er?"

"Nay, it would be sacrilege. Ask what else you will, lands and rule and
palaces and wives--not that. Myself I should not dare to lay a finger
on her who rests in the arms of the Sun. What does it matter about this
Quilla who is but one fair woman among thousands?"

I thought awhile, then answered, "I think it matters much, Inca. Still,
that this bloodshed may be stayed, I will do my best to bring him who
was my servant to your presence if you can find me the means to come at
him, and afterwards we will talk again."

"Yes, I am weary now. Afterwards we will talk again. Farewell,
Lord-from-the-Sea."

CHAPTER IX

KARI COMES TO HIS OWN

When I awoke on the following morning in the splendid chamber of which I
have spoken, it was to find that my armour and arms had been restored to
me, and very glad was I to see Wave-Flame again. After I had eaten and,
escorted by servants, walked in the gardens, for never could I be left
alone, marvelling at the wondrous golden fruits and flowers, a messenger
came to me, saying that the _Villaorna_ desired speech with me. I
wondered who this _Villaorna_ might be, but when he entered I saw that
he was Larico, that same stern-faced, cunning-eyed lord who had been the
spokesman of the Inca when he visited the city of the Chancas. Also I
learned that _Villaorna_ was his title and meant "Chief priest."

We bowed to each other and all were sent from the chamber, leaving us
quite alone.

"Lord-from-the-Sea," he said, "the Inca sends me, his Councillor and
blood relative, who am head priest of the Sun, to desire that you will
go on an embassy for him to the camp of the Chancas. First, however, it
is needful that you should swear by the Sun that you will return thence
to Cuzco. Will you do this?"

Now as there was nothing I desired more than to return to Cuzco where
Quilla was, I answered that I would swear by my own god, by the Sun, and
by my sword, unless the Chancas detained me by force. Further, I prayed
him to set out his business.

He did so in these words:

"Lord, we have come to know, it matters not how, that the man who
appeared with you in this land is no other than Kari, the elder son of
the Inca, whom we thought dead. Now it is in the Inca's mind, and in the
minds of us, his councillors, to proclaim the Prince Kari as heir to
the throne which soon he would be called upon to fill. But the matter is
very dangerous, seeing that Urco still commands the army and many of