“Thank you.” I looked around. No one else was in the room, even the incense burners were gone. Only the lantern and the shit-pot remained.
I wanted to piss so I put down the plate and mug and threw off the piece of tapestry. Yochi helped me up and I was feeling stronger. The sores itched and had scabbed. Nah’ always told me that when a sore itch, it was getting better. I believed her as I always did. I reflected on her and knew she must be very worried about me. I put her away.
Yochi walked beside me, but he did not hold me and I was able to walk to and from the pot myself, after which I returned to the mat, sat down, Yochi beside me, and, immediately, began to eat. I was convinced it was the best plate of food and mug of drink I ever had.
Choj and Bo walked in. “Well,” said Choj, “the Great T’oit’ik-jolom is eating.” They came and sat beside me, not saying anything else, waiting for me to finish. Choj placed a loincloth beside me.
“I need to see Ajawinel. I have to get my Warriors together. I need to begin my search for Mahanamtz and Molly,” I urged.
“Molly!” Bo murmured.
“Yes!
“A strange name, indeed, but then you and your woman are strange. Should we now call her Molly? The name Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’ is feared by the priests.”
I shook my head. “Her name here in Ox Witz Ha will always be Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’, as K’an II decreed. That is her name. That is the name the citizens know her by.” Both Bo and Choj nodded. The room became silent and I knew they were waiting for me. I looked at them. “You want to know what to tell your al-ch’utin-nan.” They nodded. I held my head. It was not because I was still a little weak, but I was not sure how much to say, how much I could tell them. I looked at Choj and remembered his words, You are T’oit’ik-jolom of Ajawinel K’an II of Ox Witz Ha, Fuck. You will tell my al-ch’utin-nan everything. “Take me to Lord K’an II. I will tell him myself.” Yochi pulled me up and helped me put on my loincloth after I had taken off the smelly and dirty wrap.
Choj grinned. “I wonder if the scribes and artisans will sing and tell stories of the Great T’oit’ik-jolom, Fuck, who could not put on his own loincloth.” Bo chuckled and Yochi smiled.
“Fuck all of you,” I said, and they all laughed loudly. I looked at them and I laughed, as well. We were Warriors. We were friends.
“This way,” said Yochi, using his palm to indicate the way to go. “We will go to a private room in the courtyard.”
“You know your way around?”
“Yes. If K’an II is not there, I will send a Nim-q’ij Guard for him.”
“You will send for him?”
Yochi frowned. “The Nim-q’ij Guard will inform him that you are alive and where you are. He will come.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Okay.”
I was standing without help and began to walk, Yochi and Choj walking on either side of me, Bo behind me. I knew they walked close to me wary that I should begin to fall. I didn’t. We went down the steps slowly and approached the room Yochi was taking us. Two Nim-q’ij Guards stood at the door. They moved apart as we approached and let us enter. K’an II was there, sitting on a mat, dressed only in a loincloth painted with the spots of the ek baläm. Beside him sat his wi-k’an,395 uncle, Chekaj K’inich, Batab of Ox Witz Ha. We bowed our heads.
Ajawinel,” said Yochi, hitting his chest. The T’oit’ik-jolom wishes to talk.” K’an II did not reply, but indicated to other mats on the floor. We sat.
“So, we meet again, Fuck. Ke’kchi. Whatever your name is,” remarked Chekaj K’inich, no amusement on his face. “Now, I’m told, you’re also called T’oit’ik-jolom.”
I nodded. “Batab!”
He smiled. “I still hold that your heart, and that of Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’, should have been given to Kukulkan.396 All the fears of upheaval, social collapse, war, would not be with us now.” He looked at me almost scornfully, but smiling. “And I believe we would have won our battle against K’uxaj, even without your strategy.”
K’an II’s face displayed some displeasure, but he said nothing.
I nodded once, and it could never have been interpreted as a bow. “Perhaps Ek Chuah would not agree with you, Batab. The Warriors of Ox Witz Ha are the best trained, the best equipped, the most fearless, the most feared among our kingdoms, and they are the most loved by the citizens of Ox Witz Ha. Perhaps, they would have been victorious even without my strategy, but a greater number would have begun their journey to Xibalba, and more of the citizens of Ox Witz Ha would have also gone to the Underworld.” I did not hear a sound from Yochi, Choj, and Bo, not even their breathing. There was slight amusement on K’an II’ face, but none on the Batab’s.
“You regain your strength, I see,” jeered the Batab. “I hope you put it to good use.” He stood up. “I will leave you to the Ajawinel.” He looked towards his nephew and bowed.
“You are Batab, Wi-k’an. Remain.” He hesitated then nodded and sat down once again.
Lady Batz’ Ek’ walked in.
“Nah’,” said K’an II. “I was just about to send for you. Please sit, Nah’.”
The Lady glared at me. “I was informed that, once again, you disobeyed my command and left your mat to come to see my paal. I will not sit. I will stand.”
K’an II nodded to her then looked at me. He gave a slight shrug of his shoulders. “Fuck! It is good to see that you are recovering.”
“Ajawinel!” I responded. “It is only because of the help I have received here, and especially that from the Lady Batz’ Ek’.” I did not look towards her, but I knew that her glare had not diminished. I still felt it. K’an II nodded. “I have come to tell you my story and that of Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’. He did not respond, just kept looking at me. “Please accept what I am about to say.” He nodded. “Far away in the lands of Hobnil, in the distant realms of the Cab, is the Kingdom of Belikin.397 Within that kingdom are many cities. I come from the city of San … Quiché.398
My name is Eutimio Chiac, but in Quiché I am mostly called Chiac. Here, Ajawinel, I am known as the Warrior Fuck. I am also known by the name, Ke’kchi, which is the name of my people. Yet, I am also one of your people, Ajawinel. My Woman comes from a different city in Belikin, where the citizens are different from me. The name of that city is Balix. Her name is Molly Cervantez. She is not Ke’kchi. She is of her own people. Here she is known as Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’, a name you have given her, Ajawinel.” I paused, briefly. “In Belikin we have only one God and he has a nah’ who is Ix Na Li Kawa. Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’ has strong beliefs in Ix Na Li Kawa and that is why she wore the ch’ayom-puaq of cloth on her chest until Mahanamtz took it away. She has told you the story … prophecy … of Tepeyac, Ajawinel.” The Lady Batz’ Ek’ cleared her throat and the Batab shifted, uncomfortably.
“In Belikin, I am also a Warrior and we have different weapons, like the one I gave to you, Ajawinel. One k’iin, I was on a mission in the jungle with six other Warriors when we were attacked by Mahanamtz. I was the only one to survive, my Warriors sent on the journey to Xibalba. Later in the night, I was caught in a wo-ja’ and almost drowned. When I awoke I was in a cage, captured by Mahanamtz, and in these lands.
“I did not know Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’, but later that k’iin she came to my cage. She too had been captured by Mahanamtz and brought to this land. She was to become his woman. Mahanamtz planned a wedding and used enchantments to make Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’ love him. But the enchantments did not work as strongly as he expected, because Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’ also had enchantments to protect her. Those enchantments were from Ix Na Li Kawa.” I heard Lady Batz’ Ek’ start. The Batab, who had held his head downward most of the time, raised it up and stared at me. K’an II was expressionless, and I could hear no breathing from Yochi, Choj, and Bo.
“Mahanamtz had his enchanted Kechelaj Jupuq prepare his jul for the wedding and had them dress Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’.” I
stopped, not being able to tear myself away from the memory of my men’s thighs being smoked. I shut my eyes, sweat breaking out on my forehead.
“What is it?” asked Lady Batz’ Ek’?”.
I shook my head. “Mix-ba’al, My Lady. Mix-ba’al.”
I heard her take in a deep breath. She knew I was lying. “Then, go on with your tale.”
“Yes, My Lady.” I pulled away my thoughts from the fate of my men and continued. “I asked Molly to tell Mahanamtz that she would like balché made for the wedding as it was always used at weddings in her land. Mahanamtz agreed and sent some of his Kechelaj Jupuq to prepare it. Mahanamtz used enchantments and the balché was ready and very strong within the same k’iin. The Kechelaj Komon attended, and they drank mugs and mugs of the balché. All that time, I was locked up in my cage. When the wedding was over, Mahanamtz took Molly to his mat. He was drunk and immediately fell asleep. Molly brought me my machete, the weapon I gave to you, Ajawinel, and we escaped. But Mahanamtz, his Kechelaj Komon, and his Kechelaj Jupuq followed us. That is when you found us, Ajawinel.
“The rest of my story, you know, that is until you sent us out of Ox Witz Ha. After Choj and Bo, Xicohtencatl and Ehecatl, left us at the table-mountain, we made our way back to the jul where we met you. We planned to travel through the jul and continue our journey to the land of Hobnil where we hoped to come to our own kingdom.” I hesitated.
“Continue,” ordered K’an II.
“Even then I didn’t know if we’d be able to find our kingdom again for one cannot just walk towards it. One has to journey in a way I cannot explain.” I held my head. I was beginning to feel tired and dizzy. There were too many emotions tearing at my mind.
“Get him some water,” ordered Lady Batz’ Ek’. Choj got up, poured from a jar, and brought a mug for me. I drank greedily, then continued.
“After travelling through the jul, we came to the opening under the chiyul. Mahanamtz and members of his Kechelaj Komon and Kechelaj Jupuq surrounded us. They were going to kill me and take away Molly. We fought with the weapons you had given us, but we were only two. I knew that the ultimate way to get rid of him was to set fire to his long hair so I threw my torch at Mahanamtz and he started to burn. That increased the frenzy of the enchanted animals and they closed in their attack. Then Ix Na Li Kawa called to me and told me to jump into the chiyul. I now call it the Ch’ajch’oj Chiyul.” The room was absolutely quiet. “I grabbed and hugged Molly, Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’, and jumped into the Ch’ajch’oj Chiyul. We both lost consciousness, but when we awoke, we were lying on rocks in a small creek, in our own kingdom.”
K’an II, and the Batab stared quizzically at me, their eyes expressing wonder and bewilderment at my strange and incredulous story. I felt all other eyes piercing into me.
K’an II turned to Chekaj K’inich. “I once asked you, Wi-k’an, just one tun ago, “Is this land all there is? Have you not thought, Chekaj K’inich, that beyond that same great sea in the East, the Nohoch Atz’am Ja’, there might be more land, more peoples? Do they have our gods, our beliefs? Are there other gods, other beliefs?”
“You did, my nephew, and we argued.”
“Choj,” said K’an II, suddenly, causing me to start. “Bring me some water.” His statement seemed to take some of the tension out of the room as I heard shuffling as those around me moved. Lady Batz’ Ek’ was pacing. “Instead, ask one of the Nim-q’ij Guards to bring us all some chukwa’. I think we need some.” Choj got up, went to the door, and gave the instructions. He came back and sat again, but placed his hand briefly on my shoulder before doing so.
We were quiet for a while, then the Batab spoke. “And why are you back in Ox Witz Ha? Is it only to kill Mahanamtz and to rescue Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’?”
My emotions were overwhelming me to the point that I felt almost confused. The Nim-q’ij Guard entered and placed a large jar on a low table where mugs had been placed. He poured a mug of chukwa’ for each of us, served us then returned to the doorway. I took a long swallow of the intoxicating drink, not waiting for K’an II to drink first. The Batab said nothing so I drank until the mug was empty, then placed it down beside me. I looked at K’an II.
“Molly and I decided to get married and we had a big ceremony at my city, the city of Quiché. In the middle of the ceremony, Mahanamtz, his Kechelaj Jupuq, and his Kechelaj Komon attacked. Many citizens were killed and Molly was, once again, taken away. I followed Mahanamtz, with five of my Warriors and my taat. I did not know I would come back to this land, Batab, but I just kept following Mahanamtz, hoping to catch up with him, at some point. Then he attacked us and we were forced to flee into a jul through which a nim-ja’ flowed. We were swept away and drawn down into a sutbal-ja’. We lost consciousness and when we awoke, Yochi and his Warriors had rescued us. We were in Xibalba. I have been told by Choj that Yochi and my Warrior, Teul, have informed you of what happened after we arrived at Xibalba. Now I am here, and I need Warriors to find and kill Mahanamtz and rescue Molly.” I held onto my Green Scapular as I finished.
“This Ix Na Li Kawa,” asked Lady Batz’ Ek’, “How powerful is she?”
I certainly didn’t know how to answer that question. “I am a Warrior, My Lady. I do not often deal with matters of Ix Na Li Kawa. Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’, once I have rescued her with the help of your paal, will be able to tell you all the stories of Ix Na Li Kawa and will be able to tell you of Her mysterious powers.”
“But she called to you at the Ch’ajch’oj Chiyul, Warrior, not to Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’,” insisted Lady Batz’ Ek’.
I stared at Lady Batz’ Ek’. I had never thought about that fact. I was swimming in a dangerous wo-ja’ and I could easily fok myself if I were not careful. I really didn’t know how much to say and my mind was still clouded. I tightened my forehead and started to sweat. I was not aware of all that was going on in Ox Witz Ha, but I had been given enough information to know that the situation was volatile. I was a soldier, not a diplomat, and I was being asked a question that would weigh Christian beliefs against the gods of the Maya. Again, I remember Choj’s words, You are T’oit’ik-jolom of Ajawinel K’an II of Ox Witz Ha, Fuck. You will tell my al-ch’utin-nan everything. I sighed loudly. I didn’t have to say the truth and I didn’t have to lie. I swayed a little.
“Perhaps, you need to rest,” suggested K’an II.
I shook my head. “I will continue, Ajawinel. Yes. I was given an order by Ix Na Li Kawa, but it was Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’ that she was saving, not me. I was only the Warrior given the order to save Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’.”
I heard Yochi, Choj, and Bo exhale audibly behind me. It seemed that a smile was about to break from K’an’s II mouth, but it never came. The Batab chuckled then drained his mug and placed it aside. He spoke. “So, Ix Na Li Kawa spoke directly to you?”
Oh fok! “Yes, Batab.”
“Have our gods spoken to you? I don’t mean the Lords of the Underworld.”
“Yes, Batab. I have spoken with the Hero Twins, Xbalanque and Hunahpu. I have also spoken with Ix Balanque.” I heard Yochi, Choj, and Bo exhale audibly behind me, once again. K’an II’s countenance changed very little at my words, but there was a subtle trace of amazement and, perhaps, belief. The Batab chuckled, once again. I heard nothing from Lady Batz’ Ek’, but her pacing had stopped. Choj got up and refilled our mugs.
“You are being quite the diplomat, Fuck, suggesting that you speak both with your Ix Na Li Kawa and our gods. Should I believe you?” asked Chekaj K’inich after which he looked at K’an II. “As I’ve told you before, Sak Witzil Baah, from the first time I met the Warrior Fuck and Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’, I knew that the future of our lineage was in great danger. If their beliefs spread further among our citizens, if you persist in wearing the Raax Ch’ayom Puag, if the Raax Ch’ayom Puag continues to be made by our artisans and sold in our marketplace, if our scholars and tijoxels become more vocal in their call
for change, the priests will call for civil war and they will have their war. And that war will spread. Kukulkan will not bless us. Our Dynasty will come to an end … down … fallen … trodden upon.” K’an II raised his hand. “Please let me continue, Ajawinel.” K’an II stared at him then nodded. Chekaj K’inich looked at his sons, Choj and Bo, who did not respond in any way. “It will be difficult to win this war for it will spread like the fires we burn in the kools when there is a strong wind. The priests will make alliances with our enemies and they will bring their armies. K’uxaj, Ajawinel of Maxam will come to seek his revenge for his defeat just one tun ago.” He stood up. “And we already suffer the wrath of the gods. No Ahau Can Mai has ever been murdered. Yet, today, we sit with a Warrior who has not only murdered an Ahau Can Mai and a Chuchqajaw Rech Tinimit, but the Ahau Can Mai of our city, of Ox Witz Ha … and within the walls of the Ch’ajch’oj Jul of Naj Tunich. Yet, he sits among us, drinking,” he held up his mug, “as if nothing is wrong. I expect we will receive envoys from Ahau Naj Tunich at any time now. The word will spread. And as we speak, Ahau Naj Tunich’s Ukab Kaloonte’, Zyanya, trains with our Warriors, and his family and the kidnapped children of the Ch’ajch’oj Jul are given safety within our city. Many of the Warriors that accompanied Fuck are from the kingdoms of our enemies. They train in our army. Even Yochi who sits with us today, is from our sworn enemy, Yax Mutul.” He shook his head. “What response will we give Ahau Naj Tunich? I repeat, Ajawinel. This Warrior murdered the Ahau Can Mai of Ox Witz Ha”. He pointed to me, without looking at me, as if I were still covered with open and infected boils.
“The rituals of Naj Tunich are an abomination, Batab,” said Lady Batz’ Ek’, with obvious revulsion. “The Ahau Can Mai also did not have Nim-q’ij Leave to attend and represent Ox Witz Ha. We Nim-q’ijs of Ox Witz Ha abhor the sacrificing of children to any god. It is not demanded by our gods. It is only demanded by the Chuchqajaw Rech Tinimit of Naj Tunich, and Ahau Naj Tunich agrees to continue the abomination because of the riches the ceremonies bring to his treasury.”
Sisimito III--Topoxte Page 39