Now, making no attempt to deny or explain which I saw would be useless, since he knew it all, I asked boldly: 

“Why not?”

“I thought that perchance my daughter had told you, Lord Hurachi, but if you desire to hear it from my own lips also, for this reason.  The lady Quilla is promised in marriage and if she lives that promise must be fulfilled, since on it hangs the fate of nations.  Therefore, it is, although to grieve to part such a pair, that you and she must meet no more in gardens or elsewhere.  Know that if you do, you will bring about her death and your own, if gods can die.”

Now I thought awhile and answered: 

“These are heavy words, King Huaracha, seeing that I will not hide from you that I love your daughter well and that she, who is great-hearted, loves me well and desires me for her husband.”

“I know it and I grieve for both of you,” he said courteously.

“King Huaracha,” I went on, “I see that you are a soldier and the lord of armies, and it has come into my mind that perchance you dream of war.”

“The gods see far, White Lord.”

“Now god or man, I also am a soldier, King, and I know arts of battle which perhaps are hidden from you and your people; also I cannot be harmed by weapons because of magic armour that I wear, and none can stand before me in fight because of this magic sword I carry, and I can direct battles with a general’s mind.  In a great war, King, I might be useful to you were I the husband of your daughter and therefore your son and friend, and perchance by my skill make the difference to you and your nation between victory and defeat.”

“Doubtless this is so, O Son-of-the-Sea.”

“In the same fashion, King, were I upon the side of your enemies, to them I might bring victory and to you defeat.  Whom do you desire that I should serve, you or them?”

“I desire that you should serve me,” he replied with eagerness.  “Do so and all the wealth of this land shall be yours, with the rule of my armies under me.  You shall have palaces and fields and gold and silver, and the fairest of its daughters for wives, and be worshipped as a god, and for aught I know, be king after me, not only of my country but mayhap of another that is even greater.”

“It is a good offer, King, but not enough.  Give me your daughter, Quilla, and you may keep all the rest.”

“White Lord, I cannot, since to do so I must break my word.”

“Then, King, I cannot serve you, and unless you kill me first—­if you are able—­I will be, not your friend, but your enemy.”

“Can a god be killed, and if so can a guest be killed?  Lord, you know that he cannot.  Yet he can remain a guest.  To my country you have come, Lord, and in my country you shall stay, unless you have wings beneath that silver coat.  Quilla goes hence but here you bide, my lord Hurachi.”

“Perchance I shall find the wings,” I answered.