The Foundation of Heaven

Excerpt:

6

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Matlaluege and Plaxetotl took a walk into the city of Tacuba while the others stayed behind at Mezopan's.  They were enchanted by the many artifacts of other lands he had at his home, and asked many questions, learning new things.  Matlaluege and Plaxetotl went to see a local merchant for supplies for their stay.

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Unaware of the recent events in Tenochtitlan, they conversed over the matter of their eventual return, and the nature of the change they were experiencing.

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"If everyone did not see the signs from the heavens, could it mean that some may not experience this great change to come?"  Plaxetotl asked, referring to the celestial, natural and even unnatural events, recently occurring, that some did not witness.

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"The signs mean that those who saw them need to be ready for it."  Matlaleuge answered.   "Even before we came to the 'Cradle of the Gods' - another name for 

Tenochtitlan - those before us perished.  They must have seen similar things before they met their demise."

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"I know."  Plaxetolt answered.  "But what can we do to prevent the same thing happening to us?"

 "Of course we must remain vigilant.  But also we must continue to intercourse with one another,  sharing our thoughts and feelings, only by doing this can we strengthen ourselves for the future."  He finished.

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The houses and buildings in Tacuba were similar to those of Tenochtitlan, only smaller in size.  The citizens gazed at the two travelers, receiving them in a manner different than the people of their hometown.  Plaxetotl liked this, so did his companion.

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As they philosophized in the quaint area of the city, those around them would listen, gaining insight on the questions they proposed and the answers the gave.  The merchant they visited received them in his home, and sold them the goods they desired: blankets, pipes and robes.  He knew Mezopan, and was glad he could assist his friends during this time.

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After they left his dwelling, they walked the streets, heading for the exit, and noticed the armed soldiers, maintaining order.  "The authority they have rests in physical properties.  Not internally. "  Matlaleuge said, looking them directly in the eyes.  They continued to to walk, and kept their silence as they headed out of the city.

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The apprehension the Mexica felt when seeing the foreigners for the first time was correct.  They were conquistadors.  A warship lay only seventy miles off their coast when they met them.    The Mexica had no long range boats, only canoes.

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"We are capable of conquering the entire world,"  a 15th century cihuacoatl told Nezahualcoyotl.  When a new temple to Hitzilopochtli was inaugurated in Tenochtitlan, visiting rulers witnessed: "The enemies, guests and strangers, were bewildered, amazed.  They saw that the Mexica had conquered all the nations and that all were their vassals."  "Are not the Mexica the masters of the world?"  - Montezuma II.

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However, that world was the Yucatan.  They traded as far south as Panama, and had some cultural influence in that area.   They may have learned from the Columbians (past), and tratded there also.  But none of these territories were wanted by them.  To them the earth was a disc, surrounded by water.  Tenochtitlan was just a small part of that.  They did not need to look anywhere else.

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The natives of the Caribbean  were unaware of them.  The Mexica lived in a cocoon.  Montezuma II was interested in nature but not in human beings.

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The early reports about the Spanish were probably of Columbus, who had been to Central America in 1502.  He had been 300 miles off the Yucatan.  Two Spanish captains, looking for the spice islands, sailed along the coast, as well.  They probably reached Tabasco.  They were the first Europeans to see "Mexico", but did not report it.

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