“There is, Ajaw.” I hesitated again. “Have there been any news of Mahanamatz?” I heard loud gasps and turned to see that a crowd of people had gathered on the steps below us. The Lady Tlazohtzin turned and faced her husband, grasping his hand. It was only Ajaw But’z Chan whose face remained expressionless.
“Mahanamatz!” There was another loud gasp from the bystanders. “My family, my officials, my subjects, my servants, my slaves, are afraid to even say that name, Kaloonte’. Why do you ask?”
“Because I return to Ox Witz Ha to kill Mahanamtz and rescue my woman he has once again captured and taken from me.” There were louder murmurs from the crowd and that time the expression on the face of Ajaw But’z Chan changed to one of deep concern.
Ajaw But’z Chan rubbed his mouth with his free hand, Lady Tlazohtzin still grasping onto the other. “There have been many tales over the last tun that Mahanamatz and his K’aas311 have been laying waste to many villages all across the land. That he was searching for his woman who was taken from him by a great T’oit’ik-jolom of Ox, ofOxWitz Ha.” Realization dawned on his face. He pointed to Chiac. “Are you the one our artisans sing about, Kaloonte’? Are you known as Ke’kchi and also as the Great T’oit’ik-jolom called ‘Fuck? Is your woman called Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’ and does she wear a Raax Ch’ayom Puag that carries the image of the Ix Na Li Kawa?” He stared at my chest as if seeing my Green Scapular for the first time. “You wear the Raax Ch’ayom Puag of cloth.”
I could not answer. All of a sudden, all the emotions of love and fear for Molly that I had hidden away from my consciousness began to pour out and I felt my eyes watering. I bit down on my teeth and bowed deeply, gaining control of myself. “I am that T’oit’ik-jolom, Ajaw But’z Chan.”
The loudest of murmurs came from the crowd and the Nim-q’ij Party stood in shock. Ajaw But’z Chan clapped his hands, suddenly, and the murmuring stopped. “Look up at me, Fuck, T’oit’ik-jolom to Ajawinel K’an II of Ox Witz Ha. We do not honor you enough.” He raised his hands to the crowds. “Quickly. Get food and drink for our guests so that they can be on their way to rid this land of Mahanamtz and his K’aas.” He turned back to me. “Nabe K’ojol Toltecatl will be ready to travel with you to Ox Witz Ha. He will be my Nim-q’ij Envoy. He will return with the gifts Ajawinel K’an II choose to send as payment. May Itzamná be with you.”
I nodded, not remembering what Xiuhcoatl had said. Another fokin straggler.
It took us longer to leave Pusilhá than I had wanted, but I really couldn’t do anything about it. Firstly, there was the matter of arming the platoon, then there was the meal, which was more of a feast than the quick meal I had hoped for. Because of the latter, I became concerned that the Warriors would be running on full stomachs. That wasn’t good, but there was no way I could have stopped them from indulging heavily in the feast the Ajaw had his servants prepared.
Kinich was three k’abs above the mountains in the west and Naj Tunich was about nineteen miles north as the crow flies. Yochi had said there was a reasonable trail, but I was not sure how difficult it would become as we went through the mountains. I had hoped to reach Naj Tunich around sunset, but that was out of the question. I decided that if we reached the base of the higher mountains by nightfall, that would be satisfactory. Yochi had also briefed me that the initial terrain was hilly with flat areas, but once we approached Naj Tunich, however, the real mountains began.
Immediately after leaving Pusilhá, we crossed the bridge that bordered the northern end of the city then followed the trail that took us north, over some flat land and ridges running north to south. The trail went between the ridges and over low hills, so we were able to run at a good push. After about two k’abs, we came to a shallow rocky creek flowing west to east. We stopped to drink water and quickly resumed running as Kinich Ahau had already ceased cracking the whip above the horses of his fiery chariot, was pulling back on the reins, getting ready to enter the Underworld.
Beyond the creek, the ridges still ran north to south with relatively flat land interspersed, so we continued at a steady pace. The men had slowed down, I thought they would, as the heavy meal began to have its effects. I pushed them on, however.
The first peeniwali appeared and I called a halt for I wanted a briefing with Yochi.
“How far to the next creek?”
“At least two k’abs, maybe more.” Yochi looked to the west. “It will soon be dark.”
“Can we run the trail in the dark. It’s been good so far.”
Yochi nodded. “Yes, we can. And it will be good training. We just have to put two good trackers in the lead, move in single file, and have the Warriors guard their weapons so that they don’t injure each other. How long do you want us to run in the dark?”
“Just until we reach water. Who do you suggest we put in front?”
Yochi thought for a moment. “Choc and Eztli.”
“Good. Ko’one’ex.”
We ran generally northward, across the same kind of terrain for another k’ab then it rapidly became dark. There wouldn’t be any moonlight for another k’ab and we got no light from the stars as the canopy was thick. Choc and Eztli continued to lead and I was surprised that we kept a moderate momentum in the dark even though often interrupted with stumbling and cussing. As we continued north, however, elevation of the hills was increasing and the ridges began running like ‘S’s. The trail no longer went beside the ridges, but over them. That further slowed us down and exhaustion, not only from the running but also from the heat and humidity, quickly overcame us. I called a rest and consulted with Yochi again.
“How far to the creek?”
“About a k’ab.”
I looked at him, barely able to see him in the dark. “We have to continue. We need water.”
He didn’t wait. “Ko’one’ex,” he shouted and I heard the men jumping up and we hit the trail again.”
Yochi was right. Within a ka’b we were at a fork, both creeks generally flowing from the northeast. The waning moon, still almost full, was just rising above the canopy of the jungle, lighting the clear transparent waters and the shinning crystals that abounded on the sani-bays.312 Peeniwali and the chirp-chirp of the xirs were everywhere. I wanted to run and jump in, but when I heard no movement from the Warriors, I looked around. They had formed a shallow column along the water’s edge, awaiting my orders. I was really flabbergasted that they would wait. “Go ahead, Warriors. The first rank came and drank, moved back onto the sani-bay then the second rank came to drink. I was brimming with emotion.
Yochi immediately began the task of having the camp set up, getting a fire going, and sending out a hunting team. Those not assigned tasks went to bathe. I decided to leave everything to him and sat with my back to a large tsu-jipox313 tree, eating one of the large fruit, wishing I had some a’kl to smoke. I stretched out my legs and closed my eyes.
“What the madafok are they doing here?” I didn’t have to open my eyes to know it was Teul.
“And who are you talking about, Teul?” I heard Choco ask. “Incidentally,” he continued, “you should start praying and stop cussing.” I opened my eyes. Xipilli and Choco were standing beside Teul. Although the fire was already going, I couldn’t see their faces too well. I did see, however, that Teul and Xipilli looked grave; meanwhile, Choco was grinning.
“You know who I’m talking about, Choco. The three from Zactun.”
I cleared my throat and they turned and looked at me. I couldn’t help but grin as well.
“Why the madafok are you grinning, Chiac? What’s going on?”
That was it. Choco and I literally rolled over, laughing as loud as we could. I wanted to stop, but every time I looked up at Teul and Xipilli, I started all over again; and it was good to laugh. I couldn’t remember when last I had done it. I, finally, was able to stop.
“Now that both of you have had your laugh, can you answer my question?” stormed Teul.
Robertson
began singing again, Teul staring angrily at him,
“I’m getting married in the morning!
Ding dong! The bells are gonna chime.”
I grinned, trying not to start layghing all over again so I did not look at Choco as I spoke. “Well, Teul, did you think you could go fucking around anywhere and with anyone and that would be it. I would have thought after picking up bad-sikness in Pun …” I shook my head. I couldn’t say that name in this land … “that you’d think before pushing your toon between a woman’s legs. Looks like you’ll never learn.”
“Chiac! Please!” he pleaded. “What the madafok are you talking about?”
“Of all the girls in Zactun, why did you two have to fuck the daughters of none other than Nimalaj Achi Tochtli.”
“Whose daughters?” exclaimed Teul.
“Nimalaj Achi Tochtli.”
“That can’t be,” murmured Teul. He looked at Xipilli who shrugged his shoulders.
“As it was put to me, before your arrival the two ladies had not known man. After you two left, they knew man.”
“That can’t be,” repeated Teul, looking totally exasperated. He glared at Xipilli. “You knew who they were, didn’t you?” Xipilli shrugged his shoulders again.
“You heard me. Nimalaj Achi Tochtli told me himself. And, Teul, it wasn’t just that your gyal was a virgin, nothing wrong with that, congratulations, but it had to be the Nabeal Mial of Zactun.” I looked towards Xipilli. “And you, Xipilli. I would have thought you’d know the consequences of what you were doing. You fucked the Ukab Mial, a virgin too, congrats to you too.” I shook my head, again. “You were both thinking with your tutuchci and not with your brains. Nimalaj Achi Tochtli insists that his two daughters were virgins until you two seduced them and chakuj tutuchci with them all night.” Xipilli and Teul stared at me quizzically. “Don’t look at me like that. I didn’t have the pleasure to chakuj tutuchci with them. Anyway, he said that since his daughters are no longer virgins, you two took care of that, he cannot pursue marriage arrangements with the noble dynasties, so you have to marry them as soon as you reach Ox Witz Ha.” I looked to Xipilli. “Xipilli. He said that he would inform Nimalaj Achi Zipactonal of Nito that you would marry Nabe Mial Sacnite, and that would strengthen the relationship between Nito and Zactun.” I looked to Teul. “He said that I, Kaloonte’ to Lord K’an II, was to see to it that Teul, T’oit’ik-jolom to Ajawinel K’an II of Ox Witz Ha, marry Ukab Mial Xochitl. That would strengthen the relationship between Ox Witz Ha and Zactun … and we’ll discuss the T’oit’ik-jolom bit later.” Xipilli and Teul were standing with their jaws dropped. I had not realized that word had spread of what was happening and all of the Warriors had gathered around us listening to what I was saying.
“But I didn’t fuck Xochitl. Xipilli fucked her. I fucked Sacnite.”
“Well, that’s your problem and it doesn’t change anything, Teul. Nimalaj Achi Tochtli must have his reasons why he wants the marriages to go that way. As you know, he has also sent Nabeal K’ojol Atl. Atl is to ensure that his taat’s wishes are carried out. So Xipilli and Teul, you are both fucked. You’ll be married before you know it.”
“We were set up,” said Teul, almost silently. He turned to Xipilli, very sullen. “You did know who they were.”
“Of course, I did. I also knew that they had not known man. To be the first man between a girl’s legs is a good thing. It is a blessing from the gods. That’s why I arranged it. And they were ready to know man. They wanted to know man. I gave you one, Achalal. I took one.”
“Blessing from the gods … and Achalal?” I asked.
“I’ll explain later,” answered Teul, angrily. “Do you have any idea what is happening here, Xipilli?”
“Chaq’.”
“Madafok to Chaq’.” Teul shook his head then held it. “I am not getting no madafok married. You can, Xipilli. I am not. I didn’t know they were Tochtli’s daughters.”
“The fact is, Teul, that you fucked one of them, or both, I don’t know or care. You have to marry or the political repercussions could be severe. Zactun is small, but Nimalaj Achi Tochtli is an elite. Ajawinel K’an II will have to comply. But, thinking about it more deeply, actually, Teul, you should be very grateful and happy that you received the blessings of the gods.” If Teul’s eyes could have punched me, they would have.
“Patzoj! Yes,” agreed Xipilli. “The Ajawinel will comply.” It was Xipilli’s turn to hold his head. “He planned it. From the time we arrived at his destroyed village, he began planning. We’ve been duped. Nimalaj Achi Tochtli has ensnared us in his aspiration to have Zactun become an important trading post. I always knew he was ambitious. Patzoj! I warned Zipactonal to be wary of him. Once Teul and I are married to his mials, he will demand help from both Nito and Ox Witz Ha to build a large trading post where Zactun is. He always wanted to take away part of Nito’s trade.”
“M-a-a-a-rid,” laughed Teul. “Somebody is madafok joking.”
“Well, Xipilli, you should have thought of that before you chakuj tutuchci with … whichever of them. You’re all one family now.” I chuckled. “Xipilli, you’re Nabeal K’ojol so you will rule Nito one day. You Teul. What are you? Are you a Nabeal K’ojol … of somewhere?”
“Shut the madafok up, Chiac.”
“All you’ll have to do is get rid of Atl, Teul, then, one day, if by some misfortune you’re still here, you’ll rule Zactun. That may be a good thing for you and Xipilli. Nito and Zactun can become sister cities.” I said that with my best straight face, finding it very difficult not to laugh.
“This is not funny, Chiac. Not funny at all. Politics. Madafok politics. Never liked it,” grumbled Teul. “Home all I had to worry about was NIP and PUP,314 and that was enough. Now this.”
I exploded in laughter, as did all my two sections. The other Warriors looked amused, but surely did not know what was so humorous.
“What is NIP and PUP?” asked Xipilli.
Teul stared at him. “Madafok! I keep saying things I shouldn’t,” he murmured. “Mix-ba’al,” he grunted.
“You keep telling me that, Teul.”
“Achalal,” corrected Teul. “Do me a favor. Just shut up.”
Xipilli shrugged his shoulders. “And Zipactonal wanted me to marry an alixel from Quiriguá or Pusilhá. He will not be pleased,” he signed.
“But can’t you take another wife?” I asked.
“I can,” answered Xipilli. “But Sacnite will be Nabe Atan”315 No Ajawinel or Ajaw will want his daughter to be Ukab Atan.
“I won’t do it,” insisted Teul. “You have to get me out of this madafok, Chiac. What will happen when I go …”
I raised my hand quickly to stop the trend of Teul’s question. “You will marry Xochitl. Nothing must interfere with our mission. On the other issue, we’ll deal with that when the time comes.”
Nabeal K’ojol Atl stepped up. “I welcome you both to my family.” He nodded to Xipilli, Teul, and then me. He turned around and left.
“I hate that madafok already,” swore Teul. “Baluk?316 Brother-in law? Madafok to that.”
“That’s not the way to start a happy family, Teul. I’m surprised at you.” Teul glared at me and I, once again, had to fight to withhold my laughter. “Well, now that’s settled, I suggest we eat. I smell meat cooking so the hunters must have been successful. Teul and Xipilli. I wouldn’t be too upset. Think of it. You are the only two among us who will be able to engage in a little pre-marital chakuj tutuchci tonight. Just don’t make too much noise or some of the Warriors my come over to help you.” I laughed loudly.
“Madafok you,” snapped Teul. “All of you.”
“I know Atl, Teul,” said Xiuhcoatl. “He’s not that bad.”
I frowned, staring at Xiuhcoatl, noticing him for the first time. “What are you doing here? The Ajaw said he was sending Toltecatl.”
Xiuhcoatl glanced at Teul who turned his head away then looked back at me. “Th
e Ajaw changed his mind last night. He wants Toltecatl to continue building his Nim-q’ij Tomb.”
I stared at Teul, who wasn’t looking in my direction at all. Some fok’s going on here.
Illustration 9 - - Part of a Naj Tunich wall drawing of a man in rare 3/4 profile performing the Ch’ahb, ritual genital bloodletting. The location is in Poptún, Guatemala.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
NAJ TUNICH
K’iin 22 - The Uinal of Mol
Monday, May 21, 1073
I was awakened by the haunting whistle of the kolol. It hadn’t been a good night for me as I didn’t sleep well. My mind was in turmoil. The journey was taking too long and I didn’t know what was happening to Molly. Had Mahanamtz already had his way with her? And then there were the Teul developments. I had pushed the thoughts away and tried to sleep. I did have intermittent naps, but the thoughts always came back and awakened me.
The jungle was humid and hot for nighttime. We were already in late May and, perhaps, the damp heat was signaling the beginning of the wet season which usually began in early June. There were some chan-koxols, but, thankfully, not too many.
I sat up, hearing the light snores of the sleeping Warriors. Even though we had bathed in the creeks, the smell of unwashed bodies prevailed. I ignored it. That smell was part of our lives. The moon was already canting towards the west, giving the jungle a dim light. I did not see any guards, but I knew they were there, one with the jungle as was expected of them. I got up and walked to the edge of the camp’s perimeter and pissed. “Morning, Chiac,” said Robertson. I jumped.
“Fok! You made me jump, but good morning Robertson.” I reflected upon him. When he began the journey, I would have heard him approach from a mile away. That morning, I didn’t know he was moving towards me until he spoke. “Checking up on me?” I asked.
Sisimito III--Topoxte Page 26