Page 38 of Corvus and the Broken God

The French doors were wide open when I reached the end of the path, and Camazotz sat at his desk, studying an old book. He looked up when I stepped into the room.

“Would you like a glass of mead?” he asked.

Leaning back, he reached for the decanter on the bookshelf behind him. To the right of the bookshelf was his bed, a simple wooden-framed construct with four thick posts. It looked longer than any I had ever seen before. He had probably built it himself to fit his large shape, but then what was in the mattress? Not wanting him to catch me thinking about him, especially about him in his bed, I redirected my gaze to the decanter he held up.

“Sure. I’d love some.” I walked over and sat in his spare chair while he poured me a glass of the liquid honey. The chair was large, and I pulled my legs up, heels on the edge, resting my chin on my knees. “Do you want me to learn how to make mead?” I had found his friend’s apple orchard and had already skimmed through one of the books in the cabin.

He handed me a pewter goblet. “Not before the summit, Corvus. You need to study up on the culture and architecture of the area around Chichén Itzá, both in its various ancient states and current ones. Since you understand modern cities and building techniques, once you read up on the terrain and history, we can discuss where my enemies would lay potential traps. Then I will be better equipped to avoid them. A fresh way of thinking can only help.”

“Sure, I’ve already started reading the books you ordered. Give me a few days, and I’ll review everything with you.”

“Good. In this case, your particular expertise will be a great help.”

While I would have loved to hear more about what he thought was my particular area of expertise, I had a more pressing question. “Are you sure it’s a trap?”

“Fairly sure. The last summit proved to be troublesome, and Chaac’s visit even more so. After you left us, he dropped a few hints about how I would be facing serious charges whether or not I attended.”

“But why? What do they have against you?”

He stayed silent for so long, I wondered if he’d tell me the truth, if anything at all. “This is what I’ve been reading up on, all of our ancient laws.” He tapped the thick book on the desk, and I leaned closer to try to read it. The letters were unfamiliar, more like random scribbles than actual letters and words. “I figure they’ll call me out on some forgotten misdeed and force me to atone. I’ve been looking through the old laws, pretending to be in Chaac’s shoes, and looking for something they could use to trip me up.”

“How old is that book?”

He looked down, momentarily stumped. “About a thousand years old, I think. But it was last updated four hundred and thirty years ago.”

“And what language is that?”

“Not one you need to worry about.”

Alrighty then. I guess I had pushed him too far with my questions. Putting my feet down, I sat back in the chair and sipped my mead, letting the spiced flavor coat my tongue before swallowing.

“So, when are we leaving for Mexico?”

“We? We are not going anywhere. You will stay here, where it is safe.” He sounded insistent, gruff even, but the fact that he wouldn’t meet my eyes made me think there was wiggle room. Or maybe he did want me to go? A wild thought ran through my head: He could use me as bait.

“This is serious, Corvus. Even if I prepare well enough to thwart whatever punishment they have planned, it will be a dangerous trip.”

“Why don’t you teach me how to turn into a moth or something small and mobile? That way, if you get into trouble, I’ll be there to get you out. You know, later, once everyone’s left you to rot or whatever you think they might do. Wait. What kind of punishment were you thinking?”

“I am unsure, but most of my kind dislike me. I am well-defended up here. Since I have agreed to leave and meet on their turf, I will be vulnerable,” he said it casually, like it wasn’t important. I suspected this blasé attitude masked a deep worry.

“You have to admit having me close by isn’t a terrible idea. Or can they sense me like how I can sense you?”

His eyes had wandered down to the book but jerked up at my last question. “You can sense me through our bond?”

I shrugged, taking another sip of the mead. “I didn’t at first. In fact, I think it wasn’t until I came back that I was even aware of it. Is that odd?”

“It is odd you can sense it at all. You must be sensitized toward me.”

“Sometimes I think I can feel you laughing at me.”

“Hmm. Well, our bond is unique. Because I am the one who transformed you, made you like me, the moment I did, we formed a connection. It is not the same with the others. We cannot sense each other. That is why I was waiting for Chaac outside when you happened upon me.” His voice drifted off as if an idea had taken hold of his attention. He began turning the pages, clearly looking for something. I finished my mead, but he was too lost in his book to notice. At least now I knew why he had been pretending to be a giant boulder the first night.

Yawning, I stood up, deciding to get some sleep. There were a few things I wanted to do in the log cabin the next morning, along with the reading I had already agreed to.

“Corvus?” His voice stopped me as I was about to step out the door. “I have not made up my mind as to whether or not you will accompany me.”

“Okay.” Whatever. I’d convince him not to leave me behind. “Good night.”