Chapter Thirty-One: THE SPANISH PHOENIX

The Jade Steps
Chapter Thirty-One:  The Spanish Phoenix

By nightfall, the expedition reached the town of Xaltepec on the far side of the valley.  It was deserted, and everyone had to forage for food.  Malinali tried to clean the bloody gashes on Cortez's head and the deep wound in his left hand, but Cortez shook his head.  "To a man, all of us are wounded, exhausted, and hungry," he told her.  "Organize help for them, tend to them… then you may have all night to tend to me."

When Malinali returned, she found Cortez fast asleep.  At dawn the next morning, she tried to clean and bandage him as best she could, but he was anxious to get underway.  "Our only hope of safety lies in those mountains of Tlaxcala," he said, as he gazed at them looming above Xaltepec.  Slowly, slowly, the expedition trudged up into the mountains to the Tlaxcalan frontier fortress town of Hueyotlipan (way-oat-lee-pahn).

There to greet them were King Xicotencatl, Chief Maxixcatzin, and Commander Chichimecatecle.

"Malinche!  Malinche!" they cried out when they saw Cortez.  Chief Maxixcatzin threw his arms around him.  "How grieved we are at your misfortunes, and the number of our own people who have been killed with yours," he told Cortez through Malinali.  "We warned you not to trust the Mesheeka, but you went to their city and did not believe us.  Now all we can do is help with your wounds and give you rest and food.  Here you are home."

Commander Chichimecatecle spoke next to Cortez.  "Malinche!  It is not a small thing that you escaped from the Mesheeka city across its bridges.  If we thought of you as great and brave warriors before, we think you are much more so now.  Your gods are truly powerful to have delivered you from more Mesheeka than we have ever seen before at Otumba."

Then the half-blind King Xicotencatl was brought before Cortez.  He ran his fingers across Cortez's face.  "We have made common cause together, Malinche," announced the king, "and we have common injuries to avenge.  Whatever fate awaits us, know that we will prove true and loyal friends, and stand by you to the death." 

Cortez placed hand on the king's shoulder.  "As shall we," he replied.

"You shall rest here for only two nights," the king announced.  "Then you shall come to our capital, where everything is being made ready for your return.  We leave you now to see to these preparations.  Eat well and rest."  The king's retinue began distributing maize cakes and turkeys to the hungry men, as the Tlaxcalan leaders climbed onto their litters and were borne back to Tlaxcala.

"They seemed anxious to leave," Malinali observed to Cortez. 

"The hour is late," was his response.  "Even at the speed the bearers run, it will be far into the night when they reach their home."

"It was more than preparations they wanted to get back to," she said skeptically.

"Ah, My Lady," said Cortez as he put an arm around her shoulders.  "You should not be concerned for the Tlaxcalans tomorrow.  Let us be concerned for ourselves tonight."

She complained no more.

Everyone did eat and rest the next day, but so many were so badly wounded and sick with a number of ailments and the townspeople too few to help them.  So they were relieved when on the morning of the following day, a large contingent of Tlaxcalans arrived with hammocks to carry the wounded and sick to Tlaxcala.

Upon their arrival in the capital, they were warmly greeted by people everywhere.  Comfortable quarters had been arranged for all, with abundant food and drink.  Cortez noticed that as soon as they had been shown their quarters, Malinali vanished into the crowd of townspeople in the adjacent city square.

She did not return until evening.  "There was a delegation of Mesheeka nobles here yesterday, sent by Cuitlahuac, promising Tlaxcalans peace and riches if they killed us," was her revelation.  The look in her eyes was saying to Cortez, "See, I was right."

Cortez said nothing, just sat in his chair waiting for the rest.

"The Young Xicotencatl was delighted," she continued, "arguing forcefully for an alliance with the Aztecs, and urging that we all be killed quickly, which would be easy given our ‘beaten condition.'  But Chief Maxixcatzin argued against him, saying Tlaxcalans should not commit treachery upon people they had promised friendship."

Malinali's voice became excited.  "Then Chief Maxixcatzin, in front of the Mesheeka nobles, talked of the ‘habitual treachery' of the Aztecs, that given their ‘customary arrogance,' they must be desperate indeed to plead for help from their enemies.  He ordered them to leave, the Young Xicotencatl demanded they stay and an alliance agreed to – and then…" she shook her head in amazement… "the old Chief Maxixcatzin pushed the Young Xicotencatl to the ground and ordered him out as well.  No one there had ever seen such a thing.  The young prince had to leave in shame and disgrace.  The Mesheeka nobles hurried away back to Tenochtitlan."

Cortez wore a self-satisfied smile.  "Now do you believe we are among friends we can trust?" he asked her.  "It is foolish to doubt you, my love," she replied.

The next morning, the king requested to see them.  "Ah, my padrino and madrina," he exclaimed, my godfather and godmother.  They both smiled broadly.  "Don Vicente," greeted Cortez, using the king's Christian name, as they bowed their heads towards him.

He held Malinali's hand.  "Padrina, we know that Malinche has heard we refused the Mesheeka offer of alliance and to betray you to them.  We wish instead an alliance with Malinche and we ask now that it achieve certain things."

"Whatever Don Vicente wishes of us, he has only to ask," responded Cortez.

"The kingdom of Cholula must be in alliance with us," was his first request.  "It is too close and large a danger to us if is not.  It must be kept free of Mesheeka control"

Cortez was silent for a moment.  "The Cholulans have already sworn loyalty to me and His Majesty Don Carlos.  They must treated fairly.  They must be made your allies, not your servants.  You must trade fairly with them and not demand tribute." was his reply.  "If you agree, then I will demand an alliance between your two kingdoms, and see that it remains free of the Mesheeka."

The king nodded.  "This is agreed.  Next we wish to fight with you to conquer Tenochtitlan.  In return, we ask that a permanent garrison of our warriors be built in the city, to prevent the Mesheeka from ever attacking us again.  We ask that we share equally with you any riches that come from conquering the city.  And we ask that whoever rules Tenochtitlan, we be free from any tribute demands made by it."

Cortez looked at Malinali.  "Doña Marina, please tell his Excellency that I am only too happy to comply with all that he says.  Tell him that with his help, we will see that no people in all this land pay tribute and sacrifices to the Mesheeka ever again.  We will liberate the entire Mesheeka Empire."

The old king reached up and put his hands on Cortez's shoulders, and Cortez returned the gesture.  "It is agreed," he said.  "It is agreed," confirmed Cortez. "Rest now, Malinche," the king commanded.  "Rest and regain your strength, you and all your men.  For soon we fight together."

Even with his half-blind eyes, he could see, thought Malinali.  Cortez's wounds, on his head and hand, looked bad.  It would take time for them to heal.

It would take two weeks.  The expedition's doctors treated Cortez's two terrible head wounds and were especially worried about his left hand.  The injury to it at Otumba was not healing properly.  Two fingers, the little and ring, remained paralyzed[1].  He fell into an alarming fever, and lay helpless and delirious in bed for days.  Malinali remained constantly at his side, and when he woke from his fever and delirium, he saw her looking into his eyes.

He looked into hers for a long time.  Then he asked, "How are the men?"  She hesitated.  "Many are getting better, others are not.  They are mostly the ones who are not getting better here," she said as she pointed to her heart.  "They have even written a letter to you."

"Who are they" asked Cortez.

"The Velazquez men together with the Narvaez men, led by Andres de Duero." 

"My friend, Andres…"  Cortez shook his head weakly.  "Tell them to present their letter.  I wish to speak to them."

Malinali frowned.  "No, My Captain!  You must rest – you can only see them when you are better."

Cortez frowned back.  "Now," he ordered.  "I will not feel better until after I see them."

She went to fetch de Duero, who came with the letter and a number of its signers.  They were startled to find Cortez so weak, lying propped up in his bed.  De Duero bowed to him, said, "With greatest respect, Captain-General," and handed him the letter.

It was a summary of their catastrophes and dire situation.  "Our heads are broken, our bodies rotting, covered with wounds and sores, we are weak and naked in a strange land, sick and surrounded by enemies.  Our horses are dead, our artillery is lost, our ammunition is exhausted, we are lacking in everything to continue this war… We cannot believe that these people of Tlaxcala are truly our friends.  They are but lulling us into a sense of false security and then they will assault us and finish us off…

"Further, Your Excellency, our leader and general, is badly wounded.  The surgeons say you may not survive.  Yet we are informed that you intend to continue this war against the Mesheeka, which will surely lead to our destruction… We therefore respectfully request that your order our departure from this city, that our entire army leave at once for Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz, where we may be saved either through reinforcements or returning to Cuba… If you shall not agree, then we now make formal claim against Your Excellency for all damage, deaths, and losses which may occur as a result."

Cortez studied the letter carefully and summoned his strength.  He may have looked weak lying in his bed, but Malinali could see the fire in his eyes.  "I understand why you would write such a letter and make such a request, given what our circumstances seem to you," he began.

"I ask you, what nation which has ruled the world has not at least once been defeated?  Never would that nation have risen to greatness had they let that defeat destroy their destiny.  Tell me where in our history has our honor and valor faltered before an enemy?  If that were so, our people of Spain would remain today ruled by the Moors, slaves of infidel Mohammedans.  Is there not one among you who would not take it as an insult to be told he has turned his back, losing his honor to run away?

"And what would be the practical consequences of such a retreat as you propose?  It would show our Mesheeka enemies that we lack the courage to face them, and our Tlaxcalan allies that we lack the courage to support them.  Retreat is the one thing that will guarantee that the Tlaxcalans, if they do not fall upon us, at the least they will fail to protect us from Mesheeka fury.

"We must always remember, gentlemen, that ‘fortune favors the brave.'  It is the bravery of those Christians who trust in the goodness of God that achieves His will  — and it is indeed His will that we bring His word and His freedom to this Satan-ruled land.  How else could we have accomplished the great feats that He has blessed us with thus far?  To retreat now would be to retreat from His will.  Our Lord God has a purpose for us in this land and we must fulfill it as true Christian knights and gentlemen.

"As for my wounds, I pronounce myself cured of them.  I will be at your service to lead you in accomplishing our Lord's will, to lead you in such victories that all of Europe – indeed, all of history – will be in awe of them, if you choose to follow me.  I have faith in your honor and valor that you will do so."

Malinali watched the men standing above the bed-ridden Cortez exchange questioning glances.  After some moments of silence, Andres de Duero announced,  "We thank Your Excellency for his faith in us and shall give him no cause to doubt either our honor or valor.  Let us agree to postpone our request, pending future developments."

"Please forgive my inability to stand and thank you appropriately, Señor de Duero," Cortez responded.  "Allow me to do so as soon as I am able."

The men nodded in assent and departed. 

Cortez held his hand up to grasp Malinali's.  "My Lady, I am as a child in your hands, who needs to be cleaned and fed and brought back to strength.  Let us see if we can do this quickly, for I must soon visit the Tlaxcalan king and his nobles to avert disaster."

It took her two days.  Cortez still felt weak but did not show it.  "By the hour I feel my strength returning," he said as he embraced her, "thanks to you.  Now let us see the king."

He explained that the men could not remain in Tlaxcala.  He needed to give them a mission, working in concert with the Tlaxcalans, that would re-energize them, keep the malcontents occupied, and weaken some part of the Mesheeka Empire in the process.  Something not too ambitious but would excite the Tlaxcalans.  "If we talk to the king carefully, we will discover what this mission may be," he told her.  Malinali felt a warm satisfaction knowing that the "we" meant her and Cortez working together.

They found King Xicotencatl conferring with Chiefs Maxixcatzin and Chichimecatecle, and a third chief introduced to them as Tianquizlatoatzin (tee-ahn-qweets-la-twat-zin).  All expressed their happiness at seeing Malinche well once more.

"My great and honored friends," Cortez began, "we have agreed that Cholula shall be ruled no longer by the Mesheeka.  Yet how secure can this be, when in nearby lands there are kingdoms that remain under Mesheeka control.  It would be far easier to secure Cholula by removing one or more of these kingdoms from their control, and such action would contribute to weakening Mesheeka power over all its subjects."

Maxixcatzin spoke.  "There is much wisdom in what you say, Malinche.  Please excuse us for a moment."  The four Tlaxcalans huddled together while Malinali and Cortez stepped away.  They seemed to reach a decision, and Maxixcatzin came forward to say one word:

"Tepeaca." (tep-ee-ah-ka)

At Malinali's and Cortez's raised eyebrows, Chichimecatecle explained.  "Tepeaca (Nose of the Hill) is a kingdom very valuable to the Mesheeka.  It lies on the other side of Matlalcueye (the goddess who wears a green skirt)[2] from us.  It is east of Cholula and is a very rich land, providing very large amounts of tribute to the Mesheeka and many sacrifices for Huitzilopochtli.  Further, all of the tribute paid by conquered kingdoms beyond Tepeaca goes through it.  Take Tepeaca from the Mesheeka and they lose not only its tribute but all of the tribute from these kingdoms as well.  It would be a mortal blow to Mesheeka power."

Chichimecatecle then asked Chief Tianquizlatoatzin to speak.  "There are many Mesheeka warriors at Tepeaca.  The Tepeacans themselves have a large army whose commanders owe their allegiance to Tenochtitlan.  These commanders will order their men to fight us alongside the Mesheeka.  My king has ordered me to lead a Tlaxcalan force to accompany you, a force large enough to defeat the Tepeacan-Mesheeka army."

Cortez gave Tianquizlatoatzin a respectful bow and said to Malinali, "Please tell the chief we welcome him and his warriors as our brothers-in-arms, and ask him his opinion of the Tepeacan warriors.  Do they owe allegiance to the Mesheeka as do their commanders?"

Malinali could see by the look in Tianquizlatoatzin's eyes that Cortez had asked a good question.  "Malinche understands the weakness of Tepeaca's rulers.  The people of Tepeaca hate the Mesheeka and are forced to fight for them.  And in truth, there are commanders who feel the same."

"Then we must tell these people we come to bring them liberty," said Cortez.  "That if they join us they will never have to pay tribute and sacrifices to the Mesheeka again.  With this message, the Tepeacan commanders will not be able to trust their own men, or may join us."

Tianquizlatoatzin smiled broadly.  "Our spies will spread the message.  When does Malinche wish to march?"

"Tomorrow."  Malinali's head snapped back at Cortez's answer.

Two thousand be-plumed and painted Tlaxcalan warriors, armed with shields, spears, obsidian-toothed wooden swords, and bows and arrows, stood in the morning sun for King Xicotencatl's blessing, then awaited Tianquizlatoatzin's command, who in turn awaited Cortez's. 

By the king's side were his daughters, Princess Teculehuatzin who had said loving goodbye to her Tonatio – Pedro de Alvarado – and Princess Otila, still in mourning for the loss of her beloved Juan Velasquez de Leon, lost on the bridges during La Noche Triste.

Malinali could not believe that Cortez was off to do battle again.[3]  How could he have recovered so soon from almost dying?  How could the wounds of the men healed so fast?  As it was, several of the wounded men had to be left here in Tlaxcala, including Bernal.  Cortez had told her he could not leave soon enough:  "Inaction is deadly for us – only action can save us, bold action and quickly."  He had made love to her so passionately through the night and again at dawn she still felt his embrace.  She looked up at him in his polished armor astride his black horse.  He looked down at her with an imperceptible nod, then called out with the command to depart.

He wheeled his horse around, followed by his mounted officers who now had scarcely more than a dozen horses between them.  Barely three hundred Spaniard soldiers began marching, not one musketman among them and only a half-dozen crossbowmen.  Even with the two thousand Tlaxcalans, it didn't seem a force formidable enough to conquer a kingdom.

She was, however, quite grateful to King Xicotencatl for arranging the luxury of her being borne on a litter by Tlaxcalan bearers.  She felt like a princess again!  His madrina, the king said, should not have to walk.

Slowly circling Matlalcueye, they camped at the Tlaxcalan town of Tzompantzinco, then Zacatepec.  When they reached the Tepeacan town of Acatzinco, Cortez had Malinali send a message to the rulers of Tepeaca, that they were no longer subject to the Mesheeka, that if they were to pledge their allegiance to the King of Spain they would be forever free of sending tribute and sacrifices to the Mesheeka of Tenochtitlan.

The reply he received was not pleasant.  It was that the rulers of Tepeaca were hungry, and were looking forward to having Cortez and his men for dinner, cooked with chiles.

Two days later, in the mists of early morning, Cortez drew his forces up outside the city of Tepeaca in a maize and maguey field.  Facing him was an array of several thousand Tepeacan and Mesheeka warriors.  Cortez turned to Pedro de Alvarado astride his horse beside him.  "Your opinion, Sir?" he inquired.  "A small force compared to Otumba, my captain," de Alvarado replied with a smile.  "There cannot be more than 10,000."

Cortez turned his horse to address his men behind him.  "Gentlemen!  We fight today alongside an army of our Tlaxcalan allies.  Let us show them how Spaniards conduct themselves in battle!  Santiago, and at them!"  He turned his horse again, and together with de Alvarado, Cristobal de Olid, and the other horsemen, charged.  They made immediately for the group of commanders with large feather banners being held above them.  As the warhorses plunged into the mass of the enemy, the men upon them swinging huge swords of heavy sharp metal, those who were not trampled or cut down broke in panic and fled. 

The horsemen were upon the commanders in a moment, whose banners were seized while Cortez yelled an order that they were to be captured, not killed.  It took him a while, however, to halt the killing of others.  The Spaniards ceased as the order spread among them, but the Tlaxcalans were in blood-lust, and were not satisfied until hundreds of the enemy lay slain on the field.

Cortez ordered an immediate march on the town, commanding his men to conduct themselves with military discipline and restraint, and asking Malinali to request that Tianquizlatoatzin do the same.  Tepeaca was a good-size town and as they marched through, the streets were empty, its citizens in hiding.  When they reached the central square, however, an assembly of some two dozen nobles and chiefs were waiting to greet them.  As Cortez upon his black horse slowly came up to them, they all kneeled and touched their foreheads to the ground.

The most distinguished of them stepped forward.  "Malinche!"  he called out.  "I am Chichitzin, Lord of Tepeaca.  We have heard of your great power, but we did not know how great it is until we saw it today.  We renounce our Mesheeka overlords, pledge our allegiance to you, and ask for your protection, both from the Mesheeka who will want our tribute from them as before, and from the Tlaxcalans, who will now ask we pay tribute to them."

"King Chichitzin, and honored gentlemen of Tepeaca," began Cortez's reply.  "I accept your allegiance, not to me alone, but to His Majesty King Don Carlos of Spain, for I am but his humble servant.  In His Majesty's name, I and my men of Spain pledge to you that Tepeaca shall no longer pay tribute and provide sacrifices to anyone ever again, neither to the Mesheeka nor to the Tlaxcalans.  You are now a free people."

Malinali saw tears springing from the eyes of several of the elders.

"The price you must pay for this freedom," Cortez continued, "is to expel all Mesheeka warriors and tax-men from your land.  I call upon you to send word to all the cities and towns of the Tepeaca kingdom to do so, and to affirm they are under the protection of the King of Spain."

Malinali could not resist rephrasing this a bit so that the Tepeacans heard "under the protection of Lord Malinche and his King of Spain."

Chichitzin bowed low and said, "It shall be done, Malinche."  He looked up.  "You are welcome in our home, Malinche.  You are now our guests."

After the Spaniards were comfortably housed in palaces of the king, Cortez called for Tianquizlatoatzin.  "Let us walk," he told the commander, as the two, accompanied by Malinali and followed by a mixed bodyguard of Spaniards and Tlaxcalans, strolled out into the city square.

The square had returned to life, filled with people.  Cortez pointed to them, and said, "Commander, you recall the city was hiding in fear of us when we arrived.  It is necessary that the Tepeacans not be afraid of us, neither of me nor of you.  I would like to explain why."

The Tlaxcalan chief looked curiously at Cortez and said nothing.

"I know that as allies of the Mesheeka, Tlaxcala has looked upon the Tepeacans as enemies," Cortez continued.  "But I wish to ask you:  Can my small army and that of Tlaxcala, by ourselves, defeat Tenochtitlan and rid the world of the Mesheeka Empire?"

Chief Tianquizlatoatzin stared hard at Cortez, and at last replied, "No."

"Then our only path to victory over the Mesheeka is to make their allies our allies, yes?  To have them join us, ally after ally throughout the Mesheeka Empire, so that it is the Mesheeka who will be all alone and Tenochtitlan will fall into our hands."

Malinali found it very difficult to translate these words of Cortez.  Her heart was pounding, her throat was dry, her brain on fire.  She was watching her father's dream come alive right before her eyes.  She heard her mind shouting, "Tahtli!  Tahtli!  Are you listening, my father?"  She calmed herself, unemotionally translated Cortez's words, then held her breath waiting for the Tlaxcalan chief's reply.

It was one word:  "Yes."

They continued walking in silence, then Cortez asked, "Commander, how large is this kingdom of Tepeaca?"

"Do you remember Citlatepetl[4] far in the distance to our left as we approached the city?" the chief asked in return.  Cortez nodded

"All the land between Citlatepetl and here is that of Tepeaca, and beyond…" he waved his hand pointing west… "towards Cholula.  It is a rich land.  They grow much food and many things."

"What of all the tribute that must pass through Tepeaca, in addition to the tribute Tepeaca itself must pay to Tenochtitlan?" Cortez next inquired.

The chief cast up his hands as if to say the amount was inexpressibly large.  "That is where the great wealth of the Mesheeka lays.  So much of food, feathers, everything the Mesheeka value, is stolen from lands like Huaxyacac[5] where the Zapotecs live.  The Mesheeka made the Zapotecs their subjects not long ago, when I was a young man.  All of this wealth comes through here, Malinche."

Cortez reached out before him with his open hand and slowly closed his fingers together, as if choking someone by the throat.  "And it is here that we shall begin strangling the Mesheeka, my friend.  For this, we must work together.  So I must ask you to command your warriors  to look upon Tepeacan warriors and the Tepeacan people no longer as their enemies but their allies against the Aztecs.  Can you do this?"

The chief hesitated, then finally replied, "It is not an easy thing you ask for.  We have been poor and hungry for so long, and the Tepeacans have such fat bellies.  But I see the wisdom of your words and will do my best."

"Thank you, my friend.  Just remind your warriors how much more they can stuff their bellies and how much better the food will taste in Tenochtitlan than here, when they are victorious over the Mesheeka."

Upon returning to his quarters in Chichitzin's palace, he summoned all of his officers together.  As they stood before him, he announced, "Gentlemen, I have a proposal for your consideration.  It is that we establish ourselves here in Tepeaca.  Tlaxcala is a poor land and we can not ask the Tlaxcalans to feed us for much longer.  Here food is abundant and we shall not be a burden to our hosts.  Of greater importance, however, is that from here…"  he raised his hand to make the strangling gesture… "that we begin to choke the Mesheeka satan-worshippers into defeat.  The wealth of the Mesheeka Empire passes through here.  All we have to do is stand in the way and… collect it."

As the officers were digesting this, he continued.  "As you know, we cannot depend merely upon the Tlaxcalans.  We must forge an alliance between several kingdoms subjected to the Aztec yoke who will join together in a common struggle for their liberty.  You know that we have already met many rulers of such kingdoms.  Here is where we begin to forge this alliance.  Here is where I propose that we begin fulfilling the mission that Our Savior has given us.  That mission is to rid this rich land of the horrible evils inflicted upon it by these Mesheeka, these hated Aztecs.  We have been blessed by God Who has given us – us! – this sacred opportunity.  It is here that we may start on our road to victory for our King, His Majesty Don Carlos, for our country of Spain, for our Christian religion.  What say you, gentlemen?

Who could resist such a call? Malinali asked herself.  To a man, the officers yelled and shouted their agreement.

Cortez and Malinali then went to see King Chichitzin.  "I have agreed that your people shall keep for themselves all tribute of food and goods paid to the Mesheeka," Cortez said to him.  "My Tlaxcalan friends have agreed to an alliance with Tepeaca, and to protect them from Mesheeka armies.  Tlaxcala is a far poorer land than Tepeaca, which has so much more food.  Does it seem fair to you that Tepeaca share its abundance of food with Tlaxcala in order to make secure such an alliance between their two peoples and ensure that Tepeaca shall remain protected from the Mesheeka?"

The king was cautious.  "Who will command our army?" he wanted to know.  "Must our warriors be ruled by Tlaxcalan commanders as they were by Mesheekan?"

"This is to be an alliance of equals," Cortez replied.  "You are no longer subjects to anyone."

"Then it is agreed," concluded the king.  "And let us test this alliance by sending out joint commands of our combined forces to disperse the several Mesheeka garrisons placed across our territory.  They are not large, for their main garrison was here, they should be easily removed – yet it should be a good test.  As we do this, I shall order shipments of food carried to Tlaxcala."

Over the next few weeks, the king proved right.  Cortez sent his officers such as Gonzalo de Sandoval and Cristobal de Olid, together with small detachments of his soldiers to lead joint Tlaxcalan-Tepeacan forces and guide their cooperation.  The garrisons were easily dispersed – without the loss of a single Spanish life.  The chiefs and elders of dozens of Tepeacan towns swore loyalty to Cortez, thanking their gods to be rid of the Mesheeka.

He was keeping his men so busy and so well fed and cared for that none asked about all that tribute they were supposed to collect flowing through Tepeaca from other kingdoms on its way to Tenochtitlan.  Cortez had Malinali plan with the king and his council to have Tepeacan nobles be litter-borne to these kingdoms with the formal message that all tribute and sacrificial victims cease being sent to the Mesheeka.

Often the message had to be delivered in secret, for if Mesheeka commanders garrisoning these subject kingdoms found out, they would have the Tepeacan nobles killed.  The flow of tribute passing through Tepeaca began drying up.  What did arrive, Malinali saw that it was sent on to Tlaxcala.

As Cortez was gaining allies – the Tepeacan nobles were returning with messages from kingdoms such as Huaxyacac that they wished to ally with him against the Mesheeka – he was also gaining reinforcements.

For during all of this, six different ships had arrived at Villa Rica.  Two were sent by Diego Velazquez to assist Panfilo Narvaez, about whom Velazquez had heard nothing.  Cortez's man in charge now of Villa Rica, Alonso Caballero, smoothly talked the ships' captain, Pedro Barba and Rodrigo de Lobera, and the men onboard, to joining Cortez in Tepeaca.  Their much-needed supplies were carried by Totonac bearers.

Three ships arrived sent by the Spanish governor of Jamaica, Francisco de Garay, in hopes of establishing a colony similar to Villa Rica.  Caballero performed the same feat with their captains, Diego de Camargo, Miguel Diez de Aux, and Francisco Ramirez, who were heartily welcomed by Cortez in Tepeaca – especially since they brought with them horses, muskets, gunpowder, crossbows, and soldiers to use them.

Best of all was a large ship captained by Juan de Burgos from the Canary Islands, full of almost everything Cortez needed (including more horses) sent by his father Martin back in Spain.

Together, this added 200 more soldiers to Cortez's force, bringing it to over 500, now well-equipped and with all officers on horseback.  They were all assembled now in Tepeaca, with Sandoval and Olid back from their campaigns, and including those who had been left to heal in Tlaxcala – Malinali had been so happy to see Bernal once again.

Every day now, messengers from various kingdoms and cities would arrive, asking for Cortez's decision on some issue or dispute.  Chichitzin had provided him with a palace of his very own, in which he received this constant stream of supplicants.  "My Captain, you are becoming the ruler of your own empire," she teased.

"Yet how could I do so without you?" he asked.  "For I only know what all of these people want through you."

"Perhaps it is I who should rule this new empire, then?" she kept on teasing.

He smiled.  "I wonder how much you already do."

One day in what Cortez had told her was October, a messenger arrived from a place called Huaquechula.  It was some distance below or south of Cholula in a remote corner of Tepeaca next to Mesheeka territory.  A very large Mesheeka army had been assembled there, as it lay on an important tribute route from the south to Tenochtitlan.  The Tlatoani of Huaquechula was requesting that Malinche come and destroy this invading army.  If Malinche did so, the people of Huaquechula were ready to rise up and fight with their lives against the Mesheeka.

Cortez was overjoyed at the news.  "At last, just as we needed it," he whispered to Malinali, "an opportunity to use our new army."  He instructed her to tell the messenger that he would soon be on his way.

While on the way, however, with a combined force of over five thousand Tlaxcalans, Tepeacans, and his own men behind Cortez, Malinali became worried.  "This may be a trap," she warned him.  "The Tepeacan commanders tell me this is a very well-guarded place.  It is at the end of a deep valley, between a river with a high bank, and the mountains.  A stone wall – as high as three men – blocks the only entrance to the city.  And there is not one Mesheeka garrison – there are two.  One in the city, behind this wall, a second much larger one on a hill above the city.  As we are fighting the first, the second could fall upon us, trapping us between them."

"First, then, let us see if these people will fight the Mesheeka themselves as they swore to," was Cortez's response.  "Then we shall see what sort of trap this is, and for whom."

Huaquechula proved about 12 leagues[6] from Tepeaca.  Late on the fourth day of their departure, they encamped on a field outside the city.  It was as Malinali described, deep in a valley, a protective wall, a good-size city – she was told it held some 30,000 inhabitants.  Above the city on a flat hill was the main Mesheeka force.  Early the next morning, Cortez ordered his forces into battle formation.  As they were doing so, a great tumult arose from inside the city – the sounds of battle, of fighting.

The same messenger whom they had seen in Tepeaca came running through on opening in the wall and up to Malinali, off to the side of the formation surrounded by a large bodyguard.  Cortez rode over to them.  "The people in the city have begun killing the Mesheeka," she related.  "The Mesheeka are retreating to the teocalli, the city temple."

The temple could be seen above the wall – and now all could see hordes of fighters struggling on its steps.  Smoke had begun to pour from the building on its summit.  That was all Cortez needed to see.  Exclaiming, "It is as they so swore," he called for his key officers.  He commanded Pedro de Alvarado to hold most of the force in check, and be prepared for an assault, pointing to the Mesheeka army on the hill above.  He had Sandoval command the rest and follow him.  Then he charged through the opening in the wall and into the city.

Dead Mesheeka warriors were everywhere.  The fighting was continuing on the teocalli, where there seemed to be more Huaquechulan bodies on the steps than the enemy, who were putting up a fierce defense.  Soon, however, Spanish soldiers were running up those steps followed by swarms of inflamed Tlaxcalans and Tepeacans.  The Mesheeka were slaughtered to a man.

"We have no time to congratulate ourselves," Cortez called to Gonzalo de Sandoval.  "This battle is far from over."  They ordered the forces back out of the city as quickly as possible, and once outside the wall, they saw the reason.  The main Mesheeka garrison was far larger than they supposed.

Thousands of them were assembling at the bottom of the flat hill where they camped, while thousands more were pouring off the hill and down steep trails to the valley floor.  All together, the Mesheeka numbered at least 20,000 or more.  Cortez spurred his horse at full gallop towards Pedro de Alvarado.  "Attack!  Attack now, before their forces are assembled!" he yelled, to which de Alvarado bellowed an excited assent.  All the Spanish horsemen raced across the field at full run, with all the Spaniard footmen, Tlaxcalan and Tepeacans charging behind them as one.

The warhorses smashed into the surprised Mesheeka, who fought back bravely but could not withstand the assault.  Then the rest of the force slammed into them and they were overrun.  Gonzalo de Sandoval and Cristobal de Olid then swung their commands around to the side to attack the enemy's flank.  In disarray, the Mesheeka broke and tried scrambling up the steep trails to escape to their camp.

But there was no escape.  The trails became massed confusion as the Mesheeka running up collided with those running down.  Soon they were all in terror, pursued by Tlaxcalans and Tepeacans intent on revenge for all the horrible sufferings perpetrated upon them for so many years.  The Mesheeka fought desperately but it was not enough.  Slowly, step by step, they gave way to their foes surging from below, up the hill ever higher, until the ridge was reached and on that flat hill not one was left alive.

Cortez had long since recalled his men, who stood watching the bloody drama unfold above them.  The elders and nobles of Huaquechula came out of their city to bow and express their thanks and loyalty to Cortez, even as the slaughter continued on the heights. Food and drink was provided to the Spaniards as they waited for the bloodshed above to end.  Near sunset it was.  The Tlaxcalans and Tepeacans began descending the hill loaded with as much Mesheeka booty – feather-work, jewelry, weapons – as they could carry.

"The beginning is over," Malinali overheard Cortez say to Pedro de Alvarado.  At camp over the evening meal, Cortez called for Martin Lopez.  "Señor Lopez, perhaps you have been told that at our darkest moment, under that tree after our defeat of La Noche Triste, I asked if you were safe – and when informed you were, I said that we then lacked for nothing."

Malinali could see Martin's face blush in the light of the campfire.  "Yes, I heard that, captain-general, but I did not understand."

"It is because, Señor Lopez, we shall not defeat Tenochtitlan across its bridges.  What need is there to assault this city on an island when we can isolate it – isolate it into submission, preserving it without the sort of bloody terror we saw today so we can present it as a glorious prize to our majesty King Don Carlos – who is now, we have been informed by our new arrivals, even more than a king, he is the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, Charles V.[7]

"Señor Lopez, as the master shipbuilder of this expedition, you are the key to our victory over Tenochtitlan and the Mesheeka Empire.  Thus I now task you with proceeding at once to Tlaxcala.  From there, I wish you to send for all tools and materials you need from the ships now in Villa Rica.  I wish you to then seek a place where you can cut much wood, oak, evergreen oak, and pine, and fashion it into the pieces necessary to build thirteen brigantines.  This will all be transported to streams flowing into Lake Texcoco, the ships assembled, and we will control Lake Texcoco with them.  Tenochtitlan will fall into our hands."

"It shall be done, my captain-general," was all Martin Lopez needed to say.

Bernal, sitting next to Malinali, leaned over to whisper to her.  "Doña Marina, do you remember my saying that Captain Cortez was the Spanish Ulises?[8]  He is more than that.  There is a legend of a magic bird that cannot be destroyed.  When it seems to die, it burns into a pile of ashes, only to rise anew from the ashes stronger than before.  Our captain is like this magic bird.  He is the Spanish Phoenix."

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[1]   They would remain so for the rest of Cortez's life.

[2]   A 14, 632' volcano with a ring a green forest around its lower slopes, now known as La Malinche.

[3]   August 1, 1520, little more than a month after La Noche Triste and three weeks after Otumba.

[4]   The giant snow-capped volcano now known as Orizaba, Mexico's highest peak at 18,646'.  Cf. n.2 in Ch. 14, Horror and Heaven in Zautla.

[5]    "Place of guaje trees," conquered by the Aztecs in the 1490s.  Huaxyacac, pronounced wash-yah-kahk, was altered in spelling and pronunciation by the Spanish to Oaxaca, wah-hah-ka.

[6]   36 miles.

[7]    See n.1, Ch. 12, Angry Gods.  See also Cortez's explanation of the Holy Roman Empire to Malinali in Ch. 17, Fortes Fortuna Adiuvat.

[8]    See the end of Ch. 11, The Spanish Ulysses.  Ulises is the Spanish version of Ulysses, which is the English version of Ulixes, which is the Roman version of Odysseus, hero of Homer's The Odyssey.