Hidden in the ship hold, Esteban and Zia are soon discovered by Captain Gaspard, a soldier under the direct orders of Francisco Pizarro. Before he can throw them overboard, Mendoza interferes and saves them, ridiculling Gaspard in the process. Much to his annoyance, Commander Gomez, whom Pizarro tasked with bringing Zia back to Lima, is forced to reveal the girl is the key to finding the seven cities of gold, and orders Gaspard to leave the children alone.
They are placed under Mendoza's responsibility, and remain in his cabin for most of the trip, Esteban suffering from sea-sickness, until the ship reaches the entrance of the Strait of Magellan, which Mendoza is the only sailor on board able to manage.
