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.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pJZasZ8qo
"Thus shall my enemies fall," he said arrogantly.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw89J2nBjU4
"Real enemies can strike back," Don remarked quietly.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1Wa6f03om
"I have no fear of death," Yaotl retorted.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPYiaCigzC
"Maybe not. The dead never win."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXxUKp3KjA
Yaotl looked sharply at Don. "How would you attack?" he asked.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIbpPyPc48
"A little more cunningly," Don replied. "I'd use stealth to surprise my enemy."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiGxSPoT70
"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.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivn4IKkrwO
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.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUX9t2O5Jt
Yaotl looked surprised and observed that to win a victory with a thumb would require strong magic.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCevvvNsvzY
Don shook his head. "Knowing your enemy's weakness isn't magic," he said, "it's common sense."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0hQQTrj5c
Yaotl laughed and pointed to himself. "What weakness have I that is vulnerable to your thumb?"341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy18rt2xkgd
"You'd be surprised," Don replied.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbnLGFlRJy
Yaotl hesitated, doubt in his eyes.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrESTJL8zt5
"Don't worry, Yaotl, I won't kill you. Not this time." Don remained composed; Tetzal was intrigued and Yaotl bristled.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzgHnwvYSL
"You mock the arts of war and I defy you to harm me;" he challenged.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKhEaQc67S
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.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9BoPyDtU8
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.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6NYlMGHvj
"Give him a little time," Don smiled at the High Priest. "He'll wake up soon."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIi9YK5zZKz
At that moment Ollin limped into the courtyard. "Tetzal, there is a task to be...." he stopped short when he saw Yaotl.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKC24vid1K8
Tetzal turned to him. "He sleeps. Nenetl's servant won the victory with his thumb."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyX8jw6fYiN
Ollin looked warily at Don and turned back to Tetzal. "You saw the blow?"341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Lbt77UhUE
"There was no blow." Tetzal held up his left thumb. "He defeated Yaotl with this."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoc3ypSfNFo
"Tell him to rest until the sun has passed the zenith," Don advised as he walked away.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbP1lFCZpO
"Where do you go?" Tetzal asked.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hDNSOmMA0
"For a stroll." Don was enjoying himself.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKF4p6MoEC
"I shall accompany you." And the two of them left the courtyard.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuBlyjynFv
Yaotl stirred, propped himself up on his elbows, shook his head and exercised his neck muscles.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPPerGHiXm
Ollin looked down at him. "Could you not fight against it?"341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphHzXlrY8p
"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.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKjSSzWwPH
Ollin was disconcerted.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvOORwFVt3
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.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zKGHuKiie
"All his requests must be granted," Ollin replied, and as Tlaqui left he reiterated quietly, "Must be granted."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgb9wHOCs1D
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.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4WxkqBgl8
"You grace the Chosen Warriors' barracks by your presence." Ollin gestured toward Yaotl. "He is one who would be commander of our armies."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDBOi4G8e9
"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?"341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHC1QbMRT0F
"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.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kFEBpU8PB
"No man can win against me!" he shouted.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNQwA7Z3LJ
"None, not one?" Olliln sneered.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRalYnXYWf
"I shall lead our armies," Yaotl replied stubbornly. "It is my right to do so!"341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEK7Dwtr99O
"Yesterday it seemed so," Ollin remarked dryly.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURlP95GDbW
Yaotl glared at him, picked up the cudgel, stomped off to the center of the courtyard and began practicing swings and blows.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuyqdMKsUo
Tlaqui looked with surprise at the High Priest of Sacrifice.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEqzq9vrL3
"You would make an enemy?" he asked naively.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0Up4CCIbR
"I?" Ollin protested. "I only know that I have seen a man who could defeat him."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CjoWgIsKn
"Defeat Yaotl?" The Perfect Victim could hadly believe his ears.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5N06j8mbyi
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."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTasTGCe2g
"Maybe."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa28fgnRxMz
"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?"341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkap5dFM1u
"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?"341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlTtCiBpbg
The Perfect Victim considered the High Priest's argument and nodded. "He who defeated Yaotl should command.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoNevvZ5Vg
"No!" Yaotl roared.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IAKXOiPap
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.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzsSyd1OHf
"The Perfect Victim's desires must be fulfilled at all times," he burbled.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6K0P7H6lYb
Ollin clenched his fists in delight as the Perfect Victim went to Yaotl's side.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4TK0BZgeH
"My faith in Yaotl is supreme," the young man said, "and it is my desire that the Chosen Warriors meet in contest once again."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRs1XlUDq2E
"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.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeL96FH7ixU
"I shall challenge the stranger," said Yaotl.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdoaIS2Y8o
"Let it be so," the Perfect Victim said, and left the courtyard with Tlaqui.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2p0PYQVHM2
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."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uDHg1xPWZ
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.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesFTA5WArv
"It is herbal and the sap of the stem is used by those who practice medicine to induce sleep."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWWUB6AWU3
"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.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdepSFW9Tn
"What do you call yourself?" Zuma asked.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGVjI7BjID
"Zachary Smith, the Doctor of Many Things, at your service, my dear."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoUzHxX3zx
Zuma was puzzled. "Doctor? You are a healer?"341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPHZqGrc7f
"A healer? Oh, heavens no. I am a scientist, an engineer, a builder of things."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQ6H6ljLGc
"Now I understand your interest in the pyramid and the temple."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0PRy8ElFB
Dr. Smith admitted that there were several details concerning the interior that intrigued him and this time came straight to the point.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHndVwBOraZ
"Nenetl's tomb, for example, is sealed, but surely the builder, now, what was his name....ah....ah....."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNA3y6oSSpD
"Atl," Zuma said.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SNAD8Y7js
"Yes, of course," Dr. Smith replied. "Surely he devised a way of opening it."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCyiO6f5J7
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.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkMs1rXIbK
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.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04wyHyL6nj
"No one could think that of you," she replied. "When shall the meeting be?"341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5WYYJ9Rx4
"Oh, any time." Dr. Smith was nonchalant. "Today?"341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFr01FufO7I
Zuma observed that an interested mind brooked no delay.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGz6TdgzDzx
Dr. Smith looked at her and smiled. "I'm sure that's true of you, Zuma."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yVsOu5w67
She blushed. "I was once. Now I'm content to pass the time of day here like the others."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaBGyam3Vg
"Their minds are old, dear lady, something yours shall never, ever, be," Dr. Smith protested.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNIqtOi8T0
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.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MloDf7n0G
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.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghXTT7oLCj
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.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrLHgIZViP
"The High Priest of Knowledge will question you."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrMg8iRn74
"And if he finds that I am the Spirit of Nenetl returned, what then?"341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEt0t51QHS
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLjKLhptlf
"I shall beg forgiveness of the Gods for my unworthy doubts."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvaatUkA0Z
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOoJjXdKZT
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."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9uCmlY0fc
"My servant also," Ann protested.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQW7Hu0fyCS
"No!" Ollin spat out the word. "You are to remain alone."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGfovDNqRi
"For what reason?" Ann enquired calmly.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIyXExQJWF
"A false god's servants would conspire against us," Ollin said accusingly. "Such a danger we are unprepared to tolerate."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZHATN32w0
"Then let my servants be told they may not enter here," Ann replied evenly.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9H6KgTm1tk
"As you command, Nenetl," Ollin replied and limped out of the temple leaving a very disquieted Ann behind him.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWs8oNSoIa
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.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPw5nVVqITW
She came into the courtyard and went over to Yaotl's door, which was open. She called his name and Yaotl invited her in.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwERFBOcRKk
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.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdBx48ToQu
"I was told you wish to see me, Yaotl."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8R1CPi5rA
"I would seek your advice, Zuma."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCJciCu77l
"If I can give it, I shall," she replied.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzAQX4VQ8y
Yaotl rubbed behind his left ear with his thumb and asked what she knew of magic.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiFlDtg8nC
"Nothing," Zuma admitted. "Though it is my belief I knew one who does."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnF5IVbXIsj
Yaotl leaned forward. "What name has this person?"341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTqxqXMzVM
"He is known as Zachary Smith and is the aged servant of Nenetl."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFh5l7A3DPM
Yaotl dismissed the suggestion with a wave of his hand. "An old fool with a strange name is of no use to me."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfr8pJc4XC
"Ah, but you may be of service to him," Zuma said. "He seeks an interview with you."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fPMedhHxw
Yaotl was curious. "To what end?"341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhExEBUMs3u
"He is interested in your lamented father's father's work. In particular the temple," she added.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAftpcKIlVb
Yaotl ran his hand across his face. "Does he know my name?" he asked abruptly.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCUZ513V6e
"No."341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHa4UTjTL0o
"Do not reveal it, but say that I shall meet him." His voice was casual.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0XUs4375I
"Where?"341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfGQD6jRgd
"Does he not spend his day in the temple garden?"341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4PEKY9DVk
Zuma nodded.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQoskQpd9B
"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.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHkkOllQIC
"I shall deliver those words, Yaotl." She felt pleased to have been of service to the Doctor, as she liked his company.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17PqClm1mH
"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.341Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfGtwS40Gs
