38
JUAN FRANCISCO BLANCO
“And here I thought it was plate tectonics that move and
cause stress that result in earthquakes,” Tital said, as Brilloso
whined, and another violent aftershock hit them.
“Both are correct. The Spirits move first in the Otherworld.
Then in this physical plane the earth moves, and anything above
that part of the earth can be damaged,” said Mahucutah.
It was several hours later when Tital and Mahucutah came
upon the devastated city of Mayan ruins, called Tulúm.
“Do you see that fire?” Mahucutah asked, as he pointed
north.
Tital answered, “Yes.”
“That is Zotz and your friends’ campfire. I have another
suggestion as to how we approach Zotz’s camp. I believe, since
no one knows you, that we ride in as strangers, just wanting to
share their campfire for the night,” Mahucutah said, not wanting
Tital to know the whole truth of the mission. “Then we can still
take Zotz by surprise.”
“That is okay by me,” said Tital, as his hand reached down to
touch his machete in the leather sheath tied to his saddle. They
both rode peacefully up to Zotz’s camp. Tital was surprised to
find everyone very calm. Bardala, Jonathan, and Viviana were
eating dinner on a big stone table. They looked very normal for
being kidnapped. Bardala even smiled broadly at Tital, and
genuinely seemed happy to see someone else her age wandering
around out here in the desert.
Mahucutah was the first to speak. “We were hoping to find
some friends out here in the desert. May we join you for
tonight? I am Mahucutah, and this is my young friend Tital.”