Ann sat on the throne in the temple and looked down at the worried High Priest of Knowledge who stood in front of her.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWPp14mXEd
"Ollin was humiliated. He will not forget, nor will he forgive," he warned her.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05bVRKZoQH
Ann shrugged. "I did as he commanded."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JipQtrWQw
"But not as he expected."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcToQlAf9zw
"What did he want? A miracle?" She smiled at Tetzal.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvw1nlxnET
"We all awaited one," he confessed.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVtIQEodrV
Ann stood and stepped down to the temple floor. "Why should I use divine powers when human ability will do?" she asked sweetly.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVH7l0DwlnZ
Tetzal could not resist a twitch of a grin. "Nenetl has spoken." He tried to keep his tone of voice solemn.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pIEOZC7NS
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?"440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9RJWVoaoD
"I have thought of little else. And it is true that if we defy the will of the gods we shall be destroyed."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡko5B97SUQf
"When Quetzalcoatl reigned supreme as the Sun God was there human sacrifice?"440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuyyVeN735
"No, only after his banishment was blood demanded."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBqiAX7QPq
"By Huitzilipochtli, the dark God of the Sun." Ann put her hand around the bracelet on her wrist. "What sacrifice did Quetzalcoatl demand?"440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJwhVlVPQp
"A bird, a fish, a serpent, none other?"440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMjuJ1HGo9
"Why should that have been?"440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsmpc9gq2p
"He so dearly loved his people he wished no harm to anyone," Tetzal explained.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5sch6dY9j
"Is not a return of Quetzacoatl possible?"440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqVPtht2Cg
"Only a god can banish a god. We mortals can do nothing."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHhFUwxbma
"And were Quetzalcoatl to send you a messenger?" Ann took her hand off the bracelet.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWkGByTzQF
Tetzal glanced at it and looked away. "I serve Huitzilopochtli," he said quietly. "This is his temple."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8mRlgSh1x
"Then where must Queztalcoatl seek his servants?"440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVR6J3UCW5
Tetzal remained silent and Ann shifted tack. "When is to be the next sacrifice?" she asked.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nj0xPUtsW
"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."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzF6xznABZP
"So there's to be an eclipse and Ollin will offer a human heart."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJ6Qrt7VkL
"The Perfect Victim's."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUq5K41o7EA
"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."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKQXv6xQlF
"Unless Huitzilopochtli, the Sun God, the Surpreme God, withdraws his favor from us." Tetzal was adamant.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0ZfuXb85y
"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."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTFMN5UiFg
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."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3iIhsCfHi
Ann's appearance remained serene, but her heart ached and she was in mental turmoil.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXYCCQEwup
Ollin sidled up to Dr. Smith, who was sitting disconsolately in the garden.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV61XtlNNdy
"What manner of servant are you?" the High Priest asked.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInCbs45btX
"Oh, go away," Dr. Smith snapped, but Ollin sat down beside him.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVmUNJ7TvI
"I am curious about you," he said. "First you try to secure a victory for Yaotl."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OtT8DWFkf
"He cheated me," Dr. Smith replied hotly.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4nxFa2JV5
Ollin looked sideways at the Doctor.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6y0LCmIK25
"I am faithful to my friends," Dr. Smith insisted.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6a47cV08Jc
"Yet you deceive Nenetl."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWGuUlHB1C
"Not at all." Dr. Smith became indignant.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfO20BY2dJo
"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?"440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCDBxXVdbx
"What is it you want from me?" Dr. Smith countered.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF30o9imPNS
"I want but one thing." Ollin held up the knife. "Proof that she is a false God."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtAuF4Xg2B
"Then open the tomb."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZcmDqT8OK
"That cannot be achieved."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5biUIim5J
"Can't it?" Dr. Smith raised an eyebrow. "Talk to your so-called 'Chosen Warrior.' He has a drawing."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUYqWMs53Z
Ollin stared with glinting black eyes at Dr. Smith. "In whose service are you?" he asked.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wDSlJtz8o
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."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtcCrP0l1P
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.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4CyEucv3A
"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."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkBRqevv4B
"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.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXJlmnPdWo
"Did you not say 'use stealth, surprise your enemy?" Yaotl was enjoying himself.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMzYwdaUJA
"I did," Don admitted.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQx7oiCeVcm
"And did I not do those things?" Yaotl laughed again.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPQDaCbdzx
Don agreed that he had.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXpp6alN8z
"A thorn, the sap of a plant and Nenetl's aged servant," Yaotl added.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGmyfN9BJp
Don looked up sharply. "Dr. Smith helped you?!"440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKgqvvlQ0Y
Yaotl nodded and remarked that Don's friends make strange allies.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDRhEk8lDt
Don stood up gingerly. "Did Dr. Smith know you were to fight me?" he asked.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAovh4Rd5M
Yaotl shook his head and admitted that he didn't.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRZWc5xVOl
Don felt dizzy. "I need some fresh air." He staggered towards the living area and the door of his quarters.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5Yd6HL6Sk
"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.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNHq1fayhh
"Oh, I'm going to die, am I?" Don's voice expressed no shock.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKe4xJKuLM
"Yes, Don." Yaotl sounded enthusiastic at the prospect. "Next time we fight, I shall not fail to kill you."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG31RO783Bh
"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.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0yCrYWvk8
"I see your strength has been restored to you," Ollin sneered.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQoCM6J2qz
"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.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFls1ixm7X4
"I have no need of the drawing," he said.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNolWkAL4F5
"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."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorEMsy3R8P
"But your father's father must have set it down," Ollin sounded anxious.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBA9bi5TEa
Don listened to the conversation with great interest.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKb1ufKhMw
"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.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3vE5FLG8Y
"I remember his disappearance." Ollin was brusque.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIl7tnGPmF
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.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHc5NleDwPY
Ignoring Don, the High Priest of Sacrifice and Tlaqui took their leave of Yaotl and limped and waddled towards the gateway to the courtyard.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYIq0jllMA
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."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1fC45qARa
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."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uyHgDGbQD
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.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbI9PzaPpTK
"Your knowledge of poisons."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwprUjDY6i6
Tlaqui was horrified.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4xvY1SpJX
"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."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsftf5lgRv
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?"440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFfdMzrwaF
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."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjinVktG8C4
"Tetzal? I think not!" Ollin snapped.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmBnYBb125
"Why not?"440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7zem4TylO
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. 440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7pQZJWT1p
"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.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NzZkTRrL0
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.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNksyMvPDwU
"Such happiness, Zuma, outshines the sun," he remarked.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVm9K6BVG7
"And with good fortune may outlast it," Zuma replied softly.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAns3hok5a9
"What brings you such joy?"440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhaWi5vowE
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.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ndpJ7pdo9
"I am grateful to Nenetl's aged servant," he said, and noticing the bag, asked if Zuma was carrying cocoa beans to barter with.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0budvEJGW
She shook her head. "I have already been to the market and brought food," she replied.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBWwyoAzK3
Tetzal touched the bag. "Then these are to prepare a drink."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7C1AQTCexw
Zuma lowered her eyes. "Only the gods may know," she replied coyly.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvht8dFxdp9
"Ah," Tetzal murmured, and observed that all mortals lived in hope.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvXTBXqztC
"He is a gentle companion aand most dear to me," Zuma admitted.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4qkl9JqDB
"Are these then for a love potion?" Tetzal asked in mock surprise.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpT2kePUX7b
"That would be too bold," Zuma blushed. "Rather should he show his love for me."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuurLiY7iM
"You wish him to prepare it."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6a6J2LygS3
"I do."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIsNAXw1PC
Tetzal looked from her to Dr. Smith and back to Zuma again. "May the gods favor your desires," he said gently and walked away.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1LrQkfYVy
Zuma went over to Dr. Smith and greeted him.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnc4njmm9OP
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."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3FtEowHM9
She glanced at the wall. "When one's interest is held, loneliness does not exist."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUSnETMQfu
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.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCG2HIrjP3w
"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.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWG78CWZ4C8
Dr. Smith began picking them up. "Cocoa beans," he exclaimed.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkTAazaGkt
"We use them for barter for our daily needs," Zuma replied.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5rzewd83u
"What an excellent idea! A current you can drink!" Dr. Smith proclaimed. "Delicious!"440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeegFiI0FEr
"Do you know our customs?" Zuma asked timidly as Dr. Smith dropped the beans one by one back into her bag.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsOsYU3Xhy
"Why, yes, my dear, of course I do," Dr. Smith replied, looking about hi to make sure he hadn't overlooked a bean.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uV8rXrwHi
"The drinking of cocoa has its own very special meaning," Zuma ventured and Dr. Smith wholeheartedly agreed with her.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHm4ZqO4Bkl
"It's a rare delight and we shall take a cup together."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONVGNGuSVa
"Are you sure?"440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvv1S3tHg5u
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."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuI3T4otyq
"Do you insist?" Zuma was hesitant.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HZ4BvhOyB
"I do. I insist as a token of my esteem."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzyOX81Tnp
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."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV57rL4AYf8
"Now, don't go away, my dear," Dr. Smith cautioned her. "I'll be back."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmpFA4oXBA
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.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSux4nYxScX
Proudly, he returned to the bench where Zuma sat and handed her a goblet before sitting down beside her.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMCNjkqICw
"Happy days, my dear." He chinked his goblet against hers in a toast.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VBs9L8Pfa
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."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvecOWNhTx
"Very prettily put, my dear," Dr. Smith murmured approvingly.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWppGFiPiZv
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."440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2MGctdoT3
Dr.Smith found the next sip of cocoa infinitely more difficult to swallow.440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWaopxn7Ws
440Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVvgmqKsBa
