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Dr. Smith was still marching up and down muttering to himself when a warrior came into the antechamber and beckoned them to follow him up the candle-lit stairs to the temple. Once there, the warrior drew back the brocade curtain and stood to one side to let them pass. The temple had been transformed. The entire back wall, behind which was Nenetl's tomb, had been covered with a clear sea-blue curtain filigreed in gold and silver threads with fish, sea-shells and crabs, symbols of Tlaloc, the God of Water. In front of the curtain was a stone dais studded with pieces of jade, turquoise and emerald. On the dais stood a golden throne whose delicately worked trellis back was surmounted by a golden eagle with a coiled snake caught up in its beak. But the most remarkable transformation of all was Ann. She was seated on the throne, dressed in a knee-length silk skirt patterned with multicolored zig-zags. Her green lace blouse was decorated with sheave of corn and leaves woven in gold thread. Around her waist she wore a leather belt with an emerald buckle. Her necklace was jade, as were the bracelets she wore on her left arm; on her right wrist she wore the coiled snake from Nenetl's tomb and she held a posy of flowers. Her head-dress was a gold crown decked with brilliantly colored plumes, and her sandals were laced with gold thread. The Doctor, Penny and Don gaped at her in shock and awe.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRialyLXwc
Ann glanced at the warrior who stood beside the brocade curtain. "Leave us," she commanded.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvXPeau2rc
The warrior bowed and removed himself from the temple.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2N5FsJ1e1X
"Ann, what on earth are you doing there?" Don's voice echoed his incredulity.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkfwJYGFBE
Ann leaned her right elbow on the arm of the throne, held up her hand and shook her wrist, the posy and the snake.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDM3BRifSj
"They think I'm the reincarnation of the High Priest in the tomb."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvorLVaERul
"Because you had put on that bracelet and were caught wearing it by the High Priest of Knowledge," Dr. Smith concluded for her.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1czp8WRVuD
"That's right, Dr. Smith," said Ann. "Tetzal know that I had come out of Nenetl's tomb."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHbA4GIwqu
Penny looked puzzled. "But if Nenetl was a man," she asked, "how can they believe you are a reincarnation of him?"422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMkLX65txq
"The form his spirit takes isn't important to them, Penny," Ann pointed to the bracelet. "This is what counted."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxtBFlDitt
"Tetzal called us Nentl's servants," Don said. "Is that who they think we are---your servants?"422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0pCs7hBdR
Ann nodded apologetically.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfWUTJtlug
"Oh, the pain!" Dr. Smith snorted.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Q63Rnj19q
Ann turned on him. "But it's ideal, Dr. Smith. We can enter the tomb as soon as we like, get into the TARDIS and be on our way."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyOtWOrVqD
Dr. Smith drily observed that although re-incarnations could come out of the tomb, human beings couldn't go into one.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaj8xmbtql
"You're a god, Ann," Don said with a smile. "Find out how it opens."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnAvJmJgJ1
Ann replied that she would ask, but Dr. Smith tut-tutted testily.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwPIGPMwvI
"That's the one thing you must not do." His voice was severe. "As Nenetl's spirit, you'll be expected to know everything. But if you go around asking questions and the Aztecs were to decide that you're not whom they think you are," Dr. Smith paused for effect, "then we won't last long." Dr. Smith sighed and walked around the throne. Penny and Don didn't move. They all realized there was an impenetrable wall between them and the solution to their problem.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJozNWhIBA
The two High Priests came into the temple and bowed to Ann.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FOgZ40POl
"Great Spirit of Nenetl," Ollin said, "the High Priest of Sacrifice salutes you."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpaWBVE3LH
Dr. Smith and Don exchanged a glance.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCRsOwQF7s
"I acknowledge the High Priest's greeting," Ann replied.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9BqyCa2zs
Tetzal approached the throne. "For many days and many nights Tlaloc has looked away from us," he began, but Ann interrupted him.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhpBrJynoc
"The God of Water and Vegetation?"422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6dppE4vtZ
Tetzal nodded. "Our land withers and the people groan."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcW77mn8J5V
Ollin limped closer to Ann. "Those who serve the temple have prayed that the land may again be bountified," he said, "and this day we shall honor Tlaloc's name."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwgGDLbWkV
"When the sun's fire touches the horizon to the west," the people will stand before the temple in obedience to our commands," said Tetzal and bowed again. "We humbly beg you, Great Spirit, at that time, to show yourself before the people so that they may know their suffering draws to an end."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3D8OjxgFa7
Dr. Smith leaned over to Don and muttered gleefully that Ann would appear and down would fall the rain.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7RkkIhIEC
"How can he be so sure?" Don asked out of the corner of his mouth.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHciXclf2q
"He's not the High Priest of Knowledge for nothing, West," Dr. Smith replied.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqIbwrXoc7
Ollin was watching them.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYt4UcGcMI
"I shall do as the High Priest requests," Ann said.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4a5rYkqRQ
"We also entreat you, Great Spirit, to permit your handmaiden and servants to perambulate among our people," Tetzal continued.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDewhFkGyW
Dr. Smith saw the flicker of doubt in Ann's eyes. He stepped forward.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VPhDOYrg6
"O' Great Spirit, grant this request." He pointed to Ann and himself. "Thus may we be your eyes and ears and learn how best to serve all our interests."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhNonzmoyC
"The aged servant of Nenetl speaks with wisdom," Tetzal remarked, looking at Dr. Smith with interest.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUxzvrOF7Y
Dr. Smith bristled. Aged indeed, he thought.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7sSeVdOpz
Ann pointed to Penny. "My handmaiden remains with me." She waved her hand at Don and Dr. Smith. "But they may do as you request."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD59znMnx4J
The High Priests bowed again to Ann, then Tetzal turned to Don and Dr. Smith. "We shall await you," he said, and they left the temple.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZCUnj5p0S
Once they had vanished behind the curtain, Dr. Smith rubbed his hands in delight.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wOmF1S65x
"A beautiful performance, my dear," he enthused. "We've got exactly what we want. You and Penny here in perfect safety, West and myself out and about, trying to find a way to get back behind that wall, into the TARDIS, and off into the great darkness of space."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrN3Y79ysi
Don wasn't convinced. "It sounds all right," he said, "but I don't think we should take our eyes off those two High Priests for a second."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGUdkOtPmB
"Oh, don't worry about them, West," Dr. Smith replied airily, "they'll be too busy timing their miracle."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuSEUd7BzE
"What miracle?" Penny asked.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YFT1Caq0e
Dr. Smith turned to her. "Presenting the great spirit of Nenetl to the people, one second before there is a flash of lightning, a clap of thunder, and it buckets down."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9sLaLcKpS
"I still don't see how they can be as accurate as that," Don said, shaking his head.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYARTdNhL6S
Dr. Smith wagged a forefinger at him. "You mustn't underestimate the Aztecs, West. They were a very civilized, cultured people."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡramY4jaD2a
"Not were----are, as far as we're concerned, anyway," Don interjected.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHW4y5DQ6OT
Dr. Smith cleared his throat. "They know all about astronomy and the constellations, each of which has its own minor god; their agricultural policies and practices are centuries ahead of their time; and look a the workmanship on Ann's throne," he pointed dramatically to it. "A very advanced people, apart from one or two glaring shortcomings."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTSj5X3Gbd
"Like cutting out people's hearts, or chucking them off the temple steps," Penny suggested.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Z1eC73naW
Dr. Smith dismissed her with a look. "I was speaking scientifically," he said haughtily. "For example, they've never heard of the wheel....."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrche3cgxw
The two High Priests waited for Don and Dr. Smith in the antechamber below the temple. Tetzel was studying his posy of flowers while Ollin toyed with the obsidian knife he had extracted form under his priestly robe.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nNjqxCl1A
"Mr. Tetzel?" Smith asked suddenly. "You do serve Nenetl, don't you?"422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UBmEat3f2
"We do, as High Priests of the temple," Tetzel replied.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUDmT0grXx
"How interesting. So, what purpose do the others serve?"422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDvfB1Tc4x
"Nenetl has said that the...."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKjmcrMcTu
Before Tetzel had finished speaking, Ollin pointed the knife at him and asked if it would not be better that one of the strangers should lead their force of arms. 422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKJ7iaKQAr
"Nentl's young servant should enjoy this honor. A warrior favored by the Gods."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dap6x1IEp
Tetzel considered this proposal for a moment, trying to guess what Ollin's ulterior motive might be. "But Yaotl is our chosen warrior," he replied finally.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwsntVZPQF
Ollin limped over to Tetzel's side. "Let Yaotl prove himself more worthy of command than the servant of Nenetl," he murmured, touching the tip of the knife with his finger.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsQib8K4LZ
"But were the servant to lose the contest, it would bring down Nenetl's wrath upon us," Tetzel countered.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXrSPX43F4
Ollin almost smiled as he hinted that Nenetl would ensure that no harm came to her servant, as the Gods were all-powerful.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzWmpdSHeu
Tetzel was disquieted and tugged at a petal of a flower as he wondered again what Ollin's purpose really was.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmgwesZ6KO
Dr. Smith and Don entered the antechamber.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcPPswL7mO
Ollin sheathed the obsidian knife. "It has been decided that the aged servant may walk abroad," he announced, "but you," he said, turning to Don, "will train to command our armies."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxP9ceVEhJE
Don and Dr. Smith looked anxiously at each other. Don't argue with him, said the look on Dr. Smith's face.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ53IE3qTFy
"The Great Spirit of Nenetl would not deny me such an honor," Don replied.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85fnfMSxM4
Ollin turned to Tetzal and asked him to conduct Dr. Smith to the garden at the temple's base. "There you may sit in comfort with others of advanced years," he added to an inwardly fuming Dr. Smith, whom Tetzal beckoned to follow him down the flights of stairs that would lead them to the ground level of the pyramid.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWjObfCeJN
Then Ollin pointed to the jug of wine and one of the goblets. Don shook his head, but the High Priest picked up the jug, filled a goblet and drank the wine in a single draught. He put the goblet back on the table and wiped his mouth with the sleeve of his robe. He looked at Don for a few seconds with his intense, dark eyes.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIZq3gyziR
"Come now with me to the barracks," he said, "where you shall encounter Yaotl."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnyAe2VUSh
"Yaotl? Is that someone's name?" Don asked.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmVeSJN5aO
"Yes. He is your rival for command," Ollin replied and limped toward the stairs.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmjtCXaJwh
Considerably taken aback, Don followed, rather wishing that he had accepted the proffered glass of wine.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYPDsgQuop
Dr. Smith was slightly out of breath when he and Tetzel came out of the temple. He looked up at the pyramid rising like Mt. Olympus above him and recalled Penny's remark concerning the faster way down and decided he was more than content to pant a bit. Tetzel led the way to the high-walled garden behind the temple. In one wall was a wooden door which Tetzel opened and let the two of them into the garden. It was enormous and beautifully laid out. The inside of the walls was trellised and covered with the rose and purple hues of bougainvillea vines. In the middle of the garden was a lake with an island of multicolored rocks in the middle. A mosaic path encircled the lake, with small paths radiating form it to the walls, and another three concentric paths divided the garden into segments, each one of them a trimmed lawn with beds of flowers and shrubs. There were stone benches along the edges of the lawns where older Aztecs sat. They bowed their heads respectfully to Tetzel, looked curiously at Dr. Smith's clothes and whispered amongst themselves.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sCEB2g4OQ
Dr. Smith surveyed the scene around him. Color abounded. "Ah! Such a pleasant venue for a reflective afternoon," he observed.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7GMom1O6T
"Many years ago, after the body of the High Priest Nenetl was sealed in the tomb, a law was introduced that all who attain their fifty-second year should pleasurably pass the remainder of their years, free from responsibility and care," Tetzel explained.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsPS9KWOUS
"That is highly commendable. But don't they sometimes become bored?"422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFcxMMgQnq
"Often we seek the accumulated wisdom of their years."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFAGdIiyfk
"What about?"422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkGFuMTcTs
"All manner of things. Each person here served the community in one way or another." Tetzel began pointing them out. "He was a weaver of priestly robes; she was a woman of medicines; he, an artisan of gold and silver; she, a sculptress in obsidian stone; and that man, a leading architect in the modernization of our city."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXpstB5W4L
Dr. Smith noticed a gray-haired, pleasant-faced plumpish woman in her mid-fifties who was using a knife to prune a rose bush. "That lady was, and still is, a gardener, I can safely assume?" Dr. Smith asked.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxX8eFiJ3t
Tetzel laughed. "Zuma's advice, of all those here, is the most sought after. She sold vegetables in the marketplace but her eyes were everywhere, missing nothing. You will find in her a companion of great wit and interest."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBt7hulO5e
"Er, what did you say her name was? I must admit, names have never been my forte."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRp45jSh7p
"Zuma," Tetzel replied and begged Dr. Smith's permission to return to the temple. 422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQSG5aSHYS
Dr. Smith acquiesced and Tetzel strode away.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPNsZxQseJ
"Oh, yes---Zuma," Dr. Smith muttered to himself. He had already noticed her glancing furtively at him. He wandered along the path, holding a lapel of his jacket, and stopped beside her. Zuma concentrated on her pruning.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbU2uEcdOAN
"Despite the drought, there is water for flowers," he observed.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIxBlnmE01
"It is better to go hungry than starve for beauty," Zuma replied and snipped off two roses which she handed to Dr. Smith.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguJjOutM2q
"Thank you, my dear." He sniffed them appreciatively. "An aroma worthy of the gods." He looked around the garden. "Such a delightful place, this garden, though I imagine it must be quite a task to water it."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGwDcYR0ei
Zuma smiled. "There is a tunnel under the garden," she explained, "and from it run small pipes which lead to the lawns and flower-beds." She pointed to a nozzle with a watering rose on it which stuck up just above the ground. "Water from the city's irrigation aqueducts fills a reservoir with a sluicegate near the back wall. When the sluicegate is opened the whole garden can be sprayed."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPIHYUUd4u
"How ingenious," Dr. Smith remarked as he sat down on a stone bench. "I find it so restful here," he said, "so very restful."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCPYq2Kr6v
"It is the garden of peace."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1Qc810rt1
"Aptly named."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7a5cRwnaHE
"You speak the words of Atl."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WwpX7p0m1
"Atl?"422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZu3IPtHRTe
"He built the temple."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK72qW1h4ea
"And set out the garden as well?" But Dr. Smith's mind was clicking over in another direction.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0guHhuK95
"As a labor of love," Zuma replied.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXDANBupSa
"One senses that immediately. Does he ever come here?" Dr. Smith was all innocence.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpaS4giHkC
"He watches over the garden constantly."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBH5vLdNsNR
"Really?" Dr. Smith's face lit up.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2ZCZsJVa1
"In spirit."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2K2DIRrPx
Dr. Smith's face fell.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2P4B9VvppQ
"As does his son," Zuma continued."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EmmX9qbWb
"Dead as well, I suppose." Dr. Smith was despondent.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5u5eDEenrW
"His son still lives."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GAxBZR6dK
Dr. Smith cheered up a mite. "He's a builder?"422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GqN9TdhRU
"No. A warrior."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37l0OCS2Xb
"But maybe he knows something of his grandfather's work." Dr. Smith looked up at the pyramid. "I find the temple fascinating: the interior, the steps, the stairs, the antechambers." He stopped short of mentioning the tomb.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBU1xXiREx
"A meeting between you can be arranged," Zuma said.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBNEa71ofc
Holding his roses, Dr. Smith stood up and bowed over her hand. "Dear lady, I would be eternally grateful," he said.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRmTW21VOc
