The lively Conures shook their vivid red neck feathers, watching the bustle from the little grove on the red earth. They chirped and chattered as they looked on at the great troop of two-legged beasts digging pits in the red-stone hills, just like crocodiles by the sea before laying eggs. Not even an unexpected rainfall could dampen the flock's enthusiasm.
In truth, in this season of abundant food and plentiful rain, the animals on Cuba had as little to do as the people.
This survey of the red-earth hills lasted a full three days. On one hand, the rain delayed their progress. On the other, Priest Mekat had run into a problem. He was utterly certain that these red-earth ores tasted wrong, would not melt in fire, were heavy and hard, and possessed a trace of magnetism. They had to be some kind of mineral deposit! But limited by the insufficiency of his divinely inspired knowledge, he still could not identify exactly what ore they were.
"It's not copper, not lead, not tin, not gold or silver, and not gemstones. There may be iron, but it doesn't seem quite the same as His Majesty described, and the magnetism isn't strong enough. Ah! Main God! Please grant me more knowledge!"
After much painful thought, faced with Priest Tomatl's questions, Divine Inspiration Priest Mekat told him frankly. These minerals were beyond his ability to recognize, and they would need to seek someone wiser.
"Everyone should still investigate carefully and gather some more stone samples, so we can give His Highness an explanation when we return! Who knows, His Highness might be able to recognize them."
Priest Tomatl offered the suggestion, and old militiaman Chiwako nodded in agreement. Of course, both of them were thinking too much. These minerals were something Xolotl would