Dominic Sandbrook

When they say Atahualpa has sent for you, I mean, he's taking a risk if he doesn't go.

So he decides he'll go with them.

And as John Hemmings says, this decision was a tragic mistake, one of the turning points in the collapse of resistance to the Spanish invaders.

For by riding out of Chauchat with this deceptively small band of strangers, Chalcochima delivered himself into captivity and death.

Oh, dear.

But not at first.

At first, they treat him with tremendous friendship, and they ride together across the great scenery of the Cordillera Blanca, past the sources of the Amazon, all this kind of thing, and they finally get to Cajamarca.

And the other Spaniards say, oh, brilliant, you're back.

Great to see you.

Chalcochima at this point probably is beginning to think, did I make the right choice in going with these guys?

Because they take him in to see Atahualpa.

Chalcochima is overcome with emotion to see the great Inca.

And he, and I quote, raised his hands to the sun to give thanks for being allowed to see him again.

He went up to him with great reverence, weeping and kissed him on the face, hands and feet.

And the other chiefs who had come with him did the same.

But Atahualpa won't even look him in the face.

Now this is standard for the Inca.

The Inca doesn't normally look at commoners in the eyes.

But the Spanish can see that Atahualpa is gutted, that his best commander has just walked straight into captivity alongside him.

And actually now for Chalcuchima, the smiles on the faces of his Spanish friends begin to fade.