Chapter 4
Kasik had convinced himself that if everything went according to plan, he could be at the acllahuasi in two weeks’ time, back
at the kancha in four weeks, and then reunited with his men in time to celebrate Inti Raymi. It was a small price to pay for
the freedom Maicu had promised.
But everything did not go according to plan.
To start, the rain was relentless, leaving the ground a sogging mess. The achipumas despised the rain, and though they were
sure-footed, their mood was rancid. It became too dangerous to ride, so he walked beside them, coaxing them forward with each
step, murmuring encouraging words over the claps of thunder that made his ears ring.
All the while, he held the silver cylindrical case close to his chest. The temptation to open it was strong, his curiosity
almost winning as he navigated the muddy path. Perhaps if he better understood why he was being sent to collect a random girl—a random wife—he could reconcile the effort in his mind.
In the end, it was his unfailing loyalty and inability to go against a command that stayed his hand, even if resentment simmered
beneath. Even as the days dragged on in misery.
It was on the sixth night of his travels when Kasik found himself watching a group of bandits sneak upon his camp. He had
left the achipumas lounging beneath a thick, canopied tree so that he could hunt, and when he returned, he found three men
pawing through his bags. There was nothing valuable in them, only extra clothing and the tea he was supposed to give the girl.
The silver case was safely in his breast pocket, and his bow and arrows were slung across his back.
Kasik crouched low and watched as one man approached Illari, the smaller achipuma meant for the girl, and carefully held out his hand.
The achipumas were large and ferocious looking, but they were docile.
Protector more than predator. They didn’t typically attack or eat a human unless provoked, and it was clear Illari didn’t feel provoked as she gladly took whatever was in the man’s hand.
Capac, on the other hand, had been Kasik’s companion since childhood and wouldn’t let the men get near. Though Capac didn’t
rise from his prone position beneath the tree, he hissed and lashed his tail when one of the men got too close. Kasik smiled
proudly, and then he glowered as Illari was easily led away.
There was nothing to be done. It wouldn’t do him any good to be murdered by a pack of bandits, even if the itch to start a
fight was strong. When it seemed as though no other shadows would emerge, he carefully picked his way down the slope and back
to Capac. The achipuma slanted his eyes at Kasik as if to say, Where were you?
“I know. It couldn’t be avoided.” Kasik ran his hand down Capac’s glossy neck. “No unnecessary fighting. It’ll be easier this
way, just you and me. Illari was holding us back.”
All was forgiven when Kasik produced the hares he had caught, and Capac got two instead of one. Eventually, they were both
able to relax. The rain continued, so no fire was made, and Kasik ended up tossing his dinner deep into the woods, hopeful
that his continued sacrifices would be enough to keep the forest creatures at bay.
There were only stories of them, but they were terrifying enough that he followed their instructions.
Some said the beast-like animals, with wings the span of a man and talons as sharp as blades, were only appeased by blood.
Others said it was intention that pleased them.
Depending on which ayllu you visited, they were minions of one god or another.
Kasik thought it safer to pray to all the gods, to offer blood and intentions and disturb the woods as little as possible.
Capac came to join him on the forest floor, as if he knew Kasik needed the warmth and company. They waited for morning to
come, and for another day to be done and gone.
The next several days passed without incident. There were no run-ins with bandits or strange creatures or animals. He saw
no other people as he traversed the emperor’s road. Kasik began to appreciate the freedom—no men seeking his approval or awaiting
his commands. No tayta to be disappointed by his mere existence. No emperor seeking his friendship.
He missed Samaq, but he couldn’t help but wonder what secrets his friend was keeping from him, and what he had tried to tell
Kasik that day in the training ring. What would Emperor Maicu do once he knew that his empress was meeting in secret with
a walla, and that Kasik had known it all along?
Perhaps he could stay in these woods where he was just a man with a beast and never have to find out.
It was a fanciful thought, one that surprised and thrilled him in equal measure.
But there was a mission to be completed, and Kasik intended to do it to the best of his abilities. Two more days, and he would
be halfway to completing his mission to collect the girl and deliver her unharmed.