The Itzeltek Priest's Story

In the days when the gods still walked the earth, the priest of Itzeltek, The Lord of the Dead, had a beloved daughter. He gave her everything she desired, forbidding only one thing: to go near the sacred beasts. For they, like their god, were fierce of temper and did not welcome the living where the dead hold sway. But the girl was gnawed by curiosity. One night she slipped away to the altar and lingered through the dark hours, until the sky began to pale. When she returned home, a burning fever seized her at once. The priest could not save her… Long he mourned, until at last he chose to walk the road that leads into the realm of the dead, in search of his child. Before him stood the Guardian of the Last Gate—a vast crocodile, barring the way. The priest brought it low in fury, and stepped onto the road of the dead…

For a long time the priest wandered the roads of the dead, searching for his daughter. At last he saw her beneath the shade of a cotton tree—but she did not recognize her father. To restore the girl's memory, the priest dove into a deep black pool, seeking the fish that dwelt only in the bogs of Itzeltek. He roasted the catch over a cold fire and fed his daughter the pale flesh. And at once, her memory returned to her. Rejoicing, the priest took the girl by the hand and led her toward the throne of Itzeltek, to beg his god for mercy…

But long had the priest walked in faithful service, and the god's heart was stirred. He loosed them from his halls and parted the way that leads back to the light. The father rose in joy, the daughter following in his shadow. Then, all at once, the sound of splintering bone rang out behind him. He turned—and saw his daughter's form break and swell, flesh twisting into the shape of a great crocodile. Horror bound him fast, and the vast jaws closed over him as one. Thus a new guardian was set at the Last Gate, and the laughter of Itzeltek lingered long among the marshes.