Ann sat on the throne in the temple and looked down at the worried High Priest of Knowledge who stood in front of her.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRYfJLFQ7j
"Ollin was humiliated. He will not forget, nor will he forgive," he warned her.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXma5xvtj2
Ann shrugged. "I did as he commanded."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VfCrUpf1F
"But not as he expected."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWNJHHpUWR
"What did he want? A miracle?" She smiled at Tetzal.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbzW3QSLLM
"We all awaited one," he confessed.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2g09IOV03
Ann stood and stepped down to the temple floor. "Why should I use divine powers when human ability will do?" she asked sweetly.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU55csP8s5j
Tetzal could not resist a twitch of a grin. "Nenetl has spoken." He tried to keep his tone of voice solemn.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJc2HCAYgmc
Ann walked towards the terrace and the sacrificial altar. A few paces short of it, she stopped and turned back to face the High Priest. "Have you thought about my prophecy?"368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlRckQQttH
"I have thought of little else. And it is true that if we defy the will of the gods we shall be destroyed."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1NZ2CIkpW
"When Quetzalcoatl reigned supreme as the Sun God was there human sacrifice?"368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0CZ3cooZI
"No, only after his banishment was blood demanded."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vupsTdVJH
"By Huitzilipochtli, the dark God of the Sun." Ann put her hand around the bracelet on her wrist. "What sacrifice did Quetzalcoatl demand?"368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6R6xnbLdb
"A bird, a fish, a serpent, none other?"368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOBYfXKadk
"Why should that have been?"368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfu1i46jr2
"He so dearly loved his people he wished no harm to anyone," Tetzal explained.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiNG4Q8z8O
"Is not a return of Quetzacoatl possible?"368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZ7Na7hjR3
"Only a god can banish a god. We mortals can do nothing."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZt4F5dWqY
"And were Quetzalcoatl to send you a messenger?" Ann took her hand off the bracelet.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuE2gFCoYp4
Tetzal glanced at it and looked away. "I serve Huitzilopochtli," he said quietly. "This is his temple."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykU0Ugp6cn
"Then where must Queztalcoatl seek his servants?"368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksVUZLkTke
Tetzal remained silent and Ann shifted tack. "When is to be the next sacrifice?" she asked.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4tl4TpmM9
"Three days from this day," Tetzal replied. "The moon will pass before the sun when it is at its zenith and all will be in darkness."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrWHNzIUY5
"So there's to be an eclipse and Ollin will offer a human heart."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPMFuvNwAe
"The Perfect Victim's."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbI2wfHNDm4
"And the sun will shine again!" Ann stamped her sandaled foot angrily. "As the High Priest of Knowledge, surely you must know that the moon willl pass across the sun and continue on its celestial voyage."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66gkjz5sqQ
"Unless Huitzilopochtli, the Sun God, the Surpreme God, withdraws his favor from us." Tetzal was adamant.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhcYfEq8SG
"Am I not a god?" Ann heard herself say with a shock. There was no turning back for her now. "Support me, Tetzal," she pleaded. "The High Priest of Sacrifice won't dare defy us both."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWu5BMuos0W
Tetzal bent his head and touched his lips with the posy he held. A full minute passed in silence, then he raised his head and looked at Ann. "If you come as Quetzalcoatl's messenger and I take your course, there is no way back for me. So in all humility I entreat you not to deceive me nor prove false to me."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBMmdS3FDu
Ann's appearance remained serene, but her heart ached and she was in mental turmoil.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgIunHJrqT
Ollin sidled up to Dr. Smith, who was sitting disconsolately in the garden.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesHPX7KCTW
"What manner of servant are you?" the High Priest asked.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7L1lXsP6qB
"Oh, go away," Dr. Smith snapped, but Ollin sat down beside him.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVWHxqAe3Y
"I am curious about you," he said. "First you try to secure a victory for Yaotl."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvquNISCsX
"He cheated me," Dr. Smith replied hotly.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbihYWhvkb
Ollin looked sideways at the Doctor.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzQdvlAIZ8
"I am faithful to my friends," Dr. Smith insisted.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pOKPiogVJ
"Yet you deceive Nenetl."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVvnXwPYuE
"Not at all." Dr. Smith became indignant.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxNn5iVbG4
"You are trying to enter the tomb without Nenetl's knowledge," the High Priest studied the edge of his obsidian knife. "What is it you want from there?"368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIxucfX38S
"What is it you want from me?" Dr. Smith countered.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybMS5PM9lr
"I want but one thing." Ollin held up the knife. "Proof that she is a false God."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSOsLN2n83
"Then open the tomb."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdizqbu3pEX
"That cannot be achieved."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsjsOFtTsl
"Can't it?" Dr. Smith raised an eyebrow. "Talk to your so-called 'Chosen Warrior.' He has a drawing."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vtvQBJwGV
Ollin stared with glinting black eyes at Dr. Smith. "In whose service are you?" he asked.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62DrUCDivI
Dr. Smith took the knife from Ollin and touched both edges with his thumb, then handed the weapon back to him. "Truth, dear boy," Dr. Smith replied, a touch pompously. "I am the service fo truth. And if you help me you'll also find it."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZLZ6C9lw8
When Don awoke he was lying on the straw mattresses in the bedroom of his quarters, but he was not alone. Standing over him was a smiling Yaotl with a short sword in his hand. Don struggled to sit up so that he could, at least, try to protect himself.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6cmm6Cnyu
"Do not be afraid of me, Don," Yaotl laughed. "Now that I can defeat you openly, I have no need to destroy you in secret."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0n7LbtHl7R
"Whatever it was you scratched me with, beat me," Don mumbled and rubbed his temples with his fingers trying to clear the cobwebs from his brain.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2q6MjXl2OI
"Did you not say 'use stealth, surprise your enemy?" Yaotl was enjoying himself.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEE0m4IrkX
"I did," Don admitted.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSspjeJ2TsJ
"And did I not do those things?" Yaotl laughed again.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsl6orGvOy
Don agreed that he had.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡne9CFPAghm
"A thorn, the sap of a plant and Nenetl's aged servant," Yaotl added.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNyjcfeRpN
Don looked up sharply. "Dr. Smith helped you?!"368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGAeEmua5D
Yaotl nodded and remarked that Don's friends make strange allies.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8FMbsmvaO
Don stood up gingerly. "Did Dr. Smith know you were to fight me?" he asked.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJezXth6Ja
Yaotl shook his head and admitted that he didn't.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeHm3xFsAb
Don felt dizzy. "I need some fresh air." He staggered towards the living area and the door of his quarters.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuHCcr9gD5
"Let me help you," Yaotl took his arm. "Now that I have proved I will be the victor, we can be friends. For the little time that is left to you to live," he added almost as an afterthought.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOqijOBxmK
"Oh, I'm going to die, am I?" Don's voice expressed no shock.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VwgRIMNwH
"Yes, Don." Yaotl sounded enthusiastic at the prospect. "Next time we fight, I shall not fail to kill you."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzU8PiHe5t
"It's always worth knowing in advance," Don remarked as he went into the courtyard and leaned against the wlal beside the open door. He shut his eyes and breathed deeply several times. When he opened them, Ollin and Tlaqui were crossing the courtyard.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3YNeYGWJL
"I see your strength has been restored to you," Ollin sneered.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BetAOzkUM
"Don't tell me you've become my friend as well," Don joked, and saw the flash of hatred in the High Priest's eyes before Ollin turned abruptly to Yaotl.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNm5Las9HT
"I have no need of the drawing," he said.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCx722BAlC
"The one that I promised to the aged servant?" Yaotl roared with laughter when Ollin nodded. "It doesn't exist. The secret of the tomb died with my father."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJafhN6qLZ
"But your father's father must have set it down," Ollin sounded anxious.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVu2tRLzRhV
Don listened to the conversation with great interest.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOcdfmybmT
"No. He told it to my father, who thought to do so. But one evening he went for a walk in the garden and was never seen again.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMQq6mPgW1
"I remember his disappearance." Ollin was brusque.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhyNxtnVus
So that's why Dr. Smith helped you, Don thought, he hoped to have a design plan of the tomb. Then another thought occurred to Don: neither Yoatl nor Ollin had used the word "died" when they talked about his father. They had used the word "disappeared," and Don had referred to the garden. This set Don speculating.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dgekw0I4r
Ignoring Don, the High Priest of Sacrifice and Tlaqui took their leave of Yaotl and limped and waddled towards the gateway to the courtyard.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMr3ant0Yv5
Ollin began to speak . "You are well versed in these matters, Tlaqui," Don overheard him say, "so you shall help me defeat the false...." Then they were out of earshot, but Don was convinced the sentence had ended "god Nenetl."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qJRj9RTVs
He was right and Ollin was Tlaqui was outraged at Ollin's suggestion. "No, I cannot do your bidding, I will not." He gesticulated wildly. "Destroy a god and we destroy ourselves."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYdVyudMvs
Ollin pointed out that true gods were immortal, and that mere flesh and blood, as they both were, could not destroy them. Tlaqui looked at him warily land asked in what way Ollin required his services.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8aI5LeGNd
"Your knowledge of poisons."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOav5eSAWZ
Tlaqui was horrified.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCE9EfUixo
"Such a test, a poisoned draught, would prove her divinity. If she dies, she is false; if she lives, then she is indeed the spirit of Nenetl returned."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4tYJvxZia
Tlaqui's throat dried as Ollin looked at him slyly. "Would you deny yourself the honor---more, the glory----of witnessing a god proven before your eyes?"368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oyHsM5dNu
Tlaqui ran his tongue around his mouth seeking saliva to ease his throat. He swallowed. "I shall prepare a mixture," he said. "Then you and I and Tetzal shall test Nenetl."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uLIjgCHDM
"Tetzal? I think not!" Ollin snapped.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FhieUXQNW
"Why not?"368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTZCkZETNe
Ollin despised Tlaqui's naivety, but his voice was quiet and reasonable as he argued that Tetzal's mind was set that Nenetl was a true god and he would forbid the test. 368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5U2EOTkD7
"No, you and I shall do this thing and for once the High Priest of Knowledge shall be in ignorance." He glanced at Tlaqui and almost managed a thin smile.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhCAl3HanF
At the same time, the High Priest of Knowledge was basking in Zuma's radiant smile as they walked along a path in the garden.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtengruurB
"Such happiness, Zuma, outshines the sun," he remarked.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROK7618oTH
"And with good fortune may outlast it," Zuma replied softly.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NtQb7nTiC
"What brings you such joy?"368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRStp3RPrI
Zuma looked around the garden and saw Dr. Smith studying a carved coiled snake on one of the stones of the back wall of the garden. Zuma raised her hand and pointed to him. A small leather bag hung from a cord around her wrist. Tetzal smiled.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxo1AzQmXaJ
"I am grateful to Nenetl's aged servant," he said, and noticing the bag, asked if Zuma was carrying cocoa beans to barter with.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RPCF0Keo8
She shook her head. "I have already been to the market and brought food," she replied.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEI8Sx10KXW
Tetzal touched the bag. "Then these are to prepare a drink."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmopumkgJSJ
Zuma lowered her eyes. "Only the gods may know," she replied coyly.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZtW2dlpzW
"Ah," Tetzal murmured, and observed that all mortals lived in hope.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiF1RYGCHnz
"He is a gentle companion aand most dear to me," Zuma admitted.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFzHYhkxyN
"Are these then for a love potion?" Tetzal asked in mock surprise.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5Emeb8ZLN
"That would be too bold," Zuma blushed. "Rather should he show his love for me."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4uSgXSrBu
"You wish him to prepare it."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wFqlbW7J2
"I do."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3EPOUJFs1
Tetzal looked from her to Dr. Smith and back to Zuma again. "May the gods favor your desires," he said gently and walked away.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiV7ZtiL9E4
Zuma went over to Dr. Smith and greeted him.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYy6O7UHgb
Dr. Smith half-replaced the bougainvillea over the carved stone and turned to face her. "My dear Zuma, how nice it is to see you again." He took her hand. "The garden is such a lonely place without you."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoijoFYEzkA
She glanced at the wall. "When one's interest is held, loneliness does not exist."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlY00Z8TJeT
Dr. Smith followed her eyeline to the carving that was partly hidden behind the flowered trellis. "I was looking at it---I hadn't noticed it before," he explained.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiatgXjQ73N
"It is the coiled serpent of Nenetl. In almost every building homage is paid to the High Priest with that symbol." Zuma drew aside the bougainvillea and snagged her bag on the trellis. As she pulled it free some of the cocoa beans fell on the ground.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3aZ9JgG0A
Dr. Smith began picking them up. "Cocoa beans," he exclaimed.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4ZQwS72F8
"We use them for barter for our daily needs," Zuma replied.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kqbAuCfbP
"What an excellent idea! A current you can drink!" Dr. Smith proclaimed. "Delicious!"368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPifV6FlCs
"Do you know our customs?" Zuma asked timidly as Dr. Smith dropped the beans one by one back into her bag.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOvrz5pjQh
"Why, yes, my dear, of course I do," Dr. Smith replied, looking about hi to make sure he hadn't overlooked a bean.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUd44h1rw7x
"The drinking of cocoa has its own very special meaning," Zuma ventured and Dr. Smith wholeheartedly agreed with her.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmSa7HrEWp
"It's a rare delight and we shall take a cup together."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eKBvqg34G
"Are you sure?"368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqcSSfmdJG
Dr. Smith missed her shyness. "Yes, yes, quite,' he replied. "Now, give me the beans and I'll go into the kitchen and brew some up."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYkOau5Dyb
"Do you insist?" Zuma was hesitant.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkuIpSsxbP
"I do. I insist as a token of my esteem."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSqZ0xN5gD
Zuma's face lit up as she gave Dr. Smith the bag of beans. "The gods are smiling favor through your eyes. May it always be so," she said. "My dear Zachary Smith, I accept with all my heart."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZp2q3q03Py
"Now, don't go away, my dear," Dr. Smith cautioned her. "I'll be back."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvXPGaguz6
Clutching the bag of cocoa beans, he marched off to the small kitchen in one corner of the garden where the old people could take a drink of cool fresh water, or prepare a corn pancake with honey, or a goblet of hot cocoa, over the wood fire. Dr. Smith found the mortar and pestle, and ground sufficient beans for two goblets. He sang quietly to himself. It had been a long time since he had drunk cocoa and he was looking forward to it. He put the powder equally into the two goblets, added hot water, and sweetened them both with honey.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNV1gs5xj4f
Proudly, he returned to the bench where Zuma sat and handed her a goblet before sitting down beside her.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAB0y44lJl
"Happy days, my dear." He chinked his goblet against hers in a toast.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOxFEYJZty
Zuma's eyes were dewy. "The happiest of my life, dear heart," she replied and they sipped their cocoas. "Was ever such a potion brewed? In bliss is quenched my thirsty heart."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNEmsFiIr2
"Very prettily put, my dear," Dr. Smith murmured approvingly.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkabVoIC4A
Zuma turned to him and kissed him on both cheeks. "O' sweet and favored man, you have declared your love for me," she said. "And I acknowledge and accept your gentle proposal."368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvllGYfMaEH
Dr.Smith found the next sip of cocoa infinitely more difficult to swallow.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfeMLZoW0m
368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJ0UZwY5p4
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