chamber for my bath. Perhaps our conversation will be more pleasant tomorrow.”
With that, Tlalalca arose and departed from the room, accompanied by her loyal servant, the aged Xoyo, while the remaining ladies were left to puzzle over her annoyance. Nenetzin gave Pelaxilla a wary glance.
“You have angered her, Pelaxilla,” she said. “If I were you, I would be more careful.”
“I didn’t mean to. She asked me what troubled me, and I told her. What have I done wrong?”
“It would be prudent for you not to mention Lord Ahuitzotl’s name again. Something about him upsets her.”
“But why?”
“I don’t know. But it’s rather obvious—isn’t it?—so please be cautious. We like you and would hate to see you dismissed from the court.”
Pelaxilla, not understanding her transgression, was jolted by this, prompting Nenetzin, who sensed her consternation, to embrace her and allay her fears. “Now, now, Pelaxilla. You make too much of it. I made a reckless statement—too harsh. Our lady knows you would never intentionally offend her. Tomorrow you will find her well-composed again.”
While Nenetzin was calming a frightened Pelaxilla, Tlalalca took her customary afternoon bath in spring waters piped through stone conduits into a compartment adjacent to her private chamber. Her tub was a squared cistern into which steps had been carved so that she could climb into its depth and immerse herself to the level of her neck. She cleansed herself with the rich lather formed by cakes made from the root of the copalxocotl tree, and when she was finished emerged from her tub into large towels held forth by Xoyo. She wrapped her body in them and then entered her chamber where she sat down on the cushions placed abundantly about the floor. Xoyo sank to her knees and began to brush Tlalalca’s glossy raven hair. She noticed a disquietude not common for her charge.
“My lady is disturbed,” she remarked, giving voice to her observation.
“Does it show?” Tlalalca replied. “I don’t hide my feelings well. When I’m troubled, people see it instantly. It’s not befitting for an empress to reveal herself so.”
“May I ask what is the problem?”
“Pelaxilla thinks too highly of him. It is very upsetting to me.”
“You mean Lord Ahuitzotl?”
“He is not the man for her.”
“He is good-looking. Where I younger, I would fancy him myself.”
“He cannot be trusted. Have you seen how he glares at my Lord Tizoc? He does not look upon him with respect, or with joy, but rather with a cold, contemptuous gaze. There is cruelty in his eyes. I find it very upsetting.”
“Perhaps my lady misreads him.”
“What I say about him I cannot prove. They are things I feel. I was told of the extreme vehemence he displayed when the council named Tizoc as Revered Speaker. They say he flew into a rage and bolted from the scene like a savage beast when its choice was disclosed to him. Such conduct is most unbecoming. And to his brother. To this day whatever communication exists between them is of an official nature only. They do not socialize. There is no cordiality between them. He keeps his distance, residing in Axayacatl’s palace instead of here. If only I could be certain of his intentions. I fear he means Tizoc harm.”
“Surely you are wrong, my Lady. One would never suspect it looking at him.”
“It’s as if his attractiveness masked his true evil purposes all the more. Yet I tell you my fears are not groundless. To think he should capture the heart of our dear Pelaxilla. Even this amounts to a derogation of Tizoc, for she is pledged to him as one of his mistresses. It’s almost more than I can bear.”
“This is not a one-sided affair, my Lady. He loves her too.”
“He does? I was not aware of it.”
“I have not only seen it in him, but have heard others speak of it. Those eyes you say glare so contemptuously at Lord Tizoc gaze quite differently upon Pelaxilla. They shine like stars when they behold her. He is often at a loss of words when with her, and has been clumsy in his attempts to humor her. Surely these are symptoms of Xochiquetzal’s affliction. From what I make of it, I would say that he loves Pelaxilla more than she loves him.”
“He’s contemptible!—going after someone so young. But then, she is an adorable child, so lovely and charming, and of such cheerful disposition. I think I may have frightened her today.”
“Even if you did, it matters little. A loving glance from you will mend things for her again.”
“Yes, it is amazing what a position of authority can do. I shall put that to work for me next time we see our little flower. You’re convinced that Ahuitzotl loves her?”
“I’m certain of it.”
“Then we shall make use of his enrapture. Pelaxilla will find out for us what he is thinking. A man in love would give his sweetheart any answer she desired, especially if pressed.”
“Possibly, but isn’t this kind of unseemly?”
“Unseemly?” Tlalalca hesitated as she gave it some weight. “I suppose so. But we do have an important purpose behind this—perhaps nothing less than the safety of our Revered Speaker. I assume we are together in this and that I can count on your cooperation.”
“Yes, my Lady,” she consented.
“Good. Then I expect we shall soon discover whether my fears are warranted.”
By this time, Xoyo had finished preening Tlalalca who expressed a desire for her usual late afternoon nap. The old woman gently assisted her into the multi-layered mats making up the bed and covered her with a single thin cotton sheet that sufficed as a blanket in the day’s comfortable temperature. Then she quietly slipped away leaving Tlalalca in reposed slumber.
IV
In a magnificent profusion of color, nobles from throughout the realm, accompanied by their ministers, ambassadors, counselors, and commanders, stood resplendently arrayed in their finest attire and adorned with rich jewelry that shimmered at every movement as they met in the reception hall of the royal palace. They constituted a wondrous spectacle, and as was the fashion, their dress and adornment represented their social rankings in the cities and provinces from where they came.
On a raised platform at the end of the hall sat Tizoc in his Eagle and Jaguar Throne. He wore a turquoise blue cape distinguishing him as the Revered Speaker, monarch of the nation, and representing the color of Huitzilopochtli. His jewelry included earplugs of gold and jade and an emerald nose insertion worn by all kings as a sign of their direct linkage to the gods. His headdress was made from feathers of the quetzal bird and from his neck hung an emerald medallion. He was an imposing figure, and anyone present would have readily sorted him out as the leading personage in the assembly. He alone was seated.
Below the platform on Tizoc’s right stood Cihuacoatl, wearing a jaguar skin tilmantli and holding a long staff, the symbols of his office. Beside him were the leading officials of Tenochtitlan, including two of its chief priests. To the left was Ahuitzotl, austere in his lack of ornamentation, who represented the city’s army. He was accompanied by Tlohtzin,
