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The Thirst of Tonatiuh
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The Thirst of Tonatiuh |
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Dawn Eclipse Senior Member
since 2000-01-31
Posts 637The Horsehead Nebula |
Maya sat on the edge of the aqueduct, staring out over the lake in the distance. Her people had a special religious ceremony to which they gave human sacrifices to the Sun God, Tonatiuh. It was a ceremony that she hated. On those days, people gave their lives to satisfy the thirst of their God. She did not want the dire consequences that Tonatiuh would impose upon her people, but she hated the manner of which the people were sacrificed by. Today, in the city of Tenochtitlan they were having the sacrifice to ensure that their harvest would remain fruitful throughout the seasons. This time, ten people would be sacrificed upon the altar of Tonatiuh. After they were dead, their blood would spill down the temple steps, and that blood would satisfy him for the season. Maya was expected to attend these ceremonies though, and with a heavy heart, she got up and started off towards the city. It was still early morning, so the air was crisp. As she walked along, she could see people coming out of their homes and buildings and getting ready for the ceremony this evening. It had to be done before the sun set, because they believed that at the end of each day, he would die, only to be born again as the sun rose each morning. She glanced up at the sun, and saw it blazing brightly in the eastern sky. It looked to be another promising day. The priests of Tonatiuh believed they had the power to pick the people to be sacrificed on days such as this. Sadly, she turned away from the temple. She had been stunned the day she found out her brother was chosen to be a victim of Tonatiuh’s thirst. He was a young warrior of the tribe who had spent all of his life serving Him. In the end, he had served Him in the greatest way possible. Her brother had been the only family she had ever known. They had both been abandoned in the city of Tetzcoco when they were very young. For months they had roamed the streets of the city as children with no where to go. Eventually, they had been taken into captivity and sold as slaves. She had been sold to the priests’ house, where the scholars were taught in the ways of all the Gods. Her brother Ixphie had been taken to the warrior temple. For years, they had lived separated by their different lives and duties. They had lived without any contact… until the day he appeared within the house of priests. She had been stunned speechless when she had seen him in the house. Although she was desperate to talk with him, her duties told her otherwise. She had things to attend to and couldn’t afford to slip up. If she did, she would pay a severe penalty. She took one last look at her brother, and went off to prepare for the following days sacrifice. The altar needed some cleaning, and the sacrificial tools needed to be blessed and prepared for their use. It was said that they had a significant number of “blessed victims” for Tonatiuh this time. As she ran through the halls, eager to complete her tasks so she could see her brother, she accidentally stumbled upon one of the priests that was in prayer. Instantly, she realized her mistake, but an instant too late. His wrath flared up like a match striking a pool of pitch, and there was nothing she could do. She was at the lowest social level possible within the house of priests, and a priest was at the top. She would be blamed in an instant, and her consequences…. she dreaded the thought of them. By the time she was through listening to the priests rave on and on about her stupidity, ignorance, and ugliness, she was unable to even think of seeing her brother. Her anger began to boil up inside of her. They dictated her life as she was a piece of meat rotting in the noon day sun. Now, she had twice as much to do, and all had to be done by the sacrifice tomorrow. The night passed slowly, and the darkness turned into the daylight. Gradually, the grounds began to fill with bystanders for toady’s sacred events. As the victims were brought out onto the temple grounds and led up to the top, Maya’s face paled. Her brother was the first in line of the young men and women. They all held their heads high, knowing their death would help bring life to the rest of the people, but she could see the sadness in their eyes. She wanted to beg for her brother’s life, but she knew that if she did, she would also be in line for the altar. As the priests led her brother to the sacrificial alter, all she could do was stand there, helplessly. The knife of the priest came down across the soft flesh of his throat, spilling blood down the side of the temple. Soon, there would be a river of blood from all Tonatiuh’s children. After the painful scream they cut open his chest, and took his heart from his body, placing it in a jar and then onto a table. The scream would echo in her mind for many years after that. The precession continued throughout the afternoon and gradually the river became more flowing and thick. The jar of hearts became numbered as well. By the time the last victim’s life was taken, the air smelled of the stench of blood that would remain heavy over the city for many days and nights. The priests then turned to the jars, and began pouring the hearts into one big bowl. They then took a flint and set them ablaze. During this part of the ceremony, all of the people would bow down and worship their Sun God, praying for a good harvest and fruitful year ahead. She shook her head at the memory. That was not something she needed to remember today. She walked back to the house of priests, and entered the side gate, so as not to disturb anyone. That was the last thing she needed. Even though she was only a slave, she was still taught by the priests, nine-flower Texcil was her favorite. He had treated her with great respect all of her years here. He should have been preparing for the ceremony by this time, and she supposed that is why she found it so surprising that he was in her chambers waiting for her when she returned. To be continued... whah hahahhaha... < !signature--> Sometimes the most important things can't be seen with the eyes, but are rather felt with the heart. *Cassie Roseen* [This message has been edited by Dawn Eclipse (edited 03-14-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Cassandra Roseen - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Dusk Treader
Moderator
Senior Member
since 1999-06-18
Posts 1187St. Paul, MN |
Great story you got started here! Looks like you have a great start so far, I didn't notice any errors that stood out (except for that one) and I'm looking for more of this! Abrahm Simons Put one foot on the path of life and tread the dagger's path betwixt dark and light. |
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Alwye
Moderator
Member Elite
since 1999-06-16
Posts 3850In the space between moments |
Awe Cassers...why must you leave us hanging? -sobs- How will I ever survive? Exellent start here, I can't wait to see how it develops!  *Krista Knutson* I do this so this world will know that it will not change me....-GB |
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Ruby dagger Member
since 1999-08-01
Posts 76Wyoming, MN, U.S.A |
AHHH! I need to know what happens next! This is a very good story and you need to show us the rest of it now, I'll bug ya til you do  Luv ya Kelly Love breaths when you're out of breath, Love sits by the bedside when you're near to death, and Love still feels it when the feelings gone, Love lives on and on. Love is the right place. -Bryan White |
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