My husband is— was a fool. He lies in a pool of his own blood, his head incompletely severed. They had to kill his bodyguards first. I can see only four scattered on the stones of the plaza. The fifth cannot be far.
The warrior with his left foot on my husband’s pectoral is snarling. Victorious in his kill, yet obviously thwarted in whatever he wanted to achieve. He is as small as my eldest, but his shoulders are as broad as his torso. His flat forehead and the two circles of bone hanging in front of his eyes reveal a high-born. He is cross-eyed as well. Quite fetching actually.
My tokens are few: if I don’t play this next round well, I will join my husband in his tomb as collateral for his afterlife. I have served as collateral while he lived. Enough of that.
I cock my head so that the intruder can see my obsidian ear flares. I point my nose at the sky, flashing a feral smile, all the best to display the jade in my teeth. Yes, look at me warrior, I am no less noble, and I am your prize. Look. At. Me.
I put my right hand on my left shoulder, yes, one arm only, a calculated dare of partial submission, and I kneel three paces from him, planting both knees.
“This is your valley my Lord,” as I now touch the ground with my hand and put it to my mouth. I am eating earth. This is my land, and I am now offering it to you.
He looks around at the crowds, his gaze coming to rest on me. For a moment, I can’t read him. He has understood, but what does he want?
“I am K’inich Yax K’uk’ Mo’, Great Sun Green Quetzal Macaw, Holy Lord of the Foundation House, the Wi’te’ Naah Shrine,” he declaims to the throng. And almost as an afterthought, “I accept your earth, your valley, and you.”
The people look at me, they always have respected me. Then by one and two and three, they put both knees to the ground and cross arms to shoulders, even my two oldest.
And so it is sealed.
There might still be a few sacrifices. My jaw sets. My sons. The youngest still on the breast. I allow myself one breath. My sons. But at least there will be no bloodbath, no looting and raping.
Copán has a new ruler. And he will be my husband.