The Controversial Mayan Queen: Sak K'uk of Palenque (The Mists of Palenque) (5 page)

Another round of cigars and the best part of Ek Chuuah’s cacao pods were required to complete the deal. He carefully folded the heavy pendant in thick cloths and slept with it close to his side. It was a gift worthy of the gods.

Dzibanche nestled in park-like meadows, long expanses of grass bordered by stately mahogany trees and white flowering willows. Palmettos rustled and thin stemmed Sabal palms waved starburst leaves in the gentle breeze. Golden ferns peeped out from dense stands of logwood trees with undergrowth of kopte bushes with red flowers, some forming small fruit. The city was large with impressive pyramids rising above multiple plazas, some connected by raised platforms. Houses of nobles clustered in complexes around the periphery with the palace situated at the eastern side. Signs of recent building activity abounded, several structures were in process and workers toiled placing large stones and mixing plaster. Plazas buzzed with activity as richly attired ahauob shopped, visited and promenaded among artisans, farmers, traders and musicians plying their trades.

The impression given to the visitors from Usihwitz was one of prosperity and expansion. They passed the area where their captain was already spreading his wares on blankets as nobles crowded around. He waved cheerfully and gestured greetings, but was too occupied for a visit. The Usihwitz nobles were en route to the palace for an audience with Ka’an K’uhul Ahau Uneh Chan, and did not tarry. The palace sat atop a four-tiered platform accessed by wide stairs, upon which warriors stood in light cotton armor, holding long spears. Such military display rarely occurred in the K’umaxha River cities, and it signaled a different mind-set, one of deliberate muscle flexing to impress or intimidate.

Ek Chuuah took note of this, for it fit his purposes. He knew the Kan rulers were aggressive and intent upon spreading their influence, and he planned on cultivating these traits. His fingers squeezed the bundle containing the magnificent pendant, relishing its bulk and weight.

At the top of the stairs, the Royal Steward greeted the visitors and guided them through narrow corridors with high corbelled arches into a waiting chamber. It faced a quiet inner courtyard where a few nobles stood in conversation. After a considerable wait, the visitors were summoned to the ruler’s throne room. Long and narrow, the throne room also opened to the inner courtyard, rising above it atop a flight of broad stairs. The nobles glanced upward and watched curiously. More warriors stood on the stairs.

The throne was supported by a Witz Monster mask with a sky bar along its upper edge, ending in two serpent heads. This signified that the ruler sat in the sky, the Upperworld, above a cave giving access to the Underworld through a witz or sacred mountain. Serpent heads on either end formed the Celestial Serpent, as the Milky Way was known, indicating the ruler’s command of cosmic forces. In a double word play, the serpent heads also represented the glyph for Kan, the snake dynasty.

Uneh Chan sat with one knee folded beneath the other leg that dangled over the edge of the throne in the Maya ruler’s typical throne posture. He was of middle age, his body strong and well-muscled, his face sculpted perfection of Maya elite: tilted almond eyes, straight nose proceeding without dip to the forehead of his elongated skull, high cheeks and full chiseled lips, defined chin and powerful jaw line. Dancing upon his head was an elaborate headdress of feathers, jade and beads with K’awill and K’in Ahau images and the Kan serpent glyph prominent over his brow. Only a richly beaded neck collar covered his upper chest, and his short skirt sported the woven mat pattern of rulers accented by a colorful loincloth. Heavy jewelry of jade and stones adorned his wrists and ankles, and he wore large earspools.

Ek Chuuah and Yax Chapat sank to their knees and bowed deeply, right hand clasping left shoulder. They remained still until the ruler called them to approach, and then wriggled forward on their knees until they reached the mats at the foot of the throne. Finally able to look up directly at the ruler, Ek Chuuah was gratified that the captain’s assessment rung true. In the subtle lift of his chin, the haughty stare down his long straight nose, the outward thrust of hard pectoral muscles, the Kan ruler revealed vanity. He also displayed supreme confidence; more than Ek Chuuah thought was merited in light of the captain’s story about the Bat dynasty take-over. This would be more fuel for the fire that Ek Chuuah intended to ignite.

After courtly formalities of greeting, the ruler inquired as to the purpose of their visit. Ek Chuuah’s eyes swept the throne room, noting the presence of the Royal Steward, the ruler’s scribe, and three other well-attired nobles whom he took to be main advisors or courtiers. One appeared to be a Nakom or war chief from his burly form and multiple scars, and the large obsidian dagger hanging from his waistband.

“Long has it been my desire to pay homage to the ruler of mighty Kan,” said Ek Chuuah. “In the associations between our cities, I have met some of your warriors and nobles, wise and strong men, much admired in Usihwitz. The prowess of Kan commands great respect; many are the seatings of sahals and oversights of ceremonies in cities under the dominion of Kan’s leaders. In honor of these accomplishments, and to acknowledge the recent accession of the new ruler of Ka’an polity, Uneh Chan the Holy Lord of Ka’an, do my son and I travel this great distance.”

Uneh Chan nodded, making the feathers of his headdress bobble gracefully, and gestured his acceptance of these compliments. His advisors maintained neutral faces.

“Much is it our pleasure to receive your acknowledgements,” he drawled. “This night shall you join us in a feast, that you may enjoy the delights of these bountiful lands.”

“Our hearts burst with gratitude, Holy Lord. It is clear that your prowess is matched by your generosity. Greatly shall we anticipate this wondrous feast. In humble thanks, I should wish to offer you our gift, a symbol of our deep appreciation and respect.”

Ek Chuuah lifted the pendant bundle and offered it to the ruler. The Royal Steward moved quickly, taking the bundle and holding it level with the ruler’s chest. At the ruler’s gesture, the Royal Steward unwrapped the cloth and held up the pectoral in its shining magnificence. Light rippled over the red spondylus beads, glinted from bronze disks and illuminated the turquoise jade face of K’in Ahau. All eyes were riveted upon the unusual piece of jewelry.

“For the Holy Lord whose perfection of form reflects truly his divine nature, a pectoral pendant whose maker was surely inspired by the deities themselves. May it be a fitting complement to that Sacred One who is, in himself, already perfectly complete.”

A smile flitted across Uneh Chan’s lips and his eyes sparked. Not only was the pectoral exquisite, the giver’s words were the epitome of courtly Maya speech. Beauty and eloquence pleased the ruler. He gestured for the Royal Steward to remove his neck collar and hang the pendant. Murmurs of praise accompanied this exchange as the ruler turned, showing the pectoral pendant to his advisors. His fingers caressed the jade, and he nodded toward Ek Chuuah.

“This holds much beauty and power,” said Uneh Chan. “You have done well.”

The atmosphere relaxed and the Royal Steward called for refreshments; fruit juices lightly fermented. The ruler inquired about conditions in Usihwitz following the seating of Yahau Chan Muwaan, done under the auspices of Kan. Ek Chuuah related that the city was content with this choice, avoiding mention of his real views and ultimate ambitions. What did trouble his city, he added, was the treachery of Lakam Ha and the continued threat that they might reassert their dominance.

“What is needed is a decisive defeat of Lakam Ha, a chopping down event,” he finished.

“Memory does serve me that your last raid on Lakam Ha was unsuccessful,” observed Uneh Chan. “Why would another attack now fare better?”

“Leadership at Lakam Ha has changed and is no longer strong,” replied Ek Chuuah. “You are aware that Aj Ne Ohl Mat is ineffective, that much discontent rumbles in Lakam Ha about rectifying their loss of the ball game with us, and restitution for our raid. In essence, governance is done by the ruler’s father, Hun Pakal and brother-in-law, Kan Mo’ Hix. Without full authority, however, they are unable to dispel dissidence. It is a charged situation, ripe for exploitation.”

“The real reason why our raid failed was the seer ability of Yohl Ik’nal,” Yax Chapat added. “She foresaw the attack, knew who in her city were involved, allowed Lakam Ha forces to prepare. Without her ability, our raid would have succeeded.”

The young man’s passion was obvious, though he had been only a child then and could not take part in the raid. His wounded pride over his father’s humiliation still smarted.

“So have I heard, this woman ruler had great powers as a seer,” said Uneh Chan. “Does she not have a daughter? Might it be that the daughter also possesses such abilities?”

“Yes, there is a daughter, Sak K’uk. From all I can discern, she does not have many abilities as a seer,” replied Ek Chuuah. “Her temperament is impatient and hot-headed, she has not the depth of shamanic training as her mother, nor the natural visionary capacity.”

“Ummm. Then there is a different situation in Lakam Ha.”

“Yes, and Lakam Ha could become another gem in the headdress of Kan. A gem ripe for collecting, should we join forces. I have warriors ready for this attack, but our forces alone are not enough. We need the strength of Kan, of your skilled warriors, to accomplish it. Lakam Ha is prosperous, full of tribute. Kan could gain much in this mission.” Ek Chuuah was at his most persuasive, dark face alive with enthusiasm.

Uneh Chan stroked his new pectoral and contemplated. He turned to his Nakom.

“Wamaw Took, what think you?”

The war chief came forward and stood next to the throne. He asked a few questions about Ek Chuuah’s forces and his estimation of Lakam Ha’s defenses.

“It could be done,” he said shortly. “Have we enough reason?”

“More reason than glory and bounty can I give you,” interjected Ek Chuuah. “There resides in your fair land a blight, one that has thwarted the greatness of Kan. I speak of the usurpers, the foreigners of the Zodz dynasty who infamously took the great city of Uxte’tun from the Kan dynasty. In this is the same injustice that casts dark shadows upon Usihwitz; one who is undeserving takes power from the righteous rulers. Such injustice cannot be allowed to prevail.”

Uneh Chan’s body tensed and Wamaw Took bristled. Suspense crackled in the atmosphere, for none expected Ek Chuuah to focus upon this source of Kan’s shame.

“We can bring justice to both our cities,” he continued, voice resonant and compelling. “After we join forces to defeat Lakam Ha, bolstered by our certain victory, we will turn our wrath toward the Bat dynasty and drive them from Uxte’tun.”

Silence hovered, suspended like electric charges before a thunderstorm. Uneh Chan’s eyes blazed with the fire of revenge. No greater act could a Kan ruler achieve than to restore their dynasty’s heritage city, the most splendid accomplishment in their legacy of power. He yearned for restitution; now he was beginning to believe it was possible.

“You foresee certain victory over Lakam Ha?” His clipped tone shot a challenge toward Ek Chuuah.

“My plan is carefully developed. This attack have I studied for many years. Properly executed, it cannot fail.” Ek Chuuah focused his energies to radiate full confidence.

The Kan ruler studied his visitor with calculating eyes, reading the man’s deep passion and utter dedication to revenge. These were emotions Uneh Chan shared and understood. In that moment an alliance of spirit was forged.

“The gods have spoken through you, Ek Chuuah,” he said slowly. “This we can do together. The plan must be examined carefully. We will consult with Wamaw Took and our High Priest Tajoom, to determine how Lakam Ha can be chopped down in the most devastating way. This victory will empower our warriors; inspire their courage and strength. Next shall we take down the Bat dynasty.”

Torches cast leaping shadows up stairs ascending the highest pyramid temple in Dzibanche. Towering Chaak masks on both sides were bathed in red hues. The storm deity grimaced and leered, huge mouth gaping wide, single long barbel fang protruding, bulging eyes staring through hooked pupils, snout upturned, shell earspools dancing. Above the Chaak mask twin towers flanked the upper stairs, glowing sunset orange. Set back on the top platform was a square structure with the Witz Monster mask framing its entrance. Heavy brows curled into sky spirals, square eyes held sun crosses, hooked nose sat close upon a row of squared teeth stretching across the upper doorway, fanged jaws wrapped around the sides.

The pyramid was a mountain, and at its summit was a cave for entering the mysterious Underworld realms. No mountain caves were found in the flat lands near the coast, though there were many watery caverns that networked underground rivers and sinkholes called tzo’not. The pyramid mountain with its Witz Monster provided the Maya access; these were sacred structures that contained the essential energies of their topographical counterparts. Behind the cave door was the sanctum where ancestors, gods and enchantments were conjured.

The work undertaken this evening by Dzibanche High Priest Tajoom required a mountain cave ritual. The spells he intended to invoke were only possible using the powers of the Death Lords, whose Underground realm of Xibalba was entered by going deep within caves. The Ka’an K’uhul Ahau and his Nakom, Wamaw Took, with the two visitors from Usihwitz, participated in this ritual as key parties to the actions being conjured.

Their objective was inducing the Death Lords to inject their forces into human actions that would chop down Lakam Ha, destroy the city’s most sacred shrine and collapse the portal it held to the gods and ancestors.

This plan was finalized through a series of discussions. Ek Chuuah described his idea that the greatest injury to Lakam Ha would be desecrating the Sak Nuk Nah - White Skin House shrine. Uneh Chan added that taking the ruler and his father captives would shatter leadership and bring chaos to the city. Wamaw Took insisted that decisive battle in which most of Lakam Ha’s warriors were killed was the best way to defeat them. Yax Chapat agreed that such a defeat was necessary, but noted the valor of Lakam Ha warriors and resilience of leadership after earlier attacks.