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Show 71 <C-' The doorway above was darkened. Chua looked up the ladder. "Young children should not be in the kiva" called a deep voice. "My clan members must leam to honor this great hall." Ahote, thought Chua. Did he see me come around the secret entry? Chua looked up and could see jtoMBandals standing at the edge of the kiva entrance above. They were flat pieces of tightly woven Yucca strips tied to his feet with braided leather straps. "I'll speak to the elders about this," Ahote said. "You must stay out of this chamber. It's for men only to talk with those who We have gone to the next world." Ahote raised his hand for emphasis. As he did, he stumbled, and fell head over heels down into the kiva. The strings of his pouch caught on the ladder and ripped. Ahote thudded to the floor in a crumpled heap. One of his sandal straps broke. ./ The hurt of the fall brought anger to Ahote. "Now look what you made me do. My foot is twisted." The sound of his voice echoed through the room. He stumbled to his feet and lunged for Chua. Chua jumped out of the way. Ahote grabbed for Chua's legs, but Chua skipped free. "Come here, you disobedient boy," shouted Ahote. His voice echoed again from wall to wall. He reached for Chua again, but the drug made him slow. He missed. Ahote got to his feet, hobbling on his hurt foot. Ahote's hand automatically reached for the pouch on his side. It was gone. "My pouch, my pouch," Ahote said. "I must have my pouch." He felt the floor around him in panic. It was not there. Chua spotted it in the comer where it had flipped. "It's there," he said, diverting J Ahote's attention. Chua ran for the ladder. p $»** |