Night lay heavy, the jungle deep and dark. The exploration team treated the wounded and began boarding the boats. The Mayapan people were still groping across the battlefield, collecting spoils from the corpses. The leaders of both sides gathered before a bonfire, looking at one another, waiting in silence.
"The price of compensation."
The Mayan merchant Tikalo lowered his eyes and remained silent in thought. He had indeed prepared a few trump cards to soothe the kingdom's anger. But such trump cards were already few and far between among the Mayapan remnants in their difficult straits. Once he handed them over, the value of the Mayapan remnants to the kingdom...
"Forget it! I actually have no choice."
Tikalo's gaze swept over the bloodstained dagger in Priest Tomatl's hand. This Obsidian dagger had gutted Lobster, carved divine patterns, and naturally offered up sacrificial victims as well. Faced with such a threat, he sighed softly and looked toward the young god-descendant Tiakin.
"Tiakin, did you bring the person I instructed you about earlier?"
"Huh?"
The young god-descendant shook his head hard, only then waking from the priest's ritual. He thought for a moment before understanding who his uncle meant.
"Oh. I brought him."
"Then bring him over!"
"All right!"
Tiakin turned and gave a few instructions to the noble warriors behind him. Soon, a tall, slightly dark-skinned middle-aged warrior with tattoos on his face came before everyone, holding an old map board.
"May the Sky Snake God bless us! Praise you, The Sun of Mayapan, lofty Chief Cocom!"
The tall middle-aged warrior set down the map board, knelt on the ground, and prostrated himself before Tiakin. He raised both hands high, then laid them flat on the ground, showing heartfelt obedience.
"May the Main God bless us! Kuba, loyal warrior of Mayapan.