Month 11 Year 10 of the SuaChie Calendar.
One week later, January 1, 1493, Palos, Spain.
A week had slipped away in Palos de la Frontera like sand between the fingers, or perhaps, like a handful of silver coins in a sailor's purse. The day was bright, and Hycata found himself once more in Felipe's modest home, yet the atmosphere was no longer one of mere subsistence, but of incipient prosperity.
Luis Sarmiento had returned from Seville. His presence, now that of a rising merchant and not a disgraced mariner, filled the small room. The three of them shared a luncheon of bread, cheese, and wine, elements that felt more abundant than in previous weeks.
"Truly, Hycata, my boy, you have brought good auspice to my house," Felipe began, his tanned face now relaxed by satisfaction. "Since we returned, I have managed to hold onto my earnings, unlike those drunkards of the Pinzón family, who have already squandered everything. I was able to assist Luis here with contacts in Palos, and I've even associated with people who wouldn't even look at me before."
Felipe leaned forward, pride swelling in his chest. "Best of all, Hycata, a merchant from Huelva, one who runs a good cured-fish business, offered me his daughter as a betrothed. Do you know why? Not because of the expedition! But because he learned that I possess several pieces of emeralds from your kingdom!"
Hycata smiled with genuine, though controlled, satisfaction. "That is excellent, my Lord Felipe. It is proof that perseverance bears fruit."
Luis also congratulated Felipe with a formal nod. Zasaba had planted a seed, and Castilian vanity, watered by the jewels, had done the rest. Felipe's loyalty was secured, not by gold that could be lost, but by the social mobility that the Suaza gold and its gems had purchased for him.
Hycata then steered the conversation toward his academic interests. "The books you procured for me seem very interesting, Lord Felipe... The gifts to the local churches have worked well to obtain copies of the sermons and sacred histories. And to you, my Lord Luis, I thank you for continually sending me books from Seville. It appears to be a city of great libraries."
Felipe and Luis exchanged glances, visibly proud that such an enigmatic foreigner would praise the letters of their kingdom. "They are the wisdoms of the ancients, Hycata. It is not just our kingdom, but all of Europa," commented Luis with a measure of pomp.
Hycata nodded, but his mind was already elsewhere, analyzing the implicit information.
Analysis of Knowledge and Culture in Europa Quyca:
#Knowledge Bias: In these kingdoms, knowledge was an asset of power. Books, the printing press, access to written information—all were biased toward the Church, the nobles, and the wealthiest merchants who could afford expensive translations. This was radically different from the Suaza Kingdom. Chuta, along with Chewa and other leaders, had created several paper enterprises across multiple regions of the kingdom, boosting the use of the printing press and the massive, albeit indirect, distribution of texts. The Suaza vision was that knowledge should be a catalyst for civic and economic progress, not a weapon of social control. This European bias made their elites predictable: control the knowledge to maintain control.
#Cultural Fragmentation: European cultures, as portrayed in the books Hycata was reading, were surprisingly disparate. He read about Greek and Roman epics—stories of gods and heroes that resonated with the beliefs of the Great Quyca—and then read medieval theological treatises filled with penance and fear. The stories seemed to him to belong to very different eras from the one they were in. Europe was a mosaic of old glories, totalitarian faith, and palpable poverty. This offered fissures; they were not a monolith, but a collection of kingdoms united by a religious dogma, yet separated by history and ambition.
Just as Hycata pondered the volatile nature of European faith, Luis, feeling comfortable and supported, resumed the conversation with his own advancements.
"I have had my own successes in Seville, Hycata. The medallion you gave me has opened doors faster than any royal document."
Luis discreetly displayed a small bronze medallion Hycata had given him, engraved with the barely visible symbol of the Suaza sun, a seal of authenticity and priority.
"I have managed to establish a joint venture with a large merchant in Seville, a man with contacts in Genoa. We will deal directly with the Suaza ships that arrive in the bay, since the Governor of Seville, unlike the miserable noble of Palos, sees the opportunity. My proximity to the Columbus expedition, and the gleam of this medallion, have given me the priority we so desperately needed. Now, I shall be an important partner in transatlantic commerce!"
Luis poured himself more wine. There was a fire in his eyes that was no longer just bitterness.
"And the best part," he continued, his voice barely a whisper of contained rage, "is that I have indirectly fostered the understanding of the Suaza Kingdom as a distant, powerful, yet friendly realm in the Castilian cities near Seville. Including Toledo." He emphasized the city's name with a silent hatred.
Luis's game was two-fold: recover his fortune and diminish the prestige of the Castilian nobles who had betrayed him, by showing that a "distant" kingdom treated its merchants with more respect than their own Crown.
Though in truth, he was only making propaganda to increase his own profits, as the kingdom, through Zasaba, had already given him and promised him great wealth. One of the things he currently possessed was a large amount of high-quality jade, not to mention gold ingots, and that medallion which would grant him benefits.
Luis abruptly shifted his tone, from vengeance to report. "But there is fresh and more urgent news, Hycata. Columbus's tour to Barcelona, where he exhibits his 'success' in every important city, has awakened the great ones."
"The great ones?" Hycata inquired.
"Important nobles, and also bishops. All are sending their aides and spies—forgive me, their 'emissaries'—to Barcelona and also here, to Palos, to obtain firsthand information about your kingdom's territory. They want to see the gold, to touch the cacao. This includes the converso I told you about," he remarked with a broad smile. "Juan Pérez Coronel is already on his way. I contacted him, just as you requested."
Hycata felt an electric thrill. Juan Pérez Coronel, the key nexus in the financial heart. "That is excellent, my Lord Luis. The opportunity is perfect."
But the joy was short-lived. News from Apqua and the sovereigns in Barcelona had not yet arrived, and Hycata did not know if he should approach a man of Juan Pérez Coronel's stature with a proactive approach (direct and open business) or a subtle one (infiltration and espionage).
Luis continued, his voice now grave. "And there is more. Apparently, the sudden popularity and the mysticism surrounding your kingdom have attracted the attention of the Archbishop of Castile. He is a very devout man, an old-school Catholic. They say he might attempt to ask the Vatican for 'counsel' on the possibility of sending religious expeditions or pilgrimages to this new territory."
Alarm!
This set off the maximum alert in Hycata's mind. With his advanced knowledge of politics, obtained at the Simte Academy, and his analysis of local noble and religious psychology, which displayed a zeal for conversion, he was able to determine that this was not merely a matter of faith; it was an imminent danger.
A religious expedition, blessed by the Pope, would be impossible to refuse or attack without provoking an immediate holy war. The pilgrims would not be simple travelers, but religious infiltrators, and a moral anchor for any future invasion.
The Archbishop was not only asking for souls; he was seeking the papal sanction to justify interference in the Great Quyca. This move was far more dangerous than a noble's desire to steal emeralds; it aimed directly at the political legitimacy of the Suaza Kingdom.
A week later, January 8, 1493, Palos, Spain.
The scent of dampness and limestone of the new house was a welcome substitute for the dense smell of salt and dust from Felipe's dwelling. A week after the meeting with Luis, Hycata found himself having breakfast alone in a spacious hall, the room bathed in a pale light that entered through a barred window.
The house, of a 'classic' style in local parlance, was made of solid stone and stood with a heavy dignity that contrasted with the architectural simplicity of Ciudad Amanecer. This house was not merely a refuge; it was a tool for the mission, provided by the most important noble in Palos.
Hycata took a sip of a Suaza herbal infusion he carried with him and let the torrent of events from the previous week settle in his mind, analyzing them methodically.
The Crown's Response (Barcelona):
Two days after Luis returned from Seville, a royal messenger had arrived with the expected edict from Barcelona. The Crown of Castile and Aragon had granted 'limited and controlled' commercial permits to the Suaza Kingdom, along with temporary residential permits for the envoys.
#Analysis 1: The edict was a half-victory for the Suaza Kingdom. It meant the door was open, but not wide open. Spain recognized the commercial value but attempted to contain Suaza influence, ensuring the Crown controlled the flow of goods and, more importantly, of information. This demanded a dual strategy from Hycata: operating publicly as an envoy, and secretly as a Shadow.
The Opportunism of Palos:
Hycata's need to establish himself quickly coincided with the opportunism of the local noble, who, recognizing Hycata as one of Apqua's direct assistants, rushed to offer him the grand stone house. He was selling it, but reserved the actual transfer of the papers, a legal ruse that allowed the noble to maintain nominal ownership while enriching himself with Suaza gold.
This situation caused a diverting—and somber—reflection for Hycata, on two levels:
#The Seduction of Wealth: European greed was a more effective vector for infiltration than force. The noble was willing to compromise his local prestige for a small share of the wealth of a kingdom he barely knew. The price of the house was minuscule compared to the strategic value of having an unshakeable base in the port.
#The Mask of the Shadow: The noble took for granted that Hycata, as an assistant, had been aboard the ship or traveling, never imagining he had spent the last month in Felipe's modest house, gathering intelligence right under his nose. This reinforced Zasaba's fundamental thesis at the Academy: people only see what they expect to see. His public identity as a curious young assistant was impeccable.
The Naval Flow and the Commercial Nexus:
That same day, the fast, solitary Yaguar-type ship withdrew from the nearby seas, its function as sentinel and messenger complete. Three days later, three Tequendama I ships arrived, loaded with goods prepared in advance.
The arrival of these ships, slightly larger than common nao trading vessels, transformed Palos into a fervent commercial center. The haste of the merchants and the discipline of the Suaza crew created a vivid contrast to the chaotic atmosphere of the port. With the Tequendama, Hycata received new information.
#Link city: It was confirmed that this new base was not merely a meeting point, but the transit point established by Chuta. It was the nexus between Europa Quyca, Guanza Quyca (Africa), and the Great Quyca. This made Hycata realize that the number of Suaza ships circulating in the area would greatly increase, and with it, his opportunities to send and receive messages more frequently and securely. Chuta's logistics were farsighted: building the base of operations outside the direct control of the rival power.
#Currencies and Barter: The event that went unnoticed by most was the small-scale entry into circulation of Suaza bronze, silver, and gold coins. They were highly sought after, not only for their intrinsic value—their unadulterated precious metal content, in contrast to European coins that were often devalued—but also, to a lesser extent, as collector's items. However, the bulk of the trade remained a sophisticated barter system: the Suaza bought seeds, animals, books, and supplies for the voyage, in exchange for their exotic products and jewels.
#Sanitary and Dietary Control: Hycata observed how Suaza officers, sailors, and merchants were visibly reluctant to eat the local products sold in the commercial areas. The bland flavors of European food, often cooked without the variety of Suaza spices and techniques, and the notorious lack of hygiene presented by the local food stalls, were evident. This reinforced Hycata's awareness of the technological and cultural gap: health and diet were a luxury in Suaza, a risk in Europa.
Six Days Later, January 14, 1493, Palos, Spain.
The meeting with Apqua took place in the main hall of the new house. The atmosphere was one of immediate familiarity, like the meeting of two compatriots in a distant land, but that warmth was tempered by the formality imposed by their ranks and public identities.
Apqua, more animated than Hycata, sat with the relaxation of a man who had completed the most dangerous part of his mission.
"Barcelona, and many other cities inland, look like a labyrinth, Hycata. Cities surrounded by walls that seem more a threat than a protection," Apqua began, gesturing. "The castles are imposing. Seeing those stone structures, designed to withstand sieges of months, made me think of how different our military strategy is, which focuses on movement and speed."
Hycata took note, his mind analyzing: Walls = Fear of the other. Castles = Concentrated feudal power. Defensive strategy = slow reaction.
"And the routes, my Lord Apqua?" Hycata asked, using the formal tone of his cover identity. "How do they travel between these walled cities?"
Apqua smiled. "Slowly. On roads that become impassable with rain. But the cities are full of people, crowded. In every location, Columbus put on his spectacle. I was able to chart the weak points of the routes, Hycata. Small villages lack surveillance and can serve as covert resupply points in the future."
Then, the tone grew serious. Apqua proceeded to discuss the meeting with the Catholic Monarchs.
"They have an imposing presence, Hycata. But the power they wield is, in truth, a trinity: the Monarchs, the Nobles, who control the land and the armies, and the Church, which controls the souls and the narrative."
"And the possible responses to the kingdom's appearance?" Hycata inquired.
"The Crown is divided. They want our gold and 'spices,' but they fear the unknown. The nobles see an opportunity for new resources. But what worried me most was the third leg," Apqua said.
Hycata, recalling Luis's report on the Archbishop, did not need to ask. "Did you notice suspicious movements by the priests in Barcelona, my Lord Apqua?"
Apqua sighed. "Yes. Subtle movements. Too many questions about our faith, about whether we have knowledge of the one truth, they seemed intent on teaching me about their sole God. Although, due to the lack of prior information and the little I could gather with my diplomatic identity, these are simple assumptions."
"We both arrived at the same conclusion; the Church could be an immediate problem," Hycata thought without surprise.
Apqua stood up, assuming his role again.
"My mission here is complete. You have proven yourself more than competent, Hycata... I officially leave you in charge of the position of the Kingdom's envoy in Palos," he said in a firm, loud tone, in case anyone was listening nearby, and then whispered: "This is your perfect cover. Rely on Felipe and Luis; they are your anchors. You have total freedom to operate and expand the intelligence network, but you must maintain periodic reports through the Link city channels."
Hycata accepted with a bow of the head. "Understood. If I may ask, my Lord Apqua, what is your next mission?"
Apqua smiled, revealing the depth of Chuta's strategy. "I return to Link city. I will be coordinating the deployment of other agents in Europa Quyca and Guanza Quyca from that base."
He paused, looking at Hycata with respect.
"Young Chuta mentioned it to me before we departed... He already feared there would be problems with the local religion. The fanaticism of these kingdoms is a weapon that has no equivalent in our territory. Our job is to measure its reach and secure the Great Quyca against its doctrine."
Apqua departed, leaving Hycata alone in the stone house.
The solitude transformed into the immense responsibility of being the first eye and the first ear of the Suaza Kingdom in the heart of Europa.
The young Shadow was no longer a mere assistant; he was the focal point of a nascent intelligence network, with the blessing of his superior and the strategic foresight of Chuta; his mission had only just begun.
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[A/N: CHAPTER COMPLETED
Hello everyone.
First, I apologize for the delay, but I was celebrating my birthday.
We continue with Hycata's perspective, and this is more about understanding what happened during Columbus's arrival in Spain, through the eyes of a Shadow.
By the way, this also connects a lot with the reports that are sent, the way information is obtained, and the way the kingdom is linked.
UFD: The European nobility ate large quantities of meat (especially game), grains, and used spices and sugar/honey to prepare complex and flavorful dishes, resulting in a diet radically different from that of the peasantry, which was based on simpler grains, legumes, and little meat.
Right, I didn't mention potatoes, why didn't I?
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Read my other novels.
#The Walking Dead: Vision of the Future (Chapter 87)
#The Walking Dead: Emily's Metamorphosis (Chapter 33) (INTERMITTENT)
#The Walking Dead: Patient 0 - Lyra File (Chapter 13) (INTERMITTENT)
You can find them on my profile.]