Magical Maya
Adventures of Bobby and Eli
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
Prequel
1527 A.D.
The sky grew dark quickly. Weapon—clad forces arose from either side of the plain, taunting each other and waving long obsidian spears. Priests chanted incantations and analyzed the astrological signs. Medics erected makeshift hospitals to tend to the inevitable influx of the wounded. All precautions were being taken.
A dark, muscular man emerged from the advancing crowd and cried out, “Topiltzin, you have wronged the Toltecs. Now you must feel their anger!”
The Toltecs leapt up and down at their leader’s words. The air over the battleground filled with tension as the roar of the crowd increased. The battle was nearing. On the opposing field, the Mayan king yelled back in challenge.“Hurukan, the Mayans are peaceful people. But now for your insult and treachery, you will pay!”
The Toltec King, Hurukan, bellowed, “Fools. We now have an ally only God can destroy!”
With a roar, King Hurukan raised his red chert sword and thrust it towards the Mayans.
Trumpets blared and both forces crashed into each other as the sun set, a blood—red sun.
Chapter Nine
The guards positioned on either side of the doors of the palace slowly pulled them open, as the group arrived. Known as the Palace of Ahau Balam Kauil, it had two levels and large stone friezes depicting jaguars. The entire palace was circular shaped and surrounded a flourishing courtyard which gave it an aesthetic and natural look. Just like the Pyramid of Kukulcan, the Palace of Ahau Balam Kauil had looked more worn in the future.
Once inside the palace, Azumel, Bobby and Eli walked to a central court where the King and royalty were sitting.
“We have arrived, Your Majesty,” declared Azumel.
King Topiltzin turned from his audience. Even from a distance, Bobby could make out that he must be the king. He was a very tall and muscular man and held a commanding presence that would cow even the most confident of men. The clothes he wore were quite opulent and were adorned in ornaments of gold and precious stones. The other royalty wore rich clothes, but with less precious jewels.
King Topiltzin gestured towards them to take their places.
“I trust that you have heard the news,” said the king, immediately addressing Azumel. The report of the recent attack had reached the highest ranks.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” replied Azumel. The High Priest took his seat beside the King while the brothers stood in the center of the court. “The Toltecs must be dealt with swiftly before they become too powerful.”
“That is a matter that we have to decide,” said the King. He had a thoughtful expression on his handsome face.
Bobby sensed that the King was not a man to make rash decisions about war. His thoughts returned to the troubled world back home. How peaceful would my world be if every nation had leaders who were thoughtful before going to war. Now King Topiltzin cast his gaze upon Bobby and Eli.
“Who are these young visitors? I do not recall ever seeing them in Chich’en Itzá. Their clothes are our attire, but their faces look different.”
“They are newcomers to this land. Ahaw Kin has already determined that they are clean, so they cannot be Toltecs. Apparently they are from the future, yet somehow they ended up here,” replied Azumel.
The princes whispered in disbelief and some in awe. But the King did not seem as surprised by Azumel’s statement.
“Well, if you are from the future, what year do you live upon Earth?” asked King Topiltzin.
“Two Thousand Ten, Your Majesty,” said Bobby.
The king raised his brow, then looked Bobby in the eye for a few seconds. He glanced at the rest of his Court with a knowing expression. Bobby noticed that the members of court shifted uncomfortably in their seats and began whispering to each other upon hearing the year. They observed Bobby and Eli with a certain pity on their faces.
Azumel looked quizzically at the brothers.
“Child, in your world, do you know that our Mayan calendar ends at 2012?” he asked. “Perhaps, you may have been experiencing abnormal natural catastrophes?”
Bobby thought back to the past year. True, disasters like the great oil spill and the Asian floods had wreaked havoc, but few actually believed that the events had anything to do with 2012.
“Yes, we heard, but no one believes it,” piped up Eli, echoing Bobby’s belief. Turning to the king, Eli continued, “Anyway, what can we do to get out of here? That’s our main problem, you know.”
Eli is not afraid of anyone. He continues to speak his mind, as if he were in his own living room, thought Bobby.
But the king did not seem offended by Eli’s audaciousness and lack of trust in the sacred Mayan calendar. “Don’t worry. Our priests will sort out your problem,” he replied, looking a bit amused by Eli.
Before the king could continue the conversation, new council members arrived and were sitting with the other princes at the round table. Many looked gaunt and talked in hushed voices.
“Those Toltec people seem to be very bad,” remarked Eli, grasping the mood of the Royal Council.
“King Topiltzin, what are we going to do?” asked one of the princes.
“We will decide that matter at a later time,” replied the King. “Right now, we have two special guests here, children from the future.”
Bobby and Eli greeted the newcomers and, at the king’s invitation, explained their predicament. Although initially the reactions were mixed with disbelief, once they heard that Ahaw Kin had okayed them, the council members unanimously believed the brothers’ story.
“So you need help to get back home? Our priests should fix that. Is that correct, Azumel?” asked one prince. Azumel bowed his head in agreement, his brow deeply furrowed in thought.
King Topiltzin waved for Bobby and Eli to leave so that he could discuss serious matters with the members of court.
"I will call you back soon," said the King.
Azumel motioned the children to follow him and they walked towards the large doors. The guards pulled the doors open as they approached and a sudden gust of wind entered the room, like an uninvited guest waiting to enter a party. Bobby’s hair was swept back, and the loose front of his Mayan robes blown apart by the wind, revealing his modern clothing underneath.
As he tried to pull the robe together, one of the princes seated near the doors cried out, “Stop!”
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
"Fact filled, fun, a hook for anyone who wants to know about the Mayans!”
Fourteen-year-old Bobby Irukurehc wants some excitement. While he’s on the fast track to having the perfect life—prep school, Harvard, and then a place in his family’s law firm in Boston—he wants something more. But Bobby is about to discover that it’s best to be careful what you wish for …
Bobby accompanies his family to an archeological campsite at Chich’en Itzá, Mexico, home of the ancient Mayans. Determined to have some fun before school sucks it right out of him, Bobby and his little brother, Eli, tour a magnificent pyramid and marvel at its intricate construction. Later that night, Bobby realizes his prized watch is gone, and the brothers return to the site to find it. But something incredible happens: the boys are mystically transported to Chich’en Itzá in the year 1527 AD! Stuck in the ancient world, Bobby and Eli struggle to put all their historical knowledge to the test just to survive. They meet a cast of colorful characters, including a virtuous king, a curious high priest, loyal commanders, and evil enemies bent on their destruction. Bobby suddenly has all the adventure he could want, and he’s ready to go back home. But can the brothers find a way to return to their own time, or are they stuck forever?
About the Author
Nick Cherukuri is a high school student attending the prestigious Lawrenceville School in New Jersey. In his spare time, he likes to play golf, read, and catch up on his favorite shows. A high honor student, Cherukuri is currently working on his next novel.