“I will inform Ajawinel K’an II of your concern, Ajawal.” He nodded.
“The two women you requested will be sent to you, but we will give you no women slaves for your Warriors tonight as many of our slaves have been lost to the Qas Nim Wo-ja’.” He indicated to the remains of the fire on the hillside. “We had to burn our dead, even our nobles, there were so many. On your journey back to Ox Witz Ha, you will find women.” We have no food to give you, but as you get deeper into the jungle you should find food.”
“We are Warriors, Ajawal.”
He nodded. “Your Warriors and you will remain on the bank of the Ja’-nima’.”
“I will need to build a funeral pyre for one of my Warriors.”
He nodded. “I will have my Ahau Can Mai send down one of my Ah-k’inobs to give offerings to Ek Chuah and send your Warrior on his way to the city of Xibalba.” He turned and walked up the stairs, followed by his guards. I went back down the hill towards my Warriors. I called Yochi, the Nacons, and Eztli. Yaotl stood in for Teul.
“We leave when Kinich Ahau returns to U Wach Ulew. We turn north, xaman, where T’uyul240 lies in the night sky, towards the land of Can-tzicnal, cross the Qas Nim Ha’,241 and continue to Pusilhá. Eztli. You and your villagers …”
“Warriors!” interjected Eztli.
I sighed. This wasn’t going to be easy. “You and your Warriors will travel back to Sib Juyub …”
“Sib Juyub?”
I frowned at what I thought was an unnecessary interruption then I realized he did not know the name I had given his temporary village. “When we approached your village on the hilltop, it was the column of smoke from your fires that brought us there. So, I called your village Sib Juyub.”
He furrowed his head for a moment. “I like it. When I rebuild my village, which I will do on the hill above the bank of Ja’-nima’, I will call it Sib Juyub in remembrance of your visit and our travels together down the Ja’-nima’ Beya’ during the Qas Nim Wo-ja’. And our other travels.” He hit his chest.
I was about to hit my chest in return when I realized what he said. “Other travels?” I asked, disbelievingly.
“I will not be returning to Sib Juyub, at this time. Matlalihuitl will lead my Warriors back to Sib Juyub and inform my chaq’, Tlilpotonqui, that he will be Nimalaj Achi and Nabe Ajch’o’j until I return. Matlalihuitl will be Ukab Ajch’o’j.”
I stared at Eztli as I seemed to have been doing very frequently. “Ajawal K’awiil Yopaat orders that you and your Warriors travel up the Ja’-nima’ Beya’ and bring back all men, boys, and slaves who can work to rebuild Quiriguá. I already told him that you would be leaving to deliver his decree and to bring the men back.”
“Ajawal K’awiil Yopaat has forgotten that we do not have slaves.” He spat on the ground. “And he does not need me to carry his message. Matlalihuitl will inform any villagers he sees on the way, and he will continue beyond Sib Juyub to the beginning of the Ja’-nima’ Beya’. Tlilpotonqui will ensure that men come to rebuild Quiriguá. I am going with you to Ox Witz Ha.”
I heard Yochi give a chuckle. “And why do you wish to travel with me to Ox Witz Ha?”
“I told you before. Must I tell you again?” I glared at him in response. “I told you,” he continued, “that one day we will have to battle and be free of K’ahk’ Uti’ Witz K’awiil and the tributes we pay. I told you that K’awiil Yopaat does not have the u-ye’el-toons to do it. I told you that I will not live under K’ahk’ Uti’ Witz K’awiil and that I will make my own kingdom, because, until then, the Ja’-nima’ Beya’ will never rise to the heights and glory it can be. I also told you that you would teach me to be a great Warrior and a great Ajaw. When you are satisfied that you have achieved this goal, I will then return to Sib Juyub. I am going to Ox Witz Ha with you, as your Warrior, to learn from you, and also to discuss an alliance with Ajawinel K’an II.”
“An alliance with Ajawinel K’an II?” I asked, awed. I heard Yochi chuckle again.
“Yes!”
“Well, Ajawal K’awiil Yopaat may not have the u-ye’el-toons, but it seems you have. Just remember that u-ye’el-toons without experience is as good as not having any. I will decide and you will do as I command. That is the Way of the Warrior. You say you are a Warrior.”
He opened his mouth to answer, but I looked down at him adamantly and he slammed his mouth shut. He hit his chest. I did not return the gesture.
“Okay,” I said, turning to my Nacons. “Ajawal has also informed me that because of the Qas Nim Wo-ja’, there is no food, no loincloths, and there are no women for the night. Hopefully, as we leave Quiriguá and the destruction of the jungle, we will be able to find food. We cannot go on without food much longer.” I glanced at Yochi. He stared back at me. “And we need to chakuj tutuchci.”
“Yes,” said Yochi. He actually smiled. “Our Warriors are still strong in mind, but grow tired in body. We need food and to chakuj tutuchci.”
“How I long for a tz’aqom,” I bemoaned.
“Perhaps, as we go north, the jungle will not be as badly destroyed and there will be food,” suggested Yochi.
I looked to the north where there was a ridge of mountains running east to west. The mountains were black as if burnt. The green had disappeared. “With the winds that were here,” I said, “the higher up we go the greater the destruction. Perhaps the damage will not be as bad on the other side of the mountains.” I did not have much hope, however. “We will find food tomorrow, even if we have to stop travelling and spread out. Sometimes when the jungle is destroyed, droves of kitams and haalebs come down to the lower levels in search of food. We will look out for those. We well tell the Warriors to smell the air as we march.”
“At least, when we are on the mountains, we will not be smelling mud and decaying animals and villagers,” said Bas, sounding hopeful. “That smell masks everything here.” I nodded. “I have seen Taat, Kaloonte’. His legs are not broken, only badly bruised. Anderson and Robertson are looking after him, and Iuitl is always at his side. You must go to him. He is distraught about Teul.”
“I will, Bas.” I was quiet, but it was difficult pushing Teul out of my mind. “Yochi. Arrange for a funeral pyre to be readied. We need to send Zolin off to Xibalba as a Warrior. The Ahau Can Mai will send down one of his Ah-k’inobs to give offerings to Ek Chuah and to send Zolin on his march to the Underworld. We will also beat our chests for Momoztle and Nochehuate.”
“And Teul?” asked Yochi, looking deeply into me.
“We will give Teul some more time.” I walked away and began looking for Taat.
CHAPTER TEN
AN
ENCOUNTER WITH THE HACH K’EK’ENS
(Waaries)
K’iin 18 - The Uinal of Yaxk’in’
Thursday, May 17, 1073
I had not slept well during the early part of the night. I had difficulty falling asleep, not only because of the flies, wetness, and smells of decay, but because my mind was being torn apart and so I had sat up looking into the night. We had endured unprecedented hardships on the journey so far, a strange journey which I, at times, did not want to believe was really happening. Mahanamtz had lead us into Xibalba, hoping that we would be trapped there forever, never escaping, so that he could enchant Molly, marry her, and he and his Kechelaj Komon live as they pleased as rulers of their domain. He would know that we had escaped Xibalba for Xwáay Ok’ol, Xwáay Kumätz, Q’eq Ha’ Wíinik, and Ralxik had seen me.
I admonished myself for not thinking more of Molly, but if I kept bringing her into my mind, my ability to make objective decisions would be clouded. I would fail as a Warrior. I would fail as Eutimio Chiac. I would fail my Warriors and I would fail Molly. I had to make decisions and guide the outcome to what was best for Molly, my Warriors, and me. There was no guarantee that every decision I made would be the correct one. That was an expectation of the foolish. I had to make decisions based on my knowledge and objectives at the
time, and push ahead, handling anything good or bad that came my way. I had to get to Ox Witz Ha, gather an army of the best Warriors, search out Mahanamtz, his Kechelaj Komon, and his Kechelaj Jupug, destroy them, no quarter given, and rescue Molly.
Kish was my friend. He had protected me from the time I arrived at Xibalba until he died a Warrior’s death at Chay Abaj. He was either still on his way to Xibalba or already there. I felt deep pains within me as I thought how I could not protect him. And there was Eme, his woman. They had spent only one night together. Even in my distress I had to smile. When Kish had left us as we had gathered at the central square of Chay Abaj, I did not even think that he had looked for and already spotted a woman with whom he would chakuj tutuchci, and he was doing just that in a few minutes after leaving us. I reflected on myself and that I had not fucked for weeks. That was not Eutimio Chiac. Once Molly returned from France and she agreed to marry me, she told me that I would have to wait until after we were married. I thought that she was joking, at first, after all, we had fucked all night under the Hidden Valley Falls as we escaped from Mahanamtz. She was fokin serious and there was no fucking for me. I tried to pull myself away from that one night as I felt Tóolok beginning to move against my bare skin, but it was hard as the memory was brilliant in my mind and the sensations I felt that night were still alive in me.
I looked towards the smoldering fire, the remains of the funeral pyre. Kinich Ahau had just gone behind the mountains, the night before, when Yochi lit the funeral pyre upon which we had placed the body of the Warrior, Zolin. The Ah-k’inob had come, as Ajawal K’awiil Yopaat had promised. He came with a full entourage, with incense burners and a statue of Ek Chuah carried on a platform by four slaves. We all gathered around, forming a semi-circle, the open end facing the Ja’-nima’. He blessed the burning body and the heavy scent of burning flesh mixed with the pleasing odor of the Sacred Pom fell heavily on me. As I was Nabe Kaloonte’, I stepped out from the semi-circle and called out Zolin’s name seven times in his honor and in honor of Ek Chuah while the Warriors beat their chests. I then called out the names of Momoztli and Nochehuate each seven times, the Warriors again beating their chests. Shortly after, the Ah-k’inob left and we all just stood around the blazing fire until it had burned itself out. Slowly, we walked away and threw ourselves on the muddy and wet bank of the Ja’-nima’ and tried to sleep. I had not, but sat up thinking, stood up thinking, thoughts racing from one thing to the other. When I finally fell asleep, it must have been a sound sleep because, when I awoke, Kinich Ahau was already one hand in the sky.
I had opened my eyes to see Eztli standing near me, holding his bate’. He was not the first thing I wanted to see as I awoke. I got up and looked around. All my Warriors were up, carrying their weapons, ready to go. I walked towards the river’s edge and pissed, Eztli following me then standing beside me. I was just about to ask him why the fok he was following me when I remembered that I had not answered him about going with me to Ox Witz Ha. I finished, shook Tóolok, and turned to face him. I glanced at the river edge. It was empty.
“Where the fok are the canoes?” I shouted.
“They’re on their way back to Sib Juyub,” he answered, no expression of fear or uncertainty on his face. “Just like you ordered, Kaloonte’!”
I don’t know when I lost it, but I spun around and punched him straight in the face, sending him sprawling and into the river. For a moment, I didn’t see him then he emerged. He climbed onto the bank, stood up and hit his chest.
“Nabe Kaloonte’!” he shouted.
I turned around. All the Warriors were watching me. I stormed towards them and, immediately, a passageway opened up. I marched through, hearing Yochi’s chuckle. I needed someplace to sit and hold my head. It was too early in the day to be faced with a piece of shit like Eztli. He intentionally twisted my orders. Fokin Nimalaj Achi.
I sat a while on a rock that had been brought there by the Qas Nim Wo-ja’, my feet playing with the grass that was trying to push itself through the mud.
Bas came towards me. “Lost it?” he asked.
I shook my head, looking up at him, massaging my knuckle. “Yes. I suppose I did.” I pulled in a deep breath. “I am not supposed to hit one of my soldiers,” I said. “All my military training dictates that.”
“Well, he’s not one of your Warriors … soldiers. He is trying to be and you had to discipline him and quickly. All of us knew what he had done.” Bas smiled. “And your knuckle?”
“It fokin hurts,” I grimaced.
Bas chuckled. “Maybe you’re getting too old for brawls. It’s not like when we were younger.”
“I’m not that old,” I retorted. “I’m not even old. I should leave the fokin prick right here with K’awiil Yopaat. That would take care of him.”
“I don’t think you may want to do that,” said Bas. “The Ajawal ordered that he lead the villagers back to Sib Juyub and assemble the workforce to return. The Ajawal would probably cut out his heart, or at least his u-ye’el-toons.” Bas smiled. “He’s young, rash, and ambitious.”
“A dangerous combination,” I answered.
“And he’s smart.”
“How do you know that?”
“When he came out of the river, he didn’t whimper, he didn’t apologize, he didn’t fight. He saluted you, accepting his punishment and your judgement.”
“Because he knew he had gotten what he wanted. The salute was to tell me he had won. Fokin prick!”
“Is that why you stormed off, because you knew that he had won?” Bas started laughing.
“That fokin prick,” I fumed, then I was laughing. It was the first time I had laughed for a long time.
I stood up and put an arm around Bas’ shoulders. “Ko’one’ex,” I said, and we walked to the platoon. Eztli stood off to one side, the left side of his face already swollen and blue. Cualli, Itztli, Ihuicatl, and Ollin, all from Iztali’s section, were carrying the cuxtals of ya’ax-chich. I stopped in front of the Warriors.
Iccauhtli came up to me. “Kaloonte’!”
“Yes, Iccauhtli.”
He hit his chest. “I swear fealty to you for freeing Cihuaton and Itotia. I will always be in your service. They were brought by Batab Yayauhqui himself.” I nodded then turned back to the Warriors. At least, that was accomplished.
“Warriors,” I shouted.
“Kaloonte’!” they answered, beating their chests.
“We leave now for Pusilhá.” I nodded to Yochi.
“Firstly,” briefed Yochi, “we have jungle for about three k’abs then we cross the lower end of the mountains that go to the west. As you see, the jungle is leafless and many branches and blowdowns will litter the jungle floor. It will be difficult to march at a good pace. From there we go north to the Qas Nim Ha’ that has plains covered with lowland jungle on either side. After the Qas Nim Ha’, we continue north. There is another mountain chain, but if we travel due north we should pass just east of it. We continue until we reach the Zactun Nim’ja’,242 then on to Pusilhá. The mountains we will cross are not as high as the ones we did before. Once we leave Quiriguá and start climbing the mountains, we will enter the jungle and look for game, stop if necessary, kill and cook. The jungle around Quiriguá is destroyed, but sometimes when the jungle is destroyed, droves of kitams, haalebs, and other animals come down to the lower levels in search of food. They will be our food. We are brave and strong Warriors, but we must revitalize our strength.
“When we reach Qas Nim Ha’, we will look for villages and canoes. If we cannot find any, we will build rafts. That will slow us down, but we may have no choice. We should cross the first mountains in two k’iins, and Qas Nim Ha’ in one k’iin if we find canoes. The rest of the journey to Pusilhá should take about four k’iins.” Yochi looked back at me.
“We will push hard and try to make Pusilhá in less time. Is that not so, Warriors,” I shouted, raising my maquahuitl.
“Kaloonte’!” the
y shouted, beating their chests.
“Ko’one’ex,” I bellowed, and we were off. I looked to the hill where Ajawal K’awiil Yopaat had his temporary home and it appeared that the entire remaining population of Quiriguá had turned out to see us off. There were no shouts, no exclamations, only silence on the hill. They were most probably still suffering from the effects of the destruction of their city and the loss of their family and friends. We ascended a spur that seem to go directly to the summit of one of the mountains of the single ridge that separated us from Qas Nim Ha’. It was not long before I noted that Eztli was running beside me.
The jungle was indeed shattered. Many of the limbs from the leafless canopy had broken off and fallen, making our forward movement even slower than both Yochi and I had anticipated. Ikan and his section were leading and they were trying their best to throw fallen limbs out the way and establish some sort of path for us to follow. It remained difficult, however, for some of the limbs were large and we did not want to spend too much time on establishing a path. Also, the jungle floor was still wet and slippery. The broken brambles tore at our skins as most of us wore only loincloths, the rest nothing; but our feet were protected by our lej-xajäbs and that was extremely important. Flies were again numerous because of the cluttered debris and wet jungle floor and, even with our lej-xajäbs, síina’ans stung us from time to time. Kaans were common and, as before, we had to be very careful not to step on poisonous ones. Although it was difficult, we tried to be as quiet as possible, not wanting to scare any game we came upon. Of course, it was impossible to have forty-seven Warriors and two women moving quietly through a blackened torn up jungle.
Sisimito III--Topoxte Page 17