Hernán

Where can we go where death does not exist?

But, do I weep for it?

Fill your heart, here no one lives forever.

Even the princes came here to die.

He does not wish to lose any more men.

I too lose men every day.

You and your father promised to obey me.

Be true to your word. Tell him.

The captain asks you to please go with his men.

He went with Captain Olid.

I know. I know.

But this time you will go alone.

You will not be held back by the Castilians.

You know this place better...

and you can move among the Mexica unobserved.

We are holding Moctezuma and his family here.

They are our greatest shield, but we have to feed them.

¡Kemma! ¡Kemma! Eat! They must eat!

Tell him. And to bloody well move! We cannot debate every last thing.

Nobody move!

Stay still or things will only get worse for you.

We only came for the food.

You are a warrior?

Yes, and you a miserable Tlaxcalteca bastard.

Kill the other one. We will take them both with us.

Tie up these women and the children.

Let us go and fetch the food.

It is very little.

This will quell two days’ hunger.

Seize those sacks. We will take it all.

The squash and the beans, too.

Put them in sacks, too.

Cortes’s caravan, en route to Tlaxcala. 1519

- What are you writing, Captain? - A letter, Botello. A letter.

To some lady?

Gentlemen. No, do not get up.

According to the Totonac, we are one day away from Tlaxcala.

And tomorrow, you will go out to survey the terrain.

Yes, Captain.

- I can accompany him if you wish? - Very well.

And if you come across any villagers, let them see you.

Above all, I do not want any clashes with them.

I do not wish to frighten them.

They must be waiting to see what we are doing and what we want.

They will surely be watching us.

We cannot allow them to reach our village.

We have shed much blood to protect our people from invaders.

They have entered our territory... They must die.

Why confront them?

They have not attacked us.

Is it not wiser to receive them peaceably...

and find out what they want?

No. They have reached the slopes of Matlalcueitl.

They are in a weak position.

We have already waited too long.

It is said they are powerful.

They produce fire from their hands. Some are half men, half deer.

If we take them on, they will kill us...

just like the Chontal Mayans of Potonchan.

They made an alliance with the governor of Cempoala,

they received Moctezuma’s emissaries.

We cannot allow allies of that old lizard to enter our land.

They are gods.

We should receive them like brothers, in friendship.

They are men, and they come...

to subjugate us and kill us!

Only Camaxtli can tell us what he wants.

We will fight.

Are we all in agreement?

Yes... Yes...

Maxixcatzin?

My lord, if all are agreed...

Xicotencatl, son... go... fight...

- What has happened? - They were waiting for us, Captain.

And without so much as a word.

Sons of bitches! Bring me the Totonac!

Now!

On his knees.

Why did the people of Tlaxcala attack us?

Did you know it was a trap?

Why did the Tlaxcalteca attack us...

instead of welcoming us with gifts?

I do not know!

Speak up fast if you want to avoid my Captain’s wrath.

The Tlaxcalteca are ferocious warriors.

They do not want anyone entering their lands.

The Tlaxcalteca are strong people. They want no-one on their lands.

And your Cacique did not know?

Look him in the eye. Look!

Who is captain of those warriors?

Who is the general that leads those warriors?

It may be the son of Old Xicotencatl...

great Lord of the Tlaxcalteca.

They call him the Youth.

I have never seen him...

but they say...

that he is a brave young warrior.

Xicotencatl?

How can I find him?

You do not need to search for him.

If he attacked you, he will find you.

He has already declared war.

Bring me those deer.

Catch them! The one belonging to the leader.

And you, go forth... Take prisoners!

Soldiers!

The time has come, my sacred company.

May blood flow to protect our kingdom.

Fight without fear. Have no fear, gentlemen.

For not only are we envoys of the King...

but soldiers of God!

We shall follow the cross.

If we have faith, with this signal we shall conquer.

We have no fear!

We have no fear!

For Christ! And for the King!

Arquebusiers!

Take up your positions!

To the death...

Do you think I came all this way to kill you?

Soldiers!

No... no...

Coward!

My men, to me!

Let me go! Soldiers!

No!

Soldiers! No!

Take him home, and the deer too. Go!

Return!

Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name...

Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Captain!

Do not worry. Do not worry.

Move. Captain!

Ask him what happened.

Why did they retreat?

Not at night.

For them it is forbidden to fight at night.

- Tomorrow the battle continues. - Tell me what time so I am not late!

Bring me the prisoners.

I wish to send a message to the chief of Tlaxcala. Go!

I came here in peace, seeking your friendship.

I held out my hand to you...

And you have tried to tear it from me!

Your enemy is my enemy.

I want us to go to Tenochtitlan together.

But if you insist on fighting...

I promise you only death.

What is he saying?

Lady, are they gods or men?

They are the beings of thunder and lightning.

Give this message to your leaders.

And tell them it would be best for their people...

if they received them in peace.

They will pass the message on.

Pedro...

- you know what has to be done. - At your command, Captain,

it is the message they have sent.

I told you! We should have received them.

Welcome those who did this?

To die and to kill in battle is honorable.

What honor can there be in an act like this?

They deserve to be destroyed!

We cannot beat them. They are gods!

They are men!

Blood flows from their bodies and they die like we do.

And I can prove it!

Xicotencatl!

Father!

My daughter. Where are you?

Father.

I want to see them.

Come with me.

The Indians have brought us food!

No! No!

Step aside, animal!

Get away from the food! Get away!

Stop, stop, stop! Sheathe your swords.

Xicotencatl, Lord of the Tlaxcalteca,

I am grateful for your bravery, and that of your warriors...