Cuathli was climbing the pyramid stairs. He had walked this path so many times in his life that you would think that he knew every crack in every stone. However, he was accompanied by someone who was walking this path for the first time.
It was Tlacotzin.
He was smiling at him. He had no reason to blame him, though Tlacotzin's face and movements said otherwise. He moved awkwardly, as if he were afraid to go any higher. Just a few days ago he was an ordinary street musician, and now he was a temple assistant. It was unthinkable that someone with such simple origins as his could enter the pyramid. Even if he was helping the high priest.
They finally reached the top. Tlacotzin was panting a little. Well, climbing the pyramid steps did take some stamina. Tlacotzin suddenly froze and swallowed. Cuathli wondered what had happened. He realised what it was when he followed the boy's gaze. He was looking at the techcatl.
"Don't be afraid, Tlacotzin. Techcatl is important, but there is no reason that you should lie down on it."
Tlacotzin straightened up and looked at the stone.
"My father... if he didn't die on the battlefield... then he died on a stone like this one."
The young man looked at the carved conical column with a mixture of sadness and acceptance in his eyes. Cuathli put a hand on his shoulder.
"If so, your father went to the gods' kingdom and became one of the divine servants and supports the gods in preserving the world."
The young man lowered his head slightly. Cuathli knew that Tlacotzin wanted his father to be with him and his mother, not with the gods. But nothing could be done. The sacrifices were a necessity, and this time his father was chosen.
"Well, Tlacotzin, we have work to do."
The young man followed the priest, but as he passed by the techcatl, he looked as if he tried to be as far away from the sacrificial stone as possible.
***
Nenetzi was walking in the market. She was looking for materials for an amulet. She wanted to make a beautiful amulet... for Tlacotzin. Itzcoatl told them he had hos birthday in a few days. The girls were thinking about what to give him. They finally figured out that he would be happy if he got a new amulet. But not one from the market. Nenetzi was going to make it with her skilful hands. The girls gathered money and Nenetzi went to look for materials. She had no access to materials like jade or gold... They were simply too expensive. However, she could buy other materials. Pine wood for protection and purification, or maybe walnut for stability. Maybe a protective piece of obsidian? Though grinding it would take effort, it would be worth it. Maybe parrot feathers to express the joy he found in the temple or cacique feathers that symbolised harmony, stability and renewal. A few clay beads, so simple and connected with everyday life, earth and modesty. Her mind buzzed with ideas.
As she walked, she thought about the missing amulet. Jade with carved orchid and jade beads. It must have been really beautiful. More importantly, it was an engagement present for Tlacotzin's mother. A symbol of love and craftsman's skills.
She wondered where it could be now. She cursed Texoc again for daring to lay his unclean... hands on something so sacred and beautiful. She was so furious she could peel off his skin and turn it into a bag, his bones into ornaments, and his skull into incense burners, and throw the meat to coyotes.
At that moment she heard someone's voice. Hissing like a snake.
"It's not a bad idea, but it's not your decision."
The girl looked at where the voice came from. She saw a terrifying figure there. He had a skull with black feathers coming out of it in place of his face. His eyes were green like a demon's. His body was completely black. The cloak and maxtlatl were also black. He had two jaguars and two warriors by his side. She forced herself to look into his eyes. They were so terrifying. Who or what was he? What did he want from her?
"Tlahcoatl, the servant of Tezcatlipoca who sees every sin, the overseer of Tlayohulla, greets Nenetzi, the servant of Xochipilli who brings joy to the mortal realm."
Tezcatlipoca's priest? The overseer of Tlayohulla? She swallowed and shivered. She took a step back.
"Nenetzi, the servant of Xochipilli who brings joy to the mortal realm, greets Tlahcoatl, the servant of Tezcatlipoca who sees every sin. Did I do something wrong?"
The priest's voice was like snake's hiss. It was only then that she realised that his skull-like face was actually a mask. For a moment she wondered how they had made it that it was so scary.
The priest said in a normal human voice:
"Don't worry, Nenetzi. You didn't do anything wrong."
The priest took a folded piece of paper out of his cloak and returned to hissing:
"I would like you to deliver my letter to Cuathli, the great servant of Xochipilli. It's a summons to testify in the trial of a certain loathsome person named Texoc."
That name disgusted Nanetzi. She took the letter and promised to deliver it as soon as possible.
"I want you to deliver this to a young man."
He pulled an amulet from his cloak. She had never seen it, but she recognised it immediately. Jade framed in gold, carved orchid, and jade beads and quetzal feathers.
"It's..."
"Tlacotzin's amulet. Tlayohulla will break every sinner."
Tlahcoatl handed her the amulet and said to her in a sad human voice:
"I want to warn you. No matter how cute or funny you find Tlacotzin, neither you nor your friends can fall in love with him. If you do, it will cause you pain. That's all. May the gods smooth your path."
Then the priest turned away and left. Nenetzi immediately went to the high priest's residence.
***
Cuathli was walking with Tlacotzin through the courtyard when they suddenly heard Nenetzi's shout.
"What happened, Nenetzi?"
The girl was panting and her face was red. She must have been running.
"A letter to the high priest from Tlahcoatl, Tezcatlipoca's servant."
She handed Cuathli the letter. He and Tlacotzin were summoned as a witness and a victim before the Royal Court, which would be held tomorrow.
"Tlahcoatl also gave this."
At that moment, their eyes widened. Tlacotzin started to cry.
"That's my mother's amulet."
"Lower your head, I'll put it on you."
Cuathli smiled as he looked at them. For a moment he wondered if he should leave them alone, but suddenly…
As soon as the amulet hung around Tlacotzin's neck, the young man seemed completely absent.
"Tlacotzin. Tlacotzin, is something wrong?"
He stood frozen for a moment, and then…
His face twisted in horror. He looked like a fawn cornered by a giant jaguar. He shivered and crouched, as if he had been cornered by some beast and was about to be devoured.
"Tlacotzin? What happened?"
Nenetzi was shocked. Tlacotzin changed so suddenly. Cuathli, however, recognized what had happened. Tlacotzin had a vision.
"Tlacotzin, what did you see?"
The young man looked at him. There were all sorts of emotions in his eyes. They mixed and he didn't know what to say. Cuathli put his hand on his head.
"It's okay, you don't have to talk if you don't feel ready."
He was sure that Tlacotzin would tell him what he saw later.