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Dr. Smith was still marching up and down muttering to himself when a warrior came into the antechamber and beckoned them to follow him up the candle-lit stairs to the temple. Once there, the warrior drew back the brocade curtain and stood to one side to let them pass. The temple had been transformed. The entire back wall, behind which was Nenetl's tomb, had been covered with a clear sea-blue curtain filigreed in gold and silver threads with fish, sea-shells and crabs, symbols of Tlaloc, the God of Water. In front of the curtain was a stone dais studded with pieces of jade, turquoise and emerald. On the dais stood a golden throne whose delicately worked trellis back was surmounted by a golden eagle with a coiled snake caught up in its beak. But the most remarkable transformation of all was Ann. She was seated on the throne, dressed in a knee-length silk skirt patterned with multicolored zig-zags. Her green lace blouse was decorated with sheave of corn and leaves woven in gold thread. Around her waist she wore a leather belt with an emerald buckle. Her necklace was jade, as were the bracelets she wore on her left arm; on her right wrist she wore the coiled snake from Nenetl's tomb and she held a posy of flowers. Her head-dress was a gold crown decked with brilliantly colored plumes, and her sandals were laced with gold thread. The Doctor, Penny and Don gaped at her in shock and awe.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsg46Q7WZnd
Ann glanced at the warrior who stood beside the brocade curtain. "Leave us," she commanded.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTi5gT6uUg
The warrior bowed and removed himself from the temple.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuj7l1NZSEy
"Ann, what on earth are you doing there?" Don's voice echoed his incredulity.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9ZBrL6rZj
Ann leaned her right elbow on the arm of the throne, held up her hand and shook her wrist, the posy and the snake.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsr31rZltd
"They think I'm the reincarnation of the High Priest in the tomb."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsXoHQZNZh
"Because you had put on that bracelet and were caught wearing it by the High Priest of Knowledge," Dr. Smith concluded for her.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaS8cIXNG0
"That's right, Dr. Smith," said Ann. "Tetzal know that I had come out of Nenetl's tomb."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCArowWaAB
Penny looked puzzled. "But if Nenetl was a man," she asked, "how can they believe you are a reincarnation of him?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6zX7u8tUp
"The form his spirit takes isn't important to them, Penny," Ann pointed to the bracelet. "This is what counted."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeRbRTF2rR
"Tetzal called us Nentl's servants," Don said. "Is that who they think we are---your servants?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrcf4xRc9G
Ann nodded apologetically.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUl5D5oX5G
"Oh, the pain!" Dr. Smith snorted.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMqHjaQoNe
Ann turned on him. "But it's ideal, Dr. Smith. We can enter the tomb as soon as we like, get into the TARDIS and be on our way."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzH8kOTRnB
Dr. Smith drily observed that although re-incarnations could come out of the tomb, human beings couldn't go into one.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlg24RpcDG
"You're a god, Ann," Don said with a smile. "Find out how it opens."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvC60kWqSSi
Ann replied that she would ask, but Dr. Smith tut-tutted testily.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBmdLCyuUE
"That's the one thing you must not do." His voice was severe. "As Nenetl's spirit, you'll be expected to know everything. But if you go around asking questions and the Aztecs were to decide that you're not whom they think you are," Dr. Smith paused for effect, "then we won't last long." Dr. Smith sighed and walked around the throne. Penny and Don didn't move. They all realized there was an impenetrable wall between them and the solution to their problem.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgfKYlmMEA
The two High Priests came into the temple and bowed to Ann.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7F5mL6W0N
"Great Spirit of Nenetl," Ollin said, "the High Priest of Sacrifice salutes you."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4L0DmmrpKU
Dr. Smith and Don exchanged a glance.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMR2mNDwcB
"I acknowledge the High Priest's greeting," Ann replied.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmDxIYkMiA
Tetzal approached the throne. "For many days and many nights Tlaloc has looked away from us," he began, but Ann interrupted him.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMocaI6HsLI
"The God of Water and Vegetation?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGz6SB528y
Tetzal nodded. "Our land withers and the people groan."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZPRCygxvg
Ollin limped closer to Ann. "Those who serve the temple have prayed that the land may again be bountified," he said, "and this day we shall honor Tlaloc's name."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwSAXiWfGO
"When the sun's fire touches the horizon to the west," the people will stand before the temple in obedience to our commands," said Tetzal and bowed again. "We humbly beg you, Great Spirit, at that time, to show yourself before the people so that they may know their suffering draws to an end."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oHfnaN9TL
Dr. Smith leaned over to Don and muttered gleefully that Ann would appear and down would fall the rain.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2u3xF7aCz
"How can he be so sure?" Don asked out of the corner of his mouth.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpN3ejeqk2
"He's not the High Priest of Knowledge for nothing, West," Dr. Smith replied.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLhGh7wusx
Ollin was watching them.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXgZnzxIdi
"I shall do as the High Priest requests," Ann said.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOPn8YvRv2
"We also entreat you, Great Spirit, to permit your handmaiden and servants to perambulate among our people," Tetzal continued.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9duTgBwD0q
Dr. Smith saw the flicker of doubt in Ann's eyes. He stepped forward.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvVyVNkTO8
"O' Great Spirit, grant this request." He pointed to Ann and himself. "Thus may we be your eyes and ears and learn how best to serve all our interests."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJbYRHIcLy
"The aged servant of Nenetl speaks with wisdom," Tetzal remarked, looking at Dr. Smith with interest.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUysAKAquJP
Dr. Smith bristled. Aged indeed, he thought.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIygsZfVI2
Ann pointed to Penny. "My handmaiden remains with me." She waved her hand at Don and Dr. Smith. "But they may do as you request."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNREAmozw13
The High Priests bowed again to Ann, then Tetzal turned to Don and Dr. Smith. "We shall await you," he said, and they left the temple.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTVDYmr2Uu
Once they had vanished behind the curtain, Dr. Smith rubbed his hands in delight.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqTpprc4nt
"A beautiful performance, my dear," he enthused. "We've got exactly what we want. You and Penny here in perfect safety, West and myself out and about, trying to find a way to get back behind that wall, into the TARDIS, and off into the great darkness of space."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKzujapI3z
Don wasn't convinced. "It sounds all right," he said, "but I don't think we should take our eyes off those two High Priests for a second."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGMdcuAvOL
"Oh, don't worry about them, West," Dr. Smith replied airily, "they'll be too busy timing their miracle."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbvMm5TARi
"What miracle?" Penny asked.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiH5BeD2SuH
Dr. Smith turned to her. "Presenting the great spirit of Nenetl to the people, one second before there is a flash of lightning, a clap of thunder, and it buckets down."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6rvshFMw1
"I still don't see how they can be as accurate as that," Don said, shaking his head.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwkUCE6tQj
Dr. Smith wagged a forefinger at him. "You mustn't underestimate the Aztecs, West. They were a very civilized, cultured people."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9nwa1u80u
"Not were----are, as far as we're concerned, anyway," Don interjected.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjKhicGNye
Dr. Smith cleared his throat. "They know all about astronomy and the constellations, each of which has its own minor god; their agricultural policies and practices are centuries ahead of their time; and look a the workmanship on Ann's throne," he pointed dramatically to it. "A very advanced people, apart from one or two glaring shortcomings."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlmONQ7iN6
"Like cutting out people's hearts, or chucking them off the temple steps," Penny suggested.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3TM1MCeQg
Dr. Smith dismissed her with a look. "I was speaking scientifically," he said haughtily. "For example, they've never heard of the wheel....."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WZYrfOUuc
The two High Priests waited for Don and Dr. Smith in the antechamber below the temple. Tetzel was studying his posy of flowers while Ollin toyed with the obsidian knife he had extracted form under his priestly robe.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvG1IPS2ks
"Mr. Tetzel?" Smith asked suddenly. "You do serve Nenetl, don't you?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWz8RXxoEu
"We do, as High Priests of the temple," Tetzel replied.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjVz0rn45I
"How interesting. So, what purpose do the others serve?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpDqJlZn2G
"Nenetl has said that the...."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7UhPvJiLq
Before Tetzel had finished speaking, Ollin pointed the knife at him and asked if it would not be better that one of the strangers should lead their force of arms. 471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQOG2qE6NN
"Nentl's young servant should enjoy this honor. A warrior favored by the Gods."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaeiWnDABl
Tetzel considered this proposal for a moment, trying to guess what Ollin's ulterior motive might be. "But Yaotl is our chosen warrior," he replied finally.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XWEGGXw77
Ollin limped over to Tetzel's side. "Let Yaotl prove himself more worthy of command than the servant of Nenetl," he murmured, touching the tip of the knife with his finger.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgfy3u3nap
"But were the servant to lose the contest, it would bring down Nenetl's wrath upon us," Tetzel countered.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7ke8Yhth7
Ollin almost smiled as he hinted that Nenetl would ensure that no harm came to her servant, as the Gods were all-powerful.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaDgy59wKj
Tetzel was disquieted and tugged at a petal of a flower as he wondered again what Ollin's purpose really was.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhV5BBatQkn
Dr. Smith and Don entered the antechamber.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHdVjKhrH5
Ollin sheathed the obsidian knife. "It has been decided that the aged servant may walk abroad," he announced, "but you," he said, turning to Don, "will train to command our armies."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5k6C0lTrjX
Don and Dr. Smith looked anxiously at each other. Don't argue with him, said the look on Dr. Smith's face.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGUX6yeEtZ
"The Great Spirit of Nenetl would not deny me such an honor," Don replied.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUCujlpp3p
Ollin turned to Tetzal and asked him to conduct Dr. Smith to the garden at the temple's base. "There you may sit in comfort with others of advanced years," he added to an inwardly fuming Dr. Smith, whom Tetzal beckoned to follow him down the flights of stairs that would lead them to the ground level of the pyramid.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFF4PMAigJ
Then Ollin pointed to the jug of wine and one of the goblets. Don shook his head, but the High Priest picked up the jug, filled a goblet and drank the wine in a single draught. He put the goblet back on the table and wiped his mouth with the sleeve of his robe. He looked at Don for a few seconds with his intense, dark eyes.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iBQbmYSvY
"Come now with me to the barracks," he said, "where you shall encounter Yaotl."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT79D9cWTJM
"Yaotl? Is that someone's name?" Don asked.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocqsTOZqQi
"Yes. He is your rival for command," Ollin replied and limped toward the stairs.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZ3SVxLuZ0
Considerably taken aback, Don followed, rather wishing that he had accepted the proffered glass of wine.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDx5zdn9ECE
Dr. Smith was slightly out of breath when he and Tetzel came out of the temple. He looked up at the pyramid rising like Mt. Olympus above him and recalled Penny's remark concerning the faster way down and decided he was more than content to pant a bit. Tetzel led the way to the high-walled garden behind the temple. In one wall was a wooden door which Tetzel opened and let the two of them into the garden. It was enormous and beautifully laid out. The inside of the walls was trellised and covered with the rose and purple hues of bougainvillea vines. In the middle of the garden was a lake with an island of multicolored rocks in the middle. A mosaic path encircled the lake, with small paths radiating form it to the walls, and another three concentric paths divided the garden into segments, each one of them a trimmed lawn with beds of flowers and shrubs. There were stone benches along the edges of the lawns where older Aztecs sat. They bowed their heads respectfully to Tetzel, looked curiously at Dr. Smith's clothes and whispered amongst themselves.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASLVmeXbJO
Dr. Smith surveyed the scene around him. Color abounded. "Ah! Such a pleasant venue for a reflective afternoon," he observed.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzmEJgTsFx
"Many years ago, after the body of the High Priest Nenetl was sealed in the tomb, a law was introduced that all who attain their fifty-second year should pleasurably pass the remainder of their years, free from responsibility and care," Tetzel explained.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAA7QhYRBqN
"That is highly commendable. But don't they sometimes become bored?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5yaBHe7BX
"Often we seek the accumulated wisdom of their years."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzItpWCs85O
"What about?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkLIn3kUzn
"All manner of things. Each person here served the community in one way or another." Tetzel began pointing them out. "He was a weaver of priestly robes; she was a woman of medicines; he, an artisan of gold and silver; she, a sculptress in obsidian stone; and that man, a leading architect in the modernization of our city."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0UIPisiHk
Dr. Smith noticed a gray-haired, pleasant-faced plumpish woman in her mid-fifties who was using a knife to prune a rose bush. "That lady was, and still is, a gardener, I can safely assume?" Dr. Smith asked.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAs5336voTF
Tetzel laughed. "Zuma's advice, of all those here, is the most sought after. She sold vegetables in the marketplace but her eyes were everywhere, missing nothing. You will find in her a companion of great wit and interest."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQmO2nwdXl
"Er, what did you say her name was? I must admit, names have never been my forte."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwaVL8RJ62
"Zuma," Tetzel replied and begged Dr. Smith's permission to return to the temple. 471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySKqFFmsWO
Dr. Smith acquiesced and Tetzel strode away.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIn931K6Jk8
"Oh, yes---Zuma," Dr. Smith muttered to himself. He had already noticed her glancing furtively at him. He wandered along the path, holding a lapel of his jacket, and stopped beside her. Zuma concentrated on her pruning.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQQsjubvdh
"Despite the drought, there is water for flowers," he observed.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7EC5wDbND
"It is better to go hungry than starve for beauty," Zuma replied and snipped off two roses which she handed to Dr. Smith.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGK4tzbX4T9
"Thank you, my dear." He sniffed them appreciatively. "An aroma worthy of the gods." He looked around the garden. "Such a delightful place, this garden, though I imagine it must be quite a task to water it."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjexZqFSxso
Zuma smiled. "There is a tunnel under the garden," she explained, "and from it run small pipes which lead to the lawns and flower-beds." She pointed to a nozzle with a watering rose on it which stuck up just above the ground. "Water from the city's irrigation aqueducts fills a reservoir with a sluicegate near the back wall. When the sluicegate is opened the whole garden can be sprayed."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaLoeylVDl
"How ingenious," Dr. Smith remarked as he sat down on a stone bench. "I find it so restful here," he said, "so very restful."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC75zwwcFxJ
"It is the garden of peace."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtp8NacRib8
"Aptly named."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQI8yflPth
"You speak the words of Atl."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UxqUK5jt0
"Atl?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAeg2esHct
"He built the temple."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgnMNPS0k1
"And set out the garden as well?" But Dr. Smith's mind was clicking over in another direction.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAWcx10zRo
"As a labor of love," Zuma replied.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHFbm9q4Pv
"One senses that immediately. Does he ever come here?" Dr. Smith was all innocence.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouOG6ZmYqP
"He watches over the garden constantly."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTcMJLyba1
"Really?" Dr. Smith's face lit up.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0nqtNhlg0
"In spirit."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD518WMysQv
Dr. Smith's face fell.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWrhgWCTcE
"As does his son," Zuma continued."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPqML7Cc66
"Dead as well, I suppose." Dr. Smith was despondent.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4P5nQNh7K
"His son still lives."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRaNe8f89I
Dr. Smith cheered up a mite. "He's a builder?"471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSRsmN6UE3
"No. A warrior."471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUkSCKe7yR
"But maybe he knows something of his grandfather's work." Dr. Smith looked up at the pyramid. "I find the temple fascinating: the interior, the steps, the stairs, the antechambers." He stopped short of mentioning the tomb.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kpIuiqlUp
"A meeting between you can be arranged," Zuma said.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonbeaiLOis
Holding his roses, Dr. Smith stood up and bowed over her hand. "Dear lady, I would be eternally grateful," he said.471Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8Bfg6wIXK
