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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8wUgU7xPC
"Thus shall my enemies fall," he said arrogantly.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfL5QIuThxk
"Real enemies can strike back," Don remarked quietly.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFx3uQT3Szn
"I have no fear of death," Yaotl retorted.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdBHzWqmjq
"Maybe not. The dead never win."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5o8d8Ld0F
Yaotl looked sharply at Don. "How would you attack?" he asked.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCZOqpha3P
"A little more cunningly," Don replied. "I'd use stealth to surprise my enemy."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1aW0D3JsW
"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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jzXfPfo7a
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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBSZSPHbiz
Yaotl looked surprised and observed that to win a victory with a thumb would require strong magic.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyU6tv7hAa
Don shook his head. "Knowing your enemy's weakness isn't magic," he said, "it's common sense."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl42RBEC0S3
Yaotl laughed and pointed to himself. "What weakness have I that is vulnerable to your thumb?"369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfsPdkObWG
"You'd be surprised," Don replied.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SuisY0kcm
Yaotl hesitated, doubt in his eyes.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfS16piQDJ
"Don't worry, Yaotl, I won't kill you. Not this time." Don remained composed; Tetzal was intrigued and Yaotl bristled.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUq2s3O2rT
"You mock the arts of war and I defy you to harm me;" he challenged.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgR0Tqo6MIH
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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1TKDfB9to
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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZ6e6ARaHl
"Give him a little time," Don smiled at the High Priest. "He'll wake up soon."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrRTKXW8Jc
At that moment Ollin limped into the courtyard. "Tetzal, there is a task to be...." he stopped short when he saw Yaotl.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVz7V4ygqX
Tetzal turned to him. "He sleeps. Nenetl's servant won the victory with his thumb."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCz5IW01qE
Ollin looked warily at Don and turned back to Tetzal. "You saw the blow?"369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNFfBEN7EC
"There was no blow." Tetzal held up his left thumb. "He defeated Yaotl with this."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZD1q2sKbEr
"Tell him to rest until the sun has passed the zenith," Don advised as he walked away.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNjGGl58kP
"Where do you go?" Tetzal asked.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCzCvgTmcl
"For a stroll." Don was enjoying himself.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfRebTFmqH
"I shall accompany you." And the two of them left the courtyard.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9dZK8M03Q
Yaotl stirred, propped himself up on his elbows, shook his head and exercised his neck muscles.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDMosV5zYz
Ollin looked down at him. "Could you not fight against it?"369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYiOLomZHn
"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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27dzdJz5nj
Ollin was disconcerted.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lYrImDcrJ
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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJ1yFKce1P
"All his requests must be granted," Ollin replied, and as Tlaqui left he reiterated quietly, "Must be granted."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTs6MmNzcW
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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheLWjRSGAK
"You grace the Chosen Warriors' barracks by your presence." Ollin gestured toward Yaotl. "He is one who would be commander of our armies."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNt0ziCudso
"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?"369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqN2LGFsrs
"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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSkbj5ujNV
"No man can win against me!" he shouted.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpBKtij2CU
"None, not one?" Olliln sneered.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrNgGOxh5y
"I shall lead our armies," Yaotl replied stubbornly. "It is my right to do so!"369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyA61CXswo
"Yesterday it seemed so," Ollin remarked dryly.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7Q113ffPF
Yaotl glared at him, picked up the cudgel, stomped off to the center of the courtyard and began practicing swings and blows.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9qEgUJLR2
Tlaqui looked with surprise at the High Priest of Sacrifice.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbKKX06P8t
"You would make an enemy?" he asked naively.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevhZpIjbqK
"I?" Ollin protested. "I only know that I have seen a man who could defeat him."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5g5iUquMu
"Defeat Yaotl?" The Perfect Victim could hadly believe his ears.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHvIvDSga7
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."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7jQM1S3Vm
"Maybe."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYPVHfTeQ4
"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?"369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9s5ddzTTpG
"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?"369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5tghRKzyc
The Perfect Victim considered the High Priest's argument and nodded. "He who defeated Yaotl should command.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXd5HF8WAB
"No!" Yaotl roared.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4jGB1VRNK
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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCmVJrjA0f
"The Perfect Victim's desires must be fulfilled at all times," he burbled.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHYeQlLekI
Ollin clenched his fists in delight as the Perfect Victim went to Yaotl's side.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSlBgt5mMq
"My faith in Yaotl is supreme," the young man said, "and it is my desire that the Chosen Warriors meet in contest once again."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxpuJrzoKr
"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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSEs04kqOz
"I shall challenge the stranger," said Yaotl.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8HeN08ZLt
"Let it be so," the Perfect Victim said, and left the courtyard with Tlaqui.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjueFjrAkKJ
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."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Io4bE0NEV
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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUrZvbCYk9
"It is herbal and the sap of the stem is used by those who practice medicine to induce sleep."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0qM0QyRrv
"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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqliClCFzK
"What do you call yourself?" Zuma asked.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuB8Q0pYaM7
"Zachary Smith, the Doctor of Many Things, at your service, my dear."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjoeO5HfDM
Zuma was puzzled. "Doctor? You are a healer?"369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUry45URHF
"A healer? Oh, heavens no. I am a scientist, an engineer, a builder of things."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2FPdsEscP
"Now I understand your interest in the pyramid and the temple."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1UVKzqKBV
Dr. Smith admitted that there were several details concerning the interior that intrigued him and this time came straight to the point.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGLg6iU59s
"Nenetl's tomb, for example, is sealed, but surely the builder, now, what was his name....ah....ah....."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVypcA9mUSA
"Atl," Zuma said.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50rRhxVWX5
"Yes, of course," Dr. Smith replied. "Surely he devised a way of opening it."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ow2fGp5TO
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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEDWm9pxTV
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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUl9z8JrsS
"No one could think that of you," she replied. "When shall the meeting be?"369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdqrT4ZqUu
"Oh, any time." Dr. Smith was nonchalant. "Today?"369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkFfkEu1dE
Zuma observed that an interested mind brooked no delay.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYRmUDxOls
Dr. Smith looked at her and smiled. "I'm sure that's true of you, Zuma."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyeg0CCU8n
She blushed. "I was once. Now I'm content to pass the time of day here like the others."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sUHpO5bgl
"Their minds are old, dear lady, something yours shall never, ever, be," Dr. Smith protested.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24Q1WIIR5c
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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhxiqShtfK
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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlPlvvRKol
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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9kPswFwGH
"The High Priest of Knowledge will question you."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctpcnldTPF
"And if he finds that I am the Spirit of Nenetl returned, what then?"369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYDd4uVl9N
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ442HvIWVK
"I shall beg forgiveness of the Gods for my unworthy doubts."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27w1XXqwgz
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbDkXq9A7o
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."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0nYV22I11
"My servant also," Ann protested.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmk947Tom1d
"No!" Ollin spat out the word. "You are to remain alone."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ppaRaEBkk
"For what reason?" Ann enquired calmly.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIun4YKYGqr
"A false god's servants would conspire against us," Ollin said accusingly. "Such a danger we are unprepared to tolerate."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklCN4Y4eIE
"Then let my servants be told they may not enter here," Ann replied evenly.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXMcdKB81D
"As you command, Nenetl," Ollin replied and limped out of the temple leaving a very disquieted Ann behind him.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhjhIwsYaz
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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcj73DE3xoR
She came into the courtyard and went over to Yaotl's door, which was open. She called his name and Yaotl invited her in.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHmrwvkOR3
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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfeA5UUuNd
"I was told you wish to see me, Yaotl."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJcVEvryKK
"I would seek your advice, Zuma."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjLf8xSCbc
"If I can give it, I shall," she replied.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpiHYinw4A
Yaotl rubbed behind his left ear with his thumb and asked what she knew of magic.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonSySAfjlq
"Nothing," Zuma admitted. "Though it is my belief I knew one who does."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRd2nJt3hJP
Yaotl leaned forward. "What name has this person?"369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdwlLCSFiS
"He is known as Zachary Smith and is the aged servant of Nenetl."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl47Oll2KDH
Yaotl dismissed the suggestion with a wave of his hand. "An old fool with a strange name is of no use to me."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUuLJCaScY
"Ah, but you may be of service to him," Zuma said. "He seeks an interview with you."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCkyGov3RK
Yaotl was curious. "To what end?"369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjPycsRbJA
"He is interested in your lamented father's father's work. In particular the temple," she added.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdH43zK0t4k
Yaotl ran his hand across his face. "Does he know my name?" he asked abruptly.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJFt8Gr0Gz
"No."369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPhAVZfDEY
"Do not reveal it, but say that I shall meet him." His voice was casual.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jP8RAeLXQ
"Where?"369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5l1YbA1HL
"Does he not spend his day in the temple garden?"369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCpWUgl0m0
Zuma nodded.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcT4bMEhkK
"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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oyB9r9FkJ
"I shall deliver those words, Yaotl." She felt pleased to have been of service to the Doctor, as she liked his company.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWBaEqaGul
"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.369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6YIGXe1lQ
