The Controversial Mayan Queen: Sak K'uk of Palenque (The Mists of Palenque) (4 page)

“May I ask, honored High Priest, what you will do with this information?” Ah Kuy was curious. “Needless to say, this information shall I keep solely to myself.”

Pasah Chan smiled warmly at the aged man, sincerely appreciative of his help.

“It is you who are the honored one, Elder Priest, for your exceptional work. This shall I do; I will take the boy Pakal into training early to become a shaman-ruler.”

The old priest nodded and chuckled.

“It is fitting. Now have I one request for you. Allow me to teach the boy also, while I have yet the mind and strength. For he should know the antiquated language of our forbears and study their prophetic codices.”

“It is done.”

SAK K’UK – II

Baktun 9 Katun 8 Tun 14
(608 CE – 609 CE)

1

The prow of the long canoe sliced through still water, leaving a frothy wake in the green lagoon. Distant roars of waves crashing against the seaward side of the barrier reef drifted over the flat grassy peninsula punctuated by brackish ponds. Seagulls circled and cried, seeking easy prey in disturbed waters. The canoe, carved from a single tall tree, was the length of eight men and nearly as wide as two men. It required six paddlers and could carry 20 passengers in addition to cargo. These long canoes were used by coastal traders to navigate the Great East Sea that spread past horizons to the east and north, called K’ak-nab.

Most of the forward portion was filled with bundles, trade goods intended for elite nobles of the Ka’an polity. From inland came corn and cacao, pottery, jade, obsidian and grinding stones of volcanic basalt. From the coast came conches, shells, stingray spines and spondylus, the highly valued spiny red oyster shell. Salt was a commodity needed by everyone, harvested from shallow ponds along the length of the peninsula.

In the aft portion several passengers crouched, taking advantage of the swift canoe to shorten their journeys. Travel by waterways was much quicker than overland through dense jungles. Many rivers coursed from western mountain ranges toward the Great

East Sea. The canoe’s captain showed his passengers a canal recently cut through the shortest portion of the north peninsula. This, he explained, gave canoes access from the lagoon to the sea at a point above the dangerous barrier reef where many boats with valuable cargo were lost.

Two passengers watched with particular interest as they passed the mouth of the narrow canal, where low-growing mangroves dipped skinny roots into the water.

“These must be cut back often,” the canoe captain remarked.

“A great work, this canal,” replied the older passenger. He shifted position to straighten his right leg that became achy from an old injury when he kept it flexed too long.

“Go you frequently upon the Great East Sea?” asked the younger. “How far north have you gone?”

“There have I journeyed past the large island of the upper east coast,” said the captain, “but not into the Nab’nah (Great North Sea). That I desire to do, gods willing, but it is a very long voyage. This boat I take upon the K’ak-nab three or four times each tun to settlements near the large island. Most of my trips are past the peninsula into the Chetumal and Wukhalal (Bacalar) lagoons, to the many cities in the region.”

“When do we arrive at the Wukhalal shore near Dzibanche?” asked the older man.

The captain lifted his bronzed and weathered face toward the sun, now nearly overhead. He checked landmarks, subtle coastal features that appeared all the same to untrained eyes.

“By dusk we shall arrive there,” he said. “We will camp overnight before starting the land journey, for that will require most of the day. Many bundles of fine goods have I for the Lords of Kan, and they reward me richly for such luxuries.”

“The Kan dynasty prospers, so you say. Of this I am pleased to hear.”

“Seek you dispensation from the Kan Lords?”

“Dispensation of a certain type. Not their wealth, but their power.”

“Ah, powerful indeed is the snake of Kan. Under the leadership of Uneh Chan, Ka’an K’uhul Ahau, their influence has spread from Uxwitza in the south to cities along the K’umaxha-Sacred Monkey River in the west. Only the Zodz (Bat) dynasty of Uxte’tun thwarts their dominance of the eastern lowlands.”

“Indeed. Let us speak more of this later.”

Ek Chuuah’s eyes caught those of his son, Yax Chapat. They traveled together on a mission that involved both the Kan and Zodz dynasties, but it was ultimately targeted at the Bahlam dynasty of B’aakal. Slight lowering of the father’s eyelids was signal enough for the son to remain silent on this subject.

Calls from the front rowers summoned the captain forward to assess passage through sandbars, which shifted with every voyage. Ek Chuuah leaned against the smooth canoe sides and rubbed the back of his knee. His fingers moved across a wide scar, feeling again the knotted hamstring that still caused him to limp after so many years. Bitterness surged as he recalled that distant Flower War where this injury changed his life. The deep and serious cut delivered by the seasoned Usihwitz warrior, in violation of the sacred rules given by the gods, was no accident. He had not a shred of doubt that Kan Bahlam had masterminded the wounding to remove him from Lakam Ha and dismantle the core of opposition. His grudge was not against the warrior, but against his former K’uhul Ahau and descendents.

Above all, Ek Chuuah wanted justice. It was intrinsically wrong, deliberately flaunting the Triad Deities and their laws meant to control base motives of humans. Yet no divine retaliation had fallen upon Kan Bahlam, and his dynasty continued through his daughter Yohl Ik’nal and now grandson Aj Ne Ohl Mat. How had justice been served? He admitted that his life in Usihwitz was successful, that he had attained a high level of power and respect in his adopted city. But not high enough. He coveted the throne, now for his son. Yahau Chan Muwaan, current ruler of Usihwitz, had been placed in office only a year ago by the influence of the Pa’chan ruler, probably following orders given by Kan ruler Uneh Chan. Pa’chan had long been allied with Kan and did their bidding.

Yahau Chan Muwaan was not a legitimate ruler, in Ek Chuuah’s estimation. The new ruler was of a different patrilineage than preceding ruler Joy Bahlam, whose young son died under questionable circumstances. The true ruling lineage continued through the daughter, recently married to Yax Chapat.

The irony did not escape Ek Chuuah. It was a parallel situation to the accession of Yohl Ik’nal. That woman who so enraged him, now served as a model for his own son’s access to power. They would learn from her example, use strategy and manipulation to strengthen their family’s position and establish their dynasty. No woman would rule in Usihwitz, he vowed. Yax Chapat would become co-regent and soon take over rulership. This trip to Kan was a large part of the strategy. Ek Chuuah sought assistance from Kan for another attack on Lakam Ha, this time carefully planned to bring about destruction and humiliation. Such an impressive victory would boost his family’s standing, bring booty to his city and enable his forces to unseat Yahau Chan Muwaan and place his own son on the throne.

Long had Ek Chuuah contemplated a decisive victory over Lakam Ha, an axing or chopping event to destroy the very heart of his former city. His dismay over the Triad Deities’ disregard of sacred justice in the Flower War set the framework for his scheme. In Usihwitz, especially after the city broke alliance with Lakam Ha and strengthened ties to Kan, the Triad Deities lost respect. Spiritual focus shifted to K’in Ahau the Father of the Triad. Feeling the hold of the Triad Deities on him dissipating, Ek Chuuah conjured an image of desecrating the most sacred shrine in Lakam Ha, the Sak Nuk Nah - White Skin House. Damaging this link to the Triad Deities and razing the city would indeed “chop down” Lakam Ha.

In that would be justice – and revenge.

Clouds low in the western sky glowed pink and gold with the sun’s final rays. Wukhalal, lagoon of seven colors, faded from turquoise to pale green to milky white closer to shore. The setting sun cast golden glints across placid waters. The long canoe closed in on the curving shoreline, paddlers seeking coves with muddy sand beaches between clusters of reeds on which to ground the hull. Finding one to his liking, the captain ordered rowers to jump into shallow water and pull the canoe far enough on shore to stabilize it. Passengers and crew disembarked and set up camp in a grassy meadow bordered by scrubby trees. They found an “eye of water” nearby, small springs bubbling sweet water to surface through the limestone plateau. Fish caught during the voyage were soon roasting over spits, savored by travelers along with maize cakes and fresh wild papayas.

After the meal, Ek Chuuah drew the captain into conversation. Yax Chapat listened attentively, his bright eyes taking in every gesture and voice tone. He knew this trip was training him for leadership and he shared his father’s ambition to become ruler of Usihwitz.

“Your family has traded along this coast for generations, yes?” Ek Chuuah asked.

“Yes, many generations,” the captain replied. “Our people have lived on the peninsula since the town of Yalamha was founded over 2 baktuns ago (789 years). The largesse of the sea and prosperous trade along the coast has brought us abundance. It is a good life.”

“So must it be. Know you of the region’s history? Your trade brings opportunities to speak with leaders and rulers, those who shape their cities and people.”

“In this I have much interest. What would you know?”

“The relations between the Kan and Zodz dynasties, their cities and influences. To have more knowledge will help me when I meet with Uneh Chan.” Ek Chuuah smiled and bowed in deference, gesturing the captain to continue.

“The house of the snake, Kan dynasty, is most ancient. Their family goes back to the greatest city in the lowlands, the famed and magnificent Nakbe, the Chatan Winik city (Second Center of Humans). Rising in splendor above a sea of trees, temples larger and grander than any built since, Nakbe commanded the entire region. Then came time to leave, the ahauob and people went away from their grand city for the gods ordained it. This I do not understand, but the ways of gods are obscure to men. Families from Nakbe went to other locations in the lowlands, found suitable conditions and built many other cities: Xpuhil, Kuhunlich, Becan, Dzibanche, Uxte’tun. Perhaps Uxte’tun is the oldest, more ancient than my town of Yalamha. There great pyramids, huge complexes were built to remind them of Nakbe, but none so large as the mother city. It is said, by scribes and sages, that the Kan family founded Uxte’tun. They resided there many generations and spread their influence in the region. But then came the Bat people.”

The captain paused, relishing the attention of the two Usihwitz ahauob. Ek Chuuah reached into his pouch and removed cigars of dried and rolled tobacco leaves. Passing them to the captain and Yax Chapat, he used a dry branch to catch the campfire flames and lighted the cigars. The men puffed in silence, savoring the aromatic fumes curling through their nostrils and creating an astringent taste. Tobacco smoke also kept the large and bloodthirsty lagoon mosquitoes at bay.

“These are good,” the captain observed. “Where do you obtain the leaves?”

“Near Usihwitz, in the higher hills,” Ek Chuuah said. “If you visit our city, I can show you the fields.”

“Ah, your city is so far inland,” the captain bemoaned. “Too much overland travel. It will not suit my trade, there are not connecting rivers. Such good tobacco… perhaps I could send an envoy. ”

“Perhaps. You were saying the Bat people came?”

“Ah, the Bat people.” The captain pulled thoughtfully on his cigar, blowing smoke rings. “Where did the Bat people come from? No one knows. They were not from Nakbe, not from this region. Perhaps from the north? It remains mysterious. They are a strong and determined people, war-like, ever ready to fight. They entered Uxte’tun and evicted the Kan family, though the battle was fierce. Then they defaced the Kan monuments, removed the Kan family history, and replaced it with their names. Kan has never gotten over this insult, yet they have not felt powerful enough to assault the Zodz rulers. Kan left and established themselves at Dzibanche, where they now reside.”

“When did that happen? Kan has expanded its influence in my lifetime, delivered a remarkable defeat to Mutul and courted alliances among K’umaxha River cities.”

“Less than a baktun ago (396 years), perhaps four or five generations’ span. As you say, Kan has expanded its power. Many cities bowed to Kan influence and had their rulers installed by them, or had katun ceremonies overseen by Kan lords. Uneh Chan is experienced and ambitious; he will seek more glory and tribute to fatten his coffers.”

Ek Chuuah smiled inwardly; that suited his plan perfectly.

“Do you trade with Uxte’tun?” Yax Chapat asked.

“Very little. Their ways are too foreign, I trust them not. All my goods are quickly taken up by ahauob in Dzibanche and other cities in the region.”

“Of Kan ruler Uneh Chan I would know more,” Ek Chuuah said. “You trade with him often, you are clever in obtaining the best value for your goods. Yours is a keen appraisal of motives and desires, most important for successful trading. Has Uneh Chan any qualities that one should note?”

“Ah, yes.” The captain basked in praise that he considered well deserved. Savoring the moment, he puffed his cigar and contemplated. “Of Uneh Chan will I say, a quality well worth noting, that he is a handsome man and vain of his appearance. This trait makes my work easy, flattery being a staple of my occupation. Ha!”

The men all chuckled. All Maya elite practiced body adornment with jewelry and costume, and rulers felt compelled to outshine their ahauob.

“This can I use to advantage,” said Ek Chuuah.

“Perhaps even more so with an impressive gift. Yes, I have just the thing, a rare turquoise jade pectoral pendant, carved with K’in Ahau’s face, set in strands of spondylus beads so red as to drip like sacred blood after penis-piercing rituals. The perfect gift to express his royal status.” The captain smiled broadly, pleased at this trade opportunity. “Let me show you, it is very fine work.”