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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiotena1d3
"Thus shall my enemies fall," he said arrogantly.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ywGhoy3VC
"Real enemies can strike back," Don remarked quietly.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gcSBKfPvj
"I have no fear of death," Yaotl retorted.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndWukD4b5C
"Maybe not. The dead never win."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0f9xIq68H
Yaotl looked sharply at Don. "How would you attack?" he asked.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKNKeZzFUI
"A little more cunningly," Don replied. "I'd use stealth to surprise my enemy."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLWHYfK8Un
"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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7rGvR6dcB
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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3SmueaHOb
Yaotl looked surprised and observed that to win a victory with a thumb would require strong magic.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zCc5RLLdx
Don shook his head. "Knowing your enemy's weakness isn't magic," he said, "it's common sense."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEifQdpz3x
Yaotl laughed and pointed to himself. "What weakness have I that is vulnerable to your thumb?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0gdiNq5Hy
"You'd be surprised," Don replied.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCw6sC79j4r
Yaotl hesitated, doubt in his eyes.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41EldfisUD
"Don't worry, Yaotl, I won't kill you. Not this time." Don remained composed; Tetzal was intrigued and Yaotl bristled.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVnTIbO3lY
"You mock the arts of war and I defy you to harm me;" he challenged.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLFI4jcf5n
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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuC5om2F3k4
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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iEdRfgWp4
"Give him a little time," Don smiled at the High Priest. "He'll wake up soon."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXY2b0AFEPx
At that moment Ollin limped into the courtyard. "Tetzal, there is a task to be...." he stopped short when he saw Yaotl.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0D7aU0kig
Tetzal turned to him. "He sleeps. Nenetl's servant won the victory with his thumb."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEeAFRwDBG
Ollin looked warily at Don and turned back to Tetzal. "You saw the blow?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfULI1KPpm0
"There was no blow." Tetzal held up his left thumb. "He defeated Yaotl with this."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyYmYEzn6Q
"Tell him to rest until the sun has passed the zenith," Don advised as he walked away.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu619RO8BSK
"Where do you go?" Tetzal asked.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHpOiYa4bh
"For a stroll." Don was enjoying himself.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJYmKkwJla
"I shall accompany you." And the two of them left the courtyard.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7g5RAUw78
Yaotl stirred, propped himself up on his elbows, shook his head and exercised his neck muscles.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVw8IY2qaL
Ollin looked down at him. "Could you not fight against it?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLU4RBOoDf
"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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWvKjxLFGU
Ollin was disconcerted.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwI2bYBiky3
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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDwoad2IGR
"All his requests must be granted," Ollin replied, and as Tlaqui left he reiterated quietly, "Must be granted."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWoxsN376o
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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmA4Ui1EQr5
"You grace the Chosen Warriors' barracks by your presence." Ollin gestured toward Yaotl. "He is one who would be commander of our armies."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2y9LTWs7kx
"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?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXnr9lsTqz
"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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLxQeIi22M
"No man can win against me!" he shouted.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRq8vAlpNBo
"None, not one?" Olliln sneered.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwDx6JESJD
"I shall lead our armies," Yaotl replied stubbornly. "It is my right to do so!"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdmKfPVk85
"Yesterday it seemed so," Ollin remarked dryly.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6A5DfWuXLa
Yaotl glared at him, picked up the cudgel, stomped off to the center of the courtyard and began practicing swings and blows.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsXCB6VM9W
Tlaqui looked with surprise at the High Priest of Sacrifice.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUh488Ag1hV
"You would make an enemy?" he asked naively.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTmYUS7tkw
"I?" Ollin protested. "I only know that I have seen a man who could defeat him."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9r5L43geV
"Defeat Yaotl?" The Perfect Victim could hadly believe his ears.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3j6RFyhfm
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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0aSbxWHcz
"Maybe."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALx896n4iU
"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?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIX07dbOSh
"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?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPUrLXD9KW
The Perfect Victim considered the High Priest's argument and nodded. "He who defeated Yaotl should command.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGrQRQoCP4
"No!" Yaotl roared.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdcsfUh2FN
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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXAAydEKy0
"The Perfect Victim's desires must be fulfilled at all times," he burbled.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Kfk206J05
Ollin clenched his fists in delight as the Perfect Victim went to Yaotl's side.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoK48Bg8PK
"My faith in Yaotl is supreme," the young man said, "and it is my desire that the Chosen Warriors meet in contest once again."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSShTHCMFw
"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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkI9YJFrBEJ
"I shall challenge the stranger," said Yaotl.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4H5eaFaKW
"Let it be so," the Perfect Victim said, and left the courtyard with Tlaqui.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3UKTmrDnO
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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHnM7W0npB
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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8IcEZZYJ4
"It is herbal and the sap of the stem is used by those who practice medicine to induce sleep."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyruMfXdnes
"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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWOsade98c
"What do you call yourself?" Zuma asked.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTmduTk4mh
"Zachary Smith, the Doctor of Many Things, at your service, my dear."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mRvlFROz3
Zuma was puzzled. "Doctor? You are a healer?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLR0biMzv9
"A healer? Oh, heavens no. I am a scientist, an engineer, a builder of things."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4DhBPPgzL
"Now I understand your interest in the pyramid and the temple."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjOtL7TD2e
Dr. Smith admitted that there were several details concerning the interior that intrigued him and this time came straight to the point.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHd5nPRuUH6
"Nenetl's tomb, for example, is sealed, but surely the builder, now, what was his name....ah....ah....."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUaWU8mEk3
"Atl," Zuma said.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOW8CGZmM8f
"Yes, of course," Dr. Smith replied. "Surely he devised a way of opening it."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsTPd3Ycnm
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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5D9jnEZAj
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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvhjNehzK8
"No one could think that of you," she replied. "When shall the meeting be?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJDKdiDkMQ
"Oh, any time." Dr. Smith was nonchalant. "Today?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbr3Dd7Aid
Zuma observed that an interested mind brooked no delay.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYIL4unXDN
Dr. Smith looked at her and smiled. "I'm sure that's true of you, Zuma."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZNmmysFPh
She blushed. "I was once. Now I'm content to pass the time of day here like the others."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRNf3ocdtH
"Their minds are old, dear lady, something yours shall never, ever, be," Dr. Smith protested.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOafvpYTxVr
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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcEpQk8vek
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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2yd6zWOc0
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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOCq4nMPqw
"The High Priest of Knowledge will question you."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7XLs6dkCV
"And if he finds that I am the Spirit of Nenetl returned, what then?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWTQeyAJGm
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDT92NWi6Z
"I shall beg forgiveness of the Gods for my unworthy doubts."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruf8lcDy0F
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWt7RUuWgyc
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."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0lVFkP2gy
"My servant also," Ann protested.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnpMdjB2T4
"No!" Ollin spat out the word. "You are to remain alone."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eSrPsK8ou
"For what reason?" Ann enquired calmly.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIS7jOs9nf8
"A false god's servants would conspire against us," Ollin said accusingly. "Such a danger we are unprepared to tolerate."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRXxN3p8S4
"Then let my servants be told they may not enter here," Ann replied evenly.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJkKELGHea
"As you command, Nenetl," Ollin replied and limped out of the temple leaving a very disquieted Ann behind him.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVXDHq4kh8
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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYLrJINfaZ
She came into the courtyard and went over to Yaotl's door, which was open. She called his name and Yaotl invited her in.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrWi0df9HN
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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAnOoyhiOa
"I was told you wish to see me, Yaotl."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcauAOThNy
"I would seek your advice, Zuma."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeqWAfb5pB
"If I can give it, I shall," she replied.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAh3YPVfbtO
Yaotl rubbed behind his left ear with his thumb and asked what she knew of magic.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01Mpq0yQsh
"Nothing," Zuma admitted. "Though it is my belief I knew one who does."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVg0Knx8f3
Yaotl leaned forward. "What name has this person?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrQROCRTRp
"He is known as Zachary Smith and is the aged servant of Nenetl."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirQK1XTIBb
Yaotl dismissed the suggestion with a wave of his hand. "An old fool with a strange name is of no use to me."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnQ4zfXxnf
"Ah, but you may be of service to him," Zuma said. "He seeks an interview with you."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIO4lU4DV1X
Yaotl was curious. "To what end?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCa3iFb4p9
"He is interested in your lamented father's father's work. In particular the temple," she added.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FpeGzCHRR
Yaotl ran his hand across his face. "Does he know my name?" he asked abruptly.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl502SE1Mvf
"No."377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiHryvZlUP
"Do not reveal it, but say that I shall meet him." His voice was casual.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTL2kKrKtm
"Where?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQIa5d4s9H
"Does he not spend his day in the temple garden?"377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQ2YcJYn3m
Zuma nodded.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FWKxLneKH
"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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgE55ZEIl24
"I shall deliver those words, Yaotl." She felt pleased to have been of service to the Doctor, as she liked his company.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3HU3Vo20X
"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.377Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwIhduVj2M
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