In 19th-century Mexico, Juan is a mestizo, of mixed Spanish and Indio heritage, and is doomed to a short, violent life. But Juan has a special gift for handling horses and an ability to defend himself with a sword. Only El Mestizo, the half-caste son of the conqueror Cortes, knows that the blood of kings flows in the young beggar. n nJuan is a mestizo, of mixed Spanish and Indio heritage, sure to be doomed to a short, violent life begging on the streets. But Juan has a special gift for handling horses and an ability to defend himself at a time when a mans best friends are his horse and his sword. Only El Mestizo, the half-caste son of the conqueror Cortés, knows that the blood of kings flows in the young beggar. n nAfter killing a man for beating a horse, Juan becomes a highwayman and horse thief before disguising himself as a wealthy caballero. He is wined and dined by the richest and most powerful people in the colony--who dont realize that some of them had once stared down the barrel of Juans pistola as he took their gold. n nFighting, conniving, and loving in a colorful era of flashing swords and brave hearts, Juan must use all the tricks he learned as a beggar and a bandit to unlock the secret of his own heritage.n