Chapter Two: Atxi


Tenochtitlan. 1520 A.D.



Atxi.”
Atxi and her sister looked up from their meal. Huitzilin, the High Priest, had come in to join them. “I’ve been discussing matters with the others. We need to move up your ceremony.”
Atxi felt her heart stop. “But… The calender says another month, before-”
I know.” The High Priest told them. “But our armies will be called to battle soon; and this enemy is strong. We all have to do our part.”
Patli had turned to stone. As the elder sibling, it was understood that she would go first. But Patli had her other duties, beyond the ceremonial; and the schedule had suddenly changed. It had been a source of friction in the household, that Atxi was so eager to undertake her duties at the Temple.
Atxi noticed the look being traded between Huitzilin and her mother, swiftly realizing how she had convinced them to let Atxi take her sister’s place. “I am ready.” Atxi said seriously. “Whatever the gods wish of me, I gladly give.”
Huitzilin nodded and turned to leave.
Priest.” Her mother said suddenly. “We had planned to give Atxi a proper goodbye. Her nephew just went to join Tialoc with the other children last week.”
Did he weep?” Huitzilin asked quietly.
He did.” Atxi said softly. “Lots of the youngest weep when their time comes. Most of them don’t understand what an important responsibility it is.”
Their tears are a good sign. Tialoc gives back tears to show how pleasing the Tribute is.” Huitzilin came back into the room and removed his mask, looking at Atxi carefully. “Huitzilopochtli chose his wonders with his all-knowing skill.” Huitzilin intoned, hypnotic and certain. “Remember that even now, the blessings we’re receiving are tiny specks of the glory of the Gods. They are holy beings who put the stars in their position; and yet we are awed by a bountiful harvest, or the song of the birds.” His voice was so full of certainty and power that Atxi felt herself grow taller under his gaze. She felt like she had as a little girl, when this man had taught her the story of The Sun People, and how Tenochtitlan had come to be.
I’m ready.” Atxi promised.
~oo00oo~
I’m not ready.” Atxi told her family the next day.
Busy at the loom, her sister was praying incessantly, not pausing her weaving. “If you weren’t ready, Huitzilin would not have called on you early.”
Atxi glanced at the doorway for the hundredth time, trying to slow her breathing. Her mother fussed with her hair, braiding it again. “Mother, you’re going to pull my hair out!”
I want it to be perfect.” The older woman fussed, undoing the braid again. “It’s your day.”
It’s God’s day.” Patli shushed their mother.
It is.” Atxi agreed. “I just want to look good for my part in it.”
You will, dear one.” Her mother promised. “You look lovely.” She rose and went to the other side of their home, picking up the garment she’d been weaving. Patli finished weaving whatever it was, and the two of them together presented Atxi with her new robe. “I stayed up the entire night on this.”
Atxi actually choked up as her mother put it around her shoulders. The cotton garment was pure, radiant white, and the lightest, coolest fabric she’d ever worn. It was her ceremonial robe. Her mother had made it for her personally. “It’s beautiful.”
Her mother demurred. “It’s fine for being three weeks early.”
I still can’t believe they moved it up that much.”
They moved a lot of things up.” Patli confided.
Atxi and their mother traded a secret smile. Patli was their source for all the best inside information; as well as the best gossip. She spent time with the Tributes, and their guards; and the Temple Attendants; all as part of her training. “Tell us why, sister.”
Montezuma has been captured by the Invaders.” Patli said profoundly.
Atxi barked out a laugh before she could stop herself. “No, surely not.”
I heard it from one of the soldiers.” Patli insisted. “The Tlaxalan and the Texcocan have allied with them.”
Atxi felt anger twist in her a moment. “That’s why they’re in such a hurry to offer Tribute to Huitzilopochtli. Because our warriors have to strike quickly; and they’ll need our gods to be strong.”
Their mother sighed hard. “The Gods give so much of themselves keeping the darkness away; keeping the rivers flowing and the crops growing. We ask them for so much.” She immediately began taking off Atxi’s robes. “Go get changed. Don’t wear this until you reach the Temple. You don’t want to get it dirty.”
Atxi nodded, and hurried to prepare. Her mother gave her a tight hug, whispering words of pride and love. Atxi hugged her back. “I’ll see you soon.” She promised.
~oo00oo~
Tenochtitlan was a very beautiful city. Atxi had lived outside it her entire life. The valley waters surrounded their community, with the fishermen gathering their catch, and the farmers binding up little muddy islands to farm corn. Patli walked the causeway with her, heading towards the Guardhouse that would let them into the Temple Courtyard.
Did you see the way mother and the priest were looking at each other?” Patli hissed, always eager for gossip.
Try not to think about it.” Atxi counselled her.
I’m just saying, if you wondered how you were put at the top of the list so fast...” Patli winced. “Forget I said that. I know how much you wanted this.”
I do.” Atxi agreed. “But I’m not sure prominence is such an issue anymore. If you heard right, and the king has been captured…”
I agree; they’ll be doing everything they can to empower the gods for the next battle.” Patli shivered. “There will be thousands over the next week.”
Tens of thousands.” Atxi said with certainty. “It will be enough.”
~oo00oo~
They entered the walls, and passed the fine houses of the nobles. The Tributes were being dragged out of them by the Temple Guards. Atxi and Patli waited politely, giving them space. The Tributes had been selected from the Prisoners-Of-War for Sacrifice. They had spent years being purified and revered in luxury preparing for this day.
But almost never did the Foreign Tributes see the value in what they had been spared for. The priestesses that had lived with them kept pace, untouched by the noise as the Tributes screamed at the guards who hauled them to the stairs.
I wish I could speak their language.” Atxi murmured to Patli.
Some of the Attendants can.” Patli whispered back. “They say it’s always the same thing. They call us heathens and godless savages.”
Godless.” Atxi repeated. “I don’t know why they act like that.” Atxi said regretfully. “They aren’t mistreated during their time here. Some prisoners, I can understand their hatred of us; but the Tributes live comfortably; plenty of food and rest, women to tend to their needs… It’s not until their time comes that they even think of their own gods, let alone ours.”
They don’t think like we do.” Patli counselled her. “Their Priests tell them that we are false worshippers. That only their god is real. The Christians think we’re monsters because of the Sacrifices. Their Priests don’t do that.”
Only one God, and they offer Him nothing? And they call us savage.” Atxi shook her head. “How can anyone value their mortal flesh so highly? It lasts such a short time.”
They’re obsessed with making that time longer and more comfortable.” Patli explained. “Or so the priestess’ tell me. It’s why they invaded, looking for gold and silver to line their nests.”
They go to war over things they can’t take with them.” Atxi’s fingers went to the gold jewellry that tied her soft robes together. “Seems so selfish. Surely the heavens are big enough for everyone.”
~oo00oo~
The two slipped into one of the private rooms and Atxi breathed deeply, changing into her ceremonial robes. “Mother was right. I don’t want this to get dirty.”
It’s a lovely robe. Some of her best work.” Patli agreed. “She was lucky to get the material. I heard that the cottons are running low. Trade from Mexico is being harried by the invaders.”
That changes today.” Atxi promised softly.
This is where we part.” Patli said softly. “I’m happy for you, sister. And a little jealous. Is that alright?”
It should be you, sister.” Atxi hugged her tightly. “One day, it will be. I promise. But until then, you have your own service. I’ll never dance at the festival.”
No, I guess you won’t.” Patli admitted. “But what’s coming will be so much more.”
~oo00oo~
There was a line of people at the steps. The sun was at its highest point, proof of Huitzilopochtli’s energy and gratitude for all that the people had done. Atxi was allowed a place of prominence in the line; but she hesitated to be there, running to the edge of the steps. Past the line of stone, she could see Patli, dancing out the story of Tenochtitlan, how it was founded, and how The Sun was born again each day.
She’d seen Patli dance before, of course. Every movement had to be precisely controlled; so they had practised together endlessly. The serpent sway to represent fertility, the low crouches for the harvest, the leaps and twirls to show the soul. Patli was privileged, wearing one of the bird masks that identified her as the Great Sun God incarnate.
Change your mind?”
Atxi jumped a bit, and looked to see her mother had come to join her. “No, of course not. I just… I wanted to see my sister dance the story of Huitzilopochtli, just once, before I went up there.”
You’ll be with the gods, Atxi. You’ll see everything.”
I know.” Atxi nodded. “But not with you beside me.”
Her mother hugged her again. “I’m so very proud of you.”
~oo00oo~
The line started moving.
Any Gods who may be listening, I pray that you are good, and that you know how much I want to be good too.” Atxi said quietly to the sky as she climbed the stone steps. The line moved slowly. “I hope that what I have to offer is good in your eyes, and that you can forgive me for all the wrong things I’ve done. Thank you for all the good things I’ve seen and felt; and I hope one day to understand the bad. Because if you can hear me, I know that only good things would come from whoever’s listening. Because a cruel or bad God wouldn’t hear me.”
Amen.” Said a young man behind her. She didn’t turn.
The sun beat down on the stone. The line was moving slowly enough that Atxi wasn’t short of breath; but the methodical precision of it was nearly mechanical. Atxi could hear the drums setting the beat to her sister’s dancing, though she couldn’t see it. Far below, the children were being taught about the world. The sacrifices that the Gods had made of themselves to keep the world alive, the Sun reborn every day; the entire universe every fifty-four years; and the war to prevent the end of the world when it came.
Atxi felt so much better as she ascended the stairs. The stone stairs to the Altar were wide enough for twenty men to walk side by side. The stone was solid and unbreakable; the drumming fading as she climbed higher and higher. The permanence of it was a comfort. Though invaders came to their nation; and hostile gods sent their armies, their city of Tenochtitlan could surely never fall.
There was a slickness on the stone, and Atxi could see the blood running down the steps, the fresh mingling with the dried. The Sun’s heat never let it last for long before being baked away. Atxi could smell the smoke of the altar fire, consuming the hearts of each Tribute.
You want some peyotl?” One of the attendants asked her quietly when she got near the top step. “We don’t usually offer, but we have some on hand. For some of the Foreign Tributes, it’s the only way we can get them still enough to do this properly.”
No, thank you.” Atxi whispered back. “I don’t want anything to dull my senses. Not for this.”
When she reached the top of the stairs, the line in front of her suddenly seemed so short.
And yet, despite all this, the nerves evaporated instantly. She was totally at peace. She’d done all she could, and had no time for more. Whatever was going to happen, she was little more than an observer now.
Time seemed to slow down and she could take in every single thing. The wisp of the smoke, the smell of the fresh blood; the softness of the cotton, the solid reassurance of the stone…
Atxi had never felt so connected the the world. She’d never felt so pure at heart and soul.
The previous Tribute was pitched over the side, and Atxi stepped forward, laying on her back across the Altar, arms and legs extended. The attendants gripped her wrists and ankles. There would be movement, no matter how hard Atxi tried to hold still.
Have I pleased the gods?” She asked, so soft that she could barely hear her own voice.
You have.” Huitzilin promised, and raised his obsidian knife high above her; the tip of it slick and gleaming by the firelight, and-
Atxi drew in a breath, feeling wonderful.
The Altar was gone. So was everything else. She was laying on soft cool grass. Surprised, Atxi sat upright. She saw rolling hills, filled with golden colored grass, seeming to glow in warm sunlight. The strong heat was gone; and there was a gentle smell of spices and orange-blossoms in the air.
Atxi was surprised. “What?” She had been expecting to arrive at The Sun, not this… this beautiful place.
Atxi?”
She looked. She had company. A huge, powerfully built man with dark skin. He was dressed in some kind of clothing she had never seen before; but his expression was warm and friendly. “My name is Irsu.” He rumbled politely. “It’s nice to meet you.”

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