Book excerpt: The hero of this historical novel is Martin Olden. The story is set against the researched facts of Magellans voyage to Asia. In 1494 the division of the globe into two spheres of influence, between Portugal and Spain, left a vital question unanswered: which countrys sphere encompassed Asia particularly the fabulously wealthy Spice Islands? In 1519 Captain-General Ferdinand Magellan led a Spanish expedition, sailing westwards, to disprove Portugals claim to the Spice Islands and establish that much of the rest of Asia were Spains possessions. The voyage saw a series of dramatic events - by the time Magellans fleet reached the Magellan Strait, mutinies had left all his Spanish Captains dead or marooned and there was appalling deprivation on the long voyage across the unexpectedly vast Pacific to the Philippines. It was there that Magellan, disregarding the Spanish kings orders, attacked Lapulapu a local ruler of Mactan Island. Prior to being captured on Mactan Island, Martin Olden helped Princess Lalu, Chief Lapulapus half-sister, a skilful healer and powerful Shaman when she was assaulted by Santos a misogynistic Spanish sailor. Captured by Lapulapus warriors, Martin subsequently witnessed the fate of Magellan and fell in love with Lalu.