Diego motioned for the messenger to follow him. They passed through a receiving room, made a left and headed toward the open inner courtyard in the center of the house. The walkway around the square was lined on the outside by a stuccoed wall with several doors and on the inside by columns that supported the overhanging second-floor walkway. They walked through the columns past the dry fountain in the center of the courtyard. There, seated at a large oak desk, writing head down with a quill, was the letter's recipient.

"Maestro," said Diego softly, trying not to disturb his master out of his concentration, "a messenger is here to see you"

"Yes," said the writer without looking up from his work.

"Señor Juan De Victoria?" asked the messenger.

"Yes what is it?" the writer retorted, irritated at having to look up from his work.

"Yes, Señor." He handed the letter to him, still shaking from the run.

Juan studied the letter carefully, noticing the quality of the paper, the smudges from handling, and the seal.

It had been almost a year since he had written to Don Antonio in search of a Commission in New Spain. A year of anticipation, stagnation, and sloth. A year wasted.

"Send him away Diego," Juan said calmly, trying not to betray his excitement. He rose, letter in hand, and began to walk along the columns at the perimeter of the courtyard.

It was the first thing he had seen from the 'New World'. Ironic, he thought, it was not the plentiful gold or gems he'd heard of, but a common letter. Still, he thought of the journey it had made, and the gold and gems it could bring. His fingers ran over the pristine red wax seal. He exhaled as he broke it and began to read.

Nineteenth of August the year of our Lord 1539

By the Authority of Antonio de Mendoza, Viceroy of New Spain, the services of Juan de Victoria are requested in Compostela, New Spain. You are to be commissioned as a lieutenant under the command of Melchor Diaz in the expeditionary force of Francisco Vasquez de Coronado. Officers are expected to be fully equipped at the muster roll. This letter will allow you to gain passage on any of the King's ships to the New Spanish port of Veracruz.

Don Antonio De Mendoza Viceroy of New Spain for His Majesty King Ferdinand

"Diego!" Juan shouted joyfully. "Diego, ready the mare, ready my possessions, and bring me more parchment. I'm leaving at midday!" Returning to the desk, Juan discarded the half-finished page he had been working on and began anew.

The sun cast no shadow off his seal when he pressed it into the wax of the last letter. "Is everything prepared Diego?"

"Yes, maestro."