The life-size clay model of a warrior wore a loin-cloth, sandals and a head-dress. On its chest was a small red circle to indicate the heart. Yaotl stood at the other end of the courtyard holding a javelin, which he threw with devastating accuracy into the circle. Don, who was watching with Tetzal, thought Yaotl would be a useful addition to a darts team. Yaotl swaggered over to them, his right hand on the hilt of the short sword hanging at his side.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDHMkHzOLn
"Thus shall my enemies fall," he said arrogantly.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDEdwKxRr1
"Real enemies can strike back," Don remarked quietly.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceEVR1lgTx
"I have no fear of death," Yaotl retorted.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoWZCLMsso
"Maybe not. The dead never win."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEkVfn5nsd
Yaotl looked sharply at Don. "How would you attack?" he asked.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9V8rI1MZm
"A little more cunningly," Don replied. "I'd use stealth to surprise my enemy."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq69dFg273H
"This also I can do." Yaotl spun around and when they were face to face again, the sword was drawn and the tip touching Don's stomach.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHR9WddlqrY
Don smiled at Yaotl as the chosen warrior slid the sword back into its scabbard. Don held up his left thumb. "This is all I need," he said casually.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pxgXNdrvQ
Yaotl looked surprised and observed that to win a victory with a thumb would require strong magic.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVVjRxm5Ym
Don shook his head. "Knowing your enemy's weakness isn't magic," he said, "it's common sense."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAtS5CACz3
Yaotl laughed and pointed to himself. "What weakness have I that is vulnerable to your thumb?"382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmV8UWfLVD
"You'd be surprised," Don replied.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYj35stHbI
Yaotl hesitated, doubt in his eyes.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGs1VdP2vG4
"Don't worry, Yaotl, I won't kill you. Not this time." Don remained composed; Tetzal was intrigued and Yaotl bristled.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhPYrNZGpU
"You mock the arts of war and I defy you to harm me;" he challenged.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhf2eYkzEsf
Don looked at the studded club that lay on the ground beside them. "Pick up the club, Yaotl," Don pointed at it with his left thumb.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qwJUR4Jl6
Yaotl eyed Don suspiciously and then bent down to pick up the cudgel with his right hand. But he never quite reached it, as Don was astride him from behind and had clamped Yaotl's right arm in a half-nelson hold, leaving him powerless to pick up the cudgel or draw his sword. At the same time Don rammed his left thumb onto the pressure point behind Yaotl's left ear. For a few seconds Yaotl thrashed vainly with his left arm to disengage Don's thumb, and then went limp. Don released him and Yaotl slumped to the ground. Tetzal stared at Don in astonishment.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkSjgJZRfn
"Give him a little time," Don smiled at the High Priest. "He'll wake up soon."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWwpY0d2kC
At that moment Ollin limped into the courtyard. "Tetzal, there is a task to be...." he stopped short when he saw Yaotl.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwqAqiD3m7
Tetzal turned to him. "He sleeps. Nenetl's servant won the victory with his thumb."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttjH3iU03F
Ollin looked warily at Don and turned back to Tetzal. "You saw the blow?"382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5mc9Gn7nE
"There was no blow." Tetzal held up his left thumb. "He defeated Yaotl with this."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xNx9aCOGn
"Tell him to rest until the sun has passed the zenith," Don advised as he walked away.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwI4b5vx9yI
"Where do you go?" Tetzal asked.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhss1EnPmlO
"For a stroll." Don was enjoying himself.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZ9s03kdfK
"I shall accompany you." And the two of them left the courtyard.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7nTBWzvhq
Yaotl stirred, propped himself up on his elbows, shook his head and exercised his neck muscles.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGBWiPH6cg
Ollin looked down at him. "Could you not fight against it?"382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RWdJ2hhOr
"I was powerless." Yaotl rose groggily to his feet and leaned against the courtyard wall. "My strength was drained from me like that," and he snapped his fingers.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxxOpeBzKf
Ollin was disconcerted.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfSikPrdhn
Tlaqui, a small, portly, balding Priest of Knowledge waddled, posy in hand, into the courtyard, bowed to Ollin and announced t hat the Perfect Victim desired to be admitted.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnmTYPXZxE
"All his requests must be granted," Ollin replied, and as Tlaqui left he reiterated quietly, "Must be granted."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxx5QLjGLHh
The Perfect Victim entered the courtyard. He was a handsome youth of eighteen and his white loin-cloth and cloak were hemmed with a gold thread, which had also been used to weave the eagle and coiled-snake motif on the back of his cloak. Even his sandals were white.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl62hZH0HwN
"You grace the Chosen Warriors' barracks by your presence." Ollin gestured toward Yaotl. "He is one who would be commander of our armies."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7rXu2GPC7
"Yaotl, I have heard of your valor and skill," the Perfect Victim exclaimed, and then looked puzzled. "Why do you say "would be" when all know he is to be the commander?"382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7pTOgypCn
"There are some who say the accounts of his deeds and the truth are far apart," Ollin replied, looking shyly at Yaotl, who was furious.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapriSO4iLO
"No man can win against me!" he shouted.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡse4iy6W6LC
"None, not one?" Olliln sneered.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxfPymr3U4
"I shall lead our armies," Yaotl replied stubbornly. "It is my right to do so!"382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbhgdBY8eP
"Yesterday it seemed so," Ollin remarked dryly.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukDRo8MW4F
Yaotl glared at him, picked up the cudgel, stomped off to the center of the courtyard and began practicing swings and blows.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qE1VpX25W
Tlaqui looked with surprise at the High Priest of Sacrifice.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPOBjjPP4q
"You would make an enemy?" he asked naively.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ChQvQEtPu
"I?" Ollin protested. "I only know that I have seen a man who could defeat him."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLowh4JwgG
"Defeat Yaotl?" The Perfect Victim could hadly believe his ears.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekuOk3Q9Cu
Yaotl stopped swinging the cudgel and turned towards tehm. "Once. And that by a trick." He pointed the cudgel at Ollin. "I tell you that face to face, I can pull the stranger down."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVa5fB375n
"Maybe."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoTVBtNsmD
"You drive the man." The Perfect Victim's voice was reproachful. "How often have you and Tetzal instructed me that small failings in a man may be his saving graces?"382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQ1v8wr1s1
"But you, O' Perfect Victim, are as your name implies," Ollin replied. "When the time is ripe and you face the Gods, all failings will have dropped away. How else could you meet the gods to tell them of the Aztecs?" He paused dramatically and then raised his voice. "Should not the commander of our armies be equally pure so that his very name will strike awe and dread in our enemies' camps?"382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHnLBwfY8C
The Perfect Victim considered the High Priest's argument and nodded. "He who defeated Yaotl should command.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhMnXcbM4f
"No!" Yaotl roared.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbQWjFZdyb
Ollin raised a calming hand and conceded that Nenetl's servant may have won through trickery. "A second contest would resolve the matter but I cannot order it." He shrugged his shoulders and waited for Tlaqui, in his simplicity, to come to the rescue.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhc35M1m1Zm
"The Perfect Victim's desires must be fulfilled at all times," he burbled.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0S02D5KHlC
Ollin clenched his fists in delight as the Perfect Victim went to Yaotl's side.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMD8rVnUi4
"My faith in Yaotl is supreme," the young man said, "and it is my desire that the Chosen Warriors meet in contest once again."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwLLvdmMKa
"As the sun sets, I shall arrange it," Ollin promised, and then casually expressed his opinion that the two men fought better when one challenged the other as there was less vigor in a contest made solely for entertainment.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQWCCs3sOC
"I shall challenge the stranger," said Yaotl.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtS85speZp
"Let it be so," the Perfect Victim said, and left the courtyard with Tlaqui.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RNmjpF1CU
Ollin limped to Yaotl's side and whispered in his ear. "This I promise you: all honor and glory shall be yours if you destroy him."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIytk3wo6d
Dr. Smith and Zuma were in the garden looking at the flowers and plants. Dr. Smith touched a leaf and asked her what it was.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVvSgcO1Qt
"It is herbal and the sap of the stem is used by those who practice medicine to induce sleep."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jwVgQHlGT
"I think I know of it," Dr. Smith replied, straightening up. As he did so , he scratched the back of his hand on a thorn of the maguey cactus plant which grew beside the herb. "Ouch!" He put the back of his hand to his mouth. Zuma laughed and suggested that Nenetl's aged servant might care to sleep until the wound healed. Dr. Smith declined, smiling, and they walked on along the path.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTCzspSUKh
"What do you call yourself?" Zuma asked.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExnc6ZBO8N
"Zachary Smith, the Doctor of Many Things, at your service, my dear."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSVCayD7o6
Zuma was puzzled. "Doctor? You are a healer?"382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKMIGfBxvF
"A healer? Oh, heavens no. I am a scientist, an engineer, a builder of things."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtukkOJh6yp
"Now I understand your interest in the pyramid and the temple."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVkETcsnbL
Dr. Smith admitted that there were several details concerning the interior that intrigued him and this time came straight to the point.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoh3bDZCAn
"Nenetl's tomb, for example, is sealed, but surely the builder, now, what was his name....ah....ah....."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTi45bQke2
"Atl," Zuma said.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzI2ya627I
"Yes, of course," Dr. Smith replied. "Surely he devised a way of opening it."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XWhd0tPQW
Zuma admitted that her knowledge of the pyramid was insufficient to answer his query, but she was sure Atl's grandson would know the answer.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡok90TXdOL8
Dr. Smith stopped and sniffed an exotic flower. "Such a fragrance," he murmured and added that he didn't want to pry into what might be a family secret.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfGGxHojzk
"No one could think that of you," she replied. "When shall the meeting be?"382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlP66mwVkTx
"Oh, any time." Dr. Smith was nonchalant. "Today?"382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4UoC83IB4
Zuma observed that an interested mind brooked no delay.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbpd7KXBWh
Dr. Smith looked at her and smiled. "I'm sure that's true of you, Zuma."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzq3bEl3Rtl
She blushed. "I was once. Now I'm content to pass the time of day here like the others."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbb58lV6oIz
"Their minds are old, dear lady, something yours shall never, ever, be," Dr. Smith protested.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8i9m6DUMeY
Zuma smiled. "Your heart too is young, Dr. Smith." She touched his hand and said she would go and see the builder's grandson at once.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LyASHA6Vi
As she hurried away Dr.Smith sighed. He had a sense of guilt because, much as he liked Zuma, he knew he was using her. And does the end justify the means, he asked himself. In this instance, definitely, yes; the thought was resolute, but the guilt still niggled.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqIL1TCtK5
Ann received the High Priest of Sacrifice in the temple. Seated upon the throne, she was determined to draw on all the divinity she could muster. She looked down at Olliln and waited for him to speak.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXuberMPcO
"The High Priest of Knowledge will question you."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUCqJ5Igls
"And if he finds that I am the Spirit of Nenetl returned, what then?"382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRkHyq3yYl
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHm9uhdvMft
"I shall beg forgiveness of the Gods for my unworthy doubts."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NFsFfR413
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUPRvqwGTi
Ollin leaned towards the throne, his impenetrable eyes glistening. "Remember this also." His voice was a menace. "While your divinity is in dispute, only those who serve the temple may approach you."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9r6WgrtbJ
"My servant also," Ann protested.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeXZ3mfzmc
"No!" Ollin spat out the word. "You are to remain alone."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfCfXEjBaB
"For what reason?" Ann enquired calmly.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjXFPi9B1F
"A false god's servants would conspire against us," Ollin said accusingly. "Such a danger we are unprepared to tolerate."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWScHfCo9h
"Then let my servants be told they may not enter here," Ann replied evenly.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡti4p9Y8Tk0
"As you command, Nenetl," Ollin replied and limped out of the temple leaving a very disquieted Ann behind him.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbDOwORylb
Zuma was walking along the broad avenue on her way to the barracks when a messenger approached her. He bowed respectfully and said that Yaotl, the Chosen Warrior, sought her counsel. Zuma smiled and replied that she would go directly to his quarters.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLSIC63XcP
She came into the courtyard and went over to Yaotl's door, which was open. She called his name and Yaotl invited her in.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlABQx27eE
The quarters consisted of three small rooms. On one side of the main living area was the bathroom, essential to most dwellings, as the Aztecs, with the exception of High Priests of Sacrifice, bathed two or three times a day. On the other side was the bedroom with a woven straw mattress on the floor and two wicker-work trunks for Yaotl's loin-cloths and cloaks. His head-dresses were kept on a shelf, his sandals underneath it. The main room had a legless square wooden table with a cushion at each side. Yaotl pointed to a cushion and Zuma sat down. Yaotl sat facing her.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2ZdWmUASE
"I was told you wish to see me, Yaotl."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pglVwyQIC
"I would seek your advice, Zuma."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjYtyl0kLx
"If I can give it, I shall," she replied.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBo4lOlaVm
Yaotl rubbed behind his left ear with his thumb and asked what she knew of magic.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4664KpKFQZ
"Nothing," Zuma admitted. "Though it is my belief I knew one who does."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CyozI9Tf7
Yaotl leaned forward. "What name has this person?"382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbu8JaHLbm
"He is known as Zachary Smith and is the aged servant of Nenetl."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ADNe6OtGJ
Yaotl dismissed the suggestion with a wave of his hand. "An old fool with a strange name is of no use to me."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoKtk4ZPPB
"Ah, but you may be of service to him," Zuma said. "He seeks an interview with you."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXxJiYlUIM
Yaotl was curious. "To what end?"382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDiaU8ihUv
"He is interested in your lamented father's father's work. In particular the temple," she added.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3npr2jgLh
Yaotl ran his hand across his face. "Does he know my name?" he asked abruptly.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgKnLUAxaC
"No."382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJl6aiRbH0Z
"Do not reveal it, but say that I shall meet him." His voice was casual.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0PGrEPbhK
"Where?"382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsB1lv57VFX
"Does he not spend his day in the temple garden?"382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sDMgVWwSA
Zuma nodded.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeM4jA7acrI
"Then there, I shall pass by after the sun is over the zenith and my food has been brought to me." He stood up and helped Zuma to her feet.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDctBNyZVOL
"I shall deliver those words, Yaotl." She felt pleased to have been of service to the Doctor, as she liked his company.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuLxClX7tk
"Be mindful not to reveal my name," Yaotl called to her from the doorway as Zuma crossed the courtyard. Then he went back into the room chuckling. There was no better way to destroy one's enemies than to let them destroy themselves.382Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyVODLnBaQ
