United States or Colombia ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
On the last day of the mourning a council was summoned of all the great ones in the country to the number of several hundreds, to which I was bidden. This was done in the name of Quilla, who was now named by a title which meant, "High Lady," or "Queen."
We agreed further that, having obtained an honourable peace and all else that he desired, it would be well for Huaracha to return to his own land, leaving me a body of five thousand picked men who were willing to serve under me, to assist in the war against Urco, to be my guard and that of Quilla, if perchance I could deliver her from the House of the Sun.
"The tale has come down to me through ten generations, and with it the prophecy that in a day to come the Chancas would return to that City of Gold whence they came and be welcomed of its people." "I have heard that prophecy," said Quilla. "Moreover, of it I have something to tell you.
You shall have palaces and fields and gold and silver, and the fairest of its daughters for wives, and be worshipped as a god, and for aught I know, be king after me, not only of my country but mayhap of another that is even greater." "It is a good offer, King, but not enough. Give me your daughter, Quilla, and you may keep all the rest."
When these saw me in the glittering armour, which in our long idle hours we had polished till it shone like silver, with the shield upon my arm and the casque upon my head and the great sword girded about my middle and the black bow in my hand, they screamed with fear and fell upon their faces, while even Quilla started back and glanced towards the boat. "Fear not," I said.
If I dared to give counsel it was only because he who watches the battle with a general's eye sees more of it than he who fights." Then he bowed in his stately fashion and left me, and it was long ere he spoke to me again of this matter of Quilla and our love for one another.
Only I feared for Quilla greatly I feared for Quilla. On the day following my talk with Kari at length we reached the great city of the Chancas, which, after them, was called Chanca at least I always knew it by that name.
Is there no sweet fruit within? Can you not show us a way of escape, O Quilla, Daughter of the Moon, whose heart is fed with the wisdom of the Moon?" "I believe that I can show you such a way," she answered. "You know the legend of our people that in the old days, a thousand years ago we came to this country out of the forests.
Meanwhile, Quilla had put on her silver-broidered mantle and her head-dress of feathers, crowned with the crescent of the moon. As we touched the beach she came forward, and for the first time during that night spoke to me saying: "Remain here in the balsa, Lord, while I talk with these people, and when I summon you be pleased to come. Fear not none will harm you."
Here the officer left me wondering. Presently I heard a sound and looking up, saw Quilla herself standing between the curtains, like to a picture in its frame. She was royally arrayed and wore upon her brow and breast the emblem of the moon, so that she seemed to glitter in that dusky place, though nothing about her shone with such a light as did her large and doe-like eyes.
Word Of The Day