“Our priests will once again demand the hearts of this Warrior, and Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’, if she is rescued from Mahanamtz,” continued Chekaj K’inich, ignoring what Lady Batz’ Ek’ had said. “The Warrior is here. We can give him to the priests.” I heard shuffling behind me and Lady Batz’ Ek’ had begun to pace, again. “Furthermore, it is in our interest, the interest of Oz Witz Ha and her citizens, and the interest of our lineage that there is no attempt to rescue Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’.” I started to get up, but felt a strong arm on my shoulder pushing me down. I knew it was one of my friends behind me strongly advising me not to, so I sat back down. “I warn, once again, that if this Nim-q’ij Dynasty does nothing about the murder of the Ahau Can Mai of Ox Witz Ha, and does send Warriors to rescue Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’, there will be civil war, then total war. We cannot win against the dynasties who, united, will wage war against us, use this as an excuse to attack us. Already they fear the changes Ox Witz Ha wants to bring about throughout our land. You already speak, Nephew, of removing slaves from Ox Witz Ha. You talk about changing our ways of farming. You anger your priests when you say that their blood rituals do not make the crops grow. The citizens of Ox Witz Ha are rich, but it is not only the Nim-q’ijs and the Elite that are rich. The middle class is also wealthy and the koolnáals399 lack for nothing. That causes fear in the other dynasties for the Nim-q’ijs, the Elite, and the priests know that those changes will lessen their power over the citizens in their cities. They fear collapse of the order that has ruled our people for thousands of years. They fear the Fall of an Empire.
“Our entire lineage will be purged. Every one of us, man, woman, and child will be sacrificed on the stone altar, even to the most distant relatives. All our lands, buildings, kools, beehives, jewels, slaves will be appropriated. Our bodies will be thrown to the ocs and the ch’oms400 and our hearts to the itzcuintli.401 We will have no tombs. There will be no proper burials, no gifts to carry with us as we present ourselves to the Lords of the Underworld. There will be no trace of our lineage left.” He looked towards his sons, Choj and Bo. “And you, Nabeal K’ojol, and you, Ukab K’ojol, I know you carry the beliefs of the tijoxels of the Tijoxel Ja. Be careful or you will also be responsible for the collapse of our Dynasty.”
I did not expect a response from Choj and Bo and there was none. Chekaj K’inich was their taat.
“Can I speak with you, Sak Witzil Baah?” asked Lady Bate’ Ek’.
The Batab looked at her, shook his head sadly then looked back at K’an II. “I will always be at your side, Nephew, but if you persist, we are lost. The glory and magnificence of Ox Witz Ha and our Dynasty will be no more. The Baläm will no longer fly in the wind over Ox Witz Ha.” He sat down and held out his mug to be refilled.
K’an II got up and walked with his mother through the door. The room remained quiet. The whole experience was beginning to take its toll and I felt myself swaying. Yochi moved close to me. “Are you okay, Chiac?” I frowned, not remembering him calling me Chiac before. Then I recalled that I had also used that name in Xibalba.
“I’m getting weak,” I answered.
“I will take you back to your room. Choj and Bo can let us know what Ajawinel decides.”
“No, Yochi. I want to be here.”
Yochi sighed. “I’ll sit beside you. If you feel like falling, just lean on me. Even the T’oit’ik-jolom will do that, if it is necessary,” he added, grinning.
“Fok you!” I responded, weakly. His laughter was the only sound in the tense room.
Lady Batz’ Ek’ and K’an II returned. K’an II walked to one side of the room, staring out the doorway, looking across the metropolis before him. “The Warriors of Ox Witz Ha will attack and destroy Mahanamtz, his Kechelaj Komon, and his Kechelaj Jupuq. Too long have they terrorized our people across this land, even before the arrival of Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’ and the Warrior, Fuck; and they continue to do so. Since the attack on Tipú, we have sent out Nim-q’ij Scouts daily to report on the movements of Mahanamtz, but he often moved into other kingdoms and, because of alliances and politics, fear and mistrust, those who rule did not want our Warriors in their lands.” K’an II folded his arms, his face showing deep determination. He looked at Lady Batz’ Ek’ and Chekaj K’inich. “Our Warriors will attack Mahanamtz, wherever he is. My Warriors will number one hundred and will be the best of my Nim-q’ij Guards and Nim-q’ij Scouts.”
“Only one hundred,” interjected Batab Chekaj K’inich.
“If I send more Warriors, it will be interpreted by the kingdoms we march through as a declaration of war.” The Batab rubbed his head as K’an II continued. “They will be led by my Nim-q’ij Nabe Kaloonte’ Xicohtencatl, and Nim-q’ij Ukab Kaloonte’ Ehecatl. Other Nacons will include Ukab Nacon Yochi. and Oxib’ Nacon Zyanya. I will meet with my Nim-q’ij Military Staff, immediately. We plan today, analyze the reports from our Scouts, and our Warriors leave within one k’iin, as soon as preparations are completed. I will have my revenge on Mahanamtz for Tipú. That is the reason for our march.” K’an II took a sip from his mug.
“I must ask, nephew, why would you place Yochi and Zyanya in such high ranks. I know they have the experience, but do you have their loyalty?”
K’an II looked at Xico. “We have their loyalty, Batab,” assured Xico.
K’an II turned to his wi-k’an, uncle. “Batab!”
“Ajawinel.”
“As my chief diplomat, you will ensure that the priests know that the purpose of this mission is to destroy Mahanamtz for the destruction of Tipú. Too long has he terrorized our citizens. Nothing concerning the Warrior Fuck and Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’ will be discussed. I will address that issue after the outcome of this mission. Send out Nim-q’ij Runners as Nim-q’ij Envoys to inform the neighboring dynasties of our purpose.”
“Ajawinel,” responded the Batab. “You will not be going?” It was more a statement than a question.
“No! I will remain here with our remaining Warriors should our enemies want to take this opportunity to attack Ox Witz Ha, as one hundred of our Warriors will be on the march.” There was relief, but concern still remained on the Batab’s face.
“Ukab Nacon!”
“Ajawinel,” responded Yochi, standing up and hitting his chest.
“Get Nim-q’ij Nabe Kaloonte Xicohtencatl, Nim-q’ij Ukab Kaloonte’ Ehecatl, and Oxib’ Nacon Zyanya. Advise Kaloonte Xicohtencatl to inform my Nim-q’ij Military Batabs that we meet in one k’ab in the War Room, here in the Nim-q’ij Palace. Choj and Bo!”
“Ajawinel,” they answered, also standing up.
“Take the T’oit’ik-jolom to his room. See that he is looked after then come to the War Room. You will be with him on this mission.”
“Ajawinel,” they shouted loudly, hitting their chests soundly. They were grinning as they helped me to my feet. The Batab, their father, looked at them, wanly.
“It is obvious that the T’oit’ik-jolom is not fully recovered. I have already ordered Coatl and the Nim-q’ij Physicians to rid him of the last of the enchantments. He should then be able to leave with the Warriors,” said Lady Batz’ Ek’. “And you no longer have access to my quarters. You will be taken to a room not far from this one.”
I bowed then turned to K’an II. “Ajawinel.”
“Yes, Fuck?”
“What rank do I hold and will my Warriors from the Kingdom of Belikin come with me?”
“All your Warriors, even those not from Belikin, have volunteered to go on the mission. Xico is deciding if all will go. You can discuss that further with him. They will be in addition to the one hundred Nim-q’ij Guards. With respect to your rank, you are Nabe Nacon. However, you will not hold that rank until Xico says you are well enough to hold it, and Xico can change it. Now get some rest.” I hit my chest.
Choj and Bo walked beside me, grinning all the way, as I walked slowly to my new room, very thankful that K’an II had decided to march.
My stomach growled. I was also feeling very hungry.
“Why the fok are you two grinning?” I asked them.
“We were worried that we wouldn’t be going on the mission,” answered Choj.
“It will be very dangerous. We’re not going into a regular battle.”
Choj and Bo laughed. “Just being with you is dangerous, Fuck,” said Bo. “You are our achalal. Do we have to keep reminding you? Have you forgotten our blood-letting on the table-mountain? Do you think we wouldn’t want to fight at your side, die a Warrior’s death at your side if that is the will of Ek Chuah?” Again, I began to feel teary eyed and filled with emotions. I pushed them aside. “Now, let’s get you to your mat, so you can rest and the Nim-q’ij Physicians and Ah-k’inob Coatl can have you ready for tomorrow.”
K’an II had said Now get some rest, but that did not really happen. Coatl and his five priests were already there when Choj and Bo settled me on my mat and left to go to the War Room. The room was thick with sweet smelling incense and as soon as I had been laid down, the priests began their incantations. Three physicians were also in the room and after putting my loincloth aside, one began rubbing me with various salves, some sweet smelling, others mildly offensive. The second physician held my head up every fifteen or so minutes and gave me alternating bitter and sweet liquids to drink. The third held a small smoking pot to my nostrils once the second physician had finished. I began feeling as if I had just smoked a long and fat k’uutz, but it was not until I began reaching out to hold onto brilliant lights shooting out from a volcano, pointing them out to Lady Batz’ Ek’ and Chalchiuitl who was always by my side, that I realized I was being drugged. I decided to just let them do what they deemed necessary. There was not much I would have been able to do about it anyway and I wasn’t lucid enough to know if I even wanted them to stop. After all, it was the best I felt for a long time. I was aware of someone, or two persons, taking me to the shit-pot frequently, but even that did not bother me. I sweated and sweated. Up and down to the shit-pot. Vomiting started. I did not feel so good, after all.
“He’s losing too much water,” I heard one of the physicians say through my haze.
“Do something about it,” ordered Lady Batz’ Ek’. “Did you give him too much medicine?”
“No, My Lady. But everything we give him now his body expels,” said the physician. “We cannot replace what he is losing.
“Coatl?”
“My Lady. We are invoking every god that can help. They are not responding.”
“He must not die. Remember my promise. If he dies, you die. All of you die.”
“My Lady.” Coatl sounded tired. “I will continue to try, My Lady, but, at times, I fear my life is forfeited.” Coatl held his head, but then continued. “Hopefully, this is the last treatment he needs. I thought all would be easier as we proceeded, but Mahanamtz’ enchantments fight and have increased in strength, resisting all attempts to remove them.”
“He must not die.” I heard the Lady pacing as I reached up for fireworks that boomed around me, distantly reminding me of the Tenth of September Celebrations in my other life. She spoke again. “Fuck told us that he has spoken with Xbalanque, Hunahpu, and Ix Balanque. He says he has also spoken to Ix Na Li Kawa. Invoke them all.”
“But My Lady! I cannot invoke Ix Na Li Kawa. It would be blasphemy.”
“Then it is blasphemy or your heart taken out slowly on the stone.”
“My Lady!”
I was too involved with my exploding lights to care what was happening to me, but I heard loud exhortations, cries of desperation, and there was always the heavy smell of incense. Then all the exploding lights came together and all I saw was the emerald green falling waters of the Ch’ajch’oj Chiyul. Sitting in front of it was Ix Balanque, and on one side of him was Xbalanque and on the other, Hunahpu, all three looking down at me. “And what have you gotten yourself into this time, Warrior?” asked Ix Balanque. Then something went wrong, or right. I heard loud exclamations. They sounded like cries of terror, of awe, of incredulity. Coatl was pointing at me. Through my hazed mind, I looked at my body. The Raax Ch’ayom Puag was glowing bright emerald green and reflecting brilliantly off my golden skin.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
MARCH FROM OX
WITZ HA
K’iin 29 - The Uinal of Mol
Sunday, May 28, 1973
It was just before dawn when Yochi kicked me into wakefulness. I saw only the first dim glow of Kinich, but the room was bright enough, well-lit by two lanterns.
“Wake up, Chiac. You need to get dressed. We are needed in the War Room.” He frowned. “Fok!” he added.
“What’s it,” I said, standing up, slowly.
He shook his head. “You stink.” He smiled., “Maybe it’s not you, just the shit-pot. You used it a lot.” He flared his nose. “No, it’s you. You smell like the shit-pot. Even the par would avoid you … and we do not have time for the baths.” He opened his eyes and shook his head. “Just your smell, your ch’ich’-rech-par will send Mahanamtz in retreat.” He laughed out loudly. “But, how do you feel? Ready for the sacbeob and the battle?”
His question prompted me to think about how I was feeling. My head was a little foggy and I supposed that was because of the treatment I was given. I didn’t even want to think about what concoctions I had taken. Physically, I felt better than I had for days. “I’m okay … I think.” I looked down at my body. The golden hue had disappeared along with my sores and my Green Scapular was not glowing.
“Coatl and the Nim-q’ij Physicians have assured Lady Batz’ Ek’ that all the ch’u’j-k’aas and enchantments have been removed from you.”
My stomach growled very loudly, something that was happening more and more. “Good! I must be feeling better, Yochi. I am very hungry.”
“We’ll eat after the War Room.” He looked around then walked off into a corner and picked up my loincloth. “Let’s get this on. Phew!”
I still didn’t know how to put on a loincloth properly, so he did it for me. Off to one side were two pairs of lej-xajäbs, a maquahuitl, a to’bal-rib and short bate’, sk’op and kus of ch’abs, and two vests made of pelt. Yochi saw me watching the weapons and other equipment. “We’ll come back for those after the briefing. Food will be here for us or we’ll go for some.” I nodded. “That is, after you bathe.”
We walked to the War Room and, indeed, I was feeling better. Those present stood around the same table as we had done when we looked at the military situation during K’uxaj’s attack, one tun ago. I immediately relived the urgency and emotions I had felt, at that time. K’an II looked up as we entered. He nodded to Yochi and I and we hit our chests. Also in the room were Xico, Ehecatl, Zyanya, Batab Chekaj K’inich, Choj, Bo, and four Nim-q’ij Military Batabs. All of us, except Chekaj K’inich and the Military Batabs, were dressed only in loincloths for the early morning meeting. No one responded to my ch’ich’-rech-par.
Two servants walked in and distributed large mugs of q’utuj. I drank mine completely and the mug was immediately refilled. K’an II handed his empty mug to one of the servants and looked at each of us.
“This mission has great consequences for, not only Ox Witz Ha and my Nim-q’ij Dynasty, but for all our citizens that live on U Wach Ulew. Our primary objective is to kill Mahanamtz and all his Kechelaj Komon. We will need to fight the Kechelaj Jupuq, but once Mahanamatz is dead, his Kechelaj Jupuq will no longer exist. The animals will be normal, once again. I will refer to the animals of the Kechelaj Jupuq as Warriors. That is what they are and they are strong. They fight differently from us and they carry enchantments. Do not underestimate them.” He paused. “I have no evidence that any of our kingdoms has formed an alliance with Mahanamtz. I do not think that possible as Mahanamtz attacks everyone. I do believe, however, that our enemies will try to use any circumstance that weakens us militarily to their advantage. I will be dispatching Nim-q’ij Envoys and Runners to all the regional kin
gdoms telling them that we are moving against Mahanamtz and have no intention to threaten their sovereignty. However, we will be moving through their kingdoms and some of them will not like that. Of course, even if we did not inform them, they would know of our mission immediately it began as they have spies in Ox Witz Ha just as we have spies in their cities. It is sensible, however, for us to use diplomatic courtesy and inform them so that our purpose is well defined. How they respond is for us to see. We will be prepared for any eventuality.” K’an II took in a deep breath. “So, we go in, find the target, eliminate it, and return as quickly as possible. Is that clear?” We all hit our chests. “The secondary objective is to rescue Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’, Molly as she is called in the Kingdom of Belikin. That is a secondary objective and a covert objective which you will discuss with your Warriors only after you have left Ox Witz Ha. Once the battle is over, Mahanamtz is killed, his Kechelaj Komon and his Kechelaj Jupuq defeated, and Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’ is rescued, you will bring her unseen to the Nim-q’ij Palace. Unseen! Is that clear? And you, Fuck, you will be discreet.” We hit our chests again. Now, let’s discuss where you are going.” K’an II indicated to one of his Military Batabs.
“The reports we have been receiving from our Nim-q’ij Scouts over the last two uinals are that Mahanamtz has been mainly in the north and west except when about a uinal ago he moved south for several k’iins. He has returned and was last seen near Siaan K’aan.402 We do not know if he is still in that area. We are sending Scouts out, will continue to do so, and they will report to Nim-q’ij Nabe Kaloonte’ first,” he looked at Xico, “wherever you are, before coming back to Ox Witz Ha to report to us. When they report to you, Nabe Kaloonte’, you will also send us a report on your current situation and future strategy.” Xico hit his chest. “Basically, you march between Yaxha403 and Maxam404 to Siaan K’aan or wherever the Scouts indicate Mahanamtz may be.”
Sisimito III--Topoxte Page 40