The Highlander by Saadia Zoe

Author:Saadia, Zoe [Saadia, Zoe]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2012-09-16T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

“What is the world coming to?”

The Emperor shook his head, reaching for a goblet that the servants rushed to fill with more octli. Sipping the spicy beverage, the heavyset man leaned back, comfortable upon his high, cushioned chair. “Despicable lowly murderers in the heart of my Palace. Difficult to comprehend!” The impenetrable gaze rested upon his guest calmly.

“Oh, yes. I won’t deny it. Even my warriors were surprised.” The Aztec reached for his plate, his appetite obviously not corrupted by the night’s events that made the Palace agog with rumors.

Coyotl watched both men, fascinated, marveling at his father’s calmness and the Aztec’s ominous tranquility. The foreigner - Aztec or Tepanec - sat there as imposing, as arrogant, as always, eating heartily, conversing idly, unperturbed. But for a fresh cut upon his cheek and the scratches and bruises on his upper arms and chest, clearly visible under his spotted cloak, one might assume that no killer had tried to murder him in his sleep.

“The war with the Tepanecs will be over soon,” said the Emperor, seemingly as unperturbed. Yet Coyotl saw the dark shadows in his father’s eyes, watching the thinly clasped lips. “After we finish them off, our lives will return to their normal state.”

“What are your sources saying?” inquired the Aztec casually, devouring another tamale. “Does Tezozomoc plan on moving his forces any time soon?”

“He would do better coming here with no delay.” The Emperor shrugged. “Otherwise my warriors would have to spend their energy crossing the Great Lake.”

The Aztec’s eyebrows rose. “Oh, that would be an interesting development.”

“Indeed.” The Emperor drank more octli. “Maybe this would convince our worthwhile neighbors and allies to join our rightful war against the oppressor.”

“It may happen,” agreed the Aztec placidly, eyes dark and unreadable. “I will relay to my Emperor your message when I reach Tenochtitlan.” He picked his cup up. “I will be sorry to leave the hospitality of your Capital.”

“Oh, there is no need to hurry. It will take time to compose my message to my brother, the Revered Huitzilihuitl.”

The Aztec’s eyes narrowed. “How long will it take?” he asked, a little too abruptly.

“A few dawns, I suppose.” The Emperor’s smile was wide and amiable. Exaggeratedly so, thought Coyotl, watching his father. Oh, the Emperor longed to show the insolent Aztec. Or the Tepanec. Which one truly was this man?

“I would never dare to hurry you, Revered Emperor,” he heard the Aztec saying. “But I planned to be on my way this afternoon.”

“So soon?” exclaimed the Emperor. “Oh, no. We could never let our guests leave in such a hurry. It's not every day we are honored with a visit of the most prominent Warriors’ Leader of Tenochtitlan. You have to stay for a little longer, Honorable Warlord.”

The polite platitudes went on and on with Coyotl listening, finding it hard to suppress a smile. Now the Aztec seemed to lose some of his appetite. Lips tight, eyes dark, he didn’t go on arguing, but his concentration seemed to wander as the conversation turned back to politics.

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