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Don walked along the broad avenue with Ollin limping at his side. The avenue was lined with windowless, one story, box-like houses. Their entrances were elaborate wrought-iron gates, through which Don could see the short passageway that led to the central, open-air courtyard with its lawn, flower-bed and tumbling bougainvillea. Around the courtyard were the rooms of the house. Don thought that if ever he were to reach home again he would like to build a house like that. But then he remembered the considerable difference between the Mexican climate and the weather in England.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6IW9fMv6B
The Aztecs they passed on the way to the barracks bowed respectfully to Ollin, but Don sensed they were, in actuality, afraid of the High Priest.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1NiYZxzeM
"Do you often leave the temple?" he asked.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNFLVYZlzj
"Tetzel seeks wisdom in the garden from time to time," Ollin replied. "I visit the barracks to select a victim when the Gods demand blood."483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgQQGKswNN
Don felt his blood run cold.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy32SCC8Dqg
The barracks was similar to the houses in design, but infinitely larger, and the central courtyard was an area of hard-baked clay where the warriors trained in the martial arts. When Don and Ollin entered the courtyard some two hundred warriors were at drill. They wore leather loin-cloths, sandals and plumed head-dresses. They carried shields and lunged with short-swords, parrying attacks from imaginary enemies. When the Aztec in charge saw Ollin, he ordered the warriors to stop and they stood respectfully as the High Priest of Sacrifice limped across the courtyard followed by Don, who quickly became aware that the word had been passed by the warriors in the temple and everyone knew who he was. Suddenly Ollin stopped, glanced along the ranks and pointed to a young warrior. Then he limped on to the far side of the courtyard. As they approached it, a warrior broke from the ranks and ran to open the door for them. There was a short passageway which opened onto another clay courtyard, patterned with the eagle and coiled snake in colorful dyes. Don noticed that the courtyard was about the same size as the ones he'd seen in the houses. There was a door in each of the other three wall. The two doors which faced one another were ornate, and decorated, once again, with the snake and eagle motif. The third door was made of pain wood.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCkmI2SYIl
Ollin went to the middle of the courtyard. "Yaotl," he called.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjgM5xLVUt
One of the decorated doors opened and a well-built, handsome man, a few years younger than Don, came into the courtyard. He was wearing a leather loin-cloth with rectangular shapes embroidered on it in gold and silver thread. He wore sandals and his hair was drawn back in a short pony-tail. He bowed deeply to Ollin.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8048JBQ0Xc
"I greet you, O' High Priest of Sacrifice," he said, then eyed Don up and down. "What manner of warrior is this?" His tone was disdainful.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3EVGxgDLB
"He is the servant of Nenetl," Ollin replied.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAV4ZAK0SV
Yaotl bowed. "I have heard that Nenetl again guides us in wisdom and strength. Does the High Priest wish me to demonstrate my skill to Nentl's servant."483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3HyJayTqz
Ollin inclined his head and Yaotl strode to the door which opened onto the large courtyard.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TBiQymibP
"A warrior....one of the best," he commanded.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjT3zvlyglS
The Aztec in charge signaled to a warrior, who ran to the door and entered the small courtyard.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3Vfnbv8zM
"We will fight with studded clubs and shields," Yaotl announced and led the warrior over to the plain wooden door. They went inside.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4Em7K7NXC
"To command one must prove courage, skill and intelligence," Ollin's voice was insinuating. Yaotl had killed and taken many prisoners on the battlefield, he told Don, "He has no fear of death."483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjh62tLbxho
Yaotl and the warrior reappeared. Each carried a shield and a wooden cudgel which had a circular head studded with pieces of obsidian stone. They approached Ollin, bowed to him, then went to the middle of the courtyard and stood facing each other, about ten feet apart. Just out of reach, Don thought.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpOuFeqGEx
Ollin raised one hand. "Begin!" he commanded.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrO80WvHRN
The two men circled each other warily. Then Yaotl suddenly lunged and aimed a blow at the warrior's left-hand side. But as the warrior brought his shield across his body to fend off the cudgel, Yaotl reversed his attack and hit out at the warrior's unguarded right. The warrior was swift and leapt back. Yaotl swung at empty air, almost throwing himself off balance. Instinctively, he raised his shield to protect his head as the warrior's cudgel crashed down. As it struck the shield, Yaotl gave a backhand chop just below the warrior's rib-cage. Blood spurted from the wound. The contestants backed away and circled each other again. Don had anticipated a friendly encounter, but now he wasn't so sure. His mouth went dry and he gave a sideways glance at Ollin beside him. The High Priest's face was expressionless. I shouldn't be surprised, Don thought. He's used to the sight of blood. Then Yaotl launched a ferocious attack, forcing the warrior to give ground as he tried to ward off the repeated blows. The warrior tried to counterattack, but Yaotl's shield was all around his body, protecting it until the last blow, which Yaotl parried with his cudgel and with such force that the warrior's weapon flew from his hand and he was driven back trying to defend himself. Eventually he fell to his knees in a corner of the courtyard, with the shield held above his head. Yaotl smashed his cudgel down on the warrior's shield and stepped back.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3drR8KZG8
"Go and have your wound tended to," he said, and then walked over to Ollin.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhb1p3fJ2L
"Thus shall other tribes fear even more the Aztecs," the High Priest said.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoQ0QJj9TU
Yaotl inclined his head and turned to Don. "Tell Nenetl that I shall serve well."483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dnRWfk07V
"I shall carry that salutation for you," Ollin replied. "Nenetl's servant remains here."483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVj3fZiGJY
Yaotl looked puzzled. "But here dwell only those chosen to command," he said.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhwnUrBwhv
"I know it." Ollin looked from one to the other.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtB3i3SiQ1
Yaotl turned to Don and there was fierce pride in his face. "What name did your mother give you?" he asked.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhB5Roo3Voh
"Don."483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Y2Ki6VKkP
"Then I tell you, Don, that six other warriors have dwelt in there," he pointed to the other decorated door, "but I alone remain. Yet I welcome you. There is no fear of you in me. And one day all men will fear Yaotl, the Aztec commander who defeated the chosen servant of Nenetl."483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcTPlwVnnk
Don did not reply, but met Yaotl's arrogant gaze with a look he hoped was steadfast.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWSsn1sKFk
"Let him be clothed according to his rank," Ollin said.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALnKD4MxmR
"It shall be done," Yaotl replied and asked if Don would assist at the Rain God's ceremony.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5Sv83v0BV
"He is now as you are, Yoatl, a chosen warrior," the High Priest replied and limped out to the courtyard.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmx58mhPO9
"What am I supposed to do at this ceremony?" Don asked.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnPk3GOPMp
"All honor rests with us," Yaotl's voice rang with pride, "we deliver the human sacrifice to the High Priest Ollin," and then in a matter-of-fact voice added that it was time to obtain Don's uniform.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TzxeA68V8
Don stood dumbfounded.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYU6PyCDxM
Zuma had gone home, leaving a contemplative Dr. Smith in the garden. She returned later with a tray, on which were the cornflower pancakes, a jar of honey, a knife, two goblets and a jug of water. Zuma put the tray on the bench where Dr. Smith was sitting, and then sat down herself. Dr. Smith had eaten two pancakes with honey and drunk a goblet of water when he saw a cloaked, plumed Aztec warrior with an embroidered loin-cloth and sandals striding purposefully towards him. It took Dr. Smith a full fifteen seconds to recognize Don.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5f8GK2oeD1
"Ah, West," he called, his eyes sparkling wiht amusement at Don's clothes. "Do have a pancake and honey." Don declined and Dr. Smith introduced him to Zuma whom, he added, had promised to arrange a meeting between himself and the grandson of the man who built the temple.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnE0HABeEn
"That is most kind of you, madam." Don smiled at Zuma, who returned his smile through her eyes looked momentarily troubled. She glanced down at the tray and then at Dr. Smith.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPhGkmWI22
He gently patted his stomach. "Delicious and plenteous, dear lady."483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsw2TBTE35
Zuma stood and picked up the tray. Dr. Smith also rose to his feet.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1D6mKaSHw
"Pray excuse me," Zuma said, "then you may talk more freely." She walked away.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZhsQC36uS
"Dr. Smith,' Don's voice rang with urgency, "today there's to be a human sacrifice at the Rain God ceremony and I'm supposed to assist. I can't possibly do it."483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDfKsePEBq
Dr. Smith put his hand on Don's shoulder. "Just a minute, West," he said. "What exactly must you do?"483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmp2rrULzTx
"Escort the victim to the altar."483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBecpuRXkj
"Then, by all means, do so." Dr. Smith spoke brusquely.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMT5qT01Aiu
Don was appalled. "You can't expect me to participate in murder."483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00yyWxHctO
"Intervene and we'll be dead within the minute."483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjB37UlejP
"But...." Don began in desperation.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjpMN5npX6
"Ahhhh, no buts, West," Dr. Smith cut in. "If human sacrifice is their tradition, then let them get on with it." He removed his arm from Don's shoulder and pointed a forefinger at Don's chest. "For your own sake, for Ann's, for Penny's and for mine, do not interfere." These last words were spoken in a measured tone. "Promise me, Don," Dr. Smith insisted.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzb7Cp4buu
Don looked down at the ground. "All right, I promise," he murmured.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegpRMWpApV
Dr. Smith patted him on the arm. "I'll go and tell Ann," he said, and hurried away. It was only when he entered the pyramid that he remembered all tlhe stairs he had to climb.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1pefUFxri
Penny and Ann were in the antechamber below the temple. Ann had taken off her sandals and lay on a couch wriggling her toes while munching a banana. "Hardly godlike behavior," she remarked between bites to Penny who was trying on Ann's plumed crown.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDGdNJ3Gcb
"What do you think?" Penny asked as she struck a fashion-photo pose.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXt28M6SUS
"It's just the thing for the Royal Enclosure at Ascot," Ann replied and they both laughed.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEQlIq7mKg
"I enjoy being the handmaiden of a god," Penny said.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZGvUKPhOL
"This end isn't too hard to take, either," Ann admitted.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLRyw7zvpS
Penny took off the head-dress and put it down a legless side-table beside a highly polished jade statuette of an Aztec god. Penny picked it up. "Hey, look at this," she said. "It's priceless."483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlyhjvoxeA
"That's the thing which hooked me on the Aztec civilization in the first place," Ann replied, placing the banana skin on the plate at her side. "On the one hand, that's Tetzel who is charming, intelligent and cultured. But, on the other hand...."483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDf5YpGGeZs
"There's Ollin," Penny interjected. "Strange, isn't it? Such beauty and such horror existing side by side."483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDRlbN8dmI
As she replaced the statuette, they heard Dr. Smith's breathless voice outside the antechamber.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNlg7O2sky
"Let me pass," he was saying, gasping for air, "go on, out of my way, I must talk to Nenetl."483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTy7KvS8fu2
Ann stood up as Penny went to the door and opened it.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLEeJbm67f
Dr. Smith stumbled in. "Wait outside, Penny," he gasped, "and don't let anyone in."483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIRDcPhQzQ
"Yes, Uncle Zachary." Penny left, closing the door behind her.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6NQbOY4gQ
"Sit down, Dr. Smith, and catch your breath." Ann motioned to a couch.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89KENzURDs
Dr. Smith collapsed onto it. "All those stairs, all those stairs." He took a deep breath and Ann poured him a goblet of water which he gulped down.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDEaQHYziS
Ann waited until he had fully recovered. "What is it, Dr. Smith? What's happened?"483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmDm13EOVF
Dr. Smith stood up. "There's to be a human sacrifice during the Rain God ceremony at sunset." He kept all emotion out of his voice.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IIC0z4p2O
"Oh, no!" Ann was horrified. "No!"483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ921ZrxIdnB
"You must not interfere! You must not!"483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Eg558LKc8
Ann buried her face in her hand. "I can't just stand by an...."483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILjPSh4Zk7
"You must," Dr. Smith barked out the two words, then his voice softened. "Don agrees with me," he paused before continuing, "and he is required to escort the victim to the altar."483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZvreBC0xN
Ann's hands flew from her face. "He has to do what?" she exploded.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiro1CxiEaK
"He's been designated a 'Chosen Warrior'---Dr. Smith shrugged ----"and for all our sakes, he has agreed, given me his word, to do nothing to prevent the sacrifice.":483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCz3Wqd9NP
"Well, I have been made a god," Ann paced out her words, "and I forbid it."483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6mDCtOmda
"Ann," Dr. Smith began to protest, but Ann cut him off.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmXVakGiV4
"No, Dr. Smith. There will be no sacrifice at sunset, nor ever again. The reincarnation of Nenetl will prove to the Aztec people that you don't need to cut out a pulsating human heart to make the rain come."483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtuBnUBjGl
"Don't be foolish, woman. The High Priests will turn against you and denounce you."483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOdlYHoRIc
"They won't dare to defy me," Ann replied with great determination. "No, this is the beginning of the end of Huitzilopochtli's reign."483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTwdx3SzlK
"What on earth are you talking about?" Dr. Smith demanded.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTH2K1nsuh
"Rewriting history," Ann said calmly. "If I can start the destruction of all that is evil here, then all that is good will survive when Cortez lands."483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPukxtEXuC
Dr. Smith shook his head in bewilderment. "You can't change history, Ann. Not one page of it."483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2o14aiGh1
Ann turned her back on him, went to the side table, picked up her plumed crown and set it on her head.483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgKDq9iI6m
"I appeal to you, Ann. Be reasonable. What you're trying to do is impossible," Dr. Smith implored. "Believe me, I know, really I do, I know."483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReh6w7c7yy
She turned to face him and was quite serene. "Not Ann," she said calmly. "Nenetl."483Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8kZw6FvkB
