"."
As the envoy of the Chel Chiefdom departed, the temple sank once more into a silence filled with hidden undercurrents. The remaining clan envoys looked at one another, surprise flickering through their eyes. None had expected that the Chel Chiefdom, always a die-hard loyalist of the Cocom Clan, would actually choose neutrality.
Tiakin pressed his lips together, his expression somewhat complicated. Ever since fifty years ago, when the Xiu Family plotted against the Mayapan royal house and the Cocom remnants fled, the Chel Theocratic Chiefdom had always been the most reliable ally of the Cocom remnants. And three years ago, after Prince Xiu was killed and the Xiu Clan sent troops in a frenzied retaliation, the Cocom remnants had been able to flee to the northern coast in no small part because of the Chel Theocratic Chiefdom's full support along the way.
But after he formally announced his conversion to the Highland Main God, the Chel Theocratic Chiefdom, with the Heavenly Water Priesthood at its core, had clearly grown cold in attitude. Without question, the priests of the Highland Kingdom had arrived with the Highland Legion, and the Highland Main God was trying to forcefully enter Maya as its master. All of this had already threatened the very foundation on which the Chel Chiefdom stood: the "theocratic authority" of Lowland Maya!
For the Chel Chiefdom to maintain friendly neutrality now, and to allow military passage, was already a certain compromise made out of respect for the alliance of several hundred years...
"May the gods and ancestors bear witness! This Skull of the Ancient Sage is indeed a true divine object. The two Cocom divine descendants are also indeed the last continuation of the royal house..."
Jinmu Kap, envoy of the Cupul Clan, rose to his feet and gave Tiakin