Chapter 8

III

That afternoon Altulay, while sipping her cayenne tea, could not stop thinking about the stupid law of the Chibchas, which prevented a woman from making decisions or better yet to rule the kingdom, in that her own heritage could rule the great sun empire. Only there were 8 brothers before her.

But she could be queen; even Xixata or Marutta, or any of her nieces could also rule the Inca Empire. Although her chances were remote, she was not going to leave Saba Tamac committing foolishness.

A slave girl announced to him the unexpected visit of Bibut, the great ambassador of the Inca peoples to the Chibcha kingdom.

Altulay gave her consent in silence, she saw the man enter; he came dressed in great finery and knelt down, hiding his face in his hands, to emphasize the divinity of the princess.

Altulay was not deceived; those excellent good manners, did not hide the intransigent and hard negotiator.

--Her father, our great sun Inca, sends his kisses and affection to his adored and also sacred daughter Altulay,"-- the man greeted from his position.

--I am pleased that my father, remembers me in his affections, me¸ the youngest daughter of his fourth wife---- emphasized Altulay, so that the man understood that she was always on guard before her dangerous father----, you can stand up and be one of my equals.

--Thank you for your benevolence, sacred princess," --said the man rising and sitting down next to the attractive woman.

--For your father there is no difference of affection when it comes to his children,"-- lied the man politely.

9

--That's very kind of you. My prayers are always for my sacred father in the first place; I hope you will pass that on to him.

--It is my great honor to be able to do so," --the man said, looking at her with respect.

Altulay remained silent, finishing her tea, trying to guess the reasons for this unusual visit without an appointment. She looked at the man who in the same respect waited for her to finish her tizana. Something told her that the ambassador was not entirely innocent of the visit she had experienced in the room the other night. The man for his part waited for permission to speak to her. He prayed to the gods to give him the eloquence possible to be as delicate as possible in expressing himself. But in the end, the missions had to be accomplished.

--Your father,"-- he said in the most respectful tone he could find, "--has a great concern. We are, as you know, in the process of the most extensive economic, military and secretly fulfilling the task of watching over the physical integrity of your precious life and that of your daughters.

Altulay framed an eyebrow but remained silent, listening to the man.

--We see with pain," --continued the man, --"important voices in this realm who do not want to understand the scope of our help. Your sacred father, in his particular anguish to help and collaborate as equals with the Chibcha people, begs your attention to this problem. Not for a moment does our sacred father stop thinking about his granddaughter Xixata, who in spite of the years without seeing her, worries him to know that she is close to the time of being asked in marriage and reveals to him any error in that particular.

Having said this, the man remained silent, attentively analyzing the face of the princess.