Cuathli sat in his place, in the palace. Not all the priests had gathered yet. In fact, the he was the first to arrive, along with the priestess of Tlazotleotl.
"Hello, Cuathli."
"Hello."
"Tell me if the youngsters had a pleasant night."
Cuathli laughed a little.
"They had a pleasant night and a pleasant morning. Now I know why my acolytes looked so embarrassed lately."
They laughed a little. Ah, to be young...
For the gods they were serving the joy of life was important. Although they focused on different aspects of it. The upcoming festival's goal was to celebrate the joy of life.
At last, all the priests, the councilors, and the king arrived, and the assembly began. The king began his speech:
"Priests and councillors! As you know, it is time to start preparing for Xochi Huetzi. The rainy season is coming to an end. The flowers that have accompanied us all this time will soon fall to the ground. Our fields are almost ready for harvest. By the grace of the gods, we have enough to feed everyone for the next year, and our granaries will be full. It is time to thank them for this successful year and ask them to bless us the next one."
He looked at all the priests.
"The role of priests is most important here. Our citizens expect wonderful ceremonies that will please their hearts, and the gods will gain strength from them."
The king looked again at the gathered. His gaze stopped at Cuathli for a moment. The high priest felt a shiver down his spine.
"Let's get started. Priests of Xipe Totec, how are you going to honour your patron?"
At the king's words, a muscular, covered with scars priest stood up. He wore red clothing, with human skin draped over his shoulders and a necklace made of bones carved into corncobs.
"Our Lord, the Flayed One, will receive baskets full of corn grains, red flowers, and snake skins."
Then the king summoned the priest of Quetzalcoatl.
A priest in a white robe, having his face hidden under a snake mask adorned with quetzal feathers answered:
"Feathered Serpent will receive a sacrifice in the form of the smoke of incense and flowers."
The next to speak was a Tlaloc's priest in a blue robe decorated with embroidery that looked like rain and storm.…
"Lord of Rain will receive beautifully painted jugs filled with water and flowers."
All three priests were stiff and serious. Next priest, however, was their opposite. His simple outfit was decorated with bells and messy bone jewelry. He had a coyote mask on his face.
"Huehuecoyotl very colorful fabrics will receive. Happy dances, and happy trills. Hihihi!"
The cheerful priest had his hands on his hips and was jumping as he spoke. The previous three priests looked at him, disgusted. Others looked at him with pity. Everyone knew what kind of person he was. A cheerful madman who never behaved like a normal person. He seemed to be always intoxicated, not for a moment was he able to act serious and lacked common sense. Only when he performed the rituals did he behave as a high priest should. Sober, yet drunk.
The next person to speak was Mayahuel's priest. She wore a beautiful green dress with embroidered agaves. Her hair was decorated with flowers of the holy plant, and around her neck hung a necklace made of clay beads.
"Our lady will receive agave-woven fabrics and jugs full of pulque."
The next was the priestess of Tlazolteotl.
"You've probably heard of a filthy sinner named Texoc."
Everyone looked disgusted when they heard the name. Priest of Huehuecoyotl looked as if he wanted to make himself invisible.
"We managed to save a lot of girls who fell his victim. I want the girls to be able to confess their sins, to which they were forced, and to offer marigolds and fresh fruit to the goddess."
They all nodded their heads. Tlazoltheotl was a goddess who cleansed from sins. Such a ceremony would allow the girls to start over and no one would dare to say a bad word about them. Unless one was stupid enough to risk the wrath of the gods.
The next in line was a priest dressed in a yellow outfit decorated with dried corn stalks.
"Centeotl, Who Watches Over Agriculture, will receive gifts of corncobs, tortillas and herbs."
It was a simple, practical offering, unlike the next one. The priestess, dressed in an airy colourful dress adorned with a storm of orchids and quetzal feathers, began to speak:
"Xochiquetzal will receive the feathers of the holy bird quetzal and beautiful flowers, along with embroidered fabrics and songs."
Cuathli swallowed. All these gifts, though seemingly simple, would undoubtedly be deemed beautiful and pleasing by the deity who was going to receive them.
The king looked in his direction.
"What does the temple of Xochipilli offer to its god, the main patron of this festival?"
Finally, it was his turn.
"Your Majesty, I spoke of Tlacotzin during Texoc's trial, but I will repeat what I said then."
The high priest told them again about Tlacotzin. It was the beginning of chaos.
The priest of Huehuecoyotl jumped and demanded to bring that young man the the palace so he could listen to his music. The priest of Xipe Totec suggested that they should offer Tlacotzin's heart. The priests of Centeotl and Quetzalcoatl opposed, seeing in the young man a new Xochipilli's servant. The priestess of Mayahuel asked about the circumstances that led the young man to drinking. The priest of Tlaloc joined in the discussion about the sacrifice.
It didn't take long for the council to stop being a council. Priests and nobles tried to shout louder than the others. Jumps, screams, arguments... A racket worthy to be heard at a market, not a serious courtroom.
Only two people remained calm above the chaos.
The king, who sat up straight, looking at the gathered with disapproval.
The other was Cuathli. The sight terrified him, reminding him of the chaos in his own mind when he thought about Tlacotzin's fate. He knew one thing, arguing like that, they won't get anywhere and will just remain stuck. Angry at himself, he finally shouted:
"Calm down!!!"
Everyone instantly calmed down.
"We won't get anywhere like that."
"So what do you propose, Xochipilli's great servant?"
Cuathli stood up. He was angry at himself. For his indecision. His fear. He felt he had failed as the community's servant. He should have already done what he was going to propose now a few days ago.
"I'll perform the ritual of the question."
That's what he should have already done. He will intentionally go into a trance and ask the god about Tlacotzin's fate.