Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• The king returns from his journey, and the centralization of the Alliance is discussed.
• The king decides to relocate great nobles from the traditional Seven States to the land of Tlaxcala.
• Xolotl considers how to rule the land of the Totonac and prevent Feather Prince's westward migration.

Character Developments

• Xolotl shows strategic thinking and concern for the future of the kingdom.
• Ekat, the captain of the guards, demonstrates loyalty and understanding of the kingdom's history.

Significant Themes

• Centralization of power and the challenges of governing a vast empire.
• The importance of external wars and conquest in maintaining internal stability.
• The role of religion and divine right in legitimizing rule.

Character Interactions

• Xolotl and Ekat discuss the state of the kingdom and the challenges ahead.
• Xolotl considers reaching out to the Ameca city-state to prevent Feather Prince's westward migration.
• Xolotl reflects on the similarities between the Purepecha and Mexica peoples and their origins.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xolotl decides to campaign against the Lake Chapala region to stop the Feather Prince's westward migration.
• The kingdom's official decree is issued, mobilizing legions from River Mouth and Apa counties, and the Capital Region Legion, to conquer the Chapala lands.
• The Long Snake Legion, led by Elvi, is assigned to govern the captured Chapala lands.

Character Developments

• Xolotl demonstrates his strategic thinking and decisiveness in planning the campaign and appointing Elvi as the governor of the conquered lands.
• Ekat, the captain of the guards, shows loyalty and caution in his advice to the king.

Significant Themes

• Expansion and conquest: Xolotl's ambition to expand the kingdom's territory and control resources.
• Loyalty and governance: The importance of loyal and capable leaders in governing conquered lands.

Character Interactions

• Xolotl consults Ekat for his opinion on who should govern the Lake Chapala region, showing trust in his captain of the guards.
• Ekat and Elvi, both family warriors, demonstrate their loyalty to Xolotl and the kingdom.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xolotl meets Priestess Akuits, who examines the Snake Priestess and reports her findings.
• Akuits reveals the Snake Priestess's past and her intentions in coming to Xolotl.
• Xolotl decides to meet the Snake Priestess despite her past actions.

Character Developments

• Xolotl shows restraint and respect for life, refusing to use secret medicines on the Snake Priestess.
• Akuits demonstrates her loyalty and skill, offering to "teach" the Snake Priestess but ultimately respecting Xolotl's decision.
• The Snake Priestess is shown to be vulnerable and seeking power due to her traumatic past.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics and the consequences of seeking power.
• The use of medicine and its potential for both healing and harm.
• The importance of restraint and respect for life.

Character Interactions

• Xolotl and Akuits: They have a professional and respectful interaction, with Akuits offering her services and Xolotl appreciating her skills but ultimately making his own decisions.
• Xolotl and the Snake Priestess: Their interaction is not directly shown in this chapter, but Xolotl's decision to meet her despite her past actions suggests a complex dynamic between them.
• Akuits and Ekat: They have a brief interaction where Akuits leaves Ekat to guard the tent, showing trust in him.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Miahuacoatl, the Totonac Snake Priestess, is in a disoriented, childlike state due to hallucinogenic drugs administered by Priest Akuits.
• Xolotl, the Mexica king, visits Miahuacoatl in her tent to discuss the coastal tribes' situation but finds her in this state.
• Xolotl observes Miahuacoatl's vulnerable side and decides not to use hallucinogenic drugs on her again, as they might damage her intelligence.
• Miahuacoatl has a distressing dream about her mother's death and awakens terrified, talking to herself about her past.

Character Developments

• Miahuacoatl: Reveals her vulnerable, childlike side when under the influence of drugs, hinting at a traumatic past. She struggles with her identity and past self after waking up.
• Xolotl: Shows a rare moment of compassion and understanding towards Miahuacoatl, deciding not to use drugs on her again. He also demonstrates his determination to remain strong and in control.

Significant Themes

• Power and Control: Xolotl's desire to maintain control over Miahuacoatl and the Totonac people is a central theme. Miahuacoatl's need for authority and safety is also explored.
• Trauma and Healing: Miahuacoatl's past trauma is hinted at, and her struggle to come to terms with it is a significant part of the chapter.
• Dreams and Reality: The chapter explores the blurred line between Miahuacoatl's dream-vision state and reality, as well as her struggle to accept her past self.

Character Interactions

• Xolotl and Miahuacoatl: Xolotl's interaction with Miahuacoatl in her vulnerable state leads him to understand her better and make a decision based on that understanding.
• Miahuacoatl and Herself: Miahuacoatl's conversation with her past self reveals her struggle with her identity and trauma.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Miawa, the Snake Mother Chief, regains her memories from her past life as a six-year-old girl.
• She remembers being experimented on by a Mexica goddess priestess using mysterious medicines.
• Miawa encounters Priestess Akuits, who had been caring for her and trying to complete her "work" on her.
• Miawa discovers that she was manipulated by the Death God, Xolotl, to wake up from her memories.
• Miawa decides to use her innocence and vulnerability to manipulate Xolotl into helping her.

Character Developments

• Miawa: Regains her memories, becomes more aware of her past, and begins to manipulate Xolotl.
• Priestess Akuits: Shows her true colors as a cruel and manipulative Mexica priestess.
• Xolotl: Implied to have a tender side, despite his cruel reputation.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and control of minds and souls.
• The duality of innocence and vulnerability as a tool for manipulation.
• The struggle between the Snake People and the Mexica People.

Character Interactions

• Miawa and Priestess Akuits: The priestess tries to manipulate Miawa, but Miawa begins to manipulate her instead.
• Miawa and Xolotl: Miawa decides to use her innocence to manipulate Xolotl into helping her.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Kingdom's army continues its advance, with Black Wolf's legion capturing Cone House City and preparing to take Coyote City.
• Coyote City, however, resists, with a new leader emerging to rally the troops.
• Xolotl receives a dispatch from Black Wolf detailing the situation and expressing confidence in capturing Coyote City within three days once the Bronze Cannons arrive.

Character Developments

• Xolotl demonstrates his strategic thinking and ability to infer hidden circumstances from sparse information.
• Black Wolf shows confidence in his military prowess and ability to capture cities.
• The Totonac tribes display resilience and determination to resist, with a new leader emerging in Coyote City.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between the Kingdom's expansion and the Totonac tribes' resistance.
• The harsh treatment of surrendered tribespeople and the potential for rebellion among them.
• The importance of time in the Kingdom's expansion plans, with the threat of European exploration looming.

Character Interactions

• Xolotl and Guard Captain Ekat discuss the army's progress and the challenges of governing the conquered territories.
• Xolotl praises Ekat for his honest assessment of the situation but also chastises him for avoiding the heavy issues.
• Xolotl shows concern for the potential for rebellion among the surrendered tribes and the need to address it.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xolotl, the king, receives reports about the political situation in Golden Bay City and the surrounding tribes.
• Ilwi, nephew of the late Great Sun Chief, is secretly rallying support to negotiate with the kingdom again and integrate the tribes.
• Xolotl orders a purge of suspected tribal headmen to maintain control and ensure the success of the kingdom's spring plowing plans.
• Xolotl reflects on his impatience and the need for a more patient approach in governing the Totonac lands.

Character Developments

• Xolotl: Struggles with his impatience and desire for control, reflects on his past and the advice of his mentor, the High Priest.
• Ilwi: Ambitions to lead the Golden Bay Tribes and negotiate with the kingdom, but his actions are seen as rebellious by Xolotl.
• Ekat: Demonstrates loyalty, wisdom, and understanding of Xolotl's complex state of mind, offering advice and support.

Significant Themes

• Patience and long-term planning vs. impatience and urgency
• The struggle between old traditions and new governance
• The consequences of ambition and rebellion
• The power dynamics between ruler and subject, and the importance of understanding and controlling one's people

Character Interactions

• Xolotl and Ekat: The king and his captain of the guards have a deep understanding and mutual respect, with Ekat offering guidance and support to Xolotl.
• Xolotl and Ilwi: The king sees Ilwi's actions as rebellious and threatening to his control over the Totonac lands, leading to a potential conflict.
• Xolotl and the High Priest (mentioned): The king reflects on the advice of his mentor, the High Priest, regarding his urgency and self-discipline.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xolotl visits Miawa, the Snake Priestess, in her tent.
• Miawa performs a dance and sings a song for Xolotl, expressing her desire for him.
• Xolotl asks Miawa for her suggestions on ruling the Totonac region.
• Miawa requests a kiss from Xolotl before answering his question.

Character Developments

• Miawa: Shows her allure and innocence, then switches to mature seductiveness. She demonstrates her intelligence and willingness to cooperate with Xolotl.
• Xolotl: Maintains his calm and collected demeanor, showing patience and control. He reveals his desire for Miawa but keeps it in check.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics: Xolotl holds the power, while Miawa tries to negotiate and please him.
• Desire and control: Both characters struggle with their desires, with Xolotl trying to maintain control and Miawa attempting to seduce him.
• Intelligence and strategy: Miawa shows her intelligence and willingness to help Xolotl, while Xolotl values her mind over her body.

Character Interactions

• Xolotl and Miawa: Their interaction is filled with tension and desire. Miawa tries to seduce Xolotl, while he maintains control and asks for her help in ruling the Totonac region. Their conversation is a dance of power and seduction.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xolotl and Miawa spend the night together, and in the morning, they discuss the Totonac tribes.
• Miawa explains the diversity and disunity of the Totonac tribes, their reliance on marriages between God-descendants, and the sacred sites in the east and west.
• Xolotl expresses his desire to rule the coastal land without excessive bloodshed and asks Miawa for advice on how to govern the surrendered tribespeople.

Character Developments

• Xolotl: Shows a more vulnerable side, expressing his desire for a peaceful rule and his frustration with the constant rebellions. He opens up to Miawa, indicating a growing trust.
• Miawa: Demonstrates her political acumen and understanding of the Totonac tribes. She becomes more assertive and confident in her interactions with Xolotl.

Significant Themes

• Power dynamics: The struggle between Xolotl's ambition to rule and the resistance from the Totonac tribes' powerful figures.
• Unity vs. disunity: The disunity among the Totonac tribes and the challenge of unifying them under Xolotl's rule.
• Divine right to rule: The importance of divine blood and God-descendant lineage in the Totonac tribes' power structure.

Character Interactions

• Xolotl and Miawa: Their relationship deepens as they share intimate moments and discuss political matters. Miawa challenges Xolotl's perspective, and he seeks her advice.
• Xolotl and Ekat: Ekat, the guard captain, shows deference to Xolotl, bringing him wine and leaving without asking questions, indicating his loyalty and understanding of his role.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter opens with the description of an impending battle between the Kingdom warriors and the defenders of Coyote City.
• The city's western wall is breached, and the defenders begin to surrender as the Kingdom's Totonac Vanguard Battalion fights its way in.
• Black Wolf Toltec, the Kingdom's commander, orders his troops to secure the granaries and storehouses.
• The city's granary is set on fire by Fire Rat Chief Masar, using Black Oil, making it difficult to extinguish.
• Black Wolf Toltec decides to use the captured tribespeople as laborers to gather food from the surrounding jungle to sustain the army.

Character Developments

• Black Wolf Toltec: He remains calm and strategic even in the face of unexpected challenges. His determination to secure the army's supply and his ruthlessness are evident.
• Linlang Mayakun: He shows deference to Black Wolf and expresses his devotion to the Main God. He also reveals his cunning by hoping to gather his own men and wait for an opportunity to rebel.
• Fire Rat Chief Masar: His desperate act of setting fire to the granary highlights his defiance and willingness to sacrifice to protect his people.

Significant Themes

• Divine Punishment vs. Human Action: The Main God's divine punishment is mentioned, but it's human actions (like Masar's arson) that significantly impact the story.
• Strategy and Ruthlessness: Black Wolf's strategic thinking and ruthlessness are key to his success as a commander.
• Desperation and Defiance: Masar's actions and the defenders' initial resistance show their desperation and defiance in the face of overwhelming odds.

Character Interactions

• Black Wolf Toltec and Linlang Mayakun: Their interaction shows Black Wolf's trust in Linlang's knowledge of the city and his willingness to use Linlang for his purposes.
• Black Wolf Toltec and Red-hair Hunter Mikui: Their interaction demonstrates Black Wolf's authority and Mikui's loyalty and efficiency.
• Fire Rat Chief Masar and the Kingdom Warriors: Masar's actions and the warriors' response highlight the tension and conflict between the two groups.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Mexica People's army, led by Black Wolf Toltec, captures Coyote City after a devastating fire.
• Fire Rat Masar, the rebellious chief of the Coyote tribe, is captured and brought before Black Wolf.
• Masar admits to burning the city's grain stores and refuses to reveal the whereabouts of the Priests from Hidden Snake City.
• Black Wolf orders Linlang Mayakun, the captured Linlang chief, to execute Masar as a sign of loyalty.

Character Developments

• Fire Rat Masar: Masar is revealed to be a fanatical believer in the gods, willing to sacrifice his tribe for divine approval. His defiance and refusal to cooperate lead to his execution.
• Linlang Mayakun: Linlang struggles with his loyalty to his nephew and his new allegiance to the Mexica People. He ultimately executes Masar to prove his loyalty.

Significant Themes

• Loyalty and Betrayal: The chapter explores the consequences of loyalty and betrayal, with Masar's loyalty to his gods leading to his downfall and Linlang's betrayal of his tribe leading to his survival.
• Faith and Belief: Masar's unshakable faith in the gods contrasts with Linlang's more pragmatic view of the divine. This theme highlights the power of belief and its potential consequences.

Character Interactions

• Black Wolf and Linlang: Black Wolf tests Linlang's loyalty by ordering him to execute his nephew, further cementing Linlang's status as an ally to the Mexica People.
• Linlang and Fire Rat Masar: The uncle-nephew relationship is strained by their differing views on loyalty and faith. Their interaction highlights the personal cost of political and religious conflicts.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Linlang Mayakun presents the head of the rebel chief Masar to Black Wolf Toltec.
• Black Wolf orders the execution of one in eleven captives by lot, drawn three times.
• Linlang is given the task of leading a thousand selected warriors to slaughter three thousand of his own tribe, forming the Linlang Battalion.

Character Developments

• Linlang Mayakun's desperation and willingness to commit atrocities to secure his position and survival become apparent.
• Black Wolf Toltec's ruthlessness and manipulative nature are further emphasized.

Significant Themes

• Loyalty and Betrayal: Linlang's betrayal of his tribe and his newfound loyalty to Black Wolf highlight the theme of loyalty and its consequences.
• Power and Control: Black Wolf's actions demonstrate his desire for power and control over others, even to the point of manipulating his subordinates into committing atrocities.
• Despair and Survival: The captives' despair and Linlang's struggle for survival are central to the chapter's events.

Character Interactions

• Black Wolf and Linlang's interaction shows Black Wolf's manipulation and Linlang's desperation and willingness to comply.
• Linlang's interaction with his former tribe members is marked by betrayal and the necessity of his actions to secure his own survival.

Key Plot Points and Events

• After the culling, only 15,000 captives remain from Coyote City.
• The captives are to be marched to Cone House City, with Linlang Mayakun and his battalion guarding them.
• Black Wolf Toltec trusts Linlang with this task and hints at future rewards.
• Red-hair Hunter Mikui and guard Chabo discuss the escaped high-ranking Priest of the Feathered Serpent.

Character Developments

• Linlang Mayakun accepts his new role, feeling gratitude and determination towards Black Wolf Toltec.
• Hunter Mikui and Chabo show loyalty to their chief and the Death God Great Chief.

Significant Themes

• Trust and loyalty: Black Wolf Toltec trusts Linlang, and the hunters are loyal to their chief and the Death God Great Chief.
• Betrayal and survival: Linlang betrays his original tribe, and the escaped Priest betrays his city.
• The consequences of war: The captives face harsh conditions, and the city is left in ruins.

Character Interactions

• Black Wolf Toltec and Linlang Mayakun: Black Wolf shows trust and hints at future rewards, while Linlang feels gratitude and determination.
• Hunter Mikui and Chabo: They discuss the escaped Priest and express their loyalty to their chief.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The protagonist, Alex, decides to take a day off from work due to their busy schedule.
• Alex informs their colleagues about the decision.

Character Developments

• Alex demonstrates self-awareness and prioritizes self-care by taking a day off to manage their workload.

Significant Themes

• Work-life balance: Alex's decision highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance to prevent burnout.

Character Interactions

• Alex communicates their decision to their colleagues, implying a supportive work environment where such requests are understood and accepted.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The chapter introduces White Sand Village, a Totonac fishing village hidden in a lagoon, serving as a safe haven for the fleeing tribes.
• The Totonac tribe has been led by Priest Pap, who has successfully predicted and evaded the Mexica People's advances.
• Coyote City has fallen, and its grain stores have been burned, which will delay the Mexica Legion's advance.
• The Totonac tribe plans to return to Hidden Snake Holy City to report their merit and warn the Snake Lake Tribe.

Character Developments

• Priest Pap: He is revealed to be a former Feathered Serpent priest who has been leading the Totonac tribe to safety. He is knowledgeable about the Mexica People's tactics and has a strategic mind.
• Chief Chuchut: He is the chief of the Totonac tribe and follows Priest Pap's guidance. He is respectful of Priest Pap's wisdom but also fears the Mexica People.

Significant Themes

• Survival and Adaptation: The Totonac tribe's survival depends on their ability to adapt and evade the Mexica People's advances.
• Knowledge and Wisdom: Priest Pap's knowledge of the Mexica People's tactics and his strategic planning are crucial for the tribe's survival.
• Fear and Respect: The Totonac tribe fears the Mexica People and respects their power, while also fearing the potential consequences of their actions.

Character Interactions

• Priest Pap and Chief Chuchut: They have a mentor-mentee relationship, with Priest Pap guiding Chief Chuchut and the tribe, and Chief Chuchut showing respect and following Priest Pap's instructions.
• The Totonac Tribe and the Mexica People: The Totonac tribe fears and respects the Mexica People, viewing them as a formidable and powerful enemy.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Feathered Serpent priest, Pap, discovers that a group of Maya merchants in Hidden Snake City are selling Lake Gems, which he believes could lead to the Mexica (Aztec) fleet.
• Pap and Chief Chuchut plan to capture the Maya merchants, interrogate them, and potentially find the Mexica fleet, aiming to seize their ships and warriors.
• They also plan to use this as an excuse to withdraw from the western front line and find a path of retreat for their tribe, either with the Mexica or by fleeing eastward.

Character Developments

• Pap: The former high-ranking priest shows his cunning and ambition, seeking a way to regain power and ensure his tribe's survival.
• Chuchut: The chief is shown to be greedy and ruthless, willing to sacrifice others for his tribe's benefit.

Significant Themes

• Survival and Ambition: Both Pap and Chuchut are driven by the desire to survive and maintain their power, leading them to make desperate plans.
• Religion and Belief: The characters' faith in their gods is shown to be intertwined with their political and personal ambitions.

Character Interactions

• Pap and Chuchut form an alliance, each seeing the other as a means to an end.
• Their conversation reveals their shared fear of the Aztecs and desperation to find a way out of their current situation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xolotl, the king, observes the coastal lands and discusses the challenges of farming with his Captain of Guards, Ekat.
• They discuss the situation in the east, where Black Wolf Toltec has taken Coyote City and captured thousands of tribespeople.
• Xolotl expresses concern about the upcoming spring plowing season and the need for grain to support the army and the surrendered tribes.

Character Developments

• Xolotl: Shows concern for the well-being of his people and the success of the army's campaign. He is strategic and thoughtful, considering long-term solutions rather than immediate gains.
• Ekat: Demonstrates loyalty, wisdom, and understanding of Xolotl's concerns. He provides insightful advice and helps Xolotl see the bigger picture.

Significant Themes

• The challenges of governing and managing a large, diverse population.
• The importance of grain and food supply for the army and the people.
• The need for skilled personnel to manage and organize the conquered territories.

Character Interactions

• Xolotl and Ekat: They have a close, trusting relationship. Ekat provides counsel and support to Xolotl, who values his input and considers him a trusted advisor.
• Xolotl and the coastal tribes: Xolotl is concerned about the well-being of the coastal tribes and wants to ensure they have the resources and support they need to succeed in their farming efforts.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A young bobcat enters a tent, attracted by the scent of fish oil, and steals a bundle of cloth.
• Xolotl, the king, and Miawa, a chieftain, are in the tent together.
• Xolotl asks Miawa about governing the surrendered tribes and establishing a firm rule.

Character Developments

• Xolotl: Struggles with controlling his savage nature; seeks Miawa's counsel on governing the tribes.
• Miawa: Shows political acumen and understanding of the challenges of ruling the tribes; uses her charm to try and influence Xolotl.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between savage nature and civilized rule (Xolotl).
• The importance of political wisdom and understanding in governing (Miawa).
• The tension between desire and duty (both characters).

Character Interactions

• Xolotl and Miawa: Their interaction is a mix of intimacy, power dynamics, and political discussion. Miawa uses her charm to try and influence Xolotl, while he seeks her counsel on governing the tribes.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Xolotl and Miawa discuss the political landscape of the coastal Totonac tribes and the challenges of establishing the Alliance's rule.
• Miawa suggests that winning the hearts of the tribes is crucial for successful governance.
• Xolotl reveals he can only stay in the coastal lands for about a year and a half.
• Miawa proposes bearing Xolotl's child to create a sacred seed, a divine Totonac ruler who can unite the tribes and convert them to the Alliance's Main God.

Character Developments

• Xolotl: Shows strategic thinking and understanding of the political complexities of the coastal tribes. He is also cautious about Miawa's proposal but considers it seriously.
• Miawa: Demonstrates political acumen, knowledge of tribal customs, and a deep understanding of the Totonac people's hopes and legends. She is willing to use her influence and status to help Xolotl establish his rule.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between centralized rule (Alliance) and traditional tribal structures.
• The importance of winning the hearts of the people for successful governance.
• The power of prophecy and legend in shaping the Totonac people's hopes and expectations.

Character Interactions

• Xolotl and Miawa: Their conversation reveals their shared understanding of the political landscape and their mutual respect for each other's abilities. Miawa's proposal creates a tense yet intimate moment between them.

Plot Points and Events

• King Xolotl decides to grant his eldest son, Prince Xiuhua, the coastal land as a fief, but Miawa argues that the prince should stay in the Lake Capital to prevent him from experiencing the harsh coastal life and to keep him as a potential heir for King Avet.
• Xolotl and Miawa discuss the need for a promise or compromise with the local Totonac elites to ensure their loyalty and maintain power in the region. Xolotl decides to give Miawa a chance to prove herself by ordering her to arrest and sacrifice Ilwi, the Great Sun Chief's nephew, who has been causing unrest in Golden Bay City.
• Xolotl hints at knowing about Miawa's role in the Great Sun Chief's death and orders her to sacrifice the current Captain of Warriors, Qiyan, to take full responsibility for the chief's death and appease the tribes.

Character Developments

• King Xolotl: He shows political acumen by understanding the need for compromise and localization to maintain control over the Totonac coast. He also demonstrates his ruthlessness by ordering the sacrifice of key Totonac figures to maintain power.
• Miawa: She proves her ambition and cunning by arguing for a promise to the Totonac and offering to handle administrative duties. She also shows her willingness to sacrifice others to maintain her position, as seen in her reaction to Xolotl's order to sacrifice Qiyan.

Significant Themes

• Power and Control: The chapter explores the dynamics of power between the Mexica and the Totonac, as well as the struggle for control within the Totonac tribes themselves.
• Trust and Loyalty: The need for trust and loyalty is emphasized, both in terms of the Totonac elites' loyalty to Xolotl and Xolotl's trust in Miawa.
• Sacrifice: The theme of sacrifice is present both literally (the planned sacrifices of Ilwi and Qiyan) and figuratively (Miawa's willingness to sacrifice others to maintain her position).

Character Interactions

• Xolotl and Miawa: Their interaction reveals their mutual understanding and ambition, as well as the power dynamics between them. Miawa's deference to Xolotl highlights his authority, while her arguments show her intelligence and cunning.
• Miawa and Qiyan: Though not directly present, their relationship is hinted at, showing Miawa's willingness to sacrifice others to maintain her position and Xolotl's awareness of their connection.