“It seems a strange place to build a city,” answered the señor. “I do not think that I should ever sleep sound during the months of inundation, knowing that my life depended upon a single gate.”
“Yet men have slept safely here for a thousand years or more,” she said. “Legend tells us that our ancestors who came up from the coast in ancient days settled on the island by command of their gods, choosing this hollow bed of land to build in, so that rather than submit themselves to foes, as their fathers were forced to do in the country beyond the mountains, they could, if need were, flood the place and perish in the water. For this reason it is that the holy sanctuary of the Nameless god, the Heart of Heaven, is hollowed deep in the rock beneath us, for the waters of the lake would flow in upon it at a touch, burying it and all its treasures from the sight of man for ever. Now, if you have seen enough, I will take you to visit the public workshops where fish is dried, linen woven, and all other industries carried on that are necessary to our comfort,”—and, turning, she led the way with her ladies towards the head of the stairs.
As we drew near to it, however, three men appeared upon the platform, in one of whom I knew Tikal. Seeing Maya he advanced toward her, bowing as he came.
“Lady,” he said, “learning that you were here with these strangers, I have followed you to beg that you will speak with me alone for some few minutes.”
“That I cannot do, cousin,” she answered coldly, “for who knows what colour might afterwards be put upon my words. If you have anything to say to me, say it before us all.”
“That I cannot do,” he replied, “for what I have to say is secret. Still, for your father’s sake, and perhaps for your own, you will do well to hear it.”
“Without a witness I will not listen to you, Tikal.”
“Then, Lady, farewell,” he said, and turned to go.
“Stay, cousin. If you fear to speak before our own people, let this stranger—” and she pointed to me, Ignatio—“be present at our talk. He is of our blood, and can understand our tongue, a discreet man, moreover, one of the Brethren of the Heart.”
“One of the Brethren of the Heart? How can a stranger be a Brother of the Heart? Prove it to me, wanderer.”