Sisimito I--Ox Witz Ha

by Henry W. Anderson

  Bo pointed out the astronomical observatory, an imposing tall and round building to my right, and I thought of Choj, wondered how he was doing. He had briefed me a little on the buildings of that complex earlier that day as we had paraded to the ball court. There must have been a hundred steps leading up to the platform upon which the observatory sat. Further to the west was a seventy-five feet high temple on which stood a tall stela. Bo informed me that was dedicated to Ajawinel K’an II. To the right was an imposing building painted or plastered red. Bo indicated to a group of monuments to our left, stating that the one that looked like a stairway was recording the life and reign of K’an II.

  Just to the east was a religious building named the Temple of the Wooden Lintel. It was the largest structure in that group and at the bottom of the stairs were a group of priests. Standing with them was Molly and close beside her was Ehecatl. Initially, I wasn’t sure it was her, but as we drew closer, I became certain. She wore an elaborate cloth headdress painted or dyed blue, red, and yellow, in stripes and jaguar spots. Attached were round pieces of jade in a line over her forehead. Her eyes were lined with black paint, her lips reddened and her cheeks were painted blue. She wore a white huipil, heavily embroidered with yellow, red and blue symbols. As the evening sun shone against her, I saw that she wore nothing under the huipil, and I was so mesmerized that Tóolok began his subtle antics which I chose to ignore. She was beautiful, her face not allowing the fear and anxiety she was enduring to be manifested. I wanted to reach out to her. I needed her to see me. I raised my hand, waved as I shouted, but she did not respond. She had not seen me and I was going to rush out of the procession to be with her, but Bo and Xicohtencatl held me back, telling me that would be dangerous, that my action would give the priests’ guards an opportunity to kill me. I watched, enthralled, anxious, very troubled, as Molly and the priests went to the front of the procession, then I lost her from view.

  We continued along the Northwest Causeway for about half a mile then we turned right, down a wide and descending sacbeob. Because of the slope of the sacbeob, I was able to see the Ch’ajch’oj Tz’ono’ot, the Well of Sacrifice, set between two hills. It appeared to be man-made, about a hundred feet wide, its sides ringed with sharp limestone edges all the way downward. A small platform stood at the end of the sacbeob and on the edge of the well. As the procession approached, the priests and Molly ascended the dais while the rest of us spread out along the circumference of the hole. The murky green water at the bottom of the Ch’ajch’oj Tz’ono’ot was about fifty feet away and Bo and I stood to the right of the stand with my two guards. I saw the Halach Uinic, the Chichu’ Ajawinel, the Alixels, and the Lady Batz’ Ek’ to my left.

  The music changed and a group of Nobles, both men and women, approached the platform. Only Molly and two priests, one on each side of her, remained on the platform, the other priests stepping away. The group ascended and did a short dance which Bo told me was a sacred dance. Normally, the dancing was carried out for five days and nights before the visit to the Ch’ajch’oj Tz’ono’ot. He advised me that an adjustment to the ritual had been done since the festivities was called only early that morning and was to Kukulcán rather than to the Rain God, Chac. During the dancing, the people began throwing the gifts they had brought with them into the Holy Cenote, each shouting a prayer as the gift was tossed. Suddenly, the music stopped. The dancers moved from the platform and the Halach Uinic and the Ahau Can Mai stepped up after which the Ahau Can Mai raised his hands high into the air.

  The Halach Uinic looked at Molly and began speaking. “Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’. Are you ready for the honor that awaits you?” Molly did not answer. I saw the Halach Uinic nod his head. Molly nodded her head in turn, gave a short bow and said, “Haah,338 Halach Uinic.” The drums began to roll. Two priests stepped towards Molly, their hands outstretched, prepared to hold her and hurl her forcibly over the edge of the platform. Molly calmly stepped away from them, displaying no alarm, no terror, and there was a mummer from the crowd. I felt very proud of her even though dread was crushing me. She pulled off her headdress and flung it into the Ch’ajch’oj Tz’ono’ot. She kissed the medallion I had given her and leaped off the platform. The sun beams entered her huipil and I saw her body … that body I had felt beneath me at the Hidden Valley Falls … shooting like a silver arrow towards the water below. Tóolok must have been hypnotized for I felt no stirrings. As she dove, the sun illuminated the jade medallion that remained on her bosom and strong beams of green light radiated out in all directions, lighting the walls of the Ch’ajch’oj Tz’ono’ot in its color, bathing the people in its green hue. Whispers rose as people held out their hands, trying to touch the green light that surrounded them. The Halach Uinic and his family were awed, as were many of the Nobles, and they looked at each other, perplexed. The eyes of the priests, however, bulged in doubt and fear. I pushed my way through the captivated crowd. Xicohtencatl and Ehecatl were ahead of me, moving people out of the way. Bo was right behind me. I saw Molly hit the water, making almost no splash, disappearing into the green. Sometimes, I did wonder if I was a little crazy for I recollect things at the oddest of times. Amidst the fear of losing Molly, I flashed back to my drunken bus ride and Miss Matilda Moss’ comment “and she looks the olympic type.” The drums stopped rolling and once more an intense hush grew over the people who stood at the edge of the Ch’ajch’oj Tz’ono’ot, looking downward.

  Fifteen seconds passed and my throat felt terribly dry. Thirty seconds passed. People started to whisper, again, and I began to feel faint. I tightened my leg muscles, but I knew the sensation had nothing to do with blood pooling in my feet. Perhaps, I had just been through too much that day. Regardless, I couldn’t allow myself to pass out. I was a soldier. Fainting would not be good. But I was having difficulty breathing. I sweated. Some of the crowd, especially the young adults of the Elite, started to turn away, walk away, talking quietly to themselves, looking absolutely dispirited.

  One minute passed and I felt Bo’s hand on my shoulders. I turned, looked at him, my arms reaching out and holding him for support. I had to pull myself together. I had to do something. I glowered at the platform and the Ahau Can Mai. I began having the greatest urge to rush at them, scream all the cuss words I knew, and throw them into the Ch’ajch’oj Tz’ono’ot. Bo must have read my face for I saw him nod at Xicohtencatl and Ehecatl and they immediately held my arms, making sure that I could not move. Their black eyes stared into mine and I saw within them that they were warning me that any incident would place the Halach Uinic’s rule in danger; also, if I attacked the priests, they, our guards, would probably have to kill me.

  As the long seconds went by, it was clear that the Halach Uinic was becoming angry and distraught while the priests appeared relieved. I could do nothing for I was firmly held and another fifteen seconds passed.

  There was a modest commotion as several military men approached the Halach Uinic. There was a quick but intense briefing after which the Halach Uinic stepped off the platform. Just then, we heard a strong voice coming from the waters of the Ch’ajch’oj Tz’ono’ot, “In wuila yaboo a we’tokilo yalamil. Uinic. Ixchup. Etel tzu’bo’oj. U tuca’ata jeeno ete’l kichpa’n pektzil. Tuca’ate’j te’n aj’ su’m hi’ilteen ti’ ca’jnal.”

  Tumultuous cheers rose from the bystanders, especially the young Elite, probably not only signaling joy at Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’s survival, but support for the changes that the Halach Uinic hoped would come to his people. The young men and women who had walked away in a forlorn state rushed back shouting, “Halach Uinic! Halach Uinic! Ah Holpop! Ah Holpop! Ajawinel K’an II! Ajawinel K’an II!”

  Bo was hugging me and hitting me relentlessly on my back. Xicohtencatl and Ehecatl left, immediately, and ran over to the priests as they stood immobile with anger. The Nim-q’ij Guards unceremoniously pulled the ladder and attached rope from the priest holding it and rushed to the rim of the Ch’ajch’oj Tz’ono’ot, lowering it. I followed, pu
shing aside people to get to the rim. Far below I saw Molly. She grasped on to the rope ladder and secured herself by pushing her feet through the bars. She did not have to climb, however, as Xicohtencatl and Ehecatl were pulling her up as swiftly as they possible could.

  The Halach Uinic had returned to the platform, his face unsmiling, but calm. Molly was soon over the rim and the Nim-q’ij Guards helped her to her feet. The wet huipil embraced her body closely, accentuating her firm breasts and erect nipples and, that time, I felt no remorse when Tóolok moved. She bowed her head, walked briskly to the Halach Uinic, knelt before him, and in a loud strong voice, once again, she said, “Le’ek cui’ i’n ka’ti’ i’nwadu’u che’n ti’i uxikin aj’ Halach Uinic.” The Ahau Can Mai came up to her with his hand raised as if to strike her. Ehecatl immediately stood between the priest and Molly.

  The Halach Uinic looked to his citizens and spoke. “Xch’úup Xma’ K’aaba’ has been returned to us by Kukulcán and she speaks our language.” There were many nods of assent among the citizens. “I will have her taken to my Nim-q’ij Temple and there confer with her. Later, I will let the people know what message she brings. But now return to your homes quickly. The Ajawinel of Maxam is at our doorsteps.”

  Halach Uinic,” protested the Ahau Can Mai. “I must protest. Your priests are the ones who must receive and interpret the message. Surely, you do not have time as you go to war. Also, there must be the Blood Letting ceremony as we prepare for war.”

  “The message is for me,” asserted the Halach Uinic. “There will be no Blood Letting ceremony. We do not prepare for war, Priest. We are at war. There is no more time for ceremonies.”

  There was a loud cry from the people who stood on the eastern rim of the Ch’ajch’oj Tz’ono’ot. They were pointing into the sky and I looked up. The sky was darkened as hundreds of arrows, some lit with fire, were sloping into the city accompanied in their flight by the heavy pounding roll of distant drums. The Halach Uinic looked at Xicohtencatl and Ehecatl and ordered, “Take them safely to the Nim-q’ij Temple.” He turned around and left. The two Nim-q’ij Guards helped up Molly, called to me, and we were quickly headed back into the city. Bo stayed with me and other Nim-q’ij Guards formed a circle about us, ensuring that no one could approach us. I held tightly onto Molly’s hand as we ran towards the center of the city. I turned around, once, and saw the priests standing alone on the platform by the Ch’ajch’oj Tz’ono’ot.

  There was quiet pandemonium everywhere. Quiet because there was very little noise in Ox Witz Ha itself except for the occasional crying of children and the voices of priests praying at various points throughout the city. Incense was so heavy that it was almost difficult to breathe. Hundreds of people were running throughout the central areas, adding to the sense of urgency and panic. Those were the people who could not find shelters in the temples, residences and other buildings because those were filled. They were mainly women and children, for every able-bodied man was at the defence lines. Those were the people who would be exposed, not only to the falling arrows, but should the invading force break through the army’s defensive ring, they would be the first of the general populace to come face to face with Maxam’s troops. As we raced along, the arrows began to fall and cries of terror once again rose from Ox Witz Ha.

  We rapidly climbed the forty or more steps to the second tier of the Nim-q’ij Temple. Warriors, probably couriers, were going both ways, up and down. We continued upward a similar number of steps to the upper tier, where the residential temples and other buildings were. The Nim-q’ij Guards stopped us and took us into a courtyard and then to a temple on our left that stood some sixty feet high. We climbed and entered a large room at the top. There were many Nim-q’ij Guards standing against the walls, armed, prepared for war. A large wooden table, with benches around it, stood in the center of the room. A sizeable map, made from parchment, lay on the table and several men in full jaguar war uniforms, including the Batab, were looking at it, standing and talking. The Halach Uinic was not there, but, in an adjacent room, I saw members of the Nim-q’ij Family. No one took any notice of Molly and me.

  I beckoned to Bo and pulled Molly with me to the outer platform where we could see most of the city below us, Ehecatl and Xicohtencatl following us. We heard cries and shouts and once again the northwestern sky was filled with arrows and flame. The invading forces were closer that time for the arrows were falling among the buildings where the astronomical observatory stood. Thatched roofs were immediately set on fire and smoke began bellowing from the city itself. The people below, who did not have shelter, were beginning to panic and run towards the Caana. Another set of arrows took their downward flight towards them and many of those fleeing fell, mostly women and children. At times, one arrow held both mother and child together as they began their journey to the Underworld and the City of Xibalba. Some arrows were still aflame as they entered their unprotected bodies and the smell of burning flesh was added to that of incense and burning thatch.

  The Halach Uinic had joined us and I heard him giving instructions to a section of Nim-q’ij Guards, “Go down and get those people together. Take them into the Tijoxel Ja where the walls will protect them. Do your duty, but do not die. You must return to defend the Caana.” The group of seven guards left, after which the Halach Uinic went inside and joined his Nim-q’ij Military Commandant, other Commanders and their Nacons, at the table. We followed him.

  “The entire force is attacking in an arrowhead formation from the northwest, seemingly advancing to a point between the Caana complex and the Northwest Causeway. I believe their strategy is to overrun the Barracks, divide our Warriors in two, and advance straight through the city,” briefed the Nim-q’ij Military Commandant. “If they succeed, their left flank would then be able to surround the Caana, capture the Nim-q’ij Family, and declare victory. We estimate that they have about one thousand men. If they break through our defensive lines, they will eventually be able to take the Caana and block any attack from inside or outside the Nim-q’ij Complex.”

  “They have changed their tactics,” stormed the Halach Uinic. “Normally, they approach and fan out, following the defending lines, surrounding the city. Then, they attack on all fronts.” The Halach Uinic slammed his fist upon the table. “Another important intelligence our spies did not know of or chose not to report. I must ask, are our spies taking orders from our priests? Has our intelligence network broken down, Commandant? Batab?”

  “Ajawinel,” responded the Nim-q’ij Commandant. “It has become a war of deceit upon deceit. I can no longer help but suspect that some of our spies have indeed come under the control of the priests and have fed us disinformation. The priests put fear in their hearts.”

  “The priests! One k’iin I’ll drown them in their own cenote of blood. We have to modify our tactics, immediately, or the Ajawinel of Maxam will be marching onto the Caana and confusion will play us into his hands. I fear that for the Ajawinel of Maxam this war is not only for capture, but is an all-out war, a star-war339 intended to end the Nim-q’ij Lineage and Dynasty of K’an II.”

  “We will protect you, Ajawinel. We are fifteen hundred Warriors. We have more Warriors and we are better trained and equipped,” apprised the Commandant.

  “But, my Nim-q’ij Commandant, how many of the fifteen hundred are well trained Warriors? My standing army equals seven hundred and fifty. The defensive lines are thick with farmers, craftsmen, servants and slaves. They fight, not only because they are loyal, but also because they are terrorized at being taken as slaves for the altars of Maxam. When they see that Ajawinel K’uxaj’s forces are in the middle of our city, they will think all is lost and they will flee, desert the lines. They are not Warriors.”

  ‘My Ajawinel. Of the fifteen hundred troops, seven hundred and fifty are trained Warriors, the best in all the kingdoms. Of the remaining seven hundred and fifty, five hundred are Militia who have had regular training and can hold their own. They are far superior to the Militia of the ot
her kingdoms. The remaining two hundred and fifty are, as you said, farmers, craftsmen, servants and slaves, and do not have much training. Yet, we must not underestimate them for they are young, they are ready to fight, and they all aspire to be great Warriors in your army one day, even T’oit’ik-jolom.340 We use only the young.”

  The Halach Uinic shook his head as he deliberated. “Since the last Maxam wars, twenty-four tuns ago, the Nim-q’ij Decree has been commercial expansion. Trade is where our power must lie, I stressed, over and over. It seems that when this … this raid from Maxam is over, I must, once again, have this Nim-q’ij Dynasty rule with thoughts of war. I will have to build an army unequaled in strength as is Ox Witz Ha a metropolis unequaled in glory.” He slammed his fist upon the table. “Irrespective of the effects my past decrees have had on my army, Nacons, the Ajawinel of Maxam must not enter the Caana. Nim-q’ij Commandant! Let us devise new strategy to halt the advance of that” … he looked at me … “fok arrowhead and, quickly, for we have little time. Already, their ch’abs fall in our city. Already, I hear their beating drums and their war cries. My people are dying. Roofs are burning. Charred thatch will not destroy my city, but there will be panic among those untrained in the art of war. If we do not stop the Ajawinel of Maxam now, soon it will not only be the invaders’ flaming ch’abs, but their bate’s, then their chay341 u-yehs342 and maquahuitls,343 and their flags and banners will fly above Ox Witz Ha. I will not permit that.”

  “Ajawinel!” I interjected. “May I see the map?”

  “We have no …” expressed the Commandant, but the Halach Uinic raised his hand and silenced him.

  “And what can you offer, Ke’kchi?”

  “I am a trained Warrior, Ajawinel. Trained by the British.”