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.246Please respect copyright.PENANAMr4BpLdx4w
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?246Please respect copyright.PENANA8hnsf7tnyQ
"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."246Please respect copyright.PENANAGdEfwaAwb8
"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.246Please respect copyright.PENANAGmJtFPwOIk
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."246Please respect copyright.PENANAhreEByMIrh
"I am pleased, though it is yours by right."246Please respect copyright.PENANAYFl1XhE4lU
Dr. Smith was puzzled. "Why do you say that?" he asked.246Please respect copyright.PENANA2p9oDM9Gna
"It came from Nenetl's tomb."246Please respect copyright.PENANAMbuhaWkKJ7
Dr. Smith was dumbfounded. "From...where?"246Please respect copyright.PENANAzQRmr5yC4X
"The tomb. See? It has Nenetl's sign on it," she pointed to the snake, "the coiled serpent."246Please respect copyright.PENANAWv4V6RLQDk
"But that is the emblem of the Aztec nation," Dr. Smith said.246Please respect copyright.PENANAgwNHriuu9R
"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."246Please respect copyright.PENANAlNsCTi990R
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.246Please respect copyright.PENANAtYjTCum3tD
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."246Please respect copyright.PENANALvUh1yC8tC
"Disappeared?"246Please respect copyright.PENANAwp915ykxgT
"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."246Please respect copyright.PENANAstBGDcwizp
"And I with you, my dear," Dr. Smith said absently, his mind on other matters.246Please respect copyright.PENANAm2LPl4546b
"Peace and contentment," Zuma reflected.246Please respect copyright.PENANA1hyng2BvTw
"Rapture and joy," Dr. Smith echoed.246Please respect copyright.PENANAbwj9riXjUg
"We shall have a garden of our own," she announced.246Please respect copyright.PENANANXeIDju9Q4
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.246Please respect copyright.PENANAjnYjmoa0uI
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.246Please respect copyright.PENANAPSsgQkYLU9
"Eureka, West, I have it!" Dr. Smith exclaimed, and then hesitated. "At least, I think I have."246Please respect copyright.PENANAyzEGo9a93M
"What?" Don asked, taken aback.246Please respect copyright.PENANAqJfIn9v4nU
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." 246Please respect copyright.PENANA6rtBYyY5wI
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."246Please respect copyright.PENANAl7HmEgJY8m
"All right, Dr. Smith, I'll be there," Don said.246Please respect copyright.PENANANChozXpVbq
"Good fellow," Dr. Smith replied and slapped him on the back.246Please respect copyright.PENANAEw87XWZSHr
"How did you get hold this?" Don asked, tapping the brooch.246Please respect copyright.PENANAwY3CZkI1bN
Dr. Smith cleared his throat. "My fiancée gave it to me as a present."246Please respect copyright.PENANA3LHdbKfGF1
"I see," Don replied before it registered. "Your what?" he choked.246Please respect copyright.PENANArdfEttjZAR
"I made some cocoa and became engaged to Zuma."246Please respect copyright.PENANA8YRzARSMjZ
Don began to chuckle.246Please respect copyright.PENANAhKeGEv7cED
"Did I say something funny, West?"246Please respect copyright.PENANAkhTBkOEora
Don tried to keep a straight face.246Please respect copyright.PENANAAiQS3IMaVt
"And the sooner we are away from here, the better."246Please respect copyright.PENANAlBqNWrYeRh
"Yes, Dr. Smith," Don managed to reply, his shoulders shaking. "I'll be there tonight."246Please respect copyright.PENANAWWMG5v0eyX
Dr. Smith turned to leave.246Please respect copyright.PENANATZOQ6egFuR
"Oh, and by the way, Dr. Smith, congratulations," he said and doubled up.246Please respect copyright.PENANAWc9GwrQe6q
Dr. Smith stormed off. From his quarters, Yaotl watched him go.246Please respect copyright.PENANAmAE5ooZAzK
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.246Please respect copyright.PENANAlzOC0c6PXz
The guard bowed and withdrew.246Please respect copyright.PENANAVYAR1o6Xya
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.246Please respect copyright.PENANAsCubUGlSQM
"Why do you attend me?" Her voice was glacial.246Please respect copyright.PENANAie95akuD4n
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.246Please respect copyright.PENANAnXExGiQFxd
Ann raised one eyebrow. "You wish the gods to favor the Priest of Knowledge with their good opinions?"246Please respect copyright.PENANAEkcO6khnUu
"Their advice," Tlaqui conceded.246Please respect copyright.PENANAthj7jww5jp
"And yet you sin against them with your test of poison," Ann snapped as Tlaqui studied his posy even more intently.246Please respect copyright.PENANAfW2XG6240Y
"Let us talk of this other matter," Ollin cajoled.246Please respect copyright.PENANACxwCHFTYHz
"Silence." It was like a whiplash across his back, but he gritted his teeth and contained his fury.246Please respect copyright.PENANAh0e7SgB3Y4
Ann looked back at Tlaqui. "Your offense against the gods is forgiven. Now, what would you discuss?"246Please respect copyright.PENANAkF2T5L0C6z
"The punishment for one who speaks out against our teachings and defies our laws." 246Please respect copyright.PENANAyUadFkQXJq
Ann realized that this time it was a verbal trap that Ollin was trying to spring.246Please respect copyright.PENANAh08uYIlr05
"Was this spoken in public?" she asked cautiously.246Please respect copyright.PENANAUUHS1SdDCb
"Yes, Great Spirit, and after being duly warned," Tlaqui emphasized.246Please respect copyright.PENANAS3wXyPtmJx
"Were there witnesses to the warning?" Take it one step at a time, she advised herself.246Please respect copyright.PENANABBMr25a1LR
"Tetzal and myself."246Please respect copyright.PENANAsLpe2lhqdl
"What was the offense?" Ann was concerned that Tetzal was involved and curious to know why he wasn't with them.246Please respect copyright.PENANAfvGajrdBVf
"Denying a desire of the Perfect Victim."246Please respect copyright.PENANAqQdo1dTpfA
"Be specific, Tlaqui. What was his wish?" Like the poisoned draught, she guessed this interview was being conducted behind Tetzal's back.246Please respect copyright.PENANAR7H5GZ8LSu
"To be wed."246Please respect copyright.PENANAjTrlL5cUSr
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.246Please respect copyright.PENANAeLz95kOOPu
Ollin's eyes glinted with secret pleasure. He had rehearsed Tlaqui well and Ann had fallen into the trap.246Please respect copyright.PENANAj8yNDidg8l
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.246Please respect copyright.PENANACJHopqyWoL
"There could be no greater honor," he concluded.246Please respect copyright.PENANA00phQbzUnx
"And if she wanted to marry again?"246Please respect copyright.PENANAd4YcAzAovB
Tlaqui shook his head vigorously. "Marriage to a mortal would be unthinkable to the widow of a god."246Please respect copyright.PENANAe2kAoCwT46
"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.246Please respect copyright.PENANAQhnu1QOsHN
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."246Please respect copyright.PENANAizO4gLDDNV
"Liar," Ann thought and stared at Ollin. "She will not die," her voice was adamant.246Please respect copyright.PENANAdSMkaH137P
"Then let her be publicly ridiculed," Tlaqui proposed.246Please respect copyright.PENANA2ic8vVMo6S
Ann thought that if there must be a punishment, ridicule would be relatively harmless.246Please respect copyright.PENANATBxAjhnuUV
Ollin took a half-step forward. "I say she should be scourged," he hissed. "Her ears and tongue pierced with thorns."246Please respect copyright.PENANAtnAFPQe6nJ
"I fobid it," Ann snapped.246Please respect copyright.PENANASOVR9JkXPU
"Tetzal upholds it." Ollin's voice was a menace.246Please respect copyright.PENANAnR1bQgeVFE
"Let him say so, then," Ann replied dryly.246Please respect copyright.PENANA8u3bFVJIwe
"He will, he will," Ollin assured her, "when the time comes."246Please respect copyright.PENANAvXcHqU9i6D
"And when will that be?"246Please respect copyright.PENANAbfiLUZ7Ig5
"On the day of darkness," Tlaqui replied.246Please respect copyright.PENANAbP3nHYfV7m
"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."246Please respect copyright.PENANAmu88uH4Otx
"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."246Please respect copyright.PENANAp74OQOlLal
"It shall be arranged," Ollin said without expression. "Both the men and your handmaiden will be there. That I promise."246Please respect copyright.PENANANQSE9EPqbG
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.246Please respect copyright.PENANAJFTsn9vuYN
Tetzal's face was grave as he listened to Ann's account of his encounter with Tlaqui and the High Priest of Sacrifice.246Please respect copyright.PENANAw5kt4FrGeh
"Ollin insisted you upheld such bestial treatment. Is that true?" she asked.246Please respect copyright.PENANAvXcQNHXx6B
"Is it still your intention to intervene at the sacrifice of the Perfect Victim?" Tetzal countered.246Please respect copyright.PENANA6rwZw5caDa
"Of course, it is," Ann said firmly.246Please respect copyright.PENANAJvb9UB5jYB
"Then I shall match your courage, Nenetl," he replied. "Though it grieves my heart, as it must yours."246Please respect copyright.PENANAzJetOJt1GN
"I'll shed no tears over an end to human sacrifice." Ann was resolute.246Please respect copyright.PENANAudQr3zXW4A
"I was referring to your handmaiden," Tetzal explained.246Please respect copyright.PENANAc1nVvnPFdN
"What about Penny?" Ann asked sharply.246Please respect copyright.PENANAUjkg72lm30
Tetzal was perplexed. "You have just spoken of her offense."246Please respect copyright.PENANAW9C2YQ0H6M
Ann jumped to her feet. "Penny was to be the bride?" she exclaimed.246Please respect copyright.PENANAfC25sn7I1w
"Did not Ollin say so?"246Please respect copyright.PENANA6hgE7TFYjE
So that had been the trap, Ann thought; a deliberate omission on Ollin's part and a stupid one on hers.246Please respect copyright.PENANAwOGzNAZZbV
"I shall forbid the punishment."246Please respect copyright.PENANAl9yFZAjjHT
"You cannot," Tetzal replied flatly.246Please respect copyright.PENANAdzWWtgUy2p
"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."246Please respect copyright.PENANA1eIfZmHBNF
Tetzal shook his head. "She is to be punished before the sacrifice to the Sun God."246Please respect copyright.PENANANTuSZVoDyR
"I won't let him hurt her. I won't!" Ann's voice was final.246Please respect copyright.PENANAClbcEtzXOe
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?"246Please respect copyright.PENANAHjxHSZifsN
Ann had no answer.246Please respect copyright.PENANALQRC6DiNyK
246Please respect copyright.PENANAYXXNcbCdTv