The Prince and the Coyote: Chapters 33–40

by David Bowles
Based on the life and poems of Nezahualcoyotl, this historical fiction is told from the perspective of the 15th-century king of Tetzcoco, as he goes from being a teenage crown prince, to hunted refugee, to triumphant warrior and family man.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Prologue–Chapter 6, Chapters 7–14, Chapters 15–25, Chapters 26–32, Chapters 33–40
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. litany
    any long and tedious address or recital
    It becomes a litany—
    The capture of my city.
    The exile of my people.
    The loss of my country.
    The death of my father.
    The death of my mother.
    The death of my brother.
    The death of my sister.
    The death of my lover.
    The death of my son.
  2. gestate
    develop in the mind; have the idea for
    I repeat these offenses
    over and over again
    while my plans, laid in secret,
    gestate slow and strong,
    fed by my people’s need,
    the self-satisfied glee
    of my enemies,
    until my schemes
    are solid and tightly wound,
    like the spiraling coils
    of a baby snake
    curled within its egg
    waiting to burst forth
    and strike.
  3. imperious
    having or showing arrogant superiority
    As we sit, he gestures with an imperious hand. “This is all we’re eating for breakfast?”
  4. abreast
    alongside each other, facing in the same direction
    An army of soldiers could march four abreast down that bridge.
  5. cabal
    a clique that seeks power usually through intrigue
    Moteuczoma has joined the cabal. So has their uncle, scarred and aging Itzcoatl. We are tantalizingly close to turning the tables on Tepanecapan forever.
  6. sluice
    conduit that carries a rapid flow of water
    He ambles off to order the sluice gates opened.
    “I’m sure you’ve all had to drink some murky, slightly briny water over the years,” I tell my gathered friends and relatives. “The gods willing, those days are over.”
  7. ruse
    a deceptive maneuver, especially to avoid capture
    The pressure of his fingers on mine let me know this is partly a ruse. I listen closely for the message he will hide in his words.
  8. languish
    experience prolonged suffering in an unpleasant situation or place
    I should be elated—but still all I can think of is my mother, languishing forgotten for a decade...until the sweet little faces of Tozquen and Tochpilli rise unbidden to my memory.
  9. depose
    force to leave an office
    Multiple ideas are suggested, most unfeasible without a massive invasion of Tepanecapan, which neither the king nor the deposed emperor are in favor of.
  10. brash
    offensively bold
    A brash idea takes shape. It may ultimately be unfeasible, but it is worth the attempt.
  11. amenable
    readily reacting to suggestions and influences
    “This despotic behavior by Maxtla has turned his elder brother King Tzacualcatl against him, making him more amenable to the pro-Mexica sentiment in Tlacopan. We shall have an openly supportive ally soon, instead of just a band of Tepaneca rebels.”
  12. proxy
    a person authorized to act for another
    His honorable death, as a sacrificial victim, will serve as a proxy to replace Quetzalayatl’s ignoble end.
  13. missive
    a written message addressed to a person or organization
    Avoiding Chimalpopoca’s men, who are distraught and keep sending pleading missives to Maxtla, we ensure that Tlacateotl’s successor in our sister city still believes in the cause.
  14. apprehension
    the act of capturing, especially a criminal
    But hear me well: you shall not rule legitimately unless you petition the Emperor for his forgiveness and guidance, just as he commanded in the message read aloud at Chimalpopoca’s apprehension.
  15. coquettish
    like a flirtatious woman
    “You really like saying all that, don’t you?” I mutter after we pass the gate.
    “Oh, yes,” they reply with a coquettish wink. “I almost shudder with pleasure.”
    “Ha!” I cry, elbowing them gently. “The minute Sekalli’s not around, you suddenly want to flirt. She scares you, doesn’t she? Even after all these years.”
  16. staid
    characterized by dignity and propriety
    King Motoliniatzin, normally staid and serious, is breathless with excitement when he greets us.
  17. delicacy
    something considered choice to eat
    Delicacies like grilled cactus paddles and wild turkey in cacao sauce delight our palates and make us eager for more pleasures.
  18. auspices
    kindly endorsement and guidance
    Six years for Chalco to build them under the auspices of King Quetzalmazatzin of Amaquehmecan, whose son-in-law Tlacaellel paid the federation handsomely for its cooperation and silence.
  19. audacious
    disposed to venture or take risks
    My plan is audacious, mad.
  20. supercilious
    having or showing arrogant superiority
    I do my best Tepaneca accent,
    add that supercilious swagger.
  21. pique
    call forth, as an emotion, feeling, or response
    His interest is piqued.
  22. jibe
    be compatible, similar, or consistent
    Just enough of the truth
    to make the lie feel real,
    to jibe with information
    he may already possess.
  23. balk
    refuse to proceed or comply
    The guards that have been creeping
    in our wake, held at bay by this blade
    and their master’s commands, balk.
  24. wheedle
    influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
    By letting them wheedle and tempt me, I kept them away from you both!
  25. dowager
    a dignified and high-status older woman
    “Dowager Queen Matlalcihuatzin, meet Lady Sekaltzin. She is my Royal Consort, mother of my two sons—Cipactli and Tlecoyotl. Boys, this is your grandmother.”
  26. clandestine
    conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods
    We have all discussed these terms separately and together in various clandestine settings, yet I am glad to see us gathered officially at last, having achieved several of our multiple objectives.
  27. caveat
    a warning against certain acts
    Each king will control the city states within his region of control, with the caveat that the Mexica sovereign is first among his peers. A king of kings, if you will.
  28. logistical
    of or relating to the management of an operation or event
    “During a previous conversation, you mentioned that there would be three collection centers where tribute would be brought together for distribution. I shall be frank: I should rather not have the ‘places of power’ also serve as collection centers. Let other kings grapple with the logistical nightmare of storing and guarding tribute.”
  29. minutia
    a small or minor detail
    Nine hells, even the battlefield is better than the mind-numbing minutiae of socioeconomic planning.
  30. integral
    existing as an essential constituent or characteristic
    “I know this is a Mexica empire, and I am an integral part of the vision you and Tlacaelleltzin seek to spread throughout the sea-ringed world. Nahuas united, under Mexica leadership.”
  31. serf
    (Middle Ages) a person who is bound to the land and owned by the feudal lord
    New princes and princesses will arise, needing manors and lands, serfs to care for them, tribute to build their wealth.
  32. redound
    have an effect for good or ill
    My own vision for a cultural renaissance in the towns under my leadership, that will, of course, redound to the benefit of Tenochtitlan as well.
  33. brethren
    people who are members of the same social or cultural group
    Once you wear the Acolhua crown, we your allies and brethren shall ride with you into your father’s native lands, reverting to your hands the cities we once conquered for Tezozomoc and Chimalpopoca.
  34. proclivity
    a natural inclination
    You sent back the concubines proffered by the king of Tlacopan. Should we be concerned? Your choice of concubine suggests certain proclivities.
  35. flush
    force to come into the open, as from a place of concealment
    But right now...burn that building to the ground and flush Yancuilli out!
  36. portent
    a sign of something about to happen
    Eyolin’s face flashes over their features, a horrific portent.
  37. erratic
    having no fixed course
    My heart thuds with erratic terror.
  38. hew
    make or shape as with an axe
    I shall bring you a river, Lady Sekaltzin, carve
    a new course for it through rock and soil,
    spill into pools I shall hew into this very hill.
  39. immolation
    killing or offering as a sacrifice
    We descend hand in hand to a waiting litter
    and then, trailing guards and attendants,
    we reenter our city, rising in splendor—

    like the jeweled heart of Quetzalcoatl,
    which soared from the ashes of immolation
    to set itself like a smoking star in the sky.
  40. palatial
    relating to or being a large and stately residence
    Not far away, a sprawling palatial complex
    is taking shape—Hueyitecpan, my sons call it.
    The Big Castle, to contrast with Father’s Cillan.
Created on Mon May 27 08:59:27 EDT 2024 (updated Tue May 28 12:23:31 EDT 2024)

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