The next day, Dawn City.
The morning breeze felt cool against my skin. I walked through the main square, flanked by the loyal Explorer Guard who followed a few paces behind, a comforting presence and a constant reminder of my position. My attendants moved with a practiced lightness, anticipating my every need before I even felt it myself.
"Hmph… I'll have to speak with the ministers and the Religious Council to get rid of the extra attendants," Chuta thought listlessly as he watched the ever-attentive staff and at the same time recalled the events of the previous day.
Yesterday, the Suaza Fleet, led by Sogeking, had escorted Columbus's ships out of Suaza territory. I watched them become tiny specks on the horizon, carrying away promises of friendship between our kingdoms and leaving a palpable worry in their wake.
The history I learned in another life has strayed. No longer is it an inevitable massacre, but an opportunity—one I myself have created. The thrill of being a key player in this new narrative fills me, but the concern that my calculations are wrong, that the future could still claim its horrible course, weighs heavily on me.
In the distance, across the square, a commotion captured my attention. Families of newcomers were lining up in front of the Governor's House.
They were men and women from nearby islands, and many of the former slaves, now free, whom the kingdom had purchased from the Aztecs, Taironas, and Mayans. To see the blend of cultures, to hear their nervous laughter, and to see the hope on their faces as they were assigned their new homes filled me with a profound pride. In other places, these people would have been exploited or sacrificed, but here, in the Suaza Kingdom, they were citizens with a second chance.
I made my way toward the Stone Mansion, where my office was located.
Two hours later.
I sat in my chair with the heavy sensation of being an adult, even though my body betrayed me with a restless tingling. My guests were already there. Zasaba, who acted as my confidant as a cover, but who was, in fact, the leader of the 'Shadows'. His ever-sharp gaze awaited me with a calm that reassured me.
Foza, the Governor of the Federal Region of the Islands of the Rising Sun, looked serious and attentive. And then there were the two Europeans: Rodrigo de Escobedo, the royal scribe, whose expression was still one of astonishment, and the Pinzón brothers' trusted man, who seemed nervous.
"Please, be seated," I said, my voice sounding firmer than I felt. "Thank you for agreeing to this meeting."
Everyone nodded and took their seats. The silence stretched for a moment, and then I broke the ice.
"As you know, you are more than welcome to stay in our city for as long as you wish. However, I feel the need to clarify a couple of important points."
The Pinzón's man tensed visibly, his face reflecting a mixture of shame and anxiety.
"From now on, your expenses will be your own responsibility," I continued, observing their reactions. The scribe, Rodrigo, did not flinch, his gaze fixed on me as if he were analyzing every one of my words. The other man, however, seemed on the verge of panic.
"If necessary, you have the opportunity to work to obtain the resources you need," I hastened to add, seeing his distress. "There is much to be done here, and we value hard work."
The relief on the face of the Pinzón's man was so palpable I could almost feel it. Once this matter was settled, I leaned slightly forward, my voice dropping to a more serious tone.
"Another important point," I continued, "You are free to live and move throughout all of Dawn City, but you may not go to other islands, nor may you take any of our vessels to leave here."
"If you wish to leave Dawn City, you must request a special permit that will be evaluated by my assistants or by the highest authority of the islands, Governor Foza," I said, pointing to Foza who was next to me.
Surprise crossed Rodrigo's face. "But, Young Chuta, I... I was hoping to be able to explore your lands. Your culture and your technology seem fascinating to me, and I can't wait to write about everything I have seen."
"I understand your interest, and I appreciate it," I replied with a smile that did not reach my eyes. "But I'm afraid your curiosity will have to be satisfied when your leaders respond favorably to our request for friendship. For now, it is necessary for you to remain in this city." The scribe fell silent, his expression a mixture of disappointment and amazement. "In fact, if your request is accepted, we will assign a guide for you to explore the islands' territory."
"But…" Rodrigo de Escobedo tried to protest again, but I stopped him with a gesture.
"I know this is difficult to accept, but you must know that you are only normal guests of the kingdom, and until we are allies with your kingdom, we can only limit your movement... However, in the future, I hope you will visit our capital, Central City."
Rodrigo froze. He had believed that Dawn City was the kingdom's capital. He had completely underestimated the scope and power of the kingdom. This revelation, more than anything else, seemed to leave him breathless.
Several days later.
The days in Dawn City pass at a dizzying pace, and the constant bustle of construction and growth keeps me anchored in the present. One of the projects that excites me most is finally ready: the city's first library. The scent of freshly cut wood and the leaves of books filled the air. The library wasn't as large as the one in Central City, but it would be constantly stocked with new books.
The scribe, Rodrigo de Escobedo, who had been following me at a prudent distance, came to my side. His presence was a constant, a kind of shadow, though without the loyalty and silence. His face reflected genuine curiosity, his gaze sweeping the rows of shelves, and then stopping on the spines of the books.
"Young Chuta," he said with a voice full of awe, "I have visited the great libraries of Salamanca and Paris, but I have never seen a collection like this. The subjects... they are very strange. There are books on mathematics and language, of course, but also on commerce, agriculture, metallurgy, and… craftsmanship?"
I smiled to myself. Rodrigo was looking with the eyes of a man from the Renaissance, who believes that knowledge should be a luxury for a few, and that knowledge is something pure and selfless. For the Suaza Kingdom, knowledge is power and it is a tool.
"These are the books of the people's knowledge, Rodrigo," I replied, my voice soft. "We believe that every person has the right to learn, not just the nobles. The books on craftsmanship are for artisans who want to perfect their trade. The books on commerce are for merchants who want to learn how to better manage their businesses. The books on agriculture are for farmers who want to learn how to cultivate their lands better."
Rodrigo's mouth opened slightly. "But… isn't this dangerous? If everyone has access to knowledge, won't the wise lose their authority?"
I shook my head. "On the contrary, Rodrigo. If everyone has access to knowledge, everyone can contribute. Knowledge is not a possession to be taken from others. It is a river that flows and grows as more tributaries join it. When the people are wise, the kingdom is strong."
I looked at Rodrigo, his eyes shining with fascination. He was an intelligent man, no doubt. A good asset, if he could divest himself of his old notions.
"You could also learn if you wish, Rodrigo," I told him with a playful tone. "But first, you'll have to learn the Suaza language."
Rodrigo's expression changed to one of determination. "Young Chuta, that seems like a worthy challenge. It's not so difficult. I will dedicate myself to learning your language."
I smiled. I had already won. With a man like him, who believed in the power of knowledge, we could sow the seeds of a future relationship.
A few hours later.
The afternoon brought a change of pace. I met with Zasaba in my office; the silence of the stone mansion was a welcome contrast to the bustle of the square. Zasaba stood in front of my desk; his military bearing and his soldier's gaze made him look like the spy he was.
"The reports on the Europeans in the city have arrived, Young Chuta," Zasaba said, his voice grave. "Criminal incidents have decreased greatly. Disputes are now mainly about language."
A warmth of satisfaction spread through my chest. It was a good indicator that my strategy was working.
"I knew it," I said, nodding. "They'll get used to it. The need to communicate is one of the greatest forces that exist. And once they learn to communicate, they will begin to understand each other. They will realize that, despite their differences, we are more alike than they thought."
Zasaba looked pleased.
"In a week, the reports on the progress in Guanza Quyca and the Suaza Strait should be here," he added, with a tone of voice that seemed to show great confidence in his plans.
The future. Always the future. Guanza Quyca, the African continent, and the Suaza Strait, the southern part of South America. These were two key points for my long-term plans. Guanza Quyca, to ensure that the African empires did not fall so easily into the hands of the Europeans. And the Suaza Strait, to establish an outpost that would allow us to control the maritime routes between the two oceans.
"Let me know as soon as they arrive. I want the reports to be as detailed as possible. We have to be ready for anything," I said to Zasaba, looking at him intently.
My heart beat with a mixture of excitement and anxiety. Columbus's departure was just the beginning. Now, the real work begins, not only for the Suaza Kingdom but for the entire future of the continent.
The next day.
The morning light filtered through the window, more intense than usual. I stretched in bed, sat up, and rubbed my eyes, feeling a slight disorientation. I had woken up later than usual. I was always surprised by the punctuality with which the assistants, assigned by the ministers and the Religious Council, presented themselves to help me get ready, but today I hadn't heard a single alarm.
For a moment, the peace felt strange, almost unnatural. I hoped it wasn't a new attempt by my assistants to treat me like a king; I had already made it clear that I valued my time alone and my independence.
Without a second thought, I got up and headed for the kitchen. My stomach was rumbling, and I was thinking about what to prepare, but as I reached the entrance, I stopped dead in my tracks. The scene I found took my breath away.
There they were, all together. My mother, Za, moved with agility, a bowl of tropical fruits in her hand. My fiancées, Umza, Nyia, and Turey, were laughing, each with a plate in hand, while my father, Hyba, chopped potatoes for the tortilla.
The air was filled with laughter, the aroma of sweet fruits, and the familiar sound of my father's knife against the wooden cutting board. For some reason, tears welled up without my permission. A man who in his past life had lived extensively and had seen countless wars and conflicts was now crying at the feeling of warmth in his chest.
My sobs caught my mother's attention. She immediately put down what she was doing and ran to hug me.
"Son? What's wrong?" she asked, her voice full of concern. She enveloped me in her arms with the same warmth she had always protected me with, and I clung to her with all my might.
"I missed you," I whispered through my tears, my voice broken. "I missed you so much."
The others joined us. Umza, Nyia, and Turey surrounded me, each with an arm around me, and my father also embraced me, his large hand resting on my back. It was a group hug, full of love and warmth.
My mother looked me in the eyes, her face full of determination. "We will be here with you," she said. "There's no need for you to be away, my son. We will stay in Dawn City. We will face whatever we must face alongside you."
I felt a pang of fear. "Mother... it's better if you go back home. This is a dangerous place. We are…" I tried to convince them. "I don't want anything to happen to you."
But she interrupted me. "We won't change our minds, Chuta. This is our decision, and it is final." Her voice had a tone that left no room for discussion. Then, her face lit up with a mischievous smile. "Now, I will punish you for having left us without any message for so many months. I thought a man as busy as you had no time for his family."
I tried to justify myself, explaining that I was too busy with the arrival of the Europeans. "But, Mother, I was so…"
She glared at me, and I stopped dead.
"Not another word, Chuta."
In that moment, the harsh reality hit me. It doesn't matter the time period; a mother's power is universal and knows no bounds.
.
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[A/N: CHAPTER COMPLETED
Hello everyone.
Chuta has a couple of normal days, but they show that the kingdom functions as usual, but in Dawn City things are slowly beginning to change with the presence of Europeans.
Unnecessary Fact of the Day: The Treaty of Tordesillas between Spain and Portugal of 1494 divided the non-Christian world between the crowns of Castile and Portugal by a demarcation line located 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde Islands. This happened just over a year after Columbus returned to Spain.
Will this be signed again, or will there be a third part to the treaty?
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Read my other novels.
#The Walking Dead: Vision of the Future. (Chapter 79)
#The Walking Dead: Emily's Metamorphosis. (Chapter 27)
#The Walking Dead: Patient 0 - Lyra File (Chapter 9) (PAUSED)
You can find them on my profile.]