And in the centre was the Inca.
He towered over the rest, his high usnu throne resplendent with gold, a bright blue-feathered dome above his head. On his head his lluatu headdress of gold, with its two long delicate feathers of the coraquenque bird trembled in the light wind, and in his hand he held a golden sceptre. The shield upon his chest was engraved with a picture of the Sun God, and high on his shoulder he wore a badge of hummingbird feathers. His face was hard as flint and full of hatred.
The Mamacunas walked behind Teya, and before her two Nusta laid cloth for her to step on. Another two walked on either side, carrying the feathered parasol, hung with silver bells. She would walk like this, for the rest of her life.
The crowd fell silent as she emerged, and the drums were still
