“Will you ever call me ‘friend’ again?”
It wasn’t so long ago that they had been more like brothers than friends. But then Maicu had betrayed his true brother in the pursuit of power, and the control of Tawantinsuyu had fallen to him. It was quickly learned that Maicu did not keep a relationship that did not benefit him—brother or friend. Kasik was simply a man indebted to an emperor. “Not so long as you are my emperor,” he said softly, the words tinged with regret.
Maicu sighed and gestured toward the chair before him. “Come in, then, and have a seat. I have a request to make ofmyfriend and most trusted walla.”
Kasik obeyed, adjusting the sword at his hip so he could sit comfortably. It showed how little Maicu questioned Kasik’s intent that he didn’t so much as blink at the weapon. They sat across from one another, Maicu’s hands steepled underneath his chin, his eyes pinned to Kasik’s, and then he spoke. “I need you to go to Taqsay.”
The name of the ayllu in Amaru gave him pause. It wasn’t strange of the emperor to misspeak. Often times, there was so much on his mind that his words made little sense. “Do you mean Tullumay?” As he sat there, his men were preparing to travel to the capital of Icosa. They had all but one foot out the door. “My men and I will be departing—”
“No,” Maicu interrupted with a sigh. “I meant Taqsay. Your plans have changed.”
Kasik stilled, muscles coiled tight and ready to spring. It was all he could do to keep from jumping to his feet and pacing the room. He balledhis fists on his thighs and swallowed once, twice, mustering all the calm he had trained into himself before speaking. “Lord Anri is expecting us. This will set us back many weeks and—”
“You misunderstand me,” Maicu said calmly. Kasik envied him his restraint. He hadn’t been so restrained when they were children, and Kasik felt the lack of control in himself like a wound. “Your men will continue to the ayllu of Tullumay, to Lord Anri, butyouwill journey to Taqsay and to the acllahuasi, where you will collect a girl and bring her to me.” Maicu held his eyes, challenging him to refute his commands. “I am telling you this in confidence, as a friend. Master Wara will give you a missive that you will deliver to the matron of the house, Mamakuna Dusi, and you will not speak a word of this to anyone else.”
Kasik forced himself to take a deep breath, to settle back into his chair and adopt the unaffected air Maicu seemed to have. “All of this for another servant?”
“Awife, Kasik. And you would do well to remember who it is you are speaking to.”
The words were quiet, but lethal. Gone was the friendliness between them from only moments ago and in its place was the emperor, a man who had murdered his brother in cold blood and then clapped Kasik on the shoulder as he passed by.
Maicu didn’t suffer those who stood in his way, even if that person was his brother and the next emperor of Tawantinsuyu. To him, Kasik was a friend when it suited him, but a means to an end and as replaceable as the plush rug underneath their feet otherwise.
Firelight from the torches in the corners of the room danced over Maicu’s face. Kasik worked to keep his own features still, to give away nothing. The answer he had received hadn’t been the one he expected.
The girls in the acllahuasi were young, and once upon a time, they had specifically been chosen because of their unique abilities to controlthe elements and, in some far-fetched tales meant to scare children, control people. They were raised in an environment that suppressed those abilities for their own safety, and the safety of others.
Their uniqueness had scared the people, but whatever power the gods had bestowed upon them had waned over generations, becoming nothing more than a whispered myth.
However, the tradition had continued, and children were chosen for the chani as a contribution to their growing empire. Kasik himself had been handed over to Emperor Yachua, Maicu’s tayta, at the age of seven, but it mattered little when he had been living within the kancha since the day he was born.
Maicu had never spoken of taking another aclla as a wife. He wondered if this had anything to do with why Atik left the palace so abruptly a fortnight ago.
There had been a time, before he was emperor, where Kasik and Maicu had discussed everything from hopes and aspirations to petty fears and frustrations. Now he could barely ascertain what Maicu thought or had planned.
Did Chaska, Maicu’s first wife, know of this mission? The woman was aloof, but there was a glint of keen awareness in her eyes that made him wary. He doubted anything got past her.
“The girl will need protection, Kasik, and I only trust you to provide it.” He leaned back in his chair, hands folded in his lap. “Your men will continue to Tullumay led by Samaq. Do this, prove to me your loyalty, and I will let you lead your men as you see fit. You can be the one to win Uwaco to our side.”
The words were a puzzle with only the implication of a reward, and yet Kasik felt himself reaching for it, for the freedom Maicu dangled like bait.
If they kept to the emperor’s road, then the path through the TutaKulla, the dense forest that occupied most of Amaru, would be smooth. The road was blessed by the sun god, Inti, and led straight to Taqsay. The dangerous creatures that dwelled in the trees stayed far from it, and the citizens of Tawantinsuyu knew better than to bother the emperor’s men.
“It will be a simple mission for you,” Maicu encouraged.
Kasik knew empty flattery when he heard it. “And what of the mamakuna? Will she be expecting me?”
“In a way,” Maicu offered vaguely. “There will be no problems, if that is what you are asking. Collect the girl, bring her here, and begin the life you have always wanted. I’m sure it will anger your tayta to no end.”
At this, Kasik smiled. Kunay Atik took every opportunity to remind Kasik that he was nothing but a lowly walla, despite his title of kamayuq. He thought him too weak to lead, and his position only given due to Emperor Maicu’s soft spot for a childhood friend.
This could be his chance to prove himself. The girl would be young and compliant. The terrain was fairly predictable. He trusted Samaq and his men to travel the northern leg of the emperor’s road to Tullumay. There was no reason he should be wary.
And yet he was.
From the set of Maicu’s brow, it was clear he had no choice.Kasik took a deep breath and bowed his head. “When do I leave?”
“In the morning. Master Wara has a bag of provisions you’ll need for the girl. Be sure to see him first. And Kasik.” Maicu’s voice softened, once again the friend. “Protect her with your life. No man is to lay a single hand on her without consequence.”
