The cell Penny occupied at the seminary was one of several which opened onto a cloister. It was a small room with only a woven straw mattress, a wicker-work trunk and a cushion for furniture. She wore a full-length simple gray robe with short sleeves, and a multi-colored sash tied around her waist. She sat on the cushion looking up at Tetzal, who stood in front of her.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlmNY4J4cu
"You have been taught the code of the good housewife and committed it to memory?" the High Priest asked.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbH3cprgMxZ
"I have," Penny replied.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRV7f4cz1a
"Let me hear it."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQo3GQ2Hy6
"Tend well your nurseries and your flowerbeds. Keep clean your pot and stewpan," she recited. "Do not spend recklessly, do not destroy or cheapen yourself." She hesitated, thinking about the word 'destroy' and Ollin.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulR2nbGAeA
"You will never have..." Tetzal prompted as Tlaqui came into the cell.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2TRJhqWsX
"Oh yes. You will never have a house or a home of your own if you live like that," she rattled off. Tlaqui nodded approvingly and remarked that Penny had learned it diligently. Penny wondered if the Priest of Knowledge would like to know about Einstein's theory of relativity.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIhJSrpQfe
Tetzal praised her as a good pupil who used her intelligence and then introduced Tlaqui. Penny stood up and went to shake hands.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LCcazv02f
"You do not greet your elders in such a manner," Tetzal reproached her, "you stand still, not looking around. Your eyes see only the person to whom you are being introduced," he made a small gesture with his posy. "Unless you are meeting for the first time your prospective husband, in which case you keep your eyes downcast."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVupzUvsEHJ
"But how will I know?" Penny was intrigued.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62bzalFFEg
"Know what, child?"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwlXS7cZh7
"That he's to be my husband."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPnhrBrZxZ
"You will be told," Tetzal stated very matter-of-factly.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxrV10jLRw
"Told!" Penny exploded. "No one's going to tell me who to marry."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaiKT8ULoc
Tlaqui was taken aback. "What say have you in the matter?"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmjUACcWNr
"It's my life," Penny's voice was full of indignation, "and I'll spend it with whom I choose, not someone picked out for me."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKqGZMXjSq
Tetzal was perturbed by her outburst. Young Aztec women accepted arranged marriages without question, but if, as Nenetl's handmaiden, Penny refused, that meant that their traditional behavior was contrary to the god's wishes. If this were so, then in how many other ways might they also be so acting? The seed of doubt was sown!282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQWndCS44f
Dr. Smith was weeding a flowerbed when Yaotl came into the garden. He strode over to Dr. Smith and identified himself as the grandson of Atl, the man who built the temple. Dr. Smith straightened and looked at Yoatl, who wore an ordinary warrior's loin-cloth and cloak, as well as a plumed battle-mask which concealed the upper half of his face.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0w3uHBC67n
"Ah!" Dr. Smith said, and expressed his admiration of the pyramid. "The entrance to the tomb of the High Priest Nenetl is particularly fine piece of work."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIje3I31ln6
"Only the temples my father's father built have similar vaults," Yaotl replied.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq69CDHUuxW
"A secret design. All the best architects have one," Dr. Smith remarked.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRtkAe3RRU
"A drawing exists," Yaotl said, adding that as his father and his grandfather were with the gods it was in his possession.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CA6g30FUF
"Would it be possible for me to see it?" Dr. Smith enquired.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbNuN6INKS
"Can a humble warrior deny the request of Nenetl's aged servant? I shall show it to you after sunset if the gods are willing."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mKslLxhXR
"Why shouldn't they be?"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yzXJ7T8Um
Dr. Smith was curious and Yaotl explained that he had to meet another warrior in combat just before the sun set.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMDa5CFAPv
"Not to the death, I trust?" Dr. Smith asked anxiously.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkJ3rrO6Nr
"No, but defeat would mean disgrace," Yaotl replied, "and I would be confined to my quarters and no one might look upon me or speak to me for many days."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PF1zLX19g
Dr. Smith gave the problem his consideration.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ROYvxmN63
"My opponent has been selected," Yaotl continued. "I know his name and I fear defeat."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqXlKSNUaj
Dr. Smith asked what weapons would be used.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfNFQoQU7x
Yaotl spread out his hands. "These alone, and my skills like with a spear, sword or club."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JJwqrPnEw
"Oh dear," Dr. Smith sighed. "And I really wanted to see the drawing."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZiINGPlBx
"No more than I desire a victory."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BZV9ikvrG
Dr. Smith studied the scratch on the back of his hand. "Then let us assist each other," he said, and led Yaotl to he maguey cactus plant. Dr. Smith broke off a thorn and then a shoot from the herb beside it. He began squeezing the sap from the stem onto the tip of the thorn.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7W5NXFY6oy
"With this I shall win?" Yaotl asked.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRl6JehcJg
"Take care not to scratch yourself with it," Dr. Smith advised.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWERHxjIgb5
"The aged servant of Nenetl proffers poison?"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfFUTx2XKp
"Not to kill." Dr. Smith squeezed the last drop of sap onto the thorn. "But if used properly it will drain away your opponent's strength and he will sleep. Scratch here." Dr. Smith drew it across the inside of his wrist and then handed the thorn to the Chosen Warrior.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWHLBB6j3H
"I thank you," Yaotl smiled.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexvkTBRj9U
"You won't forget the drawing, will you?"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIEq6jASvs
"I shall be here after sunset."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBTs4mF9Pa
"So shall I."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLAfg2YT8h
Yaotl strode away and Dr.Smith sat on a bench thinking that a little knowledge of horticulture could, on occasion, take one a very long way.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkUQHUCJ52
Under Ollin's supervising eyes, Don stood in the middle of the courtyard swinging a cudgel in circles around his head and alongside his body, shifting it from hand to hand. It reminded him of working out with Indian clubs in a gymnasium---only this time he was not simply toning up his muscles but readying himself for a battle that would mean life or death. Under Aztec law, he had defeated Yaotl, but he knew that neither Ollin nor the Chosen Warrior would accept it. He realized he was no match for Yaotl with a spear----fighting with them he would be on the defensive, using his shield for protection. With cudgels he thought he stood a chance, but with his bare hands he knew he could win. He needed a strategy, a battle plan which would never give Yaotl the advantage. The problem was to bring the contest to a wrestling match as quickly as possible so that he could use a mixture of techniques---all-in, judo and karate----of which he was sure the Aztecs knew nothing. He paused to consider the problem.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIvcpjIdSe
"Does fatigue affect the young man in Nenetl's service?" Ollin's voice was sardonic.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5bepy0U2s
Don looked at him evenly. "Does the High Priest of Sacrifice scorn my attempts to prove my worthiness to command?" Don picked up a second cudgel and began swinging both of them in a gymnasium routine. As the studded cudgels were heavier than Indian clubs his wrists soon began to ache but he was determined not to let Ollin see any sign of it. Yaotl came onto the courtyard and went to Ollin's side as Don stepped up his pace.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsvvL2I1zW
"Can you conquer him, Yaotl?" Ollin murmured.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUsFZMGctf
"I know it," Yaotl grinned and called to Don, who stopped, secretly grateful, and turned to face him.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1G9pA3uXr
"Yes, Yaotl?"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzV5SXcxgZ
"I challenge you to a contest of strength!"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dHukXahGp
"A fight?"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEmzHyIO8r
"Without weapons. Your hands defeated me. Now let mine strive for victory over you."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBwiB5iuSe
Don was suspicious. He could not understand why Yaotl would throw down the gauntlet where he had the least likelihood of success.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4Fe09lxYv
"Will you refuse him?" Ollin's voice rasped.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoxhJvcCCG
"No," Don replied.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJYPx9smOh
"Then we fight here as the sun sets."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7t0AzuB4Om
"All right." Don began to swing the cudgels again but his brain sought the reason behind the challenge.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuF7583KzLF
"You are confident of victory?" Ollin's eyes were fixed on Don as he muttered the question to Yaotl.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NNlBjN8F5
"If you wish it, he shall die," Yaotl replied.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYA9QZTDzkA
Ollin nodded. "Let him die," he said with a brushing aside movement of his hand.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbK4ViKQYn
Ann and Tetzal were in the temple. She was standing beside the throne and the High Priest of Knowledge had been questioning her about Aztec mythology. Once more Ann owed much to her studies in college.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ys9pXdL3b
"I shall tell the High Priest of Sacrifice that I am satisfied of your divinity," Tetzal said when the questioning was finished.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTbRaHkZ1Q
"That won't stop Ollin," Ann smiled wryly. "He's out to destroy me."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZu1dFrmouz
"He cannot. Not while I believe you to be Nenetl," Tetzal said gravely.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgxbbwCQ3e
"Then why do you question me at his bidding?"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeG5LycTCc
"We both serve Huitzilopochtli faithfully."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nDhDCRsLY
"Do you?" Ann looked at him quizzically. "Were you not angry when I forbade the sacrifice to the Rain God?"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpT46r2Wr0D
"No."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6cCqy7eSb
"Do you then question the need for human sacrifice?"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiKS1xoTKY
"I accept it. We send messengers to many gods." Tetzal smiled at her. "So why should the gods not send a messenger to us?"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHp6VJXzh7w
"To say there must be no more human sacrifice," Ann suggested quietly. She walked around the throne running her right forefinger along the arm, over the back and along the other arm.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Hvs75A3XF
"I shall not oppose the gods if it is their will that such sacrifices cease."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGpvv4ICVT
"And Ollin? What of him?"282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeJ4i2nJ6I
"I have said we both serve Huitzilopochtli faithfully and through him the other gods whose biddings we obey."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNasCoklq3T
Ann smiled at his serious face. "The High Priest of Knowledge speaks with great wisdom."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjBEnKt08C
He studied his posy of flowers for a few seconds before replying, "If your words are denied, shall we not be living in defiance of the gods?" he asked.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZQF56azTF
Ann went back mentally to her history books again and the end of the Aztec civilization under the Spanish yoke. "Famine, drought, and disaster will come and more and more sacrifices will be made in supplication," she said slowly, measuring out her words. "I see a time to come when ten thousand warriors will die in one day under the obsidian knives of High Priests of Sacrifice."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfdffXgeLk
"In one day?" Tetzal was deeply distressed.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNkxVrt1iS
Ann thought about the Aztecs' last desperate bid to turn the tide of battle in their favor, never fully realizing that a loin-cloth, sandals, plumed head-dress, stabbing sword, studded cudgel, arrows and a shield were no match for armored breastplates, boots, steel helmets, cannons, blunderbusses, harquebuses and pistols.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsqAk5a3Qr
"Then where will it end, Nenetl?" Tetzal's voice quavered.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRbQveTpOE
"In total destruction," Ann replied softly. "Your civilization will pass forever from this land."282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZjsY1fIuU
"You prophesy our doom!" Tetzal's hands quivered in despair.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iIZV86JMC
Ann stood silently beside the throne and waited.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivfTcV9qRR
"Let me think on these words, great Spirit," he said finally, bowed to her and hurried from the temple.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxFHUay1T1
Ann watched him leave. What are you playing at Ann MacGregor? she asked herself. Still trying to meddle with history? You know it can't be done, didn't Dr. Smith tell you, didn't you ignore him, and fail? So what are you doing quoting facts and statistics out of history books and causing enormous distress to the only Aztec ally you have? She felt ashamed and suddenly very tired. She left the temple and went down to the antechamber to rest.282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEq8CNnyvO
282Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZ85bki9hq
and then Add to home screen.