At last he vowed
that he would do so by setting her among the Virgins of the Sun on whom
no man may look. She thanked him and said that she would consider the
matter, since, for reasons that you may guess, Lord, she did not desire
to become a Virgin of the Sun and to pass the rest of her days in prayer
and the weaving of the Inca's garments.
"So it went on until when we were a day's march from Cuzco, Urco, my
brother, came to meet his promised bride. Now, Urco is a huge man and
hideous, one whom none would believe to have been born of the Inca
blood. Coarse he is, and dissolute, given to drink also, though a great
fighter and brave in battle, and quick-brained when he is sober. I was
present when they met and I saw the lady Quilla shiver and turn pale
at the sight of him, while he on his part devoured her beauty with his
eyes. They spoke but few words together, yet before these were done,
he told her it was his will that they should be wed at once on the day
after she came to Cuzco, nor would he listen to the Inca Upanqui who
said, being cunning and wishing to gain time, that due preparation must
be made for so great a business.
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