One day later.
Barcelona, Major Royal Palace.
Dawn in Barcelona painted the stained-glass windows of the Major Royal Palace with golden hues, but Christopher Columbus barely noticed. His mind was anchored in the previous day's audience, where he had presented the envoy from the Suaza Kingdom, Apqua, and the gifts that had astonished the court.
Now, summoned to a more private meeting with the Catholic Monarchs, he felt a knot in his stomach, a mix of pride and anxiety. The palace servants led him to a secluded chamber, where they presented him with noble clothes, though less ostentatious than yesterday's: a gray wool doublet, dark hose, and a cloak with a simple silver clasp.
As they adjusted the fabric, Columbus felt the weight of his precarious position. He was not a noble by birth, but a navigator who had promised a new world and returned with something far more complex: a kingdom that defied Europe's understanding.
After a breakfast of fresh bread, cheese, and watered-down wine, Columbus made his way to the council hall. The air smelled of candle wax and old parchment, and the walls, covered in tapestries depicting epic battles, seemed to judge him.
There sat Isabella and Ferdinand, on carved wooden thrones, flanked by Cardinal Pedro González de Mendoza, whose penetrating gaze beneath his red biretta unsettled him, and Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba, the Great Captain, whose ceremonial armor gleamed with intimidation. Further apart, almost in the shadows, was Luis de Santángel, the man who had funded his expedition.
Columbus bowed his head to the monarchs, following protocol, and greeted the others with formality. But as he approached Luis, his face softened.
"Don Luis, a pleasure to see you again," he said, his voice warm with gratitude toward the man who had believed in his dream.
Isabella, in a gown of green velvet and a gleaming crown, was direct and did not wait for Columbus to get comfortable.
"Don Christopher, we shall honor the promises of your expedition's contract, as we announced yesterday. You will be Admiral of the Ocean Sea and Governor. But the title of Viceroy is revoked, as the lands you found are already under an existing kingdom."
Columbus nodded, swallowing his disappointment. "I understand, Your Majesties. I accept your decision."
He knew that claiming the title of Viceroy was impossible in the face of the Suaza Kingdom's power. But keeping the rank of admiral allowed him to breathe; they still saw him as a valuable navigator.
Ferdinand, with his trimmed beard and calculating eyes, leaned forward.
"Tell us about this Suaza Kingdom. Its leader, its forces, its faith. We want details."
Columbus evoked Sunrise City, his voice firm but reverent.
"Its leader, the Young Chuta, is a boy of about ten years, but with a wisdom that surpasses his age. He learned our language in days. Their cities are made of stone and wood, and seemingly a material similar to Roman cement, with canals and markets that rival Seville. Their ships…"
He paused, remembering the golden and silver sails.
"They are larger and faster than our caravels, with cannons that surpass ours in number and power. Their warriors wear light armor, with iron plates at vital points, designed for agility."
Gonzalo let out a biting laugh.
"Light armor? Superior ships? Don Christopher, it seems you are inventing stories to justify your failure to claim lands for the Crown."
Columbus bristled, but kept his composure.
"I am not inventing, Captain. Their ships surrounded us on the high seas with a precision I have never witnessed. A single one could have reduced our expedition to splinters before we even fired."
Ferdinand raised a hand, silencing Gonzalo. "The letter from the scribe, Rodrigo de Escobedo, confirms your words, Don Christopher. It describes a military exercise on land and sea, with superior equipment to our own." Gonzalo crossed his arms, his face hardened by disbelief, but remained silent.
Cardinal Mendoza interceded, his voice grave. "And their religion? Are they Christian?"
Columbus shook his head. "They have temples, but no crosses or Christian symbols. I do not know what they believe, but their practices are organized, and they call their leader 'the Son of Heaven.'"
The hall fell silent, the attendees processing the information.
For over an hour, the questions continued: about Suaza crops, their organization, their willingness to trade. Columbus answered in detail, but he felt the court's doubts about whether a bond beyond trade with a pagan kingdom was prudent.
The tension exhausted him, but also ignited him; he saw in Suaza an opportunity that Europe was only beginning to comprehend. He also still remembered the mysterious look Chuta had given him when he mentioned that there might be more kingdoms to the west.
A few hours later.
That afternoon, at the home of Luis de Santángel, the atmosphere was warmer. The scent of baked bread and mulled wine filled the dining room, and candles cast a cozy glow. Columbus, seated across from Luis, apologized.
"Don Luis, I regret not having brought riches of my own as recompense for your help on my expedition… I could only bring promises of trade."
Luis laughed, a sound that dispelled Columbus's tension.
"Promises? Christopher, this is better than gold. A new kingdom, with resources and wisdom, is a mine to be exploited."
Pouring himself wine, he added, "The monarchs have entrusted me with the trade negotiations with the Suaza Kingdom. We shall work together."
Columbus felt an immense relief.
"I will give it my all, Luis. This alliance can open paths to new voyages."
His words hinted at his yearning to sail again, but Luis, with an evasive smile, changed the subject.
"Be careful, Christopher," he said, lowering his voice. "There are those who might sabotage this."
"Gonzalo?" Columbus asked, remembering his mockery.
Luis shook his head, his expression grave. "No. Tomás de Torquemada, the Grand Inquisitor. His religious zeal could see the Suaza as heretics, not allies."
A shiver ran down Columbus's spine. Torquemada, with his shadowy influence, was a greater threat than any skeptical captain. As the wine warmed his throat, he knew his mission was not only to forge ties with Suaza, but to protect them from the storms lurking in his own land.
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[A/N: CHAPTER COMPLETED?
Hello everyone.
The first part of this chapter is practically a preview.
Because it's like this, well, the truth is that my other novel will be on hold and I have some free time, and instead of resting, I preferred to get ahead on some story.
This will be a short chapter, and tomorrow will be a normal one, and both together will make a fairly long chapter.
Unnecessary Fact of the Day: Fray Hernando de Talavera, Queen Isabella's confessor and first archbishop of Granada after the conquest, advocated for the peaceful evangelization of the Moriscos of Granada, but the drastic policies against them that the crown later decided on somewhat removed him from the power of the Catholic Kingdoms.
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Read my other novels.
#The Walking Dead: Vision of the Future. (Chapter 83)
#The Walking Dead: Emily's Metamorphosis. (Chapter 29)
#The Walking Dead: Patient 0 - Lyra File (Chapter 9) (PAUSED)
You can find them on my profile.]