The mountains were lush and green, stretching east and west like the two closing shells of a clam, leaving only a narrow valley mouth to the northeast. At this moment, a hot wind came from the south, crossed the crimson camp at the valley mouth, and drifted toward the vast mountains on either side. On the mountains of the Mixtec highlands grew towering Jacaranda trees, as well as hillsides covered with Cuetlayochiti, also known as Poinsettia.
"In spring, blue flowers fall from the clouds. In autumn, red flowers bloom upon the earth. They all have spirits, and they avoid the scorching height of summer!"
Summer winds came in gusts, bringing a rich, flowerlike stench of blood. Blossoms of blood spread both inside and outside the mountain pass. Woodpecker Riki, drenched head to toe in blood, stood atop the camp wall at the valley mouth. Red tinged his eyes, yet his gaze was somewhat blank, like a woodpecker about to fall asleep, and like a coyote that had just opened its eyes.
"The priests of the Rain God taught us, ancient People of the Rain, not to cut down a tree in the hot season. For the sap of the tree will flow, tormenting the spirit of the tree. I once followed the Rain God's teachings. That was the sacred me!"
The land of the Mixtec was called Nuudzahui, meaning "Land of the Rain God." The Mixtec People themselves called themselves Nu'u Savi, meaning "People of the Rain." The People of the Rain devoutly believed in gods, and also believed that all things had spirits. In their daily prayers, they would place "I" at the very end of the prayer. This followed ancient teachings, expressing holiness and reverence.
"And yet, scorching summer is the season of death. The spring flowers have