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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlxvuMjD7g
"Thus shall my enemies fall," he said arrogantly.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVobGpwQVv
"Real enemies can strike back," Don remarked quietly.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjo6WyuUIKH
"I have no fear of death," Yaotl retorted.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhC56Mpaji
"Maybe not. The dead never win."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3KIcq41U7
Yaotl looked sharply at Don. "How would you attack?" he asked.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcq2oVrYPFE
"A little more cunningly," Don replied. "I'd use stealth to surprise my enemy."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOjSguPQBL
"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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8KIKkGhLj
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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqtp2o5ic9
Yaotl looked surprised and observed that to win a victory with a thumb would require strong magic.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIQAvZy2LH
Don shook his head. "Knowing your enemy's weakness isn't magic," he said, "it's common sense."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lgGTSvwq2
Yaotl laughed and pointed to himself. "What weakness have I that is vulnerable to your thumb?"376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysPBpbeIld
"You'd be surprised," Don replied.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbrZ0UhWON
Yaotl hesitated, doubt in his eyes.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX7JEQNyHt
"Don't worry, Yaotl, I won't kill you. Not this time." Don remained composed; Tetzal was intrigued and Yaotl bristled.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgZL0xdtdQ
"You mock the arts of war and I defy you to harm me;" he challenged.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTL0EvWwhpQ
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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyy7guX6j1O
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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTKRiCBwpe
"Give him a little time," Don smiled at the High Priest. "He'll wake up soon."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItSMTRZ2fI
At that moment Ollin limped into the courtyard. "Tetzal, there is a task to be...." he stopped short when he saw Yaotl.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mPkN7GD9v
Tetzal turned to him. "He sleeps. Nenetl's servant won the victory with his thumb."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWhkvQuSWV
Ollin looked warily at Don and turned back to Tetzal. "You saw the blow?"376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCNjqX6hMt
"There was no blow." Tetzal held up his left thumb. "He defeated Yaotl with this."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYXgH3gzDE
"Tell him to rest until the sun has passed the zenith," Don advised as he walked away.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplte3tttMq
"Where do you go?" Tetzal asked.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLt3VIhsakg
"For a stroll." Don was enjoying himself.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6mJyvMngt
"I shall accompany you." And the two of them left the courtyard.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyK6pW8xWpf
Yaotl stirred, propped himself up on his elbows, shook his head and exercised his neck muscles.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvcAPXa7UJ
Ollin looked down at him. "Could you not fight against it?"376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUWYVriYen
"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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8M8R6EcRoT
Ollin was disconcerted.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLM8JE5ODfI
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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1OSLyININ
"All his requests must be granted," Ollin replied, and as Tlaqui left he reiterated quietly, "Must be granted."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EL9zIwzPI
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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcVb6RjSnz
"You grace the Chosen Warriors' barracks by your presence." Ollin gestured toward Yaotl. "He is one who would be commander of our armies."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4L9FKOhILC
"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?"376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdo2t3elWK
"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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXVcDHoZqw
"No man can win against me!" he shouted.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEhe2BTiu8
"None, not one?" Olliln sneered.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7WinyJ1gV
"I shall lead our armies," Yaotl replied stubbornly. "It is my right to do so!"376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFI8rv26jY
"Yesterday it seemed so," Ollin remarked dryly.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkY0pU3lgEm
Yaotl glared at him, picked up the cudgel, stomped off to the center of the courtyard and began practicing swings and blows.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhErIInSPw
Tlaqui looked with surprise at the High Priest of Sacrifice.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7v0kf3oVJI
"You would make an enemy?" he asked naively.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCrZcZRJuO
"I?" Ollin protested. "I only know that I have seen a man who could defeat him."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhdxQf0uV6
"Defeat Yaotl?" The Perfect Victim could hadly believe his ears.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXR3o3gIIg
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."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkw6TyR02m
"Maybe."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mAiBEhmcU
"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?"376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk85XVNbvff
"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?"376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8oMrvZUuK
The Perfect Victim considered the High Priest's argument and nodded. "He who defeated Yaotl should command.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5H1qnJYPA
"No!" Yaotl roared.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZARk0WaRr
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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmINmJOZLDN
"The Perfect Victim's desires must be fulfilled at all times," he burbled.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPZpFdDCSo
Ollin clenched his fists in delight as the Perfect Victim went to Yaotl's side.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdVX7tHbIj
"My faith in Yaotl is supreme," the young man said, "and it is my desire that the Chosen Warriors meet in contest once again."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfC6eZzZoT6
"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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiC310vSM9O
"I shall challenge the stranger," said Yaotl.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrAbfvScBn
"Let it be so," the Perfect Victim said, and left the courtyard with Tlaqui.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡou7Vjd4TDh
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."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42PDpfFW39
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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCj7yRtQmaj
"It is herbal and the sap of the stem is used by those who practice medicine to induce sleep."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuf2iC3qLn
"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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMD1eveMGgF
"What do you call yourself?" Zuma asked.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3wLNIjSNQ
"Zachary Smith, the Doctor of Many Things, at your service, my dear."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwSXeFK6Dh
Zuma was puzzled. "Doctor? You are a healer?"376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5oE61A4XP
"A healer? Oh, heavens no. I am a scientist, an engineer, a builder of things."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVIpnIWlYC
"Now I understand your interest in the pyramid and the temple."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8n3OAyaqy9
Dr. Smith admitted that there were several details concerning the interior that intrigued him and this time came straight to the point.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxqKP3DqAC
"Nenetl's tomb, for example, is sealed, but surely the builder, now, what was his name....ah....ah....."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8P3bYKUGT
"Atl," Zuma said.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNVYDS1EWI
"Yes, of course," Dr. Smith replied. "Surely he devised a way of opening it."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1fTpPkiU4
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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGXkwhTm7K
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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7tLEz7YWa
"No one could think that of you," she replied. "When shall the meeting be?"376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCeqs4NogJ
"Oh, any time." Dr. Smith was nonchalant. "Today?"376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtJoKJsyRX
Zuma observed that an interested mind brooked no delay.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNSi7gQj9p
Dr. Smith looked at her and smiled. "I'm sure that's true of you, Zuma."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5aB4d5AwU
She blushed. "I was once. Now I'm content to pass the time of day here like the others."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SyOgWXjrq
"Their minds are old, dear lady, something yours shall never, ever, be," Dr. Smith protested.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1lBL4t4Bp
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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqpGCqEIzo
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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVodGgBHnW
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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTF7e3EciL
"The High Priest of Knowledge will question you."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85kqFShY1O
"And if he finds that I am the Spirit of Nenetl returned, what then?"376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzxuQrdJrq
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcE2w8j5hzH
"I shall beg forgiveness of the Gods for my unworthy doubts."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FgIxQkMJW
"I will remember the words of the High Priest of Sacrifice."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5ps5AviZS
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."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKewA0sZkpi
"My servant also," Ann protested.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSqqRyDL2T
"No!" Ollin spat out the word. "You are to remain alone."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKAdhyVrzM
"For what reason?" Ann enquired calmly.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreb7Td27m0
"A false god's servants would conspire against us," Ollin said accusingly. "Such a danger we are unprepared to tolerate."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuA9rnYHugx
"Then let my servants be told they may not enter here," Ann replied evenly.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNApn1Nv3EZ
"As you command, Nenetl," Ollin replied and limped out of the temple leaving a very disquieted Ann behind him.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRpXeO12Yl
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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuF5EDgMDv
She came into the courtyard and went over to Yaotl's door, which was open. She called his name and Yaotl invited her in.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qoGKKoJJa
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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKp4SYQsR6
"I was told you wish to see me, Yaotl."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJjWsH1Gz6
"I would seek your advice, Zuma."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyz6o4FQsGW
"If I can give it, I shall," she replied.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcYmtYMwPb
Yaotl rubbed behind his left ear with his thumb and asked what she knew of magic.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypWIAmelZW
"Nothing," Zuma admitted. "Though it is my belief I knew one who does."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqW2y7shAdJ
Yaotl leaned forward. "What name has this person?"376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmOwNl8QYm
"He is known as Zachary Smith and is the aged servant of Nenetl."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBEflb0aOa
Yaotl dismissed the suggestion with a wave of his hand. "An old fool with a strange name is of no use to me."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaGiMBrGZO
"Ah, but you may be of service to him," Zuma said. "He seeks an interview with you."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKTwwiD6iO
Yaotl was curious. "To what end?"376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9KQvYcp3g
"He is interested in your lamented father's father's work. In particular the temple," she added.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYNPtfmYxh
Yaotl ran his hand across his face. "Does he know my name?" he asked abruptly.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjy3t8kBi3
"No."376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvkHL22CqZ
"Do not reveal it, but say that I shall meet him." His voice was casual.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wqSRMUEod
"Where?"376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5eijXFu8r
"Does he not spend his day in the temple garden?"376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHR7Xa1Z4Fw
Zuma nodded.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeSBQyvLW3
"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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqrLeYtMj0
"I shall deliver those words, Yaotl." She felt pleased to have been of service to the Doctor, as she liked his company.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUM0m40WCy
"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.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyhPQi0n1z
