Don went up the temple stairs two at a time. He wore his Chosen Warrior's loin-cloth and embroidered cloak, as well as a plumed battle-mask in hammered silver which concealed the upper half of his face. The temple guards saluted him and one drew back the brocade curtain to let him pass.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhX67Xfck3l
Ann was standing on the terrace looking down at the city. She was startled when Don came towards her, not sure for a moment whether it was him or Yaotl. Don lifted his mask and Ann sighed with relief before frowning. "You shouldn't be up here. It's too dangerous," she said anxiously.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIlM7MMSfU
Don dismissed her fears with a downward wave of his hand and remarked lightly that, for all the guards knew, he could just as easily have been Yaotl.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNCQ7xkqKT
Ann wasn't convinced. "I still think it was reckless of you."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfO8NgMdI41
Don led her to the back of the temple behind the throne. "I came here to warn you," he confided.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4Mz1Y95gp
"About what?"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiXJxGZxPd
"That's just it. I don't know. But I'm convinced that Ollin and Tlaqui are cooking up something against you."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9irV2GG7N
Ann was shocked. "Tlaqui? I didn't know he was on Ollin's side. Our High Priest of Sacrifice seems to have the knack of bringing people around to his way of thinking," she said ruefully.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsT6PtNRTv
"That's where you're wrong, Ann," Don replied. "They're all on Ollin's side."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7JXuPjTIR
"What about Tetzal?" she asked.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdFjTSnNl4
"What about him?" Don shrugged. "He's reasonable, cultured, civilized in his own way, but he goes along with Ollin. You saved my life, Ann, not Tetzal. He would have let me die."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVriZhaoQQ
"I'm not so sure that he would now." She did her best to sound convincing as she told Don about her last conversation with the High Priest of Knowledge.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2esbhxre0
Don shook his head. "Come to the crunch, Ann, he'll behave like any other Aztec." 358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0a3sO0dNNK
Don was adamant. "Look, you simply can't fight a way of life."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VQuCiDRGT
Ann turned away. "I don't believe this! First Dr. Smith, now you." She laughed mirthlessly. "But there's such nobility in them," she protested, "that I want to do something to save them from destruction."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4n28HnjFF
"There's only one thing to be done," Don said quietly to her back. "Get back into that tomb and leave them alone."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxnt2AAwXU
Ann heard faint footsteps on the stairs. "Someone's coming up," she whispered. "You better hide."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJx7l0G217P
Don dashed to the curtain behind which he and Yaotl had held the Rain God victim. 358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktL7RDtA4C
He ducked into the alcove, holding one slit of the curtain open with a finger so that he could see Ann, who had taken her place on the throne. He heard Ollin's shuffling gait as he limped over to the throne with Tlaqui at his side, holding a goblet.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYw8ix31ATf
"We greet thee, Nenetl," Ollin said ingratiatingly.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MI7YA94MM
"What do you want?" Ann asked coldly.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkouipAdYn
Ollin gestured to Tlaqui and himself. "We come before the Great Spirit in all humility," and they both bowed.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGNi63xMw3
"Quiet words do you credit." Ann's eyes and mind were alert for any indication of danger.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5p43F9jyOq
Ollin stretched out his arm in a gesture of despair. "Have we not both spoken harsh words and had dark thoughts?" He went on to state that he was now convinced of her divinity and wished to make amends.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdBVfUCrpW
Tlaqui echoed Ollin by begging Nenetl not to punish the High Priest for his misgivings.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoUnfl1KS4
"This draught is symbolic of the blood of Huitzilopochtli." Ollin took the goblet from Tlaqui and held it up in front of Ann. "Let us share it in reverence."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMOfUgVBW5
Ann took the goblet from him and raised it to her lips. Behind the curtain Don held his breath and tensed his muscles, ready to dash out to knock the goblet from her hands before she drank. Ollin and Tlaqui watched her intently.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0HKlZrrMi
Then, she hesitated, smiled and held out the goblet to the High Priest. "If you now acknowledge my divinity, then first both of you must drink in reverence to me." She shot a quick glance at Tlaqui who averted his eyes. "And then I shall drink in reverence to Huitzilopochtli for us all." She stood and thrust the goblet at him. 358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOf2y1wo0Qq
"Drink," she commanded.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fbX1Tu3AF
The High Priest took a step backwards. Ann came down from the dais and turned to Tlaqui. "You'll sip it in reverence to me, won't you?"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkJxPaaeBO
The balding, pudgy little priest shook his head and edged his way towards the curtained entrance to the temple. Holding the goblet at arm's length, Ann went with him. As he reached the curtain Ann looked at him icily. "You defile this temple. Get out of my sight." She threw down the goblet, which smashed at his feet, and Tlaqui fled.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxun9OFqVOf
Ann turned back to face Ollin who looked at her apprehensively. "Well?" Her voice was expressionless.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DpkXw3tYI
"We meant only to test you."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLrM8uhMd6
"With poison?" Still she betrayed no emotion.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2v66Thnjtj
"Nenetl would have lived as true gods are immortal."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxPFccWdVC
"Well, I would have died."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9DMm827ew
Ollin's eyes widened in triumph.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeZDI6hl6m
"I am not Nenetl."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8KjR4lCBs
He pointed at her. "False! You are a false god. As I have known since I first saw you."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTIIPe5WKt
"And who will believe you?" Ann's eyes hardened. "I warn you, Ollin. Say one word against me to the people and I shall have them destroy you. Now, go!"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0vLJhfJ9X
The High Priest of Sacrifice stared malevolently at her for a few seconds. Ann met his eyes with a steady gaze, then he muttered the word "false" again, and limped from the temple.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjSr52bxAZ
As soon as he was gone Ann began to tremble. Don came quickly from behind the curtain and put his arms around her. Ann closed her eyes. "W-w-we m-m-must get away, Don," she stammered. "I can't p-pl-play this r-r-role much longer."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNTAxm5ktk
"We will, Ann, we will," he reassured her, but he didn't know how they would do it.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcBXqxdBcY
It was early afternoon. The two High Priests and Tlaqui had eaten their midday meal of roast pheasant, hot spicy pancakes, and fruit, all of which had been prepared by the women who served in the temple. The three of them sat on cushions around the table rinsing their hands in the finger bowls which had been placed before them.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyy5e4Dzdt
"What progress do our pupils make at the seminary, Tlaqui?" Tetzal dabbed his mouth with a dampened corner of his napkin.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5khtNzsHO
"All are diligent in their studies," Tlaqui replied.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs93gJkEHqM
"And Nenetl's handmaiden?" Tetzal asked.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DwRpYQh2n
Tlaqui raised his arms. "Her intelligence far exceeds that of the others. And she has knowledge of things known only to the Priests," he added, clearly impressed. 358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhJhomdkvt
"But are you surprised? She also serves the gods," Tetzal reminded him.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXzsV9jYni
"Other gods than ours," Ollin growled.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPAlXlvz4C
Tetzal sighed and asked when the High Priest of Sacrifice would cease to doubt Nenetl's divinity.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkXjnGfMAz
"Never, for I know she is false," he snapped, and was on the point of telling Tetzal about the poison but realized that they had tried to give it to her without his knowledge. "She has come among us, intent on destroying us." He slammed his fist onto the table.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbDYfsgZs8
"Or saving us," Tetzal replied quietly as he stood up and went to his cell to rest.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7d5mMbUgn
Ollin flicked crumbs of food off the table. "Do you share Tetzal's conviction?" he asked Tlaqui.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZ1rPiZoMZ
"I do not know to whom I should listen." Tlaqui nervously remembered the goblet exploding, splashing the poisoned draught over his feet.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9G3dyGYEp
"She is false, she told me so herself," Ollin said but saw the doubt in Tlaqui's eyes. "And when I have the proof you will hear only my voice which will be like thunder in the sky." He cleaned his fingernails with the tip of a knife. "But where is my proof? How shall I obtain it? She is very clever." He put down the knife and studied his fingernails, then looked at Tlaqui. "The handmaiden, alone in the seminary, tell me about her."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GCnX3kksy
Tlaqui shifted uncomfortably on his cushion. "She is, as I have said, very intelligent, but self-willed."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5m9eX6UCP
"In what way?" Ollin leaned across the table.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvUMca3djn
"One day, in the presence of the High Priest of Knowledge and myself, she said she would only marry someone of her own choosing."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfON4Jyxqd
"She would not be wed by arrangement, not for honor?"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKjG4fI1Y7
Tlaqui shook his head. "On this she was firm. She would choose her husband." A plan had already formulated in Ollin's mind. "Then we must find a suitable one for her, 358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgonbVQbrF4
Tlaqui," he said briskly and put a forefinger to his lips. "The false god's weakness lies not in herself but in her servants," he observed as he picked up the knife and stuck it into the table.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvTTXRTqxr
A prospective husband was the last thought in Penny's mind was she stood, bored almost to tears, at the entrance to her cell, looking out onto the cloister. Behind her was Tetzal, the ever-present posy in his hand.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuQ1oZVAIi
"In the annals of Cuauhtitlan there is the myth of five suns in the sky," he intoned. "Name them." Penny took a breath and reeled them off in a monotone.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9YyjWLc4j
"The first was known as Four-Tiger, the second the sun of Air, the third the sun of Fire and Rain, the fourth the sun of Water and, finally, the present one, the sun of Man."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPRMErggs2
Tetzal was delighted. "Excellent, Penny, excellent!"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJLz43i9aX
Penny resigned herself to the next question but it was never posed. Suddenly Tlaqui and the Perfect Victim were standing beside the doorway.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNaSyMS3Qe
"I greet you, Tetzal," Tlaqui said.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEvSRY7HfV
The High Priest's face fell when he saw the Perfect Victim.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTQ0aFQL8E
"As I do also," the young man said, smiling at Penny.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorGq010Q4B
"You honor us with your visit," Tetzal replied. "How may we serve you?"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWomG8SqQhp
"It is my wish to look upon her."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sqBEFaA6x
Penny was puzzled, Tetzal troubled and Tlaqui amused.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0dpqbLygO
"Do you know how she is?" Tetzal asked.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFbYpLLcbd
The Perfect Victim smiled. "Does she know who I am?"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyMhyTbuxQ
"No."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CCo8UiYG3
"Then tell her."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpj2LM1TOh
"In two days, when the sun is at its zenith, darkness will full upon the land," Tetzal said.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnumP8Rf4Tp
"All great Hutizilopochtli's light will be hidden from our eyes," Tlaqui added mystically.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoUbCIPCvy
"You mean it'll be a total eclipse?" Penny was enthusiastic and remarked that, although she had seen several partial eclipses, she had never seen one where the sun was completely hidden by the moon. "It'll be interesting to watch."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvDRWa7nPE
Tetzal shifted uneasily. "At the moment when all is in darkness, a human sacrifice will be offered to the Sun God and this young man...."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSHVD2mzAq
Penny's hands flew to her face. "....is to be the victim?" she blurted out in horror. "But that's revolting!"358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJugGXzRjGT
The young man looked at her uncomprehendingly. "What greater honor is there for me than to be chosen as the Perfect Victim and to join the gods?" His voice rang with pride. Then he announced he would take Penny as his bride.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUrm743FTb
She gaped at him in utter incredulity before giving vent to her feelings. "Bride!" she pointed at him. "He think's I'll marry him?! Well, if he's mad enough to let himself be sacrificed because of a stupid eclipse I suppose he's mad enough to believe anything."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtgIzVSYOV
Tlaqui protested that since the young man had been chosen as the Perfect Victim, all his desires were granted. "That does not include me!" Penny was furious. "Let him die if he wants to, but don't expect me to marry him."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01481NdZN3
"It is the Aztec law, Penny," Tetzal chided her.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZHIyniPtK
"Then your law is barbaric and I won't obey it. I won't!" Penny shouted. "You're monsters, all of you are monsters!" She ran from the cell onto the cloister.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKjlmFblKA
Tlaqui looked at Tetzal. "She has broken the law," he said. "Ollin must know of this."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6wfSLzkW6
"Let her be severely punished for denying me," the Perfect Victim added.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2k8aJr0uVM
Tetzal looked from one to the other. "So be it," he murmured.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OAlMIPNi0
With tears streaming down her cheeks, Penny ran halfway around the cloister before collapsing against a pillar.358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFxBnkEcgK
"Uncle Zachary, Uncle Zachary," she sobbed. "Please, help me."358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68oZiEMUZL
358Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOURosmRWrx
