Xilabela

By Soquel Medina

--

Once upon a time, a long time ago lived a young girl named Xilabela.  She was the only daughter of an Aztec king and the baby sister to his two heirs. She was wise beyond her years. The princess of a savage warrior who had ruled for many years and that made her extra special. She had hair the color of milk chocolate and eyes to match. Her face was full and although she didn’t wear much makeup, her cheeks still honed a pinkish tint. Her lips were small but rosy red. 

Xilabela was a wild and adventurous girl who loved to sing. She was always looking for something to get into. She used to collect rocks from all over the land. She even learned to identify them by sight. She was intellectually smart and very energetic. She loved all things in nature, from the birds in the sky, to the bugs in the dirt. She believed all Life was sacred, including that of the earth. She would sit for hours on the beach, or in the limbs of a tree, talking to the creatures around her. Although girls her own age found her odd, babies loved her, and it seemed as if she had a way of communicating with them too. Her mother warned her that her odd behavior would make it hard for people to understand her, but she didn’t care. She just wanted to help all creatures live happily and in harmony. She understood the balance in life but didn’t believe life needed to be sacrificed in order for life to continue, as her ancestors and rulers believed. As her father believed.

Her mother, Tlilacapatl, was a very busy queen, but would try to spend as much quality time as she could with her daughter.  She would sit with her at meals and tell her stories. After lunch one day she told her a story of a princess who had been sacrificed by an Aztec emperor. The Aztecs believed that to honor their gods they should sacrifice their people to them.  They built a great pyramid and would throw the bodies and skulls of those sacrificed down the stairs of the pyramid.  For the Aztec people, it was an honor to be sacrificed. They realized that this was a necessity to ensure all of mankind’s continuing prosperity. But this princess, in her mother's story, was the daughter of a chief from a neighboring tribe near Culhuacan. He did not know the ways of the Aztec Emperor, so when the Emperor sent him a message, inviting the princess to come and meet his handsome son, the chief thought it was an invitation for marriage. He sent his daughter, with a number of servants, a wedding dress and presents for the royal family. She spent most of the night with the Emperor and his handsome son. A few days later when the chief came to visit the Aztec capital city, and witness his beautiful daughter be wed, instead what he found was a priest wearing her skin atop his own, waving his hands in the air, and the bodies of all her servants beheaded and thrown down the big pyramid. They had all been sacrificed to the Aztec Gods as the highest honor an emperor could give his neighbor. The chief was so broken-hearted at the sight, that he quickly turned around and headed home to gather his army to wage war on the Aztecs. But his whole army was not enough to defeat the Emperor and his people. The Aztecs conquered the Chiefs tribe along with many others. 

This story haunted Xilabela’s thoughts as she couldn’t quite grasp the thought of sacrificing one soul to save those of others.  She believed the gods could be appeased in other ways and that no one’s daughter should have to go through such a horrific thing. After her mother told her this story one day she curiously asked,

 “Nana,” she asked, “Why must they kill those people? Why can’t we find a more reasonable way to appease our gods? Why would they want us to get rid of those who will continue to worship them?”

“Oh Xilabela, the blood of those people is the precious water our gods need to keep providing us with the gifts they do. If we don’t provide them an abundant amount of that precious water , the rain will cease to fall. The sun will cease to rise. The trees will cease to grow. As long as we keep them happy, we will continue to thrive in this glorious life we have. Your father knows what is best, Xilabela, so trust him.”

“Oh Nana, Mat, (it was the custom) but it was axnohtic Mat!(stupid custom) There has to be a better way! The more people who are alive, the more people to help the community. More people to work for and provide loyalty to my father. It’s only a matter of numbers. Why can’t he see that? There is a better way! People shouldn’t have to die to appease gods. Why would they create us only to destroy us?  I know there is a better way!” Xilabela exclaimed.

“Oh daughter. Keep dreaming, my Xilabela. Someday you will make an honorable ruler.” Her mother tells her. 

“Oh Nana, in my dreams! I can’t stand to think of all those people dying! The numbers are so many and so many daughters and sons of people we know and love! I hate that my Tata is a monster! I would never sacrifice my own people!” Xilabela declares.

“Xilabela, don’t talk of your father in such a way!” Her mother scolds her.

Xilabela looks at her mother with anger in her eyes. She has so much anger spewing inside her but she knows it doesn’t belong against her Nana so she looks until she can’t stand to look any longer and then she runs away and the tears all flood out. 

 She runs out of her home, past the pyramids and down the canal until she reaches a canyon full of trees.  Out of breath and exhausted, she finally stops in front of a great oak tree. She looks up at it and begins to climb the tree. As she gets comfortable in a limb a creature hangs from above her. It is an opossum and it starts speaking to her.

“So you’ve come to take over my tree again, have you?” The opossum asks.

“Hey Jack Tlacuatzin! I just need a place to catch my breath. You don’t mind, do you?” She asks.

“Well that depends, did you bring me my usual?” The opossum asks her.

“You know I did.” She hands him a small bag. Inside are cut up apple slices. “I even sliced them up for you.” She tells him.

“Oohhh my favorite! Thank you compa.” He replies.

“Anytime J.T. My brothers never eat theirs so there’s always plenty around. Tell me one of your stories JT. I’m so heartbroken at the one my mother told me today. I need someone to remind me of the good in our world.”

“Aaah Cihuapilli, you’ve been discouraged today. Let me tell you my story of encouragement then.” And so he begins telling Xilabela a story of encouragement and as she listens she slowly falls asleep. 

Xilabela is asleep in the tree dreaming of the horrific acts of sacrifice her father performs. In her dream she grows wings and flies over to the pyramid where a girl is about to be beheaded.  She grabs the girl, just as she’s about to be killed, and flies away with her.

“No more! No more!,” She screams at the onlookers below.

She flies towards the sunset, with the girl in her arms. As she gazes upon the sun, she feels something pull her. She looks down and the girl's eyes are filled with tears and fixed upon her.

“Don’t let go!” Xilabela tells her,

But the girl is losing her grip as something is beneath her pulling her down. Xilabela holds on with all she’s got. But as she struggles to hold on, she is awakened by someone actually pulling her.

“Xilabela, wake up!” Says a familiar voice.

Xilabela awakens in the tree and almost falls out as she is startled by Cosi pulling on her foot.

Cosi is the son of the king of a neighboring tribe. His father and Xilabela’s father are friends and comrades, so in their encounters, Cosi and Xilabela have become friends as well. Their relationship is not known to their parents.

“Princess, what are you doing way out here right now?” He asks her.

“Oh Cosi, it’s you. I can’t stand it! My father is a monster! His temple is almost complete and he continues to add names to the list of those he plans on throwing down those terrific stairs. He’s making it more of a murder party than any kind of honorable sacrifice. He even included one of my cousins on the list. He told my uncle that it would be a great honor to the family if he were the first to go. They adorned him with many feathers and they’ve been feeding him like he’s a king!  They gave my uncle crates full of maize and more steed than he has land for.  It’s ridiculous!” She explains.

“Oh Xilabela, your father is a very wise man. I’m sure he has a good reason for choosing your cousin to be honored.” Cosi responds.

“It’s not an honor to die for nothing!” She exclaims.

“To your father, it’s not for nothing. Come on, let's head down to the lake and look for more of those stones you like so much.” He pleads with her.

Xilabela thanks Jack for the resting spot and heads out with Cosi towards the lake.

    Xilabela and Cosi spend the day at the lake searching for stones, swimming in the warm waters, eating fish and enjoying each other‘s company. They are both young and careless.

“What are you guys doing in the capital this time anyways?” Xilabela asks Cosi.

“My father came to discuss business with your father. I’m not exactly sure what about, but it must be something important because he brought me with him. Maybe he’s going to tell him he wants an alliance where I marry his daughter.” He looks at her with loving eyes.

“Or maybe he’s going to tell your father he wants to send you down the pyramid!” She responds.

“Not funny Xilabela!” He says while nudging her in the shoulder with his own. 

“Come on, let’s head back to the pyramid, so we can see what they’re really talking about.” She says while looking him straight in the eyes. She loves looking into his eyes and he’s just as smitten looking into hers.  Xilabela and Cosi walk back to the city of Tenochtitlan. Upon arriving near the main pyramid, Xialbela’s handmaiden, Yaretzi, runs up to her.

“Xilabela, your father is looking for you. He wants to speak to you.” Yaretzi says.

“Till next time, Ixquichamoztla(good-bye),” Xilabela bids Cosi.

“I’ll see you again, my princess.  Ma ce walli yohualli(may you have a good night)”  He calls after her.

“My Princess?” Yaretzi asks Xilabela with an inquisitive look.

“Yeah he’s had a crush on me since I was like eight. We used to pretend we were the rulers of a magical kingdom. He was my handsome prince and I, his princess. It was a childish game we used to play but he still calls me his princess.” Xilabela explains.

“Uh huh,” Yaretzi smirks.

When Xilabela returns to her father, the news is not so good. Cosi’s father and her own have had an argument and decided not to work together anymore. The fight must have been extremely bad because many years will pass before Xilabela sees Cosi again.

The Aztecs go on with their ceremonies and behead and sacrifice many people down their pyramid, including her cousin.  Xilabela is forced to watch in horror and she begins to resent her father more and more. She often sneaks out of the city to the canyon of trees and spends time with J.T., this being the new nickname she had given her opossom friend.  He tells her stories from the animal kingdom and she tells him of the horrors at home. Together with the other creatures of the land they sing about better days and better ways.

J.T.’s song

When the air, land, ocean all feel cold

And the ways of thinking seem so old

Doesn’t seem right to me in hindsight,

I said,  just not right we’re losing, right?

When men like your father sacrifice

They add to the darkness, take from light.

Why not just live in harmony

Like the creatures of the canyon seem to be? 

Oh oh- uh oh-oh oh-oh-oh

Oh oh -uh oh-oh oh-oh-oh

All Life Matters-It’s just not that hard 

The men and the creatures play their part

The world survives when we all do

What the creatures in the canyon do

Some men believe they are greater than others

While some still believe they’re as great as the Gods.

But none of the men ever created

Is better than The Creator.

Mother Nature has nourished land for us to survive on,

But destroying it with altars to sacrifice life on,

Is like spitting in her face and rubbing it in,

Destroying the beauties before they begin.

When valuing the breath we’ve been given becomes priority,

Perhaps then will men start to see

That All Life Matters-All Lives Matter

Just like they matter to me.

All Life Matters-All Lives Matter

All Life Matters-All Lives Matter

It’s gonna be alright

We’re gonna win this fight

We’ll help them all to see

There’s a better way to be.

Choices need to be made

That creates love, peace, equality.

No more life foolishly

Lost because of stupidity.

All Life Matters- All Lives Matter

All Life Matters- All Lives Matter

XIlabela thanks J.T. for his uplifting song.

“Tell me, how can I help?” She asks him.

“Oh Princess, you have much to learn.” He responds.

The years pass and Xilbela and J.T. have many educational sessions together. She spends as much time learning from the animals in the canyon as she does at home from her tutors. In the canyon she learns which fruits and nuts are best to eat, which flowers are poisonous and which ones can heal.  At home she learns the geography of the lands her father has conquered and how to fight like a warrior.  

One morning, while she’s in another one of her recurring dreams saving a girl from being thrown down the pyramid, she is awakened by her handmaiden, Yaretzi.

“Xilabela, Xilabela, wake up! Your father is looking for you. He is requesting your presence at once at the table.” Yaretzi tells her.

Startled and quite shaken, Xilabela responds, “Noooooo! Wait, what?” Upon awakening she realizes where she is. She looks at Yaretzi and sighs, “Ok, ok, I’m coming. Just give me a minute. Go tell him I’m on my way.”

Xilabela gets up and gets dressed. She braids her hair. She is clearly older, wiser and tougher than before yet she still has that warm spirit. She sings...

“Good morning sun. Good morning sky. Good morning birds and bees and flowers and trees and all who are alive. It is a new day. A day to shine. To bring the people of our world together to make a life. A good life. A good life. A good life for my people to survive…”

“Xilabela! Xilabela!! Are you ready yet?” Calls Yaretzi from afar.

Xilabela’s brothers Chimi and Chua are sitting at the breakfast table next to their mother and father Chief Ahui and Chieftess Tlila. The Chief is telling his sons a story about killing a deer.

“The buck stood frozen,” he tells them, “and as I stepped closer he looked up and looked me straight in the eye. I picked up my machete and threw it straight at him. He didn’t flinch. When the machete missed I was so angry I ran after that deer until I ran out of breath. It probably took me almost a mile away from my camp. Once I realized I had lost him I turned around and headed home. On the way back I saw a mother doe and a dawn crossing the river right about where I had started chasing the buck. They were his family. He was drawing me away from them so I wouldn’t notice them and they could get away. He was sacrificing himself for his family. It’s something all fathers must learn to do for their children. It’s something all chiefs must learn for their people. We sacrifice to protect the ones we love.”

The chief turns to Xilabela, “ I know you don’t understand this yet child, but someday you will see and understand why we have to do what we have to do. Your studies as a child have transformed you into a very bright young lady but it is time you learn your duties as a woman.”

Afraid he is about to sentence her to death, Xilabela screams out, “Father please don’t throw me down the pyramid! I don’t want that honor.”

“What are you talking about Xila?” her mother asks.

Her father speaks next.

“Why would I throw my only daughter down the pyramid?”

“To honor our gods?” She answers while asking. “To honor our family.” She says as she looks into his eyes. 

His eyebrows curl down and he looks at her with stern eyes. “Although it is a great honor for some families- it would be a greater honor for me to see you bear offspring one day that will be blood of my blood. You have the power to continue our blood line for many years to come. Your children will be royalty just like we are.” As he is speaking a woman steps forward. She is older than Xilabela’s mom but younger than her grandparents. He continues, “I want to introduce you to Zara. She is a great teacher of many things, but for you, she will be your teacher for becoming a wise woman. I want you to listen to her, obey her and learn from her. Then when you are ready, she will tell me.”

Zara walks up to Xilabela.

“Hello princess,” Zara bows to her lady out of respect. Xilabela looks doubtfully at Zara. She is not ready for a babysitter.

“Go now Xila,” her father tells her. “You have much to learn from Zara.”

“But I haven’t finished my food yet!” She complains.

“No time. There’s much for you to learn and your stubborn head has got to absorb it. Besides, I have a meeting with Cosijoeza so I need the space cleared out.”

The sound of Cosi’s name surprises Xilabela. She hasn’t seen him in years.

“Yes father.” She gets up no longer worried about her food and heads off with Zara following behind her.  The thought of Cosi puts a smile on her face she hasn’t felt in a while. When she makes it to her room she all of a sudden remembers someone is following her. She turns sharply and glares at Zara.

“What is it, exactly, my father wants me to learn from you?” She asks Zara. “I already know all the gods and goddesses and every festival that exists for each one of them. I know how to speak four different tongues of Nahuatl and how to hunt a boar and skin it on my own. What are you going to teach me?”

“I will teach you how to take care of your family. How to prepare their meals. How to care for your children. I will teach you how to honor your family with the love you put into the way you take care of them.” Zara explains to her.

“My children! Oh Zara, I don't even have a husband! Why is my father rushing me to have children?” Xilabela horrifically asks.

Zara gives Xilabela a worried look. “Oh Xilabela, you should know that your father already has all that planned out for you.” She says.

Xilabela’s father did indeed have plans for her. They just weren’t the ones her heart was truly hoping for. Although Cosi was older and now ruler of his father's tribe, it wasn’t him her father planned on marrying his only daughter to. Instead of Cosi, it was another leader from a different tribe he planned on marrying her to. An older, uglier, Nezahualpilli was to be named her husband. In 3 more new moons they would be wed. As Zara is explaining this all to Xilabela, she starts to become very light headed and overwhelmed.

“Nezahualpilli is said to have many consorts and he never treats them kindly.” Xilabela sadly says. Xilabela is clearly broken-hearted and so confused. She runs off in search of her mother to console her. She finds her out in a garden. 

“Oh Nantli, how could he?” Xilabela asks her mother.

“What are you talking about, child?” The queen responds.

“Nana, Zara has told me that father plans on marrying me to Nezahualpilli! How could this be? Why would father want me to be with such a horrible man?  Why does he wish to punish me? Haven’t I been a good daughter? Why would he choose him as my namictli?(husband) He is amocvalli!” (bad) Xilabela exclaims.

“Oh Xila, of course you’ve been a good daughter. The best! I mean there was that time you had all the dogs running through the streets of the town and we had to use his army to gather them up before they started attacking all the citizens but…”

“Oh Nantli! I was rescuing them from the evil things those capturers were doing to them! They were only torturing them to kill them.” Xilabela cries.

“And there was that time you freed the fowl we were going to have at the Festival of Xipe and he scared all our guests and ended up down the pyramid himself and we had to have fish instead. Your Tata was furious about that!” The queen continues.

“Ok fine, maybe I haven’t been the perfect daughter but still Neza is old and ugly and he mistreats all his women, and he has lots of them Nantli! It’s disgusting!” Xilabela explains.

“Oh my precious daughter, I’m sure your father has a very good reason for his intentions. Maybe you should speak to him so you can better understand them.” The queen calmly says.

“No, No, NO! He won’t talk to me. He only yells at me.” Xilabela’s voice rises as her mother’s softens.

The queen is clearly irritated at the tone the princess has taken with her. She looks straight at Xilabela in her eyes and sternly says, “Perhaps over supper tonight we can speak more about it. For now, go with Zara. She has many things to teach you. I must attend to the ladies at the orphan shelter. They have many needs for us.”

Understanding she has gone too far with her mother, Xilabela embarrassingly responds, “Ok Nantli. Till supper then.”

Instead of going out to find Zara, Xilabela runs out the back of the house, through the kitchen and then tries to escape.  She is caught by her brothers, Chima and Chuate. Chima chimes in first.

“Where do you think you’re going?” He says.

Chuate quickly adds on.“Ya, why you trying to go out the servants door?”

 “I was just looking for my new cat Cici. She’s a white tiny kitten. Have you seen her?” Xilabela quickly explains.

Chima wastes no time to snap back. “When did you get another cat?”

Chuate can’t keep quiet after his big brother. “OOOhhhh does Tata know?”

She claps back. “Oh stop you two! Tata said I can have a cat if I want to!”

“Did he?” Chima asks her.

“Of course he did. Why else would I be looking for my cat if he didn’t say I can have one! Now get out of my way so I can go find her!” Xilabela angrily smirks as she pushes past them.

She walks past her brothers and out the back door. Instead of going to find Zara though, she goes to find Cosi. She knows he is somewhere nearby in a meeting with her father. By the time she arrives at their location they are coming out and Cosi is walking behind her stern looking father, with his head down.  She hides behind a tall bush in the hallway.  As soon as her father passes her she makes a bird call to get Cosi’s attention. He recognizes the sound. He sees her hiding behind the bush. He tells his sidekicks that he needs a moment and tells them to wait outside.  They puzzlingly look at eachother, but he rubs his stomach, as to signal to them that he needs to relieve himself, so it reassures them and they agree.  He hurriedly walks towards the bathroom which is just beyond the bush and grabs Xilabela’s hand as he goes by.  He pulls her with him into the small quarters of a bathroom. The sun shines brightly on them from a window so he opens it to bring in sound from outside so no one can hear them talking. 

“Princess, what are you doing here? If anyone finds you with me you will surely be sacrificed, or I will!” He tells her.

“I don’t care, Cosi! I had to see you.  Did you hear? My father is going to marry me to Nezahuapilli! I can’t believe it! There’s no way!” She exclaims.

“Yes princess, I just heard.” He somberly responds.

“What are we going to do? You are supposed to be my Takat(Tlacatl) and I, your Siwat.(Cihuatl)” She lovingly explains.

“I know princess, but your father said that this is going to unite your people with his people and that is the best thing for all our people. Otherwise he will wage war on us all and there will just be more bloodshed.” He pleads.

“So you’re ok with this?” She asks.

“Of course not. You know there’s nothing I ever wanted more than to be united with you as my Cihuatlahtoani!(Queen)” He snaps back.

“Then Cosi, what are we going to do?” She asks him as they look into eachothers eyes.

Cosi takes Xilabela into his arms and pulls her close.

“I’m going to figure something out. Nayeli.”(I love you.) He says for the first time ever!

Xilabela is shocked and smitten all at the same time. “You are my tonaltzintli(sun) and I am your metzli(moon) but we don’t have much time Cosi.” She finally responds.

“I know princess but please don’t lose faith in me now.” He says.

There’s a hard knock on the door. It’s one of Cosi’s sidekicks.       

“Cosijoeza, are you in there?” The voice on the other side of the door says.

“Princess you have to…”

He turns to tell her but with that she is gone.

Xilabela escapes out the window. She climbs down the wall and dodges all the guards surrounding the building. Then she walks off as if nothing is out of the ordinary.

Cosijoeza finally opens the door after making some fake swishing sounds and finds his first general Kabil.

“Yes Kabil. What is it? What can I do for you?” Cosi asks him.

Xilabela heads back to her private quarters through her mother’s garden. She sings along the way. 

“I am no princess. Only the daughter of an Emperor. Why does he get to control my life? Pick a man to make me a wife? This is not how it’s supposed to be.  This is not my destiny. Why can’t he only see? All this misery he puts on me?”

Xilabela makes it back to her room and finds Zara there waiting for her.

“There you are, child.” Zara says.

“Child? I am no child Zara! I am a woman! I don’t play with dolls or toys! I told you, I have been taught many things by the great priestesses themselves and they have kept me very informed of where we fall within the earth.  I was always the smartest girl in my classes!” Xilabela exclaims.

“Of course you are Xilabela! Your father would have it no other way.  I know you don’t play with dolls anymore but have you learned what you were supposed to by playing with those dolls?  And of all the things they taught you in those classes, did they teach you what to do when your baby's body turns hotter than a rock from a volcano?” Zara quips back.

The silly questions stop Xilabela in her tracks.

“No Zara. I suppose you are right. Tell me what are you supposed to do when your baby’s body feels hotter than a rock from a volcano?” Xilabela says sarcastically.

“Look Xilabela, I know you don’t really know me but your mother and father brought me here for a very specific reason. I have many things to teach you and hopefully one day you can teach them to your children and to your children’s children.”  Zara says.

“Then why isn’t my mother teaching me these things Zara?  Why are you?” Xilabela asks.

“Your mother is a very busy lady, Xilabela. She has many duties as the wife of the Emperor.  You know she is a very rare woman in her own right.  Usually Aztec emperors have many wives but your mother has been your fathers only wife.  She has had to take on the duties that normally 3 or 4 women would.  She doesn’t even require you to be at all the events she must be present at.  She keeps on top of all the matters your father arranges better than most of his generals.” Zara explains.

“I know my mother is a very busy woman but it would just be nice if she spent a little more time with me. I mean I am her only daughter. You know she didn’t even teach me to braid my own hair? My friend’s mother taught me how!” Xilabela exclaims.

“Xilabela, I’m sure that it wasn’t easy not having your mother there for many of those things growing up but she always had great women to help take care of you. And it seems as though they have all done a great job of it.  I mean you being the smartest in all your classes and all.” Zara teases her with a funny side-eyed look.

Xilabela blushingly laughs now realizing how full of herself she sounded. “And now she has you to teach me?” She says.

Zara grabs her around the shoulder as if they were old pals.  “Yes she does. Now come on Princess, I have much to teach you.” 

Zara teaches Xilabela many things. She teaches her about babies and where and how they come.  She teaches her how to take care of them and how to clean them. She teaches her how to tell when a baby is sick and what herbs and plants she will need to make them better.  She teaches her how to cook many different foods and even how to plant her own garden so she can grow her own herbs and spices. She teaches her many different hair styles and even a few defensive moves. 

“In case you ever get caught up with a bad man.” Zara tells Xilabela.

Xilabela learns to appreciate Zara. Instead of a babysitter she becomes more of her friend. One day while working outside in the garden together Xilabela asks her, “Zara, where did you learn all this stuff?”

“I know about babies because I’ve had so many.” She answers her.

“Then where are they?” Xilabela asks.

“They were sold as slaves. Some were thrown down the pyramid.  They’ve all been taken away from me at one time or another.  One of my sons didn’t even get to finish nursing before they took him away.” Zara continues as her head turns down and her voice softens.

Xilabela’s voice raises. “What! Who would do this to you?”

“The Royal Guards.” Zara answers almost hesitantly as she can see Xilabela is starting to get upset. 

“My father’s Royal Guards?” Xilabela screeches.

“Well of course. I only serve your father.” Zara explains.

With this horrific news, Xilabela stands up furious. “How could he! Why would he? Oh Zara this is not OK! I am so sorry! This is not OK!”

Zara tries to calm Xilabela. “Princess, your father believed his Gods needed the blood of all those children he sacrificed.”

Xilabela can feel the anger rushing up to her eyes again and before she starts to cry she storms out of the garden in hunt of her father.  She’s storming through the palace screaming, “Tata! Tata, where are you? Where are you father?”

She pushes through 2 very heavy doors as if they were balloons and into a chamber with a very long table surrounded by many men.  Her father sits at the head of the table.  Her two brothers sit to one side of him. His first general and elder advisor sit to the other side of him. Two men she doesn’t recognize finish the row and at the end opposite of her father, sits an old ugly man.  The old man turns and gives her a smile that makes her spine quiver with disgust.  All of a sudden they are all looking at her.  Her father stands up. 

“What are you doing here Xilabela?” Her father asks her.

Suddenly Xilabela, who usually has no problem speaking her mind, is stunned by all the people looking at her at once. “I need to speak with you Tata.” She says.

He looks at her worriedly, “Ok but as you can see I am in a meeting but since you are here, let me be the first to introduce you to your intended.  Neza, this is my daughter, Xilabela.”

The old ugly man speaks, “Come here my princess, let me take a closer look at you.” He extends his hand towards her, as to welcome her near him. She wants nothing to do with this man. He is not Cosi.  The words on his lips seem so vulgar.  Xilabela is disgusted at how he says my princess. She is not his. Everything about him seems so wrong. Then he looks at her father and says, “Yes she is yectli.” (beautiful)

Xilabela looks at her father as if to ask for permission yet she is reluctantly stepping backwards in slow motion. She is really hoping he denies the interaction as she wants to. Giving her the out she is looking for, he walks towards her and steps in between the two and asks her, “What is it you care to speak to me about in such a hurry?”

“Tata, I am sorry I have disturbed you in your meeting.  The matter I came to speak to you about can wait,” she begins.

He worriedly asks, “Are you sure?”

“Yes Tata, there was only something I wanted to do to help my new temachtiani, (teacher) Zara, that I needed your help with, but we can discuss it at a more opportune time when you are free,” she tells him.  She goes and kisses him on the cheek and then looks at Neza. 

“It was nice to meet you,” she says while looking him in the eyes.  She doesn’t want to even shake his hand, let alone embrace him, so instead with just that, she walks towards the door.  Upon leaving, she turns to look at her father once more.  He has gone to sit back at the head of the table.  She is so angry with him but won’t dare to try and question him or his authority in this room full of all those men.  She knows better than that.  Instead she goes to find her mother. 

Her mother is in her own meeting with a few ladies sitting around a small table on an outside patio.  Xilabela walks up with tears in her eyes.  Her mother notices the look on her daughter's face and gets up right away and excuses herself from the other ladies.

“Xila, what’s wrong? Come let’s talk in my private quarters,” her mother says.

They move to a nearby room with a single table and chair and a small sofa.  They sit together on the sofa and her mother puts her arm around Xilabela. Her mother tries to console her. “Tell me. What’s bothering you? Did your brothers do something stupid again?”

“No Nana, it’s not them. It’s Tata! Well it’s Zara. Well it’s all of them!”  Xilabela tries to explain but her words are coming out so choppy as she is sobbing in between them.  She can’t control her tears anymore and now she is completely bawling.  Her mother is so taken back and confused as she is trying to understand what her daughter is saying.  She rubs Xilabela’s back as she asks, “Tata, Zara. What are you talking about, child?” 

Xilabela snaps back, “I am not a child anymore Nana! I am about to be married off as a woman! And to some old, ugly, smelly, yes I said smelly. He smelled Nana! I met him today, face to face and he smelled awful Nana! He had ugly teeth and looked at me like a dog ready to eat supper. But he is not my biggest concern right now. Right now my biggest concern is Zara.  Nana, did you know that she had children? Children that father took away from her?”

Xilabela’s mother’s face begins to lose all light as she realizes what her daughter is asking her.  “Aahh yes. Yes I did know that she had children.” She finally says.

“And you did nothing to stop him?” Xilabela asks angrily.

Her mother responds, “ Xilabela, some things I have absolutely no control over.  Zara is one of your father’s slaves. He has had her since he was a young boy.  I believe she actually served his father first then she took on taking care of your father. Still she is his slave. Her role as a slave has had many hardships and she has had to go through some very horrific events, including losing her children.  Your father gave her the honor of throwing her first son down the pyramid but it hurt her to see that so the rest of them he either sold or had killed without her witnessing it.”

Xilabela curiously asks, “Why would he take her children? I thought children of slaves are born free?  It has broken her in such a sad and terrible way.” 

“Your father has always had a special relationship with Zara.  I believe he even has love for her.  Not a romantic love like he and I share but a more caretaker love.  He sees her like his other mother.  She helped raise him. She was also very helpful to me when I first came into your father’s life. She has taught me many things I still use on a daily basis. But your father is a very jealous man.  When he has something good he doesn’t like to share it and Zara began to spend too much time on teaching me things that he took her back as his own personal slave and assigned me another.  He hasn’t wanted to share Zara with anyone since, until now, with you.  He has asked her to teach you everything she can so you will be ready for your new life with Nezahualpilli,” her mother explains. 

“Nana, I don’t want a life with Nezahualpilli.” Xilabela argues. “I am disgusted at that man. And it’s not ok to keep Zara from her children.  Tata’s ways are not ok.  There has to be another way.  A mother should not have to lose her son. And a girl should not have to pay for her parents wrongdoings with her entire life and that of her offspring.  It’s all so wrong Nana! Why can’t Tata see it?” Xilabela shouts. 

“Oh Xila, your heart is so big.  Too many worries will give you wrinkles.  Those children’s death gave way for new life to enter this world,” her mother says. 

“Oh Nantli, I know my father has a good heart in him too. I just can’t agree with some of his ways.  I know that they are not right.  Someday I will be a mother to sons and I will teach them to be better,” Xilabela rebutes.

“Yes Xila, someday you will be. Until then be a good daughter and try speaking to your father at a time when he and his big old heart is open to listening.” The queen suggests.

“Thanks Nantli.” Xilabela says while hugging her mom.

“For what, my princess?” Her mother asks a little taken back at how tight her daughter is squeezing her.

“For listening.” Xilabela responds while still holding on. 

Xilabela leaves her mother to look for Zara.  She still doesn’t feel good about what her father did to Zara and her children so she decides that somehow, someway she will make it right.  She goes through the palace looking for Zara but instead runs into her two brothers, Chuahtemoc and Chimipilli II. 

Chimi chimes in first, “Xila, where are you going now?”

“I’m looking for Zara,” she snaps back.

“What is that old hag even teaching you?” asks Chua.

“She’s not a hag!” exclaims Xilabela. “Why would you think it’s ok to disrespect her as such? She has been serving our family for a very long time and she is very wise and very kind!  Do you even know that father took her children from her?  She had sons at one time and father killed them! If only one had lived, you two should have to fear for your life in case of revenge.  But not even she holds revenge! In her heart she prays for forgiveness for our Tata! And she prays to a being not like the Gods that we worship.  There’s no Huitzilopochtli or Quetzacoatl or Xipe totec when she prays.  She claims those Gods are false because she questions what kind of Gods would need their own childrens’ blood as sacrifice to themselves? She says it must be a lie.  A story someone told at one time to scare people into doing the things they wanted them to do for their own sick reasons. Do you boys get it? Men before you only tortured people because it was funny to them or because they were trying to keep someone from taking care of someone else instead of them or because they just liked to watch people die! Not because it insured our rain or our survival like they said. It’s all a lie!”

Chimi and Chuah look at each other in absolute shock.  Then they look back at Xilabela and break into laughter.

Chuah speaks first, “Wow little sister, that Zara really did get into your head. C’mon Chimi we need to get out of here before we catch whatever spell that witch Zara put on her.”

Xilabela quips back, “Brothers, please. Someday you two will have your turn to govern people of our land.  When you do- do so with mercy and understanding.  Do so without taking the children of the less fortunate and killing them for no good reason. Be the difference I know can exist out there.”

“Ok sister,” says Chimi. He looks at her with soft eyes.

“Oh No! You’re getting sucked in!” Chuah screeches. “Let’s go before you’re completely turned.” He grabs his big brother’s arm and pulls him out of the house. “She was starting to get to you. I’m gonna tell Tata what a softy you’re becoming!” They leave the palace laughing hysterically.

Xilabela’s heart is racing.  She feels like the walls are getting closer to her.  Her head begins to ache and her palms are getting sweaty.  She begins to fret to herself, “This is so awful!  How can I make them all see how awful this is? Those morons don’t even get it.  No one’s child should be sacrificed!”

Looking for a place of solitude, Xilabela goes to the Temple of Tlaloc.  As she gets closer to the temple she notices an older woman, resembling her mother, walking towards her from the exit.  She hears a sound above and looks up to notice the sun shining through small holes in the roof.  When she returns her gaze down to where the woman was, she is gone. To her left she notices a sign that says, “This temple is dedicated to the rain God, Tlaloc.”  To her right there are towers decorated with bands of blue for water and rain.  As she enters, she can hear the sound of running water and smell the musty air. It’s almost rotten.  She notices the walls are etched with water symbols. In front of her there is a large fountain with the image of a sea creature on top of it.  Bright orange marigolds line the path up to the fountain.   Once she reaches it she kneels in front of it and begins to sing.

“When the world seems like its coming to an end,

When you look around and see no friends.

When the things you thought were meant to be

Have no place in your reality.

How do you make it all be ok?

How do you help the lost ones find their way?

If I feel lost and I feel worried

How do I protect all those in fury?

Lock them up to keep them safe

It’s a torture you can’t erase.

Their minds grow out

But their hearts grow cold

For interactions are much too bold.

They lose their smiles

Their hopes destroyed

As the world outside becomes

Null and void.

We have to make light

In all the dark

Find a way to evolve

A new journey to embark

Not only superheroes can save the day

Sometimes You just have to make a way.”

Xilabela leaves the temple and heads back out of the city.  All the while she keeps looking up to the sky as if she sees someone there.  She goes back to the canyon and climbs up her favorite tree.

“I don’t know who’s listening or can actually hear me now,

But whoever is up there listening, I hope you hear this loud.

My people, your people, our people,

 are dying down here.

They’re being destroyed

And I can’t believe it’s your will. 

The reasons so careless and unjustified,

Why would our people not thrive in your eyes?

I know men have used your image in vain,

And done horrible things to children

In your name.

They fooled the people of

Our great land,

For their own foolish reasons and their own sick demands.

My own father is guilty

Of these atrocities,

He’s sacrificed so many

For his own selfish reasons.

NO MORE! YOU HEAR? This is not OK!

I need you to show me

A much better way!

We have to make light

In all the dark

Find a way to evolve

A new journey to embark

Not only superheroes can save the day

I just have to find a way!”

XIlabela is up in her favorite tree and at her favorite spot. It looks different but it doesn’t really phase her. She is so in tune with her own song that she doesn’t register what is so different.   Xilabela looks up above again and lets her face just feel the warmth of the sun. She closes her eyes as her gaze gets closer to the sun and she hums as she exhales. She takes a breath again and again. After a while she gets in such a meditative state she falls asleep.  Some time later she is startled by a sound coming nearby.  She opens her eyes and jumps up in reaction.  It is her friend J.T. As soon as she realizes, she lowers her fists and her eyebrows.

“Whoa! Cihuapilli (Princess), I’m sorry to disturb you.” The opossum apologizes.

“Oh J.T. It’s ok. I’m very happy to see you. I came here in search of guidance and here you are.” She explains.

“Ah yes, here I am.” He says.

“J.T., this world is just so ugly and I can’t seem to figure out why or what I’m supposed to do to fix it.” Xilabela says.

“Well I haven’t been here in a while and I haven’t swept in a couple days but I suppose you might be right that I may need to do a little bit of redecorating but I wouldn’t exactly call this place ugly.  I mean it is my home.  I did put up that new sign.”  He points behind her to a sign near the hole that serves as his door that reads, “Laughter is the best medicine.”  It makes Xilabela chuckle. 

“Well that’s almost a laugh I got out of you.” He tells her, shrugging his shoulders. 

“J.T., what am I supposed to do?” She asks.

“Well Cihuapilli (Princess), you have to know that you can’t fix the whole world all by yourself.  You can’t change the actions of others because you can only control what you do, not what ugly all those other people bring into the world. But best believe, what goes around comes around and all those people who are spreading that ugly will have their day receiving it as well. It’s sad but true.” He explains.

“Wow J.T., I never thought about it like that.” Xilabela says.

“Cihuapilli (Princess), you may see a lot of ugly around you right now but just try your best to shine all that beauty inside of you to those around you.  You have a good heart and I know you can bring good to your people.  Don’t be sucked in by all the ugliness because your light is too bright to be put out.” The sun shines a little brighter and with that he breaks into a song.

“Your light is so bright

Let it out, don’t fight.

All your strength and all your might,

They are great, let them out, lead right.

You have a heart so pure and so kind,

You treat all creatures in this earth divine.

You hold no one above yourself,

You listen to your friends so well

And when it’s time to lend a hand,

You’re the first to take a stand.

You know just what to say

To take all that UGLY AWAY!

Just take that ugly away

Cause

Your light is so bright.

Let it out, reveal it right.

All your strength and all your might

Go together to win this fight.

Let your love shine so bright!

Let it out, Don’t fight.

All your strength and all your might

Go together to win this fight!”

“Cihuapilli (Princess), go and bring peace to your people the only way you know how. Laughter may be the best medicine but it’s love that conquers all. And a little bit of love is all it takes,” he tells her with a smile and a wink. “And one more thing, next time please don’t forget my apples Princess.”

She blushes finally remembering that she didn’t bring his favorite treat.

 “Thank you J.T. I will and I won’t.” She winks back and then climbs down the tree.

Xilabela goes back to the city. As she’s walking through her palace she can hear her father and another man speaking.  She creeps up close to the slightly ajar door and tries to listen.

“Sir, he took the life of those boys because he believed they were your spies.” She hears an unrecognizable voice say.

Then she hears her father, “My spies! Why would I send in such young men to do such a thing? Cosijoeza must think of me as a fool! He wants to start the killing? Well fine but we’ll be the ones who finish it! Gather the men! We are going to attack those Zapotecs and send their skulls down our pyramids! We need to plan the attack!”

“Yes sir, right away.” The general rushes towards the door and Xilabela quickly hides behind it to be unseen as he hurries through it.

As he leaves, Xilabela goes in to see her father. He looks troubled and angry so she approaches slowly. 

“Tata, are you ok?” She hesitantly asks him.

“Xilabela, my girl, oh how you know me.  No I am not.  It seems that my old friend Cosijoeza has betrayed me and declared war against us.  He believed it would be ok to kill some men who were working with us from Nezahualpilli’s army.  They weren’t even men but boys really.” He tells her.

“What, Tata, that can’t be true! Have you spoken to Cosi yourself?” She asks him.

“No I have not spoken with Cosijoeza myself but I trust my sources and I believe that he thinks that I am a fool and maybe a coward and that I won’t crush him and his whole Zapotec side of the darn coast until I have all their heads down my pyramid!” He bellows at her.

“Tata,” she tries to intervene but he has none of it.

“Don’t Tata me! I am the Tlatoani! When I speak you listen child! Don’t forget your place!” He snaps at her.

In her heart Xilabela believes in Cosi and she sure doesn’t believe he would kill children.  Her father continues,

“And Cosi? What lets you call him so informally?” He questions her with a raised eyebrow.

“Tata, you know we have been friends since you and his father Zaachila III had your turn at ruling together.  Our people and their people have worked together for a very long time.  The Zapotecs are important in our salt production industry on the coast and you know how I love that red dye I use in my pot making that we get from them.  All I’m saying is that you should talk to Cosijoeza yourself and see if there isn’t more to the story than your source is giving you.  You know how words can get messed up when passed from one person to the next. Remember, like that game we used to play at the dinner table when me and the boys were little? You would tell Chimi and he would tell Chua and then he would tell Nana and by the time it got back to me your “I love this dinner” came back “I threw up this dinner!” She reminds him with a nudge on the shoulder.

Her father smiles at her because he remembers exactly when she is talking about.  It hits him in his heart and brings down his temper a little bit. 

“You know daughter, we are supposed to be planning your wedding not a war.” He says calmly.

“Yes Tata, that is exactly what I came to talk to you about.  This Nezahualpilli is quite something isn’t he?” She asks him.

“Yes Xilabela he is the great Tlatoani of Texcoco. He was very pleased to meet you.  He was impressed by you.” Her father says.

“Tata, he is so old. Even older than you.” She says.

“Yes Xialbela, he is. He is a very old and very wise ruler.  He is ready to take a wife. He wants a noble woman to bear his next son.  He wants a strong bloodline and he has been very helpful to us in these recent times.  He has been a great source of information to me keeping me informed of many things including this whole thing with Cosijoeza. It will be great to unite our families.” Her father tells her.

To hear that Neza is the source who lied to her father alarms Xilabela. 

“But Tata, it didn’t work out for him and Tia Chalchiuhnenetzin way back when, maybe our families weren’t meant to be united.  And if he’s your source then maybe he really shouldn’t be trusted.” She pleads with him.

“Oh daughter, that didn’t count. Their relationship was only a rebound for them both.  Your cousin Cacamatzin came after Tia lost her husband and Neza lost his last consort.  It wasn’t a serious relationship, just a fluke.” He protests.

“A fluke that resulted in my cousin being born out of wedlock? Tata, I just think if our families were meant to be united, we would’ve been then. Righteously.  What if he has some vendetta against our family and is somehow trying to get back at us by taking me?” She worriedly asks.

“Oh Xilabela, that is not the case.  He is our comrade. Our compadre.” Her father presses her.

“I don’t trust him Tata. Something about the look he gave me and I still think you should talk to Cosijoeza yourself.” Xilabela reasons.

“Oh child, what do you know?” He gives her his all knowing look and begins to go on about how Nezahualpilli is a savage warrior that would make her the princess of a very powerful nation. “Little one, it has already been decided. After this war is won, you will be wed.” He declares.

“But Tata,” she tries to intervene.

“No buts child! I said it has been decided! Now go find Zara so she can make sure you are ready!” He concludes.

Hearing Zara’s name reminds Xilabela why she was so upset to begin with. 

“Tata, why did you kill Zara’s son?” she asks him.

As Ahuitzotl hears his daughter’s question, his face goes somewhat blank.  It seems that he loses the fire that was burning inside of him. Then as quickly as it went it comes back and refuels and his sadness turns to madness as his blood begins to boil. He looks at his only daughter with rage in his eyes.

“Because I am the great Tlatoani of this kingdom and I decide who gets the great honor of being sacrificed to our great Gods! It was an honor for Zara to have her son thrown down the pyramid in honor of our great God Tlaloc! Who do you think you are to question me or my authority!” He exclaims.

At this point Ahuitzotl is screaming at Xilabela and standing about an inch in front of her face. She can feel the spit coming out of his mouth as he hits the T’s and G’s of his words.  Although she never loses eye contact with her father, her heart is racing, her palms are sweaty and her right foot keeps shaking. She’s just waiting for him to smack her or something. 

He doesn’t.

“Now get out of here before I give you the next honor on our pyramid!” He screams at her. 

With that Xilabela loses all hope. The tears she’s holding back fill the bottom of her eyes. She drops her head and quietly says, “I don’t think Zara felt like it was an honor. I think it broke her heart.” Then she runs out of his quarters before he decides to do something worse. As she leaves the tears fall from her eyes. 

Ahuitzotl is left standing in the room on his own.  As his anger has consumed him, he takes his cup sitting on the table and throws it across the room.  He yells for his eldest son. 

“Chua! Chua, come here!”

After a few moments his son Chuahtemoc comes into the room.

“Son, we are about to go to war with the Zapotecs. I want you to prepare for the battle.” Ahuitzotl declares.

“The Zapotecs father? I thought Cosijoeza was our friend?” Chuahtemoc responds.

“Now you too? So did I but apparently we were all wrong! Now go get my bow and war suit ready. It is time to defend our empire!” King Ahiutzotl declares.

Xilabela has run back to her own room. There Zara is waiting for her. 

“Princess, there you are! I have searched all over for you. I went to the temples and the pyramids and the city. I could not find you anywhere! Where have you been?” Zara pleads.

“Oh Zara, I am so sorry for my father’s actions toward you.  I’m so sorry he took your babies and did those awful things.” Xilabela is still crying and Zara notices she needs a rag for her extra moist red face. Zara uses her own cloth and wipes Xilabelas face. Xilabela continues,

“And now he wants me to marry a monster and together they want to kill my prince!” Xilabela puts her head between her hands and slumps to the floor. She wraps her body inside her arms and just cries. Zara walks over to her and puts her arms around her.

“It’s not your fault, Princess. Please, don’t worry. It’s going to be ok. I know there are better things in store in life for me.  As bad as it seems, I know there are reasons your father did what he did. And I believe it goes beyond and bigger than him.  I’ve learned a lot about a lot since then and so has your father.  He has his reasons for wanting you to marry Nezahualpilli and your prince? What prince are they going to murder?” Zara asks Xilabela.

Xilabela sits straight up with full alertness. 

“Oh no I have to talk to him.  Zara cover for me. I’ll be back!” Xilabela tells her. She runs out the door and out of the palace before Zara even has a chance to answer her.

Xilabela needs to take a trip to Cosijoeza’s kingdom faster than ever before. She knows all the shortcuts through the forest and through the terrain until she reaches the shores of Zaachila- yet the thing is- it usually takes four days to get there on foot.  She’s gonna need some help. She goes to her favorite oak tree right out of Tenochtitlan, in the canyon.  This time she remembers to grab some apples. 

Her friend Jack Tlacuatzin is hanging in his tree upon her arrival.  

“Cihuapilli, you’ve returned!” He welcomes her.

“Hey J.T. I need your help.” She pleads.

“Of course you do. And I see you’ve brought my apples this time.” He says with a big old smile on his face.

“Yes I have, but it’s a big one this time.” She tells him. 

Xilabela explains to him about her father and Neza and as he listens closely he comes up with a plan.

“Don’t worry Cihuapilli, I have someone who can get you there really quick. We just have to go and wake her up first.” He tells her. 

“Her? J.T. you have a friend I don’t know about?” She asks him with one eyebrow up and a grin on her face. 

“Well yes Cihuapilli, I don’t believe you’ve had the chance to meet her because she usually only comes out at night.  Let’s hope she can make an exception.” He tells her.

J.T. leads the princess through the canyon of trees until they reach a great big ceiba tree.  Behind the tree is a cave.

“Stay here Cihuapilli, I’ll be right back.” He tells her.

“Are you sure?” She asks him.

“Yes, don’t worry, I’ll be fine.” he assures her.

As Xilabela’s opossum friend walks into the cave and she is left alone outside, she turns and looks around.  The wind begins to blow and the trees rustle.  Her hair brushes her skin and she gets the chills.  Xilabela is not scared, simply taking in this new environment to her.  How has she never seen this cave before? She thought she knew all the best hiding places around the Empire. Not too long later, J.T. comes out.  Behind him follows a creature so big Xilabela steps back before it exits.  First, out pops a wing, then a head, some feet and then the other wing.  It has reddish dark brown fur and big round ears.  Its lip is wrinkled but Xilabela can still see the many teeth it has in its mouth. The creature is so big that it towers over Xilabela.  Once the creature has finally emerged, it startles Xilabela with a great big yawn. 

“Ah tialli, my ikniutli. (Ah hello, my friend.) What has brought you to disturb my slumber,” she sleepily asks J.T.

“Hello there Tadarida. This is Xilabela, daughter of Ahuitzotl.  She is in dire need of a ride and you are the fastest animal in the land so she needs your help.” J.T. tells the huge free-tailed bat.

“Daughter of Ahuitzotl huh? This must be important then. What business do you need this ride for?” Tadarida asks Xilabela.

“Well, pialli (hi), I am pleased to meet you.” Xilabela begins, “I’m sorry if I seem a bit startled, I’ve just never seen a bat your size before.”

J.T. chimes in, “Tadarida has a genetic abnormality.  Her physical growth exceeds that of a normal bat by 100 times.  She is one of a kind. The rest of her cauldron are much smaller, as were her parents, but my friend Rida is unique.”  He looks at Rida with a loving look while describing her. 

Xilabela recognizes the look between the bat and her opossom friend. “I thought opossums ate bats?” She confusingly asks J.T.

“Perhaps, but I think Rida would be more apt to eating me,” he jokes with them.

Rida chimes in, “EEL NOO!! You are way too meaty for my kind. I’ll stick with the moths and beetles around here.” She winks at Xilabela. “Besides, after that time he tried to eat one of my brothers, I made it very clear that he shouldn’t mess with the Medina Tadaridas. He chose to be friends instead and we’ve been friends ever since.”

“Can you blame me?” J.T. asks Xilabela.

They all laugh.  

Xilabela explains to Rida that she needs a ride to Zaachila. She tells her that she needs to see the one she loves before it is too late.

“Say no more, for love, I’ll do anything. Just tell me what we need to do.” Tadarida happily agrees.

Rida flies Xilabela to a grove of trees at the entrance to Zaachila. “This is as far as I can go without being spotted Princess.” Rida tells her.

Xilabela asks her, “Are you going to wait for me? It’s not smart for me to be in this area for too long.”

“Sure Princess, here take this.” Rida hands Xilabela a small whistle. “When you need me just blow this and I’ll come get ya,” she tells her.

Xilabela blows on the whistle.

“Ok, Ok, please I’m right here. I know you can’t really hear it but trust me, I can.” Rida tells XIlabela.

“I’m sorry. Thank you Rida. You really are something special. I can see why J.T. is so fond of you. Wish me luck.” Xilabela says.

“You won’t need it. You’re the daughter of Ahuitzotl. You already have everything you need.” Rida replies.

Xilabela puts the whistle on a necklace she is already wearing and heads off to find Cosi.  This time it is her sneaking around his kingdom trying to go unnoticed while finding him.  Eventually she finds him in his private quarters.  She climbs through a window and easily goes unnoticed to those around him until finally, he is alone. She steps out from hiding to his surprise.

“Princess?” He awkwardly asks.

“Hello Cosi.” She says out of breath.

“Princess, what are you doing here? How did you get in here?” He asks her.

“I’ve come to warn you. My father is coming to attack. He told Chua to get his battle gear ready.  I’m sure they are already on their way. He’s partnered with Nezahuapilli and they swear you killed their soldiers. He said they were children! Cosi please tell me this is all a mistake! You have to speak to my father.” She pleads.

“Princess, you have to go home. I know they are coming. Don’t worry we’ll be ready.” He tells her.

“What, Cosi, you have to be kidding me! This isn’t a mistake? You did kill those children? Are you as mad as my father?” She angrily asks.

“No Princess. I didn’t kill any children. Nezahualpilli sent spies to try and infiltrate us and I had them detained. They are in my dungeon. You know I don’t resort to killing on sight. That is not my way. I sent word that sending spies is not acceptable to Nezahualpilli so he must have assumed that I killed them. It doesn’t matter. Don’t you see? He is trying to infiltrate our land because he is trying to turn Ahuitzotl against us.  Our kingdoms have worked together for a long time and now your father wants to declare war? Does he not remember the friendship he had with my father?  Let them come! Him and Nezahualpilli! We will destroy them!” His voice raises as he continues on.

As Xilabela is listening to Cosi, her hope to persuade him begins to diminish. He’s in the middle of his rant about war and revenge when she finally accepts that she will not be able to convince him otherwise. He is too headstrong and is beginning to sound more like her father than she wants to admit. He is yelling at her in the same tone her father had only she can’t believe it’s coming from the man she loves. She walks up to Cosi and stops him in his rant with a kiss on his cheek. His words stop and he takes a huge breath. She looks him in the eyes.  

“I’m sorry you feel this way Cosijoeza. You will always be my Prince, but I have to go. I just didn’t want you to be caught off guard. Good luck Cosi. I hope to see you again.” Xilabela rubs his cheek with her hand then walks back towards the window and blows her whistle.  Within seconds Tadarida is at the window. As she lands on the balcony she lets out a huge yawn. The walls shake and a vase falls from a shelf. 

“So sorry about that. You called Princess?” She asks.

Cosijoeza is even more stunned by the sight of the bat than he was at the kiss.

“What is that?” He asks.

Xilabela climbs onto Tadarida.

Before leaving she turns back to Cosi, “Oh ya. One more thing. After this war, my father plans on me marrying Nezahualpilli. So xiauh ica cualtzin (good-bye), Cosi.”

Cosijoeza is in such shock he doesn’t know what to say. One, his princess just kissed him, two, there is a monster of a bat sitting on his window and three, did she just tell him that she’s gonna marry Nezahualpilli? Before he has a chance to respond, she is gone. 

Xilabela goes back to her city and thanks Tadarida for her help. “It was great to be in the company of such a magnificent creature. Thank you for the ride.” She tells her.

“To you as well Princess.” Tadarida responds.

Xilabela hears the sound of drums and a conch-shell blaring near the palace. She decides to head that way. Everyone is gathering at the Temple Precinct.  In between the twin towers and before the grand pyramid, Ahuitzotl is preparing his soldiers for war.  Xilabela can see him speaking to the crowd cheering in front of him.  

“We are going to march all the way to Zapotec and slaughter them! We will take many of their people and throw them down the pyramid! Huitzilopochtli(weetz-ee-loh-posht-lee) has blessed us thus far and will continue to do so once we repay him with their skulls! Tlaltecuhtli has blessed us with the sun every morning and she will bless us even more when we shed the blood of those Zapotecs down this pyramid!” Ahuitzol proclaims. The people in the crowd cheer louder and whistle.

Xilabela is disgusted at the sight in front of her. Her stomach is bubbling and her heart is racing. Her father is preparing his people to slaughter the love of her life and a whole lot of other people as well, all in the name of their adored Gods. She knew in her heart this was all wrong. The hair on her arms began to stand. Her father always had another reason for sacrificing people. She thought back to the time when they completed the pyramid, there was such a long period of time where her father and Nezahualpilli would throw countless numbers of victims down the pyramid after tearing out their hearts. This was going to be worse than that, she could feel it in her heart. Xilabela had seen enough. She wasn’t going to let that be the fate of her love. She had to speak to her mother but her mother was currently at the side of her roaring father. Xilabela flees back to her house, for she knows her mother will have to make one last stop there before she accompanies her husband to war.  Her mother always gives final instructions to those at the palace and prays with Zara before leaving on any attacks with her husband.                           

Xilabela makes it to Zara first.

“Zara, can you believe what is happening? My tata intends to march all the way to Zapotec to capture Cosijoeza! He is going to wage war on everyone who stands in his way. He is going to capture innocent people and use them as sacrifices to Tlaloc and Huitzilopochtli. Zara, I have to stop this!” As Xilabela is whining to Zara, her mother returns.

“Xilabela there you are! Where were you? Your father was asking for you.” She asks Xilabela while walking up to her to give her a hug and kiss on her cheek. Xilabela embraces her mother.

“Nana, I know you are obligated to stand by his side but he is wrong!  Cosijoeza did not send spies to infiltrate us. He has always respected the treaty his tata made with our Tata. I don’t know what has made Tata doubt his intentions but now I know it’s not right.”  Her mother’s face turns worried as she listens to her daughter.

“Xilabela, I know you have always had a crush on Cosijoeza but you can’t let those emotions cloud your thoughts right now. Your tata knows what he is doing. I need you to hold things down here while I am gone.” Xilabela’s mother kisses her on the forehead. “Hold down the fort.” She tells her. With that her mother is gone and Xilabela is left there in shock and disbelief.

The Aztecs go on to conquer many tribes between Tenochtitlan and Zaachila. They take many captives that they sacrifice to their Gods. Their numbers only increase as they conquer many villages and towns. During Ahuitzotl’s reign of terror, approximately 20 thousand people are sacrificed.  He becomes feared by people all over the nation; except by Cosijoeza.

Cosijoeza has come to learn that in fact Nezahualpilli’s men did inform Ahuitzotl that his spies had been killed. Nezahualpilli himself is said to have also lied about a number of other things.  Cosijoeza knows that Nezahualpilli doesn’t like him much but now he believes he knows why. Someone must have spotted him with Xilabela and informed Nezahuapilli and now Nezahuapilli is trying to take his cihuat!(woman)  The thought of Xilabela wedding another has made Cosi crazy. His generals keep coming with news of the Aztecs making their way towards him and this is making him even crazier. He has to come up with a plan and fast. Cosijoeza decides to get in touch with a king from a neighboring tribe. He knows the Mixtecs have enough men to hold off Ahuitzotl’s army but he’s hoping his plan will work and he won’t have to use them. He decides it’s best to get in touch anyways with King Dzahuindanda.

Ahuitzotl’s army goes town by town taking over the people of the nation as he gets closer and closer to Zaachila. When his army reaches a new town they first take hostage the chief. If the chief agrees to Ahuitzotl’s terms, his people are taken as slaves. If he doesn’t agree, the men are killed and the women are taken anyways. He puts the children to work as slaves. His army holds enough men to make the earth tremble as they approach a new town and when they come they come with a vengeance and leave little spared. Ahuitzotl kills so many people it becomes mundane to him.  Ahuitzotl’s wife stays in her tent while the army advances each day.  She stays to tend to the wounded. She stays so she doesn’t have to witness her husband ferociously fighting. She stays so she doesn’t have to see innocent people be killed.  Ahuitzotl returns each night to her and she checks him for any new wounds from battle.  His warrior skills are that of a jaguar so he usually doesn’t have any but she can see a different look in his eyes lately that begins to worry her.

“Namic, (husband) come here. Let me see you.” She tells him.  She pulls her husband close to her and takes the headdress off his head.  He sits down in front of her and lets his head fall. She caresses his head paying close attention to his temples and behind his ears. She can tell he is tense and has much on his mind.

 “What is it, my namic, that bothers you so greatly?” She asks him.

“Oh wife, we are almost there. By midday tomorrow we should be reaching Zapotec territory. We’ve increased our numbers by the hundreds. We’ve collected so much bounty for our kingdom,” he tells her as he hands her a necklace made of red concha shells and jewels. “I thought of you when I saw this and knew it would be beautiful on you.” He pulls off the necklace she is already wearing made of amethyst stones and puts it aside as he replaces it with the new one. She rubs the concha shells with her fingers.

“It’s majestic! Thank you, namic.” She tells him.

“Yes, made for my queen.” He says as he looks at her with a daze in his eyes. 

“But something still worries you?” She asks.

“Oh wife, you know me too well. It’s just that we are coming so close to Zaachila and I can’t get out of my mind something Xilabela said to me before we left.  She told me that I was wrong about Cosijoeza. She reminded me of the relationship I had with his father and how those concha shells were some of her favorite. You know how she likes those things. I was just so upset that she was questioning me that I didn’t even consider it but now after coming this far, I have gotten word from my own men that Nezahuapilli may have been wrong. And seeing those shells on you makes me remember how she used to love to come here with me so she could get them.” Xilabela’s mother now puts her own head down. 

“What is it wife?” Ahuitzotl asks her.

She keeps her head down as she begins to say, “Before we left, Xilabela tried to tell me the same thing. She told me that you were wrong and I brushed her worries away and assured her that you knew what you were doing.”

They look at each other in embarrassment and shame.

“How could we both have disregarded her so harshly?” Ahuitzotl asks his wife.

All the while, Xilabela is dealing with the daily responsibilities of running the kingdom. For the past few weeks she has been hearing community complaints, patrons requests and receiving updates from her fathers men on how their progress is going. Her eldest brother Chuahtemoc has accompanied their father while her younger brother Chimialpilli II has stayed to help her and lead the warriors left to defend the kingdom. At the end of one of her long days she asks Zara to bring her brother to see her. He comes into her mother’s office where she has been working.

“Noteiccauh, (younger sister) you asked to see me?”  He inquires.

“Yes brother. I need your help. I need you to cover for me.” She tells him.

He looks at her with an inquisitive eye and then sits down at the seat in front of her.

“What do I need to cover for you for, little sister?” He asks.

Xilabela drops her head as she debates in her own head how honest she wants to be with her brother. Usually her brothers will do anything and say anything to get her into trouble with their father. Today she’s hoping he will have a change of heart and help her.

“Brother, I need a day off.” She finally says.

“A day off?” He asks her. “What do you mean a day off?”

“I mean, I need to spend the day away from here, in nature, like I used to on a regular basis before all this responsibility. I need to feel the warmth of the sun on my face and the wind on my neck. I need to feel the earth between my toes and just get away from here for a bit. Can you do it? Can you cover for me?” She desperately asks him as she stands from the chair in which she’s sitting.

“Ok, ok, sure. I’ll cover for you.” He says while laughing. “You don’t have to get so hyphy about it though. Neither Tata or Chuahtemoc are here so don’t worry.”

Relieved he is thinking the same thing she is, she sits back down.

“Thank you brother.” She says.

The next day, before the sun rises and the city awakens, Xilabela slips off to her favorite tree, bag of apples in hand.  Xilabela makes it to J.T. and convinces him to help her wake Tadarida again. She knows she doesn’t have much time so she doesn’t waste any. They make it to the cave right before the sun comes up. J.T. goes in and a few minutes later Tadarida comes out behind him from the cave.“Princess, you’ve come back?” The humongous bat asks her.

“Yes, I need your help again. I have to stop my father. He’s on his way to kill my prince, if he hasn’t already. I need to get to Zaachilla as fast as you can. Please.” Xilabela pleads.

“Ok princess, let’s go.” Rida tells her. Then she looks at J.T. “How bout you cowboy? Wanna join this rescue party?”

J.T. has never had the opportunity to ride on this magnificent creature he has been in awe of and secretly in love with. He’s more than thrilled she is asking him along.

“I would love to go.” He excitedly says.

They jump onto Tadarida and she flies them towards the coast. As it is still early in the day, the sun is barely rising so as she flies over her fathers troops, Xialbela can see that they are just awakening and beginning their day. She is just in time as they seem to be about a day away from the Zapotecs in Zaachila. Upon arriving in Zaachila she notices extra troops surrounding the town.

“Where did all these men come from?” She asks J.T.

“Those are the rain people. You can tell by the blue bands on their arms. They must have come in support of this prince you talk about.” He tells her.

Tadarida drops Xilabela off at Cosijoeza’s window.

“Don’t go far. I’ll whistle when I need you.” Xialbela tells them as she pulls out the necklace with the whistle Tadarida gave her on it.  As she stands on his windowsill, the sunlight shines directly behind her making her look like an eclipse. Her shadow is surrounded by a haloing light. Cosijoeza awakens to what looks like an angel in his window. 

“Have I died?” He says to himself as he rises from his sleep. He doesn’t know if what he sees before him is real. 

“Cosi, they are coming!” She says as she steps down off the window.

“Princess, it’s you! Oh Tonatiuh (the sun God) has brought you to me! I know what we have to do and I am so glad you are here!” he exclaims as he gets up. They embrace each other and then come up with their plan.

Ahead of his own troops Cosijoeza, Xialbela and J.T. ride Tadarida to where Ahuitzotl and his men are already heading towards the coast. The mere presence of Tadarida flying over his men startle Ahuitzotl and his troops fall to their knees. Never before has anyone seen such a creature. A bat this size is something remarkable and with a human flying on it even more so. Tadarida drops down in front of where Ahuitzotl is standing. Xiabela catches her fathers eye and he is shocked to see her. Even more, he is shocked to see Cosijoeza with her.  Xilabela’s mother’s voice breaks the tension.

“Xilabela you are here!” she exclaims.

“Yes Nana, I am.” Xilabela gets down off of Tadarida and embraces her mother. Then she turns to her father. “Tata we have to stop this insanity. Our people have been allies for far too long and these past few weeks you have been destroying villages based on lies. Cosijoeza did not kill those boys! Nezahualpilli lied to you so that you would not agree with Cosi’s plan.” She points at him as she says his name. “He is the reason for all this bloodshed!”

Ahuitzotl looks at Nezahualpilli who has put his head down in shame. Then he turns to Cosijoeza who is now standing next to Xilabela.

“What plan is this my daughter speaks of?” Ahuitzotl asks Cosijoeza.

Cosi answers, “Ahuitzotl it is time we unite our kingdoms. Just as my father had intended we do. I’ve loved your daughter since my father first introduced me to her all those years ago. I have waited patiently out of respect for you, for her to become a woman. Now that she is, I want her to be my wife, my cihuatlahtoani (queen).   I want her to have your blessing to unite our kingdoms.” Ahuitzotl looks at his daughter.

“Is this what you want as well?” He asks her.

“Yes Tata. I know we have a lot to learn still, but Tata, if we could just stop all this violence and please try to remember the brotherhood you and Cosi’s father used to have, we would realize that we would all thrive if we just worked together in harmony. I love him Tata and we know that our people are meant to be united, not divided.” As Xilabela is proclaiming for peace, the sky begins to open up. Not as in out to space, but the clouds begin to part and a ray of sunshine beams down onto XIlabela, as if it was a spotlight from above illuminating the main character of a play on a stage that all are watching. All eyes from around are on her and her father. Ahuitzotl is the great Tlatoani of Tenochtitlan and his way has always been the brutal way. Now his only daughter is proclaiming peace and asking to be married to a man he had once intended her to marry. He then thinks of Nezahualpilli. The betrayal he has done is unforgivable. The lies he has told are undeniable. Ahuitzotl’s eyes turn dark and as he turns to look this man in the eye, Nezahualpilli cowers in shame. Ahuitzotl stands up straighter and clears his throat.

“You shall be the one thrown down my pyramid!” He tells Nezahualpilli.  Xilabela puts her hand on his shoulder.

“No Tata, not today. Don’t let evil win. Today we will remain at peace. Instead banish him but let him live. In dishonor and shame for betraying the great Tlataoni of Tenochtitlan. Evil shall not prevail in this place of peace.” She says strongly.

Ahuitzotl chooses not to let his anger get the best of him. He knows there are many eyes upon him and he wants to be a mighty leader but his daughter seems to be favored by the Gods.  Perhaps she is right.

“Daughter, today the Gods have shown me your voice. Or instead, they have let me hear it. Either way, they have shown me that you will make a great Cihuatlahtoani next to your newly intended Cosijoeza. Since we are here, close to your new home, I will honor your wishes.” He looks at the people all staring and waiting, “Let it be known, my daughter Xilabela will marry Cosijoeza and we will stop the fighting here. We will form an alliance to unite our kingdoms as one empire and do it without violence.” He takes his daughter’s hand and puts it in Cosijoeza’s. “We will let their love prevail.” He says as he looks at them both and they look at eachother. Now he can see the love that passes between them and the smile on Xilabela’s face is enough for him to be at peace with his decision. He looks to his own wife who has  tears falling from her eyes. “Tlilacapatl, my love?”

“Oh husband, let us rejoice in the beautiful grandchildren these two will bring us someday and instead have a feast to celebrate their union.” She tells him.

“What a great idea!” Ahuitzotl agrees.

Cosijoeza speaks next, “Yes, let’s celebrate with oysters and crabs caught right near here! I’m sure your men must be famished and thirsty. We will feed them.”

“Yes, but my army is many. We will return to Tenochtitilan and in four days you shall come to marry my daughter. We will feast then at the palace!” Ahuitzotl says.

It is agreed upon and everyone cheers. The army is famished and thirsty but they are more relieved that the fighting has stopped.  There will be no more bloodshed today and in four days they will all get to feast. They are all going home wealthier than before due to the many villages they took over. They have acquired many treasures but the best one of all is their own skull. No one else will  have to be thrown down the pyramid.

Four days later Xilabela and Cosijoeza marry and a great festival is held with dancers and music and so much food, they’re easily able to feed the whole army and civilians with plenty. Xilabela beams with joy as she remembers her mother’s story and she is relieved that she is not merely a skin atop of one man’s shoulders.  She’s a wife and a queen and her father smiles at her now when he looks at her. Her husband comes and grabs her by the hand.

“Dance with me, my Siwat.” He tells her.

“I would love to, my Takat.” She happily replies.

As they swing in eachothers arms, the sky begins to drop tiny droplets of water.  It’s not cold out so the water feels refreshing on their faces as it falls on their heads. Xilabela looks to the sky and takes in the water on her face with joy. 

Cosijoeza loves to see the happiness she is filled with. “My queen, let’s get you out of the rain.”

“No my love. They say it is good fortune when it rains on your wedding day and this is a great sign from above.”