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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkXnzD8ci3
"Thus shall my enemies fall," he said arrogantly.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23ft9qD0qB
"Real enemies can strike back," Don remarked quietly.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9OXGCHR5V
"I have no fear of death," Yaotl retorted.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjY8WQptKh
"Maybe not. The dead never win."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUao3EnI7Mo
Yaotl looked sharply at Don. "How would you attack?" he asked.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5STC4Uxv4
"A little more cunningly," Don replied. "I'd use stealth to surprise my enemy."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOWZ36MbIp
"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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWrQZfsivF
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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDzugPzU3g
Yaotl looked surprised and observed that to win a victory with a thumb would require strong magic.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgyR3y8glH
Don shook his head. "Knowing your enemy's weakness isn't magic," he said, "it's common sense."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsh1YvYQNTT
Yaotl laughed and pointed to himself. "What weakness have I that is vulnerable to your thumb?"378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBJLgeepXu
"You'd be surprised," Don replied.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuHHgMQTIg
Yaotl hesitated, doubt in his eyes.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaozpE0Uj4
"Don't worry, Yaotl, I won't kill you. Not this time." Don remained composed; Tetzal was intrigued and Yaotl bristled.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYBEa1yAD3
"You mock the arts of war and I defy you to harm me;" he challenged.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQASAK6MT5i
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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qzCqtVeoK
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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0h9nmU02q
"Give him a little time," Don smiled at the High Priest. "He'll wake up soon."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwS0xzL0oS
At that moment Ollin limped into the courtyard. "Tetzal, there is a task to be...." he stopped short when he saw Yaotl.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wQv9OUq6c
Tetzal turned to him. "He sleeps. Nenetl's servant won the victory with his thumb."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe80F2UKMX1
Ollin looked warily at Don and turned back to Tetzal. "You saw the blow?"378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwTVwH179I
"There was no blow." Tetzal held up his left thumb. "He defeated Yaotl with this."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZeyYdaDlQ
"Tell him to rest until the sun has passed the zenith," Don advised as he walked away.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbXvlaQVPc
"Where do you go?" Tetzal asked.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡec0aet3AuZ
"For a stroll." Don was enjoying himself.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYSsoHecDo
"I shall accompany you." And the two of them left the courtyard.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZf8yE85Pl
Yaotl stirred, propped himself up on his elbows, shook his head and exercised his neck muscles.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfVAF7Spai
Ollin looked down at him. "Could you not fight against it?"378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQy8VmMcs2H
"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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagqReVfbZI
Ollin was disconcerted.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7uHS0AhqH
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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvM6gmFEn6E
"All his requests must be granted," Ollin replied, and as Tlaqui left he reiterated quietly, "Must be granted."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZk6qGoP6Ah
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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0SVSDAupy
"You grace the Chosen Warriors' barracks by your presence." Ollin gestured toward Yaotl. "He is one who would be commander of our armies."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bIBgsCcFs
"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?"378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AUoI8nNFP
"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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJIj7y4eVm
"No man can win against me!" he shouted.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVJb3lHTMC
"None, not one?" Olliln sneered.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK11IR0I3EC
"I shall lead our armies," Yaotl replied stubbornly. "It is my right to do so!"378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvec0JcsPe
"Yesterday it seemed so," Ollin remarked dryly.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aCAuYWkZ9
Yaotl glared at him, picked up the cudgel, stomped off to the center of the courtyard and began practicing swings and blows.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTThExbEma
Tlaqui looked with surprise at the High Priest of Sacrifice.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAiAmnRzV8
"You would make an enemy?" he asked naively.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIteOoRhoW
"I?" Ollin protested. "I only know that I have seen a man who could defeat him."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29ACGCx64j
"Defeat Yaotl?" The Perfect Victim could hadly believe his ears.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGfNtU090F
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."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsT8uKa7ZAR
"Maybe."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpQ959QPnR
"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?"378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxC6nrSSbX
"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?"378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkrZXrUgG3
The Perfect Victim considered the High Priest's argument and nodded. "He who defeated Yaotl should command.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMn8mgJkCv
"No!" Yaotl roared.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8O6HgppOQb
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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxX0DUE53Hk
"The Perfect Victim's desires must be fulfilled at all times," he burbled.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCxnE1W2PB
Ollin clenched his fists in delight as the Perfect Victim went to Yaotl's side.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvzehZxHNd
"My faith in Yaotl is supreme," the young man said, "and it is my desire that the Chosen Warriors meet in contest once again."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4L5rmpdtNS
"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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlqcqNunZj
"I shall challenge the stranger," said Yaotl.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKBidpmFhU
"Let it be so," the Perfect Victim said, and left the courtyard with Tlaqui.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NxKq5NJxu
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."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzqCzWES04
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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaU6v6cDP4
"It is herbal and the sap of the stem is used by those who practice medicine to induce sleep."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5VBu6iQfA
"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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPaoirmRDp
"What do you call yourself?" Zuma asked.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UWRjMlyms
"Zachary Smith, the Doctor of Many Things, at your service, my dear."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwAKw09XF0
Zuma was puzzled. "Doctor? You are a healer?"378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4fBJ4uf2g
"A healer? Oh, heavens no. I am a scientist, an engineer, a builder of things."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVzqpZkiB8
"Now I understand your interest in the pyramid and the temple."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmv1SvwgfQ5
Dr. Smith admitted that there were several details concerning the interior that intrigued him and this time came straight to the point.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDh6W28twt4
"Nenetl's tomb, for example, is sealed, but surely the builder, now, what was his name....ah....ah....."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2h4OYw3aP
"Atl," Zuma said.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8Ca6rfnFj
"Yes, of course," Dr. Smith replied. "Surely he devised a way of opening it."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1FCONF6d2
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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZYT2uVXKp
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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Hzj6l7Bdy
"No one could think that of you," she replied. "When shall the meeting be?"378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGlllxeoHj
"Oh, any time." Dr. Smith was nonchalant. "Today?"378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppeFH63Pfe
Zuma observed that an interested mind brooked no delay.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9QeeOcXuw
Dr. Smith looked at her and smiled. "I'm sure that's true of you, Zuma."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIRh1oVri4
She blushed. "I was once. Now I'm content to pass the time of day here like the others."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUdPTAPw9U
"Their minds are old, dear lady, something yours shall never, ever, be," Dr. Smith protested.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcolfhqFbYX
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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj19Wo1XpHX
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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAYVmsnixE
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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4spQHC4szt
"The High Priest of Knowledge will question you."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozgAbQnhwT
"And if he finds that I am the Spirit of Nenetl returned, what then?"378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNX97mEtf74
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfBqq5Z4YI
"I shall beg forgiveness of the Gods for my unworthy doubts."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Sdn5ge748
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15ARL9OjHL
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."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJp5Zds645y
"My servant also," Ann protested.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0TNZlhqim
"No!" Ollin spat out the word. "You are to remain alone."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVqdv8Z1TJ
"For what reason?" Ann enquired calmly.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTEFPZRhKg
"A false god's servants would conspire against us," Ollin said accusingly. "Such a danger we are unprepared to tolerate."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpWLFeyCwf
"Then let my servants be told they may not enter here," Ann replied evenly.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeucNZLxY5w
"As you command, Nenetl," Ollin replied and limped out of the temple leaving a very disquieted Ann behind him.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJnlqPAVJq
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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNbzfMqSvw
She came into the courtyard and went over to Yaotl's door, which was open. She called his name and Yaotl invited her in.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cI9ew4vaA
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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWmtOIMQRR
"I was told you wish to see me, Yaotl."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4FK4pis3d
"I would seek your advice, Zuma."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDsVcfZddW
"If I can give it, I shall," she replied.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaudo3L3NMg
Yaotl rubbed behind his left ear with his thumb and asked what she knew of magic.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh62a21C9AM
"Nothing," Zuma admitted. "Though it is my belief I knew one who does."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpZy2sj6OZ
Yaotl leaned forward. "What name has this person?"378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjvJ501GNo
"He is known as Zachary Smith and is the aged servant of Nenetl."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSkmZOXktT
Yaotl dismissed the suggestion with a wave of his hand. "An old fool with a strange name is of no use to me."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtVd6xsKpW
"Ah, but you may be of service to him," Zuma said. "He seeks an interview with you."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSfDtFKtDU
Yaotl was curious. "To what end?"378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1h3ecnXX4
"He is interested in your lamented father's father's work. In particular the temple," she added.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxP0hu0B5k
Yaotl ran his hand across his face. "Does he know my name?" he asked abruptly.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUVsrdflJc
"No."378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXFAeLfIuG
"Do not reveal it, but say that I shall meet him." His voice was casual.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKVa6AmRPB
"Where?"378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6emAFblXK
"Does he not spend his day in the temple garden?"378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCnKon7vMM
Zuma nodded.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4OOtw9mQ6
"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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKDKkv3ttB
"I shall deliver those words, Yaotl." She felt pleased to have been of service to the Doctor, as she liked his company.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcGOCiCR7B
"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.378Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboVNdNPySG
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