrines.
The Castilians knock down some interior walls to make room
for a larger church. While doing this they come across a
subsidiary effigy of Huitzilopochtli, and destroy it. They
take the jewels from it. Only the gods embedded in the
walls remain.

Christian effigies of the Virgin Mary and St. Christopher
are put on top of the Great Pyramid.

Plaxetotl and Zozollan travel into the city to witness the
transition.
                                                            
                       ZOZOLLAN
We will have to make ready at the
camp. The people are in a sad
mood.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
Yes we will. The sooner the
better.
                                                            
 
INT. PALACE OF AXAYACATL - DAY
                                                            
Juan Eduardo and Hannibal receive their gold from the
treasure taken in the city. Perez and the other captains
receive theirs, as well.

124.


The page, ORTEGUILLA, sees Cortes.
                                                            
                       ORTEGUILLA
Montezuma wants to see you. Also,
I noticed several conversations
between Montezuma and lords
suggesting a plot.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Thanks son.
                                                            
Cortes goes and sees the Emperor.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
My gods have told me to wage war
on you, because of the things you
have stolen, and the images you
placed in the temple. Since I
have taken a liking to you, I want
to leave before you are attacked.
Ask me for anything you want
before you leave.
                                                            
                       CORTES
We can leave Tenochtitlan, but not
the area. We have no ships. Give
me time to build three of them on
the coast.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
      (enthusiastically)
Agreed.
                                                            
                       CORTES
However, if we leave we will have
to take you with us.
                                                            
Cortes talks with his carpenters.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Comply by building these
ships...Cut enough wood. In the
meanwhile, God, our Lord, in whose
business we are engaged, will
provide men, help and a remedy so
that we do not loose this good
country...work as slowly as you
can, but appear to be doing
something, so that they do not
suspect...
                                                            
 

125.

EXT. COAST - DAY
                                                            
PANFILO DE NARVAEZ lands on the coast with nine hundred men
and eighteen ships. He encounters the Totonacs.
                                                            
                       NARVAEZ
Cortes and his men are bad, and
have come to rob and take
prisoners. I am going to
Tenochtitlan soon and release
Montezuma.
                                                            
Four defectors from Cortes' camp arrive later.
                                                            
                       DEFECTOR 1
Tenochtitlan is a grand city,
filled with houses and pyramids.
There are thousands of people
there, and gold and treasure
everywhere. But Cortes, has
forced Christianity on the locals,
and destroyed their idols. He has
subjugated many people in the name
of the King.
                                                            
 
EXT. PALACE OF AXAYACATL - DAY
                                                            
Montezuma shows Cortes painted cloths which depict Narvaez's
men landing on the coast.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
I urge you to leave Tenochtitlan.
I can see that you are not united,
and do not have the same lord. You
will have no need to build
ships...you can all return
together to Castile and there need
be no further excuses.
                                                            
                       CORTES
We do have the same lord, but
those who have arrived are bad
people.
                                                            
 
EXT. VILLA RICA - DAY
                                                            
A delegation from Narvaez arrives at Villa Rica de la Vera
Cruz. They visit the new church first and pray. Then they
head to Sandoval's house. Sandoval comes outside.
                                                            

126.

                       CONQUISTADOR 5
We suggest that you give yourself
up immediately to Narvaez. Cortes
and his friends are traitors.
                                                            
                       SANDOVAL
If I had not been a priest, I
would have you beaten for saying
such words. I suggest you go to
Tenochtitlan immediately, where
you will find that Cortes is
firmly established as
"captain-general and justice mayor
of New
Spain. We are all better servants
of His Majesty than Velazquez and
Narvaez are.
                                                            
Conquistador 5 motions to CONQUISTADOR 6, who pulls out
formal papers to read to Sandoval.
                                                            
                       SANDOVAL
If you read those papers aloud, I
shall have given a hundred lashes.
I know not if this man is a royal
notary or not. If he isn't, then
he has no right to read the
document.
                                                            
Conquistador 6 hesitates, but conquistador 5 admonishes him.
                                                            
                       CONQUISTADOR 6
How is it that you are negotiating
with these traitors? Bring out
the decrees and read them aloud.
                                                            
Sandoval orders his men to arrest the delegation, and carry
them to Tenochtitlan.
                                                            
 
EXT. TENOCHTITLAN - DAY
                                                            
The delegation is astonished by what they see in
Tenochtitlan. They return to Narvaez loaded with gold.
                                                            
 
EXT. SAN JUAN DE ULUA - DAY
                                                            
Narvaez receives the delegation.
                                                            
                       CONQUISTADOR 5
Sir, we have seen the Mexican
capital and it is grand! With
magnificent structures and
            (MORE)

127.

                       CONQUISTADOR 5 (cont'd)
pyramids. Cortes has found the
richest city in all the world! It
is a paradise, and he will give
gold to all that support him!
                                                            
COQUISTADOR 7 turns to Narvaez.
                                                            
                       CONQUISTADOR 7
Sir, maybe you should back off.
                                                            
Narvaez becomes angry, and ignores them.
                                                            
 
EXT. PALACE OF AXAYACATL - DAY
                                                            
Cortes has a meeting with his closets friends.
                                                            
                       AVILA
What, Senor, does it seem to you
that we should do?
                                                            
                       CORTES
Death to him and to anyone who
argues about the matter. We will
attack Velazquez's agent as soon
as possible. Fortune favors the
brave.
                                                            
 
EXT. CORTES' CAMP - NEAR THE COAST - DAY
                                                            
Narvaez sends men to Cortes.
                                                            
                       ANDRES DE DUERO
We were sent here to remind you of
the original arrangements you made
back in Cuba.
                                                            
                       CORTES
When Narvaez is dead or a
prisoner, you could be joint
rulers in New Spain.
                                                            
Cortes gives them presents.

ANGLE ON DUERO

Duero gives a wry smile.
                                                            
                       ANDRES DE DUERO
Agreed.
                                                            

128.

The visiting party turns to leave.
                                                            
                       CORTES
And mind that you do what say are
going to do; or otherwise, by my
conscience, within three days, I
shall be with all my companions in
your camp, and the first man to be
put to the lance will be yourself.
                                                            
LATER

Cortes sends Velazquez de Leon to Narvaez's camp.
                                                            
 
EXT. CEMPOALLAN - DAY
                                                            
                       NARVAEZ
Velazquez de Leon you have come to
join me.
                                                            
                       VELAZQUEZ DE LEON
I have come to see if you will
make peace with the Admiral.
                                                            
                       NARVAEZ
What, make peace with a traitor?
                                                            
 
EXT. CORTES'S CAMP - DAY
                                                            
Cortes gives a speech to his MEN.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Gentlemen, I'm sure that you are
not ready to give up unless you
see a royal signature on any of
the documents presented to us. We
have been through many hardships
together. Let us not fall short
of our goal. Narvaez is nothing
but a thief here to rob us of our
spoils. It is better to die for a
good cause than live in dishonor.
Our lives and honour are in your
hands and in those of God.
                                                            
Hannibal looks around at his enthralled compatriots. They
lift the Admiral on their shoulders.
                                                            
                       MEN
Long live the captain!
                                                            

129.

One of Cortes' men slips out of camp to warn Narvaez.
                                                            
 
EXT. CEOMPALLAN - NIGHT
                                                            
Narvaez is asleep atop the great pyramid there. He is
awakened by the man. Narvaez calls out to this friends.
                                                            
                       NARVAEZ
To arms.
                                                            
Cortes' men shout in the distance.
                                                            
                       MEN
Viva el Rey, Spiritu Santo!
                                                            
Sandoval and Andres de Tapia, arrive at the pyramid with
their men. They silently climb the pyramid steps and push
past Narvaez's guards. They fight with him and thirty of
his men. Narvaez wielding a great two-handed broadsword,
swings on the conquistadors from Villa Rica. However,
Sandoval and his men force him and his guards back into one
of the inner rooms of the Mexican temple. Men fight on the
pyramid steps also.

On top of the pyramid Narvaez is wounded in the eye by a
pikeman.
                                                            
                       NARVAEZ
Holy Mary protect me, for they
have killed me and destroyed my
eye!
                                                            
                       SANDOVAL
I will burn your shrine if you
don't surrender!
                                                            
No reply is heard, and MARTIN LOPEZ, Cortes' shipbuilder
sets fire to it. Hannibal, at the base of the pyramid,
along with the rest of Cortes' army, fights with the rest of
Narvaez's infantry. The strong conquistador pushes past the
enemy Castilian soldiers, leading several others, in an
effort to secure the ground. Narvaez gives up, surrounded
by flames. His fleet is burned as well.
                                                            
                       NARVAEZ
I demand to see a surgeon.
                                                            
                       SANDOVAL
Go to the devil, Traitor.
                                                            
Narvaez is taken to Cortes.
                                                            

130.

                       CORTES
Traitor, troublemaker, you have
received better than your deserts.
                                                            
                       NARVAEZ
In all your power I am and, for
the love of God, don't let these
gentlemen kill me.
                                                            
Avila, Sandoval and Ordaz tear away Narvaez's important
papers from under his shirt.
                                                            
                       NARVAEZ
All bear witness to me that Alonso
de Avila has taken from me the
provisions of His Majesty.
                                                            
No one responds.
                                                            
                       NARVAEZ
Well, Captain Cortes, you must
consider it a great thing to have
beaten me and made me a prisoner.
                                                            
                       CORTES
It is one of the least things
which I have done in New Spain.
                                                            
 
EXT. TENOCHTITLAN - DAY
                                                            
Pedro de Alvarado has with him about 100 Castilians. The
"Malinche's" departure has left the Mexica excited. The
mood is volatile. Juan and Eduardo feel the tenseness as
much as the rest of the conquistadors there. They spend
much of the time pacing the outside of the palace of
Axayacatl, where they are quartered, and sitting nervously
inside.
                                                            
 
EXT. DIVINE'S CAMP - DAY
                                                            
It is now one the most important Mexican festivals.
Plaxetotl and the rest of the divines head to the city to
witness the celebration. They all wear their long robes,
and some carry walking sticks.
                                                            
 
EXT. TENOCHTITLAN - DAY
                                                            
Alvarado goes to the main square of the Great Temple. He
sees canopies over the precinct, and stakes in the ground.
                                                            

131.

                       ALVARADO
What is the meaning of this?
                                                            
                       TLAXCALAN 2
They will be used to tie up
Castilians and sacrifice them.
                                                            
Alvarado talks to a sacrificial captive.
                                                            
                       CAPTIVE 1
The Mexica are going to remove the
Christian idols in the temple and
replace them with an effigy to
Huitzilopochtli.
                                                            
Alvarado approaches three more Indians who are tied to the
idols, heads shaved. He takes them back to his quarters.
They are tortured by the Castilians to give information. One
refuses to do give so, and is thrown off the roof of the
palace.
                                                            
                       CAPTIVE 2
In ten days the Mexica will rise
up against you.
                                                            
Alvarado goes to Montezuma.
                                                            
                       ALVARADO
Stop the preparations for the
rebellion against us.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
I cannot, because I am imprisoned.
                                                            
Plaxetotl and the divines walk into the city. They head to
Plaxetotl's family's home.

Upon seeing his family again. Plaxetotl hugs his brothers.
His father approaches him.
                                                            
                       OAXTEPEC
What brings you here?
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
We are looking at attending the
fiesta. It looks as if it will be
more open now most of the
newcomers have left.
                                                            
                       OAXTEPEC
Yes, the newcomers. Well there
still is a significant number of
them in the city. The mood here
has been awful since their
            (MORE)

132.

                       OAXTEPEC (cont'd)
arrival, but now there is
excitement in the air. Looks as
if something is going to happen.
                                                            
                       COATEPEC
Maybe a sacrifice, I have heard.
                                                            
The disappointment shows on Plaxetotl's face. He turns to
Matlatluege
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
We must be cautious. No telling
what the newcomers' response will
be to this.
                                                            
Matlaluege nods.
                                                            
The first days of the fiesta go on without danger.
Traditional dances are held, and a beautiful youth who would
impersonate Tezcatlipoca is brought out. He has a long
head, wide mouth and straight nose - the ideal of Mexican
beauty. His long hair is then cut. He is given the costume
of a "seasoned warrior", and presented with four beautiful
women.

The "god" is given a flute and conch next. He is painted
and decorated with flowers by the priests, then prepared for
sacrifice.

The divines reach the temple precinct, which is crowded with
people. Everyone's hopes are up. They take their place
among the onlookers, and await the traditional spectacle.

Huitzilopochtli's effigy is placed at the foot of the Great
Pyramid. People who fasted lead the procession, followed by
the captains. The dancers wear elaborate cloaks of rabbit
fur and feathers.

The noblemen begin to dance, and the songlist plays, "rising
in waves". There are 400 dancers, and several thousand
Mexica at the side clapping. The main dance is the serpent
dance. The participants are all male, who hold hands and
dance "so wildly that it is amazing". If anyone tries to
leave they are pushed back by attendants. Discipline is
maintained until the end.

Plaxetotl and the other divines notice the Castilians'
arrival as they watch the participants dance in the ritual.
They are wearing armor and have swords and shields. They
are lead by Alvarado. Juan and Eduardo are with them, armed
as if ready for combat.


133.

The Spaniards along with their Indian allies move to block
the entrances to the precinct. Noticing this Plaxetotl
ushers the other divines away from the precinct, and they
slip past the guards at one of the gates. They make their
way down one of the long avenues, as a guard calls out to
them, but they ignore him.

Meanwhile, Alvarado and the others mix with the crowd. The
gates are closed, and he gives the order.
                                                            
                       ALVARADO
Let them die!
                                                            
His men begin to slaughter the dancers, starting with a
young captain. The priests are next. They were playing the
drums. They surround the dancers and cut off the arms of
the drum player. They decapitate him. They stab all of
them with their iron lances and swords. Juan and Eduardo
are following the orders of their commander, all the while
committing horrible atrocities.

Alvarado goes after the spectators next. They don't have
any weapons and are taken by surprise. They hadn't seen
steel weapons in action before. Some citizens climb the
walls and escape that way. Some fake death.

One priest tries to rally the Mexica and they fight back
with pine sticks.

The fighting spreads out into the streets. Plaxetotl and
the rest of the divines are safely away from the fighting;
at his family's house now. The Mexica make an appeal for
war. Young men are called out by their capultin (military
leaders). Plaxetotl's two brothers, Zuatla and Coatepec,
heed the call and join the fighting, as he prays for both.

The Castilians withdraw to their quarters where they find
those guarding Montezuma have butchered the lords
surrounding him. Cacama, King of Texcoco is among these.
                                                            
                       ALVARADO
You started this Montezuma!
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
You have ruined yourselves and me
also.
                                                            
The Mexica outside the quarters press to gain entry. The
four ships started by the Spaniards are set ablaze, Zuatla
and Coatepec each holding torches as the hulks are set afire
by the crowd.
                                                            

134.

At this point Alvarado goes to Montezuma and places a knife
at his chest.
                                                            
                       ALVARADO
Call off the battle.
                                                            
Montezuma and ITZQUAUHTZIN go to the roof of the palace.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
      (Shouting)
Mexica, I command you to stop the
fighting! Leave our guests be!
                                                            
The fighting dies down a bit. Many Mexica, however,
continue to fight.

The Castilians are hold up in the palace without any food.
The bridges are brought up and the streets and canals are
blocked.

At night there are lamentations. The noise "should have
made the stones weep".
                                                            
 
EXT. TLAXCALA - DAY
                                                            
Cortes returns from the coast. He leaves Narvaez in prison
under the watch of several of his conquistadors.

Cortes, and his men, arrive in Tlaxcala dead tired and
hungry. Hannibal is exhausted as are his comrades.

The Tlaxcalans are still helping the Spaniards out,
regardless of what has happened in Tenochtitlan, however.
                                                            
 
EXT. TEXCOCO - DAY
                                                            
No one comes out to greet them in Texcoco, except
Ixtililxochitl. Two members of the expedition in
Tenochtitlan make their way by canoe to Cortes.
                                                            
                       TLAXCALAN 2
Only five or six of Alvarado's men
have been killed, and nearly all
the men are alive. But they are
surrounded, without much food or
water. Also Montezuma sends word
that he is as disturbed by the
violence that has occurred as you
are. He says it is not his fault.
                                                            

135.

Cortes takes the expedition around the northern side of the
lake, to enter Tenochtitlan from the west side, using the
Tacuba causeway.

The lords of Tacuba approach him when he gets there.
                                                            
                       LORD 2
Malinche, stay here and send for
Alvarado and Montezuma, so you and
the expedition can defend yourself
better than in the city.
                                                            
                       CORTES
That's alright. We're going into
Tenochtitlan.
                                                            
On their way to Tenochtitlan the expedition comes across two
ominous signs: a Mexican hanged from a tree behind which is
a pile of bread being eaten by hundreds of turkeys. The
horse of a conquistador breaks its hoof on the causeway.

ANGLE ON HANNIBAL

Readies himself for what he is about to see in the city.
                                                            
 
EXT. TENOCHTITLAN - DAY
                                                            
Once in Tenochtitlan the conquistadors meet with silence.
The Mexica have gone into hiding.

With the inclusion of Narvaez's men, Cortes' force needs
extra lodging. Montezuma gives them this in the temple of
Tezcatlipoca.

Alvarado and his men are delighted at Cortes' return.
Alvarado explains what had happened to Cortes.
                                                            
                       ALVARADO
The Mexica tried to remove the
cross and portrait of the Virgin
Mary in the temple. And I learned
from several Tlaxcalans that the
Mexica planned to attack me.
                                                            
                       CORTES
But the Mexica said that you
allowed them to hold the dance.
                                                            
                       ALVARADO
That is true, but I attacked so
that I would not be attacked
later.
                                                            

136.

Cortes thinks about the matter.
                                                            
                       ALVARADO
Pretend to be angry with me. This
will solve matters with the
Mexicans.
                                                            
                       CORTES
No. I am placing Sandoval as my
second in command. You are
relieved of that position.
                                                            
Montezuma greets Cortes. But the Admiral will not see him.
                                                            
                       PEREZ
Admiral I beg you to reconsider,
and see Montezuma.
                                                            
                       CORTES
No. He attempted to ally himself
with Narvaez. I do not wish to
see him.
                                                            
Hannibal talks with the slave Hector.
                                                            
                       HANNIBAL
Cortes won't see Montezuma
anymore. He is probably really
angry that he won't be able to
hand over the kingdom to the King
peaceably.
                                                            
                       HECTOR
Just as we predicted. He is going
to try and take the city.
                                                            
LATER

Cortes, using Marina, goes to Montezuma.
                                                            
                       MARINA
Cortes demands you reopen the
marketplace, so he can show it to
his new friends.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
I cannot do so. The best Cortes
can do is free one of the lords
and have him do that for him.
                                                            
This Cortes does, freeing Cuitlahuac.

As soon as he is freed Cuitlahuac begins to organize Mexican

137.

resistance. On the same day he is freed a Castilian soldier
is attacked escorting some Indian girls from Tacuba. Two
conquistadors are attacked trying to get some provisions.

A messenger sent to Vera Cruz is attacked and wounded. He
comes back reporting all the Mexicans are preparing for war.

Cortes sends out three hundred men under Diego de Ordaz as a
show of strength. Perez San Fernando is among these on
horseback.

The Castilians are soon attacked by arrows and stones being
flung from the rooftops. Ordaz is injured and five
Castilians are killed. Perez is hurt too, and the Spaniards
retreat back to the Palace of Axayacatl. They are hounded
all the way by the Mexicans, who are throwing stones and
hurling rocks at them. They set fire to the building, once
again, and the heat presents a real danger to the Spaniards
inside, who throw parts of the walls and roofs on to the
flames. The crossbowmen and arquebusiers hold firm to cover
a hole made in the wall.

Over eighty men are wounded, including Cortes and Ordaz. The
Mexica continue to shout insults and taunt their stricken
foe from the rooftops of the houses nearby. The Spaniards,
meanwhile, tend to the wounded and try to mend breaches in
the wall.

The fighting continues for days, as every day the Castilians
head out to gain one or two of the houses, and retreat only
to have them taken again by the Mexicans. Water is running
short and stones are being flung into the courtyard so the
conquistadors have to walk around the edges of it. The
cannon is no longer making much difference as the Mexicans
quickly fill in the ranks of those taken out by the heavy
weapon.

Cortes turns to Sandoval.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Let's build manteletes.
                                                            
                       SANDOVAL
Ok.
                                                            
Before Cortes can test his weapons, he sees twelve Mexicans
well-dressed, with gold and silver carrying gold plated
shields. One is being treated with more reverence than the
others. Through Marina he questions Montezuma.
                                                            

138.

                       MARINA
      (pointing at the
       group)
Who are these men?
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
They seem to be my relatives,
among them Cuitlahuac. But I am
certain that while I am alive the
Mexica cannot elect a successor.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Could you go to the roof with
Marina and Aguilar and talk to
those you recognize?
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
No. You have humiliated me with
your neglect.
                                                            
                       FR. OLMEDO
Senor Montezuma, it would greatly
help matters out if you cooperate.
The Malinche was just angry at
your apparent cooperation with his
enemy Navaraez. If you would help
things will improve.
                                                            
Montezuma is taken to the rooftop by LEONEL DE CERVANTES and
Francisco Aguilar.
                                                            
                       MONTEZUMA
Mexica, do not fight the
Spaniards! Stop this attack at
once! They are our friends! What
has happened has been a mistake!
                                                            
                       CUAUHTEMOC
You want us to listen to you?
Whore of the Spaniards! You are
no longer fit to be our Emperor.
We have elected Cuitlahuac to be
our new lord and promise to
continue fighting until all the
Castilians are dead!
                                                            
Montezuma is then hit by a shower of stones, darts and
sticks. He is taken below by the conquistadors. He has
been hit three times in the chest.

The Spaniards try to treat his wounds, but the refuses.

Cortes, meanwhile, makes an appeal of his own to the Mexica.
                                                            

139.

                       CORTES
Mexica! The only reason I didn't
destroy this city was because of
the petition of Montezuma! Since
you no longer respect him you
should become friends of mine!
                                                            
                       CUAUHTEMOC
We will fight until we are free!
And we will kill you!
                                                            
Cortes drags out his war machines next. The mantaletes are
an early version of a tank. They carriy twenty to
twenty-five men, including arquebusiers, crossbowmen and
pike, ax and iron barmen. Bearers carry the weapons on
their shoulders like parade floats. Shooting commences
through holes in the wood. Hidden sappers destroy houses
and walls. The Castilians take them out of the palace but
are hit with so many rocks that they have to retreat. They
use the manteletes at night, when the Mexicans do not fight,
setting fire to homes that are used to throw rocks from.

Cortes sets his sights on the Temple of Yopico. It is next
to his quarters. The Mexicans are using it as a fortress.

The Castilians make for the monument, their siege weapons
repaired. Cortes has with him about 40 men.

They brave the Mexica throwing stones from nearby homes, and
reach the foot of the pyramid, which they surround. Next,
they fight their way up the steps, Cortes fighting with a
wounded left hand. At the top they throw priests down the
summit and cast out the idols there.

They take two priests as prisoners.

Cortes addresses the Mexica, once more, from atop the
temple.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Mexica, there still is a chance
for peace!
                                                            
                       CUAUHTEMOC
There will only be peace if you
leave!
                                                            
The Castilians continue to burn houses on the way to the
only causeway they've seen that is still open. The bridges
that have been destroyed on the way there have to be filled
in. This Cortes and the Tlaxcalans do. They fill them in
with debris.


140.

Meanwhile back at the palace Montezuma dies from the wounds
he suffered addressing the public for Cortes.

Cortes has Montezuma's attending lords killed. Indians who
are not killed carry out the bodies to the streets. Women
and relations come from all over to get a look at the
bodies, and a terrible lamenting begins.

Plaxetotl and the divines pray for the Empire as well as the
dead from the safety of his childhood home.

The Castilians push the body of Montezuma out of the gate of
the palace.

The priests take his body and carry it to Capulco, where
they burn it.
                                                            
Cortes now looks to leave the city. His astrologer BOTELLO
advises him.
                                                            
                       BOTELLO
We should leave now.
                                                            
The Castilians collect all the gold treasure they have
accumulated. The King's share his placed on a mare and
entrusted to several servants to guard it; Hector and
Renaldo are among those who do. Juan, Eduardo and Hannibal,
along with the rest of conquistadors, get more of their
share of it. All the quetzal feathers accumulated are given
to the Tlaxcalans.

The Castilians begin their retreat at midnight in a mist. No
one speaks. They have with them a portable wooden bridge.
They lay it out over the first gap in the causeway.

With most of the expedition across the first four bridges,
the Castilians are about to cross the lake when a woman who
is fetching water sees them and cries out to the city.

A few minutes later a priest shouts out to the Mexica from
atop the temple of Huitzilopochtli telling them to man their
canoes.

The canoes speed to the scene of the fleeing conquistadors
and arrows are fired when they are in sight. Vincenzo
Esperanza is caught by several warriors as he tries to
escape. He is hit from behind and killed. Hector and
Renaldo remain with the gold, still trying to make their way
out of the city. Many Castilians are killed.

Juan, Eduardo and Hannibal are farther up in the column and
hurriedly try to make it across the causeway as the arrows
begin to fly.

141.


Despite the attacks, the head of the Castilian column and
the second portion make it to the mainland. All have to
swim. Juan, Eduardo and Hannibal jump in the water, along
with the others, stroking for the shore. Cortes returns to
the causeway to assist those who are immediately behind him.
However, it is under attack from both sides by canoes. The
bridges are up, and the beams used to cross the gaps are
broken. Half of the army is floundering in the water and
many men have been killed. The Spaniards loose most of the
gold, and Hector and Renaldo disappear, along with the mare.

At one gap in the causeway dead bodies fill up in the water
until a bridge was made to walk over.

At one point Cortes falls into the water. He is surrounded
by Mexicans, but two conquistadors come to his aid. A
conquistadora handles herself well, dazzling onlookers with
her swordplay.

Alvarado looses control of the rearguard, and saves his own
skin, crossing a gap in the causeway by walking over a beam.
He climbs on the back of a conquistador's horse and
escapes.

Tetzuhatl is called into action by his captain. He arrives
on the scene in his jaguar skin, military adornment. He
fights with other eagle and jaguar knights, capturing and
killing many Castilians. He fights alongside Iltextuan, his
partner, and they contribute greatly to their Empire's
cause.

The remaining lords who had attended Montezuma are killed by
their countrymen. Some of the rearguard make it to land.
Others turn back for the old quarters and hold out till
captured and sacrificed.
                                                            
 
EXT. LAKESHORE - NIGHT
                                                            
Cortes turns to a countryman.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Did shipbuilder Martin Lopez make
it out?
                                                            
                       CONQUISTADOR 4
Yes, but he has been badly
wounded.
                                                            
                       CORTES
We lack nothing then.
                                                            
 

142.

EXT. TENOCHTITLAN - DAY
                                                            
The Mexica recover lost items of the Castilians in the lake:
i.e. weapons, armor, equipment for the horses and armament.
They recover some of the gold they'd given away, and some of
the jewelry.

Plaxetotl and the rest of the divines, who were in deep
prayer during these events, gather their things and prepare
to head back to their camp. Before they can go, Plaxetotl's
brothers come screaming down the avenue.
                                                            
                       ZUATLA AND COATEPEC
We've won! We've won!
                                                            
                       COATEPEC
The intruders have been defeated!
They are gone now!
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
Calm down, calm down. I don't
know if that's the last we'll see
of them. We should be cautious.
                                                            
Zuatla places his hand on Plaxetotl's shoulder.
                                                            
                       ZUALTA
Oh brother, you worry too much. I
think we've seen the last of them.
                                                            
                       MATLALUEGE
We should leave now.
                                                            
The divines head out of Plaxetotl's family's neighborhood,
and he looks back at his small childhood home, waving
goodbye.

A celebration is had by the Mexica. The Emperor, Cuitlahuac
is in attendance, along with Tetzuahtl and the other
warriors who'd fought in the "battle of the bridges".
Tetzuahtl dances all night with the ladies, and drinks much
chocolatl. He is adorned with labrets, like the other
warriors. The ladies wear their hair loose and have
embroidered skirts.

Some of the captives of the expedition are proposed for
sacrifice. They have their hearts professionally removed,
then their heads are cut off and their bodies thrown down
the temple stairs.

LATER

Cuitlahuac is led up stairs of the main temple, accompanied

143.

by two noblemen. He is painted black, then dressed in a
sleeveless jacket. His face is veiled and his head covered
with a green cloak. His new sandals are put on next, and he
is given his incense ladle. He goes into the armory to fast
and meditate for four days.

The new Emperor calls on the wise men after this. Plaxetotl,
Matlaluege and the other divines are summoned back to the
Emperor's palace to give advice on what moves to make next.
                                                            
 
INT. CUITLAHUAC'S PALACE - DAY
                                                            
The divines stand before Cuitlahuac.
                                                            
                       CUITLAHUAC
What should be our next move?
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
I suggest we strengthen the home
guard, in case the visitors
return.
                                                            
                       MATLALUEGE
I suggest we follow up on the
attack at the bridges with another
attack.
                                                            
                       CUITLAHUAC
      (surprised)
I thought you all were
non-violent.
                                                            
                       MATLALUEGE
For everything there is a season
my lord. It is now a time of war.
                                                            
                       CUITLAHUAC
I see...Have we reached the
cataclysmic day 4-Motion, which is
the end of the world, where the
sun will end and a final
earthquake will destroy the land?
                                                            
                       MATLALUEGE
I don't think so.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
However, it is possible that if
not the end of the world, perhaps
the end of Empire.
                                                            

144.

The Empire is unified now, with the threat of the Castilians
prevalent. The priests are getting along better with the
divines, though both parties disagree at times. Celebrations
are happening throughout Tenochtitlan, and with the
counseling session over, Plaxetotl decides to see Ayalca one
more time to make sure she is alright after all of the
fighting.

He goes to the merchant district, once again, where he sees
her father TLETEL sitting outside of their home.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
Hello. Is Ayalca home?
                                                            
Tletel gives a nod as he smokes his tobacco, preparing for
the celebration.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
May I see her?
                                                            
Another nod is all the assurance he receives, and with that
he enters their home.

He finds her sitting at the edge of a large mat in the
communal area of the house. She seems to be in deep thought
at the time, but he chooses to interrupt her.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
      (gently)
Ayalca.
                                                            
                       AYALCA
Plaxetotl?
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
Yes. I was at the palace and I
thought I'd come over and see you.
                                                            
She rises, hugging him.
                                                            
                       AYALCA
I'm glad to see you again.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
And I, you. I wish I could stay
for the celebration, but we are
going to be returning to the camp.
                                                            
                       AYALCA
I wish you could stay too.
                                                            
Kisses her on the forehead.
                                                            

145.

                       PLAXETOLT
I know, but we have some important
things to discuss, and I should be
there. I hope to see you again.
                                                            
                       AYALCA
You will.
                                                            
 
EXT. LAKESHORE - DAY
                                                            
Meanwhile, Juan and Eduardo listen to the words of their
leader as they try to rally themselves after their terrible
defeat.
                                                            
                       CORTES
I intend to return to
Tenochtitlan! Our defeat has only
been a setback! We will make for
Tlaxcala, home of our friends and
rest and recuperate there! Since
our plan of taking the city
non-violently has failed, we will
resort to other tactics to
prevail!
                                                            
Cortes is downcast after the withdrawal. He is observed
crying by some Tlaxcalans.
                                                            
                       CORTES
I am not grieving because I lack
spirit, but because Santiago and a
benevolent God rescued me; and
because I lost so many friends. I
have no fear of the Mexica. I
know if I fail there will be no
lack of Christians to subjugate
the land.
                                                            
The Spaniards are constantly attacked. However, they aren't
coordinated attacks. They march to Teocalhueycan, the
wounded in the middle and the able up front and on the rear
and sides. Hannibal turns to Juan.
                                                            
                       HANNIBAL
      (smiling)
I think Esperanza's two slaves may
gotten away with the King's gold.
                                                            
                       JUAN
Good for them.
                                                            

146.

                       HANNIBAL
Although, that could be far from
true.
                                                            
The Mexica in the neighborhood continue to snipe at them.
They rest in Teocalheuycan, where the chiefs of the Tepanecs
give them food and water.
                                                            
                       CHIEF 4
The gods have become weary: let
them rest; may peace be with them;
may they restore themselves...
                                                            
                       CHIEF 5
Yes.
                                                            
Cortes makes for Tepotzotlan next. The people there leave
out of fear. However, they leave all of their food behind
and the Castilians sleep and dine in the palace.

A third town they stop in is Citlaltepec. There are more
attacks there, and the Castilians sleep in another temple.
Again there are no people there and no food this time. They
continue east of the lake next. The usual sporadic attacks
occur. Cortes is wounded on the head by stones.

The conquistadors keep on, under Mt. Aztacuemecan, past
several menacing villages. Grass is the only food
sometimes. They are constantly under attack, and several
men die daily because of their wounds. They climb over the
northernmost pass towards Tlaxcala, reaching a town called
Otumba.

Cuitlahuac seems determined to finish the Spaniards off
here. He mounts a large force and gives command of it to
his deputy. Tetzuahtl prepares himself to do battle in that
force.

The Mexica array themselves for combat. Tetzuahtl is armed
with his macuauhuitl, along with his training partner
Iltextuan. They have orders to capture; not kill.

The ranks of the Mexica advance on the small number of
Castilians. Juan, Eduardo and Hannibal hold their swords
steady as the Mexican herd advances. Perez San Fernando
sits upon his horse, among the few horses remaining, holding
his lance.

The combatants crash together; obsidian bladed swords
connecting with cotton armor; some metal; the Castilians
fighting back with their steel weapons. Once again Juan,
Eduardo and Hannibal are in the thick of it, battling the
natives of the land in fierce hand-to-hand combat.

147.


Tetzuahtl attacks the defenders, killing some, but seeking
to capture, which is hard because the Castilians do not want
to be sacrificed. The fighting goes on for hours.

Cortes seeks a decisive action. He eyes a group of Mexicans
wearing glittering feathers. He takes five horsemen with
him and attacks the group of captains, knocking down the
deputy and killing him. The Mexica become confused and
unorganized as a result.

The Mexicans withdraw in disorder. Cortes retreats to
Tlaxcala.
                                                            
 
INT. CUITLAHUAC'S PALACE - DAY
                                                            
                       CUITLAHUAC
What shall we do about those who
helped the Castilians during their
stay here?
                                                            
                       CUAUHTEMOC
They should be put to death.
                                                            
                       PRIEST 1
We will need all the help we can
get from all of the Mexica who
have survived.
                                                            
                       CUAUHTEMOC
You sound like that traitor
Montezuma. They should be put to
death.
                                                            
                       CUITLAHUAC
They will be put to death.
                                                            
Montezuma's old friends and his family are put to death.
                                                            
 
EXT. DIVINES' CAMP - DAY
                                                            
                       ZOZOLLAN
The Emperor has executed all of
Montezuma's friends and relations.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
This signals an end to the view
that the newcomers were sent by
Quetzalcoatl. There is no turning
back now.
                                                            
 

148.

EXT. TLAXCALA - DAY
                                                            
The Castilians reach Tlaxcala and are welcomed instantly.
They are fed and given rest.

The leaders of Tlaxcala come to greet them.

Cortes issues a proclamation. The Crier reads it to the
conquistadors.
                                                            
                       CRIER
Hear all! The Admiral Cortes has
issued a proclamation that all
gold saved during the retreat be
returned to him or Pedro de
Alvarado under pain of death!
                                                            
Juan, Eduardo, Hannibal and a number of other conquistadors
return what they managed to scavenge during the retreat.

Meanwhile, the leaders of Tlaxcala have a discussion about
how to treat the Spaniards.
                                                            
 
EXT. TLAXCALAN PALACE - DAY
                                                            
                       XICOTENCATL
We should side with the Mexica, as
was requested by their ambassadors
before the Spaniards returned.
They are weak from their retreat
now, and we can exploit that to
our advantage.
                                                            
                       MAXIXCATZIN
No. It would not be right to show
hostility to a people we have just
befriended.
                                                            
The leaders meet the Castilians.
                                                            
 
EXT. TLAXCALA - DAY
                                                            
                       MAXIXCATZIN
Already as you know, I told you
the truth before you went to
Mexico and you did not wish to
hear me. But now you are in your
own house, you have come were you
can rest and recover from your
labors...However, in return for
our assistance we want to be
guaranteed Cholula, command of a
            (MORE)

149.

                       MAXIXCATZIN (cont'd)
special fortress built in
Tenochtitlan, where we will be
guaranteed forever against a
Mexican attack, half of all the
spoils, and freedom from paying
tribute, regardless of who rules
in Tenochtitlan.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Agreed.
                                                            
During their stay, the Castilians recover from their wounds.

Meanwhile, Cuitlahuac is busy restoring the city of
Tenochtitlan. The Great Temple is rebuilt, and the idols
are put back in their old sanctuaries. Streets, causeways
and houses are also restored. The fiesta of Ochopantiztli
is celebrated, and Castilian and Tlaxcalan prisoners are
sacrificed. The Virgin and effigy of St. Christopher are
removed from the Great Temple.

Some fortifications are built and long lances made from
captured Castilian swords.

Cortes begins his plans to conquer Tenochtitlan. He charges
his shipbuilder, Martin Lopez, with building thirteen
brigantines. He plans to take the city by water. The wood
is cut in the mountains and transferred to Tlaxcala. Timbers
from a brigantine from Vera Cruz serve as a model.

As the project gets under way Maxixcatzin falls ill from
smallpox. In Yucatan the destruction from the disease is
great. The Totonacs are decimated.

Plaxetotl and the divines are at a loss as to what to do
when as the disease hits Tenochtitlan.
                                                            
 
EXT. THE DIVINES' CAMP - DAY
                                                            
Plaxetotl talks with the other divines.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
I don't know if this disease comes
from Quetzalcoatl or not.
                                                            
                       YOPI
It might come from Macuilxoxhitl,
five flower. He punishes those
who don't practice sexual
abstinence during a fast. He
brings venereal diseases, boils
            (MORE)

150.

                       YOPI (cont'd)
and piles.
                                                            
                       TEHUALLA
And it might come from the goddess
Xochiquetzal whose rites everyone
celebrates by washing in the
river. If one does not he is
expected to suffer leprosy,
pustules and malformed hands.
                                                            
                       ZOZOLLAN
It could come from Tezcatlipoca or
Xipe.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
This disease proves Cortes' link
with these deities.
                                                            
The victims of the disease pour into the divines' camp and
they are busy trying to heal them. Tehualla falls ill while
caring for the sick. Plaxetotl notices a connection between
contact with the victims and the contraction of the disease.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
Don't touch them! This spreads
the disease.
                                                            
Though it is hard for the divines to provide proper care
without contact, they find a way, by using cotton cloaks, to
give assistance to the victims without major outbreaks among
them.

Tehualla soon dies and the divines are saddened by his loss.
Some other divines fall ill as well, and Matlaluege becomes
concerned.
                                                            
                       MATLALUEGE
Maybe we should join forces with
the priests?
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
Maybe so? This epidemic is
something so foreign to the
Empire. Perhaps an alliance would
help to solve some of its
mysteries?
                                                            
Maxixcatzin dies in Tlaxcala and Cuitlahuac, Montezuma's
successor, dies as well.

While the epidemic kills Indians it spares the Castilians,
who have developed an immunity to it. This gives weight to

151.

the idea that they are sent by the gods.

In Mexico Cuitlahuac is succeeded by Cuauhtémoc. He is
dressed in priest's robes and escorted to Huitzilopochtli's
effigy, where he offers the god incense, as conch shells are
blown.
                                                            
 
EXT. TLAXCALA - DAY
                                                            
The Tlaxclans offer a large army to assist Cortes; somewhere
around 80,000 men. However, he ends up taking 10,000.
Chichimecatecle is their commander. He is baptized before
they set out.

Juan, Eduardo, Hannibal and the rest of the expedition
assemble before the main temple in Tlaxcala. They wait to
hear Cortes' words on the journey.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Friends, we are fighting a
barbarian people! We need to
protect our lives so that we can
serve the King! We have powerful
allies! Our cause is just and the
Mexica are in rebellion! The
principle reason of this war is to
spread the faith of Christianity!
Even though it brings us both
honor and profit: things which
very rarely can be found in the
same bag! Serving God and King
means riches for all involved! The
business of Mexico is all these
things! The war's purpose again
is to give the local people
knowledge of our holy faith and to
place them under the imperial and
royal yoke and dominion of His
Majesty to whom legally the
lordship of these parts now
belongs! To our allies, you soon
will be free of servitude to the
Mexica! I pledge to secure many
benefits for you in return for
your service in Spanish cause!
                                                            
The expedition heads out and crosses the mountains at
central pass. Several trees are felled to block the path of
the conquistadors, along with ambushes here and there,
further complicating things.

Upon reaching the height of the mountains, the conquistadors

152.

can see down into the valley of the Lake of Mexico, like
before.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Gentlemen, let us remember the
dead, and vow not to leave unless
we have taken the city.
                                                            
Meanwhile, in the distance, they can see smoke signals being
sent up warning the people of their arrival.
                                                            
 
EXT. DIVINES' CAMP - DAY
                                                            
The divines watch the signals too.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
I knew it! The strangers are
back. They plan to take the city.
                                                            
                       MATLALUEGE
We don't know that. They could be
here to offer some sort of truce.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
How? We have nothing more to give
them.
                                                            
                       MATLALUEGE
I don't know. But the matter is
in the hands of our new Emperor
now. Ultimately it is up to him
what should be done next.
                                                            
 
EXT. ROAD TO TENOCHTITLAN - DAY
                                                            
Ixlilxochitl comes to Cortes.
                                                            
                       IXLILXOCHITL
I have come to pledge my support
in the fight against Mexico.
                                                            
He gives him a gold chain, signaling peace.

Seven lords of Texcoco come next, carrying banners of peace.
Their leader addresses Cortes.
                                                            
                       LORD 2
Our lord and king, Coanacochtzin,
sends to say that he covets your
friendship. He is waiting for you
peacefully in Texcoco. The
squadrons who have been waiting in
            (MORE)

153.

                       LORD 2 (cont'd)
the ravines to attack you on your
way down were sent by Cuauhtémoc
and have nothing to do with us.
                                                            
They then give Cortes the gold banners.

When the army reaches Texcoco they are given lodging in the
palace of Nezahualpilli. Cortes has Alvarado and Olid climb
the great temple there. When they do, they see the
population fleeing across the lake to Tenochtitlan.

Cortes becomes angry. He permits a sack of the town. The
few men there are killed, and women and children are made
slaves.

The Castilians stay in Texcoco three days. No one comes to
see them. They are all afraid. The conquistadors eat from
the reserves in Texcoco. The Tlaxcalans set fire to two
palaces, containing the Texcocan and Mexican royal archives.

Three days later two lords from Huexotla and Coatlinchan and
another from Chalco come to see Cortes.
                                                            
                       LORD 3
      (weeping)
Before we fought you because the
Mexica made us. Now we want to be
on your side. Please forgive us.
                                                            
                       MARINA
We believe we treated your cities
well in the past. But there are
women and families of these towns
that have fled to the hills. If
you want to be friends, they must
come back.
                                                            
Upon hearing of these negotiations, Cuauhtémoc sends
messengers of his own to the lords.
                                                            
                       MESSENGER 3
You should side with us. The
Castilians are certain to be
defeated.
                                                            
Cortes uses these men to send a message back to Cuauhtémoc.
                                                            
                       MARINA
Tell your Emperor that the
Castilians want peace with the
Mexica, as before.
                                                            

154.

Before a reply comes Cortes makes a journey of
reconnaissance around the lake. He leaves close to three
hundred and fifty men at Texcoco with Sandoval, and takes
two hundred, along with three to four thousand Indians with
him. They make their way to Iztapalapa.

When they reach the city, the population comes out to meet
them in arms. However, the Mexica make and opening in the
dyke that divides the salt and sweet lakes. This causes
salt water to rush into the western portion of the lake.
They try to flood Iztapalapa and drown the Castilians.

This does not happen, and Cortes and his allies simply ride
into town, kill a large number of people, expel the rest,
then escape before the water gets to deep.

Hannibal, with the expedition, and the others sleep out in
the open that night near the town. They awake to find water
flowing into the east lake from the west lake. The east
lake is full of canoes carrying Mexican warriors. The
expedition returns to Texcoco, fighting along the way.

More lords from cities around the lake come to ask to be
vassals of Charles V.
                                                            
                       CORTES
You should have joined me sooner,
however I accept your request.
                                                            
The lords of Coatlinchan approach him.
                                                            
                       LORD 4
The Mexica are threatening us. As
our farmers started to harvest
maize for the expedition they were
attacked.
                                                            
                       CORTES
I will send some units to protect
them.
                                                            
Chalco and Tlamanalco now want peace with Cortes.
                                                            
                       LORD 3
We want peace with you, but the
Mexicans still have garrisons in
our towns.
                                                            
                       CORTES
I will send a force there to
remove the threat.
                                                            

155.

                       LORD 3
Thank you Malinche. Our former
lord, who died from smallpox, had
always known men with beards would
arrive from beyond the sunrise and
rule these territories.
                                                            
Cortes gathers some Mexican prisoners together. Then
addresses them.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Go tell your Emperor that we still
desire peace. In return we will
pardon him.
                                                            
No answer comes.

Instead, Cuauhtémoc reinvigorates the defenses of
Tenochtitlan, and is formally inaugurated as Emperor.

He begins his reign by starting a military campaign on the
eastern side of the lake. He punishes cities like
Coatlinchan who have good relations with the Spaniards. He
gets two lakeside towns to support the Mexica. However,
Cortes sets out again and scatters his enemies. He burns
the buildings of the Mexican allies. The leaders of the two
towns come afterwards and beg the Caudillo for forgiveness.
Cortes them pardons them.

Cortes calls for the ships next. He sends Sandoval to carry
them back on the backs of the Tlaxcalans.

Among the men left at Texcoco during the expeditions around
the lake are Juan and Eduardo. They are occupied by digging
the channels and ditches for the brigantines to pass into
the lake.

Cortes takes another force to get a look at the northern
side of the lake. They are attacked but to no effect. They
sleep in the open that night and enter Xaltocan the next
day. The Mexica have destroyed the causeway to it, but two
Indians tell where another causeway exists. The Castilians
cross there and sack the town.

The next day Cortes reaches the west side of the lake.

Guautitlan itself seems large and beautiful. But it is
empty. The people have evacuated either to the nearby hills
or Tenochtitlan. No food or activity is present.

Two more cities suffer a Castilian visitation, then the
expedition reaches Tacuba.


156.

Mezopan, learning of the expedition knocking at his
doorstep, decides to head to the lakeside to warn the
fellowship. He starts off towards Popotla as Cortes' men
near the city.

When he reaches the lakeside, he finds Plaxetotl and the
others discussing the strangers.
                                                            
                       MEZOPAN
You have no time for this, the
strangers are at your doorstep.
They have reached Tacuba. Head
for Tenochtitlan. Head home.
                                                            
Plaxetotl acknowledges his tutor's warning and gets the
group together to prepare to leave.

The Castilians endure heavy fighting before they enter the
city. Once it is over the Tlaxcalans burn it.

The divines cross the causeway and head into Tenochtitlan.
They lodge at Plaxetotl's house once again.

Cortes returns to the same causeway the day after they enter
Tacuba. It has been rebuilt. It is the same causeway they
escaped across on their retreat from Tenochtitlan. The
Mexica taunt him and his expedition. The Castilians advance
up the causeway past the point where they should stop. They
are within range of stones being cast by atlatls from
Mexican rooftops. Several conquistadors are killed and
Cortes orders a retreat.

Cortes makes more sallies along the causeway, and fights
many skirmishes in Tacuba. The Tlaxcalans shout at their
old foes inside Tenochtitlan, and make preperations for war
in the traditional style. With banners, paint and feathers.

Cortes and the Mexica have some exchanges.
                                                            
                       MEXICA 1
Come in and take your pleasure!
You think there is another
Montezuma to let you do what you
please? Are you mad?
                                                            
                       CORTES
Do you wish to be destroyed? Is
there not a lord of the city to
whom I can speak?
                                                            
                       MEXICA 1
We are all lords.
                                                            

157.

                       CORTES
You will die from hunger.
                                                            
                       MEXICA 1
When we get hungry we will eat you
and your friends.
                                                            
A Mexican throws some tortillas at Cortes in contempt.
                                                            
                       MEXICA 2
Eat this, you are hungry. We are
in no need of it.
                                                            
Cortes returns to Texcoco.
                                                            
 
EXT. TENOCHTITLAN - DAY
                                                            
Cuauhtémoc is busy fortifying the city of Tenochtitlan. The
divines have moved back into the city to prepare for the
worst. Plaxetotl is back with his family again. His father
and brother are preparing to help, in any way they can, the
defense effort. The Mexica have lost many allies in Cortes'
campaign around the lake. They are facing the task of the
defending the capital city by themselves.

Life is strained in Plaxetotl's home, and his father's face
shows the stress from worrying about the affairs of the
state. Plaxetotl's younger brother Tezuahtl is with the
army preparing to defend the city.

Paxetotl's family's capullec had the families in his
capultin working hard for the war effort; helping to erect
defenses, gathering food etc. Plaxetotl joined in and
helped them, as time was drawing near for an eventual
confrontation with the strangers.
                                                            
 
EXT. GREAT PYRAMID - TEOCALLI - DAY
                                                            
The Mexica pray to their gods to help them. However, the
priests are frightened.
                                                            
                       PRIEST 4
The gods have become muted or have
died. The new men or gods have
taken away their strength.
                                                            
Cuauhtémoc makes a speech.
                                                            
                       CUAUHTEMOC
You have seen how all our old
subjects have rebelled against us!
Our enemies used to be Tlaxcala,
            (MORE)

158.

                       CUAUHTEMOC (cont'd)
Cholula and Huexotzinco but now we
must also face Texcoco, Chalco,
Xochmilco and even Tacuba...So
remember the bold hearts of the
Mexica-Chichimeca, our ancestors,
who though few in number, dared to
enter this land and conquer
it...therefore, O Mexica, do not
be dismayed or cowardly. On the
contrary, strengthen your chests
and your hearts...and...do not
scorn me because of my youth.
                                                            
Afterwards the surviving nobles dance, sing and consume
mushrooms.
                                                            
 
EXT. CORTES' CAMP - DAY
                                                            
The brigantines are ready. And the allies want revenge on
the Mexica. They are drawn to the Castilians and blind to
their intolerance. They are impressed by the skill Cortes
displays in constructing the brigantines. Thousands of men
have dug a channel twelve feet wide and twelve feet deep. It
runs from Texcoco to the lake.

Juan, Eduardo and Hannibal rest from their labors, and talk
of matters back at home.
                                                            
                       JUAN
Has any news come in from
Hispaniola?
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
Not since we were reinforced at
Villa Rica.
                                                            
                       HANNIBAL
What are you waiting to hear? You
know your wife had a boy.
                                                            
                       JUAN
Just hoping that I would hear more
from her, and how she is doing.
                                                            
                       EDUARDO
Well, we complete this business in
Mexico and soon you'll be joined
by her and your son.
                                                            

159.

                       HANNIBAL
Yeah, there will be a lot of
traffic coming in from the
islands.
                                                            
Soon the vessels are launched. They are flat-bottomed with
sails and paddles, and can move through the shallow lake.
They carry about 20-30 men each. Each carries a small
bronze cannon in its bows. However the capitana, the
flagship, carries heavy iron cannons.

Texcoco becomes a workshop, not just a naval arsenal. Men
sharpen their swords and prepare bow strings.

When the ships are launched the men cheer.
                                                            
                       MEN
Castilla Castilla, Tlaxcala
Tlaxcala!
                                                            
Tenochtitlan's three main entrances are ordered to be held
by three divisions. Olid, Alvarado and Sandoval are placed
on the Coyacan, Tacuba and Iztapalapa causeways
respectively. Juan and Eduardo are with Alvarado, their old
captain, and Hannibal is with Olid.

Captains are appointed for the brigantines as well. Perez
San Fernando is captaining one. Cortes addresses the men.
                                                            
                       CORTES
I have faith in these brigantines!
I place the war in God's hands!
                                                            
The next day Olid's and Pedro de Alvarado's divisions set
out from Texcoco. They pass many towns which are deserted.

ANGLE ON JUAN

He has a worried look on his face.

They take up quarters in Tacuba.

At night the Mexica taunt the Castilians from the lake,
trying to provoke them to come out and fight. The causeway
and canoes are full of warriors. But the Spaniards decline,
remembering their defeat on the bridges and subsequent
retreat from Tenochtitlan.

The next day the two divisions agree to cut off the water in
Chaputlepec, where the city is supplied. On their way there
they are met by many warriors waiting for them on the road.
They hurl javelins, shoot arrows and sling stones, wounding
three Castilains. But they are soon forced to retreat and

160.

the Tlaxcalans follow them and kill twenty of them. Eighteen
are captured.

After dispensing with the warriors the conquistadors break
the conduits that supply water to the city. After this is
done the captains agree that they should reconnoiter and
advance up the Tacuba causeway. And do what is necessary to
gain possession of a bridge. When they reach the causeway
they find a multitude of warriors in canoes on the water and
on the causeway itself. They hurl their javelins, shoot
their arrows and sling stones from their slings, wounding
over 30 soldiers. The Castilians go on, marching up the
causeway. When they reach the bridge, the Mexica let them
have it, so as to get them on the side of it. Once they get
them on the other side the Mexica come down on them. The
causeway is narrow and made for close combat. The
crossbowmen and arquebusiers fire on the men in canoes but
they are protected with wooden bulwarks. When the
conquistadors attack the warriors on the causeway the throw
themselves into the water. Juan and Eduardo stab with their
swords. They cut and slice, but cannot remove their
opponents from the causeway. The horses don't make any
progress either, as they are wounded from one side and the
other. When they charge after the Indians, they throw
themselves into the water. The Mexica have breastworks, and
station men behind them with the long lances with Castilian
swords fashioned on the end of them.

Juan slashes with his sword and blocks lances with his
shield. His friend Eduardo is near him, doing the same.
Stones rain down from above, as the Mexica shoot them from
their slings. Juan raises his shield in the air to protect
himself from the hail of rocks. Eduardo follows suit and
all of the conquistadors are looking for relief from the
assault of the Mexica. It does not come yet, as Juan looks
to the water and sees a fleet of canoes approaching, looking
to cut off the Castilians' passage and turn their flanks.
Recognizing this, the Captains and soldiers agree to
retreat.

When the Mexica see the Castilians retreating and the
Tlaxcalans escaping off the causeway they shout and howl at
them. Stones and Javelins fly after them. Once they are on
dry land they thank God. Eight of them have died and more
than fifty are wounded. The Mexica yell and shout at the
force from the canoes. The Tlaxcalans invite them to come
on land, and even though they are half their number say they
will beat them.

The next day Captain Cristobal de Olid talks with Alvarado.
                                                            

161.

                       OLID
I am going to Coyoacan, where I am
stationed.
                                                            
                       ALVARADO
Please, don't split up the forces.
                                                            
                       OLID
What happened on the causeway
yesterday was your fault.
                                                            
The two forces stay in their separate camps and don't
reconnoiter any further. They fight off squadrons of Mexica
who come to fight them and provoke them to attack against
their best interests.

Meanwhile Sandoval sets out from Texcoco and arrives at
Iztapalapa. He burns many towns that are on dry land. Soon
many squadrons of Mexicans come to aid the city, and fight
with Sandoval and his men. They shoot arrows and throw
javelins from their canoes, wounding his men. While they
are fighting they see great smoke signals being made on a
small hill. It was a sign for the Mexica to assemble all
their canoes. Cortes has set out with the launches.

While Sandoval is fighting and setting fire to Iztapalapa,
Cortes sees a lofty hill in the water that is strongly
fortified. The Mexica know that he is going to attack
Itztapalapa so they are stationed there for it's defense.
Also to attack the conquistadors if they can. When they see
the Castilian fleet approach they make great smoke signals.
And although it is his intention to attack the part of
Iztapalapa that stands on water, he turns to that hill and
lands 150 men there. Perez San Fernando navigates his ship
to the landing spot, letting off the men he has on board.
They struggle to ascend the hill and capture the barricades,
killing all the defenders except for the women and children.
Twenty-five Spaniards are wounded.

More smoke signals are made from a high hill near
Iztapalapa. A grand fleet of canoes, about five hundred,
comes straight for the Castilians on the small hill. They
hasten to get back on the launches. Cortes orders the
captains to make no moves whatsoever. He wants to draw the
men in the canoes to attack. They begin to head straight on
at the Castilians but stop short.

The two sides stand facing each other. And Cortes waits
until there is a favorable breeze then orders the captains
to attack the fleet of canoes. This Perez San Fernando
does, sailing amidst the canoes, killing and drowning many
of their enemies. They pursue the fleeing canoes until they
are shut up in the houses of the city of Tenochtitlan.

162.


When the men at Coyoacan see the victory on the water they
march up the causeway and fight with the Mexica there,
capturing barricades. Hannibal fights fiercely with the
natives, swinging his sword on the defenders of the
causeway. The conquistadors advance until they reach the
gaps in the causeway, where the bridges are removed. Then
with the help of the launches they move across them.

The Spaniards and the Tlaxcalans then pursue their enemy and
slay them, forcing them into the water.

On the causeway Cortes lands with thirty men to take two
small Temple towers. They fight harshly with their enemies
and capture the towers, where Cortes lands three large
cannon he has brought with him.

The distance from where they are and the city is about 1.5
miles. It is crowded with Mexica and the water on both
sides is filled with canoes. Cortes aims and fires one of
the cannon along the causeway. It does much damage to the
Mexica. However, the gunner burns all of the powder they
have left and the Caudillo has to send a launch back to
Iztapalapa to get more.

Cortes decides to make his headquarters there on the
causeway. Half of the force from Coayacan and fifty of
Sandovals's men are to join him there the next day.

At night a large number of Mexica come in canoes and on the
causeway to attack the Spanish camp, causing great alarm.
Perez has his small cannon fire, as do the other captains.
And the crossbowmen and arquebuseirs fire as well. They
keep the Mexica back and they do not attack anymore that
night.

The next day fifteen crossbowmen and arquebusiers, and fifty
men with swords and shields and seven or eight horsemen from
Coyoacan arrive at Cortes' camp on the causeway. As they
approach the camp is already being attacked by Mexica.

They fight them along the causeway, capturing and opening
where the bridge has been removed. They capture a barricade
which has been constructed at the approaches to it. However,
the cannon and horsemen do such great damage that they
almost shut them up in the first houses of Tenochtitlan.

Because there are so many canoes on the causeway's other
side, firing darts and arrows and causing the conquistadors
great harm, Cortes orders a portion of it broken through to
allow the launches to get there. Perez and the other
captains send their launches through and drive back the
canoes amongst the houses of Tenochtitlan. They follow

163.

after them, which they had dared not to do before because of
the stakes placed in the bottom of the lake and shallows.
Perez navigates until he finds safe canals to enter in,
along with the other captains, then fights with the canoes,
capturing some of them and setting fire to many houses in
the suburbs.

The next day Sandoval leaves for Coyoacan. Along the
causeway, by a small town, which sits partly on the water,
he is attacked. He fights back against them and kills them
and sets fire to the town. Cortes sends two launches to aid
Sandoval and his men in the passage along the causeway to
Coyoacan. Sandoval then with the horsemen takes the
causeway where Cortes is camped and reaches them, finding
them fighting. He and his men dismount and fight with the
Mexica on the causeway Cortes is fighting with. Sandoval is
wounded in the foot with a dart.

For the next six days the Castilians fight on the causeway,
with the launches burning all the houses reachable in the
city. They find a canal that they can enter the suburbs and
the main area of the city by. This puts a stop to the
canoes.

Alvarado informs Cortes of a causeway on the city's other
side where people come and go as they please. Cortes then
sends Sandoval to make camp at Tepeyac, a small city at the
causeway's end. Sandoval sets off with twenty-three
horsemen, one hundred ten foot soldiers and eighteen
crossbowmen and arquebusiers. Cortes has at his camp on
causeway two hundred foot soldiers, including twenty-five
crossbowmen and arquebusiers, and more than two hundred
fifty men in the launches along with many friendly Indian
warriors. He decides to push his way into the city as far
as he can go with the launches protecting his flanks. And
he orders some of the soldiers from Coyoacan to join him at
his camp and ten horsemen to be stationed at the entrance to
the causeway and the rest of the garrison at Coyoacan and
ten thousand Indian allies to protect his rear. He also has
Sandoval and Alvarado attack on the same day.

Cortes sets out from camp in the morning and soon comes upon
the Mexica at a breach they have made in the causeway. They
have a barricade raised to defend it. Hannibal, now with
Olid and Cortes, charges the defenses with the other
conquistadors. He meets two or three warriors at the top
and cuts them down. Then he descends the opposite side of
the barricade pushing warriors back and sending them
tumbling down the small hill. Both sides fight well, but in
the end the Castilians prevail. They follow along the
causeway and reach the entrance to Tenochtitlan where a
Temple tower stands. At it's foot is a great bridge that
spans a broad canal. The bridge is raised and the area is

164.

defended by a strong barricade. As the Castilians approach
the Mexica begin to attack. But with the help of the
launches, on both sides of the Spaniards, the barricade is
captured without a loss. As the Mexica abandon the
barricade, men from the launches jump ashore and cross the
canal with eight thousand plus of their Indian allies.

As they fill in the space of the captured bridge with stones
and adobe the Spaniards capture another defensive barricade
in the main avenue. Hannibal surges forward with his
comrades, fighting the enemy soldiers hand-to-hand. This
barricade is easier to remove because there is no canal
there. They pursue the enemy until they reach another canal
along the street. The bridge has been removed there except
for a broad beam the Mexica cross in safety then promptly
remove. On the canal's other side they have created a great
barricade of dirt and adobe. The Castilians cannot advance
unless they throw themselves in the water which would prove
very dangerous because the enemy is fighting very valiantly
and a lot of them are attacking the Spaniards fiercely from
the azoteas on both sides of the street. However, when the
arquebusiers and crossbowmen come up and they fire with two
cannon they do the enemy much damage. Seeing this some of
the Spaniards, including Hannibal, jump in the water and
reach the other side. It takes the Castilians more than two
hours to take this defense.

When the Mexica see the Spaniards crossing over, they
abandon their barricade and the azoteas and make flight
along the street. When all of the men get across Cortes has
them fill in the gap where the bridge was and destroy the
barricade. Meanwhile the Spaniards and Indian allies go
along the street to another bridge close to the Plaza and
main buildings of the city. This bridge hasn't been removed
and no barricade has been raised.

At the Plaza's entrance the Spaniards place a cannon and do
great damage with it because the Mexica are so much that the
Plaza cannot hold them all. The Spaniards are determined to
enter the Plaza when they see there is no water there. When
the Mexica see this along with the Indian allies they flee
with the allies chasing them until they are closed in Temple
court.

A breach is made in the enclosure and the Spanish and allies
capture it. Hannibal rushes in swinging his sword, cutting
down Mexican opponents. Other conquistadors follow suit,
taking out the enemy as they enter the court area. They
remain there and stay on the Towers a good while. When the
citizens see that the Spaniards have now horses with them
they attack them and drive them away from the Towers and the
courts. Coatepec and Zuatla, Plaxetotl's brothers, are in
the crowd as they attack the Spaniards. They beat them with

165.

their sticks and hurl javelins at them.

The crowd pursues the Spaniards out of the Plaza. They are
chased onto the street and have to abandon the cannon they
had placed at the Plaza's entrance.

The Spaniards are retreating in great danger. They are
rescued by three horsemen, who enter the Plaza and slay some
of the people, who think there are more of them. Zuatla is
seriously injured when a horseman's lance pierces his
midsection. He has to be carried back home by his brother.

The Castilians regain the courts and the enclosure.

On the Great Temple tower are ten or twelve Indian
chieftains. They have sheltered themselves and four or five
Spaniards climb up the over one hundred steps to reach them.
The two groups fight bravely, but in the end the Spaniards
slay them all.

Five or six more horses arrive and they along with the
others arrange an ambush that kills over thirty Mexica.

As it is late Cortes gathers the men and orders a retreat.
As they withdraw the Mexica fall on them in great numbers,
and if it isn't for the horsemen they will have suffered a
great loss. But the gaps in the street and causeways are
filled in and repaired so that the horsemen are able to
traverse them and defend the rearguard as the enemy pursues
them.

The enemy comes on "like mad dogs", and nothing can prevent
them from pursuing the Castilians. However, the Spaniards
make it back to their camp without loosing a man. Although
some are wounded. They burn most of the houses on the
border of that street so that if they have to return again
the enemy can do no harm to them from the azoteas.

After the launches burn many of the houses of the city's
suburbs, no canoe dares to come out. Cortes sees that six
launches will do for the protection of his camp, and sends
three launches to Alvarado and Sandoval respectively. They
have huge success against the Mexica's men and canoes there.

After this is done and reinforcements arrive Cortes lets it
be known that he is going to attack the city in two days.

In two days' time after hearing mass, Cortes gives
instructions to his captains and leaves camp with fifteen or
twenty horsemen, three hundred Spaniards and huge amount of
allies. They soon come on a crowd of their enemies. The
Mexica have removed the fillings in the gaps in causeway and
make them more difficult and dangerous to capture. Perez

166.

and the rest of the launches move up close, firing with
their cannon, crossbows and muskets. Men leap ashore and
capture the barricade and breach allowing the rest of the
men to pursue the enemy.

The Mexica continue to make stands behind breaches and
barricades, but the Castilians and their Indian allies carry
them all and drive the Mexica from the street, also driving
them from the Plaza where the principle houses of the
Tenochtitlan stand. Cortes orders a halt, as he is busy
with the allies filling in gaps and breaches in the causeway
and street.

Meanwhile back at Plaxetotl's childhood home his mother,
Yecaptxtla, tends to her son Zuatla's wounds. Plaxetotl is
in prayer for his brother, and a few of the other divines
remain with him. Coatepec goes back out to fight with the
Spanish who are skirmishing with the citizens, killing many
of them. Cortes rides through the city with the horsemen
and comes to two conclusions.
                                                            
                       CORTES
We won't be able to regain much of
the treasure the Mexica have taken
from us. And they are going to
force us to kill them all. So we
will chastise them by burning
their homes and Temple towers.
                                                            
He burns the great houses around the Plaza.

He also burns the House of Birds near the Plaza. After this
he orders his troops back to the camp. And as they retire a
large number of the enemy attack the rearguard, but now that
the streets are in better condition the horsemen turn and
attack them, spearing many of them.

The next day Cortes returns to the city. Two of the
barricades and breaches have been reconstructed and
reopened. So the Castilians fight there for a good while,
using up arrows and ammunition.

The Castilians capture and fill in the site where the two
bridges stood and burn many fine homes on the main road.
When they retire the enemy falls on them again even though
they suffer major losses when doing so.

The natives of towns of the fresh water lake see that the
Spaniards are victorious and come to Cortes to ask for
peace.
                                                            

167.

                       NATIVE 3
We have come to seek peace with
you. We also want freedom from
attack from your allies at Chalco.
                                                            
                       CORTES
I only have enmity against the
people of Tenochtitlan. You can
show sincerity by helping us with
your canoes and building houses
for the conquistadors on the
causeway.
                                                            
This they do and do well. The Castilians enter the city
several days in succession, and are always victorious.
Cortes then arranges to enter with three or four divisions.
He summons all of the people of the lake to come with their
canoes.

On the morning of the next attack there are one hundred
thousand plus allies at Cortes' camp. He orders four
launches and half the canoes to go one way and three
launches and the other half to go another to scour the city
and destroy and burn everything they can.

Cortes himself enters by the main street and finds it all
clear and none of the gaps have been reopened. He goes to
the street that leads to Tacuba and there are six or seven
bridges there. He orders one captain to advance along
another street having sixty or seventy Spaniards and six
horsemen guarding the rear, and another captain to do the
same on another street while he advanced along the street to
Tacuba, capturing three bridges and filling them in. They
leave the other three for another day because it is late.

Back at the camp of Alvarado, during Cortes' first battle on
the lake, the soldiers advance with caution up the causeway
as they know Cortes has set out with the launches.

They reach the first bridge with the crossbowmen and
arquebusiers firing in concert. Pedro de Alvarado orders
the horsemen not to advance but remain on dry land guarding
the rear in case the towns they passed should attack them on
the causeway. So they stand sometimes attacking other times
on the defensive to prevent the Mexica from reaching land.
They have encounters every day and three soldiers are killed
and the conquistadors are put to the task of filling in gaps
in the causeway.

When Cortes sends them the launches Alvarado has two go on
the causeway's one side and two go on the other, and the
Castilians begin to fight successfully. Juan and Eduardo
help charge the first barricade, swords drawn, and cut down

168.

the enemy soldiers as they fight from behind it. The
Spaniards capture several bridges and barricades. The
stones, javelins and arrows projected at them are numerous,
and the fighting only stops at night.

The Mexica change squadrons time to time. And Tetzuahtl is
sent to that area to defend the causeway. He and his friend
Iltextuan help rebuild the barricades and reopen the gaps in
the causeway to hinder the Castilians' advance. Stakes are
fixed in the water to prevent the launches' helping of the
conquistadors on the causeway.

At night a soldier named JUAN CATALAN blesses the
Castilians' wounds and makes charms, and the wounds heal
rapidly. Juan Martinez has several cuts on his arm and
Eduardo is unharmed.

The Spaniards eat maize cakes, herbs and cherries. These
help cure the wounded and Juan and Eduardo are glad to scarf
them down.

Seeing that the Mexica close up the water opening the
Castilians capture by day, they decide to station themselves
on the causeway in a small plaza. There are some Temple
towers there that they have already taken. And they erect
"ranchos" to protect them from the rain. They leave the
horsemen and Indian allies in Tacuba to guard their rear.

Once the ranchos are set up the Castilians go out to destroy
the houses and buildings and fill in the water openings they
have captured. They tear the houses down to the ground,
because burning them takes too long. The houses stand in
the water. They will not catch fire from one another, and
one cannot go from house to house without crossing bridges
or using canoes. If they try to cross by swimming much
damage is done to them from the azoteas. As soon as they
capture some barrier or bad pass or bridge where much
resistance has been offered they try to guard it day and
night. The first company, numbering more than forty
soldiers watches from nightfall until midnight. From
midnight until before dawn another company, of forty men as
well, keep watch. The first company stays on their post and
sleeps on the ground. Soon another forty soldiers shows up
and keeps the dawn watch.

When these soldiers show up those on watch before them stay
on watch with them, so when dawn comes over one hundred
twenty soldiers are on watch together.

The Mexica are supplying themselves via canoes from nine
towns on the lake. To prevent their supply it is arranged
that between all the camps two launches will cruise the lake
at night. They are to capture as many canoes as they can

169.

and destroy them or bring them to the camps. Still, many
canoes get through, however the launches bring in many
canoes as well.

Then the Mexica arm thirty piraguas, very large canoes with
especially good rowers and warriors. They post them in some
reed beds and send two out to look as if they are bringing
in supplies, thus luring the launches to go after them. The
Mexica also have stakes placed in the ground to hamper the
launches' movements. A captain, PORTILLA, is killed in this
engagement as is PEDRO BARBA who dies of his wounds three
days later.

Seeing that the Castilians are leveling houses and filling
up bridges and openings, the Mexica decide on another course
for fighting. They open a bridge and a channel that the
Castilians have to wade through to pass. Sometimes it is
out of their depth. They dig many pits and make walls and
barricades on one side of the opening and the other. They
have also driven many pointed stakes of heavy timber in
places where the launches will run into them if they come to
the ground troops' assistance. They hide many canoes with
good rowers and warriors on them as well. One morning the
Mexica come from three directions and begin to attack the
Spaniards. Tetzuahtl is in the attack along with his
partner Iltextuan.

Alvarado orders half the horsemen up from Tacuba to the
causeway to sleep. Three squadrons of Mexica come on
fearlessly. One comes from the large open space of water,
the other comes from the direction of some houses the
Castilians have pulled down. The last comes from the rear
from Tacuba and the Castilians are surrounded.

The horsemen along with the Tlaxcalan allies break through
the squadron attacking from the rear. Tetzuahtl lunges
forward with his macuauhuitl, knocking on Spanish armor and
pushing his foes backwards. However the Castilians fight
off the other two squadrons and force them to retreat. But
the flight they are making is pretend. The Castilians
capture the first barricade. Thinking they are victorious,
the Castilians cross the water at a run. They reach some
great houses and also some temple towers. The Mexica still
act as if they are retreating, but they continue to shoot
arrows, hurl javelins and sling stones at the Spaniards.
When they least expect it a great number of warriors who are
hidden and many others from the houses and azoteas join the
combat. And those who act as though they are running turn
around and deal a blow that the conquistadors cannot
withstand. The conquistadors then decide to retreat using
great caution, however, at the water opening they just have
captured, the Mexica station a fleet of canoes. The
Castilians cannot cross, and have to go a different

170.

direction where the water is deep and many pits have been
dug. Tetzuahtl and his Mexican comrades bear down on the
invading enemy forcing them into the dangerous waters. The
conquistadors cross by swimming and wading. Nearly all of
them fall in the pits. The canoes then come down on them
and the Mexica capture five Castilians and take them to
Cuauhtémoc. The wound nearly all of them. The launches
that have been guarding them cannot come to their aid due to
the fact they have been impaled on the stakes. The Mexica
attack them fiercely with javelins and arrows, killing three
soldiers and rowers and wounding many more.

Alvarado and the horsemen, after routing the squadron from
Tacuba do not advance across the water or barricade to
assist the retreating foot soldiers. Only one does and he
is killed, and had the others done so the same would have
happened to them. They are already advancing to assist the
retreating soldiers when they stop at the barricade. The
Mexica continue to attack the whole day, but the Castilians
hold them off with the help of bronze cannons and some heavy
fighting. All the companies keep guard together every
night.

When Cortes hears of the setback he is very angry. Learning
that it is their fault, Alvarado's men go to work filling in
the opening, even though it means great labor. Many wounds
are inflicted by the Mexica while the conquistadors work and
six men die. The space is filled in in four days. At night
the men keep watch on the area.

The Castilians attack the Mexica everyday and capture many
temple towers, canals, houses and openings and bridges which
have been constructed house to house. They fill them up
with adobe and timber from the houses that have been pulled
down and destroyed. They keep guard over them. However,
the enemy comes back and deepens them and widens the
openings and erects more barricades. Alvarado has the
companies rotate from working to fighting so one company
wouldn't be fighting all the time while the other is
working.

Meanwhile, in the palace district Cuauhtémoc has all of his
priests surrounding him, and recognizing the danger of the
situation they are in sends Ayalca to summon the divines for
him. She runs as fast as she can to Plaxetotl's district,
past where the conquistadors are fighting to gain entrance
into the city, past the squadrons of Mexica struggling to
keep them out.

When she reaches Plaxetolt's home Ayalca is out of breath.
The philosopher goes to her at the entrance to his family's
home.
                                                            

171.

                       AYALCA
The Emperor has summoned your
group. He wants you to come to
palace district immediately.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
Ok. How are you?
                                                            
                       AYALCA
Fine. Now hurry!
                                                            
Plaxetotl gathers his things and wakes up Zozollan. They go
to get Matlaluege and the rest of the divines.

After getting the others they make their way to the palace
district. There they find Cuauhtémoc waiting for them
amidst his priests and generals.
                                                            
                       CUAUHTEMOC
I want to get a solid strategy on
how to attack the invaders.
                                                            
Plaxetotl speaks up.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
You should consolidate all of your
attacks my lord. Attacking the
invaders at the same time.
                                                            
Cuauhtémoc takes this into consideration and discusses it
with his generals.

He orders the Castilians to be attacked in all three camps.
All at the same time. All of his troops are to attack by
both land and water. They are ordered to go at night so
that the launches will not be able to assist the Castilians
because of the stakes. They come on furiously, but the men
on watch hold them back. Juan and Eduardo fight off the
vicious attacks of the enemy with their swords along with
the rest of the conquistadors. Fifteen of them are wounded
and two die.

In Cortes' camp they place the conquistadors in great
difficulty. Many of them are killed and wounded. The same
thing happens in Sandoval's camp. Many Mexica are wounded
and many are killed as they come on for two nights. When
Cuauhtémoc sees that nothing comes of the attack, he along
with his generals and priests, decide to attack with all his
forces the dawn watch. They surround the camp on two sides,
half defeated and cut off Alvarado's men. The Castilians
close their ranks and shelter themselves with the launches.
They advance shoulder to shoulder and drive off the Mexica.
The Mexica kill eight and wound many Spanish soldiers

172.

including Alvarado. The Spaniards make the Tlaxcalans get
off the causeway and send them to Tacuba where they don't
have to care for them.

When Cortes hears of Alvarado's reverse he goes to his camp
to reprimand him. Upon arrival he sees how far his Captain
has advanced and penetrated into the city. He decides he
cant blame him much and returns to his own camp.

The next few days the Admiral makes several advances into
the city and is victorious everywhere. His Captains implore
him to advance on the market place, giving the enemy little
space to defend themselves, and starving them to death or
making them die of thirst.

Cortes rejects the plan at first then the King's Treasurer
convinces him to do it. The next day he calls together all
the important people in the camp and they agree to notify
Sandoval and Alvarado that on the next day they should try
to reach Tlatelolco. He also sends written instructions to
them and asks for seventy or eighty soldiers from them.

The next day after hearing mass seven launches, three
thousand plus canoes of the allies and Cortes with
twenty-five horsemen and all of his foot soldiers and the
additions from Tacuba reach the city and Cortes divides his
force: -Along the principal street he sends the King's
treasurer with seventy men and fifteen or twenty thousand
allies and seven or eight horsemen as a rearguard. As they
carry barricades they are instructed to fill in the bridge
openings. He orders two captains to head up, with eighty
men and more than ten thousand allies, the broadest of two
streets that lead from the market place to the Tacuba
street. At the Tacuba street entrance he posts two large
cannon and eight horsemen to guard them. Cortes himself
with eight horsemen and one hundred foot soldiers including
twenty five crossbowmen and arquebusiers and a large amount
of allies advance along the narrowest street.

At the entrance to the street Cortes halts the horsemen.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Stay put and don't follow me
unless I send for you.
                                                            
He then dismounts and they reach a barricade at a bridge's
end. Using a small field piece along with the help of the
arquebusiers and crossbowmen they carry it. The Indian
allies are so numerous they swarm the azoteas. As the
Spaniards take those bridges and barricades their allies
follow along the causeway. Cortes halts with about twenty
Spaniards and sees some of the allies surrounded by the
Mexica who are sometimes driving them back and thrusting

173.

them into the water. But with the Castilians' help they
rally. The Spaniards also have to make sure that the
citizens do not come from the cross streets to attack them
from the rear. At this time they send word to Cortes that
they have made huge gains and aren't far from the
marketplace. Cortes sends to tell them to fill in the
bridge openings in case of a retreat, to which they reply
they've done so and that he can verify it himself.

The Caudillo does go see for himself and finds that one
breach has been filled in improperly. At this moment Cortes
looks and sees the Spaniards and many allies retreating in
full flight. The enemy is setting on them. He shouts.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Hold on!
                                                            
And he gets into the water and finds it is full of
Castilians and Indians. The Mexica charge into the water to
get the Spaniards. Canoes manned by the Mexica come and
carry off live Spaniards.

Cortes and those with him give a hand to some Spaniards who
are drowning, sending them to the rear after pulling them
out. Then the Mexica charge on his small number of twelve
or fifteen and completely surround them. Cortes is busy
helping drowning conquistadors when the Mexica seize him and
almost carry him off if it is not for a captain who saves
his life.

The defeated Spaniards make it along the causeway, and as it
is narrow and many allies are making their way along it also
the Mexica have time to surround it and kill at will. At
this point one of Cortes' captains urges him to retreat, and
although he is reluctant to do so, Cortes and those who are
with him begin to withdraw.

One of Cortes' servants arrives on horseback at this time
and clears a small space, but he is hit by a spear from a
roof and has to turn back. Another servant comes later as
they are battling fiercely on the causeway. He brings a
horse for Cortes to mount, but there is so much mud on the
causeway that he cannot keep his feet to jump on. Eventually
he mounts but not to fight on the causeway because that is
impossible on horseback.

Even with all the dangers they make it back to the Calle de
Tacuba which is very broad. They collect the troops and
form a rearguard. The Mexica still come on in great
numbers, however. Cortes sends word to the treasurer to
retreat with great caution. He sends the same word to the
other two captains.


174.

Before the treasurer retreats the citizens throw the heads
of two or three Spaniards from the behind the barricade they
are fighting from. The retiring soldiers all meet in the
Plaza, and the Mexica charge on them from all directions.
The Mexica burn incense from a lofty tower as a sign of
victory. There is nothing the Castilians can do for they
are already hastening towards their camp.

The Mexica kill thirty five or forty Spaniards and more than
one thousand Indian allies. Cortes suffers a wound in the
leg and they lose a small cannon, many arquebuses,
crossbows, and other arms.

In Alvarado's camp when they receive word of Cortes' plan to
take the market place they are against it. When it is
decided to take the marketplace Alvarado's men set out with
the rest, capturing bridges and barricades. Juan,
recovering from his wounds, and Eduardo advance forward
towards the market place fighting off defenders as they go.
After meeting much resistance they retreat.

As they are retreating they hear trumpets coming from the
Great Pyramid. There are also many small tambourines, horns
and whistles. The Mexica are sacrificing ten Castilians.

Then there came out many squadrons sent out by Cuauhtémoc.
He orders that his horn be sounded. Hearing this Tetzuahtl
and his comrades press forward hard against the Spaniards.
He reaches out trying to grab a conquistador but only gets
cloth.

The Spaniards manage to get back to their ranchos safe for
the time being.

The Spanish charge with the horsemen and two heavy cannon
are placed near the ranchos. Some men load them and others
fire and they hold off the Mexica. The causeway is crowded
with Mexican warriors who approach the ranchos and hurl
stones and shoot javelins at the Castilians.

Alvarado's men can't get a word from Cortes' nor Sandoval's
camps. They are fighting too far apart. But they hold out
against the Mexican attack.

The Mexica capture a launch and kill three soldiers,
wounding the captain and the majority of soldiers aboard.
Another launch rescues it captained by JUAN JARAMILLO. Yet
another launch becomes impaled on the stakes. Its captain
is JUAN DE LINPIAS CARAVAJAL. He encourages his rowers and
they break the stakes they are impaled on an get away. All
of them are badly wounded, however.

Cortes sends Andres de Tapia and three horsemen by land to

175.

Alvarado's camp to find out if they are alive. When they
reach the camp they find them fighting with the Mexica. They
rejoice and tell them about Cortes' defeat.

Sandoval advances towards the market place and is met with
resistance from the Mexica who have defeated Cortes. They
kill six of his soldiers and wound the rest.

Sandoval himself is wounded in the thigh, head and left arm.
The Mexica throw out six heads belonging to Cortes' men.
                                                            
                       WARRIOR 1
These are Malinche's and his
Captains' heads! We will do the
same you and your men!
                                                            
Then they attack him fiercely. Seeing this Sandoval
encourages his men.
                                                            
                       SANDOVAL
Be brave! Retreat with care!
                                                            
He orders the Indian allies off the causeway. He retreats
to his quarters with the help of two launches, his
arquebusiers and crossbowmen.

When he is clear of the causeway he finds himself surrounded
by Mexica. He encourages his captains and their people to
keep together in one body to guard the camp.

When he finds out he can do it he takes two horsemen with
him and rides to Cortes' camp.
                                                            
                       SANDOVAL
How did this happen?
                                                            
                       CORTES
Part of it is my fault. The rest
of the blame lies with the
Treasurer, who did not fill in the
passage where we defeated them.
                                                            
                       TREASURER
The fault is Cortes'. He didn't
order the allies to get off the
causeway in time.
                                                            
At this time two launches arrive.
                                                            
                       JUAN DE LINPIAS CARAVAJAL
We were impaled on the stakes and
surrounded by canoes, but God
helped us with a wind, and we
rowed with great energy and broke
            (MORE)

176.

                       JUAN DE LINPIAS CARAVAJAL (cont'd)
the stakes.
                                                            
Cortes looks at Sandoval.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Go to Alvarado's camp and find out
what has happened to him.
                                                            
Sandoval arrives at Alvarado's camp to find the men fighting
with the Mexica. One of the launches has gotten stranded on
the land. Several conquistadors are trying to push it back
into deep water, while the Mexica attack them with captured
swords. The Mexica attached ropes to the launch, intending
to carry it off with their canoes. Sandoval exhorts the men
to prevent them from doing so. Which they do, hauling it
out in safety. All of the sailors are wounded and two die.

More Mexica arrive on the scene and wound the horsemen and
all the other conquistadors as well. Sandoval is hit in the
face with a stone. Alvarado and others go to his aid. Juan
and Eduardo fight off the attackers and begin to retreat
with the rest of the conquistadors after Sandoval orders
them to. Sandoval is then injured again and his horse as
well. The conquistadors continue to retreat bit by bit,
keeping their faces to the enemy, who keep coming thinking
they would carry them off to be sacrificed that night.

The Castilians retreat near to their quarters and cross a
great opening. They are out of range now of the javelins,
arrows and stones. Then again the drum of Huitzilopochtli
many other shells, horns and trumpets sound from the Great
Pyramid, and Juan and Eduardo look and see their comrades
being carried up the steps to be sacrificed.

Plaxetotl and the divines look on from the Plaza.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
This will only anger Quetzalcoatl
more.
                                                            
                       MATLALUEGE
It looks as if nothing will quench
that anger now.
                                                            
The priests place plumes on the captives' heads and have
them dance before Huitzilopochtli. Then they put them on
their backs and saw their chests open and take out their
beating hearts as a offering to the idols present. Then
they kick the dead bodies down the steps of the pyramid,
where Mexicans below cut off their arms and feet. They flay
the skin off their faces and prepare it like glove leather.
The beards are still on.

177.


All the Castilians can do is pray that the same fate does
not befall them, as they watch the ceremony from the
embattled causeway. Then the Mexica suddenly fall on the
conquistadors from all sides. They shout at them, telling
them they will die in the manner of their sacrificed
comrades. The throw the roasted legs of Indians. They also
throw the arms of Castilians at the Indian allies. They
tell them to eat them and that they will make them rebuild
the houses they destroyed, telling them to go on helping the
Spaniards for they will see them all sacrificed.

The attacks continue day and night. Juan and Eduardo
continue to defend the camp along with the rest of the
conquistadors. They withstand the host of warriors that
come against them. Half the horsemen stay in Tacuba the
other half on the causeway by day and night.

The Mexica reopen the water openings the Castilians filled
in. They make barricades there stronger than they were
before. Even though the friends of the Spaniards loose more
than half their canoes they remain hostile towards the
Mexica.

Sandoval and de Tapia return to Cortes' camp.
                                                            
                       SANDOVAL
Admiral, Alvarado's men are
fighting cautiously against the
Mexica in their camp.
                                                            
                       CORTES
That is good. Tell the other
camps not to fight too much with
the Mexicans or too little. And
to not worry about capturing and
bridge or taking any barricade.
Only fight with the enemy in
defense of their camps.
                                                            
                       SANDOVAL
      (nodding)
As you say.
                                                            
The Mexica continue to attack the camp. Alvarado's men have
a water opening near the camp but don't cross it for four
days.
Cortes and Sandoval remain as long in their camps. The
Castilians are all badly wounded. They are also worn out
from hardships and not having anything sustaining to eat.
Over sixty soldiers and eight horses have been lost the day
before from all the camps. Cortes orders them to remain
quiet.

178.


The Mexica continue to attack every day. The Castilians'
friends from Tlaxcala, Cholula, Huexotzingo, Texcoco, Chalco
and Tlamanalco decide to go back to their own countries.
Nearly all of them leave without Cortes, Sandoval or
Alvarado knowing about it. Only Ixlilxochitl remains in
Cortes' camp. About forty of his relatives and friends
remain with him. In Sandoval's camp another leader from
Huexotzingo and about fifty men remain. And in Alvarado's
camp two sons of LORENZO DE VARGAS, Chichimecatecle and
eighty Tlaxcalans.

When they find themselves with so few allies the Castilians
become distressed. Cortes and Sandoval question the
remaining Indians.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Why have the others left in this
way?
                                                            
                       IXLILXOCHITL
They observed the Mexica talking
to their idols at night, and they
promised them victory. So they
left out of fear and seeing all
the wounded and dead Castilians
and more than twelve hundred
missing of their own people. But
do not be distressed. Remain in
your camp, get your foot well and
tell the other Captains in the
other camps to do the same, and to
keep the launches going out night
and day, preventing supplies or
water from going to the enemy.
There are so many warriors in the
city they will eat up the food
they possess and the water they
are drinking now is half salt, but
how long can they live on that.
                                                            
Hearing this Cortes embraces Ixlilxochitl.
                                                            
                       CORTES
I promise you many pueblos after
this is done.
                                                            
He sends two launches to Alvarado's and Sandoval's camps and
orders them remain there another three days before advancing
into the city. Meanwhile the Castilians' launches have
developed a technique for breaking the stakes in the lake.
Perez San Fernando perfects this technique, whereby the
launch will set itself back from the stakes a good distance,

179.

then wait for wind to fill its sails then the rowers will
row their best.

The Spaniards begin to fill in the great opening that is
near Alvarado's camp. And they rotate fighting duty and
labor. They have it filled in in four days. It is the same
in Cortes' camp, where he himself helps carry adobe and
timber. Sandoval's camp performs the same tasks as well.

During the night the Mexica sound their drum from the great
Pyramids. They are sacrificing captives from Cortes' camp.
Whenever they do this, their god Huitzilopochtli speaks to
them promising them victory and that the Castilians will die
by their hands in eight days. He also tells them to attack
vigorously although many will die.
                                                            
Cuauhtémoc sends more forces against the conquistadors. They
come up to the camp and hurl javelins, sling stones and
shoot arrows. But the cannon always make them draw off.
They make captured crossbowmen show them how to load and
fire the crossbows and fire them at the Castilians.
Tetzuahtl makes use of one such captured weapon and aims and
fires it into the Spaniards' camp.

Every day the two forces battle. Tetzuahtl charges forward
with his comrades hurling javelins, then takes the
defensive, guarding barricades and bridges. Juan and
Eduardo advance with the rest of the conquistadors taking
those barricades and bridges and water openings. The
launches help. The launches in Cortes' camp chase the
canoes that bring in water and supplies. They capture many
Mexican prisoners. Observing that the Castilians have
recovered, and what the Mexican gods have told them was not
true, Ixlilxochitl sends word to his brother Don Fernando to
deliver all of the warriors he can gather in Texcoco. And
in two days he sends more than two thousand warriors.

Cortes is pleased at the sight of the reinforcements. Many
Tlaxclans also return with a leader from Topeyanco named
TECAPANECA. Many Indians come from Huexotzingo also, and
some from Cholula. When they arrive Cortes orders them to
his camp so he can make a speech to them. He orders the
Castilians to guard the roads so the Mexica cannot attack
them.
                                                            
                       CORTES
I good will I have for you is
because you served the King well.
I intend for you to profit by
destroying the Mexica. We cleared
you off the causeways because we
were less hampered fighting
without you. The Lord Jesus
Christ is who aided us in
            (MORE)

180.

                       CORTES (cont'd)
everything. Because you left at
such a critical time in the war
you deserve death, but I pardon
you because you do not understand
our laws and ordinances. As you
can see without your help we have
gone on destroying houses and
seizing barricades. But I do not
want you to kill any Mexicans. I
want to conquer them with
kindness.
                                                            
He then hugs Chichimetatecle, Xicotenga and Ixilxochitl.
                                                            
                       CORTES
When this is over I promise to
give you vassals and territory.
                                                            
The Castilians now advance from all three camps into the
city. Juan and Eduardo fight their way up the avenue
finding the spot where the Mexica drink brackish water from
a spring. Juan swings he sword against the Mexica guarding
it, Eduardo joins him with several other conquistadors.
After felling the defenders of the spring they destroy it so
the Mexica cannot use it again.

Alvarado's men advance reaching Tlatelolco. There are many
men guarding the pyramids and they have raised many
barricades. Juan, Eduardo and the force of conquistadors
rush the barricades and fight with the defenders near the
summit of them. Juan stabs forward with his sword, piercing
a defender in the gut. Eduardo deflects blows from a
defender's macuauhuitl then stabs with his own weapon
piercing the man's throat sending him falling down the
barricade clutching it. They override that barricade, and
attack others, as the Mexica defend fiercely from behind
them. Reaching another barricade, Juan jumps on the front
slope of it and battles his way to the top. Eduardo follows
handling any defenders that try to hamper his progress. More
conquistadors join in and the barricade is taken also.

Tetzuahtl defends his barricade with Iltextuan and other
Mexica staunchly. They hold off the Castilians for a while.
After many barricades are taken the horses have room to
gallop. They spear many Mexica. Seeing this Tetzuahtl and
company are obliged to give up their barricade. The ten
companies of the Spaniards are divided up into three parts
to deal with the large numbers of Mexica. Alvarado orders
one company to storm the Pyramid of Huitzilopochtli. They
have to climb 114 steps, which they do but the Mexica send
them rolling back. The company Juan and Eduardo are in go
to their assistance.

181.


They ascend the steps with the Mexica trailing them. Juan
struggles to get up the stairs while the Mexica shoot arrows
and hurl javelins at his back. They wound all of the
conquistadors very badly. However the Castilians burn the
oratories and idols and plant their banners.

The wounded Spaniards from Cortes' defeat have recovered
from their wounds about this time. They also receive a
fresh supply of gunpowder and crossbows.

Cortes summons all the chieftains and leaders among the
allies.
                                                            
                       CORTES
We are going to demolish every
house on the street as we advance
into the city and all water
openings are to be filled in no
matter what the delay.
                                                            
The allies force advances. When they reach the water
opening and barricade near the main houses of the Plaza they
are met with the people of the city, Coatepec among them,
who want peace.
                                                            
                       COATEPEC
A chieftain wants to speak to you.
                                                            
As they delay, the Mexica begin to shoot arrows, darts and
stones at them. Seeing this Cortes orders them forward and
they attack and take the barricade. When they enter the
Plaza they find great stones strewn all around and the
horsemen cannot maneuver. They also find two streets
barricaded with stones. They fill in the canal that heads
out of the Plaza. They fill it in a way that the Mexica are
never able to reopen it. Then the Castilians start to tear
down the houses and fill in other canals.

This is the way they penetrate into the city for five or six
days. Always in retiring they send the allies off first
some of the Spaniards remain to ambush the Mexica among the
houses. The horsemen in the rear fake a hasty retreat to
draw the Mexica out into the Plaza, where the foot soldiers
are waiting in ambush.

Two Mexica who leave the city at night come to the
Castilians' camp.
                                                            
                       MEXICA 3
The people are starving to death
and they leave the city by night
to seek firewood, herbs and roots
among the houses and parts of the
            (MORE)

182.

                       MEXICA 3 (cont'd)
city you have already captured.
                                                            
The launches head out before daybreak and Cortes takes
twelve or fifteen and some infantry and allies and enters
the city with a rush. Some spies that they have stationed
give the signal to advance, but the people they fall on are
the poor starving citizens who'd come out to hunt for food.

The launches capture many canoes that have been out fishing.
When the Mexica's captains and chieftains see the Spaniards
advancing at such an unusual hour they are taken aback and
do not come out and fight.

The next day the Spaniards enter the city again and the
Indian allies observing the way in which they are destroying
the city accompany in untold numbers. They gain the whole
Tacuba street and fill in the bad places so they can
communicate with Alvarado's camp. They also set fire to
Cuauhtémoc's houses. They gain two bridges near that area,
and hold three quarters of the city.

Cuauhtémoc is at a loss as to what to do. The divines have
helped him all they can and his priests and councilors are
busy doing the same. They have been forced back to Ayalca's
neighborhood and Plaxetotl's family has to move.

The next day the Castilians and their Indian allies enter
the city the same way following the great street that leads
to the market place. They capture a very large water
opening. Hannibal fights the defenders with his sword as
they try to keep him and his comrades from gaining the
opening. They try to fill in the opening but it is very
large and wide. The Mexican reinforcements attack but are
driven back to their barricades.

When the Castilians return early the next morning they find
the water-opening the same way they had left it. They
advance ahead and capture two more water openings. Hannibal
fights with more defenders and reaches a small idol tower
where he and some other Castilians find the heads of some
Spaniards the Mexica have killed. He is disgusted and
fights with more rage. The street they have been following
leads directly to Sandoval's camp and to the left a street
leads to the market place. In the latter street there is no
water, however there is one water opening that the Mexica
are defending against them. And that morning when the
Castilians are getting ready to penetrate the city they
observe smoke coming from two lofty towers that stand in
Tlatelolco the city's market place. They don't know what it
is. The smoke is more copious than incense smoke, which the
Mexica offered to their idols. They conclude Alvarado's men
must have gotten there, which is true.

183.


That day they do not try to take the bridge and canal that
separates them from the market place. Instead, they fill in
an level all of the bad places. When they retire the Mexica
attack them fiercely but at a great loss to themselves. The
next morning they only have to capture a canal across the
road and the barricade that is with it to reach the market
place. When they begin the attack several Castilians jump
into the water and the enemy retreats before them and they
start to fill in the water-opening so the horsemen can
cross. While they are doing this Alvarado arrives with four
horsemen, delighting Cortes' group.

Alvarado puts guards on their flanks, and Cortes orders his
troops to stay put as the water-opening is soon filled.
Instead, he goes forward himself to see the market place
with a few horsemen. They ride about the Plaza observing
where the Mexica are clustered in large numbers on the
roofs, but do not attack them.

Next Cortes climbs the great tower near the market place,
where he finds the heads of Castilians and Tlaxcalans that
have been offered to the Mexica's idols. From this height
he can see that they have captured 7/8 of the city and know
that the Mexica are too numerous to exist in that small
space. The houses they had left are small as well and each
one stands alone in the water. Knowing that they are
suffering great hunger, for they find gnawed roots and tree
barks in the streets, the Castilians cease fighting for a
day.

Several days go by with no fighting then the Castilians
return to the city finding the streets full of hungry
people.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Do them no harm.
                                                            
Not a single warrior is present but they do see them on the
roofs with their cloaks covering them unarmed.
                                                            
                       CORTES
I offer you peace! If you do not
accept I will attack you and you
must call all of your people in or
I will allow your allies to kill
you!
                                                            
                       MEXICA 3
We want peace.
                                                            

184.

                       CORTES
I do not see the Lord here whom I
can discuss peace with.
                                                            
However, the Castilians see it all as a mock and the Mexica
are getting ready to attack them. Cortes orders Alvarado to
attack the large quarter the Mexica still hold. He himself
and all of his men enter from the other side. Juan and
Eduardo fight house to house with their comrades. Several
defenders come out to fight them but they push them back.
Juan stabs a Mexican with his blade as another is
approaching with a javelin. He withdraws his weapon from
the man's chest and blocks the javelin with it. Eduardo
gives him a hand and slices the man from the head to the
buttocks.

They fight their way down the side streets with their fellow
conquistadors right along with them. Onward they come,
their Indian allies sparing no life. The Mexica hurl
javelins, shoot arrows and sling stones at them but Juan,
Eduardo and the rest of the conquistadors block them with
their shields. They continue to fight along the avenues of
the quarter.

Tetzuahtl fights with all his might trying to defend the
city. The eagle and jaguar knights with him grapple with
the Castilian attackers trying to capture them. He wounds
one soldier then pushes back another. His sparring partner
Iltextuan is felled by an enemy blade, and he is seething
for revenge. He stands near the end of a street in the
quarter. Behind him is the lake. In front a mass of
armored Castilians and their Indian allies. On they come.
Tetzuahtl and his comrades move to meet them. The two sides
clash and Tetzuahtl looses his macuauhitl. He tries to
grapple with an attacker and is thrown off. He lands on the
ground where he is lanced by the enemy. He dies on the
spot.

In one of the houses in the quarter Plaxetotl does not know
what has happened to his brother. He is busy counseling
Cuauhtémoc.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
My lord, you must surrender.
                                                            
                       PRIEST 4
Remember what happened to
Montezuma my lord.
                                                            
The defense continues.

Plaxetotl's family is huddled together in a friend's house.
Coatepec is still out fighting and the battle for the

185.

quarter seems to be raging in their direction. Once
Cuauhtémoc sees that the Castilians are taking the whole
city he sends two chiefs with instructions to tell Cortes he
wants to talk to him.
                                                            
                       CHIEF 3
Cuauhtémoc sends word that he
wishes to talk to you. He wants
to meet you at the southeast canal
in the morning. You standing on
one bank, he on another.
                                                            
Cortes goes, but Cuauhtémoc does not show. He sends the two
chieftains instead.
                                                            
                       CHIEF 3
Cuauhtémoc dared not come for fear
of the crossbows and guns that
would be discharged at him.
                                                            
                       CORTES
I give my word that he will not be
harmed.
                                                            
                       CHIEF 3
He fears what happened to
Montezuma will happen to him.
                                                            
The Castilians don't attack for another four to five days.
About this time the poor Indians who are starving come out
every night. They come to the Castilians' camp looking for
food.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Don't attack them.
                                                            
After trying to build a catapult that fails Cortes orders
Sandoval and all twelve launches to invade the part of the
city Cuauhtémoc has retreated to. He orders Sandoval not to
harm any Mexicans unless attacked. He is to destroy their
houses and the defenses they have built in the lake.

When Cuauhtémoc sees that he is surrounded he becomes
afraid. He gets fifty great piraguas ready with good
rowers. When they see the launches going among the houses
they leave in the fifty canoes. They have on board all of
Cuauhtémoc's property, gold and jewels. His family and
women are aboard also. They shoot into the lake accompanied
by many Captains. The lake fills with canoes. Sandoval
gets word that Cuauhtémoc is fleeing and orders the launches
to go after him and stop destroying houses. Perez San
Fernando gets his launch out into the lake. He and his men
row as fast as they can as they can see the Mexica's canoes

186.

fleeing in the distance. GARCIA HOLGUIN, Sandoval's friend
and captain of a fast launch is ordered by him to follow in
the direction Cuauhtémoc is going and not to do him any
injury, but capture him in case they overtake him. Sandoval
travels in another direction with other launches with him.
Holguin overtakes the canoes and piraguas Cuauhtémoc is
traveling in. From the style, awnings and the seat he was
using he knows it is him. He makes a signal for him to stop
but they won't. So he pretends he is going to shoot his
arquebusiers and crossbows.
                                                            
                       CUAUHTEMOC
Don't shoot! I am the kig of the
city. They call me Cuauhtémoc.
Please do not disturb my wife or
relations, but carry me at once to
Malinche.
                                                            
Hearing this Holguin is greatly delighted. With much
respect he hugs him and puts him in the launch along with
his wife. About thirty chieftains join them and they are
given some food to eat. Holguin does not touch Cuauhtémoc's
property as asked, but brings the piraguas along with the
launch.

As they are bringing in Cuauhtémoc Cortes has a guest
chamber prepared. Sandoval and Holguin soon come with
Cuauhtémoc and both captains lead him to Cortes. He pays
Cortes great respect and embraces him with delight.
                                                            
                       CUAUHTEMOC
I have done my duty in defense of
my city. I can do no more. I
have come by force to be a
prisoner in your presence. Take
the dagger from my belt and kill
me at once with it.
                                                            
He then weeps. And all the other lords with him weep as
well.
                                                            
                       CORTES
I think all the more of you
because you have defended the
city. And you deserve no blame.
However, I do wish that you had
made peace before so much of the
city was destroyed and so many
Mexica died. But what has
happened has happened and I am
willing to let bygones be bygones.
You and your captains can take
rest and rule as you did before.
                                                            

187.

                       CUAUHTEMOC
We accept your favor.
                                                            
                       CORTES
How is your wife and the other
great ladies?
                                                            
                       CUAUHTEMOC
We begged Sandoval and Holguin to
let them stay in the canoes while
we came to see what you had to say
to us.
                                                            
Cortes motions to some conquistadors.
                                                            
                       CORTES
Bring them here at once and see to
it that they are given all the
best there is to eat here at the
camp.
                                                            
Plaxetotl and the rest of the divines didn't flee with
Cuauhtémoc. They hid in the houses of the city that were
left with the rest of the populace. Plaxetotl was glad he
could spend the final days of the Empire with Ayalca, but
they were sad, starving and worn out.
                                                            
                       MATLALUEGE
Cuauhtémoc has been captured by
the strangers. The war is now
over.
                                                            
                       PLAXETOLT
Multi-colored clothed men to
enslave us. Quetzalcoatl was
right indeed.
                                                            
END OF FLAHSBACK SEQUENCE
                                                            
 
INT. COURTROOM - DAY
                                                            
                       PROSECUTOR
I have nothing left in this
inquiry.
                                                            
The judge present makes his ruling.
                                                            
                       JUDGE
I find no reason to charge anyone
at this point. Thank you for your
testimony gentlemen. You are free
to go.
                                                            
 

188.

EXT. MEXICO - DAY
                                                            
"SEPTEMBER 16, 1810"
                                                            
MIGUEL HIDALGO Y COSTILLA an priest and educated Crillo
(Mexican born person of Spanish descent) meets with other
Crillos in Dolores. He is joined by an assistant, MARIN
LOUIS PLAXETOTL and co-conspirator IGNACIO DE ALLENDE.
Around 6:00 am he has the church bells ring and delivers the
"Grito de Dolores" in front his church, declaring Mexican
independence from Spain, encouraging the people to revolt.
                                                            
                       COSTILLA
My children: a new dispensation
comes to us today. Will you
receive it! Will you free
yourselves! Will you recover
lands stolen three hundred years
ago from your forefathers by the
hated Spaniards? We must act at
once...Will you defend your
religion and your rights as true
patriots? Long live Our Lady of
Guadalupe! Death to bad
government! Death to the
gachupines!
                                                            


FADE OUT.


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From Jarrett Ksiazek Date 6/15/2016 ****
This is one fantastic script. You have captured the vast and raw story of the fall of the Aztec empire in an encompassing and well written screenplay. This must be your passion project? The story is a little bit long for a movie screenplay though. This might be better suited for a mini series rather than a film. One complaint I do have though is the beginning of the story. It just seems to jump to quickly into the story without giving us more of a better picture as to why we are in a courtroom in the first place. The dialogue is also suspect in some places particularly with the native Aztecs, it just seems fake to me. That is my only real complaint though. Overall though this is a fantastic screenplay that should be produced at some point down the line. Keep up the good work and be sure to check out some of my screenplays that I just posted.


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