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.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKJ2ZiEGaS
"Thus shall my enemies fall," he said arrogantly.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyjOnVF7Dz
"Real enemies can strike back," Don remarked quietly.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxVx0TrnTE
"I have no fear of death," Yaotl retorted.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbzINMjcrv
"Maybe not. The dead never win."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4KEgzn2bA
Yaotl looked sharply at Don. "How would you attack?" he asked.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljcHajk511
"A little more cunningly," Don replied. "I'd use stealth to surprise my enemy."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxySBUH3u6
"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.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFB5CwPyjvF
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.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBw2R1m99n
Yaotl looked surprised and observed that to win a victory with a thumb would require strong magic.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgov7QNePB5
Don shook his head. "Knowing your enemy's weakness isn't magic," he said, "it's common sense."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJDPN4t0H3
Yaotl laughed and pointed to himself. "What weakness have I that is vulnerable to your thumb?"419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1AVV6t3O8
"You'd be surprised," Don replied.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sS022cZ5Z
Yaotl hesitated, doubt in his eyes.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qV5rmrwMo
"Don't worry, Yaotl, I won't kill you. Not this time." Don remained composed; Tetzal was intrigued and Yaotl bristled.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGR5kz80F5r
"You mock the arts of war and I defy you to harm me;" he challenged.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgonLVXVQ7L
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.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡph4hotVZ6V
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.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EL1xgmkpM
"Give him a little time," Don smiled at the High Priest. "He'll wake up soon."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxk2XxhzF5S
At that moment Ollin limped into the courtyard. "Tetzal, there is a task to be...." he stopped short when he saw Yaotl.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGi7vixcRB9
Tetzal turned to him. "He sleeps. Nenetl's servant won the victory with his thumb."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9xYg1Y46I
Ollin looked warily at Don and turned back to Tetzal. "You saw the blow?"419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74gFvz3mre
"There was no blow." Tetzal held up his left thumb. "He defeated Yaotl with this."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGWSzgWpJW
"Tell him to rest until the sun has passed the zenith," Don advised as he walked away.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7CTdjWwuW
"Where do you go?" Tetzal asked.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2wHhstPFs
"For a stroll." Don was enjoying himself.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7XntTwP6g
"I shall accompany you." And the two of them left the courtyard.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrA6NU0mKY
Yaotl stirred, propped himself up on his elbows, shook his head and exercised his neck muscles.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZ8zhTHEux
Ollin looked down at him. "Could you not fight against it?"419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMAbqE3DCk
"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.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWc8yjwvKN
Ollin was disconcerted.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkMfRRV9x4
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.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlgy0X6ehS
"All his requests must be granted," Ollin replied, and as Tlaqui left he reiterated quietly, "Must be granted."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafWlwRERH6
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.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwyFftXf4v
"You grace the Chosen Warriors' barracks by your presence." Ollin gestured toward Yaotl. "He is one who would be commander of our armies."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9B39meUnns
"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?"419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGnDI8TTHW
"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.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI25gyEDAZ0
"No man can win against me!" he shouted.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4SYqE1Z88
"None, not one?" Olliln sneered.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwh8QmHKbXY
"I shall lead our armies," Yaotl replied stubbornly. "It is my right to do so!"419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPx1ItoFgrQ
"Yesterday it seemed so," Ollin remarked dryly.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKNbi1ynU3
Yaotl glared at him, picked up the cudgel, stomped off to the center of the courtyard and began practicing swings and blows.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cYrNvOCSq
Tlaqui looked with surprise at the High Priest of Sacrifice.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdDAlHNCnn
"You would make an enemy?" he asked naively.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHR3wEaMHjJ
"I?" Ollin protested. "I only know that I have seen a man who could defeat him."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8mxaiestR
"Defeat Yaotl?" The Perfect Victim could hadly believe his ears.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeOd7DZODO
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."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwt2SQ6gpE
"Maybe."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2PHQUHWUC
"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?"419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWytU0g8aO
"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?"419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWgSYwPzaG
The Perfect Victim considered the High Priest's argument and nodded. "He who defeated Yaotl should command.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeM3Fa1uahV
"No!" Yaotl roared.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JJvngVt9g
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.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzIt5X6SIV
"The Perfect Victim's desires must be fulfilled at all times," he burbled.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolUS9lfy7p
Ollin clenched his fists in delight as the Perfect Victim went to Yaotl's side.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxn4FjFBrY
"My faith in Yaotl is supreme," the young man said, "and it is my desire that the Chosen Warriors meet in contest once again."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwr67hPXGf
"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.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1PQ1sYS9G
"I shall challenge the stranger," said Yaotl.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzSaAAaFi3
"Let it be so," the Perfect Victim said, and left the courtyard with Tlaqui.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgmvtK0guV
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."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs61tqVoosi
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.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAfLqDRzKl
"It is herbal and the sap of the stem is used by those who practice medicine to induce sleep."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4rhXVn8Wh
"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.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCgLDjGx3T
"What do you call yourself?" Zuma asked.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmL1NQbkUV
"Zachary Smith, the Doctor of Many Things, at your service, my dear."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TkaA4RoWa
Zuma was puzzled. "Doctor? You are a healer?"419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77UzQvtNPF
"A healer? Oh, heavens no. I am a scientist, an engineer, a builder of things."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lhWfSnD8a
"Now I understand your interest in the pyramid and the temple."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeS05OnYssa
Dr. Smith admitted that there were several details concerning the interior that intrigued him and this time came straight to the point.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLg6EEeUTP
"Nenetl's tomb, for example, is sealed, but surely the builder, now, what was his name....ah....ah....."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3CRYZ2jso
"Atl," Zuma said.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4cBqrhXoj
"Yes, of course," Dr. Smith replied. "Surely he devised a way of opening it."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTP6Tgt1SGI
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.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5e8FoSRtjq
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.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAqM9PDqEm
"No one could think that of you," she replied. "When shall the meeting be?"419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGltWOBJXj2
"Oh, any time." Dr. Smith was nonchalant. "Today?"419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYh8OoFwsUz
Zuma observed that an interested mind brooked no delay.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zY0tpIxWt
Dr. Smith looked at her and smiled. "I'm sure that's true of you, Zuma."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYVdW8V4aR
She blushed. "I was once. Now I'm content to pass the time of day here like the others."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcNUdWRD4j
"Their minds are old, dear lady, something yours shall never, ever, be," Dr. Smith protested.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6nhmQXNEM
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.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLulySJ2kl
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.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36Bch7MUfv
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.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYqHRX2LrX
"The High Priest of Knowledge will question you."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUuMZxxzyp
"And if he finds that I am the Spirit of Nenetl returned, what then?"419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPPPDFplW2
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUILaOlPn3l
"I shall beg forgiveness of the Gods for my unworthy doubts."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiZme7UmRn
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedGCrOOXoe
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."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynV9SCnfLN
"My servant also," Ann protested.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeJVZPnbmo
"No!" Ollin spat out the word. "You are to remain alone."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VyWBHbuly
"For what reason?" Ann enquired calmly.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgON0j6TAU
"A false god's servants would conspire against us," Ollin said accusingly. "Such a danger we are unprepared to tolerate."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtrBOjNNAh
"Then let my servants be told they may not enter here," Ann replied evenly.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1ShgBQMSX
"As you command, Nenetl," Ollin replied and limped out of the temple leaving a very disquieted Ann behind him.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlWEUCRO1D
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.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsj8d0kCdE
She came into the courtyard and went over to Yaotl's door, which was open. She called his name and Yaotl invited her in.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRG9LF3Sq1M
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.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPl1yC90cmn
"I was told you wish to see me, Yaotl."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LevwtktkM
"I would seek your advice, Zuma."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgpG0p5iob
"If I can give it, I shall," she replied.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Qz74r90c0
Yaotl rubbed behind his left ear with his thumb and asked what she knew of magic.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9H0XZdwU0
"Nothing," Zuma admitted. "Though it is my belief I knew one who does."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUMHa6c7qq
Yaotl leaned forward. "What name has this person?"419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXr1n0IaO6
"He is known as Zachary Smith and is the aged servant of Nenetl."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhY3hLPpqT2
Yaotl dismissed the suggestion with a wave of his hand. "An old fool with a strange name is of no use to me."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZDVcmkLwF
"Ah, but you may be of service to him," Zuma said. "He seeks an interview with you."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8zMpSIsTu
Yaotl was curious. "To what end?"419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQ7jsYosX3
"He is interested in your lamented father's father's work. In particular the temple," she added.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXrtzZKWFD
Yaotl ran his hand across his face. "Does he know my name?" he asked abruptly.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGBQzlQUIP
"No."419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIIaiYw4lV
"Do not reveal it, but say that I shall meet him." His voice was casual.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyDgB6Vi8w
"Where?"419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIL7EHDjKGM
"Does he not spend his day in the temple garden?"419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuY7GVrRvgg
Zuma nodded.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWfdbmazqG
"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.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUBeyjjhW8
"I shall deliver those words, Yaotl." She felt pleased to have been of service to the Doctor, as she liked his company.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvuauaByaO
"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.419Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTCl2xZNu8
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