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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYGXATFaZx
"Thus shall my enemies fall," he said arrogantly.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX40VbIeZ83
"Real enemies can strike back," Don remarked quietly.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8ERBnP4V1
"I have no fear of death," Yaotl retorted.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEHnzitT8e
"Maybe not. The dead never win."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SuOD0IRGZ
Yaotl looked sharply at Don. "How would you attack?" he asked.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQoRf2bPyl
"A little more cunningly," Don replied. "I'd use stealth to surprise my enemy."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9g1LcENksw
"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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlLJWlZtQ0
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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhQgyXXcBj
Yaotl looked surprised and observed that to win a victory with a thumb would require strong magic.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34kc6Layp9
Don shook his head. "Knowing your enemy's weakness isn't magic," he said, "it's common sense."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzqFnfzUga
Yaotl laughed and pointed to himself. "What weakness have I that is vulnerable to your thumb?"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgCDYJSwtH
"You'd be surprised," Don replied.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9etIKFFBJ
Yaotl hesitated, doubt in his eyes.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquxA8FnRMM
"Don't worry, Yaotl, I won't kill you. Not this time." Don remained composed; Tetzal was intrigued and Yaotl bristled.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5jrcOnZoc
"You mock the arts of war and I defy you to harm me;" he challenged.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gkqe6a0Qj
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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjprMZp1aX
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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyIMYlZMqY
"Give him a little time," Don smiled at the High Priest. "He'll wake up soon."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtrBTQLpnr
At that moment Ollin limped into the courtyard. "Tetzal, there is a task to be...." he stopped short when he saw Yaotl.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GkB4GbQRy
Tetzal turned to him. "He sleeps. Nenetl's servant won the victory with his thumb."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9C51WY7Q0
Ollin looked warily at Don and turned back to Tetzal. "You saw the blow?"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSMwioh9Ie
"There was no blow." Tetzal held up his left thumb. "He defeated Yaotl with this."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuj4R39KE1
"Tell him to rest until the sun has passed the zenith," Don advised as he walked away.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcb7bOxpt0f
"Where do you go?" Tetzal asked.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiNpHIFk7z
"For a stroll." Don was enjoying himself.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXGpPK4P3c
"I shall accompany you." And the two of them left the courtyard.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRn3fOw87g6
Yaotl stirred, propped himself up on his elbows, shook his head and exercised his neck muscles.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyBt1tnR8A
Ollin looked down at him. "Could you not fight against it?"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOzW7UNC1C
"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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gwYeWPqiF
Ollin was disconcerted.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUa2OCAaKn5
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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIx0o5ejHm
"All his requests must be granted," Ollin replied, and as Tlaqui left he reiterated quietly, "Must be granted."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMt8tQGhOz
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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rNsuTWaEi
"You grace the Chosen Warriors' barracks by your presence." Ollin gestured toward Yaotl. "He is one who would be commander of our armies."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBLBhBgdQr
"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?"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigkf6aNgHC
"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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXHH6H1L4N
"No man can win against me!" he shouted.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFa2LV7F0aH
"None, not one?" Olliln sneered.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0ISYBF1HZ
"I shall lead our armies," Yaotl replied stubbornly. "It is my right to do so!"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNjxs1b01t
"Yesterday it seemed so," Ollin remarked dryly.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77kBxNaf1P
Yaotl glared at him, picked up the cudgel, stomped off to the center of the courtyard and began practicing swings and blows.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImFcfQfM6A
Tlaqui looked with surprise at the High Priest of Sacrifice.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEEUYgPv9E
"You would make an enemy?" he asked naively.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7qDsRM3wO
"I?" Ollin protested. "I only know that I have seen a man who could defeat him."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvlkQKYR61
"Defeat Yaotl?" The Perfect Victim could hadly believe his ears.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrC9rMOkHg
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."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4R6kOQdJVv
"Maybe."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwv064HG05p
"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?"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHIsZORYtu
"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?"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoExt7uRlgm
The Perfect Victim considered the High Priest's argument and nodded. "He who defeated Yaotl should command.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTj1Hpgp5X
"No!" Yaotl roared.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZGvPqfBa1
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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijvqJepijP
"The Perfect Victim's desires must be fulfilled at all times," he burbled.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1NFqrcttm
Ollin clenched his fists in delight as the Perfect Victim went to Yaotl's side.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzQ9UeVBxp
"My faith in Yaotl is supreme," the young man said, "and it is my desire that the Chosen Warriors meet in contest once again."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIv2S9tmdP
"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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzQ7tUS9OB
"I shall challenge the stranger," said Yaotl.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTopbyjR7p
"Let it be so," the Perfect Victim said, and left the courtyard with Tlaqui.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJHbT4oju9
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."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxF3V26TqYp
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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4G7fc8IrSA
"It is herbal and the sap of the stem is used by those who practice medicine to induce sleep."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUYOp94HO5
"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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMq2v5H8bKt
"What do you call yourself?" Zuma asked.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGnujFbRiv
"Zachary Smith, the Doctor of Many Things, at your service, my dear."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvnxyxqhME
Zuma was puzzled. "Doctor? You are a healer?"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTfDZykBW5
"A healer? Oh, heavens no. I am a scientist, an engineer, a builder of things."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Rh40HPO81
"Now I understand your interest in the pyramid and the temple."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wxVcGQmbm
Dr. Smith admitted that there were several details concerning the interior that intrigued him and this time came straight to the point.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9igi6uDvAH
"Nenetl's tomb, for example, is sealed, but surely the builder, now, what was his name....ah....ah....."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYy2Ct5DCUc
"Atl," Zuma said.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMH2OkiiDa
"Yes, of course," Dr. Smith replied. "Surely he devised a way of opening it."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡja4RyUdq0H
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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEL1yThCkV
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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUx7iB4EJ2x
"No one could think that of you," she replied. "When shall the meeting be?"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxelX1orb35
"Oh, any time." Dr. Smith was nonchalant. "Today?"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4C6bTeHlO1
Zuma observed that an interested mind brooked no delay.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23z8DdGy8Q
Dr. Smith looked at her and smiled. "I'm sure that's true of you, Zuma."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Dv6aGfOL2
She blushed. "I was once. Now I'm content to pass the time of day here like the others."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnz5EqOZyT
"Their minds are old, dear lady, something yours shall never, ever, be," Dr. Smith protested.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNK5erFb8Mu
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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0GxQ5cthh
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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JnZbtDQlE
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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwpNcr5hMt
"The High Priest of Knowledge will question you."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwNVVfhIZP
"And if he finds that I am the Spirit of Nenetl returned, what then?"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7enYSk1PeI
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83B9EH6UeI
"I shall beg forgiveness of the Gods for my unworthy doubts."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiDS2jXyEZ
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EODovojLk
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."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1LnvF2HR4
"My servant also," Ann protested.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTqU7q3i6E
"No!" Ollin spat out the word. "You are to remain alone."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdHYV4mtAi
"For what reason?" Ann enquired calmly.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOHCrYYVKm
"A false god's servants would conspire against us," Ollin said accusingly. "Such a danger we are unprepared to tolerate."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLh95Pj9Si
"Then let my servants be told they may not enter here," Ann replied evenly.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVaSjBZvPD
"As you command, Nenetl," Ollin replied and limped out of the temple leaving a very disquieted Ann behind him.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1uN5nbKdo
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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41Jk1np9Uj
She came into the courtyard and went over to Yaotl's door, which was open. She called his name and Yaotl invited her in.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNW42gCmpuC
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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFREHMmU57m
"I was told you wish to see me, Yaotl."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCGJXTIOfw
"I would seek your advice, Zuma."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPxFguD923
"If I can give it, I shall," she replied.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIzJdV2KKl
Yaotl rubbed behind his left ear with his thumb and asked what she knew of magic.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCtcTW4rzd
"Nothing," Zuma admitted. "Though it is my belief I knew one who does."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrqa0GIFS5
Yaotl leaned forward. "What name has this person?"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJv3HoYhayf
"He is known as Zachary Smith and is the aged servant of Nenetl."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8X6H3S7jw8
Yaotl dismissed the suggestion with a wave of his hand. "An old fool with a strange name is of no use to me."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28zPAN0csC
"Ah, but you may be of service to him," Zuma said. "He seeks an interview with you."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mYXsIiPli
Yaotl was curious. "To what end?"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWKQMAObwX
"He is interested in your lamented father's father's work. In particular the temple," she added.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtqfaFJFaL
Yaotl ran his hand across his face. "Does he know my name?" he asked abruptly.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUsqk3ZLM0
"No."363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaConcXipd
"Do not reveal it, but say that I shall meet him." His voice was casual.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4pEVNgtwl
"Where?"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9eNJBsyHx
"Does he not spend his day in the temple garden?"363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAD9JmEaZGz
Zuma nodded.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22ONlhIo5l
"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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yh88LLc6d
"I shall deliver those words, Yaotl." She felt pleased to have been of service to the Doctor, as she liked his company.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZF6UjLQSic
"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.363Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pJrAf2u6f
