"Gods! These raving madmen!"
On the oared sailboat, facing the charge of the Kingdom's armored warriors, Priest Pap's mind and soul both trembled. He decisively stripped off his cumbersome priestly robe and flung it to the deck. Then he leapt up and, with a splash, plunged into the water. Like a nimble fish, he threaded through the gaps between the boats and swam at top speed toward the war canoes in the rear, transferring faster than anyone else.
"Dedicate yourselves to the gods!"
Desperate cries rang out across the narrow river channel. The brutal slaughter, too, entered its final end. On the flagship, the old Militia Chiwako was drenched in blood, thrusting his spear from tricky angles and stabbing down one enemy after another. Then the pressure of the melee suddenly eased, and the front of the flagship abruptly opened wide. He panted heavily and looked toward the fierce shouts, and saw the cruel battle at the center of the river channel, as well as those Kingdom Warriors throwing themselves into a death-charge, casting away their lives!
"Main God..."
The old Militia Chiwako froze where he stood. A moment later, two muddy old tears flowed from his pained eyes. He bit hard through his lip, tasting the blood and bitterness in his mouth. After a few breaths, he hunched over like an injured old dog and roared sharply.
"Row with all your strength! Break out toward the estuary!"
"Row with all your strength! Break out toward the estuary!"
With the new order, the sailors on the flagship also burst out with the last of their strength. The two charging longships held down the main force of the Totonac fleet at the center of the river channel. On both sides of the entire river, space finally opened up for passage. And