The cell Penny occupied at the seminary was one of several which opened onto a cloister. It was a small room with only a woven straw mattress, a wicker-work trunk and a cushion for furniture. She wore a full-length simple gray robe with short sleeves, and a multi-colored sash tied around her waist. She sat on the cushion looking up at Tetzal, who stood in front of her.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwV54q7nHo
"You have been taught the code of the good housewife and committed it to memory?" the High Priest asked.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9o6kxlt0J
"I have," Penny replied.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTnKQDkqhH
"Let me hear it."350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmi5ScP5s6
"Tend well your nurseries and your flowerbeds. Keep clean your pot and stewpan," she recited. "Do not spend recklessly, do not destroy or cheapen yourself." She hesitated, thinking about the word 'destroy' and Ollin.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbtkvv6ztU
"You will never have..." Tetzal prompted as Tlaqui came into the cell.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApzs3hY2lo
"Oh yes. You will never have a house or a home of your own if you live like that," she rattled off. Tlaqui nodded approvingly and remarked that Penny had learned it diligently. Penny wondered if the Priest of Knowledge would like to know about Einstein's theory of relativity.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppRJX7wJUp
Tetzal praised her as a good pupil who used her intelligence and then introduced Tlaqui. Penny stood up and went to shake hands.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcl54yiyMX
"You do not greet your elders in such a manner," Tetzal reproached her, "you stand still, not looking around. Your eyes see only the person to whom you are being introduced," he made a small gesture with his posy. "Unless you are meeting for the first time your prospective husband, in which case you keep your eyes downcast."350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KVvpoQOOM
"But how will I know?" Penny was intrigued.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQ2tUcsmro
"Know what, child?"350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcg4OK6M6y
"That he's to be my husband."350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEeQxnaCED
"You will be told," Tetzal stated very matter-of-factly.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDOQ59vSAh
"Told!" Penny exploded. "No one's going to tell me who to marry."350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOor9WicUi
Tlaqui was taken aback. "What say have you in the matter?"350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2j9Bz0dH8v
"It's my life," Penny's voice was full of indignation, "and I'll spend it with whom I choose, not someone picked out for me."350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQD2vjprsJ
Tetzal was perturbed by her outburst. Young Aztec women accepted arranged marriages without question, but if, as Nenetl's handmaiden, Penny refused, that meant that their traditional behavior was contrary to the god's wishes. If this were so, then in how many other ways might they also be so acting? The seed of doubt was sown!350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4OBhElaR3
Dr. Smith was weeding a flowerbed when Yaotl came into the garden. He strode over to Dr. Smith and identified himself as the grandson of Atl, the man who built the temple. Dr. Smith straightened and looked at Yoatl, who wore an ordinary warrior's loin-cloth and cloak, as well as a plumed battle-mask which concealed the upper half of his face.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOPXaW7hxh
"Ah!" Dr. Smith said, and expressed his admiration of the pyramid. "The entrance to the tomb of the High Priest Nenetl is particularly fine piece of work."350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUJmts4Yyi
"Only the temples my father's father built have similar vaults," Yaotl replied.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz91qIViMOD
"A secret design. All the best architects have one," Dr. Smith remarked.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGYqt6c7Ru
"A drawing exists," Yaotl said, adding that as his father and his grandfather were with the gods it was in his possession.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCLrrbsdqd
"Would it be possible for me to see it?" Dr. Smith enquired.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JnN65MvX5
"Can a humble warrior deny the request of Nenetl's aged servant? I shall show it to you after sunset if the gods are willing."350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDMe3BfGRM
"Why shouldn't they be?"350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBo6PLiwCcb
Dr. Smith was curious and Yaotl explained that he had to meet another warrior in combat just before the sun set.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlo1Ou7HXNZ
"Not to the death, I trust?" Dr. Smith asked anxiously.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28wRopQd8f
"No, but defeat would mean disgrace," Yaotl replied, "and I would be confined to my quarters and no one might look upon me or speak to me for many days."350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwZtk9jNzt
Dr. Smith gave the problem his consideration.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTK2O87iiEE
"My opponent has been selected," Yaotl continued. "I know his name and I fear defeat."350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVumXKSxINH
Dr. Smith asked what weapons would be used.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6dLLiW5oo
Yaotl spread out his hands. "These alone, and my skills like with a spear, sword or club."350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7sn72Mnzn
"Oh dear," Dr. Smith sighed. "And I really wanted to see the drawing."350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWjp2FGhSX
"No more than I desire a victory."350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LLndhLcjY
Dr. Smith studied the scratch on the back of his hand. "Then let us assist each other," he said, and led Yaotl to he maguey cactus plant. Dr. Smith broke off a thorn and then a shoot from the herb beside it. He began squeezing the sap from the stem onto the tip of the thorn.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzV4wd9KliR
"With this I shall win?" Yaotl asked.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23wv8fmFAJ
"Take care not to scratch yourself with it," Dr. Smith advised.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OXQIDfq6V
"The aged servant of Nenetl proffers poison?"350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6HVizYWZS
"Not to kill." Dr. Smith squeezed the last drop of sap onto the thorn. "But if used properly it will drain away your opponent's strength and he will sleep. Scratch here." Dr. Smith drew it across the inside of his wrist and then handed the thorn to the Chosen Warrior.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ793coKIA8I
"I thank you," Yaotl smiled.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsgjrEs1sO
"You won't forget the drawing, will you?"350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSZgL2KoUk
"I shall be here after sunset."350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNg3jeCvd8i
"So shall I."350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5k8xz7ARm
Yaotl strode away and Dr.Smith sat on a bench thinking that a little knowledge of horticulture could, on occasion, take one a very long way.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nKawRb9Tx
Under Ollin's supervising eyes, Don stood in the middle of the courtyard swinging a cudgel in circles around his head and alongside his body, shifting it from hand to hand. It reminded him of working out with Indian clubs in a gymnasium---only this time he was not simply toning up his muscles but readying himself for a battle that would mean life or death. Under Aztec law, he had defeated Yaotl, but he knew that neither Ollin nor the Chosen Warrior would accept it. He realized he was no match for Yaotl with a spear----fighting with them he would be on the defensive, using his shield for protection. With cudgels he thought he stood a chance, but with his bare hands he knew he could win. He needed a strategy, a battle plan which would never give Yaotl the advantage. The problem was to bring the contest to a wrestling match as quickly as possible so that he could use a mixture of techniques---all-in, judo and karate----of which he was sure the Aztecs knew nothing. He paused to consider the problem.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZhjgOKlh1
"Does fatigue affect the young man in Nenetl's service?" Ollin's voice was sardonic.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GFEv5y18S
Don looked at him evenly. "Does the High Priest of Sacrifice scorn my attempts to prove my worthiness to command?" Don picked up a second cudgel and began swinging both of them in a gymnasium routine. As the studded cudgels were heavier than Indian clubs his wrists soon began to ache but he was determined not to let Ollin see any sign of it. Yaotl came onto the courtyard and went to Ollin's side as Don stepped up his pace.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHi4WaStV2f
"Can you conquer him, Yaotl?" Ollin murmured.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMlTKCFJHf
"I know it," Yaotl grinned and called to Don, who stopped, secretly grateful, and turned to face him.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RRjzgj2fa
"Yes, Yaotl?"350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsk4GarsSl
"I challenge you to a contest of strength!"350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrF1MZTKpq
"A fight?"350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozvfrFcDi6
"Without weapons. Your hands defeated me. Now let mine strive for victory over you."350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIf7ohaMkTw
Don was suspicious. He could not understand why Yaotl would throw down the gauntlet where he had the least likelihood of success.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDkO3K0l2N
"Will you refuse him?" Ollin's voice rasped.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9KzAIrna5
"No," Don replied.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyyunVSMEr
"Then we fight here as the sun sets."350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqq5ceuBE0L
"All right." Don began to swing the cudgels again but his brain sought the reason behind the challenge.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbKWxebyp5
"You are confident of victory?" Ollin's eyes were fixed on Don as he muttered the question to Yaotl.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0LnigsjLY
"If you wish it, he shall die," Yaotl replied.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYzccCHQfJ
Ollin nodded. "Let him die," he said with a brushing aside movement of his hand.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0o6efC1GKc
Ann and Tetzal were in the temple. She was standing beside the throne and the High Priest of Knowledge had been questioning her about Aztec mythology. Once more Ann owed much to her studies in college.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtoDzIROwH
"I shall tell the High Priest of Sacrifice that I am satisfied of your divinity," Tetzal said when the questioning was finished.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8Kbk0K6xr
"That won't stop Ollin," Ann smiled wryly. "He's out to destroy me."350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuclptlPmLZ
"He cannot. Not while I believe you to be Nenetl," Tetzal said gravely.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoREr18FIA
"Then why do you question me at his bidding?"350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfPYdtrUam
"We both serve Huitzilopochtli faithfully."350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXVv4YwJ1e
"Do you?" Ann looked at him quizzically. "Were you not angry when I forbade the sacrifice to the Rain God?"350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGivsfWJ3H
"No."350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0khd7PPlh5
"Do you then question the need for human sacrifice?"350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdT2XFtZnw
"I accept it. We send messengers to many gods." Tetzal smiled at her. "So why should the gods not send a messenger to us?"350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCqui8tEhO
"To say there must be no more human sacrifice," Ann suggested quietly. She walked around the throne running her right forefinger along the arm, over the back and along the other arm.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KDkURCbOi
"I shall not oppose the gods if it is their will that such sacrifices cease."350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SPC6SURDC
"And Ollin? What of him?"350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrY2jB17q4E
"I have said we both serve Huitzilopochtli faithfully and through him the other gods whose biddings we obey."350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHqy65FIKb
Ann smiled at his serious face. "The High Priest of Knowledge speaks with great wisdom."350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62dyig5QjQ
He studied his posy of flowers for a few seconds before replying, "If your words are denied, shall we not be living in defiance of the gods?" he asked.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxPgvoNm66
Ann went back mentally to her history books again and the end of the Aztec civilization under the Spanish yoke. "Famine, drought, and disaster will come and more and more sacrifices will be made in supplication," she said slowly, measuring out her words. "I see a time to come when ten thousand warriors will die in one day under the obsidian knives of High Priests of Sacrifice."350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlSlTt5Cmk
"In one day?" Tetzal was deeply distressed.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO40LBH3e7r
Ann thought about the Aztecs' last desperate bid to turn the tide of battle in their favor, never fully realizing that a loin-cloth, sandals, plumed head-dress, stabbing sword, studded cudgel, arrows and a shield were no match for armored breastplates, boots, steel helmets, cannons, blunderbusses, harquebuses and pistols.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSj88nsFsG
"Then where will it end, Nenetl?" Tetzal's voice quavered.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThkU5NBQvp
"In total destruction," Ann replied softly. "Your civilization will pass forever from this land."350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcIaNw8no0
"You prophesy our doom!" Tetzal's hands quivered in despair.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQOPMjyGsW
Ann stood silently beside the throne and waited.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CEIFtJwYE
"Let me think on these words, great Spirit," he said finally, bowed to her and hurried from the temple.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYORucUYCX
Ann watched him leave. What are you playing at Ann MacGregor? she asked herself. Still trying to meddle with history? You know it can't be done, didn't Dr. Smith tell you, didn't you ignore him, and fail? So what are you doing quoting facts and statistics out of history books and causing enormous distress to the only Aztec ally you have? She felt ashamed and suddenly very tired. She left the temple and went down to the antechamber to rest.350Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9l9rYJGA0b
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