Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

"As for the Great Island of Scales, Kuba said there are some Taino villages where thousands of tribespeople live scattered around. The Taino people are an extremely kind and gentle tribe that never initiates attacks on outsiders. They will be delighted to help us, trade food with us, and even assist us in repairing the ship..."

Upon hearing this, Chiwaco raised an eyebrow, somewhat skeptical. He had come from the Mexican Plateau, ventured into the Wilderness of the Northern Land, and traveled through the Maya of the East. All the tribes along the way had nothing to do with "kind" or "gentle." For the Taino people described by Kuba, the old militia still retained some caution in his heart. But regardless, they had to go to the nearest Taino village to replenish their food supply as soon as possible.

"Inspect the ships, organize the supplies, and dry the damp food! Mountain Bird, how is the condition of the ships? Is the damage severe?"

"Captain, of the four longships beached, two are intact. One is slightly damaged, and the other has a hole! However, we have repair planks on board."

"Chief Divine bless us! Alright, first select a dozen people to light a fire and cook the meal, so everyone can have a full meal tonight! Then, all crew members are divided into two teams. Those without strength, stay on the small island to repair the damaged ships. The others with more energy, prepare the two intact longships!"

Chiwaco pondered a bit, consulted with Priest Tomate, and quickly made a decision.

"Tomorrow morning, the second team will set out with me. We will head to the Eastern Great Island of Scales to visit the Taino villages! As for the first team, follow Priest Tomate's arrangements... Praise the Chief Divine! Protect the fleet!"

Chief God Priest Tomate decided to stay behind to comfort the crew on the island, repair the ships, and organize the supplies. His role in boosting morale was irreplaceable. Huitu Puapu put on armor and weapons, leading dozens of warriors with the old militia's team to guard against possible conflicts. Meanwhile, Mayan merchant Tikalo finally received permission not to stay in the cabin. Tikalo would join guide Kuba in the initial exploration and also act as a translator.

Hearing this, the pale face of the Mayan merchant lit up with an excited smile, even wiping away tears. The hot, stuffy cabin with its unpleasant smell of salted fish was not a place for humans, it was like the underground dungeon of Mayapan! In his whole life, he had never stayed so long in such a harsh place as a prisoner!

"Praise the Chief Divine! Protect the fleet!"

Upon receiving their orders, the crowd dispersed and busied themselves until dusk.

At dusk, the sky was filled with sunset hues. The sun dyed the sea red, and the vast sea shimmered with colors. Finally, curling smoke from cooking fires rose on the tidal flats.

The old militia Chiwaco chewed on a hot corn cake, sitting with the Dark Snake and Didi by a seaside bonfire. He watched the gradually tranquilizing sea, observing the flickering shadows in the fading light until darkness approached, stopping at the edges of the bonfire's glow.

"Cuba's deserted island, evening after the storm... We're roasting cakes on the beach, it's so fragrant..."

A strange sense of tranquility suddenly welled up in the old militia's heart. He opened his mouth, wanting to recite some poetry in front of the two youths, but lacking the education, he only managed to say some commonplace words. A seagull perched by his side, pecking at the bits of corn falling from the three of them. Occasionally, it would lift its head, gaze at the dark sky, and let out two clear, ringing cries.

"Oh! Oh!"

The old militia stretched out his hand and patted the little head of the gull, and it stopped its calls. Then, he checked the wounds on the bird's wings. They were all bandaged, but it would take some days for them to heal. The old militia glanced at the bald patch on the gull's body with a smile on his face. The gull rolled its dark eyes, examining the human before it, noting the increasingly sparse hair on the man's head.

"Hey! You stupid bird that fell unconscious from the sky! I was going to pluck your feathers and roast you over the fire! But just when I grabbed a tuft, you woke up..."

"It's not that I softened, but you reminded me after all, and with no two taels of meat, I let you go. If you squawk again, I'll recognize you, but the roasting fire won't recognize you!..."

Slim Chiwaco muttered softly, not knowing what he was rambling about. The plump gull shook its head, then raised its voice energetically, letting out two more cries.

"Oh! Oh!"

"Hey! Are you still calling?"

Chiwaco raised his old hand, feigning to strike. The gull turned away, wobbling as it sprinted two steps. Seeing this, both Dark Snake and Didi laughed uncontrollably. Before long, Chiwaco couldn't resist, a smile tugging at his lips. They laughed for a while, then the gull shuffled back. Chiwaco shook his head, petting the gull's head as he gazed at the dark sea, softly reciting.

"Beside the bonfire, the sea can't see the light... Three people laughing, a silly bird calling, not too noisy... Oh! This is the first night the fleet reaches Cuba..."

The low murmurs dispersed along the dark edge of the sea, unheard by many and memorized by none. The sound gradually faded, turning into soft snores, then slowly growing louder, like rhythmic drumbeats.

In the rhythmic snores, a chubby gull spread its injured wings, fluttering a few times. It couldn't fly at all, let alone return home. The gull cocked its head, dumbly daydreaming for a while, then squatting and falling asleep again. Until the sky gradually brightened, it was suddenly awakened by the thunderous snores, dazedly moving closer.

The dawn revealed faint light, as the sea awoke from its boundless depth. In the dim sky, there were some birds freely flying! The silly bird tilted its head, watching the birds in the sky, then lowered its head to look at the tidal flats and the sleeping humans below. Then, it puffed out its belly, perched at the source of the snores, and chirped spiritedly twice.

"Oh!... Oh!..."

"Huh? Ah! Storm, Storm's coming?"

The old militia jumped in fright, waking abruptly. He lifted his head, looking at the sunrise over the sea, then glanced at the sentries on the perimeter, hesitating for a moment before mumbling to himself.

"Huh? Oh! It's dawn, time to set out..."

"Oh! Oh!"

"Damn! You silly bird, you disturbed my sweet dream of going home! I'm gonna roast you!..."

"Oh! Oh!"

The bird's call faded, merging into the Western sea. Home was already far beyond five thousand miles away, the return uncertain. And two thousand miles long Snake Island lay underfoot.