Captain from Castile

A Castilian caballero whose honor compels him to defend the weak and resist Santa Hermandad cruelty. He fights with courage, balancing family loyalty, love, and the lure of fortune as he moves from Spain to the New World.

A barmaid who becomes Pedro's wife and political ally. Her wit and social maneuvering pull the couple into high-stakes schemes, including the ring that supposedly makes Pedro fall in love, complicating loyalty and desire.

An adventurer returning from the New World who becomes a prison guard to his mother. He kills his mother to spare her further torture, then frees Pedro and aids his escape, showing a volatile mix of loyalty and ruthlessness.

The Santa Hermandad's ruthless master who imprisons Pedro and his family on charges of heresy. His ambition to maintain control through fear leads to brutal clashes with Pedro and a dramatic downfall.

Ambitious conquistador who leads the Mexico expedition in search of wealth and glory. He elevates Pedro but also exposes him to mutiny and political peril, shaping the campaign from Villa Rica to the Aztec heartland.

The spiritual adviser who tests Pedro's conscience. He tears up an arrest order, offers penance, and mediates between faith and power as the expedition unfolds.

A noblewoman and Pedro's rival for affection, her social status complicates romance and loyalty. Her presence amplifies the conflict between personal desire and political maneuvering.

Pedro's influential father who opposes the Santa Hermandad's abuses and backs his family. His position in society helps shape the expedition's legitimacy and the fight against oppression.

A runaway Aztec slave whose fate intersects with Pedro's quest for freedom. His actions underscore the brutal choices faced by people caught between empires, and his confession catalyzes key events.