Don went up the temple stairs two at a time. He wore his Chosen Warrior's loin-cloth and embroidered cloak, as well as a plumed battle-mask in hammered silver which concealed the upper half of his face. The temple guards saluted him and one drew back the brocade curtain to let him pass.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0o1pZ98ppP
Ann was standing on the terrace looking down at the city. She was startled when Don came towards her, not sure for a moment whether it was him or Yaotl. Don lifted his mask and Ann sighed with relief before frowning. "You shouldn't be up here. It's too dangerous," she said anxiously.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UGeBFpcX7
Don dismissed her fears with a downward wave of his hand and remarked lightly that, for all the guards knew, he could just as easily have been Yaotl.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGBWN9bQ8j
Ann wasn't convinced. "I still think it was reckless of you."367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnGKAb49y1
Don led her to the back of the temple behind the throne. "I came here to warn you," he confided.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLWbAvapiS
"About what?"367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLolT4Kyzn0
"That's just it. I don't know. But I'm convinced that Ollin and Tlaqui are cooking up something against you."367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcn3sq43jD
Ann was shocked. "Tlaqui? I didn't know he was on Ollin's side. Our High Priest of Sacrifice seems to have the knack of bringing people around to his way of thinking," she said ruefully.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDLglsAwVR
"That's where you're wrong, Ann," Don replied. "They're all on Ollin's side."367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qkbFXhVG3
"What about Tetzal?" she asked.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAYa0Qwdk5
"What about him?" Don shrugged. "He's reasonable, cultured, civilized in his own way, but he goes along with Ollin. You saved my life, Ann, not Tetzal. He would have let me die."367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡin9fPnWhNY
"I'm not so sure that he would now." She did her best to sound convincing as she told Don about her last conversation with the High Priest of Knowledge.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyeqq9tqUY
Don shook his head. "Come to the crunch, Ann, he'll behave like any other Aztec." 367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOFXqzL8oj
Don was adamant. "Look, you simply can't fight a way of life."367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDJPtKgClN
Ann turned away. "I don't believe this! First Dr. Smith, now you." She laughed mirthlessly. "But there's such nobility in them," she protested, "that I want to do something to save them from destruction."367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGCppHltLe
"There's only one thing to be done," Don said quietly to her back. "Get back into that tomb and leave them alone."367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5nRrrVlx0
Ann heard faint footsteps on the stairs. "Someone's coming up," she whispered. "You better hide."367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCw90NZ1wby
Don dashed to the curtain behind which he and Yaotl had held the Rain God victim. 367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEVp0xeuO6
He ducked into the alcove, holding one slit of the curtain open with a finger so that he could see Ann, who had taken her place on the throne. He heard Ollin's shuffling gait as he limped over to the throne with Tlaqui at his side, holding a goblet.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6JQHZoOGL
"We greet thee, Nenetl," Ollin said ingratiatingly.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaM8LkBJzQ
"What do you want?" Ann asked coldly.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TogGZTiLG
Ollin gestured to Tlaqui and himself. "We come before the Great Spirit in all humility," and they both bowed.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxnsdIf21c
"Quiet words do you credit." Ann's eyes and mind were alert for any indication of danger.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXyG5RtRkP
Ollin stretched out his arm in a gesture of despair. "Have we not both spoken harsh words and had dark thoughts?" He went on to state that he was now convinced of her divinity and wished to make amends.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOXwx4RG0J
Tlaqui echoed Ollin by begging Nenetl not to punish the High Priest for his misgivings.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3v2gGpPOVU
"This draught is symbolic of the blood of Huitzilopochtli." Ollin took the goblet from Tlaqui and held it up in front of Ann. "Let us share it in reverence."367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThuXyTXnTE
Ann took the goblet from him and raised it to her lips. Behind the curtain Don held his breath and tensed his muscles, ready to dash out to knock the goblet from her hands before she drank. Ollin and Tlaqui watched her intently.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSWCa0Uz35
Then, she hesitated, smiled and held out the goblet to the High Priest. "If you now acknowledge my divinity, then first both of you must drink in reverence to me." She shot a quick glance at Tlaqui who averted his eyes. "And then I shall drink in reverence to Huitzilopochtli for us all." She stood and thrust the goblet at him. 367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSc4XJwtNc7
"Drink," she commanded.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3KO5nH3uV
The High Priest took a step backwards. Ann came down from the dais and turned to Tlaqui. "You'll sip it in reverence to me, won't you?"367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD629mT9M55
The balding, pudgy little priest shook his head and edged his way towards the curtained entrance to the temple. Holding the goblet at arm's length, Ann went with him. As he reached the curtain Ann looked at him icily. "You defile this temple. Get out of my sight." She threw down the goblet, which smashed at his feet, and Tlaqui fled.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3h8fEtdMM
Ann turned back to face Ollin who looked at her apprehensively. "Well?" Her voice was expressionless.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcGA9D4LTt
"We meant only to test you."367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWtZG1vCTO
"With poison?" Still she betrayed no emotion.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjH5f1tCPiz
"Nenetl would have lived as true gods are immortal."367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FnxslrzbO
"Well, I would have died."367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERsnhluSjU
Ollin's eyes widened in triumph.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7WsRAi6rE
"I am not Nenetl."367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8ZgtHnmBF
He pointed at her. "False! You are a false god. As I have known since I first saw you."367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pOvbF5QLa
"And who will believe you?" Ann's eyes hardened. "I warn you, Ollin. Say one word against me to the people and I shall have them destroy you. Now, go!"367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53Ji5FnJh0
The High Priest of Sacrifice stared malevolently at her for a few seconds. Ann met his eyes with a steady gaze, then he muttered the word "false" again, and limped from the temple.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rDvzKKGN1
As soon as he was gone Ann began to tremble. Don came quickly from behind the curtain and put his arms around her. Ann closed her eyes. "W-w-we m-m-must get away, Don," she stammered. "I can't p-pl-play this r-r-role much longer."367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1AqQleQXW
"We will, Ann, we will," he reassured her, but he didn't know how they would do it.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwtHitDPGw
It was early afternoon. The two High Priests and Tlaqui had eaten their midday meal of roast pheasant, hot spicy pancakes, and fruit, all of which had been prepared by the women who served in the temple. The three of them sat on cushions around the table rinsing their hands in the finger bowls which had been placed before them.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7N51DQxiq6
"What progress do our pupils make at the seminary, Tlaqui?" Tetzal dabbed his mouth with a dampened corner of his napkin.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXcUWCMbiJ
"All are diligent in their studies," Tlaqui replied.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZtw7uVsI6
"And Nenetl's handmaiden?" Tetzal asked.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSN5VHxtJd
Tlaqui raised his arms. "Her intelligence far exceeds that of the others. And she has knowledge of things known only to the Priests," he added, clearly impressed. 367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZBylS0PUW
"But are you surprised? She also serves the gods," Tetzal reminded him.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJp9My7uP7
"Other gods than ours," Ollin growled.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXicpp9YOn
Tetzal sighed and asked when the High Priest of Sacrifice would cease to doubt Nenetl's divinity.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPj1H3U82Y
"Never, for I know she is false," he snapped, and was on the point of telling Tetzal about the poison but realized that they had tried to give it to her without his knowledge. "She has come among us, intent on destroying us." He slammed his fist onto the table.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4t8kSUmbnq
"Or saving us," Tetzal replied quietly as he stood up and went to his cell to rest.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSy8Bdwpmx
Ollin flicked crumbs of food off the table. "Do you share Tetzal's conviction?" he asked Tlaqui.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKUG07xWW3
"I do not know to whom I should listen." Tlaqui nervously remembered the goblet exploding, splashing the poisoned draught over his feet.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9seBSe8wr0
"She is false, she told me so herself," Ollin said but saw the doubt in Tlaqui's eyes. "And when I have the proof you will hear only my voice which will be like thunder in the sky." He cleaned his fingernails with the tip of a knife. "But where is my proof? How shall I obtain it? She is very clever." He put down the knife and studied his fingernails, then looked at Tlaqui. "The handmaiden, alone in the seminary, tell me about her."367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONLvH9xMfB
Tlaqui shifted uncomfortably on his cushion. "She is, as I have said, very intelligent, but self-willed."367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxyi0gnelO
"In what way?" Ollin leaned across the table.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1j4GQjcX4
"One day, in the presence of the High Priest of Knowledge and myself, she said she would only marry someone of her own choosing."367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL83wEDQDey
"She would not be wed by arrangement, not for honor?"367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMq15XD9Y0
Tlaqui shook his head. "On this she was firm. She would choose her husband." A plan had already formulated in Ollin's mind. "Then we must find a suitable one for her, 367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQ02AaHfD3
Tlaqui," he said briskly and put a forefinger to his lips. "The false god's weakness lies not in herself but in her servants," he observed as he picked up the knife and stuck it into the table.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvNr70eFUz
A prospective husband was the last thought in Penny's mind was she stood, bored almost to tears, at the entrance to her cell, looking out onto the cloister. Behind her was Tetzal, the ever-present posy in his hand.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgryDukDgq
"In the annals of Cuauhtitlan there is the myth of five suns in the sky," he intoned. "Name them." Penny took a breath and reeled them off in a monotone.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5of5MceZC
"The first was known as Four-Tiger, the second the sun of Air, the third the sun of Fire and Rain, the fourth the sun of Water and, finally, the present one, the sun of Man."367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUZt1LALKd
Tetzal was delighted. "Excellent, Penny, excellent!"367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaItoYJFY6
Penny resigned herself to the next question but it was never posed. Suddenly Tlaqui and the Perfect Victim were standing beside the doorway.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOMWZRBbVT
"I greet you, Tetzal," Tlaqui said.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocku6QLzUC
The High Priest's face fell when he saw the Perfect Victim.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2LwbakxxS
"As I do also," the young man said, smiling at Penny.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyloewasKO
"You honor us with your visit," Tetzal replied. "How may we serve you?"367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yyq93UtKZ
"It is my wish to look upon her."367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReXqiNgTZ7
Penny was puzzled, Tetzal troubled and Tlaqui amused.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MSGEJUBt2
"Do you know how she is?" Tetzal asked.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbqjXqwMac
The Perfect Victim smiled. "Does she know who I am?"367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMVQazG48T
"No."367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsbDBoa0Jn
"Then tell her."367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtjjBrBga0
"In two days, when the sun is at its zenith, darkness will full upon the land," Tetzal said.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwv1qljT8Aw
"All great Hutizilopochtli's light will be hidden from our eyes," Tlaqui added mystically.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFSvaFyzWq
"You mean it'll be a total eclipse?" Penny was enthusiastic and remarked that, although she had seen several partial eclipses, she had never seen one where the sun was completely hidden by the moon. "It'll be interesting to watch."367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTgwliisFu
Tetzal shifted uneasily. "At the moment when all is in darkness, a human sacrifice will be offered to the Sun God and this young man...."367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfh6YbHXbWB
Penny's hands flew to her face. "....is to be the victim?" she blurted out in horror. "But that's revolting!"367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9ncneteLR
The young man looked at her uncomprehendingly. "What greater honor is there for me than to be chosen as the Perfect Victim and to join the gods?" His voice rang with pride. Then he announced he would take Penny as his bride.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYhJYz7P1M
She gaped at him in utter incredulity before giving vent to her feelings. "Bride!" she pointed at him. "He think's I'll marry him?! Well, if he's mad enough to let himself be sacrificed because of a stupid eclipse I suppose he's mad enough to believe anything."367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eVUQxhPbM
Tlaqui protested that since the young man had been chosen as the Perfect Victim, all his desires were granted. "That does not include me!" Penny was furious. "Let him die if he wants to, but don't expect me to marry him."367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVQh9V3Icp
"It is the Aztec law, Penny," Tetzal chided her.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMATqPPSRiN
"Then your law is barbaric and I won't obey it. I won't!" Penny shouted. "You're monsters, all of you are monsters!" She ran from the cell onto the cloister.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Z8gcFpIhV
Tlaqui looked at Tetzal. "She has broken the law," he said. "Ollin must know of this."367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiopChZC5uZ
"Let her be severely punished for denying me," the Perfect Victim added.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHFodVaEXx
Tetzal looked from one to the other. "So be it," he murmured.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1MI0hZCBF
With tears streaming down her cheeks, Penny ran halfway around the cloister before collapsing against a pillar.367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqu2IFg3YwB
"Uncle Zachary, Uncle Zachary," she sobbed. "Please, help me."367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayytOHZGLQ
367Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatPwVECY2n
