Read Online The Visionary Mayan Queen: Yohl Ik'Nal of Palenque by Leonide Martin - Free Book Online
Authors: Leonide Martin
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moving toward the nearest point.
“Your dream confirms this. You saw our sun and planets on their cycle, near the farthest point. Hmmm, yes. For this I am grateful. It coincides with my calculations.”
Wak Batz fell silent, lost in contemplation. Yohl Ik’nal waited until her patience could endure no more.
“Holy Priest, I am confused,” she said. “Your calculations and my dream place our sun at its lowest point in the cycle, but if this means a declining age, why does it appear that our people are increasing in knowledge and ability, that our society is developing?”
“Ah, your mind is sharp to pose such a question.” Wak Batz nearly chuckled. His glowing eyes caught and held hers. “You are destined for greatness, that I can see.”
Lahun Uc studied her student with new interest.
“Now comes your answer, my young inquirer. Yes, the Maya people seem ascendant, our cities are growing and accomplishments increasing. Yet we are in the autumnal fluorescence of our civilization. There were greater ones who came before, in the legendary lands of Atlantiha, in the great sea of the east. Their knowledge and powers far exceeded ours, but few retain memory of those times. Atlantiha was a great civilization even before Matawiil, the land of our ancestors Muwaan Mat, Hun Ahau-First Father and the Triad Deities. Our ancestors of Matawiil were descendants of the exalted leaders of Atlantiha, whose land was destroyed in the great inundation. It was the beginning of the descent, the loss of high knowledge. Slowly this golden age deteriorated, although groups of people held onto the knowledge for thousands of years.
“What we have now, in the Maya people of our time, is a late flourish of this advanced civilization in Tamuachan, our Maya lands rising from the turtle’s back after the flood. In other lands, far across the great eastern sea, societies have fallen into darkness and barbarism. This is the time for the Maya to be great; after greatness follows darkness.”
Tears sprang to Yohl Ik’nal’s eyes and she looked pleadingly at Lahun Uc.
“Why must this be so? What is the purpose of it all?” Her voice choked.
“It is the Cosmic Law, the nature of cycles. The Creator of All has ordained these cycles in its infinite wisdom.” Wak Batz softened his habitual grimace into what resembled a smile. “The cycle is not at its end, Yohl Ik’nal. There is much yet to come. You have an important role in what is coming.”
Wak Batz turned to Lahun Uc.
“This is most irregular, but I will instruct Yohl Ik’nal in the esoteric calendar arts. As she was recently under your tutelage, it is fitting that you arrange this as a continuation of her studies. I will come to the priestess’ temple, as not to arouse curiosity. The nature of these studies we must keep in strict confidence. Not even her parents shall know what she studies.”
“So it shall be,” the High Priestess agreed.
“Yohl Ik’nal, you must take a vow of secrecy about your dream and the calendar meanings we have discussed,” the High Priest said gravely. “Do not mention it to your father, mother or anyone at all. The High Priestess and myself will be your only confidants. Understand the seriousness of this. Such knowledge would be destructive for those not initiated. Give us your vow.”
Trembling at the magnitude of holding this knowledge, she pressed her lips tightly to avoid sobbing as tears continued to gather, sending a trickle down her cheeks. The hardest thing was not being able to talk to her father. She felt disoriented, off balance that he was not privy to such information. Her world was even more deeply shaken than by being designated bearer of the royal blood.
The stares of the priest and priestess caught her in a vise. There was no escape.
“My vow. . it is given . . “
Her voice caught as a sob escaped.
“We are witness to your sacred vow. Soon we will meet again,” said Wak Batz.
Lenghtening shadows reached across the
“Your dream confirms this. You saw our sun and planets on their cycle, near the farthest point. Hmmm, yes. For this I am grateful. It coincides with my calculations.”
Wak Batz fell silent, lost in contemplation. Yohl Ik’nal waited until her patience could endure no more.
“Holy Priest, I am confused,” she said. “Your calculations and my dream place our sun at its lowest point in the cycle, but if this means a declining age, why does it appear that our people are increasing in knowledge and ability, that our society is developing?”
“Ah, your mind is sharp to pose such a question.” Wak Batz nearly chuckled. His glowing eyes caught and held hers. “You are destined for greatness, that I can see.”
Lahun Uc studied her student with new interest.
“Now comes your answer, my young inquirer. Yes, the Maya people seem ascendant, our cities are growing and accomplishments increasing. Yet we are in the autumnal fluorescence of our civilization. There were greater ones who came before, in the legendary lands of Atlantiha, in the great sea of the east. Their knowledge and powers far exceeded ours, but few retain memory of those times. Atlantiha was a great civilization even before Matawiil, the land of our ancestors Muwaan Mat, Hun Ahau-First Father and the Triad Deities. Our ancestors of Matawiil were descendants of the exalted leaders of Atlantiha, whose land was destroyed in the great inundation. It was the beginning of the descent, the loss of high knowledge. Slowly this golden age deteriorated, although groups of people held onto the knowledge for thousands of years.
“What we have now, in the Maya people of our time, is a late flourish of this advanced civilization in Tamuachan, our Maya lands rising from the turtle’s back after the flood. In other lands, far across the great eastern sea, societies have fallen into darkness and barbarism. This is the time for the Maya to be great; after greatness follows darkness.”
Tears sprang to Yohl Ik’nal’s eyes and she looked pleadingly at Lahun Uc.
“Why must this be so? What is the purpose of it all?” Her voice choked.
“It is the Cosmic Law, the nature of cycles. The Creator of All has ordained these cycles in its infinite wisdom.” Wak Batz softened his habitual grimace into what resembled a smile. “The cycle is not at its end, Yohl Ik’nal. There is much yet to come. You have an important role in what is coming.”
Wak Batz turned to Lahun Uc.
“This is most irregular, but I will instruct Yohl Ik’nal in the esoteric calendar arts. As she was recently under your tutelage, it is fitting that you arrange this as a continuation of her studies. I will come to the priestess’ temple, as not to arouse curiosity. The nature of these studies we must keep in strict confidence. Not even her parents shall know what she studies.”
“So it shall be,” the High Priestess agreed.
“Yohl Ik’nal, you must take a vow of secrecy about your dream and the calendar meanings we have discussed,” the High Priest said gravely. “Do not mention it to your father, mother or anyone at all. The High Priestess and myself will be your only confidants. Understand the seriousness of this. Such knowledge would be destructive for those not initiated. Give us your vow.”
Trembling at the magnitude of holding this knowledge, she pressed her lips tightly to avoid sobbing as tears continued to gather, sending a trickle down her cheeks. The hardest thing was not being able to talk to her father. She felt disoriented, off balance that he was not privy to such information. Her world was even more deeply shaken than by being designated bearer of the royal blood.
The stares of the priest and priestess caught her in a vise. There was no escape.
“My vow. . it is given . . “
Her voice caught as a sob escaped.
“We are witness to your sacred vow. Soon we will meet again,” said Wak Batz.
Lenghtening shadows reached across the
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