At the beginning of April, spring drifted to the surface of life. The sea breeze carried warmth, and migratory birds flew north. The kingdom's exploration fleet set out from Tail Village; one hundred and twenty li to the east lay Crocodile Upper Town near the coast, under the rule of the Chel Theocratic Chiefdom.
"The Chel Theocratic Chiefdom is a small clan of several tens of thousands. It is called a theocratic chiefdom because the leader of this branch of the Chel Clan was originally a solar priest-elder of the Mayapan Kingdom. During the Xiu family's rebellion, he fled into the northern jungle and established a clan chiefdom. And every military and political leader of the Chel Clan has also been the chiefdom's High Priest."
Tikalo sat in the dim lower hold, both hands and feet bound, a kind smile still on his face. He looked at Priest Tomatl and the old Militia Chiwako before him, and patiently explained.
"The Chel Clan has close to a hundred thousand people. Although it is smaller than the four great powers, along the loosely organized northern coast, it still counts as strong. The clan's ruling center is Izamal, eighty li to the south—that is, 'the place where dew bestowed by the gods falls from the sky.' This is also an ancient religious city passed down from the golden age."
"Because the first leader of the Chel Clan was a priest-elder revered by the kingdom, they naturally hate the Xiu family, which launched a rebellion, overturned order, and destroyed the power of the priest-elders, and they have always been friendly with the Cupul Clan. As for our Cocom royal house, we are close allies with them. This time the tribe went north by borrowing a route through their territory and obtaining supplies."
Hearing this,