Ixta had Ian in a choke hold, they both looked at me as Ixta drew a dagger out and held it towards Ian's throat; everyone was cheering and the guards wouldn't let me through. At least until Barbara, who seemed to come out of nowhere, grabbed my hand and we both entered the armory.
"Stop ", she ordered and the fight paused, everyone turned to look at Barbara as she stepped forward letting go of my hand. "Your place is in the temple", Tlotxl told her as she approached, I glared daggers at the priest, but I kept my mouth shut.
"I am loyal to those who serve me", Barbara told him giving Ian a worried glance, "If you are Yetaxa…save him", Tlotoxl said smiling cruelly.
Then Barbara pulled a dagger from her dress and held it up to Tlotoxl's throat causing his eyes to widen, "If my servant dies, so does Tlotoxl, and the marriage between you two men and my handmaiden will not happen. Now put it down", Barbara ordered Ixta, who slowly lowered his dagger and placing it on the table.
"I did as you commanded and now you must obey me. Those who serve me will not be punished", she told the high priest, still holding her dagger up to his throat.
"So be it", he said, his voice strained and Barbara slowly lowered her dagger placing it back in her holster. Then the announcer told everyone that the contest had ended and that Ixta will not claim victory.
"Attend Yetaxa's servent", Autloc ordered the guards who nodded and walked up to Ian to treat him, "Send the old man to the Garden until Yetaxa releases him and I'll escort the young handmaiden back to the seminary", Autloc said and then we left after he gave me a disapproving look.
The people in the village seemed set in their ways, I thought as we walked. I watched as people passed me, some even gave me odd glances and then continued on their way. I must have looked odd here…blonde hair, blue eyes, pale skin…they must have never seen someone like myself before, I thought.
As we continued walking I kept thinking…why was I brought here, what caused that bright light that brought me back in time? Why me? Not to sound cliché', but really why? I was no one special…I was just a high school graduate…I'm not strong or brave, I quaked in fear at the sight of a dead body. Then I wondered if I could really change things or was I just here to observe?
When we entered the seminary, Susan quickly came up to me and asked if I was alright. I nodded and not too soon after Ian came in, "Acacia…we need to speak to Barbara, Susan wait here", Ian told us, then he dragged me out, and we went up to the temple. Glancing back, I gave both Susan and Autloc an apologetic glance as she looked confused and the priest made a frustrated sigh.
"I overheard something", Ian said as soon as we entered the throne room walking up to Barbara, "What did you hear", Barbara asked confused.
"What's going on", I asked as well, "Tlotoxl and Tonila are planning something against Barbara. I'm sure of it", he told us. "I didn't know they were allies", Barbara said, "I'll watch them both. Tlotoxl's dangerous, he seems to be able to bring people to his way of thinking." Ian just shook his head and then said, "You've got it all wrong Barbara. All the people here share Tlotoxl's views."
"What about Autloc", she told us, "Barbara…" I said annoyed, "Oh…I'm sick and tired of all this arguing and quarreling. First the Doctor, you, and now even Acacia is beginning to get annoyed with me. Why can't you all see what I'm trying to do", Barbara asked us getting frustrated.
"We can", I told her, "Well, you're not helping. Tlotoxl's evil and he'll make everyone else the same", Barbara told us.
"They are the same Barbara! That's the point", Ian told her, which I didn't agree with but I kept my mouth shut.
"I don't believe it", she told him, "Barbara…if you keep going on like this they're going to keep testing you every which way they can. Until something happens", I told her and she went silent in thought.
"Exactly and Autloc's the extraordinary man here. He's the reasonable one, the civilized one. But he's one man Barbara…one man", Ian told her.
"And everything I tried to do", she asked, "Oh…I thought I could alter them."
"You can't fight a whole way of life, Barbara", Ian told her. "I suppose you're right, but what can we do", she asked us, "Leave in peace", I told her as I rubbed her shoulder.
Then we all heard footsteps coming up the temple, "Someone's coming", Barbara warned, both Ian and I quickly hid behind a pillar as both Tlotoxl and Tonilla walked in.
Tonilla was carrying a tray that held a cup and a jug that was filled with some sort of liquid. The both bowed as Tlotoxl said, "We greet Yetaxa", "What do you want", she asked annoyed, "I come before Yetaxa in humility", the high priest of sacrifice told Barbara.
"Such quiet words do you credit", she told him, "We have both spoken hot words and thought black deeds, and I must be the one to find a common ground. End this conflict…drink this draft with us, as a symbol of our new friendship, and then I shall serve you. And whatever words Yetaxa speaks, I shall echo", Tlotoxl said.
I couldn't help, but take what he had said with a spoon full of salt, they're hiding something I thought.
"I am the witness", said the man holding the tray, whom I assumed was Tonila, and he bowed toward Barbara. This looks like some weird marriage proposal, I thought, "Then I accept", Barbara told him, "I hear your words and I rejoice", Tlotoxl told her as he grabbed the cup to pour the drink.
"Is he testing her again", I whispered to Ian, "Probably", he whispered back and we watched suspiciously as the High Priest gave Barbara the cup. As soon as the two men bowed Ian came up behind them and waved his hands to Barbara trying to remain silent.
Then she glanced at me and I made a motion of slicing my throat with my finger, pretended to be dead, and then pointed at her drink. Ian quickly came back to hide behind the pillar with me as the two men straightened up, looking at Barbara confused.
"Tlotoxl, you do believe me to be Yetaxa", she asked, "I shall proclaim you when we stand together before the people", he told her, that doesn't really answer her question, I thought.
"Then I would have you perform one small service", Barbara told the high priest who bowed a little before she spoke again, "For as I prove my faith in you, so you must prove yours to me."
Tlotoxl looked up at her as she sat on her throne nervously, "Tell me quickly that I may obey, and all the past be forgotten", he said. Barbara nodded and then ordered, "Drink this", holding the cup of to the high priest of sacrifice, "What", he asked flabbergasted, "Drink it", she ordered again and then offered it to Tonilla, but they both refused the drink.
"So, this is your "friendship"", Barbara yelled as she stood and then threw the cup onto the floor and it broke into pieces, "You defile this temple! Go", she yelled and Tonila ran away as Tlotoxl tripped over his own sacrificial stone in fear of Barbara's wrath.
"I only meant to test you", Tlotoxl told her frightened, "With poison", she asked angrily, "Yetaxa would have lived! The gods are immortal", he told he and she sighed.
"Well, I would have died-I am not Yetaxa", Barbara told him and I wanted to stop her from anything else, but Ian grabbed my arm and held me in place.
Tlotoxl whirled around as soon as he heard her confession and smiled in triumph, "False! False, I knew…- ", "And who'll believe you? I warn you Tlotoxl…you say one word against me to the people and I'll have them destroy you. You hear me, destroy you", she yelled and Tlotoxl ran away, out of the temple.
Tears ran down my cheeks as Ian left from behind the pillar to go comfort Barbara, "Don't worry Barbara, we'll be alright...we'll get away from this place", Ian told her as I slowly walked out.
"Oh…I'm sorry you had to hear that", Barbara said and then walked up to me to give me a hug as Ian patted my shoulder, when she yelled it was like I could feel all her anger, frustration, and betrayal rolled into one. "I'm sorry you had to go through that", I told her.
A few hours later Tlotoxl, Tonilla, and Autloc came up the temple, as soon as they entered the room I glared at the men who almost poisoned Barbara which they noticed and started whispering to each other. I wanted to get some fresh air, so I walked past them to exit the temple and went straight to the Garden of Peace.
Once there Cameca, the woman from before, came up to me and gave me cup that was filled with some sort of liquid. "What is this", I asked her, "Cocoa, it brings great fortunes, happiness, and love. The Doctor told me to give this to you", she told me as the Doctor came forward.
"Yes, isn't it spectacular", he asked me as he took a sip of his drink and then I cautiously took a sip as well. My eyes widened in awe at how good it was, "This is really good", I told her taking another sip, then Cameca smiled fondly which confused me. "What is it", I asked her, "Happy engagement", she told us and I choked, "What", the Doctor and I exclaimed rather loudly.
Later Ian came to the Garden and the Doctor told us about the tunnel in the temple. Apparently Cameca and Ixta's grandfather were lovers, and he gave her a coin that matched Yetaxa's symbol on the wall outside on the wall of the temple in the Garden.
Then the Doctor told Ian how Cameca tricked us into getting engaged and Ian chuckled, "Don't giggle my boy! Don't forget you were engaged to her not too long ago as well", the Doctor told him and Ian quickly shut his mouth, but still remained amused.
"We must find the tunnel tonight, now I'll wait for you in the garden and when Ixta is asleep, you come out", the Doctor told him, "Yes I will, alright", Ian told him.
"Okay, well I'm going to go shop for supplies and then go back to the seminary to check on Susan", I told them and they both nodded. Just as I was about to walk away, Ian yelled, "Oh, by the way, Acacia and Doctor", I turned around to glance at him as he smiled, "Congratulations", he told us amused, I just rolled my eyes, shook my head, and walked away.
After getting some supplies for Barbara playing the part of the loyal handmaiden of Yetaxa and shopped for supplies, I went back to the seminary to find it guarded.
"Susan", I called as the guard in front of the door prevented me from going in, "Acacia", she yelled, her voice choked up.
"What happened", I asked concerned, "I refused to marry the man who was supposed to be sacrificed and now I'm to be punished", Susan cried and the guard still wouldn't let me through.
"Okay, I'll be right back. I'll come back with the others", I told her, "Hurry", she cried as I ran up the temple.
I hadn't realized how long I was gone until I heard Ian say to Barbara in the throne room, "There's a tunnel from the Garden that leads to the tomb." Walking up to the pair I noticed that Ian was soaking wet, "You came through it", Barbara asked, "Yes", he replied.
As I was about to tell them about Susan being trapped in the Seminary, Ian immediately grabbed us and pulled us behind the throne. He told us he heard something, which explained his frantic nature just now.
"Barbara", we heard the Doctor yell as he entered the room. Barbara and I both gave Ian and amused look before we removed ourselves from behind the throne, revealing ourselves to the Doctor walking up to him.
"Oh, Acacia you're here too! I have terrible news, my dears…I don't how to tell you both…Ian- ", "I'm alright", Ian said as he stood and walked up to us.
"My dear boy! I thought you had drowned", the Doctor told him happily, "I nearly was, who put the stone back", "Ixta", the Doctor replied, "Oh…so he followed me eh", Ian asked.
"Never mind him, how does the door work", the Doctor asked, "I've got it licked! We must get Susan up here", Ian told us.
"Oh! Susan is trapped in the seminary, because she refused to marry the man that is supposed to be sacrificed tomorrow! If we don't get her out, she'll she be punished", I informed them.
"Don't worry, I'll get here out. You lot stay here", Ian told us, "Thank you and watch out for Ixta", the Doctor told him.
"Maybe I should go with you", I suggested, "No, one is enough…a man and a woman found sneaking in the dead of night might draw too much attention in this village", the Doctor told me as Ian nodded and then left.
We waited and then it was daylight outside and Ian had still not returned, "Ian should be back soon", I commented, "Hopefully", the Doctor added.
"I just want to get out of here", Barbara told us as she sat down taking off her hat, "And what about history", the Doctor asked, "Remains unchanged", she told him.
"No rewriting", he asked her and she shook her head sadly, I got up to walk up to her and rubbed her shoulder gently. "It's alright", I said and she looked up at me smiling with sad eyes.
The Doctor then got up to pull on the rope that was attached to the door that led into the tomb on the other side. Barbara and I got up to help him as well, the Doctor said that to get the door open we would have to get a pully. Since the wheel hadn't been invented yet, he said he would have to make one.
"Grandfather", we heard Susan yell from behind us, we turned around to see her run up to the Doctor and gave her a hug,.
"My dear Susan", the Doctor said hugging her back, "I'm glad…well I'll tell how glad I am to see you later. Come on", the Doctor said as he, Ian, and Barbara grabbed the rope as Susan and I grabbed hold of the door as well tried to force the door open.
Suddenly the rope broke and we all groaned, "Guess it wasn't going to be that easy was it", I asked, "We had to try", the Doctor told me and I nodded."Maybe…we can try again", I asked, "Yes…and this time with a wheel", the Doctor told me.
"I can always try the stone back at the Garden again", Ian told us, "Right", Doctor said as he sat down to take a breath.
"I'll need someone to stay on watch", Ian told us and Susan immediately volunteered herself, "No", Barbara exclaimed, "Yes! If Susan and I do it, we can let you in on the other side of the tomb", Ian told us.
"But what if she gets caught again", I asked, "Exactly, she is more danger out there then in here", Barbara told him, which made Susan sigh.
"Okay…then I vote for Acacia to go", Susan said and my eyes widened and I felt the air shift, the Doctor seemed to notice it as well. "Well...alright", I said hesitating.
"Come on", Ian told me as we left the temple, he led us to the Garden straight to the wall that had Yetaxa's symbol and told me to hide behind a bush.
"Right, I'll signal you if I see anyone" I told him, "Alright", he said as I hid. I watched as he walked up to the symbol and began to shift the tablet side to side, must have been heavier then it looked I thought.
Then I saw something at the corner of my eye and went closer to it to see what it was, it was Autloc! He lyed unconscious on the ground, "Ian", I whispered loudly and he came running.
"What happened", he asked as he saw Autloc as well, "I found him like this, looks like someone knocked him out", I told him, noticing the club right next to Autloc as Ian picked it up to examine.
"This is a trap! This is mine! Ixta gave it to me! Let's get out of here", Ian told me as we stood, but as soon as we did a couple of guards grabbed us.
"This belongs to you", one of the guards asked snatching the club away from Ian, showing it to him.
"Yes! I gave it to him", I heard Ixta say as he approached.
"Ian was helping this handmaiden to escape. He struck you from behind", Ixta told Autloc as he helped him up and Autloc gave me a look of complete betrayal.
"Escape? Why would I have a reason to escape", I asked upset and confused, then Ixta's eyes widened as I was lying an then his eyes seemed to light up as he got an idea, "To avoid marriage between Ian and I", Ixta told me and I scoffed.
"That's ridiculous…Yetaxa forbid it", I told him and this time Ixta smiled evilly.
"Yes, but the matchmaker agreed to have it continued and no one can deny the matchmaker", Ixta told me and I knew he was lying through his teeth, but unfortunately for me Autloc believed every word.
My breathing quickened, "As you can see, she shows signs of being distressed", Ixta told Autloc, which caused every man to turn and look at me. My face reddened in anger and embarrassment, "That club belongs to Ian, take them away", Ixta ordered, "You are servants of a false goddess", Autloc told us and then left as the guards escorted us away.
We were led and guarded in the armory, Ian and I watced as the ritual began, "May your sacrifice bring pleasure to the gods and peace to our lands", Tonila said to the man who was to be sacrificed.
"I thank Tonila for his many gratitude's", the man told him. "I have come to escort you, as you walk before the people to your destiny", Tonilla told him and I glowered.
With knitted brows, I asked, "What's going to happen to us", to which Tonila replied, "You shall be punished before the perfect victim finds his heaven", Tonila told me.
"I, Ixta the chosen warrior, shall proudly lead you to your glory", Ixta told the man, Ixta was standing too close to me. I backed up from him and ended up bumping into Ian, I apologized quickly, but regretted it as Ixta turned his attention towards me.
"Then I shall be back for my bride. In honor to you", Ixta told the man, gloating and bowed to him while doing so.
"And I accept", the man told Ixta. I glaring daggers at Ixta, "I will never marry you", I hissed and Ixta just grinned.
"When we reach the temple, bring them on", Ixta told Tonila and then turned towards Ian, "We shall have one more meeting Ian", he said glancing between Ian and I.
"Yes…a final one", Ian told me and glanced at me worried as Ixta chuckled and walked away. Both Ian and I sat on the table and waited to be escorted, we couldn't leave since we were being guarded and he was watching us like a hawk.
Then Cameca walked in and the guard bowed to her, "I greet you Cameca", he told her, "Do you know of this ornament", she asked the guard showing him an amulet; the amulet was gold and blue with white pearls.
The guard nodded, "Autloc desires that it shall be yours. It is the title to his dwelling and his possessions", she told him. "Give it to me", the guard ordered holding out his hand, "You must earn it", she told him, pulling it out of his grasp.
"How", he asked, "Send away the warriors outside", she told him and he did as was instructed.
Both Ian and I stood as Cameca quickly walked over to us, "What are you doing", Ian whispered, "I've come to help you, it is important that we…" Cameca paused as the guard returned, once again holding out his hand for the amulet.
"As I give you this, so shall you close your eyes. Autloc desires that the handmaiden leaves here with me", she told the man, who was now hesitating, "There is position and honor in this ornament", she told the guard as he turned around so that his back was facing her.
Then Ian came up behind the man and did a quick chop to the neck, the guard then passed out on the ground. Cameca blinked at Ian in surprise, "Well, somebody had to make up his mind for him", Ian told her, "You'll get no complaints from me", I commented.
As Ian chuckled, Cameca placed the amulet down on the guard and then grabbed my arm, "Come quickly, Acacia must go to the temple with me", she told Ian.
"But what about Ian", I asked and glanced back at the man, "Go on Acaica", he told me and I gave him a confused look as Cameca pulled me away. Quickly Cameca took me to the temple, on the way I told her what had happened thus far and she told me not to worry. That everything would work itself out and something told me she wasn't just talking about my suitors…