Hi folks! Well, summer is here, my teaching assignment has changed (I only have one prep instead of four now :D), and I believe I have time to get some writing going. I've had a couple of emails asking me to continue Mendoza's adventures and was shocked to see how long it had been since I had worked on this story. [I really shouldn't be surprised. :( ] Well, now I take up this story again and will be posting the whole story plus new updates here.

I also have updates in the works for Ancient Legacy and Guidelines so those should follow soon. And I plan to work as much as I can so let me know what you think of the results.

Homecoming

The sun shone down on the port of Barcelona, Spain and the Portuguese ship that was putting in at her dock. On the main deck of the ship, a young man looked out over this major port of Spain.

"Mendoza!" a voice called and the young man turned in the direction of the hail.

"Captain," Mendoza nodded respectfully to the man who approached him as he stood by the rail.

"It still seems the same as the last time I put in here," the Captain commented taking in the activities on the dock.

Mendoza nodded again. "This city never seems to change," he said thoughtfully. "But then, one's home is always a welcoming site."

The Captain put out his hand to his companion and said, "It has been a pleasure sailing with you, Navigator. Good luck to you, Senhor."

The navigator shook his Captain's hand and walked away to his cabin to collect his gear. As he did so, he marveled over the change in his fortunes and position. Until a year ago, he had been a common seaman whose bunk was usually the deck of his ship. Now he was an officer who gave orders to the rest of the crew and had a cabin all his own.

He smiled as he gathered his instruments, charts, and his few other possessions. When did Barcelona become home? It was not his birthplace and he had only lived there a few months. But then again, the only remaining member of his family called this city home. That must be the reason.

Mendoza was anxious to disembark and find Maria, his former nurse and adopted mother. He had spent more than enough time at sea and nearly a year in Portugal. For now, the new navigator merely wanted to rest. He wondered if the niño would recognize him as he put the last of his possessions in a leather bag and slung it over his shoulder. He had already collected his pay and quickly left his cabin, walking to the gangplank of the ship.

Though Mendoza was eager to find Maria, his first stop was in the city market and the tailor. Portuguese fashion was not to his taste and nothing remained of the clothes he had before he had set sail around the world with Magellan almost four years before. The navigator soon found what he was looking for and, dressed in his new clothes, set out to the Cathedral which was his guide to find Maria's home. His pace quickened as he neared his final destination and he felt a smile touch his lips.

But an unpleasant surprise awaited him.

The house was abandoned and bore marks which said that it had been quarantined. A sick feeling settled in the young man's stomach and he went quickly to one of the neighboring homes. A knock on the door produced an elderly woman who looked at the navigator in surprise.

"Pardon me, Señora, but do you know the family who live in that house?"

*****

Mendoza wandered through the door of the Cathedral, his eyes fastened on the stone floor ahead of him. She doesn't even have a proper grave! he thought despairingly. The young navigator sank to his knees in a pool of light created by the stained glass windows, letting his tears fall to the cold stones of the floor. It was a long time before he could move again.

There, on his knees, he came to a decision. Barcelona was not quite as welcoming as it was in the light of morning and he wanted nothing more now than to sail away. Perhaps to the New World. Ships were sailing for the new settlement of New Spain almost constantly since had Cortés sent word of his conquest. The gold that the conquistador had sent the King was also something to give attention to.

Mendoza stood quickly, his mind made up. He would leave for the New World as soon as was possible. "Perhaps I will discover where you came from," the navigator said softly, looking at a small golden disk that he held in his hand.

He left the Cathedral, never noticing the small boy whose eyes had followed all of his movements. "Esteban!" The child turned to the old priest that had called his name. "Come away, my boy." The little boy did as he was told and took the hand of Father Rodriguez, throwing one last look in the direction of the vanished sailor.

Next Time - Mendoza travels to the New World, searching for answers to a great mystery. Where did the medallion come from? What was its purpose? The search begins in New Spain where many surprises await the young navigator, including a woman that will change his life forever. Chapter Two: New Spain.