The young seminarian, Julian Escobar, finds himself trapped in the role of the legendary Mayan god Kukulcan, a captive of his own power and of his duties as lord of a great city. His only ally, the sly dwarf Cantu, cares only for the gold that can be plundered from the Mayan temples. Even amid the barbaric splendor of his own court, Julian fears the treachery of the high priest. Julian's travels take him to the palace of Aztec emperor Moctezuma, and before long he is caught up in the tragic encounter of Moctezuma and Hernan Cortes.