Chapter 22

At the conclusion of the council, Son of the Condor waited for the end of Saba Tamac's commotion over the terrible news received.

Saba Tamac's shock at the terrible news he had received.

--My Father and Our Father, are you all right?

--Yes son, don't worry. Soon things will be settled-answered the great chieftain recovering his composure.

--I want to join the war,"-- announced the young chief serenely.

--That is how it will be. You will be of great help in the north. Tanda, please escort the prince son of the condor,"-- he accepted the boy's offer and immediately looked at his daughter, who accompanied her father to the meeting, to signify the absence of hatred towards the Timotocuicas.

--Yes, my father and my father," answered the young girl obediently....

The girl was trying to adjust her pace to that of the man, who was almost starting his race to war, forgetting about her.

---Why are you in such a hurry to get yourself killed? It seems that my presence bothers you," the beautiful woman reproached him.

Son of the Condor did not answer her. He was not really going to war. He was going to the Temple of the Moon to cry and implore Xixata in the darkness of the temple, that they both face the truth.

Rut Za Berú, consulted her oracles. She poured in the ceremonial vessel, the aromatic essences of pasote, purple cariaquito, coca, cundeamor and jasmine. She drank the sacred infusion and concentrated, breathing slowly, while she turned her eyes upward and to the right, to try to connect with the sources of the future. His mind became more and more receptive. He visualized roots coming out of his feet and going into the earth, receiving with each inhalation the magnetic energy of the earth and with each exhalation the negative energy coming out, discharging it. Then when his mind was emptied, he opened his eyes and concentrated on the vessel. In it liquid was clearly defined a stylized figure; separated by a huge fire. The figure emerged from the vessel and projected itself onto the wall. Now the wall of fire was on the floor, right in front of him.

---Blasphemer," said the figure from the wall, from the bottom of the jar and inside his brain, "don't you dare raise your hand against the one you cannot. Reflect and stop your plans. Beg forgiveness for your soul.

Ruth Za Beru sighed. That being was as alive as he was. Worse still. It had already found him, settling firmly in the depths of his own spiritual power.

Blue Bird gazed rapturously at the girl, she was small and fragile. No one could imagine her immense power. She saw the window and a sign of good luck appeared. A young condor perched in the branches of the strong saman tree in the garden.

The young Caribe smiled. Tahirza would never reign in the Chibcha Empire. She was ninth in the line of succession and additionally no woman could sit on the Chibcha throne. But no one would ever dispute her reign among the Timotocuicas, Motilones and her own Carib people. Her future lay in the warm lands of the north.

Saba Tamac entered the room. He had an accomplice in his eyes....

--You were challenging me today. You went to the military parade with the colors of my enemies,

--We are enemies,"-- the young woman said with a smile.

--Then we will make war," --concluded the man, feeling himself boiling at the sight of the small, statuesque, almost naked body in front of him.

--Last time you almost couldn't. You spent the night urinating. That's why young women are advised not to marry old men.

--Elderly me? You'll see," --said the man , taking her loaded and carrying her to the bed of furs.

III

Xixata also watched from the temple as the troops left. For many moons she would not see Son of the Condor, if he returned from this difficult war. She then received a visit from her sister Tanda.

Xixata invited her to pray and drink sunflower tea.

--It is very strange your role," --said Tanda, looking with contempt at the rough clay pot, --"you don't fit me praying. They say in the palace that a sorrow of love tears your heart.

--You came to pray," --said Xixata without bothering.

In spite of both secretly fighting for the same man, the very small difference in age and the fact that they had grown up together had cemented a true sisterly union--, don't make the court comments.

--Well, you should,"-- the other one commented venomously, --"Son of the Condor broke his engagement to me. According to him, he lost honor by not saving Litu Ratu; he asked to be in the worst place in the war to meet his death quickly.

--What does our father and my father think?" --asked Xixata, suddenly interested, after his calm look.

--Our father and my father has not decided anything," --said Tanda with a flirtatious smile, --"but I will tell him that we have slept together and he will then force him?

--More like kill him,"-- said Xixata, inwardly worried about the other's pretense.

--He won't. I will stop him. But you seem interested, my sister," --said Tanda, looking at her through her black eyes.

The family thing does interest me, in spite of my priestly vows.

It just struck me that by naming Son of the Condor, your expression.... I don't know, it became more animated, you know? In the palace it says that Son of the Condor has devoured many honors. What do you know about that?

-- They are inventions of maidservants," --concluded the other, without any inflection in her voice.

---They also say that your mother Altulay dragged you across the floor shortly before you came here.--

--My mother has always exercised authority over me," --said Xixata evading and starting to pray, being automatically followed by her sister. They both really needed the power of prayer. They prayed for prosperity, for health, for the victory of the army, and.... for the triumph of Son of the Condor