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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPi1QumfIcZ
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?452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ToTMaiFsK
"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."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi62O9umJQx
"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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6W65waqvYz
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."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpMF4RTI92
"I am pleased, though it is yours by right."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nOXhE8Qj2
Dr. Smith was puzzled. "Why do you say that?" he asked.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipzTTOcKMd
"It came from Nenetl's tomb."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9T3o5RB63
Dr. Smith was dumbfounded. "From...where?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepnVIFRIcU
"The tomb. See? It has Nenetl's sign on it," she pointed to the snake, "the coiled serpent."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GyrhEAqFU
"But that is the emblem of the Aztec nation," Dr. Smith said.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdtjqjajjE
"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."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASn7i6CVAy
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBnSec9YCQ
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."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxSwaJakKh
"Disappeared?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnXbKPBJVK
"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."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG51FxTOxVk
"And I with you, my dear," Dr. Smith said absently, his mind on other matters.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kyigG7skR
"Peace and contentment," Zuma reflected.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PYDSp2TnL
"Rapture and joy," Dr. Smith echoed.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktuF9uRq9s
"We shall have a garden of our own," she announced.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamTy7WihW0
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaX4Hn7G2at
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7TSST6Ol1
"Eureka, West, I have it!" Dr. Smith exclaimed, and then hesitated. "At least, I think I have."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5fe6vGF4p
"What?" Don asked, taken aback.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYSflEHEf9
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." 452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEjslOJlby
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."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHF7jrDgRt
"All right, Dr. Smith, I'll be there," Don said.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXptpwPtyU
"Good fellow," Dr. Smith replied and slapped him on the back.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6XmUhFvyh
"How did you get hold this?" Don asked, tapping the brooch.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYPkuuhN7q
Dr. Smith cleared his throat. "My fiancée gave it to me as a present."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogW3EZkzXz
"I see," Don replied before it registered. "Your what?" he choked.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2FXBt6syM
"I made some cocoa and became engaged to Zuma."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDR2in8Krf
Don began to chuckle.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtV6AVZIi0w
"Did I say something funny, West?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJMjn6ilKp
Don tried to keep a straight face.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWU5sUNXEF
"And the sooner we are away from here, the better."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqSQCOAXuP
"Yes, Dr. Smith," Don managed to reply, his shoulders shaking. "I'll be there tonight."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTLBc8bEtQ
Dr. Smith turned to leave.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU90lJmsdPl
"Oh, and by the way, Dr. Smith, congratulations," he said and doubled up.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVicnf175J7
Dr. Smith stormed off. From his quarters, Yaotl watched him go.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BWccL352x
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0shR976Ji1
The guard bowed and withdrew.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUoTY7qvJX
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHdK1ceoWW
"Why do you attend me?" Her voice was glacial.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BbIsUkYK7
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVpBDBeRve
Ann raised one eyebrow. "You wish the gods to favor the Priest of Knowledge with their good opinions?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFLb22zL2i
"Their advice," Tlaqui conceded.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFYZZaQW5W
"And yet you sin against them with your test of poison," Ann snapped as Tlaqui studied his posy even more intently.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkE4xYy8Bvo
"Let us talk of this other matter," Ollin cajoled.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNe6ihlmTmh
"Silence." It was like a whiplash across his back, but he gritted his teeth and contained his fury.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqWM3ITuQb
Ann looked back at Tlaqui. "Your offense against the gods is forgiven. Now, what would you discuss?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaZxSuT5s1
"The punishment for one who speaks out against our teachings and defies our laws." 452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtr8sl8Z04Y
Ann realized that this time it was a verbal trap that Ollin was trying to spring.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILHfxRZebq
"Was this spoken in public?" she asked cautiously.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaHTPcfEj5
"Yes, Great Spirit, and after being duly warned," Tlaqui emphasized.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqld9Iudf6O
"Were there witnesses to the warning?" Take it one step at a time, she advised herself.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ823dErKcI7
"Tetzal and myself."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGJXJj7Iv8
"What was the offense?" Ann was concerned that Tetzal was involved and curious to know why he wasn't with them.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlCQKX0D52
"Denying a desire of the Perfect Victim."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXu2N7k4DDn
"Be specific, Tlaqui. What was his wish?" Like the poisoned draught, she guessed this interview was being conducted behind Tetzal's back.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGNPdgZyLX
"To be wed."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCn1jyKIVfT
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTHGIo8e9b
Ollin's eyes glinted with secret pleasure. He had rehearsed Tlaqui well and Ann had fallen into the trap.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgLraEPAGF
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNBr3kAcGe
"There could be no greater honor," he concluded.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsC6JgX8nsS
"And if she wanted to marry again?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANbs29nHZK
Tlaqui shook his head vigorously. "Marriage to a mortal would be unthinkable to the widow of a god."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1Cmuc4rqv
"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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLLahcMt3Z
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."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxASjLZEucO
"Liar," Ann thought and stared at Ollin. "She will not die," her voice was adamant.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxK5P06n9C
"Then let her be publicly ridiculed," Tlaqui proposed.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuDLXyNSIq
Ann thought that if there must be a punishment, ridicule would be relatively harmless.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowBf5rRTN8
Ollin took a half-step forward. "I say she should be scourged," he hissed. "Her ears and tongue pierced with thorns."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfUOGGUOjZ
"I fobid it," Ann snapped.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdCxiBnPJT
"Tetzal upholds it." Ollin's voice was a menace.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXT1LKpeNT
"Let him say so, then," Ann replied dryly.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCi95EJTf79
"He will, he will," Ollin assured her, "when the time comes."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjeL6eDoMx
"And when will that be?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8g0jmfJbfR
"On the day of darkness," Tlaqui replied.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7duzTh5YY
"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."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rbajD0Fds
"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."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHUdZbcYny
"It shall be arranged," Ollin said without expression. "Both the men and your handmaiden will be there. That I promise."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeoiKfxkft
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.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nkkPOxtXs
Tetzal's face was grave as he listened to Ann's account of his encounter with Tlaqui and the High Priest of Sacrifice.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YzEuoLf7s
"Ollin insisted you upheld such bestial treatment. Is that true?" she asked.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡit1rhwd3Rv
"Is it still your intention to intervene at the sacrifice of the Perfect Victim?" Tetzal countered.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziezqckFiz
"Of course, it is," Ann said firmly.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CRsLk0iWs
"Then I shall match your courage, Nenetl," he replied. "Though it grieves my heart, as it must yours."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVCkxDcfHs
"I'll shed no tears over an end to human sacrifice." Ann was resolute.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JWrZ6Gx20
"I was referring to your handmaiden," Tetzal explained.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX4cDMYhfh
"What about Penny?" Ann asked sharply.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Jf69eQGln
Tetzal was perplexed. "You have just spoken of her offense."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLBWPJ9fJC
Ann jumped to her feet. "Penny was to be the bride?" she exclaimed.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZaapwLbYe
"Did not Ollin say so?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZNi6xTNqv
So that had been the trap, Ann thought; a deliberate omission on Ollin's part and a stupid one on hers.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWa9G34ZVqQ
"I shall forbid the punishment."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApkVPXkWOs
"You cannot," Tetzal replied flatly.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLx7wiwCijV
"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."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNrjPEVvbS
Tetzal shook his head. "She is to be punished before the sacrifice to the Sun God."452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICi34cZDFe
"I won't let him hurt her. I won't!" Ann's voice was final.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeG10KlLsS
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?"452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaH2ihQMqj
Ann had no answer.452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKAcu8KZkE
452Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmirVb7Fuc
