Evil Star

This was the rectangle of grass around which everything else had been built. More people looked down from the platforms and terraces above. Many of the Incas had put on their ceremo-nial clothes. There were headdresses made of feathers and gold, brilliantly colored robes, gold collars and bracelets, golden shields and swords, and gold jewelry, fabulously carved in the shape of pumas, crouching warriors, and gods. Some of the people were dancing. Many were eating and drinking. All of Horowitz, Anthony - [Gatekeepers 02] - Evil Star them wanted to see Matt and Pedro, to greet them, and to shake their hands.
    Matt was sitting with Richard and Pedro. He had intro-duced them to each other before the feast had begun.
    "I'm really glad to meet you, Pedro," Richard had said. "Thank you for looking after Matt."
    Pedro nodded, although Matt wondered if he had really understood.
    The night drew on. The music became louder and the wine and beer flowed faster. Matt noticed Richard empty-ing yet another goblet —
    but he himself had drunk more beer than was probably good for him.
    And why not, he thought? For just one night he was safe, among friends. He remembered what the amauta had said. The gate would open in three days. One boy would stand against the Old Ones and one boy would fall. Would it be him or Pedro? Or had the amauta
    been talking about someone else? What-ever the answer, Matt knew that this might be his only chance to relax and enjoy himself before he was plunged back into the dangers that lay outside. Richard had already told him they were going to leave the next day.
    Then the music stopped and the crowd grew silent and the prince of the Incas stepped out onto a terrace in front of his palace. He spoke once again in English, and although he didn't raise his voice, the words rang out for all to hear.
    "This is how the Inca world began," he exclaimed. "This is the story that has been passed down through the generations.. . ."
    He paused. Somewhere a baby cried until its mother shushed it.
    "According to our ancestors, a long time ago there was only darkness. The land was bare and the people lived like animals. Then the father of all things — we call him Viracocha, the Sun — decided Horowitz, Anthony - [Gatekeepers 02] - Evil Star to send his son down to teach the people how to live properly, how to cultivate the fields and build houses for themselves.
    "And that is how Manco Capac came into the world. He rose out of the waters of Lake Titicaca, son of the Sun, the first of the Incas.
    Manco traveled across South America until at last he came to a valley near Cuzco. Here he plunged a gold rod into the earth, for this was the place where he had decided to found the Inca Empire.
    "For many years, he ruled wisely and strongly before returning to the heavens. In that time, one image — and only one — was made of him. It was engraved on a great circle of gold. This treasure, more precious to us than any other was called the Sun of Viracocha. When the conquis-tadors came, it was hidden away and nobody has seen it since, though many have tried to find it."
    He raised a hand. On the far side of the plaza, two lines of soldiers moved forward, holding flaming beacons. Then eight more Incas appeared, bowing under the weight of a great litter. Something flat and circular rested on the top, covered by a cloth. All around the city, heads turned silently to follow it. The bearers set it down on the grass, just in front of the table where Matt and Pedro were sitting.
    "Why do we celebrate today?" the Inca called out. "Look on the face of Manco Capac and you will understand."
    The cloth was removed.
    For a moment the golden disc dazzled Matt and he was unable to see. It seemed to shine with a light of its own. Resting on its side, the disc was almost as tall as he was. It had been fashioned like a sun, with golden flames twisting round its rim. Matt blinked.
    Gradually, he was able to make out a face engraved on the surface.
    It was a face that he recognized, but of course that was impossible.

    Horowitz, Anthony - [Gatekeepers 02] - Evil Star The image had been made more than a thousand years ago. He heard Richard let out a gasp. Next to him, Pedro stood up, back-ing away, his face filled with terror and disbelief.
    The two faces were the same.
    There could be no mistake.
    The disc showed a picture of Manco Capac, founder of the Inca Empire. But Pedro was also looking at a portrait of himself.

    Chapter 16 Professor