Sheila Leblanc

Cantuta: Inca Sheila Leblanc

Cantuta, the national flower of Peru, is about the Inca Empire torn apart by civil war and foreign invaders while an Inca Prince fights to regain his kingdom. The unexpected death of the reigning king paves the way for a conflict between two brothers that divides the empire in two. Atahualpa rules the northern parts of the Empire and Huascar assumes the position of the King of Cuzco, the southern region of the Inca Empire. Atahualpa; however, believes that he alone should rule the land and that will only happen if Cuzco is his and Huascar is no longer in power. Atahualpa's attack takes Cuzco by surprise, thus giving him a huge advantage over Huascar. Huascar is caught but his younger brother, Manco, who is also the crown prince of Cuzco, escapes along with his sister, Vira. Manco discovers that Atahualpa formed an alliance with the invading Spanish conquistadors, or White Strangers. The Spaniards; however, are only using Atahualpa in order to conquer the Inca Empire. Atahualpa later pays for this betrayal when the Spaniards reveal their true purpose. With the White Strangers trying to control his people and his kingdom, Manco takes a stand against his new enemies to recover the land that rightfully belongs to the Inca and should be ruled by the rightful Inca King. Amidst treachery and violence, the Inca, the Pizarro brothers, their women, and the church try to press their agendas while the people of Peru struggle to survive.