Ann sat on the throne in the temple and looked down at the worried High Priest of Knowledge who stood in front of her.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnCFTwlC3Z
"Ollin was humiliated. He will not forget, nor will he forgive," he warned her.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75Y3FQih30
Ann shrugged. "I did as he commanded."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriLFidN1P7
"But not as he expected."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1NMe1GRzI
"What did he want? A miracle?" She smiled at Tetzal.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xTs31JM35
"We all awaited one," he confessed.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JYuh2AOEJ
Ann stood and stepped down to the temple floor. "Why should I use divine powers when human ability will do?" she asked sweetly.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZHAdyN8q6
Tetzal could not resist a twitch of a grin. "Nenetl has spoken." He tried to keep his tone of voice solemn.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUN9iRLWs4H
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?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJocaYswdD
"I have thought of little else. And it is true that if we defy the will of the gods we shall be destroyed."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENI8QUOTi4
"When Quetzalcoatl reigned supreme as the Sun God was there human sacrifice?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJzmbtPGYA
"No, only after his banishment was blood demanded."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDEjCWUclj
"By Huitzilipochtli, the dark God of the Sun." Ann put her hand around the bracelet on her wrist. "What sacrifice did Quetzalcoatl demand?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoylhVr2w9
"A bird, a fish, a serpent, none other?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZVsN3y0lH
"Why should that have been?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoiiTwGM7h
"He so dearly loved his people he wished no harm to anyone," Tetzal explained.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPzdps7qZV
"Is not a return of Quetzacoatl possible?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcn28BxXOj
"Only a god can banish a god. We mortals can do nothing."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMtRhaBex0
"And were Quetzalcoatl to send you a messenger?" Ann took her hand off the bracelet.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjTEh442Gm
Tetzal glanced at it and looked away. "I serve Huitzilopochtli," he said quietly. "This is his temple."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQW8skB10M
"Then where must Queztalcoatl seek his servants?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcVFoWIIoA
Tetzal remained silent and Ann shifted tack. "When is to be the next sacrifice?" she asked.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLY48NWGnT
"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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeln7ihPfFp
"So there's to be an eclipse and Ollin will offer a human heart."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHLBzbD7wh
"The Perfect Victim's."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GfOVhpIZr
"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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0k4W4yO4o
"Unless Huitzilopochtli, the Sun God, the Surpreme God, withdraws his favor from us." Tetzal was adamant.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjHSw32wt9
"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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8u6piLYC8
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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKWj0UzMxX
Ann's appearance remained serene, but her heart ached and she was in mental turmoil.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCOUoajiIu
Ollin sidled up to Dr. Smith, who was sitting disconsolately in the garden.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdL10ZqXSl
"What manner of servant are you?" the High Priest asked.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzg8En6iiN4
"Oh, go away," Dr. Smith snapped, but Ollin sat down beside him.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5GGvW2AUo
"I am curious about you," he said. "First you try to secure a victory for Yaotl."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1ptRJa14m
"He cheated me," Dr. Smith replied hotly.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37T2WtrybU
Ollin looked sideways at the Doctor.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCMAGT8bDY
"I am faithful to my friends," Dr. Smith insisted.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0My5kUu4P
"Yet you deceive Nenetl."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2er2U5MOf
"Not at all." Dr. Smith became indignant.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRbjjyyy9z
"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?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NhEjP3mk3
"What is it you want from me?" Dr. Smith countered.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXmIP3HBil
"I want but one thing." Ollin held up the knife. "Proof that she is a false God."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQkvnSDqUe
"Then open the tomb."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYCAIpEAwn
"That cannot be achieved."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaR9AtdilA
"Can't it?" Dr. Smith raised an eyebrow. "Talk to your so-called 'Chosen Warrior.' He has a drawing."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6aAqDeqjW
Ollin stared with glinting black eyes at Dr. Smith. "In whose service are you?" he asked.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzvt30cRTX
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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlW1wMk3C6O
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4db2bbcLEu
"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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakkjsCZZJ6
"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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSF7RMIBAx2
"Did you not say 'use stealth, surprise your enemy?" Yaotl was enjoying himself.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHm830klEqw
"I did," Don admitted.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcpFO4xvF3
"And did I not do those things?" Yaotl laughed again.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc27ljDJSga
Don agreed that he had.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Wh8ZZ9tBy
"A thorn, the sap of a plant and Nenetl's aged servant," Yaotl added.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZRxMH7H1e
Don looked up sharply. "Dr. Smith helped you?!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWyMe9CiU2
Yaotl nodded and remarked that Don's friends make strange allies.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTnHXCwrGc
Don stood up gingerly. "Did Dr. Smith know you were to fight me?" he asked.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2vD5KgfG8
Yaotl shook his head and admitted that he didn't.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJGc4rnMLF
Don felt dizzy. "I need some fresh air." He staggered towards the living area and the door of his quarters.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlBOqCnSfi
"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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWdVKIQrqy
"Oh, I'm going to die, am I?" Don's voice expressed no shock.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbX1N3IlTX
"Yes, Don." Yaotl sounded enthusiastic at the prospect. "Next time we fight, I shall not fail to kill you."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQM89IZVfE
"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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapECwch1zS
"I see your strength has been restored to you," Ollin sneered.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJVzYTuzaR
"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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGsPXI3k5u
"I have no need of the drawing," he said.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKTXdN9rTx
"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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKT13reAOjq
"But your father's father must have set it down," Ollin sounded anxious.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiRiaTbYRX
Don listened to the conversation with great interest.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV37smymfUT
"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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRTpFcbGAm
"I remember his disappearance." Ollin was brusque.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PsesZuncX
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ890upkRG2
Ignoring Don, the High Priest of Sacrifice and Tlaqui took their leave of Yaotl and limped and waddled towards the gateway to the courtyard.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUalVqoCf0
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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIghHWT5ZtQ
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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbgp7CSVf5
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzQGvD3HKM
"Your knowledge of poisons."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnnmLRbBhm
Tlaqui was horrified.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7bBL6rEse
"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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrfD4Ao9dJ
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?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCd3uEGM6PS
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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRtcj8ghfl
"Tetzal? I think not!" Ollin snapped.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRO8xp5J1F4
"Why not?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAIKiEkfJJ
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. 229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmlF2mAMWu
"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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1jde2tpn1
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCJramlEmY
"Such happiness, Zuma, outshines the sun," he remarked.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxh2xHMpdB
"And with good fortune may outlast it," Zuma replied softly.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYzbjQykzn
"What brings you such joy?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2lccnVNWF
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5kBDAoL96
"I am grateful to Nenetl's aged servant," he said, and noticing the bag, asked if Zuma was carrying cocoa beans to barter with.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBqzS2jGW5
She shook her head. "I have already been to the market and brought food," she replied.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWywiHTdJD9
Tetzal touched the bag. "Then these are to prepare a drink."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgt2brs3VRk
Zuma lowered her eyes. "Only the gods may know," she replied coyly.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVH5O59G0o0
"Ah," Tetzal murmured, and observed that all mortals lived in hope.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPomIu6pFwr
"He is a gentle companion aand most dear to me," Zuma admitted.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3X7MR9I8Kz
"Are these then for a love potion?" Tetzal asked in mock surprise.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewszj9ZxeG
"That would be too bold," Zuma blushed. "Rather should he show his love for me."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfqjNf68Rm
"You wish him to prepare it."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO91ivn0CcM
"I do."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkpfsl3SlL
Tetzal looked from her to Dr. Smith and back to Zuma again. "May the gods favor your desires," he said gently and walked away.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEp5yNMDZSf
Zuma went over to Dr. Smith and greeted him.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tzVcaxyIU
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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91HsvPO0Kc
She glanced at the wall. "When one's interest is held, loneliness does not exist."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGu5C59ntOZ
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwURjsVn46
"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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILpVVaDBo7
Dr. Smith began picking them up. "Cocoa beans," he exclaimed.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHN46l2GkFl
"We use them for barter for our daily needs," Zuma replied.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYw5IL8yxb
"What an excellent idea! A current you can drink!" Dr. Smith proclaimed. "Delicious!"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyIiR8SK1s
"Do you know our customs?" Zuma asked timidly as Dr. Smith dropped the beans one by one back into her bag.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcIM48zl9t
"Why, yes, my dear, of course I do," Dr. Smith replied, looking about hi to make sure he hadn't overlooked a bean.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVEaJkLQHI
"The drinking of cocoa has its own very special meaning," Zuma ventured and Dr. Smith wholeheartedly agreed with her.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRsnKjdoMh
"It's a rare delight and we shall take a cup together."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdvOu7D8G5
"Are you sure?"229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74oQsrCkfJ
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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0T5z9mFSB
"Do you insist?" Zuma was hesitant.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4tjsW4TRb
"I do. I insist as a token of my esteem."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmO9IgTYUqt
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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk32wbRmfIL
"Now, don't go away, my dear," Dr. Smith cautioned her. "I'll be back."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQ88grd2PB
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.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJ3XzWWo9X
Proudly, he returned to the bench where Zuma sat and handed her a goblet before sitting down beside her.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oalZnuhmf
"Happy days, my dear." He chinked his goblet against hers in a toast.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FNVg5rHu7
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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNG8pYP4DI
"Very prettily put, my dear," Dr. Smith murmured approvingly.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhlEAqzjYY
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."229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rbiD76364
Dr.Smith found the next sip of cocoa infinitely more difficult to swallow.229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bd6SRhlbZ
229Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduLyaYt4Y6
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