The High Priests met on the stairs and Tetzal related word for word all that Ann had told him.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPw2G91Hu0
"So she prophesies our doom," Ollin sneered. "Without a doubt to avert her own." He jabbed a finger at Tetzal. "I tell you she is not Nenetl---she is a false god!"456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuUVF4ZFF4
"I do not know it," Tetzal firmly replied.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsKFzENqAc
"Question her again and again and again, then you will learn that I speak the truth."456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuovUR9jOgP
They heard Dr. Smith puffing his way up the stairs.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbU9A6q4Gkj
"The old man," Ollin ssaid. "Let us withdraw."456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGMuUqQHw4
They hid in the shadows of an alcove and watched Dr. Smith as he muttered about how hard these Aztec pyramids were on his delicate back and continued climbing up the stairs to the antechamber where Ann was resting.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslxoEXIxeW
She startled as he came in. "Dr. Smith, go away," but he flopped onto a couch instead. "No one's allowed to see me."456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE898wrtx9F
"Nonsense," Dr. Smith gasped. "The guards didn't stop me." He waved an arm vaguely towards the door. "And besides, I'm supposed to be your aged servant." There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice which Ann decided to ignore.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9zlrKTLzl
"Didn't Ollin warn you that during my questioning none of you are allowed up here?"456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpnEd9gQJ6
"No." Dr. Smith stood up wearily. "All right, I'll go as soon as I've told you that I'll know how to get into the tomb by tonight."456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBjz3Fq7O4
Ann was relieved. "I won't be sorry," she said.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIprtLuiuSG
"All I had to do was make sure that the warrior grandson of the man who built this temple wins a fight at sunset," Dr. Smith confided with a wink.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFvxBgNyUq
"But that's Yaotl," Ann cried. "Don's rival for command, and it's to be a fight to the death, Tetzal told me so."456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ef0K80AAZ
Dr. Smith was alarmed. "I must warn West," he said and went to the antechamber door. He opened it, but the way was barred by two guards with Ollin and Tetzal.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnrL7KbrPz
"Take him," Ollin commanded. "He has transgressed the law."456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmxTtbxUCe
The guards seized Dr. Smith's arms and led him away as he protested in vain. Ollin followed them. Tetzal remained and Ann looked at him angrily.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbxpXz76Jg
"They had no right to arrest my aged servant."456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8IKHj5M1a
"As the High Priest of Sacrifice observed, he has..."456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzra4tMfJ9
Ann cut him off with a chopping motion of her hand. "No one told him! He didn't know!"456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4bs6fT5Le
Tetzal frowned. "If that is so, then to hold him prisoner is unjust. I shall obtain his release."456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8rzuw2LtX
"I thank you, Tetzal."456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwYXNdoCTc
The High Priest bowed and turned to leave the antechamber.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2bokE4Ra7
"Wait!" Ann said suddenly. "There is to be a contest between my servant, Don, and the chosen warrior, Yaotl. I forbid it."456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazGv7dJ8Es
Nenetl looked at her uncomfortably. "Great Spirit, the contest cannot be avoided. Only one of them may command our armies."456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3K0tfl8UV
"Then let it be Yaotl."456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Vmo3seDuE
Tetzal was shocked. "You would deny your servant honor?" he asked.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxvsuZhLYw
Ann shook her head and said that the contest was ill-timed, that Yaotl had been in training for many months. Tetzal protested that he had seen Don defeat Yaotl with his thumb and, besides, the combat would not be mortal.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOonZEZYnS
"See that it remains so," Ann commanded.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyjUKuPh9P
"Nenetl has spoken," Tetzal replied and bowed again.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1B93iJmt2
Don and Yaotl faced each other across the courtyard. They wore loin-cloths and sandals. Tlaqui and the Perfect Victim stood against one wall. The Perfect Victim held two cudgels. He looked at Yaotl, then at Don, both of whom nodded. The Perfect Victim raised the cudgels above his head.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRnMMad6mb
"Let the contest begin," he called, striking the cudgels together.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5PNh3Jsri
Don and Yaotl circled each other warily, which in Yaotl's case was a mistake as Don suddenly lunged at him. Yaotl reached out to grab Don's arms, but Don broke the attempted hold by swinging his arms in a full circle and at the same time his right foot shot behind Yaotl's left ankle and jerked him off balance. Yaotl staggered back and Don moved in, grabbing the Chosen Warrior by one arm, then turning away abruptly to go for a shoulder throw. Yaotl had sense enough to realize that if he tried to resist his arm would break. He hit the ground face down in front of Don who didn't release his arm but, holding it in a handlock, began kneading Yaotl's muscle with his other fist. Both Tlaqui and the Perfect Victim were impressed but Yaotl wanted to cry out in fury as he felt the strength draining away from his arm. He knew that with an arm useless he had already lost the contest. Somehow he had to break Don's hold and reach the thorn which he had carefully placed beside the door to his quarters.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbybfDDyuC7
Then Don made his mistake. Knowing Yaotl's arm was completely weakened, he released his handhold and stepped back. Using his good arm and under Don's watchful eyes, Yaotl rose to his knees and massaged his useless arm. At that moment Yaotl, Tetzal and Dr. Smith came into the courtyard.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7I7079NYAA
"Don't let him scratch you, West," Dr. Smith shouted immediately. Don was puzzled and looked at Dr. Smith.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYvzvYJqms
"Scratch me?" he asked. The distraction gave Yaotl enough time to scramble to his feet, race to the door, grab the thorn and throw himself at Don who easily blocked the attack but not before the thorn had been drawn across the inside of his wrist.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3YK5bNJ18
"Use stealth, use cunning, you said," Don was jubilant. "You defeated me with your thumb. I have defeated you with the thorn of the maguey cactus."456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUvtqLfElm
"Plus a sleep-inducing herb," Dr. Smith protested as Yaotl threw away the thorn. Don knew that to win he had to do it quickly. He also realized that the more energy he expended, the harder his heart would pump and the faster the drug would circulate through his system. He needed a submission hammerlock, but Yaotl was keeping his distance, dancing out of the way, waiting.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1OUBjPQ29
"Stop this childish nonsense, Ollin," Dr. Smith demanded. "Stop it, I say!"456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNOwYo00Fa
Ollin had victory in his eyes as he looked at Dr. Smith. "No."456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjocmWRDNj
"But I gave Yaotl the thorn," Dr. Smith protested.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknDvRflPUr
"Then you should rejoice," Ollin replied. "Yaotl will win."456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cjmTORZa0
"Tetzal, stop it," Dr. Smith pleaded. "The contest is unfair."456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtzzZl32WN
"I cannot." Tetzal was embarrassed. "The Perfect Victim desired this contest and only the High Priest of Sacrifice, who commands here, can stop it."456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2Tc8AgKPt
"Let it continue," the Perfect Victim requested. Ollin bowed.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfM5OPoLJ2d
"And to the death, Yaotl. To the death!" he called ecstatically.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvl8TbovSU
Yaotl bent down to pick up one of the studded cudgels. This is my last chance, Don thought, and rushed at the Chosen Warrior. Once again he caught Yaotl off balance and pushed him to his knees. Knowing he no longer had the strength for the submission hold, Don clamped on a half-nelson and went for the pressure point again with his thumb. But his head was beginning to swim, his eyes blurring and his strength ebbing away. Yaotl threw him off . Don rolled over and stood up groggily while Yaotl picked up the second cudgel and handed it cautiously to him.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshjTGGrIfs
"I have but one arm but soon you will sleep," Yaotl smiled at Don, "forever, and I shall command our armies." He swung his cudgel at Don's head. Don saw it coming and fended off the blow, but it sent him reeling.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4GDyQubke
"Destroy him, Yaotl," Ollin was triumphant.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFbTn5PdH9
"Nenetl forbade it," Tetzal replied.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEDD5FE5B0
"A false God forbids it," Ollin sneered, and turned back to Yaotl. "Destroy him!"456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKNDCLTfht
Don warded off the repeated blows as best he could, but he knew he had only seconds to live. And then he heard Ann's voice.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPeingQL3E
"Stop!" she commanded as she stood at the entrance to the courtyard. Yaotl lowered his cudgel, Don reeling did the same. Ollin turned to Ann, with venom in his voice.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1dyspHsTD
"Your place is in the temple!"456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0dlQZnStV
"Even though I am a false God? No, Ollin. I am loyal to those who serve me."456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqQlIuAYEB
Ollin looked at her with loathing and then turned to Yaotl. "Execute him," he cried out exultantly, then looked at Ann. "If you are Nenetl----save him," pointing to Don as Yaotl raised the cudgel.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3Edf5O5Zx
Don barely saw the movement, but he succeeded in blocking the blow, knowing that the next one would bury the studs in his brain. Yaotl raised the cudgel to strike but before he could bring it down Ann held Ollin from behind, the razor-sharp edge of an obsidian knife against his throat.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzXaGIMlaS
"As dies my servant, so dies your High Priest of Sacrifice."456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGcarX3Kbh
Everyone froze. It was no idle threat and they all knew it, Ollin included. He looked at Yaotl and shook his head slowly, carefully. Yaotl lowered the cudgel. "Now, both of you, put them to one side," Ann ordered, still keeping the knife at Ollin's throat.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGODYBQgj44
Don dropped his cudgel and Yaotl laid his on the ground. Tlaqui waddled over and picked them up, then gave them to the Perfect Victim who struck them over his head.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmz8x2Y9hm
"Neither of the Chosen Warriors may claim a victory," he announced.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAG6k2ZYa0f
Ann came from behind Ollin to face him but she still had the knife in her hand.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnz5lQct8J
"I did as you commanded. Now you must obey me."456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jh5MBiVZJ
Ollin closed his eyes.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaCkxmDmxy
"My servants shall not be punished."456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaejulhv292
"So be it," Ollin replied almost inaudibly, as Don slid to the ground and slept.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkd4HIg1vhl
Several minutes later the High Priest of Sacrifice stood with Yaotl in his quarters. The Chosen Warrior was suffering from pins and needles in his hand as his blood circulation was restored and his arm came gradually back to life.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4R92mUEXR
"With my bare hands I cannot defeat him," he admitted ruefully, but added that he was determined to command their armies.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwNhTWyRta
"So you shall," Ollin spoke soothingly and opened his right hand. Lying in the palm was the cactus thorn which Ollin had picked up from the ground. "Why did the old man give you this to win a victory?"456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcid7hj8COc
"It was a trick," Yaotl smiled. "He did not know the contest was with Don and he promised to help me if I told him the secrets of my father's father's work."456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGBi7THHhO
"What secrets?" Ollin was intrigued.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfBn8wCia3
"How the tomb of Nenetl may be entered," Yaotl flexed his arm, opening and closing his hand.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0l77R4j8y
"I must question him about it." Ollin placed the thorn on the table.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxclLqsslSS
"He was at my mercy," Yaotl was suddenly tense with frustration.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwNwYpBSQ1
"And he shall be again," the High Priest promised before he limped away.456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9LLQWTc50
456Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFoOZdRAcJ
