The High Priests met on the stairs and Tetzal related word for word all that Ann had told him.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNomlczSPNc
"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!"445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhywloenvUT
"I do not know it," Tetzal firmly replied.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAy5TI7eu4f
"Question her again and again and again, then you will learn that I speak the truth."445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNqN6rEllP
They heard Dr. Smith puffing his way up the stairs.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQCU4UmaAs
"The old man," Ollin ssaid. "Let us withdraw."445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKU6ez6PBOx
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.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVjja2OSj7
She startled as he came in. "Dr. Smith, go away," but he flopped onto a couch instead. "No one's allowed to see me."445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxmbdYWpZB
"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.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa42KAwdq18
"Didn't Ollin warn you that during my questioning none of you are allowed up here?"445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxSp7c7ynu
"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."445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0NwqTbG1w
Ann was relieved. "I won't be sorry," she said.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDqLomGd6r
"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.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXHCVixwqt
"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."445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwQL16xKft
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.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLPChw6eum
"Take him," Ollin commanded. "He has transgressed the law."445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWm0fVsHHu
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.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJnWxqEMTq
"They had no right to arrest my aged servant."445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKI3nyqErYR
"As the High Priest of Sacrifice observed, he has..."445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNa9p6WJYBV
Ann cut him off with a chopping motion of her hand. "No one told him! He didn't know!"445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcezvAau9F
Tetzal frowned. "If that is so, then to hold him prisoner is unjust. I shall obtain his release."445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgU9qRjnTZ
"I thank you, Tetzal."445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kN2Z5iNk3
The High Priest bowed and turned to leave the antechamber.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmsfKdgvqj
"Wait!" Ann said suddenly. "There is to be a contest between my servant, Don, and the chosen warrior, Yaotl. I forbid it."445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfKtOnJUtz
Nenetl looked at her uncomfortably. "Great Spirit, the contest cannot be avoided. Only one of them may command our armies."445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDyBstu9Nz
"Then let it be Yaotl."445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNN5fcfPJoC
Tetzal was shocked. "You would deny your servant honor?" he asked.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBkrtII0Ww
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.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLq6cCIWv1M
"See that it remains so," Ann commanded.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiD1gltxiB
"Nenetl has spoken," Tetzal replied and bowed again.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCk48QSq2Q
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.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzfJrBfR0x
"Let the contest begin," he called, striking the cudgels together.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgprkEn1HpR
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.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZqHORitEd
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.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Vtyrx5iry
"Don't let him scratch you, West," Dr. Smith shouted immediately. Don was puzzled and looked at Dr. Smith.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKytDhxeRw
"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.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2wVGBadTP
"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."445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpO7ULA0af
"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.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5aDwo65NC
"Stop this childish nonsense, Ollin," Dr. Smith demanded. "Stop it, I say!"445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9lYHKswAQ
Ollin had victory in his eyes as he looked at Dr. Smith. "No."445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXCM9wWTMa
"But I gave Yaotl the thorn," Dr. Smith protested.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWAzHg0CKd
"Then you should rejoice," Ollin replied. "Yaotl will win."445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvs2B9IIBy9
"Tetzal, stop it," Dr. Smith pleaded. "The contest is unfair."445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdY5XNQBts
"I cannot." Tetzal was embarrassed. "The Perfect Victim desired this contest and only the High Priest of Sacrifice, who commands here, can stop it."445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wgbbPzZZx
"Let it continue," the Perfect Victim requested. Ollin bowed.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaeBn1NSPT
"And to the death, Yaotl. To the death!" he called ecstatically.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGe9sdNuA5l
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.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2NLHq7h7x
"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.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pIRkRTkxO
"Destroy him, Yaotl," Ollin was triumphant.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjSzLqOe33
"Nenetl forbade it," Tetzal replied.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHytzfafV6
"A false God forbids it," Ollin sneered, and turned back to Yaotl. "Destroy him!"445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszEWaGA9xw
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.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHv76ML376y
"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.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI10RakxuG6
"Your place is in the temple!"445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqCIjG3iYV
"Even though I am a false God? No, Ollin. I am loyal to those who serve me."445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDjAlqDYLP
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.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw54JnCj6jP
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.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMgAM9hUzD
"As dies my servant, so dies your High Priest of Sacrifice."445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CVVl5yXnO
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.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HcdgT8MqF
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.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzoRjR56wq
"Neither of the Chosen Warriors may claim a victory," he announced.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9N9CO7lK0
Ann came from behind Ollin to face him but she still had the knife in her hand.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMisSpDVlY
"I did as you commanded. Now you must obey me."445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYxqD1I0nq
Ollin closed his eyes.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Gv1Z288Of
"My servants shall not be punished."445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkeUTyXuz1
"So be it," Ollin replied almost inaudibly, as Don slid to the ground and slept.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrM6WymowdQ
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.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8PXF1DxNU
"With my bare hands I cannot defeat him," he admitted ruefully, but added that he was determined to command their armies.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIjjeXREYD
"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?"445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugaXWEOJp3
"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."445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhw5CP8zyNw
"What secrets?" Ollin was intrigued.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWWwDJxefW
"How the tomb of Nenetl may be entered," Yaotl flexed his arm, opening and closing his hand.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwYcLmzuDu
"I must question him about it." Ollin placed the thorn on the table.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXkMtdvwSe
"He was at my mercy," Yaotl was suddenly tense with frustration.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5K8ZWwO4K
"And he shall be again," the High Priest promised before he limped away.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOn0VXy8WBZ
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jKgagBc7l
