The Rise of the Aztecs (part II)

So, in The Angry Aztecs Part I, we left the Tepanecs immersed in the dilemma.

What should the Tepanecs do with their new neighbors known as Mexica-people-from-Aztlan or the Aztecs?
The despised would-be-aristocrats got themselves into a trouble all right, enraging their previous patrons of Culhuacan. To flay a princess, of all things! Azcapotzalco’s Tepanecs shook their heads. Clearly the troublesome newcomers had no finesse. No finesse at all.

But those Aztecs had one advantage - they made great warriors. So the Tepanec rulers saw their chance. First they had launched series of raids against their neighbors in trouble, to make those understand which nation around Texcoco Lake was the most powerful to be reckoned with. Just in case it wasn’t yet clear.

Then, after thoroughly humbling the most warlike of their neighbors, they'd promptly took them under Azcapotzalco’s protection, against the wrath of Culhuacan.

The small Aztec nation was safe for now, but there was a price to pay. The Aztecs were to supply their new patrons with an unlimited amount of warriors whenever demanded.
And the Tepanecs didn’t make them wait. While the Aztecs were busy developing their new capital upon the muddy island of the great Lake, the demands began trickling in. The Azcapotzalco’s ruler had decided to turn on their historical rival – Culhuacan.

Reinforced by a horde of the warlike new allies, Azcapotzalco’s warriors had pounced on its sister-city, in less than ten summers succeeding in taking over all of their trading routes and dependable towns and villages. The surrounding districts and settlements, which had paid a tribute to Culhuacan up to these days, began sending their yearly payments to Azcapotzalco instead.

The Tepanec Empire was expanding.


An excerpt from 'The Young Jaguar', the second book in Pre-Aztec series:

Tecpatl nodded, glancing toward the wide opening in the wall, catching a glimpse of the beautiful garden outside. He could hear the water trickling in the ponds.

The eyes boring into him went flat. “Do you think Tezozomoc would make a good ruler? Would he be the right choice?”

Tecpatl returned the gaze. “It is not my place to judge on such matters.”

The heavyset man nodded and almost visibly relaxed. He was getting old, thought Tecpatl. Once upon a time this formidable man would not be readable under any circumstances.

The urge to escape the Palace welled. He thought of the spaciousness of his own gardens, of the feast that was sure to contain every delicious snack he had ever indicated as his favorite, of the ardent, exuberant welcome home which was sure to await him. He could see her, dressed in the best of her clothes, bathed and groomed, waiting for him, exalted and impatient; still beautiful, still desirable, still in love with him, still unruly and not fitting, just like fifteen summers ago when he had met her for the first time.

“You are sure Tezozomoc will give you all the commands you might desire.” The older man made it a statement.

Tecpatl forced his mind to concentrate.
“I hope he will trust me as has his father before him.”

“How long will it take to make Culhuacan crumble?”

“Not very long. Their warriors have grown soft. They are not a worthy enemy anymore.” Relieved to steer from the dangerous ground of politics, he added:
“I’ll be happy to finish them off and re-open the war against the Mayans.”

“Not the Aztecs?”

“Oh, the Aztecs make good warriors. But they are barbarians. They are few and unimportant. Culhuacan is the worthy enemy. They are our equals, our peers.”

The face of the elder man remained still, but something in the depths of the narrow eyes changed. “You do wise staying away from the Palace’s affairs. You are a warrior and you would better keep it that way.”
...

read a sample on https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
or http://www.amazon.com/Young-Jaguar-Pr...