The sun was merciless, the autumn wind harsh and deadly. In the silence of heaven and earth lay the king's battlefield.
Xiulote stood on the hillside, watching King Tizoc in the distance.
The king wore a skull helmet and donned plain white war armor, still presenting the terrifying visage of an Evil Spirit Warrior. The helmet obscured his face, concealing the king's expression. He simply faced toward Aweit, staring intently at the opposing royal banner.
Marching through the woods was always difficult, and Tizoc's palanquin had long been lost somewhere. Now, he bore the king's banner, its large canopy making him particularly conspicuous. From time to time, Tizoc's warriors glanced at his royal banner, as if it were the only source of their remaining morale.
