Morning in Tenochtitlan was a breathtaking event. The sun, Huitzilipotchli would begin to creep up on the city, casting his reflection onto the shimmering waters of Lake Texcoco. Tenochtitlan would be bathed in a warm glow that seemed to make it sparkle as though it were a jewel emerging from the waters of the lake. This would usually be followed by a warmth that would chase out the night chill and then settle into a cool comfortable breeze which would continue all day. As the city would wake the feather pennents of the larger buildings (The Great Council of State and the temple of Quetzalcoatl Victorious) would become visable, seeming to float over the city
The canal barges would move off of their docks and begin to shuttle the city's inhabitants to their various destinations. The guard would change at the various government buildings and palaces, the markets would begin to open and the smell of sweet Maize flour baking would fill the city.
Moteuczoma Tlotzin, first cousin to the Uley Tlotlani Moteuczoma Nacoxoc and Snake Woman to the Empire watched this from the rooftop garden of his palace within the Imperial Enclosure. He smiled to himself as he sipped his chocolate and admired what it was to be a citizen of the greatest city in the largest Empire in the history of the One World. He continued to watch with some amusement as the great canal gates of the Imperial Enclosure swung open to allow yet another tribute barge to pass through. The guards responsible for the gates had long ago grown used to the treasures of the Imperial Enclosure and as such remained stone-faced as the feathered barge passed through the gates, laden with works in gold, silver and jade. This would not be the first tribute barge to arrive today, for today was the day of giving. The day when the tributary nations of the Mexica would arrive to bring their gifts to the Lord of Lords, Moteuczoma Nacoxoc, thirty fourth Uley Tlotlani of the Moteuczoma dynasty.

I wonder what the Sericantzi will bring to us this year. The fire-powder of last year was a wonderous gift which has benefited us greatly. They of course did not explains it's full uses, but it did not take us long to realize the possibilities.....
Tlotzin's musings were interrupted by a palace page, wearing the bright read and gold feathered cloak denoting his station as an adjunct to the Imperial person.
He prostrated himself before the Snake Woman, Tlotzin and would only rise when the Snake Woman bid him to do so.

"Mighty Lord, The Uley Tlotlani requires your presence in the Hall of Small Bells. He says the new Ambassador from Lakam-ha has requested an audience with the Jaguar-King to present a most extraordinary gift."

Tlotzin nodded at this and handed his empty Chocolate cup to another page nearby who took it and bowed deeply.

"Inform the Lord of Lords that I shall attend him within the hour, but remind him that I have a meeting with the Council of Knights at mid-day and an evening dinner with the new Ambassador from Serica tonight."

The page again prostrated himself and was dimissed by Tlotzin with the flick of his hand.

When the page had gone, Tlotzin lingered for a moment on his rooftop garden, breathing in the pleasantness of the warm sun, before taking himself to the covered stairs and descending into his home.