Chapter 13 Chapter Twelve

The man was very small.A pair of wooden earrings dangled from his ears, and he wore a long coat of a dock inspector.The bearers were still carrying the sedan chair on their shoulders, so he had already knelt on the bricks in the middle of the road and bowed to salute.The captain of the guard, holding a big hammer in his hand, looked at him warily. "Welcome to the Ablimak Valley, Kamakenkeya. It's an honor to take you across the river!" Anna Maya smiled slightly, but the other party seemed to be frightened.Since leaving Hatang Sosa, she found that the simple villagers admired her reputation and the whole team every day, thinking that it was a high-ranking official from the empire passing through.

The dock inspector had reason to be concerned.For just about two hundred paces below their feet, the Ablimak River was rushing between the huge rocks, and the waves were rough.The sound of booming water resounded through the valley, rushing vastly towards the south.And at the place where the bridge deck cables seemed to be hanging, there was only an abyss. "Get up," Anamaya ordered, "tell me why the bridge is missing." "Kamakenkeya, just ten days ago, was burned by a group of soldiers. I wanted to stop it, and even ordered the sentries to drive them back, but we only had ten people in total, and General Ji Zhizi's army had at least a hundred people above!"

"Ji Zhizi?" Anna Maya expressed surprise. "That's right, Kamakenkeya, that's them: the army of the great general under the sole king Atahualpa." "Did they say why they burned the bridge?" "To prevent those foreign gold thieves from going to Cusco." Pointing to the south of the valley, the short man continued: "It is said that the deep mountains over there are full of troops, and they stretch all the way to Cusco." "So how are we going to cross the bridge in the future?" Annamaya asked bluntly, quickly interrupting the tirade she felt was about to start.

Her question seemed to amuse the short man.He bowed respectfully again: "Three days ago a herald came to announce your coming, Kamakenkoya, and we made all preparations. We prepared several balsa rafts." "A light raft?" "Yes, Kamakenkeya. But it's not here. Where we usually cross the bridge, the current is too fast and dangerous. If you agree to let me lead the way, there is a safer place not far from here." "Kamakenkea," interrupted the young captain of the guard, "I'm afraid it's not safe to leave the Royal Mile. Perhaps it's a trap!"

"As you can see, officer," Annamaya retorted, "the Royal Mile across the river is gone. Unfortunately, I have to keep going. So please keep protecting me!" After walking for almost an hour on a sometimes sloping and difficult path, they arrived at a wading area where the current was smooth and steady. Splashing out between two densely wooded slopes, the Ablimac's water flowed down slowly and regularly, and then the river drew a long bend between the fields, and then passed through a small river valley.But just at the end of the valley, the water hit a high wall of gray rock, and the water splashed, forming a staccato turbulence again.

Just over there, the whole river suddenly opened up.However, a closer look at the shore reveals that the current is almost as dangerous as downstream. "You see," explained the dock inspector, "that the balsa must be launched from that place over there, and slide along the current until it reaches the opposite bank, where it stops before the big rock." "Where's the balsa?" Annamaya asked. "Hiding under the woods over there, Kamakenkea. We don't want the other side's army to find out and destroy them all before you come." "Have you ever crossed the river?" the captain of the guard asked suspiciously.

"Already once!" replied the Dock Inspector with a laugh, "once and forth." "Well, now for the second time," she said quietly. The little man had just finished bragging about how brave he was, and the next few minutes were filled with a great deal of uneasiness.His men dragged two heavy log balsa rafts and some poles from the edge of the forest.Using several other, thinner logs, they easily carried the balsa raft across the meadows to the Ablimac, and lowered them into the widest part of the river. About ten men pulled the balsa raft with ropes, and six others loaded Ana Maya's empty palanquin.When the sedan chair was stabilized, the dock inspector's subordinates immediately prostrated themselves on the ground, and did not dare to get up until Kamakenkeya got into the light raft.So, with long poles in hand, they kept the boat as balanced as possible.

The current was so fast that Anna Maya felt the sedan chair swaying from side to side.The trunks at the bottom of the boat were elastically bound together and swung wildly. At this point the boatmen had more and more trouble getting the balsa to shore, and a quarrel broke out between the captain of the escort and the dock inspector. "I have to take at least five soldiers to protect Kamakenkeya," the officer muttered. "Impossible! The light raft won't bear the weight, officer, and it won't be safe to steer. Two at most. You see, the logs are sinking..." "That's because the boat wasn't made well!"

"That's because the palanquin is heavier than originally thought. Besides, there is another balsa raft. Your soldiers can follow Kamakenkoya..." "Enough!" Ana Maya intervened. "Captain, come aboard this balsa raft with the dock superintendent. If his balsa does not do well, he'll suffer with us." In fact, when the boat got out of the water, Anna Maya saw the troubles of the boatmen. They tried to guide the boat into the channel, but the boat swayed more and more, and fell into the middle of the river at a very fast speed.The force of the river seemed to overwhelm the wrists of the boatmen within seconds, despite the incredible speed with which they thrust their long poles into the river.

Suddenly, one of them yelled.An unexpected vortex appeared, with a very deep center.The six boatmen hurried to the same side of the boat and pushed the boat to the right.It's a pity that everything came too soon.The sudden impact bounced Anna Maya from her seat.The logs on the bottom of the boat bounced up and down, even brushing against submerged rocks.The sedan chair was bounced up again and fell to one side.The captain of the guard jumped and lay down on the stretcher to steady it.Anna Maya gripped the pedals in front of the seat tightly, then arched her upper body so as not to sway along with it.

Afterwards, the sedan chair fell heavily back to its original position, but one of its legs suddenly tore a rope that was already in danger due to the collision just now.The log in the middle of the bottom of the boat fell off and plunged into the water urgently, and the whole balsa raft started to spin itself. The gray rock that caused the eddy just now seems to have moved away, but now it is approaching at a super speed.The dock inspector yelled, and then again.Then there was another sound.So everyone cooperated seamlessly, and the six boatmen pushed hard together. The scene resembled a ballet performance.All poles are lifted, then lowered, bent, slid, then raised, lowered and bent again.Beads of sweat glistened on the backs of everyone's necks, and the balsa had stabilized.It's best to keep it away from the central flow.The yelling continued, and the bend of the boat pole was almost broken.At last, although the sound of the rumbling rapids resounded through the sky, like a hunting warrant, the light raft was already moving slowly towards the shore. The dock inspector smiled.He turned to look at Anna Maya and said hello to her.Everyone knew that during the whole dangerous voyage Kamakenkoya had not uttered or shouted a word of fear. She also smiled subtly, surprised that the log fit the river so perfectly. After the sedan chair was put back on the grass, she looked at everyone, breathed the fresh air, and reminisced about the still very strange pleasure just now: all the eyes that looked at her were full of praise and a new kind of admiration. Affection. "Is it far to Shimak Toho?" she asked the dock inspector. "It's less than a day's journey. Please honor me tonight and accept our hospitality..." Anna Maya didn't wait for him to finish speaking. "Thank you very much. I will report your work performance to Prince Manco. It's a pity that we must rush to Shimak Toho tonight." The sound of gurgling water sounds like the sound of gentle wind.At dusk, the mountain cliffs surrounding the village are like protective flower petals.Directly opposite the square courtyard is a deep and narrow river valley facing east. When night comes, the valley is shrouded in a layer of transparent mist, making it even paler. Today, Ana Maya knows where the valley leads: to the holy city whose name no one is ever allowed to tell.Bhikkhu! Shimak Toho hasn't changed at all.It was a strange feeling. Years ago, she had stood there too, in an exactly similar dusk.The magnificent walls, perfectly jointed, supporting the Temple Square, retained the same gentle tranquility to this evening.The towering cliffs next to the river valley are shaped like triangular and rectangular walls inserted into the ground, reminiscent of the geometric patterned cloth woven by the virgins in the Temple of the Virgin every day.They still have the same magic, a little unsettlingly, except that Ana Maya is no longer what she used to be.She used to be a restless little girl, but it was thanks to the wise man Vera Omar who reminded her carefully that she developed confidence in herself. It was also here, in a similar evening, that to their surprise, in this unfathomable river valley, there appeared the comet that nominated Atahualpa to be king. As soon as Anna Maya closed her eyes, she could see the shape of the comet again. It was a pale yellow fireball, like the sun in the dark night.It flew into the dark night sky, swept across the rising stars, and dragged behind it a lot of hair that was raised high by the ghostly wind. She only had to recall her memory to hear the wise man's voice again: "Don't be afraid, Kamakenkoya, relax. Think about your travels among that ancient rock, and don't be afraid..." The hooting of an owl made her tremble all over, and she opened her eyes suddenly. Looking around, the square was deserted.She felt a little chilly, and the cloak dress she was wearing was not warm enough to withstand the alpine climate.Yet for two days she was obliged to wear it, so that when the one and only King Manco finally arrived, she could be dressed to welcome him.But as the night deepened, chills shivered through her neck and waist. I heard the hooting of owls again, this time closer to the river.Then, another sound came from the rear of the station. The night came quickly, and the whole valley suddenly looked darker and more gloomy.The Royal Road, leaning to the right of the vertical cliff that closes the south side of the valley, its stone bricks clearly visible among the undergrowth, forms a strange sight, as if a bright, cold and hard line cuts the mountain into two paragraphs. Anna Maya shuddered all over, this time the factors of uneasiness in her heart were more than the chilly sunny evening. Several local farmers in Shimak Toho confirmed what the shipyard inspector had said was true.The nearby mountains were indeed populated by hundreds of soldiers, who looted the quad and ravaged the village.Their generals refused to obey the princes' orders to make peace with the foreigners.Some of them even threatened to obey the command of General Xia Leguzima and vowed never to let those foreigners enter Cuzco.Because of Manco's delay in arriving, Ana Maya feared to hear that he had fallen into the hands of the enemy. Will the stalemate continue?Will they really go against the last wishes of their ancestors and continue to use violence, resentment, and fight against each other in this troubled era? In fact, even the land in this seemingly calm valley is full of tragic memories, so it seems to be in crisis everywhere.Anna Maya still clearly remembered that the elders who saw off the mummy of the only king, Wanya Capac, were brutally killed here! The owls continued to hoot in the dark forest.In the gradually deepening night, the rolling river is even more disturbing and mysterious.Anamaya drew her shawl tighter again around her cold shoulders, but she refused to return to the quad, as if her patience would keep Manco safe and lead him to her. After dusk, she never moved.It was dark now.A brazier was brought to her and placed beside her so that she could warm her hands and cheeks.Time passed so slowly, she had to look up at the stars gradually rising into the sky. Occasionally, there were a few shouts and screams in the dark mountains.Although she strained her ears, at last she heard only footsteps gliding across the grass.But before she could turn her head, a powerful big hand covered her mouth, preventing her from making a sound.A body came close to her, hugging her like a doll. "Manco!" "Ah!" Manco murmured as he put her down, "You recognized me so quickly!" They face each other.There was emotion in her eyes.Anna Maya even forgot to greet him formally when she saw him.The man standing in front of her looked strong and elegant.She expressed her great pleasure to see him again, and studied the marks of time on his face since they first met in Domen Bangba.Facing her also seemed to make him feel a little embarrassed.So he took a step back to get a good look at her. "It's almost late at night, but you shine like a star, my dear sister," he said softly. "Nice to meet you, Manco. Nice to meet..." She started, but stopped immediately.She wanted to tell him that he had become handsome, with the appearance of being the only king.Tell him that the shape of his lips and eyes reveal the fortitude and confidence that only children of the sun can have.But she dared not.Thunder flashed through her mind, awakening her deep affection for Jia Boye.Pasaguti not only upset the world, but also upset her heart.She was in a state of ecstasy, and she didn't want Manco to misunderstand that she said those words to seduce him. "I'm glad you arrived safely," she said at last. "Indeed, Ji Zhizi and Gu Yapa's army can be seen everywhere. But these northerners don't know as much about the situation in the mountains as I do!" He smiled slightly with disdain, and then said softly: "Why are you not afraid at all, and you can recognize me so quickly? Could it be that Kamakenkeya has become so powerful that he even has eyes behind his back?" "I've been waiting for you for hours! I'm really worried for you. I listened intently to all the movements in the night, hoping..." She smiled, stopped talking, and then spoke again: "...you have startled me like this before, in the same way, in the same place!" They laughed out loud together, which was both amused and awkward. "Let's go," said Manco, "go to the post station, it will be easier to talk, and besides, I'm hungry." The arrival of Prince Manco set off a welcome event in the house.Several accompanying princes and Anna Maya's guard captain sat in the hall early.All the maids went back and forth from room to room filling the brazier, preparing the meal, serving the chicha, setting the table and setting the torches. When they entered the room specially prepared for Manco, the curtain was lowered immediately, and Anna Maya voluntarily dropped to her knees and bowed twice. "Anamaya!" Manco said, embarrassed. "The one and only King Manco..." "Anamaya! Why do you call me that?" Manco leaned over to her, "We are brothers and sisters..." Ana Maya shook her head violently, but didn't look up at him. "We're not going to be anymore. The crown princes gathered to discuss and elect you as their only king." Manco stood up again, the lines of his lips became more and more distinct. "It's time." Annamaya continued to murmur. Manco looked at her for a moment, then grabbed her by the shoulder, insisting that she get up.He looked straight at her. "I still remember the feeling when I saw your eyes for the first time. We were both children. That day your blue eyes were deeply embedded in my heart, even Paul, my dearest brother , I can't help being a little jealous!" Anna Maya's heart fluctuated again, and every time he could always tell her how she felt.She squeezed her lips tightly so that he wouldn't pull further away.Manco looked calm, seemingly not noticing her uneasiness.He pauses for a moment with a dreamy smile. "I miss Paul," he sighed softly. "He's been at Lake Titicaca for months. He just loves it..." Manco's eyes became more determined.He resumed the topic: "I also remember the last time we met, sister Annamaya. The horror of the night of the Cajamar massacre stayed in my mind for days and nights." "Prince Manco, that night, I predicted that the only king, Atahualpa, was about to end his life in this world, and you were about to take his place. That moment has come." "That's right. I still remember what you said. I haven't forgotten, just as I haven't forgotten. For a long time, you have prepared the way to the world of my ancestors for me." "Not me," retorted Ana Maya, "I'm just speaking for them. I am the twin wife of your father Vanya Kapac. He chose you. He put the future of the Quadrilateral in your hands inside." "I must understand, Ana Maya, I must understand what happened that night... I have heard many stories - that the foreigners are like gods, that they breathe fire, and ride monsters to kill ... In Cusco there are rumors that the sun has never risen since they arrested my brother Atahualpa." Anna Maya thought about his words. "I don't know what these rumors spread across the empire, Manco. Your father never came to see me again. There is always silence in my dreams. But I spent days and nights with those foreigners , I can assure you that they are not from another world. They are just ordinary people! Some money addicted people. They can't breathe fire, and they don't have more divine power than us, but their weapons are better than ours .” Manco nodded, let go of Anna Maya's shoulders, walked to the end of the room, and sat on the high bed. "Come to me," he demanded. "The only king..." "No! Not yet. I'm not yet! Come here, don't be afraid, I just want to feel the warmth of you by my side, little girl, just like before..." Anna Maya stepped forward with some hesitation.Manco held up his hand, asking her to put her fingers in his palm, and then gently squeezed her hand. "Tell me a little more about those foreigners," he demanded. "Let me know more about them. Should we hate all of them, or should we respect some of them and love them as we love the humans of our world?" She was so embarrassed that she felt her heart beat faster.Does he know about Jia Boye?Of course not.Manco's eyes reveal only anxiety and curiosity. "They're not kind to us," she said gravely. "Nearly all of them... they're strange and hard to understand. They love their power as if it were a goddess. They say one thing and do another, Almost everyone..." "Are you afraid of them?" Anna Maya didn't answer right away. "Not afraid," she finally admitted. "Not afraid. But they, they are afraid. Because they are afraid, they become cruel and cunning." "It's not a shame to shake hands with them, is it?" "I think it's time to make peace with them. Because so much blood has been shed, so many have died. All tribes and families have been devastated, and no one knows why. Before rushing to the next battle that awaits us Before that, we should take a good breath." Manco sighed and nodded. "Charles Guzima once objected to my nomination." He didn't want to ask, but to confirm.Again, Ana Maya admires the maturity of the man who will be, has become, the Inca king. "yes." "How do you convince other people to support me?" "All the princes of Cuzco, led by Tysok, are against Xalguzima. I'm just saying what your father said when he came to see me on the eve of the massacre. That's all." Manco nodded in agreement. "It is said that I am no longer the only one who appreciates your powers, little girl. It is a pity we have to be on our guard. I have no faith in Shale Guzima. I know he still leads his mountain troops. He will try his best There is no way to prevent me from tying Borla on the forehead. Several couriers have also reported to me that Guapa is ready to attack the foreigners at any time." Anna Maya paled, but said nothing. Manco didn't look at her.He looked at the night intently, meditating on his own future. "They want war. Those people of Cusco, they want war with foreigners as well as with us. They are very belligerent and don't believe at all that peace is a cure for the empire. Ana Maya, it is your responsibility to convey this threat to those Foreigners. If Charguccima dares to provoke them by force, it means he is coming for me. They want to annoy the foreigners, make them attack us all, and then prevent me from becoming the only king!" Anna Maya didn't answer.She knew Manco was right.But she also knew that, unfortunately, she couldn't explain it, and that neither Charguccima nor Guyappa could prevent Manco from wearing the Borla hood on his forehead. Manco looked at her carefully, with eyes so intense that it made Ana Maya feel as though he had actually touched her cheeks, lips, and chin.Manco raised a hand and slid the fingertips over Ana Maya's neck. "It's a pleasure to be so close to you," he murmured, "It's a pleasure to smell your scent. I miss you so much, Sister Annamaya. I can assure you that there is no woman like you As beautiful as it is powerful.” She smiled and bowed her head politely. "You too, I miss you, brother Manco, but I already knew that one day, I would kowtow to you and call you the only king. Where is the statue of twin brothers made of gold?" She asked this deliberately, so as to avoid his gentle invitation. "Carefully settled in Cusco, Kamakenkoya!" Manco responded a little rudely. "I miss it too," Annamaya said calmly. "I wish I could see it. Since the Holocaust, the one and only King, Vanya Kapac, has never taken me to another world." "From now on, you are a perfect woman," Manco said sadly. "Perhaps you will never be the wife of your twin again? If you will, stay with me, and I will grant you a high status. " Anna Maya looked at Manco affectionately, from which she saw strong desire and true tenderness.She took the young prince's hand, pressed it to her lips, and whispered: "Brother Manco, you know very well that this is not how things should go. Tomorrow, when you drive at dawn, you will be the only king. Tomorrow, only you can stop the Quartet Empire from falling apart. No one can touch you, nor I can't look at you, even me, because your sun father forbids it. This is the destiny. You must abide by the destiny, so that the empire can be strong and unified, and your sun father will support you. However, you know, in the future No matter what happens, you can always and always depend on me." Manco savored her face.There may be a little anger mixed in his eyes.However, this time it was him, he took Anna Maya's hand, put it on his lips, and kissed her slender fingers. "Tell me, little sister. Tell me all that you have seen these months. Tell me how Atahualpa died, and what the foreign governor was like. On and on, Until your mouth is dry, until my ears are callused, because I wish, and must know."