The High Priests met on the stairs and Tetzal related word for word all that Ann had told him.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdODIPOygZb
"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!"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXx3ZJRJkQ
"I do not know it," Tetzal firmly replied.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY33mzubZEN
"Question her again and again and again, then you will learn that I speak the truth."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5e2wxAFOp
They heard Dr. Smith puffing his way up the stairs.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDqfbzCS7F
"The old man," Ollin ssaid. "Let us withdraw."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcV13yFzOfS
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKLbhxuCrE
She startled as he came in. "Dr. Smith, go away," but he flopped onto a couch instead. "No one's allowed to see me."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFc4HWnHGt
"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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3isV7fSFf
"Didn't Ollin warn you that during my questioning none of you are allowed up here?"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyvYF0nGHn
"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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpd8Ij423Ha
Ann was relieved. "I won't be sorry," she said.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEUdij3tzV
"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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsAutP6D84
"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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7lqZJsidW
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyaxkP96hc
"Take him," Ollin commanded. "He has transgressed the law."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxJyzW8bNL
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUwvIDdwuv
"They had no right to arrest my aged servant."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPMrZHHT5q
"As the High Priest of Sacrifice observed, he has..."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUpbTvyqI6
Ann cut him off with a chopping motion of her hand. "No one told him! He didn't know!"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljudDsLBzb
Tetzal frowned. "If that is so, then to hold him prisoner is unjust. I shall obtain his release."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNF6GhRPMM7
"I thank you, Tetzal."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnS5ELv7CkL
The High Priest bowed and turned to leave the antechamber.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJMA8MWo3u
"Wait!" Ann said suddenly. "There is to be a contest between my servant, Don, and the chosen warrior, Yaotl. I forbid it."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRo5ocYQPah
Nenetl looked at her uncomfortably. "Great Spirit, the contest cannot be avoided. Only one of them may command our armies."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqZpU2Qsph
"Then let it be Yaotl."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ayey3AHUL
Tetzal was shocked. "You would deny your servant honor?" he asked.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRDSomTKkz
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIdJl86on3
"See that it remains so," Ann commanded.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlSmY2ivjI
"Nenetl has spoken," Tetzal replied and bowed again.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWaKAEAnoe
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTPVAioTnW
"Let the contest begin," he called, striking the cudgels together.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGczKjfI5z
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ821lwCmTd
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdAUOJA2ao
"Don't let him scratch you, West," Dr. Smith shouted immediately. Don was puzzled and looked at Dr. Smith.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnSTd5oa7f
"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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyDaZQRzn5
"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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KMjudHJUI
"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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡforTtpWK2X
"Stop this childish nonsense, Ollin," Dr. Smith demanded. "Stop it, I say!"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0DUhoIRZT
Ollin had victory in his eyes as he looked at Dr. Smith. "No."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBs6WbI7e2A
"But I gave Yaotl the thorn," Dr. Smith protested.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjY97W55Bun
"Then you should rejoice," Ollin replied. "Yaotl will win."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPrTeJ1uv9
"Tetzal, stop it," Dr. Smith pleaded. "The contest is unfair."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY62Ms5c5og
"I cannot." Tetzal was embarrassed. "The Perfect Victim desired this contest and only the High Priest of Sacrifice, who commands here, can stop it."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lxINBAsNt
"Let it continue," the Perfect Victim requested. Ollin bowed.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHccLLhwE5M
"And to the death, Yaotl. To the death!" he called ecstatically.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfr6sZJGBMu
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohamQ3saBx
"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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50AFByXg6B
"Destroy him, Yaotl," Ollin was triumphant.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoplLXxewf
"Nenetl forbade it," Tetzal replied.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VtnTbfYFP
"A false God forbids it," Ollin sneered, and turned back to Yaotl. "Destroy him!"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmANMLbEIaM
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeM8Whv5o2H
"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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrrnmuPTqJ
"Your place is in the temple!"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKlFNOcLgv
"Even though I am a false God? No, Ollin. I am loyal to those who serve me."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpqGjsIwqa
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLr9iNeBCJ
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNLKGJZBm1
"As dies my servant, so dies your High Priest of Sacrifice."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZ8ZOMFOz0
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXqCgtioLp
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXkHVtrUrg
"Neither of the Chosen Warriors may claim a victory," he announced.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAcCZZYxoh
Ann came from behind Ollin to face him but she still had the knife in her hand.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeI4zSpaTR9
"I did as you commanded. Now you must obey me."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSxOR4yZHG
Ollin closed his eyes.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Zm1OzTSZh
"My servants shall not be punished."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGesYK61EK
"So be it," Ollin replied almost inaudibly, as Don slid to the ground and slept.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0YT64FtNz
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.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWsqY7OVQo
"With my bare hands I cannot defeat him," he admitted ruefully, but added that he was determined to command their armies.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAJlXFHqv8
"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?"412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTySZNPIEbr
"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."412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3uSWhHHda
"What secrets?" Ollin was intrigued.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpVGCDZqOS
"How the tomb of Nenetl may be entered," Yaotl flexed his arm, opening and closing his hand.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8DsWojCTs
"I must question him about it." Ollin placed the thorn on the table.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOAImZbRMd
"He was at my mercy," Yaotl was suddenly tense with frustration.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OXS82OFIG
"And he shall be again," the High Priest promised before he limped away.412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MUp7w7dxe
412Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9sm9G9Z1L
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