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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHXfv1OqOB
"Thus shall my enemies fall," he said arrogantly.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx52BQaKbFU
"Real enemies can strike back," Don remarked quietly.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqlrrUIY0k
"I have no fear of death," Yaotl retorted.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCVntRJo1I
"Maybe not. The dead never win."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Qc2epl49l
Yaotl looked sharply at Don. "How would you attack?" he asked.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQojRFR9ZlZ
"A little more cunningly," Don replied. "I'd use stealth to surprise my enemy."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxLQZ8Xk8c
"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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeEMQZXyPW
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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKPRswGj08
Yaotl looked surprised and observed that to win a victory with a thumb would require strong magic.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2meLiAhr6h
Don shook his head. "Knowing your enemy's weakness isn't magic," he said, "it's common sense."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe84EmO7Gp6
Yaotl laughed and pointed to himself. "What weakness have I that is vulnerable to your thumb?"418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUROd88Ves
"You'd be surprised," Don replied.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63ivOkfh5d
Yaotl hesitated, doubt in his eyes.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3B4n1Wo8yV
"Don't worry, Yaotl, I won't kill you. Not this time." Don remained composed; Tetzal was intrigued and Yaotl bristled.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpltZA5VLw
"You mock the arts of war and I defy you to harm me;" he challenged.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5GKItXAfE
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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7YU2MYcDf
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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUlSRkKnc3
"Give him a little time," Don smiled at the High Priest. "He'll wake up soon."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9WP7DAdZq
At that moment Ollin limped into the courtyard. "Tetzal, there is a task to be...." he stopped short when he saw Yaotl.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmIA9XSoZa
Tetzal turned to him. "He sleeps. Nenetl's servant won the victory with his thumb."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAW4pMk5n0
Ollin looked warily at Don and turned back to Tetzal. "You saw the blow?"418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3b0QWJI2lo
"There was no blow." Tetzal held up his left thumb. "He defeated Yaotl with this."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Y8FfZjAln
"Tell him to rest until the sun has passed the zenith," Don advised as he walked away.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuZqVFMhwc
"Where do you go?" Tetzal asked.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6OrLgneGA
"For a stroll." Don was enjoying himself.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuL4c26yJ0q
"I shall accompany you." And the two of them left the courtyard.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPuZCZ0VbE
Yaotl stirred, propped himself up on his elbows, shook his head and exercised his neck muscles.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaHTjDgKCq
Ollin looked down at him. "Could you not fight against it?"418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFR6ugAafy
"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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFg0Y4fabC4
Ollin was disconcerted.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDIkXDtRxH
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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCKXUMwIc7
"All his requests must be granted," Ollin replied, and as Tlaqui left he reiterated quietly, "Must be granted."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQf7fowfiw
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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHd0weaSDu
"You grace the Chosen Warriors' barracks by your presence." Ollin gestured toward Yaotl. "He is one who would be commander of our armies."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxqCoqMhwC
"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?"418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbngNX177aB
"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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbkpqw7qm7
"No man can win against me!" he shouted.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzJmDbAptB
"None, not one?" Olliln sneered.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuYKv170L8
"I shall lead our armies," Yaotl replied stubbornly. "It is my right to do so!"418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHirDxKXW0X
"Yesterday it seemed so," Ollin remarked dryly.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqyBhSqu5m
Yaotl glared at him, picked up the cudgel, stomped off to the center of the courtyard and began practicing swings and blows.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FUJTixEZo
Tlaqui looked with surprise at the High Priest of Sacrifice.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElenRJOqLK
"You would make an enemy?" he asked naively.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHLgZ5elvJ
"I?" Ollin protested. "I only know that I have seen a man who could defeat him."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94oppncfX3
"Defeat Yaotl?" The Perfect Victim could hadly believe his ears.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZ7OAFkCq5
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."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmDYLDT7Jy
"Maybe."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhm4t62I1jv
"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?"418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWvZFIYf0H
"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?"418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zvxJNjKr0
The Perfect Victim considered the High Priest's argument and nodded. "He who defeated Yaotl should command.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFuMGtyIyw
"No!" Yaotl roared.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46ioALhMNV
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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTpLKRnX8r
"The Perfect Victim's desires must be fulfilled at all times," he burbled.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGShPesvawz
Ollin clenched his fists in delight as the Perfect Victim went to Yaotl's side.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrx52tTamFg
"My faith in Yaotl is supreme," the young man said, "and it is my desire that the Chosen Warriors meet in contest once again."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5z2CAy8gn
"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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9LxTIkbqJ
"I shall challenge the stranger," said Yaotl.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTyYzmAhtg
"Let it be so," the Perfect Victim said, and left the courtyard with Tlaqui.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByl90KDreb
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."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbLqW45Uq2
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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOs4X1tegD
"It is herbal and the sap of the stem is used by those who practice medicine to induce sleep."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkALZdEwVe
"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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hum5HzeOi
"What do you call yourself?" Zuma asked.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEwoIcaGIQ
"Zachary Smith, the Doctor of Many Things, at your service, my dear."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYMrSX7jNU
Zuma was puzzled. "Doctor? You are a healer?"418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVO07oidt1
"A healer? Oh, heavens no. I am a scientist, an engineer, a builder of things."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYqZwvXJnn
"Now I understand your interest in the pyramid and the temple."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQTcmP3CeF
Dr. Smith admitted that there were several details concerning the interior that intrigued him and this time came straight to the point.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlMOM13R9M
"Nenetl's tomb, for example, is sealed, but surely the builder, now, what was his name....ah....ah....."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8obPnvAzas
"Atl," Zuma said.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NkudJD3uZ
"Yes, of course," Dr. Smith replied. "Surely he devised a way of opening it."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhzEzYVPEZ
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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhoos0dfbc
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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FK7dpycoO
"No one could think that of you," she replied. "When shall the meeting be?"418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8A3DJe77j
"Oh, any time." Dr. Smith was nonchalant. "Today?"418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMt15XcZzW9
Zuma observed that an interested mind brooked no delay.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCkAOUtrhG
Dr. Smith looked at her and smiled. "I'm sure that's true of you, Zuma."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBPfwzWmGz
She blushed. "I was once. Now I'm content to pass the time of day here like the others."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrzY7zu4my
"Their minds are old, dear lady, something yours shall never, ever, be," Dr. Smith protested.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYXoTTwjwu
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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CT64PFtcM
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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOn0AW3vcBk
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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhA9BDS8LD
"The High Priest of Knowledge will question you."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYf3Qv2ID0
"And if he finds that I am the Spirit of Nenetl returned, what then?"418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZb3pn9eJCe
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUPnVM98rF
"I shall beg forgiveness of the Gods for my unworthy doubts."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAoPRGGQw8
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuj41td5Fe
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."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyNPRzcqn2
"My servant also," Ann protested.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUw17EsPV4X
"No!" Ollin spat out the word. "You are to remain alone."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW78HXhjCt2
"For what reason?" Ann enquired calmly.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4fgQkQOHX
"A false god's servants would conspire against us," Ollin said accusingly. "Such a danger we are unprepared to tolerate."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHsmeY3giq
"Then let my servants be told they may not enter here," Ann replied evenly.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDGHw6jvYY
"As you command, Nenetl," Ollin replied and limped out of the temple leaving a very disquieted Ann behind him.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70ZVC42xAS
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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXEBLYXCJA
She came into the courtyard and went over to Yaotl's door, which was open. She called his name and Yaotl invited her in.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqPrRFm6pQ
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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRiU2LX3oo
"I was told you wish to see me, Yaotl."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Wz3BgsNuh
"I would seek your advice, Zuma."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9Kq3sGgdh
"If I can give it, I shall," she replied.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUl9J6I1piT
Yaotl rubbed behind his left ear with his thumb and asked what she knew of magic.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡws59tJv4cp
"Nothing," Zuma admitted. "Though it is my belief I knew one who does."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuLYdxVLvI
Yaotl leaned forward. "What name has this person?"418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XPsgp3HDZ
"He is known as Zachary Smith and is the aged servant of Nenetl."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4H6m74mGRB
Yaotl dismissed the suggestion with a wave of his hand. "An old fool with a strange name is of no use to me."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpAkixQoxP
"Ah, but you may be of service to him," Zuma said. "He seeks an interview with you."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqJVth3VaE
Yaotl was curious. "To what end?"418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMjX6jNDcY
"He is interested in your lamented father's father's work. In particular the temple," she added.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUfpFl1Fz8
Yaotl ran his hand across his face. "Does he know my name?" he asked abruptly.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmba7pQrwT
"No."418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogL6nbjlZF
"Do not reveal it, but say that I shall meet him." His voice was casual.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5r6DcKC1nM
"Where?"418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDcVRgPcXs
"Does he not spend his day in the temple garden?"418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9dFZm9v0s
Zuma nodded.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzr5uAzsuv
"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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EeKeA70KF
"I shall deliver those words, Yaotl." She felt pleased to have been of service to the Doctor, as she liked his company.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefWr4Uo0Xk
"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.418Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBN8ws1naQ
