The Fair Gods Paperback – April 10, 2024

On a squally winter’s night, a small contingent of Spaniards numbering no more than five hundred darts out of Cuba’s Manzanillo harbor aboard some acquired ships. They do so, fleeing from arrest by Governor Velásquez’s order, who has labeled their leader, Hernando Cortés, a traitor. Thus begins the epic story of Cortés and history’s most daring conquest.Early in the expedition, they receive their most valuable treasure, a native princess who had been sold into slavery by her stepbrother, chief of the Paynala. Through her interaction with the local tribes, she becomes indispensable. Her ability to translate not just words but also the real message behind them is critical to the Spaniards' success and allows her to pursue her own hidden agenda.Once allies are made on the coast, Cortés and his expedition plunge into the interior, chasing riches, power, and position. They face the unknown terrain and weather, as well as the many indigenous tribes that might be loyal to the Aztec empire or, in other cases, willing to ally with the Spaniards to remove the yoke of Aztec domination. As the expedition heads toward the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan, they are well aware that the governor’s troops are not far behind, carrying the irons those troops intend to use to drag them all back to Cuba and a hangman’s noose.Arriving at the entrance to the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan, Cortés’s troops stand in awe at the magnificent city and its people and are 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.The two parts of The Fair Gods, previously published separately but combined in this edition, tell a tale of greed, self-righteousness, power, and betrayal. The story is also a tale of guile, strategy, alliances, and inevitable change in what will ultimately become Mexico. Read more