Aztec Century by Christopher Evans Read Free Book Online

Extepan should reveal this. Extepan himself was fatalistic. ‘We may have vanquished your armies, but we cannot predict the actions of individuals. It is in the nature of things. But my uncle did not help our cause by treating your people harshly. I hope to enlist their co-operation more.’
    From what little information we had been able to glean during our exile, I knew that Nauhyotl had instituted severe repressions on his arrival in the country. But ‘co-operation’ was a word with many interpretations.
    We were flying low over Oxford Street. It was as crowded as ever with shoppers. Fast-food lunchers milled about outside the red-and-gold façade of a MexTaco restaurant. The Centre Pointcinema complex was advertising the latest Acapulco productions,
Otomi Onslaught
and
Totonac Attack
. Everything appeared normal.
    ‘The next pressing problem’, Extepan said, ‘is, of course, the succession.’
    I turned away from the window. Richard sat with Chicomeztli under the supervision of the co-pilot, moving a sightfinder on one of the screens with all the enthusiasm of the uninitiated.
    ‘Are you proposing to crown Richard king?’
    Extepan did not react to my sarcasm. ‘Is there any reason why we should not?’
    Richard was making shooting sounds, downing imaginary enemies with great delight.
    ‘Your country has always had its own monarch. There is no need to depart from tradition, even under the present circumstances.’
    ‘You can’t possibly expect me to condone it,’ I said.
    He frowned. ‘I don’t understand. He is heir to the throne.’
    ‘Of a country under occupation. He would be a puppet ruler. You are our enemies. We won’t collaborate with you.’
    Maxixca made to say something, but Extepan raised a hand. He was as calm as Maxixca was agitated.
    ‘You know I’m intending to restore your parliament?’ he said.
    ‘Why? So they can rubber-stamp everything you do? Give you a spurious respectability with our people?’
    ‘It will have considerable freedom in all sorts of spheres. You must believe me when I say I do not wish your people to suffer unduly—’
    ‘Then evacuate your armies and leave us in peace.’
    Maxixca was unable to restrain himself any longer.
    ‘We don’t have to negotiate with her!’ he said in Nahuatl. ‘She must accept whatever we decide.’
    ‘Leave this to me,’ Extepan replied, evenly but with authority.
    The sun had broken through the cloud, and below us people were strolling in Hyde Park. Some wore brightly patterned Aztec capes, but most were English. The balcony of the café on the bank of the Serpentine was full.
    ‘Perhaps we should ask Richard himself,’ Extepan said to me.
    ‘He’s just a child,’ I replied. ‘He’s not capable of making decisions for himself.’
    Richard had suffered oxygen starvation during Mother’s protracted labour; his mental and emotional development would always be limited.
    ‘That may be so,’ Extepan said, ‘but he deserves to be consulted.’ He motioned to Chicomeztli, who had apparently been listening to everything while appearing not to be. Reluctantly, Richard was persuaded to abandon the joystick.
    Chicomeztli led him over to us.
    ‘That was fun,’ he said to me. ‘When am I going to be king, Kate?’
    ‘These people want to crown you,’ I said. ‘But you must remember that they invaded our country and imposed their rule. You would be king in name only.’
    He looked at Chicomeztli, at Extepan and Maxixca. There was confusion on his face. I was sure he was thinking that if people were kind to him, then they were his friends.
    ‘Father said I would be king after him.’
    ‘You’re his successor,’ I agreed. ‘But I don’t think he imagined our country would be under armed occupation. If you let these people make you king, you’ll be accepting their authority over us. You’ll be confirming their right to make decisions for our people.’
    ‘It’s my duty to be king.’
    ‘You have to try to put your own