Ann sat on the throne in the temple and looked down at the worried High Priest of Knowledge who stood in front of her.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqg0Gvphw9A
"Ollin was humiliated. He will not forget, nor will he forgive," he warned her.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBv891mt4L
Ann shrugged. "I did as he commanded."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7ZPRFtKNv
"But not as he expected."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhjqAv4E7H
"What did he want? A miracle?" She smiled at Tetzal.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6atQl6uMo
"We all awaited one," he confessed.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEEKBGY2l5
Ann stood and stepped down to the temple floor. "Why should I use divine powers when human ability will do?" she asked sweetly.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSvaffgbXH
Tetzal could not resist a twitch of a grin. "Nenetl has spoken." He tried to keep his tone of voice solemn.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUbS6BqC9v
Ann walked towards the terrace and the sacrificial altar. A few paces short of it, she stopped and turned back to face the High Priest. "Have you thought about my prophecy?"398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZplTzfAGt
"I have thought of little else. And it is true that if we defy the will of the gods we shall be destroyed."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnZ7C7AT0T
"When Quetzalcoatl reigned supreme as the Sun God was there human sacrifice?"398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxElgmDs0NW
"No, only after his banishment was blood demanded."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1Hq1IIH6E
"By Huitzilipochtli, the dark God of the Sun." Ann put her hand around the bracelet on her wrist. "What sacrifice did Quetzalcoatl demand?"398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziPXTRTIq5
"A bird, a fish, a serpent, none other?"398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYSDBbpF2P
"Why should that have been?"398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqBsZa7rEa
"He so dearly loved his people he wished no harm to anyone," Tetzal explained.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTrJCGaRPd
"Is not a return of Quetzacoatl possible?"398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAbNr7V8iG
"Only a god can banish a god. We mortals can do nothing."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6yiya7zm3
"And were Quetzalcoatl to send you a messenger?" Ann took her hand off the bracelet.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9fwlhuz0D
Tetzal glanced at it and looked away. "I serve Huitzilopochtli," he said quietly. "This is his temple."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDUt75WXAJ
"Then where must Queztalcoatl seek his servants?"398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLx0bhoJkz
Tetzal remained silent and Ann shifted tack. "When is to be the next sacrifice?" she asked.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTx5btnbs06
"Three days from this day," Tetzal replied. "The moon will pass before the sun when it is at its zenith and all will be in darkness."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3V1TWuIAu4
"So there's to be an eclipse and Ollin will offer a human heart."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5L8NSgFNBn
"The Perfect Victim's."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBP5HjN5DSg
"And the sun will shine again!" Ann stamped her sandaled foot angrily. "As the High Priest of Knowledge, surely you must know that the moon willl pass across the sun and continue on its celestial voyage."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIWYZKpRnd
"Unless Huitzilopochtli, the Sun God, the Surpreme God, withdraws his favor from us." Tetzal was adamant.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctSItiY6ER
"Am I not a god?" Ann heard herself say with a shock. There was no turning back for her now. "Support me, Tetzal," she pleaded. "The High Priest of Sacrifice won't dare defy us both."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlN1Iuatjj
Tetzal bent his head and touched his lips with the posy he held. A full minute passed in silence, then he raised his head and looked at Ann. "If you come as Quetzalcoatl's messenger and I take your course, there is no way back for me. So in all humility I entreat you not to deceive me nor prove false to me."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3SGDiC1tl
Ann's appearance remained serene, but her heart ached and she was in mental turmoil.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDkR6hIkYI
Ollin sidled up to Dr. Smith, who was sitting disconsolately in the garden.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZh8YHwspUi
"What manner of servant are you?" the High Priest asked.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtss8bK9PEb
"Oh, go away," Dr. Smith snapped, but Ollin sat down beside him.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHVBUhpzDW
"I am curious about you," he said. "First you try to secure a victory for Yaotl."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxJGcvVQaw
"He cheated me," Dr. Smith replied hotly.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlNXaoOJkE
Ollin looked sideways at the Doctor.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoKLgPflXL
"I am faithful to my friends," Dr. Smith insisted.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28FHJCEguJ
"Yet you deceive Nenetl."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbs3tZZKMax
"Not at all." Dr. Smith became indignant.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgA4AfGbahJ
"You are trying to enter the tomb without Nenetl's knowledge," the High Priest studied the edge of his obsidian knife. "What is it you want from there?"398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTthrMUoji9
"What is it you want from me?" Dr. Smith countered.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6IOGQxyNt
"I want but one thing." Ollin held up the knife. "Proof that she is a false God."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhweuUEyAH8
"Then open the tomb."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6HkOMaC9w
"That cannot be achieved."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuezzTVLGXT
"Can't it?" Dr. Smith raised an eyebrow. "Talk to your so-called 'Chosen Warrior.' He has a drawing."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFINKkuZo6
Ollin stared with glinting black eyes at Dr. Smith. "In whose service are you?" he asked.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHvG1kF1MD
Dr. Smith took the knife from Ollin and touched both edges with his thumb, then handed the weapon back to him. "Truth, dear boy," Dr. Smith replied, a touch pompously. "I am the service fo truth. And if you help me you'll also find it."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWMcM8Ue9S
When Don awoke he was lying on the straw mattresses in the bedroom of his quarters, but he was not alone. Standing over him was a smiling Yaotl with a short sword in his hand. Don struggled to sit up so that he could, at least, try to protect himself.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fqTtOJhvt
"Do not be afraid of me, Don," Yaotl laughed. "Now that I can defeat you openly, I have no need to destroy you in secret."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoKc4oKHfU
"Whatever it was you scratched me with, beat me," Don mumbled and rubbed his temples with his fingers trying to clear the cobwebs from his brain.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3ooAIEU6e
"Did you not say 'use stealth, surprise your enemy?" Yaotl was enjoying himself.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7waQ30MPfd
"I did," Don admitted.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZz01b1zFR
"And did I not do those things?" Yaotl laughed again.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhzsmIQzLU
Don agreed that he had.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysDWx1mA2a
"A thorn, the sap of a plant and Nenetl's aged servant," Yaotl added.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqqopz2YHa
Don looked up sharply. "Dr. Smith helped you?!"398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpv9tjJbAH
Yaotl nodded and remarked that Don's friends make strange allies.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfK8vLe7uX
Don stood up gingerly. "Did Dr. Smith know you were to fight me?" he asked.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzGnXd1p07
Yaotl shook his head and admitted that he didn't.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQUwbTPGpC
Don felt dizzy. "I need some fresh air." He staggered towards the living area and the door of his quarters.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyz05GUQoOp
"Let me help you," Yaotl took his arm. "Now that I have proved I will be the victor, we can be friends. For the little time that is left to you to live," he added almost as an afterthought.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4AraG2iyA
"Oh, I'm going to die, am I?" Don's voice expressed no shock.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89UziGCGQZ
"Yes, Don." Yaotl sounded enthusiastic at the prospect. "Next time we fight, I shall not fail to kill you."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ayO4Q0oZj
"It's always worth knowing in advance," Don remarked as he went into the courtyard and leaned against the wlal beside the open door. He shut his eyes and breathed deeply several times. When he opened them, Ollin and Tlaqui were crossing the courtyard.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zeKNvmuN7
"I see your strength has been restored to you," Ollin sneered.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxe8AvjlOI
"Don't tell me you've become my friend as well," Don joked, and saw the flash of hatred in the High Priest's eyes before Ollin turned abruptly to Yaotl.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDzl8SH4Cu
"I have no need of the drawing," he said.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3Rur8wY8i
"The one that I promised to the aged servant?" Yaotl roared with laughter when Ollin nodded. "It doesn't exist. The secret of the tomb died with my father."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QlCL8k7Yh
"But your father's father must have set it down," Ollin sounded anxious.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzXklBTcDZ
Don listened to the conversation with great interest.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVAEwEFy4Q
"No. He told it to my father, who thought to do so. But one evening he went for a walk in the garden and was never seen again.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoK1Hyb3UnN
"I remember his disappearance." Ollin was brusque.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡProMyD4o2n
So that's why Dr. Smith helped you, Don thought, he hoped to have a design plan of the tomb. Then another thought occurred to Don: neither Yoatl nor Ollin had used the word "died" when they talked about his father. They had used the word "disappeared," and Don had referred to the garden. This set Don speculating.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7XrpFdPZc
Ignoring Don, the High Priest of Sacrifice and Tlaqui took their leave of Yaotl and limped and waddled towards the gateway to the courtyard.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWGwKmL2Pz
Ollin began to speak . "You are well versed in these matters, Tlaqui," Don overheard him say, "so you shall help me defeat the false...." Then they were out of earshot, but Don was convinced the sentence had ended "god Nenetl."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEqibq0eNs
He was right and Ollin was Tlaqui was outraged at Ollin's suggestion. "No, I cannot do your bidding, I will not." He gesticulated wildly. "Destroy a god and we destroy ourselves."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfukwTFFbm
Ollin pointed out that true gods were immortal, and that mere flesh and blood, as they both were, could not destroy them. Tlaqui looked at him warily land asked in what way Ollin required his services.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtx3p1eLN8S
"Your knowledge of poisons."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGMdbBJwEW
Tlaqui was horrified.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWljz27nEJV
"Such a test, a poisoned draught, would prove her divinity. If she dies, she is false; if she lives, then she is indeed the spirit of Nenetl returned."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9eNBmNUPv
Tlaqui's throat dried as Ollin looked at him slyly. "Would you deny yourself the honor---more, the glory----of witnessing a god proven before your eyes?"398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkx1YbInTm
Tlaqui ran his tongue around his mouth seeking saliva to ease his throat. He swallowed. "I shall prepare a mixture," he said. "Then you and I and Tetzal shall test Nenetl."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8LXzW6FZX
"Tetzal? I think not!" Ollin snapped.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYouKF2lLW
"Why not?"398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTu2wpRJDS6
Ollin despised Tlaqui's naivety, but his voice was quiet and reasonable as he argued that Tetzal's mind was set that Nenetl was a true god and he would forbid the test. 398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArTzCPtQNg
"No, you and I shall do this thing and for once the High Priest of Knowledge shall be in ignorance." He glanced at Tlaqui and almost managed a thin smile.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0TzEpoEZc
At the same time, the High Priest of Knowledge was basking in Zuma's radiant smile as they walked along a path in the garden.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eMAiOCeF7
"Such happiness, Zuma, outshines the sun," he remarked.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GrmhKJGJQ
"And with good fortune may outlast it," Zuma replied softly.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eaFM3GGS8
"What brings you such joy?"398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytNuOOf5MM
Zuma looked around the garden and saw Dr. Smith studying a carved coiled snake on one of the stones of the back wall of the garden. Zuma raised her hand and pointed to him. A small leather bag hung from a cord around her wrist. Tetzal smiled.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4zvg5q5ga
"I am grateful to Nenetl's aged servant," he said, and noticing the bag, asked if Zuma was carrying cocoa beans to barter with.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uCbd3R8vI
She shook her head. "I have already been to the market and brought food," she replied.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg41Kod6H5Z
Tetzal touched the bag. "Then these are to prepare a drink."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7tLDRhkWx
Zuma lowered her eyes. "Only the gods may know," she replied coyly.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZIzKSJmnj
"Ah," Tetzal murmured, and observed that all mortals lived in hope.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcn7t5p6LdG
"He is a gentle companion aand most dear to me," Zuma admitted.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjuRko0oZ0
"Are these then for a love potion?" Tetzal asked in mock surprise.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKruqohj98
"That would be too bold," Zuma blushed. "Rather should he show his love for me."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMv707k6Sx
"You wish him to prepare it."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmxWhGSuHz
"I do."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxA48wrs9y
Tetzal looked from her to Dr. Smith and back to Zuma again. "May the gods favor your desires," he said gently and walked away.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5F7LK6dXE
Zuma went over to Dr. Smith and greeted him.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuVEsqcHwq
Dr. Smith half-replaced the bougainvillea over the carved stone and turned to face her. "My dear Zuma, how nice it is to see you again." He took her hand. "The garden is such a lonely place without you."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pwiLbOxtz
She glanced at the wall. "When one's interest is held, loneliness does not exist."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaLjjuEFl2
Dr. Smith followed her eyeline to the carving that was partly hidden behind the flowered trellis. "I was looking at it---I hadn't noticed it before," he explained.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8c89kBTtd
"It is the coiled serpent of Nenetl. In almost every building homage is paid to the High Priest with that symbol." Zuma drew aside the bougainvillea and snagged her bag on the trellis. As she pulled it free some of the cocoa beans fell on the ground.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8R3J37FLW
Dr. Smith began picking them up. "Cocoa beans," he exclaimed.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuTT250Rx7
"We use them for barter for our daily needs," Zuma replied.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILjB7e5Pif
"What an excellent idea! A current you can drink!" Dr. Smith proclaimed. "Delicious!"398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkY4OpuBgXY
"Do you know our customs?" Zuma asked timidly as Dr. Smith dropped the beans one by one back into her bag.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcCU86QhUU
"Why, yes, my dear, of course I do," Dr. Smith replied, looking about hi to make sure he hadn't overlooked a bean.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvTIp08B2W
"The drinking of cocoa has its own very special meaning," Zuma ventured and Dr. Smith wholeheartedly agreed with her.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIopBOgAa3
"It's a rare delight and we shall take a cup together."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJ4VQvPkqq
"Are you sure?"398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlgIKZ7xio
Dr. Smith missed her shyness. "Yes, yes, quite,' he replied. "Now, give me the beans and I'll go into the kitchen and brew some up."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyvowXdwBk
"Do you insist?" Zuma was hesitant.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZpSCLTPfv
"I do. I insist as a token of my esteem."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7HM811jqM
Zuma's face lit up as she gave Dr. Smith the bag of beans. "The gods are smiling favor through your eyes. May it always be so," she said. "My dear Zachary Smith, I accept with all my heart."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvqiWRAySF
"Now, don't go away, my dear," Dr. Smith cautioned her. "I'll be back."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5onC2ctT8z
Clutching the bag of cocoa beans, he marched off to the small kitchen in one corner of the garden where the old people could take a drink of cool fresh water, or prepare a corn pancake with honey, or a goblet of hot cocoa, over the wood fire. Dr. Smith found the mortar and pestle, and ground sufficient beans for two goblets. He sang quietly to himself. It had been a long time since he had drunk cocoa and he was looking forward to it. He put the powder equally into the two goblets, added hot water, and sweetened them both with honey.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQZcZoRTOJ
Proudly, he returned to the bench where Zuma sat and handed her a goblet before sitting down beside her.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYwy6VAvsl
"Happy days, my dear." He chinked his goblet against hers in a toast.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2gAdXXevX
Zuma's eyes were dewy. "The happiest of my life, dear heart," she replied and they sipped their cocoas. "Was ever such a potion brewed? In bliss is quenched my thirsty heart."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vqN1yHoaa
"Very prettily put, my dear," Dr. Smith murmured approvingly.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NLlVe2U1j
Zuma turned to him and kissed him on both cheeks. "O' sweet and favored man, you have declared your love for me," she said. "And I acknowledge and accept your gentle proposal."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnEw3HEKur
Dr.Smith found the next sip of cocoa infinitely more difficult to swallow.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYUPQNVrxB
398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfg9iKfqKu
