“If the islands are so small, would they prove a serious threat?” I asked.
“Yes,” answered Choj. “It is, perhaps, because of their small size that Ahau Topoxte has always had all boys and men trained as Warriors, some in the regular army, and others in the militia which he calls up as necessary. Paxte and K’aay have militia; Topoxte has the regular army and some militia. All the islands have chultuns.”
I had heard of chultuns before, both at Quiriguá and Pusilhá, but didn’t know exactly what they were or how they were built. “What’s a chultun?”
Choj stared at me. “You continue to amaze us, Fuck. A chultun is a man-made hole with its walls covered with stucco, where precious objects and food is stored. In the larger ones, citizens and Warriors can hide in them. Weapons are also often stored in them.”
“Thank you,” I sighed. Choj closed his eyes and shook his head.
“But we do not plan to fight Topoxte and there are no indications Ahau Topoxte’s Warriors will attack,” interjected Xiuhcoatl.
“Our mission is to kill Mahanamtz,” said Yochi. “Yet, we must be prepared for everything as we cannot allow anything we didn’t prepare for to interfere with the mission.”
“Our mission is also to rescue Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’,” I reminded them.
“That is secondary,” Yochi argued. “The mission is to kill Mahanamtz. Those are the orders of Ajawinel, Chiac.” I tightened my hand on my maquahuitl in anger. “That does not mean, my friend, that we will not rescue Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’.”
I couldn’t apologize. I was Nabe Nacon and that would not be the Way of the Warrior. I regretted that I should have doubted their loyalty to me and to Molly, even for that moment. I didn’t know what to do so I simply nodded and he raised his fist. Then there was silence.
Bo intervened. “Nabe Nacon!” I nodded. “Mahanamtz has spies from his Kechelaj Komon and Kechelaj Jupuq everywhere. He knows we are on his tract. We have all heard the kos and the icim.”
“Yes!” I said. We have all heard the kos and the icim. They follow me everywhere I go. Huehue. Iztali. Chicahua. Yaotl. You are Nabe Nimal Nacon and Ukab Nimal Nacon of the Sk’op Fireteams. Get your fireteams to kill all madafokin kos and icims they see, any suspicious animal. Do that for me.” They raised their fists.
“Can I ask why we raise our fists rather than hit our chests as we always did?” asked Choj.
“Within this platoon, we raise our fists. We do not hit our chests. You do as you are commanded to do, without explanation. Is that clear, Waach?” stormed Yochi.
Choj grimaced, raised his fist, hesitated, then continued. “If Mahanamtz attacks Topoxte, as our intelligence suggests, he may not kill all the Warriors or members of the militia. He could use enchantments on the Warriors, the militia, and the citizens, and have them under his control, indefinitely. He may enchant enough Warriors and Militia to protect him, his Kechelaj Komon, and to fight along with his Kechelaj Jupuq. He may even establish himself at the Nim-q’ij Palace in Topoxte, although he usually does not remain in a city he has captured and destroyed. Perhaps, we do not need to plan an attack on Topoxte’s army and militia, but strategize one for the islands as if they were already occupied by Mahanamtz.”
I grimaced in awareness at his words about enchantments. He was right. I knew I was a good Commander, a T’oit’ik-jolom, but I was in a strange place, fighting a different kind of war. I needed to manage my battle strategy based on the intelligence I received from the Warriors that were with me, based on the strange and cruel enemy I was fighting. I nodded.
“Nabe Nacon.” I turned. Patli was back with a very tired and sleepy looking Papan. He hit his chest.
“Choj has told me that you gave him intelligence on Topoxte. What more did you bring?”
He looked at Choj and Bo and shrugged his shoulders. “Ajawinel commands that you send back the Nim-q’ij Alaxels. They left without his Nim-q’ij Permission.”
I glared at Choj and Bo. Why can’t my life be fokin simple? “What do you have to say for yourselves … Nim-q’ij Alaxels?” They looked at each other. Choj gesticulated to Bo.
“Our place is with you, Nabe Nacon,” responded Bo.
“Just call me Fuck or Chiac,” I said angrily.
Bo nodded. “You need the knowledge we have. With all due respect, you lack a lot of basic knowledge about the enemy’s strategies of war, the topography, the possible theater of war … everything. There are others in Ox Witz Ha who have the knowledge we have. We think that it is our taat, Chekaj K’inich, that has requested that we remain in Ox Witz Ha, not K’an II. Our taat, fears for our safety. “
“I will refrain from commenting on what you said, at this time, but I want to get something very straight. Are you two asking me to disobey the command of both Ajawinel K’an II, and his Batab, your Nim-q’ij Taat, Chekaj K’inich?”
They looked at each other. Choj scratched his forehead then Bo continued. “We are asking you to do what is necessary for the success of the mission.”
“Fok!” I shouted, much more loudly than I had anticipated.
“Well. It’s not only the Nim-q’ij Alaxels. I didn’t get permission from my taat, Ajaw But’z Chan of Pusilhá,” interjected Xiuhcoatl, looking quite smug. “I just left.”
I swung towards him. “You didn’t get permission?”
“No, Fuck … Chiac. He would have said ‘no’. I apologize for having lied to you. I wanted to be a Warrior and I wanted to be trained by the greatest T’oit’ik-jolom of the land. You! As Ukab K’ojol, they would have made me become a priest. Incense and chanting is not for me. And when you’re a priest, you cannot chakuj tutuchci for days at a time. That is also not for me.”
I held my head. “And what happened to Nabeal Toltecatl?”
“I took care of him.”
“You, what?
“I took care of him.”
“Don’t fok around with me,” I fumed. “What did you do to him?”
“I drugged him. I am sure he slept like the áayin as it sleeps in the chokoh.”
“Like the áayin as it sleeps in the chokoh,” I repeated, astounded.
“Yes. And I tied him up just to be sure.”
“You tied him up.”
“Yes, Nabe Nacon. I tied him up … securely … to a tree … with his own loincloth.” He frowned then continued. “I just hope that he doesn’t turn into a tuucha’.”
“A tuucha’?” I asked, absolutely flabbergasted. I heard someone snicker.
“Well, after the Hero Twin Hunahpu tricked his older half-achalals to go into a tree, he had them tie their loincloths around their waists to assist them in coming down. The loincloths turned into tails and they turned into tuucha’s.”
I began hearing small chuckles.
You foka! Why can’t my life be fokin simple?
“Nabe Nacon,” intervened Papan, seeing how angry I was getting.
I bit down hard then answered. “Yes, Papan.”
“K’an II also told me that I was to remain with you, to do your scouting.”
“Is there anything else?”
“Yes, Nabe Nacon. I have not given Choj any new intelligence on Topoxte as I had none.”
I turned to Choj. “So, you lied?” I stormed. He did not hesitate in answering.
“Yes, Chiac, but I wouldn’t call it lying. I was using the wit and cunning of Hunahpu and Xbalanque. I had, Ihad to try to sidetrack you. Bo and I are here because we should be here and we want to be here … with you. We are not going back to Ox Witz ha, at this time Achalal.
I stared at the two Nim-q’ij Fokas then turned to Patli. “Patli. Make sure that Papan has everything he needs then see that he rests.” I turned back to Choj, Bo, and Xiuhcoatl. “I will deal with you three later.” There was silence. Fok! Now I have more runaways and, this time, they are not ordinary runaways, they have to be Nim-q’ij Runaways. “Continue Choj. We need all the ideas we can get.”
“I will strategize as if we are attacking an occupied Topoxte,” briefed Choj. “We need to keep in mind, however, that if we plan to march across Topoxte, we will have to continue through the jungle to a point just south of the islands, then turn north to approach them. Just south of the islands there is a bay bordered by two peninsulas that points to K’aay. There are many outlying residencies there and usually some militia stationed on both peninsulas, but as Ahau Topoxte prepares for an attack from the west by Mahanamtz, intelligence states that the number of militias has been increased significantly and all the citizens have fled. I must point out that our platoon is greatly outnumbered by the militia and Warriors of Topoxte. I must also stress that our platoon is overwhelmingly outnumbered by Mahanamtz, his Kechelaj Komon, and Kechelaj Jupuq.” No one made a sound or a comment. “If Mahanamtz attacks, overruns the peninsulas, entrenches his army, and enchants the militia, his would be the first army we would have to take out.”
“I want you to strategize, Choj, but leave Mahanamtz completely out the picture. I want you to do a general plan of attack on Topoxte. Disregard our numbers, at this time. Keep in mind, however, we attack under the cover of darkness and fight as our new warfare tactics dictate. We advance by taking out the militia first,” I continued. “We kill them quietly. We kill them all.”
“As you wish.” Choj nodded then continued. “From the peninsulas, after defeating the militia, it would have been easy to swim to K’aay, but the ha’ has many áayins and we would not want to lose any Warrior to an áayin. Also, if we are to swim across quietly, if a Warrior is attacked, the Warrior would not be able to fight back as he would have to remain silent. If he fought the áayin, he would make too much noise.” Choj looked at us, allowing the gravity of that situation to sink in. “Because of the áayins, however, there are war canoes on the peninsula, also on the islands. We would take those to cross to K’aay. Hopefully, there would be enough for we need to move as one force. We overcome the militia on K’aay and then go on to Paxte. There should be no difficulty in getting rid of the militia at K’aay and Paxte. After taking Paxte, we would have enough war canoes and be able to cross to Topoxte, which is very close to Paxte. Taking Topoxte will be a little more difficult as the well-trained Warriors are there to protect the Nim-q’ij Family. Topoxte is crescent shaped with a bay on the west side. It would be better to go to the bay and begin our marching advance from there. War canoes are kept there.”
“Why advance from the west side, Choj?” I asked.
“West of the bay is open ha’ except for the very small island of Alaj Topoxte. Our scouts have briefed that lookouts were posted on that island, but they observed the east, looking towards Yaxha. Lookouts were also posted on the eastern tip of Topoxte and on Chio Chio, the island northeast of Topoxte. Again, their focus would be on Yaxha because of the present tension between the two cities. At night, we would be able to move from the west into Topoxte Bay without being seen, their focus being on an advance of Warriors from Yaxha. We would be coming from the opposite direction and an attack would not be expected from there. Intelligence also informed us that lookouts were not posted around the bay itself as reconnaissance was being done by the lookouts on Alaj Topoxte and Chio Chio. If, however, our canoe advance on Topoxte Island was discovered, the alarm given and the tactic of surprise lost, it would be unfortunate but not very strategically important as there are no other islands to detour to anyway. We’d fight.”
“I see why K’an II wanted you in Ox Witz Ha, Choj.”
Choj smiled. “As I said, there are others that can take my place, Bo’s as well. We’re needed here. There is something else. The highest elevation on Topoxte is on the north and northwest then it slopes to the south. Once we are on top the northern ridge, we have the advantage of fighting downward rather than upward. However, the largest buildings are concentrated in two groups, one in the center where there are three temples, the other in the north. There are also a number of open halls. The buildings in the north are on a high platform, just less than two Warriors height. The central courtyard is on a higher platform, over five Warriors height. Warriors on those buildings would be able to shoot ch’abs on us, that is, if they see us. If Kinich Ahau is in the Underworld, that would not be a problem. The central courtyard opens to the west so, as we move in, there would not be any main structures to block us. Low residential homes spread along the eastern shore and to the south. There are very few on the west, so that allows less chance of discovery. Of course, if Mahanamtz is already there and plays to form, most if not all of the citizens that have not fled to Yaxha would be dead and of no concern to us. Intelligence noted that many of the women and children have already fled and the remainder are fleeing to Yaxha in canoes.”
No concern to us. I am in a harsh and violent world. “I have not seen any citizens on this sacbeob,” I said. “Can’t they get to Yaxha using this sacbeob?”
“They are afraid to journey through the jungle. They fear Mahanamtz is already here and will attack them.” Choj shrugged his shoulders. “Papan states, in one of his earlier briefs, that a large amount of Warriors man the northern buildings on Topoxte with instructions to hold against an attack from Yaxha, at all costs. The largest concentrations of Warriors are at the principal ceremonial center in the central courtyard where the Nim-q’ij Palace is. They protect the Nim-q’ij Family from both Mahanamtz and Yaxha. The militia on the peninsulas protects Topoxte from Mahanamtz, should he attack from the west. Nabe Nacon … Fuck. There’s uncertainty as to where Mahanamtz will begin his attack for it is said that he fears water. If Yaxha attacks and Mahanamtz does not, perhaps the militia will be ordered to Topoxte Island to protect that city. That is the situation based on the intelligence received.”
“Did Papan give any indication of the number of Warriors and militia?” I asked.
“He did not,” advised Choj.
“Topoxte has much less citizens than Yaxha,” Bo informed us, “about five thousand on the three main islands and surrounding areas. The Halach Uinic 476 has ensured that as many citizens, as possible, are trained for warfare. I would estimate about 1,500 men and boys able to fight. Of those, five hundred would be trained Warriors and the other one thousand would be militia.”
“You mean we will face one thousand five hundred fighting men,” asked Teul, sounding somewhat unnerved.
Choj smiled, faintly. “The Militia is trained, but not well trained. They are boys, koolnáals, fishermen, artisans, who would rather be about their business than fighting. Many of the boys haven’t chakuj tutuchci and they will die. They would rather be fleeing with their families to Yaxha rather than face Mahanamtz or the Warriors of Yaxha. They would not be a problem in battle as they would be easy to take out. The Warriors, however, are well trained. The good thing is that we wouldn’t be fighting all of them at the same time. We eliminate them quietly as our new warfare tactics are training us to do. We will also have their war canoes to withdraw whenever we wish, should we have to. What we can’t use, we destroy. They will not be able to follow as they are surrounded by water and áayins.”
“Water! Water!” I blurted.
“Nabe Nacon?” questioned Yochi.
“Yes! It is as Choj said earlier. Mahanamtz is indeed afraid of water. How will he journey across water?” I asked.
“That, I do not know,” answered Bo. “Yet, perhaps, he may overcome his fear and journey in a canoe, use some enchantment.”
“Yes. He probably will use some enchantment to overcome his fear, and with success. It is also said that to kill him one only has to set fire to his long hair. I did that and he is still with us.”
“We have spoken about advancing on Topoxte, but we have not spoken about killing Mahanamtz,” said Huehue. He looked up. “And Kinich Ahau is already three hands up.” Everyone looked up.
“I have what may be good advice for the Sk’op Fireteams,” said Eztli. “Nimalaj Achi Xochipepe, my taat, always warned us not to shoot our ch’ab at Mahanam
tz’ body for it is protected by his thick hair. There’re probably enchantments to protect him as well. If you do, your ch’abs will just fall. You have to hit him in the face.”
“Huehue. Iztali. Chicahua. Yaotl. Make sure your fireteams know that,” I stressed. They nodded.
“Well!” added Namacuix, grinning. I pulled in a deep breath and had to smile, even if warily, as I saw a young Teul in him. “Legend,” he continued, “also says that if you strip naked and dance and jump about him, he will laugh uncontrollably until he falls down unconscious. Also, if you dance in a circle, he will try to follow you, but because his feet are on backwards, he will trip and fall. With all I have heard about Mahanamtz, however, I would not recommend stripping naked and dancing with him.” We all laughed loudly, the men beside him hitting Namacuix on his back, developing the camaraderie that he as a young Warrior needed. But the moment of relief was soon lost.
“And then there is the Kechelaj Komon and the Kechelaj Jupuq,” Huehue reminded us. “What do we do about them?”
“We have to fight them as you would any enemy Warrior,” pointed out Eztli. “Just don’t let any of the Kechelaj Jupuq get their fangs, or claws, into you. If you are being overpowered, withdraw, reassess then attack again. Both the Kechelaj Komon and Kechelaj Jupuq can be killed, just as we can be killed.” He looked at me, and I at him wondering where he had gotten that information. “This is not the first time that Mahanamtz has had a Kechelaj Jupuq. At nights, our elders spoke of those stories. It was always said that it was better to die than suffer their enchantments. Nabe Nacon was lucky that Ah-k’inob Coatl was able to cure him. We may not be so lucky.”
I raised my hand and held onto my Green Scapular. The men saw the movement, but reflected nothing on their faces.
“It is sung that the Raax Ch’ayom Puaq also carries enchantments,” advised Bas, “If that is so, they will work differently from Coatl enchantments. Are they more more forceful, more powerful than those of Mahanamtz?” Some of the men simply gazed down at the green jade medallion that hung around their necks, others held it looking at it.”
Sisimito III--Topoxte Page 49