THE BATTLE OF ITZSHALKO
Captain Ak'ab'al (meaning "darkness"), the nephew of the Emperor Tunal of the Teotl Empire, led his combined K'iche, Kaqchiquel, and Tsutujil armies into Itzshalko (Izalco, El Salvador), then part of the Kushkatan Kingdom. While the Teotl Empire had been concentrating on its western campaigns with the Tlacao Kingdom, in the east, they waged war with the Nahuas (Pipiles) as well. This was part of the Emperor's strategy of defeating the Tlacao Kingdom by expanding his empire so big it would eventually overshadow his rivals. The battle for Itzshalko commenced with a heavy siege of the city overlooking the great volcano.
The Nahua's heavy resistance resulted in the Teotl Empire's armies making a brief retreat into the forest after coming under heavy fire from their stone throwing machines. Knowing this was a trap, the Pipil waited, refusing to be drawn out. This however - was all part of Ak'ab'al's plans. He used this opportunity to plant dolls dressed as warriors and scattered them about in the forest. At night, in silence, the Teotl army moved to the other side of the city. Meanwhile, the Pipil left their city and went into the forest to plan a surprise attack to ambush the Teotl armies. When the Pipil's arrived at the encampment, to their horror it was empty. Realizing their mistake, the armies rushed back to the city, which they now found completely surrounded. Knowing that fighting them in their own forest would be difficult enough, Ak'ab'al forced the army out. As infiltrating the city would be useless since its civilian population was previously evacuated and thus it was completely empty. In a fierce battle that lasted all night and into the dawn, Ak'ab'al was victorious. Emperor Tunal, acknowledging their fierce resistance did not incorporate them into his empire. Rather he had them give him free access to use their ports, pay a tribute, as well as force them to send their armies to aid the Teotl Empire in times of need. The two states made peace and thus ended the war.
Captain Ak'ab'al is regarded as a warrior prodigy who seldom ever knew defeat. In battle he is always recognized by his death mask and the rattling sound of seashells he wears around his torso. However, he never took fighting too seriously and preferred to drink with courtesans above all. This drew the ire of his cousin - Princess Xoc. After defeating the Nahuas in Itzashalko, Ak'ab'al was ordered by his uncle to aid his daughter in her campaigns against the Mexicans in the west. This news came much to Xoc's annoyance, who believed this move as an indication that her father did not trust her in carrying out the campaign herself. With the prodigious Captain Ak'ab'al now setting his eyes west towards Mexico-Tenochtitlan, will this turn the tide of the war in the Teotl Empire's favor?
Ink drawing by me.
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