Tales of the Stargazers

Warlord Chik-Chan came, clothed in authority, and demanded a vision of his fate. I questioned the stars. And the stars answered: Chik-Chan would bring great calamity upon our people. The warlord did not accept the prophecy. In his fury, he ordered my records destroyed and sealed me here forever, without food or water. The stars are without mercy. They see. They will punish my killer.

Warlord Chik-Chan abducted the daughter of the northern chieftain and came to me for the star charts, wishing to take her as his wife according to our rites. I questioned the stars. And the stars answered: they were not meant to be together, for the chieftain's daughter resisted this union. Burning with rage, Chik-Chan destroyed the star charts. He refused to heed the will of the heavens. They tore out my tongue and sealed me here. And now not a day passes that I do not pray for vengeance. The stars are without mercy. They see. They will punish my killer.

The northern people declared war upon us, and Warlord Chik-Chan came to me seeking a prophecy. But the stars were silent. In helpless fury, Chik-Chan shattered the sanctuary above and defiled the observatory, sealing me within. Death draws near. I know this place will become my grave. My strength is nearly spent; thirst clouds my sight. Yet the stars see all. They whisper to me of vengeance. Chik-Chan will soon perish. A warband of the northern people will come for the chieftain's daughter and kill him, casting his body into the swamps near my grave. There it will change—swelling and twisting, entwining with the earth and with roots born of corruption. The stars whisper to me of the calamity Chik-Chan has brought upon my people. But here, there is no one left who can hear me.