The cell Penny occupied at the seminary was one of several which opened onto a cloister. It was a small room with only a woven straw mattress, a wicker-work trunk and a cushion for furniture. She wore a full-length simple gray robe with short sleeves, and a multi-colored sash tied around her waist. She sat on the cushion looking up at Tetzal, who stood in front of her.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEf9SO5WXg
"You have been taught the code of the good housewife and committed it to memory?" the High Priest asked.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpog9VuUKEo
"I have," Penny replied.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKO2lJuT4k
"Let me hear it."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwk6r8QbS9X
"Tend well your nurseries and your flowerbeds. Keep clean your pot and stewpan," she recited. "Do not spend recklessly, do not destroy or cheapen yourself." She hesitated, thinking about the word 'destroy' and Ollin.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vzqFvciUD
"You will never have..." Tetzal prompted as Tlaqui came into the cell.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQOK9OPd9S
"Oh yes. You will never have a house or a home of your own if you live like that," she rattled off. Tlaqui nodded approvingly and remarked that Penny had learned it diligently. Penny wondered if the Priest of Knowledge would like to know about Einstein's theory of relativity.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLWRUJJ4mk
Tetzal praised her as a good pupil who used her intelligence and then introduced Tlaqui. Penny stood up and went to shake hands.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUvVzBr3L0
"You do not greet your elders in such a manner," Tetzal reproached her, "you stand still, not looking around. Your eyes see only the person to whom you are being introduced," he made a small gesture with his posy. "Unless you are meeting for the first time your prospective husband, in which case you keep your eyes downcast."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxa82DBXanh
"But how will I know?" Penny was intrigued.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcTO9pFWVf
"Know what, child?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1M9VjrtHW
"That he's to be my husband."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHhIlb3Dfc
"You will be told," Tetzal stated very matter-of-factly.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITzz3DSTjo
"Told!" Penny exploded. "No one's going to tell me who to marry."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWJmnQUABa
Tlaqui was taken aback. "What say have you in the matter?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZDFYm8zuR
"It's my life," Penny's voice was full of indignation, "and I'll spend it with whom I choose, not someone picked out for me."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8b6dG319Pp
Tetzal was perturbed by her outburst. Young Aztec women accepted arranged marriages without question, but if, as Nenetl's handmaiden, Penny refused, that meant that their traditional behavior was contrary to the god's wishes. If this were so, then in how many other ways might they also be so acting? The seed of doubt was sown!381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7JN3CaRqZ
Dr. Smith was weeding a flowerbed when Yaotl came into the garden. He strode over to Dr. Smith and identified himself as the grandson of Atl, the man who built the temple. Dr. Smith straightened and looked at Yoatl, who wore an ordinary warrior's loin-cloth and cloak, as well as a plumed battle-mask which concealed the upper half of his face.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvceM4ltH8I
"Ah!" Dr. Smith said, and expressed his admiration of the pyramid. "The entrance to the tomb of the High Priest Nenetl is particularly fine piece of work."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBnYrQvUPY
"Only the temples my father's father built have similar vaults," Yaotl replied.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOClubdkbr
"A secret design. All the best architects have one," Dr. Smith remarked.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGJnvJMhVn
"A drawing exists," Yaotl said, adding that as his father and his grandfather were with the gods it was in his possession.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMnKgYJ3QG
"Would it be possible for me to see it?" Dr. Smith enquired.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJXrZyzmiC
"Can a humble warrior deny the request of Nenetl's aged servant? I shall show it to you after sunset if the gods are willing."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMMF6Esrcn
"Why shouldn't they be?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvnnGJn6jg
Dr. Smith was curious and Yaotl explained that he had to meet another warrior in combat just before the sun set.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjTb7HtqKZ
"Not to the death, I trust?" Dr. Smith asked anxiously.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqnTP2yYFe
"No, but defeat would mean disgrace," Yaotl replied, "and I would be confined to my quarters and no one might look upon me or speak to me for many days."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTNUcicfms
Dr. Smith gave the problem his consideration.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaIZzqsJZN
"My opponent has been selected," Yaotl continued. "I know his name and I fear defeat."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN55EaQCSlp
Dr. Smith asked what weapons would be used.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNX5LIkGRKf
Yaotl spread out his hands. "These alone, and my skills like with a spear, sword or club."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Hh6xg4Q9i
"Oh dear," Dr. Smith sighed. "And I really wanted to see the drawing."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTTfLEA0K8
"No more than I desire a victory."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1g8pdyCwuq
Dr. Smith studied the scratch on the back of his hand. "Then let us assist each other," he said, and led Yaotl to he maguey cactus plant. Dr. Smith broke off a thorn and then a shoot from the herb beside it. He began squeezing the sap from the stem onto the tip of the thorn.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3jOAOCA3H
"With this I shall win?" Yaotl asked.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbW2cQoU28
"Take care not to scratch yourself with it," Dr. Smith advised.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNM1HYTVlm
"The aged servant of Nenetl proffers poison?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyPeFK3NDx
"Not to kill." Dr. Smith squeezed the last drop of sap onto the thorn. "But if used properly it will drain away your opponent's strength and he will sleep. Scratch here." Dr. Smith drew it across the inside of his wrist and then handed the thorn to the Chosen Warrior.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79EqEI4RJP
"I thank you," Yaotl smiled.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gGPbo4mox
"You won't forget the drawing, will you?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCgH2r9dAs
"I shall be here after sunset."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4JeImLU5B
"So shall I."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuK0gWKK1B
Yaotl strode away and Dr.Smith sat on a bench thinking that a little knowledge of horticulture could, on occasion, take one a very long way.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTCEP5MuG3
Under Ollin's supervising eyes, Don stood in the middle of the courtyard swinging a cudgel in circles around his head and alongside his body, shifting it from hand to hand. It reminded him of working out with Indian clubs in a gymnasium---only this time he was not simply toning up his muscles but readying himself for a battle that would mean life or death. Under Aztec law, he had defeated Yaotl, but he knew that neither Ollin nor the Chosen Warrior would accept it. He realized he was no match for Yaotl with a spear----fighting with them he would be on the defensive, using his shield for protection. With cudgels he thought he stood a chance, but with his bare hands he knew he could win. He needed a strategy, a battle plan which would never give Yaotl the advantage. The problem was to bring the contest to a wrestling match as quickly as possible so that he could use a mixture of techniques---all-in, judo and karate----of which he was sure the Aztecs knew nothing. He paused to consider the problem.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmw1pqXRPGv
"Does fatigue affect the young man in Nenetl's service?" Ollin's voice was sardonic.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2R82BXqdp
Don looked at him evenly. "Does the High Priest of Sacrifice scorn my attempts to prove my worthiness to command?" Don picked up a second cudgel and began swinging both of them in a gymnasium routine. As the studded cudgels were heavier than Indian clubs his wrists soon began to ache but he was determined not to let Ollin see any sign of it. Yaotl came onto the courtyard and went to Ollin's side as Don stepped up his pace.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIWGN6sznu
"Can you conquer him, Yaotl?" Ollin murmured.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJiH0npKtn
"I know it," Yaotl grinned and called to Don, who stopped, secretly grateful, and turned to face him.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8kJrNMm8g
"Yes, Yaotl?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYhrEx9bN4
"I challenge you to a contest of strength!"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0lWtSS1rD
"A fight?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLf2tzNhCtf
"Without weapons. Your hands defeated me. Now let mine strive for victory over you."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5ClWRAe6m
Don was suspicious. He could not understand why Yaotl would throw down the gauntlet where he had the least likelihood of success.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9keWRnQ4Ou
"Will you refuse him?" Ollin's voice rasped.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDyk5SAYdg
"No," Don replied.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MGUPVY788
"Then we fight here as the sun sets."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRTFx8xD5x
"All right." Don began to swing the cudgels again but his brain sought the reason behind the challenge.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCYPzodrO7
"You are confident of victory?" Ollin's eyes were fixed on Don as he muttered the question to Yaotl.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTLB8brFcR
"If you wish it, he shall die," Yaotl replied.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaY7XWyWpXc
Ollin nodded. "Let him die," he said with a brushing aside movement of his hand.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WmU97odxn
Ann and Tetzal were in the temple. She was standing beside the throne and the High Priest of Knowledge had been questioning her about Aztec mythology. Once more Ann owed much to her studies in college.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSiEyfvlLC
"I shall tell the High Priest of Sacrifice that I am satisfied of your divinity," Tetzal said when the questioning was finished.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQLqFfs5bO
"That won't stop Ollin," Ann smiled wryly. "He's out to destroy me."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE43pcWb6Gb
"He cannot. Not while I believe you to be Nenetl," Tetzal said gravely.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2MbigbMxZ
"Then why do you question me at his bidding?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrlFXjdMOg
"We both serve Huitzilopochtli faithfully."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiRvE6t2BZ
"Do you?" Ann looked at him quizzically. "Were you not angry when I forbade the sacrifice to the Rain God?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAINoiqi0OU
"No."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkVPdDyRTZ
"Do you then question the need for human sacrifice?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMDivV9FUn
"I accept it. We send messengers to many gods." Tetzal smiled at her. "So why should the gods not send a messenger to us?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBX0JE6QOGB
"To say there must be no more human sacrifice," Ann suggested quietly. She walked around the throne running her right forefinger along the arm, over the back and along the other arm.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ssNCVFYru
"I shall not oppose the gods if it is their will that such sacrifices cease."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0cdXC3Ygl
"And Ollin? What of him?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLObonMdi0n
"I have said we both serve Huitzilopochtli faithfully and through him the other gods whose biddings we obey."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5Wn3KgHYK
Ann smiled at his serious face. "The High Priest of Knowledge speaks with great wisdom."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaoAQ3HRPy
He studied his posy of flowers for a few seconds before replying, "If your words are denied, shall we not be living in defiance of the gods?" he asked.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjplduHSGZ
Ann went back mentally to her history books again and the end of the Aztec civilization under the Spanish yoke. "Famine, drought, and disaster will come and more and more sacrifices will be made in supplication," she said slowly, measuring out her words. "I see a time to come when ten thousand warriors will die in one day under the obsidian knives of High Priests of Sacrifice."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUnCFYEQVx
"In one day?" Tetzal was deeply distressed.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ybrMDM4Lc
Ann thought about the Aztecs' last desperate bid to turn the tide of battle in their favor, never fully realizing that a loin-cloth, sandals, plumed head-dress, stabbing sword, studded cudgel, arrows and a shield were no match for armored breastplates, boots, steel helmets, cannons, blunderbusses, harquebuses and pistols.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Yx5mrUzHG
"Then where will it end, Nenetl?" Tetzal's voice quavered.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCajJI7X6lF
"In total destruction," Ann replied softly. "Your civilization will pass forever from this land."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXekk86kIY
"You prophesy our doom!" Tetzal's hands quivered in despair.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZc8sabg8F
Ann stood silently beside the throne and waited.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVmP47eMvo
"Let me think on these words, great Spirit," he said finally, bowed to her and hurried from the temple.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTcM6LCQzh
Ann watched him leave. What are you playing at Ann MacGregor? she asked herself. Still trying to meddle with history? You know it can't be done, didn't Dr. Smith tell you, didn't you ignore him, and fail? So what are you doing quoting facts and statistics out of history books and causing enormous distress to the only Aztec ally you have? She felt ashamed and suddenly very tired. She left the temple and went down to the antechamber to rest.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZUInvnhyX
381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfvBKSz6RR
