.
"Xolotl, my beloved student! In all the world, there are only two heroes of divine nature—us!"
Night lay heavy and dim, and the scent of wine drifted through the great tent. Avet had clearly drunk far too much. He leaned crookedly against Xolotl's shoulder and laughed with wine on his breath.
"Blessed by the Main God! My great-grandfather Itzcoatl founded the first Mexica triple alliance, ruling in turn with the king of Texcoco and the king of Tlacopan... My maternal grandfather Montezuma and my maternal grandfather the elder Tlacaelel—one waged war, the other governed the realm. In truth, they too were like dual kings... We Mexica People have a tradition of dual kingship!"
At those words, Xolotl's heart gave a jolt. If one opened the brief history of the Mexica Alliance, there had indeed been a long period of joint rule among the three states, and of inner and outer dual kings; there truly was a consistent tradition of shared rule. It had arisen from the limits of communication and governance, and from compromises within the royal nobility and with the great nobles. But Avet suddenly bringing this up made the hairs on his body stand on end. In an instant, he sensed danger...
"Xolotl, my son-in-law! You also carry the bloodline of our ancestor Huitzilihuitl, and you are so extraordinary in divine nature... Why don't we, like the former lords..."
"Ah! Teacher, your student's stomach is growling. Drinking wine on an empty belly is making me terribly dizzy... Why don't I go bring over something to eat?"
"Oh? Something to eat? Someone, bring food!... Don't you leave. You've drunk too little! Keep drinking with me!..."
Avet's drunken eyes were hazy. He reached out and held Xolotl down, not letting his student rise. He smiled and peered at Xolotl,