Dark clouds gathered at the end of the sky, and waves surged at the edge of the coast. The black finch, unique to Cuba, sends out its final mating call at the sea level when a storm approaches. When hurricanes sweep through in August, the coastal lowlands will be inundated by continuous wind and rain, and the Cuban black finch's breeding season, which lasts for half a year, will end in August.
The birds chirped loudly and endlessly, and the seven longships of the kingdom docked quietly at the promontory covered with palm trees. This is the eastern end of Cuba's Snake Island, and the large island of Haiti across the strait is looking at each other quietly in the distance.
"God bless you! Such thick clouds and such big waves... I guess a big storm that can kill fish is coming soon!"
Chihuaco, the old militiaman, raised his head, looked at the skyline to the east of the coast, and frowned deeply.
After wandering at sea for two or three years, he has become increasingly familiar with the unpredictable power of the sea, and has developed a sincere awe. This terrifying Caribbean Sea is far more violent than the peaceful coast of the West Sea! The current situation is obviously the prelude to a big storm. As for the specific time, I am afraid it will be within two or three days.
"Priest Thomas, the fleet cannot stay here! We must set off immediately, along the coast, to the northwest where the storm has not yet arrived!"
"Hoo! God bless you! The storm is coming, it's a pity..."
Priest Thomas stared at the eastern sea and sky, remained silent for a long time, and breathed out softly.
His Highness' predictions have been verified one by one, and everyone in the fleet has no doubts at this point. According to His Highness's prophecy, to the east of Cuba's Snake Island, there is another large, wealthy island covered with jungles and rivers, as well as a series of fertile small islands extending to the southeast. A few days ago, from the mouths of the Guata tribe leaders, everyone also knew that this wealthy island indeed existed. The name of the big island is "Haiti".
"What a pity! This cape is probably the easternmost point that the fleet can reach! As for the exploration and visits to various tribes in Haiti, we can only wait until later... What a pity!"
Priest Tomat's eyes showed deep regret. He also had a boatload of Ali Sutras with pictures and texts, which he did not send out. But the terrible storm they encountered when crossing Cuba was still fresh in the minds of everyone in the fleet. The current situation, whether it was the coming storm waves or the tired and tired morale of the army, did not allow him to continue heading eastward.
"Praise the Lord God! His supreme glory will surely spread and shine brightly on this vast sea and sky with my hard work!"
Priest Thomas held the sun amulet around his neck, prayed loudly, and made a pious oath. After a moment, he no longer hesitated and turned to look at the coast. The gentle Cuban coast is here, turning northwest through an arc-shaped tidal flat full of palm trees.
"The east wind is rising, raise the sails!"
"The east wind is rising, raise the sails!..."
"Turn northwest and move forward at full speed!"
"Turn northwest and move forward at full speed!..."
High-pitched shouts rang out from above and below the flagship. Then, the shouted command turned into a striking semaphore, signaling to the surrounding longships.
"The Lord God bless you! Your Highness is divinely inspired!"
Priest Thomat straightened up and made a shocking announcement.
"After traveling eight thousand miles, the end of this trip is right in front of us!... Let's go!"
"Praise the Lord God! Praise His Highness! Let's go!"
Hearing this, the sailors on the flagship also raised their heads and shouted in unison! Then, under the strong east wind, the seven long ships suddenly accelerated and sailed along the northern coast of Cuba towards more unknown tribes.
With the help of the wind, the speed of the fleet suddenly accelerated, more than doubling the speed. Just one day later, the exploration fleet traveled more than 120 miles and arrived at the first large tribe, Baracoa, on the north side of Cuba's Snake Island.
As usual, the fleet stopped at the coastal area for two days to replenish water and talk about the Lord God's teachings and prophecies. During the pause, Chihuaco, an old militiaman, found Priest Tomat with a serious look on his face.
"Something's not right! ...Priest Tomato, the situation in the Maritimes seems not to be right. We've visited so many Taino tribes, but this one is the only one."
The villagers’ eyes were full of vigilance! Well...it feels to me like they are frightened stags, with their heads lowered, horns exposed, and roaring intimidatingly! "
"Witness the Lord God! Captain Chihuaco, you also discovered it! This coastal tribe is indeed more vigilant than all the previous tribes. You see, they even have hundreds of militiamen patrolling with wooden spears. The fish weirs and ponds are all empty and no one is taking care of them..."
The two chatted for a while, and both became more and more convinced of their opinions. The old militiaman pondered for a while, then took out the last two bottles of tequila that he had treasured for a long time from the boat. The sociable priest Thomas went to meet the elders of the local tribe with his wine. It was not until after a simple dinner that Priest Thomas returned calmly, bringing new news.
"The coastal area has indeed encountered a threat! A safari tribe of the Ciguayos migrated to this area this year. According to the description of the local tribe, the Ciguayos are different from the Tainos and are quite ferocious in nature. , and their expressions are very ferocious! They have long dyed hair and black tattoos. They are good at hunting in rowing boats and wielding bows with poisonous arrows. They do not like to cultivate the land, but like to row boats in large groups. Go out to plunder and even hunt enemy tribes for food!..."
"What? What is "Watermelon Oil Man"? Sea raiders who row boats and shoot poisonous arrows? "
Hearing this, Huitu Puap's face showed a warlike look. He patted the sharp copper ax on his waist and shouted confidently.
"Where are these plunderers? Let me lead the fleet of warriors and chop them all to death. Their heads will be piled up into small hills!"
Hearing Puap's words, Priest Tomat raised his eyebrows. He remained calm and looked at Chihuaco, the old militiaman.
"Captain Chihuaco, what do you think?"
"Well... the Maritime Tribe is also a large Taino tribe, with at least two to three thousand tribesmen. Even a weak grass rat can kill a jungle cat as long as it grows up! Their current situation, Although there is a threat, it is not urgent..."
Chihuaco thought for a moment, touched his chin, and asked carefully.
"How many warriors are there in this marauding Siguayo tribe?"
"According to the local chieftains, the Siguayu people sent out at most two to three hundred warriors at one time... It is estimated that the size of the entire tribe is only about a thousand people. If there are more people, they want to migrate, they will not It will be so easy."
Priest Thomas thought about it for a while and smiled confidently.
"Blessings from the Lord God! With the strength of the fleet, as long as they don't spread out, it should be easy to defeat the Siguayu people when they encounter them! However, these rowing tribes are moving erratically. If they want to catch them, they can't. It’s not easy!”
"So, does the Coastal Ministry know where the Siguayu's lair is?"
"The Siguayu tribe is the most active on the north side of the island of Haiti, with dozens of large and small tribes. Their ancestors seem to have migrated from small islands further east... And this Siguayu tribe Most people emerged from the sea in the north. The tribal camps they established when they migrated should be in the "many islands in shallow water", southeast of the "Bahas" island group! "
"Many islands in shallow water, the Bahamas?..."
Chihuaco narrowed his eyes and looked toward the sea to the north. He chewed on this unfamiliar Taíno word, and his face changed slightly. After a while, he said calmly.
"Since the traces of the Siguayu people are elusive and they have not taken the initiative to launch an attack on the fleet... then we will ignore them for the time being and continue westward in search of large iron ore!"
"Ignore them and continue heading west?"
Priest Thomas was stunned for a moment, thoughtful. After a while, he spoke in a deep voice.
"With the weak strength of the Taino people, even if they have several times the numerical advantage, I am afraid that they will not be able to defeat this Siguayu people. If we ignore it and allow this group of sea raiders to establish a foothold... maybe, There will also be new Siguayu tribes who will find advantages and move here..."
After hearing this, the old militiaman's expression remained unchanged and he asked calmly.
"So, has the local coastal department asked for help from our fleet?"
"That's not true.
The coastal Taíno people have only known us for two days. They are still wary of the fleet, so how can they ask for help..."
"So, have the local coastal tribes converted to the main god?"
"Hmm...No. The leaders all listened to my preaching and enshrined the main god's Zemi tablet. But they only regarded the main god as one of the gods in the far west, one of dozens of gods. ..."
"In that case, don't worry. Keep going west!"
Chihuaco, the veteran militiaman, looked solemn and made a decision. He looked around at the leaders on the flagship and said meaningfully.
"The white tortillas don't taste good, but the begged pumpkin puree tastes good! The big iron mine on the map is not far from here... I see, the appearance of this group of Siguayu raiders has a great impact on the kingdom. There are only advantages and no disadvantages to establishing a foothold in this area!"
"Huh? There are only advantages and no disadvantages?...Chihuaco, you mean..."
Priest Tuomat lowered his head, thinking for a few breaths, and his eyes lit up. Then, he tilted his head, glanced at the confused Huitu Puap, and then looked at the Mayan businessman Tikalo with flashing eyes. He sighed in his heart and laughed out loud.
"Good! Very good! The more people in Siguayu, the better, and the more storms on the sea, the better!... Without storms, how can we tell what is a truly sturdy longship and what is a truly immortal god!" ..."
"Praise the Lord God, let us raise the sails and continue westward!"
