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Double Capybara
Cyclone
ChronoBovino
Vec
A cycle had passed since the Sealion armada landed on the shores of Xanchaladan, but their progress was not as productive as they liked. The first six months proved to be the bloodiest. The bitter sting of loss and the constant fighting dampened the men's spirits whilst defending the bloody wharf. 'The Crimson Coast', many dubbed it. The last six months proved rather manageable. Construction on Port Xicana - the name a product of the natives incessant use of the word when a ceasefire was declared - progressed steadily. A number of harbors had been constructed and the makeshift tent city has become a rather disorganized cacophony of wooden shacks and lean-ons.
Today, the city had retired for the day as sundown was in effect. The laborers were lining up to receive a somewhat warm supper after a hard, bitter day's work. But due to the rather hostile conditions, the Xicanii were not able to pillage the land for their food, resorting to the use of their reserved rations. Consequently, this led to the rationing of normal portions for the laborers. As Diana, Sadus, and Viatrix went through the meal line, Sadus got his portion, and was the most vocal out of everyone about his amount.
Sadus gave the head cook the most puzzling of looks, "Is this a joke? These portions are smaller than yesterday's!"
"I am aware," the cook replied rather disinterestedly, "It is something called, "rationing", has the word ever graced your skull?" The cook looked down the mess line and shouted, "Next!"
"Hold a moment!" Sadus rebuked, "Open your ears and listen good, your food is so droll my shit tastes better. But seeing as I cannot shit as much as you make food, I am forced to settle with this gruel. Now clean your eyes and look at me closely, I am a big man; a big, big man! And as such I deserve a larger portion!"
The cook leaned in closely to Sadus' face, their noses barely touching, "If you claim to be a 'big man', than why do you act like a big bitch? Move along, I have more pressing matters than you."
"Hey! What gives?" a worker near the back of the line yelled out. "Make like the wind and move!"
"Oh fuck off!" Sadus yelled back, then he turned his attention back to the unyielding cook, "Do you know who I am?"
"Sadus, not this," the cook sighed in dismay.
"Come on Sadus, let's move," Diana urged.
"Stay out of this, you Xerxanian shit! Cook, who am I? Who is the man that stands before you?"
"Ugh…" the cook groaned loudly, burying his face in his hand, "…You are Sadus—"
"Sadus the FUCKING Great! You are correct! The man who singlehandedly took on ten of those savage islanders at sea!"
"The thorn in our ass!" another worker in line jeered at the boisterous Xicani for delaying his meal.
"Hold your fucking tongue!" Sadus roared back. He jabbed his strong, meaty finger in the cook's barreled chest and hissed, "I even killed a fucking Berserker…By! My! Self! That should entitle me to a much larger portion."
"Oh yeah? So did Viatrix! The Ivory Viper even landed the killing blow! By that logic, Diana should have the entire pot of food!"
Diana raised an eyebrow and looked to the sky with a grin, "Hmm, that I don't mind."
"Silence!" Sadus snapped on his friend. "Where is the respect that Sadus deserves?!"
"It is in the wind along with your pride," the cook scoffed with a chuckle, "I heard tale of your foolish antics which awoken a slumbering jaguar. And how you squealed like a virgin being deflowered as it chased you like a frightened rabbit."
Sadus lunged forward at the cook, wanting to strangle the mouth of the lowly cook who never had to fight a day in his life, but Viatrix grabbed Sadus from behind and yanked him away before he had time to attack. The rest of the men cheered and shouted, expecting a show to improve their sour mood.
Sadus walked away irritated, being escorted by Viatrix and Diana. The cook yelled at Sadus, "Remember Sadus, I am the head cook! I know what you are allergic to!"
"Oh take knee and suck my cock!"
The line began to move along as if nothing had happened; they were too tired and too cold to particularly care. But watching off to the side was Xan, wrapped in a blanket, silently observing the entire amusing scene. After he had his fill of observance, Xan silently walked his way towards Red Dog's quarters, where he was saluted by the posted sentries.
"Red Dog, it's Xan," the Captain announced.
"Enter," his voice came from within.
Xan strolled on in and was embraced by the warmth of the hut. Red Dog was busy scribbling in his ledger with a slave holding a torch overhead; providing him light and keeping him warm.
"How goes it, Xan?" Red Dog asked, without raising his head.
Xan moved over to the torch to receive some warmth. "I can finally sleep well, months of paranoia hasn't done wonders for my sleep schedule, so it provides much expected relief. But that is not the nature of my visit. A few moment ago; Sadus, was shouting with fire at his food portions being scarcer than yesterday."
Red Dog laid down his stylus and sighed cantankerously, "If it's Sadus, I don't give two shits about his food problem."
"Sadus is quite vocal, and he hits our problem with a needle. If he is addressing the problem this early, then it is a drastic problem that needs to be addressed before others become as vocal."
"A problem that is clear as snow. I am aware of our food supply and I ordered them to be rationed."
"How are we situated?"
"The Quartermaster has given me the corn, grain, and bread provisions for the workers. We are in adequate standing, but he estimates that the food will be gone within 4 months. And with the storm season on it's way we won't receive out next shipment for 6 months. So the rationing has to begin now until we find a more bountiful source of food."
"How have the hunting parties fared?"
"Below expectation, most of the game has fled after the intense fighting and activity."
"It may have been a hidden blessing that we lost a quarter of our men last year, a few hundred less mouths to feed."
Red Dog snapped his head at the lax Captian, and stared at him with furious eyes, yet spoke in a calm demeanor, "Never speak ill of the dead who fought so bravely, you of all should know."
Xan gulped, yet still carried on a neutral expression, "Apologies, Red Dog."
Red Dog stared at the man for a little longer, until finally dropping his stare. "Our food supply is running low, and I would rather deal with this sooner than later, yet we are in no immediate risk of empty bellies."
Xan found his way to a chair and breathed easier, "Not yet."
"Right…" Red Dog groaned, "…not yet…"
As Xan reclined further in the chair, scratching the elongated scar on his cheek that itched from time to time, he could see the inner machinations of the mind of Red Dog begin to turn as he stared fiercely into a crude map on his desk. The knight cracked a toothy grin, "What sorts of schemes are you hatching in that mind of yours?"
Red Dog focused on Xan and smiled back. "Just pondering how predators act, when they can't procure food for themselves. Like a pack of wolves, if all the wildlife is absent from their den, what do they do then?"
Xan thought over it for a while. As he reached an answer, he chuckled and grinned more, "They steal it from another pack."
"Exactly, do me a favor."
"Speak." Xan said as he stood to his feet.
"Send a messenger to fetch Diana for me, will you?"
"Diana?!" Xan's face light up at the mention of his favorite ivory haired woman, "To what purpose?"
"To one that is suited for her."
The Itenco Tribe of Xanchaladan escorted a group of Xaxamaca Empire delegates until they arrived at their village. The Itenco women and children came out of their huts and pointed at the bounded Xaxamaca, wondering if they were royals or common-folk. They had some menacing warriors looking down upon them with wicked blades capable of cutting a man's skull in two and warriors that towered in height close to Berserker level. But as the Xaxamaca examined the Itenco closer, they could see that some of them were sickly and thin, others were to the point of malnourishment. They also noticed the absence of several pet animals such as dogs, and the absence of several livestock. The food situation must have grown desperate. They were thoroughly surprised that these people were the most violent of the Xanchaldii. A lack luster harvest must have crippled the tribe.
Biua, the Itenco's warrior-princess told the gathering crowd to make a hole and allow them to pass. She took them to the square and had the Xaxamaca placed under guard, all except Ermanar - the ambassador to the Emperor of Xaxamaca - who she escorted to the main hut and told him to wait patiently outside; as she went in to speak to her father.
It only took thirty seconds until she came out and told him to enter the chieftain's hut. Upon entering the dark and musty smelling hut, the Xaxamaii ambassador's eyes fell on the chieftain, who was sitting on a cot wrapped in a thick blanket. Chieftain Guatemoc stood to his feet to greet him. He was an old man, probably in mid to late 60s. He was blind in his left eye and had teeth as yellow as urine, his skin was pasty and started to sag, and his hair was grey and loose like thread while his beard fell to his chest. Yet despite his disgusting features, his body was still a good size to be intimidating, Ermanar pondered that he must have looked like a mountain in his prime. And the longer Ermanar stared at him, the more he thought that he recognized him before.
Guatemoc slowly opened his mouth, and a hoarse, smoky voice emanated, "I have been told that you stand Xaxamaca. If such is true, reveal name and see yourself received."
"I am Ermanar of the Iyolloyo tribe of Xaxamaca. I am the second son of Emperor. I humbly come before you with the highest deference and respects, oh chieftain Guatemoc of the Itenco, as emissary to the Bloodyhanded, King of the Iyolloyo, Emperor of the Xaxamaca Empire, and Sovereign of Xanchaladan."
Guatemoc nodded approvingly to his daughter, "He holds great manners and respect." Biua rolled her eyes. "So tell me, Ermanar, for what reason have you come south?"
The Xaxamaii spoke bluntly, "My lord requires knowledge of the situation of the Itenco. How Xaxamaca can provide assistance? And how you plan on further helping Xaxamaca deal with the Xicana threat?"
Guatemoc took a seat in his chair and drank some wine before giving a hoarse answer, "You Xaxamaii cannot understand the fragility of this situation."
"Then break words and see this ignorant mind enlightened."
The chieftain sighed, "The harvest. The gods did not bless the fields on this cruelest of seasons for us tribesmen in the south. But for the tribes north of us…their fields were rich with bounty.The unity of all the tribes ensured that trade would exist harmoniously with one another. But…come our king's demise in battle and no Heir-apparent, the tribes, who bonds extend from blood to hate, quickly broke off the confederation to ensure that the tribes with the poorer harvest starved. With no alternative, I sent my kin to raid the lands of other tribes for the sake of food."
Ermanar spoke with condescendence, "You speak to me of complex factors, yet you present the situation as filled with pettiness and greed. This squabble of yours, the breaking of the unity; cannot all be for the sake of food?"
"It is not solely about food! It extends from generations of the warring tribes, older than my father's father, fighting for crimes that existed long in the past! But why should I regale you on such a struggle, I can look into your eyes and know that you do not care." Guatemoc finally snapped, before having a dreaded coughing fit, "You may be an ally and envoy of the emperor...but know you tread dangerously on my hospitality! Do not question my actions."
"Apologies if I offend, but I only wish to stress what needs to be done."
"And what does your emperor stress needs to be done?"
"He seeks that the Itenco aid in the original mission of the Condeferation and help the Xaxamaca Empire, fight the Xicana."
The chieftain thought over the request for a moment before turning to Biua, who nodded in agreement with Ermanar. Guatemoc spoke, "I understand what your emperor asks, but this I cannot do."
"You refuse your an ally's request?"
"Know that I do not base my choice out of malice or complacency. I support the continuing war against the Xicana, but know that I cannot allow sending my kin to fight against the Xicana."
"Yet you send your people against your fellow tribes? Who number fewer in comparison to the Xicana? Continue to stall and you shall see a Xicana heel dominate you all! Fight for the common purpose! Help us."
"If we fight the northern tribes, we can win against them. We cannot, however, win against the Xicana. I shall offer prayers, but I cannot allow my people to fight them in proxy of your people."
Ermanar sighed in a mixture of frustration and disbelief, and buried his face in his hand. The Itenco would rather slat their former brethren than fight the Xicana. Their logic was truly astounding. Guatemoc took a drink from wine and continued, "If you seek our help, then give us aid against the northern tribes first, and we shall lend assistance to you."
Ermanar shook his head, "We cannot do this. What molds your mind into this decision?"
Guatemoc grew silent and drank some more wine before giving voice, "Blood Xaltentli." Ermanar exhaled and looked towards the ground. The chieftain continued, his voice filled with bitterness, "One cycle, over hundreds of warriors fell before the swords of the Xicana who numbered half. I lost my two sons in that battle who fought in my stead and dozens of our kinsmen. Those that fled told me of the crushing defeat. My sons' bodies…irretrievable. Throughout the mourning period, the cries of my people rang out for what we have deemed an eternity. The Xicana are unstoppable…they will march over my people and crush us if we attack them."
For the moment, Ermanar looked as if he had grieved with the Itenco, He struggled to find the words.. Fortunately, Biua spoke in his defense, "Father, if we strike at the Xicana, we can inflict a crippling blow unto them and allow for Xaxamaca to destroy them!"
"Have you not been listening to what I have spoken?!" Guatemoc snapped, "If we attack the Xicana, they would crush us and swallow our lands! Do you not understand, Biua? We are in no position to fight them!"
Biua gnashed her teeth and left the hut in anger. Guatemoc buried his face in his hand, "She was always a stubborn woman." He looked up to Ermanar with reluctant eyes, yet spoke sternly, "Ermanar, gratitude for coming this way to discuss terms with your father. But know that I shall not commit the Itenco to fight against the Xicana, we have much to lose and very little to gain. I shall support the emperor in whatever way I can, but I will not sacrifice one Itenco to fight against the Xicana. That is my final answer."
Ermanar bowed his head, subtlety gritted his teeth, and clenched his fist bitterly. He failed…he failed his father. He extended his pleasantries to the chieftain and left the hut feeling lower than snake shit.
As he left the hut, he was immediately surrounded by his men who were curious to hear if the chieftain accepted. To their dismay, Ermanar recounted the exchange. The men cursed quietly to themselves and spat on the Itenco land, ashamed that this so-called, "fierce people" was ruled by a coward and were leaving the Xaxamaca out to dry.
Ermanar told the dispirited Xaxamaii to gather their belongings and prepare to leave. But before Ermanar did so, he saw a fuming Biua sitting under a large tree, sharpening her daggers. An idea for a last second agreement sparked in the Xaxamaii's head.
"I cannot believe your father said such things," he told her as he approached.
She scoffed and kept sharpening the knife, making sure every that every nick that was being smoothed was extinguishing her inner frustration, "My Father has grown soft ever since the battle! He does not understand the vital situation we are in!"
"Exactly, maybe you should break words with him once again, except in the tone of frightful daughter?"
"I have tried such things, he still remains adamant to change his thoughts."
He crouched to her level, "Well then…maybe it shall be time that your thoughts eclipse his towards your people…absent his knowledge."
Her face grew abrasive and she sneered, "You are mad! I will not go against my father!"
"But you know that my father speaks the truth! If the Xicana seize full control of that beach, your people will be caught within their land. And in this vise, the Xicana shall seize all you claim for food and let you starve. And as you all grow weak, from feasting on mud, bark, and vegetation, and eventual hunger and madness claims you, the Xicana shall kill you all. Biua, lead your people away from this cruel fate!"
The Xaxamaii could see her facial expression change from irritation to a soft, perplexing bemusement. He could see the wheels in her mind turning as she actually considered for reign as leader of the Itenco. For the men of the village to follow her command meant that they respected her abilities as a warrior and feared her as such. She was a leader.
"Ermanar!" Guatemoc called out as he hobbled out of his hut towards the Xaxamaii, ten warrior fell in step along side him. "In order to leave this land, you must send all your men with ten of mine jungle. You must stay here."
"Why must I remain?" the prince asked, not liking the way the conversation was steering.
"Because I have a purpose for you to remain here in my village," he said sternly.
"Do you intend to hold me hostage against my father?"
"Not at all, such would be foolish. Be patient, you shall be free when it is over."
The Xaxamaii's eyes shot up, "'It'? What is 'it'?"
"The negotiations." Guatemoc declared calmly.
"Wait, what? What negotiations?" Ermanar asked. He was soon interrupted by Biua who came rushing to him with news.
"Father, forward scouts report a large concentration of the Xicana approaching the village!" she bellowed as she was out of breath. "They wish to attack!"
Before Biua could run off to mobilize the warriors, Guatemoc placed a calm, paternal hand on her shoulder, "Be at peace. They are not wishing to battle, but to break words."
Both Biua and Ermanar yelped in unison, "What?!"
"And I accepted," Guatemoc said with utter tranquility. He turned to Ermanar, "The reason I requested you to be here alone is so that you may see the negotiations between us and the Xicana, and know that the Xicana wants no war with us. And as long as we keep an amiable peace between them, they will not come to harm us."
Ermanar was so confused by everything moving so quickly that he had nothing to say. But Biua was vocal enough for both of them, "Father! How long have the Xicana been on our land?!" she demanded to know.
"This is their second day. Earlier in the morning they sent an emissary with letters of hopefully negotiating terms of trade and tribute later in the day, while you were absent in search of hunting earlier. And for the betterment of our kin, I accepted their terms to come to the village and speak to me."
"Father! Why is this now just gracing my ears?!"
His soft gaze transformed into a controlled glare, "Because I know that you will turn sword upon them at first moment. I have told the warriors to standby and allow them to pass and to not harm them. I will not give the Xicana any excuse to destroy us. And you shall see that they can be merciful if you know how to speak to them."
Biua grinded her teeth and wanted to curse her father for being negligent. Has he finally lost the last sense he had?!
Ermanar spoke up with uneasiness, "For what reason would you or your people profit from such talks?"
"Promised safety. I shall not see my people destroyed by this army. Whatever I can say to ensure the Xicana pass by our lands absent a drop of blood is my cause."
You despicable coward! Ermanar couldn't help but leer behind the chieftain's back. The Xicana would shed blood regardless of what would happen. How could he not see that? He would jeopardize the entire alliance for fear of his people's doom, which sounds admirable, but foolish in the long run. Ermanar eyed Biua with beseeching eyes for her to intervene, but she grudgingly shook her head, showing her helplessness in the situation. Her hands were tied and the Xicana were already on the verge of entering their village.
A messenger came by and told the chieftain that the Xicana entered the village and were on their way here. "Sheathe your weapons," Guatemoc shouted to all, "Do not aggravate them and stand with honor and respect towards them. I will not stand any signs of defiance towards their soldiers, translator, or their Commanders! Biua, Ermanar; stand by my side!"
"Chieftain, it is of utmost import that they must not know my identity as a Xaxamaii," the prince pleaded as he stood uniform by the chieftain.
"I understand, your identity will not be revealed, alough I am unsure how versed the Xicana are in Xanchaldii culture. Now fall silent, here they approach."
As the Xicana were moving closer to the main square, a large crowd of Itenco men, women, children, and warriors were following them in a swarming circle. Immediately, the Xicana soldiers ran forth and took a large square formation around the square and stood sharply at attention. Ermanar counted about 100 men, all whose eyes were looking around, precariously gauging the size of the Itenco tribe. A single Xicanii came pushing through the crowd and the soldiers, shouting in fluent islander tongue, "Make way! May way!" The formation of soldiers parted like a veil as the translator came through, followed by two people.
"Make way!" the translator shouted to the chieftain, "Make way for, Red Dog and Diana the Ivory Viper, the emissaries of Port Xicana."
Ermanar trembled subtlety, Biua glared at the Xicana, while Guatemoc walked forth to the two Xicanii and said with a sincere smile, "Greetings! I am Guatemoc, chieftain of the Itenco, welcome to our lands!"
"Gratitude for welcoming us unto your lands. As envoys of the port, I expect that we shall be treated with respect." Red Dog began.
"Of course, of course," the old man said "Dear Commanders, allow me to offer you two rest in our Meeting Hall, I have food and drink prepared for your arrival. There, we will speak upon your request."
"Agreed," Red Dog said with a cordial smile.
The Itenco led the Xicana and a small number of Xicanii soldiers, towards the Meeting Hall. On their way, Diana peered across the village in considerate detail. Although she saw a good number of warriors, she saw emaciated women and children look upon them with eyes filled with confusion, fear, and pain. She saw few livestock but she did notice a full stable of horses, so they must not have been that desperate. The atmosphere of the entire village was so filled with…bleakness, that she could begin to understand what it meant to truly starve.
"Red Dog," Diana whispered, "You see how these people are living?"
The man looked around, "I do…they seem so…weak, pathetic even?"
The Itenco presented a small rectangular table to the duo that held plates of cooked iguana and cups of palm wine.
Before Red Dog and Diana could sit, Biua extended her hand and ordered, "I must ask you two to relinquish all weapons that you carry on you."
Diana's eyebrow shot up, "Fuck that!"
"I do not believe I gave you a choice," she said with fire lighting her eyes.
"Biua!" Guatemoc raised his voice, before turning to the Xicanii. "Apologies, my daughter only offers stipulations that have always been in place, but absent consideration of her guests!" he sneered to her.
Red Dog eyed the scornful women once more, but ultimately allowed for their weapons to be taken without a word. He removed his knives handed them over to a Itenco warrior. Diana begrudgingly removed her cutlass' from her sides as well, and reached for her thigh dagger. Ermanar too reached behind his back to remove his hidden dagger.
Biua quickly seized his dagger and inspected it, "For what reason do you carry this dagger behind your back?" she genuinely asked him in curiosity.
"Because the enemy doesn't expect it and it stays away from their reach," he confidently told her.
She nodded silently in actual approval and handed the dagger over to her fellow warrior. "This only serves as precaution for safety of all parties," she said to them, but eyed the translator, as she herself removed her daggers from her waist, as did Guatemoc.
Guatemoc sat down in the middle of the opposite end of the Xicanii, with Biua and Ermanar sitting beside him. The Xicanii duo took their seats as well.
Red Dog cleared his throat, "…Under the direct orders of Lord Sealion, all tribes within 50 spans of Port Xicana must pay a direct tribute us. Such tribute includes, but is not limited to: crops, livestock, currency, oils, skins, and weaponry to supplement the port. Any questions?"
All the Itenco in the Hall fell silent, as if a phantom swooped into their lungs and stolen the precious air to breathe. Never before had Guatemoc's jaw fallen so low. "Questions?" From where to begin?
"D-D-Did you utter, 'tribute'?" Biua asked, her face locked in disbelief.
"Indeed I did," Red Dog replied.
"But that—'half?' We cannot pay in that form," Guatemoc explained with sorrow-filled eyes.
"And why isn't not possible?"
"Because—we simply do not have that amount, especially in the forms of food, we cannot give you half for if this comes to pass, my people will starve."
"I understand the barrenness of your fields, but Port Xicana demands whatever you have," he said unflinchingly.
"I fear…that the Xicana shall receive little from our people, not for lack of deception, but of scarcity."
Red Dog frowned and scratched his temple, "Must we seize everything you hoard from us?"
"But we only have the gristles on our bones!"
Red Dog glanced at Diana and they looked each other flatly. Diana raised a thick, roasted iguana leg from the table into the air for all to see.
"'Gristle', eh?" she said with a smirk.
"That—this is only a…token of celebratory gesture," Guatemoc said quickly, "To well gorge the appetite of my guests."
"Or," Diana said, "Maybe you gluttonous royals gorge on all the good food while your people starve?"
"Do not dare accuse me of such!" Guatemoc hissed, finally showing his authoritative presence. "Do not accuse me of such barbaric acts. I will do anything to save my people."
Diana rolled her eyes.
The chieftain exhaled in anxiety, "But to do so would damn my people to hunger, and that I cannot do."
"Well," Red Dog stepped in, "You can either damn your people by hunger and see if you hold a chance at surviving; or, you can damn them to the sword."
Biua made an audible growl and gave the eyes of death to the Xicanii. Her hands inconspicuously moved under the table and wrapped her hand around the handle of a secret dagger, strapped to the underside of the table. But before any action could be taken, Guatemoc discreetly placed a calming hand on his daughter's arm.
"ENOUGH!" Biua shrieked, slamming her hands on the table, startling everyone in the Hall. She was panting wildly in burning anger and gnashed her teeth. Ermanar looked over to the chieftain, hoping that he would restrain his daughter. But his head was lowered to the food, refusing to look at his daughter, yet not out of shame. He knew his outspoken daughter will voice his concerns, perhaps to a greater emotion than he could emote so that the Xicana could see how dire this tribute will be for them.
"You dare treat us as dirt?!" Biua shouted to the brothers, "You come to our lands and demand claim of what our people have toiled endlessly for. And you expect us, like obedient dogs, to bow before you and give you all that we own?!"
Red Dog smiled and simply said, "Of course."
The woman clenched her fist tightly, "What makes you hold mind towards our obedience to this despicable agreement?! Why should we hand over our food and livelihoods?" she snarled.
"Because you and your people only exist as simple slaves to Xicana."
Her voice rose an octave, "'Slaves?!' We are no slaves, we are the proud Itenco!"
"Do you possess an army the size of ours?"
"…No…"
The large man shrugged with a chuckle, "Then your're our fucking slaves."
Biua slumped back in her chair and nodded with a dark grin and said slowly, "You shit eating Xicanii."
"Biua!" Ermanar said through his teeth. Yet Sadus sat as he was, cool as ice with his smug smile still intact.
"Who do you think you are?" Biua continued with her angered grin, "I bet your cock rises at the thought of destroying our people."
Red Dog chuckled, "I am but a simple mercenary. Slayer of dozens of your barbaric kin." He cleared his throat and raised his eyebrow, "But…if you seek to discover what could make my cock rise, how about you serve your people and me back in our encampment?"
The malevolent grin quickly fell from her face. She grabbed the hidden dagger under the table and removed it halfway, before her father seized her hand yet again. This entire action was performed in discretion. She did not remove her death glare from Sadus, and she was joined by her father as well, who would rather the gods skin him alive than see his daughter's body sold for pleasure.
"You Xicanii bastards, this cannot stand in—"
"I accept the terms…" Guatemoc finally spoke.
All the islander in the Hall snapped their heads to their chieftain, utterly shocked at the heinous terms that he accepted. Ermanar eyed the Itenco chieftain in complete bewilderment, Biua, pale from shock, looked as if her soul was ripped from her body.
"Father…?" she said weakly, almost as if she was in a daze.
"I accept your terms, Red Dog." He said again, his head bowed in shame. He could not see his people destroyed by the Xicana.
Red Dog smiled and stood from his seat, "Smart man."
Guatemoc turned to his livid daughter, "My dear Biua, I need you to collect a tally of all food, livestock, skins, weapons, and oils…and prepare them for transport. Do it now."
His daughter looked at him intently, but said nothing. She bitterly nodded and left the Hall, leaving a trail of sullenness in her wake.
Guatemoc stood to his feet, his dignity in shambles but still showing outward pride to his new masters. Sadus extended a hand forth, Guatemoc examined the young mans palm for a moment, but he extended his hand out nonetheless and both men shook hands. Ermanar stared on, his expression illustrated total disbelief in this historic scene.
"Now do you see?!" Ermanar asked Guatemoc as he followed him back to his hut.
With the meeting between the Xicana and the Itenco adjourned, the Xicanii left the Meeting Hall and oversaw the gathering of their tribute, making sure that nothing was skimmed from the taking and that everything was in order. As this was happening, Guatemoc went to retire to his hut, wishing complete solitude from his people; he stood unable to look upon their withered, helpless faces.
Yet Ermanar quickly followed him. His mission to ally the Itenco with the Xaxamaca against the Xicana was tearing at the seams. He had to try something, say anything, to get the Itenco chieftain on his side; and he refused to return a failure to his king.
The Xaxamaii continued with his harassing, "The people you claim that you hold no qualms about are going to allow your people to suffer the ultimate indignity. Starvation! Ally with us, and together we can crush these invaders!" The confederate chieftain picked up his pace without saying a word. "You still fall silent? Guatemoc, this is bigger than your tribe, commit yourself to our cause and aid us against the Xicana." He still remained silent. "Woden damn you! Break words upon your next actions!"
As Diana was ordering some workers to perform a last second inventory check before they shortly left, her peripheral vision caught the forms of Guatemoc and Ermanar storming back to a hut. A sly smile formed on her lips.
The ivory haired woman inhaled and exhaled and started towards Guatemoc's hut. Red Dog ran over to Diana's side.
"Diana," he said, patting her on the back, "Make it clean."
"Don't I always?" she intoned, and she left Red Dog behind.
Outside the hut, Biua sat underneath a tree, peering at a massive cart filled with food, weapons, and skins, along with livestock tied to the cart and pouches of wine draping over their backs, and Xicana men guarding it with stone faces as the poor Itenco looked on, heartbroken at the loss of their precious supplies that were tied to their very survival.
Biua remained sitting, nearly aloof to her surroundings, all she could think about was her father abandoning his own people like a hairless coward. She remembered the sobs of sadness she heard from her people as she took their food and wine from them, as Roman soldiers glared at her from afar, making sure that you she did not "forget" to leave anything.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ermanar exiting her fathers hut with a big smile on his face. Her stomach churned at the sight of him, but a thought shot in her head. Why is he coming out of father's hut? And why is he smiling as such? She observed him longer and saw him heading over to the ivory haired Xicanii. For the time when they were outside, she observed them both sharing a laugh and a lengthy conversation, they even shared a hug consisting of the ivory girl picking up Ermanar and slowly swinging him in the air back-and-forth.
Biua watched from afar in disgust. The Xicana were acting too friendly with the Xaxamaca. But before she could stomach any more, Diana walked back towards her father's hut and waved goodbye to the Xaxamaii.
Biua stood to her feet and looked on at her desolate village, no animals except for the stable of horses remained, women and children stood in a trance, wondering if this was reality or a dream, she herself stood reflecting the entire set of events, judging herself for not being more vocal in the defense against the Xicana. They had the manpower to take on a hundred Roman soldiers; she could have killed them all before they entered. She could—
A terrible yell pierced the absolute silence of the village. Biua snapped her head to the source of the yell, to her horror; it came from her father's hut. Diana rushed out of the hut and shouted into the air, "Help! Help come quick! Murder! Murder! The Chief has been murdered!"
A crowd quickly gathered around the hut, but none moved faster than Biua, who dashed down to the hut so fast that witnesses believed she had wings on her feet. Diana saw her coming and shouted, "Biua come quick! Your father has been murdered!"
No! NO! It cannot be! She burst through the hut door and there she saw him. He was crumpled stomach-up on top his personal table, one eye was wide open and fixated on the ceiling while his other eye was halfway closed, the room smelled more awful than usual, his bowels had loosened. The origins of the fatal wound was obvious to all that saw, a medium-sized dagger was still jammed in his jugular, judging from the angle, one could say that he bled out under 30 seconds.
Biua screamed louder than any person could believe was humanely possible. Tears flowed out of the corners of her eyes, and she ran to her father and cradled his body tight for several minutes. Her father was the only family she had left, and now, she was forever alone and now in charge of her dying people.
Several warriors entered the hut, and upon seeing the body, they bowed their heads in shame for allowing this vicious murder to take place. Diana bowed her head and shook it, "I found him as is, but didn't see who did it" she told the daughter, translator sputtering.
Biua suddenly stopped crying. She rose from the corpse and without turning around, hissed, "I saw you enter the hut, did you kill my father?"
The Itenco slowly turned to him and gave him menacing leers, as they slowly fondled the handles of their swords. Diana swallowed hard and stammered, "No! No-No-No, I did no such thing. I only wanted to reassure him before we left. When I entered, I saw him dead! I'm innocent!"
Biua leaped towards her and forcibly grabbed her palms and examined them. They were clean. "See?" she said to her, "No blood! I played no part in this!"
"Then what happened?!" She screamed to everyone in the hut. "Spread out and find the murderer! I want him now!"
Before the Itenco warriors ran out, Diana called attention to a crucial piece of evidence, "Hold on. The assassin's dagger is still in his throat!"
Biua went over to her father's body and examined the dagger closely. She gasped after her inspection. She pulled it out gently and showed it to everyone.
"That…dagger," a Itenco stated, "That is not confederate craft…"
"No…I recognize this craft, this pattern, this metal," she said. "This…This is an Iyolloyo dagger!"
"Shit it is," Diana chimed in, "Wasn't that the dagger that man with you earlier had?"
"Yes…it is," she said, as she began to access her memory. At the Meeting Hall, when she confiscated their weapons, she remembers pulling this dagger from Ermanar behind his back. It was one and the same. She shook her head wildly. The Xaxamaii prince killed her father? No, it wasn't possible…but wait…she remember seeing him exiting the hut…and he was smiling! The pieces were beginning to connect. And the Xaxamaii…they left the camp rather quickly as well! They…They did kill her father! They murder her father!
"THAT FUCKING XAXAMAII BASTARD!" she erupted with the intensity of a volcano. "He and his fucking entourage try and ally with us, and instead kill my father because of our refusal?!" She ran out of the hut fuming with the wrath of a goddess and addressed her grieving people who heard the news, "The Xaxamaii have invaded our lands, and murdered my father! Your chieftain! They are dogs without honor who are plagued with madness! We shall not stand for this!" She turned to her warriors, "As Chieftain of the Itenco, I command every man to take up the axe and sword and follow me to attack the Xaxamaii!"
Her warriors cheered with angered vengeance and quickly moved throughout the village to grab their remaining weapons. They were ready for war against the cowards who killed their chieftain. But only one woman in the entire village had the sense to address Biua about this issue.
"Biua!" Diana chased after her, "Stop this, you can't attack those guys witho—"
"Stand aside, Xicanii! I will avenge my father!"
"I understand, but this isn't the way!
"I give no shits to the 'correct way', they killed my father, and I will kill that bastard prince!"
"Listen to fucking reason, woman! You'll fucking die!"
"Fuck off!"
Diana jumped in front of Biua and drew her sword and pressed the tip to her throat. The new Itenco chieftain stopped in her tracks. "Not another step, until you hear what I have to say!" she told her.
"Get that sword away from me before I kill you!" she warned. Diana felt no fear, Biua was an ant compared to the beings she had fought.
She put his sword down while saying, "Attacking about 100 men is stupid!"
"Of course not! We shall crush them, we can still catch up to them!"
"Let me finish. Attacking 100 men is stupid, if you had the option of killing a thousand!"
Biua breathed softer and cocked her eyebrow, "Cease fucking riddles, what do you mean?"
"Red Dog, can get you your vengeance. Ally with us, and we can take everything the bastard holds dear."
Biua thought it over considerably; she paced from side-to-side, grunting loudly, juggling immediate vengeance and the safety of her own people. She desired the prince's head on a stake immensely, but then again, his father most likely ordered him to kill her father, he had to die too. All the Xaxamaca royalty had to die!
"Alright, I accept. The Itenco are now allied with the Xicana! You take us north and we shall aid you! But…I want the princes' heads"
Diana smiled, "Of course, vengeance is yours."
Biua nodded, then stormed off. War was on the horizon.
