The long winds of February blew across the plateau, unlike the warm coastal lowlands, still carrying a touch of chill. The young king sat upright on the throne in the great tent. With an appraising gaze, he studied the two Huastec girls before him, their brows lowered and manner obedient.
The two girls looked quite alike, clearly a pair of sisters; at first glance, they were even easy to confuse. The one on the left was slightly older, her figure more pronounced, the corners of her mouth faintly raised, lovely as a white orchid in summer. The one on the right seemed a little more childish, her lips pressed tight, nervous and uneasy, fresh and graceful as a daisy in early autumn.
At this moment, facing the Great Chief Death God of terrible renown, their shoulders pressed closely together, their expressions rather tense, yet carrying an inexplicable anticipation.
"Mm? You are the daughters of the Silver Crow Chief Papata, Li Yu and Li Yao?"
Xolotl looked for a while at the sisters before him, who nodded like little deer. His face showed no ripple as he asked indifferently.
"The noble daughter of the Silver Crow Tribe who is betrothed to Little His Highness Cuitlahuac—where is she now?"
"Honored Great Chief Death God, my younger sister Li Lin has already been escorted by a dozen warriors of the tribe, taking another route to the magnificent Lake Capital."
The elder sister, Li Yu, raised her head and carefully stole a glance at the Great Chief Death God seated above. He did not seem particularly vicious, nor particularly burly, only possessed of an aura of authority that awed without anger. She pinched the feathers on her short skirt, gathered her courage, and spoke loudly.
"Great Chief, Father reveres the Alliance and admires your