Chapter 16

XI

Triple Ugly had given himself that nickname to offend the gods. But in truth he was extremely handsome and manly. Extremely strong, he exercised his steel muscles by bending the waistline of the moriches and running for miles. His only passion was war. He considered warriors who succumbed to marriage to be unhappy, for marriage made men cowardly, weak and fat. With that name he sought war marks and never liked anyone, but except for excoriations, he kept himself in perfect physical shape, indignantly rejected the offers of marriages that the maidens made him from the bed after he satiated in them his hungry sexuality.

When Tanda came out of Son Condor's tent in a rage and passed by Triple Feo, who saw that exuberant woman, the boy felt a terrible blow to his head and an invisible arrow broke his heart into a thousand pieces, not being able to say anything, understanding perfectly why princesses were sacred, because that woman could not be seen very often. She had the most perfect body anyone had ever seen and that undulating walk, like that of a puma in the jungle, was more intoxicating than any liquor.

--Lord of the armies," --he began to say, watching the demon walk away, feeling very frightened, for something told him that all his oaths, affirmations of never falling in love and that no one would dominate him, were being diluted in every stitch of that hair that was waving in the wind.

--And what's wrong with you? --asked Son of the Condor, who had gone out behind the young woman with the intention of apologizing, only to find his warrior with his jaw on the ground, watching the stunning woman walk away.

--Nothing, my lord," --said the other, trying to regain his composure, --"it's just that I saw how beautiful the afternoon has become.

--Tanda is very pretty, isn't she,?" --said the young man, knowing perfectly well what the other was contemplating.

--Yes..." --replied the other cautiously.

---I would give the gold of the Andes for her to give up that engagement. I cannot love her," ---said Son of the Condor bitterly.

The other did not answer him; he could not understand what was wrong with his cacique that he was not attracted to this sacred portent of pure beauty.

XII

Within days Xixata fulfilled her promise. Dressed humbly and barefoot she let the people see her face up close, and walked among them, climbing the steps of the temple of the moon, sitting on them to wait for the doors to open and allow her to enter. Tradition said that he had to endure a period of probation, if he passed he would be consecrated to the moon, if not, he would have to return home. But the first step indicated that she had to come alone, as it showed her willingness to detach herself from all family and sentimental ties, although during the period of preparation she could receive visitors and test her faith. For a time she would be devoted to prayer and meditation.

Xixata passed in front of Son of the Condor, standing at the foot of the steps, both staring at each other, but she did not hesitate for a moment, which made the young man make a gesture of understanding. The high hours of the two were coming and at least Xixata would be safe in the temple; for there was no power either human or divine that could touch her there. The temple of the moon was isolated from the city by a well full of water, infested with piranhas, alligators and electric river moray eels, capable of deterring anyone who wanted to swim to the other side, equally, the temple had food and water for years of siege. So Son of the Condor, once Xixata entered the building, said to the air.

--My happiest hour has arrived, I am going to tell the truth--knowing that once this was done, he condemned himself to the most dreadful death.

XIII

-- I still don't like it,"-- said Rut Za Berú to Ita Za Berú, as he watched the men in disguise, hidden in the secret corridors of the temple of Viracocha.

The other one made a gesture of.... and he said to his brother.

--When you receive my messenger, sound the military alarm, summon Sabac Tamac to the throne and ask him to gather the whole family for safety. Do not let your hand tremble, kill them all and expose the corpses in the square.

Then,"--- asked Rut Za Beru with a white and dry mouth.

--What do you mean, then,??" --answered the other, speaking in the Inca language, "---you kill this bunch of morons with the royal guard. They are all murderers that I took out of jail, they think they are going to receive a fortune. They don't have the slightest idea of what is going on here or who they are going to kill.

Rut Za Beru looked resignedly at his brother.

--I hope you really have all the details covered. I hope you have that caravan under surveillance,--" he said with the fear of knowing how his brother always developed his plans. And in what way they unfailingly ended.

--Don't worry. It's all taken and digested," ---said the other one smiling, leaving immediately to make the sinister plan come true.