Sunday, May 20, 1973
Teul turned and opened his eyes and immediately closed them as, seemingly, was becoming his habit. The glare surrounding him was intense. He sat up and held his head. Madafok! What have I done? He looked around him. Xipilli and Xiuhcoatl were sprawled out on their rugs, sleeping deeply. Teul noticed fresh food across from them. Someone came in and brought food. He gazed at the doorway, suddenly realizing that Kinich Ahau was shining brightly. Madafok! What time is it? He jumped up, grabbed his head and moaned, struggled over to Xipilli and kicked him.
“Patzoj!”305 groaned Xipilli, not moving. Teul kicked him again. “Patzoj!” repeated Xipilli, more loudly. He opened his eyes and looked at Teul. “Leave me alone.”
“Get your madafok xut’ up. It must me midday. We should have left for Naj Tunich a long time ago.”
Xipilli sat up holding on to his head as well. “Patzoj! We better go to the nimja’.” He looked around. “Where are the girls?”
“The girls? We don’t have any time for that now.” Teul held his head, once again, not believing he had said that. “You told me chakuj tutuchci would get rid of the balché and k’uutz, and I believed you. It certainly didn’t. I’ve never had a goama306 like this in my madafok life.” He held his head, groaning more loudly.
“Goama?”
Teul glared at Xipilli. “Why do you have to repeat everything I say? Hangover! Headache! Any madafok thing you want to call it.”
Xipilli reached over to Xiuhcoatl and shook him. “Don’t wake him,” mumbled Teul. Let him sleep. You and I have to get out of here. I suppose we have to get Toltecatl. I hope he doesn’t slow us down. If he does, I’ll just leave the madafok behind.”
Xiuhcoatl turned and sat up, rubbing his eyes. He too held his head and moaned. He looked around slowly. “You’re awake.”
“Yes, we’re awake. And Xipilli and I have to get out of here. Where do we find Toltecatl? He looked at Xiuhcoatl. “We should have left a long time ago,” Teul added, angrily.
“We have to go to the nimja’, first,” mumbled Xipilli. “It will help.”
“Okay, but we won’t stay long. Where are our loincloths?”
Xiuhcoatl stood up. “Don’t worry about that,” he said. Then he grinned. “Race you to the nimja’,” he shouted, and he took off towards the doorway, as if he was in the fittest of conditions.
Teul and Xipilli looked at each other. “What the madafok,” grimaced Teul, throwing his arms in the air as he took off, followed closely by Xipilli. As they emerged into the bright sunlight, they both closed their eyes in pain, but they continued running, hearing Xiuhcoatl’s voice urging them on. When they opened their eyes again, Xiuhcoatl was far ahead, running down the Chúumuk Sacbeob of Pusilhá. As they ran, trying to catch up with Xiuhcoatl, people cleared the road and cheered them on as they ran past. Madafok! I can’t believe this. I’m running naked through the middle of a city and no one cares. This is the life.
Xiuhcoatl was already in the nim-ja’ when Teul and Xipilli hurled themselves in. The shock of the cold water was good and invigorating. They swam and swam, trying to get rid of the effects of the balché and k’uutz. Finally, they climbed the bank and threw themselves down on the grass, exhausted.
“I feel like starting to feast all over again,” said Xipilli. Teul glared at him and Xiuhcoatl laughed. “You must agree, Achalal, that you feel better now.” Teul sighed loudly.
“You have a good achalal. My achalal is xut’! Pure xut’!” swore Xiuhcoatl.
“Yes!” answered Xipilli. “Teul is a good achalal.” He turned and looked at Teul. “And you shouldn’t have any regrets after what I fixed up for you last night, with Xiuhcoatl’s help of course.”
“Only time will tell if there will be regrets, Chaq’. Only time.”
Xipilli put his hands behind his neck, looking up at overhanging branches, a smug look on his face. Teul and Xiuhcoatl did the same and they rested quietly for a while, all three of them drifting off to a shallow sleep from time to time.
Teul finally sat up. “We better get going.”
“Half the k’iin is already gone,” said Xipilli. “Perhaps we should wait until tomorrow.”
Teul glared at him. “I know why you want to stay, Chaq’, but two nights in a row will have to be enough. There will be other nights.”
“Okay, Achalal.” Xipilli danced his head, sitting up. “That feels much better.”
“So, you will be going today, Teul?” asked Xiuhcoatl.
“Yes.” “I must get to Ox Witz Ha and thanks for the girls. It’s the first time I chakuj tutuchci with three different girls in one night.”
“Hey! Thank me,” argued Xipilli. “It was I who arranged it with Xiuhcoatl.”
“Then thank you, Xipilli.” Teul looked back at Xiuhcoatl. “I was surprised that it was you who brought the girls. I thought it would have been Toltecatl, being he is Nabeal K’ojol. Please get him for us.”
Xiuhcoatl smiled. “He has his woman, but he is more an artist than a Warrior. He gets his excitement by helping our artisans to design bridges and stelae. He is a great artisan. As Pusilhá grows, it will be full of his work.”
“And you?” asked Teul.
“Me? I am more the Warrior. As Pusilhá grows, we will need a great army. Oxwitik dominates this region and I do not want to see that dominance continuing when I grow older.”
“But you are Ukab K’ojol. You will not rule,” commented Xipilli.
“I may not be Ajaw, but I will rule while bridges and stelae are being built. That is why I must be a great Warrior. That is why I will go with you to Ox Witz Ha. I have no intentions of becoming a priest.”
Teul started at Xiuhcoatl. “Madafok! Haven’t 1 heard this before?” he said, standing up and looking across the nim-ja’. “First it was Eztli; then it was Xipilli; now it is you.” He shook his head. “But your taat said Toltecatl was going as the envoy.”
“He changed his mind last night. He wants to, wants to, wants tocontinue building his Nim-q’ij Tomb and Toltecatl is needed.”
Teul stared at Xiuhcoatl and was about to say something when Xipilli intervened. “Who is Eztli?”
Teul turned to Xipilli. “I know what you’re doing, Xipilli. You don’t want me to continue this conversation with Xiuhcoatl,”
“Chaq’. Not Xipilli.”
Teul opened his mouth then slammed it shut. Now I know what Chiac has to put up with. He shook his head. “Hopefully, Eztli is alive. He would straighten you out, Xipilli.” Teul looked at Xiuhcoatl. “Eztli also talks about getting rid of Oxwitik’s dominance. If he’s still alive, you should talk to him.”
The three men heard the thumping of running feet and looked towards the bridge. “Madafok!” whispered Teul. “Madafok!” he shouted.
“Are we under attack?” cried out Xiuhcoatl.
“No! It’s them,” yelled Teul, his voice cracking with emotion as he raced towards the bridge. “It’s them.”
THE MARCH CONTINUES
TO
OX WITZ HA
CHAPTER TWENTY
A
PROBLEM FOR TEUL AND XIPILLI
K’iin 21 - The Uinal of Yaxk’in’
Sunday, May 20, 1973
Midday - Nik’aj-q’ij
I was relieved as I ran across the bridge entering Pusilhá. Our journey from Santa Cruz had been filled with death and destruction, but now I felt that I was well on my way to Ox Witz Ha and Ajawinel K’an II. I would get his help and search for Mahanamtz, kill him, and rescue Molly. I had some personal excitement in seeing Pusilhá for that was the place I had told K’an II that I was from when I first met him near the Hidden Valley Falls. I had later told Choj and Bo that I was not really from Pusilhá when we sat on the table-mountain, our last night together. And there I was, the place of my alleged birth. I looked at the straight sacbeob ahead which led to a temple, one that would have been dwarfed by the Caana of Ox Witz Ha. I gazed around me and saw
that there was a lot of construction going on. My thoughts were pulled away when I heard shouting from my right. I looked down at three naked men running along the riverbank towards us.
“Chiac! Chiac! You’re alive. You’re alive. Madafok!”
I stared at Teul and two other men I didn’t know. They were racing up the bank unto the bridge and Teul didn’t stop until he had his arms around me, hugging me. “I thought, I thoughtyou were all dead,” he stammered, his eyes watering. He glanced around letting me go. “Choco, my friend,” he said as he embraced him. Tears were falling from Teul’s eyes and he did not wipe them off. He stood back. “Choc, Rhys, Robertson, Bas, all of you are here.”
I stared at my friend. I was angry with him from the time I left Zactun when I found out he wasn’t dead, but that he was fokin around enjoying himself while we were catching our asses, worrying about him, wondering if he were dead. Because of him, I ended up with two women and a man who I wanted no responsibility for, all because he couldn’t keep his cock in his loincloth. Yet, as we embraced, all the anger just disappeared. “We also thought you were dead, Teul, but it seems you are very much alive.”
He grinned. “Let me tell …”
I raised my hand. “Not now Teul. We leave for Naj Tunich, immediately. We will have many nights when we can exchange our stories.” I bit down on my teeth, allowing my cheeks to push out, not wanting to grin. “I have also found out that you have more important personal problems to deal with. Your stories of survival will have to wait.”
“Personal problems?” He frowned. “I have no madafok personal problems. What are you talking about?” Teul looked about him. Choco and all the others were grinning and nodding their heads.
Robertson started to sing:
“I’m getting married in the morning!
Ding dong! The bells are gonna chime.
Pull out the stopper!
Let’s have a whopper!
But get me to the church on time.”307
“You are madafoka foked, Teul,” grinned Choco.
“What the madafok are you talking about?” They all surrounded him, grinning and slapping him on the back.
“Okay, Men! And who are your companions,” I asked. “I suppose one of you naked fokas is Xipilli.”
Xipilli furrowed his forehead and took a step forward. “Yes, Kaloonte’. I am Xipilli. How did you know my name?”
“I’m getting married in the morning!” sang Robertson. Rhys immediately joined him, put his arm around Robertson’s shoulders and they started dancing together, kicking their feet into the year, doing a Rockettes308 eye-high leg kick impersonation, which I was amazed they could do, as they sang together:
“Ding dong! The bells are gonna chime.
Pull out the stopper!
Let’s have a whopper!
But get me to the church on time.”
Teul and Xipilli glared at Robertson and Rhys then stared at Chiac as he said, “Your name is well known among my Warriors, Xipilli. Like your friend, Teul, you’re also in a lot of fokin trouble. Fucking trouble indeed.” Xipilli gaped.
“I don’t know what the madafok you’ll are talking about,” Teul said as he put his arm on Xipilli shoulders. “Yes, this is Xipilli, Nabeal K’ojol and envoy of Nimalaj Achi Zipactonal of Nito. He accompanies me to Ox Witz Ha to seek aid from Ajawinel K’an II. Xipilli bowed his head slightly. I did not respond.
Teul indicated to the other. “And this is Xiuhcoatl. Ukabal K’ojol of Ajaw But’z Chan of Pusilhá.” Xiuhcoatl hit his chest. Again, I did not respond.
“I too am going to Ox Witz Ha,” said Xiuhcoatl. I turned and looked at him. His face was stern and adamant. I glanced at Teul. He shrugged his shoulders. Why am I always picking up fokin stragglers? It must be the gods of this place. I was getting fokin angry with Teul, all over again.
“We’ll sort this out later,” I said.
“Kaloonte’! We need to acknowledge Ajaw But’z Chan. We have been in Pusilhá long enough,” advised Yochi.
“Ko’one’ex, Warriors,” I ordered, and started running down the Chúumuk Sacbeob towards the temple, led by two of Pusilhá‘s Warriors.
People had gathered along the sacbeob and looked on with interest, but no fear, as all fifty-five of us ran towards the temple. Standing on the steps were three men and a woman, two of the men and the woman dressed as Nim-q’ijs would be. The Ajaw was dressed in a high headdress of red and blue feathers with many red, black, and silver crystals, his loincloth and wrap embellished with many different small colored feathers. He wore no cloak or shirt and no lej-xajäbs. He was further adorned with earlobe rings, nose rings, and medallions of ya’ax-chich, armbands, wrist and ankle bracelets decorated with sea shells. Most of his exposed body was covered with colorful tattoos. The Lady’s hair was braided in an elaborate style, in front of which was an incredible hat about three feet high, decorated with feathers and crystals. She wore a loose póót,309 and a long úúk310 wrapped around her, both highly decorated with beautiful embroidery. Her body was draped in jewelry and painted with red and blue patterns. Like the Ajaw, she wore no lej-xajäbs. The other man, a priest or Batab, was dressed in white turban, cloak, and loincloth, all decorated with white seashells. His body was also painted, but with black glyphs. The last remaining man was a Warrior, possibly of high rank. He wore a highly decorated loincloth and held a long bate’.
We stopped at the bottom of the stairs and the two Warriors went up, turned around, then stood on the step just below the waiting group. Other Warriors stood at attention at various places of the temple.
I hit my chest. “I am Chiac, Kaloonte’ to Ajawinel K’an II of Ox Witz Ha.” I pointed to Yochi. “This is my Ukab Kaloonte’. On behalf of Ajawinel K’an II, I give you greetings. We bear no gifts because we faced the Qas Nim Wo-ja’ and lost all our wears. We return to Ox Witz Ha and will inform Ajawinel K’an II of the great devastation our people have suffered from the Qas Nim Wo-ja’ on the Ja’-nima’, the K’o-chuq’ab Kiäqiq’-jab, and the K’o-chuq’ab Kabraqan. Many are dead, homeless, and without food. For that reason, we move on immediately to Ox Witz Ha.
The Warrior spoke. “I am Ilhuitl, Kaloonte’ to Ajaw But’z Chan.” He looked at the man beside him. The man nodded and stepped forward.
“I am Ajaw But’z Chan and this is my wife, Lady Tlazohtzin. This is Nabeal K’ojol Toltecatl. Welcome to Pusilhá. I understand your need to leave. Please give our Nim-q’ij Greetings to Ajawinel K’an II and the Lady Batz’ Ek’, the Nim-q’ij Nah’.” I hit my chest to each of the party in turn. “And I see you have Ukabal K’ojol Xiuhcoatl and my two guests, Xipilli, Nabeal K’ojol and Envoy of Nimalaj Achi Zipactonal of Nito, and Teul, T’oit’ik-jolom to Ajawinel K’an II of Ox Witz Ha; all dressed like slaves, I may add.” The three gave deep bows, their heads askance, grins on their faces. I saw Nabeal K’ojol Toltecatl glaring at Xiuhcoatl.
“On behalf of Ajawinel K’an II, I apologize that the T’oit’ik-jolom Teul is not dressed as a Warrior, Ajaw. I have an idea, however, where he may have lost his loincloth.” The entire group, including the Nim-q’ij Party began laughing. Teul kept his head straight, all humor removed from his face, puzzled at the discussion, at the ribbing obviously directed at him.
“Aha! So do I,” smiled Ajaw But’z Chan. “Early this morning I received a Runner from Zactun. Nimalaj Achi Tochtli advised me of the devastation and also of the exploits of this young Warrior.” He looked to Xipilli. “And you too, Nabeal K’ojol of Zipactonal.” Xipilli frowned. “Perhaps, because of their adventures, they too will be written about by our artists.”
Teul, kept his face expressionless and his body stiff and straight as if at attention. Yet I could see in his eyes that he was asking himself, What the madafok is going on?
“I have been made aware of their exploits by Nimalaj Achi Tochtli himself,” I responded. “I will deal with the young Warriors.”
“Then I need do nothing else. But surely, Kaloonte’, you
and your Warriors are tired from your journey and could rest the night in Pusilhá. We had a great night last night. Xipilli and Teul performed the Ch’ahb and there was music, much dancing, and food and drink. My Batab can easily arrange a second night of festivities.”
Ch’ahb? Bloodletting Ceremony? What will I hear next? “I honor your Nim-q’ij Invitation, Ajaw But’z Chan, but I must return to Ox Witz Ha in great haste. It is a matter of great urgency.”
“I do agree that your request for help is urgent, but should you rest here tonight, your journey to Ox Witz Ha will be quicker. Perhaps one k’iin instead of two,” argued Ajaw But’z Chan, good-humoredly.
Chiac hit his chest and bowed. “I will return and enjoy the festivities you offer, Ajaw But’z Chan, but now I must proceed to Ox Witz Ha. If we could have a meal before we leave, that would not be forgotten.”
“We need weapons,” murmured Yochi.
“We have no weapons. If you could supply us, my Ajawinel will repay you more than their value. We can’t journey further without weapons.”
But’z Chan beckoned to Ilhuitl and they spoke briefly.
“Very well, Kaloonte’. We do have weapons for we trade weapons with the kingdoms in the northern lands of Can-Tzicnal. The weapons are from Tulam Tzu, made in Chay Abaj. They are weapons of superior quality, made by only the most skilled workers. We keep weapons for trade in chultuns so we will need to take them out. Have your Ukab go with my Kaloonte’ to choose what you need. Toltecatl will go to record what you take. He looked to Ilhuitl and nodded. Ilhuitl hit his chest and left, followed by Yochi and Toltecatl. “I will send an envoy with you to solicit help from Ajawinel K’an II for the devastated kingdoms.”
“I will ensure his safe arrival and I thank you, Ajaw, for your help.”
“But that great urgency, Kaloonte’. Is it only aid for the devastated kingdoms you seek? I can send runners to Ox Witz Ha.” I hesitated to answer. “So, there is something else.”
Sisimito III--Topoxte Page 25