"But why there?"

Ek'muwan struggled to retain his composure as Yakol Chay (Greenheart Fish), Ek'muwan's servant, voiced this query yet again.

"Those lands aren't even in Chik'in Ak'al? Why waste men and time founding a brand new city there, rather than in the holy lands to the south?"

"Yakol Chay, I have explained this several times, so I hope that this time it will remain lodged in your mind. Chij Tz'unun has revealed to me that those lands were part of the Chik'in Ak'al in the past. When the gods tore the land asunder to create this holy island, they left a small piece of these marshes on the other side. It is our duty as sacred protectors to reclaim those lands, before a lesser people lay claim to it. We already control the island, even if we do not have great cities on it."

"That land was a part of Chik'in Ak'al? That seems hard to believe, Ajaw. The gods are infallible."

Ek'muwan sighed. "As much as I want to believe that with you, Chij Tz'unun has made it clear this is not true. Tearing land is not like tearing bread; it is more like tearing a leaf. You may try to rip it in two, but the hidden stems within the leaf will divert your efforts, giving you only a mutilated piece of the leaf much smaller than that which you aimed for."

Yakol Chay began to nod earnestly, seemingly satisfied with Ek'muwan's remark. "Shall I begin to put these orders into clay so that our men may depart?"

"Please do Yakol Chay. The sooner those marshes are ours, the sooner we can continue with the work the Heavens have given to us."

Yakol Chay left the room, leaving Ek'muwan alone to gaze from his window over the city of Tz'amtanak'al to the sea, over which lay the lands his people would lay claim to.

Effect: The Tetk'in attempt to settle the city of Pasaj Yokib here.

3 Magistrates are expended in this endeavor.