Shuttle nodded and followed the messenger.
The high priest was extra solemn today, wearing full equipment. Ruby divine crown, sun cloak, gold and silver sun and moon robe, gold feather wristbands, wolf feather shoes. There is an additional artifact in his hand: the wand with hanging feathers in the mural of the Sun God. The head of the wand is bent downwards, and at the end is a golden snake head.
He walked slowly but firmly through the separate aisles of the "broken-haired warriors" and came to the terrifying "skeleton warrior".
When Shulot saw this scene, he was inexplicably familiar with it, and it reminded him of some of the games he used to be passionate about. He turned around and looked around, but saw that no matter whether it was priests, nobles, or warriors, everyone held their breath and lowered their eyes, not daring to disturb or look directly at this sacred scene.
"Skeleton Warrior" Tisoke stood up from the shoulder carriage, looking down from a high position, making him look extraordinarily tall. He also unfolded the same sun cloak behind him, then picked up the scepter of the sun god around his waist and touched it with the scepter in the hand of the high priest, which represented the communication between gods.
The two suns performed a silent and complicated ritual, like a pantomime. Then, in the eyes of everyone with awe, human communication resumed.
"The theocracy in the city-state era is a bit like the pharaohs in ancient times. Relying on the rule of myths, once the myths are broken, people's hearts will be at a loss." Shulot thought.
The human interaction between the king and the high priest was brief. The two just looked serious, said a few words briefly, and nodded to each other.
Soon, I saw Shuter waving, and then Shusoke stepped forward, lowered his head and knelt on one knee, letting the king grab his hair. Shulot had seen this scene on the mural and guessed that it meant a vow to sacrifice one's life. Then the young man took a peek at the king. Between the gaps in the bone helmet, the tattoos were intertwined. He could not see the specific face clearly, but he felt that he was about forty or fifty years old.
When it's Shulot's turn, the ceremony is relatively simple. The king just glanced at the young man and nodded slightly. With a wave of his hand, he handed over an exquisite obsidian dagger with a gorgeous turquoise inlay on the handle. Just in time, the young man put the dagger into his arms. His previous one had been given away during the capture.
After meeting his relatives, the king summoned some nobles and priests in turn and performed some procedural rituals. Then the high priest invited the king to enter the ancient city and enjoy a dinner together.
The dinner was the most sumptuous meal that Shulot had ever had since he was a child. The first is corn, pumpkin, and kidney beans in heavy pottery, representing the three most important staple foods given to the world by the gods. But this is a bit of a etiquette, and no one will eat it on such occasions.
Then there was a bowl of blood-red cocoa drink, in which chili peppers, honey, and allspice were added, and then adjusted to the color of blood. This is the drink of warriors and nobles, and everyone must drink it with a serious and solemn expression.
Shulot's face completely changed color after drinking it. It tasted really bitter, spicy, sweet and cocoa.
The next food is very normal, boiled tomatoes, boiled turkey, boiled venison, boiled cactus, boiled papaya, boiled avocado, and tequila with insects or chili peppers, you can choose freely according to your preference.
Shulot stopped after eating a little, and everyone else did the same. The cutlery in his hand is a small obsidian dagger with a shallow dent in the middle. It can be used for cutting meat or as a spoon and fork. Just be careful not to scratch your mouth. In such a formal occasion, the wooden spoon that Shlott liked every day could not be easily placed on the table.
After drinking for a few times, the high priest Shuter waved his hand and motioned for His Highness to perform a dance.
At the top of the list is naturally the sacrificial dance. The brazier lit tobacco leaves and spices, and the mysterious aroma spread in the hall, making people feel as if they were entering the kingdom of God. Then a group of priests wearing feathers, crowns, and ornaments came forward, dancing or performing, and sang old and simple songs:
"My heart is a flower,
It blooms suddenly,
He is the king of the night,
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh.
"
"The goddess returns from afar,
Our mother earth,
Give all things to me,
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh.
"
"I am the God of Corn, born in heaven,
Where flowers bloom.
The only flower that day,
Yantala, yantala, ahhhhh.
"
"I am the God of Corn, born in the land of rain and fog,
The embrace of human childhood.
Home of the Mountain God,
Yantala, yantala, ahhhhh.
"
“Dawn comes and there is a glorious sunrise.
I use colorful spoons,
Drink honey from standing flowers,
Yantala, yantala, ahhhhh.
"
"On the earth,
Walking in the bustling market.
I, Quetzalcoatl, the Quetzalcoatl,
is the master of the world,
Yantala, yantala, ahhhhh.
"
The priest's song was long and deep, and his ring jingled, and a vicissitude of charm disappeared with the wind. King Tisoke was completely fascinated by the sound, nodding his head gently in time with the beat. After the song ended, it took a long time for him to come back to his senses: "High Priest, what kind of divine song is this? I have never heard it before."
"Your Majesty, this is the song of Quetzalcoatl." Shuter nodded with a smile, "Over the years, the priests have studied the murals of the ancestors of the ancient city. Many of the myths among them are different from those spread by us. This one tells the story of Quetzalcoatl. God was once the Lord of the world.”
Tisoke nodded: "When the banquet is over, please ask the high priest to tell me the myths of the ancestors. We will always return to the Kingdom of God."
Next is the Song of Nobility. Some aristocratic girls wore gorgeous cloaks and passionate singles, shaking gemstone bracelets, and sang hedonistic and cheerful aristocratic songs:
"I like the colors of the world,
Brilliant flowers and feathers.
In the season that makes your heart beat,
Light up the intoxicating smoke.
"
"Dance with us,
Let your bitterness escape,
Decorate yourself with them,
That beautiful golden cocoa flower.
"
"Then kiss under the flowers,
Share your fun with me,
Sing beautifully here.
The songs of birds and parrots,
Echoing by the tinkling spring water.
"
"You are like a cup of cocoa,
Having it makes my heart happy,
My heart is flying,
My heart is flying.
"
The girl's singing voice is sweet and cheerful, like a lark in the sky. The cloak swirled, revealing a graceful body with a hint of charm and temptation. The passionate dance finally ended, and my clothes were soaked with sweat. The girls panted slightly and looked forward to the king on the stage with moist eyes.
Perhaps because he understood the passion hidden in the singing, or perhaps because he smelled the fragrance of the girls so close to him, Shulot felt a rush of blood rushing to his head, and soon his face turned red.
Everyone else in front of the palace remained calm. Obviously, this kind of singing and dancing is just a small scene for the nobles present.
Tisoke touched his hands and praised softly, "The singing and dancing are good. Although it is not as grand as the capital, it has a pure feeling."
Shuter nodded and smiled slightly: "Did the king have any intention of singing and dancing in this?"
Tisok thought for a moment and shook his head. His expression did not change: "On the march, I am not in a hurry to enjoy the joy of singing."
The high priest waved his hand and asked the beautiful girls to retreat.
Finally, there is the Dance of the Warriors. The best warriors in the city-state walked into the hall, led by Orosh, who was decorated with bright flowers and held an ancient shield and a wooden stick without obsidian flakes. As the shields and sticks struck each other, they sang the song of warriors and flowers:
"A soldier's life flies by like a flower,
All glory will eventually leave,
All the dazzling glory returns to dust.
Is there a brightest moment?
"
"Let the flower die in bloom,
Leave an unforgettable song!
Let my heart be dedicated to the earth,
This world is just in a hurry~
"
The warrior's dance was first soothing and calm, then sonorous, and finally everything returned to solemn calm. Afterwards, the leader Orosh walked up to the front of the hall, knelt down on one knee and presented a bouquet of flowers to Tisoke.
Tisoke just nodded slightly, maintaining his distance and saying nothing.
Shuter waved his hand and asked the warriors to retreat. He then asked: "What do you think, Your Majesty?"
"Not bad." Tisok said simply, obviously not very interested in the warriors.
"High Priest, now that the singing and dancing are over." Tisok turned slightly sideways, with some expectation in his tone, "Tell me about the myths of the ancestors in detail. When this expedition is over, I can go to the sun stone in the temple. Next to the sacrificial plate, a new sacrificial plate is carved out of myths and conquests.”
"Willing to serve you."
The long dinner finally ended, and the king who was in high spirits bid farewell. The crowd dispersed, and the three of them, grandfather and grandson, were finally able to gather together.
After looking around, Shusok asked softly: "Father, you specially arranged singing and dancing. Do you know what the new king is like?"
"Excellent divine descendants, qualified nobles, and lacking commanders." Shuttle thought for a moment, the old wrinkles did not affect the sharp look in his eyes, "I am afraid it will be difficult to win this time in the expedition, but it will only be a small defeat! "
Only then did Shulot seem to understand something. This was a test. In this Warring States period, where wars were frequent and there were numerous states, everyone retained their own opinions and judgments.
"In today's world, not only do the kings choose their ministers, but the ministers also choose their kings!" The young man couldn't help but shout in approval. He looked at his grandfather's face that had gone through many vicissitudes of life and was convinced!
