The High Priests met on the stairs and Tetzal related word for word all that Ann had told him.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNiZTipNzw
"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!"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZjpAxJ97R
"I do not know it," Tetzal firmly replied.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQOMyvjlZe
"Question her again and again and again, then you will learn that I speak the truth."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmURZTU7Ou
They heard Dr. Smith puffing his way up the stairs.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56oDo1q0mJ
"The old man," Ollin ssaid. "Let us withdraw."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPzAYkA1Lg
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.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzofOZmlC4
She startled as he came in. "Dr. Smith, go away," but he flopped onto a couch instead. "No one's allowed to see me."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYviuT1DX4B
"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.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGQBl3AVeL
"Didn't Ollin warn you that during my questioning none of you are allowed up here?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIScndQzujn
"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."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZF05PilCw
Ann was relieved. "I won't be sorry," she said.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44QZIJpEuD
"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.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlinsbWqhs
"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."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDt1WflwQk
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.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfx3McEhB3m
"Take him," Ollin commanded. "He has transgressed the law."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVibEtZJQr
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.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPR1OhLhVjp
"They had no right to arrest my aged servant."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpSiofW4Bz
"As the High Priest of Sacrifice observed, he has..."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Y4zncWScm
Ann cut him off with a chopping motion of her hand. "No one told him! He didn't know!"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrccAwwZDI
Tetzal frowned. "If that is so, then to hold him prisoner is unjust. I shall obtain his release."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPurt2nkf9
"I thank you, Tetzal."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IkcJtszb3
The High Priest bowed and turned to leave the antechamber.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡic8kQzoJtg
"Wait!" Ann said suddenly. "There is to be a contest between my servant, Don, and the chosen warrior, Yaotl. I forbid it."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEUClK0YYZ
Nenetl looked at her uncomfortably. "Great Spirit, the contest cannot be avoided. Only one of them may command our armies."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ymnEKagTk
"Then let it be Yaotl."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7d1bHaQtxz
Tetzal was shocked. "You would deny your servant honor?" he asked.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVL1GxlMdyF
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.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHzeWOv62B
"See that it remains so," Ann commanded.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7HtCJz5gm
"Nenetl has spoken," Tetzal replied and bowed again.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8zBVip1Yx
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.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwiL5J1N0r
"Let the contest begin," he called, striking the cudgels together.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcpFSUd4LG
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.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudJf1p9vrK
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.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSGITZQ8Qc
"Don't let him scratch you, West," Dr. Smith shouted immediately. Don was puzzled and looked at Dr. Smith.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNX62yF53JS
"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.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdBk6JNXvP
"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."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULfpSJWIOE
"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.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6ZhKL3OHk
"Stop this childish nonsense, Ollin," Dr. Smith demanded. "Stop it, I say!"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tivRsRt0u
Ollin had victory in his eyes as he looked at Dr. Smith. "No."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2ILBN3Oyo
"But I gave Yaotl the thorn," Dr. Smith protested.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9tt8qsT68
"Then you should rejoice," Ollin replied. "Yaotl will win."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPPTkdPxAo
"Tetzal, stop it," Dr. Smith pleaded. "The contest is unfair."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRgHtvwPRl
"I cannot." Tetzal was embarrassed. "The Perfect Victim desired this contest and only the High Priest of Sacrifice, who commands here, can stop it."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8E2xnWhocV
"Let it continue," the Perfect Victim requested. Ollin bowed.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4g1WvJbiH4
"And to the death, Yaotl. To the death!" he called ecstatically.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxGZdoiVcI
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.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuco5EmIhcV
"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.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9MTJJXMfJ
"Destroy him, Yaotl," Ollin was triumphant.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3z2bpk2J2
"Nenetl forbade it," Tetzal replied.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDahZLif2O
"A false God forbids it," Ollin sneered, and turned back to Yaotl. "Destroy him!"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHovMGRhCy
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.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJD0pUl8LG
"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.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7X4Dd5QUMV
"Your place is in the temple!"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiXpcY5dWI
"Even though I am a false God? No, Ollin. I am loyal to those who serve me."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbK09JpdyV0
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.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZEL53fTzp
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.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSfaf27TrC
"As dies my servant, so dies your High Priest of Sacrifice."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlPa8ClKBu
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.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZjQhGwhJW
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.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhNt55vWID
"Neither of the Chosen Warriors may claim a victory," he announced.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZOcvg7Q65
Ann came from behind Ollin to face him but she still had the knife in her hand.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjzjhex6ZA
"I did as you commanded. Now you must obey me."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrULTOmD0eK
Ollin closed his eyes.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTQHL2GqVP
"My servants shall not be punished."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55G5jpRUX6
"So be it," Ollin replied almost inaudibly, as Don slid to the ground and slept.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqZSgkJK3L
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.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGtZvmcF9t
"With my bare hands I cannot defeat him," he admitted ruefully, but added that he was determined to command their armies.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4qJR6On0z
"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?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnso3GoDTN8
"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."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMACkiR0yf6
"What secrets?" Ollin was intrigued.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjn3Rud8YYq
"How the tomb of Nenetl may be entered," Yaotl flexed his arm, opening and closing his hand.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1NLBI2azw
"I must question him about it." Ollin placed the thorn on the table.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0imsqaCOw
"He was at my mercy," Yaotl was suddenly tense with frustration.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoRGgxxrYH
"And he shall be again," the High Priest promised before he limped away.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRr5pcff9ES
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhVnKO63rY
