Ann sat on the throne in the temple and looked down at the worried High Priest of Knowledge who stood in front of her.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHC4JOShmFS
"Ollin was humiliated. He will not forget, nor will he forgive," he warned her.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNHOhJK8xN
Ann shrugged. "I did as he commanded."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqn9ncMgTn
"But not as he expected."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC68Saxwp0a
"What did he want? A miracle?" She smiled at Tetzal.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipKMsEGe8U
"We all awaited one," he confessed.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumBNMySc1A
Ann stood and stepped down to the temple floor. "Why should I use divine powers when human ability will do?" she asked sweetly.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrERN37fDCV
Tetzal could not resist a twitch of a grin. "Nenetl has spoken." He tried to keep his tone of voice solemn.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdd1BlxdZyl
Ann walked towards the terrace and the sacrificial altar. A few paces short of it, she stopped and turned back to face the High Priest. "Have you thought about my prophecy?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMGnheQzNd
"I have thought of little else. And it is true that if we defy the will of the gods we shall be destroyed."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdriIj232s3
"When Quetzalcoatl reigned supreme as the Sun God was there human sacrifice?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklm7Ia7KFD
"No, only after his banishment was blood demanded."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfHyn0MyH5
"By Huitzilipochtli, the dark God of the Sun." Ann put her hand around the bracelet on her wrist. "What sacrifice did Quetzalcoatl demand?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HHPq1GGTw
"A bird, a fish, a serpent, none other?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShOmrUWTc0
"Why should that have been?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hOWdGu3nc
"He so dearly loved his people he wished no harm to anyone," Tetzal explained.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUPeQqaonX
"Is not a return of Quetzacoatl possible?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN34IBIrnjP
"Only a god can banish a god. We mortals can do nothing."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMrRibKDT2
"And were Quetzalcoatl to send you a messenger?" Ann took her hand off the bracelet.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9OFkSxQMd
Tetzal glanced at it and looked away. "I serve Huitzilopochtli," he said quietly. "This is his temple."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7KfKBGrUe
"Then where must Queztalcoatl seek his servants?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPScbOoXMH
Tetzal remained silent and Ann shifted tack. "When is to be the next sacrifice?" she asked.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwxU8uI3Rs
"Three days from this day," Tetzal replied. "The moon will pass before the sun when it is at its zenith and all will be in darkness."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4T7rVF4N0o
"So there's to be an eclipse and Ollin will offer a human heart."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7RYWRlMus
"The Perfect Victim's."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD60EIM68Jv
"And the sun will shine again!" Ann stamped her sandaled foot angrily. "As the High Priest of Knowledge, surely you must know that the moon willl pass across the sun and continue on its celestial voyage."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdp6f6ysQKw
"Unless Huitzilopochtli, the Sun God, the Surpreme God, withdraws his favor from us." Tetzal was adamant.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgYY1L07qp
"Am I not a god?" Ann heard herself say with a shock. There was no turning back for her now. "Support me, Tetzal," she pleaded. "The High Priest of Sacrifice won't dare defy us both."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewovKGBAfM
Tetzal bent his head and touched his lips with the posy he held. A full minute passed in silence, then he raised his head and looked at Ann. "If you come as Quetzalcoatl's messenger and I take your course, there is no way back for me. So in all humility I entreat you not to deceive me nor prove false to me."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OiV4vurGF
Ann's appearance remained serene, but her heart ached and she was in mental turmoil.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfoIoZOIgQ
Ollin sidled up to Dr. Smith, who was sitting disconsolately in the garden.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzJsygOTJO
"What manner of servant are you?" the High Priest asked.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNXzsSdto5
"Oh, go away," Dr. Smith snapped, but Ollin sat down beside him.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgCWajjTgO
"I am curious about you," he said. "First you try to secure a victory for Yaotl."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsIF5cqjCO
"He cheated me," Dr. Smith replied hotly.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNkEDBGCrS
Ollin looked sideways at the Doctor.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QSSeYeYba
"I am faithful to my friends," Dr. Smith insisted.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXR3k7Wp0M
"Yet you deceive Nenetl."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwO06VLRDvs
"Not at all." Dr. Smith became indignant.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDe1mqLmod
"You are trying to enter the tomb without Nenetl's knowledge," the High Priest studied the edge of his obsidian knife. "What is it you want from there?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODoh5tmkLb
"What is it you want from me?" Dr. Smith countered.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51ipp8UcHJ
"I want but one thing." Ollin held up the knife. "Proof that she is a false God."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPImMAP3Rdh
"Then open the tomb."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnPhBhgj0I
"That cannot be achieved."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEg2dazNfhD
"Can't it?" Dr. Smith raised an eyebrow. "Talk to your so-called 'Chosen Warrior.' He has a drawing."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcTovr0HUO
Ollin stared with glinting black eyes at Dr. Smith. "In whose service are you?" he asked.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrKk5zyU0X
Dr. Smith took the knife from Ollin and touched both edges with his thumb, then handed the weapon back to him. "Truth, dear boy," Dr. Smith replied, a touch pompously. "I am the service fo truth. And if you help me you'll also find it."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAOyYpu1aH
When Don awoke he was lying on the straw mattresses in the bedroom of his quarters, but he was not alone. Standing over him was a smiling Yaotl with a short sword in his hand. Don struggled to sit up so that he could, at least, try to protect himself.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLlQkCGHHX
"Do not be afraid of me, Don," Yaotl laughed. "Now that I can defeat you openly, I have no need to destroy you in secret."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBnkOu4fs0
"Whatever it was you scratched me with, beat me," Don mumbled and rubbed his temples with his fingers trying to clear the cobwebs from his brain.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcW6pYrZAJ
"Did you not say 'use stealth, surprise your enemy?" Yaotl was enjoying himself.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqr7MBYisN
"I did," Don admitted.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitR5P7fj0Y
"And did I not do those things?" Yaotl laughed again.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7OeEjFgmu
Don agreed that he had.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzEnNsuzUX
"A thorn, the sap of a plant and Nenetl's aged servant," Yaotl added.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77Xr2P0W1V
Don looked up sharply. "Dr. Smith helped you?!"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7CFAkabfW
Yaotl nodded and remarked that Don's friends make strange allies.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNeSVz04a2
Don stood up gingerly. "Did Dr. Smith know you were to fight me?" he asked.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwtcgMsjS3
Yaotl shook his head and admitted that he didn't.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEW9Fl6tqC
Don felt dizzy. "I need some fresh air." He staggered towards the living area and the door of his quarters.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB36I6FcuSg
"Let me help you," Yaotl took his arm. "Now that I have proved I will be the victor, we can be friends. For the little time that is left to you to live," he added almost as an afterthought.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELpoZ2Ob5Y
"Oh, I'm going to die, am I?" Don's voice expressed no shock.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdQJynGXsw
"Yes, Don." Yaotl sounded enthusiastic at the prospect. "Next time we fight, I shall not fail to kill you."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYxq0v9jj0
"It's always worth knowing in advance," Don remarked as he went into the courtyard and leaned against the wlal beside the open door. He shut his eyes and breathed deeply several times. When he opened them, Ollin and Tlaqui were crossing the courtyard.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6hgdjZrwH
"I see your strength has been restored to you," Ollin sneered.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSE7wN1N5Zp
"Don't tell me you've become my friend as well," Don joked, and saw the flash of hatred in the High Priest's eyes before Ollin turned abruptly to Yaotl.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRm4VMInk9
"I have no need of the drawing," he said.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejSCb2i229
"The one that I promised to the aged servant?" Yaotl roared with laughter when Ollin nodded. "It doesn't exist. The secret of the tomb died with my father."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2tTRrmOh4
"But your father's father must have set it down," Ollin sounded anxious.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXZg3k6MtE
Don listened to the conversation with great interest.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeFyRMAKQ4
"No. He told it to my father, who thought to do so. But one evening he went for a walk in the garden and was never seen again.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4ksTcW3vI
"I remember his disappearance." Ollin was brusque.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffh4BsmbVU
So that's why Dr. Smith helped you, Don thought, he hoped to have a design plan of the tomb. Then another thought occurred to Don: neither Yoatl nor Ollin had used the word "died" when they talked about his father. They had used the word "disappeared," and Don had referred to the garden. This set Don speculating.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZs3vtog794
Ignoring Don, the High Priest of Sacrifice and Tlaqui took their leave of Yaotl and limped and waddled towards the gateway to the courtyard.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsez7uPczXk
Ollin began to speak . "You are well versed in these matters, Tlaqui," Don overheard him say, "so you shall help me defeat the false...." Then they were out of earshot, but Don was convinced the sentence had ended "god Nenetl."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRrf16dkl3
He was right and Ollin was Tlaqui was outraged at Ollin's suggestion. "No, I cannot do your bidding, I will not." He gesticulated wildly. "Destroy a god and we destroy ourselves."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03vmddJqRF
Ollin pointed out that true gods were immortal, and that mere flesh and blood, as they both were, could not destroy them. Tlaqui looked at him warily land asked in what way Ollin required his services.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gD1R8LHKg
"Your knowledge of poisons."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUxk3CpLYK
Tlaqui was horrified.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYBXdQzOuz
"Such a test, a poisoned draught, would prove her divinity. If she dies, she is false; if she lives, then she is indeed the spirit of Nenetl returned."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzwLLWCYRh
Tlaqui's throat dried as Ollin looked at him slyly. "Would you deny yourself the honor---more, the glory----of witnessing a god proven before your eyes?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNSAKc8e5n
Tlaqui ran his tongue around his mouth seeking saliva to ease his throat. He swallowed. "I shall prepare a mixture," he said. "Then you and I and Tetzal shall test Nenetl."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqe0iZnuyK
"Tetzal? I think not!" Ollin snapped.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxV9WGZhPK
"Why not?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9ToC7lqWi
Ollin despised Tlaqui's naivety, but his voice was quiet and reasonable as he argued that Tetzal's mind was set that Nenetl was a true god and he would forbid the test. 406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZt981LF7JV
"No, you and I shall do this thing and for once the High Priest of Knowledge shall be in ignorance." He glanced at Tlaqui and almost managed a thin smile.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsatoWlP4W
At the same time, the High Priest of Knowledge was basking in Zuma's radiant smile as they walked along a path in the garden.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1XK4Y6Dh7
"Such happiness, Zuma, outshines the sun," he remarked.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xpe7T2b9S
"And with good fortune may outlast it," Zuma replied softly.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCbWyzk9SF
"What brings you such joy?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIbhv00b2a
Zuma looked around the garden and saw Dr. Smith studying a carved coiled snake on one of the stones of the back wall of the garden. Zuma raised her hand and pointed to him. A small leather bag hung from a cord around her wrist. Tetzal smiled.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GHUPEhEym
"I am grateful to Nenetl's aged servant," he said, and noticing the bag, asked if Zuma was carrying cocoa beans to barter with.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZqAiJNA3y
She shook her head. "I have already been to the market and brought food," she replied.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhZ21xKlzO
Tetzal touched the bag. "Then these are to prepare a drink."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrYaV28v6b
Zuma lowered her eyes. "Only the gods may know," she replied coyly.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xuGEDGQoT
"Ah," Tetzal murmured, and observed that all mortals lived in hope.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4x5008oYk
"He is a gentle companion aand most dear to me," Zuma admitted.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDHxfAyxPc
"Are these then for a love potion?" Tetzal asked in mock surprise.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LZ5G8ppIz
"That would be too bold," Zuma blushed. "Rather should he show his love for me."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIp3lzJTb54
"You wish him to prepare it."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIx3prfq5e
"I do."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASdFZ5oWdR
Tetzal looked from her to Dr. Smith and back to Zuma again. "May the gods favor your desires," he said gently and walked away.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmnKp2FQFg
Zuma went over to Dr. Smith and greeted him.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rXsIKUUb0
Dr. Smith half-replaced the bougainvillea over the carved stone and turned to face her. "My dear Zuma, how nice it is to see you again." He took her hand. "The garden is such a lonely place without you."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MOdrcFVWm
She glanced at the wall. "When one's interest is held, loneliness does not exist."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnba3xn6Sag
Dr. Smith followed her eyeline to the carving that was partly hidden behind the flowered trellis. "I was looking at it---I hadn't noticed it before," he explained.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTo4HZ3aQF
"It is the coiled serpent of Nenetl. In almost every building homage is paid to the High Priest with that symbol." Zuma drew aside the bougainvillea and snagged her bag on the trellis. As she pulled it free some of the cocoa beans fell on the ground.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9rQAFJXCU
Dr. Smith began picking them up. "Cocoa beans," he exclaimed.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGAESrYdYm
"We use them for barter for our daily needs," Zuma replied.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2p8DHkZr9e
"What an excellent idea! A current you can drink!" Dr. Smith proclaimed. "Delicious!"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRIBM5hgqt
"Do you know our customs?" Zuma asked timidly as Dr. Smith dropped the beans one by one back into her bag.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKfplwyHP6
"Why, yes, my dear, of course I do," Dr. Smith replied, looking about hi to make sure he hadn't overlooked a bean.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhwxOUqMFm
"The drinking of cocoa has its own very special meaning," Zuma ventured and Dr. Smith wholeheartedly agreed with her.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVDlXZVElH
"It's a rare delight and we shall take a cup together."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wjpXVgLBP
"Are you sure?"406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vJyCcC4n2
Dr. Smith missed her shyness. "Yes, yes, quite,' he replied. "Now, give me the beans and I'll go into the kitchen and brew some up."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWO1rsqfWp
"Do you insist?" Zuma was hesitant.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUCFsnh16l
"I do. I insist as a token of my esteem."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJz9bI6ycQO
Zuma's face lit up as she gave Dr. Smith the bag of beans. "The gods are smiling favor through your eyes. May it always be so," she said. "My dear Zachary Smith, I accept with all my heart."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGQAKythfd
"Now, don't go away, my dear," Dr. Smith cautioned her. "I'll be back."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsshJJvMLRV
Clutching the bag of cocoa beans, he marched off to the small kitchen in one corner of the garden where the old people could take a drink of cool fresh water, or prepare a corn pancake with honey, or a goblet of hot cocoa, over the wood fire. Dr. Smith found the mortar and pestle, and ground sufficient beans for two goblets. He sang quietly to himself. It had been a long time since he had drunk cocoa and he was looking forward to it. He put the powder equally into the two goblets, added hot water, and sweetened them both with honey.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nKk7Atvg4
Proudly, he returned to the bench where Zuma sat and handed her a goblet before sitting down beside her.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhgC2mfYi5
"Happy days, my dear." He chinked his goblet against hers in a toast.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnNtqYc1rB
Zuma's eyes were dewy. "The happiest of my life, dear heart," she replied and they sipped their cocoas. "Was ever such a potion brewed? In bliss is quenched my thirsty heart."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFYfngse33
"Very prettily put, my dear," Dr. Smith murmured approvingly.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUU0XYQO9Y
Zuma turned to him and kissed him on both cheeks. "O' sweet and favored man, you have declared your love for me," she said. "And I acknowledge and accept your gentle proposal."406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfDlUfxA9n
Dr.Smith found the next sip of cocoa infinitely more difficult to swallow.406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xOirFRdd2
406Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3V1tXsUL1
