The cell Penny occupied at the seminary was one of several which opened onto a cloister. It was a small room with only a woven straw mattress, a wicker-work trunk and a cushion for furniture. She wore a full-length simple gray robe with short sleeves, and a multi-colored sash tied around her waist. She sat on the cushion looking up at Tetzal, who stood in front of her.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLcxhMAGht
"You have been taught the code of the good housewife and committed it to memory?" the High Priest asked.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwyLh3ZOWB
"I have," Penny replied.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2PnZhNhrY
"Let me hear it."351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmoGsKQF6f
"Tend well your nurseries and your flowerbeds. Keep clean your pot and stewpan," she recited. "Do not spend recklessly, do not destroy or cheapen yourself." She hesitated, thinking about the word 'destroy' and Ollin.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdahLWIcfy
"You will never have..." Tetzal prompted as Tlaqui came into the cell.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uhNTg6F6F
"Oh yes. You will never have a house or a home of your own if you live like that," she rattled off. Tlaqui nodded approvingly and remarked that Penny had learned it diligently. Penny wondered if the Priest of Knowledge would like to know about Einstein's theory of relativity.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0m5uKZIcD
Tetzal praised her as a good pupil who used her intelligence and then introduced Tlaqui. Penny stood up and went to shake hands.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5ZXuHugmq
"You do not greet your elders in such a manner," Tetzal reproached her, "you stand still, not looking around. Your eyes see only the person to whom you are being introduced," he made a small gesture with his posy. "Unless you are meeting for the first time your prospective husband, in which case you keep your eyes downcast."351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cnzxuCBLR
"But how will I know?" Penny was intrigued.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCrkJqkJ29
"Know what, child?"351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3IWbr5JFe
"That he's to be my husband."351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UDA6uO1Fj
"You will be told," Tetzal stated very matter-of-factly.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPOU1rxzmy
"Told!" Penny exploded. "No one's going to tell me who to marry."351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ08KzovAkn
Tlaqui was taken aback. "What say have you in the matter?"351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CVq00WhTZ
"It's my life," Penny's voice was full of indignation, "and I'll spend it with whom I choose, not someone picked out for me."351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFmx2v2bmw
Tetzal was perturbed by her outburst. Young Aztec women accepted arranged marriages without question, but if, as Nenetl's handmaiden, Penny refused, that meant that their traditional behavior was contrary to the god's wishes. If this were so, then in how many other ways might they also be so acting? The seed of doubt was sown!351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7K4FizZFS2
Dr. Smith was weeding a flowerbed when Yaotl came into the garden. He strode over to Dr. Smith and identified himself as the grandson of Atl, the man who built the temple. Dr. Smith straightened and looked at Yoatl, who wore an ordinary warrior's loin-cloth and cloak, as well as a plumed battle-mask which concealed the upper half of his face.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSeVJxzAPT
"Ah!" Dr. Smith said, and expressed his admiration of the pyramid. "The entrance to the tomb of the High Priest Nenetl is particularly fine piece of work."351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHvQYQfn2p
"Only the temples my father's father built have similar vaults," Yaotl replied.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgi9M258h7
"A secret design. All the best architects have one," Dr. Smith remarked.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpLxMrHlaR
"A drawing exists," Yaotl said, adding that as his father and his grandfather were with the gods it was in his possession.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MM2Kbbz62
"Would it be possible for me to see it?" Dr. Smith enquired.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wkYsPFIuI
"Can a humble warrior deny the request of Nenetl's aged servant? I shall show it to you after sunset if the gods are willing."351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0exrVsjpeH
"Why shouldn't they be?"351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNx0lU9RYw
Dr. Smith was curious and Yaotl explained that he had to meet another warrior in combat just before the sun set.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LNfEUCsfO
"Not to the death, I trust?" Dr. Smith asked anxiously.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcUHYA9yGJ
"No, but defeat would mean disgrace," Yaotl replied, "and I would be confined to my quarters and no one might look upon me or speak to me for many days."351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDdUoVPV6K
Dr. Smith gave the problem his consideration.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8ZniUwRfl
"My opponent has been selected," Yaotl continued. "I know his name and I fear defeat."351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLnMe7cs4g
Dr. Smith asked what weapons would be used.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLLNaE1IyZ
Yaotl spread out his hands. "These alone, and my skills like with a spear, sword or club."351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xJAbuAncZ
"Oh dear," Dr. Smith sighed. "And I really wanted to see the drawing."351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOS6TWGBcIk
"No more than I desire a victory."351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmrjKBJJY7
Dr. Smith studied the scratch on the back of his hand. "Then let us assist each other," he said, and led Yaotl to he maguey cactus plant. Dr. Smith broke off a thorn and then a shoot from the herb beside it. He began squeezing the sap from the stem onto the tip of the thorn.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKiNMbiUzu
"With this I shall win?" Yaotl asked.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuVvYsKXaZ
"Take care not to scratch yourself with it," Dr. Smith advised.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIWPITWbXn
"The aged servant of Nenetl proffers poison?"351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7YHv5Wssm
"Not to kill." Dr. Smith squeezed the last drop of sap onto the thorn. "But if used properly it will drain away your opponent's strength and he will sleep. Scratch here." Dr. Smith drew it across the inside of his wrist and then handed the thorn to the Chosen Warrior.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeLC9BoQkL
"I thank you," Yaotl smiled.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWF1WttX0Q
"You won't forget the drawing, will you?"351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSHI9mwWeM
"I shall be here after sunset."351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQlZ7HK3Ph
"So shall I."351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRVEiXSZGb
Yaotl strode away and Dr.Smith sat on a bench thinking that a little knowledge of horticulture could, on occasion, take one a very long way.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMtGyO4bgE
Under Ollin's supervising eyes, Don stood in the middle of the courtyard swinging a cudgel in circles around his head and alongside his body, shifting it from hand to hand. It reminded him of working out with Indian clubs in a gymnasium---only this time he was not simply toning up his muscles but readying himself for a battle that would mean life or death. Under Aztec law, he had defeated Yaotl, but he knew that neither Ollin nor the Chosen Warrior would accept it. He realized he was no match for Yaotl with a spear----fighting with them he would be on the defensive, using his shield for protection. With cudgels he thought he stood a chance, but with his bare hands he knew he could win. He needed a strategy, a battle plan which would never give Yaotl the advantage. The problem was to bring the contest to a wrestling match as quickly as possible so that he could use a mixture of techniques---all-in, judo and karate----of which he was sure the Aztecs knew nothing. He paused to consider the problem.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeAVp3qoiK
"Does fatigue affect the young man in Nenetl's service?" Ollin's voice was sardonic.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zt7DgyPjv
Don looked at him evenly. "Does the High Priest of Sacrifice scorn my attempts to prove my worthiness to command?" Don picked up a second cudgel and began swinging both of them in a gymnasium routine. As the studded cudgels were heavier than Indian clubs his wrists soon began to ache but he was determined not to let Ollin see any sign of it. Yaotl came onto the courtyard and went to Ollin's side as Don stepped up his pace.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBR24W1QnV
"Can you conquer him, Yaotl?" Ollin murmured.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqbTiNMGLm
"I know it," Yaotl grinned and called to Don, who stopped, secretly grateful, and turned to face him.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5DNgyDc3Y
"Yes, Yaotl?"351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOowceENc3
"I challenge you to a contest of strength!"351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkdrvVk2C8
"A fight?"351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86j6cLVgwF
"Without weapons. Your hands defeated me. Now let mine strive for victory over you."351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bVYjUETba
Don was suspicious. He could not understand why Yaotl would throw down the gauntlet where he had the least likelihood of success.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnFBHgpRvu
"Will you refuse him?" Ollin's voice rasped.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkBQfTKno2
"No," Don replied.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlN6mkJuc2o
"Then we fight here as the sun sets."351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiUNwAwA57
"All right." Don began to swing the cudgels again but his brain sought the reason behind the challenge.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6oCYsMDyq
"You are confident of victory?" Ollin's eyes were fixed on Don as he muttered the question to Yaotl.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkT6SFQDAF
"If you wish it, he shall die," Yaotl replied.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNUWkqcvJ9
Ollin nodded. "Let him die," he said with a brushing aside movement of his hand.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxhX6OEVmn
Ann and Tetzal were in the temple. She was standing beside the throne and the High Priest of Knowledge had been questioning her about Aztec mythology. Once more Ann owed much to her studies in college.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFf9ZNExff
"I shall tell the High Priest of Sacrifice that I am satisfied of your divinity," Tetzal said when the questioning was finished.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWdfKjn78S
"That won't stop Ollin," Ann smiled wryly. "He's out to destroy me."351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiu1Sugu2U
"He cannot. Not while I believe you to be Nenetl," Tetzal said gravely.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3m35BlL4N
"Then why do you question me at his bidding?"351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh46zUxiwbo
"We both serve Huitzilopochtli faithfully."351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRolfbFWKs9
"Do you?" Ann looked at him quizzically. "Were you not angry when I forbade the sacrifice to the Rain God?"351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5aYr3lhW1
"No."351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOA8vJ12RH
"Do you then question the need for human sacrifice?"351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEodGuHnOWz
"I accept it. We send messengers to many gods." Tetzal smiled at her. "So why should the gods not send a messenger to us?"351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03vc0KCP1d
"To say there must be no more human sacrifice," Ann suggested quietly. She walked around the throne running her right forefinger along the arm, over the back and along the other arm.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhiVS3COB0
"I shall not oppose the gods if it is their will that such sacrifices cease."351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMibDodTXD
"And Ollin? What of him?"351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOTaCHvgwd
"I have said we both serve Huitzilopochtli faithfully and through him the other gods whose biddings we obey."351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97uAQQkgnP
Ann smiled at his serious face. "The High Priest of Knowledge speaks with great wisdom."351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIpaseiRtN
He studied his posy of flowers for a few seconds before replying, "If your words are denied, shall we not be living in defiance of the gods?" he asked.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhFPMzyZSX
Ann went back mentally to her history books again and the end of the Aztec civilization under the Spanish yoke. "Famine, drought, and disaster will come and more and more sacrifices will be made in supplication," she said slowly, measuring out her words. "I see a time to come when ten thousand warriors will die in one day under the obsidian knives of High Priests of Sacrifice."351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWB0FUSZoV
"In one day?" Tetzal was deeply distressed.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfESHkgvgeB
Ann thought about the Aztecs' last desperate bid to turn the tide of battle in their favor, never fully realizing that a loin-cloth, sandals, plumed head-dress, stabbing sword, studded cudgel, arrows and a shield were no match for armored breastplates, boots, steel helmets, cannons, blunderbusses, harquebuses and pistols.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXc09gckn9F
"Then where will it end, Nenetl?" Tetzal's voice quavered.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUwIrYyHeM
"In total destruction," Ann replied softly. "Your civilization will pass forever from this land."351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsfo3VlUO1
"You prophesy our doom!" Tetzal's hands quivered in despair.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5wRRWvE1W
Ann stood silently beside the throne and waited.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3bQQgow10
"Let me think on these words, great Spirit," he said finally, bowed to her and hurried from the temple.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHYWfY9iDT
Ann watched him leave. What are you playing at Ann MacGregor? she asked herself. Still trying to meddle with history? You know it can't be done, didn't Dr. Smith tell you, didn't you ignore him, and fail? So what are you doing quoting facts and statistics out of history books and causing enormous distress to the only Aztec ally you have? She felt ashamed and suddenly very tired. She left the temple and went down to the antechamber to rest.351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmkPROfzrv
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