These ceremonies being finished, there was silence for a while, till presently a band of filthy priests entered at the far end of the chamber, clad in their scarlet sacrificial robes.

Blood was on them everywhere, their long locks were matted with it, their hands were red with it, even their fierce eyes seemed full of it.

They advanced up the chamber till they stood before the dais, then suddenly the head priest lifted up his hands, crying aloud: 'Adore the immortal god, ye people,' and all those gathered there prostrated themselves shouting: 'We adore the god.' Thrice the priest cried aloud, and thrice they answered him thus, prostrating themselves at every answer.

Then they rose again, and the priest addressed me, saying: 'Forgive us, O Tezcat, that we cannot honour you as it is meet, for our sovereign should have been here to worship you with us.

But you know, O Tezcat, how sore is the strait of your servants, who must wage war in their own city against those who blaspheme you and your brother gods.
You know that our beloved emperor lies wounded, a prisoner in their unholy hands.