Chapter 1 Summary

When Hernando Cortés conquers Mexico, he constructs a new city on the site of the ancient city of Tenochtitlán. He levels Tenochtitlán, reasoning that if he leaves ruins, they will become a monument to the Aztecs and lead them, sooner or later, to try to recapture their city. Rodrigo Díaz, one of Cortés' foot soldiers, is granted a sacred pyramid as a place to build his home. The pyramid is a religious site for the Indians and a place where pagan ceremonies have been conducted to honor a goddess of love. Capping the pyramid is a stone, which Rodrigo discards when the holy site is torn down to build his house.

Along with the pyramid, Rodrigo is also granted ownership of fifty Indians. Among them is Citlali, a woman of proud and noble heritage among the Aztecs. Citlali...