Free Young Jaguar, The by Zoe Saadia Page A

with me?”
    “More than half.”
    “What about the warriors’ leaders?”
    “We’ll make sure they do not object.”
    “And the Chief Warlord? He may prove difficult. He
seems to be pleased with our new Emperor.” The voice of the sitting man shook
with disdain at these last words.
    “He will not be a problem.”
    “How can you be so sure?”
    “He is my nephew, he will obey.”
    Sweat coated Atolli’s back, making him cold in the
heat of the late afternoon.
    “Make sure of him, the sooner the better.” The man
turned away once again. “When do I leave?”
    “I would stall for a market interval or two.”
    “Why?”
    “So as not to make our new Emperor suspicious. He
should know you have resigned yourself to the wishes of your Revered Father,
but not too readily. He knows you are not happy.”
    “You are a devious man, you know?” The cloaked man
rose, and Atolli sank deeper into the shadows. “I warn you not to play any of
your tricks with me.”
    As the threatening voice began melting away, he
dared to breathe once again. Grateful for the deepening darkness, he closed his
eyes.
    What was that all about? he asked himself
helplessly, knowing that whatever it was, it could be no good. And it had
something to do with his father.
    He could hear his heart pounding in his ears. The
trees loomed around him, dark and threatening.
    Absently, he began making his way back toward the
high walls. Father had to know about this conversation. What would his father’s
Great Uncle force the Chief Warlord to agree to? The conversation made it clear
it would be something Atolli’s father would not approve of. What? What did the
first emperor’s son want? And would he still go out to rule Coatepec?
    Oh, mighty gods, please let Xicohtli go to
Coatepec as planned. He is my way out of this mess. I need it so!
    He stopped in his tracks. Chictli! He had to see
her. He had come here to see her, to tell her he wanted to join, whatever his
father’s answer would be. Listening to her father’s schemes, he’d
forgotten all about it.
    He looked around. How would he find any of her
slaves in the thickening darkness?
    Careful as a warrior closing in on the enemy, he
slunk past the pond, searching the trail he had walked yesterday, following her
slave.
     
     
     

Chapter 7
     
    Sakuna knelt before the straw mat, eyeing the child
who had laid there - a pitiful mess of matted hair, sticky with sweat, the
blankets wet and smelly from the medicine he had vomited up, along with the
remnants of his food.
    She examined the small chest and watched it rising
and falling, less rapid than before. The blanket under the disheveled head was
now darker, soaked with sweat. Good! The child’s face shone with perspiration.
    She brushed damp strands of hair off the small
forehead, her palm lingering, feeling it. Yes, he was definitely cooler now.
Still hot, but not burning with fever as badly as before. What a relief! The
root of chichipilli , left in a boiled water for a while, was of a great
help, as usual.
    The women in the room held their breath. There were
four of them present – three slaves and the Mistress of the House.
    “Is he any better?” Nopalli’s voice shook as she
moved a pace, hesitating, as though afraid to come nearer.
    “Yes. He is sweating, and it’s a good sign. Some of
the heat has gone.” Sakuna got up. “Clean this mess and put him on another
mat,” she said, addressing the servants. “Wrap him in a clean blanket.
Actually, I would move him to another room or even out into the gardens for a
while,” she added as an afterthought. “Let him get some fresh air.”
    Nopalli looked appalled. “He will catch a cold!”
    “In summer?”
    “No, no. He will stay here until he gets better,”
said the Mistress of the House decisively. “He will be safer here.” She glanced
at the women. “What are you waiting for? Do what Sakuna says! Clean up this
mess and bring a new blanket and another mat.” She took Sakuna’s