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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidGyvIymDR
"Thus shall my enemies fall," he said arrogantly.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNDDHuV6WR
"Real enemies can strike back," Don remarked quietly.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYo5EMVTc04
"I have no fear of death," Yaotl retorted.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DHWBtLP0o
"Maybe not. The dead never win."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb60C0AoBcU
Yaotl looked sharply at Don. "How would you attack?" he asked.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0nMISl85i
"A little more cunningly," Don replied. "I'd use stealth to surprise my enemy."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KJXujz3yz
"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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHltz1lI4e
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wiA4qSVTe
Yaotl looked surprised and observed that to win a victory with a thumb would require strong magic.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUZyLtta7O
Don shook his head. "Knowing your enemy's weakness isn't magic," he said, "it's common sense."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTGwKel0uI
Yaotl laughed and pointed to himself. "What weakness have I that is vulnerable to your thumb?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWe728jWQE
"You'd be surprised," Don replied.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARXFagoB7B
Yaotl hesitated, doubt in his eyes.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXFupMmnVK
"Don't worry, Yaotl, I won't kill you. Not this time." Don remained composed; Tetzal was intrigued and Yaotl bristled.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcJ99XOZ5a
"You mock the arts of war and I defy you to harm me;" he challenged.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qi8G40G51
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hNmMGYrKf
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2texLnWVB
"Give him a little time," Don smiled at the High Priest. "He'll wake up soon."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0E82QyTyy
At that moment Ollin limped into the courtyard. "Tetzal, there is a task to be...." he stopped short when he saw Yaotl.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGpa2SnsPc
Tetzal turned to him. "He sleeps. Nenetl's servant won the victory with his thumb."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyd3leiEqS
Ollin looked warily at Don and turned back to Tetzal. "You saw the blow?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhwsvvt0fy
"There was no blow." Tetzal held up his left thumb. "He defeated Yaotl with this."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEGcUOJBsE
"Tell him to rest until the sun has passed the zenith," Don advised as he walked away.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFV3Khhf05
"Where do you go?" Tetzal asked.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtt2wWjUpLw
"For a stroll." Don was enjoying himself.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sliwhGs7W
"I shall accompany you." And the two of them left the courtyard.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRuKLCsrtZ
Yaotl stirred, propped himself up on his elbows, shook his head and exercised his neck muscles.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQemPJUZ2N
Ollin looked down at him. "Could you not fight against it?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyRV36ZSDg
"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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQsELXWCb3
Ollin was disconcerted.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCv8OzB0ud
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpMShiDkjA
"All his requests must be granted," Ollin replied, and as Tlaqui left he reiterated quietly, "Must be granted."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gVmnrHnZd
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebKY1zMu9s
"You grace the Chosen Warriors' barracks by your presence." Ollin gestured toward Yaotl. "He is one who would be commander of our armies."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkKQyOz8wo
"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?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk94smQ5W9a
"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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJBjRhtfoU
"No man can win against me!" he shouted.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcYu6CUezH
"None, not one?" Olliln sneered.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSDsMxrvcS
"I shall lead our armies," Yaotl replied stubbornly. "It is my right to do so!"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMi8ULFRsMN
"Yesterday it seemed so," Ollin remarked dryly.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGiXMqtPhR
Yaotl glared at him, picked up the cudgel, stomped off to the center of the courtyard and began practicing swings and blows.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GSFT4Afaz
Tlaqui looked with surprise at the High Priest of Sacrifice.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54eZRXq5Cc
"You would make an enemy?" he asked naively.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdmq3Rnvrq
"I?" Ollin protested. "I only know that I have seen a man who could defeat him."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsyjwd1NJ3
"Defeat Yaotl?" The Perfect Victim could hadly believe his ears.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteR9NB2wGz
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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡec39M99OnQ
"Maybe."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aSOow7iJB
"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?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9P4fEm6jiq
"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?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMZkXqjOGE
The Perfect Victim considered the High Priest's argument and nodded. "He who defeated Yaotl should command.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqtBHN2rXi
"No!" Yaotl roared.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kp3ny553B
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQz7pRVOjo2
"The Perfect Victim's desires must be fulfilled at all times," he burbled.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFDqiP8wNX
Ollin clenched his fists in delight as the Perfect Victim went to Yaotl's side.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2Vyiv9mj5
"My faith in Yaotl is supreme," the young man said, "and it is my desire that the Chosen Warriors meet in contest once again."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGILF7rzr9
"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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoiBamcAyu
"I shall challenge the stranger," said Yaotl.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV89HYRUQ0i
"Let it be so," the Perfect Victim said, and left the courtyard with Tlaqui.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhA72ofr2pS
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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcPfwFISHM
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuLtYhugbg
"It is herbal and the sap of the stem is used by those who practice medicine to induce sleep."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCq413PN5D
"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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQRwle4Np3
"What do you call yourself?" Zuma asked.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRO8QZgOBWc
"Zachary Smith, the Doctor of Many Things, at your service, my dear."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6liB3OvHt
Zuma was puzzled. "Doctor? You are a healer?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcetNMs0A5
"A healer? Oh, heavens no. I am a scientist, an engineer, a builder of things."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXn0oBFtJuM
"Now I understand your interest in the pyramid and the temple."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3I4fcZoj1E
Dr. Smith admitted that there were several details concerning the interior that intrigued him and this time came straight to the point.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpnoi2Lt9W
"Nenetl's tomb, for example, is sealed, but surely the builder, now, what was his name....ah....ah....."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBO5fTzUyy
"Atl," Zuma said.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3rCNlLoG1
"Yes, of course," Dr. Smith replied. "Surely he devised a way of opening it."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokDyqnYHte
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFzNixJZvY
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lDaiD0uKU
"No one could think that of you," she replied. "When shall the meeting be?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyNlXPLknH
"Oh, any time." Dr. Smith was nonchalant. "Today?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0qyjnI7BH
Zuma observed that an interested mind brooked no delay.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjcIQMXaE2
Dr. Smith looked at her and smiled. "I'm sure that's true of you, Zuma."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfRqwGcgzB
She blushed. "I was once. Now I'm content to pass the time of day here like the others."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLvaF6JXc3
"Their minds are old, dear lady, something yours shall never, ever, be," Dr. Smith protested.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUw5jrqN5z
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PPsL5aCsZ
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW45FKxkDf6
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtWTulLKxE
"The High Priest of Knowledge will question you."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruUw4LLWrp
"And if he finds that I am the Spirit of Nenetl returned, what then?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GIOdU9djv
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFZNUGt21K
"I shall beg forgiveness of the Gods for my unworthy doubts."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AxEGHHEAc
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUuIRrgfAD
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."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJPalFA0Ac
"My servant also," Ann protested.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivLzqij3vB
"No!" Ollin spat out the word. "You are to remain alone."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5d8PYgxUM0
"For what reason?" Ann enquired calmly.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7C7RlObD5
"A false god's servants would conspire against us," Ollin said accusingly. "Such a danger we are unprepared to tolerate."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygRFKfIBpn
"Then let my servants be told they may not enter here," Ann replied evenly.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhkLKSKN5i
"As you command, Nenetl," Ollin replied and limped out of the temple leaving a very disquieted Ann behind him.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7ZaGrbwVs
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6TR4JvPs8
She came into the courtyard and went over to Yaotl's door, which was open. She called his name and Yaotl invited her in.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38mk90ri9e
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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTvGLXnWGs
"I was told you wish to see me, Yaotl."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNv9puPTLr3
"I would seek your advice, Zuma."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0ORb0lZeT
"If I can give it, I shall," she replied.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vV3JyVxEr
Yaotl rubbed behind his left ear with his thumb and asked what she knew of magic.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRthDFeSal1
"Nothing," Zuma admitted. "Though it is my belief I knew one who does."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKF9YoFymD
Yaotl leaned forward. "What name has this person?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFxtLlXCDM
"He is known as Zachary Smith and is the aged servant of Nenetl."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KI4V5PVmF
Yaotl dismissed the suggestion with a wave of his hand. "An old fool with a strange name is of no use to me."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHJGu9g0mn
"Ah, but you may be of service to him," Zuma said. "He seeks an interview with you."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57gfom3w7N
Yaotl was curious. "To what end?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKV3iQdg7N
"He is interested in your lamented father's father's work. In particular the temple," she added.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaL7wUh0mu
Yaotl ran his hand across his face. "Does he know my name?" he asked abruptly.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5dgC5DO6D
"No."340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcMeF9OprT
"Do not reveal it, but say that I shall meet him." His voice was casual.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1GZ67cuwp
"Where?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5btnUoBVc
"Does he not spend his day in the temple garden?"340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtDtNgYzPJ
Zuma nodded.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIsTtBA191
"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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOMlsLDj5i
"I shall deliver those words, Yaotl." She felt pleased to have been of service to the Doctor, as she liked his company.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvufZMcyeM
"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.340Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3QOE1lGKH
