Ann sat on the throne in the temple and looked down at the worried High Priest of Knowledge who stood in front of her.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QjUJkImKj
"Ollin was humiliated. He will not forget, nor will he forgive," he warned her.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7p8DZ0QcUC
Ann shrugged. "I did as he commanded."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpu5zEqLkml
"But not as he expected."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnhXdUy2eR
"What did he want? A miracle?" She smiled at Tetzal.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNDRM6VYHJ
"We all awaited one," he confessed.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvboNleaTqP
Ann stood and stepped down to the temple floor. "Why should I use divine powers when human ability will do?" she asked sweetly.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRRBKjD1Pw
Tetzal could not resist a twitch of a grin. "Nenetl has spoken." He tried to keep his tone of voice solemn.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYMDOBEefv
Ann walked towards the terrace and the sacrificial altar. A few paces short of it, she stopped and turned back to face the High Priest. "Have you thought about my prophecy?"327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35ApJYrltj
"I have thought of little else. And it is true that if we defy the will of the gods we shall be destroyed."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvCjxABTp2
"When Quetzalcoatl reigned supreme as the Sun God was there human sacrifice?"327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgneyfq4vXC
"No, only after his banishment was blood demanded."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePWiOjVcgW
"By Huitzilipochtli, the dark God of the Sun." Ann put her hand around the bracelet on her wrist. "What sacrifice did Quetzalcoatl demand?"327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtOlNHoGPD
"A bird, a fish, a serpent, none other?"327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVw0ECV1l8q
"Why should that have been?"327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yLfBhgqhm
"He so dearly loved his people he wished no harm to anyone," Tetzal explained.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjAYH6o1Hz
"Is not a return of Quetzacoatl possible?"327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1LGiT4hXM
"Only a god can banish a god. We mortals can do nothing."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhiyd9QKKF
"And were Quetzalcoatl to send you a messenger?" Ann took her hand off the bracelet.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtKkG4Jz69
Tetzal glanced at it and looked away. "I serve Huitzilopochtli," he said quietly. "This is his temple."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJgFTHqGtc
"Then where must Queztalcoatl seek his servants?"327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5MnCcKGWI
Tetzal remained silent and Ann shifted tack. "When is to be the next sacrifice?" she asked.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGhXkfAhHJ
"Three days from this day," Tetzal replied. "The moon will pass before the sun when it is at its zenith and all will be in darkness."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE69Gp2x0cq
"So there's to be an eclipse and Ollin will offer a human heart."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ysNzl8ixu
"The Perfect Victim's."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxzMZtOdhL
"And the sun will shine again!" Ann stamped her sandaled foot angrily. "As the High Priest of Knowledge, surely you must know that the moon willl pass across the sun and continue on its celestial voyage."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqKbLlJw6W
"Unless Huitzilopochtli, the Sun God, the Surpreme God, withdraws his favor from us." Tetzal was adamant.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaWcAJb0FQ
"Am I not a god?" Ann heard herself say with a shock. There was no turning back for her now. "Support me, Tetzal," she pleaded. "The High Priest of Sacrifice won't dare defy us both."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDAFzic249
Tetzal bent his head and touched his lips with the posy he held. A full minute passed in silence, then he raised his head and looked at Ann. "If you come as Quetzalcoatl's messenger and I take your course, there is no way back for me. So in all humility I entreat you not to deceive me nor prove false to me."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDppwMgMbGq
Ann's appearance remained serene, but her heart ached and she was in mental turmoil.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0XuEorb8I
Ollin sidled up to Dr. Smith, who was sitting disconsolately in the garden.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZd7heDguo
"What manner of servant are you?" the High Priest asked.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusBvX7mZQN
"Oh, go away," Dr. Smith snapped, but Ollin sat down beside him.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CEjXIz10h
"I am curious about you," he said. "First you try to secure a victory for Yaotl."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoF3xQ02tEy
"He cheated me," Dr. Smith replied hotly.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIJqPWEBwI
Ollin looked sideways at the Doctor.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw13VylIGNy
"I am faithful to my friends," Dr. Smith insisted.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPajcTGzEAF
"Yet you deceive Nenetl."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWsvXAheit
"Not at all." Dr. Smith became indignant.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wliXRki1D
"You are trying to enter the tomb without Nenetl's knowledge," the High Priest studied the edge of his obsidian knife. "What is it you want from there?"327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LSIW63yUy
"What is it you want from me?" Dr. Smith countered.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIooSNeLWE9
"I want but one thing." Ollin held up the knife. "Proof that she is a false God."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NMyQeGYQw
"Then open the tomb."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRHzKKcrG6
"That cannot be achieved."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOWCp2adMg
"Can't it?" Dr. Smith raised an eyebrow. "Talk to your so-called 'Chosen Warrior.' He has a drawing."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZA9Lk6sOW
Ollin stared with glinting black eyes at Dr. Smith. "In whose service are you?" he asked.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5HvNPtXRo
Dr. Smith took the knife from Ollin and touched both edges with his thumb, then handed the weapon back to him. "Truth, dear boy," Dr. Smith replied, a touch pompously. "I am the service fo truth. And if you help me you'll also find it."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrpc97EkDZ
When Don awoke he was lying on the straw mattresses in the bedroom of his quarters, but he was not alone. Standing over him was a smiling Yaotl with a short sword in his hand. Don struggled to sit up so that he could, at least, try to protect himself.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6hoK6JEjY
"Do not be afraid of me, Don," Yaotl laughed. "Now that I can defeat you openly, I have no need to destroy you in secret."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0I1Gw6O1Z8
"Whatever it was you scratched me with, beat me," Don mumbled and rubbed his temples with his fingers trying to clear the cobwebs from his brain.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7hXGVq5or
"Did you not say 'use stealth, surprise your enemy?" Yaotl was enjoying himself.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKFhZy6Hwp
"I did," Don admitted.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUnmXrhFsj
"And did I not do those things?" Yaotl laughed again.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7G1jbiQ7M
Don agreed that he had.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvHbuBuVnQ
"A thorn, the sap of a plant and Nenetl's aged servant," Yaotl added.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsbh1Jce0j
Don looked up sharply. "Dr. Smith helped you?!"327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUbi6lTQdJ
Yaotl nodded and remarked that Don's friends make strange allies.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9TXxF3pES
Don stood up gingerly. "Did Dr. Smith know you were to fight me?" he asked.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezl5piiHMA
Yaotl shook his head and admitted that he didn't.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVdsNU3ncK
Don felt dizzy. "I need some fresh air." He staggered towards the living area and the door of his quarters.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RvraAe62R
"Let me help you," Yaotl took his arm. "Now that I have proved I will be the victor, we can be friends. For the little time that is left to you to live," he added almost as an afterthought.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iFyZNPy4w
"Oh, I'm going to die, am I?" Don's voice expressed no shock.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGiMFD7o3l
"Yes, Don." Yaotl sounded enthusiastic at the prospect. "Next time we fight, I shall not fail to kill you."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGblqnIQVE
"It's always worth knowing in advance," Don remarked as he went into the courtyard and leaned against the wlal beside the open door. He shut his eyes and breathed deeply several times. When he opened them, Ollin and Tlaqui were crossing the courtyard.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvFUZn2jZV
"I see your strength has been restored to you," Ollin sneered.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLJYTlgtcd
"Don't tell me you've become my friend as well," Don joked, and saw the flash of hatred in the High Priest's eyes before Ollin turned abruptly to Yaotl.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0zobmZpMJ
"I have no need of the drawing," he said.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aK87vwe4K
"The one that I promised to the aged servant?" Yaotl roared with laughter when Ollin nodded. "It doesn't exist. The secret of the tomb died with my father."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeTJ73rTox
"But your father's father must have set it down," Ollin sounded anxious.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QLnXWJbyF
Don listened to the conversation with great interest.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgF0zMp0lQo
"No. He told it to my father, who thought to do so. But one evening he went for a walk in the garden and was never seen again.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBEH0yGBfP
"I remember his disappearance." Ollin was brusque.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEP3xykJ1na
So that's why Dr. Smith helped you, Don thought, he hoped to have a design plan of the tomb. Then another thought occurred to Don: neither Yoatl nor Ollin had used the word "died" when they talked about his father. They had used the word "disappeared," and Don had referred to the garden. This set Don speculating.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2YlVUVHaP
Ignoring Don, the High Priest of Sacrifice and Tlaqui took their leave of Yaotl and limped and waddled towards the gateway to the courtyard.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vH2nFLZwV
Ollin began to speak . "You are well versed in these matters, Tlaqui," Don overheard him say, "so you shall help me defeat the false...." Then they were out of earshot, but Don was convinced the sentence had ended "god Nenetl."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWE9eKQEGd
He was right and Ollin was Tlaqui was outraged at Ollin's suggestion. "No, I cannot do your bidding, I will not." He gesticulated wildly. "Destroy a god and we destroy ourselves."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwB75Uf0HQ
Ollin pointed out that true gods were immortal, and that mere flesh and blood, as they both were, could not destroy them. Tlaqui looked at him warily land asked in what way Ollin required his services.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BTpGUVvb0
"Your knowledge of poisons."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNB4J8er9OL
Tlaqui was horrified.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcjCEGXFlZ
"Such a test, a poisoned draught, would prove her divinity. If she dies, she is false; if she lives, then she is indeed the spirit of Nenetl returned."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IlyaXq86Z
Tlaqui's throat dried as Ollin looked at him slyly. "Would you deny yourself the honor---more, the glory----of witnessing a god proven before your eyes?"327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtXRmbIbn6
Tlaqui ran his tongue around his mouth seeking saliva to ease his throat. He swallowed. "I shall prepare a mixture," he said. "Then you and I and Tetzal shall test Nenetl."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qm1Z7xzDR
"Tetzal? I think not!" Ollin snapped.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbG4GwGjF2
"Why not?"327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNeLIoYbBp
Ollin despised Tlaqui's naivety, but his voice was quiet and reasonable as he argued that Tetzal's mind was set that Nenetl was a true god and he would forbid the test. 327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUU3EWbuFDs
"No, you and I shall do this thing and for once the High Priest of Knowledge shall be in ignorance." He glanced at Tlaqui and almost managed a thin smile.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNEGCFduto
At the same time, the High Priest of Knowledge was basking in Zuma's radiant smile as they walked along a path in the garden.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFztfzTVj3
"Such happiness, Zuma, outshines the sun," he remarked.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3JJvglliK
"And with good fortune may outlast it," Zuma replied softly.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7BedlO31v
"What brings you such joy?"327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOFmIJ40a5
Zuma looked around the garden and saw Dr. Smith studying a carved coiled snake on one of the stones of the back wall of the garden. Zuma raised her hand and pointed to him. A small leather bag hung from a cord around her wrist. Tetzal smiled.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhIfDHoVki
"I am grateful to Nenetl's aged servant," he said, and noticing the bag, asked if Zuma was carrying cocoa beans to barter with.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDSxpBesmF
She shook her head. "I have already been to the market and brought food," she replied.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FbqZrnPI8
Tetzal touched the bag. "Then these are to prepare a drink."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeJmsND12r
Zuma lowered her eyes. "Only the gods may know," she replied coyly.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiC8i93iIsU
"Ah," Tetzal murmured, and observed that all mortals lived in hope.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0MRN38jDZ
"He is a gentle companion aand most dear to me," Zuma admitted.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mdmXVu0pU
"Are these then for a love potion?" Tetzal asked in mock surprise.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsArQUVjl3b
"That would be too bold," Zuma blushed. "Rather should he show his love for me."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOubYIMx7Rw
"You wish him to prepare it."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo252ZPD1ZG
"I do."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QPIvfquIO
Tetzal looked from her to Dr. Smith and back to Zuma again. "May the gods favor your desires," he said gently and walked away.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoakToitht7
Zuma went over to Dr. Smith and greeted him.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JwPvdfwbX
Dr. Smith half-replaced the bougainvillea over the carved stone and turned to face her. "My dear Zuma, how nice it is to see you again." He took her hand. "The garden is such a lonely place without you."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0UF7BoI8z
She glanced at the wall. "When one's interest is held, loneliness does not exist."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjFXzPrpOl
Dr. Smith followed her eyeline to the carving that was partly hidden behind the flowered trellis. "I was looking at it---I hadn't noticed it before," he explained.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzEnqnirtw
"It is the coiled serpent of Nenetl. In almost every building homage is paid to the High Priest with that symbol." Zuma drew aside the bougainvillea and snagged her bag on the trellis. As she pulled it free some of the cocoa beans fell on the ground.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGGbXQi73m
Dr. Smith began picking them up. "Cocoa beans," he exclaimed.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66M9TeUZLh
"We use them for barter for our daily needs," Zuma replied.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKICQsqca44
"What an excellent idea! A current you can drink!" Dr. Smith proclaimed. "Delicious!"327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcggGfdN6Te
"Do you know our customs?" Zuma asked timidly as Dr. Smith dropped the beans one by one back into her bag.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWgZn0KMCE
"Why, yes, my dear, of course I do," Dr. Smith replied, looking about hi to make sure he hadn't overlooked a bean.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzMNNVNn77
"The drinking of cocoa has its own very special meaning," Zuma ventured and Dr. Smith wholeheartedly agreed with her.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpUdQL9MSB
"It's a rare delight and we shall take a cup together."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcctaBK6fC
"Are you sure?"327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8tdfAWza9
Dr. Smith missed her shyness. "Yes, yes, quite,' he replied. "Now, give me the beans and I'll go into the kitchen and brew some up."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8K67Awh21U
"Do you insist?" Zuma was hesitant.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkgziv2Jhc
"I do. I insist as a token of my esteem."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dfZ3w7HMg
Zuma's face lit up as she gave Dr. Smith the bag of beans. "The gods are smiling favor through your eyes. May it always be so," she said. "My dear Zachary Smith, I accept with all my heart."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUe8bi75XDP
"Now, don't go away, my dear," Dr. Smith cautioned her. "I'll be back."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXvIYBFpOd
Clutching the bag of cocoa beans, he marched off to the small kitchen in one corner of the garden where the old people could take a drink of cool fresh water, or prepare a corn pancake with honey, or a goblet of hot cocoa, over the wood fire. Dr. Smith found the mortar and pestle, and ground sufficient beans for two goblets. He sang quietly to himself. It had been a long time since he had drunk cocoa and he was looking forward to it. He put the powder equally into the two goblets, added hot water, and sweetened them both with honey.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgzFxYf2DB
Proudly, he returned to the bench where Zuma sat and handed her a goblet before sitting down beside her.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IYhTB5g2t
"Happy days, my dear." He chinked his goblet against hers in a toast.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8B5Omv2qx
Zuma's eyes were dewy. "The happiest of my life, dear heart," she replied and they sipped their cocoas. "Was ever such a potion brewed? In bliss is quenched my thirsty heart."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0bdNj2myS
"Very prettily put, my dear," Dr. Smith murmured approvingly.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOtTOCc8Pv
Zuma turned to him and kissed him on both cheeks. "O' sweet and favored man, you have declared your love for me," she said. "And I acknowledge and accept your gentle proposal."327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJ0jUFMYXs
Dr.Smith found the next sip of cocoa infinitely more difficult to swallow.327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BIJzqtuNY
327Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4AdRjFsks
