Desert Frigate
Desert Frigate in the Nuegua Storyline
This is the chapter that is ground zero for the whole saga; the goal here is to create the backstories for the relationships between nations and families that will cascade and grow through the subsequent chapters. The only characters we do not meet or even mention are the Nueguans; this is intended, because the Empty Earth can generate many stories without them
The core plot is simple: Seamus Espinoza and his son concoct a plan to extort gold from Dona Maria's pilgrimage stop, in return for 'protection'. This simple plan of extortion, however, goes entirely wrong, resulting in the expulsion of Western Bandits from New Spain. As a result, also, Carlos forms an alliance with Apacheria through Finds-Water, who is accompanied by his apprentice Hunts-The-Ruins. (This is especially important for the chapter 'Business in New Alcazar' as the reader will clearly understand that Carlos is lying to Ariana).
List of Characters:
Spaniards
Don Benedetto Sepulveda, Captain, King's Guard, and first cousin to:
Don Carlos Sepulveda, Prince of Santa Fe, and heir to the throne of New Spain
Don Maria Sepulveda, Mistress of Casa Sepulveda, and sister to the present and ailing King Genaro.
Western Bandits (aka Gringos)
Seamus Espinoza, Leader
Joshua Espinoza, son of Seamus
Carl Reineke, right-hand man to Seamus
Mestizo (aka Indio)
Serena Gomez, handmaid to Dona Maria
Pedro Gomez, father of Serena, head of the servants in Casa Sepulveda
Apache
Finds-Water, First among the Seven Traders of Apacheria
Hunts-the-Ruins, his apprentice
Plot Outline in Detail
In this chapter, the outcast status of the Western Bandits is decided by the future King Carlos II, which is implemented in the forbidding the use of Gringo (English) in public, by penalty of death. Here also, we learn why the Western Bandits must live in the shadow of the Sky Wanderer's poisoned cities, because there is no where else for them to go.
Because the War between New Spain and Nuegua is a tale that has been told countless times with countless variations by the time the monks of New Carlsbad transcribe it, many of the storylines coincide in terms of their date, though in actual fact these dates are approximate.
A good example is 'Desert Frigate' and 'Mothering Day'. In 'Desert Frigate' we first meet Don Benedetto Sepulveda, a young noble and corporal in the King's Guard, and Don Carlos Sepulveda, his first cousin and heir to the throne of New Spain.
Don Carlos is a very energetic, charismatic personality, constantly at odds with his traditionalist father. So much so that King Genaro sends him to rebuild the Sepulveda estate in Soccorro, which is run-down from lack of male leadership, Don Benedetto's father having just died and Dona Maria in charge.
Don Carlos, dreamer and historian, is fascinated by the Spanish Empire of the sixteenth century, and shares his plan to build a new kind of adobe using the riggings of a Spanish frigate. The chapter details the intricacies of the new compound he is constructing, and the tensions that arise between him and Dona Maria.
Don Benedetto proves to be the peace keeper here, as he is fascinated by this new design that will add strength and flexibility to traditional adobe, using only jute ropes and devious Spanish knots. So begins the close friendship between the two men.
That's the character development part; the plot moves forward when the Western Bandits attempt to raid Hacienda Sepulveda. In this earlier time, they really are bandits; the outcome of this conflict will be that the Western Bandits will be expelled from New Spain by royal edict, the very first one King Carlos declares--and the use of Gringo (English) in a public place is punishable by death.
(The latter part of the edict is purposefully over the top; no one really expects it to be followed. This is very Spanish, if one reads Cervantes, you will find all kinds of this hyperbole.)
Dona Maria has long wanted to create a place of pilgrimage here on the edge of New Spain, as outside this there is only a wilderness poisoned by the Sky Wanderers, who have left the ancient cities rife with artificial diseases. She builds a Grotto of the Blessed Virgin, with a side shrine for the Blue Nun, Maria of Agreda, a very popular Spanish miracle-worker. (This is important, because it creates a mindset for the Spaniards to accept Rintiala).
A quick view of the Desert Frigate
This chapter is crucial in introducing and sketching out the friendship between Don Benedetto Sepulveda--Rintiala's future husband--and Don Carlos Sepulveda, soon to be King Carlos the Second and Rintiala's nemesis.
Casa Sepulveda, located in Socorro, is considered the last bastion of civilization in New Spain, because after that, the Empty Earth looms. To the east are the Comanche, who refuse to negotiate with King Carlos the First, to the south (roughly, they never really agree with conventional boundaries) are the Western Bandits, unrepentant Gringos, and to the west is Apacheria, a well-organized and prosperous nation, but not yet a full ally of New Spain.
Carlos is determined to protect Casa Sepulveda, as Dona Maria, widowed wife of Genaro Sepulveda is the woman in charge. Don Benedetto, twenty-four at the time (the year 2527 A.D.) has been away in Santa Fe training as a Captain in the King's Guard, and along with Carlos, has just arrived for Genaro's funeral.
At first, Carlos pleads with Dona Maria to relocate in Santa Fe, but she won't hear of it. Casa Sepulveda is an important stop for pilgrims in ultra-religious New Spain, and Dona Maria has a cadre of priests, deacons, nuns, and laity are her command.
Carlos' solution is two-pronged: first, leave a garrison of King's Guards behind after he leaves, led by Benedetto, and secondly to create a new kind of fortress, based on a combination of traditional adobe and his research into rigging of Spanish frigates in the 17th century. It is a fine balance, because any technological innovation is frowned upon, being considered a throwback to the atheistic Gringos.
His architect's mind comes to the fore when he creates a new kind of adobe structure (this really exists, and it called Super Adobe). In his design, ordinary adobe (straw/clay/manure mix) is wrapped in jute sacks, and those sacks tied together using the riggings of a Spanish frigate. Plaster is applied at the very end of the process, so the adobe looks entirely traditional, which is crucial for acceptance in New Spain 2527 A.D. This adobe is more flexible, less resistant to earthquakes, and more difficult to tunnel through. The latter idea is important, because the Western Bandits both attack Casa Sepulveda in force on horseback at the front gates, and attempt to burrow through the adobe in the servant's quarters. (This two-pronged approach will be used successfully against the Spaniards in 'No Mercy In The Catherdral'. )
In this chapter however, the invading bandits cannot easily burrow in the first direction they try, and so are led into a cul-de-sac designed by Carlos. A mere flick of a lever in the NorthWest watchtower, and they are trapped.
The frontal assault meets the same kind of cunning when the first wave of Western Bandits finds themselves trapped in the main courtyard. When they try to escaple, a false front on the main gate crashes down, revealing a balcony of wrought iron, lined with the sniper's notches. When they try to spread out, and take the walls, the entire perimeter of the courtyard collaspses, killing many of the Western Bandits, and leaving only a remnant in a small island near the central fountain. Only Seamus Espinoza is still outside and unharmed at the end of this, because he always leads from behind.
Carlos and Benedetto are all for executing all of the Western Bandits, but Dona Maria won't allow it. While Carlos and Benedetto have been fighting their daring battle, Maria has contacted and brought in the Apache Police, led by Finds-Water. I'm looking forward to the details of this, but suffice to say the Indio have different loyalties than do the Spaniards. Before the climactic battle, Maria's fourteen-year-old maid servant Serena has been dispatched to walk through the enemy lines, presumably to help her aging and sick mother, but actually to contact Finds-Water. The Apache Police have been waiting for the Western Bandits to mass, and they arrive much faster than horses can take them, because they are driving methane-powered trucks, which they hide from Spanish sight. There is a tense moment when two unnamed scouts consider raping and murdering her, but Seamus arrives on his tour of the front line, and lets her through. 'We're bandits, not monsters,' he says, scolding his men. Again the echo of this will reverberate throught 'No Mercy In The Cathedral'.
This is the chapter that is ground zero for the whole saga; the goal here is to create the backstories for the relationships between nations and families that will cascade and grow through the subsequent chapters. The only characters we do not meet or even mention are the Nueguans; this is intended, because the Empty Earth can generate many stories without them
The core plot is simple: Seamus Espinoza and his son concoct a plan to extort gold from Dona Maria's pilgrimage stop, in return for 'protection'. This simple plan of extortion, however, goes entirely wrong, resulting in the expulsion of Western Bandits from New Spain. As a result, also, Carlos forms an alliance with Apacheria through Finds-Water, who is accompanied by his apprentice Hunts-The-Ruins. (This is especially important for the chapter 'Business in New Alcazar' as the reader will clearly understand that Carlos is lying to Ariana).
List of Characters:
Spaniards
Don Benedetto Sepulveda, Captain, King's Guard, and first cousin to:
Don Carlos Sepulveda, Prince of Santa Fe, and heir to the throne of New Spain
Don Maria Sepulveda, Mistress of Casa Sepulveda, and sister to the present and ailing King Genaro.
Western Bandits (aka Gringos)
Seamus Espinoza, Leader
Joshua Espinoza, son of Seamus
Carl Reineke, right-hand man to Seamus
Mestizo (aka Indio)
Serena Gomez, handmaid to Dona Maria
Pedro Gomez, father of Serena, head of the servants in Casa Sepulveda
Apache
Finds-Water, First among the Seven Traders of Apacheria
Hunts-the-Ruins, his apprentice
Plot Outline in Detail
In this chapter, the outcast status of the Western Bandits is decided by the future King Carlos II, which is implemented in the forbidding the use of Gringo (English) in public, by penalty of death. Here also, we learn why the Western Bandits must live in the shadow of the Sky Wanderer's poisoned cities, because there is no where else for them to go.
Because the War between New Spain and Nuegua is a tale that has been told countless times with countless variations by the time the monks of New Carlsbad transcribe it, many of the storylines coincide in terms of their date, though in actual fact these dates are approximate.
A good example is 'Desert Frigate' and 'Mothering Day'. In 'Desert Frigate' we first meet Don Benedetto Sepulveda, a young noble and corporal in the King's Guard, and Don Carlos Sepulveda, his first cousin and heir to the throne of New Spain.
Don Carlos is a very energetic, charismatic personality, constantly at odds with his traditionalist father. So much so that King Genaro sends him to rebuild the Sepulveda estate in Soccorro, which is run-down from lack of male leadership, Don Benedetto's father having just died and Dona Maria in charge.
Don Carlos, dreamer and historian, is fascinated by the Spanish Empire of the sixteenth century, and shares his plan to build a new kind of adobe using the riggings of a Spanish frigate. The chapter details the intricacies of the new compound he is constructing, and the tensions that arise between him and Dona Maria.
Don Benedetto proves to be the peace keeper here, as he is fascinated by this new design that will add strength and flexibility to traditional adobe, using only jute ropes and devious Spanish knots. So begins the close friendship between the two men.
That's the character development part; the plot moves forward when the Western Bandits attempt to raid Hacienda Sepulveda. In this earlier time, they really are bandits; the outcome of this conflict will be that the Western Bandits will be expelled from New Spain by royal edict, the very first one King Carlos declares--and the use of Gringo (English) in a public place is punishable by death.
(The latter part of the edict is purposefully over the top; no one really expects it to be followed. This is very Spanish, if one reads Cervantes, you will find all kinds of this hyperbole.)
Dona Maria has long wanted to create a place of pilgrimage here on the edge of New Spain, as outside this there is only a wilderness poisoned by the Sky Wanderers, who have left the ancient cities rife with artificial diseases. She builds a Grotto of the Blessed Virgin, with a side shrine for the Blue Nun, Maria of Agreda, a very popular Spanish miracle-worker. (This is important, because it creates a mindset for the Spaniards to accept Rintiala).
A quick view of the Desert Frigate
This chapter is crucial in introducing and sketching out the friendship between Don Benedetto Sepulveda--Rintiala's future husband--and Don Carlos Sepulveda, soon to be King Carlos the Second and Rintiala's nemesis.
Casa Sepulveda, located in Socorro, is considered the last bastion of civilization in New Spain, because after that, the Empty Earth looms. To the east are the Comanche, who refuse to negotiate with King Carlos the First, to the south (roughly, they never really agree with conventional boundaries) are the Western Bandits, unrepentant Gringos, and to the west is Apacheria, a well-organized and prosperous nation, but not yet a full ally of New Spain.
Carlos is determined to protect Casa Sepulveda, as Dona Maria, widowed wife of Genaro Sepulveda is the woman in charge. Don Benedetto, twenty-four at the time (the year 2527 A.D.) has been away in Santa Fe training as a Captain in the King's Guard, and along with Carlos, has just arrived for Genaro's funeral.
At first, Carlos pleads with Dona Maria to relocate in Santa Fe, but she won't hear of it. Casa Sepulveda is an important stop for pilgrims in ultra-religious New Spain, and Dona Maria has a cadre of priests, deacons, nuns, and laity are her command.
Carlos' solution is two-pronged: first, leave a garrison of King's Guards behind after he leaves, led by Benedetto, and secondly to create a new kind of fortress, based on a combination of traditional adobe and his research into rigging of Spanish frigates in the 17th century. It is a fine balance, because any technological innovation is frowned upon, being considered a throwback to the atheistic Gringos.
His architect's mind comes to the fore when he creates a new kind of adobe structure (this really exists, and it called Super Adobe). In his design, ordinary adobe (straw/clay/manure mix) is wrapped in jute sacks, and those sacks tied together using the riggings of a Spanish frigate. Plaster is applied at the very end of the process, so the adobe looks entirely traditional, which is crucial for acceptance in New Spain 2527 A.D. This adobe is more flexible, less resistant to earthquakes, and more difficult to tunnel through. The latter idea is important, because the Western Bandits both attack Casa Sepulveda in force on horseback at the front gates, and attempt to burrow through the adobe in the servant's quarters. (This two-pronged approach will be used successfully against the Spaniards in 'No Mercy In The Catherdral'. )
In this chapter however, the invading bandits cannot easily burrow in the first direction they try, and so are led into a cul-de-sac designed by Carlos. A mere flick of a lever in the NorthWest watchtower, and they are trapped.
The frontal assault meets the same kind of cunning when the first wave of Western Bandits finds themselves trapped in the main courtyard. When they try to escaple, a false front on the main gate crashes down, revealing a balcony of wrought iron, lined with the sniper's notches. When they try to spread out, and take the walls, the entire perimeter of the courtyard collaspses, killing many of the Western Bandits, and leaving only a remnant in a small island near the central fountain. Only Seamus Espinoza is still outside and unharmed at the end of this, because he always leads from behind.
Carlos and Benedetto are all for executing all of the Western Bandits, but Dona Maria won't allow it. While Carlos and Benedetto have been fighting their daring battle, Maria has contacted and brought in the Apache Police, led by Finds-Water. I'm looking forward to the details of this, but suffice to say the Indio have different loyalties than do the Spaniards. Before the climactic battle, Maria's fourteen-year-old maid servant Serena has been dispatched to walk through the enemy lines, presumably to help her aging and sick mother, but actually to contact Finds-Water. The Apache Police have been waiting for the Western Bandits to mass, and they arrive much faster than horses can take them, because they are driving methane-powered trucks, which they hide from Spanish sight. There is a tense moment when two unnamed scouts consider raping and murdering her, but Seamus arrives on his tour of the front line, and lets her through. 'We're bandits, not monsters,' he says, scolding his men. Again the echo of this will reverberate throught 'No Mercy In The Cathedral'.
posted by Zinc Chameleon @ 8:23 AM
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