It was evening and the air in the garden was heavily scented as Dr. Smith, lost in his thoughts, walked along a path, his hands clutched behind his back. There had to be another way into the tomb, he reasoned, for how else could the counterbalanced wall have been set in place? It would have required builders both in the tomb and outside in the temple. He presumed that the temple, and consequently the tomb, had been built before Nenetl's death as the pyramid must have taken a decade to construct and that, Dr. Smith considered, was a long time to keep a corpse hanging around waiting to be laid to rest. So, when Nenetl died someone, Yaotl's grandfather, perhaps, had to open up the wall from inside the tomb. Therefore there had to be a secret entrance to steps leading up to a trapdoor, most likely, and now possibly sealed, in the floor of the tomb.253Please respect copyright.PENANAdDK4leBqLu
Dr. Smith sighed and sniffed the perfumed air without appreciating int. How would the trapdoor be sealed? he asked himself. Closed, it would be seated on a flange which, once Nenetl's body was placed in the tomb, could have been lined with terracotta, a mixture of sand and clay, that would harden like a brick when heated. Yes, that must be the answer, Dr. Smith decided and then wondered how much force would be needed to break the seal. A hammer, a chisel and West's biceps would suffice, he concluded. All that now remained was to locate the secret entrance to the steps and that, he realized dejectedly, could be almost anywhere. But where would be the likeliest place?253Please respect copyright.PENANAKYAHCBHuAp
"Zachary." Zuma's voice broke his train of thought. Irritated, he saw her coming along the path towards him. "My dear, I am glad to find you alone as I have a gift for you."253Please respect copyright.PENANAXEPQ3yWwNB
"How very kind," Dr. Smith mumbled, wondering if it were more cocoa beans. Instead, she gave him a beautiful jade brooch with an eagle and, separately, a coiled snake carved on it.253Please respect copyright.PENANA9dSdaUpsve
He was taken aback. "Dear lady, I cannot possibly accept such a..." he began but stopped when Zuma said the gift signified her love for him. Dr. Smith swallowed. "I shall treasure it always."253Please respect copyright.PENANASZITYJhkvi
"I am pleased, though it is yours by right."253Please respect copyright.PENANARgU1XXhvxB
Dr. Smith was puzzled. "Why do you say that?" he asked.253Please respect copyright.PENANAeb4rWwwP09
"It came from Nenetl's tomb."253Please respect copyright.PENANAnbI1wlQZh1
Dr. Smith was dumbfounded. "From...where?"253Please respect copyright.PENANA3vX0tczHpT
"The tomb. See? It has Nenetl's sign on it," she pointed to the snake, "the coiled serpent."253Please respect copyright.PENANAJzavPOQehz
"But that is the emblem of the Aztec nation," Dr. Smith said.253Please respect copyright.PENANAGQQ3vfWhXd
"That is so," Zuman replied. "Only the serpent is held either in the eagle's beak or its claws. Nenetl's sign of the coiled serpent is separate from the eagle."253Please respect copyright.PENANA0KuJ5OZRbg
Dr. Smith turned the brooch over in his hands. "It's quite magnificent." He smiled at her and asked casually how she had come by it.253Please respect copyright.PENANAHVZ73WDnbK
Zuma blushed. "Though married, Yaotl's father fell in love with me. I did what I could to discourage his advances. But he insisted that I accept the brooch, which he gave to me seven days before he disappeared."253Please respect copyright.PENANAMqjQ354SEo
"Disappeared?"253Please respect copyright.PENANAIEOe9bVSJn
"Yes, here in the garden," Zuma replied. "He was never seen again." She dismissed the topic with a gesture of her hand. "But it was a long time ago and now I look forward to a life of bliss with you."253Please respect copyright.PENANApjPggI8eaR
"And I with you, my dear," Dr. Smith said absently, his mind on other matters.253Please respect copyright.PENANAYfK8iRvWB8
"Peace and contentment," Zuma reflected.253Please respect copyright.PENANAh2iciFpRN5
"Rapture and joy," Dr. Smith echoed.253Please respect copyright.PENANAlC6pMYjK04
"We shall have a garden of our own," she announced.253Please respect copyright.PENANAdGvMKqPyup
The Doctor eyes lit up. "Yes, of course," he agreed. "A garden of our own." And his eyes traveled to the wall and the stone with the coiled snake carved on it.253Please respect copyright.PENANAk2gvQoXpbn
As soon as he decently could Dr. Smith took his leave of Zuma and hurried to the barracks. When Dr. Smith burst into his quarters, Don was desperately trying to think of something constructive he could do to put them safely back on board the TARDIS and get them safely on their way.253Please respect copyright.PENANAAra0yfePIG
"Eureka, West, I have it!" Dr. Smith exclaimed, and then hesitated. "At least, I think I have."253Please respect copyright.PENANAqrOYFDT5aV
"What?" Don asked, taken aback.253Please respect copyright.PENANAFMyaMYRBY5
Dr. Smith held the brooch in the palm of his right hand and poked it with his left forefinger. "This came from Nenetl's tomb. And who took it?" he demanded without waiting for an answer. "His father!" He pointed dramatically at Yaotl's quarters on the other side of the courtyard and then poked the brooch again. "So there's the proof that a secret way into the tomb exists and Yaotl's father knew about it." 253Please respect copyright.PENANAunsHeJQmbu
Dr. Smith looked about him conspiratorially and moved closer to Don. "But what is much more important, West, my dear boy, is that I believe I know where it is." His voice was little more than an urgent whisper. "Underneath the garden is an irrigation tunnel used for watering the flowers, and in the back wall is a stone with a coiled snake.....Nenetl's sign...carved upon it. I'm certain that the stone can be removed to reveal a way into the tunnel. I'm convinced that under the temple wall there will be a flight of stairs leading up to the tomb." Dr. Smith's eyes darted here and there in search of a possible eavesdropper before he continued. "Tonight, West, tonight, once Yaotl is asleep, come to the garden where I shall be waiting for you."253Please respect copyright.PENANAnQIRYEWqVW
"All right, Dr. Smith, I'll be there," Don said.253Please respect copyright.PENANAHrvkQARipY
"Good fellow," Dr. Smith replied and slapped him on the back.253Please respect copyright.PENANAA20KEmVWb1
"How did you get hold this?" Don asked, tapping the brooch.253Please respect copyright.PENANAl4mJr3mKs5
Dr. Smith cleared his throat. "My fiancée gave it to me as a present."253Please respect copyright.PENANAKHxeyxN6Ue
"I see," Don replied before it registered. "Your what?" he choked.253Please respect copyright.PENANAeeqacRd4Es
"I made some cocoa and became engaged to Zuma."253Please respect copyright.PENANAI8glUJdaJ7
Don began to chuckle.253Please respect copyright.PENANAr5BdWIIa5P
"Did I say something funny, West?"253Please respect copyright.PENANA8EwXKYCWXj
Don tried to keep a straight face.253Please respect copyright.PENANAE1TjGmQ8yf
"And the sooner we are away from here, the better."253Please respect copyright.PENANAmi0bgZcypQ
"Yes, Dr. Smith," Don managed to reply, his shoulders shaking. "I'll be there tonight."253Please respect copyright.PENANA7DgmQfztsj
Dr. Smith turned to leave.253Please respect copyright.PENANA1GgK0wWfuc
"Oh, and by the way, Dr. Smith, congratulations," he said and doubled up.253Please respect copyright.PENANArzNSi01pgL
Dr. Smith stormed off. From his quarters, Yaotl watched him go.253Please respect copyright.PENANAVtZDWbCvPa
Ann was in the antechamber when a guard announced that the High Priest of Sacrifice and the Priest of Knowledge awaited her in the temple. Her defences came up instinctively. "Say that I shall recieve them presently," she said.253Please respect copyright.PENANAXpVJ41lwNn
The guard bowed and withdrew.253Please respect copyright.PENANAU7DdjmHBfq
Ann considered her strategy. Should she listen to them first and then riposte as best she could, or should she go directly on the attack? She placed the plumed crown on her head and decided upon the latter course of action. When she reached the temple, she ignored them until she sat upon the throne.253Please respect copyright.PENANAXRysLDv6K0
"Why do you attend me?" Her voice was glacial.253Please respect copyright.PENANABbshgzOySi
Ollin kept his eyes fixed onher while Tlaqui looked down at his posy and shuffled his feet. "There is a matter we would place before you, Great Spirit," he burbled.253Please respect copyright.PENANAOFcM9xRPbI
Ann raised one eyebrow. "You wish the gods to favor the Priest of Knowledge with their good opinions?"253Please respect copyright.PENANA3rMpLbx1cV
"Their advice," Tlaqui conceded.253Please respect copyright.PENANAERS2XYtYAa
"And yet you sin against them with your test of poison," Ann snapped as Tlaqui studied his posy even more intently.253Please respect copyright.PENANAMDlCfJ5Z0C
"Let us talk of this other matter," Ollin cajoled.253Please respect copyright.PENANAbkHAlJjV2L
"Silence." It was like a whiplash across his back, but he gritted his teeth and contained his fury.253Please respect copyright.PENANAUMahUvTM8E
Ann looked back at Tlaqui. "Your offense against the gods is forgiven. Now, what would you discuss?"253Please respect copyright.PENANAIHpYXjMyyq
"The punishment for one who speaks out against our teachings and defies our laws." 253Please respect copyright.PENANAXpSi6EZDSm
Ann realized that this time it was a verbal trap that Ollin was trying to spring.253Please respect copyright.PENANACk4uo3bjQZ
"Was this spoken in public?" she asked cautiously.253Please respect copyright.PENANAoRqwO42a0u
"Yes, Great Spirit, and after being duly warned," Tlaqui emphasized.253Please respect copyright.PENANAZsvbtdkAlp
"Were there witnesses to the warning?" Take it one step at a time, she advised herself.253Please respect copyright.PENANASfNbrFEy8j
"Tetzal and myself."253Please respect copyright.PENANAB0i64cBnFr
"What was the offense?" Ann was concerned that Tetzal was involved and curious to know why he wasn't with them.253Please respect copyright.PENANAYl7VKx6tN3
"Denying a desire of the Perfect Victim."253Please respect copyright.PENANA3vAAdLmKUH
"Be specific, Tlaqui. What was his wish?" Like the poisoned draught, she guessed this interview was being conducted behind Tetzal's back.253Please respect copyright.PENANARbkYaBkOst
"To be wed."253Please respect copyright.PENANAY0p8YMBBBp
Ann thought that taking a bride two days before one died willingly was absurd. "To be wed and widowed in two days? What kind of marriage is that for an Aztec maiden?" she asked.253Please respect copyright.PENANA4NXtjLI42I
Ollin's eyes glinted with secret pleasure. He had rehearsed Tlaqui well and Ann had fallen into the trap.253Please respect copyright.PENANAfGWATUzVix
Tlaqui argued that Aztec warriors frequently wed before going off to war and some did not return, but they were not proclaimed gods as the Perfect Victim would be.253Please respect copyright.PENANAyIcBKtfBRI
"There could be no greater honor," he concluded.253Please respect copyright.PENANAUwLqX7pMxz
"And if she wanted to marry again?"253Please respect copyright.PENANANX1oG5qzDg
Tlaqui shook his head vigorously. "Marriage to a mortal would be unthinkable to the widow of a god."253Please respect copyright.PENANAq5xIG7WmdL
"So this maiden has defied your teachings and your law by spurning his proposal of marriage," Ann said, and when Tlaqui nodded, she thought "Good for you, girl." "And what does the law prescribe for such an offense?" she asked.253Please respect copyright.PENANAgIh4lRiuTW
Tlaqui waved his posy. "We know of none. Such a rejection has never occurred before," he replied. "That is why we have sought your advice."253Please respect copyright.PENANAl8p0mbRQ5r
"Liar," Ann thought and stared at Ollin. "She will not die," her voice was adamant.253Please respect copyright.PENANAeORfvNclXI
"Then let her be publicly ridiculed," Tlaqui proposed.253Please respect copyright.PENANAdqAJlKPxe7
Ann thought that if there must be a punishment, ridicule would be relatively harmless.253Please respect copyright.PENANAijxM1Dw87G
Ollin took a half-step forward. "I say she should be scourged," he hissed. "Her ears and tongue pierced with thorns."253Please respect copyright.PENANAGCiJWCM3qk
"I fobid it," Ann snapped.253Please respect copyright.PENANAfjz9dtYp7g
"Tetzal upholds it." Ollin's voice was a menace.253Please respect copyright.PENANAV5qPbLqYeE
"Let him say so, then," Ann replied dryly.253Please respect copyright.PENANAoohIZTgYdH
"He will, he will," Ollin assured her, "when the time comes."253Please respect copyright.PENANAjBGv7gt6Yx
"And when will that be?"253Please respect copyright.PENANADmnrZ5yWWC
"On the day of darkness," Tlaqui replied.253Please respect copyright.PENANAYhdEfBIG2w
"Before all the people," Ollin made a sweeping gesture with his arm before pointing at Ann, "and you must be there so that the gravity of the offence is known."253Please respect copyright.PENANAuJ3gIIBYdH
"I shall witness the punishment from the temple," Ann said, a plan forumlating in her brain. "But I wish my servants to be present with me. Don, my aged servant, and my handmaiden."253Please respect copyright.PENANADeccWOoQoR
"It shall be arranged," Ollin said without expression. "Both the men and your handmaiden will be there. That I promise."253Please respect copyright.PENANAjTpNts5US5
As the High Priest of Sacrifice limps from the temple with Tlaqui at his side, Ann sensed she had made a mistake somewhere. She went over their conversation several times in her mind and then summoned the High Priest of Knowledge to the temple.253Please respect copyright.PENANAvTzOOZM30t
Tetzal's face was grave as he listened to Ann's account of his encounter with Tlaqui and the High Priest of Sacrifice.253Please respect copyright.PENANAjp7cDHINvG
"Ollin insisted you upheld such bestial treatment. Is that true?" she asked.253Please respect copyright.PENANABSPKDTeEpi
"Is it still your intention to intervene at the sacrifice of the Perfect Victim?" Tetzal countered.253Please respect copyright.PENANAf7E6jHo2kx
"Of course, it is," Ann said firmly.253Please respect copyright.PENANAbOGePAUAdM
"Then I shall match your courage, Nenetl," he replied. "Though it grieves my heart, as it must yours."253Please respect copyright.PENANAcRYU4o9bq0
"I'll shed no tears over an end to human sacrifice." Ann was resolute.253Please respect copyright.PENANAgeF7IwCXhS
"I was referring to your handmaiden," Tetzal explained.253Please respect copyright.PENANA1pgukQ5U9I
"What about Penny?" Ann asked sharply.253Please respect copyright.PENANA5y4xUkMW62
Tetzal was perplexed. "You have just spoken of her offense."253Please respect copyright.PENANAe6nOFTssHZ
Ann jumped to her feet. "Penny was to be the bride?" she exclaimed.253Please respect copyright.PENANA0366sZEqfd
"Did not Ollin say so?"253Please respect copyright.PENANAEdO2ZeeXQC
So that had been the trap, Ann thought; a deliberate omission on Ollin's part and a stupid one on hers.253Please respect copyright.PENANA9IuX2JRhqR
"I shall forbid the punishment."253Please respect copyright.PENANA3ihMY1tBPu
"You cannot," Tetzal replied flatly.253Please respect copyright.PENANAsrxMyExpTK
"Oh yes, I can!" she said fiercely. "Penny is to be punished at the eclipse so when you and I stop the human sacrifice then I will order Ollin to release her as well."253Please respect copyright.PENANAFe9lkFaTUh
Tetzal shook his head. "She is to be punished before the sacrifice to the Sun God."253Please respect copyright.PENANAYUCAQ5D356
"I won't let him hurt her. I won't!" Ann's voice was final.253Please respect copyright.PENANAcxD7JRrJ6g
The High Priest looked at her. "Wil you, then, sacrifice all that you believe in, all that you have given me to believe in, to save your handmaiden pain?"253Please respect copyright.PENANAI95uxI5qle
Ann had no answer.253Please respect copyright.PENANALyKYppNwhF
253Please respect copyright.PENANA9Byhxmo581