Aztec by Colin Falconer

Author:Colin Falconer [Falconer, Colin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Skyview Publishing
Published: 2011-08-05T04:00:00+00:00

✽ ✽ ✽

The moon fell below the hills. A shadow down in the street hurried inside a darkened doorway. A servant answered the timid knock and escorted the visitor across a wide patio and into a torch-lit audience chamber.

The house was silent; the city slept.

"Did the Spanish devils follow you here?" Bird in the Reeds whispered.

"I was very careful, Mother. I waited until the guards were asleep."

Bird in the Reeds made space for her visitor beside her on the reed mat. Another servant brought foaming cups of chocolatl. Malinali's hands shook as she took the hot spiced drink in its earthenware cup.

The girl is terrified, Bird in the Reeds decided. Those barbarians! They dare to come here with those murderous Texcaltéca, their leader masquerading as Feathered Serpent! Death is too good for them.

She studied her visitor closely. She was thin but that was not unexpected after her tribulations. Her features were not displeasing to the eye. But there was the danger that she might carry these barbarians' seed in her. That might be a problem.

"Tell me about yourself," Bird in the Reeds said.

Malinali kept her eyes respectfully on the floor. "I was born in Painala, a day's march from Coatzacoalcos. My mother was Mexica, the daughter of a great nobleman, a descendant of Lord Face in the Water, Montezuma's grandfather. My father was a chilan, a priest and a soothsayer of much reputation.”

Bird in the Reeds felt her heart leap. She had been right to trust her instincts. If this Malinali had royal blood in her veins - and that could be verified - she would be a great asset as a wife. The only hope for advancement in the royal court these days was to be a proven blood relative, however distant, of the current emperor.

"I was kidnapped from my village and forced to live with the Maya at Potonchan. I was sold to these Spaniards, as they call themselves, and they forced me stay with them against my will. When they discovered I had the elegant speech and knew also the animal grunts of the Mayans, they kept me as their interpreter. They forced me to learn their barbarian language also, so I could communicate with them directly."

"What of this Malintzin who professes to be Feathered Serpent?"

"I confess I believed the legend was true when I first saw him. He has some physical resemblance and his men have magical powers, like their firesticks and the iron serpents that breathe fire and smoke. But I have since learned that they are mortal, as we are. They want only to steal our gold and chocolate and jade."

"I knew it!" the old woman said, "I knew he was not a god!" She took Malinali's hand. "You must have suffered greatly."

She nodded. "If I try and run away I am afraid they will kill me. I don't know what to do."

"Perhaps I can help you. You are a pleasing looking girl and you have been well educated. With your Mexican blood you could attract a good husband.

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