For the rest
I was to bring Kari and those who had deserted to him on the yesterday
into Cuzco where none would molest them.
Then he went, leaving me happier than I had been since I bade farewell
to Quilla. For now at last I saw light, a faint uncertain light, it was
true, only to be reached, if reached at all, through many difficulties
and dangers, but still light. At last I had found someone in this
land of black superstition who was not a bigot, and who, being the
High-priest of the Sun, knew too much of his god to fear him or to
believe that he should come down to earth and burn it up should one of
the hundreds of his brides seek another husband. Of course this Larico
might betray me and Quilla, but I did not think he would, since he had
nothing to gain thereby, and might have much to lose, for the reason
that I was able, or he thought that I was able, to set Kari against him.
At least I could only go forward and trust to fortune, though in fact
hitherto she had never shown me favour where woman was concerned.
Awhile later I was being borne in one of the Inca's own litters back to
the camp of the Chancas, accompanied by an embassy of great lords.
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