The High Priests met on the stairs and Tetzal related word for word all that Ann had told him.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpYke19Njf
"So she prophesies our doom," Ollin sneered. "Without a doubt to avert her own." He jabbed a finger at Tetzal. "I tell you she is not Nenetl---she is a false god!"407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gs3Gs0kb6
"I do not know it," Tetzal firmly replied.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpp4cH0scPV
"Question her again and again and again, then you will learn that I speak the truth."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQ9iv8ZBrF
They heard Dr. Smith puffing his way up the stairs.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFanMjY6hzU
"The old man," Ollin ssaid. "Let us withdraw."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP80hJy0ize
They hid in the shadows of an alcove and watched Dr. Smith as he muttered about how hard these Aztec pyramids were on his delicate back and continued climbing up the stairs to the antechamber where Ann was resting.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZVLiwayZm
She startled as he came in. "Dr. Smith, go away," but he flopped onto a couch instead. "No one's allowed to see me."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQ1uLDJClk
"Nonsense," Dr. Smith gasped. "The guards didn't stop me." He waved an arm vaguely towards the door. "And besides, I'm supposed to be your aged servant." There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice which Ann decided to ignore.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPMjTG04MW
"Didn't Ollin warn you that during my questioning none of you are allowed up here?"407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLsq06oxt0
"No." Dr. Smith stood up wearily. "All right, I'll go as soon as I've told you that I'll know how to get into the tomb by tonight."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLc02Ag0AhX
Ann was relieved. "I won't be sorry," she said.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70oTZfuksw
"All I had to do was make sure that the warrior grandson of the man who built this temple wins a fight at sunset," Dr. Smith confided with a wink.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUbacHxR65
"But that's Yaotl," Ann cried. "Don's rival for command, and it's to be a fight to the death, Tetzal told me so."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOIywAOoZG
Dr. Smith was alarmed. "I must warn West," he said and went to the antechamber door. He opened it, but the way was barred by two guards with Ollin and Tetzal.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKEMX05dwu
"Take him," Ollin commanded. "He has transgressed the law."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMX6aob4npb
The guards seized Dr. Smith's arms and led him away as he protested in vain. Ollin followed them. Tetzal remained and Ann looked at him angrily.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwubFgDBqv3
"They had no right to arrest my aged servant."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqlnnR8Woo
"As the High Priest of Sacrifice observed, he has..."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgOvywDnBX
Ann cut him off with a chopping motion of her hand. "No one told him! He didn't know!"407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Xazdkx6rF
Tetzal frowned. "If that is so, then to hold him prisoner is unjust. I shall obtain his release."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLCrGOti4a
"I thank you, Tetzal."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOTqkrzCiQ
The High Priest bowed and turned to leave the antechamber.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3EeBNZyv4
"Wait!" Ann said suddenly. "There is to be a contest between my servant, Don, and the chosen warrior, Yaotl. I forbid it."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDflPNuOFK
Nenetl looked at her uncomfortably. "Great Spirit, the contest cannot be avoided. Only one of them may command our armies."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgp4JT7Hu4A
"Then let it be Yaotl."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshWnRkBdNM
Tetzal was shocked. "You would deny your servant honor?" he asked.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OjsfkOtFG
Ann shook her head and said that the contest was ill-timed, that Yaotl had been in training for many months. Tetzal protested that he had seen Don defeat Yaotl with his thumb and, besides, the combat would not be mortal.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLyw6nKOpI
"See that it remains so," Ann commanded.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcbJpkWxdg
"Nenetl has spoken," Tetzal replied and bowed again.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRJaGY75sx
Don and Yaotl faced each other across the courtyard. They wore loin-cloths and sandals. Tlaqui and the Perfect Victim stood against one wall. The Perfect Victim held two cudgels. He looked at Yaotl, then at Don, both of whom nodded. The Perfect Victim raised the cudgels above his head.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWJSZNtilb
"Let the contest begin," he called, striking the cudgels together.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzUufP7CJk
Don and Yaotl circled each other warily, which in Yaotl's case was a mistake as Don suddenly lunged at him. Yaotl reached out to grab Don's arms, but Don broke the attempted hold by swinging his arms in a full circle and at the same time his right foot shot behind Yaotl's left ankle and jerked him off balance. Yaotl staggered back and Don moved in, grabbing the Chosen Warrior by one arm, then turning away abruptly to go for a shoulder throw. Yaotl had sense enough to realize that if he tried to resist his arm would break. He hit the ground face down in front of Don who didn't release his arm but, holding it in a handlock, began kneading Yaotl's muscle with his other fist. Both Tlaqui and the Perfect Victim were impressed but Yaotl wanted to cry out in fury as he felt the strength draining away from his arm. He knew that with an arm useless he had already lost the contest. Somehow he had to break Don's hold and reach the thorn which he had carefully placed beside the door to his quarters.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIHbtfSw2Z
Then Don made his mistake. Knowing Yaotl's arm was completely weakened, he released his handhold and stepped back. Using his good arm and under Don's watchful eyes, Yaotl rose to his knees and massaged his useless arm. At that moment Yaotl, Tetzal and Dr. Smith came into the courtyard.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBhERPhYx8
"Don't let him scratch you, West," Dr. Smith shouted immediately. Don was puzzled and looked at Dr. Smith.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJlrkBS8hQ
"Scratch me?" he asked. The distraction gave Yaotl enough time to scramble to his feet, race to the door, grab the thorn and throw himself at Don who easily blocked the attack but not before the thorn had been drawn across the inside of his wrist.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqFt9tYbaE
"Use stealth, use cunning, you said," Don was jubilant. "You defeated me with your thumb. I have defeated you with the thorn of the maguey cactus."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jiQVfrfCb
"Plus a sleep-inducing herb," Dr. Smith protested as Yaotl threw away the thorn. Don knew that to win he had to do it quickly. He also realized that the more energy he expended, the harder his heart would pump and the faster the drug would circulate through his system. He needed a submission hammerlock, but Yaotl was keeping his distance, dancing out of the way, waiting.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8ACYIbzDx
"Stop this childish nonsense, Ollin," Dr. Smith demanded. "Stop it, I say!"407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVK9X3mR99
Ollin had victory in his eyes as he looked at Dr. Smith. "No."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLN1xC5zIc
"But I gave Yaotl the thorn," Dr. Smith protested.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnK8c1NBmsQ
"Then you should rejoice," Ollin replied. "Yaotl will win."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5Oxy3vTXv
"Tetzal, stop it," Dr. Smith pleaded. "The contest is unfair."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvpBQfMH4V
"I cannot." Tetzal was embarrassed. "The Perfect Victim desired this contest and only the High Priest of Sacrifice, who commands here, can stop it."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvBdzGnt6c
"Let it continue," the Perfect Victim requested. Ollin bowed.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgvtJkcbtW
"And to the death, Yaotl. To the death!" he called ecstatically.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFEKDHijsX
Yaotl bent down to pick up one of the studded cudgels. This is my last chance, Don thought, and rushed at the Chosen Warrior. Once again he caught Yaotl off balance and pushed him to his knees. Knowing he no longer had the strength for the submission hold, Don clamped on a half-nelson and went for the pressure point again with his thumb. But his head was beginning to swim, his eyes blurring and his strength ebbing away. Yaotl threw him off . Don rolled over and stood up groggily while Yaotl picked up the second cudgel and handed it cautiously to him.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY620gdoZkW
"I have but one arm but soon you will sleep," Yaotl smiled at Don, "forever, and I shall command our armies." He swung his cudgel at Don's head. Don saw it coming and fended off the blow, but it sent him reeling.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAAzyCy5HL
"Destroy him, Yaotl," Ollin was triumphant.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBo3IFWkfT
"Nenetl forbade it," Tetzal replied.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiW9YfojA1L
"A false God forbids it," Ollin sneered, and turned back to Yaotl. "Destroy him!"407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmfbDvf0hJ
Don warded off the repeated blows as best he could, but he knew he had only seconds to live. And then he heard Ann's voice.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnShhxDjp3
"Stop!" she commanded as she stood at the entrance to the courtyard. Yaotl lowered his cudgel, Don reeling did the same. Ollin turned to Ann, with venom in his voice.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ773sgSX4gf
"Your place is in the temple!"407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYZJbOaUFt
"Even though I am a false God? No, Ollin. I am loyal to those who serve me."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcWPBt6ojU
Ollin looked at her with loathing and then turned to Yaotl. "Execute him," he cried out exultantly, then looked at Ann. "If you are Nenetl----save him," pointing to Don as Yaotl raised the cudgel.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4dz1d5VPk
Don barely saw the movement, but he succeeded in blocking the blow, knowing that the next one would bury the studs in his brain. Yaotl raised the cudgel to strike but before he could bring it down Ann held Ollin from behind, the razor-sharp edge of an obsidian knife against his throat.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvJz0WxJeG
"As dies my servant, so dies your High Priest of Sacrifice."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujm3u2RuSF
Everyone froze. It was no idle threat and they all knew it, Ollin included. He looked at Yaotl and shook his head slowly, carefully. Yaotl lowered the cudgel. "Now, both of you, put them to one side," Ann ordered, still keeping the knife at Ollin's throat.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8rt4l8lB4
Don dropped his cudgel and Yaotl laid his on the ground. Tlaqui waddled over and picked them up, then gave them to the Perfect Victim who struck them over his head.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOY86IvB1zH
"Neither of the Chosen Warriors may claim a victory," he announced.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwSzKI1n0Y
Ann came from behind Ollin to face him but she still had the knife in her hand.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6LhttXOTW
"I did as you commanded. Now you must obey me."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPsjv2QswA
Ollin closed his eyes.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWo65iPxiF
"My servants shall not be punished."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKorbQ8yjz0
"So be it," Ollin replied almost inaudibly, as Don slid to the ground and slept.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2GIp1YSRI
Several minutes later the High Priest of Sacrifice stood with Yaotl in his quarters. The Chosen Warrior was suffering from pins and needles in his hand as his blood circulation was restored and his arm came gradually back to life.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUTaUoQSA6
"With my bare hands I cannot defeat him," he admitted ruefully, but added that he was determined to command their armies.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUoXCIvC9D
"So you shall," Ollin spoke soothingly and opened his right hand. Lying in the palm was the cactus thorn which Ollin had picked up from the ground. "Why did the old man give you this to win a victory?"407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoC7sGvuQgg
"It was a trick," Yaotl smiled. "He did not know the contest was with Don and he promised to help me if I told him the secrets of my father's father's work."407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1J4pTlDIO
"What secrets?" Ollin was intrigued.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqZpDwKJ0E
"How the tomb of Nenetl may be entered," Yaotl flexed his arm, opening and closing his hand.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tnWghbbv5
"I must question him about it." Ollin placed the thorn on the table.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGU0h9nPbV
"He was at my mercy," Yaotl was suddenly tense with frustration.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42VThNqdaQ
"And he shall be again," the High Priest promised before he limped away.407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCX1Obdt2rT
407Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxr11cN0Im
