'
"Now I answered: 'You spoke of me as a cloud of dust, Father; how, then,
can this poor dust serve your ends and those of the Chanca people?'
"'Thus Daughter,' he answered. 'With your own consent you are promised
in marriage to Urco. Upanqui the Inca has heard rumours that the Chancas
prepare for war. Therefore, he who travels on his last journey through
certain of his dominions comes to lead you away, to be Urco's bride,
saying to himself, "If those rumours are true, King Huaracha will
withhold his only child and heiress, since never will he make war upon
Cuzco if she rules there as its queen." Therefore, if I refuse you to
him, he will withdraw and begin the war, rolling down his thousands
upon us before we are ready, and bringing the Chancas to destruction and
enslavement. Therefore also not only my fate, but the fate of all your
country lies in your hand.'
"'Father,' I said, 'tell me, who was ever dear to you that lack sons, is
there no escape? Must I eat this bitter bread? Before you answer, learn
that you have guessed aright, and that I who, when I made that promise,
cared for no man, have come to feel the burning of love's fire!'
"Now he looked at me awhile, then said: 'Child of the Moon, there is but
one escape, and it must be sought--in the moon.
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