Aztec Eternals

Shuttle nodded and followed the messenger.

The high priest is extraordinarily grand today, wearing a full set of equipment. Ruby Crown, Sun Cloak, Gold and Silver Sun and Moon Robe, Golden Feather Bracers, Wolf Feather Shoes. There is an extra artifact in his hand: the scepter with hanging feathers in the mural of the sun god, the head of the scepter is bent downwards, and at the end is a golden snake head.

His steps were slow and firm, he walked through the aisles separated by the "broken-hair warriors", and came to the dazzling and frightening "skeleton warrior".

Seeing this scene, Xiulot was inexplicably familiar, and remembered some games he was keen on before. He turned his head and looked around, but saw that no matter priests, nobles, or warriors, everyone held their breaths and lowered their eyes, not daring to disturb, and not daring to look directly at this sacred scene.

"Skeleton Warrior" Tisok stood up from his shoulders, condescending, and looked extraordinarily tall. He also spread out the same style of sun cloak behind him, then picked up the scepter of the sun god at his waist, and touched the scepter in the hand of the high priest, which represented the communication of the gods.

The two suns performed a set of silent and complicated rituals, like a pantomime. Then, under the awe-inspiring eyes of everyone, human communication was restored.

"The theocratic politics in the city-state era is a bit like the pharaohs in ancient times. Relying on the rule of myths, once the myths are broken, people's hearts will be at a loss." Xiulot thought.

The human communication between the king and the high priest was short-lived. The two just looked serious, said a few words, and nodded to each other.

Soon, Xiutel waved his hand, and then Xiusoke stepped forward, bowed his head and knelt down on one knee, letting the king grab his hair. Xiulot had seen this scene on the mural, and guessed that it should be a meaning of swearing to give his life. Then the young man took a peek at the king. Between the gaps in the bone helmet, the tattooed face was intertwined. He couldn't see the specific face clearly, but he felt that he was about forty or fifty years old.

When it was Xiulot's turn, the ceremony was relatively simple. The king just glanced at the boy, then nodded slightly. With a wave of his hand he bestowed upon him an exquisite obsidian dagger set with ornate turquoise. Just in time, the boy slipped the dagger into his pocket. His previous one had already been given away among captives.

After meeting his relatives, the king summoned some great nobles and priests in turn, and performed some procedural etiquette. Then the high priest invited the king to enter the ancient city and enjoy a dinner together.

The dinner was the most sumptuous meal for Shulot since he was a child. The first is corn, pumpkin, and kidney beans in heavy pottery, representing the three most important staple foods bestowed by the gods on earth. But this is a bit of etiquette, and no one eats on this occasion.

Then came a bowl of blood-red cocoa drink infused with chilli, honey, allspice, and made the color of blood. This is the drink of soldiers and nobles, and everyone must drink it with a serious and solemn expression.

Shulot's face completely changed color after drinking it, it tasted bitter, spicy, sweet and cocoa.

The next food is much more normal, boiled tomato, boiled turkey, boiled venison, boiled cactus, boiled papaya, boiled avocado, and tequila with insects or peppers, you can choose freely according to your preferences.

Shulot stopped after eating a little, and so did everyone else. The tableware in his hand is a small obsidian dagger with a shallow dent in the middle, which can be used for cutting meat or as a spoon and fork, just be careful not to scratch your mouth. In such a formal occasion, the wooden spoon that Shulott likes every day is not easy to hold on the table.

After drinking a few times, the High Priest Shuttle waved his hand and signaled His Highness to perform a dance.

The first one is naturally the sacrificial dance. Tobacco leaves and spices were lit on the brazier, and the miraculous aroma wafted in the hall, making people feel in a trance, as if stepping into the kingdom of God. Then a group of priests wearing feathers, crowns and ornaments stepped forward, dancing or performing, singing old and simple songs:

"My heart is a flower,

It blooms suddenly,

Is the king of the night,

Oh oh oh oh oh oh.

"

"The goddess returns from afar,

our mother earth,

Give me all things,

Oh oh oh oh oh oh.

"

"I am the corn god, born in heaven,

Where flowers bloom.

The only flower of that day,

Yantara, Yantara, yah yah yah.

"

"I am the God of Corn, born in the land of rain and mist,

The embrace of human childhood.

Home of the mountain god,

Yantara, Yantara, yah yah yah.

"

"Dawn comes and there is a brilliant sunrise.

I use colorful spoons,

Drinking honey from the standing flowers,

Yantara, Yantara, yah yah yah.

"

"Above the earth,

Walk in the bustling market.

I, Quetzalcoatl, the Feathered Serpent,

is the master of the world,

Yantara, Yantara, yah yah yah.

"

The priest's singing is long and deep, and the rings are jingling, a kind of charm of vicissitudes is gone with the wind. King Tisok was completely fascinated by it, and nodded his head lightly to the beat. After the song ended, it took a long time to recover: "High Priest, what kind of divine song is this? I've never heard it before."

"My lord, this is the song of the Feathered Serpent God." Shuttle nodded with a smile, "Over the years, the priests have studied the murals of the ancient city's ancestors, and there are many myths that are different from ours. This song is about the Feathered Serpent God was ruler of the world."

Tisok nodded: "When the banquet is over, please ask the high priest to tell me the myths of the ancestors. We will always return to the kingdom of God."

Next is the song of the nobility. Some aristocratic girls wore gorgeous cloaks and passionate unlined garments, swayed gemstone bracelets, and sang joyful noble songs:

"I like the colors of the world,

Brilliant flowers and feathers.

In the season that makes your heart beat,

Light up the intoxicating smoke.

"

"Dance with us,

Let your bitterness escape,

adorn yourself with them,

That beautiful golden cocoa flower.

"

"And kiss under the flowers,

share your fun with me,

Sing beautifully here.

The song of birds and parrots,

Echoed by the tinkling springs.

"

"You are like a cup of cocoa,

Having it makes my heart happy,

my heart is flying,

My heart is flying.

"

The girl's singing is sweet and cheerful, like a lark in the sky. The cloak swirls, revealing a graceful figure with a touch of charm and temptation. The passionate dance was finally over, and the unlined clothes were soaked with sweat. The girls panted slightly, looking forward to the king on the stage with moist eyes.

Maybe it was because he understood the blazing hidden in the singing, or maybe it was because he smelled the fragrance of the girls close at hand, Shulot felt a rush of blood rushing to his brain, and his face turned red after a while.

The others in front of the hall remained calm. Obviously, this kind of singing and dancing was just a small scene for the nobles present.

Tisok stroked his hands and praised, "The singing and dancing are good. Although it is not as grand as the capital city, it does not have a pure feeling."

Shutel nodded and smiled slightly: "Did your Majesty have any intention of singing and dancing here?"

Tisok considered for a moment, then shook his head. His face didn't change: "During the march, don't be in a hurry for the joy of singing."

The high priest waved his hand, making all the beautiful girls back down.

And finally the dance of the warriors. The best warriors of the city-state came into the hall, led by Orosh, adorned with bright flowers, holding ancient shields and wooden sticks without obsidian pieces. When the shields and sticks clashed, they sang the song of warriors and flowers:

"A soldier's life is like a flower passing by,

All glory will be gone,

All glory returns to dust.

Is there a brightest moment?

"

"Let the flowers die in bloom,

Leave an unforgettable song!

Give my heart to the earth,

This world is nothing but a rush~

"

The dance of the samurai begins with a soothing calm, then a clanging clang, and finally everything returns to awe-inspiring calm. Afterwards, Olosh, the leader, walked up to the front of the hall, knelt down on one knee, and presented a bouquet of flowers to Tisok.

Tisok just nodded slightly, kept his distance from God, and didn't say anything.

Shuttle waved his hand and told the warriors to retreat. He then asked, "How does Your Majesty feel?"

"Fair." Tisok said simply, obviously not very interested in the warriors.

"High Priest, since the singing and dancing are over." Tissok turned sideways slightly, with some expectation in his tone, "Tell me about the myths of the ancestors in detail. After this expedition is over, I can go to the temple's Sun Stone Beside the sacrificial plate, carve a new sacrificial plate from myths and battles.”

"Willing to work for you."

The long dinner finally came to an end, and the king bid farewell to the spirited king. The crowd dispersed, and the grandparents and grandchildren were finally able to get together.

Looking around, Xiu Suoke asked softly: "Father, you specially arranged singing and dancing, do you see how the new king is?"

"Excellent descendants of the gods, qualified nobles, and lacking commanders." Shuter thought for a moment, the old wrinkles did not affect the sharp look in his eyes, "I'm afraid it will be difficult to win this time, but it will only be a small defeat! "

Only then did Xiulot seem to understand something, this was a temptation. In this kind of Warring States where wars are frequent and there are many states, everyone has their own opinions and judgments.

"In today's world, not only the ruler chooses his ministers, but also the ministers choose the ruler!" The young man couldn't help but applaud softly. He looked at the face of his grandfather who had gone through vicissitudes of life, and he was completely convinced!

The songs in this chapter come from the Aztec culture website in Mexico. They are translated from Spanish to English, and then translated and rewritten by the author.