The life-size clay model of a warrior wore a loin-cloth, sandals and a head-dress. On its chest was a small red circle to indicate the heart. Yaotl stood at the other end of the courtyard holding a javelin, which he threw with devastating accuracy into the circle. Don, who was watching with Tetzal, thought Yaotl would be a useful addition to a darts team. Yaotl swaggered over to them, his right hand on the hilt of the short sword hanging at his side.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIm7jisvrOO
"Thus shall my enemies fall," he said arrogantly.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFOYrLmQLu
"Real enemies can strike back," Don remarked quietly.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtUd2bAIb6
"I have no fear of death," Yaotl retorted.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJ21gUkhMB
"Maybe not. The dead never win."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqShtTjtKay
Yaotl looked sharply at Don. "How would you attack?" he asked.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwTNTbjivC
"A little more cunningly," Don replied. "I'd use stealth to surprise my enemy."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNLIUdWQgE
"This also I can do." Yaotl spun around and when they were face to face again, the sword was drawn and the tip touching Don's stomach.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOEBGjLIYp
Don smiled at Yaotl as the chosen warrior slid the sword back into its scabbard. Don held up his left thumb. "This is all I need," he said casually.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEi7fVnoD5I
Yaotl looked surprised and observed that to win a victory with a thumb would require strong magic.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQq2dh7YQw
Don shook his head. "Knowing your enemy's weakness isn't magic," he said, "it's common sense."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHf1yR0MoS
Yaotl laughed and pointed to himself. "What weakness have I that is vulnerable to your thumb?"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTInVF1N9bE
"You'd be surprised," Don replied.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OsqrRjcAV
Yaotl hesitated, doubt in his eyes.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTcjyT3Rkl
"Don't worry, Yaotl, I won't kill you. Not this time." Don remained composed; Tetzal was intrigued and Yaotl bristled.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xUuOcIBi7
"You mock the arts of war and I defy you to harm me;" he challenged.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XaY533AtH
Don looked at the studded club that lay on the ground beside them. "Pick up the club, Yaotl," Don pointed at it with his left thumb.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZKFRJtz5y
Yaotl eyed Don suspiciously and then bent down to pick up the cudgel with his right hand. But he never quite reached it, as Don was astride him from behind and had clamped Yaotl's right arm in a half-nelson hold, leaving him powerless to pick up the cudgel or draw his sword. At the same time Don rammed his left thumb onto the pressure point behind Yaotl's left ear. For a few seconds Yaotl thrashed vainly with his left arm to disengage Don's thumb, and then went limp. Don released him and Yaotl slumped to the ground. Tetzal stared at Don in astonishment.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CioWRmDml
"Give him a little time," Don smiled at the High Priest. "He'll wake up soon."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94zZF5Pyq0
At that moment Ollin limped into the courtyard. "Tetzal, there is a task to be...." he stopped short when he saw Yaotl.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqatsmkto65
Tetzal turned to him. "He sleeps. Nenetl's servant won the victory with his thumb."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJz7OW5tMCy
Ollin looked warily at Don and turned back to Tetzal. "You saw the blow?"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWnHbXBKuC
"There was no blow." Tetzal held up his left thumb. "He defeated Yaotl with this."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcd0NWX8xft
"Tell him to rest until the sun has passed the zenith," Don advised as he walked away.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KCaXecwo0
"Where do you go?" Tetzal asked.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIvy5LMl0V
"For a stroll." Don was enjoying himself.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyzhGWrs8d
"I shall accompany you." And the two of them left the courtyard.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehWlU2mN6Q
Yaotl stirred, propped himself up on his elbows, shook his head and exercised his neck muscles.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSDgi9IOdp
Ollin looked down at him. "Could you not fight against it?"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1W8DWfmzDV
"I was powerless." Yaotl rose groggily to his feet and leaned against the courtyard wall. "My strength was drained from me like that," and he snapped his fingers.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiv0OWwp8sF
Ollin was disconcerted.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOV5tb2l2kc
Tlaqui, a small, portly, balding Priest of Knowledge waddled, posy in hand, into the courtyard, bowed to Ollin and announced t hat the Perfect Victim desired to be admitted.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UphSRlxTw
"All his requests must be granted," Ollin replied, and as Tlaqui left he reiterated quietly, "Must be granted."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSfsK2XirM
The Perfect Victim entered the courtyard. He was a handsome youth of eighteen and his white loin-cloth and cloak were hemmed with a gold thread, which had also been used to weave the eagle and coiled-snake motif on the back of his cloak. Even his sandals were white.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vvU6uiSo2
"You grace the Chosen Warriors' barracks by your presence." Ollin gestured toward Yaotl. "He is one who would be commander of our armies."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8VacBvkBM
"Yaotl, I have heard of your valor and skill," the Perfect Victim exclaimed, and then looked puzzled. "Why do you say "would be" when all know he is to be the commander?"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMVLUW0Qju
"There are some who say the accounts of his deeds and the truth are far apart," Ollin replied, looking shyly at Yaotl, who was furious.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEFBKHw6LA
"No man can win against me!" he shouted.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bJLFLqWOt
"None, not one?" Olliln sneered.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJ8P38AVNB
"I shall lead our armies," Yaotl replied stubbornly. "It is my right to do so!"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwS9XnQvjYL
"Yesterday it seemed so," Ollin remarked dryly.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdX87QpWH1k
Yaotl glared at him, picked up the cudgel, stomped off to the center of the courtyard and began practicing swings and blows.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZxelGagt3
Tlaqui looked with surprise at the High Priest of Sacrifice.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnNfu1sZJe
"You would make an enemy?" he asked naively.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJg7r6f0TD5
"I?" Ollin protested. "I only know that I have seen a man who could defeat him."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0HKzFWMxk
"Defeat Yaotl?" The Perfect Victim could hadly believe his ears.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9n9vlJsHgR
Yaotl stopped swinging the cudgel and turned towards tehm. "Once. And that by a trick." He pointed the cudgel at Ollin. "I tell you that face to face, I can pull the stranger down."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZikuhQcfyW
"Maybe."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2m9kdO6Kyc
"You drive the man." The Perfect Victim's voice was reproachful. "How often have you and Tetzal instructed me that small failings in a man may be his saving graces?"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkrc9Fx8rh
"But you, O' Perfect Victim, are as your name implies," Ollin replied. "When the time is ripe and you face the Gods, all failings will have dropped away. How else could you meet the gods to tell them of the Aztecs?" He paused dramatically and then raised his voice. "Should not the commander of our armies be equally pure so that his very name will strike awe and dread in our enemies' camps?"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iubCjFUhx
The Perfect Victim considered the High Priest's argument and nodded. "He who defeated Yaotl should command.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRGxrsVJJB
"No!" Yaotl roared.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsKZonUyJL
Ollin raised a calming hand and conceded that Nenetl's servant may have won through trickery. "A second contest would resolve the matter but I cannot order it." He shrugged his shoulders and waited for Tlaqui, in his simplicity, to come to the rescue.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNR6KBMrvS
"The Perfect Victim's desires must be fulfilled at all times," he burbled.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJBluJLoUa
Ollin clenched his fists in delight as the Perfect Victim went to Yaotl's side.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82h5GugG5L
"My faith in Yaotl is supreme," the young man said, "and it is my desire that the Chosen Warriors meet in contest once again."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Tae42ngz6
"As the sun sets, I shall arrange it," Ollin promised, and then casually expressed his opinion that the two men fought better when one challenged the other as there was less vigor in a contest made solely for entertainment.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxYrixh3JX
"I shall challenge the stranger," said Yaotl.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7wiUPxII3
"Let it be so," the Perfect Victim said, and left the courtyard with Tlaqui.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0HaTp95Nl
Ollin limped to Yaotl's side and whispered in his ear. "This I promise you: all honor and glory shall be yours if you destroy him."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYbKEUGLvJ
Dr. Smith and Zuma were in the garden looking at the flowers and plants. Dr. Smith touched a leaf and asked her what it was.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdILhiUigIS
"It is herbal and the sap of the stem is used by those who practice medicine to induce sleep."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYC2HBmx3X
"I think I know of it," Dr. Smith replied, straightening up. As he did so , he scratched the back of his hand on a thorn of the maguey cactus plant which grew beside the herb. "Ouch!" He put the back of his hand to his mouth. Zuma laughed and suggested that Nenetl's aged servant might care to sleep until the wound healed. Dr. Smith declined, smiling, and they walked on along the path.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrw4UCYmCt
"What do you call yourself?" Zuma asked.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbosGS4LumF
"Zachary Smith, the Doctor of Many Things, at your service, my dear."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaZiP8zZkQ
Zuma was puzzled. "Doctor? You are a healer?"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cWhXhnTUA
"A healer? Oh, heavens no. I am a scientist, an engineer, a builder of things."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwvZxq2jxq
"Now I understand your interest in the pyramid and the temple."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynTnJmLhwF
Dr. Smith admitted that there were several details concerning the interior that intrigued him and this time came straight to the point.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCU2yKRYaI9
"Nenetl's tomb, for example, is sealed, but surely the builder, now, what was his name....ah....ah....."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpSbj3FwH8
"Atl," Zuma said.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJfH0Q4qYa
"Yes, of course," Dr. Smith replied. "Surely he devised a way of opening it."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcdw4yyYAT
Zuma admitted that her knowledge of the pyramid was insufficient to answer his query, but she was sure Atl's grandson would know the answer.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSlHaxKQBc
Dr. Smith stopped and sniffed an exotic flower. "Such a fragrance," he murmured and added that he didn't want to pry into what might be a family secret.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqVpmKUchw
"No one could think that of you," she replied. "When shall the meeting be?"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUYx5RRdtR
"Oh, any time." Dr. Smith was nonchalant. "Today?"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIbuc6hZ05
Zuma observed that an interested mind brooked no delay.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WP29muI4u
Dr. Smith looked at her and smiled. "I'm sure that's true of you, Zuma."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLEuR5RWhj
She blushed. "I was once. Now I'm content to pass the time of day here like the others."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUOntUyePo
"Their minds are old, dear lady, something yours shall never, ever, be," Dr. Smith protested.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwJKJWNIJy
Zuma smiled. "Your heart too is young, Dr. Smith." She touched his hand and said she would go and see the builder's grandson at once.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbpNWanHz1
As she hurried away Dr.Smith sighed. He had a sense of guilt because, much as he liked Zuma, he knew he was using her. And does the end justify the means, he asked himself. In this instance, definitely, yes; the thought was resolute, but the guilt still niggled.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiIhlgteXS
Ann received the High Priest of Sacrifice in the temple. Seated upon the throne, she was determined to draw on all the divinity she could muster. She looked down at Olliln and waited for him to speak.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nf7VfJWwx
"The High Priest of Knowledge will question you."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3ZEVsZcHl
"And if he finds that I am the Spirit of Nenetl returned, what then?"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUxsDq92q5
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDH0nodThhT
"I shall beg forgiveness of the Gods for my unworthy doubts."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YGxe6X10U
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOp4ghyeaC8
Ollin leaned towards the throne, his impenetrable eyes glistening. "Remember this also." His voice was a menace. "While your divinity is in dispute, only those who serve the temple may approach you."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxMhZi3Xpn
"My servant also," Ann protested.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXdBeMBSVc
"No!" Ollin spat out the word. "You are to remain alone."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTQyMhvGOh
"For what reason?" Ann enquired calmly.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmhoah4M6G
"A false god's servants would conspire against us," Ollin said accusingly. "Such a danger we are unprepared to tolerate."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn37ztMLAT8
"Then let my servants be told they may not enter here," Ann replied evenly.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweE9Gcj4Rw
"As you command, Nenetl," Ollin replied and limped out of the temple leaving a very disquieted Ann behind him.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfnfnY4HC6
Zuma was walking along the broad avenue on her way to the barracks when a messenger approached her. He bowed respectfully and said that Yaotl, the Chosen Warrior, sought her counsel. Zuma smiled and replied that she would go directly to his quarters.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0UXG1MsQQ
She came into the courtyard and went over to Yaotl's door, which was open. She called his name and Yaotl invited her in.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrT3o0TXVy
The quarters consisted of three small rooms. On one side of the main living area was the bathroom, essential to most dwellings, as the Aztecs, with the exception of High Priests of Sacrifice, bathed two or three times a day. On the other side was the bedroom with a woven straw mattress on the floor and two wicker-work trunks for Yaotl's loin-cloths and cloaks. His head-dresses were kept on a shelf, his sandals underneath it. The main room had a legless square wooden table with a cushion at each side. Yaotl pointed to a cushion and Zuma sat down. Yaotl sat facing her.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYYy5rr6He
"I was told you wish to see me, Yaotl."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XIMHLsL17
"I would seek your advice, Zuma."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡke7XEOJ09k
"If I can give it, I shall," she replied.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKI1QWK3p2V
Yaotl rubbed behind his left ear with his thumb and asked what she knew of magic.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSecKmJPGJI
"Nothing," Zuma admitted. "Though it is my belief I knew one who does."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORSTtKfE1h
Yaotl leaned forward. "What name has this person?"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMgh3ohCIV
"He is known as Zachary Smith and is the aged servant of Nenetl."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwsqn7QcVa
Yaotl dismissed the suggestion with a wave of his hand. "An old fool with a strange name is of no use to me."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz91rpxdH3d
"Ah, but you may be of service to him," Zuma said. "He seeks an interview with you."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqobiZQcD2
Yaotl was curious. "To what end?"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprGH1gnUrz
"He is interested in your lamented father's father's work. In particular the temple," she added.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDse3Z57og
Yaotl ran his hand across his face. "Does he know my name?" he asked abruptly.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqvCwBbhQG
"No."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2N7YuovNAA
"Do not reveal it, but say that I shall meet him." His voice was casual.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsiwedd1y6
"Where?"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdblbJHy0Q6
"Does he not spend his day in the temple garden?"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB42e58nydV
Zuma nodded.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnuYg9NYA5
"Then there, I shall pass by after the sun is over the zenith and my food has been brought to me." He stood up and helped Zuma to her feet.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZdGuLIfIv
"I shall deliver those words, Yaotl." She felt pleased to have been of service to the Doctor, as she liked his company.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqM9DPEwrnO
"Be mindful not to reveal my name," Yaotl called to her from the doorway as Zuma crossed the courtyard. Then he went back into the room chuckling. There was no better way to destroy one's enemies than to let them destroy themselves.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKx7mKdGSq
