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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlePXSdDuA
"Thus shall my enemies fall," he said arrogantly.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYMMJxMRF8
"Real enemies can strike back," Don remarked quietly.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AQdJQVXn4
"I have no fear of death," Yaotl retorted.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9Zv44Vrw7
"Maybe not. The dead never win."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1KFpQm22w
Yaotl looked sharply at Don. "How would you attack?" he asked.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthHvKBawXg
"A little more cunningly," Don replied. "I'd use stealth to surprise my enemy."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDOgYZYrWN
"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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerv2BVzgkG
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTWDhycpOh
Yaotl looked surprised and observed that to win a victory with a thumb would require strong magic.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9z5Cx57Ao
Don shook his head. "Knowing your enemy's weakness isn't magic," he said, "it's common sense."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPLbWGujaj
Yaotl laughed and pointed to himself. "What weakness have I that is vulnerable to your thumb?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ03Xay3Vcf
"You'd be surprised," Don replied.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zoJv81nwt
Yaotl hesitated, doubt in his eyes.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRCLua4hlJ
"Don't worry, Yaotl, I won't kill you. Not this time." Don remained composed; Tetzal was intrigued and Yaotl bristled.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ylMK3ELcs
"You mock the arts of war and I defy you to harm me;" he challenged.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjAdzE5IOX
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1G8oQdJHLX
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEMODrasNX
"Give him a little time," Don smiled at the High Priest. "He'll wake up soon."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbIuOwFonZ
At that moment Ollin limped into the courtyard. "Tetzal, there is a task to be...." he stopped short when he saw Yaotl.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkaiwQjccb
Tetzal turned to him. "He sleeps. Nenetl's servant won the victory with his thumb."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMKduhBvbx
Ollin looked warily at Don and turned back to Tetzal. "You saw the blow?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yHoI76bl3
"There was no blow." Tetzal held up his left thumb. "He defeated Yaotl with this."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijMnFV0hik
"Tell him to rest until the sun has passed the zenith," Don advised as he walked away.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtAxlAAi5c
"Where do you go?" Tetzal asked.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2UmUKwdDe
"For a stroll." Don was enjoying himself.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnYYDwukrB
"I shall accompany you." And the two of them left the courtyard.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNe2PlpUYDy
Yaotl stirred, propped himself up on his elbows, shook his head and exercised his neck muscles.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrFwKlqDhN
Ollin looked down at him. "Could you not fight against it?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtR5Y1kBc40
"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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOjdODUaZg
Ollin was disconcerted.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEPyz9p3FO
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWARyppYc2
"All his requests must be granted," Ollin replied, and as Tlaqui left he reiterated quietly, "Must be granted."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRinL3qUeV
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixJ4WPWAv9
"You grace the Chosen Warriors' barracks by your presence." Ollin gestured toward Yaotl. "He is one who would be commander of our armies."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKM1qaJ2UU
"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?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeL1XU9wF6
"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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRXEbTlLam
"No man can win against me!" he shouted.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lrjXqo0Mp
"None, not one?" Olliln sneered.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsaUWDQFaa
"I shall lead our armies," Yaotl replied stubbornly. "It is my right to do so!"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhP7xEXWak
"Yesterday it seemed so," Ollin remarked dryly.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMq4TCCVndO
Yaotl glared at him, picked up the cudgel, stomped off to the center of the courtyard and began practicing swings and blows.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7u8n4UW3e
Tlaqui looked with surprise at the High Priest of Sacrifice.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxBN2i3krB
"You would make an enemy?" he asked naively.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRhoG1hPVh
"I?" Ollin protested. "I only know that I have seen a man who could defeat him."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6YfXo6UvM
"Defeat Yaotl?" The Perfect Victim could hadly believe his ears.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzKLgIuZWT
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."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZMuLjLM7C
"Maybe."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrf6pmtzRH
"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?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJTFpmDcPf
"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?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPDD24MACk
The Perfect Victim considered the High Priest's argument and nodded. "He who defeated Yaotl should command.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqsxHmcKux
"No!" Yaotl roared.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuszIUj7tte
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWmPxkyTAE
"The Perfect Victim's desires must be fulfilled at all times," he burbled.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyf3cmyFjQ
Ollin clenched his fists in delight as the Perfect Victim went to Yaotl's side.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjttIkf07P
"My faith in Yaotl is supreme," the young man said, "and it is my desire that the Chosen Warriors meet in contest once again."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWO1JGkgbh8
"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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6zXbJHZOQ
"I shall challenge the stranger," said Yaotl.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiKpI2XZaf
"Let it be so," the Perfect Victim said, and left the courtyard with Tlaqui.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NEmxbRZMV
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."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhK9YATaKAX
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrF8vTIjQrz
"It is herbal and the sap of the stem is used by those who practice medicine to induce sleep."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ejJWD9bOK
"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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtllwJf63Hm
"What do you call yourself?" Zuma asked.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqTfuF2O2l
"Zachary Smith, the Doctor of Many Things, at your service, my dear."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXST3UqvAvp
Zuma was puzzled. "Doctor? You are a healer?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpE7rxrktP
"A healer? Oh, heavens no. I am a scientist, an engineer, a builder of things."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYFEWKRF8L
"Now I understand your interest in the pyramid and the temple."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfkv3Jw4pC
Dr. Smith admitted that there were several details concerning the interior that intrigued him and this time came straight to the point.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhY70C2MoV
"Nenetl's tomb, for example, is sealed, but surely the builder, now, what was his name....ah....ah....."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTY6wOxXBJ
"Atl," Zuma said.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMjB2f6NGZ
"Yes, of course," Dr. Smith replied. "Surely he devised a way of opening it."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxCZakioh1
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNXtINGHhY
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyXrxGnZn0
"No one could think that of you," she replied. "When shall the meeting be?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVjNwkV05Q
"Oh, any time." Dr. Smith was nonchalant. "Today?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5ZdHedTCV
Zuma observed that an interested mind brooked no delay.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCbhFuxihM
Dr. Smith looked at her and smiled. "I'm sure that's true of you, Zuma."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ac9L6JlDn
She blushed. "I was once. Now I'm content to pass the time of day here like the others."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DzIvmCX9x
"Their minds are old, dear lady, something yours shall never, ever, be," Dr. Smith protested.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFNUrucsui
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fMsjTEwql
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOxc0E85Di
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoMmBJ9HJS
"The High Priest of Knowledge will question you."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdwH4ChF6t
"And if he finds that I am the Spirit of Nenetl returned, what then?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmWieHakbn
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmi07Xr3qoC
"I shall beg forgiveness of the Gods for my unworthy doubts."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfV53MdNEw
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VDdjQ9kIH
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."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzaqsjYZWs
"My servant also," Ann protested.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DxzMH6mg2
"No!" Ollin spat out the word. "You are to remain alone."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbbb1LbW10
"For what reason?" Ann enquired calmly.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJLiiKD1R7
"A false god's servants would conspire against us," Ollin said accusingly. "Such a danger we are unprepared to tolerate."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNSELkdq6N
"Then let my servants be told they may not enter here," Ann replied evenly.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtHhED6IER
"As you command, Nenetl," Ollin replied and limped out of the temple leaving a very disquieted Ann behind him.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAZ3AtwM0s
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnUhFIwkUf
She came into the courtyard and went over to Yaotl's door, which was open. She called his name and Yaotl invited her in.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhsVMoVeFI
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKIODdaMbF
"I was told you wish to see me, Yaotl."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNvsGDEc33
"I would seek your advice, Zuma."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwW8SmdAVfh
"If I can give it, I shall," she replied.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJ6qOaPsfV
Yaotl rubbed behind his left ear with his thumb and asked what she knew of magic.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVilwnytyo
"Nothing," Zuma admitted. "Though it is my belief I knew one who does."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeJSKoBcDW
Yaotl leaned forward. "What name has this person?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoNXWH0nXm
"He is known as Zachary Smith and is the aged servant of Nenetl."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7nI02wQVt
Yaotl dismissed the suggestion with a wave of his hand. "An old fool with a strange name is of no use to me."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmH1A7XVJqb
"Ah, but you may be of service to him," Zuma said. "He seeks an interview with you."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEzXF0ZwFS
Yaotl was curious. "To what end?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYI8WEpOQK
"He is interested in your lamented father's father's work. In particular the temple," she added.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHJOdP1Brs
Yaotl ran his hand across his face. "Does he know my name?" he asked abruptly.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56Pq82YyHh
"No."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTX34PqKzG
"Do not reveal it, but say that I shall meet him." His voice was casual.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNve2kO9hR
"Where?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStOiylJ8w1
"Does he not spend his day in the temple garden?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECJp0Ye6HJ
Zuma nodded.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhKzgG2wlm
"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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlQDUU4fRh
"I shall deliver those words, Yaotl." She felt pleased to have been of service to the Doctor, as she liked his company.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTtwuSYk9s
"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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNy43A5rsI
