Topiltzin

Topiltzin waited in the hallway. He was a little nervous, as this was the first time he had direct audience with the emperor. He was ready for whatever his majesty needed, however.
The first time he saw the emperor had been to receive an award after a flower war. He had a special gift given to him by Huitzilopochtli, the God of War. He was, bar none, the best at capturing soldiers.
At school - compulsory for every Nahua, even the slaves - he was the most eager student. Philosophy, history and math were all easy, but what he really excelled at was ball game practice. His physical ability was second to none, and his teachers always praised him for it.
It was this physical ability that made him interested in martial life. An Aztec soldier was a professional, and he decided to get started early. He was only 16, a full year before becoming a man, that he became a Tlamani and a Cuextecatl on the same day, with the capture of his first and second warriors. Ceremonially eating from two warriors on the same day put their power in him, and he had felt invincible ever since. During school break, he lied about his age and requested to assist with battle as a civilian, and they believed him! After capturing the warriors he was given the characteristic conical hat. Only two days later, however, he captured his third.
This made him the first 16 year old to become a Papalotl. He was so proud to show off the butterfly banner he got for the next round of fighting when he came back to school.
This is how he became the first 17 year old in recent memory to go directly to Eagle Warrior. He chose the eagle because of his grace and swiftness in battle. Jaguar Warriors were more ferocious, but took stupid risks, he thought. They were just as likely to be captured in battle themselves. But the constant practice of jumping, turning and thrusting the Macahuitl[^cf9] gave him a grace that made it both incredible to watch and deadly in combat.
Some warriors favored the Macuahuilzoctli[^cf10] instead. It was certainly shorter, and the sorry state of their Chimallis[^cf11] after battle made it evident that things had gotten a bit too close. And while he wasn’t advocating to stay behind and throw arrows with the tlahuitolli[^cf12] or the atlatl[^cf13] either, he certainly didn’t want to expose his own torso to a blade if he could help it. Battle was as much to avoid capture as it was to capture others.
For five years he fought as an Eagle. And finally a few years ago, he was called forth and inducted as one of the Cuachicqueh. His head was shaved, and his face was painted red on one side and blue on the other. He was given a tlahuitzli[^cf14], which he was wearing today.
As a Cuachic, his role was special. Not only was it serving as shock troops, leading the assault, but he had since been given important tasks directly for the Tenochca government. And now here he was, waiting to meet the most important man on earth, for a special assignment.
The door opened and he was ushered into the throne room.
Moctezuma was impeccable as usual, more so in this immaculately clean environment than on the battlefield. His penacho[^cf15] was enormous, a beautiful combination of quetzal feathers and gold.
- “Please, Topiltzin, come on inside”, said Moctezuma.
Without a word, Topiltzin came inside and bowed to his emperor.
- “How aware are you of international relations”, asked Moctezuma.
- “The west is secure, sir. As far as Acapulco and Michoacán, it is quiet and peaceful. The South, from Cuahunahuac[^cf16] to Tehuantepec[^cf17], is also peaceful. Our only real problems lie at the east, with the Tlaxcalans. The Otomís are resentful, but irrelevant. Sir”, was Topiltzin’s response.
- “Good, very good”, said Moctezuma. “As you know, trade beyond the Eastern Gulf requires the East to be secure. Some of the stories I have been hearing from the Mayans are unnerving. Tall men, with hair on their face, harassing the towns, asking questions and killing people. And now there’s report that the giant vessels they have come in have appeared in the sea where I send for my huachinango[^cf18]. They’re probably tall tales, but I really need to know. The area is hostile though, and I will need some ears.”
- “I am at your service, sire.”
- “Do you know why I picked you?”, said Moctezuma
- “No sir”, came the response.
- “I picked you because you know how to survive.”, Moctezuma said. “You were an eagle warrior and now you are shock troops, but you know when to fight and when to fold. I can’t have a hothead getting himself killed for what we need to do. I need the best warrior, to gather intelligence and get himself back here, alive. It’s no use to send someone who will end up dead, the information dying with him. Now go find out about these men. Find out what they can do, find out where they come from. Come back when you have something. And report back directly to me. You are dismissed.”
- “Yes sir.”

As Topiltzin left, he was a bit miffed. This was the special mission? Killing an emperor, poisoning a water supply, sabotaging weapons before battle, all those he could understand. But checking up on legends of tall, hair-faced monkeys? This was what he was going to risk his life for?
Still, the Emperor’s wishes were the emperor’s wishes. He had been trained to take a spear head for that man.