It was evening and the air in the garden was heavily scented as Dr. Smith, lost in his thoughts, walked along a path, his hands clutched behind his back. There had to be another way into the tomb, he reasoned, for how else could the counterbalanced wall have been set in place? It would have required builders both in the tomb and outside in the temple. He presumed that the temple, and consequently the tomb, had been built before Nenetl's death as the pyramid must have taken a decade to construct and that, Dr. Smith considered, was a long time to keep a corpse hanging around waiting to be laid to rest. So, when Nenetl died someone, Yaotl's grandfather, perhaps, had to open up the wall from inside the tomb. Therefore there had to be a secret entrance to steps leading up to a trapdoor, most likely, and now possibly sealed, in the floor of the tomb.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvgrRiD44Y
Dr. Smith sighed and sniffed the perfumed air without appreciating int. How would the trapdoor be sealed? he asked himself. Closed, it would be seated on a flange which, once Nenetl's body was placed in the tomb, could have been lined with terracotta, a mixture of sand and clay, that would harden like a brick when heated. Yes, that must be the answer, Dr. Smith decided and then wondered how much force would be needed to break the seal. A hammer, a chisel and West's biceps would suffice, he concluded. All that now remained was to locate the secret entrance to the steps and that, he realized dejectedly, could be almost anywhere. But where would be the likeliest place?422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKM2wshvcP
"Zachary." Zuma's voice broke his train of thought. Irritated, he saw her coming along the path towards him. "My dear, I am glad to find you alone as I have a gift for you."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhJMMCAe4V
"How very kind," Dr. Smith mumbled, wondering if it were more cocoa beans. Instead, she gave him a beautiful jade brooch with an eagle and, separately, a coiled snake carved on it.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYI4N12Cz8W
He was taken aback. "Dear lady, I cannot possibly accept such a..." he began but stopped when Zuma said the gift signified her love for him. Dr. Smith swallowed. "I shall treasure it always."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9U55pbkia
"I am pleased, though it is yours by right."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxEDS1mcam
Dr. Smith was puzzled. "Why do you say that?" he asked.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBqEjkTQkt
"It came from Nenetl's tomb."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHSpylcU0j
Dr. Smith was dumbfounded. "From...where?"422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZ6m207m6f
"The tomb. See? It has Nenetl's sign on it," she pointed to the snake, "the coiled serpent."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoepqoiqS6
"But that is the emblem of the Aztec nation," Dr. Smith said.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0OzmOqhlT
"That is so," Zuman replied. "Only the serpent is held either in the eagle's beak or its claws. Nenetl's sign of the coiled serpent is separate from the eagle."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13tHspgYH7
Dr. Smith turned the brooch over in his hands. "It's quite magnificent." He smiled at her and asked casually how she had come by it.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwHd2nA2Hn
Zuma blushed. "Though married, Yaotl's father fell in love with me. I did what I could to discourage his advances. But he insisted that I accept the brooch, which he gave to me seven days before he disappeared."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcWnxzDrlz
"Disappeared?"422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51LCY6Sxip
"Yes, here in the garden," Zuma replied. "He was never seen again." She dismissed the topic with a gesture of her hand. "But it was a long time ago and now I look forward to a life of bliss with you."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1MA5Cmr0N
"And I with you, my dear," Dr. Smith said absently, his mind on other matters.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsXFJkjFhN
"Peace and contentment," Zuma reflected.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15b8D2pzMb
"Rapture and joy," Dr. Smith echoed.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZHVObVfQ1
"We shall have a garden of our own," she announced.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEdTvWzbMK
The Doctor eyes lit up. "Yes, of course," he agreed. "A garden of our own." And his eyes traveled to the wall and the stone with the coiled snake carved on it.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7q21K8sAIL
As soon as he decently could Dr. Smith took his leave of Zuma and hurried to the barracks. When Dr. Smith burst into his quarters, Don was desperately trying to think of something constructive he could do to put them safely back on board the TARDIS and get them safely on their way.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uHSYuOy8y
"Eureka, West, I have it!" Dr. Smith exclaimed, and then hesitated. "At least, I think I have."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipBsIJ9kJ4
"What?" Don asked, taken aback.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1eOcR0Jkt
Dr. Smith held the brooch in the palm of his right hand and poked it with his left forefinger. "This came from Nenetl's tomb. And who took it?" he demanded without waiting for an answer. "His father!" He pointed dramatically at Yaotl's quarters on the other side of the courtyard and then poked the brooch again. "So there's the proof that a secret way into the tomb exists and Yaotl's father knew about it." 422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOV943v6wI2
Dr. Smith looked about him conspiratorially and moved closer to Don. "But what is much more important, West, my dear boy, is that I believe I know where it is." His voice was little more than an urgent whisper. "Underneath the garden is an irrigation tunnel used for watering the flowers, and in the back wall is a stone with a coiled snake.....Nenetl's sign...carved upon it. I'm certain that the stone can be removed to reveal a way into the tunnel. I'm convinced that under the temple wall there will be a flight of stairs leading up to the tomb." Dr. Smith's eyes darted here and there in search of a possible eavesdropper before he continued. "Tonight, West, tonight, once Yaotl is asleep, come to the garden where I shall be waiting for you."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxYx7WGXDn
"All right, Dr. Smith, I'll be there," Don said.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQukZNfnhmI
"Good fellow," Dr. Smith replied and slapped him on the back.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUN9zXQMsh
"How did you get hold this?" Don asked, tapping the brooch.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKbTOhHSzc
Dr. Smith cleared his throat. "My fiancée gave it to me as a present."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCg940I66ZC
"I see," Don replied before it registered. "Your what?" he choked.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhKM3wgizh
"I made some cocoa and became engaged to Zuma."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjpphos51C
Don began to chuckle.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIBk3HWIG9
"Did I say something funny, West?"422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbqBTJctVu
Don tried to keep a straight face.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRssGKpRZE
"And the sooner we are away from here, the better."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJScNgxLWX3
"Yes, Dr. Smith," Don managed to reply, his shoulders shaking. "I'll be there tonight."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZkvseN6rK
Dr. Smith turned to leave.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4awsdE75M
"Oh, and by the way, Dr. Smith, congratulations," he said and doubled up.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LaPnMuuQN
Dr. Smith stormed off. From his quarters, Yaotl watched him go.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMAkfpNpr2
Ann was in the antechamber when a guard announced that the High Priest of Sacrifice and the Priest of Knowledge awaited her in the temple. Her defences came up instinctively. "Say that I shall recieve them presently," she said.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPI648wChYn
The guard bowed and withdrew.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqDCyeQ10g
Ann considered her strategy. Should she listen to them first and then riposte as best she could, or should she go directly on the attack? She placed the plumed crown on her head and decided upon the latter course of action. When she reached the temple, she ignored them until she sat upon the throne.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6sgC3BOGt
"Why do you attend me?" Her voice was glacial.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDHFWeOFRc
Ollin kept his eyes fixed onher while Tlaqui looked down at his posy and shuffled his feet. "There is a matter we would place before you, Great Spirit," he burbled.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmU2NNxOYSu
Ann raised one eyebrow. "You wish the gods to favor the Priest of Knowledge with their good opinions?"422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3O5vnVMBU
"Their advice," Tlaqui conceded.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4ywkkopFM
"And yet you sin against them with your test of poison," Ann snapped as Tlaqui studied his posy even more intently.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCa2s99ZXax
"Let us talk of this other matter," Ollin cajoled.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyGyrwa8tX
"Silence." It was like a whiplash across his back, but he gritted his teeth and contained his fury.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhqDVPoqBg
Ann looked back at Tlaqui. "Your offense against the gods is forgiven. Now, what would you discuss?"422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMA6HVOOwX
"The punishment for one who speaks out against our teachings and defies our laws." 422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqnkaMyFsG
Ann realized that this time it was a verbal trap that Ollin was trying to spring.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6AWapLDve
"Was this spoken in public?" she asked cautiously.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJLfMSaErN
"Yes, Great Spirit, and after being duly warned," Tlaqui emphasized.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSimqBfehS
"Were there witnesses to the warning?" Take it one step at a time, she advised herself.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5JW5NzhOr
"Tetzal and myself."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jcfpBxdgD
"What was the offense?" Ann was concerned that Tetzal was involved and curious to know why he wasn't with them.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPU21frSVB6
"Denying a desire of the Perfect Victim."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLZ5shSffb
"Be specific, Tlaqui. What was his wish?" Like the poisoned draught, she guessed this interview was being conducted behind Tetzal's back.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmETYm3phUQ
"To be wed."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcJgUFxQoB
Ann thought that taking a bride two days before one died willingly was absurd. "To be wed and widowed in two days? What kind of marriage is that for an Aztec maiden?" she asked.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowG5cTYUsq
Ollin's eyes glinted with secret pleasure. He had rehearsed Tlaqui well and Ann had fallen into the trap.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDdzwOpbP1
Tlaqui argued that Aztec warriors frequently wed before going off to war and some did not return, but they were not proclaimed gods as the Perfect Victim would be.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPntdJVqvKl
"There could be no greater honor," he concluded.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylIQvOGCxQ
"And if she wanted to marry again?"422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvv37McMon
Tlaqui shook his head vigorously. "Marriage to a mortal would be unthinkable to the widow of a god."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAtOLBWWez
"So this maiden has defied your teachings and your law by spurning his proposal of marriage," Ann said, and when Tlaqui nodded, she thought "Good for you, girl." "And what does the law prescribe for such an offense?" she asked.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00xb7gtRcy
Tlaqui waved his posy. "We know of none. Such a rejection has never occurred before," he replied. "That is why we have sought your advice."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3s5l1EKf4
"Liar," Ann thought and stared at Ollin. "She will not die," her voice was adamant.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhqDf7MhrD
"Then let her be publicly ridiculed," Tlaqui proposed.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBB7TfOcu2
Ann thought that if there must be a punishment, ridicule would be relatively harmless.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZDUk152he
Ollin took a half-step forward. "I say she should be scourged," he hissed. "Her ears and tongue pierced with thorns."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdYPepqRAA
"I fobid it," Ann snapped.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJigBlAFaL
"Tetzal upholds it." Ollin's voice was a menace.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Lq4zKI8Y9
"Let him say so, then," Ann replied dryly.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWV68Pg78g
"He will, he will," Ollin assured her, "when the time comes."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNOP5mh1Sx
"And when will that be?"422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWzY0In2LL
"On the day of darkness," Tlaqui replied.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKba9XCEQRa
"Before all the people," Ollin made a sweeping gesture with his arm before pointing at Ann, "and you must be there so that the gravity of the offence is known."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UlXhmmjBM
"I shall witness the punishment from the temple," Ann said, a plan forumlating in her brain. "But I wish my servants to be present with me. Don, my aged servant, and my handmaiden."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡth7CcUfRbB
"It shall be arranged," Ollin said without expression. "Both the men and your handmaiden will be there. That I promise."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hHNAPCxJw
As the High Priest of Sacrifice limps from the temple with Tlaqui at his side, Ann sensed she had made a mistake somewhere. She went over their conversation several times in her mind and then summoned the High Priest of Knowledge to the temple.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsu3inS1Lhb
Tetzal's face was grave as he listened to Ann's account of his encounter with Tlaqui and the High Priest of Sacrifice.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MN59G3YjR
"Ollin insisted you upheld such bestial treatment. Is that true?" she asked.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuD9jjUep8X
"Is it still your intention to intervene at the sacrifice of the Perfect Victim?" Tetzal countered.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizHdEQyn2i
"Of course, it is," Ann said firmly.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeoQXcSmWU
"Then I shall match your courage, Nenetl," he replied. "Though it grieves my heart, as it must yours."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0FydpIGR8
"I'll shed no tears over an end to human sacrifice." Ann was resolute.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3buJ5Eb79p
"I was referring to your handmaiden," Tetzal explained.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGu8qwxsoiJ
"What about Penny?" Ann asked sharply.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnw4yNeZmIM
Tetzal was perplexed. "You have just spoken of her offense."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo83Wzig4qI
Ann jumped to her feet. "Penny was to be the bride?" she exclaimed.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbloPspvSfp
"Did not Ollin say so?"422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5vI7rvnQJ
So that had been the trap, Ann thought; a deliberate omission on Ollin's part and a stupid one on hers.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzIuk41iAh
"I shall forbid the punishment."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTb9AsrOQx6
"You cannot," Tetzal replied flatly.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIvJZWpC5W
"Oh yes, I can!" she said fiercely. "Penny is to be punished at the eclipse so when you and I stop the human sacrifice then I will order Ollin to release her as well."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQV54fszzy0
Tetzal shook his head. "She is to be punished before the sacrifice to the Sun God."422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ146Z1hIQPB
"I won't let him hurt her. I won't!" Ann's voice was final.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ChXLsvinY
The High Priest looked at her. "Wil you, then, sacrifice all that you believe in, all that you have given me to believe in, to save your handmaiden pain?"422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIKQF6szgO
Ann had no answer.422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9gWuMiLq1
422Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETTyti6Scx
