The life-size clay model of a warrior wore a loin-cloth, sandals and a head-dress. On its chest was a small red circle to indicate the heart. Yaotl stood at the other end of the courtyard holding a javelin, which he threw with devastating accuracy into the circle. Don, who was watching with Tetzal, thought Yaotl would be a useful addition to a darts team. Yaotl swaggered over to them, his right hand on the hilt of the short sword hanging at his side.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruv49o0zZi
"Thus shall my enemies fall," he said arrogantly.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtysxBONRgO
"Real enemies can strike back," Don remarked quietly.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlk9dt05IT1
"I have no fear of death," Yaotl retorted.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDP8H8VxDdX
"Maybe not. The dead never win."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFxX3Sb3u4
Yaotl looked sharply at Don. "How would you attack?" he asked.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgUsq8mvPV
"A little more cunningly," Don replied. "I'd use stealth to surprise my enemy."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0vRHKSe64
"This also I can do." Yaotl spun around and when they were face to face again, the sword was drawn and the tip touching Don's stomach.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfynAV7Txtm
Don smiled at Yaotl as the chosen warrior slid the sword back into its scabbard. Don held up his left thumb. "This is all I need," he said casually.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWHJAZI22K
Yaotl looked surprised and observed that to win a victory with a thumb would require strong magic.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41xPi2th5P
Don shook his head. "Knowing your enemy's weakness isn't magic," he said, "it's common sense."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxR9iAULTi
Yaotl laughed and pointed to himself. "What weakness have I that is vulnerable to your thumb?"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6TJZrRP9u
"You'd be surprised," Don replied.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5UzjCfYdc
Yaotl hesitated, doubt in his eyes.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFu5tc3Oup
"Don't worry, Yaotl, I won't kill you. Not this time." Don remained composed; Tetzal was intrigued and Yaotl bristled.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnsH3vCutZ
"You mock the arts of war and I defy you to harm me;" he challenged.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEIWbrSEMb
Don looked at the studded club that lay on the ground beside them. "Pick up the club, Yaotl," Don pointed at it with his left thumb.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzT4XPssnVs
Yaotl eyed Don suspiciously and then bent down to pick up the cudgel with his right hand. But he never quite reached it, as Don was astride him from behind and had clamped Yaotl's right arm in a half-nelson hold, leaving him powerless to pick up the cudgel or draw his sword. At the same time Don rammed his left thumb onto the pressure point behind Yaotl's left ear. For a few seconds Yaotl thrashed vainly with his left arm to disengage Don's thumb, and then went limp. Don released him and Yaotl slumped to the ground. Tetzal stared at Don in astonishment.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BRMUpVT7u
"Give him a little time," Don smiled at the High Priest. "He'll wake up soon."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrn49x6SOq8
At that moment Ollin limped into the courtyard. "Tetzal, there is a task to be...." he stopped short when he saw Yaotl.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedvlFM5yVA
Tetzal turned to him. "He sleeps. Nenetl's servant won the victory with his thumb."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXr40vfQ5Z8
Ollin looked warily at Don and turned back to Tetzal. "You saw the blow?"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIrEzBvy5k
"There was no blow." Tetzal held up his left thumb. "He defeated Yaotl with this."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3VMMnCtPP
"Tell him to rest until the sun has passed the zenith," Don advised as he walked away.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdcxbqmQJ4
"Where do you go?" Tetzal asked.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsw4LQIfRSN
"For a stroll." Don was enjoying himself.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviNNnZrHzI
"I shall accompany you." And the two of them left the courtyard.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROvDA7D00u
Yaotl stirred, propped himself up on his elbows, shook his head and exercised his neck muscles.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlVIuVfIQ6
Ollin looked down at him. "Could you not fight against it?"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXECHGQsFyv
"I was powerless." Yaotl rose groggily to his feet and leaned against the courtyard wall. "My strength was drained from me like that," and he snapped his fingers.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtmmXw86m4
Ollin was disconcerted.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ703XDZ8hji
Tlaqui, a small, portly, balding Priest of Knowledge waddled, posy in hand, into the courtyard, bowed to Ollin and announced t hat the Perfect Victim desired to be admitted.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNbo3dekOl
"All his requests must be granted," Ollin replied, and as Tlaqui left he reiterated quietly, "Must be granted."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihMbyaaM13
The Perfect Victim entered the courtyard. He was a handsome youth of eighteen and his white loin-cloth and cloak were hemmed with a gold thread, which had also been used to weave the eagle and coiled-snake motif on the back of his cloak. Even his sandals were white.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYSV2sXAwr
"You grace the Chosen Warriors' barracks by your presence." Ollin gestured toward Yaotl. "He is one who would be commander of our armies."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfGcUMT0HI
"Yaotl, I have heard of your valor and skill," the Perfect Victim exclaimed, and then looked puzzled. "Why do you say "would be" when all know he is to be the commander?"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqaBu2ee01
"There are some who say the accounts of his deeds and the truth are far apart," Ollin replied, looking shyly at Yaotl, who was furious.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eBKo1SEI3
"No man can win against me!" he shouted.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2nML6qNNV
"None, not one?" Olliln sneered.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aUumcLa4M
"I shall lead our armies," Yaotl replied stubbornly. "It is my right to do so!"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybAqXVEjTF
"Yesterday it seemed so," Ollin remarked dryly.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3STkEfzli
Yaotl glared at him, picked up the cudgel, stomped off to the center of the courtyard and began practicing swings and blows.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzyR2ftw5G
Tlaqui looked with surprise at the High Priest of Sacrifice.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjWihW6iPo
"You would make an enemy?" he asked naively.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPRAC44BRd
"I?" Ollin protested. "I only know that I have seen a man who could defeat him."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTQIxTrziY
"Defeat Yaotl?" The Perfect Victim could hadly believe his ears.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BOXUkZqUT
Yaotl stopped swinging the cudgel and turned towards tehm. "Once. And that by a trick." He pointed the cudgel at Ollin. "I tell you that face to face, I can pull the stranger down."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfAiYKgOzk
"Maybe."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpc5kswsiF
"You drive the man." The Perfect Victim's voice was reproachful. "How often have you and Tetzal instructed me that small failings in a man may be his saving graces?"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0SNWjMCmy
"But you, O' Perfect Victim, are as your name implies," Ollin replied. "When the time is ripe and you face the Gods, all failings will have dropped away. How else could you meet the gods to tell them of the Aztecs?" He paused dramatically and then raised his voice. "Should not the commander of our armies be equally pure so that his very name will strike awe and dread in our enemies' camps?"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8sPO9PvJL
The Perfect Victim considered the High Priest's argument and nodded. "He who defeated Yaotl should command.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJz8gfx9UT
"No!" Yaotl roared.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdmqZnyME8
Ollin raised a calming hand and conceded that Nenetl's servant may have won through trickery. "A second contest would resolve the matter but I cannot order it." He shrugged his shoulders and waited for Tlaqui, in his simplicity, to come to the rescue.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonMUutD58s
"The Perfect Victim's desires must be fulfilled at all times," he burbled.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nYN7P3zSw
Ollin clenched his fists in delight as the Perfect Victim went to Yaotl's side.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iIXXOZdr4
"My faith in Yaotl is supreme," the young man said, "and it is my desire that the Chosen Warriors meet in contest once again."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wMAsMqGwh
"As the sun sets, I shall arrange it," Ollin promised, and then casually expressed his opinion that the two men fought better when one challenged the other as there was less vigor in a contest made solely for entertainment.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqXIcS0OOs
"I shall challenge the stranger," said Yaotl.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpF9JsQRds
"Let it be so," the Perfect Victim said, and left the courtyard with Tlaqui.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vyfapEiKZ
Ollin limped to Yaotl's side and whispered in his ear. "This I promise you: all honor and glory shall be yours if you destroy him."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRW2ou4XUCd
Dr. Smith and Zuma were in the garden looking at the flowers and plants. Dr. Smith touched a leaf and asked her what it was.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzbKMmKWXy
"It is herbal and the sap of the stem is used by those who practice medicine to induce sleep."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrDyZM95uI
"I think I know of it," Dr. Smith replied, straightening up. As he did so , he scratched the back of his hand on a thorn of the maguey cactus plant which grew beside the herb. "Ouch!" He put the back of his hand to his mouth. Zuma laughed and suggested that Nenetl's aged servant might care to sleep until the wound healed. Dr. Smith declined, smiling, and they walked on along the path.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwP5LYcvvGi
"What do you call yourself?" Zuma asked.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQzLdyp66M
"Zachary Smith, the Doctor of Many Things, at your service, my dear."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZt5kqLF2g
Zuma was puzzled. "Doctor? You are a healer?"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8autK3g7T
"A healer? Oh, heavens no. I am a scientist, an engineer, a builder of things."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MNXhPBdBi
"Now I understand your interest in the pyramid and the temple."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSs8u2zJl6P
Dr. Smith admitted that there were several details concerning the interior that intrigued him and this time came straight to the point.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4coNctv6Av
"Nenetl's tomb, for example, is sealed, but surely the builder, now, what was his name....ah....ah....."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡES6sVCJwKI
"Atl," Zuma said.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CSnBp3lE8
"Yes, of course," Dr. Smith replied. "Surely he devised a way of opening it."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqolg877Ze
Zuma admitted that her knowledge of the pyramid was insufficient to answer his query, but she was sure Atl's grandson would know the answer.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIkgzawvH7
Dr. Smith stopped and sniffed an exotic flower. "Such a fragrance," he murmured and added that he didn't want to pry into what might be a family secret.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYCihusnC8
"No one could think that of you," she replied. "When shall the meeting be?"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPstl6rrTKB
"Oh, any time." Dr. Smith was nonchalant. "Today?"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42bPXquMF3
Zuma observed that an interested mind brooked no delay.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFz1YrqBBps
Dr. Smith looked at her and smiled. "I'm sure that's true of you, Zuma."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhpBHMAz38
She blushed. "I was once. Now I'm content to pass the time of day here like the others."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFYttT3meE
"Their minds are old, dear lady, something yours shall never, ever, be," Dr. Smith protested.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6n9CjrKDzm
Zuma smiled. "Your heart too is young, Dr. Smith." She touched his hand and said she would go and see the builder's grandson at once.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPGFeclroS
As she hurried away Dr.Smith sighed. He had a sense of guilt because, much as he liked Zuma, he knew he was using her. And does the end justify the means, he asked himself. In this instance, definitely, yes; the thought was resolute, but the guilt still niggled.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8c0aeRP3s8
Ann received the High Priest of Sacrifice in the temple. Seated upon the throne, she was determined to draw on all the divinity she could muster. She looked down at Olliln and waited for him to speak.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxnVJ3mfme
"The High Priest of Knowledge will question you."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu08LREbCo2
"And if he finds that I am the Spirit of Nenetl returned, what then?"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUjC0ydzXi
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPllh8rtNA
"I shall beg forgiveness of the Gods for my unworthy doubts."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXsYUM4wel
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYobvmSALj
Ollin leaned towards the throne, his impenetrable eyes glistening. "Remember this also." His voice was a menace. "While your divinity is in dispute, only those who serve the temple may approach you."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvCMcsRqJc
"My servant also," Ann protested.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6WohskIQo
"No!" Ollin spat out the word. "You are to remain alone."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmonXMOlMdE
"For what reason?" Ann enquired calmly.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeUZxFuPdS
"A false god's servants would conspire against us," Ollin said accusingly. "Such a danger we are unprepared to tolerate."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSqGYoe54y
"Then let my servants be told they may not enter here," Ann replied evenly.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2K0Qk9CC7
"As you command, Nenetl," Ollin replied and limped out of the temple leaving a very disquieted Ann behind him.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2mWm2vUFk
Zuma was walking along the broad avenue on her way to the barracks when a messenger approached her. He bowed respectfully and said that Yaotl, the Chosen Warrior, sought her counsel. Zuma smiled and replied that she would go directly to his quarters.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOACcvV2yM4
She came into the courtyard and went over to Yaotl's door, which was open. She called his name and Yaotl invited her in.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi16s1Rpe2E
The quarters consisted of three small rooms. On one side of the main living area was the bathroom, essential to most dwellings, as the Aztecs, with the exception of High Priests of Sacrifice, bathed two or three times a day. On the other side was the bedroom with a woven straw mattress on the floor and two wicker-work trunks for Yaotl's loin-cloths and cloaks. His head-dresses were kept on a shelf, his sandals underneath it. The main room had a legless square wooden table with a cushion at each side. Yaotl pointed to a cushion and Zuma sat down. Yaotl sat facing her.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBEnQtVIuf
"I was told you wish to see me, Yaotl."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwTlOdBWDv
"I would seek your advice, Zuma."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YqPZ3XHJH
"If I can give it, I shall," she replied.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RvKc7n3Xh
Yaotl rubbed behind his left ear with his thumb and asked what she knew of magic.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8A9eqiHWvf
"Nothing," Zuma admitted. "Though it is my belief I knew one who does."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooIpVfHUqt
Yaotl leaned forward. "What name has this person?"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWMEQZFD2c
"He is known as Zachary Smith and is the aged servant of Nenetl."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkMJDAC7cK
Yaotl dismissed the suggestion with a wave of his hand. "An old fool with a strange name is of no use to me."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06pd34DxUP
"Ah, but you may be of service to him," Zuma said. "He seeks an interview with you."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1XflnORRs
Yaotl was curious. "To what end?"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IxyRkF99P
"He is interested in your lamented father's father's work. In particular the temple," she added.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnHBOFvrRP
Yaotl ran his hand across his face. "Does he know my name?" he asked abruptly.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSrGDSY9pc
"No."362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwUl2ZipdH
"Do not reveal it, but say that I shall meet him." His voice was casual.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueY2IOktqL
"Where?"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nsv8fybsR
"Does he not spend his day in the temple garden?"362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BGYEcmfTp
Zuma nodded.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhwOR94k3r
"Then there, I shall pass by after the sun is over the zenith and my food has been brought to me." He stood up and helped Zuma to her feet.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl614qlTyUn
"I shall deliver those words, Yaotl." She felt pleased to have been of service to the Doctor, as she liked his company.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDagu1QTjMr
"Be mindful not to reveal my name," Yaotl called to her from the doorway as Zuma crossed the courtyard. Then he went back into the room chuckling. There was no better way to destroy one's enemies than to let them destroy themselves.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNbl8u1z5r
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