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.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSMQ5VmaUI
"Thus shall my enemies fall," he said arrogantly.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL75bCyZPZO
"Real enemies can strike back," Don remarked quietly.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqZa7tSFyX
"I have no fear of death," Yaotl retorted.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrcVFIYDva
"Maybe not. The dead never win."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSsF8rOguW
Yaotl looked sharply at Don. "How would you attack?" he asked.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzssi8VU9a
"A little more cunningly," Don replied. "I'd use stealth to surprise my enemy."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjs9FovfeVG
"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.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEb6aHoqYu
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.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5n17cIIUG0
Yaotl looked surprised and observed that to win a victory with a thumb would require strong magic.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61YUb7sFGZ
Don shook his head. "Knowing your enemy's weakness isn't magic," he said, "it's common sense."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9K0CqZkMp
Yaotl laughed and pointed to himself. "What weakness have I that is vulnerable to your thumb?"365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGDIu4Ez5s
"You'd be surprised," Don replied.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6epyBNvoi
Yaotl hesitated, doubt in his eyes.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjprggEVIO
"Don't worry, Yaotl, I won't kill you. Not this time." Don remained composed; Tetzal was intrigued and Yaotl bristled.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lzm7VBMng
"You mock the arts of war and I defy you to harm me;" he challenged.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOdK7rHYrA
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.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iIfgnllGw
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.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UrJX3UuR9
"Give him a little time," Don smiled at the High Priest. "He'll wake up soon."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMn76PBagu
At that moment Ollin limped into the courtyard. "Tetzal, there is a task to be...." he stopped short when he saw Yaotl.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIAIfy3h5K
Tetzal turned to him. "He sleeps. Nenetl's servant won the victory with his thumb."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDX2a3xnAqV
Ollin looked warily at Don and turned back to Tetzal. "You saw the blow?"365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0z1f1KYsY
"There was no blow." Tetzal held up his left thumb. "He defeated Yaotl with this."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiPglk6QAJ
"Tell him to rest until the sun has passed the zenith," Don advised as he walked away.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5ko3eyHRG
"Where do you go?" Tetzal asked.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nju96yGVe
"For a stroll." Don was enjoying himself.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFRA5Kg0sb
"I shall accompany you." And the two of them left the courtyard.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1I5IPpLpD
Yaotl stirred, propped himself up on his elbows, shook his head and exercised his neck muscles.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjSrcUBFrv
Ollin looked down at him. "Could you not fight against it?"365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSS4ME5LAqA
"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.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOo6z2hbLy3
Ollin was disconcerted.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvEVPVWSda
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.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VKPKjdHQJ
"All his requests must be granted," Ollin replied, and as Tlaqui left he reiterated quietly, "Must be granted."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnps1GSD9UY
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.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrDyy7QSBv
"You grace the Chosen Warriors' barracks by your presence." Ollin gestured toward Yaotl. "He is one who would be commander of our armies."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvoUoK9AkI
"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?"365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡem1FCXJSrm
"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.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3geuQgxE7q
"No man can win against me!" he shouted.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVfijiH5yv
"None, not one?" Olliln sneered.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOM80WNhpB
"I shall lead our armies," Yaotl replied stubbornly. "It is my right to do so!"365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHoO7Tkaoo
"Yesterday it seemed so," Ollin remarked dryly.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoSn0H54Zu
Yaotl glared at him, picked up the cudgel, stomped off to the center of the courtyard and began practicing swings and blows.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAzW5JAWEG
Tlaqui looked with surprise at the High Priest of Sacrifice.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyaTG6pxep
"You would make an enemy?" he asked naively.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRq2cz1XdIj
"I?" Ollin protested. "I only know that I have seen a man who could defeat him."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9cCD2nuq6
"Defeat Yaotl?" The Perfect Victim could hadly believe his ears.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKpRsAWUY0
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."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjBQJNnvar
"Maybe."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKDmUx5jLh
"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?"365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MScOPkAph
"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?"365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoGqAueIqS
The Perfect Victim considered the High Priest's argument and nodded. "He who defeated Yaotl should command.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHV14I9FKBv
"No!" Yaotl roared.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRbmg0PeVo
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.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FG23BLhsg
"The Perfect Victim's desires must be fulfilled at all times," he burbled.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJ2u3S8h9b
Ollin clenched his fists in delight as the Perfect Victim went to Yaotl's side.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKv4s1P70k
"My faith in Yaotl is supreme," the young man said, "and it is my desire that the Chosen Warriors meet in contest once again."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGX2l6AVBOO
"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.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5laBIy59Rh
"I shall challenge the stranger," said Yaotl.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KP5Iqkz2A
"Let it be so," the Perfect Victim said, and left the courtyard with Tlaqui.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQy58lJlIY
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."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVessofKWHk
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.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iVGrNe1xB
"It is herbal and the sap of the stem is used by those who practice medicine to induce sleep."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qknb41ntA
"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.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmSLSh44Il
"What do you call yourself?" Zuma asked.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbDr0dZEeL
"Zachary Smith, the Doctor of Many Things, at your service, my dear."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUERALXMvm
Zuma was puzzled. "Doctor? You are a healer?"365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCV2wgGsr7
"A healer? Oh, heavens no. I am a scientist, an engineer, a builder of things."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BKsqCUiaU
"Now I understand your interest in the pyramid and the temple."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8Ku7M0KjJ
Dr. Smith admitted that there were several details concerning the interior that intrigued him and this time came straight to the point.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpx0uK7n0VP
"Nenetl's tomb, for example, is sealed, but surely the builder, now, what was his name....ah....ah....."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeF7Cq8Vqz2
"Atl," Zuma said.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9W3vjMn59k
"Yes, of course," Dr. Smith replied. "Surely he devised a way of opening it."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6sdlwpkwU
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.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqu3iuzpz6z
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.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdK3dSUvlO7
"No one could think that of you," she replied. "When shall the meeting be?"365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYiDGzLOJ9
"Oh, any time." Dr. Smith was nonchalant. "Today?"365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqPWq8hGPL
Zuma observed that an interested mind brooked no delay.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3w90H4xM9
Dr. Smith looked at her and smiled. "I'm sure that's true of you, Zuma."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFI7jSbDGu
She blushed. "I was once. Now I'm content to pass the time of day here like the others."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpjuXaBIAZ
"Their minds are old, dear lady, something yours shall never, ever, be," Dr. Smith protested.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaYMZDLdCV
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.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxEJYarMWr
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.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1GNJu1MfK
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.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhZmjOnRtG
"The High Priest of Knowledge will question you."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYUrKf2rM0
"And if he finds that I am the Spirit of Nenetl returned, what then?"365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImRQZEDiF2
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYwbUYXs51
"I shall beg forgiveness of the Gods for my unworthy doubts."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHMMfTubRj
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaPHhkfZrb
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."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdetdFMGkL
"My servant also," Ann protested.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUSyj3nEd6
"No!" Ollin spat out the word. "You are to remain alone."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhoBbqpdoG
"For what reason?" Ann enquired calmly.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3hV5SLmDq
"A false god's servants would conspire against us," Ollin said accusingly. "Such a danger we are unprepared to tolerate."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhKYBj8ajy
"Then let my servants be told they may not enter here," Ann replied evenly.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQ7oAbwihY
"As you command, Nenetl," Ollin replied and limped out of the temple leaving a very disquieted Ann behind him.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb16zF81xYF
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.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT02smfYMrG
She came into the courtyard and went over to Yaotl's door, which was open. She called his name and Yaotl invited her in.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGJysqxEEA
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.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UXor2GRCM
"I was told you wish to see me, Yaotl."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxKwQKjuKC
"I would seek your advice, Zuma."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfO9LmhLP9
"If I can give it, I shall," she replied.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWA0fUShq5f
Yaotl rubbed behind his left ear with his thumb and asked what she knew of magic.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0xGCnmewq
"Nothing," Zuma admitted. "Though it is my belief I knew one who does."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUk0djs1Ld
Yaotl leaned forward. "What name has this person?"365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGsddM9Wz7
"He is known as Zachary Smith and is the aged servant of Nenetl."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkZLFx6qYh
Yaotl dismissed the suggestion with a wave of his hand. "An old fool with a strange name is of no use to me."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCLuDA2lj2
"Ah, but you may be of service to him," Zuma said. "He seeks an interview with you."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUlcqbFbgA
Yaotl was curious. "To what end?"365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKmLXMweQl
"He is interested in your lamented father's father's work. In particular the temple," she added.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlPkc5BA2d
Yaotl ran his hand across his face. "Does he know my name?" he asked abruptly.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtOZIgMEE7
"No."365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOz9K8kz0z
"Do not reveal it, but say that I shall meet him." His voice was casual.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ellz9jTHR
"Where?"365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SaRRiPqCU
"Does he not spend his day in the temple garden?"365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEf1fO8tIn
Zuma nodded.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgW7r86bbA
"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.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVO7jNYj10
"I shall deliver those words, Yaotl." She felt pleased to have been of service to the Doctor, as she liked his company.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDzVQO3St8
"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.365Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAaupMBjO2
