Four Time

Blessed are they, they can work without so many worries ---.thought the Cacique. Then, without taking his eyes off the city at his feet, he contemplated his hands; very lightly they announced that their sunset was already beginning, indicating that the brightness of their youth was fading, no matter how much aloe vera cream they smeared on themselves. The man heard a slight rustling of the curtain of his room when it was drawn and perceived the smell of the owner of the hand that moved it away.

How do you wake up Rut Za Beru?--" asked the man without taking his eyes from the window.

--I wake up praying to the father of the people, for the health and intelligence of the great Father Saba Tamac," --said the man behind his back.

-- What do you know about the agenda of the tribal council? - said the man, maintaining his initial posture.

--The usual. They are uneasy about the movements of the Inca troops out there in the puna. They don't believe they are training our people or hunting the Jiraharas.

The Jiraharas are extremely dangerous not to take them into account,"?-- answered the Cacique, closing his eyes so that the other did not read his nervousness.

The Council is frightened to see Altulay sitting next to the Great Father in the meetings," --the other one said brutally.

--Altulay, apart from being my wife, is very adept at handling Inca diplomacy. Her advice is invaluable to me. If that is the reason given for the scare, which is not such........They don't want me to see roads. The council wants me to see their roads.

--She speaks through the mouth of her father, the great Inca Manco Huapac Capac," --said the other, sticking his finger in the wound.

--No. Altulay is completely loyal to me. If Altulay did not tell me how his father thinks, years ago the Incas would have caught us in the fall.

---I know that and I support you, our father. But the Inca Captains act as if the empire belongs to them, they look like occupation troops and they are already on both sides of the border; any spark can start the disaster.

Thank you for alerting me to that. I will ask for intelligence reports. And additionally for everyone's peace of mind I am going to meet with the Inca ambassador and I will expose my reasons; I will demand a better behavior from them.

Well, let me tell you, Our Father, that he behaves worse than all of them.

Saba Tamac raised an eyebrow and for the first time turned to the other, walking and looking him directly in the eyes, he stood in front of him.

Both of them for a moment looked at each other from landmark to landmark; they were in their fifties, strong still, with a build that showed they had been in many wars. They stood facing each other with absolute equality.

--Say no more---said Saba Tamac raking the words----......Succession .That's it. Everyone is concerned about continuity, they want to discuss rights. Even you want to discuss rights. They see my old age coming and want to take advantage.

--I would never raise my thoughts before you. -answered the other without lowering his gaze

Saba Tamac lowered his guard. He was grateful for the courtesy of the other. But he did not believe him.

--I thank you sincerely. I hope that in your consultation with the gods, they are auspicious,--he said to lower the tension.

--The gods augur a new emerald mine, as big as river stones.

I hope so, the finances are not so good. For a change.

---Where will we find it?

Down below. In the green hell. Where the Pemones make their forays.

--You'll have to search very hard and clear the area of people from that area.

---I cannot do a complete ethnic cleansing, we need slaves for the mine and consolation ladies for the troop,"-- explained the high priest wisely. Saba Tamac nodded, taken in full fault. Always the small miscalculations.

---You will know how far to go,---concluded the Chieftain, optimistic in spite of everything because of the news.