Dog-kin Village, Headman, and Priest

June rain pattered down, soaking the fields of the lake region. Across the endless farmland, corn pushed up stalks, beans put out true leaves, and squash sprouted new shoots. Even the weeds poked their heads out, gazing toward the rainy-season sky. The land beside the lake was so fertile, filled with the power of life.

Axolotl wore a rain cape and a hooded cloak, a bamboo basket on his back, standing at the edge of the field ridge like an old farmer. He stared blankly at the fertile fields and could not help sighing softly.

"With this much rain, anything can grow. The southern tribes' land is actually this rich—truly a gift from the Earth Mother!"

Around Axolotl stood thirty-odd Guachichil People in their prime. Some were bare-chested, revealing tattoos across chest and back; some had short daggers tied to their legs and short axes hanging at their waists; still others carried bows and arrows and wore bone ornaments. In any case, no matter how one looked at them, they had nothing to do with docile farmers.

"Boss Ano, today the brothers hunted two doves and three hares. Please eat with us tonight!"

"Right, boss, we also got a few turkeys, nice and fat. They'll smell amazing roasted!"

"Roast, my ass! The southern tribes have these big pottery pots. You can stew one whole and make soup. Add a bit of cheap salt, get some of the Priests' spices, and that's what you call delicious!"

Several leading men in their prime gathered in front of Axolotl, respectfully currying favor. Two of them had even secretly dyed their hair red. But in truth, in the entire village of more than a thousand people, there were only a few true Red-hair Hunters. And the one who fought the best and held the