Days And Nights (Book of Life and Maya and the Three One Shots)

The Legends And The Myths

While visiting Chaska, Camazotz tells Zatz a story of the golden lake.

Camazotz had found time to visit Chaska for a day or two and was outside taking in the stillness of the day.

He never told Mictlan where he was going when he visited Chaska and he always made sure to go back before his absence would be noticed. 

He had already lost Zyanya to Mictlan. He wasn't prepared to lose his son or his sister, either. 

He turned around at the sound of his son laughing. Zatz was sitting on Estrella’s back as Estrella slowly walked towards Camazotz, Chaska walking behind them.

"Since when did Estrella give free rides?" Camazotz asked warmly.

"Since Zatz could crawl." Chaska said.

She went to help Zatz off of Estrella. When she set him on the ground, Zatz tried to walk to his father, only to quickly lose balance and fall over, making him cry a little. 

Camazotz quickly picked up Zatz and bounced him a little in an attempt to calm him down. 

"Still not used to walking, huh?"

"No, but he's trying."

When Zatz didn't calm down, Camazotz sat down, placing Zatz in his lap, "It's ok, mijo. Hey, did I ever tell you about the Golden Lake?"

At the mention of a story, Zatz almost completely stopped crying, looking up at his father with intrigue. 

"In the mortal realm, the Muiscas would hold a sacred ceremony when a new village chief was chosen. At dawn, the Muiscas would gather around the lake. The new chief is covered in golden dust and sails to the center of the lake with treasures."

Zatz had totally calmed down at this point, taking in Camazotz's every word. 

"The treasures are thrown into the water to honor the gods. At the end of the ceremony, the chief jumps into the water, the gold dust washing off him, covering the lake with gold that sparkles with the rays of dawn. Such a sight is enough to take your breath away."

Zatz smiled at the simple tale, clapping his hands as he laughed.

"Of course a story works if you tell it." Chaska said, "I've yet to see it work with me."

"What can I say?" Camazotz chuckled as she sat next to him, "I'm his father. Of course it worked."

"Next time, you could go for something more action packed."

Later that night, Camazotz would tell Zatz another story as he tucked him in. A story of an adventure his mother went on.