NOVPUBThe rivermouth fortress had already fallen, so there was no need for him to move along the Lerma River to support it, risking an encounter with the Mexica naval forces. The area around Cuitzeo Lake was controlled by the enemy’s fleet and was no longer safe. The latest envoy brought shocking news: the Mexicans had even captured the Huayamo Fortress, gaining complete control over the north of the Capital City.
Pengguari carefully considered and repeatedly questioned the scout before he found the safest route to march. The army first moved southward to the small river that connected to Chapala Lake, then proceeded eastward along the river, making their way through the heartland of the Kingdom directly towards the west of the Capital City. By moving in this manner, the army effectively abandoned the opportunity to harass the rear of the Mexicans’ northern army, but it also avoided worrying about its own logistics.
"Once I reach the Capital City and marry the former king’s princess, I will possess the qualifications to inherit the kingdom!"
Thinking thus, "Feathers" Pengguari revealed a handsome smile, his eyes sparkling brightly, compelling admiration from those who saw him. The family samurai around him also looked up to the family head standing atop the small hill with respectful gazes.
However, not everyone admired the new prince. The higher the standing of the Great Nobility, the more they knew about the naval battles at Lake Yuriria, the less they admired him.
Under the escort of several dozen trusted aides, a Great Noble dressed in lavish clothes and a sky-blue cloak, holding a bronze spear, approached the hill with a fierce look. He glanced at the Prince’s banner behind Pengguari, slightly curled his lips, and then spoke loudly.
"Respected ’Feathers’, our front-line scouts in the East have spotted rising dust, which should be from the marches of the Mexica’s grand army! We need to quickly get into formation, take the initiative to strike, and prepare to face the glory of war!"
Pengguari’s expression stiffened. He lifted his head in surprise and looked toward the Great Noble.
"Respected ’Heavenly Divine’ Ahonda, are you sure you saw the grand army of the Mexica? These days, there have always been Mexica scouts around here, sounding their whistles, but those are just enemy squads. This place is located at the furthest west of the Lake Region, at least one or two hundred miles from the main force of the Mexica stationed at Huayamo Fortress. Has the grand army of the Mexica really appeared in the east?"
In the Tarasco language, Ahonda means sky. Such a noble name, transmitted through his family, is in no way inferior to Feathers, even perhaps surpassing it!
Indeed, this was the case. The Heavenly Divine family held a distinguished position in the Chapala Lake Region. Even with the prince’s endorsement, Pengguari was only nominally the Supreme Commander of the lake region’s forces. He could firmly control only five thousand samurai and ten thousand militia. Meanwhile, the blue-clothed Noble Ahonda, standing before him, commanded as many as three thousand samurai and six thousand militia, ranking second in the region’s forces.
A hint of a faint smile, seemingly carrying silent mockery, appeared on the corners of Ahonda’s mouth. He then spoke in real mockery. 𝖓𝔬𝔳𝖕𝖚𝖇.𝖈𝔬𝔪
"Brave and skilled in combat, the ’Feathers’ Prince who vows to never retreat, you are familiar with the real battlefield, surely you know: in this dry season, on such open plains, the traces of a large army’s movement cannot be concealed. With our marching scale, the dust raised envelops the sky and could be easily spotted by enemies even ten miles away or farther! So I do not know why our Prince would detour from the south, taking these needless extra two days of travel."
"And if the Mexica people wish to attack us, they would also send out an army of more than ten thousand! Their movement could not be concealed either, and the dust in the East would soon be visible here."
Having said this, the battle-hardened Ahonda looked towards the east, calculated for a moment, and then continued.
"’Feathers’ Pengguari, we probably have six or seven quarters to prepare and arrange our troops for battle. Then after another two quarters, the two armies will engage in battle. We should launch the initial charge, not giving the opponent the chance to deploy!"
Pengguari paused momentarily, then also tiptoed to look towards the East. In the distant east, he could indeed see faint dust approaching their direction. He remembered again the might of the Mexica grand army, his heartful of lofty spirits suddenly waned, and his face showed hesitation.
"Ahonda, after half a day of marching, the army is always somewhat weary. Here, there are no advantageous hillocks to take nor fortified towns to rely on... If we retreat ten or so miles, it leads back to the river from where we came. Relying on the naval forces by the river, we could protect either our left or right wing and promptly assist the commander. Moreover, on the western side of the river, I remember there’s a hill about dozens of meters tall which could give us a strategical advantage...."
Ahonda listened with a stern face, his expression growing uglier as he listened. Finally, he could not suppress his anger and explosively interrupted the legion commander.
"Pengguari! When two armies meet, it’s advance with no retreat, merely putting life and death in the hands of Heavenly Divine and fighting head-on! The elite samurai are capable of moving swiftly, so how could these cumbersome militia maneuver in front of an enemy? If you command rashly, and our forces collide, it’s a path to being routed without a fight. Since you have fortuitously become the commander, you must take up the commander’s responsibilities and not issue ridiculous orders!..."
Cardinals and red hawks both have magnificent feathers. The former only chirp and boast, revealing fear when facing a true wild wolf; the latter, however, spread their wings to soar in the sky, bravely pouncing on the jungle’s black panther! As a noble family from the Lake Region, you must live up to your name and not bring shame to the warriors of Chapala!
Pengguari’s face turned a mix of purple and red as he tightly gripped his prestigious Divine Staff, almost ready to swing it vigorously. The last Great Nobility who dared to yell at him like this had become a captive of the Mexica, their fate unknown! He frowned, staring at Ahonda in front of him, neither giving an order nor speaking a word.
Not far behind him, another Great Nobility clad in a silver-white robe, seeing the dispute, hurried over. He wore a smile as warm as a spring breeze and extended both hands to grab the commanders, persuasively speaking with a chuckle.
"The esteemed ’Feathers’ Prince, the respected ’Sky’ Commander-in-Chief, both of your points are valid! Retreating several miles to the rear is indeed safer, securing advantageous terrain and leading to an invincible position. However, Mexica people are right before us, their numbers yet unknown; retreating without fighting might indeed dampen our spirits. The Lake Region’s grand army is so illustrious; under the leadership of you two commanders, both warriors and militia carry a belief in victory, yearning for a glorious battle!
Seeing the Capital of Qinchongcan is only a few days away, once we defeat the coming enemy, nothing further will stand in our path. Then, everyone will be heroes who saved the Capital! The nobles of the Chapala Lake Region could finally hold their heads high in front of the Capital’s nobility, perhaps even more!"
Hearing the words of the white-robed nobility, Pengguari’s expression slightly softened. He glared fiercely at Ahonda, who knew his tone had been rather harsh in his urgency and slightly bowed his head, showing compliance and concession. Afterward, Pengguari put a bit of force into pulling his arm free, then offered a small smile to him.
"Respected ’Silver’ Tekata, your words do make sense. Let me observe the enemy’s military strength!"
Tekata means silver, symbolizing the divine radiance of the spirits. It is another noble family name. Tekata is the third person in command of the Lake Region’s legion, commanding two thousand warriors and four thousand militia, and is known for being exceedingly warm and approachable. Everyone thus gives him face, maintaining a veneer of unity and harmony among the allied nobility.
Following that, "Feathers" commander pondered for a moment, then asked the aide beside him who was familiar with the terrain,
"Where are we now?"
"Respected Prince, we are between the Chapa region and Lake Patzcuaro, on the plains called Takuro."
"What does Takuro mean?"
"Takuro is a resting place, where flocks of birds descend from the sky. Initially, it was a meadow filled with lush aquatic plants. After our ancestors migrated here, driving away wild beasts and cultivating the land, they turned it into fertile fields," the aide quickly recalled, bowing his head and answering in a deep voice.
Hearing "flocks of birds descend from the sky," "Feathers" Pengguari furrowed his brow deeply; this seemed to be an ill omen, perhaps making this place unsuitable for battle.
Tekata, observing his reactions, immediately spoke with a beaming smile,
"Chapala’s eagles descend from the sky, tearing apart the Mexica’s jaguars, sacrificing them to the Mother Goddess of the Earth! Tarasco’s ancestors flattened the lands in the lakes, driving away the invading Mexican beasts, cultivating fertile fields! ’Feathers’ Prince, this is a good omen! We are destined to win this battle!"
Upon hearing this, "Feathers" Pengguari and "Sky" Ahonda looked at each other and burst into laughter shortly after. Both turned towards the East, where the rising dust was finally becoming visible.
At the horizon’s end, the Mexica army gradually became evident, their long spears and war clubs glinting coldly. Soon, commands rang out from a hillock, the Tarasco legion began to halt in their tracks, regrouping, their vibrant banners fluttering in the wind. Hence, a great battle was inevitable, and an epic saga began!
