Ann sat on the throne in the temple and looked down at the worried High Priest of Knowledge who stood in front of her.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUY7FVesYw
"Ollin was humiliated. He will not forget, nor will he forgive," he warned her.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkoa68gEoS
Ann shrugged. "I did as he commanded."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuFFFIQc2I
"But not as he expected."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOONSsnHdB
"What did he want? A miracle?" She smiled at Tetzal.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUllSDB7cNx
"We all awaited one," he confessed.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97sENoGzF8
Ann stood and stepped down to the temple floor. "Why should I use divine powers when human ability will do?" she asked sweetly.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGeXrKo1oT
Tetzal could not resist a twitch of a grin. "Nenetl has spoken." He tried to keep his tone of voice solemn.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4p03e0LSPO
Ann walked towards the terrace and the sacrificial altar. A few paces short of it, she stopped and turned back to face the High Priest. "Have you thought about my prophecy?"399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgmELQzfcZ
"I have thought of little else. And it is true that if we defy the will of the gods we shall be destroyed."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2dhs0oda3
"When Quetzalcoatl reigned supreme as the Sun God was there human sacrifice?"399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBipqy1UDSi
"No, only after his banishment was blood demanded."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoTTJLB83b
"By Huitzilipochtli, the dark God of the Sun." Ann put her hand around the bracelet on her wrist. "What sacrifice did Quetzalcoatl demand?"399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1s6QTUsJvG
"A bird, a fish, a serpent, none other?"399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5jspPy7wu
"Why should that have been?"399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibAdK688uo
"He so dearly loved his people he wished no harm to anyone," Tetzal explained.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5KV6joea0
"Is not a return of Quetzacoatl possible?"399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrqdj00I6r
"Only a god can banish a god. We mortals can do nothing."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDOT1CFZl7
"And were Quetzalcoatl to send you a messenger?" Ann took her hand off the bracelet.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSj10pKtlk
Tetzal glanced at it and looked away. "I serve Huitzilopochtli," he said quietly. "This is his temple."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPKwxIBu7t
"Then where must Queztalcoatl seek his servants?"399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyFcK0KFDX
Tetzal remained silent and Ann shifted tack. "When is to be the next sacrifice?" she asked.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EvHfXj7Ls
"Three days from this day," Tetzal replied. "The moon will pass before the sun when it is at its zenith and all will be in darkness."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNp1raFlQWa
"So there's to be an eclipse and Ollin will offer a human heart."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9lpdwJOu5
"The Perfect Victim's."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmh32m8DLds
"And the sun will shine again!" Ann stamped her sandaled foot angrily. "As the High Priest of Knowledge, surely you must know that the moon willl pass across the sun and continue on its celestial voyage."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71USQXdRev
"Unless Huitzilopochtli, the Sun God, the Surpreme God, withdraws his favor from us." Tetzal was adamant.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSERCh1P3x
"Am I not a god?" Ann heard herself say with a shock. There was no turning back for her now. "Support me, Tetzal," she pleaded. "The High Priest of Sacrifice won't dare defy us both."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhF2nYcScLM
Tetzal bent his head and touched his lips with the posy he held. A full minute passed in silence, then he raised his head and looked at Ann. "If you come as Quetzalcoatl's messenger and I take your course, there is no way back for me. So in all humility I entreat you not to deceive me nor prove false to me."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWJWL4o3Q5
Ann's appearance remained serene, but her heart ached and she was in mental turmoil.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbCldLXjy5
Ollin sidled up to Dr. Smith, who was sitting disconsolately in the garden.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0LzCO06ih
"What manner of servant are you?" the High Priest asked.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5RK6Izx8X
"Oh, go away," Dr. Smith snapped, but Ollin sat down beside him.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdauvVkv57e
"I am curious about you," he said. "First you try to secure a victory for Yaotl."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOhJ7Dfiaf
"He cheated me," Dr. Smith replied hotly.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHUsQoUvx2
Ollin looked sideways at the Doctor.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWZ64Js5ps
"I am faithful to my friends," Dr. Smith insisted.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwJcXgabwV
"Yet you deceive Nenetl."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hwNOSoHTb
"Not at all." Dr. Smith became indignant.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqp5vL98rF
"You are trying to enter the tomb without Nenetl's knowledge," the High Priest studied the edge of his obsidian knife. "What is it you want from there?"399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbi53JSEDl
"What is it you want from me?" Dr. Smith countered.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUssGBCXI0S
"I want but one thing." Ollin held up the knife. "Proof that she is a false God."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsUjsPe4Vz
"Then open the tomb."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdHPxef3dR
"That cannot be achieved."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaoqM04mxd
"Can't it?" Dr. Smith raised an eyebrow. "Talk to your so-called 'Chosen Warrior.' He has a drawing."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpu2jBPJVyU
Ollin stared with glinting black eyes at Dr. Smith. "In whose service are you?" he asked.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzR1TWC9riQ
Dr. Smith took the knife from Ollin and touched both edges with his thumb, then handed the weapon back to him. "Truth, dear boy," Dr. Smith replied, a touch pompously. "I am the service fo truth. And if you help me you'll also find it."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2O7PfWZjT4
When Don awoke he was lying on the straw mattresses in the bedroom of his quarters, but he was not alone. Standing over him was a smiling Yaotl with a short sword in his hand. Don struggled to sit up so that he could, at least, try to protect himself.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17waSHjc97
"Do not be afraid of me, Don," Yaotl laughed. "Now that I can defeat you openly, I have no need to destroy you in secret."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhT64mni5P
"Whatever it was you scratched me with, beat me," Don mumbled and rubbed his temples with his fingers trying to clear the cobwebs from his brain.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XxTYZs70N
"Did you not say 'use stealth, surprise your enemy?" Yaotl was enjoying himself.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbu8TmaYtQc
"I did," Don admitted.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZjI5XSKa6
"And did I not do those things?" Yaotl laughed again.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOV4CLKYl8
Don agreed that he had.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnkwrxKjye
"A thorn, the sap of a plant and Nenetl's aged servant," Yaotl added.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2W7MlvFmia
Don looked up sharply. "Dr. Smith helped you?!"399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71IXi9T3ur
Yaotl nodded and remarked that Don's friends make strange allies.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITh3zGNecN
Don stood up gingerly. "Did Dr. Smith know you were to fight me?" he asked.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmP7aBqS95
Yaotl shook his head and admitted that he didn't.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTuzLcEaay
Don felt dizzy. "I need some fresh air." He staggered towards the living area and the door of his quarters.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKtZUCCK58
"Let me help you," Yaotl took his arm. "Now that I have proved I will be the victor, we can be friends. For the little time that is left to you to live," he added almost as an afterthought.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRu6YmsgDjh
"Oh, I'm going to die, am I?" Don's voice expressed no shock.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGGds4mecN
"Yes, Don." Yaotl sounded enthusiastic at the prospect. "Next time we fight, I shall not fail to kill you."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU71vi17SZa
"It's always worth knowing in advance," Don remarked as he went into the courtyard and leaned against the wlal beside the open door. He shut his eyes and breathed deeply several times. When he opened them, Ollin and Tlaqui were crossing the courtyard.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqS7Ut7djG
"I see your strength has been restored to you," Ollin sneered.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUScbfG0WT
"Don't tell me you've become my friend as well," Don joked, and saw the flash of hatred in the High Priest's eyes before Ollin turned abruptly to Yaotl.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1CEnLiPdT
"I have no need of the drawing," he said.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNrBrM4ujP
"The one that I promised to the aged servant?" Yaotl roared with laughter when Ollin nodded. "It doesn't exist. The secret of the tomb died with my father."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmOyOAJKqJ
"But your father's father must have set it down," Ollin sounded anxious.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQoF6cnQXD
Don listened to the conversation with great interest.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7wmVrLHnm
"No. He told it to my father, who thought to do so. But one evening he went for a walk in the garden and was never seen again.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXB6iTbL0a
"I remember his disappearance." Ollin was brusque.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitqTzmcw79
So that's why Dr. Smith helped you, Don thought, he hoped to have a design plan of the tomb. Then another thought occurred to Don: neither Yoatl nor Ollin had used the word "died" when they talked about his father. They had used the word "disappeared," and Don had referred to the garden. This set Don speculating.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMG8zgalce
Ignoring Don, the High Priest of Sacrifice and Tlaqui took their leave of Yaotl and limped and waddled towards the gateway to the courtyard.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzjQVLddz2
Ollin began to speak . "You are well versed in these matters, Tlaqui," Don overheard him say, "so you shall help me defeat the false...." Then they were out of earshot, but Don was convinced the sentence had ended "god Nenetl."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4lEpBSYDm
He was right and Ollin was Tlaqui was outraged at Ollin's suggestion. "No, I cannot do your bidding, I will not." He gesticulated wildly. "Destroy a god and we destroy ourselves."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHPLMSfp5O
Ollin pointed out that true gods were immortal, and that mere flesh and blood, as they both were, could not destroy them. Tlaqui looked at him warily land asked in what way Ollin required his services.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVI5y82r3Ed
"Your knowledge of poisons."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UebYl5muA
Tlaqui was horrified.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCcrw9ef0q
"Such a test, a poisoned draught, would prove her divinity. If she dies, she is false; if she lives, then she is indeed the spirit of Nenetl returned."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcl0ECkUzk
Tlaqui's throat dried as Ollin looked at him slyly. "Would you deny yourself the honor---more, the glory----of witnessing a god proven before your eyes?"399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoVTR0mFiN
Tlaqui ran his tongue around his mouth seeking saliva to ease his throat. He swallowed. "I shall prepare a mixture," he said. "Then you and I and Tetzal shall test Nenetl."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC96eiFSSfM
"Tetzal? I think not!" Ollin snapped.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaX8MriFPP
"Why not?"399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0d61cFsjlc
Ollin despised Tlaqui's naivety, but his voice was quiet and reasonable as he argued that Tetzal's mind was set that Nenetl was a true god and he would forbid the test. 399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoO2VTBqog
"No, you and I shall do this thing and for once the High Priest of Knowledge shall be in ignorance." He glanced at Tlaqui and almost managed a thin smile.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0mcWBjJeJ
At the same time, the High Priest of Knowledge was basking in Zuma's radiant smile as they walked along a path in the garden.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYBRvk1zXp
"Such happiness, Zuma, outshines the sun," he remarked.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEd5UST7Kn
"And with good fortune may outlast it," Zuma replied softly.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqktp1ZSeeg
"What brings you such joy?"399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSdYSc1Var
Zuma looked around the garden and saw Dr. Smith studying a carved coiled snake on one of the stones of the back wall of the garden. Zuma raised her hand and pointed to him. A small leather bag hung from a cord around her wrist. Tetzal smiled.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHfdRJ40la
"I am grateful to Nenetl's aged servant," he said, and noticing the bag, asked if Zuma was carrying cocoa beans to barter with.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSXTWF04VO
She shook her head. "I have already been to the market and brought food," she replied.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nlBtMZerr
Tetzal touched the bag. "Then these are to prepare a drink."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQq0zJ1kCI
Zuma lowered her eyes. "Only the gods may know," she replied coyly.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBypwYlATmk
"Ah," Tetzal murmured, and observed that all mortals lived in hope.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MJy3N5tlv
"He is a gentle companion aand most dear to me," Zuma admitted.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4enIdJzg2Q
"Are these then for a love potion?" Tetzal asked in mock surprise.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrFyF7hL8J
"That would be too bold," Zuma blushed. "Rather should he show his love for me."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lO7xSbERT
"You wish him to prepare it."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4gzMK7tty
"I do."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJHlO3XVCa
Tetzal looked from her to Dr. Smith and back to Zuma again. "May the gods favor your desires," he said gently and walked away.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwL5axgMm9
Zuma went over to Dr. Smith and greeted him.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtA5hSG8Kq
Dr. Smith half-replaced the bougainvillea over the carved stone and turned to face her. "My dear Zuma, how nice it is to see you again." He took her hand. "The garden is such a lonely place without you."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEr7TxQx1z
She glanced at the wall. "When one's interest is held, loneliness does not exist."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSr4SdlXn6M
Dr. Smith followed her eyeline to the carving that was partly hidden behind the flowered trellis. "I was looking at it---I hadn't noticed it before," he explained.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2a4pqNAAgU
"It is the coiled serpent of Nenetl. In almost every building homage is paid to the High Priest with that symbol." Zuma drew aside the bougainvillea and snagged her bag on the trellis. As she pulled it free some of the cocoa beans fell on the ground.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4D5bVEVuV
Dr. Smith began picking them up. "Cocoa beans," he exclaimed.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtfKl7mBs6
"We use them for barter for our daily needs," Zuma replied.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kCLixFtMe
"What an excellent idea! A current you can drink!" Dr. Smith proclaimed. "Delicious!"399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fV304uuxg
"Do you know our customs?" Zuma asked timidly as Dr. Smith dropped the beans one by one back into her bag.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGOzfFRTE8
"Why, yes, my dear, of course I do," Dr. Smith replied, looking about hi to make sure he hadn't overlooked a bean.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKIqHVacZP
"The drinking of cocoa has its own very special meaning," Zuma ventured and Dr. Smith wholeheartedly agreed with her.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTW3yjOTqEY
"It's a rare delight and we shall take a cup together."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSb9R2njTch
"Are you sure?"399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PfGdr9ToP
Dr. Smith missed her shyness. "Yes, yes, quite,' he replied. "Now, give me the beans and I'll go into the kitchen and brew some up."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXzm7Rb9DV
"Do you insist?" Zuma was hesitant.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFNsUSLweI
"I do. I insist as a token of my esteem."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRqKjcqyfZ
Zuma's face lit up as she gave Dr. Smith the bag of beans. "The gods are smiling favor through your eyes. May it always be so," she said. "My dear Zachary Smith, I accept with all my heart."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHe27iv4zA
"Now, don't go away, my dear," Dr. Smith cautioned her. "I'll be back."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QHLBmtayS
Clutching the bag of cocoa beans, he marched off to the small kitchen in one corner of the garden where the old people could take a drink of cool fresh water, or prepare a corn pancake with honey, or a goblet of hot cocoa, over the wood fire. Dr. Smith found the mortar and pestle, and ground sufficient beans for two goblets. He sang quietly to himself. It had been a long time since he had drunk cocoa and he was looking forward to it. He put the powder equally into the two goblets, added hot water, and sweetened them both with honey.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzceQn1z28
Proudly, he returned to the bench where Zuma sat and handed her a goblet before sitting down beside her.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkHBVJCg7W
"Happy days, my dear." He chinked his goblet against hers in a toast.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGykbtEUGmR
Zuma's eyes were dewy. "The happiest of my life, dear heart," she replied and they sipped their cocoas. "Was ever such a potion brewed? In bliss is quenched my thirsty heart."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyKheXiwqe
"Very prettily put, my dear," Dr. Smith murmured approvingly.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvNmj6AbfK
Zuma turned to him and kissed him on both cheeks. "O' sweet and favored man, you have declared your love for me," she said. "And I acknowledge and accept your gentle proposal."399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyYTIAApZ4
Dr.Smith found the next sip of cocoa infinitely more difficult to swallow.399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9o3GZYz2A8
399Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrihzqtVU5N
