"Not justly, nor through fault of your own, my good and true friend," the elder woman made haste to give assurance. "Not even thy lips shall speak slander of Aztotl the True-heart, my brother."With a swift advance the Red Heron caught the unarmed hand, to bend over it until his lips barely brushed the soft, perfumed skin. Then he sank to one knee, bowing his head until his brow touched the floor beneath her sandalled feet.
Swiftly, gracefully, these movements were made, and where they would have appeared fulsome or degraded in some, with this warrior the effect was far from disagreeable to see or to experience.
Victo flushed warmly and drew back a little farther, for the memory of those words let fall by Gladys came back with unpleasant distinctness. And was she so certain that Aztotl looked upon her as merely a god-descended priestess?
The Red Heron arose easily, head rising proudly above his shapely shoulders as he met those great blue eyes,--eyes as pure and as fathomless as the cloudless sky in midsummer.
And then, more like one giving a bare statement of facts than one offering a defence for himself, Aztotl spoke of a faithless subordinate, who was guilty of either careless neglect, or worse.
"It may be that Tezcatl lost his wits through strong waters, Sun Child, or even that he took evil pay from still more vile hands.
You have seen the last of him, though, Child of Quetzal'l.""You surely do not mean that--"
Aztotl lightly tapped the knife-hilt showing above his maxtlatl, coldly adding words to that significant gesture:
"There is no place for fool or traitor upon the body-guard of the Sun Children. Tezcatl sinned; he has paid full forfeit. And just so shall all others perish who dare cast an evil glance towards--ha!"Another outcry arose from the other side of the curtained recess, and the Red Heron instantly sprang away in that direction, hands gripping weapons in readiness for instant use in case of need.
Almost as swiftly, Victo and the maiden followed, one through fear, the other through utter lack of fear, for herself.
Those savage cries came from the lips of none other than the chieftain whose now bare head bore significant traces of Bruno Gillespie's handiwork, and he seemed bent on rushing directly into the presence of the Sun Children, until Red Heron interposed, stern and icy-toned:
"Stand back, my Lord Hua!" he ordered, left hand advanced with open palm, but its dexter mate armed and ready for hot work if that must come. "Venture no closer, on thy peril, chief!"Huatzin recoiled a bit, though that might have been more through surprise than because he feared this proud warrior. He gripped his knife-hilt, and partly drew the blade from its supporting sash. A hissing oath escaped his lips, and he crouched a trifle, as a wild beast gathers its deadliest force prior to making a death leap.
"Darest thou bar my path, Aztotl?" he cried, hoarsely. "Make way, I bid thee; make way, for I will see the Sun Children and--""Not so, my Lord Hua," coldly interrupted the master of guards, that warning palm still turned to the front. "You are here without law or leave, and know what the edict says: from the going to the return of the sun, these stones are sacred from all feet save those of the Sun Children and their regular body-guard.""What care I for laws? Or for such as thou, Red Heron? I will that such a thing shall be, and it comes to pass. And--thou dare to bar my way, Aztotl?""Ay. By words if they prove sufficient. By force if called for.
By death if worst must come; even the death of a mighty chieftain like Lord Hua would not be too great a feat."For a brief space it seemed as though Huatzin would make a leap to which there could be but one termination, death to one or to both. But Aztotl coldly spoke on:
"I have given you fair and friendly warning, Lord Hua. Go, now, while the path of peace lies open. Go, else I sound the call, and my guard will take you in charge, just as they would any other rascally intruder.""Your precious son, for instance?" retorted the 'Tzin, viciously.
"He came with one whom--one of a different race from our own, Aztotl! A traitor in thy own family, yet thou darest hint at--"Aztotl lifted a bent finger to his lips, sounding a shrill, far-penetrating whistle. The response was prompt indeed, an armed force advancing with weapons held ready, awaiting only word from commander to punish that rash intruder by hurling him to death over the terraces.
Although nearly beside himself with fury, Huatzin glared defiance at both guard and its commander, then turned more directly upon the Sun Children, speaking in savage tones:
"Unto you, proud Victo, I'll either win you as my--""Go on, Lord Hua," coldly spoke the woman, as his voice choked.
"I'll win and wear you as my squaw, or else give you to the stone of sacrifice!" he snarled, then turned away as Aztotl motioned his guards to clear the temple of all intruders, then see that none other dared enter.
