Empire of the Skull

by Philip Caveney

Itztli said something else, then turned and strode away. Now Travers and Chicahua were talking earnestly to each other, but the boy kept shaking his head – Alec realized he was insisting that he had given his word and that the bet must be honoured. Tepin came to stand by the gallery and smiled down at Alec.

  Alec suddenly heard footsteps behind him and turned to see that Tlaloc had entered the arena. His face was as expressionless as ever, but he beckoned to Alec, who knew better than to disobey.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Repercussions

  Up in the gallery, the others were waiting for him. Chicahua looked furious. He was pacing up and down, his chubby little face set into a scowl.

  'You tricked me!' he said as Alec approached him.

  'Your majesty, I think you misunderstood what I was saying,' protested Alec. 'I only said that I—'

  'I know what you said! But now Itztli is very angry. I have never seen him so angry. And I had to tell him that I could not go back on my word.' 'Try to see it from my point of view,' said Alec. 'Imagine if it was you being sent to your death. You'd have done the same thing.'

  But Chicahua was shaking his head. 'I offered you the hand of friendship,' he snarled. 'And this is how you choose to repay me. Well, that's it! Our friendship is no more. I shall not send for you again. I don't care how many wonders you can describe, I do not wish to hear your voice any more!'

  'Brother,' said Tepin, 'you are only angry because Alec got the better of you. You have to admit he was very clever.'

  'Quiet, Tepin!' snapped Chicahua. 'Keep out of this. It's time you learned your place. It was you who talked me into taking that bet.' He turned back to glare at Alec. 'Now it is over. You shall go back to your friends and the next time you come out of your prison, it will be to meet your death.' He glanced around at the others. 'Come, we go!' he snapped and went quickly towards the exit.

  Patli shot a triumphant look at Alec and then scurried after his master, pulling the jaguar behind him. Travers studied Alec for a moment and then gave him a sad smile.

  'I hope you enjoy your three extra days,' he said. 'You may choose to spend them reflecting on how devious you have been.' He turned away and followed the emperor.

  Only Tepin hung back, looking at Alec solemnly. 'I am sorry it has to end like this,' she said.

  Alec shrugged. 'Me too. Perhaps when Chicahua's had a chance to calm down . . .'

  But she shook her head sadly. 'My brother is stubborn,' she said. 'I know him too well. Once you cross him, there is no going back. But I will remember you with fondness, Alec. I'm glad I met you.' She stepped forward and impulsively kissed him on the cheek. 'I wish you a good journey to the underworld,' she murmured. She squeezed his hand and then walked quickly away. Alec gazed after her and then touched his cheek where her lips had brushed against it.

  He felt a heavy hand on his shoulder and looked up into the impassive face of Tlaloc.

  'You come now,' said the warrior, and Alec followed him down the steps. As they walked back across the plaza, Alec could see Chicahua's procession moving slowly through the crowds. Once he thought he saw Tepin looking back over her shoulder, as though searching for him. But then Tlaloc steered him through another entrance and they were heading back towards the prison.

  Alec noticed two women coming towards him, their heads bowed. He recognized Conchita and one of Chicahua's wives, the plump woman called Nelli. As they drew closer, Nelli started to speak to Tlaloc, distracting him so that Conchita could talk to Alec.

  'How are you?' she asked.

  'I've been better,' he admitted.

  She glanced at Tlaloc and leaned closer so she could speak in hushed tones. 'And how is Frank?'

  'He was fine the last time I saw him.' Alec was puzzled by her manner. She seemed contrite, almost humble, not like herself at all.

  'I tried to see him myself, but they would not let me into the prison,' she explained. 'Will you . . . Please will you take a message to him for me?'

  'Of course,' said Alec.

  'Will you tell him I pray for him?' she whispered.

  That was a shock. Alec had somehow never thought of Conchita as somebody who prayed for anything but her own success.

  'Of course,' he said.

  'Since we are apart I have time to think about things. You know, I treat him badly. I care only about the movie business and I see Frank as . . . a means to an end, you know? But when I see him in the plaza—' She broke off for a moment and Alec was astonished to see tears in her eyes. 'He was in danger, but all he care about was trying to find me. It made me realize that he is a good man. A fine man. Always he has done everything for me and I just . . . take it for granted. Will you . . . Alec, will you tell him I love him very much and I will pray for him? Will you tell him that, please?'

  Alec nodded. 'I'll . . . I'll try,' he said.

  'Thank you,' she said. 'I will say a prayer for you too.'

  He nodded. 'Thanks,' he said. 'The way things are going, I may need one.'

  Conchita pressed closer to him, and for a moment Alec thought she too was going to kiss him on the cheek – but then he felt her push something into his pocket, and when he slipped his hand in, he felt something cold and hard and realized it was an obsidian dagger. He was about to thank her, but then Tlaloc was dismissing Nelli, pushing her aside rudely before taking Conchita's arm and pulling her away from Alec. He put a hand on his shoulder and prodded him on along the corridor. The two women bowed respectfully to him and continued in the other direction.

  Alec moved on, aware of the dagger in his pocket, thinking how much Conchita had changed in just a couple of days. But then, he decided, there was nothing like a life-or-death experience to make you reassess things. He wondered grimly how he would spend his last few days.

  'Master Alec!' said Coates, getting to his feet as Alec stepped into the cell. 'Are you all right? We heard people cheering out there.'

  'I'm fine,' said Alec. 'And I've some good news . . . and some bad news.'

  'Good news first,' suggested Ethan.

  'I've just got us another three days.'

  'That's great!' said Frank. 'And what's the bad news?'

  'Chicahua isn't my friend any more.'

  Of course, everybody wanted to know how he had wangled the extra days, so he was obliged to relate the story, step by step, explaining how he had tricked Chicahua into making the bet. When he had finished, everybody – even the usually sarcastic Nelson – congratulated him on his ingenuity.

  'I got to hand it you, kid,' the oil man said, 'that was clever of you.' He shrugged. 'But I have to point out it's just a stay of execution. We're not really any better off.'

  Ethan nodded. 'No, but it takes a little of the heat off, I guess. The way things stood, it was do or die – we'd have had to try something tonight, or tomorrow at the very latest. Now maybe we can look out for a good opportunity.'

  'Maybe this will help,' said Alec, taking the dagger out of his pocket and handing it to Ethan.

  The American grinned. 'It sure will!' He tested the edge of the obsidian with his thumb and managed to draw blood. 'It's sharp enough. Where did you get this, kid?'

  'Conchita slipped it to me on the way back here.'

  'You saw Conchita?' asked Frank.

  'Yes. She . . . she asked me to tell you something.'

  'Let me guess,' sneered Nelson. 'Her bath water's too cold and she was wondering if Frank could slip over and heat it up for her.'

  Alec gave him a hostile glare. 'It was nothing like that,' he said. He glanced awkwardly at the others. 'It's kind of personal,' he continued.

  He and Frank walked off into the furthest corner and spoke in hushed tones. When Alec had told him everything, Frank had a big smile on his face.

  'She really said that?' he whispered. 'That she loved me?'

  Alec nodded.

  'Then it don't matter what happens to me. I'll die a happy man.'

  'Well, let's not say "die" just yet,' Alec told him. 'We've still got a few days to
come up with a plan.' They went back to join the others. 'And let's not forget, we've got a weapon now.'

  'Not much of a weapon,' said Nelson.

  'No, but it's better than nothing,' said Ethan. 'And it's small enough to conceal. As far as a plan goes, all we've come up with is jumping the guards when they bring in some food and then trying to fight our way out to the river.' He glanced at Alec. 'Did you see how many were out there?' he asked.

  'Just two men,' Alec told him. 'A jailor and an armed guard.'

  'Well, we outnumber them, anyway. If we can get a spear off one of them, we'll have a chance of fighting our way out.'

  'I still say it's a dumb idea,' said Nelson. 'We'd be taking on half the city.'

  'Not if we try it at night,' reasoned Coates. 'When they're all asleep.'

  'But the guards don't come in here at night,' said Alec.

  'Then we need to find a way to get them in here,' Frank pointed out. 'Cause a commotion or something.'

  Luis laughed. 'Maybe you forgot – Nelson was nearly killing me and they didn't take any notice. They're not stupid, they must realize we're trying to think of ways to escape.'

  Everyone lapsed into a thoughtful silence.

  'How did Itztli react when he realized that you'd tricked the emperor?' Coates asked Alec.

  'He wasn't happy,' he replied. 'He gave me a filthy look and then stormed off. Chicahua said he'd never seen him so angry.'

  Coates frowned. 'He's the one that worries me most,' he murmured. 'I only saw him for a short while, but I recognized him for what he was. The kind of man who will let nothing stand in his way.'

  Alec nodded. 'I agree. He's a nasty piece of work. But . . . even he wouldn't dare oppose the emperor. Would he?'

  Coates didn't answer and everyone desperately tried to think of some escape plan. But the day lengthened into afternoon and then into night, and they had come up with precisely nothing. When the evening meal was delivered, the wooden tray was simply pushed into the room and the door slammed shut again. Clearly the guards weren't taking any chances.

  They ate their meagre rations in moody silence and then Ethan announced that he could wait no longer.

  'OK, here's how it has to be. Tomorrow morning, when they swing that door open, one of us will be waiting on the other side of it. Frank, maybe you could do it? You just have to grab the edge of the door and pull it wide open. Then I'll go through the doorway with this and cut down anyone who stands in my way.' He lifted the stone knife and made a slashing motion. 'The rest of you will follow hard on my heels, grabbing any weapon you can as we go. We don't stop for anything – not until we get to that river. I'll expect every one of you to back me up. Is that understood?'

  Frank scowled. 'What about Conchita?' he asked.

  There was an uncomfortable silence.

  'If there's any way we can get to her, we'll try,' Ethan promised him. 'But the way I figure it, she's in no real danger for the moment. If we can't reach her now, we'll travel until we find help. Then we'll come back for her and take her back, by force if necessary.'

  Frank considered this for a moment and then he nodded.

  'OK,' said Ethan. 'Anyone got any other questions?'

  Nobody did. So they moved to their respective bunks and settled down to wait.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  The Children of Mictlan

  Itztli followed Tlaloc down the stone steps into the dark heart of the step pyramid. Rows of flaming wall torches lit their way. Itztli knew that the leader of the jaguar warriors had been more than a little irritated to be called from his chamber at such a late hour. Not that he would ever dare to express his displeasure. He knew how powerful the high priest was and, though not blessed with the brightest of minds, was always mindful of his own skin.

  Itztli had decided that he had brooded over his public humiliation long enough. Once had been bad enough – Chicahua ordering him about like some commoner – but to have the outsider pup ridicule him in the games arena in full view of hundreds of people – that had been the final straw. It was time to act upon the words of the lord of Mictlan himself; to take full control of the situation; to place Colotlán under his rule. But he was also aware that he needed Tlaloc's help. Only with his assistance could Itztli hope to control the army of jaguar warriors who dispensed law and order in the city. But he also suspected that Tlaloc would not easily be persuaded to oppose his emperor so he'd decided to sound him out.

  'Tlaloc, you realize that the lord of Mictlan is angry with us?' he said.

  Tlaloc glanced over his shoulder. 'No, my lord.'

  'But of course he is! Why do you think he has been silent since their arrival? No roaring beneath the earth, no shaking of the land. These outsiders come into our city with their evil magic, and instead of sending them to Mictlan, as he demanded, we allow them to live.'

  'Only for a few more days, my lord,' reasoned Tlaloc. 'As I understand it, the emperor promised the boy that if he could—'

  Itztli was irritated. 'I know what happened, Tlaloc, I was there!' His voice echoed along the narrow stone passage. 'The boy tricked Chicahua – tricked him like the idiot he is; and yet he still elected to honour the bet. But you do not barter with the god of the underworld. You do not tell him to wait upon your whims. He is to be obeyed without question.'

  Tlaloc said nothing and they continued on down the stairs in silence. Then Itztli spoke again.

  'What is your opinion of Chicahua?' he asked.

  'It is not for me to have an opinion,' said Tlaloc without hesitation. 'He is my emperor.'

  'He is a child of twelve summers,' said the high priest scornfully. 'Can he be expected to make important decisions on such matters? Could you have decided responsibly when you were his age?'

  There was another long pause.

  'He is my emperor,' said Tlaloc stubbornly. 'I must obey his every decision. That is the law of our city.'

  'And what of me? Would you not obey me if I gave you an order?'

  'Of course, my lord, without hesitation. But . . .'

  'Yes?'

  'The word of my emperor must overrule even your commands.'

  Itztli smiled mirthlessly in the darkness and nodded. It was as he had suspected. Ah well, no matter . . . 'You are a faithful servant, Tlaloc,' he observed.

  They had reached the golden door and Tlaloc stood aside and turned away to allow Itztli to operate the lock, which was shaped in the form of a golden skull. The high priest swung the door open and then turned back to look at him.

  'Would you like to see inside this chamber?' he asked innocently.

  Tlaloc spun round in amazement. 'I, my lord? I . . . do not understand. It is not my place to enter there. Only the high priests are granted admission.'

  Itztli shrugged his thin shoulders. 'The high priests and those they decide to take into their confidence,' he said. 'Come now, surely you would like to see what few other living men have ever seen?'

  Tlaloc licked his lips; Itztli could see that he was tempted.

  'You honour me, my lord, but . . .'

  'Yes?'

  'Being allowed to pass through that doorway – that could not buy my obedience in this matter. I would still have to serve the emperor.'

  Itztli allowed himself a hollow laugh. 'Of course!' he murmured. 'My dear Tlaloc, I hope you do not think that I would sink so low as to offer you a bribe? I merely wish to reward you for your many services over the years.'

  Tlaloc bowed his head. 'Then I respectfully accept your invitation,' he said.

  'Good. Take that torch with you and lead the way.'

  Tlaloc lifted a torch from the wall and went inside ahead of Itztli, who turned back to secure the heavy door behind them, then followed the big man down the final flight of steps to the great stone gallery. He heard a gasp of wonder emerge from Tlaloc's lips and thought back to the first time he had been granted access to this magical place: how awe-inspiring it had been! He almost envied Tlaloc the experience of seeing it for the first time.


  'My lord, it is . . . incredible,' the warrior whispered.

  'Indeed,' said Itztli, staring down into the molten core that lay far below them. 'The gates to Mictlan, the home of the lord of the underworld. Do you feel its power, Tlaloc? Do you not tremble before its majesty?'

  Tlaloc nodded. He was gazing down in mute amazement and his dark eyes reflected the red-hot lava below.

  'Wait here,' the high priest commanded him. 'I have prayers and invocations to offer.'

  He walked slowly round the gallery, aware of the hot stone beneath his sandals. He kept moving until he was standing on the far side of the circle, directly opposite Tlaloc. He leaned on the balcony and gazed down into Mictlan, letting the heat bathe his face, and sought to make contact with Mictlantecuhtli. For a moment he felt resistance; then his vision seemed to cloud and he heard the deep measured tones ringing in his head.

  ITZTLI. YOU HAVE RETURNED. WHAT NEWS?

  Bad news, Great Lord, replied Itztli's inner voice. As I feared, the boy made the wrong decision.

  HE DARES TO DENY ME WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY MINE?

  My lord, I did warn you. He is a child, he thinks as a child, he acts as a child. Who could expect a boy of such tender years to act responsibly?

  DO NOT TRY TO TELL ME MY BUSINESS, ITZTLI.

  My lord, I would not! Chicahua has granted the outsiders three more days before allowing the sacrifice – and he has taken the youngest of them into his confidence, treating him as a friend.

  A FRIEND? HE HAS NO BUSINESS TO EXTEND THE HAND OF FRIENDSHIP TO ANY OUTSIDER OTHER THAN COYOTL.

  I agree, my lord. Especially when the boy has tricked him into granting them more time.

  Another long pause. Mictlantecuhtli's voice died down to a bubbling, hissing undertone before rising suddenly again.

  YOU HAVE BROUGHT ANOTHER INTO MY PRESENCE! SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT BELONG IN THIS HALLOWED PLACE!

  Yes, my lord. I beg forgiveness for this transgression. He is the leader of the jaguar warriors. I need his obedience if I am to carry out our plan successfully. But he obeys the emperor. I thought perhaps – the matter we spoke of before –the children of Mictlan? Those who have already been sacrificed to you . . .