"Apala!"
The Mexica priest's proclamation echoed through the tent, carrying the will of fire and blood as it spoke of the slaughter that was certain to come. Then a filled clay jar slipped from trembling hands and, amid stifled cries of alarm, fell heavily into the dirt. Rich, fragrant cacao spilled across the ground in an instant, filling the tent with its aroma.
"Mm?"
Main God Priest Tomatl narrowed his eyes and looked toward Dark Snake, who was trembling helplessly in the corner. He studied the boy's sun-darkened skin and his callused fingers for a while, then said nothing.
"Someone, clean this up!"
Silver Crow Papata set down the clay jar in his hands and called out. Two Huastec maidservants came forward with their heads lowered and busied themselves. Then the Silver Crow chief gave a few more instructions, summoning a lean, strong young Silver Crow warrior. Around the young warrior's neck, too, hung an amulet of Hummingbird Sun.
"Honored God of War Priest, the kingdom fleet has received Divine Revelation and is to journey to the eastern Snake Island to suppress the body of Feathered Serpent. Then, as loyal vassals of the Alliance, the Silver Crow Tribe will absolutely not stand by and do nothing!"
At this, Papata smiled faintly and reached out to pat the young warrior on the shoulder.
"This is the youngest Silver Crow hero in the tribe, Osprey, who can fight in the water! Osprey has sailed small boats before, gone to the lands of the Totonac, and knows the city-states for hundreds of li along the route. From today onward, he will lead thirty Silver Crow warriors and twenty shipwrights to join the kingdom's seagoing fleet! Please do not refuse."
"Oh? Hero Osprey is skilled in water battles?"
Priest Tomatl pondered briefly, glanced at