Ann sat on the throne in the temple and looked down at the worried High Priest of Knowledge who stood in front of her.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfoGVN4Hli
"Ollin was humiliated. He will not forget, nor will he forgive," he warned her.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ch7tOb0yj
Ann shrugged. "I did as he commanded."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvp2PezYjzs
"But not as he expected."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsMNs72F7Z
"What did he want? A miracle?" She smiled at Tetzal.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tKZsdSR9a
"We all awaited one," he confessed.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmfNN4hI9j
Ann stood and stepped down to the temple floor. "Why should I use divine powers when human ability will do?" she asked sweetly.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR34gKFsYlm
Tetzal could not resist a twitch of a grin. "Nenetl has spoken." He tried to keep his tone of voice solemn.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXhwctIL7i
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?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsBxx7dUDc
"I have thought of little else. And it is true that if we defy the will of the gods we shall be destroyed."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfddQqo2aTg
"When Quetzalcoatl reigned supreme as the Sun God was there human sacrifice?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8XNaKlAyY
"No, only after his banishment was blood demanded."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsG9qDR9Qx
"By Huitzilipochtli, the dark God of the Sun." Ann put her hand around the bracelet on her wrist. "What sacrifice did Quetzalcoatl demand?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSiA5ePRA7
"A bird, a fish, a serpent, none other?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp95XdCxqZx
"Why should that have been?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqg1xF4TRV
"He so dearly loved his people he wished no harm to anyone," Tetzal explained.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPCslbM9tU
"Is not a return of Quetzacoatl possible?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVVHAH2Lzn
"Only a god can banish a god. We mortals can do nothing."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuywkcU1dp5
"And were Quetzalcoatl to send you a messenger?" Ann took her hand off the bracelet.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWmQs8IhSa
Tetzal glanced at it and looked away. "I serve Huitzilopochtli," he said quietly. "This is his temple."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ999q62yvEA
"Then where must Queztalcoatl seek his servants?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmzzVXGucL
Tetzal remained silent and Ann shifted tack. "When is to be the next sacrifice?" she asked.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAkEBxFkjz
"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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98H95HMdp3
"So there's to be an eclipse and Ollin will offer a human heart."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFV7xqhNKu
"The Perfect Victim's."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKG2SsNklBr
"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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MMri4lGHs
"Unless Huitzilopochtli, the Sun God, the Surpreme God, withdraws his favor from us." Tetzal was adamant.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsnt4A4uCg
"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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVZ57i7YhH
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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAYvtPlOcE
Ann's appearance remained serene, but her heart ached and she was in mental turmoil.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31GnKPoo9w
Ollin sidled up to Dr. Smith, who was sitting disconsolately in the garden.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rKsVYgNBQ
"What manner of servant are you?" the High Priest asked.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJmOhspFS1
"Oh, go away," Dr. Smith snapped, but Ollin sat down beside him.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRejWMp1MQN
"I am curious about you," he said. "First you try to secure a victory for Yaotl."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklciCDjCLR
"He cheated me," Dr. Smith replied hotly.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NRSUtP7u1
Ollin looked sideways at the Doctor.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaykgogHyV
"I am faithful to my friends," Dr. Smith insisted.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJoqNVEktw
"Yet you deceive Nenetl."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnG76BKnALw
"Not at all." Dr. Smith became indignant.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTDdD0f35C
"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?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKvGq43GFm
"What is it you want from me?" Dr. Smith countered.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYahyKMmEgs
"I want but one thing." Ollin held up the knife. "Proof that she is a false God."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebWBbtPD9F
"Then open the tomb."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPm3LbIXAaf
"That cannot be achieved."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTKJHbifGN
"Can't it?" Dr. Smith raised an eyebrow. "Talk to your so-called 'Chosen Warrior.' He has a drawing."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6scTuGxCi
Ollin stared with glinting black eyes at Dr. Smith. "In whose service are you?" he asked.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLM3FTWwrsa
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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1phrIAygl
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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJbdJNkwrj
"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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83byGBD1n9
"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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYF6gwheEt
"Did you not say 'use stealth, surprise your enemy?" Yaotl was enjoying himself.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmP7d7BVugE
"I did," Don admitted.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmd6YloJ2Kk
"And did I not do those things?" Yaotl laughed again.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3JlhRyLzk
Don agreed that he had.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpN6aWte5Ol
"A thorn, the sap of a plant and Nenetl's aged servant," Yaotl added.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmlc0Hii9h
Don looked up sharply. "Dr. Smith helped you?!"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubiiSjgsJn
Yaotl nodded and remarked that Don's friends make strange allies.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaAQ135uJC
Don stood up gingerly. "Did Dr. Smith know you were to fight me?" he asked.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNDw3fOrWO
Yaotl shook his head and admitted that he didn't.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZofNY1ZKb
Don felt dizzy. "I need some fresh air." He staggered towards the living area and the door of his quarters.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkVGKv8LWm
"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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpSUYXTG1g
"Oh, I'm going to die, am I?" Don's voice expressed no shock.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYSaw987Mx
"Yes, Don." Yaotl sounded enthusiastic at the prospect. "Next time we fight, I shall not fail to kill you."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8ONo3BK5T
"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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Y16W5fkJC
"I see your strength has been restored to you," Ollin sneered.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwT6PwAbSk
"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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmO4geH9vYB
"I have no need of the drawing," he said.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90rLTwHPLO
"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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnNSAToDUk
"But your father's father must have set it down," Ollin sounded anxious.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0G4mgfgolU
Don listened to the conversation with great interest.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZSsmrSOlM
"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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1vRYChXhb
"I remember his disappearance." Ollin was brusque.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh97PXMf4Pj
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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrwU9bFrLf
Ignoring Don, the High Priest of Sacrifice and Tlaqui took their leave of Yaotl and limped and waddled towards the gateway to the courtyard.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPtDXVTwLI
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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmt1fublHUZ
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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhBixkMG16
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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qk0sjQJR0
"Your knowledge of poisons."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ33FSDXTMS
Tlaqui was horrified.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeY8Ei5Hbl
"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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYESuhJVnut
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?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrJXpse2sv
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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEaIaFoVXb
"Tetzal? I think not!" Ollin snapped.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98p5y6saYX
"Why not?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsSU37yK5j
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. 352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PxkBG8BsS
"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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLS3GAh830L
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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyylTCqGBbi
"Such happiness, Zuma, outshines the sun," he remarked.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtETfoe3dmG
"And with good fortune may outlast it," Zuma replied softly.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZkIQpssiB
"What brings you such joy?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8OVT63e5F
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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOH9DYDRYf
"I am grateful to Nenetl's aged servant," he said, and noticing the bag, asked if Zuma was carrying cocoa beans to barter with.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINQRgJ4Fnk
She shook her head. "I have already been to the market and brought food," she replied.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlR5DMic5E
Tetzal touched the bag. "Then these are to prepare a drink."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFf5npcjHj
Zuma lowered her eyes. "Only the gods may know," she replied coyly.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSynShGwsG
"Ah," Tetzal murmured, and observed that all mortals lived in hope.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINWH6pu1O3
"He is a gentle companion aand most dear to me," Zuma admitted.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoHBaGtlh5
"Are these then for a love potion?" Tetzal asked in mock surprise.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFIG6FrQgi
"That would be too bold," Zuma blushed. "Rather should he show his love for me."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rN2S2J1E9
"You wish him to prepare it."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6GyXKf6SZ
"I do."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFUkIoigYg
Tetzal looked from her to Dr. Smith and back to Zuma again. "May the gods favor your desires," he said gently and walked away.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbZOsflKBz
Zuma went over to Dr. Smith and greeted him.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaXkk6S2hA
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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtK2gZPEkc3
She glanced at the wall. "When one's interest is held, loneliness does not exist."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZ4Vz6pVG3
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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCYrSIBLYs
"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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7BZc7riT7
Dr. Smith began picking them up. "Cocoa beans," he exclaimed.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLS68dCrey
"We use them for barter for our daily needs," Zuma replied.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWzXQOd5pK
"What an excellent idea! A current you can drink!" Dr. Smith proclaimed. "Delicious!"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3cJ6KsRKm
"Do you know our customs?" Zuma asked timidly as Dr. Smith dropped the beans one by one back into her bag.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6O2Uw0gWzw
"Why, yes, my dear, of course I do," Dr. Smith replied, looking about hi to make sure he hadn't overlooked a bean.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRpuPy8644
"The drinking of cocoa has its own very special meaning," Zuma ventured and Dr. Smith wholeheartedly agreed with her.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ayD71hz5W
"It's a rare delight and we shall take a cup together."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05N31A6jtc
"Are you sure?"352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2UHEbkBeA
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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1Gzrpz2Zm
"Do you insist?" Zuma was hesitant.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMiRX7osXR
"I do. I insist as a token of my esteem."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CPBI0Drij
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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC48Hc7jvO1
"Now, don't go away, my dear," Dr. Smith cautioned her. "I'll be back."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WqpIQSfhh
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.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRJAyiRvx5
Proudly, he returned to the bench where Zuma sat and handed her a goblet before sitting down beside her.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ767HfMXGQ9
"Happy days, my dear." He chinked his goblet against hers in a toast.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpMPj8lS2Y
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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYXxqqF846
"Very prettily put, my dear," Dr. Smith murmured approvingly.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRlrXdjNJH
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."352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yctoBpj5l
Dr.Smith found the next sip of cocoa infinitely more difficult to swallow.352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVwrfpOYcW
352Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStTgBs77uX
