PROLOGUE: The old man rose and stepped outside his stone house into the pre-dawn darkness. A ‘chasqui’ messenger bowed before the great one and advised him that he would lead the remaining people at the Emperor’s estate at Machu Picchu to join a great rebellion against the ‘Concha’ Spanish. The old man sent him away. He already decided that today would be his day to die. He dressed in his finest tunic, headband, feathered knee and ankle bracelets, and golden armband. He made a last tour of the empty Secret City, revisiting many memories. He planned to join his mummified wife and daughter in death atop ‘Huayna Picchu’ Young Peak. Many years ago he hid their mummies in a cave on the mountain peak’s cliff face. When he joined them, he would slowly wall himself in, and tell them his life’s story. If he failed to tell them, he may not join them in paradise. He began the exhausting climb carrying a tapestry, silver scepter, and cornerstone rock. He descended from the top of the peak by rope. Halfway down he lost his grip and fell. His feet and legs helped break his slide on the rope. The old man regained his grip and lowered himself to the ‘tocco’ cave mouth and climbed in. While cleaning his wife and daughter’s mummies, he talked to them as though they were alive, and quietly listening to his every word. He began putting the footing stones in the tocco, and telling his incredible story. CHAPTER ONE: Ten year old Prince ‘Bucha Nech’ Raging River, played a game of stick ball outside the city walls of Chan-Chan. His father, King Minchancaman of Chimu and the Chimor people, forbade his son to leave the palace while the ‘K’ichuwa’ Inca army threatened the capital city. Bucha Nech and his friends had climbed over the wall anyway. The boys discussed ‘Tlagnamu’ and whether she and the Prince would marry one day. Bucha Nech punched and beat up an older boy that cursed the King for eliminating human sacrifice, believing such an event would stop the Inca from attacking. The Inca army did attack. Bucha Nech, captured by an enormous Inca soldier, fought back and screamed at the soldier in his native Quingnam language. The soldier did not understand, but did understand the name of the city he attacked – Chan-Chan. He clubbed the boy in the head and said, “Shut up Chan-Chan. You will make a good slave.” After marching fifty days, Bucha Nech and the other Chimor slaves reach ‘Qusqu Suyu’ Cusco. At the slave auction, the Emperor Pachacutiq asked the army captain if any nobles were among the slaves. He said no but the young prince shouted out his name and title and tried to fight the Captain. The Emperor recognized an exceptional young man, so he held him as slave Chan-Chan, in custody of the priests at the High Temple, until Prince Chan-Chan decided to stop his rebellious behavior and join the Inca. Chan-Chan, assigned to work stone on the home of General Topa, Son of Pachacutiq, learned the K’ichuwa language and basic stone masonry. He was vexed by the severe Inca Priests and a strange boy his own age. The boy criticized and teased Chan-Chan in a mean-spirited way. Chan-Chan ignored ‘trouble boy.’ The Emperor relocated to his estate at Machu Picchu. On the way, he requested Chan-Chan accompany him. CHAPTER TWO: For six months at the Secret City, Chan-Chan slaved as personal attendant to the Emperor. He learned Pachacutiq’s poems, and discussed with him the affairs of the Empire. Just before Pachacutiq died, he freed Chan-Chan and assigned him to a noble family. He also gave the boy a precious golden armband that would bring much pleasure and pain. The family to whom Chan-Chan was awarded was the family of teasing ‘trouble boy’ Manco Cusi. The much older brother, Capac Lloque, served as a palace guard. He befriended the family’s new ward. On the trip from Machu Picchu to the Qusqu Suyu, Manco and Chan-Chan became friends. Chan-Chan recognized Manco’s twisted, mean nature but overlooked it. The boys grew to their teen years. Capac and Chan-Chan took hunting trips into the hills many miles from their home. On one eventful trip, Capac was bitten by a poisonous snake. Chan-Chan bound his leg and packed him all the way back to the Capitol. He saved Capac’s life and gained a reputation for performing amazing feats with extraordinary physical gifts. Tlagnamu arrived in the city as a gift to the new Emperor Topa. Not being interested in a slave woman he sent her to the House of the Chosen. Chan-Chan found ways to meet with her and grow close. Manco saw her and wanted to marry her, but Chan-Chan declared that she was already pledged to him. This, combined with Pachacutiq’s gift of the golden armband, sent Manco into a permanent jealous rage and hatred for his adopted brother. As teenagers, the boys had to participate in the ‘Manhood Trials.’ Chan-Chan studied for the trials with Capac. The golden armband disappeared the day of the Trials. Manco was accused by Chan-Chan and Capac of having stolen it. The father, Huallpa Rimachi involved himself, and ultimately sided against his twisted son, but, refused to do anything about it. CHAPTER THREE: A priest in charge of Chan-Chan’s group during the trials did everything he could to prevent the teenager from winning. For Chan-Chan, every test required more effort and skill to pass than was required of the other entrants. The Priest was caught and punished by Topa. He declared Chan-Chan the winner of the Trials. The excited young man received many gifts including a silver scepter, goblet, and the return of his armband. For his crimes of theft and treachery, Chan-Chan recommended to Huallpa Rimachi that Manco be sent to the Priesthood. This punishment would save face for the family. The father agreed, and declared Manco was no longer his son. Chan-Chan became his new son to carry the Rimachi name. Chan-Chan and Tlagnamu, now called Cava Mayta, pledge their love to each other. CHAPTER FOUR: Manco’s furious mother ripped into her husband. She decided to go behind his back to a friend in the Emperor’s court to remove her son from the priesthood and punish Chan-Chan. The ‘Yacarca’ Soothsayer could not get her son extracted from the priests, but he could get Chan-Chan conscripted to the army many years ahead of time. Huallpa Rimachi officially made Chan-Chan his son, and decided to wed the beautiful Cava Mayta. This upset Chan-Chan until he figured a way to trick his new father into marrying another woman for his second wife, which he did. However, before he could wed Cava Mayta, he was seized by soldiers and taken to the army for training and deployment. During training, Chan-Chan stood out in combat and tactics having learned from Capac Lloque. He was given command of a unit of ten fighters from his native land of Chimu. He meet his father’s advisor who told him how his real father, King Minchancaman almost died in battle, but, along with Chan-Chan’s mother, became slaves. Chan-Chan found himself torn between hatred for the Inca and fulfilling his duty so he may return to Qusqu Suyu to marry Cava Mayta. He decided to fight, and in one desperate battle, saved the army and Topa’s life. He was promoted again, and for the next ten years, earned many field promotions while fighting. He also built ‘Tombo’ outposts and roads, expanding the Inca Empire. He finally returned to Qusqu Suyu a General. He attempted to visit Cava Mayta in the House of the Chosen, but was blocked by Manco Cusi who held the status of a High Priest of a small Temple. Chan-Chan left the Capital and marched north with the army to conquer new territory. He discovered that Manco Cusi had maneuvered himself into a position with the army priests. He quickly became a standout with Topa for outrageous chants and curses and spewing magic to defeat the enemy. Chan-Chan, while building a road near Cajamarca, suffered a crushed hip as a huge boulder landed on him after suddenly tumbling from the hillside. He was treated and sent back to the Capitol by stretcher bearers. Chan-Chan said nothing after noticing the dirt from the boulder on Manco’s hands. CHAPTER FIVE: The palace ‘Watukk’ doctor applied all his knowledge and medicines to save Chan-Chan, his hip and leg. During recovery, the slave girl assistant named ‘Quenti’ hummingbird, took special care of the fallen General. After many weeks of healing, Chan-Chan reacted to Quenti physically and they had intercourse, but he regretted the incident fearing her emotional attachment. Chan-Chan decided to gamble on a scheme to free Cava Mayta from the House of the Chosen, marry her, and make the Secret City at Machu Picchu their home. With help from Capac Lloque and Huallpa Rimachi, he made good his plan. Pretending to be near death, he sent word to Topa that if he lived, he would reassign himself to command the soldiers at Secret City and assist the Royal Architect there. On the road to Secret City, the stretcher bearers attempted to assassinate Chan-Chan and Cava Mayta at ‘Sayacmarca’ Town on the Hillside. The plan was thwarted by one stretcher bearer that refused to help. He saved the life of the General and his wife. The unit of soldiers accompanying them captured the assassins. Chan-Chan ordered them executed in front of the people of the town. The stretcher bearer, Pahuac Pisco, pledged himself and his service to Chan-Chan. He also bore witness to Manco’s attempt to kill the General, and threaten the stretcher bearers with death if they did not assassinate him. Chan-Chan and Cava Mayta enjoyed six months of bliss at Secret City. It ended when the palace Watukk and his assistant Quenti arrive with a message from Topa and the New High Priest Chief Sacrificer, Manco Cusi. They ordered buildings and terraces constructed on ‘Huayna Picchu’ Young Peak in only four months – an impossibly short time frame for building on a near vertical peak. Chan-Chan accepted the challenge, and prepared for a battle with Topa and Manco when they arrived. CHAPTER SIX: Quenti announced to Chan-Chan that she was pregnant by him. He discussed the situation with Cava Mayta who helped him decide to take her as a second wife. He agreed to keep her and raise their child but said he would not attempt to produce any more children with her. That pronouncement did not sit well with the woman. The Festival Inti Raymi found three workers missing the following day. Chan-Chan and his soldiers tracked them down. To set an example, Chan-Chan did not kill them, but took one deserter, broke his leg, and castrated him. The word spread and ended labor unrest. Chan-Chan learned about Inca religion in depth and became a lay-priest as a defense against Manco’s possible excesses. The work on Huayna Picchu finished on time. Without committing blasphemy, Chan-Chan warned the people about Topa and the new Chief Sacrificer, but they did not understand. They cheered the Master Builder General for the many good deeds he performed, like giving everyone fish to eat with their dinners. They cheered when he asked them for their help in his coming time of need, but they failed him when that time came. CHAPTER SEVEN: When Emperor Topa and Manco Cusi, the Chief Sacrificer, arrived at Secret City, Chan-Chan was rebuked publicly and called to account for his crimes before being executed. The clever Master Builder talked his way out of his situation as Manco raged. Topa rebuked the Chief Sacrificer and gave Chan-Chan lifetime protection from attempts on his life by Manco. Time passed and the wet weather turned to drought. The Chief Sacrificer chose a human sacrifice – Pahuac Pisco, the one person that could identify Manco as having attempted to kill Chan-Chan. Attempting to intercede on Pahuac’s behalf, Chan-Chan failed to persuade Topa to choose another victim. Shortly after the sacrifice, both Cava Mayta and Quenti gave birth, Cavie to a girl and Quenti to a boy. The rains ended the drought, and for ten years Chan-Chan and Cava Mayta lived in peace at Secret City, raising their daughter Coya. Quenti was constantly angry and hateful of being second wife. As the son, ‘Uturuncu’ Tiger, grew he became mean, mistreating his smaller sister constantly. His mother always absolved him of any act he committed, and blamed Coya. When both children reached ten years of age, Chan-Chan discovered Uturuncu dragging his sister by the hair. A confrontation finally brought the family situation to a climax. Chan-Chan threatened to ‘put away’ Quenti and her son if they did not change their bad behavior. Quenti began visiting the Manco Cusi at the Temple on a regular basis. Drought struck again, and just when Chan-Chan needed the Emperor to protect his family, the Emperor died. CHAPTER EIGHT: Topa’s body was returned to the Qusqu Suyu, but Manco stayed behind to take control of Secret City. He flew into a frenzy of animal sacrifice and strange building projects. Manco called for a human sacrifice, and announced, with Quenti by his side, little Coya was his choice. The people supported the choice to the distraught father’s horror. Chan-Chan charged Manco to harm him but soldiers arrested him. Cava Mayta tried to escape with Coya. As soldiers caught them, Cavie fought like a demon, but to no avail. Chan-Chan and Cavie, bound, gagged and confined to jail, were rescued by a soldier friend of Capac Lloque. They escaped, but Chan-Chan’s damaged hip meant he could not run all the way to Qusqu Suyu to plead before Huayna Capac, the son of Topa. Cavie ran on her own while Chan-Chan hid. Ten soldiers, sent by Manco, caught Cavie, and on their return were attacked by Chan-Chan on a narrow path over a cliff face. The soldier friend that rescued them, accompanied the unit. He helped Chan-Chan and Cavie again. They disposed of the soldiers and decided to send a ‘Chasqui’ messenger with an offer to Manco Cusi. The message said that Chan-Chan would not harm any more soldiers, and would not return to Qusqu Suyu to plead before the Emperor if Manco publicly absolved them of their crimes and used Quenti and Uturuncu as sacrifices. Manco agreed but betrayed them when they returned to Secret City. Cava Mayta was taken away for sacrifice while Chan-Chan awaited his execution in jail. He was once again rescued by his soldier friend, Auki and his friend, Ayar. Chan-Chan wanted to stay and kill Manco, but Auki convinces him to make the plea before the Emperor, then find the bodies of his wife and daughter and hide them where he can venerate them every day. Chan-Chan agreed to the plan. They escaped to make the long journey to Qusqu Suyu. CHAPTER NINE: Chan-Chan made his plea before the emperor. Huayna Capac pronounced Chan-Chan General of the entire Inca Empire army and High Priest in title only. He granted him authority to deal with Manco any way he desired. Two years passed as Chan-Chan conducted his new duties and prepared for his return to Secret City. During that time, Manco, knowing he was in trouble with the Emperor, took his sexual and murdering excesses to all-time highs. Half of the thousand residents at Secret City disappeared. Crops failed for lack of labor, and buildings begin suffering for lack of maintenance. Chan-Chan’s spies told him of Manco’s terrible crimes. He decided the time had come to leave the Emperor and deal with his enemy. He handpicked the best fighters and left for Secret City. On the way, they retrieve the bodies of Cava Mayta and Coya. Auki, Ayar, and Chan-Chan sneaked to Wayna Picchu and the cave the Master Builder had found many years earlier while building the temple and terraces on Young Peak. They placed the bodies then returned to launch their attack on Manco and the few soldiers still at his command. Manco knew they were going to attack. He hid in the Temple of the Virgins of the Sun atop Huayna Pikchu with five soldiers guarding him and twenty citizens ready to fight on the lower part of the peak. Chan-Chan and his men disarmed the citizen soldiers easily and climbed to a point above the Temple. His men attacked the soldiers outside the Temple while Chan-Chan fought Manco and the soldiers inside. After a desperate battle, he finally subdued Manco. He told him he would be taken to Qusqu Suyu, bound like a criminal, publicly humiliated, and executed. Manco tells Chan-Chan that before he sacrificed the wife and daughter, he raped them repeatedly. Chan-Chan sent his men down the mountain alone. Manco’s screams could be heard all the way to Secret City for the remainder of that day and the next. EPILOGUE: The old man finished his story by telling of how Huayna Capac died of the disease from the north and how his sons fought a great civil war to decide which one would rule the empire. He related how the Spanish had arrived and defeated the Inca armies and ransomed Atahuallpa, the Emperor, for gold – then killed him anyway. The Empire was finished and so was his tale. The old man placed the final stone in the cave opening, sealing the entrance for all time. He sat next to his wife and daughter, patted his wife’s foot, then closed his eyes for the last time.