The life-size clay model of a warrior wore a loin-cloth, sandals and a head-dress. On its chest was a small red circle to indicate the heart. Yaotl stood at the other end of the courtyard holding a javelin, which he threw with devastating accuracy into the circle. Don, who was watching with Tetzal, thought Yaotl would be a useful addition to a darts team. Yaotl swaggered over to them, his right hand on the hilt of the short sword hanging at his side.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDp58IoU6C
"Thus shall my enemies fall," he said arrogantly.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLkoj5wmxb
"Real enemies can strike back," Don remarked quietly.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGvFF79N0y
"I have no fear of death," Yaotl retorted.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxxl7QPSsz
"Maybe not. The dead never win."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmciLp6eDgd
Yaotl looked sharply at Don. "How would you attack?" he asked.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxxiCa1D8a
"A little more cunningly," Don replied. "I'd use stealth to surprise my enemy."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMTsASoqGz
"This also I can do." Yaotl spun around and when they were face to face again, the sword was drawn and the tip touching Don's stomach.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7xGWMhR4i
Don smiled at Yaotl as the chosen warrior slid the sword back into its scabbard. Don held up his left thumb. "This is all I need," he said casually.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJG4wbFZkI
Yaotl looked surprised and observed that to win a victory with a thumb would require strong magic.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFG6O0uze47
Don shook his head. "Knowing your enemy's weakness isn't magic," he said, "it's common sense."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDspV8x1bp
Yaotl laughed and pointed to himself. "What weakness have I that is vulnerable to your thumb?"387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBxAHKEdZw
"You'd be surprised," Don replied.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJCCByF0EW
Yaotl hesitated, doubt in his eyes.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofNvhf7BtX
"Don't worry, Yaotl, I won't kill you. Not this time." Don remained composed; Tetzal was intrigued and Yaotl bristled.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GBWsovRrH
"You mock the arts of war and I defy you to harm me;" he challenged.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfddHDKsq7j
Don looked at the studded club that lay on the ground beside them. "Pick up the club, Yaotl," Don pointed at it with his left thumb.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqhtCSIt35
Yaotl eyed Don suspiciously and then bent down to pick up the cudgel with his right hand. But he never quite reached it, as Don was astride him from behind and had clamped Yaotl's right arm in a half-nelson hold, leaving him powerless to pick up the cudgel or draw his sword. At the same time Don rammed his left thumb onto the pressure point behind Yaotl's left ear. For a few seconds Yaotl thrashed vainly with his left arm to disengage Don's thumb, and then went limp. Don released him and Yaotl slumped to the ground. Tetzal stared at Don in astonishment.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Agk3PiucC
"Give him a little time," Don smiled at the High Priest. "He'll wake up soon."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWvLQwM4db
At that moment Ollin limped into the courtyard. "Tetzal, there is a task to be...." he stopped short when he saw Yaotl.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGk73lrRo10
Tetzal turned to him. "He sleeps. Nenetl's servant won the victory with his thumb."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsx3I0rjHm4
Ollin looked warily at Don and turned back to Tetzal. "You saw the blow?"387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWEtRDQhCf
"There was no blow." Tetzal held up his left thumb. "He defeated Yaotl with this."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJlkPhZ1Ck
"Tell him to rest until the sun has passed the zenith," Don advised as he walked away.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzACbtxgNNX
"Where do you go?" Tetzal asked.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMrNxJjc5T
"For a stroll." Don was enjoying himself.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsm1BSXJeSZ
"I shall accompany you." And the two of them left the courtyard.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYR8iGbRKO
Yaotl stirred, propped himself up on his elbows, shook his head and exercised his neck muscles.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBpnuPoU5s
Ollin looked down at him. "Could you not fight against it?"387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNOMnHv1Gx
"I was powerless." Yaotl rose groggily to his feet and leaned against the courtyard wall. "My strength was drained from me like that," and he snapped his fingers.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaI9ehdVWvj
Ollin was disconcerted.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpwoGy0FVt
Tlaqui, a small, portly, balding Priest of Knowledge waddled, posy in hand, into the courtyard, bowed to Ollin and announced t hat the Perfect Victim desired to be admitted.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEuWaqXkrL
"All his requests must be granted," Ollin replied, and as Tlaqui left he reiterated quietly, "Must be granted."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlsYuqoot6
The Perfect Victim entered the courtyard. He was a handsome youth of eighteen and his white loin-cloth and cloak were hemmed with a gold thread, which had also been used to weave the eagle and coiled-snake motif on the back of his cloak. Even his sandals were white.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVnx9riomC
"You grace the Chosen Warriors' barracks by your presence." Ollin gestured toward Yaotl. "He is one who would be commander of our armies."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKNyYl9j0p
"Yaotl, I have heard of your valor and skill," the Perfect Victim exclaimed, and then looked puzzled. "Why do you say "would be" when all know he is to be the commander?"387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCLr3z9v0K
"There are some who say the accounts of his deeds and the truth are far apart," Ollin replied, looking shyly at Yaotl, who was furious.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VuCKfo5VF
"No man can win against me!" he shouted.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSq7hHpAL2
"None, not one?" Olliln sneered.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYSyYi70Al
"I shall lead our armies," Yaotl replied stubbornly. "It is my right to do so!"387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLgOLW6R54
"Yesterday it seemed so," Ollin remarked dryly.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycD0yXiBWe
Yaotl glared at him, picked up the cudgel, stomped off to the center of the courtyard and began practicing swings and blows.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KBRtEsSui
Tlaqui looked with surprise at the High Priest of Sacrifice.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEgB6Dbo1p
"You would make an enemy?" he asked naively.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtw5GC0qiZK
"I?" Ollin protested. "I only know that I have seen a man who could defeat him."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaiWBoTxsX
"Defeat Yaotl?" The Perfect Victim could hadly believe his ears.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2DDqQJrSM
Yaotl stopped swinging the cudgel and turned towards tehm. "Once. And that by a trick." He pointed the cudgel at Ollin. "I tell you that face to face, I can pull the stranger down."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRepI7ETql
"Maybe."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAG99t7xdV
"You drive the man." The Perfect Victim's voice was reproachful. "How often have you and Tetzal instructed me that small failings in a man may be his saving graces?"387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vGzZf57hZ
"But you, O' Perfect Victim, are as your name implies," Ollin replied. "When the time is ripe and you face the Gods, all failings will have dropped away. How else could you meet the gods to tell them of the Aztecs?" He paused dramatically and then raised his voice. "Should not the commander of our armies be equally pure so that his very name will strike awe and dread in our enemies' camps?"387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BwMURrUvp
The Perfect Victim considered the High Priest's argument and nodded. "He who defeated Yaotl should command.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbJZhQfVME
"No!" Yaotl roared.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5frWn4fhZ
Ollin raised a calming hand and conceded that Nenetl's servant may have won through trickery. "A second contest would resolve the matter but I cannot order it." He shrugged his shoulders and waited for Tlaqui, in his simplicity, to come to the rescue.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExpSQPBLS1
"The Perfect Victim's desires must be fulfilled at all times," he burbled.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6ezaswGEC
Ollin clenched his fists in delight as the Perfect Victim went to Yaotl's side.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLCp0thUPO
"My faith in Yaotl is supreme," the young man said, "and it is my desire that the Chosen Warriors meet in contest once again."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5j44FzZBM
"As the sun sets, I shall arrange it," Ollin promised, and then casually expressed his opinion that the two men fought better when one challenged the other as there was less vigor in a contest made solely for entertainment.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhph4MwZkq
"I shall challenge the stranger," said Yaotl.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVjhRfZbMF
"Let it be so," the Perfect Victim said, and left the courtyard with Tlaqui.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwph9UTOMOA
Ollin limped to Yaotl's side and whispered in his ear. "This I promise you: all honor and glory shall be yours if you destroy him."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlBYZOdCSX
Dr. Smith and Zuma were in the garden looking at the flowers and plants. Dr. Smith touched a leaf and asked her what it was.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDsys5YLZL
"It is herbal and the sap of the stem is used by those who practice medicine to induce sleep."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtAja1QpPJ
"I think I know of it," Dr. Smith replied, straightening up. As he did so , he scratched the back of his hand on a thorn of the maguey cactus plant which grew beside the herb. "Ouch!" He put the back of his hand to his mouth. Zuma laughed and suggested that Nenetl's aged servant might care to sleep until the wound healed. Dr. Smith declined, smiling, and they walked on along the path.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6A0Z0UtN0
"What do you call yourself?" Zuma asked.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZ7Bhm9b1e
"Zachary Smith, the Doctor of Many Things, at your service, my dear."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBvBCVfwqt
Zuma was puzzled. "Doctor? You are a healer?"387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXCljICRpx
"A healer? Oh, heavens no. I am a scientist, an engineer, a builder of things."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaX8QC9O3GU
"Now I understand your interest in the pyramid and the temple."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7sLbqnRia
Dr. Smith admitted that there were several details concerning the interior that intrigued him and this time came straight to the point.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCCI76we2H
"Nenetl's tomb, for example, is sealed, but surely the builder, now, what was his name....ah....ah....."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xbdpsHYZm
"Atl," Zuma said.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1O4e3fPiLb
"Yes, of course," Dr. Smith replied. "Surely he devised a way of opening it."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJO2PV5gLYI
Zuma admitted that her knowledge of the pyramid was insufficient to answer his query, but she was sure Atl's grandson would know the answer.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4s1t9Ru5zs
Dr. Smith stopped and sniffed an exotic flower. "Such a fragrance," he murmured and added that he didn't want to pry into what might be a family secret.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41xtbL2pJ7
"No one could think that of you," she replied. "When shall the meeting be?"387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm33ebhaYz2
"Oh, any time." Dr. Smith was nonchalant. "Today?"387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kT5d8m3JD
Zuma observed that an interested mind brooked no delay.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDUY8Udyqm
Dr. Smith looked at her and smiled. "I'm sure that's true of you, Zuma."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx65UIWdGRm
She blushed. "I was once. Now I'm content to pass the time of day here like the others."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8g8nUnWRX
"Their minds are old, dear lady, something yours shall never, ever, be," Dr. Smith protested.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtLD2mq7ce
Zuma smiled. "Your heart too is young, Dr. Smith." She touched his hand and said she would go and see the builder's grandson at once.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEF33QwMTvB
As she hurried away Dr.Smith sighed. He had a sense of guilt because, much as he liked Zuma, he knew he was using her. And does the end justify the means, he asked himself. In this instance, definitely, yes; the thought was resolute, but the guilt still niggled.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7UVIf5zMR
Ann received the High Priest of Sacrifice in the temple. Seated upon the throne, she was determined to draw on all the divinity she could muster. She looked down at Olliln and waited for him to speak.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsapgGaNfZn
"The High Priest of Knowledge will question you."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡco5CVp66B3
"And if he finds that I am the Spirit of Nenetl returned, what then?"387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUphFiCFVZ
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyT5o3bvT86
"I shall beg forgiveness of the Gods for my unworthy doubts."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKwi7mY35g
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPLn2sNlfQ
Ollin leaned towards the throne, his impenetrable eyes glistening. "Remember this also." His voice was a menace. "While your divinity is in dispute, only those who serve the temple may approach you."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyuIinKkJq
"My servant also," Ann protested.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1wPFGNEUp
"No!" Ollin spat out the word. "You are to remain alone."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUsTok9Qyx
"For what reason?" Ann enquired calmly.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXe5LhxwAs
"A false god's servants would conspire against us," Ollin said accusingly. "Such a danger we are unprepared to tolerate."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdpYwAns9a
"Then let my servants be told they may not enter here," Ann replied evenly.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYIdsDHbyz
"As you command, Nenetl," Ollin replied and limped out of the temple leaving a very disquieted Ann behind him.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlBVHmtyKV
Zuma was walking along the broad avenue on her way to the barracks when a messenger approached her. He bowed respectfully and said that Yaotl, the Chosen Warrior, sought her counsel. Zuma smiled and replied that she would go directly to his quarters.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0LJi5yVV5
She came into the courtyard and went over to Yaotl's door, which was open. She called his name and Yaotl invited her in.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBMm5wzomZ
The quarters consisted of three small rooms. On one side of the main living area was the bathroom, essential to most dwellings, as the Aztecs, with the exception of High Priests of Sacrifice, bathed two or three times a day. On the other side was the bedroom with a woven straw mattress on the floor and two wicker-work trunks for Yaotl's loin-cloths and cloaks. His head-dresses were kept on a shelf, his sandals underneath it. The main room had a legless square wooden table with a cushion at each side. Yaotl pointed to a cushion and Zuma sat down. Yaotl sat facing her.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJycHsgUFf
"I was told you wish to see me, Yaotl."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcETlD3Syr
"I would seek your advice, Zuma."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAQrSipJ0H
"If I can give it, I shall," she replied.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSzuq8tYaA
Yaotl rubbed behind his left ear with his thumb and asked what she knew of magic.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4f6kzDogV
"Nothing," Zuma admitted. "Though it is my belief I knew one who does."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebLt6l31RZ
Yaotl leaned forward. "What name has this person?"387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBQoE6Ea4J
"He is known as Zachary Smith and is the aged servant of Nenetl."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ubdLF0fek
Yaotl dismissed the suggestion with a wave of his hand. "An old fool with a strange name is of no use to me."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDkhQqESws
"Ah, but you may be of service to him," Zuma said. "He seeks an interview with you."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKih12EBSL
Yaotl was curious. "To what end?"387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BqtZrJFMx
"He is interested in your lamented father's father's work. In particular the temple," she added.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmV1Zi6eyDY
Yaotl ran his hand across his face. "Does he know my name?" he asked abruptly.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGnE91ditK
"No."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sDqxDA9ll
"Do not reveal it, but say that I shall meet him." His voice was casual.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5QaQwYV36
"Where?"387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkRN2LnYFe
"Does he not spend his day in the temple garden?"387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pJNdHZATi
Zuma nodded.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡann1rgIh0f
"Then there, I shall pass by after the sun is over the zenith and my food has been brought to me." He stood up and helped Zuma to her feet.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3y43LOKe9f
"I shall deliver those words, Yaotl." She felt pleased to have been of service to the Doctor, as she liked his company.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3di0nHVGkv
"Be mindful not to reveal my name," Yaotl called to her from the doorway as Zuma crossed the courtyard. Then he went back into the room chuckling. There was no better way to destroy one's enemies than to let them destroy themselves.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaUfvY8qwH
