Don went up the temple stairs two at a time. He wore his Chosen Warrior's loin-cloth and embroidered cloak, as well as a plumed battle-mask in hammered silver which concealed the upper half of his face. The temple guards saluted him and one drew back the brocade curtain to let him pass.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJRn5hsNOa
Ann was standing on the terrace looking down at the city. She was startled when Don came towards her, not sure for a moment whether it was him or Yaotl. Don lifted his mask and Ann sighed with relief before frowning. "You shouldn't be up here. It's too dangerous," she said anxiously.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJKqlXHDjO
Don dismissed her fears with a downward wave of his hand and remarked lightly that, for all the guards knew, he could just as easily have been Yaotl.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhYB1E2s42
Ann wasn't convinced. "I still think it was reckless of you."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTYVABsfZS
Don led her to the back of the temple behind the throne. "I came here to warn you," he confided.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ho75H74qa
"About what?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIi9V0EH8pf
"That's just it. I don't know. But I'm convinced that Ollin and Tlaqui are cooking up something against you."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDoLLTcjHl
Ann was shocked. "Tlaqui? I didn't know he was on Ollin's side. Our High Priest of Sacrifice seems to have the knack of bringing people around to his way of thinking," she said ruefully.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuv9F8ae2N
"That's where you're wrong, Ann," Don replied. "They're all on Ollin's side."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeGMuuC7hN
"What about Tetzal?" she asked.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPz7Oz0oZAY
"What about him?" Don shrugged. "He's reasonable, cultured, civilized in his own way, but he goes along with Ollin. You saved my life, Ann, not Tetzal. He would have let me die."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCYdvQTLl2
"I'm not so sure that he would now." She did her best to sound convincing as she told Don about her last conversation with the High Priest of Knowledge.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOWluyqV2l
Don shook his head. "Come to the crunch, Ann, he'll behave like any other Aztec." 411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaluNNrztp1
Don was adamant. "Look, you simply can't fight a way of life."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nkht2KRa8
Ann turned away. "I don't believe this! First Dr. Smith, now you." She laughed mirthlessly. "But there's such nobility in them," she protested, "that I want to do something to save them from destruction."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡig8kY3ElBX
"There's only one thing to be done," Don said quietly to her back. "Get back into that tomb and leave them alone."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcjEvPTmaB
Ann heard faint footsteps on the stairs. "Someone's coming up," she whispered. "You better hide."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoP2Nf1NYA
Don dashed to the curtain behind which he and Yaotl had held the Rain God victim. 411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJP1EZEMmoX
He ducked into the alcove, holding one slit of the curtain open with a finger so that he could see Ann, who had taken her place on the throne. He heard Ollin's shuffling gait as he limped over to the throne with Tlaqui at his side, holding a goblet.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgK65qDj8l
"We greet thee, Nenetl," Ollin said ingratiatingly.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsM9JimuXC
"What do you want?" Ann asked coldly.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CRu9QFxJq
Ollin gestured to Tlaqui and himself. "We come before the Great Spirit in all humility," and they both bowed.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmmI2cb1at
"Quiet words do you credit." Ann's eyes and mind were alert for any indication of danger.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRd5klVLda
Ollin stretched out his arm in a gesture of despair. "Have we not both spoken harsh words and had dark thoughts?" He went on to state that he was now convinced of her divinity and wished to make amends.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLNReRZtUm
Tlaqui echoed Ollin by begging Nenetl not to punish the High Priest for his misgivings.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXg8GXlJusz
"This draught is symbolic of the blood of Huitzilopochtli." Ollin took the goblet from Tlaqui and held it up in front of Ann. "Let us share it in reverence."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtVmV4Gjec
Ann took the goblet from him and raised it to her lips. Behind the curtain Don held his breath and tensed his muscles, ready to dash out to knock the goblet from her hands before she drank. Ollin and Tlaqui watched her intently.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQARwMKnNM
Then, she hesitated, smiled and held out the goblet to the High Priest. "If you now acknowledge my divinity, then first both of you must drink in reverence to me." She shot a quick glance at Tlaqui who averted his eyes. "And then I shall drink in reverence to Huitzilopochtli for us all." She stood and thrust the goblet at him. 411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePhPl8vD7i
"Drink," she commanded.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueoaniz37E
The High Priest took a step backwards. Ann came down from the dais and turned to Tlaqui. "You'll sip it in reverence to me, won't you?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFC6EJNuA3
The balding, pudgy little priest shook his head and edged his way towards the curtained entrance to the temple. Holding the goblet at arm's length, Ann went with him. As he reached the curtain Ann looked at him icily. "You defile this temple. Get out of my sight." She threw down the goblet, which smashed at his feet, and Tlaqui fled.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqeXwrqe6h
Ann turned back to face Ollin who looked at her apprehensively. "Well?" Her voice was expressionless.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEiFTX2dqZ
"We meant only to test you."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS04pdFL9QS
"With poison?" Still she betrayed no emotion.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUq232IoXC2
"Nenetl would have lived as true gods are immortal."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15Ay9RPpk6
"Well, I would have died."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbrlVQdino
Ollin's eyes widened in triumph.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLh9HIPkhUG
"I am not Nenetl."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokDKQ6EUaf
He pointed at her. "False! You are a false god. As I have known since I first saw you."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdztdDfN0EG
"And who will believe you?" Ann's eyes hardened. "I warn you, Ollin. Say one word against me to the people and I shall have them destroy you. Now, go!"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKFOl55pHT
The High Priest of Sacrifice stared malevolently at her for a few seconds. Ann met his eyes with a steady gaze, then he muttered the word "false" again, and limped from the temple.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PC3WSEa1u
As soon as he was gone Ann began to tremble. Don came quickly from behind the curtain and put his arms around her. Ann closed her eyes. "W-w-we m-m-must get away, Don," she stammered. "I can't p-pl-play this r-r-role much longer."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyUEyb8Enn
"We will, Ann, we will," he reassured her, but he didn't know how they would do it.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIAUY6n3Pt
It was early afternoon. The two High Priests and Tlaqui had eaten their midday meal of roast pheasant, hot spicy pancakes, and fruit, all of which had been prepared by the women who served in the temple. The three of them sat on cushions around the table rinsing their hands in the finger bowls which had been placed before them.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTNTuPcFH0
"What progress do our pupils make at the seminary, Tlaqui?" Tetzal dabbed his mouth with a dampened corner of his napkin.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXzn0kvxVl
"All are diligent in their studies," Tlaqui replied.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIli2Mr1Ssk
"And Nenetl's handmaiden?" Tetzal asked.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hEd9S8EeB
Tlaqui raised his arms. "Her intelligence far exceeds that of the others. And she has knowledge of things known only to the Priests," he added, clearly impressed. 411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtroqbDlJ5k
"But are you surprised? She also serves the gods," Tetzal reminded him.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyvbAx7stm
"Other gods than ours," Ollin growled.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThcFLyNzme
Tetzal sighed and asked when the High Priest of Sacrifice would cease to doubt Nenetl's divinity.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iOpNvF5Kv
"Never, for I know she is false," he snapped, and was on the point of telling Tetzal about the poison but realized that they had tried to give it to her without his knowledge. "She has come among us, intent on destroying us." He slammed his fist onto the table.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkonWf0QVO
"Or saving us," Tetzal replied quietly as he stood up and went to his cell to rest.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBOIeknPWx
Ollin flicked crumbs of food off the table. "Do you share Tetzal's conviction?" he asked Tlaqui.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFw9CiFWRI
"I do not know to whom I should listen." Tlaqui nervously remembered the goblet exploding, splashing the poisoned draught over his feet.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmU5rx7uQZy
"She is false, she told me so herself," Ollin said but saw the doubt in Tlaqui's eyes. "And when I have the proof you will hear only my voice which will be like thunder in the sky." He cleaned his fingernails with the tip of a knife. "But where is my proof? How shall I obtain it? She is very clever." He put down the knife and studied his fingernails, then looked at Tlaqui. "The handmaiden, alone in the seminary, tell me about her."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkuve6CeKM
Tlaqui shifted uncomfortably on his cushion. "She is, as I have said, very intelligent, but self-willed."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjQ5lQmrfK
"In what way?" Ollin leaned across the table.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgZPMicjmC
"One day, in the presence of the High Priest of Knowledge and myself, she said she would only marry someone of her own choosing."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBMKG92LTK
"She would not be wed by arrangement, not for honor?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHWCYIYrOE
Tlaqui shook his head. "On this she was firm. She would choose her husband." A plan had already formulated in Ollin's mind. "Then we must find a suitable one for her, 411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbWWEVOnul
Tlaqui," he said briskly and put a forefinger to his lips. "The false god's weakness lies not in herself but in her servants," he observed as he picked up the knife and stuck it into the table.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeQ7tOHRjz
A prospective husband was the last thought in Penny's mind was she stood, bored almost to tears, at the entrance to her cell, looking out onto the cloister. Behind her was Tetzal, the ever-present posy in his hand.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxmzjI3Qut
"In the annals of Cuauhtitlan there is the myth of five suns in the sky," he intoned. "Name them." Penny took a breath and reeled them off in a monotone.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7fR1OIJHv
"The first was known as Four-Tiger, the second the sun of Air, the third the sun of Fire and Rain, the fourth the sun of Water and, finally, the present one, the sun of Man."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqglwDQONi7
Tetzal was delighted. "Excellent, Penny, excellent!"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoavT5FcS07
Penny resigned herself to the next question but it was never posed. Suddenly Tlaqui and the Perfect Victim were standing beside the doorway.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6Lzzvtaui
"I greet you, Tetzal," Tlaqui said.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CRg0deAAQ
The High Priest's face fell when he saw the Perfect Victim.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmB14fHiOR
"As I do also," the young man said, smiling at Penny.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljJXQC5C4H
"You honor us with your visit," Tetzal replied. "How may we serve you?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKXO7yvh4t
"It is my wish to look upon her."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZ7SJKJf6I
Penny was puzzled, Tetzal troubled and Tlaqui amused.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMBqQneBcp
"Do you know how she is?" Tetzal asked.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUzoDTNV8J
The Perfect Victim smiled. "Does she know who I am?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkpVJIQvLb
"No."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbx4RGWLsD
"Then tell her."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSayA6ZPuWN
"In two days, when the sun is at its zenith, darkness will full upon the land," Tetzal said.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NGTZxX6iC
"All great Hutizilopochtli's light will be hidden from our eyes," Tlaqui added mystically.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iwcfGUBfT
"You mean it'll be a total eclipse?" Penny was enthusiastic and remarked that, although she had seen several partial eclipses, she had never seen one where the sun was completely hidden by the moon. "It'll be interesting to watch."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvq567pXGzN
Tetzal shifted uneasily. "At the moment when all is in darkness, a human sacrifice will be offered to the Sun God and this young man...."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABkxSeT0cP
Penny's hands flew to her face. "....is to be the victim?" she blurted out in horror. "But that's revolting!"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmC4XyjMxmn
The young man looked at her uncomprehendingly. "What greater honor is there for me than to be chosen as the Perfect Victim and to join the gods?" His voice rang with pride. Then he announced he would take Penny as his bride.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHV6dHS7rbg
She gaped at him in utter incredulity before giving vent to her feelings. "Bride!" she pointed at him. "He think's I'll marry him?! Well, if he's mad enough to let himself be sacrificed because of a stupid eclipse I suppose he's mad enough to believe anything."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaYiZ6gOmQ
Tlaqui protested that since the young man had been chosen as the Perfect Victim, all his desires were granted. "That does not include me!" Penny was furious. "Let him die if he wants to, but don't expect me to marry him."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDj8sYewvx
"It is the Aztec law, Penny," Tetzal chided her.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9jEgUvlTC
"Then your law is barbaric and I won't obey it. I won't!" Penny shouted. "You're monsters, all of you are monsters!" She ran from the cell onto the cloister.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NZLACTW17
Tlaqui looked at Tetzal. "She has broken the law," he said. "Ollin must know of this."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHbjPUdaIV
"Let her be severely punished for denying me," the Perfect Victim added.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1G1Ll0UIaC
Tetzal looked from one to the other. "So be it," he murmured.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZngTfZQ9xL
With tears streaming down her cheeks, Penny ran halfway around the cloister before collapsing against a pillar.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtb5wzJh99
"Uncle Zachary, Uncle Zachary," she sobbed. "Please, help me."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUczmwy3Sk
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo13Ex4tRUX
