THE SWORD AND THE SUN

.....or the Spaniard and the Indian in conflict, as exemplified by Diego de Almagro, bastard son of the Conquistador who was defeated and executed by the Pizarros. Surrounded by faithful followers of his father who were one with Juan de Herrada in working for the day when Diego would raise the Almagro standard, Diego's conflicting heritages shadow his rise to a short day of power. Highborn Isabella, Diego's mistress, is importuned to poison her husband; Herrada imports assassins and his conspiracy is successful when Pizarro is murdered; Diego is finished with Isabella when he turns to Indian Tica, who takes him to Manco Inca to parley. A new governor from Spain forces the rebels to battle, and in their defeat, Diego's chance to escape is destroyed by Isabella's treachery and ends in his execution. Brutal bloodletting colors these 16th century stratagems and spoils a wealth of detail highlights this fictionalizing of history.