Blood Tide

The heat was already unbearable and the sun was still low in the sky. All the unwashed bodies packed outside the small temple did nothing to relieve the heat. The air buzzed with excitement as men with painted shoulders, bare chest, thin legs and a loin cloth passed out fried dough. Citali stood on the outside of all the commotion looking for a certain bald male. Coatl promised to meet her before the excitement started. She was scanning the crowd for the fourth time when she felt someone pressed against her. She knew right away it was Coatl, he seemed to think personal space was an option. He slid in front of her as she took him all in. He was tall, dark and seemed to be carved out of stone. His body was all hard lines. His black eyes were framed with dark lashes and lips always seemed to be stained with wine. He wore his traditional leather pants, beaded belt that had an assortment of blades, and like always his chest was bare other then the leather straps that cross his chest. Citali breath always stalled in her lungs when she first saw him. No matter how many times she told herself they were like family, yet she always felt a moment of lust every time. Next to him she looked like a lost peasant. Her black curls seemed faded compared to others. Her eyes were small and the color of water flooded mud. She wore a simple tan dress with a blue beaded hem.

“ I hope I am called today Coatl. Every year since the moon moved my tide I have prayed to be called.”

“I am glad I cannot be called.”

“Well of course this is the blood festival.”

“No I mean ever. My name will never be called for the time of Flesh. I have been picked to be a warrior. You know what that means?”

Of course he knew. In the eyes of everyone Coatl was now a man. He has been chosen to defend them and when time came he would be on the front line of battle. He could never be called to for the festival of the flesh, which was the opposite of today. Today was for blooded unmarried woman, the flesh was for males that were not boys, but not men. Also this meant he could take a wife. Her heart sank with that last thought.

“Of course.”

“Well then there something I need to ask you..I know I have steps to do first but I want to make sure you are okay with it. Will?”

Coatl words were drowned out by the sounds of drums. Every stilled as twelve elders piled out the small temple.  They took their place on a platform in front of the temple.  Without a signal they began reading out names. Citali was the third to last name called.  Her heart raced as she started the walk to the temple. This is what she wanted, things that she wanted never happen for her.  Her smile brightness rivaled the sun. Half way through the crowd she looked back at Coatl to see a look of pain on his face. She let the confusion play across her face for a moment before the smile came back.

Inside the temple things were cooler. Woven images of battles, birth, and sacrifice hung on the stone walls. Citali had only been in the temple once when she was born, so she didn’t really count that. Her lungs ached as the temple was filled with smoke from incense.  The elders led the girls down three hallways before leaving them in a plain room.

A small girl who hair was sea of black girls looked scared. She looked young, maybe even just having one tide. Citali gave her a reassuring smile. It was an honor to have made it this far, fear should never enter your heart. One by one the girls were called out and never returned. Citali was the third to last to be called. They lead her to a dark room with walls covered in animal fur. A small candle hung from the ceiling above the aging elder. He was all loose brown skin and bones. A strong gust of wind would break him. He wore a white beard down to his belly button and nothing else.  Lucky he was bent at an angle that Citali did not have to see what made him a man.

He reached out a long boney finger. Slowly she crossed the room and took a kneeled position in front of him. He grabbed the long curved blade from his side. She could see the girls before her blood dried on to it. With his other hand he grabbed a bowl and placed it between them. He gestured for her arm. Obeying she stretched her out over the bowl. With one quick motion he cut her deep right below the elbow.  Her blood flowed freely in to the bowl. He gestured for her to leave as he raised the bowl to his lips.

She ended up back in a room much like the first, except wooden benches line the wall. None of the girls spoke so Citali didn’t. Time seem to stop as they waited for the last two girls. Finally they were all together, but not for long. One of the elders waved them all out but Citali. He didn’t say anything to her as he left. She didn’t know how long she stayed on the bench before a older woman came to get her.

“Child you have been chosen.  The blood tasting relieved you are the blood that will grow a hearty crop.”

The old maiden took Citali back to her house where her family waited the news. The next morning she would head to temple and as the moon rises the ritual will begin. Her mother cried and hugged her, so did her sisters. Her father stood off the side with heavy eyes. 

With morning light the old maiden knocked on her family’s door.  Back at the temple they cut her long locks to a short sharp bob. Her skin was washed and perfumed. They lined her eyes with black and painted her lids red. Her lips were dyed blood red. Her outfit was simple, a skin tight red dress that fell to her knees. The middle had a complicated cut out showing bits of flesh as she moved.  She has seen girls before her so she knew how she looked, but the reflection in the water they brought her took her by surprised. She looked like a Goddess, this is why she was born.

After she was prepped and ready she was allowed to walk the crowds outside the temple. Towards the back was Coatl. He stood taller then all around him and his eyes were heavy with sadness.

“You are stunning Citali.”

“Then why do you look so sad my oldest friend.”

“Because life has been unfair to me. “

“How? You were picked to be a warrior. You will have any one as your bride, and you will bring such honor to your family.”

“Brides? I shall never marry Citali. I wanted…I wanted you. Don’t you see I was going to ask before they called your name. I love you and I was to save you.”

“Coatl..I do not know what say.”

Their conversation was ended once again with the drums. She didn’t bother looking back this time. She knew what she would see. With each step doubt took more of her heart. This is what she always wanted. To honor her family and to be a Goddess to her people.  But he loved her and he wanted her as his wife. She was on the platform before she knew it. The old maiden guided her to the chair made of stone. She tied her hands to the chair. This is what she wanted, this is what she wanted, she repeated it to herself as the elders began to chant.  The crowded cheered and prayed as her heart raced. It was quick and neat like it was for every sacrificed before her. The blade cut deep and fatal. Her blood freed from her body sprayed the ones in front of the platform. The last sound she heard was Coatl cry out. His voice raw with pain but through the crowd. Rain began to beat down in surprise as her body cooled and went rigid.