The buildings in the Aztec village were beautiful, that I couldn't deny…but I felt something sinister in the air as we, as in Ian, the Doctor, Susan, and I were escorted to the throne room. Upon the throne sat Barbara who wore a tall hat covered in flowers, a feathered robe, a long skirt, and shiny shoes; all of which were yellow, gold, purple, blue, pink, and red.
"Barbara", Ian exclaimed, walking up to her, "Leave us", she ordered the attendants, they bowed and left.
"Good gracious", Doctor commented rubbing his forehead, "What on earth are you doing there", Ian asked her, "They think I'm a reincarnation of the Priest inside of the tomb", she told him.
"Why? Just because you're wearing that bracelet", I asked, "Exactly, when the high priest caught me…he saw that I was wearing this", Barbara told us as she showed us her bracelet, that she wore on her arm. The bracelet itself was gold and was in the shape of a snake that wrapped around her arm.
"So he thought you were a god", Susan stated, "Yes", Barbara replied. Susan shook her head, "But the priest in the tomb was a man! How can they think you're a reincarnation of him", Susan asked her.
I simply shook my head, things like this were a little understood in my time…. but there were still those with closed minds about the whole gender fluid thing. I wished people were a little open minded about things like that…the only thing that matters is the type of person they are.
"The form the spirit takes isn't important, Susan. This is", Barbara said interrupting my thought as she showed Susan the bracelet again.
"Well either way, she makes a kickass goddess", I said bluntly and everyone stared wide eyes at me before they laughed, "Somethings never change", Barbara stated, "They never do", Ian added.
I was confused by this, but was relieved as the tone and air became light with humor, "…but the High Priest", Susan asked, "Autloc", Doctor corrected.
"That's right, Orkloc", Ian said, "Autloc", Doctor corrected loudly, "Autloc. He said we were servant of Yetaxa. Is that who they think you are", Ian asked Barbara who nodded.
"Yes", she replied. "And were your servants", Ian asked wanting confirmation, "Yes", she replied again, "Charming", the Doctor commented.
"It's very useful Doctor, we can go into the tomb and leave", Barbara told him, "That's…going to be a little difficult", I said sheepishly.
"Why's that", she asked, "It only opens from the inside", Susan answered. "Reincarnations can come out, but humans can't come in", Doctor added, "There's got to be a way…like a secret entrance or something", I said.
"First we must find out if there is a way to open this door", Ian told me, "No that's something we mustn't do. As Yetaxa, you should know everything…. If the Aztecs decide you're not what you're supposed to be, we'll all die", the Doctor told Barbara matter of fact.
Everyone was tense as two high priests entered the throne room, "Great spirit Yetaxa, I, Tlotoxl, High Priest of Sacrifice, salute you", the High priest, Tlotoxl told Barbara who he believed was Yetaxa.
"I acknowledge the High priest's greeting", Barbara told him, then Autloc spoke, "For many days, the rain god has locked away from us. The land withers and our people groan."
"We have prayed that the land be made beautiful. This day we honor Tlotoxl's name", the high priest Tlotoxl told Barbara, "When the Sun's fire first touches the horizon to the west. The people will stand before the temple as we command. We humbly beg, Great Spirit, that at that time, the people shall see you and know that their suffering has ended", High Priest Autloc added.
"Then Barbara will appear and down will come the rain", I heard the Doctor whisper sarcastically beside me, "Doctor", I hissed and he glanced at me with raised eyebrows gesturing his head towards Barbara, giving me a skeptical look.
I was glad the High Priests didn't notice, "I shall do as the High Preists requests", Barbara told them and I quickly looked at her with a concerned expression.
"We also…beseech you, Great Spirit, to let your handmaidens and servants move freely among our people", Autloc said glancing between the Doctor and Barbara, I looked over at the Doctor as Autloc finished and he glanced away.
Then the Doctor stepped forward dramatically, "Oh, Great Spirit, grant our wish to be your eyes and ears among our people to do our best and serve in all our interests", the Doctor said and bowed towards Barbara.
I kept my mouth a thin line to try and keep from smiling, "The aged servant speaks with wisdom", Autloc said then bowed and I breathed out slowly to keep from laughing.
"My youngest handmaiden stays with me, the others may go", Barbara acting as Yetaxa told Autloc.
"We shall await you", both the high priests said, bowed, and then walked away.
We all looked over at the Doctor and chuckled quietly as soon as the priests were gone," A wonderful performance my dear. We now have everything we want exactly", Doctor told Barbara.
"We do", she asked confused, to be honest the rest of us were all confused.
"Yes; you, Susan, and…oh", the Doctor glanced at me before sighing, "Well we have you two here where it's safe. While the three of us go outside and find out what we can about the tomb", Doctor told us.
Sounds okay, but I don't think we should take our eyes off these two. And don't forget we must take a woman with us", Ian told him and I scoffed.
"I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself as they are", I told Ian annoyed, Susan and Barbara glanced at me confused, then smiled in appreciation.
"Yes…well, I wasn't taking about them…I meant the High Priests outside", Ian told me, "Oh", I said and blushed at my mistake, "My argument still stands", I said embarrassed.
"Of course, but I don't think we need to mind them…the priests", Doctor told us looking between Ian and I, "They're too busy timing their miracle."
"What miracle", Susan asked, "Presenting Barbara to the public one second before it rains", Doctor told her, "But that's…crazy, I mean we can't just let her go out there", I said.
"Of course, not…which is why we're going to explore and find out as much as we can about the temple before it happens", Doctor told me.
As we walked outside we noticed the two priests whispering to each other, all I could make out was young man, worthy, and warrior, "It's decided, the old man and hand maiden may walk abroad. And you shall command our army", Tltoxl told Ian.
"Surely that is for Yetaxa to decide", Doctor told the high priest, "Yetaxa would not refuse such a great honor", Ian told him, which prompted me to elbow him in the ribs. He grabbed his side and gave me a confused expression as I raised my eyebrows him, could he really not see how this was suspicious, "I accept", Ian told the Priest, ignoring the warning glare that I was now giving him.
"Autloc take the old man to the Garden of Peace to sit in comfort, the take the handmaiden to get supplies for Yetaxa", Tltoxl ordered Autloc. The Doctor and I left Ian with the Priest of sacrifice. As we were escorted to the Garden the Doctor said that I could stay with him if I wished, I told him it was probably best if we played along to which he agreed reluctantly.
We arrived at the Garden of Peace and it was beautiful, every flower on Earth you could imagine grew just inside the Garden. The Doctor and I watched as older men and women roamed inside of the Garden.
"What are all these people doing here", Doctor asked and Autloc replied with, "It is our law that all who attain their 52nd year shall pleasurably pass the remainder of their live free of responsibility and care, "Poor souls, they must get bored doing nothing", Doctor commented.
"Do they get visitors", I asked, "Oh yes, many seek the advice and wisdom they have accumulated over the years", Autloc told me and I nodded.
"What about", Doctor asked the Priest, "All manner of things; each person here has served the community in some way or another. He wore priestly garments, she was a woman of medicine, that man-", "What about her", Doctor asked cutting off the priest as he pointed to an older woman who was picking flowers and then sat down.
"Cameca? Of all those here, her advice, is most sought after", Autloc told him, "What did you say her name was" Doctor asked, "Cameca, you will find her a companion of wit and interest", the high priest told him.
I was looking at Cameca now, at least until the Doctor chuckled and looked back at me, "What is it", I asked confused, "It's nothing", he told me.
"Okay", I said awkwardly, "Now I beg your departure as I take this handmaiden to get supplies", Autloc told him.
"I'll see you soon", the Doctor told me and that caught me by surprise for a moment before I waved bye to him as I left with Autloc, at least I was until Ian came up to me and dragged me back towards the Doctor leaving Autloc in the dust.
We paused right in front of the Doctor as he stood after speaking with Cameca. Looking over at Ian with a confused look, I noticed he was wearing armor with a helmet that looked like a lion's mane.
"Doctor", Ian said seriously, "Ah, my dear Chesterton and Acacia back so soon? No matter, this dear lady has promised me to arrange a meeting between myself and the son of the man who built the temple", the Doctor told us.
"That was quick", I said giving a little more attitude that was intended…oops. Doctor frowned and gave me a confused look and Cameca looked up at me smiling, knowingly.
"Most kind of you madame", Ian told here, "Thank you", I added as well.
"Pray excuse me, then you may speak freely", Cameca said then stood to walk up to me and whisper in my ear, "I pray that you not let him go so easily and that you lead an adventurous life", then she patted my shoulder and walked away.
As soon as she was gone, Ian began telling us what was wrong, "There's to be a human sacrifice today, at the ceremony for the Rain God and I have to-", "Just a minute what do you have to do", Doctor asked cutting him off as soon as he was about to tell him.
Ian sighed and said, "I must escort the victim and hold him down. Doctor, I can't- ", "Do it man, but don't interfere. Promise me, please", the Doctor told him and Ian hesitated before nodding in understanding.
"Okay, we'll go and tell Barbara", Doctor said before grabbing my hand and leading the way.
I was confused by this and asked, "But Doctor, shouldn't we stop it", "No, it's their tradition, a different time…we cannot stop it nor interfere. They have the right to do what they will", Doctor said trying to convince himself more than me.
"But…it feels so- ", "Wrong? I know, but there's nothing we can do", the Doctor said as we walked up the temple, however some guards stopped us along the way.
The Doctor let go of my hand as he pointed at the throne room and said rather loudly, "Get out of the Way! Let us pass! We must speak to Yetaxa", then we shoved our way through and walked into the throne room, then into her bedroom.
Once inside, Susan ran up to us, "Susan, please go outside and don't let anybody in", the Doctor told her, to which she nodded and did as she was told.
"What is it? What's happened", Barbara asked worried, "There's to be a human sacrifice at the rain ceremony", the Doctor told her.
"Oh no", she said horrified, but that was all she said and that made me angry…was that she had to say about it?
"Ian's apart of the ceremony", "What", Barbara asked, "Yes, they made him a warrior and he has to escort the victim to the alter and promised me not to interfere", the Doctor lied to Barbara.
"And you must not interfere, do you understand", the Doctor told her, "But I can't just sit by and watch", she admitted, "No, Barbara! Ian and Acacia agree with me", the Doctor told her and I glared at him as he gave me an apologetic glance before looking back at Barbara.
"You agree with this", Barbara asked me upset and the Doctor gave me a stern look to which I ignored, "No, I don't", I told her and she sighed relieved.
"At least someone is talking sensible…right they've made me a goddess and I forbid it", Barbara told us, "Barbara, no", Doctor told her and then looked angrily at me.
"Don't look at her like it's her fault, it's my choice and I forbid it", Barbara said, "This is a mistake", the Doctor told us, "There will be no sacrifice this afternoon Doctor or ever again. This reincarnation of Yetaxa will prove to the people that you don't need to sacrifice a human being in order to make it rain", Barbara told him.
"Barbara, no", the Doctor tried saying again, to convince her that it was a bad idea, "Doctor my mind is made up. It's the beginning of the end of the Sun God", Barbara told us.
"What are you talking about", the Doctor asked angrily and confused, "Don't you see? If I could start the destruction of everything evil here, then everything that is good will survive when Cortes lands", Barbara told him.
"You cannot rewrite history! Not one line", the Doctor told her, "But what if you could? To make everything better", I said, "It's a noble goal, but nothing can be changed and I won't allow it", the Doctor told us.
"The high priests are coming", Susan called and then walked back into the room as Barbara walked away, the Doctor glance at me but I walked away as well.
"Barbara and Acacia, I'll give you one last appeal. What Barbara is trying to do is utterly impossible. I know, believe me, I know", the Doctor told us with tears in his eyes, I was listening but Barbara wasn't.
"Not Barbara, Yetaxa", she said then left the room, I frowned as she left.
"Grandfather? Grandfather what's happening? Why can't I see what's going on", Susan asked as the Doctor held his Granddaughter, "You must stay here child", the Doctor told her. I wanted to help Barbara, but I also wanted to stay with the Doctor and Susan; fear and courage boiled inside of me.
"Stay", the Doctor pleaded and turned to look at him, "You're still too young to see it", he told me with old and wise eyes. To him my eyes must be awfully young and to see such violence must hurt him a great deal if Susan or I saw it.
I decided to stay as I heard Priest Autloc yelling, but couldn't make out what he was saying, then the High Priest Tltoxl started yelling as well. The only words I could make out was blood sacrifice and at that moment Susan ran out there and yelled, "No!"
The Doctor and I walked out to join the others as Barbara said, "There shall be no more blood spilt", the man stood up from the stone that he laid upon and walked up to Barbara angrily.
"You have denied me honor", he told her, "Honor us with your death", the high priest Tlotoxl told the man, who then ran off and jumped off the ledge plummeting to his death. My eyes went wide as tears rolled down my cheeks as Barbara stood stern trying to not show her true emotions, "He wanted to die", I questioned quietly.
"He showed himself and his family great honor", Autloc told me, "He had a family", I asked as more tears flowed down my cheeks, "But was granted great honor", Autloc tried saying again as I held my hands together as they began to shake. Why would killing yourself give everyone around you honor, I thought upset as I closed my eyes not wanting to see the ledge where the man had jumped off from.
Then I heard thunder rumble outside, "With death came rain", I head Tltoxl say and opened my eyes to glare at him, "Without your sacrifice came rain", Barbara told him as Susan held on to her desperately.
This statement caused the high priest to whirl around, "Does Yetaxa speak as a god or a protector of a handmaiden", he asked Barbara angrily.
"As a God", Barbara told him, "Then let the handmaiden be punished, she cried out and desecrated sacred ground. She transgressed the law", he yelled.
The Doctor held Susan as she ran to her Grandfather and I stood in front of her protectively as I glared at Tlotoxl, "She did not know it", Barbara told him.
"Let knowledge be beaten into her", Tltoxl added, which made me angry, "If you put one hand on her, I- ", I said before I was cut off by the Doctor covering my mouth just as I was about to punch the priest.
This caused the priest to look at me angrily, "You talk as a warrior and as a protector for your fellow handmaiden; you dare raise your voice to me as if we are equal! I demand she be beaten as well to learn not to talk to a High Priest as such", Tlotoxl yelled at Barbara.
"No one shall be punished for an offence committed in ignorance", Barbara told the priest, "Are you saying she's feigning ignorance as well", Tlotoxl yelled at Barbara as he pointed at me, I almost wore a smug expression as the Doctor lowered his hand to hug Susan.
"I demand the be punished", Tltoxl yelled again, "No", Barbara said and then walked over to us, "Let them instead be taught respect for your customs", she told them.
"I will take them to the seminary", the high priest Autloc told Barbara, "So be it, Autloc", Barbara said, "The Spirit of Yetaxa has spoken", Autloc said and then bowed towards Barbara.
"No! No! This is a false goddess", Tlotoxl yelled and stormed out, I shook my head in anger as Autloc escorted Susan and I down the temple.
"Would you really have attacked Tlotoxl", Susan asked me as Autloc's back was turned towards us and I nodded at Susan.
I was about to walk into the building before I was grabbed and Susan and Autloc walked inside the building as Susan looked back at with a confused expression. Glancing back angrily after I had elbowed the man, the man took off his helmet to reveal that it was Ian, "Ian! What the hell is wrong with you", I sighed, "You scared me."
"Sorry…what's going on", Ian asked, "Susan and I have to be taught some manners", I told him and he gave me an amused expression which I did not appreciate, I lifted my brow annoyed.
"If you're looking for the Doctor or Barbara, they're back in the temple. Now I really think you should go, I shouldn't keep my teacher waiting", I told him, "Right, well you might want off on that", Ian told me giving me a concerned look.
"Why", I asked slowly, "Well you're now considered an offering… a prize", Ian told me, "A prize for what", I asked angrily.
"There's to be a competition between me and a fellow warrior…whoever wins not only leads the armies…", Ian said and trailed off, "And what", I asked not believing what I was hearing.
"Marries you", Ian finished. My eyes widened and then narrowed in anger, "How did this happen", I asked, "They thought you were an offering from the gods and…marriage slipped out of my mouth in fear that you would be sacrificed. They would have if I didn't say anything", he told me and sighed clearly upset.
"I..I don't want to be forced to get married Ian", I told him upset as my heart raced, "I'll make sure I win", he told me.
"No…we need to make sure we get out of here before then", I corrected before walking into the seminary with Autloc and Susan.
Ian sighed before putting on his helmet before walking away, "What's wrong", Susan asked me, "Ian and another warrior are supposed to fight. Whoever wins commands the armies and…I have to marry the winner", I told her and Autloc just smiled proudly as Susan and I looked depressed.
"What a tremendous honor and I see Ian already think he can win as he has spoken to his future bride to be", Autloc told me, "Okay…let's get one thing straight, I'm not marrying anyone not today and especially not to someone I'm being forced to marry. If I marry it will be for love, not…like this", I told him.
"If you do not agree, you will have to be punished", Autloc warned and I went silent.
Another man walked in and came right up to me, "I'm your other suitor and I greet you", he told me and bowed, I blushed in embarrassment and bowed as well, "I..um…greet you as well", I told him questioningly.
"I wanted to see my future wife before I won my victory, you are like sun and rain. You burn with fury and passion like the warrior and your tears fall with sadness and kindness like a maiden. The perfect bride", he told me before walking away.
I was confused and worded, "What the hell", to Susan who replied with, "I don't know."
After a while loud drums could be heard in the distance, and I heard the Doctor yelling, "How dare you?! How dare you?! Don't let him scratch you Ian!"
Then I heard Tltoxl yell, "Destroy him, Ixta", and I ran out to where I heard follow the drums, they led me towards a building where everyone had crowded around to watch the fight.
I saw the man, Whom I assumed was Ixta, had Ian trapped in a choke hold. "Destroy him Ixta", Tlotoxl said again, "No", I shouted, "I will deal with you in a moment, destroy him", Tltoxl told me.
"Yetaxa forbids it", Autloc said from behind me as he walked into the room, "The false goddess forbids it, destroy him I said", Tltoxl shouted and then whispered something and both he and Ixta glanced over at me. Ian looked like he was about ready to pass out and I fearful.