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Don walked along the broad avenue with Ollin limping at his side. The avenue was lined with windowless, one story, box-like houses. Their entrances were elaborate wrought-iron gates, through which Don could see the short passageway that led to the central, open-air courtyard with its lawn, flower-bed and tumbling bougainvillea. Around the courtyard were the rooms of the house. Don thought that if ever he were to reach home again he would like to build a house like that. But then he remembered the considerable difference between the Mexican climate and the weather in England.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHzN8jFwO0
The Aztecs they passed on the way to the barracks bowed respectfully to Ollin, but Don sensed they were, in actuality, afraid of the High Priest.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjs6v7ZH24
"Do you often leave the temple?" he asked.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzfTlHxj9F
"Tetzel seeks wisdom in the garden from time to time," Ollin replied. "I visit the barracks to select a victim when the Gods demand blood."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFihMoxC2Pq
Don felt his blood run cold.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCfFEHjw2n
The barracks was similar to the houses in design, but infinitely larger, and the central courtyard was an area of hard-baked clay where the warriors trained in the martial arts. When Don and Ollin entered the courtyard some two hundred warriors were at drill. They wore leather loin-cloths, sandals and plumed head-dresses. They carried shields and lunged with short-swords, parrying attacks from imaginary enemies. When the Aztec in charge saw Ollin, he ordered the warriors to stop and they stood respectfully as the High Priest of Sacrifice limped across the courtyard followed by Don, who quickly became aware that the word had been passed by the warriors in the temple and everyone knew who he was. Suddenly Ollin stopped, glanced along the ranks and pointed to a young warrior. Then he limped on to the far side of the courtyard. As they approached it, a warrior broke from the ranks and ran to open the door for them. There was a short passageway which opened onto another clay courtyard, patterned with the eagle and coiled snake in colorful dyes. Don noticed that the courtyard was about the same size as the ones he'd seen in the houses. There was a door in each of the other three wall. The two doors which faced one another were ornate, and decorated, once again, with the snake and eagle motif. The third door was made of pain wood.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQYOQeRIiP
Ollin went to the middle of the courtyard. "Yaotl," he called.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxb1Qmdr8YB
One of the decorated doors opened and a well-built, handsome man, a few years younger than Don, came into the courtyard. He was wearing a leather loin-cloth with rectangular shapes embroidered on it in gold and silver thread. He wore sandals and his hair was drawn back in a short pony-tail. He bowed deeply to Ollin.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmwbyxwgEv
"I greet you, O' High Priest of Sacrifice," he said, then eyed Don up and down. "What manner of warrior is this?" His tone was disdainful.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHflw5mMH8H
"He is the servant of Nenetl," Ollin replied.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsMvkgHU9j
Yaotl bowed. "I have heard that Nenetl again guides us in wisdom and strength. Does the High Priest wish me to demonstrate my skill to Nentl's servant."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasCNEVuCOn
Ollin inclined his head and Yaotl strode to the door which opened onto the large courtyard.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUjlnBMjD5
"A warrior....one of the best," he commanded.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcbafh726v
The Aztec in charge signaled to a warrior, who ran to the door and entered the small courtyard.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75ZXEeoLjI
"We will fight with studded clubs and shields," Yaotl announced and led the warrior over to the plain wooden door. They went inside.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrv8tW8m44w
"To command one must prove courage, skill and intelligence," Ollin's voice was insinuating. Yaotl had killed and taken many prisoners on the battlefield, he told Don, "He has no fear of death."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMhp0bNKgr
Yaotl and the warrior reappeared. Each carried a shield and a wooden cudgel which had a circular head studded with pieces of obsidian stone. They approached Ollin, bowed to him, then went to the middle of the courtyard and stood facing each other, about ten feet apart. Just out of reach, Don thought.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bVlgLsAW9
Ollin raised one hand. "Begin!" he commanded.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUsLouBGDu
The two men circled each other warily. Then Yaotl suddenly lunged and aimed a blow at the warrior's left-hand side. But as the warrior brought his shield across his body to fend off the cudgel, Yaotl reversed his attack and hit out at the warrior's unguarded right. The warrior was swift and leapt back. Yaotl swung at empty air, almost throwing himself off balance. Instinctively, he raised his shield to protect his head as the warrior's cudgel crashed down. As it struck the shield, Yaotl gave a backhand chop just below the warrior's rib-cage. Blood spurted from the wound. The contestants backed away and circled each other again. Don had anticipated a friendly encounter, but now he wasn't so sure. His mouth went dry and he gave a sideways glance at Ollin beside him. The High Priest's face was expressionless. I shouldn't be surprised, Don thought. He's used to the sight of blood. Then Yaotl launched a ferocious attack, forcing the warrior to give ground as he tried to ward off the repeated blows. The warrior tried to counterattack, but Yaotl's shield was all around his body, protecting it until the last blow, which Yaotl parried with his cudgel and with such force that the warrior's weapon flew from his hand and he was driven back trying to defend himself. Eventually he fell to his knees in a corner of the courtyard, with the shield held above his head. Yaotl smashed his cudgel down on the warrior's shield and stepped back.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3S5B9sWIFK
"Go and have your wound tended to," he said, and then walked over to Ollin.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevdO23eLBo
"Thus shall other tribes fear even more the Aztecs," the High Priest said.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdskyVTFVQT
Yaotl inclined his head and turned to Don. "Tell Nenetl that I shall serve well."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXd2o6Xpro
"I shall carry that salutation for you," Ollin replied. "Nenetl's servant remains here."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9c8GQIFW8
Yaotl looked puzzled. "But here dwell only those chosen to command," he said.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhm0PMnKsfk
"I know it." Ollin looked from one to the other.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDGZYtJg7E
Yaotl turned to Don and there was fierce pride in his face. "What name did your mother give you?" he asked.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh46BHD2Zi0
"Don."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUJwEJE57P
"Then I tell you, Don, that six other warriors have dwelt in there," he pointed to the other decorated door, "but I alone remain. Yet I welcome you. There is no fear of you in me. And one day all men will fear Yaotl, the Aztec commander who defeated the chosen servant of Nenetl."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaM5Aa2Cog
Don did not reply, but met Yaotl's arrogant gaze with a look he hoped was steadfast.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnT3pavsBI
"Let him be clothed according to his rank," Ollin said.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmLupmCyR9
"It shall be done," Yaotl replied and asked if Don would assist at the Rain God's ceremony.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaZNTaZJzt
"He is now as you are, Yoatl, a chosen warrior," the High Priest replied and limped out to the courtyard.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QFo5FO7Dt
"What am I supposed to do at this ceremony?" Don asked.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7oYYeFIVP
"All honor rests with us," Yaotl's voice rang with pride, "we deliver the human sacrifice to the High Priest Ollin," and then in a matter-of-fact voice added that it was time to obtain Don's uniform.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡro3RGXhqz6
Don stood dumbfounded.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEQU9qnqyW
Zuma had gone home, leaving a contemplative Dr. Smith in the garden. She returned later with a tray, on which were the cornflower pancakes, a jar of honey, a knife, two goblets and a jug of water. Zuma put the tray on the bench where Dr. Smith was sitting, and then sat down herself. Dr. Smith had eaten two pancakes with honey and drunk a goblet of water when he saw a cloaked, plumed Aztec warrior with an embroidered loin-cloth and sandals striding purposefully towards him. It took Dr. Smith a full fifteen seconds to recognize Don.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxOT8BKWKa
"Ah, West," he called, his eyes sparkling wiht amusement at Don's clothes. "Do have a pancake and honey." Don declined and Dr. Smith introduced him to Zuma whom, he added, had promised to arrange a meeting between himself and the grandson of the man who built the temple.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xLavv66I7
"That is most kind of you, madam." Don smiled at Zuma, who returned his smile through her eyes looked momentarily troubled. She glanced down at the tray and then at Dr. Smith.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3zq92K7HT
He gently patted his stomach. "Delicious and plenteous, dear lady."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwL7yCyjP9
Zuma stood and picked up the tray. Dr. Smith also rose to his feet.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FnR65x1zs
"Pray excuse me," Zuma said, "then you may talk more freely." She walked away.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOYKSei5bM
"Dr. Smith,' Don's voice rang with urgency, "today there's to be a human sacrifice at the Rain God ceremony and I'm supposed to assist. I can't possibly do it."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3ZIHYVGj1
Dr. Smith put his hand on Don's shoulder. "Just a minute, West," he said. "What exactly must you do?"461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTqfqmXPAu
"Escort the victim to the altar."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaUD70j9lH
"Then, by all means, do so." Dr. Smith spoke brusquely.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyqAcLckuj
Don was appalled. "You can't expect me to participate in murder."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8uXcmj4mS
"Intervene and we'll be dead within the minute."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcFg4mmDMS
"But...." Don began in desperation.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMcoEpU54N
"Ahhhh, no buts, West," Dr. Smith cut in. "If human sacrifice is their tradition, then let them get on with it." He removed his arm from Don's shoulder and pointed a forefinger at Don's chest. "For your own sake, for Ann's, for Penny's and for mine, do not interfere." These last words were spoken in a measured tone. "Promise me, Don," Dr. Smith insisted.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZ76rt5j4P
Don looked down at the ground. "All right, I promise," he murmured.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpmaAgq3mv
Dr. Smith patted him on the arm. "I'll go and tell Ann," he said, and hurried away. It was only when he entered the pyramid that he remembered all tlhe stairs he had to climb.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJnEV2bFuj
Penny and Ann were in the antechamber below the temple. Ann had taken off her sandals and lay on a couch wriggling her toes while munching a banana. "Hardly godlike behavior," she remarked between bites to Penny who was trying on Ann's plumed crown.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjLUo0QdBw
"What do you think?" Penny asked as she struck a fashion-photo pose.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkGQc54ehZ
"It's just the thing for the Royal Enclosure at Ascot," Ann replied and they both laughed.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6i1foe3jgK
"I enjoy being the handmaiden of a god," Penny said.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXI0nHnvlxq
"This end isn't too hard to take, either," Ann admitted.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2vy35MYDx
Penny took off the head-dress and put it down a legless side-table beside a highly polished jade statuette of an Aztec god. Penny picked it up. "Hey, look at this," she said. "It's priceless."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9ArSg9AZP
"That's the thing which hooked me on the Aztec civilization in the first place," Ann replied, placing the banana skin on the plate at her side. "On the one hand, that's Tetzel who is charming, intelligent and cultured. But, on the other hand...."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijrkS8drfP
"There's Ollin," Penny interjected. "Strange, isn't it? Such beauty and such horror existing side by side."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5Z9usxHpO
As she replaced the statuette, they heard Dr. Smith's breathless voice outside the antechamber.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqcSDzKhvL
"Let me pass," he was saying, gasping for air, "go on, out of my way, I must talk to Nenetl."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdir1gK3LM
Ann stood up as Penny went to the door and opened it.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkEipRyPNu
Dr. Smith stumbled in. "Wait outside, Penny," he gasped, "and don't let anyone in."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxUoG5tyOI
"Yes, Uncle Zachary." Penny left, closing the door behind her.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qmvL3pwho
"Sit down, Dr. Smith, and catch your breath." Ann motioned to a couch.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYAuZNkw91
Dr. Smith collapsed onto it. "All those stairs, all those stairs." He took a deep breath and Ann poured him a goblet of water which he gulped down.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRAi5mEQ1U
Ann waited until he had fully recovered. "What is it, Dr. Smith? What's happened?"461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKUEWUxC8K
Dr. Smith stood up. "There's to be a human sacrifice during the Rain God ceremony at sunset." He kept all emotion out of his voice.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2z3KWrsLg2
"Oh, no!" Ann was horrified. "No!"461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpexB077oa
"You must not interfere! You must not!"461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4g9ZPiTj4
Ann buried her face in her hand. "I can't just stand by an...."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7g9azvA0UQ
"You must," Dr. Smith barked out the two words, then his voice softened. "Don agrees with me," he paused before continuing, "and he is required to escort the victim to the altar."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsHObAOLn8
Ann's hands flew from her face. "He has to do what?" she exploded.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPDV8UO4BS
"He's been designated a 'Chosen Warrior'---Dr. Smith shrugged ----"and for all our sakes, he has agreed, given me his word, to do nothing to prevent the sacrifice.":461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfU5xgiogHT
"Well, I have been made a god," Ann paced out her words, "and I forbid it."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ178PUP4Xcp
"Ann," Dr. Smith began to protest, but Ann cut him off.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxu5Ias5NVu
"No, Dr. Smith. There will be no sacrifice at sunset, nor ever again. The reincarnation of Nenetl will prove to the Aztec people that you don't need to cut out a pulsating human heart to make the rain come."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoljiLnhyf
"Don't be foolish, woman. The High Priests will turn against you and denounce you."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNusxU18eV
"They won't dare to defy me," Ann replied with great determination. "No, this is the beginning of the end of Huitzilopochtli's reign."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnDMKa8V5R
"What on earth are you talking about?" Dr. Smith demanded.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSwEIDbWVw
"Rewriting history," Ann said calmly. "If I can start the destruction of all that is evil here, then all that is good will survive when Cortez lands."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcnznWJjej
Dr. Smith shook his head in bewilderment. "You can't change history, Ann. Not one page of it."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEX800KPV0
Ann turned her back on him, went to the side table, picked up her plumed crown and set it on her head.461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RO5J0Akev
"I appeal to you, Ann. Be reasonable. What you're trying to do is impossible," Dr. Smith implored. "Believe me, I know, really I do, I know."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYIiQaYd3h
She turned to face him and was quite serene. "Not Ann," she said calmly. "Nenetl."461Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ovXuDgGob
