Ann sat on the throne in the temple and looked down at the worried High Priest of Knowledge who stood in front of her.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSs1cY8fVC
"Ollin was humiliated. He will not forget, nor will he forgive," he warned her.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJNQikzRcn
Ann shrugged. "I did as he commanded."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6i0zUQ2ku
"But not as he expected."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6XwiRidm8
"What did he want? A miracle?" She smiled at Tetzal.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6V0YsaDlih
"We all awaited one," he confessed.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zFBaveYRZ
Ann stood and stepped down to the temple floor. "Why should I use divine powers when human ability will do?" she asked sweetly.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mV9bsemdb
Tetzal could not resist a twitch of a grin. "Nenetl has spoken." He tried to keep his tone of voice solemn.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMzAVukLqB
Ann walked towards the terrace and the sacrificial altar. A few paces short of it, she stopped and turned back to face the High Priest. "Have you thought about my prophecy?"328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRB3350nMZ
"I have thought of little else. And it is true that if we defy the will of the gods we shall be destroyed."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolzqlhW1Rd
"When Quetzalcoatl reigned supreme as the Sun God was there human sacrifice?"328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjifCmOkzXa
"No, only after his banishment was blood demanded."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ijzTqXCBr
"By Huitzilipochtli, the dark God of the Sun." Ann put her hand around the bracelet on her wrist. "What sacrifice did Quetzalcoatl demand?"328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtdBzNUwd6
"A bird, a fish, a serpent, none other?"328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKszsNO1I6
"Why should that have been?"328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojl8Jsxki8
"He so dearly loved his people he wished no harm to anyone," Tetzal explained.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdjuIpD6NA
"Is not a return of Quetzacoatl possible?"328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQ38xzyBpc
"Only a god can banish a god. We mortals can do nothing."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ejBViugq6
"And were Quetzalcoatl to send you a messenger?" Ann took her hand off the bracelet.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvKoZ1vaKZ
Tetzal glanced at it and looked away. "I serve Huitzilopochtli," he said quietly. "This is his temple."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZvP9q0nYT
"Then where must Queztalcoatl seek his servants?"328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YU2Lq2Psj
Tetzal remained silent and Ann shifted tack. "When is to be the next sacrifice?" she asked.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yoEvSURY4
"Three days from this day," Tetzal replied. "The moon will pass before the sun when it is at its zenith and all will be in darkness."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUGu6xIw35
"So there's to be an eclipse and Ollin will offer a human heart."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclGlHnOuUQ
"The Perfect Victim's."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzlhDh11jP
"And the sun will shine again!" Ann stamped her sandaled foot angrily. "As the High Priest of Knowledge, surely you must know that the moon willl pass across the sun and continue on its celestial voyage."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1gxBi4TMk
"Unless Huitzilopochtli, the Sun God, the Surpreme God, withdraws his favor from us." Tetzal was adamant.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUeaCVvRQY
"Am I not a god?" Ann heard herself say with a shock. There was no turning back for her now. "Support me, Tetzal," she pleaded. "The High Priest of Sacrifice won't dare defy us both."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcwmOTtMOD
Tetzal bent his head and touched his lips with the posy he held. A full minute passed in silence, then he raised his head and looked at Ann. "If you come as Quetzalcoatl's messenger and I take your course, there is no way back for me. So in all humility I entreat you not to deceive me nor prove false to me."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQb5J0JcEyl
Ann's appearance remained serene, but her heart ached and she was in mental turmoil.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXRMmbN0Qn
Ollin sidled up to Dr. Smith, who was sitting disconsolately in the garden.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXsVwO9mgh
"What manner of servant are you?" the High Priest asked.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnA6ru9qAn
"Oh, go away," Dr. Smith snapped, but Ollin sat down beside him.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIyoSG0lyZ
"I am curious about you," he said. "First you try to secure a victory for Yaotl."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcKp9BWOK9
"He cheated me," Dr. Smith replied hotly.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRKeqcWo5w
Ollin looked sideways at the Doctor.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTGCaClHsN
"I am faithful to my friends," Dr. Smith insisted.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGorA2W4au
"Yet you deceive Nenetl."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPlglDf8yA
"Not at all." Dr. Smith became indignant.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUVnUeCyRP
"You are trying to enter the tomb without Nenetl's knowledge," the High Priest studied the edge of his obsidian knife. "What is it you want from there?"328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUVVKG3Voi
"What is it you want from me?" Dr. Smith countered.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjaF9lUzt1
"I want but one thing." Ollin held up the knife. "Proof that she is a false God."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOxNHxdr1E
"Then open the tomb."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQviWrdHxn
"That cannot be achieved."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTXRCHUN3o
"Can't it?" Dr. Smith raised an eyebrow. "Talk to your so-called 'Chosen Warrior.' He has a drawing."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLVe8ofr3l
Ollin stared with glinting black eyes at Dr. Smith. "In whose service are you?" he asked.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiIpEcojXf
Dr. Smith took the knife from Ollin and touched both edges with his thumb, then handed the weapon back to him. "Truth, dear boy," Dr. Smith replied, a touch pompously. "I am the service fo truth. And if you help me you'll also find it."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ztEhgd8FL
When Don awoke he was lying on the straw mattresses in the bedroom of his quarters, but he was not alone. Standing over him was a smiling Yaotl with a short sword in his hand. Don struggled to sit up so that he could, at least, try to protect himself.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7lZ01ZCQV
"Do not be afraid of me, Don," Yaotl laughed. "Now that I can defeat you openly, I have no need to destroy you in secret."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxkBC9hice
"Whatever it was you scratched me with, beat me," Don mumbled and rubbed his temples with his fingers trying to clear the cobwebs from his brain.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbU8SAOTnK
"Did you not say 'use stealth, surprise your enemy?" Yaotl was enjoying himself.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmscpLE6mPJ
"I did," Don admitted.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25FAhNmBE5
"And did I not do those things?" Yaotl laughed again.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfeMYGlJis
Don agreed that he had.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgg5HJbQdy
"A thorn, the sap of a plant and Nenetl's aged servant," Yaotl added.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBlU1oPnkB
Don looked up sharply. "Dr. Smith helped you?!"328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3kYqI7ufZ
Yaotl nodded and remarked that Don's friends make strange allies.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJJlqWGZGN
Don stood up gingerly. "Did Dr. Smith know you were to fight me?" he asked.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yHBuGTLr1
Yaotl shook his head and admitted that he didn't.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxcU1RFaPd
Don felt dizzy. "I need some fresh air." He staggered towards the living area and the door of his quarters.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmz0hAdya4
"Let me help you," Yaotl took his arm. "Now that I have proved I will be the victor, we can be friends. For the little time that is left to you to live," he added almost as an afterthought.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnSw6mRNqI
"Oh, I'm going to die, am I?" Don's voice expressed no shock.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUiPgfErUg
"Yes, Don." Yaotl sounded enthusiastic at the prospect. "Next time we fight, I shall not fail to kill you."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gfCWfbbab
"It's always worth knowing in advance," Don remarked as he went into the courtyard and leaned against the wlal beside the open door. He shut his eyes and breathed deeply several times. When he opened them, Ollin and Tlaqui were crossing the courtyard.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2QbJi4a8W
"I see your strength has been restored to you," Ollin sneered.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgfrLpHY8Q
"Don't tell me you've become my friend as well," Don joked, and saw the flash of hatred in the High Priest's eyes before Ollin turned abruptly to Yaotl.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnz7McsigC
"I have no need of the drawing," he said.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfI0d9ue1n
"The one that I promised to the aged servant?" Yaotl roared with laughter when Ollin nodded. "It doesn't exist. The secret of the tomb died with my father."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhrw5vhXfv
"But your father's father must have set it down," Ollin sounded anxious.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8wg7FtyEM
Don listened to the conversation with great interest.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgap60vkjFO
"No. He told it to my father, who thought to do so. But one evening he went for a walk in the garden and was never seen again.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQNqQTMYzH
"I remember his disappearance." Ollin was brusque.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuQRMGST7R
So that's why Dr. Smith helped you, Don thought, he hoped to have a design plan of the tomb. Then another thought occurred to Don: neither Yoatl nor Ollin had used the word "died" when they talked about his father. They had used the word "disappeared," and Don had referred to the garden. This set Don speculating.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGVMaqwhAI
Ignoring Don, the High Priest of Sacrifice and Tlaqui took their leave of Yaotl and limped and waddled towards the gateway to the courtyard.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1Xs0ordOi
Ollin began to speak . "You are well versed in these matters, Tlaqui," Don overheard him say, "so you shall help me defeat the false...." Then they were out of earshot, but Don was convinced the sentence had ended "god Nenetl."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpK7YHvNu2T
He was right and Ollin was Tlaqui was outraged at Ollin's suggestion. "No, I cannot do your bidding, I will not." He gesticulated wildly. "Destroy a god and we destroy ourselves."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoS304lCZW
Ollin pointed out that true gods were immortal, and that mere flesh and blood, as they both were, could not destroy them. Tlaqui looked at him warily land asked in what way Ollin required his services.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqXWI6WIX9
"Your knowledge of poisons."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7o8lxZQhj
Tlaqui was horrified.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVz12w4blDn
"Such a test, a poisoned draught, would prove her divinity. If she dies, she is false; if she lives, then she is indeed the spirit of Nenetl returned."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnLP8JAiSM
Tlaqui's throat dried as Ollin looked at him slyly. "Would you deny yourself the honor---more, the glory----of witnessing a god proven before your eyes?"328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAqhW5848z
Tlaqui ran his tongue around his mouth seeking saliva to ease his throat. He swallowed. "I shall prepare a mixture," he said. "Then you and I and Tetzal shall test Nenetl."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8N3OtJZdG2
"Tetzal? I think not!" Ollin snapped.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25MiMEo8rX
"Why not?"328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoyMUHfXA7
Ollin despised Tlaqui's naivety, but his voice was quiet and reasonable as he argued that Tetzal's mind was set that Nenetl was a true god and he would forbid the test. 328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3856YINkxU
"No, you and I shall do this thing and for once the High Priest of Knowledge shall be in ignorance." He glanced at Tlaqui and almost managed a thin smile.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbrO79oY4o
At the same time, the High Priest of Knowledge was basking in Zuma's radiant smile as they walked along a path in the garden.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhn8j4IIuq
"Such happiness, Zuma, outshines the sun," he remarked.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfPaPwa9WV
"And with good fortune may outlast it," Zuma replied softly.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoXM5yEUeD
"What brings you such joy?"328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlLPn7bUxd
Zuma looked around the garden and saw Dr. Smith studying a carved coiled snake on one of the stones of the back wall of the garden. Zuma raised her hand and pointed to him. A small leather bag hung from a cord around her wrist. Tetzal smiled.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCESddcw6z
"I am grateful to Nenetl's aged servant," he said, and noticing the bag, asked if Zuma was carrying cocoa beans to barter with.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzRVyaVybr
She shook her head. "I have already been to the market and brought food," she replied.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNf6DeILZ6j
Tetzal touched the bag. "Then these are to prepare a drink."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8EFbJPKRN
Zuma lowered her eyes. "Only the gods may know," she replied coyly.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIaZmlgcuc
"Ah," Tetzal murmured, and observed that all mortals lived in hope.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYxhXbLFSN
"He is a gentle companion aand most dear to me," Zuma admitted.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTmjD9fu1m
"Are these then for a love potion?" Tetzal asked in mock surprise.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZf7YuEMhmb
"That would be too bold," Zuma blushed. "Rather should he show his love for me."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BdgzIgBbm
"You wish him to prepare it."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnqFajak3A
"I do."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx73CXKwU5h
Tetzal looked from her to Dr. Smith and back to Zuma again. "May the gods favor your desires," he said gently and walked away.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFFu7pzGDJ
Zuma went over to Dr. Smith and greeted him.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjuTvEPMkK
Dr. Smith half-replaced the bougainvillea over the carved stone and turned to face her. "My dear Zuma, how nice it is to see you again." He took her hand. "The garden is such a lonely place without you."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwtM1vju95
She glanced at the wall. "When one's interest is held, loneliness does not exist."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFVd6MSmPE
Dr. Smith followed her eyeline to the carving that was partly hidden behind the flowered trellis. "I was looking at it---I hadn't noticed it before," he explained.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqAt1g1Nuk
"It is the coiled serpent of Nenetl. In almost every building homage is paid to the High Priest with that symbol." Zuma drew aside the bougainvillea and snagged her bag on the trellis. As she pulled it free some of the cocoa beans fell on the ground.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kyLUDdJgn
Dr. Smith began picking them up. "Cocoa beans," he exclaimed.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxF1gZrJA4
"We use them for barter for our daily needs," Zuma replied.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NLDm0PCx4
"What an excellent idea! A current you can drink!" Dr. Smith proclaimed. "Delicious!"328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcSM51Xk8u
"Do you know our customs?" Zuma asked timidly as Dr. Smith dropped the beans one by one back into her bag.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoxBTAfm3E
"Why, yes, my dear, of course I do," Dr. Smith replied, looking about hi to make sure he hadn't overlooked a bean.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡar9Qmvpoi3
"The drinking of cocoa has its own very special meaning," Zuma ventured and Dr. Smith wholeheartedly agreed with her.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrwds9sMg4
"It's a rare delight and we shall take a cup together."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkk7Sq0QWBP
"Are you sure?"328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDzk7Tx35z
Dr. Smith missed her shyness. "Yes, yes, quite,' he replied. "Now, give me the beans and I'll go into the kitchen and brew some up."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQ3MQiayb8
"Do you insist?" Zuma was hesitant.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlc4HDKoHp
"I do. I insist as a token of my esteem."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbjluBEfAj
Zuma's face lit up as she gave Dr. Smith the bag of beans. "The gods are smiling favor through your eyes. May it always be so," she said. "My dear Zachary Smith, I accept with all my heart."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZWeHcVEWf
"Now, don't go away, my dear," Dr. Smith cautioned her. "I'll be back."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XYvAPyyZm
Clutching the bag of cocoa beans, he marched off to the small kitchen in one corner of the garden where the old people could take a drink of cool fresh water, or prepare a corn pancake with honey, or a goblet of hot cocoa, over the wood fire. Dr. Smith found the mortar and pestle, and ground sufficient beans for two goblets. He sang quietly to himself. It had been a long time since he had drunk cocoa and he was looking forward to it. He put the powder equally into the two goblets, added hot water, and sweetened them both with honey.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vTkO7xvMQ
Proudly, he returned to the bench where Zuma sat and handed her a goblet before sitting down beside her.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfir9JAHHkg
"Happy days, my dear." He chinked his goblet against hers in a toast.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1W5EHXOpV
Zuma's eyes were dewy. "The happiest of my life, dear heart," she replied and they sipped their cocoas. "Was ever such a potion brewed? In bliss is quenched my thirsty heart."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIsBRaRnHH
"Very prettily put, my dear," Dr. Smith murmured approvingly.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbMOwv1Iyn
Zuma turned to him and kissed him on both cheeks. "O' sweet and favored man, you have declared your love for me," she said. "And I acknowledge and accept your gentle proposal."328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYPiE608b0
Dr.Smith found the next sip of cocoa infinitely more difficult to swallow.328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNH3eOLLXE
328Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mBffTATQZ
