Quetzalcoatl: A Short Story

I was lost, abandoned, my pride flowing into the muddy, dark, rivers of Lake Texcoco. Life hadn’t treated me well; or I guess, the way Quetzalcoatl had promised. In the blink of an eye, I had run out of my family hut, and had jumped in the river, having a bit of hope that I would regain my pride and courage. With a jolt, I roused from my sleep. I felt relief when I thought about the end of the nightmare, but I couldn’t help but think if my dream had a deeper meaning to it. It’s probably telling me about my future, I thought. Well, I can’t worry about that right now. I’ve got a busy day today. Helping father with the chinampas, going to school, and if I have time, start preparing for the military. I quickly put on a simple loincloth and a tilma,

and hurried to get out of my reed mat bed at the corner of the one-room hut.

“Myrazi! Zamphocla! Breakfast is ready!” Calimri, my mother called to my brother and sister. I squatted at the centre mat table, held above the ground by smooth, lengthy rocks. My mother and father were already seated, maize porridge in front of them and in front of the empty seats. My father, Phyzaco, was wearing loincloth, embroidered on the two ends while my mother was wearing a skirt, and a short sleeved shirt; for they were both of the middle class. She waited calmly for me and my older brother and younger sister to sit, before continuing the meal.

‘’ I’m going to go to Koica’s hut before I go to school.‘’ I told my family; porridge on my upper lip. Koica was a good friendly priest that had advised Zaphteca and his father in times of trouble.

‘’ Make sure you be on time. I don’t want you to be punished.’’ My mother informed me. I recalled that the teachers were very harsh but punishments were harder. My mother and father did get mad at me, but they had never harmed me in a way that my physical body would be în pain.

‘’I will. When I return, I’ll help father with farming. Is Myrazi helping mother with the house?’’ Zaphteca asked, looking at his sister. When she nodded, he put his wooden spoon down, bowl empty and said his goodbyes before heading off.

Tenochtitlan is truly beautiful.

I admired. As I gazed up, I could see the peaks of the mountains that surrounded the city, as well as the waters that surrounded it. Small, bushy trees stood beside the paths, marking the boundary of where I had to go. I had met Koica when I was a little child; my parents choosing him to be my advisor. I visit him couple times a week, each time bringing a gift but this time, I was empty- handed. As I looked to my side, I noticed a bright dahlia, standing out from the rest. This particular one was bright red with pink on the tips of the narrow petals. The rest were almost peach colored with yellow tips. There were other red dahlias as well, but they were more dull and dusty. Separating it delicately from the rest, I jogged the rest of the short way to the priest, who had been troubled since last

week.

“Koica? Its me, Zaphteca. May I come in?” I called. I was waiting patiently, for at school, patience was a virtue.

“Zaphtca? Yes, yes, come in.” Koica’s rusty voice echoed along the wall, mud plastered bricks. I stepped inside, aware of how much people, Koica’s hut could supply. Similar to his family hut, there was a sauna room behind the actual hut. Seeing Koica, he was wearing a brightly colored xicolli, waistcoat, that had designs and symbols on it. I handed Koica the flower respectfully, with both hands, dipping my head slightly.

“Thank you, child” He acknowledged, before returning to his bed mattress and lying down. After a couple seconds, he would sit back up, before lying back down again.

“Koica, are you ill? Troubled?” Worried, I offered my hand, but he refused, lying back down again.

“ I am troubled, yes. As my role as a priest, I have no choice but to be troubled, and for being afraid, yes. Deeply.” Koica muttered. It wasn’t like the extroverted priest to be distant and troubled by himself. He would usually seek help from other priests or even my own father.

“Could you tell me why?” I asked. I knew that some information was for the priests and the emperor, Moctami only.

“ Dear child, i wouldn’t want you to be pressed with the guilt and pressure of not knowing what to do. “ He sighed.

I insisted I should be told. “Koica, I have known you for many years. It would be different and hurtful for you to suffer the pressure by yourself.”

“ Zaphteca. Your father. He is the reason of my trouble.” Koica murmured softly, so softly that I had to come close. When I heard my father was the main cause, I stiffened. Koica leaned closer so that his lips were an inch from my ear.

“Your father. He does not want to believe in the gods of our nation.” He whispered. I gasped, unable to restrain from it.

“You better go to school now.” Koica pulled back. I nodded, hurrying out, but not forgetting to say my goodbyes.

At school, I tried my best to not get distracted, but I couldn’t help it. We had to recite the good behavior rules, like we do every morning and end of classes. Our teacher taught us respectful gestures as well as replies to be used. Then we were assigned group tasks to catch animals for food. I met up with my friend Xoillpa to partner up. Once we completed, we entered a large platform for military practice. I glimpsed at my older brother, Zamphocla, who was busy trying to perfect spear throwing. Should I tell him? Maybe not. I should discuss it with my father first. I wondered. At the end of school, our battle teacher told us that we have a battle against a neighboring nation against a useful piece of land. It would be soon and I knew that everyone was expected to fight, especially when it's an order from Moctami. Great. I muttered under my breath.

“We might as well train.” Xoillpa sighed.

That evening, when the family was gathering for supper, I excused myself to talk with my father, who was bringing in crop.

“Can I talk to you, father?” He looked up with a question in his eyes.

I gulped. “It’s about something that Koica told me.”

Understanding the situation, he helped himself up before looking me straight in the eyes.

“Zaphteca, come inside. In fact, call everyone to the mat. I have to confess something that I probably should have done long ago.”

“Family.” My father's deep voice rung to everyone's ears. “ I must confess something that I should’ve long ago.” After a deep breath he continued. “ I am losing my faith in the gods of our nation.”

My brother and sister gasped, while my mother bowed her head sorrowfully.

“I predicted it. I have seen the disgrace in your eyes when someone mentions their praise and gratitude to Quetzalcoatl or Huitzilopochtli.” My mother revealed still in shock.

“ Father, you will be sacrificed if you mention it to anyone.

We would not dare tell anyone but you mustn't mention it again.” My sister managed to stammer.

“Yes, my dear daughter, but I am not afraid of dying to express my true emotions.” My father answered.

“Why have you chosen this path?” My brothers voice boomed.

My father replied calmly, “Is it me who just thinks that these gods are fake? I feel they have left us, even if they were real. So many battles and sacrifices. Sacrifices. I don't feel the need for them. Death is enough. To sacrifice is something that just doesn’t seem right.” He glanced around at everyone's faces, as if trying to search for their expressions.

We seperating, each going to our own beds, troubled and worried, but all falling into a slumber sleep.

Over the couple days that passed, my father taught me all the things that he had doubts on and for some, I had to agree. The biggest part that I feared was when we even risked a conversation in the fields where other Aztecs could easily pass by and overhear, whereas at home, my mother and sister were outside in front of the entrance cleaning and such. It was a week or so that had gone and Koica was in their hut, discussing battle plans for Zaphteca and Zamphocla when a voice interrupted

them.

“Yes?” My mother responded. A tall figure stepped in, clearly from the upper class based on his clothing. His eyes wavered over the family before clearing his throat.

“Moctami has sentenced you, Phyzaco, to be punished from doubting the powerful gods for treason. You will be sacrificed at dawn. Cries and protests roused at once. The only calm being was my father, trying to calm everyone down. I found myself tearing up without knowing it, and even offered to sacrifice myself. The priest hushed me before glaring at my father, “I shall see you before dawn.” Looking at everyone else he thundered threateningly, “You all shall not watch.” Without another word, he turned and left, leaving the family in tears of grief and anger.

My mother was weeping on her knees, begging and asking to reconsider. My sister was hugging father tight and begging him to just run away or hide. I was bowing down, trying to not screech for it was bad manners, but trying to regain my inner peace. My father is brave, truly. He will die for sticking up to his beliefs. I shall never forget him.

At dawn, My father murmured, “ I am not afraid. I will find my place in the stars one day. I will miss you and I'm hoping you will miss me. Taking another long look at everyone’s faces and thanking Koica for his deep friendship, he turned and walked into the darkness, where he walked closer to his death.

It was just dawn of the battle. All soldiers were to meet at the battle practice ground, just out of Tenochtitlan. Xoillpa was meeting me at my hut, and I was waiting for him. Being an eagle warrior, I felt fierce and determined, as if I was getting vengeance. My father’s death still seemed fresh in my mind, even though it had been a couple sunrises from the incident. My mother had been dull and silent, but their relationship still hadn’t changed. My sister still cried when we mentioned father and sometimes even cried to sleep. My older brother had gotten a wife and they lived in the same hut with us. We built an extra room for them and my he took the missing role of being a farmer. I cleared my throat. My father would have wanted me to be brave. I must do this and face it with courage.

Me and Xoillpa talked and practiced our battle moves. My eagle helmet and Xoillpa’s eagle helmet glared threateningly and our weapons, spears and arrows, lumbered on our backs.