The cell Penny occupied at the seminary was one of several which opened onto a cloister. It was a small room with only a woven straw mattress, a wicker-work trunk and a cushion for furniture. She wore a full-length simple gray robe with short sleeves, and a multi-colored sash tied around her waist. She sat on the cushion looking up at Tetzal, who stood in front of her.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVD16pdJ5wq
"You have been taught the code of the good housewife and committed it to memory?" the High Priest asked.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AyOkPfirS
"I have," Penny replied.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZSU9Cv7qj
"Let me hear it."372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddEjHItY3C
"Tend well your nurseries and your flowerbeds. Keep clean your pot and stewpan," she recited. "Do not spend recklessly, do not destroy or cheapen yourself." She hesitated, thinking about the word 'destroy' and Ollin.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeB5r1SEqH
"You will never have..." Tetzal prompted as Tlaqui came into the cell.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWKdLIuNu5
"Oh yes. You will never have a house or a home of your own if you live like that," she rattled off. Tlaqui nodded approvingly and remarked that Penny had learned it diligently. Penny wondered if the Priest of Knowledge would like to know about Einstein's theory of relativity.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLEPHG9jr6
Tetzal praised her as a good pupil who used her intelligence and then introduced Tlaqui. Penny stood up and went to shake hands.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVakxxMk3YN
"You do not greet your elders in such a manner," Tetzal reproached her, "you stand still, not looking around. Your eyes see only the person to whom you are being introduced," he made a small gesture with his posy. "Unless you are meeting for the first time your prospective husband, in which case you keep your eyes downcast."372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6WEosUHKm
"But how will I know?" Penny was intrigued.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQtTTLDxmj
"Know what, child?"372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53Bf7yPdto
"That he's to be my husband."372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbtU3e0CrN
"You will be told," Tetzal stated very matter-of-factly.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPSEfZTuKF
"Told!" Penny exploded. "No one's going to tell me who to marry."372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRi146cMGuE
Tlaqui was taken aback. "What say have you in the matter?"372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwDQVbxf09
"It's my life," Penny's voice was full of indignation, "and I'll spend it with whom I choose, not someone picked out for me."372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ11X6DW6Qe
Tetzal was perturbed by her outburst. Young Aztec women accepted arranged marriages without question, but if, as Nenetl's handmaiden, Penny refused, that meant that their traditional behavior was contrary to the god's wishes. If this were so, then in how many other ways might they also be so acting? The seed of doubt was sown!372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJshclqCh6
Dr. Smith was weeding a flowerbed when Yaotl came into the garden. He strode over to Dr. Smith and identified himself as the grandson of Atl, the man who built the temple. Dr. Smith straightened and looked at Yoatl, who wore an ordinary warrior's loin-cloth and cloak, as well as a plumed battle-mask which concealed the upper half of his face.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9flL5MX0Wa
"Ah!" Dr. Smith said, and expressed his admiration of the pyramid. "The entrance to the tomb of the High Priest Nenetl is particularly fine piece of work."372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1UrVXpF48
"Only the temples my father's father built have similar vaults," Yaotl replied.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6X5KNENCl
"A secret design. All the best architects have one," Dr. Smith remarked.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkMwvh7n4g
"A drawing exists," Yaotl said, adding that as his father and his grandfather were with the gods it was in his possession.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtRoG2jATU
"Would it be possible for me to see it?" Dr. Smith enquired.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VqjqZoywB
"Can a humble warrior deny the request of Nenetl's aged servant? I shall show it to you after sunset if the gods are willing."372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpp8CQWB8C
"Why shouldn't they be?"372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo65SpVXV41
Dr. Smith was curious and Yaotl explained that he had to meet another warrior in combat just before the sun set.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyNVv0zfvb
"Not to the death, I trust?" Dr. Smith asked anxiously.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZyF0au0u5
"No, but defeat would mean disgrace," Yaotl replied, "and I would be confined to my quarters and no one might look upon me or speak to me for many days."372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHW9CM8h82J
Dr. Smith gave the problem his consideration.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcfWlLVbkd
"My opponent has been selected," Yaotl continued. "I know his name and I fear defeat."372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZorrKpvzc0
Dr. Smith asked what weapons would be used.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ChYHyNqyJ
Yaotl spread out his hands. "These alone, and my skills like with a spear, sword or club."372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBEUPAeD8H
"Oh dear," Dr. Smith sighed. "And I really wanted to see the drawing."372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOp1TDoJrB
"No more than I desire a victory."372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsIKSChaBd
Dr. Smith studied the scratch on the back of his hand. "Then let us assist each other," he said, and led Yaotl to he maguey cactus plant. Dr. Smith broke off a thorn and then a shoot from the herb beside it. He began squeezing the sap from the stem onto the tip of the thorn.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkKUBZUfcQ
"With this I shall win?" Yaotl asked.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUgJMtlSSe
"Take care not to scratch yourself with it," Dr. Smith advised.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFlez5P2l3
"The aged servant of Nenetl proffers poison?"372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7nIs0BiJd
"Not to kill." Dr. Smith squeezed the last drop of sap onto the thorn. "But if used properly it will drain away your opponent's strength and he will sleep. Scratch here." Dr. Smith drew it across the inside of his wrist and then handed the thorn to the Chosen Warrior.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PbFQfpWJo
"I thank you," Yaotl smiled.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXB1jp4oAu
"You won't forget the drawing, will you?"372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgYG8DwuGz
"I shall be here after sunset."372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKml0hACDND
"So shall I."372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3GZcl7yte
Yaotl strode away and Dr.Smith sat on a bench thinking that a little knowledge of horticulture could, on occasion, take one a very long way.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXOirXxkEA
Under Ollin's supervising eyes, Don stood in the middle of the courtyard swinging a cudgel in circles around his head and alongside his body, shifting it from hand to hand. It reminded him of working out with Indian clubs in a gymnasium---only this time he was not simply toning up his muscles but readying himself for a battle that would mean life or death. Under Aztec law, he had defeated Yaotl, but he knew that neither Ollin nor the Chosen Warrior would accept it. He realized he was no match for Yaotl with a spear----fighting with them he would be on the defensive, using his shield for protection. With cudgels he thought he stood a chance, but with his bare hands he knew he could win. He needed a strategy, a battle plan which would never give Yaotl the advantage. The problem was to bring the contest to a wrestling match as quickly as possible so that he could use a mixture of techniques---all-in, judo and karate----of which he was sure the Aztecs knew nothing. He paused to consider the problem.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVTdQ9xwsh
"Does fatigue affect the young man in Nenetl's service?" Ollin's voice was sardonic.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0jGW6UnxL
Don looked at him evenly. "Does the High Priest of Sacrifice scorn my attempts to prove my worthiness to command?" Don picked up a second cudgel and began swinging both of them in a gymnasium routine. As the studded cudgels were heavier than Indian clubs his wrists soon began to ache but he was determined not to let Ollin see any sign of it. Yaotl came onto the courtyard and went to Ollin's side as Don stepped up his pace.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBU94kwYJIZ
"Can you conquer him, Yaotl?" Ollin murmured.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeznvnnap1
"I know it," Yaotl grinned and called to Don, who stopped, secretly grateful, and turned to face him.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6wLiOyFGH
"Yes, Yaotl?"372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiZ3uegPDK
"I challenge you to a contest of strength!"372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDahevMbVy
"A fight?"372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcLqG0pJbl
"Without weapons. Your hands defeated me. Now let mine strive for victory over you."372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbbH4qc6dA
Don was suspicious. He could not understand why Yaotl would throw down the gauntlet where he had the least likelihood of success.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaM9uFFXevN
"Will you refuse him?" Ollin's voice rasped.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJimJZe4SBQ
"No," Don replied.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzGgFSaLEJ
"Then we fight here as the sun sets."372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrww6gJuxj8
"All right." Don began to swing the cudgels again but his brain sought the reason behind the challenge.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkKLYf3P2V
"You are confident of victory?" Ollin's eyes were fixed on Don as he muttered the question to Yaotl.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinHz4kClCD
"If you wish it, he shall die," Yaotl replied.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6kYPOXPJQ
Ollin nodded. "Let him die," he said with a brushing aside movement of his hand.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzf20AFlIlU
Ann and Tetzal were in the temple. She was standing beside the throne and the High Priest of Knowledge had been questioning her about Aztec mythology. Once more Ann owed much to her studies in college.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlaZPvvsNM
"I shall tell the High Priest of Sacrifice that I am satisfied of your divinity," Tetzal said when the questioning was finished.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpofhtTXGPv
"That won't stop Ollin," Ann smiled wryly. "He's out to destroy me."372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ110np3W6Ue
"He cannot. Not while I believe you to be Nenetl," Tetzal said gravely.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIH7fWObko3
"Then why do you question me at his bidding?"372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLkhBdDunY
"We both serve Huitzilopochtli faithfully."372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIYfU4KrPG
"Do you?" Ann looked at him quizzically. "Were you not angry when I forbade the sacrifice to the Rain God?"372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdltSzx3ciU
"No."372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoc0EwbOS6i
"Do you then question the need for human sacrifice?"372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrmFefO7Gm
"I accept it. We send messengers to many gods." Tetzal smiled at her. "So why should the gods not send a messenger to us?"372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjA3DSskp1u
"To say there must be no more human sacrifice," Ann suggested quietly. She walked around the throne running her right forefinger along the arm, over the back and along the other arm.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouT5VhjqYC
"I shall not oppose the gods if it is their will that such sacrifices cease."372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxCtFVG98C
"And Ollin? What of him?"372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWdEX0BwWc
"I have said we both serve Huitzilopochtli faithfully and through him the other gods whose biddings we obey."372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkHmalYQO7
Ann smiled at his serious face. "The High Priest of Knowledge speaks with great wisdom."372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lpzgdiuqp
He studied his posy of flowers for a few seconds before replying, "If your words are denied, shall we not be living in defiance of the gods?" he asked.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡue21PXzXFe
Ann went back mentally to her history books again and the end of the Aztec civilization under the Spanish yoke. "Famine, drought, and disaster will come and more and more sacrifices will be made in supplication," she said slowly, measuring out her words. "I see a time to come when ten thousand warriors will die in one day under the obsidian knives of High Priests of Sacrifice."372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHWdQgu9sD
"In one day?" Tetzal was deeply distressed.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡao5XmyxBem
Ann thought about the Aztecs' last desperate bid to turn the tide of battle in their favor, never fully realizing that a loin-cloth, sandals, plumed head-dress, stabbing sword, studded cudgel, arrows and a shield were no match for armored breastplates, boots, steel helmets, cannons, blunderbusses, harquebuses and pistols.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cxjpj3sd0
"Then where will it end, Nenetl?" Tetzal's voice quavered.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMu779MMr5
"In total destruction," Ann replied softly. "Your civilization will pass forever from this land."372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQaeWxSKjF
"You prophesy our doom!" Tetzal's hands quivered in despair.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbr4DudqnWm
Ann stood silently beside the throne and waited.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvtsQLDR7d
"Let me think on these words, great Spirit," he said finally, bowed to her and hurried from the temple.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLODCzqVHyD
Ann watched him leave. What are you playing at Ann MacGregor? she asked herself. Still trying to meddle with history? You know it can't be done, didn't Dr. Smith tell you, didn't you ignore him, and fail? So what are you doing quoting facts and statistics out of history books and causing enormous distress to the only Aztec ally you have? She felt ashamed and suddenly very tired. She left the temple and went down to the antechamber to rest.372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rErtR0nFc
372Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkmOS6grfL
