IN THE GLORIOUS AND HARSHEST OF SUNLIGHT
Gabrielle looked down slowly watching as the sun god's city came in to view it was much bigger than the fertility goddess's city. On top of that it was in the middle a huge lake called Lake Texcoco and the only way in or out of it was via huge bridges. Four huge temples stood out with a central one which dwarfed everything. Even by Aztec standards it was beyond glorious it was magnificent on every level. She watching as the people bellow on their small boats looked up as they flew over, she turned watching as Itzli smiled slightly. "Have you been here before?" Itzli looked up slightly admiring his god's city with its ten huge market places. "I trained here as a warrior but I haven't been back here in five years. It's still as beautiful as I remember." He smiled looking down at the stunning lake city. "There is nothing that compares to your birthplace."
Gabrielle looked down slightly ignoring the commotion as they flew towards the cities centre. "I agree nothing ever does." She could see the warriors pulling out there weapons bellow as they ran after them. "Where do we set down?" Itzli rose his hand watching as she lowered her horse further, he calmly followed her. "In the central square you can't miss it…there's a huge carving of the sun stone." Gabrielle carried on moving only to catch sight of what he was talking about in the central square carved in to white stone spanning everything around it was a huge carving of the sun stone. Its scale dwarfed the people who were going about there daily lives as they walked over it in there beautiful multicoloured clothing and headdresses.
She felt the force as the horse's hooves made contact with the stone she watched as Itzli landed next to her. She slowly eased herself off the saddle watching as her feet hit the edge of the huge carving. She could see everyone backing away as her un-dead horse screeched as it shook its mane. She kneeled down slowly running her fingers over the carving. "Is this the first sun stone?" Itzli pulled himself off the golden winged horse who snorted as he patted its neck. "Yes this was the first all the other sun stone carvings are based on this." Gabrielle watched as everyone backed away further shock and confusion showing in their faces. She turned feeling someone suddenly grab her upper arm she turned slowly watching as a nervous fifteen year old boy came in to view.
The young man raised his Aztec axe with pride. "I caught you Blood Jaguar! I claim kingship to Tenochtitlan!" Gabrielle blinked slightly as she looked in to his nervous brown eyes. "King ship?" Itzli moved forward eyeing the young boy. "Remove your hand from the Blood Jaguar's arm boy, before I personally remove it myself!" The young boy looked up his smile suddenly widening. "The great Itzli the Blood Jaguar's servant you're bigger in person." Itzli watched as the Blood Jaguar stood up, the boy moved his hand down keeping it on her arm. "Nice to see that people know my name…." Gabrielle eased up her hand. "It's okay Itzli." She turned giving the young warrior a wide smile. "What do they call you?"
The young boy smiled back his eyes lighting up. "Acamapichtli they call me Acamapichtli." He raised his weapon hand. "You're even more beautiful than in your myth." Gabrielle felt her smile widened. "Yes but how do you know I'm the Blood Jaguar in my myth don't I have shorter hair?" Acamapichtli smiled keeping a gentle hold on her strong arm. "In the myth you always have sun coloured hair and eyes the colour of any green jungle." He looked down slightly at her boots and the gleaming claws which were tied up with thick leather straps. "Your claws are always carried in your boots." Gabrielle laughed slightly ignoring the warriors who started to push their way through the on lookers. "You're very clever Acamapichtli." Itzli watched as the five warriors came forward raising their weapons.
Itzli raised his weapon watching as they stopped. "Take myself and the Blood Jaguar to Huitzilopochtli's keep!" The warriors looked at each other he felt his teeth grind together. "I outrank you! Do as I order you!" The first warrior sneered slightly. "I don't care for your order Itzli." He turned eyeing the young boy. "Get off her she's mine boy!" Itzli watched as the first warrior came forward he slowly raised his weapon higher. "I'll kill you before you put a finger on her, your not even worthy of her claws." The warrior laughed slightly as he stopped in front of him. "The great Itzli is protecting the Blood Jaguar last I heard you hated her." Itzli narrowed his gaze as he took a step closer to the other warrior. "You heard wrong…now back off."
The man sniggered slightly as he turned to the other warriors. "Oh so the rumour is true you are sleeping with her…poor Itzli he must not like his girlfriend getting touched." He turned hearing the others laugh. Gabrielle blinked in shock she gently eased the boys hand away as she pulled her sai blade out from her boot in a violent motion eyeing the warrior in utter disgust. "I've never slept with Itzli! My lover is Xena the Warrior Princess!" Itzli breathed in as the anger started to boil and twist in his stomach. "I'm going to kill you for daring to say that in front of me you lower ranking scumbag…I've never slept with her since I met her!" The warrior pulled back as he raised his axe higher his cruel smile widened. "I'd like to see you try and kill me Itzli I've heard you're not as good as you used to be."
He turned eyeing the small woman. "I capture you I get to be king!" Gabrielle laughed slightly enjoying how mocking her laugh sounded. "You be king? I doubt you could get higher than your rank." Itzli sneered as he eyed the man who snarled in anger. "She's right you couldn't crawl up to the next rank so I have to ask, what are your chances of ever crawling up the ladder and becoming king?" Gabrielle turned eyeing the main keep behind them before turning back to Itzli. "There is no King in Mexica there never has been or so I've so been told." Itzli raised his axe higher. "Don't follow us, I have a good excuse to kill you and if I get the chance I'll probably really enjoy it." He turned walking towards the Blood Jaguar. "Let's go, I'll walk us both to the main keep." Gabrielle turned slightly looking at the young boy giving him a wide smile. "Acamapichtli you lead the way." She looked up flicking her sai blade sneering slightly. "Don't follow us." Itzli turned following the young boy he could see the five men following very slowly. He leaned over to her ear. "They are following us." Gabrielle narrowed her gaze watching as the young boy bounded up the steps she felt her grip on her sai blade tightened violently.
8
Ares looked around in to the ever stretching darkness which was nothing but a black abyss, he was feeling fear now. Fear that he wouldn't see the light again. He walked around feeling his hand touch the black fire around him which hurt with every motion of his fingers. He pulled on his shirt harshly why was the fear so pressing in this place? He turned watching in surprise as an image of Xena appeared close by her light blue eyes narrowed as the mouth formed a cruel smile one which he was so used to seeing. The image shrugged slightly. "The mighty Ares god of war your a joke." Ares turned watching as another huge figure stepped out from the blackness the massive blonde clawed feet hit the ground hard as the huge ears pulled back.
The green eyes leered with hatred as the huge blonde main shook as the blonde werewolf stepped closer flexing her clawed fingers as her huge jaws opened showing off the razor sharp teeth, he sneered at Gabrielle in her werewolf form. He pulled back as she moved a step closer so her huge muscled bulk towered over him. He could now see that she didn't have the huge deer antlers which had been part of the Titan armour, Horn Hind. She raised a clawed hand looking at her fingers. "Man…monster…monster, man its funny how the lines are always blurring you get confused sometimes don't you?" The Warrior Princess smirked. "The lines we draw in the sands are merely lines but how deep do those lines go?" Gabrielle flicked her long tail as she stepped back. "Are the lines in the sand from the spilt blood of innocents or the blood of those who caused great evils?"
Xena eased out her sword she pushed the blade tip in to the black ground watching as blood flowed out forming streaked bloody lines which crawled outwards. "It's all lines and more lines…really makes you think." Ares eyed them both in anger. "Stop talking in riddles!" Gabrielle looked up slightly as she snarled showing of her razor sharp teeth. "If each line is a shattered life then how many of them have made?" Xena shrugged. "Pillaged, plundered, and brought to their knees in the name of war." She turned slightly. "How many have you bled and how many have you broken?" Ares eyed her in anger. "Your not real you're both delusions." Gabrielle watched as the bloody lines crawled towards him. "Every delusion has a place and a purpose."
Ares watched in horror as the bloody lines began to work there way up his boot, he kicked out his foot trying to get them to let go. Only to find that they stuck as they crawled up his legs. Xena laughed coldly. "You can never get rid of the suffering you make it sticks like resin. An ugly foul black resin which is sickening to the touch." Gabrielle shook her head sadly. "Screaming, sadness, crying and sorrow, it's so heartbreaking." Ares looked down watching as the blood began to spray out from the lines it slowly spreading across the floor. Xena smiled slightly. "You can ether face it." Gabrielle eased up her clawed fingers. "Or drown in it and all its horrors."
Ares watched as they both smiled he felt the panic as the bloody lines turned to tentacles of blood which wrapped around his legs dragging him downwards in to the now bloody lake. Gabrielle looked up slightly. "Fight or fall." Xena cocked her head to one side. "Live or die." Ares tried to get away only to be pulled deeper in to the lake. He watched as Gabrielle flicked her tail neither of them was sinking, Gabrielle smiled sadly. "Find the truth or the lie." Xena looked at her. "The delusion or the reality…." Gabrielle turned to meet his gaze along with Xena. "Or find yourself in the blackness of the bloody river of your own making." Ares felt himself panic he was now up to the waist in the bloody water. He was suddenly pulled under in to the bloody lake which was now deep beneath him he slammed his hand up only to feel it hit a hard red ice crust. He screamed bashing harder only to feel pain, the ice crust didn't break ether. He breathed in, in panic bashing harder as the full terror filled his body and mind he was going to die! He could already feel his lungs constricting as it got harder and harder to breath!
8
Huitzilopochtli eyed the lesser god who he'd moved to a more suitable place, which was on a leopard skin rug which was close by his throne. Obviously the lesser god's dreams weren't pleasant he was kicking out violently in his sleep. He had never had a dream and he obviously had no idea how to wake from one and return to the normal world. His gaze shifted as he looked up slightly hearing a smashing sound he stood up slowly it was weapons. He could hear them someone was fighting out side his keep!? Fighting outside his keep was forbidden! He roared in anger If there was one thing he loathed it was fighting on his temples ground! He had, had his people build this city from the ground up it was meant to be a place of peace and beauty free of violence. He moved further up the steps feeling his hand form a fist.
He stopped still as he came up the last step only to watch as five warriors pile drove a single person at the centre all at once. He stopped still as he felt the feeling all too suddenly. He closed his eyes slightly listening as five heart beats rung out in his ears he closed his eyes fully hearing the one under them all which was beating faster and faster. He felt his eyes snap open as he recognised it he could smell her, it was that familiar scent of jasmine mixed with lavender that came from her hair. He stopped still watching as one of the men was suddenly kicked. He slammed in to the floor hard on his back blood spraying through his teeth causing him to drop his weapon.
The scream that hit the air was as violent as was the cry of pain which followed it, as another men let go his arm covered by the bleeding claw marks. He turned just in time to see Itzli run up the stairs his axe slammed in to the nearest mans arm forcing him to let go. The bleeding man screamed in pain as his blood hit the floor dripping from a now gapping wound. The small blonde woman suddenly came in to view as her claws came around slicing across the man's chest the opposite. The claw's hilt slammed in to the other mans face full force sending him stumbling back. Itzli watched as the young boy ran past him he turned snarled in anger as he came to stand next to the Blood Jaguar whose face was burning with anger. "I'm going to kill you all!"
Gabrielle raised the bloody blade she could feel her anger getting worse as she narrowed her gaze. She was finding it hard to restrain it she wanted to let go. The only thing stopping her was that she wasn't here to kill anyone and her purpose for being her was so much more important than this. She watched as the now bleeding men regrouped reading themselves. She slowly flicked one sai blades pointing it in the leader's direction. "Don't make me kill you." She snarled aloud feeling every muscle tense. "I'll make it painful and slow." She felt her mouth form a cruel smile. "I'll probably really enjoy it as well…." The head warrior eyed his bleeding chest. "Why did you grow your hair Blood Jaguar? I think having it long ruins your image!"
Gabrielle felt her smile widen. "Cutting my hair short was just a crossing in my life and frankly I prefer it long." The head warrior laughed again as he twirled his axe. "Oh really…well I'm so looking forward this…I'll get to be king, once I take you down in battle." Gabrielle narrowed her gaze. "There are no kings in Mexica! There never have been, so what makes you think you will be?" The warrior eased up his hand. "The price for bringing you to our god alive is a one way ticket to the throne of Tenochtitlan!" Gabrielle sneered in disgust. "As if a man like you would ever be king and you didn't even catch me." She raised her hand pointing at the young boy who was standing close by looking nervous. "It was him!"
Huitzilopochtli smiled that was all he needed to hear he looked up just in time to watch as the leader ran at her. He turned seeing Itzli roar in anger as he ran at him. "Coaxoch!" He watched as the leading warrior turned but too late to see the white, green and gold humming bird as it appeared flying in between them, its body blasted in to white light as Coaxoch appeared in all his glory. His axe came up slamming in to the man's face causing blood to fly through the air the sound of his jaw breaking was sickening. He could see the shock on Itzli's face as he came to an instant stop lowering his axe as the towering Hummingbird warrior pulled back his bloody glowing weapon. He could see the panic and the terror in the other warriors faces.
Coaxoch smiled as he raised his bloody weapon. "You all know what the penalty is for dishonour…need I not remind you off it." He turned looking at the wounded man whose face was broken and bloody. "If any of you expect to join the elite Humming bird warriors in paradise. You have so much to understand and learn about the warrior codes." Itzli didn't think as he slowly lowered his head as he stepped away from the Hummingbird warrior who was a much higher rank than him. He'd only seen three Humming bird warriors in his lifetime and if you were bellow them in rank you bowed out of respect. These warriors had gained their place in the heavens because of their bravery and nobility.
Coaxoch breathed in deeply seeing the utter shock that was on the sun haired woman's face. Obviously she had never seen a Humming bird warrior before and her green eyes were filled with mixed emotions, as she lowered her claws slowly unsure of what to do. He watched as a big stocky man appeared, his white, green and red headdress swaying slightly. He was in his late thirties his clothes had the same colours and he had a Jaguar clawed necklace with brown sun bleached areas on his hair and beard. He snarled aloud as he raised his head which had a long scar running across the bridge of his nose. Ahexotl eyed the Humming bird warrior then the other warriors he felt his hand form a fist, it didn't take a genius to work out what had happened here.
He eyed the four remaining men in disgust as his eyes fell on the Blood Jaguar and Itzli who swallowed nervously. "Tell me who started this madness!?" Coaxoch turned to the bleeding man who had passed out. "I believe it was this man…he wanted to be king, his method was most dishonourable." He turned slightly. "As were his friends." Ahexotl roared in anger. "Pick up your leader and take him to the temple of the moon! You should pray that the priestess at the temple is still a master of healing!" He watched as they sped in to action picking their leader of the floor. He turned watching as they ran down the steps. "When you've done that you can get yourselves on to the training ground. I intend to work you like llama's for the next month for your dishonourable behaviour!"
He turned eyeing the young boy who was shivered in panic. "Get on to the training ground you little runt! You're not supposed to be up here you're meant to be with your training group!" Gabrielle felt her gaze dart she moved forward eyeing the big man, he remained her of one of the drill sergeants back in Greece even though he didn't look like one. She turned slightly. "I asked him to show me the temple." Ahexotl turned meeting the Blood Jaguars jungle green gaze he quickly turned his anger to a warm smile as he stepped forward. She was such a beautiful woman no wonder his god had a thing for her it had to be the long sun coloured hair and the fact that she was very good on the eyes.
He raised his hand taking hers. "My apologises Blood Jaguar if you asked him to then your wish is my command." Gabrielle pulled her hand away quickly. "He also caught me and claimed his kingship." Ahexotl felt his gaze snap open he was powerless to stop that wish if he'd claimed it. He shook his head he would not deny his gods wishes ether. He looked up eyeing Itzli. "I see that you're a man now, about time you grew up." Itzli smiled but it was a fake smile he hated Ahexotl even if was head of the living armies he was still a mean bastard who gave everyone hell. "I have the claw marks to prove my worth." Ahexotl laughed slightly. "About time you got something, everything else was lacking."
He ignored the man's look of disgust as he grabbed the boys shoulder dragging him towards the keep. "Come on your highness…lets see if our god thinks you worthy of your king ship." Gabrielle leaned over watching as Itzli lowered to meet her gaze. "Who in Tartarus is he?" Itzli sneered slightly. "Ahexotl leader of the armies…a total bastard but he always gets the job done, hence his elite position." He lowered his head again as the Humming bird warrior came closer, he slowly met her gaze. "He's a Hummingbird warrior." Coaxoch smiled as he eyed Itzli. "You need not bow in my presence Itzli you have shown no dishonour." He put his hand on his chest as he turned to the small woman. "My name is Coaxoch I'm the head of the Hummingbird armies."
He bowed slightly. "And you are the great Blood Jaguar it's a pleasure to finally meet you." He smiled slightly. "You do differ some what from your myth." Gabrielle lowered her gaze for a long moment she looked up slightly watching as the white light carried in streaming out of the taller man's eyes. "I hear that a lot." She breathed in deeply. "Are you dead? I heard in the myth that you're from a heavenly paradise?" Coaxoch smiled as he raised his hand. "Yes I'm dead but my god gives me a form that's so real that it's difficult to tell me from you. I bleed and my flesh and muscle are real. If it weren't for my eyes there would be no way to tell the difference between you and me."
He eased his hand out. "You can even feel my heart beat and the pulse of the blood in my veins." Gabrielle slowly eased up her hand taking hold of his wrist she breathed in sharply feeling the pulse of blood under her fingers. She breathed in deeply as she pulled away. "It is only the eyes that tear us apart." Coaxoch smiled. "Yes mine have my very soul moving through them where as your living flesh doesn't." He raised a hand putting it on her shoulder. "Sadly only the skeleton warriors can see your soul as it moves through your eyes, and I do envy them for that because it's something I can't see." Ahexotl turned yanking the boy around. "Our god will really want to see the Blood Jaguar so stop gassing off to her Coaxoch, your probably boring her."
Coaxoch raised an eyebrow. "So charming isn't he?" He sighed as he stepped forward. "Please follow me both of you." Gabrielle breathed in deeply as they both started to move forward. She watched as the steps to the inner keep came in to view, she really wished she didn't have to be here. All she could think about was her lover. She moved down the steps watched as the golden keep came in to view with its golden floor and walls filled with pottery and orange gem stone. The golden throne came in to view she could see Huitzilopochtli seated on it. The huge man looked up as a smile formed across his face as he sat up slightly meeting her gaze as she came to a stop.
Huitzilopochtli smiled he had moved the god of war in to one of the small rooms opposite he didn't want the Blood Jaguar to even see him. Also after calling Coaxoch he wanted this to look like it wasn't his doing. He had waited far too long for this day. He had, had so many dreams about it that he wanted nothing to spoil it. He watched as Itzli lowered himself on to his knee bowing his head as low as possible. Coaxoch slowly eased himself on to one knee bowing his head. "Great sun god we bring you the Blood Jaguar." He watched as Ahexotl did the same he pushed the boy in to the same bowed position. Huitzilopochtli turned seeing that the Blood Jaguar was lowering herself. "No you need not kneel in my presence Blood Jaguar, in my kingdom no head is higher than yours."
Gabrielle stopped in mid motion as she eased herself up only to stop as she caught sight of a stand behind her. She felt as though the blood in her body had run cold in an instant as her old clothes came in to view. The clothes she hated the clothes she had never wanted to see again. Yet here they were complete with her original Eagle warrior head dress. These were the clothes that had been covered in the twelve elite's blood. These were the clothes that had made her a legend and had given her, her name in these lands. She had changed the world and not once did she consider that these clothes would survive for to look up on them again. She could feel her breath quickening she breathed in quickly, gaining control of her emotions.
Huitzilopochtli smiled taking in her beautiful face with its long blonde hair and forest green eyes, which turned to look at him very slowly. The image his men had shown him of her was spot on she was younger. The clothes were very different to the ones he was used to, not that, that mattered at all. He smiled gently as he kept his gaze on hers. "Welcome to my keep Blood Jaguar." He leaned forward his smile widening. "I'm so glad that you have finally returned." He turned looking Itzli who was keeping his head low. "You have also finally returned to me as well." Itzli breathed in closing his eyes tightly trying not to panic. He had been so terrified of this moment and now it was finally here. "I never meant to dishonour you great sun god."
Huitzilopochtli stood up slowly. "Dishonour me?" Itzli could feel himself shaking his god would punish him severely for his betrayal. "I was forced to do the feathered serpents bidding." Gabrielle didn't think as she stepped back putting her hand on his shoulder. "It wasn't his fault it was mine, I was the one he was chasing…it was my weapon that struck his face." Itzli looked up sharply she was defending him? Why was she doing this? Why would she blame herself for his failing as a warrior? He looked up slightly easing his hand up freeing hers. "The Blood Jaguar is being to kind but her kindness is misplaced. I betrayed you great one out of fear of the feathered serpent ending my life, I accept the consequences of my actions."
Gabrielle looked at him as she put both her weapons in her boots. "He saved my life I owe him mine…and I haven't repaid that dept in full yet. He's also been nothing but loyal to me." Itzli looked up sharply. "Stop defending me!" Gabrielle kept her gaze fixed with his ignoring the two head warriors who looked utterly confused. She breathed in deeply lowering her gaze. "You saved my life, I was going to die I have every right to defend you." Huitzilopochtli laughed slightly watching as they both turned to look at him. "Itzli I have no intention of punishing you, as I can see you have served the Blood Jaguar well and that pleases me greatly. You will be well rewarded for what you have done."
He turned slightly. "Your village will receive gifts and will be rebuilt to be even more glorious. Your family will gain noble status, they will be moved in side this cities great walls there they will live a life of luxury. Your gift will be to gain the rank that your older brother had before his death. You will become head warrior off the temple of the moon." He turned slightly. "When the Blood Jaguar frees you from her services you will take that position." Itzli felt himself freeze in mid motion he let out a breath that he had been holding for what felt like ages. He lowered his head further as he felt the tension leave his body all at once. "I thank you for your pardon great sun god."
Huitzilopochtli turned slightly. "Please Ahexotl take Itzli to the moon temple so his head dress can be given its sun coloured feathers." Ahexotl looked up as he stood up along with the others "It shall be done, but I have another matter of importance which needs your attention." He pushed the boy forward so he was in front of the huge god. "This boy claims that he caught the Blood Jaguar." He snorted aloud. "Frankly I think the boy is lying." Huitzilopochtli smiled slightly as he turned the Blood Jaguar. "Is my head warrior speaking the truth is the boy lying?" Gabrielle turned to meet his amber gaze. "Yes he did capture me he was the first to put his hand on my arm and claim king ship of this great city."
Huitzilopochtli smiled slightly as he moved a step closer to the young boy who kneeled down again lowering his head, he could sense his fear. "What do they call you young man?" The young boy swallowed as he looked up. "My name is Acamapichtli, great sun god." Huitzilopochtli folded his arms. "Acamapichtli do you believe you will be a mighty and noble king?" Ahexotl turned sharply. "He is no more than a boy how can be a king?! I mean look at him!" Huitzilopochtli raised his hand slowly. "Be silent Ahexotl let the young man speak." Acamapichtli felt his gaze dart. "I don't know what kind of a king I'll make I just want to help the people and make you proud great sun god. I also want to honour the Blood Jaguar who is more beautiful than her myth."
Huitzilopochtli smiled as he eased the boy up so he was standing. "That Acamapichtli is the right answer, a king is a person who wants to help others and make others proud." He watched as Coaxoch took hold of the boys arm very gently. "Take him for his royal fitting Coaxoch." Coaxoch nodded slightly. "It shall be done." Ahexotl turned sharply. "Come on all off you I'm sure our god would prefer to be in peace with the Blood Jaguar." Itzli turned sharply. "I'm her servant I should stay." Ahexotl sneered slightly shoving him forward as they all started to move. "Yeah well right now you aren't needed, your new sun coloured feathers are more important."
Huitzilopochtli smiled slightly watching as they all slowly moved toward the keeps steps he would be glad to have some peace and quite. He didn't want any one interrupting them ether. He turned seeing that the Blood Jaguars eyes were fixed again on her clothes which were on the stand. He slowly sat himself down as he smiled slightly, enjoying the curves of her body and her eyes which didn't turn away from the stand. He breathed in deeply seeing that the others had had gone he breathed in deeply. Now that the formalities were over he wanted to say just he felt and what he should have said the last time he had been face to face with this stunning mortal woman whose hair was as gold as his sun. "The young man speaks the truth you are so much more beautiful than your myth."
End of part 36
Silvermoonlight.
Thank you for all the kind reviews HAZMOT.
Also welcome back Haxan.