The Young Jaguar (Pre-Aztec Trilogy, Book 1) by Zoe Saadia

Author:Zoe Saadia [Saadia, Zoe]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-11-09T05:00:00+00:00

***

Tecpatl watched the last of the sun sparkling off the Feathered Serpent’s magnificent tail. The polished gold shone brightly and pleasantly, the light it reflected not strong enough to hurt one’s eyes.

The main plaza was still bursting with visitors, but the patio before the side entrance of the Palace was quiet and relatively deserted. He paced there impatiently, kicking at the nonexistent dust with the tips of his sandals. What would the Emperor’s advisers want with him now? The slave, who’d intercepted him, was very particular. One of the main Emperor’s advisers wished to discuss a matter of importance. A campaign to the distant Texcoco, most probably. He groaned inside. He didn’t want to travel that far. Such a waste of time, organizing and navigating a fleet of canoes or traveling by foot all the way around the great Lake in order to clean a few unimportant barbarian settlements. It was not the time to leave the Capital; certainly not for so long.

He glanced at the gardens, estimating the shadows. Curse them all into the lowest level of the Underworld! He hadn’t been home for two days by now. He should have sent Sakuna word, he thought. She would worry and miss him, pacing her favorite rooftop the way he was pacing the royal patio now. Oh, he had missed her. And there was so much to tell her. She would appreciate his account of the previous night; adore hearing all about those fascinating foreigners. He loved to relate those stories to her. Everything that had happened to him would be colored in a different light through her eyes.

“Greetings, Nephew.”

He turned sharply, the deep voice tearing him from his reverie.

“Greetings, Revered Uncle.”

The square man stood at some distance, overly erect, his massive shoulders bulging, the thick arms folded across the wide chest. He studied Tecpatl with his small squinted eyes as if appraising his nephew, as if not having seen him properly before.

Tecpatl frowned, not liking that gaze. There was not enough sun to make one’s eyes squint.

“So, I hear you gave a magnificent speech in your warriors’ hall,” said the man, not making an attempt to come closer. “Your men were greatly impressed, I hear.”

“They needed to be reminded as to where their loyalties should be.” He forced a shrug, his uneasiness growing. The news had traveled fast. Too fast. Someone must have sent the account of what transpired straight to the leading adviser. But was it that important?

The lips of the thickset man stretched a little. “Your warriors are not the only ones who needed to be reminded. Too many people are not sure of themselves anymore. Many people among those responsible for the welfare of the Great Capital are undecided. Does it tell you something, Nephew?”

“It tells me the Capital is upset with the passing of their beloved Emperor.”

“True, true.” The exquisite feathers of the man’s headdress swayed as he nodded thoughtfully. “And yet, I wish it were that simple.”

The cold gaze dwelled on Tecpatl, boring into him, difficult to stand.

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