Read Online The Visionary Mayan Queen: Yohl Ik'Nal of Palenque by Leonide Martin - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Leonide Martin
Ads: Link
courtyard and a cool breeze swept through columns into the veranda. The family of Kan Bahlam sat on mats as their afternoon meal was served. Food was prepared and consumed outside, since the stone walls absorbed and radiated heat. The well-ventilated pole-and-thatch kitchen serving the Bahlam residence was located just outside the courtyard, keeping its activities away from the more enclosed living quarters. Its earthen floor and open-lattice walls allowed heat and smoke from burning charcoal to escape. Servants did all the cooking and serving, bringing ceramic bowls of stews, platters of fruit and drinks of juices in beautifully decorated cups. Small gourds were used as scoops, or thick maize cakes dipped into savory dishes.
While her parents chatted about daily events, Yohl Ik’nal brooded about her encounter with the High Priest and Priestess. Her head was whirling and her mind felt fuzzy. Why did she have to know this? Resistance swelled and pushed against the knowledge that her people were destined for inevitable decline. . that they were in the final fluorescence before their world unraveled. Hopelessness flooded her. What help could she possibly offer? Yet the High Priest said that she would have an important part in what was to come. It is not possible to help much feeling so desperate, so alone.
Looking at her handsome father, her heart wrenched. He did not know. He went through his days assuming their world would continue. Torn between the aching need to tell him and seek comfort in his wisdom, and the desire to protect him, she could barely stifle her sobs. When food arrived, the pungent spices almost gagged her. She picked at the fruit platter and drowned maize cakes in her stew bowl, hoping her parents would not notice. But her mother did.
“Are you unwell? You have hardly touched your meal.”
“This day has been long, I am tired.” She hoped her mother would not ask about her day.
“What did you today? You were away most of the time.”
“I made a visit to Lahun Uc. I find that I miss being at the temple.” Desperately she hoped to avoid more probing.
“Of what did you speak?” Now her father had joined the inquisition. It was time to use whatever skills she had at dissembling, something she was certain her new status would require. Gathering up her determination, she tried to keep her voice normal.
“We spoke of calendars and the cosmologic structures, these I studied most recently with the Priestess. She wishes to instruct me more, as the lessons were not completed before my ceremony. Should it be acceptable to you, I will continue to meet with her.”
It was certainly close to the truth. Her father seemed pleased and her mother had returned to eating, losing interest as soon as calendars were mentioned.
“Indeed, this you should do,” he said. “One can never learn enough about the calendars, they are so complex and numerous. It does demand great concentration which can be tiring.” He smiled and the jade insets in his teeth gleamed.
“Eat, it will restore your strength,” her mother mumbled with mouth full.
The food was no more appetizing than before, she knew another bite would make her nauseous. Smiling weakly, she signaled an attendant to remove her dishes.
“The food does not sit well upon my stomach. It is no fault of the cook, simply that I am not feeling well. With your permission, I shall retire to my chamber and rest.”
Her mother signaled permission while her father appeared perplexed. She quickly escaped before he could grill her further. Once safely esconced in her chamber, she flopped on her sleeping mat and allowed tears to flow. She cried quietly to avoid alerting her attendant. Pure despair washed over her as a black pall descended. Grasping her knees and rocking back and forth, she wallowed in a pit of darkness, unable to think.
Time passed and the sky turned ebony. Stars sparkled in their distant celestial dances, taunting her through the small window.
While her parents chatted about daily events, Yohl Ik’nal brooded about her encounter with the High Priest and Priestess. Her head was whirling and her mind felt fuzzy. Why did she have to know this? Resistance swelled and pushed against the knowledge that her people were destined for inevitable decline. . that they were in the final fluorescence before their world unraveled. Hopelessness flooded her. What help could she possibly offer? Yet the High Priest said that she would have an important part in what was to come. It is not possible to help much feeling so desperate, so alone.
Looking at her handsome father, her heart wrenched. He did not know. He went through his days assuming their world would continue. Torn between the aching need to tell him and seek comfort in his wisdom, and the desire to protect him, she could barely stifle her sobs. When food arrived, the pungent spices almost gagged her. She picked at the fruit platter and drowned maize cakes in her stew bowl, hoping her parents would not notice. But her mother did.
“Are you unwell? You have hardly touched your meal.”
“This day has been long, I am tired.” She hoped her mother would not ask about her day.
“What did you today? You were away most of the time.”
“I made a visit to Lahun Uc. I find that I miss being at the temple.” Desperately she hoped to avoid more probing.
“Of what did you speak?” Now her father had joined the inquisition. It was time to use whatever skills she had at dissembling, something she was certain her new status would require. Gathering up her determination, she tried to keep her voice normal.
“We spoke of calendars and the cosmologic structures, these I studied most recently with the Priestess. She wishes to instruct me more, as the lessons were not completed before my ceremony. Should it be acceptable to you, I will continue to meet with her.”
It was certainly close to the truth. Her father seemed pleased and her mother had returned to eating, losing interest as soon as calendars were mentioned.
“Indeed, this you should do,” he said. “One can never learn enough about the calendars, they are so complex and numerous. It does demand great concentration which can be tiring.” He smiled and the jade insets in his teeth gleamed.
“Eat, it will restore your strength,” her mother mumbled with mouth full.
The food was no more appetizing than before, she knew another bite would make her nauseous. Smiling weakly, she signaled an attendant to remove her dishes.
“The food does not sit well upon my stomach. It is no fault of the cook, simply that I am not feeling well. With your permission, I shall retire to my chamber and rest.”
Her mother signaled permission while her father appeared perplexed. She quickly escaped before he could grill her further. Once safely esconced in her chamber, she flopped on her sleeping mat and allowed tears to flow. She cried quietly to avoid alerting her attendant. Pure despair washed over her as a black pall descended. Grasping her knees and rocking back and forth, she wallowed in a pit of darkness, unable to think.
Time passed and the sky turned ebony. Stars sparkled in their distant celestial dances, taunting her through the small window.
Similar Books
