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Dr. Smith was still marching up and down muttering to himself when a warrior came into the antechamber and beckoned them to follow him up the candle-lit stairs to the temple. Once there, the warrior drew back the brocade curtain and stood to one side to let them pass. The temple had been transformed. The entire back wall, behind which was Nenetl's tomb, had been covered with a clear sea-blue curtain filigreed in gold and silver threads with fish, sea-shells and crabs, symbols of Tlaloc, the God of Water. In front of the curtain was a stone dais studded with pieces of jade, turquoise and emerald. On the dais stood a golden throne whose delicately worked trellis back was surmounted by a golden eagle with a coiled snake caught up in its beak. But the most remarkable transformation of all was Ann. She was seated on the throne, dressed in a knee-length silk skirt patterned with multicolored zig-zags. Her green lace blouse was decorated with sheave of corn and leaves woven in gold thread. Around her waist she wore a leather belt with an emerald buckle. Her necklace was jade, as were the bracelets she wore on her left arm; on her right wrist she wore the coiled snake from Nenetl's tomb and she held a posy of flowers. Her head-dress was a gold crown decked with brilliantly colored plumes, and her sandals were laced with gold thread. The Doctor, Penny and Don gaped at her in shock and awe.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wv0wgqwRA
Ann glanced at the warrior who stood beside the brocade curtain. "Leave us," she commanded.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gTXMiwnqD
The warrior bowed and removed himself from the temple.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUe8yFnHic
"Ann, what on earth are you doing there?" Don's voice echoed his incredulity.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMY1jzrzxsv
Ann leaned her right elbow on the arm of the throne, held up her hand and shook her wrist, the posy and the snake.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPdTtTUfvv
"They think I'm the reincarnation of the High Priest in the tomb."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Wbt7Ml830
"Because you had put on that bracelet and were caught wearing it by the High Priest of Knowledge," Dr. Smith concluded for her.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEsScaVMXb
"That's right, Dr. Smith," said Ann. "Tetzal know that I had come out of Nenetl's tomb."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3kmFNM6Na
Penny looked puzzled. "But if Nenetl was a man," she asked, "how can they believe you are a reincarnation of him?"453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbPvHRRJpU
"The form his spirit takes isn't important to them, Penny," Ann pointed to the bracelet. "This is what counted."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumGSQHTID3
"Tetzal called us Nentl's servants," Don said. "Is that who they think we are---your servants?"453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQ6DxBx4gs
Ann nodded apologetically.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVK13kON5W
"Oh, the pain!" Dr. Smith snorted.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqA92l8ud3j
Ann turned on him. "But it's ideal, Dr. Smith. We can enter the tomb as soon as we like, get into the TARDIS and be on our way."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBfuj1GTC6
Dr. Smith drily observed that although re-incarnations could come out of the tomb, human beings couldn't go into one.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEgeqbtKoG
"You're a god, Ann," Don said with a smile. "Find out how it opens."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJDw4poFJo
Ann replied that she would ask, but Dr. Smith tut-tutted testily.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8kZ2yGnBD
"That's the one thing you must not do." His voice was severe. "As Nenetl's spirit, you'll be expected to know everything. But if you go around asking questions and the Aztecs were to decide that you're not whom they think you are," Dr. Smith paused for effect, "then we won't last long." Dr. Smith sighed and walked around the throne. Penny and Don didn't move. They all realized there was an impenetrable wall between them and the solution to their problem.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAlIf0u96w
The two High Priests came into the temple and bowed to Ann.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qP9TdJyUY
"Great Spirit of Nenetl," Ollin said, "the High Priest of Sacrifice salutes you."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTzoKO0RTy
Dr. Smith and Don exchanged a glance.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaU4HGucKR
"I acknowledge the High Priest's greeting," Ann replied.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzlMmqfAVP
Tetzal approached the throne. "For many days and many nights Tlaloc has looked away from us," he began, but Ann interrupted him.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78nh1DXEa0
"The God of Water and Vegetation?"453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PwL9FZmd4
Tetzal nodded. "Our land withers and the people groan."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsJoNN9m6j
Ollin limped closer to Ann. "Those who serve the temple have prayed that the land may again be bountified," he said, "and this day we shall honor Tlaloc's name."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWNvhgQ2Ex
"When the sun's fire touches the horizon to the west," the people will stand before the temple in obedience to our commands," said Tetzal and bowed again. "We humbly beg you, Great Spirit, at that time, to show yourself before the people so that they may know their suffering draws to an end."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOhkbOylbS
Dr. Smith leaned over to Don and muttered gleefully that Ann would appear and down would fall the rain.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHV3WxL59p8
"How can he be so sure?" Don asked out of the corner of his mouth.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5ameBmQPy
"He's not the High Priest of Knowledge for nothing, West," Dr. Smith replied.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcze5fLSjuu
Ollin was watching them.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WAYjCyOrd
"I shall do as the High Priest requests," Ann said.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJz560Zu48
"We also entreat you, Great Spirit, to permit your handmaiden and servants to perambulate among our people," Tetzal continued.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ987M0mDCQ1
Dr. Smith saw the flicker of doubt in Ann's eyes. He stepped forward.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSKoOmoLrA
"O' Great Spirit, grant this request." He pointed to Ann and himself. "Thus may we be your eyes and ears and learn how best to serve all our interests."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqFYRsmcKt
"The aged servant of Nenetl speaks with wisdom," Tetzal remarked, looking at Dr. Smith with interest.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5727b48rJ
Dr. Smith bristled. Aged indeed, he thought.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqK3gCXymTw
Ann pointed to Penny. "My handmaiden remains with me." She waved her hand at Don and Dr. Smith. "But they may do as you request."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dSzoE5cB6
The High Priests bowed again to Ann, then Tetzal turned to Don and Dr. Smith. "We shall await you," he said, and they left the temple.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQ7gcrROO3
Once they had vanished behind the curtain, Dr. Smith rubbed his hands in delight.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxVWviMfTg
"A beautiful performance, my dear," he enthused. "We've got exactly what we want. You and Penny here in perfect safety, West and myself out and about, trying to find a way to get back behind that wall, into the TARDIS, and off into the great darkness of space."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNvHgsk8pI
Don wasn't convinced. "It sounds all right," he said, "but I don't think we should take our eyes off those two High Priests for a second."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFDK4GuabN
"Oh, don't worry about them, West," Dr. Smith replied airily, "they'll be too busy timing their miracle."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVpzLDzHx2
"What miracle?" Penny asked.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtc1Irmwv4Z
Dr. Smith turned to her. "Presenting the great spirit of Nenetl to the people, one second before there is a flash of lightning, a clap of thunder, and it buckets down."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0NkSyUnsD
"I still don't see how they can be as accurate as that," Don said, shaking his head.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEcah4rPwH
Dr. Smith wagged a forefinger at him. "You mustn't underestimate the Aztecs, West. They were a very civilized, cultured people."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSJtt6GRYd
"Not were----are, as far as we're concerned, anyway," Don interjected.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtE9q1aqRC4
Dr. Smith cleared his throat. "They know all about astronomy and the constellations, each of which has its own minor god; their agricultural policies and practices are centuries ahead of their time; and look a the workmanship on Ann's throne," he pointed dramatically to it. "A very advanced people, apart from one or two glaring shortcomings."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdi6tuWBXI
"Like cutting out people's hearts, or chucking them off the temple steps," Penny suggested.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUVGvXm9ss
Dr. Smith dismissed her with a look. "I was speaking scientifically," he said haughtily. "For example, they've never heard of the wheel....."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6TuNWUmwS
The two High Priests waited for Don and Dr. Smith in the antechamber below the temple. Tetzel was studying his posy of flowers while Ollin toyed with the obsidian knife he had extracted form under his priestly robe.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEa2L3JKRa1
"Mr. Tetzel?" Smith asked suddenly. "You do serve Nenetl, don't you?"453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDNkeiFIu6
"We do, as High Priests of the temple," Tetzel replied.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecbJn38iPC
"How interesting. So, what purpose do the others serve?"453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsTgzKhuFZ
"Nenetl has said that the...."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdByqNyKqo
Before Tetzel had finished speaking, Ollin pointed the knife at him and asked if it would not be better that one of the strangers should lead their force of arms. 453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45owJwR5Ua
"Nentl's young servant should enjoy this honor. A warrior favored by the Gods."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NFUDcGJ3M
Tetzel considered this proposal for a moment, trying to guess what Ollin's ulterior motive might be. "But Yaotl is our chosen warrior," he replied finally.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzKuy3BeB4
Ollin limped over to Tetzel's side. "Let Yaotl prove himself more worthy of command than the servant of Nenetl," he murmured, touching the tip of the knife with his finger.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtDbQeMPnm
"But were the servant to lose the contest, it would bring down Nenetl's wrath upon us," Tetzel countered.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIj4iwwuR9o
Ollin almost smiled as he hinted that Nenetl would ensure that no harm came to her servant, as the Gods were all-powerful.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCwhzKquIh
Tetzel was disquieted and tugged at a petal of a flower as he wondered again what Ollin's purpose really was.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6HSUx3awb
Dr. Smith and Don entered the antechamber.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnU4quajM6
Ollin sheathed the obsidian knife. "It has been decided that the aged servant may walk abroad," he announced, "but you," he said, turning to Don, "will train to command our armies."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLlILnCHS6
Don and Dr. Smith looked anxiously at each other. Don't argue with him, said the look on Dr. Smith's face.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOUfIhwgNF
"The Great Spirit of Nenetl would not deny me such an honor," Don replied.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZamwA6I8Z2
Ollin turned to Tetzal and asked him to conduct Dr. Smith to the garden at the temple's base. "There you may sit in comfort with others of advanced years," he added to an inwardly fuming Dr. Smith, whom Tetzal beckoned to follow him down the flights of stairs that would lead them to the ground level of the pyramid.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuBJiSyEyT
Then Ollin pointed to the jug of wine and one of the goblets. Don shook his head, but the High Priest picked up the jug, filled a goblet and drank the wine in a single draught. He put the goblet back on the table and wiped his mouth with the sleeve of his robe. He looked at Don for a few seconds with his intense, dark eyes.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRMPcxMUnf
"Come now with me to the barracks," he said, "where you shall encounter Yaotl."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6dSJGtars
"Yaotl? Is that someone's name?" Don asked.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTey0H1Fe0
"Yes. He is your rival for command," Ollin replied and limped toward the stairs.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUKQzO0q6Y
Considerably taken aback, Don followed, rather wishing that he had accepted the proffered glass of wine.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjUowCyXoJ
Dr. Smith was slightly out of breath when he and Tetzel came out of the temple. He looked up at the pyramid rising like Mt. Olympus above him and recalled Penny's remark concerning the faster way down and decided he was more than content to pant a bit. Tetzel led the way to the high-walled garden behind the temple. In one wall was a wooden door which Tetzel opened and let the two of them into the garden. It was enormous and beautifully laid out. The inside of the walls was trellised and covered with the rose and purple hues of bougainvillea vines. In the middle of the garden was a lake with an island of multicolored rocks in the middle. A mosaic path encircled the lake, with small paths radiating form it to the walls, and another three concentric paths divided the garden into segments, each one of them a trimmed lawn with beds of flowers and shrubs. There were stone benches along the edges of the lawns where older Aztecs sat. They bowed their heads respectfully to Tetzel, looked curiously at Dr. Smith's clothes and whispered amongst themselves.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGeO8OCqqM
Dr. Smith surveyed the scene around him. Color abounded. "Ah! Such a pleasant venue for a reflective afternoon," he observed.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrWCTXJQkS
"Many years ago, after the body of the High Priest Nenetl was sealed in the tomb, a law was introduced that all who attain their fifty-second year should pleasurably pass the remainder of their years, free from responsibility and care," Tetzel explained.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrte72BPQoC
"That is highly commendable. But don't they sometimes become bored?"453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkiSua0LKV
"Often we seek the accumulated wisdom of their years."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JT5VMf8Yo
"What about?"453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl35OO8GJSZ
"All manner of things. Each person here served the community in one way or another." Tetzel began pointing them out. "He was a weaver of priestly robes; she was a woman of medicines; he, an artisan of gold and silver; she, a sculptress in obsidian stone; and that man, a leading architect in the modernization of our city."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wrkG2iJ3v
Dr. Smith noticed a gray-haired, pleasant-faced plumpish woman in her mid-fifties who was using a knife to prune a rose bush. "That lady was, and still is, a gardener, I can safely assume?" Dr. Smith asked.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3AoGcx7Bl
Tetzel laughed. "Zuma's advice, of all those here, is the most sought after. She sold vegetables in the marketplace but her eyes were everywhere, missing nothing. You will find in her a companion of great wit and interest."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmt3xauHhAv
"Er, what did you say her name was? I must admit, names have never been my forte."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01PdQUPuJF
"Zuma," Tetzel replied and begged Dr. Smith's permission to return to the temple. 453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WXPzLW3Jo
Dr. Smith acquiesced and Tetzel strode away.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDx8rOIa27S
"Oh, yes---Zuma," Dr. Smith muttered to himself. He had already noticed her glancing furtively at him. He wandered along the path, holding a lapel of his jacket, and stopped beside her. Zuma concentrated on her pruning.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXo1JE8JH0A
"Despite the drought, there is water for flowers," he observed.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIIe9VMmH4
"It is better to go hungry than starve for beauty," Zuma replied and snipped off two roses which she handed to Dr. Smith.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9W1dHX8Niu
"Thank you, my dear." He sniffed them appreciatively. "An aroma worthy of the gods." He looked around the garden. "Such a delightful place, this garden, though I imagine it must be quite a task to water it."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWPrcYtLyE
Zuma smiled. "There is a tunnel under the garden," she explained, "and from it run small pipes which lead to the lawns and flower-beds." She pointed to a nozzle with a watering rose on it which stuck up just above the ground. "Water from the city's irrigation aqueducts fills a reservoir with a sluicegate near the back wall. When the sluicegate is opened the whole garden can be sprayed."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBk8KxheVF
"How ingenious," Dr. Smith remarked as he sat down on a stone bench. "I find it so restful here," he said, "so very restful."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNsa58tiqT
"It is the garden of peace."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hnYlLqNnu
"Aptly named."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEEzJZuw5Y
"You speak the words of Atl."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacBdpZDh0g
"Atl?"453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpadTjOKqS
"He built the temple."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6CIkrIupn
"And set out the garden as well?" But Dr. Smith's mind was clicking over in another direction.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCmNqsdGc3
"As a labor of love," Zuma replied.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKrkTvQtaT
"One senses that immediately. Does he ever come here?" Dr. Smith was all innocence.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZxIghALyr
"He watches over the garden constantly."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAytf55gQy
"Really?" Dr. Smith's face lit up.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQcJFINBs2
"In spirit."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMID5wBX4aF
Dr. Smith's face fell.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCFAghemKk
"As does his son," Zuma continued."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6QRBOvpW5
"Dead as well, I suppose." Dr. Smith was despondent.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPWG4pRDPM
"His son still lives."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJ5cJVTv1E
Dr. Smith cheered up a mite. "He's a builder?"453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSiSbo5XcV
"No. A warrior."453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOlcZquFW0
"But maybe he knows something of his grandfather's work." Dr. Smith looked up at the pyramid. "I find the temple fascinating: the interior, the steps, the stairs, the antechambers." He stopped short of mentioning the tomb.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtQMZUce0X
"A meeting between you can be arranged," Zuma said.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzoGIGmzIi
Holding his roses, Dr. Smith stood up and bowed over her hand. "Dear lady, I would be eternally grateful," he said.453Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7tVYW78K4
