March on the capital

Cortes' plan is an ambitious one. Despite being snubbed by the local ruler's emissaries, Cortes wants to make his presence know whether he likes it or not. The trip to the capital is long, and as fraught with danger as the beginning of your expedition. In spite of the hostility towards you as outsiders, Cortes has managed time and time again to bring native rulers to his side against the emperor, Moctezuma. Soon you number around one and a half thousand, an army of various native tribesmen led by a core of Spaniards. It makes for a strange display, shining Toledo breastplates and morions, flanked by men in furs and local textiles. A small handful of horsemen and cannons, though pitiful by European standards, make for an invaluable asset over those lacking them.

As you come closer and closer to the capital, you see ever increasing traffic of peoples and large settlements. Despite the aggressive aspect of your ****, you have encountered no resistance after acquiring your allies. Most spectacular of all, however, is seeing the city itself for the first time. The capital is much more massive than any city you have encountered in the New World thus far. Huge crowds of people flow in an out of a spectacular city center floating in the middle of a lake! Great gardens float in the water, and gold covers the buildings. Tall, pyramidal structures with grand steps are visible even from a great distance, and their resplendence is obvious even from afar. It is breathtaking, and you almost stop in your march to admire the view.

As you near the city itself, men in fine dress, obviously on official business, come to greet you. After a quick bout of translating, it seems, much to your surprise, that the emperor welcomes you as guests!