Don went up the temple stairs two at a time. He wore his Chosen Warrior's loin-cloth and embroidered cloak, as well as a plumed battle-mask in hammered silver which concealed the upper half of his face. The temple guards saluted him and one drew back the brocade curtain to let him pass.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kqpEJcVC2
Ann was standing on the terrace looking down at the city. She was startled when Don came towards her, not sure for a moment whether it was him or Yaotl. Don lifted his mask and Ann sighed with relief before frowning. "You shouldn't be up here. It's too dangerous," she said anxiously.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR06BLAEeVv
Don dismissed her fears with a downward wave of his hand and remarked lightly that, for all the guards knew, he could just as easily have been Yaotl.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRsz11SvP8
Ann wasn't convinced. "I still think it was reckless of you."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6KnngEYe3
Don led her to the back of the temple behind the throne. "I came here to warn you," he confided.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpJii1m0Uq
"About what?"359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0YGYR0zgO
"That's just it. I don't know. But I'm convinced that Ollin and Tlaqui are cooking up something against you."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvXw1PMe1E
Ann was shocked. "Tlaqui? I didn't know he was on Ollin's side. Our High Priest of Sacrifice seems to have the knack of bringing people around to his way of thinking," she said ruefully.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzK8M1gSIny
"That's where you're wrong, Ann," Don replied. "They're all on Ollin's side."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWjHlTNtJl
"What about Tetzal?" she asked.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RCEOm8Lzg
"What about him?" Don shrugged. "He's reasonable, cultured, civilized in his own way, but he goes along with Ollin. You saved my life, Ann, not Tetzal. He would have let me die."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7q2OekxZ63
"I'm not so sure that he would now." She did her best to sound convincing as she told Don about her last conversation with the High Priest of Knowledge.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8DgEpEk20
Don shook his head. "Come to the crunch, Ann, he'll behave like any other Aztec." 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BnGqbiesw
Don was adamant. "Look, you simply can't fight a way of life."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7R1NkKYnO8
Ann turned away. "I don't believe this! First Dr. Smith, now you." She laughed mirthlessly. "But there's such nobility in them," she protested, "that I want to do something to save them from destruction."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalsMqMT2Qg
"There's only one thing to be done," Don said quietly to her back. "Get back into that tomb and leave them alone."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MZrQV3KjO
Ann heard faint footsteps on the stairs. "Someone's coming up," she whispered. "You better hide."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XFjmBgzdz
Don dashed to the curtain behind which he and Yaotl had held the Rain God victim. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9PxQCinJv
He ducked into the alcove, holding one slit of the curtain open with a finger so that he could see Ann, who had taken her place on the throne. He heard Ollin's shuffling gait as he limped over to the throne with Tlaqui at his side, holding a goblet.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTKPYJJTNw
"We greet thee, Nenetl," Ollin said ingratiatingly.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoY2GpptyRI
"What do you want?" Ann asked coldly.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshly1dtqPO
Ollin gestured to Tlaqui and himself. "We come before the Great Spirit in all humility," and they both bowed.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9SejfChRc
"Quiet words do you credit." Ann's eyes and mind were alert for any indication of danger.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtNwCLhBCq
Ollin stretched out his arm in a gesture of despair. "Have we not both spoken harsh words and had dark thoughts?" He went on to state that he was now convinced of her divinity and wished to make amends.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWto4ZCotK
Tlaqui echoed Ollin by begging Nenetl not to punish the High Priest for his misgivings.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaid21ESU1m
"This draught is symbolic of the blood of Huitzilopochtli." Ollin took the goblet from Tlaqui and held it up in front of Ann. "Let us share it in reverence."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmURxcHmTc
Ann took the goblet from him and raised it to her lips. Behind the curtain Don held his breath and tensed his muscles, ready to dash out to knock the goblet from her hands before she drank. Ollin and Tlaqui watched her intently.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpJkxVogXJ
Then, she hesitated, smiled and held out the goblet to the High Priest. "If you now acknowledge my divinity, then first both of you must drink in reverence to me." She shot a quick glance at Tlaqui who averted his eyes. "And then I shall drink in reverence to Huitzilopochtli for us all." She stood and thrust the goblet at him. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugOci13ySK
"Drink," she commanded.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjt8wrycgCA
The High Priest took a step backwards. Ann came down from the dais and turned to Tlaqui. "You'll sip it in reverence to me, won't you?"359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lAFDgIJlT
The balding, pudgy little priest shook his head and edged his way towards the curtained entrance to the temple. Holding the goblet at arm's length, Ann went with him. As he reached the curtain Ann looked at him icily. "You defile this temple. Get out of my sight." She threw down the goblet, which smashed at his feet, and Tlaqui fled.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUpDiN2wNh
Ann turned back to face Ollin who looked at her apprehensively. "Well?" Her voice was expressionless.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0TCK01KGA
"We meant only to test you."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HivuyClcA
"With poison?" Still she betrayed no emotion.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyQcnZQq24
"Nenetl would have lived as true gods are immortal."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxWbUAgaEI
"Well, I would have died."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡll5XJ4gqPZ
Ollin's eyes widened in triumph.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTzolWZTmg
"I am not Nenetl."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXL3hBb3No2
He pointed at her. "False! You are a false god. As I have known since I first saw you."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuiFHEXFWp
"And who will believe you?" Ann's eyes hardened. "I warn you, Ollin. Say one word against me to the people and I shall have them destroy you. Now, go!"359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfd32ojQbwE
The High Priest of Sacrifice stared malevolently at her for a few seconds. Ann met his eyes with a steady gaze, then he muttered the word "false" again, and limped from the temple.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKGIYsOMnp
As soon as he was gone Ann began to tremble. Don came quickly from behind the curtain and put his arms around her. Ann closed her eyes. "W-w-we m-m-must get away, Don," she stammered. "I can't p-pl-play this r-r-role much longer."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePqePSMfdp
"We will, Ann, we will," he reassured her, but he didn't know how they would do it.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3d8YeERMum
It was early afternoon. The two High Priests and Tlaqui had eaten their midday meal of roast pheasant, hot spicy pancakes, and fruit, all of which had been prepared by the women who served in the temple. The three of them sat on cushions around the table rinsing their hands in the finger bowls which had been placed before them.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADj54TfVpv
"What progress do our pupils make at the seminary, Tlaqui?" Tetzal dabbed his mouth with a dampened corner of his napkin.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUe3tVhieu
"All are diligent in their studies," Tlaqui replied.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbrUD95KeR
"And Nenetl's handmaiden?" Tetzal asked.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrH4xvcCnJ
Tlaqui raised his arms. "Her intelligence far exceeds that of the others. And she has knowledge of things known only to the Priests," he added, clearly impressed. 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwoP8ylAQN
"But are you surprised? She also serves the gods," Tetzal reminded him.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqfH9VP9j8
"Other gods than ours," Ollin growled.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFC9pzh5Lg4
Tetzal sighed and asked when the High Priest of Sacrifice would cease to doubt Nenetl's divinity.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCxt4oIRiO
"Never, for I know she is false," he snapped, and was on the point of telling Tetzal about the poison but realized that they had tried to give it to her without his knowledge. "She has come among us, intent on destroying us." He slammed his fist onto the table.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6olDSNa2mb
"Or saving us," Tetzal replied quietly as he stood up and went to his cell to rest.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRpdrrgQFv
Ollin flicked crumbs of food off the table. "Do you share Tetzal's conviction?" he asked Tlaqui.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLcqYuh2Ee
"I do not know to whom I should listen." Tlaqui nervously remembered the goblet exploding, splashing the poisoned draught over his feet.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFpMAh6Is8
"She is false, she told me so herself," Ollin said but saw the doubt in Tlaqui's eyes. "And when I have the proof you will hear only my voice which will be like thunder in the sky." He cleaned his fingernails with the tip of a knife. "But where is my proof? How shall I obtain it? She is very clever." He put down the knife and studied his fingernails, then looked at Tlaqui. "The handmaiden, alone in the seminary, tell me about her."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuZBdv0Wxi
Tlaqui shifted uncomfortably on his cushion. "She is, as I have said, very intelligent, but self-willed."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRlbgBdVJa
"In what way?" Ollin leaned across the table.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAReX4xvHm
"One day, in the presence of the High Priest of Knowledge and myself, she said she would only marry someone of her own choosing."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhL1WUHPaq
"She would not be wed by arrangement, not for honor?"359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92g1bjvcHO
Tlaqui shook his head. "On this she was firm. She would choose her husband." A plan had already formulated in Ollin's mind. "Then we must find a suitable one for her, 359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTunySkxynU
Tlaqui," he said briskly and put a forefinger to his lips. "The false god's weakness lies not in herself but in her servants," he observed as he picked up the knife and stuck it into the table.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyV0X39wnoT
A prospective husband was the last thought in Penny's mind was she stood, bored almost to tears, at the entrance to her cell, looking out onto the cloister. Behind her was Tetzal, the ever-present posy in his hand.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Lt4Q4F46G
"In the annals of Cuauhtitlan there is the myth of five suns in the sky," he intoned. "Name them." Penny took a breath and reeled them off in a monotone.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjEyS9Uru2
"The first was known as Four-Tiger, the second the sun of Air, the third the sun of Fire and Rain, the fourth the sun of Water and, finally, the present one, the sun of Man."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboqlEvhzBo
Tetzal was delighted. "Excellent, Penny, excellent!"359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7L2JDZS16C
Penny resigned herself to the next question but it was never posed. Suddenly Tlaqui and the Perfect Victim were standing beside the doorway.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU61SzxuNBt
"I greet you, Tetzal," Tlaqui said.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xm3YCzMGA
The High Priest's face fell when he saw the Perfect Victim.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZdRoSrB7I
"As I do also," the young man said, smiling at Penny.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SB6fBrh77
"You honor us with your visit," Tetzal replied. "How may we serve you?"359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLJLvmlJ8C
"It is my wish to look upon her."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTfXAobRtL
Penny was puzzled, Tetzal troubled and Tlaqui amused.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGYBC99w3A
"Do you know how she is?" Tetzal asked.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3FRsLpIso
The Perfect Victim smiled. "Does she know who I am?"359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiHlKrZy2L
"No."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZj0pqjwKPx
"Then tell her."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQI0EAItI6
"In two days, when the sun is at its zenith, darkness will full upon the land," Tetzal said.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdo2rpucF6
"All great Hutizilopochtli's light will be hidden from our eyes," Tlaqui added mystically.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DJO7Ryf87
"You mean it'll be a total eclipse?" Penny was enthusiastic and remarked that, although she had seen several partial eclipses, she had never seen one where the sun was completely hidden by the moon. "It'll be interesting to watch."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡro0ux41mg3
Tetzal shifted uneasily. "At the moment when all is in darkness, a human sacrifice will be offered to the Sun God and this young man...."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8Z8nFbqin
Penny's hands flew to her face. "....is to be the victim?" she blurted out in horror. "But that's revolting!"359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpAG6XiMO6
The young man looked at her uncomprehendingly. "What greater honor is there for me than to be chosen as the Perfect Victim and to join the gods?" His voice rang with pride. Then he announced he would take Penny as his bride.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwwRHvo1E4
She gaped at him in utter incredulity before giving vent to her feelings. "Bride!" she pointed at him. "He think's I'll marry him?! Well, if he's mad enough to let himself be sacrificed because of a stupid eclipse I suppose he's mad enough to believe anything."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuPfJKctKM
Tlaqui protested that since the young man had been chosen as the Perfect Victim, all his desires were granted. "That does not include me!" Penny was furious. "Let him die if he wants to, but don't expect me to marry him."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKHSzwez4P
"It is the Aztec law, Penny," Tetzal chided her.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpRVWiqOLs
"Then your law is barbaric and I won't obey it. I won't!" Penny shouted. "You're monsters, all of you are monsters!" She ran from the cell onto the cloister.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFIg3vHGxi
Tlaqui looked at Tetzal. "She has broken the law," he said. "Ollin must know of this."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAidId8TVYr
"Let her be severely punished for denying me," the Perfect Victim added.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfN2eR5IjkD
Tetzal looked from one to the other. "So be it," he murmured.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7i5efYaig
With tears streaming down her cheeks, Penny ran halfway around the cloister before collapsing against a pillar.359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEm7BsVDo5
"Uncle Zachary, Uncle Zachary," she sobbed. "Please, help me."359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhydgLSNrqo
359Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxEYQuOKyP
