Character Profile: Zia

Zia, the daughter of an Incan priest, was kidnapped from her home as a young child and brought to Spain. She has the ability to decode quipus (a system of knots in string which her people use to keep records) so the Spaniards try to exploit her, believing she can direct them to the fabled Cities of Gold. In addition, Tao, the last survivor of the Hiva people, believes she is the girl named in an ancient prophecy. She has one of the two Medallions of the Sun; the other belongs to her friend, Estaban. At first, she is reluctant to trust Spaniards, but this changes as the series progresses.

Nothing is revealed about Zia's mother, but we are told that she longs to see her father again. The two are reunited towards the end of the series, but Zia's father has been fatally wounded in battle and only lives long enough to tell her where the Cities of Gold can be found.