When we drew near, from out of the group of nobles advanced one man.  I looked and saw that he was Kari, yes, the Inca himself.

I went forward to meet him and we spoke together just out of earshot of our followers.

“My brother,” said Kari, “I have learned all that has passed and I give you praise who are the most daring among men and the first among warriors; you who slew the giant Urco with your naked hands.”

“And thus made your throne safe for you, Kari.”

“And thus made my throne safe for me.  You also who clove Larico to the breast in the death-house of Upanqui, my father——­”

“And thus delivered you from a traitor, Kari.”

“And thus delivered me from a traitor, as I have learned also from your messenger who handed to me the knotted cord, and from the spy whom you had in your keeping.  I repeat that you are the most daring among men and the first among warriors; almost a god as my people name you.”

I bowed, and after a little silence he went on: 

“Would that this were all that I have to say.  But alas! it is not.  You have committed the great sacrilege against the Sun, my father, of which I warned you, having robbed him of his bride, and, my brother, you have lied to me, who told me but yesterday that you had put all thought of her from your mind.”

“To me that was no sacrilege, Kari, but rather a righteous deed, to free one from the bonds of a faith in which neither she nor I believe, and to lead her from a living tomb back to life and love.”

“And was the lie righteous also, Brother?”

“Aye,” I answered boldly, “if ever a lie can be.  Bethink you.  You prayed that this lady might die because she came between you and me, and those that kings pray may die, do die, if not with their knowledge or by their express command.  Therefore I said that I had put her from my mind in order that she might go on living.”

“To cherish you in her arms, Brother.  Now hearken.  Because of this deed of yours, we who were more than friends have become more than foes.  You have declared war upon my god and me; therefore I declare war upon you.  Yet hearken again.  I do not wish that thousands of men should perish because of our quarrel.  Therefore I make an offer to you.  It is that you should fight me here and now, man to man, and let the Sun, or Pachacamac beyond the Sun, decide the matter as may be decreed.”

“Fight you! Fight you Kari, the Inca,” I gasped.

“Aye, fight me to the death, since between us all is over and done.  In England you nurtured me.  Here in the land of Tavantinsuyu, which I rule to-day, I have nurtured you, and in my shadow you have grown great, though it is true that had it not been for your generalship, perchance I should no longer be here to throw the shadow.  Let us therefore set the one thing against the other and, forgetting all between us that is past, stand face to face as foes.  Mayhap you will conquer me, being so mighty a man of war.  Mayhap, also, if that chances, my people who look upon you as half a god will raise you up to be Inca after me, should such be your desire.”