The Beginning traces the struggles of Isabella of Castile and of the Incas to unify their nations. Isabella becomes Queen despite intrigues and launches Columbus to the New World. Francisco Pizarro dreams of escaping to this land, where only the nimblest survive. The Inca Empire with millions of souls is stitched together by the bold courage of Pachecutec. His son,Topa Inca Yupanque, and his grandon, Huayna Capac form the most holistic society in the Americas through guile, nagotiation and military prowess. Sporadic appearances of the Castilians during a civil war between Inca Huascar and Inca Atahualpa devides and weakens the Inca hegemony, setting up a cultural and military clash with Francisco Pizarro's tiny invasion force that could change western civilization. Meanwhile, Castile struggles to capitalize on the new stream of New World treasure as Queen Isabella's health is failing, raising the possibility that her unstable heiress, Juana, could become Queen.