As soon as the feast was concluded and the servants had removed the plates, bowls, and jars, Thirteen Sacred Jaguar gestured that the first of the ornate boxes be brought forward.
After being granted permission, Horn Lance carried the first offering and laid it before the Morning Star, saying, “Great Lord, we present a remarkable Putun cotton shawl dyed in yellow, green, red, and blue.” The colors, more vivid than anything previously seen in Cahokia, had their desired effect: The onlookers oohed and awed.
Then he brought forth his next offering: “This fine basket made by masters in the city of Yaxchilan contains copal, or pom, the heady and sacred Mayan incense. It is to be burned on sacred occasions as an offering to the Sky World. Next I offer a rubber ball. This ball contains the ch’ulel or soul known as jom sak, which translates to ‘White Destroys.’ Used in the sacred ball games, the peoples in the Itza world consider it as valuable as you do a prized chunkey stone.”
The Morning Star took the heavy orb and curiously pressed his fingers against the soft surface to see it dimple. A shadow of a smile bent his lips.
“We offer cacao,” Horn Lance said as he proffered yet another intricately woven basket. “Cacao is the sacred drink of the Maya and Itza lords, and is presented in a treasured basket said to have been woven by the ancient rulers of the great city of Tikal.”
As each of the treasures was revealed, the awestruck spectators whispered excitedly to each other.
The Morning Star, however, watched through calculating dark eyes, his gaze going first to the item, and then to Horn Lance, as if to read the value and motive behind the offering.
At Horn Lance’s gesture, a fantastically carved box was brought forward. Opening it, Horn Lance demonstrated the contents. “This, Great Lord, is juna, upon which the Itza and Yucatec record words, much as you do with your beaded strings and mats. The difference being that the Itza draw their words, each symbol having meaning. Among other uses, once juna is written upon, it can be burned, the rising smoke carrying messages to the Sky World much as you do with tobacco.”
The Morning Star may have smiled ever so faintly.
Next a small textile bag, remarkably embroidered, was brought forward. This Horn Lance laid at the Morning Star’s feet. “This bag, Great Lord, contains dried sea snails from the Western Ocean. Properly soaked and boiled, they will produce the most vibrant purple dye, the likes of which you have never seen.”
Morning Star barely lifted an eyebrow.
Horn Lance continued to lay out fabrics; spices including achiote, pequin, vanilla, chili; and other treats. These were followed by coca leaves and other hallucinogens, including dried and powdered frogs, thinly sliced mushrooms, and ololiuhqui seed.
“And finally, Thirteen Sacred Jaguar and the Itza multepal bestow this last gift. The hide of the illusive black jaguar, an animal of special Power who hunts the night and communes with the Lords of Xibalba, which you know as the Underworld.”
With a flourish, Horn Lance snapped it open, the glistening black hair reflecting the firelight.
A gasp of amazement rose from the audience.
The Morning Star glanced at the midnight cat’s hide, nodded slightly, and said, “I thank the Itza lord for his wonderful and priceless gifts. In the coming days, I hope to reciprocate and double his kind generosity. Is there anything in particular that he might have already admired?”
Horn Lance dropped to his knee, head lowered as he touched his forehead. Straightening, he doffed his scarlet macaw helmet, and in a supplicant’s pose, said, “Great Lord, the Itza council has sent one of its most noble sons, an ahau of great renown, to open and establish relations with Cahokia, its Morning Star, and peoples. It is a symbol of the respect and reverence they have for the resurrection of your Spirit Being into a living body that a high lord of such status and prestige as Thirteen Sacred Jaguar has been dispatched to represent the multepal. The Itza Council, therefore, would humbly request a token of alliance between our two great Nations and your sacred presence on earth.”
“What might that be?” Morning Star’s lips thinned, as if in amusement.
“Thirteen Sacred Jaguar is the son of Yitah Four Fire Shield, perhaps the most noble and respected advisor to the multepal. They seek an alliance at the highest level, Great Lord. A joining of Chichen Itza and Cahokia’s greatest lineages.”
“Ah, a marriage.” Morning Star smiled in satisfaction. Raising his voice, he asked, “Tonka’tzi? As the titular head of the Morning Star House of the Four Winds Clan, would you have any objection to the marriage of a suitable woman to an esteemed Itza lord?”
Horn Lance turned on his heel, seeing the surprise on Wind’s age-lined face. She wet her lips, arms rising helplessly. “I—I suppose not, Great Lord. I would need to—”
“And who might the honored Thirteen Sacred Jaguar have in mind?” the Morning Star interrupted, his keen gaze on Horn Lance.
“It has come to our attention, Great Lord, that Lady Night Shadow Star has been recently widowed. Should you be amenable, such a union would be favorably received by the lords of the multepal.”
Horn Lance heard the sudden intakes of breath from those in the room. Willing himself to remain calm, he held the Morning Star’s level gaze. In his peripheral vision, Night Shadow Star’s grip on her war club tightened. She didn’t, however, seem startled in the slightest. Why?
“Night Shadow Star,” the living god finally said, “is one of our most exalted of ladies.”
“Her brother’s body now hosts your souls, Great Lord. That her family is so honored by Power indicates that she would be a suitable match for a yitah’s son. A marriage between equals, Great Lord.”
For the first time, he dared to glance fully at Night Shadow Star, expecting to see her expressing astonishment and confusion. Instead she watched the Morning Star with half-slitted eyes, her jaw set, muscles tense. Behind her, the armed slave was the one who looked shocked and appalled. The man’s eyes were flashing, his jaws knotted like over-strained rope.
“Great Lord?” Clan Keeper Blue Heron had dared to stand, her face thoughtful as she touched her forehead.
“Clan Keeper?”
“Marriage between the Itza and Morning Star House is by no means a frivolous undertaking. A period of reflection whereby both parties might—”
“Agreed, Clan Keeper.” The Morning Star gestured with his mace. “For the moment let us consider Lady Night Shadow Star and the noble Thirteen Sacred Jaguar to be formally betrothed. The traditional feasting has occurred, and the suitor has certainly offered the most unique if not customary gifts. Four days should be sufficient time for both parties to ensure agreement and to allow Morning Star House to make preparations for the appropriate celebrations.”
Horn Lance bowed, backing to his position beside Thirteen Sacred Jaguar.
“What has happened?” the Itza asked.
“You are betrothed to Night Shadow Star. They want four days to prepare.”
“Is that bad?”
“Not at all, Great Lord. It allows the word to spread, pressure to build, and time for you to add to your prestige among the Cahokians. Taking Night Shadow Star to your bed will be a foregone conclusion.”
“And what did she say?”
“Not a word.” Horn Lance frowned, again glancing at where Night Shadow Star had now turned her burning black gaze on Thirteen Sacred Jaguar. “Which I find most curious.”
Even as he said it, Night Shadow Star stalked from the room, her pet dog of a warrior following.
“She doesn’t look happy, does she?”
“Her happiness isn’t required.” Thirteen Sacred Jaguar thinned his lips. “But she is such an ugly woman. She looks so common and lowborn with that high forehead and pointed chin. Nor do her front teeth protrude like a true lady’s. Her lips are so small. And yes, they are woman’s muscles, but her body reminds me of a field worker’s. Not soft and round the way a proper—”
“Ahau, neither her looks nor form is at issue. All we care about is that she submissively spreads her legs so that you can plant your child in her womb.”