"I need the best. I'd prefer the best of the best for any profession. Do you think I'd lower my standards so quickly, just for you? I am not so desperate for an apprentice."

I felt my eye twitch. Was he trying to be reassuring or offensive? Well whatever he was trying to achieve was definitely not helping his case at all. What is this guy's deal? Mother slowly lifted her head up from her position, releasing her hold on me before slinking upwards back to her proper stance and offered him the softest smile she could manage. I kept my eyes fixated on the ground, refusing to meet their gazes. 

"He will consider your offer, and is truly appreciative of the chance." My mother's reply felt hollow and rehearsed but she certainly put up a convincing act of deference. My eyes shifted to the nobleman, just catching the look of mischief that shone in his eyes. If I had to make a guess, I knew he wasn't taking it seriously.

"This humble village of yours is no place for one so brilliant and shining. May the blessing of the gods shine on you. Tenochtitlan calls to you, Yolotl." The toad's eyes seemed to glitter in delight as he set down another pile of papers by his wooden table.

"You have until the next family of days to pack your bags and meet me at the plaza. I hope to see you there."

At last, the man took his leave and escorted the both of us back to the entrance, sending me on my way home. I spared him a fleeting look behind me. Even from afar I could make out that triumphant and accomplished face, watching me as I traversed the rest of the road with my mother. I wonder if that man had always been the type to meddle and was just trying to find the best time to come to my village. 

Despite her obvious disappointment, my mother tenderly reached out and held my hand in hers, gently caressing it with her bony thumb. We walked in tense silence for a moment, keeping to the empty dirt road. Finally, she gave my hand one final squeeze before speaking up.

"Forgive me, Yolotl. I will not send you away unless you wish to go on your own accord. I have already lost one child too many to send you away like this.” She softly murmured, observing my hands. 

"Nänä." I gently called her attention, offering her a warm smile as I did. My heart hurt when I saw those tear-filled dark eyes, her lip trembling as she tried to speak. Her voice came out choked.

"This disaster will spread to the highlands, my son. And when it does then what'll become of us?"

Her thumb traced small circles along the ridges of my hand, squeezing and taking hold with an occasional pause between each gentle touch.

She's right. If the famine spreads to the mountainside then my little village would fall with it. Most people would move on and not return. Leaving my mother behind, to rot. I should go and think this over again, at least. But what good was it to go down there when they are suffering just as much if not more? It's the same shit either way. Mother doesn't need to burden herself with the worries and concerns of where I would go off to. I should be grateful that I at least still have her. I should take up Toquatzin's offer so she would no longer worry.

Tch. 

As if I'd have to leave. I'm not going. Even if the whole town burns again.

A breeze of cold mountain air brushed against my skin as we walked farther, cooling the hot summer air. I exhaled deeply. This is where I belonged. This is where my home lay. And this would be where I die.

-8-Cipactli-

Year of 12-Flint

“You foolish, foolish child.”

It has been two days since my less than stellar encounter with Lord Toquatzin, and it also just happened to be the same day Old Woman Cecihuatzin got back to town after her weeks long trip to the lowlands. Why she bothered to come back now was the least of my concerns. No, to be honest I was more concerned about the hours-long speech this old woman was about to give me. After a quick ear pull, of course. 

Dragged into the woodlands to help the treacherous woman gather some herbs I was backed into a corner. I had to talk about it. This stubborn old woman wouldn't let me go without an explanation. Old Cecihuatzin shook her head in disappointment. With an irritated huff, she tossed her bundle of precious herbs into the woven basket sitting in front of the crooked tree. The old woman, hunched and frail, shuffled her way over to me, her gnarled hands clutching onto mine. 

"I oughta knock some sense into you!" She grumbled, pinching my side, causing me to scowl at the old woman and quickly withdraw from the withering old woman's death grip.

"You'd break a hip trying, old lady.”  I quickly chided, rubbing my side. "You’re not exactly young anymore. Weren’t you there for the birth of Tonatiuh? Or was it the creation of the first sun?"

“Neither, you brat!” The old woman cackled. “Now help me with my basket, won't you?”

As I grumpily slung the reed basket over my shoulders, she smiled, cackling louder and hobbling her way through the forest ahead of me. Despite the constant annoyance that she was and all the chaos she would bring whenever she decided to visit my little village, it was oddly nice to have the familiar and quirky old woman around.

We kept walking, the old woman rambling as she pointed out the different trees and plants in the area. My fingers idly drummed against the reed of the basket, the satisfying

thump 

thump

thump 

filling the tense silence, the very silence that nagged me at the back of my skull. Old Cecihuatzin had a knack for speaking her mind, often without thinking. She was not the most popular amongst the villagers, nor was she well-liked. But that never bothered her. The villagers had no choice but to turn to her in their times of need for she was the village midwife and healer. And it was only because she was a good midwife and a talented herbalist that they all tolerated her antics. 

Not much of an annoying trait, in my honest opinion, however when she was in one of her rambles it became a dreadful thing, filled with insufferable talking and relentless questioning that could drag on for hours on end. While I am fond of the old crone, there are times where I wish she could keep her curiosity at bay. It was only because I was feeling unusually nervous and somewhat anxious that the nagging concern about how quickly she could easily get under my skin weighed heavier than usual.

"That old bastard Toquatzin. He's only after your skills."

"Those nobles are all the same, old lady." I shrugged and adjusted the straps of the basket digging into my shoulders. "They have their eyes on something shiny and immediately do everything they can to have it. It just happens to be me for once."

I grumbled, plucking the stray threads from the woven reed straps.

The old woman pursed her lips tightly together and scrunched her nose as though she had bitten into a particularly bitter tzapotl fruit.

"Bastards. All of em." She stated rather firmly, nodding along in agreement. I nodded absentmindedly while keeping an eye out for snakes hiding in the tall weeds. I knew there would be nothing to fear as most of the wildlife here in the highlands kept their distance from humans but it is wise to still remain wary.