The Lerma River flows from the highlands in the East, winding its way westward. The rainy season made the river surge, and here lies its natural crossing point, where the river is only two or three hundred meters wide.
The Tarasco and Mexica's canoe fleets were docked on opposite banks. At this moment, the naval forces from both sides, along with a hundred thousand warriors, were intently watching the Tarasco's pre-battle sacrificial rites.
Xiulote watched with great interest as his Tarasco companions carried out their morale-boosting performances.
The priests wore feather crowns on their heads that spread out like fan palms, with a preference for indigo blue feathers. Around their necks, each wore a string of necklaces, at the center of which was one or several clay round containers shaped somewhat like gourds. The youth was curious what these "clay gourds" were for.
The priests gradually placed sacrificial items on the newly constructed altars.