The Fair Gods

The Fair Gods

Shortly after the discovery of a new continent by Christopher Columbus, would-be privateers from Spain rush to the shores of the new world seeking to acquire land, riches, and the power that came with both. Among these hearty individuals is Hernando Cortés, who, along with his native translator Malinali Tenepal-baptized in the Catholic faith as Marina-manage to overcome the might of the Aztec empire. It is a tale of greed, self-righteousness, power, and betrayal. It is also a tale of guile, strategy, alliances, and inevitable change. The two volumes of The Fair Gods tell the story of how a small band of men aided by a native woman accomplished the most remarkable feat of conquest in history. They were, as described by General Lew Wallace (author of Ben Hur and The Fair God), "men never seen before or since."

Taking Tenochtitlan Having made their way from Cuba through daunting weather and adversity as depicted in the first volume of this story, Cortés and his followers finally arrive at the entrance to the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan. All stand in awe at the magnificent city and its people and daunted by the 300,000 natives living in the area. Invited into the city as guests and given a palace in which to stay, they soon discover their lodgings are nothing more than a comfortable prison.

A battle of wits ensues between Cortés and Moctezuma, the "Great Speaker" of the Aztec Empire, each knowing only one of them will likely survive. At the same time, Moctezuma must deal with the internal conspiracies within his court and its religious leaders that seek to depose him and assume the mantle of power for themselves. However, Moctezuma has plans of his own, which would deal with not only these fair-skinned gods from the east but the priesthood as well.

Facing annihilation, the Spaniards leave the city only to be confronted by a superior force. What remains of the invaders are left to lick their wounds, the Aztecs pressing their advantage. And what of the troops of the vengeful Governor Velásquez of Cuba, who aim to imprison Cortés and his men as traitors? They cannot be far behind.