Aweit stood solemnly on the hilltop on the north coast, overlooking the enemy with focused attention. By his side were dozens of drummers, conch shell players, and flag bearers, awaiting the commander's orders.
This was the narrow crossing of the Lerma River, where, even during the rainy season when the waters rose, the widest part was only five or six hundred meters across, and the narrowest less than three hundred meters.
The Tarasco people launched a river crossing operation over a range of more than ten miles. Hundreds of canoes, loaded with warriors wielding two-handed pikes, approached from the south like a fleet of arrows, almost instantly upon them.
At the commander's order, a deep drum sound filled the great river. The Mexica canoes also surged forward. The paddlers accelerated to their maximum, and within moments, the fleets clashed fiercely.
Xiulote felt the world pause for a split second, then thunderous chaos erupted.