It was evening and the air in the garden was heavily scented as Dr. Smith, lost in his thoughts, walked along a path, his hands clutched behind his back. There had to be another way into the tomb, he reasoned, for how else could the counterbalanced wall have been set in place? It would have required builders both in the tomb and outside in the temple. He presumed that the temple, and consequently the tomb, had been built before Nenetl's death as the pyramid must have taken a decade to construct and that, Dr. Smith considered, was a long time to keep a corpse hanging around waiting to be laid to rest. So, when Nenetl died someone, Yaotl's grandfather, perhaps, had to open up the wall from inside the tomb. Therefore there had to be a secret entrance to steps leading up to a trapdoor, most likely, and now possibly sealed, in the floor of the tomb.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwH6dRYM7h
Dr. Smith sighed and sniffed the perfumed air without appreciating int. How would the trapdoor be sealed? he asked himself. Closed, it would be seated on a flange which, once Nenetl's body was placed in the tomb, could have been lined with terracotta, a mixture of sand and clay, that would harden like a brick when heated. Yes, that must be the answer, Dr. Smith decided and then wondered how much force would be needed to break the seal. A hammer, a chisel and West's biceps would suffice, he concluded. All that now remained was to locate the secret entrance to the steps and that, he realized dejectedly, could be almost anywhere. But where would be the likeliest place?381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLeaKtzL51
"Zachary." Zuma's voice broke his train of thought. Irritated, he saw her coming along the path towards him. "My dear, I am glad to find you alone as I have a gift for you."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRGXEKpYtX
"How very kind," Dr. Smith mumbled, wondering if it were more cocoa beans. Instead, she gave him a beautiful jade brooch with an eagle and, separately, a coiled snake carved on it.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHzgqI67w8
He was taken aback. "Dear lady, I cannot possibly accept such a..." he began but stopped when Zuma said the gift signified her love for him. Dr. Smith swallowed. "I shall treasure it always."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdpnLXyc1V
"I am pleased, though it is yours by right."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOJByc1jrd
Dr. Smith was puzzled. "Why do you say that?" he asked.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqfwyyw63t
"It came from Nenetl's tomb."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4u5MGVkOkz
Dr. Smith was dumbfounded. "From...where?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsA8qtPHvVX
"The tomb. See? It has Nenetl's sign on it," she pointed to the snake, "the coiled serpent."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1dYRrYXxG
"But that is the emblem of the Aztec nation," Dr. Smith said.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVCZLdrRao
"That is so," Zuman replied. "Only the serpent is held either in the eagle's beak or its claws. Nenetl's sign of the coiled serpent is separate from the eagle."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJJNwC6sft
Dr. Smith turned the brooch over in his hands. "It's quite magnificent." He smiled at her and asked casually how she had come by it.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFF9WmGA3mA
Zuma blushed. "Though married, Yaotl's father fell in love with me. I did what I could to discourage his advances. But he insisted that I accept the brooch, which he gave to me seven days before he disappeared."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5SotJvQwc
"Disappeared?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTXsxtUcAz
"Yes, here in the garden," Zuma replied. "He was never seen again." She dismissed the topic with a gesture of her hand. "But it was a long time ago and now I look forward to a life of bliss with you."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXOLy9hlDM
"And I with you, my dear," Dr. Smith said absently, his mind on other matters.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUdpKtFvwa
"Peace and contentment," Zuma reflected.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGTSzOUDHx
"Rapture and joy," Dr. Smith echoed.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvVCO5DWvU
"We shall have a garden of our own," she announced.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ck7VLuxBL
The Doctor eyes lit up. "Yes, of course," he agreed. "A garden of our own." And his eyes traveled to the wall and the stone with the coiled snake carved on it.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtuFIgWTCF
As soon as he decently could Dr. Smith took his leave of Zuma and hurried to the barracks. When Dr. Smith burst into his quarters, Don was desperately trying to think of something constructive he could do to put them safely back on board the TARDIS and get them safely on their way.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGEywzoYsy
"Eureka, West, I have it!" Dr. Smith exclaimed, and then hesitated. "At least, I think I have."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3dGJDxRvd
"What?" Don asked, taken aback.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfYgQgg6Y6
Dr. Smith held the brooch in the palm of his right hand and poked it with his left forefinger. "This came from Nenetl's tomb. And who took it?" he demanded without waiting for an answer. "His father!" He pointed dramatically at Yaotl's quarters on the other side of the courtyard and then poked the brooch again. "So there's the proof that a secret way into the tomb exists and Yaotl's father knew about it." 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Tcj4sCgtp
Dr. Smith looked about him conspiratorially and moved closer to Don. "But what is much more important, West, my dear boy, is that I believe I know where it is." His voice was little more than an urgent whisper. "Underneath the garden is an irrigation tunnel used for watering the flowers, and in the back wall is a stone with a coiled snake.....Nenetl's sign...carved upon it. I'm certain that the stone can be removed to reveal a way into the tunnel. I'm convinced that under the temple wall there will be a flight of stairs leading up to the tomb." Dr. Smith's eyes darted here and there in search of a possible eavesdropper before he continued. "Tonight, West, tonight, once Yaotl is asleep, come to the garden where I shall be waiting for you."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlvvGPPsDZ
"All right, Dr. Smith, I'll be there," Don said.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePfzBqStWH
"Good fellow," Dr. Smith replied and slapped him on the back.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxxBv4omfQ
"How did you get hold this?" Don asked, tapping the brooch.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYthawFhWe
Dr. Smith cleared his throat. "My fiancée gave it to me as a present."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BZoXaUEzs
"I see," Don replied before it registered. "Your what?" he choked.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9MnDYujhm
"I made some cocoa and became engaged to Zuma."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb86ffJ1GBN
Don began to chuckle.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGj1wJlJKt
"Did I say something funny, West?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaemQfIFtc
Don tried to keep a straight face.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqMzSDgKjK
"And the sooner we are away from here, the better."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTjiN7gScv
"Yes, Dr. Smith," Don managed to reply, his shoulders shaking. "I'll be there tonight."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUqXsywxW1
Dr. Smith turned to leave.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtC89EqXw9D
"Oh, and by the way, Dr. Smith, congratulations," he said and doubled up.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoiKX8xEOP
Dr. Smith stormed off. From his quarters, Yaotl watched him go.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oNUou5y8Z
Ann was in the antechamber when a guard announced that the High Priest of Sacrifice and the Priest of Knowledge awaited her in the temple. Her defences came up instinctively. "Say that I shall recieve them presently," she said.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfBvbGDmuE
The guard bowed and withdrew.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmR0yLKh6TY
Ann considered her strategy. Should she listen to them first and then riposte as best she could, or should she go directly on the attack? She placed the plumed crown on her head and decided upon the latter course of action. When she reached the temple, she ignored them until she sat upon the throne.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pC7ioOdbu
"Why do you attend me?" Her voice was glacial.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIW7KF8dgBB
Ollin kept his eyes fixed onher while Tlaqui looked down at his posy and shuffled his feet. "There is a matter we would place before you, Great Spirit," he burbled.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8eRnmByHx
Ann raised one eyebrow. "You wish the gods to favor the Priest of Knowledge with their good opinions?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJF4F2YOtOV
"Their advice," Tlaqui conceded.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBHyXMsQ4v
"And yet you sin against them with your test of poison," Ann snapped as Tlaqui studied his posy even more intently.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlxLF3mrZu
"Let us talk of this other matter," Ollin cajoled.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVERrKBjiP
"Silence." It was like a whiplash across his back, but he gritted his teeth and contained his fury.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6HNmMksaG
Ann looked back at Tlaqui. "Your offense against the gods is forgiven. Now, what would you discuss?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYdOMPghVe
"The punishment for one who speaks out against our teachings and defies our laws." 381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQO3t9s3XDR
Ann realized that this time it was a verbal trap that Ollin was trying to spring.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VqZ1IXLDf
"Was this spoken in public?" she asked cautiously.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuBbs8TDls
"Yes, Great Spirit, and after being duly warned," Tlaqui emphasized.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYReC6bJUQ1
"Were there witnesses to the warning?" Take it one step at a time, she advised herself.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfct1ll6TY
"Tetzal and myself."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Mn4hXU4Tx
"What was the offense?" Ann was concerned that Tetzal was involved and curious to know why he wasn't with them.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqGrHsG6qC
"Denying a desire of the Perfect Victim."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEQbm8gPX9
"Be specific, Tlaqui. What was his wish?" Like the poisoned draught, she guessed this interview was being conducted behind Tetzal's back.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2aDCDA7r7
"To be wed."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3r9SVDQdJe
Ann thought that taking a bride two days before one died willingly was absurd. "To be wed and widowed in two days? What kind of marriage is that for an Aztec maiden?" she asked.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0vPuA0Lz9
Ollin's eyes glinted with secret pleasure. He had rehearsed Tlaqui well and Ann had fallen into the trap.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3tbqEs2K9
Tlaqui argued that Aztec warriors frequently wed before going off to war and some did not return, but they were not proclaimed gods as the Perfect Victim would be.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8PtrMNuRU
"There could be no greater honor," he concluded.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gaoj6jgVQ
"And if she wanted to marry again?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1NFs1O4EO
Tlaqui shook his head vigorously. "Marriage to a mortal would be unthinkable to the widow of a god."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCYIjGN8Nk
"So this maiden has defied your teachings and your law by spurning his proposal of marriage," Ann said, and when Tlaqui nodded, she thought "Good for you, girl." "And what does the law prescribe for such an offense?" she asked.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdPxLMxvIs
Tlaqui waved his posy. "We know of none. Such a rejection has never occurred before," he replied. "That is why we have sought your advice."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatVNW6uJNz
"Liar," Ann thought and stared at Ollin. "She will not die," her voice was adamant.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWy8uQhvUyH
"Then let her be publicly ridiculed," Tlaqui proposed.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gAxNcdN0X
Ann thought that if there must be a punishment, ridicule would be relatively harmless.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvF4e3Cr0MR
Ollin took a half-step forward. "I say she should be scourged," he hissed. "Her ears and tongue pierced with thorns."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgxzfiSJwF
"I fobid it," Ann snapped.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPQ3quT0nO
"Tetzal upholds it." Ollin's voice was a menace.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJ0Ej87aL2
"Let him say so, then," Ann replied dryly.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfrIi6eGUq
"He will, he will," Ollin assured her, "when the time comes."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9E87KCVivS
"And when will that be?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiX5yW9mCKR
"On the day of darkness," Tlaqui replied.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkovguqhV5
"Before all the people," Ollin made a sweeping gesture with his arm before pointing at Ann, "and you must be there so that the gravity of the offence is known."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwtjK6Js06
"I shall witness the punishment from the temple," Ann said, a plan forumlating in her brain. "But I wish my servants to be present with me. Don, my aged servant, and my handmaiden."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdcFbeSMvV
"It shall be arranged," Ollin said without expression. "Both the men and your handmaiden will be there. That I promise."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8KE3k82FJ
As the High Priest of Sacrifice limps from the temple with Tlaqui at his side, Ann sensed she had made a mistake somewhere. She went over their conversation several times in her mind and then summoned the High Priest of Knowledge to the temple.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2l1M1qrypf
Tetzal's face was grave as he listened to Ann's account of his encounter with Tlaqui and the High Priest of Sacrifice.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4EjUMVir4
"Ollin insisted you upheld such bestial treatment. Is that true?" she asked.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj291RKaLDs
"Is it still your intention to intervene at the sacrifice of the Perfect Victim?" Tetzal countered.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQ7elXTOHe
"Of course, it is," Ann said firmly.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbn9cHLtXum
"Then I shall match your courage, Nenetl," he replied. "Though it grieves my heart, as it must yours."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBY2iy40Yp
"I'll shed no tears over an end to human sacrifice." Ann was resolute.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SD5xGirm2
"I was referring to your handmaiden," Tetzal explained.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk99gLnpieA
"What about Penny?" Ann asked sharply.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuiOybpogW
Tetzal was perplexed. "You have just spoken of her offense."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3wudQh2ia
Ann jumped to her feet. "Penny was to be the bride?" she exclaimed.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNES4zd4YL
"Did not Ollin say so?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83XNW6Z7iN
So that had been the trap, Ann thought; a deliberate omission on Ollin's part and a stupid one on hers.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUkyl5QVIB
"I shall forbid the punishment."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLucHsd4sA
"You cannot," Tetzal replied flatly.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgTJLFBxtA
"Oh yes, I can!" she said fiercely. "Penny is to be punished at the eclipse so when you and I stop the human sacrifice then I will order Ollin to release her as well."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6LfhN9xK6
Tetzal shook his head. "She is to be punished before the sacrifice to the Sun God."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLi6MQfeEE8
"I won't let him hurt her. I won't!" Ann's voice was final.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNq9klmtHL8
The High Priest looked at her. "Wil you, then, sacrifice all that you believe in, all that you have given me to believe in, to save your handmaiden pain?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hxf9lFjGE
Ann had no answer.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDklMcYPLz
381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKkh0md3QV
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