The High Priests met on the stairs and Tetzal related word for word all that Ann had told him.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcwofeMRRW
"So she prophesies our doom," Ollin sneered. "Without a doubt to avert her own." He jabbed a finger at Tetzal. "I tell you she is not Nenetl---she is a false god!"387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZeYv4cRHM
"I do not know it," Tetzal firmly replied.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXSkALDVHu
"Question her again and again and again, then you will learn that I speak the truth."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJulYHz1mji
They heard Dr. Smith puffing his way up the stairs.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlm2zBAZ7si
"The old man," Ollin ssaid. "Let us withdraw."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyuSOYVaR8
They hid in the shadows of an alcove and watched Dr. Smith as he muttered about how hard these Aztec pyramids were on his delicate back and continued climbing up the stairs to the antechamber where Ann was resting.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGgEHoeRJB
She startled as he came in. "Dr. Smith, go away," but he flopped onto a couch instead. "No one's allowed to see me."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnr9gQFOmEt
"Nonsense," Dr. Smith gasped. "The guards didn't stop me." He waved an arm vaguely towards the door. "And besides, I'm supposed to be your aged servant." There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice which Ann decided to ignore.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB47nlapCsp
"Didn't Ollin warn you that during my questioning none of you are allowed up here?"387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPk11lXLYd
"No." Dr. Smith stood up wearily. "All right, I'll go as soon as I've told you that I'll know how to get into the tomb by tonight."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHUpfyaiv9
Ann was relieved. "I won't be sorry," she said.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7qZ2DRUwg
"All I had to do was make sure that the warrior grandson of the man who built this temple wins a fight at sunset," Dr. Smith confided with a wink.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbhpxYZzYH
"But that's Yaotl," Ann cried. "Don's rival for command, and it's to be a fight to the death, Tetzal told me so."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgp3cRwRxn
Dr. Smith was alarmed. "I must warn West," he said and went to the antechamber door. He opened it, but the way was barred by two guards with Ollin and Tetzal.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMo5YmDcaFQ
"Take him," Ollin commanded. "He has transgressed the law."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhWKUZvt6D
The guards seized Dr. Smith's arms and led him away as he protested in vain. Ollin followed them. Tetzal remained and Ann looked at him angrily.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlhxOHHNL7
"They had no right to arrest my aged servant."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkS9gw9XEW
"As the High Priest of Sacrifice observed, he has..."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVNJudVoVv
Ann cut him off with a chopping motion of her hand. "No one told him! He didn't know!"387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lhCMlSJiA
Tetzal frowned. "If that is so, then to hold him prisoner is unjust. I shall obtain his release."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DKcl56yxe
"I thank you, Tetzal."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllBBbliDdw
The High Priest bowed and turned to leave the antechamber.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NaNUwsJiu
"Wait!" Ann said suddenly. "There is to be a contest between my servant, Don, and the chosen warrior, Yaotl. I forbid it."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YqTOwnp0G
Nenetl looked at her uncomfortably. "Great Spirit, the contest cannot be avoided. Only one of them may command our armies."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoZHp4i5D0
"Then let it be Yaotl."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYtwomXbTZ
Tetzal was shocked. "You would deny your servant honor?" he asked.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAewCLBGvh
Ann shook her head and said that the contest was ill-timed, that Yaotl had been in training for many months. Tetzal protested that he had seen Don defeat Yaotl with his thumb and, besides, the combat would not be mortal.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gCSzpdUwC
"See that it remains so," Ann commanded.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNjHz2ndGq
"Nenetl has spoken," Tetzal replied and bowed again.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTsmL3KgpU
Don and Yaotl faced each other across the courtyard. They wore loin-cloths and sandals. Tlaqui and the Perfect Victim stood against one wall. The Perfect Victim held two cudgels. He looked at Yaotl, then at Don, both of whom nodded. The Perfect Victim raised the cudgels above his head.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidazzLKBEn
"Let the contest begin," he called, striking the cudgels together.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQVHvSGDZT
Don and Yaotl circled each other warily, which in Yaotl's case was a mistake as Don suddenly lunged at him. Yaotl reached out to grab Don's arms, but Don broke the attempted hold by swinging his arms in a full circle and at the same time his right foot shot behind Yaotl's left ankle and jerked him off balance. Yaotl staggered back and Don moved in, grabbing the Chosen Warrior by one arm, then turning away abruptly to go for a shoulder throw. Yaotl had sense enough to realize that if he tried to resist his arm would break. He hit the ground face down in front of Don who didn't release his arm but, holding it in a handlock, began kneading Yaotl's muscle with his other fist. Both Tlaqui and the Perfect Victim were impressed but Yaotl wanted to cry out in fury as he felt the strength draining away from his arm. He knew that with an arm useless he had already lost the contest. Somehow he had to break Don's hold and reach the thorn which he had carefully placed beside the door to his quarters.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93vQKMOvsl
Then Don made his mistake. Knowing Yaotl's arm was completely weakened, he released his handhold and stepped back. Using his good arm and under Don's watchful eyes, Yaotl rose to his knees and massaged his useless arm. At that moment Yaotl, Tetzal and Dr. Smith came into the courtyard.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDLFGCmkwT
"Don't let him scratch you, West," Dr. Smith shouted immediately. Don was puzzled and looked at Dr. Smith.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mcEYx7FiC
"Scratch me?" he asked. The distraction gave Yaotl enough time to scramble to his feet, race to the door, grab the thorn and throw himself at Don who easily blocked the attack but not before the thorn had been drawn across the inside of his wrist.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwurRzjIGpN
"Use stealth, use cunning, you said," Don was jubilant. "You defeated me with your thumb. I have defeated you with the thorn of the maguey cactus."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPTZ0vKSMB
"Plus a sleep-inducing herb," Dr. Smith protested as Yaotl threw away the thorn. Don knew that to win he had to do it quickly. He also realized that the more energy he expended, the harder his heart would pump and the faster the drug would circulate through his system. He needed a submission hammerlock, but Yaotl was keeping his distance, dancing out of the way, waiting.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21DXLY70kM
"Stop this childish nonsense, Ollin," Dr. Smith demanded. "Stop it, I say!"387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGXk7tEC53
Ollin had victory in his eyes as he looked at Dr. Smith. "No."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQPt7YlRLG
"But I gave Yaotl the thorn," Dr. Smith protested.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5qZ3ePUoa
"Then you should rejoice," Ollin replied. "Yaotl will win."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorPAnybNRG
"Tetzal, stop it," Dr. Smith pleaded. "The contest is unfair."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrydDc383Fj
"I cannot." Tetzal was embarrassed. "The Perfect Victim desired this contest and only the High Priest of Sacrifice, who commands here, can stop it."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1qnxp85pY
"Let it continue," the Perfect Victim requested. Ollin bowed.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSqPYnUQWn
"And to the death, Yaotl. To the death!" he called ecstatically.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR22L9GPB4g
Yaotl bent down to pick up one of the studded cudgels. This is my last chance, Don thought, and rushed at the Chosen Warrior. Once again he caught Yaotl off balance and pushed him to his knees. Knowing he no longer had the strength for the submission hold, Don clamped on a half-nelson and went for the pressure point again with his thumb. But his head was beginning to swim, his eyes blurring and his strength ebbing away. Yaotl threw him off . Don rolled over and stood up groggily while Yaotl picked up the second cudgel and handed it cautiously to him.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXR55pDZJM
"I have but one arm but soon you will sleep," Yaotl smiled at Don, "forever, and I shall command our armies." He swung his cudgel at Don's head. Don saw it coming and fended off the blow, but it sent him reeling.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbov1WAjedG
"Destroy him, Yaotl," Ollin was triumphant.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjOBxsuEhG
"Nenetl forbade it," Tetzal replied.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxucWH4alqY
"A false God forbids it," Ollin sneered, and turned back to Yaotl. "Destroy him!"387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEyrwjPILA
Don warded off the repeated blows as best he could, but he knew he had only seconds to live. And then he heard Ann's voice.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ds8UoKwNw
"Stop!" she commanded as she stood at the entrance to the courtyard. Yaotl lowered his cudgel, Don reeling did the same. Ollin turned to Ann, with venom in his voice.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5UnwerQIQ
"Your place is in the temple!"387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaHv7YsNEk
"Even though I am a false God? No, Ollin. I am loyal to those who serve me."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDAOlkk0pl
Ollin looked at her with loathing and then turned to Yaotl. "Execute him," he cried out exultantly, then looked at Ann. "If you are Nenetl----save him," pointing to Don as Yaotl raised the cudgel.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iaak8Ro0n
Don barely saw the movement, but he succeeded in blocking the blow, knowing that the next one would bury the studs in his brain. Yaotl raised the cudgel to strike but before he could bring it down Ann held Ollin from behind, the razor-sharp edge of an obsidian knife against his throat.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2J57UdR7pE
"As dies my servant, so dies your High Priest of Sacrifice."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFtU6r6uvb
Everyone froze. It was no idle threat and they all knew it, Ollin included. He looked at Yaotl and shook his head slowly, carefully. Yaotl lowered the cudgel. "Now, both of you, put them to one side," Ann ordered, still keeping the knife at Ollin's throat.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9G5boW57nH
Don dropped his cudgel and Yaotl laid his on the ground. Tlaqui waddled over and picked them up, then gave them to the Perfect Victim who struck them over his head.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiufIUpPMo
"Neither of the Chosen Warriors may claim a victory," he announced.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbIiOMeHp8
Ann came from behind Ollin to face him but she still had the knife in her hand.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRcS8uPaMT
"I did as you commanded. Now you must obey me."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSfYzQbE6M
Ollin closed his eyes.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCGx8YhBhY
"My servants shall not be punished."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKyNHswejO
"So be it," Ollin replied almost inaudibly, as Don slid to the ground and slept.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQ7ekQz49v
Several minutes later the High Priest of Sacrifice stood with Yaotl in his quarters. The Chosen Warrior was suffering from pins and needles in his hand as his blood circulation was restored and his arm came gradually back to life.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4KYyTWhlk
"With my bare hands I cannot defeat him," he admitted ruefully, but added that he was determined to command their armies.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpk0EvGF3gy
"So you shall," Ollin spoke soothingly and opened his right hand. Lying in the palm was the cactus thorn which Ollin had picked up from the ground. "Why did the old man give you this to win a victory?"387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxvvIego73
"It was a trick," Yaotl smiled. "He did not know the contest was with Don and he promised to help me if I told him the secrets of my father's father's work."387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kipeP4ITP
"What secrets?" Ollin was intrigued.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCV6QIaLYt
"How the tomb of Nenetl may be entered," Yaotl flexed his arm, opening and closing his hand.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGB1kbJDaT
"I must question him about it." Ollin placed the thorn on the table.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7ii41P9Hq
"He was at my mercy," Yaotl was suddenly tense with frustration.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcjgOzXBoO
"And he shall be again," the High Priest promised before he limped away.387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡad5MTyCA8V
387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORKvaX9XSs
