The life-size clay model of a warrior wore a loin-cloth, sandals and a head-dress. On its chest was a small red circle to indicate the heart. Yaotl stood at the other end of the courtyard holding a javelin, which he threw with devastating accuracy into the circle. Don, who was watching with Tetzal, thought Yaotl would be a useful addition to a darts team. Yaotl swaggered over to them, his right hand on the hilt of the short sword hanging at his side.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPLC8TX0ma
"Thus shall my enemies fall," he said arrogantly.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZLm1Mzq0R
"Real enemies can strike back," Don remarked quietly.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSayXXp0EY
"I have no fear of death," Yaotl retorted.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNA3djMuxj
"Maybe not. The dead never win."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0lzNnQ4N8
Yaotl looked sharply at Don. "How would you attack?" he asked.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUohoYeMgPH
"A little more cunningly," Don replied. "I'd use stealth to surprise my enemy."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBqLF9g7mZ
"This also I can do." Yaotl spun around and when they were face to face again, the sword was drawn and the tip touching Don's stomach.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIedElMXXY9
Don smiled at Yaotl as the chosen warrior slid the sword back into its scabbard. Don held up his left thumb. "This is all I need," he said casually.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡce8u6YJanQ
Yaotl looked surprised and observed that to win a victory with a thumb would require strong magic.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtck7CyQDlR
Don shook his head. "Knowing your enemy's weakness isn't magic," he said, "it's common sense."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXLdi4VmM3
Yaotl laughed and pointed to himself. "What weakness have I that is vulnerable to your thumb?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXnIQM7IyN
"You'd be surprised," Don replied.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCnrp2jPsQ
Yaotl hesitated, doubt in his eyes.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0d8r6bgkz1
"Don't worry, Yaotl, I won't kill you. Not this time." Don remained composed; Tetzal was intrigued and Yaotl bristled.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaC5A42a0y
"You mock the arts of war and I defy you to harm me;" he challenged.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBDvfyEdTe
Don looked at the studded club that lay on the ground beside them. "Pick up the club, Yaotl," Don pointed at it with his left thumb.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfXLoFMv0T
Yaotl eyed Don suspiciously and then bent down to pick up the cudgel with his right hand. But he never quite reached it, as Don was astride him from behind and had clamped Yaotl's right arm in a half-nelson hold, leaving him powerless to pick up the cudgel or draw his sword. At the same time Don rammed his left thumb onto the pressure point behind Yaotl's left ear. For a few seconds Yaotl thrashed vainly with his left arm to disengage Don's thumb, and then went limp. Don released him and Yaotl slumped to the ground. Tetzal stared at Don in astonishment.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCaGkWC5Zb
"Give him a little time," Don smiled at the High Priest. "He'll wake up soon."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rvutfI3UX
At that moment Ollin limped into the courtyard. "Tetzal, there is a task to be...." he stopped short when he saw Yaotl.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHIl8QqNAq
Tetzal turned to him. "He sleeps. Nenetl's servant won the victory with his thumb."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrs3qX2bGof
Ollin looked warily at Don and turned back to Tetzal. "You saw the blow?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDpej8EgTC
"There was no blow." Tetzal held up his left thumb. "He defeated Yaotl with this."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinKBRsmrsL
"Tell him to rest until the sun has passed the zenith," Don advised as he walked away.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUFlNvuWq7
"Where do you go?" Tetzal asked.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyyRybgDhl
"For a stroll." Don was enjoying himself.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpUsxD5HNj
"I shall accompany you." And the two of them left the courtyard.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFZ1emCyXh
Yaotl stirred, propped himself up on his elbows, shook his head and exercised his neck muscles.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcAFtDdxGd
Ollin looked down at him. "Could you not fight against it?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgS14pQplsS
"I was powerless." Yaotl rose groggily to his feet and leaned against the courtyard wall. "My strength was drained from me like that," and he snapped his fingers.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZacxTIx2Y6
Ollin was disconcerted.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbTcGGRrEd
Tlaqui, a small, portly, balding Priest of Knowledge waddled, posy in hand, into the courtyard, bowed to Ollin and announced t hat the Perfect Victim desired to be admitted.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPxzMN2v6C
"All his requests must be granted," Ollin replied, and as Tlaqui left he reiterated quietly, "Must be granted."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMr7ampTcRo
The Perfect Victim entered the courtyard. He was a handsome youth of eighteen and his white loin-cloth and cloak were hemmed with a gold thread, which had also been used to weave the eagle and coiled-snake motif on the back of his cloak. Even his sandals were white.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXI6nO1KhU
"You grace the Chosen Warriors' barracks by your presence." Ollin gestured toward Yaotl. "He is one who would be commander of our armies."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItSPj6I89c
"Yaotl, I have heard of your valor and skill," the Perfect Victim exclaimed, and then looked puzzled. "Why do you say "would be" when all know he is to be the commander?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHIeY975aT
"There are some who say the accounts of his deeds and the truth are far apart," Ollin replied, looking shyly at Yaotl, who was furious.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5etd8mC3j
"No man can win against me!" he shouted.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5VYWNuddV
"None, not one?" Olliln sneered.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXyNJE1Pkz
"I shall lead our armies," Yaotl replied stubbornly. "It is my right to do so!"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghX6ewtWyM
"Yesterday it seemed so," Ollin remarked dryly.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡte55tWpoJA
Yaotl glared at him, picked up the cudgel, stomped off to the center of the courtyard and began practicing swings and blows.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0jQ3kgMuI
Tlaqui looked with surprise at the High Priest of Sacrifice.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfBTGzXj4W
"You would make an enemy?" he asked naively.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQe5KzZsWt4
"I?" Ollin protested. "I only know that I have seen a man who could defeat him."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31lTwuIc0i
"Defeat Yaotl?" The Perfect Victim could hadly believe his ears.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaMbzXXTW3
Yaotl stopped swinging the cudgel and turned towards tehm. "Once. And that by a trick." He pointed the cudgel at Ollin. "I tell you that face to face, I can pull the stranger down."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbuMEmKyrB
"Maybe."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDwer2uxSJ
"You drive the man." The Perfect Victim's voice was reproachful. "How often have you and Tetzal instructed me that small failings in a man may be his saving graces?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN69UWjbWqS
"But you, O' Perfect Victim, are as your name implies," Ollin replied. "When the time is ripe and you face the Gods, all failings will have dropped away. How else could you meet the gods to tell them of the Aztecs?" He paused dramatically and then raised his voice. "Should not the commander of our armies be equally pure so that his very name will strike awe and dread in our enemies' camps?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipo1QZXR7D
The Perfect Victim considered the High Priest's argument and nodded. "He who defeated Yaotl should command.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYyE1LJXLP
"No!" Yaotl roared.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMIwHgdVwU
Ollin raised a calming hand and conceded that Nenetl's servant may have won through trickery. "A second contest would resolve the matter but I cannot order it." He shrugged his shoulders and waited for Tlaqui, in his simplicity, to come to the rescue.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡub3XOSRJS8
"The Perfect Victim's desires must be fulfilled at all times," he burbled.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWmA1k51qD
Ollin clenched his fists in delight as the Perfect Victim went to Yaotl's side.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGIBj1cbZ5
"My faith in Yaotl is supreme," the young man said, "and it is my desire that the Chosen Warriors meet in contest once again."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcenjpdpbdm
"As the sun sets, I shall arrange it," Ollin promised, and then casually expressed his opinion that the two men fought better when one challenged the other as there was less vigor in a contest made solely for entertainment.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtqn4KBsb5
"I shall challenge the stranger," said Yaotl.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAse4GJQiEL
"Let it be so," the Perfect Victim said, and left the courtyard with Tlaqui.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXyrkZtJUX
Ollin limped to Yaotl's side and whispered in his ear. "This I promise you: all honor and glory shall be yours if you destroy him."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXQ0ltdkv6
Dr. Smith and Zuma were in the garden looking at the flowers and plants. Dr. Smith touched a leaf and asked her what it was.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsFkHWj7X8
"It is herbal and the sap of the stem is used by those who practice medicine to induce sleep."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZBVmwthJm
"I think I know of it," Dr. Smith replied, straightening up. As he did so , he scratched the back of his hand on a thorn of the maguey cactus plant which grew beside the herb. "Ouch!" He put the back of his hand to his mouth. Zuma laughed and suggested that Nenetl's aged servant might care to sleep until the wound healed. Dr. Smith declined, smiling, and they walked on along the path.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibt2BZOHtu
"What do you call yourself?" Zuma asked.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgkseEeP0F
"Zachary Smith, the Doctor of Many Things, at your service, my dear."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpxcRudIy2
Zuma was puzzled. "Doctor? You are a healer?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlV6irTqih
"A healer? Oh, heavens no. I am a scientist, an engineer, a builder of things."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIky9a4Oo1Z
"Now I understand your interest in the pyramid and the temple."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsC7GSGUk6f
Dr. Smith admitted that there were several details concerning the interior that intrigued him and this time came straight to the point.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhlW73GWca
"Nenetl's tomb, for example, is sealed, but surely the builder, now, what was his name....ah....ah....."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNIVjfIE1c
"Atl," Zuma said.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVdBjy8FFP
"Yes, of course," Dr. Smith replied. "Surely he devised a way of opening it."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmF2VJMa3zm
Zuma admitted that her knowledge of the pyramid was insufficient to answer his query, but she was sure Atl's grandson would know the answer.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jsvuoyM9s
Dr. Smith stopped and sniffed an exotic flower. "Such a fragrance," he murmured and added that he didn't want to pry into what might be a family secret.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Qju0pCyNd
"No one could think that of you," she replied. "When shall the meeting be?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9eDoiduS2
"Oh, any time." Dr. Smith was nonchalant. "Today?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxxDVyKMyE
Zuma observed that an interested mind brooked no delay.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldN3QCqXmc
Dr. Smith looked at her and smiled. "I'm sure that's true of you, Zuma."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhOun072an
She blushed. "I was once. Now I'm content to pass the time of day here like the others."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5J2DpLxTl
"Their minds are old, dear lady, something yours shall never, ever, be," Dr. Smith protested.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5Ut3Fklb5
Zuma smiled. "Your heart too is young, Dr. Smith." She touched his hand and said she would go and see the builder's grandson at once.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENgD0bPhrU
As she hurried away Dr.Smith sighed. He had a sense of guilt because, much as he liked Zuma, he knew he was using her. And does the end justify the means, he asked himself. In this instance, definitely, yes; the thought was resolute, but the guilt still niggled.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSEq7YVj2h
Ann received the High Priest of Sacrifice in the temple. Seated upon the throne, she was determined to draw on all the divinity she could muster. She looked down at Olliln and waited for him to speak.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6M81d8Llm
"The High Priest of Knowledge will question you."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5zsxCQoN6
"And if he finds that I am the Spirit of Nenetl returned, what then?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemhDTWn4OJ
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxRiBKWTpY
"I shall beg forgiveness of the Gods for my unworthy doubts."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVzn2CcEri
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKslKQrnFN
Ollin leaned towards the throne, his impenetrable eyes glistening. "Remember this also." His voice was a menace. "While your divinity is in dispute, only those who serve the temple may approach you."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYW3I7Ek6G
"My servant also," Ann protested.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlMHnIdM2s
"No!" Ollin spat out the word. "You are to remain alone."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj61tNbLUY3
"For what reason?" Ann enquired calmly.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHxvJhLbLN
"A false god's servants would conspire against us," Ollin said accusingly. "Such a danger we are unprepared to tolerate."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJSC545Cb4
"Then let my servants be told they may not enter here," Ann replied evenly.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHT7fMhFTfs
"As you command, Nenetl," Ollin replied and limped out of the temple leaving a very disquieted Ann behind him.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ehVKRtm3c
Zuma was walking along the broad avenue on her way to the barracks when a messenger approached her. He bowed respectfully and said that Yaotl, the Chosen Warrior, sought her counsel. Zuma smiled and replied that she would go directly to his quarters.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHcE0di2Ey
She came into the courtyard and went over to Yaotl's door, which was open. She called his name and Yaotl invited her in.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1Qn7VNjOT
The quarters consisted of three small rooms. On one side of the main living area was the bathroom, essential to most dwellings, as the Aztecs, with the exception of High Priests of Sacrifice, bathed two or three times a day. On the other side was the bedroom with a woven straw mattress on the floor and two wicker-work trunks for Yaotl's loin-cloths and cloaks. His head-dresses were kept on a shelf, his sandals underneath it. The main room had a legless square wooden table with a cushion at each side. Yaotl pointed to a cushion and Zuma sat down. Yaotl sat facing her.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOQNZQyzm9
"I was told you wish to see me, Yaotl."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXDatuGkOu
"I would seek your advice, Zuma."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZTTvQGxpE
"If I can give it, I shall," she replied.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpEyaV7aq1
Yaotl rubbed behind his left ear with his thumb and asked what she knew of magic.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9g4lVqKxGv
"Nothing," Zuma admitted. "Though it is my belief I knew one who does."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfG4tO3952
Yaotl leaned forward. "What name has this person?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuI6Vb1cDn3
"He is known as Zachary Smith and is the aged servant of Nenetl."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UALF1XmQY
Yaotl dismissed the suggestion with a wave of his hand. "An old fool with a strange name is of no use to me."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzBjQ4vqUM
"Ah, but you may be of service to him," Zuma said. "He seeks an interview with you."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYt3UFAl33
Yaotl was curious. "To what end?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5kH5t030z
"He is interested in your lamented father's father's work. In particular the temple," she added.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAy72ZvcecU
Yaotl ran his hand across his face. "Does he know my name?" he asked abruptly.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPU0DVXW1IZ
"No."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvVwlP2ITe
"Do not reveal it, but say that I shall meet him." His voice was casual.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPhI3WENj6
"Where?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIOQoJqGnN
"Does he not spend his day in the temple garden?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YejPXDCKL
Zuma nodded.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFq0pLyAjjH
"Then there, I shall pass by after the sun is over the zenith and my food has been brought to me." He stood up and helped Zuma to her feet.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pEVMD3eEX
"I shall deliver those words, Yaotl." She felt pleased to have been of service to the Doctor, as she liked his company.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0PCAxN3AG
"Be mindful not to reveal my name," Yaotl called to her from the doorway as Zuma crossed the courtyard. Then he went back into the room chuckling. There was no better way to destroy one's enemies than to let them destroy themselves.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIqOTifZte
