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call?"
Grinning his gap, toothed smile, Tezmec responded, "It is time for the king to
meet you, to see the one who will be the greatest messenger since his father
chose the road to heaven himself and saved the people from starving when the
rains did not come.
Casca was all formal courtesy.
"Regardless of the reason, I am pleased to meet your majesty."
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The young Cuz-mecli's brown eyes sparkled. He could contain his curiosity no
longer. "Tectli Quetza," he asked, "what was it that you were doing when we
entered?"
Casca chuckled. "Little king," he said, "more years ago than you would
believe, or even Tezmec, for that matter, I was taught what you saw me doing
by a man from Khitai, a very wise man from a very distant land. Here. I will
show you how some of it is done." Casca was not above a little showing off.
Besides, a demonstration might be to his advantage. Workmen had earlier left a
pile of rocks in a corner of the room they were refurbishing, and now Casca
went to these, selected a rock about twenty inches long and ten wide and three
inches thick. He put this rock down on a pile of others, in effect forming a
stone sawhorse.
Kneeling on one knee, he drew his breath in and let it out slowly between his
teeth. He inhaled again, formed his fist, and then with an explosive
exhalation sent his hand crashing down and through the rock, leaving it in two
separate pieces.
Cuz-mecli stared in amazement, his mouth open. Three guards rushed in, weapons
at the ready, having heard the sound of Casca's exploding "Kiyi!" breath burst
out. Tezmec signaled for them to leave, but their leader cast a wary eye on
Casca and then on the stone pieces. Finally, mumbling to himself under his
breath, he left, shaking his head in confusion.
Cuz-mecli quickly made a sign to ward off evil spirits.
"It's not magic, little king," Casca explained. "You could learn it if you
wished, but it would take many moons, many seasons.
Tezmec shook his head. "No, Tectli. You have not that long to remain with us.
The day of your ascendance draws near." The brightly painted murals depicting
the glory of the gods and the glory of the Teotec nation seemed to add to
Tezmec's words from the walls of the palace.
"As you say, priest," Casca said drily. "But enough of this. What can I do for
the king?"
"Answer my questions, Tectli Quetza. That is what I wish. Tell me where you
came from. Are all of the people there gods? And do they all look as you do?
And where did you find the serpent ship on which you came to us to fulfill the
legends of our people?"
Raising his hand, Casca stopped the torrent of questions pouring from the
mouth of the young king.
"One at a time, my lord. First, I come from across the great water. It is
many, many days' sail to reach my land. It would take the same time as it
takes for a field to be planted and to grow ripe. That is, if you were not to
stop and tarry anywhere.
"And, no, all the people do not look as I do. There are people of many
colors-from almost gold to blackest black. There are even many who have the
same ruddy complexion as your people.
"And, no, all are not gods, though many have thought that they were. Another
quick flash went through Casca's mind, and Gaius Nero's face flickered before
his brain.
But at that moment, looking at the young king's face flushed with excitement,
out of the corner of his eye Casca caught Tezmec watching him thoughtfully.
Uh. oh, he thought. Better play the game.
He let a slight tone of majesty begin to slip into his voice, as though he had
something of importance to impart.
"As for the ship, it came from the great god Quetza, and it was he who guided
me to this place. It was not until I learned the use of your tongue, though,
that the meaning of my coming was made clear to me and the message the great
god Quetza wished delivered made plain for me to speak.
"I am here to give your people a great message, as I have already told the
priest Tezmec."
Tezmec raised his wrinkled hand to stop the conversation. He did not want the
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