Ann sat on the throne in the temple and looked down at the worried High Priest of Knowledge who stood in front of her.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0KlQNTB2i
"Ollin was humiliated. He will not forget, nor will he forgive," he warned her.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0npQZ2dBXX
Ann shrugged. "I did as he commanded."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQqF6eTWJA
"But not as he expected."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6F4IY8wi7
"What did he want? A miracle?" She smiled at Tetzal.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBeHB8z1lF
"We all awaited one," he confessed.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDD7JABzqTU
Ann stood and stepped down to the temple floor. "Why should I use divine powers when human ability will do?" she asked sweetly.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hipyzi6ls
Tetzal could not resist a twitch of a grin. "Nenetl has spoken." He tried to keep his tone of voice solemn.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fMxVQ4CxW
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?"380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAbZom7PqZ
"I have thought of little else. And it is true that if we defy the will of the gods we shall be destroyed."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70XyoYYMvJ
"When Quetzalcoatl reigned supreme as the Sun God was there human sacrifice?"380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjcaFzPBlj
"No, only after his banishment was blood demanded."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTcsJ9VJmJ
"By Huitzilipochtli, the dark God of the Sun." Ann put her hand around the bracelet on her wrist. "What sacrifice did Quetzalcoatl demand?"380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNwIFruCa3
"A bird, a fish, a serpent, none other?"380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWQACVhnyZ
"Why should that have been?"380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ywSJG9nsU
"He so dearly loved his people he wished no harm to anyone," Tetzal explained.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI79TwJfS3Y
"Is not a return of Quetzacoatl possible?"380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76ynB6kWky
"Only a god can banish a god. We mortals can do nothing."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFIm9KsNAS
"And were Quetzalcoatl to send you a messenger?" Ann took her hand off the bracelet.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBH2XgG9wvy
Tetzal glanced at it and looked away. "I serve Huitzilopochtli," he said quietly. "This is his temple."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoz3XiFPtK
"Then where must Queztalcoatl seek his servants?"380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlRNJj7dLq
Tetzal remained silent and Ann shifted tack. "When is to be the next sacrifice?" she asked.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDyOKWj3zP
"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."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdo7oCVu3LB
"So there's to be an eclipse and Ollin will offer a human heart."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWyKzXTW5P
"The Perfect Victim's."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5UY7wTyGu
"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."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ81YGF6n9l
"Unless Huitzilopochtli, the Sun God, the Surpreme God, withdraws his favor from us." Tetzal was adamant.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7pNsljmEQ
"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."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmciUOis5H
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."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsRyw6LQ6I
Ann's appearance remained serene, but her heart ached and she was in mental turmoil.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovbWmGT6PB
Ollin sidled up to Dr. Smith, who was sitting disconsolately in the garden.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtwZEZ46uJ
"What manner of servant are you?" the High Priest asked.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfY1scWUAs
"Oh, go away," Dr. Smith snapped, but Ollin sat down beside him.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzQJHj3qVC
"I am curious about you," he said. "First you try to secure a victory for Yaotl."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt11bOwbsmS
"He cheated me," Dr. Smith replied hotly.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡli1X5g02cY
Ollin looked sideways at the Doctor.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBAmgKIxol
"I am faithful to my friends," Dr. Smith insisted.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaFkVFPgUO
"Yet you deceive Nenetl."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZp4QaVNs3
"Not at all." Dr. Smith became indignant.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctQM6GWEAR
"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?"380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFztxcdbkDM
"What is it you want from me?" Dr. Smith countered.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ie5Iu5SJF
"I want but one thing." Ollin held up the knife. "Proof that she is a false God."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KG3jq1byD
"Then open the tomb."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoxIc4SVkH
"That cannot be achieved."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kSKqaKs6N
"Can't it?" Dr. Smith raised an eyebrow. "Talk to your so-called 'Chosen Warrior.' He has a drawing."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3BiLx7Lln
Ollin stared with glinting black eyes at Dr. Smith. "In whose service are you?" he asked.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMgYEJtSgq
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."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWGc3N8QC2
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.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JM9PNDBIR
"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."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCOzEbifOd
"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.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73PHIbeQ84
"Did you not say 'use stealth, surprise your enemy?" Yaotl was enjoying himself.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0dofPuxtc
"I did," Don admitted.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sM93P9w9T
"And did I not do those things?" Yaotl laughed again.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJE64xaMnjR
Don agreed that he had.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iXjajQ0oc
"A thorn, the sap of a plant and Nenetl's aged servant," Yaotl added.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gJxYwc7fd
Don looked up sharply. "Dr. Smith helped you?!"380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DV2Yz0q5F
Yaotl nodded and remarked that Don's friends make strange allies.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBt88pzJ7I
Don stood up gingerly. "Did Dr. Smith know you were to fight me?" he asked.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQb9WomZUg
Yaotl shook his head and admitted that he didn't.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMB7yICwkhr
Don felt dizzy. "I need some fresh air." He staggered towards the living area and the door of his quarters.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPVmNPDd72
"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.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJL5jUrgwBS
"Oh, I'm going to die, am I?" Don's voice expressed no shock.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iTpWns8O1
"Yes, Don." Yaotl sounded enthusiastic at the prospect. "Next time we fight, I shall not fail to kill you."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3gZV2iPcK
"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.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdjLpajICI
"I see your strength has been restored to you," Ollin sneered.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrg4WDWsmJ
"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.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvUi0YXezq
"I have no need of the drawing," he said.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLhkHwBaAj
"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."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VHjPK9GMh
"But your father's father must have set it down," Ollin sounded anxious.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYfKkkeIXy
Don listened to the conversation with great interest.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpeHF45m5ix
"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.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwWCQzjmMi
"I remember his disappearance." Ollin was brusque.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0Qb8SP11X
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.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0BNrSTeWG
Ignoring Don, the High Priest of Sacrifice and Tlaqui took their leave of Yaotl and limped and waddled towards the gateway to the courtyard.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmjxxyoxPG
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."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhWwv2Kzl8
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."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeST1INF43
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.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFokn0l7S6
"Your knowledge of poisons."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8y0Y6bnSzF
Tlaqui was horrified.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxh6jjiIoc
"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."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8PJEsWebE
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?"380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziUq5FCVFG
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."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoA4FMOo86p
"Tetzal? I think not!" Ollin snapped.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdc52Gvgfx
"Why not?"380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkJ7WYMqdh
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. 380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPkwobxBTH
"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.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIE6k812Wo
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.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28H2Lx4EEW
"Such happiness, Zuma, outshines the sun," he remarked.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19oWmGzYU4
"And with good fortune may outlast it," Zuma replied softly.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxjaUBOH5b
"What brings you such joy?"380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3mS5uyc1P
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.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡya9XSzo7RP
"I am grateful to Nenetl's aged servant," he said, and noticing the bag, asked if Zuma was carrying cocoa beans to barter with.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGx8kQaX3v
She shook her head. "I have already been to the market and brought food," she replied.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQStjP0z7e
Tetzal touched the bag. "Then these are to prepare a drink."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrQTBYSpB5
Zuma lowered her eyes. "Only the gods may know," she replied coyly.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39ZYPUNYam
"Ah," Tetzal murmured, and observed that all mortals lived in hope.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhwzQLJWwv
"He is a gentle companion aand most dear to me," Zuma admitted.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSZKiuPiJz
"Are these then for a love potion?" Tetzal asked in mock surprise.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1lJ2glDqx
"That would be too bold," Zuma blushed. "Rather should he show his love for me."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmtRnQBXrS
"You wish him to prepare it."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlD2GScP3iH
"I do."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcVXniWEx8
Tetzal looked from her to Dr. Smith and back to Zuma again. "May the gods favor your desires," he said gently and walked away.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLIStnylsd
Zuma went over to Dr. Smith and greeted him.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9nZFuKwRy
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."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBTyjoc2hh
She glanced at the wall. "When one's interest is held, loneliness does not exist."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7olsYW9K5
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.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMHiqelFSN
"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.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttnYN90bM0
Dr. Smith began picking them up. "Cocoa beans," he exclaimed.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJYMLNc3Wq
"We use them for barter for our daily needs," Zuma replied.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PUhdlsHL7
"What an excellent idea! A current you can drink!" Dr. Smith proclaimed. "Delicious!"380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIc5npahj6o
"Do you know our customs?" Zuma asked timidly as Dr. Smith dropped the beans one by one back into her bag.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jpRp3iqi3
"Why, yes, my dear, of course I do," Dr. Smith replied, looking about hi to make sure he hadn't overlooked a bean.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEDjkqhFKw
"The drinking of cocoa has its own very special meaning," Zuma ventured and Dr. Smith wholeheartedly agreed with her.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp833oKWNB7
"It's a rare delight and we shall take a cup together."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7rxpYusvJ
"Are you sure?"380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36qTra2lx6
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."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2CpenJAOe
"Do you insist?" Zuma was hesitant.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8pzKqZhaJ
"I do. I insist as a token of my esteem."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiBEDtMkpH
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."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKRgJcCd27
"Now, don't go away, my dear," Dr. Smith cautioned her. "I'll be back."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EDjIm14C0
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.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoPe57rbeQ
Proudly, he returned to the bench where Zuma sat and handed her a goblet before sitting down beside her.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiKygV6deg
"Happy days, my dear." He chinked his goblet against hers in a toast.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwIwGeivI3
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."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DF38Kqzrg
"Very prettily put, my dear," Dr. Smith murmured approvingly.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfA0Ezwnck5
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."380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsh6HKtgbbI
Dr.Smith found the next sip of cocoa infinitely more difficult to swallow.380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4PWwauKIJ
380Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbJHaqw4Qk
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