Page:The Incas of Peru.djvu/282

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
244
LOVE OF QUILACU AND CURI COYLLUR

her son for these acts of injustice and cruelty. It was long before she would consent to the marriage of her daughter Chuqui Urpay with Huascar, which took place after the obsequies of the great Inca Huayna Ccapac. The widowed queen took up her abode at the village of Siquillapampa, a few miles from Cuzco.

Atahualpa resolved to send an embassy to his brother, with valuable presents, brought by envoys who were instructed to offer his submission and homage. For this delicate mission he selected a handsome and valiant youth named Quilacu Yupanqui, son of the murdered Auqui Tupac Yupanqui. He was accompanied by four older chiefs.

On his arrival at Suriti the envoy received a welcoming message from the queen-dowager, who was fond of young Quilacu. He had been brought up in her palace at Cuzco, and was a foster-brother to her daughter Chuqui Urpay. Mama Rahua invited him to come to Siquillapampa, and to reside there until he received orders as to his reception from the Inca. The old queen sent out a number of beautiful girls to meet her friend Quilacu, and among them was Huascar's daughter, Curi Coyllur, the golden star, the fairest of the fair maidens of Cuzco. During his short residence at Siquillapampa, Quilacu conceived an ardent affection for the beautiful girl, and he had the happiness to find that his love was returned. There was a brief but delightful time under the shade of the molle trees, on lawns carpeted with the