Spain, 16th century from the birth of Christ.
Hidalgo Rene Alvarez de Calahorra de Blanchefort (in the past he was a Prelate, a representative of the Holy Inquisition) travels around Spain, and gets acquainted with the caballero Alonzo di Corse. They go to Madrid together.
In Madrid, Rene and Alonzo rent a room for a modest fee and indulge in idleness. One day they were passing by the Plaza Cruz Verde, where executions or justice were being carried out. Rene noticed how a beautiful young woman was tied to a pillory in order to be whipped. The inquisitor charged her with theft. The woman tried to explain that extreme circumstances pushed her to this act: her little daughters were starving.
Rene sympathizes with the unfortunate woman and offers the inquisitor to make amends. He takes a bribe, but the punishment, although formal, should still take place. Rene, after a shameful punishment, takes the woman with him, her name is Madeleine Mendoza. She is young, beautiful and desirable.
Don Ramirez di Sallust, the emissary of the Spanish crown in Venezuela, learns about a certain Golden City. The viceroy of Venezuela, Don Barbules, sent an expedition there, but it did not return, with the exception of one person, Murillo. But for inexplicable reasons, he tore apart two Spanish soldiers like an animal.
Don Barbules is scared. However, the emissary is not a timid man. He strikes Murillo with a sword, but he still continues to show signs of life. Only a blow to the heart finishes off Murillo. But his stomach begins to throb. The emissary suggests that these are the tricks of Satan.
Don Ramirez's desire to get rich and get to the Golden City is too great, and he does not think about the imminent danger. He is heading to Spain in order to recruit a team of desperate thugs and undertake a new expedition to the Golden City.
To be continued.