The High Priests met on the stairs and Tetzal related word for word all that Ann had told him.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPMixxPTS8
"So she prophesies our doom," Ollin sneered. "Without a doubt to avert her own." He jabbed a finger at Tetzal. "I tell you she is not Nenetl---she is a false god!"505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqQ6ABO6jv
"I do not know it," Tetzal firmly replied.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuPSi1sN4D
"Question her again and again and again, then you will learn that I speak the truth."505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTg4fbygT6H
They heard Dr. Smith puffing his way up the stairs.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujYSibfxML
"The old man," Ollin ssaid. "Let us withdraw."505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNZtdBJVOB
They hid in the shadows of an alcove and watched Dr. Smith as he muttered about how hard these Aztec pyramids were on his delicate back and continued climbing up the stairs to the antechamber where Ann was resting.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvq0067QiwD
She startled as he came in. "Dr. Smith, go away," but he flopped onto a couch instead. "No one's allowed to see me."505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27XEchB9c6
"Nonsense," Dr. Smith gasped. "The guards didn't stop me." He waved an arm vaguely towards the door. "And besides, I'm supposed to be your aged servant." There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice which Ann decided to ignore.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgjVu3KHxQ
"Didn't Ollin warn you that during my questioning none of you are allowed up here?"505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpXikYhRnT
"No." Dr. Smith stood up wearily. "All right, I'll go as soon as I've told you that I'll know how to get into the tomb by tonight."505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vSf7COUHm
Ann was relieved. "I won't be sorry," she said.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjH67K0Qtqj
"All I had to do was make sure that the warrior grandson of the man who built this temple wins a fight at sunset," Dr. Smith confided with a wink.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHH6vqlFKEK
"But that's Yaotl," Ann cried. "Don's rival for command, and it's to be a fight to the death, Tetzal told me so."505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRT8bgLqQ92
Dr. Smith was alarmed. "I must warn West," he said and went to the antechamber door. He opened it, but the way was barred by two guards with Ollin and Tetzal.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTN3HBwd8Ij
"Take him," Ollin commanded. "He has transgressed the law."505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7YLVlELJQ
The guards seized Dr. Smith's arms and led him away as he protested in vain. Ollin followed them. Tetzal remained and Ann looked at him angrily.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYF4YkO02sj
"They had no right to arrest my aged servant."505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mAGf3XOqs
"As the High Priest of Sacrifice observed, he has..."505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcExaGMnBx
Ann cut him off with a chopping motion of her hand. "No one told him! He didn't know!"505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjEdbBJu4C
Tetzal frowned. "If that is so, then to hold him prisoner is unjust. I shall obtain his release."505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6ZIiy1ndc
"I thank you, Tetzal."505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zBnIcmSu9
The High Priest bowed and turned to leave the antechamber.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgRrVqA68A
"Wait!" Ann said suddenly. "There is to be a contest between my servant, Don, and the chosen warrior, Yaotl. I forbid it."505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhtoYnlspr
Nenetl looked at her uncomfortably. "Great Spirit, the contest cannot be avoided. Only one of them may command our armies."505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08gUHK6vCZ
"Then let it be Yaotl."505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmka2TLSOIB
Tetzal was shocked. "You would deny your servant honor?" he asked.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtuADeLH0n
Ann shook her head and said that the contest was ill-timed, that Yaotl had been in training for many months. Tetzal protested that he had seen Don defeat Yaotl with his thumb and, besides, the combat would not be mortal.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFpdQ893RC
"See that it remains so," Ann commanded.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkG0XwQbKs
"Nenetl has spoken," Tetzal replied and bowed again.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomABhjg0of
Don and Yaotl faced each other across the courtyard. They wore loin-cloths and sandals. Tlaqui and the Perfect Victim stood against one wall. The Perfect Victim held two cudgels. He looked at Yaotl, then at Don, both of whom nodded. The Perfect Victim raised the cudgels above his head.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLyAOMF40q
"Let the contest begin," he called, striking the cudgels together.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AfRRI8zuy
Don and Yaotl circled each other warily, which in Yaotl's case was a mistake as Don suddenly lunged at him. Yaotl reached out to grab Don's arms, but Don broke the attempted hold by swinging his arms in a full circle and at the same time his right foot shot behind Yaotl's left ankle and jerked him off balance. Yaotl staggered back and Don moved in, grabbing the Chosen Warrior by one arm, then turning away abruptly to go for a shoulder throw. Yaotl had sense enough to realize that if he tried to resist his arm would break. He hit the ground face down in front of Don who didn't release his arm but, holding it in a handlock, began kneading Yaotl's muscle with his other fist. Both Tlaqui and the Perfect Victim were impressed but Yaotl wanted to cry out in fury as he felt the strength draining away from his arm. He knew that with an arm useless he had already lost the contest. Somehow he had to break Don's hold and reach the thorn which he had carefully placed beside the door to his quarters.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJwk1JBDdx
Then Don made his mistake. Knowing Yaotl's arm was completely weakened, he released his handhold and stepped back. Using his good arm and under Don's watchful eyes, Yaotl rose to his knees and massaged his useless arm. At that moment Yaotl, Tetzal and Dr. Smith came into the courtyard.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDco1Z9CXOT
"Don't let him scratch you, West," Dr. Smith shouted immediately. Don was puzzled and looked at Dr. Smith.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlk81BugXwc
"Scratch me?" he asked. The distraction gave Yaotl enough time to scramble to his feet, race to the door, grab the thorn and throw himself at Don who easily blocked the attack but not before the thorn had been drawn across the inside of his wrist.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvXUe0QBlS
"Use stealth, use cunning, you said," Don was jubilant. "You defeated me with your thumb. I have defeated you with the thorn of the maguey cactus."505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuMCScNad8
"Plus a sleep-inducing herb," Dr. Smith protested as Yaotl threw away the thorn. Don knew that to win he had to do it quickly. He also realized that the more energy he expended, the harder his heart would pump and the faster the drug would circulate through his system. He needed a submission hammerlock, but Yaotl was keeping his distance, dancing out of the way, waiting.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRwDlVBjzb
"Stop this childish nonsense, Ollin," Dr. Smith demanded. "Stop it, I say!"505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYfDjcIVlR
Ollin had victory in his eyes as he looked at Dr. Smith. "No."505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkEYXCWCUo
"But I gave Yaotl the thorn," Dr. Smith protested.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVb4DFSqhNf
"Then you should rejoice," Ollin replied. "Yaotl will win."505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyYEcoP5jJ
"Tetzal, stop it," Dr. Smith pleaded. "The contest is unfair."505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡticDTMFKKO
"I cannot." Tetzal was embarrassed. "The Perfect Victim desired this contest and only the High Priest of Sacrifice, who commands here, can stop it."505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0i16YLGGIS
"Let it continue," the Perfect Victim requested. Ollin bowed.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9oDLQNed1
"And to the death, Yaotl. To the death!" he called ecstatically.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRhMOSmCzn
Yaotl bent down to pick up one of the studded cudgels. This is my last chance, Don thought, and rushed at the Chosen Warrior. Once again he caught Yaotl off balance and pushed him to his knees. Knowing he no longer had the strength for the submission hold, Don clamped on a half-nelson and went for the pressure point again with his thumb. But his head was beginning to swim, his eyes blurring and his strength ebbing away. Yaotl threw him off . Don rolled over and stood up groggily while Yaotl picked up the second cudgel and handed it cautiously to him.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8OpdHEB3d
"I have but one arm but soon you will sleep," Yaotl smiled at Don, "forever, and I shall command our armies." He swung his cudgel at Don's head. Don saw it coming and fended off the blow, but it sent him reeling.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbf77AtEDj7
"Destroy him, Yaotl," Ollin was triumphant.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPvM2VDxz7
"Nenetl forbade it," Tetzal replied.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqS7QXN8hr3
"A false God forbids it," Ollin sneered, and turned back to Yaotl. "Destroy him!"505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTijwxeviT7
Don warded off the repeated blows as best he could, but he knew he had only seconds to live. And then he heard Ann's voice.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBvjSpiWQf
"Stop!" she commanded as she stood at the entrance to the courtyard. Yaotl lowered his cudgel, Don reeling did the same. Ollin turned to Ann, with venom in his voice.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6AprQpTX2
"Your place is in the temple!"505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wPoPZY1Fp
"Even though I am a false God? No, Ollin. I am loyal to those who serve me."505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoAxzRQu0n
Ollin looked at her with loathing and then turned to Yaotl. "Execute him," he cried out exultantly, then looked at Ann. "If you are Nenetl----save him," pointing to Don as Yaotl raised the cudgel.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9CVRRXPc0
Don barely saw the movement, but he succeeded in blocking the blow, knowing that the next one would bury the studs in his brain. Yaotl raised the cudgel to strike but before he could bring it down Ann held Ollin from behind, the razor-sharp edge of an obsidian knife against his throat.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDtHhjlH5L
"As dies my servant, so dies your High Priest of Sacrifice."505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNfhA98kYi
Everyone froze. It was no idle threat and they all knew it, Ollin included. He looked at Yaotl and shook his head slowly, carefully. Yaotl lowered the cudgel. "Now, both of you, put them to one side," Ann ordered, still keeping the knife at Ollin's throat.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZPD0xZhv9
Don dropped his cudgel and Yaotl laid his on the ground. Tlaqui waddled over and picked them up, then gave them to the Perfect Victim who struck them over his head.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwoBsxCcFG
"Neither of the Chosen Warriors may claim a victory," he announced.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFUKuxqbM7
Ann came from behind Ollin to face him but she still had the knife in her hand.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxb17mfDBo
"I did as you commanded. Now you must obey me."505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAcj3j4a6o
Ollin closed his eyes.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOYqa4sDbl
"My servants shall not be punished."505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZD9ko9fXED
"So be it," Ollin replied almost inaudibly, as Don slid to the ground and slept.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTh7z8wnDwN
Several minutes later the High Priest of Sacrifice stood with Yaotl in his quarters. The Chosen Warrior was suffering from pins and needles in his hand as his blood circulation was restored and his arm came gradually back to life.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93TcxUG32E
"With my bare hands I cannot defeat him," he admitted ruefully, but added that he was determined to command their armies.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjj3Op2Z7ul
"So you shall," Ollin spoke soothingly and opened his right hand. Lying in the palm was the cactus thorn which Ollin had picked up from the ground. "Why did the old man give you this to win a victory?"505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCWXRLHVoe
"It was a trick," Yaotl smiled. "He did not know the contest was with Don and he promised to help me if I told him the secrets of my father's father's work."505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKUS3QIrog
"What secrets?" Ollin was intrigued.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPk10eS04Qx
"How the tomb of Nenetl may be entered," Yaotl flexed his arm, opening and closing his hand.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2vVWLDmFf
"I must question him about it." Ollin placed the thorn on the table.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtbGfhggEw
"He was at my mercy," Yaotl was suddenly tense with frustration.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHq5wqx6TX7
"And he shall be again," the High Priest promised before he limped away.505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjDwyfE9xo
505Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDViiinqcPJ
