The Visionary Mayan Queen: Yohl Ik'Nal of Palenque (26 page)

Next to Hun Pakal was Hix Chapat, son of Chak B’olon Chaak the ruler of Popo’ and ward of the Lakam Ha royal family for the past eight years. He and his twin sister Hohmay lived in the palace, participated in court protocol and training, and were schooled by the royal tutor B’ay Kutz. At fifteen solar years, Hix Chapat was muscular and athletic, participating enthusiastically in games and hunting, bearing himself proudly as the royal heir of Popo’. Hun Pakal was fond of the boy and made a point of cultivating him, teaching skills in competition and battle. Truthfully, he had more rapport with his ward than with his own son, Aj Ne Ohl Mat. Half listening as Hix Chapat described the trophies of his last hunt, Hun Pakal glanced back seeking his son’s whereabouts.

Not surprising, he sighted Aj Ne Ohl Mat walking beside B’ay Kutz, engrossed in the pompous scholar’s long-winded discourse on some learned subject. B’ay Kutz meant “fat turkey” in Mayan, and indeed the chubby little tutor seemed turkey-like as his pink wattles jiggled and round eyes blinked when he made particularly salient points. Aj Ne was a perfect foil to the fat turkey, his own lanky limbs and pointed face perched on a long slender neck making him appear decidedly stork-like.

“No athlete, this one!” Hun Pakal could not suppress his disappointment. Sighing, he turned back to the more satisfying, although self-aggrandizing monologue of Hix Chapat.

But Aj Ne Ohl Mat was not as engrossed in his tutor’s ruminations as he appeared. Nodding often and muttering appropriately, his eyes darted frequently ahead to the young woman following his mother. Her lissome form moved gracefully, arms and shoulders bare in the hot sun. Dark ringlets danced beneath her headband as she walked with a hip-swaying motion, her shapely legs outlined through the thin summer skirt. He was smitten with Hohmay, the twin sister of Hix Chapat. Surges of yearning such as he had never imagined in his 15 years pulsated through him. Her demure demeanor during their studies and social time together had never suggested romantic interest, until recently when sultry glances beneath half-closed eyelids set his heart palpitating.

Or was he mistaken? Anguish flooded the boy and he tried to re-focus on his tutor’s monotonous voice, to no avail. What had he heard, half-listening to his parents’ conversation giving hints that she might be selected as his wife? Why had he not paid better attention? Overcome by insecurity and doubt, he dropped into wells of inner darkness and heard no more of B’ay Kutz’s teachings.

Yohl Ik’nal had indeed been cultivating Hohmay as the future bride of her son. She wanted to solidify the alliance with Popo’ and guarantee its longevity, especially since her katun predictions foresaw serious troubles ahead for Lakam Ha. Following her recovery from the trance and bloodletting in the prior year, she studied the notes made by the royal scribe. While she did not completely understand all the symbolism, the message of vexation, suffering and affliction was clear. This seemed especially focused on the ruler and offspring, which troubled her greatly. Treachery was certainly in the offing, but from whom and in what form she did not yet foresee. The ambitions of Ka’an were likely involved, given the imagery of rattlesnake bites, for they were the dynasty of the snake. She puzzled about the “three-day mat occupant” that implied someone taking over Lakam Ha’s governance temporarily. Thankfully, the predictions ended on a positive note with the Great Mother Goddess fending off those seeking domination, and then restoring harmony.

She must undertake another vision to gain more clarity.

Meanwhile, she pushed to complete her building program and ensure alliances with other cities. This excursion today was related to the building program, an idea of the royal tutor B’ay Kutz. He thought the young royals would benefit from first-hand exposure to the out-lying parts of Lakam Ha development, and possibly be inspired to contemplate what their future contributions might be. After all, they were nearing adulthood and before much longer would be assuming leadership roles.

Ruefully, Yohl Ik’nal admitted that her physical vigor was less than a few years ago. Her joints were already aching and her breath shorter than she liked. Glancing ahead at Hun Pakal, her heart swelled at his continued vigor as he strode easily beside the young Popo’ heir.

He will outlive me, she reflected with uncanny certainty.

The failing health of Popo’ ruler Chak B’olon Chaak was also sobering. He was younger than she, and reports of his prospects were not good. Soon young Hix Chapat would return home to prepare for taking over rulership. She felt assured that his training and experiences in the court of Lakam Ha would provide a sound foundation for this critically important transition.

The royal entourage descended a steep hillside and found rocky shallows to cross the Otulum River between the Lak’in Temple and the partially built funerary monument. East of the river was a level meadow bordered by several spreading Ox-Ramon trees that provided welcome shade. Attendants quickly set up ground mats and canopies, and soon served tasty maize cakes, fruit and nuts, and strips of dried venison. Gourds were used to scoop cool river water for drinking. The porters waved large feather fans, attempting to create some airflow in the windless day.

The four young royals gathered on one mat, chatting casually about whatever came to mind. They were usually quite comfortable with each other, spending many hours together over the years studying, eating, exercising and playing. This day, however, Aj Ne felt awkward and remained quieter than normal. Hohmay, sitting opposite him, was more animated than usual, gesturing and tossing her hair repeatedly. Hix Chapat noticed nothing, being habitually self-absorbed and continuously refocusing conversation to his interests. Sak K’uk pursed her lips and took it all in, sensitive to the electric charge between her brother and Hohmay and irritated yet again by Hix Chapat.

As soon as they finished eating, she jumped up making excuses about needing to talk with her mother, and strode purposefully to the elders’ mat. A little wheedling convinced Yohl Ik’nal to accompany her to the lowest rise to the east, so she could see what was beyond. Hand in hand they headed off, skirting the river along a narrow trail. When they were out of earshot, Yohl Ik’nal queried her daughter.

“You seem most eager to leave your companions.”

“Aaah, they are boring me,” Sak K’uk replied. “Aj Ne and Hohmay are particularly dull, all they can do is cast yearning glances at each other, while he pouts and she makes insipid remarks. Are they pledged to marry?”

“That is my intention, and I am certain that Chak B’olon Chaak gives his assent to this union.”

“Thus is it when the urge to marry occurs? Normally intelligent people behave like fools . . is this what it means to be love-sick? Yech!” Sak K’uk tossed her head disdainfully.

Yohl Ik’nal smiled and teased her daughter.

“Does not your affection stir for Hix Chapat?”

The girl’s face clouded as if she entertained a terrible thought.

“It surely must not be your intention that I marry him! Unmarried rather would I remain than be bound to that strutting, puffed-up macaw who can think of nothing but his own deeds and desires. I do not need a man, I am perfectly fine by myself!”

Laughter burst from Yohl Ik’nal. Her daughter was nothing if not honest and direct.

“Rest assured that I have no such intention,” she reassured. “Your assessment is quite accurate. He is far from deserving such a bright star as you. It is to your credit that you harbor no attraction to him. Soon he returns to his home city, and will annoy you no more.”

Sak K’uk’s relief was palpable. She smiled broadly and squeezed her mother’s hand.

“Come, mother, let us hurry to look beyond the next ridge.”

The girl trotted ahead but Yohl Ik’nal continued to climb slowly, catching her breath. She heard footsteps behind and turning, saw Hun Pakal hurrying to catch up. She was very glad to have him take her arm and assist in the gentle climb.

Sak K’uk stood on the ridge top, looking east. The Otolum River ran almost straight across a long level meadow. Impressive, steep hills swept upward to the south, covered with trees. Another steep hillside veered west, crowned by the Nohol Temple. The far end of the meadow appeared to drop precipitously into a canyon as the river disappeared from view. A modest, rectangular structure bordered the left bank of the river not far from the ridge where she stood.

Her parents reached the ridge top and stood beside Sak K’uk. Tree branches rustled slightly as a breeze blew across the meadow. The sun behind them cast lengthening shadows on the waving grasses.

“What is that building?” Sak K’uk pointed to the lone building.

“In the time of my father, it was used for hunters to stay between forays into the forests,” said Yohl Ik’nal.

“Occasionally the warriors use it to stage practices, since the meadow provides an open area for contests,” added Hun Pakal.

“It seems empty now,” observed Sak K’uk.

“Hmmm, I think it is,” her father said.

Quiet descended upon the trio, as the breeze brought welcome coolness. Sak K’uk closed her eyes and appeared deep in contemplation. After some moments, she whispered intently:

“There, over that building I can see an immense palace. It is the most beautiful palace I have ever seen, with wide stairs ascending all sides, tall buildings and a most unusual tower, many courtyards inside and . . . Oh, it has the most gorgeous panels and frescoes, with columns and windows and water flowing inside the rooms . . . Many people fill the palace and they wear strange clothes and come from distant places . . . Nothing like this palace has ever been before!”

Her parents exchanged glances, sharing the identical thought: Was this a vision of the future? Or a young girl’s daydream?

“How lovely,” murmured Yohl Ik’nal.

“Yes, and I am there too.” Sak K’uk spoke with startling certainty, eyes still closed.

3

The high-ranking ahauob of Lakam Ha maintained large home complexes, impressive structures with multiple courtyards, living quarters for family and servants, guest residences, separate cooking and dining areas, and even buildings resembling the royal court where the household head received his peers and supplicants. Here networks and alliances were shaped, loyalties and obligations established, and intrigue initiated. Most of these ahauob traced their family origins back to K’uk Bahlam I, the dynastic founder of the ruling B’aakal lineage. Their ancestors were the brothers and sisters of the rulers, family members who never acceded to rulership but who had legitimate claim through their sacred bloodlines.

Over generations, a large cadre of blooded ahauob was created. Some had diluted bloodlines through out-marrying, and thus were farther removed from potential rulership. But others had bloodlines arguably as pure as the ruling Bahlam family. This created a scenario with many contenders for rulership at every change of ruler. Since determination of the next ruler was not strictly dictated by direct descent, or even by sex, an unstable situation existed in the large Maya cities. An excess of blooded ahauob eligible for rulership was inherently explosive.

Yaxun Zul was one of these blooded ahauob. He was a well-respected man of middle age who had acquired large farms and orchards; an astute manager of traders whose far-flung trade network brought exotic goods favored by the elite. While he inherited considerable assets, he expanded these holdings and was now among the wealthiest men in the city.

Yaxun Zul was also ambitious. When young, he had dreamed of becoming ruler himself. The wily manipulations by Kan Bahlam I, father of Yohl Ik’nal, had derailed this dream. Yaxun Zul still marveled at how smoothly the transfer of rulership to Yohl Ik’nal had been engineered. Indeed he could learn much from studying the great ruler’s tactics. Now Yaxun Zul dreamed again, this time for his 15 year-old son Kan Mo Hix. Yohl Ik’nal was aging, and her heir not yet named. Few elite in Lakam Ha were unaware that her son, Aj Ne Ohl Mat lacked leadership qualities. Of course her daughter Sak K’uk possessed these qualities in abundance, but her claim to rulership could be challenged more effectively than her brother’s. Kan Mo Hix was no less eligible than either of the ruler’s children.

In the opulent household court of Yaxun Zul, a group of high-ranking ahauob gathered. These men came regularly to honor Yaxun Zul, and might be considered his courtiers. Most of them had reasons to desire the unseating of the Bahlam family; some held grudges, some were jealous, some had their own ambitions. Others were simply rebellious by nature or in search of exciting diversions.

Chief among this opposition group were Chak’ok, a fiery warrior who chaffed under the long period of peace and prosperity brought by the Bahlams, and Kab’ol, the brother of self-exiled Ek Chuuah. Ten men seated on floor-mats surrounded Yaxun Zul, who held forth from an elevated platform. Not as high as the ruler’s throne platform, it none-the-less conveyed the message of dominance over the group. All present were dressed sparsely as the day was hot, wearing minimal adornments. They sipped cups of cool maize gruel mixed with cacao and ground chile, frequently replenished by servants. Other attendants stood waving huge reed fans to circulate air inside the chamber. Thick stone and plaster walls kept the interior reasonably cool as sunlight blazed on the white courtyard.

“Hix Chapat is departing with the dawn, returning to his ailing father in Popo’ to prepare for rulership,” Kab’ol remarked.

“His departure causes me no grief,” growled Chak’ok. “The young macaw is much taken by his self-noted merits. Not that many others note them so well.”

A ripple of laughter spread through the circle. The Popo’ heir had never endeared himself among the ahauob of Lakam Ha because of his arrogance.

“Of more importance is the betrothal of his sister to Aj Ne Ohl Mat,” observed Yaxun Zul. “Our ruler is securing a tight alliance with Popo’ for reasons of her own. Better she should be courting Usihwitz and Yokib.”

A few eyebrows rose at this remark, and some men cast sideways glances toward Kab’ol, who remained impassive.

“It has not happened, that our ruler designates an heir. Might it be that this betrothal points toward her choice of Aj Ne Ohl Mat?” asked one of the youngest present, Uc Ayin, a talented artist quite popular among many circles in the city. He kept his connections fluid and was welcome in diverse groups. Yaxun Zul wanted to cultivate him as an informant, but the ever-diplomatic courtier deftly navigated through interrogations, not revealing anything of importance.