Fugitives of Fate

by Morganfield, T. L.

  Cuauhtemoc favored him with a kind smile. "You honor the Triple Alliance by accepting my audience. We have much to discuss about the future." He gestured to Malinali. "I present my candidate for the next Cihuacoatl of Tenochtitlan, Lady Malintzin."

  Xicotencatl arched an eyebrow and scrutinized Malinali a moment before inclining his head to her. She returned the gesture, mindful to hold his gaze, as someone of her supposed political standing would. Each of the lords greeted her in turn, either with nods or a smile and a murmured greeting, but she held her breath when she finally matched gazes with Acxotecatl.

  He gave her a nod but then ignored her, as he'd always done to most women. You'd think he'd remember the woman who gave him that hideous scar on his face. She wasn't sure whether to be relieved or offended. His hair had silvered, betraying his age, and he possessed a frailty that spoke of a long-term illness. She could easily throw him down the stairs with little effort. And to think I was scared to see him again.

  She was about to turn away when he noticed her gaze and he fixed his hard stare on her, annoyance plain in his eyes. But when that gave way to recognition, a stiff smile crept to the side of his mouth.

  "Your quarters are ready for you, if you care to freshen up," Xicotencatl offered as he led the way inside the palace.

  Acxotecatl spoke up for the first time. "Allow me to show Lord Cuauhtemoc and Lady Malintzin to their quarters."

  Xicotencatl started at the request, but Cuauhtemoc thanked him for his graciousness.

  Acxotecatl led the way down the side hall and into the living quarters while two of the other Tlaxcalan lords showed the rest of the delegation down another hall in the opposite direction. "Our guest quarters suitable for royalty are in the west wing of the palace," Acxotecatl assured Cuauhtemoc when he glanced questioningly down the hall behind him.

  Little had changed in the years since Malinali had last been here. As she glanced down the side halls, memories jumped out at her from the hidden alcoves: a corner where Acxotecatl would take her—not entirely out of view of people who walked by; a hallway where she used to gather with the other slaves to listen to gossip about the lords' wives; the feast hall where Acxotecatl's wife had one of the slave girls flogged in front of all the other women, to show them what would happen if they were foolish enough to try to catch her husband's eye. Rumor had it Lord Acxotecatl's wife was barren and feared being replaced as his legitimate wife by the slaves he bedded. Malinali had clutched her belly with fear as she watched the poor girl scream with each lash, her own growing son just starting to make his presence known.

  By the time they reached the guest quarters, Malinali's strength strained under the constant assault of memories. Her steps slowed as they approached the guest wing, her breaths turning shallow and frequent. Of course he would bring me here, she thought, swallowing the bile rising in her throat.

  Acxotecatl led them down the hall to a room Malinali knew all too well. He held open the curtain, then smirked at her. "These will be your quarters, My Lady."

  Malinali froze, staring at Acxotecatl's smug face, but then strode into the room, determined not to let him see her squirm. It was the same room where she'd given birth to their son, so no one would hear her labor pains; especially not his wife, who would certainly kill both her and the baby if she knew. The same large bed of mats and furs and blankets filled most of the room, though the open back wall that stepped out onto the stone patio of the private bath yard made it seem roomier. She'd spent a lot of time out in the bath pit while in labor, at the suggestion of the midwife, but the cold water had only made the pain worse. As she looked around the room, her son's first cries of life echoed in her mind, the memory a bittersweet revelry inside her.

  Cuauhtemoc followed her, looking around with a critical eye. She maintained a veneer of calm disinterest as Tenoch checked the corners and the stone-walled bath yard, but Cuauhtemoc said, "These quarters are hardly befitting for someone who will soon become my Cihuacoatl."

  "These quarters shall do fine, thank you," Malinali said, matching Acxotecatl's smile.

  Cuauhtemoc started to argue, but when she shot him a warning glance, he backed off.

  "Now if My Lords will excuse me, I need to freshen up and unpack." She busied herself over the wicker chests the slaves set down along the wall.

  Reluctantly, Cuauhtemoc retreated after Acxotecatl, leaving Malinali alone with Xochitli and Tenoch, though the latter soon left to guard the doorway outside, giving her privacy to bathe and change clothing.

  "Was that the dog that made you miserable while you were here?" Xochitli asked.

  Malinali nodded. "I'm embarrassed to admit he actually touched me."

  "Well, you're much better off now, if you don't mind my saying so."

  Malinali smiled but said nothing.

  "Do you want me to heat water for your bath?"

  "That would be wonderful."

  While Xochitli busied herself with the fire in the bath yard, Cuauhtemoc returned from his own quarters and looked around again. "I take it he gave you this room on purpose."

  Waving him off, Malinali said, "It's nothing." She laughed under her breath. "And to think I was scared of seeing him again. That man couldn't knock over a leaf anymore."

  "Our strengths aren't always physical," Cuauhtemoc warned. "You're certain you're all right?"

  "Of course I am. It takes more than a room to rattle me."

  He caressed her cheek. "Then I shall bother you no more about it." He sealed that promise with a kiss that made her consider inviting him to share her bath, but the lords were expecting them for lunch soon in the great hall.

  ¤

  I must be extra mindful of him, Cuauhtemoc thought, growing increasingly impatient. Acxotecatl had spent most of lunch eyeing Malinali as if she were a thieving mouse, but she did a superb job of ignoring him, chatting with both Xicotencatl and his wife Izel.

  If Xicotencatl remembered her from her time in Tlaxcala, he showed no sign of it. He granted her polite interest as she spoke, a curious smile on his face as he listened. Cuauhtemoc knew that look: the Lord of Tlaxcala was assessing her, determining if she was worthy of the title Cihuacoatl. As predicted, he was no fool.

  The two remaining lords ignored Malinali, devoting their full attention to Cuauhtemoc, talking about his military victories against the Spanish with carefully muted enthusiasm. Acxotecatl showed no interest in any of the conversations and only spoke if someone addressed him directly. Cuauhtemoc made no effort to engage him; judging from the dynamics on display, Xicotencatl was the dominant lord, and while Acxotecatl might bluster, the other two would follow Xicotencatl everywhere he went.

  Afterward, the wives departed and the friendly atmosphere chilled as the scribes came into the great hall. Once everyone was settled, Xicotencatl said, "You and your delegates have traveled far to seek an audience with us to discuss important matters, Lord Cuauhtemoc, so what do you wish of us?"

  Cuauhtemoc's scribe placed a sheath of papers in his master's hands. "For two hundred years now, our kingdoms have endured a tenuous relationship of on-again-off-again hostilities. The Triple Alliance hasn't been the friendliest neighbor, and past huey tlatoanis have bought their success and power at the expense of your sovereignty. However, we are interested in changing the relationship between our peoples, for our mutual benefit."

  Acxotecatl chuckled wolfishly. "Since when is Tenochtitlan interested in what's beneficial for Tlaxcala?"

  Keeping his smile firmly in place, Cuauhtemoc said, "Times change, as do attitudes, if we’re willing to put aside the ghosts of the past and look towards the future."

  "Where exactly does Tlaxcala lie in the ambitions of the Triple Alliance?" Xicotencatl asked.

  "I see greatness for Tlaxcala; I see your state becoming an important member of the Alliance, respected by all others for its fortitude and military tradition. I see trust and respect between our people."

  Acxotecatl laughed louder. "It would take five hundred years for the people
of Tlaxcala to forget how the Mexica trod on them for so long."

  "It will take time, and patience, if all are willing to put the hard work in," Malinali said.

  The lords looked at her as if they weren’t certain who had spoken. She didn't wither before their attention though. "Cuauhtemoc can no more put aside the crimes of his father then you can put aside those of your own parents, but only a fool wouldn’t at least consider his proposal. No lord of Tlaxcala is a fool. Times have changed, as have the dangers, and the time to stand together is upon us."

  Acxotecatl stared at Malinali, appalled that she'd dared speak at all, but Xicotencatl spoke up first. "This is all very true, Lady Malintzin, and our people have suffered greatly under the threat of war from Tenochtitlan, but we will not bow as subjects."

  "We're not asking you to bow," Cuauhtemoc answered. "We're asking you to join us in peace." He handed the stack of papers to the Tlaxcalan scribe. "This document, stamped with the royal seals of Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan, outlines everything. We are prepared to change Tlaxcala's standing from 'enemy of the house' to 'friend and ally of the house'. We are also prepared to end the waging of the Flowery War, and we will lift the trade embargo preventing Tlaxcala from trading its goods and importing the things it needs, such as cotton, salt, and gold. And as a gesture of goodwill, upon acceptance of the treaty, I will release a breeding pair of horses to you. I think you'll find the beasts very useful; they can pull weight that takes ten men to budge, and they easily carry a man on their backs for long distances. Have you seen the horse I sent two days ago?"

  "A fine-looking beast," Acxotecatl replied. "It will make a fine banquet when the palace kitchens run low on meat."

  Xicotencatl looked over the documents, handing each page as he finished it to the next lord. "These are very generous offerings, Your Excellency, but I confess myself wary. What would you expect from us in return? Tribute?"

  "In exchange for this peace, the Triple Alliance asks that you provide the sum of twenty thousand troops when needed."

  Acxotecatl choked on his beverage, and his food taster rushed to his side, pounding his back, trying to help him clear his airways. Acxotecatl shoved him aside as he reclaimed his breath. "Tlaxcalan troops under the command of the Mexica huey tlatoani? Certainly you jest?"

  Malinali met Acxotecatl's hard glare. "Everyone knows Tlaxcalan troops are the most loyal soldiers and cannot be convinced to attack their own countrymen, so you needn't have fear for that. But if the Spanish come back, with more men and weapons, none of us can afford to be caught unprepared. The Spaniards crave not only gold, but land, and Tlaxcala has an abundance of that. It took years to drive them off the islands, so imagine if they make significant landfall and spread their diseases among us. We must all stand together, or all of us will fall before them."

  "These things are all true," Xicotencatl said, his grave face troubled. The other two lords whispered to each other, pointing to the pages as they read.

  Acxotecatl stared down Malinali for a moment until the first of the pages reached him; then, after a brief glance at them, he asked Cuauhtemoc, "And I see no mention of sharing your new weapons with us. You speak of peace, yet your army remains at our border. This treaty of yours has no meaning to us. Why should we trust you?"

  "Because he hasn't waged Flowery War against you during his reign, nor has he imposed more dire restrictions on trade," Malinali replied. "As for the army camp sitting at the edge of Tlaxcalan territory...it's always been there. He deserves your trust because he came in person to offer you peace; he's made all the concessions, and agrees your people have suffered unfairly in the past, and he believes Tlaxcala strong enough and wise enough to want to change things for the better."

  Acxotecatl's face darkened, but the others appeared far more impressed as they exchanged glances. "Lady Malintzin speaks very wise words, Your Majesty, and you have given us much to think about and read," Xicotencatl said. "But let us discuss this no further today."

  "We thank you for your consideration." Cuauhtemoc bowed his head.

  "And now, in the spirit of peace and cooperation, perhaps you and your lords would join us for a smoke in the garden?" To Malinali, Xicotencatl said, "You're welcome to sit with us if you wish, or perhaps you would enjoy a leisurely afternoon of weaving in the atrium with our wives, if that appeals to you?"

  "She probably smokes too, seeing how she fancies herself a man, speaking on matters she knows nothing about." Acxotecatl wobbled to his feet with the help of his body servant. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I will meet you soon in the garden. My bladder isn't nearly as young as the rest of you." He then left.

  Xicotencatl closed his eyes as if warding off a headache. "Please forgive my co-ruler's rude behavior, My Lady. He can be abrasive."

  A smile tugged at Malinali's mouth. "Change can be painful, so I gladly forgive him. And I look forward to getting to know all of your wives better."

  "My scribe shall show you the way."

  Cuauhtemoc gave Malinali a nod before she left with her guard and handmaiden, following after the scribe. She'd done wonderfully, practically taking his breath away. He wanted her more than ever, but when one of his body servants stepped up to present his pipe, he reminded himself that it would have to wait. There was still much to do today, friendships to broker, alliances to begin cementing with important things such as small talk and sharing feasts.

  As he followed Xicotencatl out into the garden, he said, "Thank you for your kindness to Lady Malintzin. I'm glad to see that you're a man who judges one not on the body the gods gave them, but rather on the strength of their mind. She helped me a great deal with formulating this treaty. In many ways, I consider my having found her to be a gift from the gods."

  "She's very unusual, very intelligent and wise. I believe you made a skillful choice for your next Cihuacoatl."

  When they reached the garden and sat down to smoke, Cuauhtemoc noticed Acxotecatl still wasn't there. When the old man still didn't arrive a few moments later, he thought to go find Malinali, to be certain she was all right, but that would only invite questions. Her guard is with her, he reminded himself as he sat down with the other lords. He watched the doorway intently though, counting the breaths until Acxotecatl returned, and hoping Malinali had made it safely to the atrium.

  ¤

  As Malinali followed the scribe down the hallway towards the atrium, Acxotecatl suddenly stepped out of one of the side passages and imposed himself directly in front of her.

  Tenoch immediately moved to intercept him, but when Acxotecatl's own guards moved forward, Malinali set her hand on Tenoch's shoulder to still him. He kept his spear at the ready though.

  "To what do I owe the pleasure, Lord Acxotecatl?" Thankfully her voice held.

  Acxotecatl grinned. "I never thought I'd see you again."

  "Alive, you mean? You gave me over to a priest with a gambling problem. But I'm pleased to see that our last meeting left a lasting impression on you." Her smile broadened as she traced her gaze along the scar on his face.

  He chuckled. "Still a whore, I see. I suppose being a lover of a lord of Tlaxcala wasn't ambitious enough for you, so now you wormed your way into the bed of the huey tlatoani of the Mexica. Don't think for a moment that I buy this whole Cihuacoatl nonsense. Tell me, my dear, does he mount you in front of half the city, as I used to? I know you loved it so."

  Tenoch stiffened at the insult, but Malinali squeezed his shoulder to calm him. "I don't have time for your jealousy, Acxotecatl, so please excuse me." She tried to step around the old man.

  But he cut her off again. "Did you tell him about us? About our son?"

  Malinali froze. My son is still alive? Joy and anxiety crashed over her, and for a breath she thought she might faint. For so long she'd feared that Acxotecatl's wife had killed her boy, but maybe she hadn't. Now she desperately wanted to see him, to see how tall he was, and if he resembled her at all, to see if by some miracle he still knew her despite having not seen her in si
x years.

  She wouldn't let Acxotecatl see any of this though. She would appear completely indifferent to him. She swallowed the excitement and raised her chin. "I've told Cuauhtemoc everything."

  Acxotecatl stepped closer, his guards at his sides. "Just how many times did you pleasure him with that skillful mouth of yours before he granted you that meaningless noble title?"

  Acxotecatl had always been a master of shame tactics, but in truth, the only thing that embarrassed her was the fact that she had allowed this dirty dog of a man to ever touch her. Two can play shame games. "You always said I was better at it than your wife."

  "You never did know how to hold your pretty little tongue as a proper woman should," he growled. "Dressing yourself as a noblewoman doesn't change the fact that you're no better than a camp whore." He stood straighter, smiling again. "I have a surprise for you at tonight's feast, and I'm very much looking forward to it." He then turned and disappeared down the side hall, his guards trotting after him.

  Once he was gone, her admirable calm crumbled, replaced with nauseated dizziness. I'm going to collapse. But Xochitli caught one elbow and Tenoch the other, holding her steady. Seeing her friend's concerned face, Malinali said, "I'm all right."

  "I will inform the revered speaker about the lord's threat," Tenoch said.

  "No!" Malinali pulled away from him. "It's nothing, really."

  "He threatened you, My Lady."

  "He's always talked big; it's nothing but bluster. He isn't worth creating an incident over."

  "But—"

  "I order you not to bring this up to Cuauhtemoc."

  Tenoch frowned. "Very well, My Lady." He sighed but nodded. "Let us continue on our way then."

  Malinali had been excited about meeting the other women, but now the thought that Acxotecatl's wife, Lady Ichtaca, would be with them made her shudder. Would she remember her? His wife had watched her closely the last few months of her pregnancy—no doubt suspicious of yet another pregnant slave in her husband's household—but they never spoke to each other. What if she's keeping my son as a slave, out of revenge? Her anger surged. That's exactly the kind of thing that woman would do. At that moment, she resolved to find out exactly what had become of her son, and she wouldn't leave Tlaxcala until he was safe.