Upanqui waved his sceptre, that long
staff which I have described, in token that he should be admitted. Then
presently up the chamber came Kari arrayed in the tunic and cloak of an
Inca prince, wearing in his ear a disc carved with the image of the Sun,
and a chain of emeralds and gold about his neck. Nor did he come alone,
for he was attended by a brilliant band of those lords and captains
who had deserted to him on the day of the great battle. He advanced and
knelt before the throne.
"Who is this that carries the emblems of the Holy Blood and is clothed
like a Prince of the Sun?" asked Upanqui, affecting ignorance and
unconcern, though I saw the colour mount to his cheeks and the sceptre
shake in his withered hand.
"One who is indeed of the holy Inca blood; one sprung from the purest
lineage of the Sun," answered the stately Kari in his quiet voice.
"How then is he named?" asked the Inca again.
"He is named Kari, first-born son of Upanqui, O Inca."
"Such a son I had once, but he is long dead, or so they told me," said
Upanqui in a trembling voice.
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