The same disclaimer applies here.

I wanted to try Tzek's POV in the story as well, but it would have been a little jarring when the previous chapter was all Chel. So, here's a brief second chapter.

TO SERVE THE GODS

Tzekel-Kan

The lean high priest didn't stop his angry marching until he was back in the reassuring darkness of his temple. Even there he could hear the cheerful music and sounds of people enjoying Tannabok's celebration, and it made him clench his fists in anger. How had things gone so far that he was the only one who realised that a party was an insult to the gods, not a tribute?

The Lords are too patient with the fools, he thought to himself. However, the quality of his mood improved drastically when he laid his eyes on the stone slab that pictured the gods. He smiled. At dawn, hewould show them that not everyone in El Dorado was a filthy non-believer.

Then there was also that woman, Chel. Tzekel-Kan regretted it that his conversation with her had been cut short with the arrival of one of the disgusting pests. For years he had believed that he was the only one still worthy of the gods' favour in El Dorado, and he felt reassured and almost happy that it wasn't the case after all.

He would have delighted in discussing her vision further and guiding her towards the path of becoming a true priestess. The men and women who served in the temples now were barely better than the common people; not any of them really understood the gods or the ancient traditions.

Of course, he would also ensure that she stayed in her place and didn't try to reach for the skies. Tzekel-Kan couldn't understand why the gods had sent the vision to her and not him, but he was certain they had their reasons. Still, it wouldn't do for the woman to get cocky and start thinking she was better than him. She would make a good priestess and be of great help in giving birth to the Age of the Jaguar, but no more than that.

In a way it was almost poetic; a strong priest and priestess leading their people to a new age of glory. Tzekel-Kan could only admire the gods for their divine plans. Soon that unworthy Tannabok and everyone who followed him would taste the wrath of the gods and regret they had ever strayed from the correct path.

Something would have to be done about Chel's outfit and manners before any of that, though. Tzekel-Kan wasn't worried about his own purity, but he knew she would be a temptation to everyone else in the clergy. He would have to teach her modesty and everything she was going to need in her new life.

Or maybe the gods were already doing that. She did spend almost all of her time with them, and Tzekel-Kan couldn't help feeling jealous over all the attention the gods were showering upon her. Of course, he probably shouldn't be worried. Unlike him, she had never been properly trained, so she needed their guidance more than he did. Everything would work out as he had predicted in the end, he was sure.

The high priest stepped outside the temple and spent a few minutes gazing down at the light from the celebration. Despite the disgust he felt at the sins that were being committed there, he had a pleased and expectant smile on his face.

Soon enough, the streets of El Dorado would be running red with the blood of these non-believers.

The End