Year 12 of the SuaChie Calendar, Second Month.
Dawn City, Central Mansion.
The sound of the sea in Dawn City was a constant and soothing melody that welcomed me back. I had returned from the heart of the Kingdom to its Caribbean frontier, and the tranquility I felt was tangible.
The journey home, though long, had been gratifying. My usual concerns, especially those relating to conflicts with the Mexica or European intrusion, had diminished as I bore witness to the gradual progress of the Kingdom.
Passing through small cities and towns along the way, I could see how the quality of life for our people had substantially improved. There were sturdier stone houses, more irrigation canals, and, above all, the people smiled with a security that only prosperity bestows.
In my mind, a countdown was already running for the moment when the entire Kingdom would soon see the effects of the improvements we had brought, accelerated by Nemequene and his development plans.
I arrived at the Stone Mansion, exhausted. I had been received at the port with the customary effusiveness, a tide of cheers and flowers, but the long journey had drained me. Furthermore, my mind had not ceased to ruminate over one constant and more primal concern: the resilience of the current ships.
Though the accident from months ago had not recurred, and all vessels presenting structural failures were repaired or retired from service, the fear of suffering a mishap in the middle of the vast Sea of the Floating Isles persisted.
The first-generation Tequendama ships were a miracle of engineering for this age, but I remembered the flaws in the initial design. Technology always brought its own burden of anxiety.
The day after my arrival.
I set about tackling the pending reports. Zasaba, the current Chancellor of Dawn City and director of The Shadows spy network, had already warned me that we had plenty of urgent matters to address.
Entering one of the smaller, more secure meeting rooms, I noted that Foza, the Governor of the FRIRS, and Zasaba awaited me patiently.
I greeted them with a nod. "Foza, Zasaba. It is good to see you both in person."
The three of us exchanged greetings and anecdotes about my recent birthday celebration. The feast had been a massive event that had united the entire Kingdom, from the Central City to the islands.
Foza, a man of the sea and the land, recounted his experience with a radiant smile. "Young Chuta, this year the celebration was even grander than the last. Our regional capital was visited by many of the FRIRS leaders: Taíno and Arawak Caciques, and those from other smaller communities. All were celebrating not only a new year under the Suaza Kingdom but the prosperity brought by the people of the South… The spirit of unity was immense."
The news pleased me deeply. The Kingdom's success was not measured only in technology but in peace and cultural assimilation.
"We must continue to improve the lives of their people, Foza. Loyalty is built with well-being, not by force."
Zasaba, always more sober and focused on logistics, commented: "Some Caciques also arrived in Dawn City and celebrated here. Notably, a few of the Europeans who arrived in time for the festivities also did so. The coexistence was… peaceful, which speaks well of the established protocols."
After a couple more comments on everyday affairs, my tone turned serious, guiding the conversation toward what truly mattered. "Let us move on to the important matters. Foza, what reports do you bring from the Floating Isles?"
Foza nodded, his face turning grave. "It concerns a problem that occurred in one of the emergent cities of the FRIRS, a situation involving a group of Spaniards."
"What happened now?" I thought with disguised annoyance.
"A commercial ship arrived at the FRIRS capital," Foza recounted. "They requested permission to attempt direct trade with one of the largest islands, the one we call Quisqueya (the future Hispaniola)."
"Did you allow them entry?" I asked, feeling a chill of caution.
"Yes, Young Chuta," Foza replied, then continued. "Enthused by the opening of relations, I granted permission, but only if they were escorted by a Tequendama vessel. However, upon arrival at the port city of that territory, a conflict broke out."
"A priest from the Spanish group openly argued with the local Cacique over his 'heresy' of having more than one wife. The priest attempted to impose his beliefs, and the Cacique would not tolerate it… A major dispute and a small brawl ensued, but our Suaza warriors, both from the mainland and those recruited in the islands, intervened directly and controlled the situation before any serious bloodshed occurred."
The irony was a cold dagger. Everything seemed to be going well, diplomacy was flowing, and religion once again became the trigger for conflict. This was not a political or economic issue; it was a clash of primal worldviews, the hardest thing to mediate.
I looked at Zasaba. "Were the protocols I established for this type of case activated? The 'Rule of Controlled Hospitality'."
Zasaba, without a shred of doubt in his voice, responded: "Yes, Young Chuta. The Spaniards were escorted to Dawn City. The culprits—the priest and a couple of sailors who joined the dispute—are detained in the city regiment. The rest of the crew awaits permission to return with their cargo… Furthermore, relevant letters have already been dispatched advising the delegations located in Link City, in Cape Verde, and one of the Spanish nobles visiting the city for business was notified to witness the incident and our containment."
He made a pause that I did not like. I noticed Zasaba hesitating to say something. "And? Speak what is happening, Zasaba. Do not hide anything from me."
Zasaba swallowed. "The Cacique who suffered the offense, in his just indignation, is demanding sentences of slavery for the Spaniards, especially for the priest. He wants an exemplary and permanent punishment for the offense to his authority and his wives."
I tensed. My twelve-year-old body suddenly felt heavy, overwhelmed by the need to make a decision with international and cultural repercussions.
Slavery.
I could not allow it. While the Suaza Kingdom had not completely abolished slavery—it still existed in some traditional forms, mainly for debt or punishment for very severe crimes—my policy had been to limit its scope and, above all, never impose it on foreign kingdoms. If I condemned a Spanish priest to slavery, there would be no turning back in the relationship. The Catholic Monarchs would take it as a declaration of war and an attack on their faith.
But at the same time, I could not simply dismiss the Cacique's demand. He had been offended in his own territory by a foreigner who felt morally superior, endangering the peace of the island and the authority of the FRIRS. The Kingdom, if it wanted to be respected, could not allow its allies to be humiliated.
Laws, I need laws.
The situation forced me to draw upon a plan that Nemequene and I had discussed in reserve: the establishment of a unified legal code for the entire Kingdom, the so-called General Laws. This incident, ironically, was the perfect catalyst.
This code should protect local customs, like the Cacique's polygamy, and, at the same time, establish standard punishments: fines, imprisonment, or temporary forced labor, which would not include slavery. We could state that the Kingdom now has a unified legal system and that this is the punishment they will receive.
The conversation continued, with Foza interposing himself to calm the local situation. "I reassured the Cacique, Young Chuta. I used our gentle diplomacy. I offered him luxury goods brought from the Central City, jewels, and hard-to-acquire products, and even a personal invitation to attend the next New Year's celebration in the Central City as a guest of honor. His dignity was publicly restored by the Kingdom, and he agreed to withdraw the demand for slavery."
I mentally thanked Foza for his keen insight. He had bought time and used the Kingdom's wealth as a diplomatic tool.
"Well done, Foza. That was very insightful," I told Foza before looking at Zasaba. "I need you to ensure that the Spanish delegation understands that this has been an act of indulgence by the Kingdom and not a right. And that the Cacique is a valuable ally."
After a couple more minutes, I dismissed Foza. His work in the islands was vital, and I needed him focused.
When only Zasaba and I remained in the room, along with my direct assistants and servants, who we both knew were members of The Shadows, the conversation shifted to classified matters.
"Now, Zasaba," I said, in a lower voice. "Tell me what the eyes of The Shadows truly saw in that city."
Zasaba inclined slightly.
"Young Chuta, the initial conflict did not occur simply because of religious issues," he commented. "The agents at the port noted that the priest had fixed his gaze on the Suaza jewels worn by the Cacique's wives, gifts that the central government itself had sent. The attempt to impose himself morally, our agents surmise, was a cover, an attempt to humiliate the Cacique to seize those jewels and obtain 'compensation' for his 'heresy' in barbarian lands."
I clenched my fists. The hypocrisy that Tachiua had pointed out in the European faith was not just a moral defect but a tool of rapine. It was the venom of greed disguised as piety.
I did not want to discuss the cleric's morality further. "Enough. Follow the protocols. Ensure that, before they re-embark, the culprits and the official envoys are reminded that the Kingdom has its own laws. That only because we consider them 'allies' have they not been severely punished. We want the message to be clear: next time, the relevant punishments will be applied without exception, and they will be much harsher."
Zasaba noted that this topic deeply displeased me. The game of great power politics was exhausting.
"Understood, Young Chuta. I will personally ensure they comprehend the gravity of their transgression… Now, if you permit me to proceed with the next topic: the Joint Expedition with the European kingdoms. They have responded to the proposal you made to Admiral Columbus."
The topic was like a breath of fresh air after the suffocating humidity of the religious dispute. The game with the Europeans was a global strategy challenge, clean of the complex morality imposed on me by continental warfare.
"Proceed, Zasaba. What were the details of the response? I am particularly interested in the temperament of each monarch," I inquired, leaning back in my chair.
Zasaba, always methodical, unrolled a parchment with encrypted annotations that only my circle in The Shadows and I knew.
"Both Spain and England have responded with an effusiveness that borders on eagerness, Young Chuta. They have accepted the terms of Suaza supervision for the joint route and are anxious to send delegations of experts."
"Spain and Portugal have already sent the initial resources," Zasaba continued upon seeing my attention. "They sent materials and some men for the preliminary logistical work on the coast of the Sea of the Floating Isles. As for Portugal, they will participate, yes, but it appears to be a merely formal participation. They have been the most cautious in their commitment."
I was surprised by the eagerness of Spain and, especially, England. Internally, I tried to understand the reasons for their enthusiasm, even without having read the detailed reports from our Hycata agents in Spain and Apqua, who was in charge of the general deployment of agents.
Spain, I thought, is desperate.
Spain was eagerly seeking a route to the East Indies that would give them an advantage over their Iberian neighbors. The prospect of a pre-established route, even a controlled one, must sound like heavenly music to them, even more so than the gold and abundant resources the Suaza Kingdom was already 'delivering' to them. The route promised by Columbus and my Kingdom was the answer to their geographical obsession.
As for England, scattered memories from my past life made me understand the ambition of the Tudor dynasty. This was the beginning. This royal house would sow the seeds for future English expansion, and control of the seas would be their creed.
The invitation to an exploration expedition, on a continent they had not yet trod upon, must sound like a golden opportunity to learn from an unknown naval power (us) and, incidentally, annoy their continental enemies.
What I did not understand was Portugal's reticence. They had been, at least in my former life, the masters of maritime exploration in this period. And in these exchanges with the Kingdom, they had even handed over their own naval technologies, which Spain had avoided.
"Why is Portugal so reserved?" I asked Zasaba. "They were the first to receive our products. Do they not harbor ambition over the Sunset Ocean?"
Zasaba, who always seemed prepared for any question, immediately replied. "My Lord, our analysis suggests they are focused on their own routes south of the Guanza Quyca (Africa)… We have gathered information in the ports of Link City, and even sightings of ships persistently heading south in our coastal territories of the Guanza Quyca. Their interest seems firmly planted in the possibility of circumnavigating the continent."
Zasaba was correct. At that moment, I remembered the Cape of Good Hope Route and how Portugal would dominate it for many years, forging its empire. Portugal's plan was to circumnavigate Africa, and with the presence of a new actor on the global map, they were accelerating things further. The transcontinental route I offered them was a shortcut, but for them, total control of their own routes was paramount.
"Of course," I muttered, nodding. "Portuguese perseverance has always been a double-edged sword."
A cold, ruthless strategic thought crossed my mind.
I could use this route, the one they will dominate, to make them fight among themselves… If Spain and Portugal have viable routes, controlled by themselves, to access the East Indies, the competition will become so intense that they could mutually neutralize each other, distracting them from a possible 'colonization' of the Great Quyca.
But before I could develop that idea further, Zasaba proceeded with the next section of the report.
"Moving on to commercial elements, Young Chuta. Import numbers are growing constantly."
Zasaba continued reporting the items imported from the European kingdoms, focusing on the exact numbers of animals, plants, foods, seeds, and, above all, the quantity of books, artwork, and sculptures the Kingdom was purchasing for its newly constructed libraries and museums.
The numbers varied, but the trend was a constant increase. Prized animals, such as horses, remained limited in number due to export restrictions. However, the supply source from three or even five different kingdoms, including kingdoms from the Guanza Quyca, had caused the Suaza Kingdom to steadily increase its equine numbers.
I recalled that Turey, who has innate abilities with animals, had instructed a group of specialists on how to treat these animals, which were until recently unknown to the Kingdom. They had begun breeding periods within the Kingdom's territory, and in a few years, we would be self-sufficient. A Suaza warhorse would be a marvel of speed and endurance.
Another important item Zasaba highlighted was the topic of seeds. It seemed that, either by luck or by destiny, we had acquired seeds of Oriental spices.
"The seeds of cloves, cinnamon, and pepper are being carefully studied by the specialists at the Research Office, Young Chuta. They are already being sown in experimental greenhouses… In a couple of years, this will mean that the Suaza Kingdom will also have its own source of this aromatic 'gold,' which will drastically reduce our dependence on Europe in this market," Zasaba explained.
But among all those strategic things, there were elements that mattered to me on a more personal, more basic level: sugarcane, wheat, milk, and chicken eggs. These were the ingredients that had taken the longest to import consistently and securely.
"Finally, I will be able to eat a proper cake," I whispered to myself, stopping Zasaba for a moment.
The idea of a simple cake with cream and wheat, a butter cookie, or a simple sweet bread, filled me with a childish happiness that contrasted with the seriousness of state affairs.
"What are you thinking of, Young Chuta?" Zasaba asked, noticing I had been lost in thought.
"I was thinking of food, Zasaba," I replied sincerely. "New desserts, perhaps."
After that brief moment of levity, the meeting continued in a more sober tone, covering minor matters of logistics and internal security.
A month later, Year 12 of the SuaChie Calendar, Third Month.
The aroma of Oriental spices and the sweet thought of cakes vanished before a much harsher reality. I was once again in my study at the Stone Mansion, and the parchment in my hands was a direct report from Menasuca, or as he was known in the Triple Alliance, Painalli.
The report included several items, but the first was the most important… The Aztecs had succeeded in building their first small, two-masted ships.
I had given Menasuca direct permission to use confidential information—our initial naval construction techniques—to climb the hierarchy of the Mexica alliance.
The idea was to keep him close to power to monitor them closely and know their movements in advance. Now, after several years, they had managed to replicate a ship, albeit with the limited initial techniques I had 'leaked' to them. The result would not be a Tequendama vessel, but a crude, yet functional, version, capable of navigating coastal waters and lakes.
This already showed the alliance's ambitions: to gain maritime control in the Gulf and the Sea of the Floating Isles. It was another one of the plays the Mexica were preparing for their struggle against the Tlaxcalteca and, by extension, against the indirect dominion of the Suaza Kingdom on the continent.
I looked at the map spread out before me. The continental balance of power had been broken. The advantage the Tlaxcalteca held due to their access to the sea would be compromised by the nascent Mexica fleet.
My fingers drummed nervously on the parchment.
What do I do now? Should I also provide this naval technology to the Tlaxcalteca to level the playing field? Will it be necessary? Or will this only accelerate the arms race and lead us to a massive naval war in the future?
Time was running out. Peace was an expensive illusion, and war, the only certainty the continent held. I had to choose: arm my allies for the war that was coming, or trust that my own technological superiority would keep the serpent at bay for a while longer.
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[A/N: CHAPTER COMPLETED
Hello everyone.
Yes... There was a slight delay.
And perhaps you're wondering: Why is the author still explaining with a report?
Well, that's because I honestly can't think of any other way.
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Read my other novels.
#The Walking Dead: Vision of the Future (Chapter 90)
#The Walking Dead: Emily's Metamorphosis (Chapter 34) (INTERMITTENT)
#The Walking Dead: Patient 0 - Lyra File (Chapter 13) (INTERMITTENT)
You can find them on my profile.]