11-13-2023, 07:02 AM
November 4th, six hours later
Huenyan Federal Legislature, Chamber of Executives
Macochu and his escort strode through Federation Hall, grim looks on their faces. No one dared to intercept them, or even speak to them. When they arrived at the set of double doors leading to the Chamber of Executives, two of the Necatli guards escorting Macochu slammed them open. Macochu walked down to the table where the leaders sat, as his guards took up positions at the top of the gallery.
Xiadani and Texōccoatl were already seated at the table, along with the leaders of the other Huenyan peoples. Rather than take his assigned seat at the podium, Macochu pulled a chair in front of the podium and sat down facing everyone else. He didn't say a word. He stared at the semicircle of people, unblinking.
After a rather prolonged silence, Xiadani went first. "Macochu, I am as appalled at the plotting against your father as you are. But surely you know how important it is that we continue to stand together at this critical moment. We cannot defeat the Empire otherwise. If Huenya falls apart now, we will all surely fall under Calhualyana's rule once more. And you know how much of a disaster that would be. Not just for us, but for the world. This Federation is our best chance to remain free and independent in history. If it fails, not only will we be the Empire's pawns once more, but the world will be facing a reinvigorated Xiomeran Empire. You can keep that from happening."
Macochu's facial expression did not change. One by one, the other members of the Chamber of Executives went through their own appeals to the Necatli leader. His expression remained stoic. He still hadn't spoken a word. His gaze finally fell on the one other person who had not yet spoken.
Texōccoatl looked right at Macochu. "I made a mistake. I should have never entertained any discussion about removing your father from his position. I know an apology isn't sufficient. But Huenya needs the Necatli. So, I will do anything to make up for my mistake. If you want my life, it is yours to take. If you want anything else from me, that is yours as well. Whatever I can do to atone for my mistake, it is worth it to preserve Huenya and keep you in the fight against the Empire. I am at your mercy."
Macochu's facial expression finally cracked. A ghost of a smile crossed his face. "Gods, Texōccoatl, you do have a flair for drama." His grin broadened as the Great Speaker looked confused. "I'm not about to ask you to take yourself to a temple and sacrifice yourself like some teledrama - although that would be a very Xiomeran thing to do."
"I do have certain expectations, however," Macochu continued. "I understand the stakes here. And I am not interested in doing anything that would destroy Huenya or let the Empire rule over us again. But seriously, this is too much. You seem to have inherited your mother's love for plotting and scheming behind the scenes." Texōccoatl's expression stiffened slightly as Macochu continued. "I can't continue to have my people be part of Huenya if they are going to continue to be subject to such plotting. What if you and madam Xiadani decide one of us is too troublesome?" Macochu gestured to the other people sitting at the podium. "Here is what I expect for the Necatli to continue to be part of Huenya. The so-called Huenyan monarchy, which is really just a tattered vestige of the old Empire imposed on us, must come to an end. You can continue to represent the Xiomerans in Huenya as a member of this Chamber, and as tlatoani of your people. But your family can no longer be in a position to engage in plots and schemes. You can no longer hold power over all of us. What I demand," Macochu said levelly, "is for Huenya to finally become the true democracy it was meant to be, and supposed to be. No more Great Speakers. No more Vice-Speakers. Xiadani can call herself President or Prime Minister or Grand Jaguar of the Apocalypse for all I care. But there can no longer be any Xiomeran monarchs over us, or any monarchs over us period. Either we are all equal in this Chamber, and in the eyes of the gods, representing our peoples. Or we are nothing."
The room was filled with silence after the utterly unprecedented demand. Eventually, though, the silence was broken. Cusuyo, the leader of the Tepiltzin, folded his arms. "I agree with Macochu. Things simply cannot continue as they are."
Sirua, the leader of the Itotemoc, sighed. "Texōccoatl...I think they are right. Things have to change."
Everyone's eyes fell on Texōccoatl. After a very long moment, he closed his eyes and sighed. "I agree. But I have a condition of my own." At Macochu's raised eyebrow, Texōccoatl continued. "I want my mother to take my place in this Chamber as the representative of the Xiomerans in Huenya." Before Macochu could object, Texōccoatl raised his hand. "I know her abdication was what was demanded by your father. But it was never the right thing to do. I should never have assumed power that way. More to the point...my mother is elderly, and the torture she suffered at the hands of Calhualyana's minions took far more out of her than anyone has wanted to admit. She probably does not have many years left with us. What I ask is that she be allowed the dignity to be the leader of Xiomerans that she was meant to be for as long as she has left on this earth."
Macochu seemed surprised, but eventually nodded. "I understand the devotion to one's parent. I share that devotion for my father. And I appreciated the mercy he was shown when he was prosecuted for his crime during the civil war. I know that his prosecution was not political. As much as I love my father, I cannot deny that he is a murderer. He did commit the crime he was found guilty for. And I will make sure my people know it. The Necatli will not abandon Huenya, now that we have a deal."
Xiadani coughed slightly. "Your 'deal' will require changes to the Huenyan Constitution and approval of both this Chamber and the Chamber of Deputies. You certainly didn't want to pick an easy solution, did you?" Macochu smirked in response.
Having just agreed to give up their throne, many monarchs would have been angry or at least upset. Texōccoatl, however, was strangely content. Something told him it was time. There was one other person he would need to convince, however.
---
Hall of Chuaztlapoc, One hour later
"I will not accept this plan." Yauhmi folded her arms across her chest, staring at Texōccoatl. He sighed in response. "Mother, it is already done."
"Well, then, undo it. You are the Great Speaker. You are the monarch of Huenya. They cannot seriously expect you to give up your throne!" Yauhmi stood up, pacing in irritation. "It wasn't enough that they insisted on my abdication, now they want my son to give up his throne entirely? For a history of rulers that stretches back centuries to just end? No, this cannot be."
"It already is!" Texōccoatl shook his head. "The day that Calhualyana and Xochiuhue and the others launched their damned coup against us, it was over. We just didn't know it yet. The Obsidian Throne doesn't even exist here in Huenya. And, to be honest, I don't even want that damned throne. It represents nothing good in the world, especially since Calhualyana has twisted and perverted it into something truly evil."
"But that throne is yours by right, and she cannot be just allowed to take it from you!" Yauhmi continued to pace angrily. "Besides, Huenya needs a monarchy as a uniting force for the country."
"Huenya doesn't need a monarchy any more than a highway needs a horse and buggy," Texōccoatl said sharply. "It's sad, really, that it took me so long to realize this. The monarchy that we tried to import here from our old Empire is outdated, divisive and foolish. We are - were - trying to cling to what we had back home in Xiomera. But Huenya is not Xiomera. We can either cling to the shattered remnants of our past, to what we had before the coup and the civil war. Or we can move forward in our new home, with a country that embraces the future, not the past. I know which of those options I want."
Yauhmi stopped pacing, looking at Texōccoatl with resignation. "Fine, then, oh modern son of mine. I just have one question then. Why me?" At Texōccoatl's confused look, Yauhmi continued. "Being a leader for our people is all I ever wanted for you. It's yours now, why wouldn't you keep it? Besides, I am an old woman and I am frankly tired."
Texōccoatl laughed. "I will have my day as the leader of our people. I am not worried about that. But you deserve the chance to be that leader once more, as you were before. Besides, you know very well that you've never been the type to just sit around and feed the birds or whatever else old retired people do. You cannot deny that," he added as Yauhmi finally let a smile cross her face. "Are you sure this is really what you want?" she asked softly.
Texōccoatl smiled. "It is. It's time. Huenya doesn't need a ruler. It needs leaders who share power. It needs democracy, and freedom. It needs all the things that Calhualyana's Empire doesn't have. Giving that to our people will be our legacy, not some title or some chair that we sit on."
Yauhmi nodded. "All right, then. Let's make some history. Or, some more history."
---
Chamber of Executives chamber, one hour later
The double doors to the Chamber swung open, much more gently than they had hours earlier. A new arrival slowly walked down from the entrance to the podium, taking the seat reserved for the Xiomeran member of the Chamber of Executives. Murmured greetings met her as she sat down. She caught the eye of one of the other members. "Yauhmi," he said, nodding slightly in greeting.
"Macochu," Yauhmi replied, returning the nod of greeting blandly and looking around at everyone else. "I suppose we should get started. These damned insurgents aren't going to wait around for us."
Huenyan Federal Legislature, Chamber of Executives
Macochu and his escort strode through Federation Hall, grim looks on their faces. No one dared to intercept them, or even speak to them. When they arrived at the set of double doors leading to the Chamber of Executives, two of the Necatli guards escorting Macochu slammed them open. Macochu walked down to the table where the leaders sat, as his guards took up positions at the top of the gallery.
Xiadani and Texōccoatl were already seated at the table, along with the leaders of the other Huenyan peoples. Rather than take his assigned seat at the podium, Macochu pulled a chair in front of the podium and sat down facing everyone else. He didn't say a word. He stared at the semicircle of people, unblinking.
After a rather prolonged silence, Xiadani went first. "Macochu, I am as appalled at the plotting against your father as you are. But surely you know how important it is that we continue to stand together at this critical moment. We cannot defeat the Empire otherwise. If Huenya falls apart now, we will all surely fall under Calhualyana's rule once more. And you know how much of a disaster that would be. Not just for us, but for the world. This Federation is our best chance to remain free and independent in history. If it fails, not only will we be the Empire's pawns once more, but the world will be facing a reinvigorated Xiomeran Empire. You can keep that from happening."
Macochu's facial expression did not change. One by one, the other members of the Chamber of Executives went through their own appeals to the Necatli leader. His expression remained stoic. He still hadn't spoken a word. His gaze finally fell on the one other person who had not yet spoken.
Texōccoatl looked right at Macochu. "I made a mistake. I should have never entertained any discussion about removing your father from his position. I know an apology isn't sufficient. But Huenya needs the Necatli. So, I will do anything to make up for my mistake. If you want my life, it is yours to take. If you want anything else from me, that is yours as well. Whatever I can do to atone for my mistake, it is worth it to preserve Huenya and keep you in the fight against the Empire. I am at your mercy."
Macochu's facial expression finally cracked. A ghost of a smile crossed his face. "Gods, Texōccoatl, you do have a flair for drama." His grin broadened as the Great Speaker looked confused. "I'm not about to ask you to take yourself to a temple and sacrifice yourself like some teledrama - although that would be a very Xiomeran thing to do."
"I do have certain expectations, however," Macochu continued. "I understand the stakes here. And I am not interested in doing anything that would destroy Huenya or let the Empire rule over us again. But seriously, this is too much. You seem to have inherited your mother's love for plotting and scheming behind the scenes." Texōccoatl's expression stiffened slightly as Macochu continued. "I can't continue to have my people be part of Huenya if they are going to continue to be subject to such plotting. What if you and madam Xiadani decide one of us is too troublesome?" Macochu gestured to the other people sitting at the podium. "Here is what I expect for the Necatli to continue to be part of Huenya. The so-called Huenyan monarchy, which is really just a tattered vestige of the old Empire imposed on us, must come to an end. You can continue to represent the Xiomerans in Huenya as a member of this Chamber, and as tlatoani of your people. But your family can no longer be in a position to engage in plots and schemes. You can no longer hold power over all of us. What I demand," Macochu said levelly, "is for Huenya to finally become the true democracy it was meant to be, and supposed to be. No more Great Speakers. No more Vice-Speakers. Xiadani can call herself President or Prime Minister or Grand Jaguar of the Apocalypse for all I care. But there can no longer be any Xiomeran monarchs over us, or any monarchs over us period. Either we are all equal in this Chamber, and in the eyes of the gods, representing our peoples. Or we are nothing."
The room was filled with silence after the utterly unprecedented demand. Eventually, though, the silence was broken. Cusuyo, the leader of the Tepiltzin, folded his arms. "I agree with Macochu. Things simply cannot continue as they are."
Sirua, the leader of the Itotemoc, sighed. "Texōccoatl...I think they are right. Things have to change."
Everyone's eyes fell on Texōccoatl. After a very long moment, he closed his eyes and sighed. "I agree. But I have a condition of my own." At Macochu's raised eyebrow, Texōccoatl continued. "I want my mother to take my place in this Chamber as the representative of the Xiomerans in Huenya." Before Macochu could object, Texōccoatl raised his hand. "I know her abdication was what was demanded by your father. But it was never the right thing to do. I should never have assumed power that way. More to the point...my mother is elderly, and the torture she suffered at the hands of Calhualyana's minions took far more out of her than anyone has wanted to admit. She probably does not have many years left with us. What I ask is that she be allowed the dignity to be the leader of Xiomerans that she was meant to be for as long as she has left on this earth."
Macochu seemed surprised, but eventually nodded. "I understand the devotion to one's parent. I share that devotion for my father. And I appreciated the mercy he was shown when he was prosecuted for his crime during the civil war. I know that his prosecution was not political. As much as I love my father, I cannot deny that he is a murderer. He did commit the crime he was found guilty for. And I will make sure my people know it. The Necatli will not abandon Huenya, now that we have a deal."
Xiadani coughed slightly. "Your 'deal' will require changes to the Huenyan Constitution and approval of both this Chamber and the Chamber of Deputies. You certainly didn't want to pick an easy solution, did you?" Macochu smirked in response.
Having just agreed to give up their throne, many monarchs would have been angry or at least upset. Texōccoatl, however, was strangely content. Something told him it was time. There was one other person he would need to convince, however.
---
Hall of Chuaztlapoc, One hour later
"I will not accept this plan." Yauhmi folded her arms across her chest, staring at Texōccoatl. He sighed in response. "Mother, it is already done."
"Well, then, undo it. You are the Great Speaker. You are the monarch of Huenya. They cannot seriously expect you to give up your throne!" Yauhmi stood up, pacing in irritation. "It wasn't enough that they insisted on my abdication, now they want my son to give up his throne entirely? For a history of rulers that stretches back centuries to just end? No, this cannot be."
"It already is!" Texōccoatl shook his head. "The day that Calhualyana and Xochiuhue and the others launched their damned coup against us, it was over. We just didn't know it yet. The Obsidian Throne doesn't even exist here in Huenya. And, to be honest, I don't even want that damned throne. It represents nothing good in the world, especially since Calhualyana has twisted and perverted it into something truly evil."
"But that throne is yours by right, and she cannot be just allowed to take it from you!" Yauhmi continued to pace angrily. "Besides, Huenya needs a monarchy as a uniting force for the country."
"Huenya doesn't need a monarchy any more than a highway needs a horse and buggy," Texōccoatl said sharply. "It's sad, really, that it took me so long to realize this. The monarchy that we tried to import here from our old Empire is outdated, divisive and foolish. We are - were - trying to cling to what we had back home in Xiomera. But Huenya is not Xiomera. We can either cling to the shattered remnants of our past, to what we had before the coup and the civil war. Or we can move forward in our new home, with a country that embraces the future, not the past. I know which of those options I want."
Yauhmi stopped pacing, looking at Texōccoatl with resignation. "Fine, then, oh modern son of mine. I just have one question then. Why me?" At Texōccoatl's confused look, Yauhmi continued. "Being a leader for our people is all I ever wanted for you. It's yours now, why wouldn't you keep it? Besides, I am an old woman and I am frankly tired."
Texōccoatl laughed. "I will have my day as the leader of our people. I am not worried about that. But you deserve the chance to be that leader once more, as you were before. Besides, you know very well that you've never been the type to just sit around and feed the birds or whatever else old retired people do. You cannot deny that," he added as Yauhmi finally let a smile cross her face. "Are you sure this is really what you want?" she asked softly.
Texōccoatl smiled. "It is. It's time. Huenya doesn't need a ruler. It needs leaders who share power. It needs democracy, and freedom. It needs all the things that Calhualyana's Empire doesn't have. Giving that to our people will be our legacy, not some title or some chair that we sit on."
Yauhmi nodded. "All right, then. Let's make some history. Or, some more history."
---
Chamber of Executives chamber, one hour later
The double doors to the Chamber swung open, much more gently than they had hours earlier. A new arrival slowly walked down from the entrance to the podium, taking the seat reserved for the Xiomeran member of the Chamber of Executives. Murmured greetings met her as she sat down. She caught the eye of one of the other members. "Yauhmi," he said, nodding slightly in greeting.
"Macochu," Yauhmi replied, returning the nod of greeting blandly and looking around at everyone else. "I suppose we should get started. These damned insurgents aren't going to wait around for us."
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