Prison

The sound of morning prayers rang through the Lake Capital, singing praises to the Main God's light. Wisps of cooking smoke rose into the sky, shifting into mysterious shapes, telling of the gods' omens.

After chatting for a while, Xolotl withdrew from his grandfather's bedroom. He lifted his head and stood in the broad High Priest's Mansion, watching the cloudy sky for a time. A mortal's fate was like drifting cooking smoke, scattering into the canopy of a great era, from then on no longer its own to command.

After a few breaths, the young king smiled calmly. He glanced at Bertad and Nashu standing in attendance on either side, then gave a low command.

"Let's go. To the High Priest Council's prison, to judge the fate of the rebels!"

"By your will!"

Under the protection of several dozen Imperial Guard warriors, Xolotl did not pause; in two steps, he had left the High Priest's Mansion. The party headed toward the Great Temple, and after walking for a quarter of an hour, they arrived at the High Priest Council's prison.

The High Priest Council's prison stood at the center of the Temple District, inside the temple of the God of Sin, very close to the Great Temple where the rituals were held. Those confined in this prison were all divine-blood sacrifices scheduled for the Great Temple ceremonies, precious offerings soon to be presented to the gods. Because of this, the prison was guarded extremely tightly, with a full hundred Temple Warriors stationed inside and out.

Seeing the approaching banners, a middle-aged priest wearing a feathered crown hurried out from the temple. His cheekbones were high, his expression gloomy and severe, and terrifying patterns were painted across his cheeks, enough to send chills down one's spine. Only when he saw Xolotl