"Mexico City can wait. We're going to the city of Oaxaca."
"These Aztecs will rue the day they stole our religions, our gods and our women!" Kix swore.
Antonio assembled an advance unit of twenty men to go ahead of the main group.
"This way we will travel faster," he told them. "I, of course shall lead."
If anyone would have told Alirio Antonio Arcila only a day ago that he would willingly lead men in combat against a thirty-foot foe, he would have scoffed.
He was not the first revolutionary to be seduced into madness by his own press.
Chapter 41
Dawn broke over the Lacandon jungle. The sky was clearing. A few stars still hung in the bluing sky.
"See that star?" said Assumpta, pointing.
"That is no star," Chiun said. "That is Venus. A mere planet."
"That star is the heart and soul of Kukulcan in whose name we fight."
A moment later a shooting star fell.
"And that," she said, "my ancestors believed to be a cigar thrown away by the old gods of the Maya."
"Your gods smoke tobacco?" Chiun asked skeptically.
"This is what was believed."
"No wonder the women of your tribe carry boom sticks."
Remo paused to look behind them.
Winston Smith was bringing up the rear. He clinked and jingled with every step like an itinerant silverware salesman.
"Anytime you want to ditch some of that gear, feel free," Remo called back.
"No chance. These are my warrior's accoutrements."
"You'll catch a bullet jingling like that."
"The round hasn't been cast that will drop the Extinguisher."
"Watch that-"
"Oof!"
"-tree root," finished Remo.
"Be patient with him," Assumpta said. "He suffers from the turistas. "
Chiun waited for Winston to catch up. He fell in beside him, hands tucked into the sleeves of his kimono.
"You are a disgrace to your bloodline."
"Get stuffed, Wong."
A fingernail drifted out instructively. It seemed only to tap the spine, but the results were noisy.
"Ooowww!"
"Apologize to your grand uncle," Chiun chided.
"You're not my grand uncle."
"I am ashamed to admit it, but it is true. I am a distant relative of your father."
Winston Smith's eyes fell on Remo walking ahead. He dropped his voice. "Hey, what's his name anyway?"
"That is classified," said Chiun, quickening his pace.
The day was in full cry now. The jungle birds were awake. As they marched along, a red macaw watched them with detached curiosity, its scarlet head swiveling like a feathered tracking device. Remo carried Chiun's recovered trunk on one shoulder.
"No, I'm serious. What do I call him?"
"Ask him."
Smith caught up with Remo.
"You know, we've never been really introduced."
"Tough."
"I told you this was my second mission. You never asked me what the first was."
"Ask me if I care," said Remo.
"I did Mahout Feroze Anin, the warlord of Stomique."
Hearing this, Chiun hurried up to join them. "Did you get paid?"
"No, it was a freebie."
"Pah! You are hopeless."
"Look, I had to establish my rep."