Tom Holland

So that's another way in which he can get his vengeance on kind of priesthoods that he feel are against his rule.

There's a slight kind of Owlman quality to it as well, isn't there?

So the Owlman is the figure in the Aztec story where you unleash the Owlman and the world will end, but at least you'll destroy your enemies.

And he gets shot and that's the end of the Owlman.

There's a prophecy that if the temple at Pachacamac is attacked, then a universal flood would wipe out the entire temple.

And therefore, if tribute isn't paid to this temple, then it will be disastrous.

So essentially, the Spanish, by sending people to loot it, are putting that prophecy to the test.

And if they're wrong, then a universal flood will destroy all of life on Earth.

So the stakes are quite high.

There's a brilliant description of the road over the Andes.

And the highlands are described as truly a land so muddy that it's like it's not been seen in Christendom.

So the kind of character who is honourable but ultimately doomed.

would you say, in a science fiction story?

One possible influence on him, do you think, is the fact that the local people here are anti-Atahualpa.

Yes.

So they had not been backing them.

And these are the wanker people.

There's nothing funny about it, but I think the role of the wanker in this story is one that, you know, we shouldn't overlook.

I mean, this is a skill, it turns out, the Spaniards have, isn't it?

Is burning human bodies to just the right degree.