The next morning, Xiulote was awakened by his body's natural rhythm. He looked out the window—the light of dawn was faint, and the sounds of the city faintly reached his ears. In this era, common people always rose with the sunrise to make the most of every minute of sunlight. Last night he had dreamt of the glorious Maya, and today before him lay the thriving capital, where the fire of civilization was rising.
The young man then got up and went to a courtyard filled with Huashu trees. On this chilly morning, Bertade had already prepared a tub of cold water. First, there was a half-hour cold bath, followed by an hour of physical training, and then an hour of combat practice.