Hernán

COYOACAN TWO YEARS AFTER THE CONQUEST

No!

Sir, there is someone here to see you.

- The physician? - No,

a former soldier of yours.

He says you sent for him.

- Show him in. - Yes, sir.

Bernal!

Captain!

You don’t know how grateful I am to see a friendly face on a day like this.

I could not return to Coatzacoalcos without coming to see you.

- Good. Wine? - Yes.

First things first.

To friends who are no longer with us!

- To those who are no longer with us! - Cheers!

Sit down.

Forgive this clutter.

Speaking of the departed,

I was sorry to hear about your wife’s death.

You must have heard all sorts.

- Her brother Juan Suarez says I killed her. - Slander!

Such lies are repeated only by your enemies.

I know you.

I know that you could never do anything like that.

If I have an excess of anything, it is enemies!

People are hell bent on slandering me.

And calling me to account.

Such as for the night we escaped from Tenochtitlan.

Do you remember it?

That’s why I sent for you, Bernal.

I need to write to the King again.

State my case.

It is very easy for them to hold you to account once it is all over.

But we are the ones who were there...

Risking our lives.

We do not forget.

Captain...

I do not forget.

Did you bring it?

Tlaxcala.

Cholula.

Tenochtitlan.

And the Great Leader Moctezuma.

And that night...

- Was that Marina? - Yes.

Sit down.

We have a lot of work to do.

It will be another long night.

Gentlemen!

TWO YEARS EARLIER

Is this all of the King’s share?

Yes.

- And this is mine? - It is.

Take a quarter of it and move it to the King’s share.

I do not want any complaints or accusations.

Understood.

Fine.

- Bernal! - Sir?

Arrange for the men to share out

the valuable pieces that are left.

But do it sensibly.

- Yes, Captain. - Good.

Botello! Did your omens shine so bright?

One more thing.

You make sure that

the mule can bear the weight of the King’s gold.

Do not worry.

And hurry up. We leave tonight!

What are you doing? Stop!

I told you to stop!

Put that down, soldier!

There is more gold here than we can take with us.

There is more than enough!

Put it into piles so we can share it out between us all.

Understood?

Do not worry, Bernal. I will take care of it.

You see to the mule for the King’s share.

Agreed.

- Come on, come on! - Watch the door!

Go away!

Go away!

- Sandoval! - Captain?

You will go in the first group, at the vanguard.

Choose your second in command.

I want you to put the bridges here and here. Securely.

Once you’re across, you'll cover the second and third groups.

- Understood, Captain. - Good.

Olid, Alvarado and I will form the second group. The largest one.

Olid, I want you in front with half of our company.

I will go in the middle, with the women and the mule that carries the King’s share.

- Alvarado! - Captain?

You will be at the end with the rest of the Castilian soldiers.

Understood.

And the third group?

Xicotencatl and his warriors.

They are our rearguard.

Gentlemen! Let us be clear.

This is a desperate escape.

We must seize the only advantage we have.

The Mexica do not attack at night.

I expect there will be another downpour tonight.

That will make the road slippery,

but it will also put out the Mexica fires and we will not be seen.

There will still be a full moon.

Keep watch.

We will leave in silence. We will march stealthily.

If they attack...

I trust that you will maintain order in our ranks.

We are our only hope.

Gentlemen, I want you to know...

that there is not a man among you of whom I am not proud.

And I thank the Lord on high for your courage, bravery

and loyalty on this voyage.

Tonight, being afraid is not an option.

So go about your duties as you know how. Whatever happens,

you have earned your place in our Lord’s Heaven,

and in the History of Castile.

To your positions!

What shall we do with the prisoners?

Understood.

Where is Moctezuma’s family?

Where?

Get away! Come on! Come on!

Tecuichpo! Tecuichpo!

Sister! Tecuichpo!

Lady, help!

Lady, help!

Lady, help!

Soldier...

no armor.

The Captain said we must be silent.

God speed, Captain.

Were you looking for me?

Think they will hold out?

Of course, Captain!

Tlaloc!

He has not missed today’s appointment either.

He will put out the Mexica fires.

Take shelter!

Take shelter!

Hail Mary,

full of grace, the Lord is with thee...

Amen.

We are ready.

Good. See you on the other side of the road, cousin.

Open the gates!

Keep your eyes wide open, cousin.

What is this, Botello?

What is it?

Are you insane?

We cannot carry any more weight, do you understand?

We need you all to be light, understand? Light!

There will be time to retrieve all of this later.

You! What have you got?

I cannot believe this!

Where is the Captain?

I’ll be right back.

Be still!

Bring the ropes.

On the corners, like a drawbridge.

Come in here.

They will not dare to enter.

Marina!

Please don’t move from here.

Marina!

- Marina, we have to leave. - Yes.

I was looking for the blanket that you gave me...

but it is not here.

No matter. I will buy you another.

Come outside.

Take the horses out the back way.

In silence. They must not hear us.

Let’s go, let’s go.

Gentlemen!

Get ready!

We are about to leave.

May luck be on our side!

Captain!

Is the second group ready?

Ready, Captain.

Let’s go.

Let’s go!

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with...

blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus...

You are just as responsible of this as they are!

I curse you!

We all do!

I know.

Go with God, Captain.

With God, Cristobal.

You give the order.

Open the gates!

Let’s go.

Come on.

Where are you going?

I will stay with my brother and my people.

I said where are you going?

You left the Tlaxcalteca behind...