Atahualpa's army has grown during the course…

Atahualpa's army has grown during the course of the civil war to two hundred and fifty thousand men, all the strength of the Empire; at least a hundred thousand have killed on the opposing side.

The victorious generals have sent word north by chasqui messenger to Atahualpa, who had moved south from Quitu to the royal resort springs outside he Peruvian highland town and regional capital of Cajamarca.

The messenger arrives with news of the final victory on the same day that Pizarro and his small band of adventurers, together with some Indian allies, descend from the Andes into the town of Cajamarca.

The confrontation at Cajamarca is the culmination of a months-long struggle involving espionage, subterfuge, and diplomacy between Pizarro and the Inca via their respective envoys.

The victor receives the invaders from a position of immense strength.

Encamped along the heights of Cajamarca with a large force of battle-tested troops fresh from their victories, the Inca feel they have little to fear from Pizarro's tiny army, however exotic its dress and weaponry.

In a calculated show of goodwill, Atahualpa has lured the adventurers deep into the heart of his mountain empire where any potential threat can be isolated and met with massive force.

The town itself has been largely emptied of its two thousand inhabitants, upon the approach of the small Spanish force, guided by an Inca noble sent by Atahualpa as an envoy.

Arriving to Cajamarca on Nov 15, 1532, Pizarro has a force of just one hundred and ten foot soldiers, sixty-seven cavalry, three arquebuses, and two falconets.

He sends Hernando Pizarro and Hernando de Soto to meet with Atahualpa in his camp.

Atahualpa agrees to meet Pizarro in his Cajamarca plaza fortress the next day.

The book History Of The Conquest Of Peru, written by nineteenth century author William H. Prescott, recounts the dilemma in which the Spanish force now finds itself.

Any assault on the Inca armies overlooking the valley would be suicidal.

Retreat is equally out of the question, because any show of weakness might undermine their air of invincibility, and would invite pursuit and closure of the mountain passes.

Once the great stone fortresses dotting their route of escape are garrisoned, argues Pizarro, they will prove impregnable.

However, to do nothing, he adds, is no better, since prolonged contact with the natives will surely erode the fears of Spanish supernatural powers that keep them at bay.

Pizarro gathers his officers on the evening of November 15 and outlines a scheme that recalls memories of Cortés' exploits in Mexico in its audacity: he will capture the emperor amid his own armies.

Since this cannot realistically be accomplished in an open field, Pizarro has invited the Inca to Cajamarca.