Dr. Smith was still marching up and down muttering to himself when a warrior came into the antechamber and beckoned them to follow him up the candle-lit stairs to the temple. Once there, the warrior drew back the brocade curtain and stood to one side to let them pass. The temple had been transformed. The entire back wall, behind which was Nenetl's tomb, had been covered with a clear sea-blue curtain filigreed in gold and silver threads with fish, sea-shells and crabs, symbols of Tlaloc, the God of Water. In front of the curtain was a stone dais studded with pieces of jade, turquoise and emerald. On the dais stood a golden throne whose delicately worked trellis back was surmounted by a golden eagle with a coiled snake caught up in its beak. But the most remarkable transformation of all was Ann. She was seated on the throne, dressed in a knee-length silk skirt patterned with multicolored zig-zags. Her green lace blouse was decorated with sheave of corn and leaves woven in gold thread. Around her waist she wore a leather belt with an emerald buckle. Her necklace was jade, as were the bracelets she wore on her left arm; on her right wrist she wore the coiled snake from Nenetl's tomb and she held a posy of flowers. Her head-dress was a gold crown decked with brilliantly colored plumes, and her sandals were laced with gold thread. The Doctor, Penny and Don gaped at her in shock and awe.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTT4ikui7V
Ann glanced at the warrior who stood beside the brocade curtain. "Leave us," she commanded.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrXqWGVX3F
The warrior bowed and removed himself from the temple.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZjyMPqsfy
"Ann, what on earth are you doing there?" Don's voice echoed his incredulity.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hCql6CbUz
Ann leaned her right elbow on the arm of the throne, held up her hand and shook her wrist, the posy and the snake.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeInhFdj0ww
"They think I'm the reincarnation of the High Priest in the tomb."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJ74LVqCJW
"Because you had put on that bracelet and were caught wearing it by the High Priest of Knowledge," Dr. Smith concluded for her.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMiUwFZIHT
"That's right, Dr. Smith," said Ann. "Tetzal know that I had come out of Nenetl's tomb."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiXZRgYeaE
Penny looked puzzled. "But if Nenetl was a man," she asked, "how can they believe you are a reincarnation of him?"451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLJlSJJMG9
"The form his spirit takes isn't important to them, Penny," Ann pointed to the bracelet. "This is what counted."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiL9q8AwFu
"Tetzal called us Nentl's servants," Don said. "Is that who they think we are---your servants?"451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEW3d3BTYmg
Ann nodded apologetically.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NKHHVsYFo
"Oh, the pain!" Dr. Smith snorted.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJU3Gj3dkLi
Ann turned on him. "But it's ideal, Dr. Smith. We can enter the tomb as soon as we like, get into the TARDIS and be on our way."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0d6cyQ0Oy
Dr. Smith drily observed that although re-incarnations could come out of the tomb, human beings couldn't go into one.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBOCS0hX3r
"You're a god, Ann," Don said with a smile. "Find out how it opens."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnoUsqAIHx
Ann replied that she would ask, but Dr. Smith tut-tutted testily.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5vPzx7OaQ
"That's the one thing you must not do." His voice was severe. "As Nenetl's spirit, you'll be expected to know everything. But if you go around asking questions and the Aztecs were to decide that you're not whom they think you are," Dr. Smith paused for effect, "then we won't last long." Dr. Smith sighed and walked around the throne. Penny and Don didn't move. They all realized there was an impenetrable wall between them and the solution to their problem.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZg3rNlyB3P
The two High Priests came into the temple and bowed to Ann.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4Kc7C9D2N
"Great Spirit of Nenetl," Ollin said, "the High Priest of Sacrifice salutes you."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡly5YqMqVO7
Dr. Smith and Don exchanged a glance.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAKHKmwaK6
"I acknowledge the High Priest's greeting," Ann replied.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AVa2HiQYx
Tetzal approached the throne. "For many days and many nights Tlaloc has looked away from us," he began, but Ann interrupted him.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIps0GrENZr
"The God of Water and Vegetation?"451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftyzumvkst
Tetzal nodded. "Our land withers and the people groan."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4d19QjOTGd
Ollin limped closer to Ann. "Those who serve the temple have prayed that the land may again be bountified," he said, "and this day we shall honor Tlaloc's name."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9xzRnxHaB
"When the sun's fire touches the horizon to the west," the people will stand before the temple in obedience to our commands," said Tetzal and bowed again. "We humbly beg you, Great Spirit, at that time, to show yourself before the people so that they may know their suffering draws to an end."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPe9nDJBpYy
Dr. Smith leaned over to Don and muttered gleefully that Ann would appear and down would fall the rain.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY20QFgkNVs
"How can he be so sure?" Don asked out of the corner of his mouth.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01lqtTQkPZ
"He's not the High Priest of Knowledge for nothing, West," Dr. Smith replied.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0F6RdjsMbo
Ollin was watching them.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0nd6pI2Yg
"I shall do as the High Priest requests," Ann said.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡek2jXEmO6r
"We also entreat you, Great Spirit, to permit your handmaiden and servants to perambulate among our people," Tetzal continued.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLa97n0vGNa
Dr. Smith saw the flicker of doubt in Ann's eyes. He stepped forward.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9SiVKs3eT
"O' Great Spirit, grant this request." He pointed to Ann and himself. "Thus may we be your eyes and ears and learn how best to serve all our interests."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbZeSEZsxe
"The aged servant of Nenetl speaks with wisdom," Tetzal remarked, looking at Dr. Smith with interest.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUnYDIXiWA
Dr. Smith bristled. Aged indeed, he thought.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwo4aITnkeT
Ann pointed to Penny. "My handmaiden remains with me." She waved her hand at Don and Dr. Smith. "But they may do as you request."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazK6HXmqm0
The High Priests bowed again to Ann, then Tetzal turned to Don and Dr. Smith. "We shall await you," he said, and they left the temple.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYGhmloe53
Once they had vanished behind the curtain, Dr. Smith rubbed his hands in delight.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FcBbGgel5
"A beautiful performance, my dear," he enthused. "We've got exactly what we want. You and Penny here in perfect safety, West and myself out and about, trying to find a way to get back behind that wall, into the TARDIS, and off into the great darkness of space."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBnmLz5KEW
Don wasn't convinced. "It sounds all right," he said, "but I don't think we should take our eyes off those two High Priests for a second."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfHFl6DfZk
"Oh, don't worry about them, West," Dr. Smith replied airily, "they'll be too busy timing their miracle."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEnwtWyavD
"What miracle?" Penny asked.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBg4dX6lcD
Dr. Smith turned to her. "Presenting the great spirit of Nenetl to the people, one second before there is a flash of lightning, a clap of thunder, and it buckets down."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DWYwqn5WU
"I still don't see how they can be as accurate as that," Don said, shaking his head.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EdYCidoV4
Dr. Smith wagged a forefinger at him. "You mustn't underestimate the Aztecs, West. They were a very civilized, cultured people."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8UfuSzpss
"Not were----are, as far as we're concerned, anyway," Don interjected.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMNbZrVwMP
Dr. Smith cleared his throat. "They know all about astronomy and the constellations, each of which has its own minor god; their agricultural policies and practices are centuries ahead of their time; and look a the workmanship on Ann's throne," he pointed dramatically to it. "A very advanced people, apart from one or two glaring shortcomings."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSivybEMH4x
"Like cutting out people's hearts, or chucking them off the temple steps," Penny suggested.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLxdf7ZfzV
Dr. Smith dismissed her with a look. "I was speaking scientifically," he said haughtily. "For example, they've never heard of the wheel....."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0tu7hyz6l
The two High Priests waited for Don and Dr. Smith in the antechamber below the temple. Tetzel was studying his posy of flowers while Ollin toyed with the obsidian knife he had extracted form under his priestly robe.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLugClvr1HF
"Mr. Tetzel?" Smith asked suddenly. "You do serve Nenetl, don't you?"451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2r25QskLc
"We do, as High Priests of the temple," Tetzel replied.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWpEW65OUh
"How interesting. So, what purpose do the others serve?"451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvm4USbXkpi
"Nenetl has said that the...."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXG8srK1Kli
Before Tetzel had finished speaking, Ollin pointed the knife at him and asked if it would not be better that one of the strangers should lead their force of arms. 451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWo3XuqyB0p
"Nentl's young servant should enjoy this honor. A warrior favored by the Gods."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeC0QPzyEvl
Tetzel considered this proposal for a moment, trying to guess what Ollin's ulterior motive might be. "But Yaotl is our chosen warrior," he replied finally.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡla92h6HV5R
Ollin limped over to Tetzel's side. "Let Yaotl prove himself more worthy of command than the servant of Nenetl," he murmured, touching the tip of the knife with his finger.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9sr8QMjVa
"But were the servant to lose the contest, it would bring down Nenetl's wrath upon us," Tetzel countered.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpW0WKh78ZT
Ollin almost smiled as he hinted that Nenetl would ensure that no harm came to her servant, as the Gods were all-powerful.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejYVAmmXNf
Tetzel was disquieted and tugged at a petal of a flower as he wondered again what Ollin's purpose really was.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfos6ql03zr
Dr. Smith and Don entered the antechamber.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqHY3K2304
Ollin sheathed the obsidian knife. "It has been decided that the aged servant may walk abroad," he announced, "but you," he said, turning to Don, "will train to command our armies."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hGnCXHPYI
Don and Dr. Smith looked anxiously at each other. Don't argue with him, said the look on Dr. Smith's face.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnhxyVEUCs
"The Great Spirit of Nenetl would not deny me such an honor," Don replied.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwRXIDT3bA
Ollin turned to Tetzal and asked him to conduct Dr. Smith to the garden at the temple's base. "There you may sit in comfort with others of advanced years," he added to an inwardly fuming Dr. Smith, whom Tetzal beckoned to follow him down the flights of stairs that would lead them to the ground level of the pyramid.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODkkN3lI1A
Then Ollin pointed to the jug of wine and one of the goblets. Don shook his head, but the High Priest picked up the jug, filled a goblet and drank the wine in a single draught. He put the goblet back on the table and wiped his mouth with the sleeve of his robe. He looked at Don for a few seconds with his intense, dark eyes.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKcoI3ncKP
"Come now with me to the barracks," he said, "where you shall encounter Yaotl."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqCsF9emne
"Yaotl? Is that someone's name?" Don asked.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2lIePNM6j
"Yes. He is your rival for command," Ollin replied and limped toward the stairs.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iuChU0uvv
Considerably taken aback, Don followed, rather wishing that he had accepted the proffered glass of wine.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5UU8e2PgH
Dr. Smith was slightly out of breath when he and Tetzel came out of the temple. He looked up at the pyramid rising like Mt. Olympus above him and recalled Penny's remark concerning the faster way down and decided he was more than content to pant a bit. Tetzel led the way to the high-walled garden behind the temple. In one wall was a wooden door which Tetzel opened and let the two of them into the garden. It was enormous and beautifully laid out. The inside of the walls was trellised and covered with the rose and purple hues of bougainvillea vines. In the middle of the garden was a lake with an island of multicolored rocks in the middle. A mosaic path encircled the lake, with small paths radiating form it to the walls, and another three concentric paths divided the garden into segments, each one of them a trimmed lawn with beds of flowers and shrubs. There were stone benches along the edges of the lawns where older Aztecs sat. They bowed their heads respectfully to Tetzel, looked curiously at Dr. Smith's clothes and whispered amongst themselves.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3Iy2LouJ0
Dr. Smith surveyed the scene around him. Color abounded. "Ah! Such a pleasant venue for a reflective afternoon," he observed.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLUHzxD4JV
"Many years ago, after the body of the High Priest Nenetl was sealed in the tomb, a law was introduced that all who attain their fifty-second year should pleasurably pass the remainder of their years, free from responsibility and care," Tetzel explained.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITlUrsPjZl
"That is highly commendable. But don't they sometimes become bored?"451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2trdf6e5u
"Often we seek the accumulated wisdom of their years."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2S54nfPPbk
"What about?"451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGwjALrv7z
"All manner of things. Each person here served the community in one way or another." Tetzel began pointing them out. "He was a weaver of priestly robes; she was a woman of medicines; he, an artisan of gold and silver; she, a sculptress in obsidian stone; and that man, a leading architect in the modernization of our city."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmcnw5cGj2
Dr. Smith noticed a gray-haired, pleasant-faced plumpish woman in her mid-fifties who was using a knife to prune a rose bush. "That lady was, and still is, a gardener, I can safely assume?" Dr. Smith asked.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIyEoUfvuC
Tetzel laughed. "Zuma's advice, of all those here, is the most sought after. She sold vegetables in the marketplace but her eyes were everywhere, missing nothing. You will find in her a companion of great wit and interest."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu80MpfzNM7
"Er, what did you say her name was? I must admit, names have never been my forte."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4SbXQU5YS
"Zuma," Tetzel replied and begged Dr. Smith's permission to return to the temple. 451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gjyzBUrfb
Dr. Smith acquiesced and Tetzel strode away.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFBcMnRSns
"Oh, yes---Zuma," Dr. Smith muttered to himself. He had already noticed her glancing furtively at him. He wandered along the path, holding a lapel of his jacket, and stopped beside her. Zuma concentrated on her pruning.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJr4h9fXJRM
"Despite the drought, there is water for flowers," he observed.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNXBcuHtPC
"It is better to go hungry than starve for beauty," Zuma replied and snipped off two roses which she handed to Dr. Smith.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhGy83MmW9
"Thank you, my dear." He sniffed them appreciatively. "An aroma worthy of the gods." He looked around the garden. "Such a delightful place, this garden, though I imagine it must be quite a task to water it."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGO6mlVC1Jj
Zuma smiled. "There is a tunnel under the garden," she explained, "and from it run small pipes which lead to the lawns and flower-beds." She pointed to a nozzle with a watering rose on it which stuck up just above the ground. "Water from the city's irrigation aqueducts fills a reservoir with a sluicegate near the back wall. When the sluicegate is opened the whole garden can be sprayed."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjIk3JoLZm
"How ingenious," Dr. Smith remarked as he sat down on a stone bench. "I find it so restful here," he said, "so very restful."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfle2m4UN3F
"It is the garden of peace."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKk8eBe4FH9
"Aptly named."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mRo3ZKH8b
"You speak the words of Atl."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZe9KRCwNsh
"Atl?"451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rQcLDnZFW
"He built the temple."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaNlFmZblI
"And set out the garden as well?" But Dr. Smith's mind was clicking over in another direction.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozAKcIM7sw
"As a labor of love," Zuma replied.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUj8pMRKrd
"One senses that immediately. Does he ever come here?" Dr. Smith was all innocence.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk61P4PXcJY
"He watches over the garden constantly."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VnA3NkQ8w
"Really?" Dr. Smith's face lit up.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe98XkPq2e0
"In spirit."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDflmpifraK
Dr. Smith's face fell.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6F3nmoqbpR
"As does his son," Zuma continued."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrgrEtOyoN
"Dead as well, I suppose." Dr. Smith was despondent.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKC86oT8ocn
"His son still lives."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiClwhj3ldo
Dr. Smith cheered up a mite. "He's a builder?"451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ALgEKn86x
"No. A warrior."451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAaZqxSRWG
"But maybe he knows something of his grandfather's work." Dr. Smith looked up at the pyramid. "I find the temple fascinating: the interior, the steps, the stairs, the antechambers." He stopped short of mentioning the tomb.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAyQVE2TjP
"A meeting between you can be arranged," Zuma said.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPB1cqcQPf
Holding his roses, Dr. Smith stood up and bowed over her hand. "Dear lady, I would be eternally grateful," he said.451Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTyzKWO4Ow
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