I exhale deeply, my eyes still on Xico. I walked over to him, his eyes remaining on Izel and his detail as they marched away. “I didn’t know you could be so convincing,” I said, with a flattering tone. He shrugged his shoulders. “Do you think they will leave?’
“It doesn’t matter,” said Xico. “We prepare for war.”
“Xico.”
“Yes, Fuck.”
“Why the fok did you have to do that. I almost shit myself.”
He looked at me, puzzled. “What?”
“That you were willing to give up Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’ and me.”
He bent over howling with laughter, Ehecatl joining in.” It was K’an II’s idea. Of course, we all supported it … thought it was time to bring you down to size a little.”
“Fok all of you,” I uttered, which only brought more laughter.
Our attention was taken to Papan who was, once again, sprinting towards us. I hadn’t seen him leave, but then he was the Nim-q’ij Scout, as he had calmly reminded me several times. He came up to me. “Teyacapan is entering the city.” I immediately tensed. “Ah-k’inob Coatl demands that you, Nabe Nacon, stay away until Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’ is settled in her room and the priests have everything assembled. She is to be bathed and dressed. He will send someone to get you as soon as they have finished.”
I nodded, not really knowing how I felt at that moment. I dreaded seeing her in the state she was. I could handle the carnage and stink of war, blood and sweat, but the illness Molly had terrified me.
“I need to report to K’an II. Ka xi’ik te’ex hatz’utzil,” said Xico and he and Ehecatl started climbing the steps of the Caana.
“Come Chiac. Let’s get some iztāc-octli,” suggested Yochi. “When we’re done, I will go back to our Q’eq Warriors of the Raax Ch’ayom Puag. You stay here.” He smiled. “I suppose that will be our name. I like it.”
“Patli.” There was no response. Fok! He’s not here. I’ve gotten so used to him.
“What?” asked Yochi. “You need something?”
“Mix-ba’al,” I answered, very distraught. I wanted to send Patli to be with the priests so he could inform me as soon as they were ready. If they took too long, I would just go there, I decided. Yet, I dreaded what I would find.
“Chiac! Chiac! Tell me!” I looked to Yochi. I had drifted. “Tell me what eats away at your uxlabal?535 I’m your friend,” he continued.
I smiled. “I’m afraid for what I’ll find, Yochi. I’m not only afraid, I’m terrified.” I grinned, darkly. “I know, Yochi. That is not the Way of the Warrior.”
“This battle you fight is not the battle of a Warrior. It is the battle of a man, a husband. It’s a battle on the second branch of the tree of the Warrior.” He looked at me. “But as any battle, you must face it with the strength of the Warrior, or you will fail. You must go to her when you are called. I will go to our Warriors. I am your Ukab and I will take command. I will do nothing until I hear from you, or until there is an attack.” We walked down to the Barracks and, all of a sudden, I just wanted to get fokin drunk.
Yochi and I drank for about four k’abs after which Patli finally came. I sent him to the priests and they informed him that they were ready for me, that a messenger had been sent, but I couldn’t be found. Yochi gave me a tight hug around the shoulders and he was off along the Northwest Sacbeob. I stepped from under the thatch roof of the shed and Kinich Ahau immediately exploded my head. I was fokin drunk. I kept my body upright, and with Patli beside me, walked to the Caana and up to the third tier. A guard pointed us to a room in the northeast quadrangle, not far from the temple where Lady Batz’ Ek’ resided. I walked in to the heavy smell of incense and k’uutz, soft rhythms of the la’j-tun played by La’j-tun, an ethereal melody from the ch’aw-baq blown by Ch’aw-baq, and continuous mellow chanting by the priests. Molly was lying on a mat, on her back, staring at the ceiling. Slowly, she turned her head and looked at me.
I sent off Patli, telling him I wouldn’t need him for the rest of the night. Initially, I stood against a wall, looking at Molly as she stared at me, through me, as it didn’t seem that her eyes were focused on me. I was there, but I wasn’t there. But she was calm, not like she was before. I felt dizzy. It could have been from the incense of the sacred Pop and the smoke from the k’uutz they were burning. It could have been because of all the iztāc-octli I had drunk. It could have been because of the continuous monotonous chanting of the priests. It could have been that I was simply exhausted. I slid down to the floor, put my hands under my head, and fell asleep. But I did not sleep long for I was in a place I had been before. I was sitting on a rock, near a beautiful cascading stream, surrounded by beautiful jungle, my feet in the water. There was a pale blue mist between the trees and over parts of the stream. Kaán also carried the same pale blue color and I felt a great peace settle over me. I looked back at the stream. Gold reflections were everywhere as the water rose and fell. Sitting on the boulder beside me, looking at me, was the young, virile, male, q’eq Ix Balanque I had named Noh-il.
“Ix Balanque! Noh-il! My friend! You are with me again.”
“Yes, I am.”
“I don’t feel alone when I’m with you, Noh-il. Recently, I’ve felt very alone.” I put my arm across his shoulders.
“You have many friends, T’oit’ik-jolom. You should not feel alone.”
I sighed. “Thank you for your help at Topoxte. We would not have been victorious without it.”
“I helped you, Chiac, because I would no longer suffer the way Mahanamtz used the animals of the jungle on U Wach Ulew. When you called, I came.”
“Was that your only reason, Noh-il?”
“Some questions are better left unanswered, Chiac. I helped. You were victorious.”
“I did not kill Mahanamtz. I did not see him dead.”
“You rescued Xch’úup Xmá K’aaba’.”
“I’m not sure who or what I rescued. Why have you come, Noh-il?”
“You are in trouble, once again, my friend. You are near to losing your woman.”
“Are you here to help me?”
Noh-il turned his dark eyes and looked at me. “No, Chiac. I will not help you anymore.”
“Why is that, Noh-il. We are both T’oit’ik-joloms. If we don’t battle each other as Warriors, we help each other for then we are achalals.”
Noh-il made a deep chesty cough. “The battle you bring to U Wach Ulew is like no battle our people have fought before. It weakens Yaxché itself. You are destroying U Wach Ulew without weapons, Chiac. You are shattering Yaxché with only a ch’ayom-puag, the Raax Ch’ayom Puag. Perhaps, it is I who now ask for your help. I invoke you. Stop the Raax Ch’ayom Puag before it is too late … too late for us.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
COSZCATL
K’iin 37 - The Uinal of Mol
Tuesday, June 5, 1973
Pale light was filtering into the room when I heard Patli calling to me. “Nabe Nacon. Nabe Nacon.”
I jumped up wondering if the city was under attack and felt my head swing. “Fok!” I said, holding my head. “What the fok’s happening, Patli?”
“Kaloonte’ Coaxoch and the Warriors of Ox Te’ Tuun advance from the Northwest and Kaloonte’ Izel marches to the southwest. Nim-q’ij Nabe Kaloonte’ has gone to meet and welcome the Warriors of Ox Te’ Tuun and Nim-q’ij Ukab Kaloonte’ is observing Izel’s retreat. Papan has gone to get the Q’eq Warriors of the Raax Ch’ayom Puag. Instead of war there will be great festivities tonight. The Ajawinel is very pleased.”
I looked over to Molly. She was resting peacefully. Only one priest was awake, chanting, the others sleeping in a circle around Molly. La’j-tun and Ch’aw-baq were not there. The children, no longer the Holy Children of the Ch’ajch’oj Jul, must have been brought in during the night as they were asleep in a line against the back wall, in a kneeling position their heads almost touching their knees. They were covere
d in oils and herbs, wore no garments, and each had a burning pot in front of him from which a single plume of incense rose. Coatl sat, his back against the wall. I didn’t know if he were asleep or awake. The smell of the Sacred Pom was thick in the room, obliterating all other smells. I did not smell the sweet breath of k’uutz.
“They worked all night,” said Patli.
“You remained here all night. I told you I didn’t need you.”
Patli smiled. “I came to see if you needed anything. You were asleep, but you were not asleep. You were travelling through unknown and difficult places.”
I furrowed my forehead. “I was drunk and I went to sleep, Patli. I can’t remember anything else. I can’t remember any dreams, any travels.” But I remembered.
“You spoke with Ix Balanque. You called him Noh-il. It was not a dream. It was only after he left that you slept. It was only after he left that Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’ finally slept.”
Patli held his Raax Ch’ayom Puag and looked at it. “Even the gods fear the Raax Ch’ayom Puag. Let’s hope it is powerful enough to save Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’.”
I stood up. “I need to piss, Patli Where can I go?” Already U Wach Ulew was throwing out its plots at me. I had a fokin goama and it was just too fokin early to face the world.
“Come with me.” He led me past two posted Nim-q’ij Guards and to a small room, two doors down, where there was a large jar with the usual piece of broken pottery on top. “Do you also need hemp?”
“No. Just need to piss,” I answered.
“Do you want some food?’
“Yes. I’m fokin hungry.”
“I’ll have the servants bring you something.”
“No! I prefer to eat in the wo’qibal at the Barracks.”
“You need to return to Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’.”
“I will.”
“Now!”
I frowned. “Why is that?”
“Lady Batz’ Ek’ commands it,” he answered, as he moved away.
“Since when can Lady Batz’ Ek’ fokin command me. I am T’oit’ik-jolom,”’ I shouted at Patli. I pulled down my loincloth angrily over Tóolok and stormed through the doorway, almost knocking over the Lady. “Lady Batz’ Ek’,” I said, and nodded deeply, absolutely chastised by the look she gave me.
“I am on my way to see Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’. Come with me.” I just fokin followed.
The thick smell of incense and herbs was heavier than when I had left. Everyone was awake, including Molly. She was sitting, her legs crossed beneath her. Coatl knelt beside her chanting. All the other priests were kneeling, but saying nothing. The children were standing against the back wall, swinging their burners, Teyacapan to one side. As we entered, Coatl rose and walked towards us. Immediately, one of the priests took over the chanting. Molly remained motionless, her head not moving.
“How is Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’, Ah-k’inob?” asked Lady Batz’ Ek’.
“She has improved, My Lady.”
“How?”
Coatl frowned. “She is no longer violent. She has taken food and drink.”
“You had said that she no longer accepted the Raax Ch’ayom Puag. Does she accept it now?”
“When the Warrior Fuck tried at Topoxte, she responded violently. I did not think it wise to try again. It may be better for us to wait.”
Lady Batz’ Ek’ reached into a pouch she carried around her waist and took out a Raax Ch’ayom Puag. Hesitancy immediately showed on Coatl’s face. She stretched it out to Coatl. The priests gasped audibly. “Take it,” she said. I saw Coatl’s hand shaking as he reached for it. I don’t know if he expected his hand to burst into flames, but when he held it and nothing happened, there was relief on his face. The other priests sighed, loudly. “As soon as she can wear it, let me know.”
Coatl nodded. “We work continuously on the k’aas, the enchantments, My Lady. Soon, we will remove them. Already, they are weakening.”
Lady Batz’ Ek’ turned from Coatl and looked towards Molly. I had been so focused on their conversation that I had not seen Molly turn her head and stare at the Raax Ch’ayom Puag. She had her body pulled together, as if in fear, her eyes glassy, her pupils dilated. I couldn’t stand looking at her. Then she looked at me, turned her head askance and gave a sickening smile.
“I need to leave, My Lady. Now!”
The Nim-q’ij Guards had turned and were blocking the door. Lady Batz’ Ek’ stared to me. “And what are you running from, Ke’kchi? A T’oit’ik-jolom? Running?”
“I just need to fokin go. I can’t take seeing her like this. I have to go!”
“And where do you want to fokin go, Ke’kchi?”
My mouth actually dropped open, momentarily, at Lady Batz’ Ek’’s cussing, but I quickly returned to the issue at hand. “Yes, Lady Batz’ Ek’. I am T’oit’ik-jolom and I am going to the Barracks. I am a Warrior. I need to continue my training. I need to know that my Warriors are training. The Q’eq Warriors of the Raax Ch’ayom Puag need to train continuously for whatever is to come.”
“I have heard of your Q’eq Warriors, Ke’kchi. Can’t your Ukab Nacon do the training for what is to come?” And what is it that is coming, Ke’kchi?” I did not answer, my anger and frustration building. “You may go, but when the Ah-k’inob sends for you, you must come. As Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’ comes out of Mahanamtz’ enchantment, she will need to see you here.”
“I will not desert her, My Lady. It’s been difficult.”
“And it will be more difficult, Ke’kchi. Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’ may never be the same again. Yet, you must look after her … you will look after her. She is your woman.”
“I will, My Lady. Yes! She is my woman. She belongs to me and I belong to her.”
Lady Batz” Ek’ stared at me and for a moment I saw concern, almost pity in her eyes. “She also belongs to Ix Na Li Kawa.” I looked directly at her, wondering how and why Molly’s stories of Tepeyac Hill and the Green Scapular had spread so quickly and had so firmly implanted themselves into the beliefs at Ox Witz Ha. I was only one year ago that Molly had told K’an II the story. “There is something, Ke’kchi, that you must know. When the enchantments have been removed and you take Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’ to your mat, do not expect that she will bear you a paal, or a mial. She will bear you no children.” With that, the Lady Batz’ Ek’ turned and walked away, leaving me dumfounded and shaking.
I sped from the room, down the Caana steps, running like crazy past the ballcourt, and the altar in a religious and residential complex where captives used to be sacrificed. I ran through the courtyard that was surrounded by elite residencies, two religious buildings, a funerary, palaces, smaller structures, an elaborate tomb, more buildings, stelae, the cho, and into the Barracks. I ran through all those places, but was aware of none of them. I didn’t see them. I threw myself on a stool under a shed and bellowed. The Training Courtyard was filled with Warriors, including my Warriors. They stopped their drills and looked towards me. Then came another bellow, this time from Yochi, and they quickly resumed their training. Patli was beside me.
“Get me my maquahuitl,” I ordered and it was not long before he returned. I pulled off my loincloth and stepped into the sun, making my way towards my Q’eq Warriors, shouting aloud, not caring what I said. “Today I will train. I will sweat. I will battle with my Q’eq Warriors to exhaustion. Today, I will defy the naked Warriors of West Africa, Robertson told me about. Today I will defy the naked Warriors of the Celtic people. I will defeat Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’‘s Prince Tristan. And I will do all these things,” I screamed, “for I am Ke’kchi … I am a soldier … and I am the Great Maya Warrior called Fuck. Now, take off everything you wear. Keep only your weapons.”
And I did all those things. 1 worked my Warriors, I worked myself with a fury they nor I had ever seen, that I had ever endured. Other Warriors began joining us and soon the entire parade ground
was inundated and alive with naked sweating Warriors. I did not stop for food or drink until Kinich Ahau had sunk behind the mountains to the west and torches were lighting Ox Witz Ha for the victory celebrations and to give thanks to the Warriors of Ox Te’ Tuun for their support. Then and only then did I begin walking back to the shed, but I stopped. I stopped to the sound of hundreds of Warriors hitting their chests. I looked around and the entire courtyard was lined with rows and rows of Warriors and militia. There were Q’eq Warriors of the Raax Ch’ayom Puag, Warriors of Ox Witz Ha, Militia of Ox Witz Ha, Warriors of Ox Te’ Tuun, all hitting their chests then they began to chant, Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Ke’kchi! Ke’kchi! Ke’kchi! and I was thrown back to the ballgame of pitz, the brilliant colors of the parasols, the headdresses, the jewels, the tension, the fear of death, the Köj Team and their lack of fear, the overhead volleys, the spectacular handless somersault I did as I sent the ball through the red ring making my first goal, the sound of the crowds Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Ke’kchi! Ke’kchi! Ke’kchi! Choj hammering into me, Think only of winning the game, Choj using his ankle to send the ball through the ring then seeing him fall to the ground with his ankle broken. I hit my chest three times in acknowledgement. The entire courtyard responded with Uwa-Uwa-Roarrr! Uwa-Uwa-Roarrr! Uwa-Uwa-Roarrr! Uwa-Uwa-Roarrr! My Warriors had taught all of them our war cry. I turned and continued walking to the shed where I threw myself down and sat leaning against one of the poles, sinking my face in my hands, trying to hide my tears.
Sisimito III--Topoxte Page 67