Outside Cholula, the twelve priestly families had come two li out of the city and lined up in a single row. They held ancient feathered banners high, wore equally ancient Toltec garments, and carried themselves with elegant splendor. Beside the priests stood great crowds of priestly apprentices holding divine objects, along with ceremonial attendants raising ritual implements.
Farther out, two hundred Cholula maidens held flowers in their hands, waiting prettily and respectfully; over a thousand Temple Warriors held War Clubs, keeping cautious watch at the outermost edge.
And at the very center, surrounded by the crowd, stood the chief priest of Cholula, Petel, dressed in ancient Rain God ceremonial robes, wearing a heavy Obsidian crown, and holding a turquoise Scepter.
To the ancient Toltecs, the Feathered Serpent was the most important Main God, while the Rain God was a co-equal second Main God. Together, They ruled over sky, earth, and humankind. But after the Mexica Alliance's religious reforms, the Alliance rejected the Feathered Serpent, so Petel had adjusted his faith with nimble ease and changed into the ceremonial robes of the storm-wielding Rain God. And within the Alliance, the Rain God was also the foremost Subordinate God, second only to the God of War.
Old Fox Petel narrowed his eyes and gazed toward the southern horizon. Across the vast plain, the scouting parties of the Mexica Legion were faintly visible. They were like weapons with blades bared, revealing a chilling threat at every moment. West of the southern city rose the God Mountain range, towering into the clouds, and the glinting glaciers on Smoke Peak's summit could be seen.
"Damn Queo! I sent him to lobby the High Priest Council and sow discord among the priest elders. How did he end up bringing the high priest here?! I warned him