the great lords who are of his mother's House cling to him, hoping to
receive advancement from him when he becomes Inca."

"But, Priest Larico, Urco, they say, is like to die, and if so all this
trouble will melt like a cloud."

"Your sword bit deep, Lord, but I have it from his physicians that as
the brain is uncut he will not die, although he will be sick for a long
while. Therefore we must act while he is sick, since it is not lawful
to bring about his end, even if he could be come at. Time presses, Lord,
for as you have seen, the Inca is old and feeble and his mind is weak.
Indeed at times he has no mind, though at others his strength returns to
him."

"Which means that I deal with you who are the chief priest, and those
behind you," I said, looking him in the eyes.

"That is what it means, Lord. Now hearken while I tell you the truth.
After the Inca I am the most powerful man in Tavantinsuyu, indeed for
the most part the Inca speaks with my voice although I seem to speak
with his. Yet I am in a snare. Heretofore I have supported Urco because
there was no other who could become Inca, although he is a brutal and
an evil man. Of late, however, since my return from the City of the
Chancas, I have quarrelled with Urco because he has lost that witch, the
lady Quilla, whom he desires madly and lays the blame on me, and it
has come to my knowledge that when he succeeds to the throne it is his
purpose to kill me, which doubtless he will do if he can, or at the
least to cast me from my place and power, which is as bad as death.
Therefore, I desire to make my peace with Kari, if he will swear to
continue me in my office, and this I can only do through you. Bring this
peace about, Lord, and I will promise you anything you may wish, even
perchance to the Incaship itself, should aught happen to Kari or should
he refuse my offers. I think that the Quichuas might welcome a white god
from the Sea who has shown himself so great a general and so brave in
battle, and who has knowledge and wisdom more than theirs, to rule over
them," he added reflectively. "Only then, Lord, it would be needful to
be rid of Kari as well as of Urco."

"To which I would never consent," I replied, "seeing that he is my
friend with whom I have shared many dangers. Moreover, I do not wish to
be Inca."

"Is there then anything else that you wish very much, Lord? A thought
came to me, yonder at the City of the Chancas. By the way, how lovely
is that l