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"For the rest, settle the matter as you will and if you can slip from the coils of this snake of an Urco unpoisoned, do so, since my bargain is fulfilled and my honour satisfied. Only hither you shall not return to the lord Hurachi, nor shall the lord Hurachi go to you at Cuzco." "That shall be as the gods decree, my father, and meanwhile I play my part as you decree.
Then he motioned to one of the soldiers to give me another stool, upon which I sat myself, and speaking in a strong, low voice, using that tongue which Kari had taught me, said: "Greeting, White-God-from-the-Sea, or golden-bearded man named the lord Hurachi, I know not which, of whom I have heard so much and whom I am glad to behold in my poor city. Say, can you understand my talk?"
She has vowed herself to my Father the Sun, and what I have already told the Lord Hurachi here, who loves her I tell you. Henceforward no man may look upon her, who is the Bride of the Sun, for if I suffered this, certainly the curse of the Sun would fall upon me and upon my people. He who lays a hand upon her I will strive to slay" here he looked at me with meaning "because I must or be accurst.
Why he called me "Hurachi" at the time I could not guess, but afterwards I learned that it was because of the arrows painted on my shield, hurachi being their name for arrows. At any rate, thenceforth by this name of Hurachi I was known throughout the land, though when addressed for the most part I was called "Lord-from-the-Sea" or "God-of-the-Sea."
"I thought that perchance my daughter had told you, Lord Hurachi, but if you desire to hear it from my own lips also, for this reason. The lady Quilla is promised in marriage and if she lives that promise must be fulfilled, since on it hangs the fate of nations. Therefore, it is, although to grieve to part such a pair, that you and she must meet no more in gardens or elsewhere.
Why did you not appear sooner from the sea, my lord Hurachi, be you god or man?" Then, with something like a sob, she rose, made obeisance, and fled away. That evening, when we were alone in my chamber where none could hear us, I told Kari that Quilla was promised in marriage to a prince who would be Inca of all the land. "Is it so?" said Kari.
"I thought it but I did not know. But whither would you fly, O Lord Hurachi?" "To the land where I was born, Lady Quilla; the land that I shall never see again." "Ah! doubtless there you have wives and children for whom your heart is hungry." "Nay, now I have neither wife nor child." "Then once you had a wife. Tell me of that wife. Was she fair?" "Why should I tell you a sad story? She is dead."
Lord Hurachi, fare you well till in life or death we meet again." Then she bowed to me, and went, and presently without more words we followed after her. In front of the palace there was a great square of open ground surrounded by houses, except towards the east, and on this square was marshalled an army of men all splendidly arrayed and carrying copper-headed spears.
Quilla made no answer, and I thought that she was angry and would go away. But she did not; indeed, she sat herself down upon the stone at my side and covered her face with her hands as I had done and began to weep as I had done. Now in my turn I asked her: "Why do you weep?" "Because I, too, must know loneliness, and with it shame, Lord Hurachi."
To my country you have come, Lord, and in my country you shall stay, unless you have wings beneath that silver coat. Quilla goes hence but here you bide, my lord Hurachi." "Perchance I shall find the wings," I answered. "Aye, Lord, for it is said that the dead fly, and if I may not kill you, others may.
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