The Bloodless Girl

Chapter Two

Sarach wandered down the roads, as if she were possessed. The leafy canopy of her jungle home wasn't the best defense against the blazing sun. To her, she felt like a deer out in the opening, waiting for the kill. She shuffled along in the roads, feeling anything but a blind slave, and the chilling reminder of her father's fate.

Due to the intense heat, the majority of the Yucatec retreated to their wooden-thatch huts. Normally, Sarach would do the same but she didn't recognised the heat. Even if she did, perhaps the sun god Kʼinich Ajaw would kill her out of mercy.

Out of all of her family members, Sarach always knew that she was truly the weakest. She always felt ashamed in the presence of her extended family, because of her physical appearance. She could never catch up to Icuh. Icuh was the successful sibling out of the Milpa trio; She had been graced with a hardy spirit and was touch by the gods' love, inheriting Xochiquetzal's beauty and Itzamná's bold Strength. It was no wonder why many favored her as the potential wife, successor of the family and Tetatzin's greatest child, leaving Sarach and Iccaāuhtli to earn the respect of the family.

Iccaāuhtli, on the other hand was a natural born hunter. His skills were far above boys his own age, which caused him to earn the approval of not only his elders but also the strong-willed Holcans. This also created the attention of girls his own age and the jealous eyes of boys who nothing more to surpass him in every way imaginable. Iccaāuhtli had already received his first Pakal, surprising Sarach and Icuh. It seems like Iccaāuhtli had already earned a place of recognition in the heart of the family, leaving Sarach in the dust.

Often plaguing her mind, Sarach would wonder how would she able to earn the respect and the recognition of her family. It didn't help the fact that she was born prematurely and barely survived her birth. Tetatzin thought he would be raising another mighty warrior among the ranks but when the family learned of her gender, she was immediately disgraced. Things only gotten worse when she lacked muscle. Icuh and her mother, Mantli had muscle, which they toned, thanks to hard labor. Even though it was only simple work, it helped kept the fat low and made her more humilated. Even worse, she desperately tried to win the pride of her people but no one would want to accept a lowly girl from a famous Ulama player. She wanted to desperately cry but she wouldn't. The last time she cried was when she was four. She was whipped by her family and was told to never cry or she would be deemed as weak. She hadn't cried since.

Her family often spoke of what they believed of her and even though they made it clear to her that she would never be an equal among them all, they still loved her. Icuh would often tell about her work as a Priestess but often would point out she had no chance of becoming an importance to their empire. Tetatzin would allow her to watch him practice but every time she would try to play with her father, it didn't take a fool like Moctezuma to know that she was nothing but worthless in the eyes of the player and would only bring shame to the Milpa family.

Maybe because of her reputation as a lowly kid, this would help explain why Sarach desperately sought to prove herself eagerly to her family. She believe she would be able to prove to her family that despite her status, she will earn their respect someday. And she believe she will able to via the path of the Ulama Player.

Despite the game was meant for men, there was accounts of girls played the game as well. Growing up with stories of her grandmother and her own mother played Ulama, she had dreams of playing the game as a famous ball player. She knew it wouldn't be easy and she would far more suited to be a teacher or an artisan, Sarach longed to earn the respect of her family. And she vowed no matter how long it took, she will earn the respect and the pride of her people, especially in the eyes of her father.

When she finally realized the heat of the Amazon, Sarach decided to visit Moctezuma. Even though he lived close to Ocuil, Moctezuma was allowed to choose where to live anywhere he liked. Despite his life as a servant- And considering he wasn't allowed much rights despite this- Moctezuma chose to live between a road where Sarach and Ocuil lived, due to Moctezuma often came to the Milpa family to help farm and spend time with her.