The Light of Machu Picchu by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781788633512
Publisher: Canelo
Published: 2019-03-27T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

They climbed up the Ancestor Mountain by a narrow, poorly paved path. Both Katari and Gabriel bore a heavy stone, wrapped in a manta, on their backs.

They had passed through the hustling canchas, where every man was preparing for battle, without seeing a sign of Villa Oma; then they had walked past the well-stocked collcas before leaving the town behind. At the base of the slope, Katari had selected a stone for Gabriel, and it was this burden that was now digging into the young Spaniard’s back and shoulders, making every step he took agony.

And yet, Gabriel made no complaint, nor did he feel any need to ask why he had to carry the stone. He followed in Katari’s steps, noting how the Master of the Stone moved with the ease and grace of an alpaca. Katari’s load didn’t seem to weigh him down any more than his long hair that floated freely behind him in the breeze.

From time to time, they turned around to watch the Inca troops deploy. Hundreds of fearsome Antisuyu archers had emerged from the forest and joined the Inca ranks. A barrage had been built downstream on the Willkamayo and the water level had risen, making the river harder to ford. And Gabriel, the man who had sworn that he would no longer bear arms, now felt a painful ache in his body. It was as though he was sharing the Spaniards’ efforts as they approached – and as though he was only now facing the stark and strange reality of not being among them, riding on his white horse, holding his sword, sweating beneath his morion and chain mail. And another, unexpected thought rent his soul in two: he knew that Sebastian would be among them, and that he wouldn’t be there to help defend his friend and even perhaps save his life.

Gabriel gritted his teeth to prevent himself from crying out in fury at his impotence. He hooked his hands into the folds of the manta, distracting himself by bending forward and concentrating on the back-breaking weight of the stone.

Gradually, pain and exhaustion produced the desired numbness, and he felt paradoxically aided by his burden.

They reached a flat, rocky platform the size of an esplanade. Gabriel set down his stone and almost collapsed, so great was the pain that shot through his back. Anamaya’s warm gaze offered him some support, and he slowly straightened his body, feeling crushed by the physical effort as much as by the sudden doubt that had overcome him.

‘We’re here,’ said Katari.

Gabriel was completely lost. He looked to Anamaya for some explanation.

‘We are above the Ancestor’s face,’ she said.

Katari squatted and took a bronze chisel from his chuspa. He began working the stone he had borne up the slope, his movements precise and meticulous. Then he did the same with Gabriel’s.

‘Look,’ he said.

On one stone, the Kolla had carved the shape of a puma, and on the other that of a snake.

‘Strength,’ said Gabriel, ‘and Amaru’s wisdom.’

‘Well done,’ said Katari, smiling.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.