The life-size clay model of a warrior wore a loin-cloth, sandals and a head-dress. On its chest was a small red circle to indicate the heart. Yaotl stood at the other end of the courtyard holding a javelin, which he threw with devastating accuracy into the circle. Don, who was watching with Tetzal, thought Yaotl would be a useful addition to a darts team. Yaotl swaggered over to them, his right hand on the hilt of the short sword hanging at his side.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWoiAiSGJY
"Thus shall my enemies fall," he said arrogantly.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLk4r64qAb0
"Real enemies can strike back," Don remarked quietly.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8552Mh42vh
"I have no fear of death," Yaotl retorted.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBEvu9Su3P
"Maybe not. The dead never win."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWBf1fVRqB
Yaotl looked sharply at Don. "How would you attack?" he asked.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EbY9ubqPI
"A little more cunningly," Don replied. "I'd use stealth to surprise my enemy."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzm8KHpa7B
"This also I can do." Yaotl spun around and when they were face to face again, the sword was drawn and the tip touching Don's stomach.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLompGXkRUm
Don smiled at Yaotl as the chosen warrior slid the sword back into its scabbard. Don held up his left thumb. "This is all I need," he said casually.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulTcMVFEcv
Yaotl looked surprised and observed that to win a victory with a thumb would require strong magic.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIo4Ceh7Ouq
Don shook his head. "Knowing your enemy's weakness isn't magic," he said, "it's common sense."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30L2P5SoRa
Yaotl laughed and pointed to himself. "What weakness have I that is vulnerable to your thumb?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IP8JK52Iu
"You'd be surprised," Don replied.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5X9pSsasw
Yaotl hesitated, doubt in his eyes.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcYVGlM7MO
"Don't worry, Yaotl, I won't kill you. Not this time." Don remained composed; Tetzal was intrigued and Yaotl bristled.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwwTQd9jwt
"You mock the arts of war and I defy you to harm me;" he challenged.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIareNk5gt
Don looked at the studded club that lay on the ground beside them. "Pick up the club, Yaotl," Don pointed at it with his left thumb.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjwGAajynu
Yaotl eyed Don suspiciously and then bent down to pick up the cudgel with his right hand. But he never quite reached it, as Don was astride him from behind and had clamped Yaotl's right arm in a half-nelson hold, leaving him powerless to pick up the cudgel or draw his sword. At the same time Don rammed his left thumb onto the pressure point behind Yaotl's left ear. For a few seconds Yaotl thrashed vainly with his left arm to disengage Don's thumb, and then went limp. Don released him and Yaotl slumped to the ground. Tetzal stared at Don in astonishment.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmscKCtKlKo
"Give him a little time," Don smiled at the High Priest. "He'll wake up soon."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQAjLjNEzI
At that moment Ollin limped into the courtyard. "Tetzal, there is a task to be...." he stopped short when he saw Yaotl.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3GVl1etFa
Tetzal turned to him. "He sleeps. Nenetl's servant won the victory with his thumb."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡersNPig1wB
Ollin looked warily at Don and turned back to Tetzal. "You saw the blow?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLp71iTDZv3
"There was no blow." Tetzal held up his left thumb. "He defeated Yaotl with this."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqJQuzBuuV
"Tell him to rest until the sun has passed the zenith," Don advised as he walked away.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZetzWWToS
"Where do you go?" Tetzal asked.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zpuRkA2aG
"For a stroll." Don was enjoying himself.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3vDoyZiWt
"I shall accompany you." And the two of them left the courtyard.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDoEGqPdsI
Yaotl stirred, propped himself up on his elbows, shook his head and exercised his neck muscles.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMw4dpPaxy5
Ollin looked down at him. "Could you not fight against it?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27p2FiPSu1
"I was powerless." Yaotl rose groggily to his feet and leaned against the courtyard wall. "My strength was drained from me like that," and he snapped his fingers.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5wLbByGva
Ollin was disconcerted.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DkGLvRZGa
Tlaqui, a small, portly, balding Priest of Knowledge waddled, posy in hand, into the courtyard, bowed to Ollin and announced t hat the Perfect Victim desired to be admitted.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkwyDqQnxK
"All his requests must be granted," Ollin replied, and as Tlaqui left he reiterated quietly, "Must be granted."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7gWFWZ7wH
The Perfect Victim entered the courtyard. He was a handsome youth of eighteen and his white loin-cloth and cloak were hemmed with a gold thread, which had also been used to weave the eagle and coiled-snake motif on the back of his cloak. Even his sandals were white.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKZ4yyURxl
"You grace the Chosen Warriors' barracks by your presence." Ollin gestured toward Yaotl. "He is one who would be commander of our armies."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEGskoJZdP
"Yaotl, I have heard of your valor and skill," the Perfect Victim exclaimed, and then looked puzzled. "Why do you say "would be" when all know he is to be the commander?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCXPfsrrD2
"There are some who say the accounts of his deeds and the truth are far apart," Ollin replied, looking shyly at Yaotl, who was furious.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjmx9QY6Q0
"No man can win against me!" he shouted.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkwSPY5Tl1
"None, not one?" Olliln sneered.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJb69VkpAgg
"I shall lead our armies," Yaotl replied stubbornly. "It is my right to do so!"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYp4alOQfXP
"Yesterday it seemed so," Ollin remarked dryly.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWomru1XR2t
Yaotl glared at him, picked up the cudgel, stomped off to the center of the courtyard and began practicing swings and blows.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlIYA0GGOc
Tlaqui looked with surprise at the High Priest of Sacrifice.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouGpTrpoBf
"You would make an enemy?" he asked naively.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXc2EpVyvdm
"I?" Ollin protested. "I only know that I have seen a man who could defeat him."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsg4fLkbuJY
"Defeat Yaotl?" The Perfect Victim could hadly believe his ears.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEOltwqQHO
Yaotl stopped swinging the cudgel and turned towards tehm. "Once. And that by a trick." He pointed the cudgel at Ollin. "I tell you that face to face, I can pull the stranger down."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQle45idTIp
"Maybe."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58bmZUcbgp
"You drive the man." The Perfect Victim's voice was reproachful. "How often have you and Tetzal instructed me that small failings in a man may be his saving graces?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8q8aEn7jN
"But you, O' Perfect Victim, are as your name implies," Ollin replied. "When the time is ripe and you face the Gods, all failings will have dropped away. How else could you meet the gods to tell them of the Aztecs?" He paused dramatically and then raised his voice. "Should not the commander of our armies be equally pure so that his very name will strike awe and dread in our enemies' camps?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsarKGdfOU
The Perfect Victim considered the High Priest's argument and nodded. "He who defeated Yaotl should command.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wLCssAd9E
"No!" Yaotl roared.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjXR7CVMJl
Ollin raised a calming hand and conceded that Nenetl's servant may have won through trickery. "A second contest would resolve the matter but I cannot order it." He shrugged his shoulders and waited for Tlaqui, in his simplicity, to come to the rescue.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiC1jzNA22
"The Perfect Victim's desires must be fulfilled at all times," he burbled.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDn1Vmv91M
Ollin clenched his fists in delight as the Perfect Victim went to Yaotl's side.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUdisF0hsI
"My faith in Yaotl is supreme," the young man said, "and it is my desire that the Chosen Warriors meet in contest once again."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKOsXrq6uY
"As the sun sets, I shall arrange it," Ollin promised, and then casually expressed his opinion that the two men fought better when one challenged the other as there was less vigor in a contest made solely for entertainment.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtf28uuElyu
"I shall challenge the stranger," said Yaotl.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOV36Te6Sgg
"Let it be so," the Perfect Victim said, and left the courtyard with Tlaqui.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5YEg7FSe9
Ollin limped to Yaotl's side and whispered in his ear. "This I promise you: all honor and glory shall be yours if you destroy him."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmmjex7GTh
Dr. Smith and Zuma were in the garden looking at the flowers and plants. Dr. Smith touched a leaf and asked her what it was.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5tORnUhBB
"It is herbal and the sap of the stem is used by those who practice medicine to induce sleep."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXDrUsS85R
"I think I know of it," Dr. Smith replied, straightening up. As he did so , he scratched the back of his hand on a thorn of the maguey cactus plant which grew beside the herb. "Ouch!" He put the back of his hand to his mouth. Zuma laughed and suggested that Nenetl's aged servant might care to sleep until the wound healed. Dr. Smith declined, smiling, and they walked on along the path.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xpbWzFgSz
"What do you call yourself?" Zuma asked.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqZQwrmi7C
"Zachary Smith, the Doctor of Many Things, at your service, my dear."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTjs1EfhVZ
Zuma was puzzled. "Doctor? You are a healer?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qBCZCcF1R
"A healer? Oh, heavens no. I am a scientist, an engineer, a builder of things."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnztvr3Pve
"Now I understand your interest in the pyramid and the temple."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6xxZP0uUm
Dr. Smith admitted that there were several details concerning the interior that intrigued him and this time came straight to the point.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQQOU3ZPcw
"Nenetl's tomb, for example, is sealed, but surely the builder, now, what was his name....ah....ah....."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaiGgmeY5N
"Atl," Zuma said.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLgbzi2taO
"Yes, of course," Dr. Smith replied. "Surely he devised a way of opening it."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRm3izBmA1
Zuma admitted that her knowledge of the pyramid was insufficient to answer his query, but she was sure Atl's grandson would know the answer.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tRZtqYO2t
Dr. Smith stopped and sniffed an exotic flower. "Such a fragrance," he murmured and added that he didn't want to pry into what might be a family secret.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHvrn4aQEi
"No one could think that of you," she replied. "When shall the meeting be?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jrXUrMUqI
"Oh, any time." Dr. Smith was nonchalant. "Today?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BzbKMOmqm
Zuma observed that an interested mind brooked no delay.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcMDWRiejJ
Dr. Smith looked at her and smiled. "I'm sure that's true of you, Zuma."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGSxM5qK3g
She blushed. "I was once. Now I'm content to pass the time of day here like the others."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljKs4uVIip
"Their minds are old, dear lady, something yours shall never, ever, be," Dr. Smith protested.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSu9N3vdB0a
Zuma smiled. "Your heart too is young, Dr. Smith." She touched his hand and said she would go and see the builder's grandson at once.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUly33kL4CQ
As she hurried away Dr.Smith sighed. He had a sense of guilt because, much as he liked Zuma, he knew he was using her. And does the end justify the means, he asked himself. In this instance, definitely, yes; the thought was resolute, but the guilt still niggled.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJY6WpWc1jl
Ann received the High Priest of Sacrifice in the temple. Seated upon the throne, she was determined to draw on all the divinity she could muster. She looked down at Olliln and waited for him to speak.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEDebFdDsI
"The High Priest of Knowledge will question you."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0o8lzCiC2
"And if he finds that I am the Spirit of Nenetl returned, what then?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2A1cMnkZr
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyg8wxZs1NV
"I shall beg forgiveness of the Gods for my unworthy doubts."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzpRdl7x3Q
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrX6mayq34c
Ollin leaned towards the throne, his impenetrable eyes glistening. "Remember this also." His voice was a menace. "While your divinity is in dispute, only those who serve the temple may approach you."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWWAjsTJdU
"My servant also," Ann protested.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA93zCF0Chc
"No!" Ollin spat out the word. "You are to remain alone."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhI62teeBH
"For what reason?" Ann enquired calmly.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYDfqpRflW
"A false god's servants would conspire against us," Ollin said accusingly. "Such a danger we are unprepared to tolerate."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvDF8QgBrH
"Then let my servants be told they may not enter here," Ann replied evenly.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbzg7rVr27
"As you command, Nenetl," Ollin replied and limped out of the temple leaving a very disquieted Ann behind him.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlqbjbqAbH
Zuma was walking along the broad avenue on her way to the barracks when a messenger approached her. He bowed respectfully and said that Yaotl, the Chosen Warrior, sought her counsel. Zuma smiled and replied that she would go directly to his quarters.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gDBekXJoQ
She came into the courtyard and went over to Yaotl's door, which was open. She called his name and Yaotl invited her in.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYIQf5F94h
The quarters consisted of three small rooms. On one side of the main living area was the bathroom, essential to most dwellings, as the Aztecs, with the exception of High Priests of Sacrifice, bathed two or three times a day. On the other side was the bedroom with a woven straw mattress on the floor and two wicker-work trunks for Yaotl's loin-cloths and cloaks. His head-dresses were kept on a shelf, his sandals underneath it. The main room had a legless square wooden table with a cushion at each side. Yaotl pointed to a cushion and Zuma sat down. Yaotl sat facing her.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8wazSEeXB
"I was told you wish to see me, Yaotl."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRI00koRodv
"I would seek your advice, Zuma."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGErxXLBaY
"If I can give it, I shall," she replied.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywmwuinona
Yaotl rubbed behind his left ear with his thumb and asked what she knew of magic.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qYvbKZcLk
"Nothing," Zuma admitted. "Though it is my belief I knew one who does."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXottFt9Iqp
Yaotl leaned forward. "What name has this person?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6039J9N8R
"He is known as Zachary Smith and is the aged servant of Nenetl."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQERSU33DE
Yaotl dismissed the suggestion with a wave of his hand. "An old fool with a strange name is of no use to me."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUASRWCOak
"Ah, but you may be of service to him," Zuma said. "He seeks an interview with you."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtV31PPLk6l
Yaotl was curious. "To what end?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdb4p419xf
"He is interested in your lamented father's father's work. In particular the temple," she added.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqciYYHVdx
Yaotl ran his hand across his face. "Does he know my name?" he asked abruptly.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4b5lTgiyI
"No."381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNj8ayzE44
"Do not reveal it, but say that I shall meet him." His voice was casual.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4THZYb9IR
"Where?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJg0I7jfMQx
"Does he not spend his day in the temple garden?"381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGbTqod80U
Zuma nodded.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFatugdhTNK
"Then there, I shall pass by after the sun is over the zenith and my food has been brought to me." He stood up and helped Zuma to her feet.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LruUzXiNX
"I shall deliver those words, Yaotl." She felt pleased to have been of service to the Doctor, as she liked his company.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtASblmC00C
"Be mindful not to reveal my name," Yaotl called to her from the doorway as Zuma crossed the courtyard. Then he went back into the room chuckling. There was no better way to destroy one's enemies than to let them destroy themselves.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGteQP14l0s
