Under the Southern Cross : A tale of the New World

In the scorching autumn of the 1560s, a weary yet resolute Franciscan prior in Lima wrestles with a delicate request from a newly enriched conquistador. He summons the sharp‑eyed Fray Fernando, a monk whose restless vigor hints at a destiny beyond cloister walls, to undertake a daring mission that promises both spiritual salvation and earthly reward. As the two brothers of the Order deliberate, the promise of a fertile valley in Nasca—rich with gold, silver, and the promise of new souls—looms like a distant horizon.

Listeners will step into a world where the clash of ink‑stained diplomacy and the raw ambitions of Spain’s New World explorers collide. The narrative balances the solemn rhythm of monastic life with the restless heat of conquest, offering vivid portraits of power, faith, and personal yearning. Through careful listening, the early chapters unfold a tension that sets the stage for a journey as much about inner conviction as the untamed lands beyond the Andes.