"Ajaw, a courier is here from Pasaj Yokib."

Pasaj Yokib, meaning "Dawn Gourge," was a planned city that had been established, on Ek'muwan's orders, across the water-filled gorge to the east of Chik'in Ak'al. The settlement party had allegedly encountered no resistance, but communications had been scarce, largely due to the large amount of water couriers must travel to report back to Tz'amtanak'al. A courier arriving now was an excellent sign.

"Send him in. I've been waiting on this report for 13 20-day cycles."

A man entered the room, dressed in commoners clothes, but carrying himself as a middle-class official of the state would. He approached Ek'muwan, then took a knee to present a large bundle of feathers (a customary gift to present to an Ajaw). Ek'muwan reached down to accept the customary offering, sliding a single feather from the parcel to examine. It was a long and crisp hawk's feather; a light brown which tapered to bright orange-red at the tip.

"This is a very unique feather. I have never seen one of like coloration. Where was it found?"

"They are plentiful in Pasaj Yokib, Ajaw. There is a great hawk in the area we have taken to calling Chak-Neh (Red-Tail). We chose to include these local feathers in the customary gift, as their exotic nature may please you."

"It certainly does." Ek'muwan carefully set the bundle aside. He would have to get a headdress made with the new feathers.

Once again setting his mind to the matter at hand, Ek'muwan returned his gaze to the courier, and waved his hand for the man to continue.

"I have brought a number of tablets chronicling the early days of Pasaj Yokib. You may examine them at your own leisure, but I have also prepared an address to give you." The courier cleared his throat. "When we arrived, we started with a simple settlement, akin to the wooden villages that dot the lands around the great city-states. But as time passed, with so many men at our disposal, we gained ambition. We already had the city plans, so we began construction early. With our great motivation, we have already begun to construct the great plazas and first canals, and the local marshes already feature Chinampas more than capable of supporting the numbers of men we bear."

The courier shifted on his feet. "In fact, the city grew so quickly that our expedition leader, Ik'sutz'(Black Bat), declared himself Juntal Ajaw." ('Juntal Ajaw' means 'First King')

At this, Ek'muwan sat up in his chair, his brow furrowing. For a mere official to promote himself to the Highest class was quite bold. There were only three Ajaw in all of the Tetk'in lands, or at least there had been. "Ik'sutz' would dare to...."

"I know what you may believe, but I came prepared for this reaction!" said the courier hurriedly. "Pasaj Yokib has accomplished two great feats in these first cycles!"

Ek'muwan looked unimpressed, but did not interrupt the courier. Sensing he had approval to speak, the courier continued.

"First, we built a great temple! It is a pyramid, built of a beautiful black-grey stone that sparkles gently in the light, found in the hills to the east. Called "Tomb of the Fallen City," this temple honors the lost third city of the historical Tetk'in. It is over 50 men in height, and a true sight to behold! If ever you get the opportunity to travel to Pasaj Yokib, you will certainly be impressed."

Ek'muwan did not let it show, but he was impressed. No mere town or outpost could build a great steppe pyramid, especially not after a paltry few cycles had elapsed. If this claim was true as stated, Pasaj Yokib truly deserved to be considered a city-state of the Tetk'in in full.

"But that is not all! On the 7th cycle after our founding, great warriors from the Tzikkak'ab lands came through our new city, seeking glory in the east. Many of their men died, but they cleared a host of vile barbarians, liberating the lands of their evil. Some of our own were privileged to see a great hill of unparalleled beauty, and a crystal lake beyond that. The Tzikkak'ab men also met with a civilization it the east; a bastion of morality in the barbarian lands, then returned with their new knowledge to the lands of the Tzikkak'ab. After they left, our own men searched where it was now safe, and found a great bounty in those lands. The Tzikkak'ab, while very effective fighters, were not thorough in their exploration of the hills and forests. We located the abandoned barbarian settlements, and within them found great multitudes of wealth! More than all the coffers in all the states of the Tetk'in hold to this day! Our men say it is the gods smiling on the Tomb we built to honor the fallen third city. This is their way of rewarding us!"

Ek'muwan's eyes shone when he heard of the wealth, but he soon tempered his joy. "Where is this wealth now?"

"It all rests within Pasaj Yokib's coffers. If you will accep Ik'sutz' as Ajaw, he says this wealth will belong to the Tetk'in as a whole."

Ek'muwan looked thoughtful, leaving the courier waiting so long that he began to nervously paw the ground, like an impatient horse. Finally, Ek'muwan spoke. "No."

"N-no, Ajaw?"

"No. This wealth will not be of the Tetk'in." Suddenly realizing he may have caused confusion, Ek'muwan raised both hands to still any ill feelings or rising protest. "Ik'sutz' may become the Juntal Ajaw of the fourth Tet'kin city-state, worry not about that. His endeavors already please the gods, and who am I to argue? But this wealth is not ours alone. Chij Tz'unun has revealed that the Tetk'in are entering a critical juncture, and that our every move is being judged. This wealth sounds to be far more bountiful than a single tomb would warrant. It is clear to me that much of this wealth was the Tzikkak'ab's by design."

"Ajaw, are you sure? The Tzikkak'ab know it is their sacred duty to defend these lands! They would never think to take wealth belonging to the Tetk'in!"

"As you may not be aware due to your low standing, I will share a great secret with you. The Tzikkak'ab have come upon a new leadership, and I have been informed these men will soon be paying me a personal visit. I do not wish to end on poor footing with people who could turn the Tzikkak'ab from us. We need them desperately, and I do not want to risk these new interlopers stealing them away. Therefore, I will present these men with most of the bounty wrought by the Tomb of the Fallen City!"

When the courier looked stricken, Ek'muwan smiled slightly, before saying "Fear not, we will keep an amount equal to half our coffers ourselves. But do remember that the Tzikkak'ab are more valuable than any amount of wealth. We can afford to forgo this wealth, if it permits us to retain them."

At this time, the world fell away, and Ek'muwan felt the echo of his Wayis on his human soul. It was little but a feeling--an impression--which seemed to say "this choice you make is the one expected of you. You proceed towards the destiny of the Tetk'in if you continue this path."

As the world returned to him, Ek'muwan turned to the still-anxious courier. "Return to Pasaj Yokib, and tell Ik'sutz' he is now an Ajaw, subordinate only to me. He may send the wealth off at once. Simply have him divert four parts of five to the greatest city of the Tzikkak'ab. I will await the new leaders of Tzikkak'ab here myself"

The courier left the room, and Ek'muwan simple sat where he was, twirling a red-tipped feather in his hands. There was an unfamiliar feeling of fulfillment in his souls, and he could not help but break his decorum to smile. The future of the Tetk'in was bright.

Read [what happened first here!

Effect: The Tetk'in have constructed the World Wonder Tomb of the Fallen City, a slate steppe pyramid, in Pasaj Yokib. This wonder yields 2500 gold at the start of each era, and 2 culture per week.

The Tetk'in send 2000 gold worth of the wealth they plundered from the towns of the Eastern Barbarians to Pylona, while taking the remaining 500 in wealth into their coffers.