~
The rain stopped, and the small band of elites marched at full speed. Black Wolf Toltec led two hundred personal guards, racing forty or fifty li along the white-sand coast, and finally, when The Sun slanted west, they reached the river-lake where the exploration fleet had once hidden.
Everyone gazed from afar. The golden-red lake reflected the sunset's light, and tall reeds grew thickly along the river. On the clear lake surface, birds landed from time to time, and they could even see sea turtles lying flat. They floated on the water like rocks in the lake, leisurely, calm, and peaceful.
Black Wolf Toltec stood by the river, looking out over the flat lake connected to the waterway. The scene before him was so tranquil that he found it hard to imagine the fierce water battle and desperate slaughter that had once taken place here. Tropical rivers, lakes, and jungles were always so brimming with life, swallowing all flesh and blood, not even leaving dry bones behind, using life itself to erase death.
"Praise the Main God! What a natural inner harbor for the Water Fleet!... Chuchut, what is the name of this lake that connects to the sea through the river?"
"Uh, respected Great Chief Black Wolf!... There aren't many fish in this lake, but there are quite a few big turtles... The local villagers all call it, uh, Great Turtle Lake!..."
"What? Great Turtle Lake?"
Black Wolf narrowed his eyes, looked at the leisurely big turtles on the lake, and grinned, baring sharp teeth.
"Uta!"
"Here, boss!"
"Go! Take some men and get me a few big turtles! Tonight, we camp here and eat some roasted big turtle to nourish ourselves!..."
"Yes, boss!"
Black Wolf gave a few simple instructions and arranged the camp for the night.