The Maya and the Moor

Join Ja'far and Cauac on an amazing quest for Truth. Surf the pristine waters of Boriken with a lovely Taino girl called Water Flower, soar cobalt skies high above a Mayan pyramid as a Resplendent Quetzal and discover how an ancient amulet made of shell binds all on a journey of mystery and intrigue. Struggle as a castaway in the middle of the Oceano Atlantico years before the voyages of Columbus and help solve the riddle of one of history's more fascinating myths. Journey with Ja'far, a gifted young Moor as he finds himself sailing with the diverse crew of the Argus under Captain Zarco, a man determined to solve the mystery of a babe found awash in an enormous sinking canoe far from any known land. Make first contact with the inhabitants of an island paradise known as Boriken and share in the generosity of spirit of the Taino people. Meet the young Anani, daughter of Tono, the village cacique and learn how to celebrate life with these noble people. Follow too, the quest of Cauac, a young Yucatec Maya as he sets upon his own harrowing journey at the bidding of a shaman Grandfather. Enter a deep cenote and swim an underground river only to emerge in a world of strife, corruption and famine. See how Cauac is called upon to play his role in the deadly Game of Pok-A-Tok and learn how his half of the necklace that his Father gave him beckons his Quetzal totem to guide him toward a surprising destiny he never dreamed of. While attempting to circumnavigate the new found paradise aboard the ship Argus, the necklace that had been found years before around the neck of the young babe by captain and crew is seen by the Taino headman Tono and is cause for concern. A meeting is held, and as the story of how it came to be aboard is brought to light, the rift is mended fairly amicably. Though questions remain as to how it came aboard, Ja'far continues his role as ship's artist making sketches and documenting its careening. As the ship sets sail once more, free now of its extra burden, it is beset by a terrible storm. Here Ja'far redeems himself but has suffered the bite and dreaded effects of the jejen. After the ship's tremendous buffeting in the storm, and recuperation, the ship and crew now find themselves in the doldrums. Ja'far and Anani amuse themselves with a bird Anani discovered after the storm. They tend its injured wing for a time and marvel at its ability to fly freely as they themselves remain stranded on a sea of glass. Cauac's world and that of those around him is forever changed as the bloody Game of Pok-A-Tok ends unexpectedly and he is imprisoned. Befriended by Seven Claw Jaguar and a young slave, he escapes only find himself becoming a leader of city state where with the aid of his totem he declares an end to blood sacrifice. Peace prevails for a time in the land but eventually the curtain of greed and power begins to be drawn once more across the eyes of many and he seeks to find a land with a warmer sun. The power of nature prevails upon the worlds of Ja'far and Cauac and they both find themselves adrift at sea. The Argus sunk, and the exodus of ocean going canoes that Cauac led has been scattered by Juracan. The two eventually come find one another as castaways and survive for a time with the help Anani's bird. Cauac eventually succumbs to exposure and the wound he suffered during the ill-fated Game, but not before his half of the necklace given him by his Father and that of Ja'far's are reunited. The complete necklace is now Ja'far's and it literally saves him. He is rescued and returned home to Spain only to find that things have changed drastically in his absence. It appears that many years have passed since the day he stole his brother's boat. Family gone and now an old blind man he dons the necklace one final time and he sees the world afresh. Alas it has been stolen, but he is at peace, he has glimpsed a Truth which has made him whole and it is for all to share.