Ann sat on the throne in the temple and looked down at the worried High Priest of Knowledge who stood in front of her.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB85JllK4RG
"Ollin was humiliated. He will not forget, nor will he forgive," he warned her.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJr3wT0eJp
Ann shrugged. "I did as he commanded."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQd4X7C0kqB
"But not as he expected."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIaxsXJYxs
"What did he want? A miracle?" She smiled at Tetzal.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXh4P9Yq1Iy
"We all awaited one," he confessed.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOY54UXrxE
Ann stood and stepped down to the temple floor. "Why should I use divine powers when human ability will do?" she asked sweetly.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSx6ugfj1i
Tetzal could not resist a twitch of a grin. "Nenetl has spoken." He tried to keep his tone of voice solemn.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqPPEDH8GE
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?"407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw95ydFE7pN
"I have thought of little else. And it is true that if we defy the will of the gods we shall be destroyed."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHgmPjLVFh
"When Quetzalcoatl reigned supreme as the Sun God was there human sacrifice?"407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqgjwBDfjg
"No, only after his banishment was blood demanded."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUwp6QhN6y
"By Huitzilipochtli, the dark God of the Sun." Ann put her hand around the bracelet on her wrist. "What sacrifice did Quetzalcoatl demand?"407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7X1zuexMdm
"A bird, a fish, a serpent, none other?"407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBU9RO04j3O
"Why should that have been?"407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOo8GqGwdZ
"He so dearly loved his people he wished no harm to anyone," Tetzal explained.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVt6eicmbA
"Is not a return of Quetzacoatl possible?"407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5VBff7JZ5
"Only a god can banish a god. We mortals can do nothing."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcy3mvP1SJW
"And were Quetzalcoatl to send you a messenger?" Ann took her hand off the bracelet.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgs6vifxgsW
Tetzal glanced at it and looked away. "I serve Huitzilopochtli," he said quietly. "This is his temple."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMTf5ZVuFe
"Then where must Queztalcoatl seek his servants?"407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sGzPD4OVS
Tetzal remained silent and Ann shifted tack. "When is to be the next sacrifice?" she asked.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bGJqdXMYR
"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."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkJDlzY6ml
"So there's to be an eclipse and Ollin will offer a human heart."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bkS364Nh4
"The Perfect Victim's."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeRw2L9Bmn
"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."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcfxU2MeXl
"Unless Huitzilopochtli, the Sun God, the Surpreme God, withdraws his favor from us." Tetzal was adamant.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDa0ExW6Zzs
"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."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIKg4om7B9
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."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjzAVIQF1J
Ann's appearance remained serene, but her heart ached and she was in mental turmoil.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbanEGC6y4z
Ollin sidled up to Dr. Smith, who was sitting disconsolately in the garden.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBRgm3q5no
"What manner of servant are you?" the High Priest asked.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEYm8zUdTa
"Oh, go away," Dr. Smith snapped, but Ollin sat down beside him.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEkTE7BwTY
"I am curious about you," he said. "First you try to secure a victory for Yaotl."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkN1TXvdnR
"He cheated me," Dr. Smith replied hotly.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtbPvSmcAH
Ollin looked sideways at the Doctor.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXr4frHC2CK
"I am faithful to my friends," Dr. Smith insisted.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGNRJUEYYO
"Yet you deceive Nenetl."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVVpBbEgFT
"Not at all." Dr. Smith became indignant.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ojdKC4Y3G
"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?"407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PRywlsyQ3
"What is it you want from me?" Dr. Smith countered.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReQcfTG2BH
"I want but one thing." Ollin held up the knife. "Proof that she is a false God."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDV3MfEf9B
"Then open the tomb."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxfbXl0fd7
"That cannot be achieved."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1aAbKZyIk
"Can't it?" Dr. Smith raised an eyebrow. "Talk to your so-called 'Chosen Warrior.' He has a drawing."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjrDWf3UQA
Ollin stared with glinting black eyes at Dr. Smith. "In whose service are you?" he asked.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrs8JwHbgc4
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."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qKLo5EjGa
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.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnglcjNr6Z
"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."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2oL9Wqk95
"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.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgptQ4zrKMa
"Did you not say 'use stealth, surprise your enemy?" Yaotl was enjoying himself.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgBWxNtSXZ
"I did," Don admitted.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRad2hlnTw
"And did I not do those things?" Yaotl laughed again.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5uhWTCrGc
Don agreed that he had.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDaUBn4x09
"A thorn, the sap of a plant and Nenetl's aged servant," Yaotl added.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1KidiaJgV
Don looked up sharply. "Dr. Smith helped you?!"407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8Be7tC4RU
Yaotl nodded and remarked that Don's friends make strange allies.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCPae00ftQ
Don stood up gingerly. "Did Dr. Smith know you were to fight me?" he asked.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9XVzUUA2w
Yaotl shook his head and admitted that he didn't.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjQ1WOM4Md
Don felt dizzy. "I need some fresh air." He staggered towards the living area and the door of his quarters.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV15BEfdhsf
"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.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1blEbKdEEg
"Oh, I'm going to die, am I?" Don's voice expressed no shock.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGGAKDZA6y
"Yes, Don." Yaotl sounded enthusiastic at the prospect. "Next time we fight, I shall not fail to kill you."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWnCNPJ3h2
"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.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsWzMfKstw
"I see your strength has been restored to you," Ollin sneered.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLBmkFBWt8
"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.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0V6HAWwDj
"I have no need of the drawing," he said.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBPGlDV8Q5
"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."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyhf9ElhPz
"But your father's father must have set it down," Ollin sounded anxious.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwd7yH2elbq
Don listened to the conversation with great interest.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPmIhPTAg6
"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.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcfxA4xsTl
"I remember his disappearance." Ollin was brusque.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUfd6BK80C
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.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OrrJioM5c
Ignoring Don, the High Priest of Sacrifice and Tlaqui took their leave of Yaotl and limped and waddled towards the gateway to the courtyard.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQXNxbbexr
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."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxk811BvJe
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."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnCQwwtx5d
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.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpo1bXkn5N
"Your knowledge of poisons."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRsSRuCWed
Tlaqui was horrified.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUg4WXEQPrp
"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."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xX9mSd22I
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?"407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fPwhk5wyp
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."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27OgNqqR7x
"Tetzal? I think not!" Ollin snapped.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrqFSpmMLT
"Why not?"407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRBRsEI3Eo
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. 407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsu8CTe3GZ
"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.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JmQMEJpqt
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.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PfQPFtQZ0
"Such happiness, Zuma, outshines the sun," he remarked.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrH51eB4stw
"And with good fortune may outlast it," Zuma replied softly.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMpSNgZOxy
"What brings you such joy?"407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fQ4cRMIIh
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.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQurHuE3mGs
"I am grateful to Nenetl's aged servant," he said, and noticing the bag, asked if Zuma was carrying cocoa beans to barter with.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4apr9Ux63r
She shook her head. "I have already been to the market and brought food," she replied.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCx37Z9wc0
Tetzal touched the bag. "Then these are to prepare a drink."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpoL1enEHj
Zuma lowered her eyes. "Only the gods may know," she replied coyly.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxlFPSHojs
"Ah," Tetzal murmured, and observed that all mortals lived in hope.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAir653e0n
"He is a gentle companion aand most dear to me," Zuma admitted.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgb1FlhPxg6
"Are these then for a love potion?" Tetzal asked in mock surprise.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypOowMXcl6
"That would be too bold," Zuma blushed. "Rather should he show his love for me."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYv1DGusYk
"You wish him to prepare it."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcnAn0wrPS
"I do."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EvfZWjBkc
Tetzal looked from her to Dr. Smith and back to Zuma again. "May the gods favor your desires," he said gently and walked away.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcGBdy3awg
Zuma went over to Dr. Smith and greeted him.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YXetPaDU6
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."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WiGEgfs8S
She glanced at the wall. "When one's interest is held, loneliness does not exist."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpXgT9URAB
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.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuM6hgCJCv
"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.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhp8l4Evbu
Dr. Smith began picking them up. "Cocoa beans," he exclaimed.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3KwPEE4h7
"We use them for barter for our daily needs," Zuma replied.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYORXTjCIm
"What an excellent idea! A current you can drink!" Dr. Smith proclaimed. "Delicious!"407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0TCGA0AME
"Do you know our customs?" Zuma asked timidly as Dr. Smith dropped the beans one by one back into her bag.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy09ouNZ5aX
"Why, yes, my dear, of course I do," Dr. Smith replied, looking about hi to make sure he hadn't overlooked a bean.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSVTEuRLNL
"The drinking of cocoa has its own very special meaning," Zuma ventured and Dr. Smith wholeheartedly agreed with her.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcdGU3TmLS
"It's a rare delight and we shall take a cup together."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjdz7iNgD8
"Are you sure?"407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjxDZIV1xl
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."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03Fz39XUT9
"Do you insist?" Zuma was hesitant.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45SMCUccjK
"I do. I insist as a token of my esteem."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx68b45PIio
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."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5Sj6F1E4F
"Now, don't go away, my dear," Dr. Smith cautioned her. "I'll be back."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYWV94nHNr
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.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoLel4Zmr9
Proudly, he returned to the bench where Zuma sat and handed her a goblet before sitting down beside her.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZl6ygXrY6t
"Happy days, my dear." He chinked his goblet against hers in a toast.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFCun3iduV
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."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8h8nUiuDK6
"Very prettily put, my dear," Dr. Smith murmured approvingly.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdGrkBaSl8
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."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqYF3JdtuE
Dr.Smith found the next sip of cocoa infinitely more difficult to swallow.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCc8iiCi9kF
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FR3APy289
