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.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6tcRwPXbi
"Thus shall my enemies fall," he said arrogantly.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZGmMwhw4f
"Real enemies can strike back," Don remarked quietly.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvv87riKcIQ
"I have no fear of death," Yaotl retorted.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvnwiClIWy
"Maybe not. The dead never win."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCotuCiyIdv
Yaotl looked sharply at Don. "How would you attack?" he asked.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuZmjtxC4p
"A little more cunningly," Don replied. "I'd use stealth to surprise my enemy."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtrWP7AC37
"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.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJjR4YcCe9
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.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLiUSezGC5
Yaotl looked surprised and observed that to win a victory with a thumb would require strong magic.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBko0EXbeNy
Don shook his head. "Knowing your enemy's weakness isn't magic," he said, "it's common sense."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3JGEpSjpT
Yaotl laughed and pointed to himself. "What weakness have I that is vulnerable to your thumb?"398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJotsMA8YXE
"You'd be surprised," Don replied.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEn8sN6xts
Yaotl hesitated, doubt in his eyes.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIqVi10wRb
"Don't worry, Yaotl, I won't kill you. Not this time." Don remained composed; Tetzal was intrigued and Yaotl bristled.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5b7WThr2uu
"You mock the arts of war and I defy you to harm me;" he challenged.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePvFTgJp8N
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.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVo58GXbF0
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.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2rFjCXOUB
"Give him a little time," Don smiled at the High Priest. "He'll wake up soon."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRpiT6Z0R8
At that moment Ollin limped into the courtyard. "Tetzal, there is a task to be...." he stopped short when he saw Yaotl.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwGJWmb8hn
Tetzal turned to him. "He sleeps. Nenetl's servant won the victory with his thumb."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeggIDCyziR
Ollin looked warily at Don and turned back to Tetzal. "You saw the blow?"398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzA8XQyeLD1
"There was no blow." Tetzal held up his left thumb. "He defeated Yaotl with this."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKGXvxhzat
"Tell him to rest until the sun has passed the zenith," Don advised as he walked away.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3a7ll6j1QR
"Where do you go?" Tetzal asked.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYem5xPkHO2
"For a stroll." Don was enjoying himself.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLGrBWpBq8
"I shall accompany you." And the two of them left the courtyard.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZgWTY2y6j
Yaotl stirred, propped himself up on his elbows, shook his head and exercised his neck muscles.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9afZPqTbdF
Ollin looked down at him. "Could you not fight against it?"398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdKvpktMoO
"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.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtn7w7AwcAl
Ollin was disconcerted.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7UctBj3XH
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.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8L8RNmV3Aj
"All his requests must be granted," Ollin replied, and as Tlaqui left he reiterated quietly, "Must be granted."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHWXiwt4al
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.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdIzrxqMsZ
"You grace the Chosen Warriors' barracks by your presence." Ollin gestured toward Yaotl. "He is one who would be commander of our armies."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHd0emsugc
"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?"398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfQNforifO
"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.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjF9fjP0EkW
"No man can win against me!" he shouted.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdoHe9d3OV
"None, not one?" Olliln sneered.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwo2hVca7GX
"I shall lead our armies," Yaotl replied stubbornly. "It is my right to do so!"398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBRnT9ArhY
"Yesterday it seemed so," Ollin remarked dryly.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6QL9xAeaJ
Yaotl glared at him, picked up the cudgel, stomped off to the center of the courtyard and began practicing swings and blows.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgP2ZIob6Wy
Tlaqui looked with surprise at the High Priest of Sacrifice.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vvlDOcKf1
"You would make an enemy?" he asked naively.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SDylOgNaW
"I?" Ollin protested. "I only know that I have seen a man who could defeat him."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiXA0AALsE
"Defeat Yaotl?" The Perfect Victim could hadly believe his ears.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyoLA56CuT
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."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPHFJ4TJMx
"Maybe."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBsRye7hoe
"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?"398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcXkKBVyh7
"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?"398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIVtymElMU
The Perfect Victim considered the High Priest's argument and nodded. "He who defeated Yaotl should command.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UPoylfNJK
"No!" Yaotl roared.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4BllL9Eoo
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.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESnQgoweXl
"The Perfect Victim's desires must be fulfilled at all times," he burbled.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XGmTCtotr
Ollin clenched his fists in delight as the Perfect Victim went to Yaotl's side.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJU6Cq0rJm
"My faith in Yaotl is supreme," the young man said, "and it is my desire that the Chosen Warriors meet in contest once again."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3Znu8gGUV
"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.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9YPFPxBAu
"I shall challenge the stranger," said Yaotl.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTB4sNtBdx
"Let it be so," the Perfect Victim said, and left the courtyard with Tlaqui.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iZzSMa11U
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."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsYX1H9V72
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.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcTm8HVzxd
"It is herbal and the sap of the stem is used by those who practice medicine to induce sleep."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiYTmTDWFR
"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.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklbV8UAMN7
"What do you call yourself?" Zuma asked.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuApBxyOpKw
"Zachary Smith, the Doctor of Many Things, at your service, my dear."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDpZ61EuOZ
Zuma was puzzled. "Doctor? You are a healer?"398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeE46S1BPFC
"A healer? Oh, heavens no. I am a scientist, an engineer, a builder of things."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbrqDlnYNs
"Now I understand your interest in the pyramid and the temple."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Za1ugyEDa
Dr. Smith admitted that there were several details concerning the interior that intrigued him and this time came straight to the point.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFvmkm50iU
"Nenetl's tomb, for example, is sealed, but surely the builder, now, what was his name....ah....ah....."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Wog5jQxmt
"Atl," Zuma said.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZA6QM0BhD
"Yes, of course," Dr. Smith replied. "Surely he devised a way of opening it."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKPnaOJRaD
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.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyMT39YjiZ
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.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZp21oWiwE
"No one could think that of you," she replied. "When shall the meeting be?"398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNh8Y762wN
"Oh, any time." Dr. Smith was nonchalant. "Today?"398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zHtpIvDAd
Zuma observed that an interested mind brooked no delay.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjj96XYIjl
Dr. Smith looked at her and smiled. "I'm sure that's true of you, Zuma."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1afZQ5Bouc
She blushed. "I was once. Now I'm content to pass the time of day here like the others."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYG2qSkbAFl
"Their minds are old, dear lady, something yours shall never, ever, be," Dr. Smith protested.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnhT3oK1AF
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.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGuSscd5jg
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.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEAUeFEwC0
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.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYHy8IFI4g
"The High Priest of Knowledge will question you."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxV9egvuf8W
"And if he finds that I am the Spirit of Nenetl returned, what then?"398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Sc2EUm9fV
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15T4iNLN54
"I shall beg forgiveness of the Gods for my unworthy doubts."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLDAqHHds9
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4XWoppqXl
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."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4G9imM5zB
"My servant also," Ann protested.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowGoM01BzV
"No!" Ollin spat out the word. "You are to remain alone."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAZ3FuPU34
"For what reason?" Ann enquired calmly.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybSVgAaZii
"A false god's servants would conspire against us," Ollin said accusingly. "Such a danger we are unprepared to tolerate."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3Eg9twtrA
"Then let my servants be told they may not enter here," Ann replied evenly.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudErGcwriu
"As you command, Nenetl," Ollin replied and limped out of the temple leaving a very disquieted Ann behind him.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzxqOR54SJ
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.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFqREjaCVW
She came into the courtyard and went over to Yaotl's door, which was open. She called his name and Yaotl invited her in.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dyLAeKi1y
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.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFB3JOoUCr
"I was told you wish to see me, Yaotl."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveQvJIJTGE
"I would seek your advice, Zuma."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwovH5Pi2HO
"If I can give it, I shall," she replied.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85KwO8nHvm
Yaotl rubbed behind his left ear with his thumb and asked what she knew of magic.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HpHdzOrwD
"Nothing," Zuma admitted. "Though it is my belief I knew one who does."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQe55Ituo4
Yaotl leaned forward. "What name has this person?"398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fwoFriQc2
"He is known as Zachary Smith and is the aged servant of Nenetl."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uK4lO6XRC
Yaotl dismissed the suggestion with a wave of his hand. "An old fool with a strange name is of no use to me."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN24lhdxnoQ
"Ah, but you may be of service to him," Zuma said. "He seeks an interview with you."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnDbpXHa3r
Yaotl was curious. "To what end?"398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FptGfGdm7
"He is interested in your lamented father's father's work. In particular the temple," she added.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bRvEuEV51
Yaotl ran his hand across his face. "Does he know my name?" he asked abruptly.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbZorEs4m0
"No."398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15VQpAIOsG
"Do not reveal it, but say that I shall meet him." His voice was casual.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwC6TMKu56
"Where?"398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ178AMuUj1Z
"Does he not spend his day in the temple garden?"398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9c8ToGvUNY
Zuma nodded.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhx95UUFu4G
"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.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5x4FFqgkm
"I shall deliver those words, Yaotl." She felt pleased to have been of service to the Doctor, as she liked his company.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeovGKXFDQH
"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.398Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstS1hAvEZ6
