The cell Penny occupied at the seminary was one of several which opened onto a cloister. It was a small room with only a woven straw mattress, a wicker-work trunk and a cushion for furniture. She wore a full-length simple gray robe with short sleeves, and a multi-colored sash tied around her waist. She sat on the cushion looking up at Tetzal, who stood in front of her.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONjYOMgIy8
"You have been taught the code of the good housewife and committed it to memory?" the High Priest asked.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTCGJVMikO
"I have," Penny replied.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4XE2H58Yz
"Let me hear it."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfKorKKAVJ
"Tend well your nurseries and your flowerbeds. Keep clean your pot and stewpan," she recited. "Do not spend recklessly, do not destroy or cheapen yourself." She hesitated, thinking about the word 'destroy' and Ollin.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFjxid8GGf
"You will never have..." Tetzal prompted as Tlaqui came into the cell.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPv5kMKJfD
"Oh yes. You will never have a house or a home of your own if you live like that," she rattled off. Tlaqui nodded approvingly and remarked that Penny had learned it diligently. Penny wondered if the Priest of Knowledge would like to know about Einstein's theory of relativity.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1vhNIau9j
Tetzal praised her as a good pupil who used her intelligence and then introduced Tlaqui. Penny stood up and went to shake hands.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMEjVFeZFf
"You do not greet your elders in such a manner," Tetzal reproached her, "you stand still, not looking around. Your eyes see only the person to whom you are being introduced," he made a small gesture with his posy. "Unless you are meeting for the first time your prospective husband, in which case you keep your eyes downcast."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQPVLhAIod
"But how will I know?" Penny was intrigued.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoPZY0BJPZ
"Know what, child?"425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqHohfNidY
"That he's to be my husband."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUIqGZ3o2d
"You will be told," Tetzal stated very matter-of-factly.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwFsUdk3yQ
"Told!" Penny exploded. "No one's going to tell me who to marry."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17OmKaOcFd
Tlaqui was taken aback. "What say have you in the matter?"425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6zFvgw1c7
"It's my life," Penny's voice was full of indignation, "and I'll spend it with whom I choose, not someone picked out for me."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkn1VJstu4
Tetzal was perturbed by her outburst. Young Aztec women accepted arranged marriages without question, but if, as Nenetl's handmaiden, Penny refused, that meant that their traditional behavior was contrary to the god's wishes. If this were so, then in how many other ways might they also be so acting? The seed of doubt was sown!425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5U4EVOBz1
Dr. Smith was weeding a flowerbed when Yaotl came into the garden. He strode over to Dr. Smith and identified himself as the grandson of Atl, the man who built the temple. Dr. Smith straightened and looked at Yoatl, who wore an ordinary warrior's loin-cloth and cloak, as well as a plumed battle-mask which concealed the upper half of his face.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0cCP9qpEE
"Ah!" Dr. Smith said, and expressed his admiration of the pyramid. "The entrance to the tomb of the High Priest Nenetl is particularly fine piece of work."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2VNvOqVkp
"Only the temples my father's father built have similar vaults," Yaotl replied.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpe4t0UJ4h
"A secret design. All the best architects have one," Dr. Smith remarked.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cxklELaJC
"A drawing exists," Yaotl said, adding that as his father and his grandfather were with the gods it was in his possession.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6sGFWigcN
"Would it be possible for me to see it?" Dr. Smith enquired.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0OOsPFXqP
"Can a humble warrior deny the request of Nenetl's aged servant? I shall show it to you after sunset if the gods are willing."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIPIJybZeW
"Why shouldn't they be?"425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtakVvQYJeX
Dr. Smith was curious and Yaotl explained that he had to meet another warrior in combat just before the sun set.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfThocubvN
"Not to the death, I trust?" Dr. Smith asked anxiously.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheiz7tORjZ
"No, but defeat would mean disgrace," Yaotl replied, "and I would be confined to my quarters and no one might look upon me or speak to me for many days."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOSpo7R6Up
Dr. Smith gave the problem his consideration.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZUkvRuHrd
"My opponent has been selected," Yaotl continued. "I know his name and I fear defeat."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDoy2cXAN8
Dr. Smith asked what weapons would be used.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHpVmBjO3l
Yaotl spread out his hands. "These alone, and my skills like with a spear, sword or club."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPkEs8SCxx
"Oh dear," Dr. Smith sighed. "And I really wanted to see the drawing."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WhnWoHL2Z
"No more than I desire a victory."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZJPD4Sq6h
Dr. Smith studied the scratch on the back of his hand. "Then let us assist each other," he said, and led Yaotl to he maguey cactus plant. Dr. Smith broke off a thorn and then a shoot from the herb beside it. He began squeezing the sap from the stem onto the tip of the thorn.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdb3Bsa6Gty
"With this I shall win?" Yaotl asked.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjgZZU1Yhf
"Take care not to scratch yourself with it," Dr. Smith advised.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkL7IsgyO6
"The aged servant of Nenetl proffers poison?"425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHROGLHxrod
"Not to kill." Dr. Smith squeezed the last drop of sap onto the thorn. "But if used properly it will drain away your opponent's strength and he will sleep. Scratch here." Dr. Smith drew it across the inside of his wrist and then handed the thorn to the Chosen Warrior.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gmOwxFl7i
"I thank you," Yaotl smiled.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOC6kOs4MB
"You won't forget the drawing, will you?"425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWY338aBWgH
"I shall be here after sunset."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhOsq1QEto
"So shall I."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqYEtUQSGX
Yaotl strode away and Dr.Smith sat on a bench thinking that a little knowledge of horticulture could, on occasion, take one a very long way.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GV6ZIVvBv
Under Ollin's supervising eyes, Don stood in the middle of the courtyard swinging a cudgel in circles around his head and alongside his body, shifting it from hand to hand. It reminded him of working out with Indian clubs in a gymnasium---only this time he was not simply toning up his muscles but readying himself for a battle that would mean life or death. Under Aztec law, he had defeated Yaotl, but he knew that neither Ollin nor the Chosen Warrior would accept it. He realized he was no match for Yaotl with a spear----fighting with them he would be on the defensive, using his shield for protection. With cudgels he thought he stood a chance, but with his bare hands he knew he could win. He needed a strategy, a battle plan which would never give Yaotl the advantage. The problem was to bring the contest to a wrestling match as quickly as possible so that he could use a mixture of techniques---all-in, judo and karate----of which he was sure the Aztecs knew nothing. He paused to consider the problem.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcH4VMXcnr
"Does fatigue affect the young man in Nenetl's service?" Ollin's voice was sardonic.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKCnMYJxCZ
Don looked at him evenly. "Does the High Priest of Sacrifice scorn my attempts to prove my worthiness to command?" Don picked up a second cudgel and began swinging both of them in a gymnasium routine. As the studded cudgels were heavier than Indian clubs his wrists soon began to ache but he was determined not to let Ollin see any sign of it. Yaotl came onto the courtyard and went to Ollin's side as Don stepped up his pace.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZIRW4Z3DM
"Can you conquer him, Yaotl?" Ollin murmured.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88KuPr5yjE
"I know it," Yaotl grinned and called to Don, who stopped, secretly grateful, and turned to face him.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYVNjTqvya
"Yes, Yaotl?"425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8sIuf9urO
"I challenge you to a contest of strength!"425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddvylOPBh0
"A fight?"425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvfdJ0VvuX
"Without weapons. Your hands defeated me. Now let mine strive for victory over you."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIL3lo3u2db
Don was suspicious. He could not understand why Yaotl would throw down the gauntlet where he had the least likelihood of success.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgv78w5lS1j
"Will you refuse him?" Ollin's voice rasped.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlSzMIrhEx
"No," Don replied.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvH5cTp9gW
"Then we fight here as the sun sets."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrq5zXcHke3
"All right." Don began to swing the cudgels again but his brain sought the reason behind the challenge.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZiHYBX7GO
"You are confident of victory?" Ollin's eyes were fixed on Don as he muttered the question to Yaotl.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuxrpuSm6y
"If you wish it, he shall die," Yaotl replied.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBAwMQcGgP
Ollin nodded. "Let him die," he said with a brushing aside movement of his hand.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqsZ8GJjRU
Ann and Tetzal were in the temple. She was standing beside the throne and the High Priest of Knowledge had been questioning her about Aztec mythology. Once more Ann owed much to her studies in college.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4qPNZGqXA
"I shall tell the High Priest of Sacrifice that I am satisfied of your divinity," Tetzal said when the questioning was finished.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMFxPHnZb1
"That won't stop Ollin," Ann smiled wryly. "He's out to destroy me."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ74O84mtUK
"He cannot. Not while I believe you to be Nenetl," Tetzal said gravely.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCn2BG4SFat
"Then why do you question me at his bidding?"425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJKDZLxEwG
"We both serve Huitzilopochtli faithfully."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEsKpJnbbG
"Do you?" Ann looked at him quizzically. "Were you not angry when I forbade the sacrifice to the Rain God?"425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMIDJrsDTK
"No."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJx8iER3uKB
"Do you then question the need for human sacrifice?"425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmIj0RAN65
"I accept it. We send messengers to many gods." Tetzal smiled at her. "So why should the gods not send a messenger to us?"425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVF8jhhlaq
"To say there must be no more human sacrifice," Ann suggested quietly. She walked around the throne running her right forefinger along the arm, over the back and along the other arm.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFR3tulyHF
"I shall not oppose the gods if it is their will that such sacrifices cease."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR35qtfNRJR
"And Ollin? What of him?"425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCP1fh8erk
"I have said we both serve Huitzilopochtli faithfully and through him the other gods whose biddings we obey."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZEG9GU7t5
Ann smiled at his serious face. "The High Priest of Knowledge speaks with great wisdom."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuetccIq7M4
He studied his posy of flowers for a few seconds before replying, "If your words are denied, shall we not be living in defiance of the gods?" he asked.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5jeN6INHE
Ann went back mentally to her history books again and the end of the Aztec civilization under the Spanish yoke. "Famine, drought, and disaster will come and more and more sacrifices will be made in supplication," she said slowly, measuring out her words. "I see a time to come when ten thousand warriors will die in one day under the obsidian knives of High Priests of Sacrifice."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaUdljQwpA
"In one day?" Tetzal was deeply distressed.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8shcTtiXDf
Ann thought about the Aztecs' last desperate bid to turn the tide of battle in their favor, never fully realizing that a loin-cloth, sandals, plumed head-dress, stabbing sword, studded cudgel, arrows and a shield were no match for armored breastplates, boots, steel helmets, cannons, blunderbusses, harquebuses and pistols.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1b6AH0kJw
"Then where will it end, Nenetl?" Tetzal's voice quavered.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbbHMlXioJ
"In total destruction," Ann replied softly. "Your civilization will pass forever from this land."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0wkgHivRh
"You prophesy our doom!" Tetzal's hands quivered in despair.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44H863MEyd
Ann stood silently beside the throne and waited.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAnwtBFKOM
"Let me think on these words, great Spirit," he said finally, bowed to her and hurried from the temple.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lJQH9Wgvx
Ann watched him leave. What are you playing at Ann MacGregor? she asked herself. Still trying to meddle with history? You know it can't be done, didn't Dr. Smith tell you, didn't you ignore him, and fail? So what are you doing quoting facts and statistics out of history books and causing enormous distress to the only Aztec ally you have? She felt ashamed and suddenly very tired. She left the temple and went down to the antechamber to rest.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPhQcNfZkw
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTU7gqCG5lS
