Feathered Serpent by Colin Falconer

who then turns to me. “My lord asks you to thank Tendile for his gifts but says his religion forbids the eating of human flesh as all men are born brothers. To break this commandment is considered one of the greatest sins in the sight of God.”
    I do not understand all of this long and confusing harangue, but I understand its meaning. I turn back to Tendile. “As you well know, Feathered Serpent has returned to abolish all human sacrifice. Do not be so transparent as to tempt his patience further.”
    Tendile seems disappointed, as well he might. I know what he is thinking: this Malintzin will not assume the trappings of Feathered Serpent yet in all other ways he acts like a god. He is as confused as I am. What will he tell Motecuhzoma?
    The thunder god with the golden hair says something to Aguilar.
    “My lord Alvarado wishes to know if the Mexica have returned his helmet.”
    I pass on this request. Tendile raises a hand and the rest of the porters - there must be more than a hundred - hurry forward. “My lord Motecuhzoma has done this, and more besides,” Tendile says.
    Straw mats are laid on the sand at Feathered Serpent’s feet and the helmet is produced, filled to the brim with gold dust. Then other objects are produced; gold figurines in the shapes of ducks, deer, jaguars and monkeys; gold necklaces and bracelets; a gold wand studded with pearls; gold shields inlaid with precious stones; mosaics in turquoise and onyx; statues and masks carved in wood; jade pendants and brooches; fans of solid silver; a head dress of quetzal plumes studded with jade and pearls; capes of finest feather work; jewellery of shell, gold, turquoise and jade; and five emeralds of enormous size.
    The thunder gods and their moles stare slack-jawed in astonishment. Then the final gifts are brought forward; two identical discs, each the size of a cartwheel and two inches thick, one of silver, the other of gold. The silver disc has the figure of a woman at its centre, Sister Moon; the gold disc has the figure of Lord Sun on his throne.
    The presents are arrayed there on the sand; the precious metals and jewels reflect the sunlight, hurting the eyes. There is complete silence save for the wind that murmurs across the sand, shifting grains across the mats and their treasures, as if my lord had commanded them to gently touch each piece and examine it, so that he will not have to stoop to do it.
    Finally he speaks and Aguilar turns to me. “He wishes to know if that is all there is.”
    I do not know what to think now. I can scarce relay this sentiment to Tendile. Now it is my turn to wonder if Aguilar translates exactly everything that Feathered Serpent says to me.
    I hesitate. “Feathered Serpent thanks you for your gifts,” I manage, finally.
    Tendile looks sour. “Perhaps now they will leave us alone.”
    Feathered Serpent speaks again, through Aguilar. This time I understand exactly what he requires of me. “My lord asks you to send his thanks to Revered Speaker for his generosity. It only remains now for my lord to thank Revered Speaker in person.”
    Tendile appears stricken when he hears this. “That will not be possible. It is a long and dangerous journey to Tenochtitlán. Motecuhzoma asks that he take these few humble gifts as a token of his esteem and return to the Cloud Lands from whence he came.”
    I pass on these sentiments and wait for further direction. But I know what Feathered Serpent will say.
    “My lord Cortés has travelled far for the great pleasure of gazing on Motecuhzoma’s face,” Aguilar says. “He has been ordered to pass on his greetings in person and he cannot do otherwise without disobeying his king.”
    It is an effort to keep the smile of triumph from my face. With one hand Motecuhzoma dresses my lord as a god, with the other he tries to buy him off like a mortal man. How he must be trembling on his throne in the place of the Eagle and the Cactus!
    “Feathered Serpent is a god and is not easily