Epunamun’s War Journal-Entry 5
July 11th, I think...
Well, I survived the battle, and I’m alive. But not for long.
It all started at sunrise. All 1500 of us filed into our hiding spots across what would soon become the battlefield. My spot was in the bushes, along the first clearing into the field. I was honestly surprised that over a thousand men could hide in one field and be practically invisible. We must’ve waited there for at least an hour. It was complete torture. We were all cramped into tight spaces with nothing to do except await the battle that would determine our fate. After about ten minutes, I realized I would probably go insane unless I found something to do. So I decided to count the number of sounds I heard. When I reached 1,264 sounds, I noticed a sudden increase in noise. I carefully peeked out of the bushes.
A moment later, I needed to change my pants. Marching right beside me was a giant mass of Aztec soldiers. They all wore long, majestic capes and enormous headdresses. They all marched in an orderly fashion, nobody slouching or stepping out of line, all to the beat of two enormous war drums. It was an impressive and terrifying sight to behold. I was scared! But still, we had the element of surprise, and I was sure we would come out on top. Well, kind of sure. Well, not really that sure. But, at least we had the element of surprise.
The Aztec warriors continued to march. Sweat ran down my brow. I remembered the orders: “Don’t attack until all the soldiers have entered the battlefield. That way we can seal them in!” I continued to watch them. A few minutes went by, but it felt like hours. Finally, I received the signal. It was time.
I thought of everything I was protecting: my family, my town, and my world. It brought out a flame in me that I had never felt before. At that point, everything ran in slow motion, and I remember every detail. Every scream, every yell, every man who had died. Exclaiming my best war cry, I burst out of the bushes and quickly chopped a man’s head off with my axe. It felt, in a morbid, disturbing kind of way, satisfactory.
The most disconcerting part of this whole ordeal was that killing almost felt kind of good to me. I finished off the move by using the momentum of the swing to carry my over and injure another man. He screamed in agony, clutching the stump where his arm once was, and fell to the ground. I swiftly stomped on his neck, crushing the vitals inside. I swung at another man’s chest, ripping open flesh and crushing bones.
I tried to end the people’s misery as soon as possible. After all, even though I had to kill people, I was not a sadist. A man struck at me from behind with a spear. I grabbed the spear from him, throwing him off balance. I used his situation to my advantage, and beheaded him.
Suddenly, a large group of men with animal-hide shields and large axes surrounded me. They could tell I was a threat to be reckoned with, and they wanted me out of the way. I had to think fast if I were to beat these guys. I looked around, and decided to first attack the largest man. Similar to them, I figured the battle would be easiest once the biggest threat was out of his way.
I ran at him, and implanted my axe in his shield, hoping to split it. To my surprise, it became implanted into it! The man swung his axe at me, slicing a small chunk out of my shoulder. I howled in pain. The other men were closing in on me. I yanked the axe (still connected to the shield) out of the man’s hands and bashed him over the head with it. He crumpled onto the ground and I turned around to face the other men. I smashed the first man’s skull in, and then threw the axe/shield at another man, knocking him out. I looked around for a weapon and quickly grabbed an axe dropped by one of the many dead people bleeding beside my feet. I sliced through a man’s chest, spewing guts along the ground, and implanted the axe in another man’s head. When I realized that the axe was lodged in his skull and the last man was approaching. I realized I had to beat him with the only weapons I had-my two fists!
I swung at the man before he had a chance to attack me. He blocked the blow with his shield and sent me sprawling onto the ground. He readied his axe for an attack, and I just barely dodged his swing. As it was, the axe snagged onto my cloak, immobilizing me. I looked around for something to attack with. The man grabbed an axe off of the ground. I reached for a nearby spear. My cloak was still attached to the ground by the axe, meaning I could only move a few feet in any direction. I struggled to grab the spear. The Aztec warrior brought his axe down on me! This was the end!
Then I realized I should stop being such an idiot and just use the axe holding my cloak in place to kill this guy. I yanked the axe out of the ground and at the last second cut the man’s legs clean in half. Caught off guard by his sudden dismemberment, the man crashed to the ground right in front of me.
Then I went absolutely crazy. I grabbed that axe and just ran through the battlefield, killing anybody that wasn’t an Incan. I couldn’t believe how good I was at, well, killing. I just ran through that giant mob of Aztecs, dismembering, decapitating, destroying anybody who got in my way. I must’ve killed over fifty men that day.
But then…pain…and darkness…that was all I felt. I must’ve been bashed over the head with something. When I came to, everything was fuzzy. I couldn’t tell what was going on. I felt sick to my stomach. I realized I was rocking. Almost as if I was being carried by somebody. All I heard were footsteps. My mouth tasted of dry blood. What had happened? I thought. The back of my head felt like it was on fire. A wet, thick substance ran down my head. Blood, most likely. I thought. Suddenly, I realized I was feeling very cramped. Wait…no…it can’t be…but I…but they…I’VE BEEN CAPTURED BY THE AZTECS!
This was it. I would have my heart torn out or my skin torn off (or both!) and I would be dead. Why couldn’t I have just been killed on the battlefield? This was horrible. I couldn’t stand it. To pass the time, I started playing around with some oddly-shaped rock bits I found in my little cage-until I realized they were the remnants of my mother’s statue of Quilla. Good lord, they had destroyed the thing. I was surprised to find that my war journal was still intact however.
When my cage was finally set down in the “Prisoner’s Room”, one of the Aztecs accidentally dropped his writing utensil and I quickly grabbed it before he noticed. So that’s where I am now. Trapped in a cage containing what’s left of my mother’s most prized possession, where I can barely move, writing in this journal with a stolen pen while I await my inevitable doom. Honestly, I don’t know why I continue to write in this thing. I suppose it’s just become a little bit of comfort I can spill my thoughts and feelings into.
I don’t even know what I’m feeling now. It’s almost like a mix of fear, depression, worry, anticipation, and desperation. My doom is imminent. My fate is sealed. And there’s nothing I can do about it. Nothing.
6/11/00
6/9/00
Epunamun-Entry 4
Epunamun’s War Journal-Entry 4 July 9th, 1500 6:00
THE AZTECS ARE COMING! We only have one day to prepare for the big attack. The time has come a lot sooner than I expected. I am really scared. And you should see Ayar-Cachi. He’s completely petrified! He won’t even speak to anybody!
Not that there’s anybody to talk to. Most people have fallen almost completely silent. They too are scared. They realize what they may lose tomorrow. Their friends. Their families. Their lives. All gone in an instant. You really appreciate how much you have if you may soon lose it all.
Earlier today, we were hiking along, when we saw somebody running at us. Naturally, we readied our weapons. Then we realized it was just one of the messenger boys. You could tell he had been running for quite a while. He was slumping down, coated in sweat, and his arms were limp. He stumbled a couple times, but eventually he made it to Apo-Mayta.
“Aztecs…coming…soon…” he wheezed. Everyone stared at him. We weren’t expecting to run into the Aztecs for another few days.
“WHEN ARE THEY COMING, BOY!? WE NEED TO KNOW!!” growled Apo-Mayta.
“Tomorrow…noon…about 2000 warriors…” he sputtered. We all gasped. Nobody was expecting 2000. We only had 1500.
“Good job soldier.” Apo-Mayta told the messenger. “NOW SOMEBODY GET THIS MAN A PLACE TO REST! AND THE REST OF YOU, GET MOVING! We have a lot we need to do to prepare!”
If this is my last entry, well, then, you know what happened. Mother, I love you. When I left, you told me I was your little pachacutec. (one who changes the world.) I want you to remember that when I died, I was out changing the world for the better. Father, you taught me to be brave, to be strong, and in my final moments, I will be brave, and I will be strong. Pahuac Maita, my brother, I always looked up to you. I knew you would always be there for me. You protected me when I was younger. Just remember that when I died, I was out protecting you from the Aztecs. Urpi, my dearest sister, my spirit will always watch over you. Goodbye.
THE AZTECS ARE COMING! We only have one day to prepare for the big attack. The time has come a lot sooner than I expected. I am really scared. And you should see Ayar-Cachi. He’s completely petrified! He won’t even speak to anybody!
Not that there’s anybody to talk to. Most people have fallen almost completely silent. They too are scared. They realize what they may lose tomorrow. Their friends. Their families. Their lives. All gone in an instant. You really appreciate how much you have if you may soon lose it all.
Earlier today, we were hiking along, when we saw somebody running at us. Naturally, we readied our weapons. Then we realized it was just one of the messenger boys. You could tell he had been running for quite a while. He was slumping down, coated in sweat, and his arms were limp. He stumbled a couple times, but eventually he made it to Apo-Mayta.
“Aztecs…coming…soon…” he wheezed. Everyone stared at him. We weren’t expecting to run into the Aztecs for another few days.
“WHEN ARE THEY COMING, BOY!? WE NEED TO KNOW!!” growled Apo-Mayta.
“Tomorrow…noon…about 2000 warriors…” he sputtered. We all gasped. Nobody was expecting 2000. We only had 1500.
“Good job soldier.” Apo-Mayta told the messenger. “NOW SOMEBODY GET THIS MAN A PLACE TO REST! AND THE REST OF YOU, GET MOVING! We have a lot we need to do to prepare!”
If this is my last entry, well, then, you know what happened. Mother, I love you. When I left, you told me I was your little pachacutec. (one who changes the world.) I want you to remember that when I died, I was out changing the world for the better. Father, you taught me to be brave, to be strong, and in my final moments, I will be brave, and I will be strong. Pahuac Maita, my brother, I always looked up to you. I knew you would always be there for me. You protected me when I was younger. Just remember that when I died, I was out protecting you from the Aztecs. Urpi, my dearest sister, my spirit will always watch over you. Goodbye.
6/7/00
Epunamun-Entry 3
Epunamun’s War Journal-Entry 3 July 7th, 1500 9:00
Sorry I haven’t been writing lately. Apo-Mayta has been working us like dogs and I’ve barely had the time-let alone the effort-to write in this journal. Finally, I’ve got some free time where I’m not completely exhausted, so I’ll explain what’s been happening.
For some reason, after those first two days, Apo-Mayta really kicked us into gear. The other day he forced us to hike for nearly EIGHTEEN hours! Everyone was out like a log the instant we were finally allowed to rest. I figure we might’ve traveled over 200 miles since we left home. I can’t believe we’ve gone so far in just 6 days, but Apo-Mayta said we still had a long way to go.
The other day, we finally got an explanation for why we had suddenly been forced into overdrive.
“As you know, one of the main advantages of the Aztecs is that they tell us in advance when and where they are going to do battle with us.” Explained Apo-Mayta, “This allows us to be able to ambush them while they’re on their way to the battle. Well, a few days ago, I received word that the Aztecs were a little farther along than we had anticipated. To make sure we were at the ambush site in time, I had to get this group moving a lot faster. Luckily, you are turning out to be one of the best groups I have ever had. I must say, I’m proud to be your sinchi.”
Another thing I’ve found out is why we have such a small group. As we traveled, we met up with other small groups the same size as us, and we formed together. Soon, about ten of these small groups (including ours) had joined together and we were a hundred strong. I bet a few of these hundred-sized-groups will probably also meet up for the battle. It’s really a good idea, when you think about it. It allows for humongous armies to exist but still have discipline among individuals.
The Aztecs are approaching. I can feel it. We’ve got a hundred soldiers so far, and more arrive every day. But will it be enough to defeat the oncoming threat? I don’t know. Every day I learn more about them, but I’m not ready to take them on yet. I just hope I will be when the time comes.
Sorry I haven’t been writing lately. Apo-Mayta has been working us like dogs and I’ve barely had the time-let alone the effort-to write in this journal. Finally, I’ve got some free time where I’m not completely exhausted, so I’ll explain what’s been happening.
For some reason, after those first two days, Apo-Mayta really kicked us into gear. The other day he forced us to hike for nearly EIGHTEEN hours! Everyone was out like a log the instant we were finally allowed to rest. I figure we might’ve traveled over 200 miles since we left home. I can’t believe we’ve gone so far in just 6 days, but Apo-Mayta said we still had a long way to go.
The other day, we finally got an explanation for why we had suddenly been forced into overdrive.
“As you know, one of the main advantages of the Aztecs is that they tell us in advance when and where they are going to do battle with us.” Explained Apo-Mayta, “This allows us to be able to ambush them while they’re on their way to the battle. Well, a few days ago, I received word that the Aztecs were a little farther along than we had anticipated. To make sure we were at the ambush site in time, I had to get this group moving a lot faster. Luckily, you are turning out to be one of the best groups I have ever had. I must say, I’m proud to be your sinchi.”
Another thing I’ve found out is why we have such a small group. As we traveled, we met up with other small groups the same size as us, and we formed together. Soon, about ten of these small groups (including ours) had joined together and we were a hundred strong. I bet a few of these hundred-sized-groups will probably also meet up for the battle. It’s really a good idea, when you think about it. It allows for humongous armies to exist but still have discipline among individuals.
The Aztecs are approaching. I can feel it. We’ve got a hundred soldiers so far, and more arrive every day. But will it be enough to defeat the oncoming threat? I don’t know. Every day I learn more about them, but I’m not ready to take them on yet. I just hope I will be when the time comes.
6/2/00
Epunamun’s War Journal-Entry Two
Epunamun-Entry Two July 2nd, 1500 9:00 PM
Well, my unit sinchi is a complete jerk. Ugh. Well, I suppose that maybe it’s a good thing he’s so mean. Otherwise he might not be able to whip my group into shape. But still, it’s kind of a pain. Ayar-Cachi was not in good shape after our first encounter with him. I feel bad for the poor guy. But I’m getting ahead of myself. I should begin at the start of the day.
It was just like any other day, until I heard that drumbeat I knew meant it was time to go. I had seen my father leave with the military, then my brother, and now it was my turn. I said goodbye to my mother and father and then to Pahuac Mayta and Urpi. I looked around my little stone house and sighed. I would not see everybody for at least a month, and that was only it I survived.
“Epunamun!” the voice outside thundered. I sighed. This was it. As I headed over to the front door, my mother stopped me.
“Oh, my Epunamun, please don’t go!” she begged.
“Mamacona, you know I have to go. Please, don’t make this harder than it needs to be. I cannot deny the call to duty.” I told her.
“Epunamun, you are my cusi, and I cannot bear to lose you.” She moaned. “But since I cannot convince you to stay, I at least want you to have this.”
I gasped. She wanted me to have her sacred statue of Quilla, the moon god. It was her prized possession. She only took it out on the rarest occasions. She barely wanted people to look at it when she did! And now she was giving it to ME.
“Mother, I cannot take that. It is yours! I can’t even believe you’re considering this!”
“Oh come now, Epunamun. You need it much more than I do.” She reassured. Suddenly, the voice yelled out again, “EPUNAMUN!!”
“Don’t worry mother, I will take care of it with my life.” I promised.
“I believe you, son, now go, my little pachacutec.” She told me, and rushed me out the door, where I ran smack into the largest man I have ever seen in my life. He was at least 6’ 5”, his breath smelled of day-old chicha, and he was muscular in every sense of the word. His outfit was completely magnificent! He wore and incredible headdress, a cape made of what appeared to be poma hide, and his armor was every color of the rainbow!
“EPUUNAMUUUUN!” he bellowed so loud my ears popped. “What took you so long!?” As he went on about respect, discipline, and order, I allowed my eyes to wander a bit. I noticed I was the last one to be picked up for the unit; there were 9 other guys standing a little to the left. Other than Ayar-Cachi, (who was completely petrified) I only recognized a few faces. There were the two twins who lived down the road from me, a couple of my brother’s friends, and a few older men that I didn’t recognize.
“…and maintain dignity throughout this army! Do you understand!?” I realized he had wrapped up so I quickly straightened up and said, “SIR, YES SIR!”
“Goooood, so now you can go join the other soldiers.” He said. “Go right next to Ayarchi there.”
“Umm…sir…it…it’s…um, Ayar-Cachi, sir…” Ayar-Cachi mumbled. Well, at least the poor guy is standing up for himself, if rather meekly.
“Well, at this point, It’s not important, so until I need to know your name, you can be NYUNYUMA for all I care.” The sinchi rambled. Wow, I thought. I don’t even know the guy’s name and I hate him.
“Now, as you know, the Aztecs are obsessed with war, and apparently, it’s our turn to be their little war victims. Well, we’re not going to let them tear our hearts out, and you know why!?”
Nobody really wanted to answer, but we also didn’t want to feel the wrath of this guy either, so we all shouted out our loudest,
“WHY SIR WHY!?”
“I’ll tell you why,” he went on again, “because we’re INCAS!!! We have the SKILL, the STRATEGY, and the GUTS to beat these guys! Now, I am your general, Apo-Mayta. While on this expedition you will treat me with the highest respect or you will suffer unimaginable pain. HAVE I MADE MYSELF CLEAR!?”
“SIR YES SIR!”
“Now, listen. We will be traveling through some of the most dangerous terrain known to man, and we will have to be quick if we are to intercept the enemy. That means there is to be no fooling around whatsoever! DO YOU UNDERSTAND!?”
“SIR YES SIR!”
“We will be traveling through EXTREMELY harsh circumstances nonstop for long periods of time. Often you will be very uncomfortable. But I do NOT want to hear ANY complaining. GOT IT!?”
“SIR YES SIR!”
This went on for about 10 minutes, as he explained strategy, group fundamentals, and a bunch of other things. But seriously, I’m just surprised he managed to come up with about 20 ways to get us to say ‘Sir Yes Sir’! Anyway, after that, we marched off to the town warehouse, where we were supplied with tents, eating utensils, fresh clothes, and enough food to last about 2 weeks, if we were conservative. Then, we were off.
We strapped our equipment to our backs and started hiking into the who-knows-where. We hiked for 12 hours, going about 26 miles, before Apo-Mayta finally let us settle camp at about 7:00. We still have a long way to go from now. There may be dangers and there may be risks. I don’t know what’s going to happen when we get farther and farther away from Incan territory. I don’t know if I’m going to survive. Heck, I don’t even know where we’re heading! But there is one thing I am completely sure of:
My unit sinchi is a complete JERK!
Well, my unit sinchi is a complete jerk. Ugh. Well, I suppose that maybe it’s a good thing he’s so mean. Otherwise he might not be able to whip my group into shape. But still, it’s kind of a pain. Ayar-Cachi was not in good shape after our first encounter with him. I feel bad for the poor guy. But I’m getting ahead of myself. I should begin at the start of the day.
It was just like any other day, until I heard that drumbeat I knew meant it was time to go. I had seen my father leave with the military, then my brother, and now it was my turn. I said goodbye to my mother and father and then to Pahuac Mayta and Urpi. I looked around my little stone house and sighed. I would not see everybody for at least a month, and that was only it I survived.
“Epunamun!” the voice outside thundered. I sighed. This was it. As I headed over to the front door, my mother stopped me.
“Oh, my Epunamun, please don’t go!” she begged.
“Mamacona, you know I have to go. Please, don’t make this harder than it needs to be. I cannot deny the call to duty.” I told her.
“Epunamun, you are my cusi, and I cannot bear to lose you.” She moaned. “But since I cannot convince you to stay, I at least want you to have this.”
I gasped. She wanted me to have her sacred statue of Quilla, the moon god. It was her prized possession. She only took it out on the rarest occasions. She barely wanted people to look at it when she did! And now she was giving it to ME.
“Mother, I cannot take that. It is yours! I can’t even believe you’re considering this!”
“Oh come now, Epunamun. You need it much more than I do.” She reassured. Suddenly, the voice yelled out again, “EPUNAMUN!!”
“Don’t worry mother, I will take care of it with my life.” I promised.
“I believe you, son, now go, my little pachacutec.” She told me, and rushed me out the door, where I ran smack into the largest man I have ever seen in my life. He was at least 6’ 5”, his breath smelled of day-old chicha, and he was muscular in every sense of the word. His outfit was completely magnificent! He wore and incredible headdress, a cape made of what appeared to be poma hide, and his armor was every color of the rainbow!
“EPUUNAMUUUUN!” he bellowed so loud my ears popped. “What took you so long!?” As he went on about respect, discipline, and order, I allowed my eyes to wander a bit. I noticed I was the last one to be picked up for the unit; there were 9 other guys standing a little to the left. Other than Ayar-Cachi, (who was completely petrified) I only recognized a few faces. There were the two twins who lived down the road from me, a couple of my brother’s friends, and a few older men that I didn’t recognize.
“…and maintain dignity throughout this army! Do you understand!?” I realized he had wrapped up so I quickly straightened up and said, “SIR, YES SIR!”
“Goooood, so now you can go join the other soldiers.” He said. “Go right next to Ayarchi there.”
“Umm…sir…it…it’s…um, Ayar-Cachi, sir…” Ayar-Cachi mumbled. Well, at least the poor guy is standing up for himself, if rather meekly.
“Well, at this point, It’s not important, so until I need to know your name, you can be NYUNYUMA for all I care.” The sinchi rambled. Wow, I thought. I don’t even know the guy’s name and I hate him.
“Now, as you know, the Aztecs are obsessed with war, and apparently, it’s our turn to be their little war victims. Well, we’re not going to let them tear our hearts out, and you know why!?”
Nobody really wanted to answer, but we also didn’t want to feel the wrath of this guy either, so we all shouted out our loudest,
“WHY SIR WHY!?”
“I’ll tell you why,” he went on again, “because we’re INCAS!!! We have the SKILL, the STRATEGY, and the GUTS to beat these guys! Now, I am your general, Apo-Mayta. While on this expedition you will treat me with the highest respect or you will suffer unimaginable pain. HAVE I MADE MYSELF CLEAR!?”
“SIR YES SIR!”
“Now, listen. We will be traveling through some of the most dangerous terrain known to man, and we will have to be quick if we are to intercept the enemy. That means there is to be no fooling around whatsoever! DO YOU UNDERSTAND!?”
“SIR YES SIR!”
“We will be traveling through EXTREMELY harsh circumstances nonstop for long periods of time. Often you will be very uncomfortable. But I do NOT want to hear ANY complaining. GOT IT!?”
“SIR YES SIR!”
This went on for about 10 minutes, as he explained strategy, group fundamentals, and a bunch of other things. But seriously, I’m just surprised he managed to come up with about 20 ways to get us to say ‘Sir Yes Sir’! Anyway, after that, we marched off to the town warehouse, where we were supplied with tents, eating utensils, fresh clothes, and enough food to last about 2 weeks, if we were conservative. Then, we were off.
We strapped our equipment to our backs and started hiking into the who-knows-where. We hiked for 12 hours, going about 26 miles, before Apo-Mayta finally let us settle camp at about 7:00. We still have a long way to go from now. There may be dangers and there may be risks. I don’t know what’s going to happen when we get farther and farther away from Incan territory. I don’t know if I’m going to survive. Heck, I don’t even know where we’re heading! But there is one thing I am completely sure of:
My unit sinchi is a complete JERK!
Ayar-Cachi-Entry 2
Ayar-Cachi’s Journal-Entry 2 July 2nd, 1500 8:00
I HATE my unit sinchi! He is the worst man I have ever met! (oh man, I hope he never gets his hands on this…) He has the compassion level of a hungry uturuncu, the strength of an ozcollo, and the intelligence of a cui! Not a good combination for a guy who’s going to be LEADING US INTO A WAR!! Hopefully he’ll turn out a bit better than my first impressions have led me to believe. Unfortunately, first impressions often turn out to be VERY accurate, so I doubt I can count on it.
The day started with the THUM, THUM, THUM, of a war drum. ‘Time to go’ I thought. I gathered up all my stuff and goodbye to everybody.
“Goodbye mother, goodbye father.” I said.
“Farewell, my son, may you have safe journeys and return home soon” my mother told me. A tear rolled down my eyes. I had a horrible feeling that I would not return. I gave the two a big hug
“AYAAAAAR-CACH!” boomed a voice from outside. Not wanting the tearful farewell to last any longer, I quickly ran out the door.
At that point, I nearly messed my self, because in front of me was the biggest, burliest, and most intimidating man I have ever seen. He was at least 7 feet tall, and he had muscles so big that I’m pretty sure they could count as weapons. His long black hair obviously hadn’t been tended to in months. His dark brown eyes felt like they were looking straight into my soul! I had to stop myself from passing out.
The man looked me over. “Are you Ayar-Cachi?” he questioned.
“y…yy…yes ss…sir…” I squeaked. He stared intently at me. I gulped. Eventually, he reached down and patted me on the back. I flinched.
“Ha ha ha, I suppose you’ll do.” He chuckled to me. “Now, go line up with the others. We’ve got one more soldier to collect. Some guy named Eh-poona-mun.”
As we marched over to Epunamun’s house, I looked over at the other soldiers. I noticed the Guachimine twins were in our group, as well as a few of my father’s friends, but I didn’t recognize anybody else. It was clearly apparent that they liked our group sinchi just as much as I did: not at all.
So at least we’re all in the same boat, I thought. Finally, we arrived at Epunamun’s house.
“Epunamun!” our sinchi thundered. Suddenly I realized that I did not even know this guy’s name. I suppose he had a lot to say, so he was waiting until he got everybody together to say it so that he wouldn’t have to repeat himself.
After a few seconds, Epunamun hadn’t come out yet, so the sinchi moved a little closer to the door and yelled out,
“EPUNAMUN!”
There was some shuffling in the house, and you could faintly make out two people talking. Suddenly, the door opened and Epunamun ran straight into the sinchi. I gulped.
“EPUUNAMUUUUN! What TOOK so long!?” I stepped back a foot. As the sinchi went on about respect or something like that, I noticed Epunamun subtly examining our group. He noticed a few people, probably more than me. I waved to him. His face brightened a bit.
“Do you understand!?” boomed the sinchi.
“SIR YES SIR!” Epunamun responded.
“Goooood, so now you can go join the other soldiers.” He said. “Go right next to Ayarchi there.”
“Umm…sir…it…it’s…um, Ayar-Cachi, sir.” I mumbled. I noticed Epunamun’s face brighten up a little when I said this.
“Well, at this point, it’s not important, so until I need to know your name, you can be NYUNYUMA for all I care.” Ugh. That remark really stung me. It’s still kind of hurting me right now.
When Epunamun got to me, I at least felt a little better. Then the sinchi went off about the Aztec, strategy, and stuff like that. I wasn’t paying that much attention, I just let my mind wander and screamed out “SIR YES SIR” whenever necessary.
After that, we went to the old building I had never been inside. I’d always wondered what it was used for, and now I was finally finding out. It turns out it contained fresh supplies for any military groups that passed by. When you think about it, it’s a genius way of making sure the military always has enough supplies. It also explained where the crops we had to give up to “government funding” went. Probably good they left its relevance a secret, otherwise word would have spread and all the spies and saboteurs would have quickly depleted or destroyed the resources.
Then, after we gathered our supplies, we headed out and hiked for what felt like FOREVER, though Epunamun later told me it was about 12 hours. Anyway, I was so exhausted that right now I barely have enough energy to keep writing. In fact, I think I’ll stop right about now.
I HATE my unit sinchi! He is the worst man I have ever met! (oh man, I hope he never gets his hands on this…) He has the compassion level of a hungry uturuncu, the strength of an ozcollo, and the intelligence of a cui! Not a good combination for a guy who’s going to be LEADING US INTO A WAR!! Hopefully he’ll turn out a bit better than my first impressions have led me to believe. Unfortunately, first impressions often turn out to be VERY accurate, so I doubt I can count on it.
The day started with the THUM, THUM, THUM, of a war drum. ‘Time to go’ I thought. I gathered up all my stuff and goodbye to everybody.
“Goodbye mother, goodbye father.” I said.
“Farewell, my son, may you have safe journeys and return home soon” my mother told me. A tear rolled down my eyes. I had a horrible feeling that I would not return. I gave the two a big hug
“AYAAAAAR-CACH!” boomed a voice from outside. Not wanting the tearful farewell to last any longer, I quickly ran out the door.
At that point, I nearly messed my self, because in front of me was the biggest, burliest, and most intimidating man I have ever seen. He was at least 7 feet tall, and he had muscles so big that I’m pretty sure they could count as weapons. His long black hair obviously hadn’t been tended to in months. His dark brown eyes felt like they were looking straight into my soul! I had to stop myself from passing out.
The man looked me over. “Are you Ayar-Cachi?” he questioned.
“y…yy…yes ss…sir…” I squeaked. He stared intently at me. I gulped. Eventually, he reached down and patted me on the back. I flinched.
“Ha ha ha, I suppose you’ll do.” He chuckled to me. “Now, go line up with the others. We’ve got one more soldier to collect. Some guy named Eh-poona-mun.”
As we marched over to Epunamun’s house, I looked over at the other soldiers. I noticed the Guachimine twins were in our group, as well as a few of my father’s friends, but I didn’t recognize anybody else. It was clearly apparent that they liked our group sinchi just as much as I did: not at all.
So at least we’re all in the same boat, I thought. Finally, we arrived at Epunamun’s house.
“Epunamun!” our sinchi thundered. Suddenly I realized that I did not even know this guy’s name. I suppose he had a lot to say, so he was waiting until he got everybody together to say it so that he wouldn’t have to repeat himself.
After a few seconds, Epunamun hadn’t come out yet, so the sinchi moved a little closer to the door and yelled out,
“EPUNAMUN!”
There was some shuffling in the house, and you could faintly make out two people talking. Suddenly, the door opened and Epunamun ran straight into the sinchi. I gulped.
“EPUUNAMUUUUN! What TOOK so long!?” I stepped back a foot. As the sinchi went on about respect or something like that, I noticed Epunamun subtly examining our group. He noticed a few people, probably more than me. I waved to him. His face brightened a bit.
“Do you understand!?” boomed the sinchi.
“SIR YES SIR!” Epunamun responded.
“Goooood, so now you can go join the other soldiers.” He said. “Go right next to Ayarchi there.”
“Umm…sir…it…it’s…um, Ayar-Cachi, sir.” I mumbled. I noticed Epunamun’s face brighten up a little when I said this.
“Well, at this point, it’s not important, so until I need to know your name, you can be NYUNYUMA for all I care.” Ugh. That remark really stung me. It’s still kind of hurting me right now.
When Epunamun got to me, I at least felt a little better. Then the sinchi went off about the Aztec, strategy, and stuff like that. I wasn’t paying that much attention, I just let my mind wander and screamed out “SIR YES SIR” whenever necessary.
After that, we went to the old building I had never been inside. I’d always wondered what it was used for, and now I was finally finding out. It turns out it contained fresh supplies for any military groups that passed by. When you think about it, it’s a genius way of making sure the military always has enough supplies. It also explained where the crops we had to give up to “government funding” went. Probably good they left its relevance a secret, otherwise word would have spread and all the spies and saboteurs would have quickly depleted or destroyed the resources.
Then, after we gathered our supplies, we headed out and hiked for what felt like FOREVER, though Epunamun later told me it was about 12 hours. Anyway, I was so exhausted that right now I barely have enough energy to keep writing. In fact, I think I’ll stop right about now.
6/1/00
Ayar Cachi-Entry One
Ayar-Cachi’s War Journal-Entry One. July 1st, 1500 7:30
Well, I saw that Epunamun had a war journal, so I decided to write one too. It probably won’t be as good as his, but oh well.
I am terrified of going out in the military. Going out to fight the Aztecs scares the HECK out of me! I just know I’m going to be killed. Hopefully I can at least take a few Aztecs with me. That’s another reason I’m writing this. Considering I’ll probably die during the first battle, I want my parents to have something to remember me by. Sheesh. One blade through the head and I’m done for. Just thinking about it gives me the shivers…
So I’m glad that Epunamun will be with me to clam me down. Otherwise, I’d probably go insane with fear. I’m sure he’ll also try to protect me as much as he can during battles. I’ll try to do the same, but I probably won’t be much help. During war training, I just barely passed the test, and that was only with a little help from Epunamun. He’s had my back for as long as I can remember.
Well, tomorrow is the big day, so I better be ready for it. Although there is no way I’m ready for it.
Well, I saw that Epunamun had a war journal, so I decided to write one too. It probably won’t be as good as his, but oh well.
I am terrified of going out in the military. Going out to fight the Aztecs scares the HECK out of me! I just know I’m going to be killed. Hopefully I can at least take a few Aztecs with me. That’s another reason I’m writing this. Considering I’ll probably die during the first battle, I want my parents to have something to remember me by. Sheesh. One blade through the head and I’m done for. Just thinking about it gives me the shivers…
So I’m glad that Epunamun will be with me to clam me down. Otherwise, I’d probably go insane with fear. I’m sure he’ll also try to protect me as much as he can during battles. I’ll try to do the same, but I probably won’t be much help. During war training, I just barely passed the test, and that was only with a little help from Epunamun. He’s had my back for as long as I can remember.
Well, tomorrow is the big day, so I better be ready for it. Although there is no way I’m ready for it.
Epunamun-Entry One
Epunamun's ‘s War Journal-Entry 1. July 1st, 1500. 7:00
Well, the Aztecs have just declared war on us again. It’s not really that big of a deal, except I just turned 25, which means it’s my turn to become an Aucu. Anyway, I get shipped out tomorrow. I’m not that nervous. It’s just that the Aztecs have been a bit low on sacrifice volunteers as of late, and I’m not exactly a fan of having my heart torn out.
Now, I’ve decided to create a war journal to document my adventures in Aztec territory in case I don’t make it. I figure I owe it to my family to let them know how I went out. My mother has been blubbering over my recent enlistment into the military, so I can just imagine how she would weep if she found out I had been killed. I’m sure finding out how it all went down might at least ease the pain.
My friend Ayar-Cachi is in my military unit, which comforts me. I’m glad I’ll have somebody close to me to help ease the pain I know is coming. He’s excited that we’re going to be together as well, but I can tell he’s very fearful of what is to come. Hopefully, I can calm his nerves over the trip.
Anyway, today was just like any other day. I got up at six with my father and my brother, Pahuac Maita. (he had just finished his rotation with the millitary) We ate a quick bowl of cornmeal (prepared by my mother and my sister Urpi) and then headed out to the chacras. It was the first day of the Plowing Month, which means we really had to get going.
The Llamactu had specified three chacras up in the Quencha to tend to today, so we each took one. And as I plowed the Papa Chacra, I allowed my mind to wander. What would the Aztec civilization be like? How would they fight? I had only received simple war training, and I doubted it would be enough for to prepare me with the task ahead. I just hoped Ayar-Cachi and I would be okay. I don’t think I could bear telling Ayar-Cachi’s mother of her son’s death, or vice-versa.
After the work was done, I headed back home. The girls had already cooked our meal (Locro, my Favorite!) and we ate. Now, the sun has set, and I’m Writing this by the light of my fire. I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but whatever it is, I’m ready.
Well, the Aztecs have just declared war on us again. It’s not really that big of a deal, except I just turned 25, which means it’s my turn to become an Aucu. Anyway, I get shipped out tomorrow. I’m not that nervous. It’s just that the Aztecs have been a bit low on sacrifice volunteers as of late, and I’m not exactly a fan of having my heart torn out.
Now, I’ve decided to create a war journal to document my adventures in Aztec territory in case I don’t make it. I figure I owe it to my family to let them know how I went out. My mother has been blubbering over my recent enlistment into the military, so I can just imagine how she would weep if she found out I had been killed. I’m sure finding out how it all went down might at least ease the pain.
My friend Ayar-Cachi is in my military unit, which comforts me. I’m glad I’ll have somebody close to me to help ease the pain I know is coming. He’s excited that we’re going to be together as well, but I can tell he’s very fearful of what is to come. Hopefully, I can calm his nerves over the trip.
Anyway, today was just like any other day. I got up at six with my father and my brother, Pahuac Maita. (he had just finished his rotation with the millitary) We ate a quick bowl of cornmeal (prepared by my mother and my sister Urpi) and then headed out to the chacras. It was the first day of the Plowing Month, which means we really had to get going.
The Llamactu had specified three chacras up in the Quencha to tend to today, so we each took one. And as I plowed the Papa Chacra, I allowed my mind to wander. What would the Aztec civilization be like? How would they fight? I had only received simple war training, and I doubted it would be enough for to prepare me with the task ahead. I just hoped Ayar-Cachi and I would be okay. I don’t think I could bear telling Ayar-Cachi’s mother of her son’s death, or vice-versa.
After the work was done, I headed back home. The girls had already cooked our meal (Locro, my Favorite!) and we ate. Now, the sun has set, and I’m Writing this by the light of my fire. I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but whatever it is, I’m ready.
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