I think I hope he will die, for you
see I have quarrelled with him."
I thought to myself that so did I, but I only asked:
"How did the battle end, Inca?"
"As it began, Lord Hurachi. A great many men have been killed on
both sides, thousands and thousands of them, and neither army has the
victory. They have drawn back and sit growling at each other like two
angry lions which are afraid to fight again. Indeed, I do not want them
to fight, and now that Urco cannot interfere, I shall put a stop to all
this bloodshed if I am able. Tell me, for you were with him, why does
this Huaracha, who I hear is also wounded, want to make war on me with
those troublesome Chancas of his?"
"Because your son, the prince Urco, has poisoned, or tried to poison,
his only child, Quilla."
"Yes, yes, I know, and it was a wicked thing to do. You see, Lord, what
happened was this: That lovely Quilla, who is fairer than her mother the
Moon, was to have married Urco. But, Lord, as it chanced on our journey
together, although I am old--well, she became enamoured of me, and
prayed me to protect her from Urco.
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