His lords and physicians bore him away. Urco followed and
presently the multitude departed this way and that. Afterwards we were
told that the Inca had recovered but must not be disturbed for many
days."
"Did you hear more of Quilla, Kari?"
"Yes, Lord," he answered gravely. "It was commonly reported that,
through some priestess in his pay, Urco had poisoned her, saying that as
she had chosen the Sun as husband, to the Sun she would go."
"Poisoned her!" I muttered, well-nigh falling to the ground. "Poisoned
her!"
"Aye, Lord, but be comforted for this was added--that she who gave
the poison was taken in the act by her who is named the Mother of the
Virgins, and handed over to the women who cast her into the den of
serpents, where she perished, screaming that it was Urco who had forced
her to the deed."
"That does not comfort me, man. What of Quilla? Did she die?"
"Lord, it is said not. It is said that the Mother of the Virgins dashed
away the cup as it touched her lips. But this is said also, that some of
the poison flew into her eyes and blinded her.
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