Ann sat on the throne in the temple and looked down at the worried High Priest of Knowledge who stood in front of her.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd652L8xi64
"Ollin was humiliated. He will not forget, nor will he forgive," he warned her.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrTWXzrI8G
Ann shrugged. "I did as he commanded."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6cFqYXdeo
"But not as he expected."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosYTp8PaeH
"What did he want? A miracle?" She smiled at Tetzal.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGNGyAq344
"We all awaited one," he confessed.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkE0XAbPNe
Ann stood and stepped down to the temple floor. "Why should I use divine powers when human ability will do?" she asked sweetly.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCWPHmssIN
Tetzal could not resist a twitch of a grin. "Nenetl has spoken." He tried to keep his tone of voice solemn.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDJ1kpx7Pn
Ann walked towards the terrace and the sacrificial altar. A few paces short of it, she stopped and turned back to face the High Priest. "Have you thought about my prophecy?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMymE3oqiAC
"I have thought of little else. And it is true that if we defy the will of the gods we shall be destroyed."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Cd7FlNBVC
"When Quetzalcoatl reigned supreme as the Sun God was there human sacrifice?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPJFJtgaLZ
"No, only after his banishment was blood demanded."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtKJ8SAgS1
"By Huitzilipochtli, the dark God of the Sun." Ann put her hand around the bracelet on her wrist. "What sacrifice did Quetzalcoatl demand?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTs1BmIkpTV
"A bird, a fish, a serpent, none other?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyTT9kGw3Q
"Why should that have been?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iWUcNXON4
"He so dearly loved his people he wished no harm to anyone," Tetzal explained.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMceoEQOTyC
"Is not a return of Quetzacoatl possible?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DsLzFLWNa
"Only a god can banish a god. We mortals can do nothing."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHDCQIqB9w
"And were Quetzalcoatl to send you a messenger?" Ann took her hand off the bracelet.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QwF1OUtxR
Tetzal glanced at it and looked away. "I serve Huitzilopochtli," he said quietly. "This is his temple."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjd1TEMWQZT
"Then where must Queztalcoatl seek his servants?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcarvMPEThO
Tetzal remained silent and Ann shifted tack. "When is to be the next sacrifice?" she asked.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKvFRqE5WB
"Three days from this day," Tetzal replied. "The moon will pass before the sun when it is at its zenith and all will be in darkness."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1ryjw9chi
"So there's to be an eclipse and Ollin will offer a human heart."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrcp71r9SV
"The Perfect Victim's."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhv0K5WLqH
"And the sun will shine again!" Ann stamped her sandaled foot angrily. "As the High Priest of Knowledge, surely you must know that the moon willl pass across the sun and continue on its celestial voyage."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWdtaKOnXm
"Unless Huitzilopochtli, the Sun God, the Surpreme God, withdraws his favor from us." Tetzal was adamant.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFgKpyUvh9
"Am I not a god?" Ann heard herself say with a shock. There was no turning back for her now. "Support me, Tetzal," she pleaded. "The High Priest of Sacrifice won't dare defy us both."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbB0UNomcIa
Tetzal bent his head and touched his lips with the posy he held. A full minute passed in silence, then he raised his head and looked at Ann. "If you come as Quetzalcoatl's messenger and I take your course, there is no way back for me. So in all humility I entreat you not to deceive me nor prove false to me."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcdyP4uKay
Ann's appearance remained serene, but her heart ached and she was in mental turmoil.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1j9AtEhUks
Ollin sidled up to Dr. Smith, who was sitting disconsolately in the garden.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjY6ctDZFiV
"What manner of servant are you?" the High Priest asked.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmk9QhcRs1
"Oh, go away," Dr. Smith snapped, but Ollin sat down beside him.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgIvqnBzOI
"I am curious about you," he said. "First you try to secure a victory for Yaotl."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0trpJMZ5Qb
"He cheated me," Dr. Smith replied hotly.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWfnaYqQGf
Ollin looked sideways at the Doctor.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7rV0rQUdE
"I am faithful to my friends," Dr. Smith insisted.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rgGolVbvC
"Yet you deceive Nenetl."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgiRBMuXzX
"Not at all." Dr. Smith became indignant.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1heqnQjYb
"You are trying to enter the tomb without Nenetl's knowledge," the High Priest studied the edge of his obsidian knife. "What is it you want from there?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrOpiUFNxl
"What is it you want from me?" Dr. Smith countered.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDqhARdbLx
"I want but one thing." Ollin held up the knife. "Proof that she is a false God."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2l4AzAc0n
"Then open the tomb."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcG0vjr1JDS
"That cannot be achieved."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmt2GAn9Rp
"Can't it?" Dr. Smith raised an eyebrow. "Talk to your so-called 'Chosen Warrior.' He has a drawing."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ijAC9TIem
Ollin stared with glinting black eyes at Dr. Smith. "In whose service are you?" he asked.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sNyHVKblt
Dr. Smith took the knife from Ollin and touched both edges with his thumb, then handed the weapon back to him. "Truth, dear boy," Dr. Smith replied, a touch pompously. "I am the service fo truth. And if you help me you'll also find it."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CPv2jd0aO
When Don awoke he was lying on the straw mattresses in the bedroom of his quarters, but he was not alone. Standing over him was a smiling Yaotl with a short sword in his hand. Don struggled to sit up so that he could, at least, try to protect himself.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QvHE77nwa
"Do not be afraid of me, Don," Yaotl laughed. "Now that I can defeat you openly, I have no need to destroy you in secret."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJiktpchOd
"Whatever it was you scratched me with, beat me," Don mumbled and rubbed his temples with his fingers trying to clear the cobwebs from his brain.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsQzMED4Xy
"Did you not say 'use stealth, surprise your enemy?" Yaotl was enjoying himself.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0diqp1mNW
"I did," Don admitted.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUosRUoMPY
"And did I not do those things?" Yaotl laughed again.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8xlQQ0GdI
Don agreed that he had.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqXmifJj13
"A thorn, the sap of a plant and Nenetl's aged servant," Yaotl added.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nXiVcYIQ0
Don looked up sharply. "Dr. Smith helped you?!"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2fBrLrXWR
Yaotl nodded and remarked that Don's friends make strange allies.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EwPGI99qK
Don stood up gingerly. "Did Dr. Smith know you were to fight me?" he asked.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcD8js3gXoy
Yaotl shook his head and admitted that he didn't.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8xHziE0oz
Don felt dizzy. "I need some fresh air." He staggered towards the living area and the door of his quarters.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbyEcWJCeQ
"Let me help you," Yaotl took his arm. "Now that I have proved I will be the victor, we can be friends. For the little time that is left to you to live," he added almost as an afterthought.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIE5RUDmIV
"Oh, I'm going to die, am I?" Don's voice expressed no shock.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIU4E5HZlVo
"Yes, Don." Yaotl sounded enthusiastic at the prospect. "Next time we fight, I shall not fail to kill you."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFaNk74aCh
"It's always worth knowing in advance," Don remarked as he went into the courtyard and leaned against the wlal beside the open door. He shut his eyes and breathed deeply several times. When he opened them, Ollin and Tlaqui were crossing the courtyard.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcB446nfNK2
"I see your strength has been restored to you," Ollin sneered.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5t29t5iDA
"Don't tell me you've become my friend as well," Don joked, and saw the flash of hatred in the High Priest's eyes before Ollin turned abruptly to Yaotl.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfaGVd5l19
"I have no need of the drawing," he said.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZEJMGfWRF
"The one that I promised to the aged servant?" Yaotl roared with laughter when Ollin nodded. "It doesn't exist. The secret of the tomb died with my father."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwXsFVHYgK
"But your father's father must have set it down," Ollin sounded anxious.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKg0VJDW4z
Don listened to the conversation with great interest.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZf8hLojoI4
"No. He told it to my father, who thought to do so. But one evening he went for a walk in the garden and was never seen again.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpV2zsmhKg
"I remember his disappearance." Ollin was brusque.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAxHxydC66
So that's why Dr. Smith helped you, Don thought, he hoped to have a design plan of the tomb. Then another thought occurred to Don: neither Yoatl nor Ollin had used the word "died" when they talked about his father. They had used the word "disappeared," and Don had referred to the garden. This set Don speculating.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡal0auY4YQz
Ignoring Don, the High Priest of Sacrifice and Tlaqui took their leave of Yaotl and limped and waddled towards the gateway to the courtyard.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoiq1h8vxd
Ollin began to speak . "You are well versed in these matters, Tlaqui," Don overheard him say, "so you shall help me defeat the false...." Then they were out of earshot, but Don was convinced the sentence had ended "god Nenetl."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbHNibuUke
He was right and Ollin was Tlaqui was outraged at Ollin's suggestion. "No, I cannot do your bidding, I will not." He gesticulated wildly. "Destroy a god and we destroy ourselves."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUicMlt9TJ
Ollin pointed out that true gods were immortal, and that mere flesh and blood, as they both were, could not destroy them. Tlaqui looked at him warily land asked in what way Ollin required his services.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEnv8zM3ct
"Your knowledge of poisons."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mG1wUYIRP
Tlaqui was horrified.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvqDoHcUpR
"Such a test, a poisoned draught, would prove her divinity. If she dies, she is false; if she lives, then she is indeed the spirit of Nenetl returned."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3McCMbLfiS
Tlaqui's throat dried as Ollin looked at him slyly. "Would you deny yourself the honor---more, the glory----of witnessing a god proven before your eyes?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIohZPoVGe
Tlaqui ran his tongue around his mouth seeking saliva to ease his throat. He swallowed. "I shall prepare a mixture," he said. "Then you and I and Tetzal shall test Nenetl."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFQpqXsFL1
"Tetzal? I think not!" Ollin snapped.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3FcBwD8Xe
"Why not?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5b7eKRfmVT
Ollin despised Tlaqui's naivety, but his voice was quiet and reasonable as he argued that Tetzal's mind was set that Nenetl was a true god and he would forbid the test. 356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcvwWv1XXM
"No, you and I shall do this thing and for once the High Priest of Knowledge shall be in ignorance." He glanced at Tlaqui and almost managed a thin smile.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Yni38HTDC
At the same time, the High Priest of Knowledge was basking in Zuma's radiant smile as they walked along a path in the garden.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhyu2X4nXS
"Such happiness, Zuma, outshines the sun," he remarked.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9NySISF4B
"And with good fortune may outlast it," Zuma replied softly.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAGO5LW45r
"What brings you such joy?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYBHt2kIh7
Zuma looked around the garden and saw Dr. Smith studying a carved coiled snake on one of the stones of the back wall of the garden. Zuma raised her hand and pointed to him. A small leather bag hung from a cord around her wrist. Tetzal smiled.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2AIIgYH0Y
"I am grateful to Nenetl's aged servant," he said, and noticing the bag, asked if Zuma was carrying cocoa beans to barter with.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlj0sIEbaf7
She shook her head. "I have already been to the market and brought food," she replied.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbASh7YOVc
Tetzal touched the bag. "Then these are to prepare a drink."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIR3bY89KBO
Zuma lowered her eyes. "Only the gods may know," she replied coyly.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiWUcYMqOH
"Ah," Tetzal murmured, and observed that all mortals lived in hope.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpVQWTIs2Y
"He is a gentle companion aand most dear to me," Zuma admitted.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7r6xkUryb
"Are these then for a love potion?" Tetzal asked in mock surprise.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvNj34EA7W
"That would be too bold," Zuma blushed. "Rather should he show his love for me."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbGOr8QQVf
"You wish him to prepare it."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0W1RvhF5Hp
"I do."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbk8zdc9uIe
Tetzal looked from her to Dr. Smith and back to Zuma again. "May the gods favor your desires," he said gently and walked away.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZkf8DCiEI
Zuma went over to Dr. Smith and greeted him.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04qHteFT4p
Dr. Smith half-replaced the bougainvillea over the carved stone and turned to face her. "My dear Zuma, how nice it is to see you again." He took her hand. "The garden is such a lonely place without you."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuj71x4ClBJ
She glanced at the wall. "When one's interest is held, loneliness does not exist."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLBMdEmP3h
Dr. Smith followed her eyeline to the carving that was partly hidden behind the flowered trellis. "I was looking at it---I hadn't noticed it before," he explained.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7CcgZtT7Q
"It is the coiled serpent of Nenetl. In almost every building homage is paid to the High Priest with that symbol." Zuma drew aside the bougainvillea and snagged her bag on the trellis. As she pulled it free some of the cocoa beans fell on the ground.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyGBzGkRZ5
Dr. Smith began picking them up. "Cocoa beans," he exclaimed.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf04413YT0f
"We use them for barter for our daily needs," Zuma replied.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2OnJTfuEq
"What an excellent idea! A current you can drink!" Dr. Smith proclaimed. "Delicious!"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5eWmJl675
"Do you know our customs?" Zuma asked timidly as Dr. Smith dropped the beans one by one back into her bag.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nyEGvjbWh
"Why, yes, my dear, of course I do," Dr. Smith replied, looking about hi to make sure he hadn't overlooked a bean.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTDDV1IiBp
"The drinking of cocoa has its own very special meaning," Zuma ventured and Dr. Smith wholeheartedly agreed with her.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpHEdNxA8x
"It's a rare delight and we shall take a cup together."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIutl2LgxQm
"Are you sure?"356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Cng0cgnOY
Dr. Smith missed her shyness. "Yes, yes, quite,' he replied. "Now, give me the beans and I'll go into the kitchen and brew some up."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmhdRrwh4M
"Do you insist?" Zuma was hesitant.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlPv7rKjYm
"I do. I insist as a token of my esteem."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9IDbR5o9x
Zuma's face lit up as she gave Dr. Smith the bag of beans. "The gods are smiling favor through your eyes. May it always be so," she said. "My dear Zachary Smith, I accept with all my heart."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPU4yWFvsOz
"Now, don't go away, my dear," Dr. Smith cautioned her. "I'll be back."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDbUT0tyJh
Clutching the bag of cocoa beans, he marched off to the small kitchen in one corner of the garden where the old people could take a drink of cool fresh water, or prepare a corn pancake with honey, or a goblet of hot cocoa, over the wood fire. Dr. Smith found the mortar and pestle, and ground sufficient beans for two goblets. He sang quietly to himself. It had been a long time since he had drunk cocoa and he was looking forward to it. He put the powder equally into the two goblets, added hot water, and sweetened them both with honey.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCs3Ap5FtmT
Proudly, he returned to the bench where Zuma sat and handed her a goblet before sitting down beside her.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjiA4wwq8l
"Happy days, my dear." He chinked his goblet against hers in a toast.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5bsOHdSEW
Zuma's eyes were dewy. "The happiest of my life, dear heart," she replied and they sipped their cocoas. "Was ever such a potion brewed? In bliss is quenched my thirsty heart."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pO1o5fxbG
"Very prettily put, my dear," Dr. Smith murmured approvingly.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqR6Egld8p
Zuma turned to him and kissed him on both cheeks. "O' sweet and favored man, you have declared your love for me," she said. "And I acknowledge and accept your gentle proposal."356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8UJDdVGFW
Dr.Smith found the next sip of cocoa infinitely more difficult to swallow.356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIN3ghY7uK
356Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKglRlU5eE
