Title: Jade

Author: Sheila Painter

Disclaimer: The concept of Immortals belongs to Davis/Panzer Corp. and no copyright infringement is intended. The original characters belong to the author. This story is part of the Immortal Witches AU created by Claudia. The immortal witches characters of Wesa and Kanetsidohi belong to Santuario list members Connie and Claudia.

Rating: R

Warnings: Contains violence and human sacrifices. Contains some course language.

Notes: The spelling of Xila changes to Tsila in the other Chronicles of the Immortal Witches. Jade is the Mayan symbol of immortality. I'X is the Jaguar and means medicine man. It is also the symbol of the female and of timelessness. Kemen is death and transformation. Xibalba is the Mayan underworld where souls go when you die.

By Sheila Painter. 

A calm breeze rustled leaves as it disturbed their silent vigil over the courtyard. It cooled the young warriors as they prepared their weapons for the battle they knew would come. They jabbed and shoved each other in mock combat, each stealing a glance at the young girls watching the display from the royal house. Xila watched one warrior in particular. He stood, his lean legs stretching out to form tight muscular cords. His bronze skin seemed to glow in the bright sunlight, as if he possessed the power of the gods. He looked at the royal house, catching her gaze and smiled. Xila's heart skipped a beat. He had noticed her. She quickly diverted her eyes, turning them away from his strong angular face to look at her weaving project.

He caught you again, she chastised, feeling the warmth spreading across her checks. She pulled the brightly colored fibers through the waiting strands. It was the third time in as many days that he had caught her admiring his form. Her heart thumped against her chest when she thought of the small knowing grin he gave her each time their eyes meet. But in the end he would always turn back to his task as if she didn't exist. Xila sighed as she pulled another strand through her cloth. He probably thinks I am a foolish girl.

"I'xKemen will make a good mate."

Xila's head jerked up, her gold earrings clinking against her thick necklace. She frowned at her sister, heat rising from her stomach upward to redden her face. "Yes, I suppose he would, but I was admiring all of our warriors' skills, Ka'n."

Ka'n chuckled, a merry glint in her eyes. "I see. I am in need of a mate. I think that I will go talk to him."

"No!" Xila popped up from her seated position to block her path. Her sister's laughter rang in her ears causing her blood to rush to her head and pound at her temple. "It is not like that... I... you should not bother the warriors when they are practicing."

A flock of scarlet macaws burst from the tree tops, their cries sending vibrations throughout the jungle. Xila looked up at the brightly colored birds as they moved across the sky. She then turned her head to the trees where they had perched only moments before and saw the jungle come to life. Warriors from the neighboring city flooded into the courtyard. Shouts mingled with cries of agony and fear as the attackers pushed their way to the royal house. Xila dropped the unfinished cloth. Her eyes widened as she watched the chaos. Run! her mind screamed but her feet disobeyed, instead remaining rooted in their position. She heard her sister screaming in the distance, a hollow echo among the other shouts.

A strong hand grabbed her shoulder and tried to pull her off the steps. "NO!" She swung around, bringing her arms up to attack.

"Hurry," I'xKemen urged. "Into the trees. They are looking for royal scarifies."

"Ka'n. They have her. And what about mother and father?"

He scanned the city, sweat beading on his face. "I will come back for them. We must go now."

She allowed him to pull her into the forest, her mind numbing to the fear that knotted in her stomach. She didn't notice the slaps and scratches from the foliage as he guided her deep into the dense vegetation. The only external stimulus her mind allowed into its consciousness was his strong grip on her hand, urgently pulling her along behind him. She had no concept of the passage of time and didn't know how long they had been running when he finally stopped and crouched down, pulling her along with him, to rest on the ground. His labored breathing mingled with the rustling and calling of the jungle animals to fill her ears with the primal melody.

"We will rest here a moment then I will take you to the abandoned city. Once you are safe within the city I will go back for your family." She stared into the green walls ahead. "Xila?" His plea went unanswered.

He grabbed her shoulders and shook her lightly then took her face in his hands and force her to look at him. "They are still alive. It will take some time to prepare them for the ceremony. Hear me!"

I'xKemen's words penetrated her closed mind and she blinked at him. His brow creased as his brown eyes searched her face.

"Ka'n.. I heard..." She began sobbing softly.

"She is still alive." He felt her tremble and pulled her to him. Cradling her against his chest, he wrapped his strong arms around her. "I will protect you," he promised.

She listened to the pounding of his heart beneath her ear. It's steady rhythm soothing her frazzled nerves. She allowed his promise to fill her own heart with hope even though she knew he was but one man and could not possible win a battle against a whole army. He stroked her hair then his voice brushed her ear in a soft sigh. "We must keep going."

She sniffled the looked up at him and nodded as she pulled away from him. "I am sorry. I am acting like a foolish child."

He stood up then reached down for her hand, pulling her to her feet. "You are neither a child nor foolish." He cupped her head in his hands and looked into her eyes. "There is no dishonor in feeling fear for your family."

She allowed a weak smile to touch her mouth. "I am grateful that you are here. Will it take long to reach the city?"

"Not too long. Are you ready?" She nodded and he took her hand, leading her to the safety of the abandoned city.

The sun slowly made it's way across the cloudless sky, sitting high above them by the time Ix'Kemen ended their journey by stepping into the clearing. They stood and looked at the stone buildings standing as silent reminders to the civilization that had flourished there only a year before. Vines wound their way around the structures in their mission to erase the evidence that a great city once existed there. The jungle always reclaimed the dead.

They headed for the main structure at the head of the courtyard. Xila stared up at the stone steps that reached for the heavens. It looked so much like their home. She blinked away the hot tears stinging her eyes and bit her trembling lip. She felt his hand squeeze her own, sending some of his strength to her through his touch.

"Go inside," he ordered. "You will be safe here until I get back."

Her heart thumped against her chest at the thought of him leaving. "You can not fight a whole army of warriors. Do not go."

He chuckled and squeezed her hand tighter. "I do not plan on taking 'a whole army'. I am going to sneak into the temple and try to get your family out. If the gods are with me, I won't arouse their attention."

"They will have guards."

"I can handle a few guards. Plus I am hopeful that I will meet with some of my fellow warriors." She frowned and dropped her head. "Do not worry so. Now go inside and stay there until I return."

"Be careful." She walked up several of the steps then turned back to look at him. She watched as he disappeared into the jungle then walked up the rest of the way to the entrance.

She watched the sun move across the sky to disappear beyond the horizon and then the moon rose full and bright into the night sky. The jungle rustled and creaked as the animals began their nocturnal forages. She listened to their calls and growls. How can I tell the difference between the jungle noises and those of the enemy, she thought as the dark figures moved about.

Xila stretched out on the cold floor and stared out into the night, letting her eyes drift closed. She felt a soft brushing sensation begin to move up her leg, as if a translucent hand were gliding a finger across her skin. She quickly sat up and ran her hand down her leg, knocking off a beetle that was crawling across her calf. The moonlight reflected off the slick, shiny shells of the hundred or so insects that scurried on the stones about the room. Xila jumped up and rubbed her hands over her body to dislodge any of the creatures that were on her then ran out of the house and halfway down the stairs.

A crumbling stone gave way underfoot and she tumbled down the remaining stairs. Xila landed on the bottom stair on her arm, snapping it with the weight of her body. She cried out as the sharp pain shot out from the break up to her shoulder. The dissonance caused a stir in the animal life which rippled through the night. Xila sat up, cradling her arm to her chest. I am so foolish, she chastised. Now what am I going to do without a healer?

Something large came crashing through the darkness. She scrambled to her feet and took a step backward as a figure stumbled into the clearing. "Run!" Ix'Kemen shouted as he collapsed to the ground.

She ran to him and tried to pull him to his feet with her uninjured arm. The shaft of a spear stuck out of his shoulder, the head buried deep into his muscle. The metallic smell of his blood stung her nose and she could feel the sticky wet fluid as it ran down his side. Her heart thumped against her chest and a tight knot twisted her stomach.

"Go! Leave me," he begged, trying to push her away. "They are coming."

"No, I will not leave you. Hurry, we will go together. I can help you." She pulled his arm up and slung it around her shoulder then wrapped her arm around his waist while keeping her other arm held tightly against her abdomen. They stumbled a few steps before he fell to his knees.

Warriors burst from the trees, their battle cries announcing their arrival. "Run!" he shouted, pushing at her. "I am already dead."

Xila looked into his glassy eyes and knew he was right. Too much of his blood had been spilled. "I will not let your death be in vain,' she promised him and turned and ran. As she reached the tree line, I'xKemen cried out and she turned to see them descend upon him. "May the gods send the buzzards to pick out your eyes for a thousand life-times," she cursed.

She quickly slipped into the jungle and made her way through the foliage while keeping low to the ground. She kept moving until she could no longer hear the shouts of the men. She found a shrub with large dropping leaves and crawled under it. They have all gone to Xibalba, she thought, stifling the sob that choked her.

Xila brought her knees up to her chest and dropped her head onto them, her tears clearing dirt and sweat as they flowed down her legs. I will never see Mother's warm smile or hear father's hearty laugh again. Poor Ka'n and her playful way, gone. And I'xKemen... Sobs escaped her throat in short gulping breaths. I am all alone.

A rough hand reached into her shelter and grabbed her broken arm, pulling her out from hiding. Daggers of pain shot up her arm and into her shoulder blade. She blinked, clearing the tears from her eyes and saw five enemy warriors surrounding her. A surge of energy formed in her core and radiated out. She scrambled on her hands and knees away from them. The closest one grabbed the back of her clothing and jerked her to her feet.

Xila rammed her elbow backward into his stomach causing him to drop her with a grunt and double over. One of the men shoved her to the ground and onto her stomach. He placed his knee on her back and grabbed her arms, pulling them behind her back. "The gods will strike you down for this, you bastards," she swore.

"It is you the gods will have." He jerked on her arms harder, forcing them up. She bit her lip to stifle the scream forming in her throat. Her hands were tied and she was turned over onto her back.

The smallest man in the group grabbed her legs and tired to wrap a rope around her ankles. She kicked out, putting all her strength into the movement. Her foot connected with his nose, sending a spray of blood splatter over his face. He howled and grabbed his nose. She rolled over onto her knees and tried to stand up. "We have wasted too much time on this girl," a deep voice announced.

A fist slammed into her back, forcing the air from her lungs and knocking her to the ground. Powerful hands grabbed her legs and quickly wrapped a rope around them, securing it tightly. He hoisted her up into his arms then slung her over his shoulder.

She struggled against the bindings and his hold with little effect. "We must get this one back in time to prepare her for the ceremony."

I can not let them take me to their city. Realizing there was only one way left for her to strike out, she sunk her teeth deep into the flesh of his back.

A low growl rumbled in his throat and he reached up and grabbed her hair, pulling her head away from his body. "You will pay for that." He dropped her to the ground, then motioned for one of the men. "Bring me a cloth."

Xila tried to come up onto her knees but he stomped his foot into her back as if she were an insect to be squashed. Balling the cloth into a ball, he grabbed her lower jaw and forced it open then shoved the cloth into her mouth. He then took a second cloth that was handed to him and placed it over her mouth and tied it securely behind her head to prevent her from spitting out the first.

Xila shook her head, trying to remove the gag as he picked her up and hoisted her back onto his shoulder. He motioned for the others to follow him as he led the warriors back to the city.

Fear gripped her, it's fingers tightening around her stomach. Soon she would be a plaything for Chac the rain god. The rain had not come for many weeks and her father was preparing his own attack to acquire captives for sacrifice. Now they would be the ones offered to Chac for the precious rain.

The group established a quick pace. Xila's broken arm was jarred with each step the warrior took, sending a steady rhythm of pain through her body. She closed her eyes and let her head fall to his shoulder blade to bob up and down with his movements. The agony continued for an eternity then she noticed that the rhythm changed from a quick pounding beat to a slow throbbing tempo. She lifted her head.

The outer buildings of the city surrounded them. They stood like silent guards who had been abandoned to observe the coming ritual from a distance. Their inhabitants were in the courtyard waiting for the ceremony to begin.

The warriors made their way to the royal house and took her into the preparation chamber. The leader dropped her to the ground, knocking the air out of her lungs in a forceful grunt. He motioned for one of the attendants to approach. "This one is a nuisance. Give her the elixir quickly, I will hold her while you administer the mixture."

No! her mind scream. I won't be able to fight them if I drink the elixir. She'd seen the effects of the mixture. Anyone who drank became listless and docile. Her pulse pounded in her head as she brought her knees up then pushed backward propelling her body across the floor like a caterpillar on a branch.

He chuckled as he watched her escape efforts. "Chac will soon smother your fire." The attendant returned carrying a gold cup held between his two hands. The warrior bent down and grabbed the ropes securing Xila's ankles and pulled her to him. He pulled her to her feet then wrapped his arms around her chest, trapping her arms against his chest. She struggled against her bindings and his hold but he held his grip.

The attendant removed the cloth from her mouth. "I will come back from the dead and drag you to the underworld with me," she vowed, bringing her head forward then slamming it backward into his chest with enough force to cause him to stumble back.

The attendant pinched her nose closed and brought the cup up to her lips. She clamped her teeth together and turned her face away from him. Another man came forward and placed his hand on her forehead. He pushed her head back against the warrior's chest then with his other hand forced her lower jaw down with practiced ease. The cup was tipped up and the thick, sweet liquid was poured into her mouth. He pushed her jaw up and held it while his assistant continued to pinch her nose.

She struggled against their hold, trying to free her head from their grasp. Her lungs burned with the need for oxygen. He tightened his arms around her, pushing her arms into his firm body. The pain forced an involuntary gasp, allowing the liquid to flow down her throat. Assured that she had swallowed the liquid, the attendants released their hold on her. Xila gulped in air with a wheezing rasp while straining against his hold.

They stood locked together, neither willing to surrender. The room started spinning and she felt her knees begin to buckle. Refusing to give into the elixir she shook her head then blinked. The attendants scurried about, their forms becoming elongated and fuzzy. Her muscles began to tremble and weaken causing her legs to wobble. They collapsed from beneath her. Satisfied that the potion had taken effect, he scooped her up and placed her on the preparation table.

Her mind, although still contained in her head, felt removed from her body; detached. She felt them remove the bindings from her wrists and ankles but their actions no longer seemed important. As she watched through hooded eyes, urgent hands pulled her clothes off and removed her jewelry. Her hand was picked up and an instrument was placed under her fingernail.

Her mind was slammed back in touch with her body as a wave of agony shot from her finger and spread throughout her body. A scream burst from deep within her throat, echoing in the chamber as they pulled out another fingernail. She commanded her hand to pull away from her captives' grasp but her muscles only quivered in response.

They continued to rip her fingernails from their beds, their ears deaf to her cries. Tears rolled down her cheek to mingle with the sheen of cold sweat that covered her body. By the time they had removed all ten nails her screams were reduced to raspy sobs.

Xila continued to sob as they rubbed oil on her skin then dressed her in a finely woven red and gold garment She looked up at the woman whose nimble fingers were braiding beads and flowers into her hair. The woman flashed her a quick smile then turned her eyes back to the task. How can she smile as if we are preparing to attend a wedding? A flame of anger surged through her veins. I am going to die and they smile. I am going to die. Her chest heaved as she tried to draw a breath against the crushing weight of fear. "No!" She tried to sit up, shaking her head away from the woman's hands. Harsh hands grabbed her arms and hauled her to her feet. Two attendants hooked their arms under hers and began pulling her out of the chamber, letting her legs drag behind them.

They escorted her outside the house to the arena at the top of the stone staircase covering the front of the building. A raised stone table stood at the front of the area facing the crowd below. Her eyes widened as she watched a body removed from the table and carried away. A river of blood ran down the side of the table and flowed along the stone stairs.

"Mamma. No...no" She whimpered, collapsing to her knees.

Her knees scrapped across the stone floor as they dragged her to the table. They lifted her up onto the table then four priests dressed in golden colored robes held down her arms and legs.

The air was electrified with the excitement of the onlookers. They began chanting the prayer to Chac for rain. Her heart beat in concert with the rhythm of the chant. The king approached the altar to face his subjects, his large frame casting a shadow over the table where she lay. They continued the prayer as he stood before them, stretching his arms out to allow his colorful feather cape to spread like a bird's wings as it prepares for flight. The brilliant reds, blues, and greens shimmered in the moonlight. He brought his arms forward to display the obsidian knife clasped between his hands.

The chant became faster and louder, consuming the jungle. Xila's head spun as the sound reverberated through it. A shiver shook her body despite the breezeless warm night. She tried to pull away from the priests but her legs and arms refused to do her biding and lay lifeless. The king lifted his arms above his head, his power filling the altar with a consuming mass. Her eyes widened, locked on the fine black point of the knife held above her. Her chest heaved with her quick, shallow pants that mirrored the intensity of the chanting.

"Chaak!" the king shouted.

Xila's heart stopped with the enveloping silence that fell upon the crowd. The black point was moving toward her. She closed her eyes as it pierced her chest with an agonizing explosion of pain that sent her falling into a black void of nothingness.

*****

Consciousness returned in a hot white explosion. Xila gasped for her first breath, sucking the matter stuffed in her mouth into the back of her throat. She sat up, her hands clawing at the pieces of fruit blocking the air from her burning lungs. A small jade bead fell from her mouth, bouncing off the table to the stone floor. Her eyes followed it as it rolled across the floor while she finished clearing the fruit and drew in a lung full of sweet smelling air.

Her brow creased as she looked around the preparation chamber. This can not be Xibalba. Where is Chac? She replayed the ceremony in her mind again. I died. Why am I still here? She swung her legs over the side and hopped from the table. She tested her broken arm and found that she could move it without pain, while looking down at the ceremonial garment she still wore. The area covering her heart had a small bloodstained slit in the cloth. She brought her hand up to touch it. "I died," she whispered turning her face skyward. "I do not understand."

Footsteps sounded in the passage leading to the chamber. She looked around and found a small dagger laying with other tools on a worktable then slipped into the adjoining chamber. She stopped, bringing her hand to her mouth, stifling her gasp. Three bodies lay on the floor, prepared for burial. She fell to her knees, dropping her head on the male body. "Father." She looked at his face and allowed her tears to flow unchecked down her face. He was dressed in his own clothes and his mouth was full of fruit. A single jade bead sat on top of the fruit, just between his open lips. Her mother and sister rested beside him, prepared in the same fashion.

She gasped, trying to draw a breath against the heaviness that settled on her chest. "Momma, Ka'n," she sobbed, gently touching their cheeks. Urgent voices in the preparation chamber drew her away from her grief. They had discovered that her body was gone. She quickly rose to her feet and went to the pile she saw in the corner. Grabbing her clothes, she created a bundle then threw all the gold jewelry into it before searching for an exit. Seeing a gold necklace with a small jade figure laying near the bodies, she hurried to it. Xila picked it up and turned it over in her hand. It was her mother's. The jade represented immortality and the figure carved in it was I'x, the Jaguar, the energy of the female and representing timelessness. Xila put it over her head, letting it drop to sit around her throat.

An attendant entered, his eyes widening upon seeing her. "This is not possible."

She recognized him as the one who had administered the elixir. Anger surged through her veins, providing an adrenaline-powered strength. "I said I would be back to take you with me. I keep my word." A feral smile pulled her lips upward. He pivoted to run back the way he had come but she leaped across the room and grabbed his robe by the collar as he was retreating. One quick, harsh jerked toppled him over backward to the ground. She straddled his chest, bringing dagger up, letting it hover over his heart.

"No, please." Tears streamed from his wide eyes. "Please."

She studied him for a moment, feeling a kinship with him as she watched his labored breathing and felt his trembling body. It was not unlike her own as she watched the tip of the priest's dagger moving toward her. Xila's anger dissipated leaving behind pity and weariness. She dropped the weapon to her side. "I am not like you. I will not kill someone who is helpless, not even for the gods." She used the little knife to cut strips from the robe she wore then tied his hands and feet. "Be quite," she warned. "Less I change my mind."

"How...I saw...you were dead..."

She looked back at the bodies of her family. "I do not know. Perhaps I have been cursed." She turned away to checked the corridor before leaving him and her life behind.

Xila made her way outside keeping ahead of the shouting and movement behind her. She turned the corner colliding with the warrior who had carried her to the city. Her heart thumped again her chest as her eyes met his.

"You.. but you are..."

She kicked her leg out and her foot connected with his knee sending his leg out from under him.

"A demon is in the city. Get it!" he shouted to his soldiers. "It must be stopped!"

Xila ran, making her way into cover of the trees. She ignored the cuts and scratches to her bare feet and arms as she moved through the dense foliage with the swiftness of her mother's beloved jaguar. She continued on until the voices following her faded into silence.

She stumbled across a forgotten grain storage building and quickly entered it. The musty air filled her nostrils and settled in her throat. She pulled the front of the robe up to cover her nose and mouth while looking into the large clay pots at the moldy grain within. Xila pushed the larger pots to the back of the little windowless building, creating a shield that she could sit behind and wait for nightfall.

The images of her family prepared for the burial of sacrifices filled her mind. She dropped her head to her knees and sobbed. "I should be with them. Why have you rejected me?" she whispered to the rain god. She brought her hand up and ran it across her round head. "This is why, because I do not have royal blood."

She remembered the day her mother told her the truth of her bloodline. She came home crying after being taunted with shouts of round head from a few children. She asked her mother why she had an ugly round head when everyone else had beautiful elongated heads. Her mother sat down then pulled her into her lap, cradling Xila against her bosom. She explained that head binding was an ancient custom and the binding created the elongated heads. "Why was my head not bound?" she had asked. Her mother stroked her hair while she explained how Xila's father had found her abandoned in the jungle when she was an infant and that they had taken her into their home and raised her as their own. They didn't bind her head because they didn't know if her real parents would return to claim her and might have been against head binding. No one claimed her but by the time they realized that no one was coming it had become too late to do the binding. She had begun to cry again but her mother held her tight and assured her that they could not love her more if she were their own. She finally convinced Xila that she was not alone, she was a part of the family. From that point on she never felt alone.

"Until now," she thought lifting her head to look at the bundle at her feet. It was all that was left of her life. She picked it up and held it to her chest, wrapping her arms tightly around it. Resting her head on the bundle, she closed her eyes and continued to wait for the sun to set.

*****

Xila's eyes flew open and she sat upright. She drew in quick wheezing breaths as she scanned her surroundings. The rays of sunshine filtered through the cracks in the door. Xila realized that she had slept through the night and that she had to get moving before they found her. After checking outside she quickly changed into the clothes she had wrapped around the gold then used the ceremonial robe to bundle the jewelry then she set out into the jungle.

She continued to wander as the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months. She avoided cities and hid whenever other people were near. She began to notice unfamiliar plants and animals during her journey. Afraid to eat the unfamiliar vegetation and uneducated in the ways of hunting, she slowly began to starve. Then one day she smelled meat cooking and followed the scent until she came upon a village. The people there were unlike anyone she'd seen before. They were tall and thin and wore animal skins instead of the brightly woven cloth her people wore.

As she was watching some one came from behind and grabbed her, forcing her into the village. Too weak to fight, she allowed the man to sit her down in front of the fire. He was lean but muscular. Feathers and dyed quills adorned his clothing. He walked around her as if he were studying her. Several others came and they began talking in a language she didn't understand. An elderly man approached, waving the younger ones away. His long gray hair was braided with feathers and a pouch dangled from his neck. He looked at her, and she smiled at the wisdom and kindness reflected in his eyes.

He touched her clothing then reached out to the bundle she held. Xila quickly pulled it to her chest and held it tightly. He smiled and patted her shoulder then motioned to one of the women. She brought her some meat, strange vegetables, and water. She quickly consumed the food, while keeping her eye on those around her. Once she was finished the woman showed her to one of the dwellings where she was allowed to rest.

They welcomed her into the tribe and they taught her their language and the things she needed to know about daily life as a Tsaligi.

Xila sat with the other women preparing skins and watching the braves as they returned from the successful hunt. The tribal elders had decreed that it was time for her to pick a mate. She was attracted to several of the young men but when she considered who she would choose her thoughts went to I'xKemen.

As she was working her head filled with a strange buzzing sensation that filled her skull and she looked up to see two strangers entering the village. The hair stood up on her arms and her heart began to thump against her chest. She bowed her head but watched the women from the corner of her eyes. One was not unlike herself in appearance but she emanated a power that enveloped the village. The other was unlike anyone Xila had seen before she was tall and her skin lacked color. Her hair was as golden as the sun's rays.

She watched as they talked to the elders, glancing her way as they spoke. Xila realized who they were. Chac had changed his mind and sent his minions to take her back to Xibalba. She stood up and headed for the dwellings. How does one outrun a god? she thought as she gathered up her things.

"Tsila!" She heard Charging Bear call from outside.

She was trapped and the buzzing in her head had intensified. With no choice left she held her bundle to her chest and stepped out. The strangers were with Charging Bear. The golden one smiled at her and their eyes met. Her eyes were the color of the sky and Xila quickly diverted her gaze afraid the blue orbs would pull her into Xibalba.

"They only want to talk with you." He told her, grasping her shoulder, he felt her trembling and squeezed it harder. "You are safe here. The braves will protect you." He left them to talk.

"I am Kanetsidohi" The powerful one told her. "My friend is named Wesa." She reached out and grasped the jade pendent Xila wore. "You are not of these people," she said in Mayan.

Xila stepped back, pulling the pendent from her hand and hugged the bundle closer to her. "You have come to take me back to Xibalba."

Kanetsidohi laughed then shook her head. Wesa frowned at her. "She thinks we are going to take her back to the underworld. That we are gods." Wesa smiled at Xila and shook her head.

"We are not gods, Tsila."

"You are not going to take me back?"

"No. We are just like you." Kanetsidohi explained in Mayan. "You died but you came back, yes?" Xila nodded, as she wrinkled her brow. "We are Immortals and so are you."

Kanetsidohi motioned for them to sit and then she told Xila about Immortals and the rules of the game. She then asked her to join them and offered to teach her all she needed to know.

"If what you say is true then how do I know you will not lure me from here then take my head?"

Kanetsidohi threw her head back and cackled with delight. "Silly child, if I wanted your head I would already have it."

"Then why do you want me to join you?"

For the first time Wesa spoke. "You will not live long without a teacher. There are many Immortals who enjoy taking the heads of young ones."

"I have been in the village for three years and you are the only... Immortals to come here."

"You have been very lucky," Kanetsidohi told her. "That luck will not continue long. I sense the potential in you and do not want to see it destroyed before it is fully realized."

"I do not know. I am still not sure I believe you."

"We will be leaving at sunrise tomorrow. You have until then to decide." The two women left her to make the decision.

*****

"I think we should talk to her again," Wesa said, looking around the village as Kanetsidohi backed up their things. "She won't last long on her own."

"Apparently, she has made her decision, Wesa. I am disappointed but we must move on."

Wesa sighed then picked up her pack. They thanked Charging Bear for his hospitality then headed out of the village.

"Wait!" Xila called after them. She ran to catch up, carrying her belongings in a pouch made of deer skin.

"Have you decided to join us?" Wesa asked, grinning.

"The Tsaligi have been good to me. If there are other Immortals who would come for my head I do not want the tribe to be hurt because of it. If it is my faith to go back to Xibalba then so be it."

"You listen well to me and you may never see Xibalba," Kanetsidohi said.

"Where are we going?"

"To see the world, silly child. Where else?" Kanetsidohi led them out of the village into the wilderness.

The End.