“This is not a one-sided affair, my Lady. He loves her too.”
“He does? I was not aware of it.”
“I have not only seen it in him, but have heard others speak of it. Those eyes you say glare so contemptuously at Lord Tizoc gaze quite differently upon Pelaxilla. They shine like stars when they behold her. He is often at a loss of words when with her, and has been clumsy in his attempts to humor her. Surely these are symptoms of Xochiquetzal’s affliction. From what I make of it, I would say that he loves Pelaxilla more than she loves him.”
“He’s contemptible!—going after someone so young. But then, she is an adorable child, so lovely and charming, and of such cheerful disposition. I think I may have frightened her today.”
“Even if you did, it matters little. A loving glance from you will mend things for her again.”
“Yes, it is amazing what a position of authority can do. I shall put that to work for me next time we see our little flower. You’re convinced that Ahuitzotl loves her?”
“I’m certain of it.”
“Then we shall make use of his enrapture. Pelaxilla will find out for us what he is thinking. A man in love would give his sweetheart any answer she desired, especially if pressed.”
“Possibly, but isn’t this kind of unseemly?”
“Unseemly?” Tlalalca hesitated as she gave it some weight. “I suppose so. But we do have an important purpose behind this—perhaps nothing less than the safety of our Revered Speaker. I assume we are together in this and that I can count on your cooperation.”
“Yes, my Lady,” she consented.
“Good. Then I expect we shall soon discover whether my fears are warranted.”
By this time, Xoyo had finished preening Tlalalca who expressed a desire for her usual late afternoon nap. The old woman gently assisted her into the multi-layered mats making up the bed and covered her with a single thin cotton sheet that sufficed as a blanket in the day’s comfortable temperature. Then she quietly slipped away leaving Tlalalca in reposed slumber.
IV
In a magnificent profusion of color, nobles from throughout the realm, accompanied by their ministers, ambassadors, counselors, and commanders, stood resplendently arrayed in their finest attire and adorned with rich jewelry that shimmered at every movement as they met in the reception hall of the royal palace. They constituted a wondrous spectacle, and as was the fashion, their dress and adornment represented their social rankings in the cities and provinces from where they came.
On a raised platform at the end of the hall sat Tizoc in his Eagle and Jaguar Throne. He wore a turquoise blue cape distinguishing him as the Revered Speaker, monarch of the nation, and representing the color of Huitzilopochtli. His jewelry included earplugs of gold and jade and an emerald nose insertion worn by all kings as a sign of their direct linkage to the gods. His headdress was made from feathers of the quetzal bird and from his neck hung an emerald medallion. He was an imposing figure, and anyone present would have readily sorted him out as the leading personage in the assembly. He alone was seated.
Below the platform on Tizoc’s right stood Cihuacoatl, wearing a jaguar skin tilmantli and holding a long staff, the symbols of his office. Beside him were the leading officials of Tenochtitlan, including two of its chief priests. To the left was Ahuitzotl, austere in his lack of ornamentation, who represented the city’s army. He was accompanied by Tlohtzin, his battle-hardened vice-commander. Also gathered was the delegation from Texcoco, headed by its famed king, Nezahualpilli, and that of Tlacopan, led by its own ruler, Chimalpopoca. These were the cities which, along with Tenochtitlan, made up the Triple Alliance that dominated the empire. In addition, the remaining major cities of Anahuac—Azcapotzalco, Chalco, Coyoacan, Culhuacan, Ixtapalapa, Otombo, Tecpatepec, Tenayuca, and Tepeyac—had delegates in attendance. In all, the assembly represented the leading administrative and political centers which comprised the realm.
Tizoc motioned his hand to signal Cihuacoatl into commencing with the proceedings. After obtaining silence from the gathering by tapping his staff repeatedly on the floor, the minister called on a priest to recite the usual opening incantations, its purpose aimed at securing the necessary approval of the gods, for no action contemplated by men could proceed without their consent. This completed, the floor was ready to hear Tizoc’s words.
“We are met here to bring to a conclusion certain problems that remain unsolved for us,” he spoke out. “First, and most crucial, is the matter of Toluca. We have Tecolotl, the ambassador of Toluca, with us so that he might know what is decided here today. As you know, the Tolucans have taken it upon themselves to challenge our dominion over them and are refusing to consign further tributes to us. These are actions which we, if we are to retain any kind of credibility as a power, to say nothing of our standing with the gods, cannot ignore. Not only is this an affront to our authority, but it also extends a dangerous precedence to be emulated by our other subjugated states. That the Tolucans must be punished for their insolence is certain. The question is to what degree. Let us consider what responses should be directed against them. Clearly we can move our armies on them—that would be the easiest—but is this the wisest course to pursue?”
Answering first was Ahuitzotl. “There should be no doubt about what we will do. Toluca has presented us with what, by any account, must be seen as a serious threat—an insidious erosive influence which, while not that significant for one city, can rapidly accelerate into a viable large-scale insurrection. We are only as strong as the hold we keep over our individual states. I see this rebellion as nothing less than a well-calculated assault directed at our very foundations, and it is imperative for us to make the message clear that we will not stand idly by and watch subversive maneuvers disintegrate the bonds which hold the realm together. I say the punishment against the Tolucans must be severe.”
The nods and mumblings from the floor indicated that there was a general agreement to this.
“So what is your proposal?” asked Tizoc.
“To destroy them utterly. Devastate their city, destroy its army, and enslave its inhabitants, so that all who see and hear of this will have a permanent imprint of our fury lest they likewise contemplate to rise against us.”
Ahuitzotl, smirking with satisfaction, glanced toward Tecolotl and saw that the red-faced ambassador was visibly shaken.
Next to speak was Nezahualpilli. “Let Lord Ahuitzotl be reminded that one cannot collect tributes from the dead. We do not dispute that Toluca poses a threat to our dominance, but it must be recognized that the payment of tribute also supports our institutions and is equally important to us. Toluca has supplied us abundantly with these in the past. I agree Toluca must be made an example, but even in making examples, we can temper our vengeance with some common sense. Do not forget that the Tolucans have previously served us well as allies and, while their present conduct requires our castigation, this should mitigate against their outright slaughter. So let us do what is necessary, but no more. Let the Tolucans feel our punishment, but let it be inflicted upon them by an alternative that will be difficult, yet tolerable, for them to accept.”
Again murmerings suggested that many supported Nezahualpilli’s position. The Texcocan’s reputation was well demonstrated. Tizoc was favorably impressed; Ahuitzotl questioned his own course of action; Tecolotl breathed a little easier.
“What might that alternative be?” Tizoc inquired.
“We should demand that their ruler, and the nobles who stood behind his cause, surrender themselves into captivity to us, upon the choice of seeing their city taken. For them to submit to this would be a greater demonstration of our power than any army in the field.”
“And if they refuse? Would we then destroy them?”
“We