The High Priests met on the stairs and Tetzal related word for word all that Ann had told him.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhCSxdqLlG
"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!"447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKM5VYogQA
"I do not know it," Tetzal firmly replied.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAf76Zknw2z
"Question her again and again and again, then you will learn that I speak the truth."447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbmVRsT0Dr
They heard Dr. Smith puffing his way up the stairs.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6rzVdbXjq
"The old man," Ollin ssaid. "Let us withdraw."447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZh85SXVDE
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.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYu792Mz3YJ
She startled as he came in. "Dr. Smith, go away," but he flopped onto a couch instead. "No one's allowed to see me."447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgO5Q10ILP
"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.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1qQAsrdhr
"Didn't Ollin warn you that during my questioning none of you are allowed up here?"447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WuMgyC6E9
"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."447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5N6zgBXnI
Ann was relieved. "I won't be sorry," she said.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPywezonehG
"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.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gEJigIMVd
"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."447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7r96nHreC
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.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SauMSTpB3
"Take him," Ollin commanded. "He has transgressed the law."447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnRnxLWJMD
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.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijfSIeUc3m
"They had no right to arrest my aged servant."447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyT7pRMGY3A
"As the High Priest of Sacrifice observed, he has..."447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRQ2cuOkE6
Ann cut him off with a chopping motion of her hand. "No one told him! He didn't know!"447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqB61pzRsJ
Tetzal frowned. "If that is so, then to hold him prisoner is unjust. I shall obtain his release."447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSO7ucnerqJ
"I thank you, Tetzal."447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkehjZB3Cj9
The High Priest bowed and turned to leave the antechamber.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYwYUo2GED
"Wait!" Ann said suddenly. "There is to be a contest between my servant, Don, and the chosen warrior, Yaotl. I forbid it."447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZPurdyLxH
Nenetl looked at her uncomfortably. "Great Spirit, the contest cannot be avoided. Only one of them may command our armies."447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACV38WX59U
"Then let it be Yaotl."447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkoV4o8IxC
Tetzal was shocked. "You would deny your servant honor?" he asked.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiP4JQpQzHU
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.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXMf6hS4EK
"See that it remains so," Ann commanded.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnpl2Ud7pU
"Nenetl has spoken," Tetzal replied and bowed again.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKISR3I0C7
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.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2xOpK5aFI
"Let the contest begin," he called, striking the cudgels together.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡas88HBNGQ8
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.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ngs6CYnPj
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.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqFt7eu1X4
"Don't let him scratch you, West," Dr. Smith shouted immediately. Don was puzzled and looked at Dr. Smith.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsaFAIiQcW
"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.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5xoym5g1C
"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."447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhH7fKYb2P
"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.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPQuLFajeA
"Stop this childish nonsense, Ollin," Dr. Smith demanded. "Stop it, I say!"447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8kaHxw0RQ
Ollin had victory in his eyes as he looked at Dr. Smith. "No."447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLo05QCWu3H
"But I gave Yaotl the thorn," Dr. Smith protested.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCI5jDKuT7
"Then you should rejoice," Ollin replied. "Yaotl will win."447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5Hyqubai2
"Tetzal, stop it," Dr. Smith pleaded. "The contest is unfair."447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYM40gP9iu
"I cannot." Tetzal was embarrassed. "The Perfect Victim desired this contest and only the High Priest of Sacrifice, who commands here, can stop it."447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmo0FJ9vST
"Let it continue," the Perfect Victim requested. Ollin bowed.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dhdfJFfLA
"And to the death, Yaotl. To the death!" he called ecstatically.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmt6ejq0dol
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.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPllXvWxz1V
"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.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31FOz1M1VI
"Destroy him, Yaotl," Ollin was triumphant.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QVHMMeBLB
"Nenetl forbade it," Tetzal replied.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OI3MfoAAO
"A false God forbids it," Ollin sneered, and turned back to Yaotl. "Destroy him!"447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkZeAyJoEH
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.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9mjOfykne
"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.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaAnHvwrbn
"Your place is in the temple!"447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9voxiHjqIm
"Even though I am a false God? No, Ollin. I am loyal to those who serve me."447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzP15pVRYcO
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.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENzT05qf5l
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.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbmXxKLq1Q
"As dies my servant, so dies your High Priest of Sacrifice."447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxeRgtIQdN
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.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTUHYWhodB
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.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGtrpvzMSE
"Neither of the Chosen Warriors may claim a victory," he announced.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjv3UFoS5tO
Ann came from behind Ollin to face him but she still had the knife in her hand.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAReKWOO5A
"I did as you commanded. Now you must obey me."447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQCm7PNUM0
Ollin closed his eyes.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEANGPzx4xA
"My servants shall not be punished."447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2dZl1ORD4
"So be it," Ollin replied almost inaudibly, as Don slid to the ground and slept.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRd6iWnxNCb
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.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNR1LElgtI
"With my bare hands I cannot defeat him," he admitted ruefully, but added that he was determined to command their armies.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZxpt2G78t
"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?"447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJ93ZGO03L
"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."447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DXhy1SQB9
"What secrets?" Ollin was intrigued.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QL2NVyv02
"How the tomb of Nenetl may be entered," Yaotl flexed his arm, opening and closing his hand.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rVzCbixPd
"I must question him about it." Ollin placed the thorn on the table.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJFrqOAEMJ
"He was at my mercy," Yaotl was suddenly tense with frustration.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86qGtSHZea
"And he shall be again," the High Priest promised before he limped away.447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPGPr7rmr7
447Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVWkHVksMz
然後按「加至主畫面」