"A hundred catties of vanilla? To welcome back his daughter and grandson, the Silver Crow Great Chieftain truly did not spare the blood cost. He has taken out all the vanilla Crow City has accumulated over the years to offer to a woman like me, with no broad horizons, who only likes food and drink! Hehe!"
Night gradually descended, and bonfires were lit in the great hall. The bright firelight shone on Snake Mother Miawa upon the stone seat, sketching out her soul-stirring silhouette of light and shadow, as well as the raised corner of her lips and the cold disdain in her eyes. Beside her, the little Light Snake blinked, looked at her mother's expression, and then copied her by half-tilting up her little face, curling the corner of her mouth, and looking at the messenger with White Feather in a "cold laugh."
"Mm... white bird?... mud?..."
"Ahem! Honored Snake Mother, revered coastal Goddess of Victory!..."
Firelight swayed. The Female Warriors of the Temple wore armor and held axes, casting long, stretched shadows. Silver Crow elder Cao Baiya was cautious as could be as he bowed to the large and small figures seated side by side upon the stone seat. Toward the Light Snake, who was only two years old, he likewise lowered his head in solemn worship—his posture even more humble, his respect even greater than toward Miawa!
The little Light Snake was the "daughter of Divine Protection" prophesied to have both The Sun's and the divine snake's blood flowing through her veins. It was also said she would be joined in marriage with the Divine King's youngest son; she was destined to be among the most honored few beneath heaven. And the "prophecy and divinity" upon her carried very real weight among the Totonac tribes, anchoring the