It was evening and the air in the garden was heavily scented as Dr. Smith, lost in his thoughts, walked along a path, his hands clutched behind his back. There had to be another way into the tomb, he reasoned, for how else could the counterbalanced wall have been set in place? It would have required builders both in the tomb and outside in the temple. He presumed that the temple, and consequently the tomb, had been built before Nenetl's death as the pyramid must have taken a decade to construct and that, Dr. Smith considered, was a long time to keep a corpse hanging around waiting to be laid to rest. So, when Nenetl died someone, Yaotl's grandfather, perhaps, had to open up the wall from inside the tomb. Therefore there had to be a secret entrance to steps leading up to a trapdoor, most likely, and now possibly sealed, in the floor of the tomb.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEX1bTCoua
Dr. Smith sighed and sniffed the perfumed air without appreciating int. How would the trapdoor be sealed? he asked himself. Closed, it would be seated on a flange which, once Nenetl's body was placed in the tomb, could have been lined with terracotta, a mixture of sand and clay, that would harden like a brick when heated. Yes, that must be the answer, Dr. Smith decided and then wondered how much force would be needed to break the seal. A hammer, a chisel and West's biceps would suffice, he concluded. All that now remained was to locate the secret entrance to the steps and that, he realized dejectedly, could be almost anywhere. But where would be the likeliest place?411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOowWa060dx
"Zachary." Zuma's voice broke his train of thought. Irritated, he saw her coming along the path towards him. "My dear, I am glad to find you alone as I have a gift for you."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZsY3dovpt
"How very kind," Dr. Smith mumbled, wondering if it were more cocoa beans. Instead, she gave him a beautiful jade brooch with an eagle and, separately, a coiled snake carved on it.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3v3LiOk6RA
He was taken aback. "Dear lady, I cannot possibly accept such a..." he began but stopped when Zuma said the gift signified her love for him. Dr. Smith swallowed. "I shall treasure it always."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRASKysE8r
"I am pleased, though it is yours by right."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANf58uB8Fr
Dr. Smith was puzzled. "Why do you say that?" he asked.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKp8Wbpy6dO
"It came from Nenetl's tomb."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05rDTiXgNW
Dr. Smith was dumbfounded. "From...where?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlEPxS2jKj
"The tomb. See? It has Nenetl's sign on it," she pointed to the snake, "the coiled serpent."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMhyXVrd2P
"But that is the emblem of the Aztec nation," Dr. Smith said.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXeg1LBtH6
"That is so," Zuman replied. "Only the serpent is held either in the eagle's beak or its claws. Nenetl's sign of the coiled serpent is separate from the eagle."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡab3L6MAU2d
Dr. Smith turned the brooch over in his hands. "It's quite magnificent." He smiled at her and asked casually how she had come by it.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuCcLapbJA
Zuma blushed. "Though married, Yaotl's father fell in love with me. I did what I could to discourage his advances. But he insisted that I accept the brooch, which he gave to me seven days before he disappeared."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTZGuzerVK
"Disappeared?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YOKO9P5Yj
"Yes, here in the garden," Zuma replied. "He was never seen again." She dismissed the topic with a gesture of her hand. "But it was a long time ago and now I look forward to a life of bliss with you."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡue59tR7tjZ
"And I with you, my dear," Dr. Smith said absently, his mind on other matters.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgW3EnbTQI
"Peace and contentment," Zuma reflected.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBryYVl6RZ
"Rapture and joy," Dr. Smith echoed.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiF5FzNYX7v
"We shall have a garden of our own," she announced.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOaT3HqsL3
The Doctor eyes lit up. "Yes, of course," he agreed. "A garden of our own." And his eyes traveled to the wall and the stone with the coiled snake carved on it.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNlzEFuASU
As soon as he decently could Dr. Smith took his leave of Zuma and hurried to the barracks. When Dr. Smith burst into his quarters, Don was desperately trying to think of something constructive he could do to put them safely back on board the TARDIS and get them safely on their way.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzlGUZ1TkG
"Eureka, West, I have it!" Dr. Smith exclaimed, and then hesitated. "At least, I think I have."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2h0nrEGye
"What?" Don asked, taken aback.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZmrKFSbG2
Dr. Smith held the brooch in the palm of his right hand and poked it with his left forefinger. "This came from Nenetl's tomb. And who took it?" he demanded without waiting for an answer. "His father!" He pointed dramatically at Yaotl's quarters on the other side of the courtyard and then poked the brooch again. "So there's the proof that a secret way into the tomb exists and Yaotl's father knew about it." 411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8C1MGZQ6o
Dr. Smith looked about him conspiratorially and moved closer to Don. "But what is much more important, West, my dear boy, is that I believe I know where it is." His voice was little more than an urgent whisper. "Underneath the garden is an irrigation tunnel used for watering the flowers, and in the back wall is a stone with a coiled snake.....Nenetl's sign...carved upon it. I'm certain that the stone can be removed to reveal a way into the tunnel. I'm convinced that under the temple wall there will be a flight of stairs leading up to the tomb." Dr. Smith's eyes darted here and there in search of a possible eavesdropper before he continued. "Tonight, West, tonight, once Yaotl is asleep, come to the garden where I shall be waiting for you."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbVSj5UyJM
"All right, Dr. Smith, I'll be there," Don said.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsSxGeCfkm
"Good fellow," Dr. Smith replied and slapped him on the back.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2tY6b0uun
"How did you get hold this?" Don asked, tapping the brooch.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06Qz6XoE2g
Dr. Smith cleared his throat. "My fiancée gave it to me as a present."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnRbbsZhPG
"I see," Don replied before it registered. "Your what?" he choked.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cxj87AVrk
"I made some cocoa and became engaged to Zuma."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5UIqNnTnX
Don began to chuckle.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOf457LHOQ
"Did I say something funny, West?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZu66khbdt
Don tried to keep a straight face.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxK5pM8YkYf
"And the sooner we are away from here, the better."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RKOug5FyJ
"Yes, Dr. Smith," Don managed to reply, his shoulders shaking. "I'll be there tonight."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXHNC4Fu0W
Dr. Smith turned to leave.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXu6MA6ElR0
"Oh, and by the way, Dr. Smith, congratulations," he said and doubled up.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGenVGbyGiX
Dr. Smith stormed off. From his quarters, Yaotl watched him go.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJ3V7HMQTv
Ann was in the antechamber when a guard announced that the High Priest of Sacrifice and the Priest of Knowledge awaited her in the temple. Her defences came up instinctively. "Say that I shall recieve them presently," she said.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FZ62DaVcb
The guard bowed and withdrew.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KmfhoWxay
Ann considered her strategy. Should she listen to them first and then riposte as best she could, or should she go directly on the attack? She placed the plumed crown on her head and decided upon the latter course of action. When she reached the temple, she ignored them until she sat upon the throne.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcTRt2EHPD
"Why do you attend me?" Her voice was glacial.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwuGpBwFsX
Ollin kept his eyes fixed onher while Tlaqui looked down at his posy and shuffled his feet. "There is a matter we would place before you, Great Spirit," he burbled.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuS7RDibBT
Ann raised one eyebrow. "You wish the gods to favor the Priest of Knowledge with their good opinions?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTTjAPPRYm
"Their advice," Tlaqui conceded.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy87vbGPuJ
"And yet you sin against them with your test of poison," Ann snapped as Tlaqui studied his posy even more intently.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6VG2kb6Um
"Let us talk of this other matter," Ollin cajoled.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDEmOITxwr
"Silence." It was like a whiplash across his back, but he gritted his teeth and contained his fury.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXoWMDKEeH
Ann looked back at Tlaqui. "Your offense against the gods is forgiven. Now, what would you discuss?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKQKzos04x
"The punishment for one who speaks out against our teachings and defies our laws." 411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTEZWr6uWx
Ann realized that this time it was a verbal trap that Ollin was trying to spring.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiUtcw4Wq2
"Was this spoken in public?" she asked cautiously.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMSfdmDv1d
"Yes, Great Spirit, and after being duly warned," Tlaqui emphasized.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ijmDSFcxp
"Were there witnesses to the warning?" Take it one step at a time, she advised herself.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzP6FofH54i
"Tetzal and myself."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJCNlwfyOI
"What was the offense?" Ann was concerned that Tetzal was involved and curious to know why he wasn't with them.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkupxNgdMK
"Denying a desire of the Perfect Victim."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSpgeDVwxv
"Be specific, Tlaqui. What was his wish?" Like the poisoned draught, she guessed this interview was being conducted behind Tetzal's back.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jREK84AjM
"To be wed."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXzVOl3MZX
Ann thought that taking a bride two days before one died willingly was absurd. "To be wed and widowed in two days? What kind of marriage is that for an Aztec maiden?" she asked.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrx0Pwf1DzK
Ollin's eyes glinted with secret pleasure. He had rehearsed Tlaqui well and Ann had fallen into the trap.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWvPn2YRGD
Tlaqui argued that Aztec warriors frequently wed before going off to war and some did not return, but they were not proclaimed gods as the Perfect Victim would be.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbRDweL4Jb
"There could be no greater honor," he concluded.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDJCZfjJTi
"And if she wanted to marry again?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPB6zb6oE2u
Tlaqui shook his head vigorously. "Marriage to a mortal would be unthinkable to the widow of a god."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaM9ZbUmOY7
"So this maiden has defied your teachings and your law by spurning his proposal of marriage," Ann said, and when Tlaqui nodded, she thought "Good for you, girl." "And what does the law prescribe for such an offense?" she asked.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFzzwFCGfi
Tlaqui waved his posy. "We know of none. Such a rejection has never occurred before," he replied. "That is why we have sought your advice."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMrs6XGdn7
"Liar," Ann thought and stared at Ollin. "She will not die," her voice was adamant.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3rimakX6J
"Then let her be publicly ridiculed," Tlaqui proposed.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwp6m4Sobc
Ann thought that if there must be a punishment, ridicule would be relatively harmless.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaVgUlwbZB
Ollin took a half-step forward. "I say she should be scourged," he hissed. "Her ears and tongue pierced with thorns."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtfFr9dz8w
"I fobid it," Ann snapped.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUKcUH2pZL
"Tetzal upholds it." Ollin's voice was a menace.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrrAwEjzrp
"Let him say so, then," Ann replied dryly.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWVDKVdZqR
"He will, he will," Ollin assured her, "when the time comes."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2zPi4JKHl
"And when will that be?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lNHloh0Js
"On the day of darkness," Tlaqui replied.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIc6i8AD3M
"Before all the people," Ollin made a sweeping gesture with his arm before pointing at Ann, "and you must be there so that the gravity of the offence is known."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjJtF1yPoH
"I shall witness the punishment from the temple," Ann said, a plan forumlating in her brain. "But I wish my servants to be present with me. Don, my aged servant, and my handmaiden."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYP435bB9J8
"It shall be arranged," Ollin said without expression. "Both the men and your handmaiden will be there. That I promise."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFx4xOL9hn
As the High Priest of Sacrifice limps from the temple with Tlaqui at his side, Ann sensed she had made a mistake somewhere. She went over their conversation several times in her mind and then summoned the High Priest of Knowledge to the temple.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyw7VUqrKCY
Tetzal's face was grave as he listened to Ann's account of his encounter with Tlaqui and the High Priest of Sacrifice.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZM1cLOzKA
"Ollin insisted you upheld such bestial treatment. Is that true?" she asked.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0ZsYswNhe
"Is it still your intention to intervene at the sacrifice of the Perfect Victim?" Tetzal countered.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2EBFMn9Cf
"Of course, it is," Ann said firmly.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiNQ6zK6py
"Then I shall match your courage, Nenetl," he replied. "Though it grieves my heart, as it must yours."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuR8euKwnof
"I'll shed no tears over an end to human sacrifice." Ann was resolute.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IxDiS9kz4
"I was referring to your handmaiden," Tetzal explained.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnG9Zk8FP8
"What about Penny?" Ann asked sharply.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpwoPL55cR
Tetzal was perplexed. "You have just spoken of her offense."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNmgUzRdXy
Ann jumped to her feet. "Penny was to be the bride?" she exclaimed.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fgVABYNRy
"Did not Ollin say so?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4ldZrrqZV
So that had been the trap, Ann thought; a deliberate omission on Ollin's part and a stupid one on hers.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRykSxtdzJ
"I shall forbid the punishment."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Tvzgmc629
"You cannot," Tetzal replied flatly.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO60GvpjVDS
"Oh yes, I can!" she said fiercely. "Penny is to be punished at the eclipse so when you and I stop the human sacrifice then I will order Ollin to release her as well."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccTOPjC6Bl
Tetzal shook his head. "She is to be punished before the sacrifice to the Sun God."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LEjDTOyC7
"I won't let him hurt her. I won't!" Ann's voice was final.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaYVBIkjrg
The High Priest looked at her. "Wil you, then, sacrifice all that you believe in, all that you have given me to believe in, to save your handmaiden pain?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0ZU2L0Brn
Ann had no answer.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6G16iP2uL
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLAO3PzsmN
