“Ajawinel,” interjected Choj. K’an II nodded. “There are not only military issues to be concerned about as we march through the kingdoms. There are many political issues as well and those political concerns will have a direct effect on what military action may be needed.” He indicated to Bo. “Bo is a greater student of politics than me.” K’an II nodded.
Bo began. “The route suggested will take us between Yaxha and Maxam, west of Nakúm,405 and then east of Yax Mutul.406 Maxam and Yax Mutul will not like that. Perhaps our envoys will be able to get us passage through the Kingdoms of Yaxha and Nakúm, but they live in fear of Yax Mutul and are not likely to do anything significant to infuriate that Dynasty. I don’t think that we need to worry too much about Topoxte,407 even though Ahau Topoxte is being courted by Yax Mutul and appears to be encouraging it. The reason why I think that Topoxte city is not a main concern right now is that it is still closely linked politically to Yaxha. As a military threat, strategically, Topoxte is on the western side of Ha’ Yaxha and the kingdom spreads south and west, not east, away from where we would be marching. They would have to mobilize and leave the city undefended.” He shrugged his shoulders and looked at Xico. “But that’s your area Xico.”
“Xico?” queried K’an II.
“Kaloonte’,” said Bo, correcting himself and smiling mischievously. “Nabe Kaloonte’ Xicohtencatl does not like long names.” K’an II frowned and Xico hit his chest. “I would not be surprised,” continued Bo, “if Yax Mutul and Maxam send back our Envoys’ hearts as a response to our request for safe conduct. And when we get to the Kingdom of Siaan K’aan, Yax Mutul and Maxam, once again, won’t like that. As we know, Yax Mutul still tells Maxam what to do.”408
“Thus, if our Nim-q’ij Envoys can convince them to give us safe passage, it would take care of the politics and concerns of military conflict with the kingdoms. Then we would deal only with Mahanamtz,” summarized K’an II.
“One other issue,” continued Bo. “If they say they will allow our Warriors to pass through their kingdoms, can we trust them?”
K’an II looked downward then up at Chekaj K’inich, placing his hand over his jaw, in deep thought. “Batab!”
“Ajawinel!”
“Use only our most senior and brilliant diplomats as Nim-q’ij Envoys. They must have Warriors to protect them and Runners to keep Kaloonte’ and me informed. They must succeed.” Chekaj K’inich hit his chest. “See that they are on their way, ahead of our Warriors, before Kinich Ahau has travelled six hands and is directly above Ox Witz Ha.”
“I leave now,” said Chekaj K’inich, bowing slightly.
K’an II nodded. “Now, Kaloonte’. Let’s talk some more.” He paused, a mischievous smile crossing his tired face. “Or should I call you Xico?”
“As you wish, Ajawinel,” answered Xico, grinning.
K’an II’s face grew stern. “And don’t allow my two al-ch’utin-nans, the little upstarts, to call you Xico. To them you are Nim-q’ij Nabe Kaloonte’. If they call you Xico again, have them trashed.”
I had only been listening, not saying anything, as I really didn’t have anything to contribute, at that time. K’an II’s comment caught my attention, however. I looked at Choj and Bo. Their brows were furrowed and their faces marked in disbelief.
“How many lashes?” asked Xico. Both Choj and Bo’s mouths dropped open.
“Enough to make them shit themselves,” said K’an II. “You must not allow any subordination, even from alaxels.”
“Should I have the young nobles and tijoxels of the Tijoxel Ja watch, My Lord, especially the women?”
K’an II stared at Xico, both trying to hold on to stern faces. They failed, however, and were soon howling with laughter, joined by the Military Batabs. I was amused, but did not laugh, initially, but when I remembered how Choj and Bo had looked, it had seemed that they were already shitting themselves even without the whipping. I laughed, watching the embarrassed Choj and Bo as Yochi, Ehecatl, and Zyanya hit them on their backs repeatedly. It was good to laugh, once again. A servant came and refilled our mugs then left and we returned to business.
“And what are your plans, Xico?” asked K’an II.
“As soon as we are finished here, Chiac …”
“Chiac?” interrupted K’an II.
“Chiac is Fuck’s name in the Kingdom of Belikin. We use it only in closed circles.”
“Oh yes! It seems a day for names,” said K’an II. “Go ahead.”
“As we are finished here,” resumed Xico, “Chiac and I will collect our weapons and, along with Choj, Bo, and your Military Batabs proceed to the Warriors’ Barracks. There we will have final briefings on how we will proceed. There will be a review of the Warriors, making sure that they have all that is necessary. Then we will all eat. Servants are already preparing the meal. We will have forty slaves to carry food and extra weapons. They will be supervised by servants, about six; we don’t need many.
“Lady Batz’ Ek’ has commanded that Ah-k’inob Coatl and the same five priests that initially worked on Chiac are to go with us to protect against any further enchantments from Mahanamtz. The Ah-k’inob wanted slaves to carry their burners and other paraphernalia.” Xico snickered. “The Lady Batz’ Ek’ told him that they will carry what they need themselves.” He looked to Zyanya. “She has appointed Teyacapan, a former Healer and priest of Naj Tunich and Oxib’ Nacon Zyanya’s paal, to be Nabe Nimal Nacon of Ah-k’inob Coatl and his priests. She is not sending Chalchiuitl, Zyanya’s wife, as she wants her to work with the Healers here. See what they can learn about the practices of Naj Tunich. I have included Taat, Sacnite, and Xochitl in Teyacapan’s team. Iuitl, Taat’s mate, will accompany them. It seems My Lady does not trust the Ah-k’inob.
“Also,” he raised his eyebrows, “she has ordered that all Warriors must wear the Raax Ch’ayom Puag. I assured her that many already do, but questioned the wisdom in that command as we were not sure of all the Warriors beliefs. The Lady Batz’ Ek’ eyed me sternly then repeated herself. I discussed the matter no further with her. I have since sent servants to the artisans in the marketplace to secure all that are available, on your behalf, Ajawinel.” K’an II raised his eyebrows. “The only exception will be the Ah-k’inob and his priests. They argued that it would anger the gods they may need to invoke, weaken their own power to invoke, and result in little or no blessings from the gods and they will need all the power they can get to fight off Mahanamtz’ enchantments.” Xico snickered again. “I chose not to inform My Lady about that development. I don’t know if it is just fear or abhorrence of the Raax Ch’ayom Puag, but I think Ah-k’inob Coatl would have his heart taken out rather than wear the Raax Ch’ayom Puag. I will see to the priests’ protection so that they can do their work, but I will not depend on them to provide victory.” Xico hit his chest. “I should be able to leave when Kinich Ahau is three hands above the mountains in the west. Chiac and his Warriors will advance a short while later. I should be midway to Yaxha and Maxam before we camp. Ix Chel rises late and her light is getting less so the sacbeob will be dark. It is best we do not journey long after Kinich Ahau leaves U Wach Ulew.”
“Won’t the Ah-k’inob and his priests slow us down?” asked Ehecatl. “They are not Warriors.”
“I will send them ahead, at the same time the Envoys and Runners are sent. The priests will not be able to maintain the pace, but will continue on the sacbeob to Yaxha until we catch up with them. I do not think they will want to travel separately from us and without our protection. That should urge them to keep up or, at least, not remain too far behind us.”
“Now, your tactics. Just briefly,” said K’an II.
“My tactics depends heavily on the decisions of the kingdoms. We will proceed, prepared for battle as always, even if we are given safe passage. When we reach Siaan K’aan, we seek out and eliminate Mahanamtz, his Kechelaj Komon and Kechelaj Jupuq. No quarter given. By the time we reach Siaan K’aan, our Scouts will
know where Mahanamtz is and our Runners will have informed us.”
“And if you are attacked by one of the kingdoms?”
“We will battle and be victorious,” replied Xico. K’an II hit his chest, an unusual act from an Ajawinel. “Runners will keep the Military Batabs briefed so they can prepare for the defence of Ox Witz Ha, should that become necessary.”
“Then go, Xico. My Military Batabs will keep me informed on your preparations and the beginning of your journey.”
“Ajawinel!” Xico hit his chest, followed by Ehecatl, Choj, Bo, Zyanya, and me.
“Ehecatl!”
“Ajawinel.”
“You are the Nim-q’ij Ukab Kaloonte’. Serve Xico well.” Ehecatl hit his chest and gave a short bow. “One more thing, Xico.”
“Ajawinel?”
“Take Fuck to the baths. He stinks like the par.” Xico nodded and I was immediately conscious, once again, of how badly I smelt.
“Ko’one’ex,” said Xico, and we left the War Room, hurriedly.
Choj and Bo went straight to the Barracks to get fitted with weapons, taking the city sacbeob that went generally westward and passed north of the Temple of the Wooden Lintel. They were to march with Xico and join me later. The Barracks took up a large area north of that sacbeob and east of the major sacbeob going to the northwest. The Military Batabs, Ehecatl, Zyanya, and Yochi also went to the Barracks to begin the review, to ensure everything was ready and what wasn’t to make them so. Xico and I returned to my sick-room where we picked up our weapons. There was no food there so Xico advised me that we’d eat at the wo’qibol.409 I was about to put on my lej-xajäbs when Xico hit me on the shoulder.
“Wait,” he said.
I was puzzled. “What for? We need to get going.”
“The Ajawinel said to go to the baths. I agree. We will go to the baths or Mahanamtz, as I stated before, will smell you as soon as we leave Oz Witz Ha. That’s not good strategy.” He chuckled. “You need to get rid of that ch’u’j sweat, anyhow.” He looked at my loincloth.
“And you need to get rid of that. I can’t have the Great T’oit’ik-jolom, Fuck, wearing a loincloth stink and dirty from ch’u’j sweat. If it were the enemies’ blood, it would be okay.”
“Do we have time?” I grumbled. “Before we’ve reached Yaxha, everyone will smell like I do.”
“No,” said Xico, shaking his head. “You stink!”
“Well, what the fok!” I said, then added, “Does Lady Batz’ Ek’ have a private bath nearby?” He didn’t answer, but howled with laughter.
“We’ll go to the Nim-q’ij Baths. The one you, Choj, and Bo used before the game. I don’t think that K’an II will mind. He didn’t say which one to go to anyway.” He shrugged his shoulders in amusement.
We came out the Nim-q’ij Residence and down the many stairs leading to the courtyard. It was very different from the last time when Nim-q’ij Guards stood at attention around the entire courtyard, and decorated urns of incense of the Sacred Pom burned. There were no ah’-cuabs playing ch’aw-baqs and la’j-tuns. There was no table in the middle of the courtyard on which stood the fierce Feathered Serpent, Kukulkan, with his fangs of ya’ax-chich, and eyes of red rubies watching me. There were no baskets of fruits, and wreaths made from branches of the Sacred Pom. Nor were there nobles, wearing necklaces, bracelets, and earplugs made from q’aq’-puaq, ya’ax-chich, turquoise, onyx, and shells, dressed in great finery, cloaks and ponchos made from the feathers of the most exotic birds, feathered headdresses made from the feathers of the q’uq’. It was only Xico and I. There were no Choj and Bo, and no pitz to play.
I looked at the small room that Molly and I had stayed in. I walked towards it and passed through the doorway, marked by two small columns. It was the same. Eight feet by ten feet. There were no windows and no furniture. The large rug made from straw and covered with cloth, with another large piece of fabric rolled up and placed on it, was in the same place. In the corner there was the lamp, but there was no flame. The pot with the piece of broken pottery on top was also there. There was still the soft sound of water pouring and the faint smell of smoke, of burning wood. I felt a deep tightening in my chest and I started to breathe deeply. I felt Xico’s hand on my shoulder. I looked at him and I saw that he knew what I was thinking. He had been with Molly and me most of the time. He and Ehecatl were our Nim-q’ij Guards, making sure we did not try to escape.
“Ko’one’ex,” he said and I walked back out of the room and to the adjacent larger room where the bath was. We put down our weapons, the vests, and lej-xajäbs. There were two palace servants there, not the dozen that were there when Choj, Bo, and I were being prepared for the ballgame. The room was still filled with steam and Sacred Incense and there were the same three wide benches against the western wall, on either side of which was a water channel and a fire pit. There was a large bath, warm mist rising from it. As we walked further into the room, the servants came to us and removed our loincloths. They led us to the bath and Xico and I submerged ourselves. It was the most pleasurable feeling I had had for a long time. I felt the warmth going into every muscle, every part of my tired body. One servant came over to me and the other to Xico, threw in herbs and oils, then started scrubbing us with brushes made from pelt. When they were finished, too soon, they told us to step out of the baths and they dried us with soft cloths. We then went over to the benches where they rubbed us down with sweet smelling oils mixed with herbs. We stood and they dressed us in a loincloth with the design of the ek baläm, golden brown with black patterns. We sat back down and they put on the lej-xajäbs, vests, and they brought us our weapons. We walked back into the courtyard and towards the Barracks. I felt a new man, the best I’d felt in days.
If it were not because I knew of the discipline of the Warriors of Ox Witz Ha, I would have wondered at the military efficiency of so colorful a spectacle. Warriors were everywhere and I recognized some of the Warriors as those who had travelled with me to Ox Witz Ha. They were armed with bate’s fixed with chay blades, sk’ops, wik’iaqs, and jatz’oms with sheaves of darts or short bate’s. They also carried tok’ knives with a sharp serrated edge, or razor-sharp chay knives. Among the Warriors were other armed men, either militia or new recruits able-bodied enough to bear arms. Many of the Warriors wore short skirts, úúks, open on both sides, decorated with black spots, looking like the skin of the ek baläm. Others used a mere loincloth, like the ones Xico and I wore. Many carried large to’bal-ribs made from animal pelt and embellished with blue, red, and white dyes, and with long feathers and plumes hanging from the lower half. The Warriors wore breastplates in the shapes of butterflies, and bands that were protective armor around the waist, arms, and legs. All the Warriors wore lej-xajäbs. Running in and out of the troops were slaves or servants, some dressed in loincloth alone, others naked, doing the biding of the Warriors. Some young men had la’j-tuns, but they were not beating them; others carried flags and banners showing an emblem of the ek baläm. As I watched the scene unfold before me, I remembered the first time I walked into Ox Witz Ha, the first time I felt the thrill of being with my own people. Ox Witz Ha’s army, part of it, was being readied to fight and I, the Warrior called Fuck, was ready to fight. I was pulled out of my daze.
“Kaloonte’,” said a young Warrior, addressing Xico. “I am Ollin,410 your achi’l.411 Ueman412 is Ukab Kaloonte”s achi’l and is assisting him.” He handed Xico a kohaw413 with white and green plumes, a baläm suit, the suit cut like an overall with a white cloth over the groin area, a breastplate, and protective armor for wearing around the waist, arms, and legs. He hit his chest and was about to leave when Xico gave him back the suit and the kohaw. Ollin hit his chest again and disappeared into the crowd.
“Aren’t you supposed to wear that Kaloonte’?” I asked.
He smiled. “That is for those who stand at the sides and command. I fight where I command.” He grinned. “The kohaw is too heavy and the suit will only get in the w
ay of sending my enemies to Xibalba. I wear a necklace with four ya’ax-chich temples. That indicates my rank. Ehecatl wears one with three ya’ax-chich temples. That’s good enough.”
“And now you also wear the Raax Ch’ayom Puag.”
“As Lady Batz’ Ek’ commands.”
Ollin was back, almost immediately, with another young Warrior who brought armaments for me, except the kohaw and the suit.
“I am Patli,”414 he said. “I am your achi’l.” I nodded. He handed me a necklace with five chay arrowheads. “I have given Ukab Nacon Yochi his necklace with four chay arrowheads, and Oxib’ Nacon Zyanya one with three chay arrowheads.” He picked up my armor.
“No armor,” I said. “Just my maquahuitl and to’bal-rib.”
“But, But …” Patli looked at me and immediately realized I was serious. He hit his chest.
I looked at Xico, questioningly. “What?” he asked.
“The Ajawinel practically ignored me except pointing out that I stink. He said I was Nabe Nacon, but you can change it.”
“I am the Nim-q’ij Nabe Kaloonte’.” advised Xico. “The Ajawinel appoints me. Sometimes, he consults. Other times, he doesn’t. It is only my Ukab, the Nim-q’ij Ukab Kaloonte’, that the Ajawinel commissions in consultation with me and the Military Batabs. All other commissions and promotions are done by me, in consultation with my Ukab, and with recommendations from other Kaloonte’s and Nacons. I brief the Military Batabs on the proposed promotions or demotions I wish to make. It is rare that they oppose. It is I who fight with my Warriors.”
“So, you appointed Yochi and Zyanya.”
He nodded. “A diplomatic move on my part. Yochi is Ukab Nacon and Zyanya is Oxib’ Nacon of your platoon, which is made up mainly of the Warriors who came with you. They already have the loyalty of your Warriors. You, as Nabe Nacon, carry the responsibility of organizing your platoon. You will report to Ehecatl, who will report to me. If I am unavailable, you take orders from Ehecatl. If both he and I are not available, you make your own decisions and stand the consequences of your decisions. You then command all the Warriors, including my company of one hundred Nim-q’ij Guards, and Teyacapan’s section who normally would report to Ehecatl. As soon as we are finished, see to your Warriors then report back to me.” I nodded. As soon as Patli was satisfied that I was as armored as I was going to be, I hit my chest and left, Patli walking briskly in front of me.
Sisimito III--Topoxte Page 41