His mind made the decision rapidly, and he fled toward the city again, over the stones, past the temples, past the palaces, past the basketball court and the Temple of the Jaguars, past the storehouse, running all the way, running, past one well, and then another, past the thatched huts on the fringe of the city.
The clatter of his boots stopped abruptly as his feet dug into earth, his knees pumping, his lungs ready to burst. He ran with the swiftness of the wind, for the life of a girl was hanging in the balance, like a leaf poised to drop from a tree.
The fields stretched ahead, black in the glow of the moonlight
He stopped at the edge of the nearest field and scanned the entire area. His breath came in short, agonized spurts as his eyes swiftly moved from field to field.
A tall figure was standing far across the field, looking over the land. The moonlight touched a reddish-gold beard and a strong nose.
It was Erik!
Neil tore across the field, leaping over the young plants. Erik’s name tore from his lips, and the Norseman looked up curiously.
Neil covered the distance rapidly and stood panting before the blond giant.
“Erik,” he gasped. “Hurry. Tela. Sacrifice. Hurry, please.”
Erik grinned and playfully mussed Neil’s hair.
“A little at a time, my friend. And slowly.”
Neil tugged on Erik’s arm. “Please,
“Stop who? What’s happening?”
“A sacrifice. A blood sacrifice. We’ve got to hurry.”
Erik grinned, and a horrible dread ran through Neil’s body as the Norseman spoke. “What’s wrong with a blood sacrifice?” he asked.
Neil’s mouth fell open. “Wh… wh… what’s wrong? What’s
“You’re getting excited about nothing. In my land we often sacrifice animals. There is nothing wrong with…”
“This isn’t an animal,” Neil shouted, almost frantic now. “It’s a girl, Tela. They’re going to throw her into the well.”
Erik’s brows shot up. “What?”
“The girl, the girl,” Neil said. “Tela. Hurry, Erik, please.”
Erik tore off in the direction of the city, Neil following behind him. The big Norseman had long legs, but Neil kept up with him all the way. They didn’t say a word as they tore through the quiet, moon-splashed streets.
Erik stopped suddenly. “Where?”
“That way.” Neil’s voice was tense as he pointed.
They ran noisily down the street leading to The Sacred Cenote.
The Mayas were bowed in prayer, their backs rounded into little humps as Talu stood on the temple steps and spoke.
Neil and Erik drew up breathless, paralyzed for a moment by the solemn scene before them.
The platform had been replaced on the wooden logs, and Tela rested there, her eyes still closed, her hands folded on her chest. The cenote yawned darkly before the platform, and Tela’s head faced the watery chasm.
“… that you may know our thankfulness,” Talu was saying, “and that you may cause not our enemies to attack again, O gods…”
“We’re just in time,” Neil said in a whisper.
“… we offer a sacrifice. It is nothing, O gods, and worthless in your eyes, but we offer it in humbleness and sincerity, and…”
Erik’s voice sliced through the solemn air. “Stop!” he bellowed. He ran through the sea of bowed figures, followed by Neil, and leaped to the temple steps.
Talu turned inquisitive eyes toward his guests.
“You disturb the ceremony,” he said, faintly puzzled. “Why?”
“This is wrong,” Erik said.
Talu’s white brows lowered over his eyes. “What is wrong, my friend?”
“This girl. You must not offer her to your gods.”
“Why not?” There was a slight edge to Talu’s voice, and the Mayas around the cenote began to lift their heads and stare at the figures on the steps.
“The gods do not approve of murder.”
“This is not murder. The gods demand a blood sacrifice. We are giving them blood.”
“But you are killing the girl.”
“She will not die. We do not kill her.”
“But to give blood?” Erik said, his face puzzled.
Talu was becoming angry now. “The blood is warm. The girl goes into The Sacred Cenote alive. She does not die.”
“But it’s sixty feet down to the water,” Neil protested. “And the water is that deep too. You can’t expect her to survive that.”
Talu set his lips stubbornly. “She will not die,” he said. “The gods are waiting.”
“Let the gods wait,” Erik said, and an angry murmur went up from the Mayas.
Talu turned on Erik. “My friend, this is not your affair.”
“I want to know more,” Erik said.
“There is no time,” Talu answered.
“Your memory is short,” Neil said quickly. “I recall a snake poised to strike and…”
Talu sighed in resignation. “There is no need for an explanation,” he said. “What must be…” he paused and shrugged his shoulders, apparently remembering his debt to Erik. “Tela will be sacrificed to The Sacred Cenote,” he began.
“You mean she’ll be dropped into the well to die,” Neil interrupted.
“She will go into the well, but not to die.”
“Will she come back?” Erik asked.