Una Noble Reina - Chapter 3
CHAPTER 3 - Son sus mensajeros
Notes: - Insert stereotypical fanfiction is late excuse here -
1 Month Prior To Your Move - Talokan - Underwater Cavern
It had been just over two months since K'uk'ulkan had made the decision to begin looking for Talokan’s queen once again. To say the search had been fruitful would be a gross overstatement. Much to the god’s chagrin he hadn’t even managed to start a proper search. His cousin Namora and one of his best generals Attuma had taken it upon themselves to help coordinate the search effort. This would not have been a problem if not for the fact that neither can agree on how to go about locating the queen.
“We need to request the help of Wakanda. Scoping out the shoreline from a distance isn’t going to cut it.” Attuma boldly suggested.
“The entire point of finding Le Reina is to have an advantage over the Wakandans. Asking for their help would be useless. We need data on known mutants of the surface world.” Namora contradicted in frustration as the two had begun arguing again.
K'uk'ulkan shut his eyes tightly and groaned in frustration. He was at his wits end with their arguments. While both his generals had valid points the squabbles and slightly less than professional debates were getting on his nerves.
Slowly rising from his spot in the room, K'uk'ulkan approached his generals. “You are both correct.” he stated, causing a silence to fall over the room. Both Attuma and Namora nod in acknowledgement and respect, patiently waiting for him to continue. “Attuma is right. We cannot passively assess shorelines as our sole source of scouting. However, I agree with Namora that now is not the time to ask the Wakandans for assistance.” he continued.
“What do you suggest? K'uk'ulkan.” Namora asked respectfully, but with slight skepticism.
“It is unfortunate, but I believe we require the assistance of surface dwellers. Although you are skilled, the blue of your skin when on the surface is not something that would go unnoticed, making it difficult to do any reconnaissance by anyone but myself.” he stated.
“Whom do you suggest?” Attuma asked intrigued.
“We should start with community leaders, people who were raised with the legends of Talokan. If they have respect for the legends they should be easier to convince to aid us in our search, while maintaining our secrecy. People who access large populations of people that they interact with.” he let his plan hang in the air.
It was risky to reveal themselves, even to those who would respect and understand their position. K'uk'ulkan saw no other option that didn’t involve the Wakandans.
Both Namora and Attuma gave a reassuring nod. Satisfied that his generals were finally on the same page, K'uk'ulkan could finally begin his search.
“Let’s begin. Shall we?” He moves to walk past them out of his main hut.
2 Weeks Prior To Your Move - Sisal, Mexico
It was a little after 9pm. The sun had set a half hour ago and the calm darkness of the night was beginning to set in. The ocean was calm. The waves lightly lapped at the shore of the beach. Aapo was taking his usual nightly walk. The ocean had always given him a sense of peace. Proud of his Mayan heritage, Aapo had grown up with stories of the lost people of the sea. Now well into his golden years he was a community leader of Sisal, passing on traditions to the generations that follow him with pride.
As he continued along the beach he paused as the air around him shifted. The bird calls had suddenly ceased. Aapo turned himself toward the open ocean and took two steps towards the surf. Squinting at the water he noticed a shift in the calm beyond the breaking waves.
Adjusting his eyes at first, Aapo stared in disbelief as three figures emerged from the crashing waves. The first, regal in stance and dress. Adorned with what appeared to be gold and jade. The other two figures were almost as striking. A man and a woman, flanking behind where the first figure stood in what appeared to be traditional warrior garb.
Aapo gasped and took a few steps back as they drew closer. The two warriors had coverings on their faces which appeared to hold water within them, their skin was blue in color, but the most striking features belonged to the man leading the three.
Wings on his ankles that were so white they reflected the moonlight, and ears that pointed to the sky. Aapo had grown up with the stories of the serpent god standing before him. It was unmistakable. He stood frozen as the trio came to a stop just past the surf.
“A wojel mȧax lak’ en.” (You know who I am.) The god stated. Stunned at the address, Aapo took a moment to gather his reeling thoughts.
“Je’el.” (Yes.) He barely whispered, eyes boring into the man. It was as if the world stood still, frozen in a moment in time.
To the left of the god Aapo noticed the male warrior rolling his shoulders, as if to intimidate him. The movement broke his gaze with K'uk'ulkan as Aapo eyed the warrior warily before returning his eyes to the king.
K'uk'ulkan glanced at the warriors, an unspoken order to wait passed between them. He continued up the beach stopping just short of arms length. “You are a spiritual leader amongst your community, no?”
“I am.” Aapo said, the pride breaking through his voice. The king's eye twitched as he watched the elder man straighten his posture a bit.
“So you understand the gravity of me revealing myself to you.” Aapo nodded in acknowledgment. “I am looking for someone here on the surface. Someone important, whom I need to speak to in a manner of urgency.” Aapo listened intently to the god. “I have reason to believe they are somewhere within your community”
“Do you have a name?” Aapo asked. The king shook his head slightly.
“Only a description. We seek the woman with the fire in her eyes.” Aapo’s thoughts began to race again. He tried to rack his brain with the women from his community, ones who could match such a vague description.
“No such woman comes to mind, but it would be an honour to aid in your search.” Aapo gently bowed his head slightly in respect.
“Attuma!” K'uk'ulkan spoke. Turning his attention to his left hand man. The warrior began to walk forward carrying a large shell. Aapo recognized the shell as a atecocolli. Attuma hands the shell to K'uk'ulkan, who turns it over in his hands before offering it to Aapo.
“Search your community. When you find her, speak my name into this shell and place it in the ocean. I will make my way to you from there.” The king states as Aapo takes the shell in his hands. He admires the intricate markings and nods.
“And if I am unable to locate her?” Aapo asked.
“I will return every three months until I find her.” The king stated.
With a final nod of acknowledgement Aapo takes a step back and the king turns to walk back into the sea as Aapo turns to begin the start of his journey along the beach back home.
“Oh and one more thing.” Aapo goes to turn back only to be startled that the god is right in front of him. “Speak of this to no one. I’m sure you know the consequences if you don’t.” K'uk'ulkan looks him up and down with a dangerous smirk.
Aapo swallows and lets out the breath he had been holding. “Of course." He says with severity.
In the blink of an eye the god and his companions are gone leaving him alone on the beach. Two thoughts are on his mind, how is he going to find this woman and what will be the true consequences if he doesn’t.
Present Day - Sisal, Mexico
Today was finally the day you were going to see the school where you will be working for the foreseeable future. Itzel’s parents had continued their welcoming hospitality all week. They had shown you around town, taken you to the local market and helped you and Itzel in securing a new small house to rent just down the road off the school. Now almost a week later you were finally settled in enough to go visit the school.
You, Itzel and her mother were walking over to the school. You enjoyed the salt breeze that had become a comfortable constant in the lovely seaside town. As you approached the school you could see the outer walls adorned with climbing flowering vines with pink and orange blooms. Passing through the gate you entered the primary courtyard. Facing the entrance was a wall which held a beautiful mural which depicted children playing on a playground. The words Bienvenidos a Todos were written in bubbly calligraphy.
“Oh Mrs. Kan! This is beautiful!” you exclaimed.
Itzel’s mother turned to you with a brilliant smile. “Thank you. We take pride in providing a welcoming environment for our students so that they may thrive.”
You followed her towards the left side of the courtyard. The school walls had beautiful windows that looked into the classrooms. Every few windows there was a door to enter each room. Mrs. Kan stopped in front of a nicely painted yellow door labeled 2A.
“This one is your classroom.” She said while unlocking the door and opening it. “When our previous English teacher retired we repainted it and installed new white boards. I hope you like blue.” She chuckled as you stepped into the classroom.
The room was moderated in size with 20 small desks neatly organized in four even rows. A calming shade of sky blue adorned the walls with two white boards at the front of the class room. Just to the left of the boards was a teaching desk with a matching chair. At the back there were two small half book shelves and what looked to be a crafting table with its height adjusted for children.
“I know it’s a little bare bones but it should do the trick.” Itzel’s mother said while you observed the room.
“It’s perfect. Am I allowed to move the furniture around?” you ask. Already planning to change the rows of desks into learning pods.
“Of course. Arrange it in a way that works best for your lesson plans.” she replied. “As I mentioned when we spoke about the position this school teaches Kindergarten to Grade 6. Our English program does not start until second grade so you will be working with Grade 2 - Grade 6.”
“You should totally put a little reading nook right here!” Itzel said with excitement. She gestured over to the back corner which had a particularly large window facing the school's back garden.
“That’s a great idea!” you smiled over at your friend. “I know you mentioned you had a book budget, and that the community had donated so old children's books I could use.”
“Yes! The book donation was organized by a good friend of mine, Aapo. He should be dropping them off sometime soon-” Itzel’s mother was interrupted by a gentle knock on the classroom door.
You turn and see a young man roughly your age in a white t-shirt and cargo shorts. He had a box of what you assume are books on his hip with one arm stabilizing it.
“I don’t mean to interrupt but my dad and I have these books for the school. Is it okay if we put them in the classrooms for the teachers?” he said while readjusting the box.
“Ah, Balam! We were just speaking about those! Yes, yes come in!” Itzel's mother addresses the man, ushering him inside the classroom. “You can set them on the desks.”
You smile as the young man gently places the books on a nearby desk. “Thank you.” you say.
“Oh dios, where are my manners! Balam please meet Y/N. She studied at university with Itzel and is here as our new English teacher.” Mrs. Kan said.
“I guess we will be neighbors then! I’m Balam, the second grade teacher. My classroom is just next door.” He introduced himself as the now four of you began to exit the classroom.
“Where do you want these boxes son?” An older gentleman, whom you assumed is Aapo, approached your small group in the courtyard.
Balam approached his father and reached over to grab the boxes he was carrying. “I’ve got it Dad. Say hello to our new English teacher Y/N” he said as he adjusted his grip on the boxes.
Aapo looked from behind the boxes to smile at you and introduce himself but the smile briefly faltered. When you locked eyes with the older gentlemen you could swear he looked like he had seen a ghost, but just as you noticed you saw the boxes slipping out of his hands.
“Careful dad.” Balam exclaimed. “I didn’t quite have a hold of them.”
“Sorry son. Not as young as I used to be.” Aapo played off his shock.
Once Balam had the boxes in hand Aapo reached over to shake your hand. “It’s nice to meet you. Welcome to Sisal.”
“Oh Aapo! Thank you for helping bring the books!” Itzel’s mother exclaimed. “You must come to dinner tonight as thanks. Y/N and Itzel, you’re expected there too.” She continued on while grabbing onto Aapo’s arm.
You giggled at her antics as you and Itzel helped Balam place the remaining boxes in the other classrooms.
To say the day so far was good was an understatement. As you walked back home with Itzel to get ready for family dinner that evening you couldn’t help but smile in anticipation. You already had some great ideas for the students and meeting a fellow teacher before the school year was putting you one step closer to feeling like you belonged.
-
As Aapo drove home with his son he was quiet. His mind was reeling. There was no mistaking it. You had the fire in your eyes just as the god had described, and now Aapo was trying to get home as quickly as possible. He needed to go to the beach.
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