Chapter 11

VI

Once Ruth-Za-Beru, had finished the council meeting, he went to his own palace and entered the spacious hall. Quickly and before his servants did so, he removed his cloak, tossing it aside, and immediately sat down next to a man who was waiting for him. His fierce and treacherous brother Ita-Za-Beru.

The two men did not greet each other and without wasting any time Ruth asked Ita-Za-Beru.

--Did they follow you?

--No," he answered, seeing Ruth-Za-Beru almost as an enemy. ---I have the solution that will allow us access to power with a low intensity war.

Ita Za Berú announced without preamble.

---You said there would be no war," Rut-Za-Beru asserted defensively.

--I did not say that. We will have war. But the least harmful to us. We can last from ten months to a maximum of three years. That period of time will allow us to eliminate those who are not loyal to us and then discuss an honorable peace," explained Ita Za Berú, with an air of smugness.

--- And the marriages," asked the other, inevitably, to avoid wrinkles and the dangerous situation slipping to them.

---What marriages, my ass! There won't be a single one. That would complicate things. I'm going to arrange a meeting between Saba Tamac and Litu Ratú. They have a certain confidence in each other, because Litu Ratú's first wife is the sister of Ave Azul.

--Don't even name her to me. You don't know how that woman has me," said Rut Za Berú, squinting his eyes with dirty desire.

--Pay attention; you will have a chance to have her, and if you feel like raping all the princesses.

-- Altulay and Hyalpeca, ??" asked Rut Za Beroo hopefully.

--Also. But listen..., I have almost convinced Saba Tamac to give Xixata as the second wife of Litu Ratú. He will come to meet, as he has nothing to fear from Saba Tamac he will come accompanied by a symbolic force. So, I ask, what would happen if Litu Ratú dies in the hands of the Incas in our territory? What would happen if infiltrated troops of Litu Ratú to avenge their king, attack the palace and in a suicidal operation kill the chief of the Chibchas and all his progeny? Who would take control of the government and control of the army?

--And what would happen to the Inca troops when they found out that Princess Altulay and her daughters were killed?," --asked Rut-Za-Berú with a shrewd face.

--Wait. Let me explain to you what happened there in the Puna, in my last expedition," said Ita-Za-Berú calmly. ......... spoke for a long time before his silent brother.

Chapter 2

--Tanda is in love,"-- said Hialpeca looking at her husband.

--Is he worthy?---- asked Saba Tamac, leaning back on her cushions, inwardly thanking the gods for partly solving the problems. Whoever he was, he would give his consent.

--He is a genuine Chibcha warrior. Son of caciques of the Tolima region, very strong and handsome. He will give you magnificent grandchildren.

Better yet, you will have no problems with the neighboring countries, for it is the princess herself who is making the pronouncement.

Saba Tamac sat up again from the cushions, almost guessing the character, while a smile came from the bottom of his lips. No wonder she had challenged him at the tribal council.

-- Is ....?

--Son of the Condor," --his wife corroborated.

-- Uhmm. No wonder... It came out at the tribal council. Look how quiet they kept him. I'm not going to give them time for anything, we'll celebrate that wedding immediately,"--- said the King reassured.

The warriors stood by their campfire. The hunt had been good. Anteater skins, several boas to roast, abundant fish. They shared a red hot infusion of roses, sweetened with bee honey taken from the nests of Samanes, perfect to relax the spirit.

Son of the Condor shared with his subjects, laughing and commenting on the events of the hunt; they mended with each other and celebrated happily. They measured strength with each other. Son of the Condor encouraged a young warrior to test his strength with Triple Feo, one of the strongest warriors of his litter.

A major of the Inca army made his appearance. His dazzling gold armor indicated that he was one of the sacred detachments that guarded the Inca Sol himself and that in token of brotherhood had been loaned to Saba Tamac.

---The great Sun Saba Tamac orders you to present yourself in the palace," ---ordered the officer, speaking according to Inca protocol.

All the men remained silent, paralyzed by that offense. It could be seen that Saba Tamac did not keep up appearances in his servility.

---Tell the great sun Saba Tamac---answered Son of the Condor in a mocking tone-------- that he honors me by calling me. By your own mouth tell him that I obey him and obey him. But likewise tell him that when he sends for me it should be with a human being, from my own people.

--I will do so---answered the other, seeing him face to face, without lowering his gaze and withdrawing, not without first making a gesture of contempt as he turned away, without saying goodbye.

The warriors began to comment in a low voice, which increased as arguments against Saba Tamac were incorporated.

Son of the Condor raised his hand commanding silence. Then he spoke to everyone, looking at the ground, hiding his shame.

--Whoever says anything against my father, our brother Saba Tamac, will meet his death with my own hands,"--- said the shamed Cacique categorically.

The warriors fell silent on the spot.

A few moments later, Son of the Condor was all alone, sitting in the common courtyard in front of his tents. In this way his warriors were showing him their disagreement with the presence of the Incas. But the young man could not tolerate a word against his lord and master. Only he and in very few opportunities.