It was evening and the air in the garden was heavily scented as Dr. Smith, lost in his thoughts, walked along a path, his hands clutched behind his back. There had to be another way into the tomb, he reasoned, for how else could the counterbalanced wall have been set in place? It would have required builders both in the tomb and outside in the temple. He presumed that the temple, and consequently the tomb, had been built before Nenetl's death as the pyramid must have taken a decade to construct and that, Dr. Smith considered, was a long time to keep a corpse hanging around waiting to be laid to rest. So, when Nenetl died someone, Yaotl's grandfather, perhaps, had to open up the wall from inside the tomb. Therefore there had to be a secret entrance to steps leading up to a trapdoor, most likely, and now possibly sealed, in the floor of the tomb.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR67qZKtTCP
Dr. Smith sighed and sniffed the perfumed air without appreciating int. How would the trapdoor be sealed? he asked himself. Closed, it would be seated on a flange which, once Nenetl's body was placed in the tomb, could have been lined with terracotta, a mixture of sand and clay, that would harden like a brick when heated. Yes, that must be the answer, Dr. Smith decided and then wondered how much force would be needed to break the seal. A hammer, a chisel and West's biceps would suffice, he concluded. All that now remained was to locate the secret entrance to the steps and that, he realized dejectedly, could be almost anywhere. But where would be the likeliest place?363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEGva1h1xG
"Zachary." Zuma's voice broke his train of thought. Irritated, he saw her coming along the path towards him. "My dear, I am glad to find you alone as I have a gift for you."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpw9aAtZ6zt
"How very kind," Dr. Smith mumbled, wondering if it were more cocoa beans. Instead, she gave him a beautiful jade brooch with an eagle and, separately, a coiled snake carved on it.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4ERjCamzV
He was taken aback. "Dear lady, I cannot possibly accept such a..." he began but stopped when Zuma said the gift signified her love for him. Dr. Smith swallowed. "I shall treasure it always."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2saBevpMX9
"I am pleased, though it is yours by right."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsu3gUAjDy3
Dr. Smith was puzzled. "Why do you say that?" he asked.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qgK85UmYr
"It came from Nenetl's tomb."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOyCKQ3lIJ
Dr. Smith was dumbfounded. "From...where?"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrz20W9RNB2
"The tomb. See? It has Nenetl's sign on it," she pointed to the snake, "the coiled serpent."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgXj8qeZTy
"But that is the emblem of the Aztec nation," Dr. Smith said.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUSJ7gJ2kG
"That is so," Zuman replied. "Only the serpent is held either in the eagle's beak or its claws. Nenetl's sign of the coiled serpent is separate from the eagle."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBk3LxXLHl
Dr. Smith turned the brooch over in his hands. "It's quite magnificent." He smiled at her and asked casually how she had come by it.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKg1m78Vygv
Zuma blushed. "Though married, Yaotl's father fell in love with me. I did what I could to discourage his advances. But he insisted that I accept the brooch, which he gave to me seven days before he disappeared."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxBksLDtr0
"Disappeared?"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5L477kznp
"Yes, here in the garden," Zuma replied. "He was never seen again." She dismissed the topic with a gesture of her hand. "But it was a long time ago and now I look forward to a life of bliss with you."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oaOl0I2iM
"And I with you, my dear," Dr. Smith said absently, his mind on other matters.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNJh6LzIte
"Peace and contentment," Zuma reflected.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhydObmh1O
"Rapture and joy," Dr. Smith echoed.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzcRtyEAFk
"We shall have a garden of our own," she announced.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcrCw3FQv6
The Doctor eyes lit up. "Yes, of course," he agreed. "A garden of our own." And his eyes traveled to the wall and the stone with the coiled snake carved on it.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd71CpaRzDa
As soon as he decently could Dr. Smith took his leave of Zuma and hurried to the barracks. When Dr. Smith burst into his quarters, Don was desperately trying to think of something constructive he could do to put them safely back on board the TARDIS and get them safely on their way.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtri6n5WzeD
"Eureka, West, I have it!" Dr. Smith exclaimed, and then hesitated. "At least, I think I have."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUeaL9rp0o
"What?" Don asked, taken aback.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPq9Q5fdggn
Dr. Smith held the brooch in the palm of his right hand and poked it with his left forefinger. "This came from Nenetl's tomb. And who took it?" he demanded without waiting for an answer. "His father!" He pointed dramatically at Yaotl's quarters on the other side of the courtyard and then poked the brooch again. "So there's the proof that a secret way into the tomb exists and Yaotl's father knew about it." 363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyv5NUVa5wz
Dr. Smith looked about him conspiratorially and moved closer to Don. "But what is much more important, West, my dear boy, is that I believe I know where it is." His voice was little more than an urgent whisper. "Underneath the garden is an irrigation tunnel used for watering the flowers, and in the back wall is a stone with a coiled snake.....Nenetl's sign...carved upon it. I'm certain that the stone can be removed to reveal a way into the tunnel. I'm convinced that under the temple wall there will be a flight of stairs leading up to the tomb." Dr. Smith's eyes darted here and there in search of a possible eavesdropper before he continued. "Tonight, West, tonight, once Yaotl is asleep, come to the garden where I shall be waiting for you."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCwM3TVVzL
"All right, Dr. Smith, I'll be there," Don said.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMP1Ykm8bAv
"Good fellow," Dr. Smith replied and slapped him on the back.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthReSgpQh2
"How did you get hold this?" Don asked, tapping the brooch.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJ1luIJIGn
Dr. Smith cleared his throat. "My fiancée gave it to me as a present."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGJhF9MziK
"I see," Don replied before it registered. "Your what?" he choked.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiP4micqgri
"I made some cocoa and became engaged to Zuma."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLXAmw7skV
Don began to chuckle.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcG0czDZ3ci
"Did I say something funny, West?"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dmRFR9fM7
Don tried to keep a straight face.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTprym8GCD
"And the sooner we are away from here, the better."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQMakkdumZ
"Yes, Dr. Smith," Don managed to reply, his shoulders shaking. "I'll be there tonight."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YRp9ZvqCK
Dr. Smith turned to leave.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUlgj2ldbX
"Oh, and by the way, Dr. Smith, congratulations," he said and doubled up.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xzu2IOfh7
Dr. Smith stormed off. From his quarters, Yaotl watched him go.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxSCxMAqOE
Ann was in the antechamber when a guard announced that the High Priest of Sacrifice and the Priest of Knowledge awaited her in the temple. Her defences came up instinctively. "Say that I shall recieve them presently," she said.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoIyXtkIdq
The guard bowed and withdrew.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Fo7FaGetf
Ann considered her strategy. Should she listen to them first and then riposte as best she could, or should she go directly on the attack? She placed the plumed crown on her head and decided upon the latter course of action. When she reached the temple, she ignored them until she sat upon the throne.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtVSEqRQrp
"Why do you attend me?" Her voice was glacial.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklcTZWT9AX
Ollin kept his eyes fixed onher while Tlaqui looked down at his posy and shuffled his feet. "There is a matter we would place before you, Great Spirit," he burbled.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUjSYAiNt2
Ann raised one eyebrow. "You wish the gods to favor the Priest of Knowledge with their good opinions?"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMtxDKT1i9
"Their advice," Tlaqui conceded.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsjybVmPY4
"And yet you sin against them with your test of poison," Ann snapped as Tlaqui studied his posy even more intently.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaEeg7cbt8
"Let us talk of this other matter," Ollin cajoled.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhveXIcQhAI
"Silence." It was like a whiplash across his back, but he gritted his teeth and contained his fury.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6gjXs0nHW
Ann looked back at Tlaqui. "Your offense against the gods is forgiven. Now, what would you discuss?"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcF6O1Rw2J4
"The punishment for one who speaks out against our teachings and defies our laws." 363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqphRUCfoe3
Ann realized that this time it was a verbal trap that Ollin was trying to spring.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGklSjLFpyv
"Was this spoken in public?" she asked cautiously.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PG1RuhwWF
"Yes, Great Spirit, and after being duly warned," Tlaqui emphasized.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvn8T74o0dA
"Were there witnesses to the warning?" Take it one step at a time, she advised herself.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8E1y7E0h32
"Tetzal and myself."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejUrHZpI0U
"What was the offense?" Ann was concerned that Tetzal was involved and curious to know why he wasn't with them.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuIqFQavGn
"Denying a desire of the Perfect Victim."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdsD1hLY5z
"Be specific, Tlaqui. What was his wish?" Like the poisoned draught, she guessed this interview was being conducted behind Tetzal's back.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMYS0K2laT
"To be wed."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHowqUhk2dx
Ann thought that taking a bride two days before one died willingly was absurd. "To be wed and widowed in two days? What kind of marriage is that for an Aztec maiden?" she asked.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJ074BrE60
Ollin's eyes glinted with secret pleasure. He had rehearsed Tlaqui well and Ann had fallen into the trap.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wqWOMPk7i
Tlaqui argued that Aztec warriors frequently wed before going off to war and some did not return, but they were not proclaimed gods as the Perfect Victim would be.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KHc1p07a5
"There could be no greater honor," he concluded.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBLGwEKLai
"And if she wanted to marry again?"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01BnTyI4KE
Tlaqui shook his head vigorously. "Marriage to a mortal would be unthinkable to the widow of a god."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLvKX9MtMO
"So this maiden has defied your teachings and your law by spurning his proposal of marriage," Ann said, and when Tlaqui nodded, she thought "Good for you, girl." "And what does the law prescribe for such an offense?" she asked.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAG38FQlOHM
Tlaqui waved his posy. "We know of none. Such a rejection has never occurred before," he replied. "That is why we have sought your advice."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5YaIF4CYo
"Liar," Ann thought and stared at Ollin. "She will not die," her voice was adamant.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDh5dXNIONo
"Then let her be publicly ridiculed," Tlaqui proposed.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEWlqNOwrR
Ann thought that if there must be a punishment, ridicule would be relatively harmless.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bzLA994WN
Ollin took a half-step forward. "I say she should be scourged," he hissed. "Her ears and tongue pierced with thorns."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIypYNshJ5D
"I fobid it," Ann snapped.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqS0O594HZ2
"Tetzal upholds it." Ollin's voice was a menace.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSkHGr5sco
"Let him say so, then," Ann replied dryly.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TmskUqW7J
"He will, he will," Ollin assured her, "when the time comes."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW60I8mU2g9
"And when will that be?"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kYvTljKAq
"On the day of darkness," Tlaqui replied.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLGY3cBtvU
"Before all the people," Ollin made a sweeping gesture with his arm before pointing at Ann, "and you must be there so that the gravity of the offence is known."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNNHslzLO4
"I shall witness the punishment from the temple," Ann said, a plan forumlating in her brain. "But I wish my servants to be present with me. Don, my aged servant, and my handmaiden."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZRZMkZQKd
"It shall be arranged," Ollin said without expression. "Both the men and your handmaiden will be there. That I promise."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7ddHNIAt4
As the High Priest of Sacrifice limps from the temple with Tlaqui at his side, Ann sensed she had made a mistake somewhere. She went over their conversation several times in her mind and then summoned the High Priest of Knowledge to the temple.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkmz2XaER5
Tetzal's face was grave as he listened to Ann's account of his encounter with Tlaqui and the High Priest of Sacrifice.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6hftuCpfW
"Ollin insisted you upheld such bestial treatment. Is that true?" she asked.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFUY3B9p44
"Is it still your intention to intervene at the sacrifice of the Perfect Victim?" Tetzal countered.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIvdhL5V2s
"Of course, it is," Ann said firmly.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtl5LxojcVO
"Then I shall match your courage, Nenetl," he replied. "Though it grieves my heart, as it must yours."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5LxxkKod4
"I'll shed no tears over an end to human sacrifice." Ann was resolute.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6ripDOOP7
"I was referring to your handmaiden," Tetzal explained.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73BH0UKXFM
"What about Penny?" Ann asked sharply.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0j7DQ90G9A
Tetzal was perplexed. "You have just spoken of her offense."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVUjF0HQUw
Ann jumped to her feet. "Penny was to be the bride?" she exclaimed.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPZGe1iQ7s
"Did not Ollin say so?"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XwI4Z05pn
So that had been the trap, Ann thought; a deliberate omission on Ollin's part and a stupid one on hers.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oOM1AKe3V
"I shall forbid the punishment."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaurh9VGQIf
"You cannot," Tetzal replied flatly.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE64RDuOP8A
"Oh yes, I can!" she said fiercely. "Penny is to be punished at the eclipse so when you and I stop the human sacrifice then I will order Ollin to release her as well."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwa2gXXtVA
Tetzal shook his head. "She is to be punished before the sacrifice to the Sun God."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLetGxWJ1s2
"I won't let him hurt her. I won't!" Ann's voice was final.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xzPRNpPrz
The High Priest looked at her. "Wil you, then, sacrifice all that you believe in, all that you have given me to believe in, to save your handmaiden pain?"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBxEFCmWFp
Ann had no answer.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4lnPydAtX
363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdl4eszzij
