The Mayan Priest

by Guillou, Sue

  Adam and Samuel looked over her shoulder and shook their heads.

  ‘Well, you’ll have to translate,’ said Adam as Gillian began to read:

  “To the child of my child, this book contains the teachings of our people and the place where my family has met the gods. It is meant for you only, for you were the one entrusted with my key. My true blood!”

  ‘So, what does this mean?’ asked Samuel as Gillian laughed.

  ‘Adam will tell you. He has uncovered enough Kinix riddles to comprehend what it means.’ she said.

  Adam felt faint and overwhelmed. The meaning was almost too much for him to come to terms with.

  ‘Kinix is telling us that he has left this book for his direct descendant, “the child of my child”. It contains his and his family’s final resting place and the answers to many Mayan mysteries.’

  ‘So, the possibility of a tomb full of treasures still remains?’ asked Samuel.

  Adam nodded in confirmation as he continued:

  “The child of my child is to be recognised as the one who has the key which is represented on the front of this book.”

  Gillian looked at Adam. ‘Do you know how the disk arrived in your family?’

  Adam shook his head. ‘I was told that it was a family heirloom, passed down through the eldest child for many centuries.’

  ‘So, you could be Kinix’s direct descendant,’ blurted Samuel as Adam nodded.

  ‘It seems to be.’

  ‘The only way we can find out it is to perform a DNA match,’ suggested Gillian.

  ‘And how do we do that?’ said Samuel as Gillian frowned in disgust.

  ‘We have four vials of blood which we can compare to Adam’s.’

  Samuel laughed. ‘The irony of it all. My father groomed me to be a Mayan prince, yet here I am in the company of a real one.’

  Adam did not reply. It was all a little too much for him at the moment. He really needed a warm shower and a comfortable bed.

  ‘Come on, let’s get out of here,’ said Gillian as she placed the obsidian containers in her bag and passed the book to Adam. ‘This is yours.’

  Adam smiled and took hold of his treasure. It was Gillian’s as much as his.

  He gave her a gentle kiss which she happily returned.

  CHAPTER FORTY SIX

  Two weeks had passed since Gillian, Adam and Samuel were pulled to the surface, dirty and bleeding but victorious after battling the trials of Xibalba.

  Their rescue was received with great joy although Samuel was the beneficiary of scepticism. His past actions bred doubt and it took some convincing for everyone to believe that he had saved Gillian and Adam from an assassin without having his own agenda. Thankfully they were eventually persuaded, but the tension between Samuel, Georgio and Dale increased with each passing day.

  Samuel also had trouble coping with the expectations placed on him to conform to the requirements of normal day-to-day living and he often reverted back to old habits to escape his confronting emotions.

  Quite frequently Gillian caught him burning his blood to please the gods which often placed her on the wrong side of his explosive temper. Unfortunately this also put considerable pressure on their already tenuous relationship.

  The other issue surrounding Samuel was the possibility that he would be called to testify against his father, the stress of which would undoubtedly ruin all of the progress he had made.

  The only thing in their favour was that his survival remained a secret, so it was for this reason that they decided it best to reunite him with the remaining community in Tajumulco.

  Samuel was delighted, but his departure was bittersweet. On one hand, Gillian was adapting to his company and felt a slight stirring of sadness, but on the other hand it removed the reminder to the one topic they all avoided – their mother!

  Gillian knew who she was, but Samuel had not come in contact with Reynata to confirm her suspicions, although this suited Gillian.

  She was not ready to confront the many issues surrounding the subject. There were simply too many questions which she feared, if answered, would open a can of worms and cause an irreparable rift between herself and her beloved father. There was no way that Gillian would accept anything that may compromise her feelings for him. To his credit, Dale had tried to bring up the subject on a number of occasions, but Gillian simply told him the same thing: ‘Now is not the time.’ She would deal with the issue when she was ready although she felt the time would come sooner rather than later.

  Her father had feelings for Reynata and unless she wished to stand in the way of his happiness, she could not avoid the problem forever.

  Imagine dinner parties together. She was at one end and Reynata at the other, not talking to each other. It would be incredibly uncomfortable for all concerned and it would be her fault.

  Gillian sighed loudly and Adam laughed.

  ‘Family problems?’

  She nodded.

  ‘I’ve had them for years,’ replied Adam.

  ‘And it seems as if you are going to have new ones. What will you do if these DNA tests prove you are the descendant of Kinix. It will mean that your father is also a relative.’

  Adam squirmed. ‘Gees. My parents will think they are a king and queen for real. I couldn’t stand it.’

  ‘You don’t have to tell them, you know.’

  Adam looked relieved. ’I suppose not. The sale of the ruby will ensure our financial independence and the disk was mine. My grandfather willed it to me, not my father.’

  ‘Well!’ Gillian waved the envelope in his face.

  ‘Okay, open it.’ Adam clenched his teeth and pretended not to look.

  Gillian ripped open the envelope and read the results. She did not speak for a few seconds.

  ‘The suspense is killing me,’ murmured Adam as he continued to place his hands over his eyes.

  Gillian kissed him on the lips. ‘Well … it seems I have my prince at last.’

  ‘That was bloody corny,’ replied Adam as he checked her expression for any hint of a lie. There was none.

  ‘Bloody hell. It’s true, then. I am Kinix’s ancestor.’

  ‘Seems to be,’ laughed Gillian in delight as Adam whooped loudly, jumped up and down and threw cushions up in the air.

  ‘Ninety-nine point nine, nine per cent sure,’ she added.

  ‘And to think that a couple of months ago, I could not even pay the bill to repair my car.’

  ‘The ruby will set you up, but Kinix has clearly alluded to the fact that details of his burial site are in this book,’ said Gillian.

  ‘Which will mean further mysteries and treasure hunting,’ added Adam as Gillian grinned like a Cheshire cat.

  ‘Looks like you’ll be staying with me for a while.’

  Adam nodded and handed Gillian the last instalment of Kinix’s diary.

  ‘Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s read the last part of his diary and perhaps we will have something of importance to give to the President,’ suggested Adam.

  ‘If Richard doesn’t get his hands on it first,’ said Gillian in mock annoyance.

  ‘He’s been nagging to have a look at this diary since the repairs on his house have been completed. It’s as if he has nothing better to do,’ added Adam fondly as Gillian opened the first page.

  Manuscript part 5

  The birth of my son should have been the highlight of my life, but it was one of my saddest. He bore my spirit but not my name and only Yok Chac understood my pain. Every moment I saw Kaloomte celebrate his good fortune and show my son to the people, I felt as if my ch’ulel was being sucked from my body. It was a pain that far exceeded anything I thought possible. Not pain of the body but pain of the mind. Little helped me with clear evidence of ha uay manifesting itself in my body. I attempted to take powerful medicines to help ease this pul yah but even this did not work and Yok Chac was becoming desperate.

  He urged me to take some time for myself, to seek some direction away from the chor
es of my daily routine and gain perspective on the turmoils of my life.

  I knew he was right. As my dearest friend, Yok Chac was far more intuitive of my needs than I, so I agreed to his proposal.

  I was to spend seven kin on my own, drinking the liquor of the gods. This would allow me to speak to them and seek their ultimate wisdom. Only the gods could set me on the path to enlightenment.

  The following morning, I moved myself to the cave in the hills behind Tikal that were reserved for the sole use of the priests and their immediate brotherhood. I located a small, dark and exceeding private area with a ready access to running water and a chultune in which I was able to store the liquid and food for the length of my incarceration. I began my journey immediately and proceeded to mix a blend of campanillas (mushrooms), tobacco and toad skin which I administered into my anus. I was expecting to be able to connect with my beloved Bahlum Paw Skull shortly and admitted to feeling a great deal of reservation. Would he be happy to talk to me? Would he approve of the path I had taken? Would he be pleased that I had given him a grandchild of his own blood?

  I was frightened to find out.

  With a heavy heart, I pierced my earlobes to allow a greater opening in which to hear the voices of the gods and my beloved Bahlum Paw Skull, knowing that I would be in no position to continue with my writing until this was over.

  Fear gave way to a new level of clarification which allowed me understand my purpose as a priest and a human. The gods were kind to me, forgiving my every discretion and understanding the love for my Butterfly. Bahlum Paw Skull applauded the birth of our child and the deprivation of a human heir for Kaloomte, citing that it was a blessing that his evil seed was not spread throughout the human world. It also meant that no future king on their ascension could grant approval for his accompaniment, freeing my king from threat. They were pleased with me but also installed an understanding of the Mayan future.

  The gods told me that my children’s children would see a great change. Food and trade would become scarce and one who represents a god will visit our land. Unfortunately our people in their innocence would fall for the traitorous ones who would take advantage of their good nature. Combined with the lack of food and murderous slaughter, our people would flounder and disappear, a revelation that brought me to tears. I cried for an entire kin before I was forced to pull myself together. I could hear the gods whispering angrily to me, telling me not to be weak in a time of need. I apologised and listened to their requirements.

  The gods and my beloved King ordered me to compose a ‘book of learning’, a compilation of all we have learnt, our medicine, our understanding of time and space, how we came to be, our first city and the purpose of the original pyramids and lastly, the greatness of my King. Bahlum also commanded that these secrets only be passed to one of his own blood and it was my duty to ensure this would happen.

  I must come up with a plan, but I was exhausted and my brain failed me.

  One kin passed before I was able to gain enough strength to walk out without aid. Although water and food was in abundance, my state of observation and reflection had caused me to forget the nourishment of my body. I was weak, tired and too overwhelmed to contemplate the mammoth task bestowed upon me by the gods until Yok Chac took it upon himself to bring me back to health. It was also Yok Chac who forced me to formulate a plan to bring the gods’ strategy to fulfillment.

  He was determined and angry at my lack of motivation, reminding me that I had spent my entire life exceeding expectations. I had become the chief confidant of Bahlum, I was a renowned healer and reader of the stars and above all, I was a trusted friend. Now was not the time to give up, especially as our greatest task was to hand.

  I agreed, chastising myself for temporary weakness. If for no other reason, I owed it to Yok Chac and the children of my child, especially my beloved Bird Claw who I had only seen a few times since his birth. My eyes lowered in contemplation and sadness which Yok Chac picked up on immediately.

  ‘Lady Tikal loves you as much as you love her. The child was born of love and for that you should be grateful. I personally had not had as much luck in my life.’

  ‘You have a woman and a child of your own, my friend.’

  ‘It was not true love for me, Kinix. It was simply old age causing me to fear leaving this human world without having a family.’

  ‘But you adore the child.’

  ‘That is true, although my woman can have no more.’

  ‘It is a shame the birth was so difficult.’

  ‘Yes, which brings me to another topic. Kaloomte would soon become suspicious of there being no more children.’

  ‘I understand, but I fear that spending time with her will only make it much more difficult when I depart. I long to be with her always!’

  ‘Then we will need to make that happen.’

  I looked at Yok Chac with curiosity but did not seek clarification to his statement. This was my fervent wish and I dared not allow myself the possibility that this may happen.

  Three cycles of the haab had passed before I had completed the ‘book of learning’ and despite the time it took, I was proud of my efforts. It was detailed and meticulous, drawing upon memories of our entire people.

  During this period, both Yok Chac and I had also commenced planning the secrets required to keep this precious book away from the hands of those for whom it was not intended. We spent so many hours together that our relationship reached a new level of understanding and he was closer to me than a blood brother. Other than my love for Lady Tikal, Yok Chac’s friendship was the most important thing in my life.

  The ensuing five cycles of the haab brought about two more children with my Butterfly and despite our forced separation, she allowed me visits with the children, accessed through the covert passageway to the palace. I treasured these times and took solace in the fact that Kaloomte was rapidly growing old with an illness we could not diagnose. I long suspected that Yok Chac was giving him a potion but chose never to question his integrity. It was a convenient silence on my part. If I did not ask the questions, I would not get unwanted answers.

  We had also commenced the building of the various traps made to keep the book safe and it was near the completion of these works that Kaloomte died and I unashamedly celebrated. I had achieved everything I desired. The gods’ requests were nearly completed, I had my friend Yok Chac and now I will have Lady Tikal and my children. My life was complete.

  ***

  Adam looked up in concern. ‘The style of writing has changed in this next section.’

  Gillian frowned. ‘This part was not written by Kinix.’

  Manuscript part 6

  I, Yok Chac, have just passed my dear friend Kinix to the gods. Just upon the pinnacle of his life, he suffered a tragic accident that released his ch’ulel and left his body empty. My grief is without words and I cannot determine how I will go on … but I must.

  He used his final breath to make me promise that I will bury him with the ‘book of learning’ and deliver his three paintings and ornamental Calendar Round to his first and most beloved child, Bird Claw. It is these four items that must be entrusted to the eldest child of each generation and only used if the Mayan way fails.

  For me this is the end. With Kinix went my love of life and I have little left other than my own child and to ensure Kinix’s family is raised as he would like. I have pledged an oath to the gods and to Kinix to care for them until my own time comes and I will not fail in my duty.

  Kinix was a wise man with such a great passion for living and learning that I can only hope the one reading this will share those same characteristics. To be the child of Kinix’s children is indeed a great honour and to be bestowed with his legacy is a privilege. I hope that whoever you may be, you take care of these precious secrets and do him justice.

  My final duty for my friend is to give you his resting place which is located in his place of peace and reflection.

  ***

  Gillian sat i
n silence for a moment and stared at the document in deliberation.

  ‘So, any ideas?’ asked Adam as Gillian replied with a grin.

  ‘Of course. Despite his complex nature, Kinix was a simple man at heart. His early years and most of his later life were spent at his home in his garden. It was the place he felt most at peace.’

  ‘Do you think he was buried there?’ asked Adam.

  ‘I’m sure of it,’ said Gillian.

  Adam sighed. ‘Does this mean another call to the President to obtain the authority to dig in the national park?’

  ‘Yes, but we are not in a hurry. We have a wedding to attend to first and Richard would kill us if we didn’t wait for him.’

  Adam laughed. ‘Well, it looks like we’ve got time to spare.’

  ‘Well, my prince … what shall we do?’

  Adam did not require any further propositioning. He pulled her to him and kissed her properly for the first time, savouring every moment and counting his blessings. What an adventure his life had become and he had so much to look forward to. Discovering his legacy with Gillian and his new found friends was only just the beginning.