The High Priests met on the stairs and Tetzal related word for word all that Ann had told him.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZByPZz4JV
"So she prophesies our doom," Ollin sneered. "Without a doubt to avert her own." He jabbed a finger at Tetzal. "I tell you she is not Nenetl---she is a false god!"425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphYOHIALyj
"I do not know it," Tetzal firmly replied.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkj0WsSwRY
"Question her again and again and again, then you will learn that I speak the truth."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRygtWboHep
They heard Dr. Smith puffing his way up the stairs.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzuNdAvKAd
"The old man," Ollin ssaid. "Let us withdraw."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwBqDc07XE
They hid in the shadows of an alcove and watched Dr. Smith as he muttered about how hard these Aztec pyramids were on his delicate back and continued climbing up the stairs to the antechamber where Ann was resting.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoogq65JIGm
She startled as he came in. "Dr. Smith, go away," but he flopped onto a couch instead. "No one's allowed to see me."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkWb8EyXRN
"Nonsense," Dr. Smith gasped. "The guards didn't stop me." He waved an arm vaguely towards the door. "And besides, I'm supposed to be your aged servant." There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice which Ann decided to ignore.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFNQWhmz6J
"Didn't Ollin warn you that during my questioning none of you are allowed up here?"425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeI3eOVkcC2
"No." Dr. Smith stood up wearily. "All right, I'll go as soon as I've told you that I'll know how to get into the tomb by tonight."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TAYLFQckC
Ann was relieved. "I won't be sorry," she said.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdI4CZ6RnCi
"All I had to do was make sure that the warrior grandson of the man who built this temple wins a fight at sunset," Dr. Smith confided with a wink.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZqr1UzTo1
"But that's Yaotl," Ann cried. "Don's rival for command, and it's to be a fight to the death, Tetzal told me so."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1GvA8yEct
Dr. Smith was alarmed. "I must warn West," he said and went to the antechamber door. He opened it, but the way was barred by two guards with Ollin and Tetzal.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLRcfbP3pX
"Take him," Ollin commanded. "He has transgressed the law."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLW4UDxqG96
The guards seized Dr. Smith's arms and led him away as he protested in vain. Ollin followed them. Tetzal remained and Ann looked at him angrily.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VnZCATsd8
"They had no right to arrest my aged servant."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkFt3DSGqX
"As the High Priest of Sacrifice observed, he has..."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9S64aqHsh
Ann cut him off with a chopping motion of her hand. "No one told him! He didn't know!"425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJkyjte5pJ
Tetzal frowned. "If that is so, then to hold him prisoner is unjust. I shall obtain his release."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2pKqqltrf
"I thank you, Tetzal."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqS3j7NUJjE
The High Priest bowed and turned to leave the antechamber.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8dmOmMYcs
"Wait!" Ann said suddenly. "There is to be a contest between my servant, Don, and the chosen warrior, Yaotl. I forbid it."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Aq8Cy5d2Z
Nenetl looked at her uncomfortably. "Great Spirit, the contest cannot be avoided. Only one of them may command our armies."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxi4S02Pelx
"Then let it be Yaotl."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnXLs6dNbs
Tetzal was shocked. "You would deny your servant honor?" he asked.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3cXkhrOsd
Ann shook her head and said that the contest was ill-timed, that Yaotl had been in training for many months. Tetzal protested that he had seen Don defeat Yaotl with his thumb and, besides, the combat would not be mortal.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6H02Qj9U5c
"See that it remains so," Ann commanded.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4b3zE9AHO
"Nenetl has spoken," Tetzal replied and bowed again.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD16fw5Rs9P
Don and Yaotl faced each other across the courtyard. They wore loin-cloths and sandals. Tlaqui and the Perfect Victim stood against one wall. The Perfect Victim held two cudgels. He looked at Yaotl, then at Don, both of whom nodded. The Perfect Victim raised the cudgels above his head.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFEyC7Q1mi
"Let the contest begin," he called, striking the cudgels together.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJnhatqG3s
Don and Yaotl circled each other warily, which in Yaotl's case was a mistake as Don suddenly lunged at him. Yaotl reached out to grab Don's arms, but Don broke the attempted hold by swinging his arms in a full circle and at the same time his right foot shot behind Yaotl's left ankle and jerked him off balance. Yaotl staggered back and Don moved in, grabbing the Chosen Warrior by one arm, then turning away abruptly to go for a shoulder throw. Yaotl had sense enough to realize that if he tried to resist his arm would break. He hit the ground face down in front of Don who didn't release his arm but, holding it in a handlock, began kneading Yaotl's muscle with his other fist. Both Tlaqui and the Perfect Victim were impressed but Yaotl wanted to cry out in fury as he felt the strength draining away from his arm. He knew that with an arm useless he had already lost the contest. Somehow he had to break Don's hold and reach the thorn which he had carefully placed beside the door to his quarters.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeIdzrU6OZ
Then Don made his mistake. Knowing Yaotl's arm was completely weakened, he released his handhold and stepped back. Using his good arm and under Don's watchful eyes, Yaotl rose to his knees and massaged his useless arm. At that moment Yaotl, Tetzal and Dr. Smith came into the courtyard.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTehU1o5Wj
"Don't let him scratch you, West," Dr. Smith shouted immediately. Don was puzzled and looked at Dr. Smith.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqRMrXKWBj
"Scratch me?" he asked. The distraction gave Yaotl enough time to scramble to his feet, race to the door, grab the thorn and throw himself at Don who easily blocked the attack but not before the thorn had been drawn across the inside of his wrist.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhaeNBrafK
"Use stealth, use cunning, you said," Don was jubilant. "You defeated me with your thumb. I have defeated you with the thorn of the maguey cactus."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHTQAvffBN
"Plus a sleep-inducing herb," Dr. Smith protested as Yaotl threw away the thorn. Don knew that to win he had to do it quickly. He also realized that the more energy he expended, the harder his heart would pump and the faster the drug would circulate through his system. He needed a submission hammerlock, but Yaotl was keeping his distance, dancing out of the way, waiting.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjK73lpNyVW
"Stop this childish nonsense, Ollin," Dr. Smith demanded. "Stop it, I say!"425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEARAOpnHc
Ollin had victory in his eyes as he looked at Dr. Smith. "No."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEMYen2gsj
"But I gave Yaotl the thorn," Dr. Smith protested.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk45Q2PMMem
"Then you should rejoice," Ollin replied. "Yaotl will win."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1ZOeVYWIL
"Tetzal, stop it," Dr. Smith pleaded. "The contest is unfair."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU20SAnNHxn
"I cannot." Tetzal was embarrassed. "The Perfect Victim desired this contest and only the High Priest of Sacrifice, who commands here, can stop it."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZZwyHBiQi
"Let it continue," the Perfect Victim requested. Ollin bowed.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zMTM32NEq
"And to the death, Yaotl. To the death!" he called ecstatically.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstyOnvsCYs
Yaotl bent down to pick up one of the studded cudgels. This is my last chance, Don thought, and rushed at the Chosen Warrior. Once again he caught Yaotl off balance and pushed him to his knees. Knowing he no longer had the strength for the submission hold, Don clamped on a half-nelson and went for the pressure point again with his thumb. But his head was beginning to swim, his eyes blurring and his strength ebbing away. Yaotl threw him off . Don rolled over and stood up groggily while Yaotl picked up the second cudgel and handed it cautiously to him.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKpYXMbhFp
"I have but one arm but soon you will sleep," Yaotl smiled at Don, "forever, and I shall command our armies." He swung his cudgel at Don's head. Don saw it coming and fended off the blow, but it sent him reeling.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDtUaXyBW3
"Destroy him, Yaotl," Ollin was triumphant.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhK2SBI6px
"Nenetl forbade it," Tetzal replied.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQzI8iY2k7
"A false God forbids it," Ollin sneered, and turned back to Yaotl. "Destroy him!"425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3MiZ43u0h
Don warded off the repeated blows as best he could, but he knew he had only seconds to live. And then he heard Ann's voice.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIjStA5LEf
"Stop!" she commanded as she stood at the entrance to the courtyard. Yaotl lowered his cudgel, Don reeling did the same. Ollin turned to Ann, with venom in his voice.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFuZ5bnUQ3
"Your place is in the temple!"425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7Nym2ageR
"Even though I am a false God? No, Ollin. I am loyal to those who serve me."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeeij6S4Kb
Ollin looked at her with loathing and then turned to Yaotl. "Execute him," he cried out exultantly, then looked at Ann. "If you are Nenetl----save him," pointing to Don as Yaotl raised the cudgel.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIA2T2K58n2
Don barely saw the movement, but he succeeded in blocking the blow, knowing that the next one would bury the studs in his brain. Yaotl raised the cudgel to strike but before he could bring it down Ann held Ollin from behind, the razor-sharp edge of an obsidian knife against his throat.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEm7nX8SBe
"As dies my servant, so dies your High Priest of Sacrifice."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69V1jkTjCO
Everyone froze. It was no idle threat and they all knew it, Ollin included. He looked at Yaotl and shook his head slowly, carefully. Yaotl lowered the cudgel. "Now, both of you, put them to one side," Ann ordered, still keeping the knife at Ollin's throat.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MCTGvwkx4
Don dropped his cudgel and Yaotl laid his on the ground. Tlaqui waddled over and picked them up, then gave them to the Perfect Victim who struck them over his head.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69VbSKnHl8
"Neither of the Chosen Warriors may claim a victory," he announced.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpWxUg4ZEa
Ann came from behind Ollin to face him but she still had the knife in her hand.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1f2LE2czcj
"I did as you commanded. Now you must obey me."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuVe66WQmT
Ollin closed his eyes.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOStwVe8e24
"My servants shall not be punished."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ii1GyVrZf
"So be it," Ollin replied almost inaudibly, as Don slid to the ground and slept.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvPSYISPj1
Several minutes later the High Priest of Sacrifice stood with Yaotl in his quarters. The Chosen Warrior was suffering from pins and needles in his hand as his blood circulation was restored and his arm came gradually back to life.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzN7yN4uzZ
"With my bare hands I cannot defeat him," he admitted ruefully, but added that he was determined to command their armies.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbf7qCymYl
"So you shall," Ollin spoke soothingly and opened his right hand. Lying in the palm was the cactus thorn which Ollin had picked up from the ground. "Why did the old man give you this to win a victory?"425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxT4srbe25
"It was a trick," Yaotl smiled. "He did not know the contest was with Don and he promised to help me if I told him the secrets of my father's father's work."425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8jMTM0hjq
"What secrets?" Ollin was intrigued.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNf6PrHHU4
"How the tomb of Nenetl may be entered," Yaotl flexed his arm, opening and closing his hand.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtOVclAxUX
"I must question him about it." Ollin placed the thorn on the table.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcASCgHCXnf
"He was at my mercy," Yaotl was suddenly tense with frustration.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKA6x3lwg7
"And he shall be again," the High Priest promised before he limped away.425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThWEU4EQwU
425Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9P57vCnJJ
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