Don went up the temple stairs two at a time. He wore his Chosen Warrior's loin-cloth and embroidered cloak, as well as a plumed battle-mask in hammered silver which concealed the upper half of his face. The temple guards saluted him and one drew back the brocade curtain to let him pass.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebuLo6qRDx
Ann was standing on the terrace looking down at the city. She was startled when Don came towards her, not sure for a moment whether it was him or Yaotl. Don lifted his mask and Ann sighed with relief before frowning. "You shouldn't be up here. It's too dangerous," she said anxiously.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZOR7rLovr
Don dismissed her fears with a downward wave of his hand and remarked lightly that, for all the guards knew, he could just as easily have been Yaotl.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJ7Drg8Ej5
Ann wasn't convinced. "I still think it was reckless of you."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvfE91Ji1e
Don led her to the back of the temple behind the throne. "I came here to warn you," he confided.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvY5QUOWc4Y
"About what?"338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwuQKYX8ga
"That's just it. I don't know. But I'm convinced that Ollin and Tlaqui are cooking up something against you."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mcgJMXHKv
Ann was shocked. "Tlaqui? I didn't know he was on Ollin's side. Our High Priest of Sacrifice seems to have the knack of bringing people around to his way of thinking," she said ruefully.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZxW6UkmvG
"That's where you're wrong, Ann," Don replied. "They're all on Ollin's side."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zuzrklIIC
"What about Tetzal?" she asked.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjF6vdmvTK
"What about him?" Don shrugged. "He's reasonable, cultured, civilized in his own way, but he goes along with Ollin. You saved my life, Ann, not Tetzal. He would have let me die."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsBHgLcbDG
"I'm not so sure that he would now." She did her best to sound convincing as she told Don about her last conversation with the High Priest of Knowledge.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvRqaonxVj
Don shook his head. "Come to the crunch, Ann, he'll behave like any other Aztec." 338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5HQuWwdxQ
Don was adamant. "Look, you simply can't fight a way of life."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7Jxq5vMJ5
Ann turned away. "I don't believe this! First Dr. Smith, now you." She laughed mirthlessly. "But there's such nobility in them," she protested, "that I want to do something to save them from destruction."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzr4zx0MNNb
"There's only one thing to be done," Don said quietly to her back. "Get back into that tomb and leave them alone."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRq1fnjByf
Ann heard faint footsteps on the stairs. "Someone's coming up," she whispered. "You better hide."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARyTi4z0EN
Don dashed to the curtain behind which he and Yaotl had held the Rain God victim. 338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsX5L2J5K61
He ducked into the alcove, holding one slit of the curtain open with a finger so that he could see Ann, who had taken her place on the throne. He heard Ollin's shuffling gait as he limped over to the throne with Tlaqui at his side, holding a goblet.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZF2dW7jnhp
"We greet thee, Nenetl," Ollin said ingratiatingly.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VN7vpVRBW
"What do you want?" Ann asked coldly.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqJodPRzAB
Ollin gestured to Tlaqui and himself. "We come before the Great Spirit in all humility," and they both bowed.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiUK3GRva5
"Quiet words do you credit." Ann's eyes and mind were alert for any indication of danger.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQcY0NJeaO
Ollin stretched out his arm in a gesture of despair. "Have we not both spoken harsh words and had dark thoughts?" He went on to state that he was now convinced of her divinity and wished to make amends.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgnWOqMW0g
Tlaqui echoed Ollin by begging Nenetl not to punish the High Priest for his misgivings.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnMvFvcl8s
"This draught is symbolic of the blood of Huitzilopochtli." Ollin took the goblet from Tlaqui and held it up in front of Ann. "Let us share it in reverence."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAC2X95WBEF
Ann took the goblet from him and raised it to her lips. Behind the curtain Don held his breath and tensed his muscles, ready to dash out to knock the goblet from her hands before she drank. Ollin and Tlaqui watched her intently.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCZWDpB8Lg
Then, she hesitated, smiled and held out the goblet to the High Priest. "If you now acknowledge my divinity, then first both of you must drink in reverence to me." She shot a quick glance at Tlaqui who averted his eyes. "And then I shall drink in reverence to Huitzilopochtli for us all." She stood and thrust the goblet at him. 338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1idyFD6fVU
"Drink," she commanded.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0TvXceV0T
The High Priest took a step backwards. Ann came down from the dais and turned to Tlaqui. "You'll sip it in reverence to me, won't you?"338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWH9Xc1sAl
The balding, pudgy little priest shook his head and edged his way towards the curtained entrance to the temple. Holding the goblet at arm's length, Ann went with him. As he reached the curtain Ann looked at him icily. "You defile this temple. Get out of my sight." She threw down the goblet, which smashed at his feet, and Tlaqui fled.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HhOiDuyQS
Ann turned back to face Ollin who looked at her apprehensively. "Well?" Her voice was expressionless.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmwGwbZYmK
"We meant only to test you."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQo1lzYKoN
"With poison?" Still she betrayed no emotion.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4OFwDWCtb
"Nenetl would have lived as true gods are immortal."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafb9Fl4RNb
"Well, I would have died."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKh9r8o1UlP
Ollin's eyes widened in triumph.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCGU05G36r
"I am not Nenetl."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VsiecK83e
He pointed at her. "False! You are a false god. As I have known since I first saw you."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKyn4IfUkO
"And who will believe you?" Ann's eyes hardened. "I warn you, Ollin. Say one word against me to the people and I shall have them destroy you. Now, go!"338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14wDBCS9mW
The High Priest of Sacrifice stared malevolently at her for a few seconds. Ann met his eyes with a steady gaze, then he muttered the word "false" again, and limped from the temple.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81TkV9Qqcv
As soon as he was gone Ann began to tremble. Don came quickly from behind the curtain and put his arms around her. Ann closed her eyes. "W-w-we m-m-must get away, Don," she stammered. "I can't p-pl-play this r-r-role much longer."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeN5MT9ZBIP
"We will, Ann, we will," he reassured her, but he didn't know how they would do it.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJt8chZhp7c
It was early afternoon. The two High Priests and Tlaqui had eaten their midday meal of roast pheasant, hot spicy pancakes, and fruit, all of which had been prepared by the women who served in the temple. The three of them sat on cushions around the table rinsing their hands in the finger bowls which had been placed before them.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IEoUBDENE
"What progress do our pupils make at the seminary, Tlaqui?" Tetzal dabbed his mouth with a dampened corner of his napkin.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwI46vVJeS3
"All are diligent in their studies," Tlaqui replied.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6w5dWe1j0
"And Nenetl's handmaiden?" Tetzal asked.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNAMhNBbjO
Tlaqui raised his arms. "Her intelligence far exceeds that of the others. And she has knowledge of things known only to the Priests," he added, clearly impressed. 338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgCXkDenFU
"But are you surprised? She also serves the gods," Tetzal reminded him.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhAwvs9LDl
"Other gods than ours," Ollin growled.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDaWcM0dQg
Tetzal sighed and asked when the High Priest of Sacrifice would cease to doubt Nenetl's divinity.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzrjXpXQ3p
"Never, for I know she is false," he snapped, and was on the point of telling Tetzal about the poison but realized that they had tried to give it to her without his knowledge. "She has come among us, intent on destroying us." He slammed his fist onto the table.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGA4cRdzNYN
"Or saving us," Tetzal replied quietly as he stood up and went to his cell to rest.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNx0zw15Ahe
Ollin flicked crumbs of food off the table. "Do you share Tetzal's conviction?" he asked Tlaqui.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdqAgJt7zU
"I do not know to whom I should listen." Tlaqui nervously remembered the goblet exploding, splashing the poisoned draught over his feet.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbg55PUWEBw
"She is false, she told me so herself," Ollin said but saw the doubt in Tlaqui's eyes. "And when I have the proof you will hear only my voice which will be like thunder in the sky." He cleaned his fingernails with the tip of a knife. "But where is my proof? How shall I obtain it? She is very clever." He put down the knife and studied his fingernails, then looked at Tlaqui. "The handmaiden, alone in the seminary, tell me about her."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeXVGLEwe3
Tlaqui shifted uncomfortably on his cushion. "She is, as I have said, very intelligent, but self-willed."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxIaypP6yM
"In what way?" Ollin leaned across the table.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizFXBizsi1
"One day, in the presence of the High Priest of Knowledge and myself, she said she would only marry someone of her own choosing."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLq7AB7WnR
"She would not be wed by arrangement, not for honor?"338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCZnwQK9Sr
Tlaqui shook his head. "On this she was firm. She would choose her husband." A plan had already formulated in Ollin's mind. "Then we must find a suitable one for her, 338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpF8akAlYV
Tlaqui," he said briskly and put a forefinger to his lips. "The false god's weakness lies not in herself but in her servants," he observed as he picked up the knife and stuck it into the table.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksemEjVc8x
A prospective husband was the last thought in Penny's mind was she stood, bored almost to tears, at the entrance to her cell, looking out onto the cloister. Behind her was Tetzal, the ever-present posy in his hand.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1GcjVajep
"In the annals of Cuauhtitlan there is the myth of five suns in the sky," he intoned. "Name them." Penny took a breath and reeled them off in a monotone.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKMj1drmos
"The first was known as Four-Tiger, the second the sun of Air, the third the sun of Fire and Rain, the fourth the sun of Water and, finally, the present one, the sun of Man."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1kiulARXm
Tetzal was delighted. "Excellent, Penny, excellent!"338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XGuExIpUR
Penny resigned herself to the next question but it was never posed. Suddenly Tlaqui and the Perfect Victim were standing beside the doorway.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTOlf735tO
"I greet you, Tetzal," Tlaqui said.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRahez7QwAm
The High Priest's face fell when he saw the Perfect Victim.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MilpoHwXe
"As I do also," the young man said, smiling at Penny.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiB4CJG0n5
"You honor us with your visit," Tetzal replied. "How may we serve you?"338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpDsGHwlh4
"It is my wish to look upon her."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIcN1BmghH
Penny was puzzled, Tetzal troubled and Tlaqui amused.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTal7UCJby
"Do you know how she is?" Tetzal asked.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEertyqalOy
The Perfect Victim smiled. "Does she know who I am?"338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRi2yooVYAP
"No."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74kOyW5RCG
"Then tell her."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fvnEm9oE2
"In two days, when the sun is at its zenith, darkness will full upon the land," Tetzal said.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRSnwWW1iD
"All great Hutizilopochtli's light will be hidden from our eyes," Tlaqui added mystically.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2n7rIdtvR
"You mean it'll be a total eclipse?" Penny was enthusiastic and remarked that, although she had seen several partial eclipses, she had never seen one where the sun was completely hidden by the moon. "It'll be interesting to watch."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpu2U90qqjE
Tetzal shifted uneasily. "At the moment when all is in darkness, a human sacrifice will be offered to the Sun God and this young man...."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Tpcf6dyWp
Penny's hands flew to her face. "....is to be the victim?" she blurted out in horror. "But that's revolting!"338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjaLsp47CF
The young man looked at her uncomprehendingly. "What greater honor is there for me than to be chosen as the Perfect Victim and to join the gods?" His voice rang with pride. Then he announced he would take Penny as his bride.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPJsCx5EDJ
She gaped at him in utter incredulity before giving vent to her feelings. "Bride!" she pointed at him. "He think's I'll marry him?! Well, if he's mad enough to let himself be sacrificed because of a stupid eclipse I suppose he's mad enough to believe anything."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsrGRdohGr
Tlaqui protested that since the young man had been chosen as the Perfect Victim, all his desires were granted. "That does not include me!" Penny was furious. "Let him die if he wants to, but don't expect me to marry him."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZysB6AcsI
"It is the Aztec law, Penny," Tetzal chided her.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HBokMQm07
"Then your law is barbaric and I won't obey it. I won't!" Penny shouted. "You're monsters, all of you are monsters!" She ran from the cell onto the cloister.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkp1PqSCP5
Tlaqui looked at Tetzal. "She has broken the law," he said. "Ollin must know of this."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmunCIFY0vh
"Let her be severely punished for denying me," the Perfect Victim added.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyseaREKFU
Tetzal looked from one to the other. "So be it," he murmured.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgsHV7VONY
With tears streaming down her cheeks, Penny ran halfway around the cloister before collapsing against a pillar.338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9pXmgoc64
"Uncle Zachary, Uncle Zachary," she sobbed. "Please, help me."338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphHbM0o2f5
338Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepPDZnQnUF
