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Don walked along the broad avenue with Ollin limping at his side. The avenue was lined with windowless, one story, box-like houses. Their entrances were elaborate wrought-iron gates, through which Don could see the short passageway that led to the central, open-air courtyard with its lawn, flower-bed and tumbling bougainvillea. Around the courtyard were the rooms of the house. Don thought that if ever he were to reach home again he would like to build a house like that. But then he remembered the considerable difference between the Mexican climate and the weather in England.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeTeEXfL0y
The Aztecs they passed on the way to the barracks bowed respectfully to Ollin, but Don sensed they were, in actuality, afraid of the High Priest.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILRpjxIHDx
"Do you often leave the temple?" he asked.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OG5xubyBc
"Tetzel seeks wisdom in the garden from time to time," Ollin replied. "I visit the barracks to select a victim when the Gods demand blood."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FXRN6sYck
Don felt his blood run cold.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ALCVlFCTA
The barracks was similar to the houses in design, but infinitely larger, and the central courtyard was an area of hard-baked clay where the warriors trained in the martial arts. When Don and Ollin entered the courtyard some two hundred warriors were at drill. They wore leather loin-cloths, sandals and plumed head-dresses. They carried shields and lunged with short-swords, parrying attacks from imaginary enemies. When the Aztec in charge saw Ollin, he ordered the warriors to stop and they stood respectfully as the High Priest of Sacrifice limped across the courtyard followed by Don, who quickly became aware that the word had been passed by the warriors in the temple and everyone knew who he was. Suddenly Ollin stopped, glanced along the ranks and pointed to a young warrior. Then he limped on to the far side of the courtyard. As they approached it, a warrior broke from the ranks and ran to open the door for them. There was a short passageway which opened onto another clay courtyard, patterned with the eagle and coiled snake in colorful dyes. Don noticed that the courtyard was about the same size as the ones he'd seen in the houses. There was a door in each of the other three wall. The two doors which faced one another were ornate, and decorated, once again, with the snake and eagle motif. The third door was made of pain wood.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9JCJW7n8b
Ollin went to the middle of the courtyard. "Yaotl," he called.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2U8ZfQwwN
One of the decorated doors opened and a well-built, handsome man, a few years younger than Don, came into the courtyard. He was wearing a leather loin-cloth with rectangular shapes embroidered on it in gold and silver thread. He wore sandals and his hair was drawn back in a short pony-tail. He bowed deeply to Ollin.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVZiApI7FT
"I greet you, O' High Priest of Sacrifice," he said, then eyed Don up and down. "What manner of warrior is this?" His tone was disdainful.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1NjRG4nmN
"He is the servant of Nenetl," Ollin replied.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTNpWVv6KT
Yaotl bowed. "I have heard that Nenetl again guides us in wisdom and strength. Does the High Priest wish me to demonstrate my skill to Nentl's servant."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiySYE4x5kZ
Ollin inclined his head and Yaotl strode to the door which opened onto the large courtyard.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4sBCXOsCV
"A warrior....one of the best," he commanded.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yVHaFfalL
The Aztec in charge signaled to a warrior, who ran to the door and entered the small courtyard.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWRckoPS3p
"We will fight with studded clubs and shields," Yaotl announced and led the warrior over to the plain wooden door. They went inside.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDlrMsxSPI
"To command one must prove courage, skill and intelligence," Ollin's voice was insinuating. Yaotl had killed and taken many prisoners on the battlefield, he told Don, "He has no fear of death."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaPonzlc7x
Yaotl and the warrior reappeared. Each carried a shield and a wooden cudgel which had a circular head studded with pieces of obsidian stone. They approached Ollin, bowed to him, then went to the middle of the courtyard and stood facing each other, about ten feet apart. Just out of reach, Don thought.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mhbWBW4je
Ollin raised one hand. "Begin!" he commanded.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1WOOddzuE
The two men circled each other warily. Then Yaotl suddenly lunged and aimed a blow at the warrior's left-hand side. But as the warrior brought his shield across his body to fend off the cudgel, Yaotl reversed his attack and hit out at the warrior's unguarded right. The warrior was swift and leapt back. Yaotl swung at empty air, almost throwing himself off balance. Instinctively, he raised his shield to protect his head as the warrior's cudgel crashed down. As it struck the shield, Yaotl gave a backhand chop just below the warrior's rib-cage. Blood spurted from the wound. The contestants backed away and circled each other again. Don had anticipated a friendly encounter, but now he wasn't so sure. His mouth went dry and he gave a sideways glance at Ollin beside him. The High Priest's face was expressionless. I shouldn't be surprised, Don thought. He's used to the sight of blood. Then Yaotl launched a ferocious attack, forcing the warrior to give ground as he tried to ward off the repeated blows. The warrior tried to counterattack, but Yaotl's shield was all around his body, protecting it until the last blow, which Yaotl parried with his cudgel and with such force that the warrior's weapon flew from his hand and he was driven back trying to defend himself. Eventually he fell to his knees in a corner of the courtyard, with the shield held above his head. Yaotl smashed his cudgel down on the warrior's shield and stepped back.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShPBs02clc
"Go and have your wound tended to," he said, and then walked over to Ollin.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTyeSXuGN8
"Thus shall other tribes fear even more the Aztecs," the High Priest said.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtG9IqpDTHM
Yaotl inclined his head and turned to Don. "Tell Nenetl that I shall serve well."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojohv8tSbs
"I shall carry that salutation for you," Ollin replied. "Nenetl's servant remains here."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQM5s4mP1h
Yaotl looked puzzled. "But here dwell only those chosen to command," he said.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60cC6Hbf3c
"I know it." Ollin looked from one to the other.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJXTfkH1ZB
Yaotl turned to Don and there was fierce pride in his face. "What name did your mother give you?" he asked.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuOfaAkC8i
"Don."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseJfUpVfuP
"Then I tell you, Don, that six other warriors have dwelt in there," he pointed to the other decorated door, "but I alone remain. Yet I welcome you. There is no fear of you in me. And one day all men will fear Yaotl, the Aztec commander who defeated the chosen servant of Nenetl."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp42yicNJWc
Don did not reply, but met Yaotl's arrogant gaze with a look he hoped was steadfast.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdde945CgT9
"Let him be clothed according to his rank," Ollin said.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSx7mbvrkrm
"It shall be done," Yaotl replied and asked if Don would assist at the Rain God's ceremony.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxg70TkgnH
"He is now as you are, Yoatl, a chosen warrior," the High Priest replied and limped out to the courtyard.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1AjG8ExP9
"What am I supposed to do at this ceremony?" Don asked.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOyzyDGQkJ
"All honor rests with us," Yaotl's voice rang with pride, "we deliver the human sacrifice to the High Priest Ollin," and then in a matter-of-fact voice added that it was time to obtain Don's uniform.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHW1GlvWXCZ
Don stood dumbfounded.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakndxu8OAu
Zuma had gone home, leaving a contemplative Dr. Smith in the garden. She returned later with a tray, on which were the cornflower pancakes, a jar of honey, a knife, two goblets and a jug of water. Zuma put the tray on the bench where Dr. Smith was sitting, and then sat down herself. Dr. Smith had eaten two pancakes with honey and drunk a goblet of water when he saw a cloaked, plumed Aztec warrior with an embroidered loin-cloth and sandals striding purposefully towards him. It took Dr. Smith a full fifteen seconds to recognize Don.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEnrhLC4oT
"Ah, West," he called, his eyes sparkling wiht amusement at Don's clothes. "Do have a pancake and honey." Don declined and Dr. Smith introduced him to Zuma whom, he added, had promised to arrange a meeting between himself and the grandson of the man who built the temple.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdlJ9Hfvhb
"That is most kind of you, madam." Don smiled at Zuma, who returned his smile through her eyes looked momentarily troubled. She glanced down at the tray and then at Dr. Smith.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAK02pCiTn0
He gently patted his stomach. "Delicious and plenteous, dear lady."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFmHH06dyu
Zuma stood and picked up the tray. Dr. Smith also rose to his feet.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7RnGBjgd1
"Pray excuse me," Zuma said, "then you may talk more freely." She walked away.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ312LI5mLNg
"Dr. Smith,' Don's voice rang with urgency, "today there's to be a human sacrifice at the Rain God ceremony and I'm supposed to assist. I can't possibly do it."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyO71d2WQMC
Dr. Smith put his hand on Don's shoulder. "Just a minute, West," he said. "What exactly must you do?"451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYk1s8IyMq
"Escort the victim to the altar."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqKdxNeMqP
"Then, by all means, do so." Dr. Smith spoke brusquely.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6AEhMpVoG
Don was appalled. "You can't expect me to participate in murder."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOecRLj3Jw0
"Intervene and we'll be dead within the minute."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMWtxqwz6e
"But...." Don began in desperation.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPz2Ift1Q3
"Ahhhh, no buts, West," Dr. Smith cut in. "If human sacrifice is their tradition, then let them get on with it." He removed his arm from Don's shoulder and pointed a forefinger at Don's chest. "For your own sake, for Ann's, for Penny's and for mine, do not interfere." These last words were spoken in a measured tone. "Promise me, Don," Dr. Smith insisted.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwzVPz2Njy
Don looked down at the ground. "All right, I promise," he murmured.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3OUd3AcO9
Dr. Smith patted him on the arm. "I'll go and tell Ann," he said, and hurried away. It was only when he entered the pyramid that he remembered all tlhe stairs he had to climb.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdnyDCje6O
Penny and Ann were in the antechamber below the temple. Ann had taken off her sandals and lay on a couch wriggling her toes while munching a banana. "Hardly godlike behavior," she remarked between bites to Penny who was trying on Ann's plumed crown.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vjRV02WHk
"What do you think?" Penny asked as she struck a fashion-photo pose.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPTGrtCwaH
"It's just the thing for the Royal Enclosure at Ascot," Ann replied and they both laughed.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWpHI3S2FQ
"I enjoy being the handmaiden of a god," Penny said.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RprfUYO09
"This end isn't too hard to take, either," Ann admitted.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiBLMNW238
Penny took off the head-dress and put it down a legless side-table beside a highly polished jade statuette of an Aztec god. Penny picked it up. "Hey, look at this," she said. "It's priceless."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBZCLV1IMd
"That's the thing which hooked me on the Aztec civilization in the first place," Ann replied, placing the banana skin on the plate at her side. "On the one hand, that's Tetzel who is charming, intelligent and cultured. But, on the other hand...."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqIzVmy8KC
"There's Ollin," Penny interjected. "Strange, isn't it? Such beauty and such horror existing side by side."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaCEQW0eOX
As she replaced the statuette, they heard Dr. Smith's breathless voice outside the antechamber.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7R7HNz753V
"Let me pass," he was saying, gasping for air, "go on, out of my way, I must talk to Nenetl."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1UkO9kL6i
Ann stood up as Penny went to the door and opened it.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdDxqiLuPY
Dr. Smith stumbled in. "Wait outside, Penny," he gasped, "and don't let anyone in."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYr5rRjnRC
"Yes, Uncle Zachary." Penny left, closing the door behind her.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1q4Ni0NN8x
"Sit down, Dr. Smith, and catch your breath." Ann motioned to a couch.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIz9CW5awOc
Dr. Smith collapsed onto it. "All those stairs, all those stairs." He took a deep breath and Ann poured him a goblet of water which he gulped down.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xAUEfROny
Ann waited until he had fully recovered. "What is it, Dr. Smith? What's happened?"451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGW7LMG2ZRw
Dr. Smith stood up. "There's to be a human sacrifice during the Rain God ceremony at sunset." He kept all emotion out of his voice.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4FWDiIn1T
"Oh, no!" Ann was horrified. "No!"451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbixMRLv6ts
"You must not interfere! You must not!"451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfgNVOcCzw
Ann buried her face in her hand. "I can't just stand by an...."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKBIWsjzpN
"You must," Dr. Smith barked out the two words, then his voice softened. "Don agrees with me," he paused before continuing, "and he is required to escort the victim to the altar."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIED7VZmE1F
Ann's hands flew from her face. "He has to do what?" she exploded.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFclcsRphH5
"He's been designated a 'Chosen Warrior'---Dr. Smith shrugged ----"and for all our sakes, he has agreed, given me his word, to do nothing to prevent the sacrifice.":451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1UmWhpUdg
"Well, I have been made a god," Ann paced out her words, "and I forbid it."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwDeXdggTm
"Ann," Dr. Smith began to protest, but Ann cut him off.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1X7Ul7R00
"No, Dr. Smith. There will be no sacrifice at sunset, nor ever again. The reincarnation of Nenetl will prove to the Aztec people that you don't need to cut out a pulsating human heart to make the rain come."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TZF3av6Mv
"Don't be foolish, woman. The High Priests will turn against you and denounce you."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAvb8FNuQk
"They won't dare to defy me," Ann replied with great determination. "No, this is the beginning of the end of Huitzilopochtli's reign."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskc7OkjfIp
"What on earth are you talking about?" Dr. Smith demanded.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXOYKNuqGP
"Rewriting history," Ann said calmly. "If I can start the destruction of all that is evil here, then all that is good will survive when Cortez lands."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfZYhOfs7k
Dr. Smith shook his head in bewilderment. "You can't change history, Ann. Not one page of it."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoa4azb6ssi
Ann turned her back on him, went to the side table, picked up her plumed crown and set it on her head.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0Xi72ffTo
"I appeal to you, Ann. Be reasonable. What you're trying to do is impossible," Dr. Smith implored. "Believe me, I know, really I do, I know."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2quuYkh8g
She turned to face him and was quite serene. "Not Ann," she said calmly. "Nenetl."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0ZUsQNgIA
