The Visionary Mayan Queen: Yohl Ik'Nal of Palenque by Leonide Martin Read Free Book Online

one shared ritual and ceremonial functions during the second half of the cycle. The current seat gradually decreased its building programs and rituals, until at the end of the cycle the major ceremonial areas, roads, and idols were ritually destroyed and the city was “abandoned.” Not everyone left the city; most commoners and many nobles stayed. Often the ruling dynasty and their retinue left to found another city. New ruling families emerged to launch the city’s next phase. The new May Ku seat began its building program in preparation for increased duties.
    “The may cycle was modeled on cosmic cycles,” Kan Bahlam concluded. “It reflects a sacred pattern, beloved of the gods, and prevents disruption of the social order. Power and prestige are shared predictably, according to the calendar, and the chaos of political upheavals is avoided.”
    Thus the Maya people kept the laws of the gods, counted their days and honored their names in an orderly pattern – as did the celestial bodies of the cosmos.
    “When did Lakam Ha become May Ku?” asked Yohl Ik’nal.
    “We were chosen as seat of the may at the beginning of Baktun 9 (436 CE). At the half-way point the May Council met and again selected Lakam Ha for the forthcoming may seat. Though not usual, it is acceptable for the same city to serve as May Ku for two consecutive cycles. That decision was made at the turning of Katun 13 (564 CE).”
    Yohl Ik’nal calculated dates. This May Council had taken place four years before she underwent the transformation ritual into adulthood and was designated bearer of the sacred blood.
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    “Now comes something important.”
    The messenger’s sonorous words echoed off the plaster walls of the Popol Nah, the Council House of Lakam Ha.
    Ahkal Mo’ Nab, Holy Lord of B’aakal, moved his regal head slightly and eyed the messenger. His slender body straightened but remained relaxed in the customary posture, one leg tucked under the other that dangled from the low stone throne covered with a jaguar pelt. He motioned gracefully with one hand, signing for the messenger to continue.
    Yohl Ik’nal was all attention. Eyes wide, she surveyed the rectangular room, walls lined with benches slightly lower than the ruler’s throne. The benches were covered with woven mats, cushioning the stony hardness. It was her first time in the Popol Nah, and she sat proudly beside her parents as an adult of the sacred blood.
    Kan Bahlam studied the messenger with experienced eyes. This messenger was a well-respected noble, a seasoned runner and traveler who had visited many cities. He had relayed numerous important messages before, and was not prone to exaggerate. Clearly the messenger was excited, his black eyes sparkling and his body taut.
    Kan Bahlam could read men. More than once this keen insight had steered his brother Ahkal Mo’ Nab away from hasty or inopportune decisions. He was concerned about his brother, noting traces of fatigue around eyes and mouth of the thin face. It seemed the ruler had lost yet more weight, and his skin appeared sallow, despite his wardrobe attendant’s efforts to mask these. Few appreciated how the ruler disguised his sickness, but Kan Bahlam knew well the cost of these efforts.
    His mind wandered for an instant to the dank swamps of their adolescent quest. The two royal boys, born only one year apart, entered the transformation rites at the same time, companions facing the challenge of surviving in dangerous terrain while pursuing their jaguar prey. Young men of royal blood who were potential heirs must hunt and kill a jaguar, bringing back the pelt to signify their victory over fear and their mastery of the most powerful jungle beast. Only then could the jaguar become their uay to guide and counsel them in matters of power and the Underworld. They would earn the right to sit upon the jaguar-skin draped over the ruler’s throne.
    Both succeeded in their quest, but Ahkal Mo’ Nab brought something else home