Yena's POV

It's time for the sacrifices. Dad organized the tribute from the people. While Miguel and Tulio slept off their hangovers. Tulio more then Miguel. Tzekel-Kan got all dressed up for the occasion. I stand by my father and Tzekel-Kan went to wake the guys. I'm sorry, I meant 'gods'.

"And now it's my turn" Tzekel-Kan whispers in my father's ear. Believing the gods would enjoy his tribute then the feast last night. Unlikely. He then looks at the people. "THE GODS HAVE AWAKENED!" he announces. His voice echos as the trumpets sounded.

I notice Chel throwing flowers onto the ground. Tulio and Miguel appear. Tulio whispers something to Chel and she answers in a whisper. No doubt he was wondering what was going on. Miguel sends me a smile and I smile back before looking at the crowd.

"This city has been granted a great blessing. And what have we done to show our gratitude? A meager celebration" Tzekel-Kan says unimpressed. It wasn't meager, it was bigger then my 21st birthday a few days ago. "The gods deserve a proper tribute!" he shouts.

Three men appear carrying a bag. No doubt with the human sacrifice inside it. They place it down in front of Tzekel-Kan. "The beginning of a new era, the dawning of a new age, demands, sacrifice!" he declares as the man inside the bag is revealed.

His hands are bound. We all gasp in shock. I side glance at the guys and they look horrified. I notice them whisper to each other. Miguel placing a hand on Tulio's shoulder. Tzekel-Kan gets ready to sacrifice the man to Xibalba.

"Stop!" Tulio demands and Tzekel-Kan does so. I give them a relieved smile as they approach the pair. Everyone looks a mixture of surprise, shock, relieved and confused. Miguel catches the man as he falls backwards. "This is not a proper tribute" he tells Tzekel-Kan.

"You don't want the tribute?" Tzekel-Kan asks confused.

"No. No, no. We want tribute. Uh, it's just that, uh..." Miguel trials off not knowing what to say. He looks at Tulio as he drags the man away. "Tulio tell him" he says. Tulio thinks briefly before speaking pointing up at the sky.

"The stars are not in position for this tribute!" Tulio declares.

"Like he says, the stars... Can't do it. Not today" Miguel agrees.

"Ah. Perhaps it is impossible I misread the heavens" Tzekel-Kan says disappointed in himself.

"Take him to the healing house" I tell two guards. They step forward and take the man from Miguel. "Thank you" I tell them and him.

"Don't worry about it. To err is human, to forgive" Miguel tells Tzekel-Kan. Just then my father steps forward to address them.

"My daughter thought this might happen, so had us prepare another tribute from the people" my father states. "My lords, may the people of El Dorado offer you our tribute" he says stepping aside. Revealing about dozen girls holding plates of gold. The guys look at it in awe.

"My lords, does this please you?" I ask them smugly. Tulio sighs longingly looking at the gold. I giggle at his reaction as Miguel hits him lightly.

"Yes, very nice Yena" Miguel tells me happily.

"Certainly acceptable" Tulio agrees nodding his head.

"Yes, lovely. It'll do" Miguel says trying to act in different.

"The gods have chosen!" father declares. "To Xibalba?" he asks them. As the crowd mutters. Chel mutters 'no' under her breath an I realize we haven't told them about Xibalba yet.

"To Xibalba!" they say together. Chel face palms and I giggle. The girls start to throw the gold into the whirlpool below. That will take it to Xibalba. The guys looked shocked as Chel approached them. As the crowd chant Xibalba.

Chel has a whispered conversation with the guys. Before approaching my father and I. "What is it Chel?" I ask her. Though I know what she wants.

"Well Yena, Chief. The gods have changed their minds about Xibalba" she tells us innocently. "They wish to bask in the reverence that has been shown them" she states. My father nods his head.

"Stop!" he shouts and they do so. Tulio stops a plate from rolling over the edge of the platform. Everyone looks at my father. "They wish to bask! Take the tribute to the gods' temple!" he orders. Miguel and Tulio walk over to us.

"Nice going" Tulio tells Chel.

"You too Yena, with the second tribute idea" Miguel whispers. I smile at him. As the four of us head for the temple together. "So when did you ask your father about a second tribute? What did you say?" he asks me curious.

"Last night at the feast while you went to tend to Tulio. I simply suggested the people of El Dorado offer their own tribute encase you didn't want the sacrifice. Then I suggested it be gold" I explaining with a smile.

"Clever" he praises putting an arm around my shoulder. I blush lightly saying it was nothing. Chel and I then left them to go tend to our chores. Until I was called to have a meeting with my father and the guys.

A/N

Pictures above of Miguel and Tulio stopping Tzekel-Kan from sacrificing someone. Picture on the external link of the people of El Dorado's tribute.