Xijam left his human body in deep slumber but journeyed in his jaguar spirit form to the edge of the river to see Aji'.
"Aji'?"
"Yes, younger brother."
"What happened to you?"
"I believe I'm now numbered among the dead."
"You look horrible. What, who did this to you?"
A gust of night breeze blew incorporeal droplets of Aji''s blood that vanished like smoke upon hitting the earth. His exposed flesh moved with great difficulty, torn blood-matted muscles tensing in unimaginable pain to allow him to sit on his skinless haunches. A half-growl half-grimace confirmed his discomfort.
"I wandered into your enemies' lands to the east, I wanted to ask the co tucu ninim' there if he knew of the strange sickness that killed the boy from your village. I got my answer." He struggled to open his ja
